A Perfectly Crafted Platform

Pull up a chair and discover the new way to enjoy your favorite whiskey

Written by Peggy Noe Stevens

There was never much time in my previous schedule (pre-Covid-19) to fully engage myself in listening to spirits podcasts. Let’s face it, I am in the industry and although savvy at keeping up with information of new brands and trends, it was my perception that podcasts were just more of the same. It didn’t even make the top 10 things to do on my priority list. I am now enlightened, as the need for human contact and the feel for keeping my finger on the pulse of the spirits industry became increasingly important to me during the lockdown. In fact, I participated in interviews for fundraising, discussed my new book and frankly, was given a platform to educate, all courtesy of the podcast hosts. It was truly a spirits community.

I used to wonder why in the world would these passionate whiskey evangelists spend an enormous amount of time scheduling, developing and promoting content when most of them have other full-time jobs in different fields? Why carve out the time to truly make a path for this craft? Notice I said “craft”?

It is a true craft; after experiencing and listening to their information and expertise in engaging audiences around the world, I am converted. When a woman with 30 years’ experience as a spirits expert learns something each time I listen, bravo! Consumers can be up close to the many facets and personalities that frame our whiskey community.

When I say personalities, I mean it. From serious topics on legislation and ethics, to light-hearted entertainment and enjoyment of our wonderful world of spirits, these ambassadors of the industry spread the whiskey gospel for all to enjoy. I am a fan now, a BIG fan. Many of them I have developed unique personal relationships with because they are REAL people and not advertisers of any one brand, and I respect their passion and commitment. This period has led to podcast mania, a welcome bridge for me during the lockdown, and I want to applaud them and share some of my favorites currently on the scene. It is time to interview the interviewers.

Bourbon & Banter
Q: Who are the hosts?
A: Patrick Garrett and Bob Bennett.

Q: What is the theme of your show?
A: The Bourbon & Banter podcast is all about Bourbon, whiskey, distilled spirits and enjoying them with good friends. With a colorful cast of characters – from professional palates and cocktail connoisseurs to casual drinkers and bottom-shelf dwellers – our opinions may be varied but our mission is singular: to help you drink curious.

Q: What is your show schedule?
A: Once per month currently.

Q: Why did you start your podcast?
A: To educate people about Bourbon (teach them to drink curious) while making sure that we’re not taking ourselves, or whiskey, too seriously. We also provide a no-holds-barred honesty that provides a different view of the whiskey that we love.

Q: What do you hope to be able to contribute to the industry?
A: We’ve had our website for over nine years and recently launched the podcast to provide fans with a different view of our team and how our relationship with Bourbon has changed over the years. Bourbon & Banter is a passion project without reliance on financial success so we’re able to be more direct with our opinions and points of view, allowing listeners to have a more rounded view. We hope that listeners will come away with more confidence in what they’re drinking and have the ability to see through the marketing and sales efforts to focus on drinking the things that matter to them.

Q: How can someone connect with you on social media?
A: @bourbonbanter

Film & Whisky
Q: Who are the hosts?
A: Bob Book and Brad Gee.

Q: What is the theme of your show?
A: Two lifelong friends, one a movie buff and the other trying to broaden his horizons, review a classic movie and a new whiskey.

Q: What is your show schedule?
A: New episodes every Monday. Bonus episodes every three weeks on a Thursday.

Q: Why did you start your podcast?
A: We’ve always had debates about what makes a movie or a whiskey great. The podcast allows us to expand that conversation and hear from other voices. Plus, it’s just more fun to argue over a glass of whiskey.

Q: What do you hope to be able to contribute to the industry?
A: We lean into the fact that we are the average consumer. For us, the overall value of a whiskey is as important as its taste, so we make sure to feature widely available whiskeys for the price-conscious buyer.

Q: How can someone connect with you on social media?
A: @filmwhiskey

The Bourbon Road
Q: Who are the hosts?
A: Jim Shannon and Mike Hiatt (Big Chief).

Q: What is the theme of your show?
A: The Bourbon Road is two veterans sharing pours and good stories with interesting guests. Each week we enjoy sipping on Bourbon while talking with celebrities, musicians, chefs, authors, industry experts and everyone in between.

Q: What is your show schedule?
A: Weekly medium format interview on Wednesdays, weekly short format whiskey review on Mondays.

Q: Why did you start your podcast?
A: To meet new people, explore new
whiskey, seek the untold stories and share our life on the Bourbon trail with fellow Bourbon enthusiasts.

Q: What do you hope to be able to contribute to the industry?
A: We want The Bourbon Road to be a fun and informative show that sets the bar
low for new enthusiasts. We want to provide an unpretentious exploration of Bourbon, the people who make it and those who enjoy it.

Q: How can someone connect with you on social media?
A: @thebourbonroad

This is my Bourbon Podcast
Q: Who are the hosts?
A: Perry Ritter, Curtis Conrad and Sean “Swan” Moore.

Q: What is the theme of your show?
A: Community-based Bourbon and whiskey conversation, with a shared focus on weekly industry news and product reviews.

Q: What is your show schedule?
A: New episodes drop every Wednesday morning, with the occasional bonus episode on Fridays, including the Covid-19 quarantine-inspired “Isosession” series.

Q: Why did you start your podcast?
A: When I first considered starting the show, I realized that I was already having conversations with friends that were similar to the ones that I wanted to have in a long-form medium, like a podcast. I already possessed the love for Bourbon and some experience with audio editing, so it only made sense to combine the two. My energy for the podcast changed over time, though, from simple conversations and sharing drinks to talking about the state of the whiskey industry and community. It was such a natural shift.

Q: What do you hope to be able to contribute to the industry?
A: I want to have honest, direct conversations and provide information about the whiskey world at large. As much as I love getting to review a new Bourbon, I love getting to sit down with those that made it, or those who have shown me the power of enjoying it, and dig into who they are and why they chose whiskey. The people have made the industry what it is, and I aim to capture that to the absolute best of my ability.

Q: How can someone connect with you on social media?
A: @mybourbonpod

Bourbon Pursuit
Q: Who are the hosts?
A: Kenny Coleman, Ryan Cecil and Fred Minnick. Lauren Coleman is our production manager and lead of quality control.

Q: What is the theme of your show?
A: The Official Podcast of Bourbon. Featuring news, reviews and interviews with the people that are making the Bourbon whiskey industry happen.

Q: What is your show schedule?
A: There are two podcast releases every week. The main podcast released every Thursday is focused on interviewing someone of Bourbon royalty or tackling issues on Bourbon culture. Tuesdays are Whiskey Quickies, where Kenny and Ryan do a 60-second whiskey review of the latest releases to hit the market.

Q: Why did you start your podcast?
A: We hate having free time. Just kidding… both of us enjoy Bourbon and the podcast is a selfish opportunity to further our education. Podcasts have a low barrier to entry; we researched and listened to other whiskey-related podcasts to find a differentiator. It became clear that the missing element was a voice from the “inside”. There wasn’t a way for people to connect with the personalities behind their favorite brand. If a listener comes away with a single moment that becomes so memorable that they sip their whiskey and connect to it on a personal level, then we did our job. It’s more than good whiskey, it’s about good people and the various backgrounds that make it so fun.

This recipe for success began a steady trajectory of becoming the #1 whiskey podcast and grabbed the attention of Wall Street Journal best-selling author and Bourbon expert Fred Minnick. After Fred joined the team, Bourbon Pursuit gained industry recognition as the leading whiskey podcast and the conversations were enhanced with more Bourbon knowledge than ever before. The overwhelming success of the podcast has ignited a spark to continually pivot and find interesting ways to bring Bourbon culture to the masses.

Q: What do you hope to be able to contribute to the industry?
A: We’re not hard-hitting journalists reporting on the Bourbon ecosystem. We’re Bourbon entertainment. A show you can watch or listen to, have a laugh, connect, and educate yourself with all at once. The podcast aims to give the consumer market an inside look into stories and people that are making the Bourbon industry happen, while at the same time, provide dialogue that makes the audience a more informed Bourbon consumer. We’re in a unique position to capture stories and knowledge from the most renowned experts and share them with the world. We’re here for the whiskey enthusiasts and hope to be one of the reasons why people fall in love with Bourbon.

Q: How can someone connect with you on social media?
A: @bourbonpursuit

WhiskyCast
Q: Who is the host?
A: Mark Gillespie.

Q: What is the theme of your show?
A: We are the world’s longest-running whisky podcast, covering all aspects of the world of whisky with interviews, news, tasting notes and much more.

Q: What is your show schedule?
A: Weekly.

Q: Why did you start your podcast?
A: Starting WhiskyCast was a way to further my own education about whisky by talking with the people who make it, write about it, and drink it – and as a way to bring others along on that journey. Today, WhiskyCast has become one of the leading sources of whisky news and information for newcomers and experts alike.

Q: What do you hope to be able to contribute to the industry?
A: We cover the whisky industry as journalists, and are not afraid to ask tough questions and challenge industry norms when it comes to societal issues such as climate change and diversity. However, we also try to make sure we’re having fun along the way and helping people learn more about whisky so that they’ll enjoy it more.

Q: How can someone connect with you on social media?
A: @whiskycast

Metal, Rock & Whiskey
Q: Who are the hosts?
A: Our trio includes Sailor Guevara, Ed Dersch and Matt Larusso.

Q: What is the theme of your show?
A: A battle of bands, albums and artists all paired with a whiskey of the week.

Q: What is your show schedule?
A: Weekly.

Q: Why did you start your podcast?
A: It was a discussion I wanted to have and invite people into and there was really nothing like it out there.

Q: What do you hope to be able to contribute to the industry?
A: Expanding the whiskey community’s discussion of art and culture.

Q: How can someone connect with you on social media?
A: @metal_rock_whiskey