Great American Whiskey Cookers

🥃 What really goes into blending a great bourbon?

In this episode, we’re in Louisville, Kentucky, sitting down with Ryan Cecil and Kenny Coleman of Pursuit Spirits for an inside look at the art and science of bourbon blending.

Blending is about much more than putting different barrels together. Ryan and Kenny give us some behind-the-scenes insight into how they approach selecting barrels, developing flavor prof...

🥃 What happens after the whiskey is made?

We spend a lot of time talking about distilling, aging, barrels, and tasting—but what happens when the whiskey is ready for the bottle?

At Sideshow Spirits in Lincoln, Nebraska, we take a behind-the-scenes look at the often-overlooked world of bottling, labeling, boxing, and packaging craft spirits.

From filling the bottles to getting them shelf-ready, there&rsqu...

🥃 What if one of Iowa's most legendary whiskey recipes traces back to the Prohibition era?

Back in Carroll, Iowa, we sit down for a guided tasting of Iowa Legendary Rye – Red Label with the grandson of the family's original bootlegger. He shares the history behind a rye whiskey recipe that has been passed down through generations, rooted in Iowa's rich farming tradition.

Made from grain grown in Iowa's fertile ...

🥃 Friday Blind Tasting Challenge: American Single Malt Showdown!

This week, we put two outstanding American Single Malts head-to-head in a true blind tasting.

🥃 In one corner: Cedar Ridge American Single Malt—an established favorite.
🥃 In the other: Thornton American Single Malt—the rising challenger.

No labels. No bias. Just honest reactions, tasting notes, and one big question:

Which ...

The best craft distilleries don't chase trends—they build them into every bottle.
At Black Band Distillery in Peoria, Illinois, being Certified Organic and Certified Kosher isn't reserved for a special release—it's simply how they make whiskey every day.
From sourcing ingredients to controlling the grain milling process, every step of production is intentional. Nothing is left to chance. It's a level of precision ...

Friday Blind Tasting Challenge is here, and this week's bottle is a big one.
Under the box is Driftless Glen's brand-new 10-Year Bourbon, a milestone release that marks a major achievement for one of America's standout craft distilleries.
Reaching the 10-year mark is no small feat in the craft whiskey world. But does this long-aged bourbon live up to the anticipation?
No labels. No bias. Just honest reactions, real tasting...

🥃 Friday Blind Tasting Challenge is heating up!
This week, we put Black Band Wheated Cask Strength Bourbon under the box for a true blind tasting.
Cask strength bourbons aren't for everyone. With bold proof and intense flavor, they can be unforgettable—or overwhelming. So, how does this wheated cask strength bourbon stack up with the guys?
No labels. No preconceived opinions. Just honest reactions, real tasting note...

🥃 Great whiskey doesn't happen by accident, it starts in the still.
Every master distiller has a philosophy behind the way they craft their spirits. From fermentation to making precise cuts, every decision influences the final flavor in the glass.
In this episode, Master Distiller Ari Klafter takes us behind the scenes to explain his approach to distillation, sharing the techniques, decisions, and craftsmanship that shape ev...

In this episode, Black Band Distillery Brand Ambassador Tate Ulm takes us through a guided tasting of their Flagship Bourbon Whiskey, sharing the story behind the bottle, its flavor profile, mash bill, aging process, and what makes it the signature expression of the distillery.
Whether you're a seasoned bourbon enthusiast or just discovering craft whiskey, this tasting offers an inside look at the craftsmanship and attention to ...

This week, we put Striped Pig Double Barrel Bourbon Whiskey under the box for the very first time.
We've never tasted this bourbon before, so we're going in with no expectations—just honest reactions, real tasting notes, and one big question:
Does Striped Pig Double Barrel Bourbon deserve a spot on our shelf?
No labels. No bias. Just a true blind tasting to see if this craft double barrel bourbon can impress the guys...

🥃 Did you know Peoria, Illinois was once known as the Whiskey Capital of the World?

Before Prohibition, Peoria was home to one of the largest whiskey industries in America. While those glory days faded after Prohibition, one craft distillery is working to bring that rich whiskey heritage back.

Enter Black Band Distillery.

During our visit, we discovered a distillery that's passionate about quality, innovation,...

🥃 Friday Blind Tasting Challenge!

This week, we put Brickway Distillery's Rye Whiskey under the box for an honest, no-label blind tasting.

Rye whiskey is one of the most debated spirits in the whiskey world. Some love its bold spice and complexity, while others stick with bourbon. So where will Jeff, Wes, and the crew land on this craft rye?

No labels. No preconceived opinions. Just real reactions, tasting not...

🥃 One of the best parts of visiting a craft distillery is discovering expressions you can't find just anywhere.

With so many unique whiskeys to choose from at StilL 630 Distillery, it can be hard to know where to start. Fortunately, Dave Weglarz guided us through one of his favorites—the Maple Sunset Rye.

👉 Listen now for a guided tasting of StilL 630's Maple Sunset Rye and discover why this innovative craft w...

🥃 Getting to taste a bourbon unicorn never gets old.
During our visit to Blaum Bros. Distillery, Matt and Mike surprised us by pulling out a bottle of their Original Knotter Bourbon—a bottle that's become a true bourbon unicorn and is nearly impossible to find today.
Opportunities like this don't come around often, so we couldn't pass up the chance to taste this rare pour and see how it holds up.
Is the Original Kno...

🥃 Every great whiskey has a story—and sometimes that story starts in a farm field generations ago.
One of our favorite things is discovering how a whiskey got its name. At Wildcat Distillery, their Tillman's Whiskey is more than just a bottle—it's a tribute to family legacy.
Named after their Grandpa Al, the original Wildcat Tillman who first planted the grain that would become part of the family's story, this wh...