Only Bourbon Fans

This week, Albert and Heisey jump into a blind tasting that pits Weller and Van Winkle head-to-head. They break down the notes, compare favorites, and have a few “did not expect that” moments once the bottles are revealed.

In this episode of Only Bourbon Fans, the crew welcomes Raj Bhakta, founder of Bhakta Spirits and Hogsworth, to discuss his unique journey in the spirits industry. Raj shares insights into his innovative whiskey blend, the 1928, which combines various vintage spirits, and delves into the rich history of Armagnac. The conversation explores Raj's transition from politics to the world of whiskey, his philosophy on crafting spirits, and the introduction of his new brand, Hogsworth. The episode concludes with tasting notes and rapid-fire questions, providing a personal glimpse into Raj's life and preferences.

Zach links up with the Tampa Bay Bourbon Boyz for a blind tasting that goes in all kinds of fun directions. They talk through berry-sweet noses, easy sippers, and whether they’re drinking a cognac finish or a young rye. The crew compares notes and takes their best shots at proof and price. It’s a laid-back pour with honest reactions and some really interesting bottles.

ChatGPT said: In this episode of Only Bourbon Fans, the crew kicks back with a new guest, Coal, and gets into some real-deal whiskey talk — no fancy tasting notes, just honest opinions. They debate bourbon vs. rye, and test out the Penelope 17-Year Light Whiskey to see if it lives up to the hype. It’s the kind of episode that feels like hanging out with your buddies, a glass in hand, talking whiskey and whatever else comes up.

In this episode, the guys sit down to talk about their latest whiskey finds, favorite pours, and recent bourbon hunts. They crack open a bottle of New England Barrel Company’s “Neff Said” and break down the flavors, how it compares to other whiskeys they’ve tried, and what makes certain bottles stand out. Between tasting notes, shopping stories, and plenty of laughs, they wrap things up with their overall group rating on this one.

Albert sits down with Yianni Baracos, founder of Mason Dixon Distillery, to dive into his story and the distillery’s evolution. They cover everything from ready-to-drink cocktails to the hurdles of operating in a tourist-driven area. Yianni also opens up about his family’s background, the distilling process, and his commitment to sustainable farming. The conversation highlights Mason Dixon’s standout spirits, including the Legacy Bourbon, and explores the unique techniques that shape their products. Blending personal stories with industry insights, the episode offers both education and entertainment for listeners.

Nick from the Tampa Bay Bourbon Boyz joins us to explore the world of Dynasty Spirits and Lasso Motel Whiskey. From tasting notes and unique labels to pairing tips and luxurious flavors like Mizunara and Naranja, we dive deep into whiskey culture, brand stories, and personal insights.

In this episode, the hosts are joined by Joe Heyhoe from The Blind Pig Basement for a blind whiskey tasting. They share their own paths into whiskey, talk about the evolving release scene, spotlight Iowa’s Cedar Ridge Distillery, and swap stories about festival planning and Airbnb adventures. As the tasting unfolds, they offer honest reactions and dive into proof, price points, and the challenges of the whiskey world. It’s an episode that keeps things both fun and informative—without giving away what’s in the glass.

In Part 2, the Found North Whiskey team dives deeper into their innovative approach to whiskey-making, with a spotlight on their Helldiver release. They talk about why educating consumers on production methods matters, who their whiskeys are crafted for, and how their style sets them apart. The conversation also covers personal whiskey preferences, go-to recommendations, and the tricky art of blind tasting. Things wrap up with a fun round of rapid-fire questions and genuine insights into today’s whiskey community.

The hosts sit down to explore the story of Found North Distillery and what makes Canadian whiskey unique. From its origins to the art of blending, they talk about the differences between Canadian and American whiskey, the balance of science and creativity, and how Canadian laws give distillers more freedom. At the heart of it all is Found North’s commitment to quality over quantity. Grab a pour and enjoy this conversation full of insights, stories, and passion for great whiskey.

Goog’s blind pick is on deck — and Pierre Bernal’s along for the ride. Pierre talks about moving from wine to whiskey and why he’s all about supporting local distilleries. The crew dives into tasting notes, takes their shots at proof and price, and lays down final ratings before wrapping things up with some fun rapid-fire questions.

In this Blind Series episode, the crew hangs out with David from David’s Rickhouse to talk about his journey into whiskey, the rise of single-barrel bourbons, and the passion that drives the whiskey community. They get into the hype around bottles like Blanton’s, the role social media plays, tasting tips, and even the struggles of bottle fatigue. Then it’s on to the blind review—Vinny’s pick—followed by a round of a new game, Chug, Sip, or Drain Pour. Grab a glass and join in, because this one’s full of laughs and honest takes you won’t want to miss.

In this Blind Series episode, the crew is joined by David from David’s Rickhouse to talk about his path into whiskey, the rise of single-barrel bourbons, and the passion behind the whiskey community. They touch on everything from the hype around bottles like Blanton’s to the way social media shapes the conversation. Along the way, they dig into tasting tips, bottle fatigue, and how personal preferences really drive the whiskey experience. And of course, it all leads up to the blind review—Vinny’s pick—where honest reactions and a few surprises make for a fun and insightful pour.

It all starts with a dream — literally. After swapping stories about a strange hospital dream, the hosts get back to business with another blind whiskey review. There’s plenty of guessing, a few surprises, and a lot of laughs before the final reveal.

This week, we put curiosity in a cask. Heisey’s co-worker took a bottle of Bulleit 95 Rye and gave it a homemade twist—aging it in a mini barrel with a sherry wine finish. We’re tasting the classic straight pour side-by-side with this experimental creation to see how much the barrel and sherry influence change the game. Did the experiment pay off or fall short? Time to find out right here with The Only Bourbon Fans.

In this episode of Only Bourbon Fans, the hosts connect with the team from A Steady Pour to talk all things bourbon. They reflect on how the podcast started during the pandemic as a way to stay in touch and has grown into a fun space for bourbon lovers. The conversation covers the value of blind tastings, how tasting notes vary by palate, and why price point plays a big role in judging a bottle. There’s a strong focus on community too—events like the Black Bourbon Run promote inclusivity and bring people together. They highlight Chattanooga Whiskey’s unique approach, share personal preferences through rapid-fire questions, and even throw in some friendly debates about local flavors. It’s all about enjoying the bourbon journey and the people you meet along the way.

Albert, Heisey and Zack are joined with Blair Ault from the Texas based whiskey distillery Milam and Greene. We recently purchased their special release, The Answer, which is two whiskeys in one box. Both whiskey distilled in Kentucky and then separated and distilled in two different locations. One in Kentucky and one in Texas. We try these blind as Blair takes us through what this special release is all about! We also catch up with Blair and a bit and talk promotion and what else is going on in the Texas area. What a cool experiment, especially with all the hyper around the differences between Kentucky and Texas Whiskey.

Albert sits down with Zach, Nicky B, and Bill Binder to talk bourbon, golf, and what’s new at Binder’s Stash. They swap whiskey stories, share the highs and lows of running a distillery, and discuss the value of strong partnerships. From golf banter to experimenting with barrels, this episode is a fun listen for any bourbon fan.

In this episode, the guys jump into a blind tasting of Peerless whiskies—no labels, no hints, just their palates and a lot of opinions. They go back and forth on what they’re picking up in each pour, from flavor notes to favorites, and crack plenty of jokes along the way. There’s some real appreciation for how complex and bold the Peerless lineup is, and it’s fun hearing how different each person’s palate is. They also get into how much these bottles cost, how easy they are to find, and how their taste in whiskey has evolved over the years. Oh, and the hunt for the perfect name for Zack’s baby begins... Peerless, anyone?

In this episode, the guys crack open Buckner’s 15, a single-barrel pick from Sam at East Ave Liquor, and give their thoughts on the pour. They dive into “Buff Turkey,” a high-proof combo of Buffalo Trace and Wild Turkey. From whiskey hunting stories to chatting about upcoming bottles like Eagle Rare 12, it’s a laid-back convo full of laughs, hot takes, and good pours. If you’re into whiskey, hunting bottles, or just enjoy hearing friends talk bourbon, you’ll like this one.