Recorded at Michter’s Shively Distillery in Kentucky, this episode features a sit-down with Master Distiller Dan McKee and Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson — two icons of modern bourbon. We dive into the origins of Michter’s Toasted Sour Mash Whiskey, the innovation that helped spark the toasted barrel movement, and taste it alongside the classic…

In this episode of Aussie Bourbon Lovers, we open a bottle of Wiseman Bourbon — a modern Kentucky classic from the makers of Kentucky Owl. We dig into how Wiseman came to life, what sets it apart, and why it could be a go-to for bourbon fans who want rich flavour without the premium price tag. If you enjoy smooth, balanced Kentucky bourbons with cu…

In this episode of Aussie Bourbon Lovers, we open a bottle of Buzzard’s Roost Toasted French Oak Bourbon — a whiskey that shows how innovation can live inside tradition. We dive into the details behind Buzzard’s Roost’s unique toasting and finishing methods, share our tasting notes (think butterscotch, vanilla and warm baking spices), and talk abou…

Recorded at Larrikin Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, this episode features Greg Keeley, the Australian distiller crafting exceptional bourbon in the heart of Kentucky. We sit down to taste and talk about Larrikin Delta 5, a single barrel bourbon that represents Greg’s mission to merge Australian boldness with Kentucky tradition. We discuss wh…

Bardstown Bourbon Company has built its reputation as the “modern bourbon maker” — blending, innovating, and crafting for some of the biggest names in the industry. In this episode, we sit down with Jake Sulek, Bardstown’s Head of Education and VIP Experience, to discuss the company’s first release in their origin series, their wheated Bottled-in-B…

In this episode of Aussie Bourbon Lovers, we open a fresh bottle of Nulu Maple Brûlée Single Barrel, a Kentucky Bourbon Festival pick that delivers rich, dessert-like flavour in every sip. We talk through how the maple brûlée process works, the unique way barrels are treated, and why this whiskey has a sticky mouthfeel and dessert-style notes like …

Recorded in the Heritage Room at Maker’s Mark in Kentucky, this episode marks a truly historic moment in American whiskey. We sit down with Dr. Blake Layfield, Master Distiller and Head of Innovation at Maker’s Mark, to discuss the launch of Star Hill Farm Wheat Whiskey. This is the first new mash bill from Maker’s Mark since 1953, and it represent…

This might be the most unique bourbon story we’ve ever shared. Recorded at Larrikin Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, we sit down with Australian founder Greg Keeley to taste and discuss Larrikin Rosewater Bourbon. Instead of using spring water, this bourbon is proofed with rosewater, inspired by Greg’s time in the Middle East and the cultural …

Recorded live at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, this episode of Aussie Bourbon Lovers is all about Chicken Cock Bourbon — one of the most historic names in American whiskey. We explore the legacy of Chicken Cock, from its rise in the 1800s to its role in Prohibition-era speakeasies, and its revival for today’s bourbon fans. Along the way, we share …

We're getting ready for the Kentucky Bourbon Festival and what better way to prep than with a bottle of Old Forester 100 Proof? In this pre-trip pour, Dave and Helen share their thoughts on the bottle, the quirky screw-top, and what it feels like to sip a bourbon that’s harder to find back home in Australia. They also share updates on what they're …

This pour started with a cork pop and turned into a conversation that blurred the lines between rye and bourbon. In this episode, we try Minor Case Sherry Cask Finished Rye — a rye whiskey that brings the sweetness of sherry with the warmth of Kentucky-style grains. Helen and Dave dive into mash bills, argue about what counts as a bourbon, and comp…

We’re pouring something a little extra special today — Blanton’s Gold. And to match the pour, we’re joined by someone extra special too: Denver Cramer from legendary Aussie glassware company Denver & Liely. This one’s part bourbon tasting, part banter, and part deep appreciation for what makes bourbon and glassware such a great pairing. We talk abo…

Tonight’s pour is Rock Hill Farms – a 100-proof single barrel bourbon from Buffalo Trace that once earned the title “world’s finest” from Washingtonian Magazine. This one’s got mystery, nostalgia, and a dentist with bourbon in every cupboard. Dave and Helen share the story of discovering this elusive bottle on a work trip to Kentucky, why it's so h…

This week on Aussie Bourbon Lovers, we go off-book – literally – and dive into something local, legendary, and a little bit special: Sullivans Cove from Tasmania. Why? It’s Tassie Whisky Week, and what better way to celebrate than with a 14-year-old single cask from the distillery that put Australian whisky on the global map? H pours us the very la…

Dave and H uncork Booker's Bourbon (Batch 2023-01 "Charlie’s Batch"), a 63.3% ABV barrel-proof bourbon from the Jim Beam Distillery in Kentucky, and find it brimming with rich flavor and stories. They’re amazed at the deep caramel and maple syrup notes in this whiskey and how smooth it drinks despite its high proof. Along the way, the guys share pl…

In this episode, we crack open a half-finished bottle of Penelope Toasted Bourbon (because we’ve already been loving it) and dig into what makes it so damn tasty. We cover: 🔥 The toasted barrel finish – what it is and why it matters 🛢️ Char level 5 – how intense barrel prep changes the profile 🌽 This Penelope’s mash bill (75% corn, 20% rye, 4% malt…

What happens when an Aussie distiller takes on bourbon on its home turf? In this episode, we sip and unpack the Larrikin KBF Single Barrel — a true bourbon made by the team at Larrikin, distilled and aged in Kentucky. We explore the flavour, the story behind the distillery, and whether this cross-continental endeavour delivers the goods. It's Austr…

What happens when you pour a Champagne-finished bourbon into two completely different glasses… with Denver Cramer, co-founder of Denver & Liely? In this episode, Denver brings two distinct glasses to the table as we do a side-by-side of Dumangin Batch 010, a French-finished bourbon with serious flair. We compare pours, geek out over glass design, a…

This isn’t your average bourbon origin story. It starts with a house swap — and ends with a bottle of Fernhill Station on the shelf in Australia. In the second ep with James from HP Bowlo, we hear how a simple home exchange led to a deep dive into American whiskey, inspired a brand name, and sparked a whole new obsession. We talk through the journe…

This week we’re tasting something with a name that sounds like an insult from the 1800s — Linkumpinch Single Barrel Bourbon. But don’t let the label fool you. Behind the wild name is a bold Kentucky pour that hits with spice, complexity, and just enough mystery to keep us talking. We dig into the brand's frontier backstory, the experience of drinki…

In this first Fernhill Station episode, we crack open a single cask whisky from Mount Pleasant Club in Washington D.C., and chat with James Sommerlad, the man bringing this bourbon gem to Australia. We sip and chat through: 🥃 What makes this 5 year, 7 month four-grain whisky so special 🌽 A mashbill packed with yellow corn, winter red wheat, barley …

Pour yourself a dram and join us as we crack open a 2019 Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel pick — courtesy of Kitty Hawk & Harry Stubbs. This is a bottle with character, and we’re joined by Denver from Denver & Liely to sip, share stories, and swirl some opinions. We get into: – What makes a single barrel pick special – The Wild Turkey connection wit…

In this episode of Aussie Bourbon Lovers, Dave cracks open a near-empty bottle of Michter’s Fort Nelson Reserve — hand-bottled at the Michter’s experience in Louisville and personally labelled “Dave Collins.” We chat about: 🥃 The Fort Nelson bottling experience on Whiskey Row 🛠️ Whether it's single barrel or vatted bourbon 📖 Writing your name in Mi…

This episode of Aussie Bourbon Lovers is all about the Old Forester 117 Series Bottled in Bond — a surprise last-minute pickup at the distillery in Louisville that turned out to be a showstopper. We unpack: 🥃 What makes this 100-proof Bottled in Bond bourbon special 🛍️ The story of how we accidentally ended up buying it 🍰 Tasting notes that include…

No cork pop this time — just a screw cap and a big surprise. In this episode of Aussie Bourbon Lovers, we dive into the Evan Williams White Label Bottled in Bond, a bourbon that’s cheap, cheerful, and way better than we expected. We break down: 🥃 The Bottled in Bond rules (or at least most of them) 💰 Why this US$15–30 bottle is such a cult classic …

Tonight, we’re diving into Howler Head – the official flavored bourbon of the UFC – and possibly the wildest pour yet on Aussie Bourbon Lovers. This banana-flavoured bourbon takes us straight back to Aussie childhoods, lolly bags, and sugar highs – and maybe a little bourbon underneath? We chat about: 🥃 Banana lollies vs. real banana flavour 🧠 What…

In this episode of Aussie Bourbon Lovers, we pour something truly special: the Elijah Craig 18 Year Single Barrel – a bottle Dave thought might be a unicorn. Turns out, it kinda is. We discuss: 🥃 The allure and frustration of single barrel bourbons 📦 How this one was bottled while we were likely in Kentucky 🥜 Nutty notes on the nose, from smoked al…

This week on Aussie Bourbon Lovers, we’re pouring the iconic Weller 12 Year — Buffalo Trace’s beloved weeded bourbon that’s either overhyped or underrated, depending on who you ask. We discuss: 🌾 H’s farmer roots and what “harvest” smells like in a glass 🧃 Apple juice nostalgia and brown sugar sweetness 🍮 A bourbon that’s undeniably “desserty” 💬 Th…

Tonight, we pour Kirkland Bottled in Bond Bourbon — the Costco special that may or may not be straight from 1792. And no, it doesn’t come in a typical 1792 bottle. It’s tall, green-labeled, and full of mystery. We explore: 🥃 Why the Kirkland BiB looks nothing like a typical 1792 🧪 The mash bill and whether it’s the same juice 🏷️ Sourced whiskey, Co…

In this episode of Aussie Bourbon Lovers, we crack open a nearly-empty bottle of Peerless Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon — one of the few bottles we can’t get easily in Australia, and one that brings back distillery tour memories. We discuss: 🥃 The sweet, oaty, sticky-date nose that makes it a dessert dram 🥄 Glassware matters – how this pour…

In this episode of Aussie Bourbon Lovers, we’re pouring the Old Forester Statesman — an elegant-looking bottle with a Hollywood backstory, but does the juice inside live up to the label? We discuss: 🍌 Tasting notes ranging from banana lollies to wooden cheeseboards 🪵 Why the nose smells like fruit, cheese, and timber prep 🧑‍⚕️ A quick history of Dr…

In this episode of Aussie Bourbon Lovers, we sip on Penelope Barrel Strength (Red Label) — a four-grain, 115.2 proof sourced bourbon with heart, flavour, and a great backstory. We talk through: 👨‍👩‍👧 How the brand was named after the founder’s daughter (jealous!) 🧪 What makes Penelope’s sourcing strategy so successful 🍰 Why this pour screams desser…

Tonight, we pour the poetic and port-finished Midwinter Night’s Dram from High West — affectionately dubbed the Pappy of Rye (though not quite in price). We explore: 🥃 The unique blend of two rye mash bills (95/5 & 80/20) 🍇 Rich notes of soaked currants, raisins & plum 🍷 The port barrel finish that delivers that wintery hug ❄️ Why this dram is best…

Tonight, we pour the iconic and shiny Blanton’s Gold — the single barrel bourbon with a golden horsey topper and velvety mouthfeel to match. We chat about: 🐎 The difference between Blanton’s Gold, Green & Original 🧈 Flavour notes of butter pecan, vanilla, sticky date & nutty crust 🍰 Pairing memories featuring cheesecake shop “damaged stock” 📚 Four …

In this episode of Aussie Bourbon Lovers, we crack into the elusive and delicious Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel – a re-barreled, flash-charred masterpiece that’s harder to find in Australia than a good cork pop. We talk about: 🔥 The difference between toasting and charring a barrel 🍫 Flavour notes of marshmallow, chocolate, and campfire goodness 🪵 Wh…

We crack open a fresh bottle of Lux Row Double Barrel 12-Year Bourbon — a distillery-only release that you can’t get in Australia, and maybe nowhere else outside Bardstown. In this episode, we talk: 🛢️ What “double barrel” really means in this case (2-barrel batch, not rebarreled) 🏭 The contrast between Lux Row’s massive operation and smaller craft…

In this episode of Aussie Bourbon Lovers, we crack into the tail end of our bottle of Monk’s Road Wheated Bourbon — a 94-proof gem from Log Still Distillery with a distinctive nostalgic charm. We discuss: 🌾 What makes wheated bourbon different (and gentler) ✍️ Our surprising shared history with calligraphy (seriously) 📚 Tasting notes of “caramel-co…

In this episode of Aussie Bourbon Lovers, we crack into a rare bottle of Hirsch Single Barrel Double Oak Bourbon — something you’ll be lucky to ever see in Australia. We unpack: 🍑 A nose full of stone fruit, apple, and orchard nostalgia 🛫 The San Fran bottle shop story that brought this one home 🧠 Why double oaking adds complexity (without the bitt…

In this episode of Aussie Bourbon Lovers, we taste a bourbon from Freeland Spirits, a women-owned distillery out of Portland, Oregon — and quite possibly the best-looking bottle we’ve ever featured. We explore: 💃 The Freeland story: Meemaw inspiration, women-led vision 🧪 Why women have more taste buds (it’s science!) 🍷 Finishing notes: hints of Pin…

This one’s not a bourbon — but it’s made with bourbon barrels, so we’re letting it in. We pour a Tasmanian single malt from Old Kempton, batch four of The Old Stables, and explore why it impressed even the bourbon faithful. We cover: 🥃 What makes Aussie whisky special — and how bourbon barrels help 🏆 This batch's award-winning claim at the World Wh…

In this special episode of Aussie Bourbon Lovers, we’re joined by Caryn Luz, National Brand Ambassador for Green River Distilling Co., as we explore their wheated bourbon — a near-identical twin to their flagship high-rye bourbon. We explore: 🧪 What happens when you swap wheat for rye in a mashbill 🥃 How the same char, yeast, and age delivers two v…

We’re back with Sean McCormick from Burton James Distillery, sipping their single barrel wheated bourbon and diving deep into Sean’s path from hotel kitchens to creating a custom bourbon for us. In this episode: 👨‍🍳 Sean’s journey from culinary school to Kraft Foods 🧪 The accidental career switch that led him to food science 🥣 Developing cereal fla…

In this episode of Aussie Bourbon Lovers, we pop open the gloriously retro bottle of Chicken Cock Single Barrel Bourbon, a 130.8 proof beast we almost didn’t bring home. We talk through: 🧳 The bourbon-buying rule we broke to grab this bottle 🥃 Tasting after 10 bourbons — and why it still stood out 👃 The surprise “rum and raisin” nose (yeah, we said…

In this special episode of Aussie Bourbon Lovers, we open a unicorn: Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year. Not for clout, but to celebrate 15 years of marriage — and a shared love of good bourbon and good stories. We chat through: 🥃 First impressions of the Pappy nose and palate 🪵 That sweet woodiness that smells like a sharpened pencil (you’l…

In this end-of-year wrap-up, we each poured a blind bourbon for the other — and sat down to count down our Top 5 Bourbon Moments of 2024. From Kentucky Bourbon Festival memories to surprise tasting wins by the fire, we revisit the bottles, places, and people that made this year one to raise a glass to. You’ll hear: 🥃 Our favourite bourbons and bour…

This might be the best conversation about bourbon Dave and H have ever had. Dan McKee, Master Distiller and Andrea Wilson, Master of Maturation, take time out of their breakfast to pop the top of a 2024 10yr Bourbon and tell us more about what make Michter's special and share some more of the incredible stories. In this extended episode you'll find…

Dave and H share some suggestions of how they like to enjoy their bourbons over a hot Australian Summer. There are a couple of cocktail ideas, their suggestions for the perfect Aussie version of a Kentucky Mule and lots of ways to keep cool with a sensational bourbon this summer. Chapters 00:00 Crafting the Perfect Summer Cocktail 01:00 Our Aussie-…

Dave and H welcome Caryn Wells, the National Brand Ambassador for Green River Bourbon and they chat about the rich history of Green River, its revival of the once infamous brand after nearly a century, and the unique tasting notes of their bourbon. Caryn shares insights into the fact that it was once the most widely advertised whiskey in the world,…

Dave and H enjoy a pour of New Riff 8 Year Old Bourbon and enjoy some stories and some 'facts' about the New Riff story and their whiskeys. It might be the best use of a liquor store/bottle shop carpark we've heard of. Get your hands on a pour and you'll soon see why. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to New Riff Bourbon Whiskey01:30 A Stop at a Distille…

H and Dave are again joined by Dan McKee, Master Distiller and Andrea Wilson, Master of Maturation of Michter's for another extended episode. This time for a special occasion, to celebrate 10 years since Michters first released their Toasted Barrel Bourbon. They share stories about that very first release in 2014, a story about a blind tasting that…