Season 7, Episode 4: April Catron, Brand Ambassador & Junior Cecil, Co-Founder/Owner - Southern Kentucky Distillery

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief rolls into the rhythm, heat, and soul of New Orleans with Kevin Alker, owner and distiller of Old Alker Distillery. This one hits different… it's got history in its bones, music in its step, and whiskey that carries a family legacy back to life. Long before Old Alker was filling bottles, the Alker name was moving wood… barrel staves flowing through New Orleans, supplying some of the biggest names in American whiskey. Now that same family blood is back in the game, and you can feel it in every pour. They open the show with Old Alker's Small Batch Blend at 100 proof. This is a front porch in the spring kind of whiskey… buttery, nutty, smooth as a slow jazz tune drifting through the French Quarter. Easy sipping, but full of character. As the first half winds down, Big Chief and Kevin lean into a 7-year-old Single Barrel, also at 100 proof. This one dances a little. Bright summer fruits, a touch of citrus, then it settles into that sweet caramel popcorn ball note with a hint of toffee that lingers like the last note of a trumpet on Bourbon Street. Then it's time to turn it up. In the second half, they pour a 7-year-old Cask Strength Single Barrel at 114 proof. This pour is a straight-up baby candy bar in a glass… rich chocolate and caramel leading the charge, layered with flavor from front to back. It builds with hints of orange citrus spice that cut through the sweetness just enough to keep you coming back for another sip. And it's damn good to see another craft distillery rising in New Orleans… adding to the story of a city that knows whiskey, respects it, and knows how to bring it to life with soul. This episode isn't just about whiskey. It's about heritage, resilience, and bringing something back to life with purpose… the kind of story New Orleans was built on. So grab a glass, turn up the music, and Take the Ride with Big Chief. Cheers 

On this episode of The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief sits down with Anthony DeYoung from Three Chord Bourbon, a brand founded by legendary guitarist Neil Giraldo. Built on the rhythm of rock and roll and the craft of blending whiskey, Three Chord brings the energy of music into every bottle. More than just a whiskey brand, Three Chord Bourbon is deeply connected to the music community and philanthropy. The company supports music education, independent artists, and nonprofit organizations, often partnering on charitable initiatives. From Giving Tuesday campaigns supporting Music Is Art to special releases benefiting organizations like the Johnny Strange Foundation, the brand uses whiskey as a platform to give back to the creative world that inspired it. The ride begins with Flipside, a 90 proof Triple Wood bourbon that showcases layered maturation and depth. The added wood influence gives the whiskey complexity while remaining smooth and approachable to start the show. To close out the first half, Big Chief and Anthony pour Strange Collaboration, a 99 proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon finished in Pinot Noir barrels. The wine barrel finish brings a unique twist, introducing subtle fruit notes and soft tannins that complement the classic bourbon backbone. The second half starts with Riot, a 100 proof Double Bonded Blend that delivers bold flavor and balance. Like a great rock song, it carries both intensity and harmony in every sip. They finish the episode with U-Edited, a true rockstar of the lineup. This Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey is uncut, unfiltered, and bottled at 118 proof, delivering a powerful and full-bodied pour. After tasting it, Big Chief says the U-Edited is so impressive it could be a serious contender for his Whiskey of the Year. From music and mash bills to blending and philanthropy, this episode dives deep into how Three Chord Bourbon merges the spirit of rock and roll with the art of whiskey. Pour yourself a glass, turn the volume up, and Take the Ride with Big Chief on The Whiskey Trip.

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes the ride with Dina Coker, founder of Lythgoe Bourbon, and Steffani Scheurich, the brand's Master Blender. Together they dive into the story behind a bourbon brand that is bold, confident, and completely unapologetic—just like the woman who inspired it. Lythgoe Bourbon draws its spirit from Gertrude "Cleo" Lythgoe, often called the Queen of the Bootleggers during Prohibition. Cleo was known for her fearless personality, sharp business mind, and refusal to play by anyone else's rules. That same unapologetic attitude lives inside every bottle of Lythgoe Bourbon today. The episode begins with Pauline's Victory, an 8-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon bottled at 90 proof. Elegant and balanced, this pour sets the tone for the first half of the conversation. It's refined yet confident, delivering classic bourbon notes with a smooth character that invites you to slow down and appreciate the craft behind it. As the glasses empty, Dina and Steffani talk about building a brand that honors the rebellious spirit of Cleo Lythgoe while celebrating the women helping shape the modern whiskey world. In the second half of the show, the crew pours the Founder's Collection, a 9-year-old four-grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon. With both rye and wheat in the mash bill, the whiskey creates a unique balance where sweet and spicy notes dance together in the glass. The wheat softens the edges while the rye brings the spice, creating a layered bourbon that highlights Steffani's artistry as a master blender. It's a conversation about history, bold women in whiskey, and the unapologetic spirit that built this brand from the ground up. Pour yourself a glass, sit back, and Take the Ride with Big Chief on this week's episode of The Whiskey Trip.

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes listeners for a ride to Bryan, Texas to sit down with Caleb Clanton, founder and distillery manager of Hush & Whisper Distilling Company. What makes this episode stand out isn't just the whiskey, it's the building itself. Hush & Whisper operates inside a restored old JCPenney building in historic downtown Bryan, and the space carries serious Art Deco character. Clean geometric lines, bold architectural details, tall ceilings, and the kind of craftsmanship you just don't see in modern construction. The bones of that building tell a story. Thick walls, hidden rooms tucked behind unexpected doors, a penthouse, and even a rooftop dance floor from decades past. It's  history layered into every inch of the structure. It feels industrial, elegant, and gritty all at the same time. That presence matters. The atmosphere rivals distilleries anywhere in the world. Scotland has its stone dunnage warehouses. Kentucky has its rolling rickhouses. Japan has its minimalist precision. Bryan, Texas has a restored Art Deco landmark filled with working stills and aging barrels. You can't fake authenticity like that. It's earned over time. They open the episode with Hush & Whisper's rye whiskey, bold, spice forward, structured, and balanced. Caleb talks about how Texas heat works those barrels differently and how managing that environment inside a historic building takes awareness and patience. The rye shows backbone without losing refinement. From there, they pour a single barrel of that rye. No blending. No smoothing edges. Just one barrel telling its own story. The oak pushes harder, the spice sharpens, and the individuality shines through. Caleb explains how barrel placement inside the building influences maturation and why single barrels are the truest expression of what they do. In the second half, they taste a rye bourbon that isn't quite ready yet. It's honest, developing, full of potential, but not rushed. Caleb speaks candidly about discipline in a market that often pressures distillers to release early. Time is the one ingredient you cannot shortcut, especially in Texas. They close with their gin, clean, botanical forward, and intentional. It proves that the craftsmanship happening inside those Art Deco walls isn't limited to brown spirits. Balance, precision, and confidence carry across the entire lineup. An old department store turned distillery. Secret rooms. Art Deco architecture. Texas heat shaping barrels inside historic walls. Hush & Whisper stands shoulder to shoulder with distilleries around the world, not because it tries to copy them, but because it leans fully into what it is. Pour a glass and Take the Ride.

In this episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, the entire TBL Crew is back together for a laid-back but lively roundtable that feels like you're hanging out in the studio with the guys. There's no formal guest this week— just good bourbon, honest opinions, and the kind of unfiltered conversation that only happens when the crew gets together. Across three segments, the guys catch up on what's been happening in their bourbon worlds, share a few behind-the-scenes updates, and dive into some spirited discussion about current releases, hunting culture, secondary market madness, and what's trending (and what probably shouldn't be). As always, there's plenty of laughter, a few hot takes, and the kind of camaraderie that makes these crew episodes fan favorites. Of course, the pours are flowing and the reviews are honest. This episode features tastings of: · Ten Runner Bourbon · Willett Family Estate Small Batch Bourbon · Rare Character TKO "The Sturgeon" Whiskey Caviar Barrel Pick Bourbon From thoughtful commentary to good-natured ribbing, this one delivers classic TBL Crew energy. Pour yourself something neat, settle in, and enjoy a fun, free-flowing conversation with the guys. This Episode is sponsored by District 7 and The Kitchen Table at the James B. Beam Distilling Co.

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes listeners for a ride to San Antonio to sit down with Tim Crofton, the distiller behind Ranger Creek and a fellow Army Veteran. This episode goes beyond the glass. It is about service, transition, discipline, and building something meaningful after the uniform comes off. Founded in 2010, Ranger Creek was one of the first brewery and distillery combinations operating under one roof in Texas. They were putting barrels away before Texas whiskey had national momentum and before American single malt became a headline. They built this brand in South Texas heat that does not forgive shortcuts. Barrels expand, contract, and mature aggressively. You either stay disciplined or you lose control of the process. Ranger Creek chose discipline. Tim and Big Chief talk about how military service shapes leadership inside a distillery and how that mindset carries into daily operations. As fellow veterans, they also discuss the Department of Defense SkillBridge program and Ranger Creek's role in helping transitioning service members find purpose in the craft industry. Giving veterans a pathway from service to skilled trade is not just smart. It is leadership in action. The first pour of the episode was State and Republic Wheated Bourbon. Wheat brings a rounded sweetness and approachability, but Texas oak still drives structure and backbone. It represents the steady foundation of Ranger Creek's bourbon program and the control required to age whiskey in a climate that accelerates everything. Next came the Distiller's Vault Rye Whiskey. This pour shifted the tone. Rye carries natural spice and intensity, and Texas maturation amplifies it. Black pepper, baking spice, oak, and heat layered together with authority. The Vault series allows Tim to showcase barrels with bold character while still maintaining balance. This rye had grit. It demanded attention. In the second half, the conversation moved into American single malt, a category Ranger Creek has been serious about long before it gained mainstream attention. Texas Landmark The Original No. 2 American Single Malt delivered roasted malt, dark chocolate notes, and structure built for Texas aging. It is confident, direct, and distinctly Texan. Then came the 307 Tricentennial Series Single Malt. Aged in apple brandy barrels and then finished for 4.5 days in an Amburana barrel, it became something layered and memorable. The apple brandy influence brought fruit and sweetness, while the Amburana added cinnamon, baking spice, and warmth. Apple strudel in a glass. That 4.5 day finish required precision. Too long and it dominates. Just right and it transforms the whiskey. We closed with the Texas Landmark Cask Strength Mesquite Smoked Single Malt. This was the exclamation point of the episode. Mesquite smoke is bold and unmistakably Texas, but here it was controlled and intentional. The smoke wrapped around the malt instead of overpowering it. At cask strength, it delivered depth, intensity, and a finish that stayed with you. It might be the best single malt I have ever had. This episode is about Ranger Creek's history, evolution, and the work behind every barrel. It is about service, transition, heat, discipline, and building legacy in Texas. Good whiskey. Hard work. Real leadership. Take the ride. 

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief sits down with President Mark Shilling and Head Distiller Brandon Onstott of Maverick Distilling for a conversation built on Texas history, independence, and whiskey that carries the weight of the Maverick name. The legacy of Samuel Maverick sets the tone early, independent, unbranded, and unapologetically Texan, and that same spirit shows up in every pour. They open the first half of the show sipping Maverick's Straight Bourbon Whiskey, made with all Texas grains. At 88 proof, it drinks with a natural sweetness and a rich, viscous mouthfeel that coats the palate without overpowering it. It is approachable but still carries structure, a true everyday Texas bourbon that does not sacrifice character for smoothness. From there, they step it up to their Bottled in Bond 5 year old expression. The extra age and proof bring depth and backbone, layered oak, developed sweetness, and that unmistakable bottled in bond integrity that speaks to patience and discipline in the rickhouse. In the second half, they begin with their Single Barrel Four Grain, a whiskey that immediately commands attention. Bold yet balanced, complex yet intentional, it is the pour that makes Big Chief lean back and say it out loud, this one can compete for his Whiskey of the Year. The balance of grains creates a layered experience with sweetness, spice, and oak working together instead of fighting for dominance. It is Texas confidence in a glass. They close the show with their Triticale expression. That grain brings a distinctive character, offering spice on the front end, a steady sweetness through the mid palate, and lingering tobacco notes on the finish. It is different, thoughtful, and memorable, the kind of pour that reminds you Texas distillers are not afraid to innovate. Throughout the episode, Mark speaks to the responsibility of carrying the Maverick legacy forward, while Brandon breaks down how grain selection, Texas heat, and barrel management shape each expression. This is not whiskey chasing Kentucky tradition. This is whiskey rooted in Texas soil, shaped by Texas climate, and driven by Texas independence. Pour something worthy, settle in, and take the ride.

In this episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Mark and Matt welcome Barry and Tori Brinegar into The Bourbon Life Studios for a conversation that's equal parts bourbon history, industry insight, and good-natured chaos. Barry is well known across the whiskey world as the former Co-Founder and National Brand Ambassador of RD1 Spirits, and he's joined by his wife Tori—affectionately known around here as the First Lady of Bourbon. Across three segments, the guys dig into Barry's journey through the bourbon industry, the founding and growth of RD1, and what life looks like after stepping away from a brand he helped build from the ground up. Barry shares behind-the-scenes stories from the road as a brand ambassador, lessons learned building a bourbon company, and a few tales that probably shouldn't be repeated—but thankfully were anyway. Tori jumps in with her perspective on life in the bourbon world, keeping Barry grounded, and what it's really like being married to a guy whose job revolves around whiskey. As always, the pours are flowing and the reviews are honest. This episode features tastings of: Henry McKenna 10 Year Bottled in Bond Stagg Jr. Batch 12 Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye There's plenty of laughter, a few strong opinions, and a whole lot of great bourbon conversation in this one. Pull up a chair, pour yourself something neat, and enjoy a fun, candid sit-down with one of bourbon's most recognizable personalities—and the woman who keeps him in line. This Episode is sponsored by District 7 and The Kitchen Table at the James B. Beam Distilling Co.

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief sits down with Emiliano A. C. Guajardo, Head Distiller at Still Austin Whiskey Co., and Samantha Olvera, Distiller at Garrison Brothers Distillery, for a conversation that runs far deeper than what's in the glass. This episode is about whiskey, yes, but it is also about identity, roots, and the Mexican and Hispanic heritage that helped shape Texas long before bourbon ever flowed through oak. Emiliano and Samantha share their personal journeys, family stories, and what it means to carry that heritage proudly while helping shape the future of Texas whiskey. Throughout the conversation, all three sip on multiple expressions from both Still Austin and Garrison Brothers, using each pour as a doorway into deeper discussion about craftsmanship, patience, place, and the responsibility that comes with putting your name and culture behind a bottle. Big Chief guides the conversation through culture, history, and responsibility, what it means to represent not just a brand, but a people, a legacy, and a future generation watching from behind the scenes. They talk about breaking barriers, honoring those who came before them, and how Texas whiskey is finally telling its full story, in its own voice. The glasses are filled, the laughs are honest, and the moments are real. This is not a surface level interview. It is a reminder that whiskey has always been about more than grain and barrel, it is about who you are, where you come from, and what you choose to pass on. Pour one, slow down, and Take the Ride. This is a conversation worth hearing all the way through. 

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Matt and Mark spend some time in The Bourbon Life Studios with April Catron, Brand Ambassador, and Junior Cecil, Co-Founder/Owner, of Southern Kentucky Distillery. The guys talk with April and Junior about their respective backgrounds and how they each ended up in the Bourbon industry, the story of how Southern Kentucky Distillery was created from a passion for making moonshine and their unique process that involves Cherrywood, and the success that this relatively young distillery has already had with its releases and its inclusion on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the Kentucky Moonshine Trail. They also taste and review quite a few expressions from Kentucky Southern Distillery including their Turby's Kentucky Cherrywood Wheated Bourbon at 90 Proof and 106 Cask Strength, their soon to be released Turby's Kentucky Cherrywood Rye Mashbill Bourbon at 90 Proof and 108.2 Cask Strength, and their only sourced product, Long Ridge High Rye Kentucky Straight Bourbon. There may have also been some moonshine and other goodies poured up in between too.  This Episode is sponsored by District 7 and The Kitchen Table at the James B. Beam Distilling Co.