The Bourbon Life

On this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by The 1933 Society, Denny Potter and Jane Bowie, co-founders of Potter Jane Distilling Company, return for another fun and candid conversation about building their distillery, changing course, and what comes next for Potter Jane. Mark and Matt catch up with Denny and Jane about the launch of Big Vat Liar, the sourced Kentucky bourbon that playfully acknowledges their earlier declaration that Potter Jane would never source whiskey. They explain why they changed their minds, the story behind the tongue-in-cheek name and launch, and how Jane's vatting process uses custom large-format oak casks, oxidation, time, and blending to create additional depth and complexity. The conversation also turns to Potter Jane's own whiskey, including a taste of 16-month-old wheated bourbon from some of their earliest production. Denny and Jane discuss what they're learning as the barrels mature, the importance of mouthfeel and flavor development, and their evolving plans for future Potter Jane releases as they work toward older, fully mature whiskey. And, of course, they taste and review three different expressions, including: · Potter Jane Big Vat Liar (Batch 3) · Potter Jane 16-Month-Old Wheated Bourbon · 1973 Old Stone Gate Kentucky Straight Bourbon It's a wide-ranging conversation about sourcing, blending, patience, experimentation, and the realities of creating a distillery and whiskey portfolio with a long-term, generational vision. This episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is presented by The 1933 Society and sponsored by Pappy & Co., District 7 Social, The Kitchen Table at the James B. Beam Distilling Co., and Hotel Distil.

On this episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by Repeal Oak Fired Steakhouse, Mark and Matt are joined by John Wadell, Head Taster, Blender, and Single Barrel Curator at Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co., for a long-overdue return to the show. Recording from the Kentucky Peerless Suite at Hotel Distil in Louisville, John catches them up on how his role has evolved and reflects on his journey from the early days of Peerless to helping guide the whiskey the distillery is producing today. John talks about the growth of his palate over the past decade, the collaborative tasting and blending process at Peerless, and how the team decides which barrels become batches, single barrels, or special releases. He also shares the fun behind naming Peerless single barrels, discusses the success of the High Rye Bourbon, and explains why the distillery's sweet mash process, non-chill filtration, and focus on mouthfeel remain such important parts of the Peerless identity. The conversation also turns to a major milestone for the distillery: the release of Henry Kraver's 10-Year Bourbon. John shares what it was like tasting through roughly 200 barrels to select the final group for the release and why working with whiskey he remembers filling and rolling years ago made the experience especially meaningful. He also looks ahead to the 10-Year Rye planned for next year, the possibility of older age-stated releases and single barrels, and some intriguing older Double Oak barrels still aging in the Peerless inventory. Along the way, Mark, Matt, and John taste and review "The Phoenix," a 108.5-proof Kentucky Peerless Double Barrel Rye Single Barrel selected for Repeal Steakhouse and Hotel Distil. They talk through its oak, rye spice, citrus, toffee, chocolate, coffee, and malty notes while John explains Peerless' unique approach to Double Oak whiskey—letting the palate, rather than a fixed timetable, determine when each barrel is ready. It's a fun, wide-ranging conversation about whiskey, patience, blending, the evolution of Kentucky Peerless, and what comes next for one of Louisville's most distinctive family-owned distilleries. Pour yourself a great glass, sit back, and join us for another great episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast. This episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is presented by Repeal Oak Fired Steakhouse and sponsored by Pappy & Co., District 7 Social, The Kitchen Table at the James B. Beam Distilling Co., and Hotel Distil.

On this episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Mark and Matt are joined by Diane Strong, Executive Director of Bourbon on the Banks, for a great conversation about the continued growth of the festival and what guests can expect when it returns to Frankfort on Saturday, October 3. Diane talks about how Bourbon on the Banks has evolved since its beginning in 2019, why its relaxed atmosphere along the Kentucky River has become such an important part of its identity, and how the event continues to attract returning guests from across Kentucky and beyond. She also walks Mark and Matt through the full weekend of activities surrounding the festival, including special tastings, the Bourbon Belle, the VIP Reception and Bourbon Auction, Bourbon Street on Broadway, and the Saturday festival itself. The conversation also explores the charitable mission behind Bourbon on the Banks and the significant amount of money the organization gives back each year to local nonprofits, civic organizations, and scholarship programs. Diane shares why that mission remains at the heart of the festival and how it continues to shape plans for the future. Along the way, Mark, Matt, and Diane taste and review three of the 2026 Bourbon on the Banks Single Barrel selections that will be available at the festival: Angel's Envy Port Finished Single Barrel Bourbon, Dark Arts Oloroso Finished Single Barrel Bourbon, and Dark Arts Mizunara Finished Single Barrel Bourbon. They also talk about The Bourbon Life's role as the festival's Live Podcast Partner and plans to have The Bourbon Life Mobile Podcast Studio onsite throughout the day. Whether you're already planning to attend Bourbon on the Banks or simply want to hear how one of Kentucky's most enjoyable bourbon festivals continues to grow while staying true to its community-focused mission, be sure to pour yourself a great glass, sit back, and join us for another great episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast. This episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is presented by Pappy & Co., District 7 Social, and The Kitchen Table at the James B. Beam Distilling Co.

On this episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Mark travels to Louisville to sit down with Steve Smith, Founder of Uncle Boojie's Distilling Co., for a captivating conversation about family history, Kentucky heritage, and the role bourbon plays in connecting us to the stories that came before us. Steve shares his own background as an entrepreneur, preservationist, and storyteller before diving into the remarkable history of his Howard family ancestors, whose distilling roots in Howardstown, Kentucky, date back to the late 1700s. He discusses the research that uncovered generations of family involvement in whiskey production and how that discovery ultimately inspired the creation of Uncle Boojie's Distilling Co. The conversation also explores the origins of Uncle Boojie's, the story behind the company's namesake, and Steve's vision for creating something far greater than a bourbon brand. Through the concept of "Porchlight Hospitality," Steve explains how Uncle Boojie's seeks to create meaningful experiences that bring people together through bourbon, storytelling, and genuine Kentucky hospitality. Mark and Steve also discuss the importance of preserving family history, the fascinating ways our individual stories intersect with one another, and how bourbon serves as a thread that weaves throughout Kentucky's shared history and culture. Steve shares his passion for helping visitors discover not only his family's story, but also connections to their own histories and the larger story of Kentucky itself. The conversation concludes with a look at Uncle Boojie's Homeplace, one of the newest destinations on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, and what guests can expect when they visit the unique Louisville experience. Along the way, they enjoy three exceptional pours: • Lana – 9-Year-Old Double Oaked Single Barrel Bourbon • Ivy – 7-Year-Old Single Barrel Rye • Prohibition-Style Bourbon – Yet to be released Whether you're fascinated by bourbon history, passionate about genealogy and family heritage, or simply enjoy hearing the stories behind the people and brands shaping Kentucky whiskey today, this episode offers a thoughtful and entertaining look at how bourbon, history, and human connection continue to intertwine across generations. Be sure to pour yourself a great glass, sit back, and join us for another great episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast. The Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is presented by Pappy & Co., District 7 Social, and The Kitchen Table at the James B. Beam Distilling Co.

On this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Mark and Matt welcome back two returning favorites and some of the most respected educators in the bourbon world: Peggy Noe Stevens and Heather Wibbels. Peggy is the President of Peggy Noe Stevens & Associates, a Master Bourbon Taster, and a member of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame. Heather, known throughout the bourbon community as Cocktail Contessa, is a whiskey educator, author, and former Managing Director of Bourbon Women. Since their last appearances on the show, both Peggy and Heather have been busy educating, writing, speaking, and helping shape the future of bourbon culture. In this Episode, they share what they've been working on, discuss their respective books, and dive deep into a fascinating conversation about the ever-growing role of cocktails in the bourbon world. Together, they tackle topics including: What makes a truly great bourbon cocktail The myth that you shouldn't use good bourbon in cocktails How glassware and garnishes can completely transform the drinking experience Why cocktails continue to attract new consumers to bourbon The evolution of cocktail culture and its impact on bourbon's growth and popularity The conversation wraps up with a preview of their upcoming Kentucky Bourbon Festival experience, "3 Books + 3 Cocktails," where attendees will enjoy a unique blend of storytelling, bourbon education, literature, and cocktail craftsmanship. And for what may be a first in the history of The Bourbon Life Podcast, no bourbons were sampled or reviewed during this episode. Instead, the focus is entirely on education, storytelling, cocktails, and the people helping introduce new audiences to America's Native Spirit. Whether you're a neat-pour purist, a cocktail enthusiast, or somewhere in between, this Episode offers plenty of insights, laughs, and great stories from two of bourbon's most passionate educators and ambassadors.

On this episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Mark flies solo as host and welcomes back longtime friends and multi-time guests Barry and Tori Brinegar for a conversation that's been a long time coming—and one that finally lets Barry answer the question everyone has been asking: What's next? The answer is Kentucky Bonded Spirits, a new venture created by Barry and Tori that will work alongside spirits brands in a consultative role, drawing on Barry's years of experience and relationships across the industry to help brands build their presence, navigate the marketplace, and create meaningful growth. Barry and Tori share the story behind Kentucky Bonded Spirits, why they felt the traditional model was ready for a different approach, and how they plan to work primarily in Kentucky and Georgia alongside their Georgia partner, Josh Culbreth. They also discuss their vision for disrupting some of the conventional thinking around distribution, market access, and ultimately creating better pathways for brands to connect directly with consumers. The conversation then turns to one of the brands Kentucky Bonded Spirits will be working with - Row 94, the whiskey brand backed by country music superstar Dierks Bentley. Barry and Tori talk about the opportunity they see in the brand, what makes Row 94 interesting in an increasingly crowded whiskey marketplace, and how they hope to help build its presence and reach. And because Barry, Tori, and Mark have been around this industry, and each other for a while, the conversation naturally wanders into a few stories about some very good mutual friends. They talk about Kim and Tom Bard and the incredible work happening at Bard Distillery, as well as Denny Potter and Jane Bowie and the exciting things taking shape at Potter Jane Distillery. It's a conversation about friendship, entrepreneurship, taking chances, building something of your own, and the people who continue to make Kentucky bourbon such a fascinating industry to follow. And with this crew, there was certainly no shortage of whiskey on the table. Along the way, Mark, Barry, and Tori enjoy an impressive lineup of pours: • Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel • Row 94 Small Batch • Row 94 Broken Branches • Row 94 Full Proof • John Prine Kentucky Straight Bourbon from Bard Distillery • Big Vat Liar from Potter Jane Distillery From launching a brand-new venture and challenging traditional industry models to Dierks Bentley, old friends, new distilleries, and a table full of great whiskey, this episode covers a lot of ground and has plenty of laughs along the way. So pour yourself a great glass, settle in, and join Mark, Barry, and Tori for another fun conversation about new beginnings, big ideas, good friends, and what might be next for the bourbon industry on this episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast.

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief rides into Golden, Colorado, to sit down with Jason Pelle, Head Distiller at State 38 Distilling. As a fellow veteran and former Navy Diver, Jason brings a story built on service, sacrifice, and a relentless pursuit of excellence—qualities that now find their way into every bottle that leaves the distillery. On the first half of the show, the guys raise a glass of State 38 Straight Wheat Whiskey, where notes of honey, vanilla, and fresh baked bread create an inviting start to the ride. They then move to State 38 Bourbon Whiskey, delivering rich layers of caramel, toffee, baking spices, and oak that showcase the heart of Colorado craft whiskey. On the second half, the adventure continues with State 38 Straight Rye Whiskey, packed with black pepper, mint, and cinnamon spice. Then comes the moment listeners won't want to miss as Big Chief steps out onto the ledge and dives into State 38 Peat Smoked Whisky. What begins with campfire smoke unfolds into rich malt, dark chocolate, roasted nuts, and a newfound appreciation for a style of whiskey that often divides drinkers. Throughout the conversation, Jason shares his passion for the craft, the lessons learned through military service, and the pride that comes from creating spirits that bring people together around a shared story and a good pour. This episode is a reminder that great whiskey is more than grain and barrels—it's about the people behind it, the journeys they've traveled, and the legacy they leave in every glass. Pour yourself a dram, settle in, and Take the Ride.