Bourbon Road Dispatch: Derby Wins, Rye Discoveries, and Evolving Trends

Derby Day Reflections and First Pours

Jim kicked off the episode from Colorado Springs, where he’d flown in for a Derby party right from Louisville on the big day. Despite the unusual travel circumstances, the party was a success. As a bonus, Jim even managed to hit an exacta on the Derby race! His first pour of the evening was the Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Derby bottle, a familiar 90.4 proof expression that he described as a classic Woodford. Interestingly, the party featured mint juleps made with Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond. While not his personal favorite, Jim embraced the Derby tradition, even helping whip up the simple syrup.

Meanwhile, Todd was sipping on Penelope Architect, the third release in their series. This MGP-sourced straight bourbon, finished in French oak staves and bottled at 104 proof, impressed Todd. He noted its characteristic MGP cherry notes, which were complemented by a distinct “funky oak” character from the French influence.

Lost Lantern’s New Subscription & Exciting Releases

Big news from Lost Lantern! Following previous speculation, the independent bottler has officially launched a monthly subscription service. For $90 a month plus shipping, members receive a different bottle each month, exclusive sign-up bottles, behind-the-scenes content, invitations to special events and virtual tastings with distillers and Lost Lantern’s Adam Polanski, and early access to new releases. It seems the trend of distilleries and brands offering direct-to-consumer clubs is growing. This provides a way to bypass the traditional three-tier system and offer limited releases without the usual frenzy.

Buffalo Trace made headlines with the announcement that an E.H. Taylor Bottled-in-Bond will be joining the highly sought-after Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC). While speculating it will be a well-aged version, the hosts noted that some E.H. Taylor releases already command secondary market prices comparable to BTAC. The hope is that these will be somewhat attainable, perhaps requiring the familiar dedication of waiting in line.

Wild Turkey fans can rejoice as the new 8-year 101 is hitting shelves at a respectable $49 MSRP. This release is aged for a minimum of 8 years, potentially including older stocks. The hosts are eager to compare it to previous highly-regarded Wild Turkey releases.

Closer to home, Whiskey Thief has released their 2025 Mayday Rye. This 7-year-old, 146 proof (hazmat!) rye is available at their Frankfort distillery and new Louisville tasting room, with some shipping options available. Whiskey Thief’s ryes consistently earn high praise from the hosts.

Colorado Whiskey and Unique Finishes

Jim’s Colorado trip included plans for an interview and tour at Law’s Whiskey House in Denver. Laws has made a name for itself as a pioneer in the Colorado whiskey scene, particularly with their bottled-in-bond and American single malt offerings.

For his second pour, Jim sampled the 291 Colorado Rye Whiskey finished in Aspen wood staves and maple syrup barrels – the “M” release, bottled at a robust 122 proof. He found a lovely maple sweetness on the nose and palate. Furthermore, he noted that 291 whiskies are easily identifiable due to their distinctive profile, regardless of the finish. He mentioned that his son recently volunteered at 291’s bottling line, indicating positive developments for the distillery.

Todd countered with a classic: Pikesville Straight Rye from Heaven Hill. This 110 proof, 6-year-old Maryland-style rye, retailing around $50, is considered a great value. They touched on Heaven Hill’s rye mashbill used for both Pikesville and their other rye offerings like Rittenhouse and Elijah Craig Rye, highlighting the different proofs and ages.

Industry Trends: RTDs and Beyond

The conversation shifted to broader industry trends, including the booming popularity of ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails, particularly among younger consumers. The hosts acknowledged the market demand, even noting that the largest distillery in the US is now producing White Claw. While neither host is personally a big fan of seltzers or most RTDs, they acknowledge the market demand and hope bourbon finds a strong presence in this growing category. They also discussed the rise of THC-infused beverages, a trend enabled by the federal legality of hemp-derived THC under 0.3% by weight. The hosts expressed some confusion regarding the health claims associated with these drinks and drew parallels to the early marketing of vaping.

Barrel Picks and Local Scenes

The hosts shared details of a recent barrel pick they conducted at James E. Pepper Distillery in Lexington for Bourbon on the Banks. They selected a bourbon from three excellent barrels, opting for one they felt would have broader appeal. However, they personally favored a different barrel with an exceptional nose of vanilla icing and cake batter. They highly recommended the historical tour at James E. Pepper, highlighting the distillery’s deep roots and the significant role played by James E. Pepper’s wife. They also raved about a 7-8 year old rye they tasted during the pick.

They also touched upon local movements, including RD1 Spirits’ move to a new, larger location and Macaulay Minton’s Dark Arts taking over the old RD1 space. They noted Macaulay’s unique style and the interesting decor planned for the new tasting room. Additionally, they mentioned that Sarah Algrim has joined Macaulay’s team.

Bo Cumberland’s Frankfort Bourbon documentary was highlighted, with an upcoming screening on Friday, June 13th at The Foundry in Frankfort. The screening is donation-based, with proceeds benefiting Frankfort flood victims, and will kick off Bourbon Week in the city. Todd is the narrator for the documentary, earning praise from Jim for his narration skills. They hope the documentary will become more widely available in the future and mentioned Bo Cumberland’s YouTube page as a great resource for short interviews and mini-docs on American spirits. Jim also shared his personal research into a historical Shannon distillery in Shelbyville from the early 1800s.

Wrapping Up

As the evening wound down, Jim noted the pleasant warmth from the 291 rye. Todd, despite the late hour after a busy day and his son’s victorious soccer game, enjoyed his Pikesville rye. They briefly discussed current “hot” bottles, mentioning the Wild Turkey 8-year and “buff turkey” (Buffalo Trace contract distilled for Wild Turkey) barrel picks, noting their high demand and impressive quality. They also touched on the continued strong interest in bourbon events like Bourbon on the Banks and the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, seeing it as a positive sign for the core market despite some recent fluctuations in production and layoffs at certain distilleries.

The episode wrapped up with a reminder to connect with The Bourbon Road on social media and subscribe to the podcast to stay up-to-date on all things whiskey.