Episodes

  • The Distiller Who Shaped Bourbon’s Future
    Dec 17 2024

    In this week's episode of the Bourbon Playbook, Ryan O'Leary and Mike Zika cover a special pour from the E.H. Taylor Jr. collection. The Colonel is a pivotal figure in the bourbon industry that every enthusiast should know, and the guys discuss his story while sharing laughs and sipping on some of sweet notes.

    In this episode:

    2:00 — Personal Pours of the Week

    12:00 — Bourbon of the Week

    20:00 — History

    26:00 — Tasting notes

    32:00 — E5 Scale Rating

    40:00 — Small cube vs. large cube in bourbon glass

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    44 mins
  • Tasting 125: An Elite Full Proof Bourbon Experience
    Dec 10 2024

    In this week's episode of The Bourbon Playbook, Ryan O'Leary and Mike Zika introduce the Essential 5 Scale, a fun way to categorize your favorite bourbons and ensure you have the right bottles for every occasion. Zika then attempts to put lightweight Ryan in a bodybag with a bold, full proof Bourbon of the Week that packs a serious a punch.

    In this episode:

    01;32 — Personal Pours of the Week

    12:20 — Bourbon of the Week

    15:00 — Introducing the E5 Scale

    22:20 — History

    23:53 — Popping the bottle

    27:20 — Tasting notes

    31:25 — What makes this full proof bourbon unique

    Support the pod:

    Spread the word, leave a 5-star review and subscribe on your favorite platform! Connect with the guys by emailing thebasementbuzz@gmail.com. We'll feature your bourbon questions on a future episode!

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    51 mins
  • Less is More: The Art of Small Batch Perfection
    Dec 3 2024

    In this week's episode of The Bourbon Playbook, Ryan O'Leary and Mike Zika discuss why small batch bourbons are worth the hype! The guys sip on a Bourbon of the Week that could quickly become a favorite for those seeking a refined sip with some rich history.

    In this episode:

    1:28 — What typically goes down at a bourbon meet up

    7:45 — Bourbon pours of the week

    17:48 — The Art of Small Batch Bourbon

    20:40 — Bourbon of the Week History

    26:02 — Tasting notes

    31:09 — Zika's hat gets O'Leary all hot and bothered

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    35 mins
  • The Wildly Perfect Pour for Your Holiday Weekend
    Nov 26 2024

    On this week's episode, Mike and Ryan crack open and enjoy the perfect bottle for a long Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends. Join the guys for some sips and banter, and support the pod by spreading the word, leaving a review and hitting that subscribe button on your favorite platform!

    In this week's episode:

    2:30 — What made the guys need a bourbon this week

    10:30 — Bourbon of the Week

    19:00 — History

    21:00 — Tasting notes

    25:15 — How to "open up" an new bottle of bourbon

    Support the pod by spreading the word, leaving a 5-star review and hitting that subscribe button on your favorite platform! Submit feedback and connect with the hosts by emailing thebasementbuzz@gmail.com.

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    32 mins
  • 100 Proof Heaven from Bourbon Capital of the World
    Nov 19 2024

    Welcome to the premiere episode of The Bourbon Playbook! Ryan O'Leary and Mike Zika swap stories on life, sports and of course, the sweet brown juice. Join the guys as they crack open a heavenly bottle of 100 proof gold to kick-off the show, while covering the bourbon's history, tasting notes and more!

    In this week's episode:

    0:00 — Prologue: Whiskey vs. Bourbon explained

    4:40 — Welcome to the show

    11:30 — Bourbon of the Week

    12:30 — What is this miniature looking glass?

    17:00 — History

    20:00 — The Kentucky Chew

    24:00 — Tasting notes

    31:00 — That one time Ryan asked a question to Bill Belichick on TV

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    41 mins