Episodes

  • Season 6, Episode 6: REMIX - Tim Piersant, CEO & Founder - Chattanooga Whiskey
    Feb 7 2025

    In this REMIX Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Matt & Mark spend some time hanging out with Tim Piersant, CEO & Founder, of Chattanooga Whiskey. This Episode originally aired on June 7, 2024 as Episode 226.

    The guys talk with Tim about his background and previous career working for his dad’s business and how he eventually ended up in the whiskey business, the creation of the Chattanooga Whiskey brand and the legal battle that they had to fight to get distilling legalized again in Chattanooga, and the incredible success that Chattanooga Whiskey has had as a privately owned, craft distillery and how they plan to maintain that level of success into the future.

    They also taste and review Chattanooga Whiskey 91 Bourbon, Chattanooga Whiskey Cask 111 Bourbon, and their Chattanooga Whiskey Founder’s 12th Anniversary Blend.

    This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is sponsored by Three Chord Bourbon and The Kitchen Table at James B. Beam Distilling Co.

    Check out our amazing sponsors online at:

    www.threechordbourbon.com

    www.visitthekitchentable.com

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    1 hr and 28 mins
  • The Whiskey Trip - Season 3, Episode 5 - Bernie Lubbers, The Whiskey Professor - Heaven Hill Distillery
    Feb 4 2025

    This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief takes listeners to the bourbon capital of the world—Bardstown, Kentucky—for an unforgettable conversation with his good friend Bernie Lubbers, the National Brand Ambassador for Heaven Hill Distillery and the man known far and wide as The Whiskey Professor.

    Bernie’s journey into whiskey is as fascinating as the spirits he represents. After 20 years on the comedy stage, fate led him down a different path—one paved with barrels, tradition, and the rich history of America’s native spirit. For the past two decades, he has traveled the world, first for Jim Beam and now for Heaven Hill, preaching the gospel of great bourbon. His love for Bottled-in-Bond whiskey runs deep, a passion passed down from his father, and today, he stands as one of its greatest advocates.

    Chief and Bernie kick things off with a pour of the legendary Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 6-Year—a beloved, now-discontinued gem that bourbon lovers still mourn. They then move on to JW Dant, another Bottled-in-Bond treasure that deserves a spot on every whiskey drinker’s shelf. As they dive deeper, they sip on Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7-Year, a whiskey bursting with rich peanut brittle sweetness and a beautifully balanced finish.

    The second half of the show is nothing short of spectacular. Chief and Bernie savor the bold, oak-forward character of Henry McKenna 10-Year Bottled-in-Bond, a whiskey layered with sharp spice, honey, and warmth. And then, the moment of the night—Old Fitzgerald 19-Year Bottled-in-Bond, a rare and luxurious pour that whiskey enthusiasts dream about. Just when Chief thinks the ride couldn’t get any better, Bernie drops a bombshell: Heaven Hill is set to release an Old Fitzgerald 7-Year Bottled-in-Bond, available nationwide.

    This episode isn’t just about whiskey; it’s about passion, legacy, and the art of storytelling. Bernie Lubbers isn’t just an ambassador—he’s a master of his craft, a true whiskey evangelist who lives and breathes the spirit of Bottled-in-Bond.

    So pour yourself a glass, settle in, and join us for another incredible ride on The Whiskey Trip. Cheers!

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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Season 6, Episode 5: Julian Jones, Co-Founder & Master Distiller - West Fork Whiskey Co.
    Jan 31 2025

    In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out in The Bourbon Life Studio with Julian Jones, Co-Founder and Master Distiller, of West Fork Whiskey Co. located in Westfield, Indiana.

    The guys talk with Julian about the decision that he, his brother, Blake, and their childhood friend, David McIntyre made to leave their professional careers to start an Indiana focused, grain to glass Distillery back in 2014, their West Fork Whiskey lineup that focuses on grain to glass production as well as their MGP-sourced Hamer Bourbon line, including Old Hamer and Hugh Hamer, which features a 99% corn, 1% malted barley mashbill, as well as what the future looks like for West Fork Whiskey Co. and the Hamer Bourbon line.

    They also taste and review their Old Hamer Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey, their Hugh Hamer Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Rum Barrels, and their award-winning Hugh Hamer Double Oaked Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

    This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is sponsored by Three Chord Bourbon and The Kitchen Table at James B. Beam Distilling Co.

    Check out our amazing sponsors online at:

    www.threechordbourbon.com

    www.visitthekitchentable.com

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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • The Whiskey Trip - Season 3, Episode 4 - Summer Sanford, Founder, & Stephanie Burleigh, Member - The Women's Whiskey Society
    Jan 28 2025

    This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief heads deep into the heart of Houston, Texas, to shine a spotlight on a remarkable group reshaping the whiskey world: The Women’s Whiskey Society. He sits down with Founder Summer Sanford and member Stephanie Burleigh to uncover their inspiring mission to empower, educate, and celebrate women in the dynamic and complex realm of whiskey.

    Since its founding in 2022, The Women’s Whiskey Society has become a force to be reckoned with, hosting over 30 events annually, all at an approachable cost. From distillery tours to exclusive barrel picks, these passionate women are embracing every facet of the whiskey experience and making it accessible to all.

    The episode begins with the trio savoring High West Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Big Chief paints a vivid picture of its rich, earthy character, with well-balanced flavors of candy corn, honey nougat, and sweet cornbread biscuits—a sip that feels like home. They follow it up with High West Double Rye, a bold, spice-forward pour with notes of menthol, mint, eucalyptus, herbal tea, wildflower honey, and allspice. Big Chief even picks out a playful note of gummy bears, proving his palate doesn’t miss a thing.

    As they dive into the second half, the ladies introduce Big Chief to High West Rendezvous Rye, a masterpiece of complexity. It bursts with flavors of raspberry jalapeño jelly on toasted brown bread, clove-infused orange slices, vanilla-poached dates, homemade applesauce with cinnamon sticks, and fried dough dusted in powdered sugar. Every sip reveals something new—this whiskey is a sensory journey.

    The lineup continues with High West Campfire, a bold and smoky blend with notes of vanilla, salted caramel, toasted brioche, red berry compote, chai spices, orange zest, cedar, and pipe tobacco. The complexity of this pour evokes the feeling of sitting around a campfire, wrapped in a warm, smoky embrace.

    To close out the show, Stephanie surprises everyone with a bottle of High West A Midwinter Night’s Dram—a rye whiskey like no other. Big Chief is floored by its decadent profile of rye toast with marmalade, cherry, dried fruit, herbs, tobacco, and toasted oak. It’s a symphony of flavors and the perfect note to end on.

    This episode is a toast to the women who are redefining the whiskey community, proving that this spirit is for everyone. Cheers to The Women’s Whiskey Society and their dedication to spreading knowledge, passion, and love for whiskey. Here’s to another unforgettable adventure on The Whiskey Trip!

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    1 hr and 38 mins
  • Season 6, Episode 4: The Bourbon Life Crew - Unscripted & Unfiltered
    Jan 24 2025

    In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, The Bourbon Life Crew reassembles in The Bourbon Life Studios for their 1st Episode of 2025.

    The Crew members each make their bold predictions for the Bourbon industry for 2025, discuss some recent negative news about the state of the Bourbon industry as a whole, and dive into the recent Surgeon General warning regarding alcohol consumption and the impact that could have on the industry.

    They also taste and review a 2022 Shenk’s, the Fall 2024 Old Fitzgerald Bottle in Bond 11 Year Old Bourbon, and Dancing Goat Distillery High Rye 8 Year Old Bourbon.

    This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is sponsored by Three Chord Bourbon and The Kitchen Table at James B. Beam Distilling Co.

    Check out our amazing sponsors online at:

    www.threechordbourbon.com

    www.visitthekitchentable.com

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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • The Whiskey Trip - Season 3, Episode 3 - Big Chief's 400th Episode with Matt King from The Blending House & Emiliano Guajardo from Still Austin Whiskey Co.
    Jan 21 2025

    This week on The Whiskey Trip podcast, Big Chief marks an incredible milestone—his 400th episode—by celebrating with friends Matt King from The Blending House and Emiliano Guajardo from Still Austin Whiskey Company.

    Together, the trio takes listeners on an emotional journey through the world of craft whiskey and podcasting, sharing stories, laughter, and reflections on Big Chief’s epic ride. From sipping Leiper’s Fork Whiskey to Still Austin’s finest, the glasses are full, and so are the memories.

    They reminisce about where it all began—Shelbyville, Kentucky, when someone first heard Big Chief’s booming voice—and look forward to what’s ahead for the Big Man. It’s an honest, heartfelt conversation about whiskey, podcasting, and the passion that’s fueled this journey.

    This episode isn’t just a celebration of 400 episodes; it’s a toast to dedication, community, and the magic of storytelling. Here’s to the next 400 episodes!

    Cheers to Big Chief and the unforgettable ride that is The Whiskey Trip!

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    1 hr and 36 mins
  • Season 6, Episode 3: Eric LeGrand and Brian Axelrod, Co-Founders - Eric LeGrand Bourbon
    Jan 17 2025

    In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out with Eric LeGrand and Biran Axelrod, Co-Founders of Eric LeGrand Bourbon.

    The guys talk with Eric and Brian about their respective backgrounds, including Eric’s life-altering spinal cord injury that he sustained during a football game while a member of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and how he has overcome that injury through his titan strength and perseverance and Brian’s extensive and impressive career in the spirits industry, how they came together as a team to develop a Bourbon brand and their decision to donate a portion of the proceeds to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, as well as what the future looks like for the brand.

    They also taste and review Eric LeGrand Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Eric LeGrand Kentucky Straight Bourbon Single Barrel.

    This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is sponsored by Three Chord Bourbon and The Kitchen Table at James B. Beam Distilling Co.

    Check out our amazing sponsors online at:

    www.threechordbourbon.com

    www.visitthekitchentable.com

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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • The Whiskey Trip - Season 3, Episode 2 - Tracy & Barbara Napolitano, Founders - New Orleans Bourbon Festival
    Jan 14 2025

    This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes listeners back to New Orleans, Louisiana, for a chat with Tracy and Barbara Napolitano, Founders of the New Orleans Bourbon Festival.

    Tracy and Barbara walk Big Chief through the incredible lineup of events planned for this year’s festival. From expert-led seminars and bourbon dinners across The Big Easy to the two-night Grand Tasting featuring over 80 distilleries, this festival is truly the most educational #whiskeyfestival you’ll ever attend.

    Big Chief is also bringing his expertise to the festival with two seminars designed to enhance your whiskey knowledge.

    Durig the episode, he samples some standout barrel picks from brands featured at the festival, including Tumbling Dice, Chicken Cock Double Oak, Spirits of French Lick Rye, and Still Austin Blue Corn. And as a special treat, Tracy and Barbara shared a few rare pours: Old Forester Big Birthday, OFC (Old Fine Copper), and The Boss Hog from WhistlePig.

    This ride on The Whiskey Trip is packed with tips and insights to help you make the most of one of the best whiskey festivals out there. Join Big Chief in the magical city of New Orleans and experience the best whiskey has to offer. Cheers!

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    1 hr and 23 mins