rye whiskey

Troy Bolotnick is back for his encore appearance on Bourbon Lens to talk about Filmland Spirits.  We discuss Filmland Spirits and their expanded lineup since his last visit, including the Extended Cut bottlings of Moonlight Mayhem and Ryes of the Robots.  Extended Cut is the brand’s Cask Strength offering of their whiskies.  Since his last appearance, Filmland has also debuted Town at the End of Tomorrow, a limited release 9 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon.   We’ll talk about what’s in the pipeline for the brand, including the possibility of some finished whiskey offerings and their growth / market expansion.  

Here’s the full list of current releases from Filmland Spirits (Affiliate Links):

• Moolight Mayhem Small Batch Bourbon
  • Mash Bill: 75% Corn / 21% Rye  / 4% Malted Barley 
  • Aged in American White Oak for 4+ years
  • ABV:  47% / 94 Proof
  • SRP: $54.95 (750ml)
  • Accolades: Double Gold Medal, 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
•  Ryes of The Robots Rye Whiskey
  • Mash Bill: 95 % Rye / 5 % Malted Barley 
  • Aged in American White Oak for 4+ years
  • ABV:  47% / 94 Proof
  • SRP: $59.95  (750ml)
  • Accolades: Gold Medal, 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
• Moonlight Mayhem Extended Cut (Cask Strength Bourbon)
  • Mash Bill: 75 % Corn / 21 % Rye / 4 % Malted Barley
  • Aged in White American Oak for 4+ years
  • ABV: 57.5% / 115 proof
  • SRP: $79.95 (750 ml)
  • Accolades: Gold Medal, 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
• Ryes of The Robots Extended Cut (Cask Strength Rye)
  • Mash Bill: 95% Rye/ 5% Malted Barley
  • Aged in White American Oak for 4+ years
  • ABV: 54% / 108 proof
  • SRP: $74.95 (750 ml)
•  Town at the End of Tomorrow (Limited Release 9 Year Bourbon)
  • Mash Bill: 78% Corn / 13% Rye  / 9% Malted Barley
  • Aged in American White Oak for 9 years 
  • ABV:  47% / 94 Proof
  • SRP: $109.99 (750ml)
• Filmland Spirits 4 Bottle Collection

  

About Filmland Spirits 

Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, Filmland Spirits is an award-winning portfolio of small batch American whiskeys founded in 2020 by a team of whiskey enthusiasts, movie buffs and storytellers. The initial offerings are crafted from some of the finest whiskeys selected from across the country which are brought to Kentucky where they are aged, blended, finished and bottled by the Filmland Spirits team. These ultra-premium liquids are housed in custom bottles inspired by the world of moviemaking, then paired with a label that is a movie poster based on an original B-movie script written specifically for each expression. For more information, visit filmlandspirits.com.

Join David and Dixon as they continue their conversation with Blake Riber, Owner of Seelbach’s in this episode. Learn how Seelbach’s is aiming to be a resource for newcomers and get inspired by their commitment to advancing American whiskey. Blake also shares insights into the world of Seelbach’s and their plans for growth. And how they aim to make the private label offerings a must seek and personalize communication with customers. 

 

Follow the link to check out Seelbach’s.

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This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative 2023.

‘Tis the season to step out of your comfort zone, try something new after all it is Christmas season. In this episode of Cocktails With Friends Bob sits down and steps way outside of his lane with the co-founder of Ballotin Whiskey, Paul Tuell. Paul and his wife own a company that bottles quality whiskey, it just happens that the whiskey is flavored with chocolate and other elegant flavors. Bob, a bartender and consumer, that traditionally steers clear of flavored spirits however Paul and Ballotin has once again showed that a small business that takes pride in what they do can create an elegant product that people will enjoy. In a glass or utilized in a cocktail Ballotin is a treat this holiday season and likely year-round. Cheers

Featured Cocktails: 

Ballotin Whiskey Espresso Martini

• 1.5 oz. Bourbon Ball
• .5 oz. Wild Turkey 101
• 1 oz. fresh chilled espresso
• .25 oz. Simple Syrup

Shake all ingredients with ice and serve in a coup glass. 

Ballotin's Handshake

• 2 oz. Original Chocolate
• .5 oz. Fernet-Branca
• .25 oz. Simple
• 4 dashes Hot Pepper Bitters

stir all ingredients and serve over a large cube with a small candy cane garnish. 

The Sweet Mother-In-Law

• 2 oz. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cream
• .5 oz. Mr. Black Cold Brew Coffee Liquor
• .5 oz. Lazzaroni Amaretto

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain over a large cube or into a coupe - garnish with grated chocolate!

Show Links:

• https://ballotinwhiskey.com/
• https://ballotinwhiskey.com/collections/flavors
  

We would like to thank High Camp Flask for providing Cocktails With Friends listeners a Discount Code: CWF20 for 20% off!  You won't want to miss out on this opportunity! 

Thanks for listening to this episode of Cocktails with Friends, make sure you hit subscibe on your favorite podcast listening app.  Don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram @cocktailswithfriendspod or our website www.cocktailswithfriends.com

This has been the latest episode of Cocktails with Friends a member of the Bourbon Lens Podcast Family

 

Ready to learn about the origin of Seelbach’s featured spirits? On this episode of Blending Bourbon, join David and Dixon as they sit down with Blake Riber, Owner of Seelbach’s to discuss the fascinating story behind their online distribution of top-quality spirits. Discover how Blake got into the business and why Seelbach’s is quickly becoming a favorite among bourbon connoisseurs.

Follow the link to check out Seelbach’s.

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This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative 2023.

Get ready to hear an inspiring (and funny) story of success from distillery owners Denny Potter and Jane Bowie! On this episode of Blending Bourbon, they’ll be discussing the importance of embracing your origin story and how they got started with their own distillery. Plus, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at Denny's special title at Potter Jane Distillery. Don't miss it – watch now!

 

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This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative 2023.

How is technology changing the world of bourbon? On this episode of Blending Bourbon, David and Dixon discuss the shifts in technology that are revolutionizing production, storage, and marketing of bourbon. Hear how rickhouses are now using temperature control strategies, how brands are leveraging new marketing avenues, and which traditional techniques remain unchanged! Tune in to discover all the details about technology in the bourbon space.

 

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This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative 2023.

Why are newer whiskeys starting to taste the same? And what does it have to do with sourced whiskey? On Blending Bourbon, Dixon and David dive into the complex world of the bulk whiskey market. They explore why new labels are struggling to get started, the differences between brands who source from the same distilleries, and how this affects what consumers choose to buy. Tune in to this episode for an in-depth look at the state of the whiskey bulk market!

 

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This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative 2023.

In a special episode for Bourbon Lens, we’re celebrating the  milestone of 250 Episodes with a tasting of the new Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC). A special thanks to the team at Buffalo Trace Distillery and Sazerac Company for allowing us this opportunity to taste this ultra limited, highly sought after whiskey collection.  Jake and Scott taste through the 5 bottle lineup of 2023 BTAC and give their thoughts on each.  Which bottle should you seek out to taste at a bar or to add to your home bar?  We give our rankings and overall impressions of this year’s collection. If you’ve had an opportunity to taste any of the lineup, we’d love to hear your thoughts! Drop us a line and share. And cheers to another 250 episodes of Bourbon Lens podcast; we thank you for your support of Bourbon Lens.

Fast Facts from Buffalo Trace About the 2023 Collection

Sazerac Rye 18-Year-Old Whiskey

• Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
• 18 Years Old
• Proof: 90
• Barrels filled between the fall of 2004 and the spring of 2005
• Aged in Warehouses K, L, and M. 
• Nose: dried orange, rye grain, clove and anise
• palate: black pepper, vanilla, and waves of oak, and a florally honey and tobacco leaf finish. 

Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon

• Kentucky Straight Bourbon (Buffalo Trace Mashbill #1 “Low Rye”)
• Aged 19 years and three months old - the oldest release of the spirit since its 23-year inclusion in the Antique Collection
• Proof: 101 proof in tribute to the original Eagle Rare brand launched in 1975. 
• Distilled in the spring of 2004. 
• Aged in Warehouses C, I, K, M, and Q.   
• Nose: dark chocolate and cherry pie filling
• Palate: caramel-drizzled chocolate sponge cake, finishing with dry and spicy notes of an earthy cigar box. 

Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye Whiskey

• Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
• Aged for over six years. 
• Proof: 124.9
• Uncut, unfiltered straight rye whiskey
• Initially launched in response to a consumer request for more well-aged and barrel-strength whiskey
• Nose: orange zest and lemon oil, caramel, and hints of pine.
• palate: freshly baked rye bread spread with orange marmalade and honey appear first, followed by a lingering finish of light oak and black licorice.

William Larue Weller Bourbon

• Kentucky Straight Bourbon (Wheated Mashbill)
• Uncut, unfiltered, wheated recipe bourbon.
• 12 Years Old; distilled in the spring of 2011
• Proof: 133.6 
• Warehouses C, L, M, and N. 
• Nose: Candied notes of dark brown sugar and vanilla bean
• Palate: warm and full with stewed cherry and brown sugar crumble and a robust, dense finish enveloped with baking spice and a hint of maple syrup. 
  

George T. Stagg Bourbon

• Kentucky Straight Bourbon (Buffalo Trace Mashbill #1 “Low Rye”)
• 15 years and 4-months-old bourbon (distilled in the spring of 2008)
• Proof:  135
• Aged in Warehouses C, I, K, L, and M. 
• Nose: cinnamon and cherry cola
• Palate: a well-balanced mix of leather, chocolate, and vanilla on the palate, complete with a robust, earthy finish.

Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you’re there. 

We are thankful for everyone who has supported us over the last 5 years. The biggest shoutout to our growing Patreon Community of supporters! As always, we'd appreciate it if you would take a few minutes time to give us feedback on Bourbon Lens podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 Star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a written review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.  And please check out our Patreon to learn how you can support our endeavors, earn Bourbon Lens swag, be part of Bourbon Lens Tasting Club, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at Info@BourbonLens.com.

Check out our BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and whiskey reviews.

Cheers,
Scott and Jake
Bourbon Lens

 

Ever wonder if being a master blender is all it’s cracked up to be? Find out what it truly means to be a master blender and gain insights into the world of bourbon. David and Dixon uncover the reality behind being the face of a bourbon brand. Discover the day-to-day life of a master blender that goes beyond the distillery visits, tastings, and food pairings. Find out what it truly means to be a master blender in this episode of Blending Bourbon.

 

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This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative 2023.

Have you ever wondered how whiskey blenders create unique and flavorful whiskey blends? And how important is transparency and specificity when it comes to blending whiskey? Don't miss the next episode of Blending Bourbon with Dixon and David, where they take an in-depth look into the importance of being transparent and specific when it comes to crafting a unique blend.

 

Also, David talks about Omaha Whiskey Fest 2023 and Dixon breaks down the 3 types of people that attend those festivals. Don’t miss out on this fantastic episode!

Follow Blending Bourbon Podcast on Instagram - YouTube - Facebook.

This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative 2023.

When it comes to the world of whiskey, there are thousands of nuances and tastes that often go overlooked or misunderstood. So, how do you refine your palate and know if what you’re tasting is what you’re supposed to be tasting? This episode of the #BlendingBourbon podcast features Dixon Dedman flying solo and breaking down the whiskey taste barrier! Plus the triumphant return of a Dedman staple: Whiskey in a Box! Just how good is Dixon’s palate? 

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This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative 2023.

Have you ever wondered what makes a bottle of bourbon so valuable? Discover hidden factors that influence its value, and find out what makes each bottle so special. In this episode, David and Dixon explore the complex process of placing a value on bourbon and uncover factors that could drastically impact its worth. Join us as we learn what it takes to place the true price of your favorite bottles of bourbon!

 

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This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative 2023.

 

Original Air Date: 27 April 2023

Why do master blenders do what they do? In this episode of Blending Bourbon, David Mark Young and Dixon Dedman dive into where their passion for blending bourbon and whiskey culture comes from, and when they first realized they actually love doing what they do. From the early days of learning how to blend (or what “blending” even was) to the days when blending became more of an artform, make yourself a drink and enjoy this episode of Blending Bourbon! Oh, and keep an eye out for David’s OnlyFans!

If you're curious about the process of making bourbon, or if you have any other questions about whiskey production, then this is the episode for you! 

 Follow Blending Bourbon Podcast on Instagram - YouTube - Facebook.

This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative 2023.

Original Air Date: 13 Apr, 2023

 

We’re joined by Samantha Johnson, Master Blender for Diageo and their most recent Orphan Barrel Series release, Scarlet Shade Rye Whiskey.  For those unfamiliar, Orphan Barrel Whiskey Co. is a project to save nearly forgotten barrels of well-aged whiskey and share them with the world. We talk about this release as well as Samantha’s process for crafting unique and thoughtful whiskey blends from extraordinary casks. Thanks to our good friends, Courtney (@PicsAndPours) and Jaron (@Bourbon_In_Indiana) for connecting us with their friend Samantha for this episode.

Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you’re there. 

We are thankful for everyone who has supported us. A huge shoutout goes to our growing Patreon Community as well! We'd appreciate it if you can take the time to give us feedback on our podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.  And please check out our Patreon to learn how you can support our endeavors, earn Bourbon Lens swag, be part of future barrel picks, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at Info@BourbonLens.com.

Check out our BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and details on our upcoming single barrel picks.

Cheers,
Scott and Jake
Bourbon Lens

 

About Scarlet Shade 14-Year Rye:

This is the first ever Rye release to the Orphan Barrel collection of premium whiskies – Scarlet Shade – distilled in Indiana, aged in Kentucky and bottled in Tennessee.  This 14-year-old rye is heralded by sweet vanilla butter cream and lightly toasted oak aromas, tasting of warm baking spices, rye toast and orchard fruits, before warming into sweet orange marmalade and lingering as a dark chocolate finish. At 90 proof (45%). It is a limited release which dropped in May with a suggested retail price of $199.99. Scarlet Shade can be purchased on ReserveBar, Drizly.com or the Drizly app where shipping and delivery are available.

About Orphan Barrel Whiskey Co.

The Orphan Barrel Whiskey Co. is an endeavor to rescue nearly forgotten barrels of delicious whiskey and share them with discerning adult consumers. We are inspired by creativity, delicious whiskey, good times and great stories. The project is owned and run by DIAGEO and headquartered in Tullahoma, Tenn. However, we like to think the project is founded in dark, quiet corners of rickhouses around the world where great whiskeys are just waiting to be discovered.

About Samantha Johnson:

Since joining Diageo as a Quality Technician in 2018 and being named a Master Blender in 2020, Samantha has blended a number of fan-favorite, high-quality whiskies including I.W. Harper 15 Year-Old and Bulleit Rye. In fact, her very first blend—I.W. Harper 15 Year-Old—won Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition that same year.

Samantha initially uncovered her passion for working with whiskey while completing her senior thesis at Hanover College where she sped up the maturation process by rapidly aging the liquid to mimic a 4-year-old aged whiskey. After graduation, she received her Master’s in agriculture (with a focus in food science and management) from Washington State University and landed a position as a Quality Technician at Bulleit Bourbon Distillery.

The release of Scarlet Shade marks her first offering under the Orphan Barrel brand.

Bourbon Lens Coverage and Show Links:

• Orphan Barrel Whiskey Co. Releases Its First Rye Whiskey, Scarlet Shade 14-Year-Old | Bourbon Lens
• Orphan Barrel
• Instagram.com/OrphanBarrel

Our guests for this episode are Smooth Ambler Founder, John Little, and Travis Hammond, Site Director and current Head Distiller. This wide-ranging conversation is one of the most open discussions we’ve had with a distillery.  We appreciated their openness and honesty as we discussed the evolution and future of Smooth Ambler.  We hope you enjoy! 

Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you’re there. 

We are thankful for everyone who has supported us. A huge shoutout goes to our growing Patreon Community as well! We'd appreciate it if you can take the time to give us feedback on our podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.  And please check out our Patreon to learn how you can support our endeavors, earn Bourbon Lens swag, be part of future barrel picks, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at Info@BourbonLens.com.

Check out our BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and details on our upcoming single barrel picks.

Cheers,
Scott and Jake
Bourbon Lens

 

 

About Smooth Ambler:

From the Founder, John Little:

Who is crazy enough to start a whiskey company from scratch, in the hills of West Virginia, in a world filled with hundred-year-old Kentucky distilleries? Folks with a fiercely independent spirit, that’s who.

At Smooth Ambler, tradition isn’t a recipe we follow. Our company is literal proof of solid Appalachian know-how. That’s when the hard working, creative, and resourceful folks of West Virginia come together to make something beautiful (and damn good) that no one else thought possible.

We didn’t just set out to make award winning whiskey. We also set out to create a source of pride for West Virginians everywhere.

To embrace the best of everything around us - the land, the people, and the resources – to create a business that would make a difference by providing opportunities for the people in our community.

And the way we do it is simple, we do what we think is right, everyday. We don’t look to see what our competitors are doing, we don’t look at the past, we do it by being honest, embracing diversity, and creating relationships built on trust.

It’s not complicated, it's the only way we know how to do it.

So yeah, we’re not from Kentucky, but if you couldn’t already tell, we like it that way. Because it turns out you can make bourbon in West Virginia, too. And you don’t need a family name or recipe to make that award winning whiskey, you just need a fiercely independent spirit. - John Little, Founder

Coverage and Show Links:

• Smooth Ambler

• Smooth Ambler: A West Virginia distillery with real spirit | Positively WV Podcasts | wvnews.com

 

We’re joined by the Call Family (Ron, Clayton, and Jacob). We discuss the new Hemingway Rye Whiskey and their work at Western Kentucky Distilling, which they’ve built from the ground up in Beaver Dam, Kentucky.  Each member of this father-sons trio brings a unique perspective to the whiskey-making process.  We discuss their roles and visions for the distillery and the whiskies they produce. Thanks to the Call Family for joining us this week and for sharing a pour of Hemingway Whiskey as well as the stories. 

Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you’re there. 

We are thankful for everyone who has supported us. A huge shoutout goes to our growing Patreon Community as well! We'd appreciate it if you can take the time to give us feedback on our podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.  And please check out our Patreon to learn how you can support our endeavors, earn Bourbon Lens swag, be part of future barrel picks, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at Info@BourbonLens.com.

Check out our BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and details on our upcoming single barrel picks.

Cheers,
Scott and Jake
Bourbon Lens

 

About Hemingway Whiskey:

Hemingway Rye Whiskey is a new premium rye whiskey brand, from the new Hemingway Whiskey Company, and is inspired by American Author, Journalist and Storyteller Ernest Hemingway. It was founded by a team with deep roots in Kentucky whiskey, led by Steve Groth, whiskey pioneer and co-founder of the revered Angel’s Envy Bourbon brand and the Calls, Ron, Jacob and Clayton, a distilling family with more than 230 years of whiskey making experience. The Hemingway Whiskey Company is part of Old Man and the Sea Brands®, an innovative spirits company that owns Hemingway Rum Company, makers of Papa’s Pilar Rum. They are known for bringing high quality spirits and incredible stories to drinkers around the country. For more information, visit www.hemingwaywhiskeys.com and follow @hemingwaywhiskeys.

About Western Kentucky Distilling Co.

Western Kentucky Distilling Co. is a bourbon and rye whiskey distillery located in Beaver Dam, Kentucky. The 100% Kentucky-owned distillery is scheduled to open mid-2023 as the first official distillery in Ohio County under the leadership of eighth-generation distiller and Kentuckian Jacob Call and President JD Edwards. From purchasing all cooking, fermenting, and distilling equipment in Kentucky, including a Vendome 36” copper still, to plans to use all locally grown Kentucky corn, the team is proud to support the local community and the state of Kentucky. For more information, visit https://www.wkydistilling.com.

Bourbon Lens Coverage:

• Hemingway Rye Whiskey Introduced with First Edition Bottles - Bourbon Lens 

• A Whiskey Worthy of a Story: Hemingway Rye Whiskey Review - Bourbon Lens

• Western Kentucky Distilling Co. Taps 8th Generation Distiller for its New $30M facility - Bourbon Lens

We’re joined by Alex Laufer, Co-Founder and CEO of District Made Spirits in Washington D.C.  Alex and his small distillery team are focused on creating unique spirits which leverage premium and equally unique heirloom grain Mashbills.  

Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you’re there. 

We are thankful for everyone who has supported us. A huge shoutout goes to our growing Patreon Community as well! We'd appreciate it if you can take the time to give us feedback on our podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.  And please check out our Patreon to learn how you can support our endeavors, earn Bourbon Lens swag, be part of future barrel picks, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at Info@BourbonLens.com.

Check out our BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and details on our upcoming single barrel picks.

Cheers,
Scott and Jake
Bourbon Lens

 

 

 

About Alex Laufer:

Before Alex Laufer became the Co-Founder and CEO of District Made Spirits, he worked in biotechnology for seventeen years. Alex's background in science and love of cooking with local ingredients combined to form the genesis of his passion for distilling. His fixation with good food & drink led him to explore the flavors of every region he's called home, San Francisco, New York, and now the Mid-Atlantic. Alex lives in Silver Spring, MD, with his wife, two sons, and their golden retriever Modi.

About District Made Spirits:

More than the nation's capital, Washington DC, is the spirit of a region where cultural diversity and sustainability meet forward thinkers, artists, urban warriors, and creators. Distilling with determination, District Made embodies the spirit of this legendary city, crafting adventurous rye-forward spirits true to the values and terroir of the Mid-Atlantic.

Founders Sandy Wood and Alex Laufer left their established careers to open a distillery, believing in the heirloom grains of the region, the neighborhood of Ivy City, and each other. They discovered that the risk had paid off after tasting the toasty honeyed spice box flavors in those first batches of spirits made from Abruzzi and malted rye. Today, they bring together agriculture partners, cooperages, small business owners, and community members to showcase the very best of the region.

Every bottle of whiskey, vodka, or gin we make features our signature flavor and unparalleled taste known as the Heart of Rye. Smooth enough for sipping and strong enough to hold up the most ambitious cocktails, each proud pour represents the legacy of the land in a meeting place where finding what you're made of all comes with the territory. 

District Made Spirits are distributed by Breakthru Beverage in Washington, DC, Maryland, Delaware, and Momentum in Illinois. They can be purchased online at www.districtmadespirits.com/shop.

Delicious spirits from locally-sourced heirloom grains are handcrafted in Washington, DC by the distillery District Made Spirits, formerly known as One Eight Distilling since 2015. With an updated look and new website, the portfolio includes the Core Spirits Series (vodka, gin, barrel-rested gin, bourbon, and rye) and the experimental small-batch District Made Untitled Series. 

ABOUT THE CORE SPIRITS SERIES – Rye-forward, locally-sourced grains for the signature spice box flavor profile

District Made STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY 

(94 Proof; 57% Abruzzi Rye, 14% Corn, 29% Malted Rye)
District Made Straight Rye Whiskey puts a spin on classic Maryland-style rye while honoring its agricultural history in the region. Our mash bill highlights a large portion of heirloom malted rye, bringing darker honeyed notes of toast to the flavor in our signature style. Sweet hints of rock candy, cherry cola, and spicy cinnamon balance a nuanced spirit.

District Made STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY 

(95 Proof; 58% Hickory King Corn, 16% Abruzzi Rye, 8% Hard Red Winter Wheat, 12% Malted Rye, 6% Malted Barley)
District Made Straight Bourbon Whiskey, aged at least four years, showcases Hickory King Corn, grown in the hollows of Virginia since the 1880s. To create our signature style, we distill this heirloom grain in two different mashbills, one wheated and one high-rye, age them individually, then marry a few barrels together. The result is a drier, richly textured four-grain spirit proudly poured.

ANNUAL RELEASE 2023 BOTTLED IN BOND (BOURBON)
The first consumer law created was the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 to guarantee the authenticity of a whiskey with a series of requirements that included only whiskey made from one distillery in one distillation season, aged at least four years in bonded warehouses, and bottled at 100 proof. District Made Bottled in Bond Bourbon honors this designation and the region.

 

Our guest is Becky Harris, Co-Founder and Chief Distiller of Virginia’s Catoctin Creek Distilling Co.  We discuss their unique rye whiskey portfolio, including their Roundstone Rye Whiskey lineup. 

Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you’re there. 

We are thankful for everyone who has supported us. A huge shoutout goes to our growing Patreon Community as well! We'd appreciate it if you can take the time to give us feedback on our podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.  And please check out our Patreon to learn how you can support our endeavors, earn Bourbon Lens swag, be part of future barrel picks, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at Info@BourbonLens.com.

Check out our BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and details on our upcoming single barrel picks.

Cheers,

Scott and Jake

Bourbon Lens

 

About Catoctin Creek®:

Catoctin Creek® was founded by Becky and Scott Harris in 2009 as the first legal distillery in Loudoun County since before Prohibition. We are located in Purcellville, Virginia, in the heart of the Loudoun Valley. Virginia is the birthplace of American whiskey, and at Catoctin Creek, we faithfully dedicate ourselves to that tradition, producing Virginia's most awarded whisky: Roundstone Rye!

The name "Catoctin" is a regional name. Pronounced Ka-TOCK-tin, the name derives from the Indian tribal name "Kittocton" which, legend has it, meant "place of many deer". Catoctin describes a range of mountains and the eponymous creek which flows picturesquely past the distillery and into the Potomac River and Chesapeake Watershed.

At Catoctin Creek, we believe in high quality food and spirits. We source our grain and fruit from local sources, free of pesticides and chemical additives that would come through in the spirits we produce. The results are the finest, cleanest spirits possible, with the greatest attention to detail in every single bottle we produce.

Catoctin Creek has received numerous international gold medals and has been featured in many national publications, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Wine Enthusiast, and Whisky Advocate. The Daily Beast, Forbes, and Men's Journal have highlighted the distillery as an example of great American craft distilleries making whisky from scratch.

ABOUT BECKY HARRIS, CHIEF DISTILLER

Becky graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. As a chemical engineer, she specialized in industrial processes and production systems. Becky brought this knowledge and applied it to something she loved–making the finest distilled spirits in Virginia.

All her products begin with the finest local and organic grains and fruit to create the cleanest spirit possible. At the heart of the distillery is a pair of pot stills, where Becky insists on cooking the distillate for a full nine hours, more than twice as long as most other distilleries, to create the unique and award-winning flavors in her distillate.

Becky has been featured in Food and Wine as one of “6 Women in Whiskey to Watch,” and serves as President of the American Craft Spirits Association, the trade association for craft distilleries.

ABOUT SCOTT HARRIS, GENERAL MANAGER

Scott graduated with honors and two degrees from Georgia Tech. He spent the last twenty years building a software career in telecommunication systems and government IT solutions and traded it all in for the chance to own and run his own distillery. As he likes to say, "Twenty years of government contracting taught me a great love of whisky!"

In 2011, Scott was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce, and in both 2012 and 2020, Catoctin Creek Distillery was awarded Small Business of the Year.

Scott currently sits on the Craft Distiller Advisory Board for DISCUS, and is an emeritus member of the board of directors for the Virginia Distillers Association. He was also appointed to the Virginia Spirits Board by the governor of Virginia, overseeing the marketing of Virginia spirits. Scott has been a tireless advocate for craft spirits both in the Commonwealth of Virginia, nationally and internationally.

Scott and Becky are happy to be doing something together that they love: Producing the finest spirits in Virginia, completely and truly by hand. At Catoctin Creek, Virginia Rye Whisky is our passion.

 

Our guest this week is Will Woodington with Grain & Barrel Spirits. We’ve followed Will for quite a while on social media (you can find him at @MashbillWill and @BondedInBottles on Instagram) and now he’s the National Brand Ambassador for the portfolio of brands. We discuss the history of Chicken Cock Whiskey, their flagship portfolio, and their latest limited release, an 8 Year Double Oak Kentucky Whiskey. 

Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you’re there. 

We are thankful for everyone who has supported us. A huge shoutout goes to our growing Patreon Community as well! We'd appreciate it if you can take the time to give us feedback on our podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.  And please check out our Patreon to learn how you can support our endeavors, earn Bourbon Lens swag, be part of future barrel picks, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at Info@BourbonLens.com.

Check out our BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and details on our upcoming single barrel picks.

Cheers,
Scott and Jake
Bourbon Lens

 

About Will’s New Role with Grain & Barrel:

Grain & Barrel Spirits, which develops and scales craft spirits that connect the best artisans to consumers worldwide, has appointed Will Woodington as its first National Whiskey Brand Ambassador. A long-time resident of Metro Detroit, he will be responsible for promoting the Grain & Barrel Spirits whiskey portfolio.

Will's primary focus will be expanding the national footprint for the historic Chicken Cock Whiskey brand, which was established in 1856 and rose to fame as the house whiskey at The Cotton Club, one of Prohibition's most legendary speakeasies. He will also assist with marketing and sales related initiatives for Elvis and Virgil Kaine whiskeys.

Will brings considerable beverage alcohol experience to the new role, having most recently served as a Brand Ambassador for Bardstown Bourbon Company, where he oversaw on- and off-premise events and tastings. Over the past several years, he has built a respectable following as a whiskey enthusiast and social influencer via @bondedinbottles. He is also co-founder of and moderator for The Bourbon Alliance, a select group of whiskey enthusiasts who aim to shine a light on distilleries nationwide.

Previously, Will worked as Channel Sales Manager at Roush Performance Products for nearly 10 years.

"Will brings substantial sales and marketing experience plus a passion for whiskey to this new role," said Matti Anttila, founder of Grain & Barrel Spirits. "He will be an excellent steward for our whiskey portfolio helping to generate national awareness and buzz.  To connect with Will, please email him at will. woodington@grainandbarrel.com

About Grain & Barrel Spirits

Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Grain & Barrel Spirits develops and scales craft spirits that connect the best artisans to consumers worldwide. The company's core brands include: Chicken Cock Whiskey, an historically significant whiskey brand established in Paris, Kentucky, in 1856; Dixie Vodka, the leading premium homegrown vodka produced in the Southeast; Virgil Kaine Lowcountry Whiskey; High Goal Luxury Gin, a small batch, ultra-premium gin produced in Charleston; Elvis Whiskeys, a duo of Elvis Presley-inspired whiskeys, and; Tequila Eterno Verano, a range of ultra-premium tequilas made for adventurous souls. Grain & Barrel has been named to the prestigious Inc.5000 list of the fastest-growing privately held companies in America three years in a row. For more information, visit www.grainandbarrel.com.

We’re talking with Andrew Wason, Managing Director for Brush Creek Distillery in Wyoming.  Andrew is a Kentucky native and spirits industry veteran and he was finally able to join Bourbon Lens live to discuss what is happening in Saratoga Wyoming. Brush Creek Distillery sits on property that includes 30,000 acres of farmland, a cattle ranch, and a world-class resort with luxury accommodations. Brush Creek Distillery is focused on blending spirits that it has sourced by utilizing its spirits backgrounds and industry partnerships.  They’ve selected hundreds of mature bourbon barrels from a handful of award-winning distilleries in Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee and continue to age them at their “Barrel Barn”.

Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you’re there. 

We are thankful for everyone who has supported us. A huge shoutout goes to our growing Patreon Community as well! We'd appreciate it if you can take the time to give us feedback on our podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.  And please check out our Patreon to learn how you can support our endeavors, earn Bourbon Lens swag, be part of future barrel picks, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at Info@BourbonLens.com.

Check out our BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and details on our upcoming single barrel picks.

Cheers,
Scott and Jake
Bourbon Lens

 

(Images Courtesy of Brush Creek Distillery)

About Brush Creek Distillery:

Brush Creek Distillery is located at The Farm at Brush Creek.  Brush Creek Ranch is a working cattle ranch in the North Platte River Valley of south-central Wyoming, originally settled in 1884.   Today it encompasses over 30,000 acres of rolling western wonder surrounded by breathtaking views of the Sierra Madre mountains & Medicine Bow National Forest.

We take great pride in the rich history of the land, legacy, and traditions of the early settlers.  Like them, we are committed to bold, pioneering efforts that are equally visionary and innovative. At the heart of our vision is the desire to share the inspiration of the West with others.

About Brush Creek Railroad Rye:

Brush Creek Distillery’s Railroad Rye, Straight Rye Whiskey begins its journey in Chicago, Illinois. Barrels of mature whiskey are specially selected for a distinct maturation process aboard a 60-foot side-load rail cart. From this starting point, the barrels set out along the historic route of the Transcontinental Railroad — embarking on an epic expedition to the heart of the American West ending in the old railroad town of Saratoga, Wyoming. 

Spanning 1,776 miles, the Transcontinental Railway stood as a towering symbol of American ingenuity and a testament to the boundless spirit of the West. One that left a lasting mark on the western frontier and shaped the character of a nation. And an indelible reminder — over 150 years later — of what’s possible when we dare to dream big. 

In honor of the landmark achievement of the railroad and its creators’ legendary passage, we’re celebrating their monumental journey the best way we know how: with an exceptional rye whiskey forged in their path. 

Crafted to stand up to the distinct character of the railway’s visionaries and builders, this unique limited edition expression is strikingly bold at 104 proof and contains a layer of complexity, complemented by oak characteristics and nuances of candied fruit and orange zest. 

Consider this our toast to the seekers and explorers. To those driven to uncover new possibilities and author their own destiny. Always looking ahead to the next adventure. 

About Brush Creek Bourbon:

Straight Bourbon Whiskey production began at Brush Creek Distillery in 2019. While we’re super excited about what’s in each of the barrels resting on-site, our own bourbon won’t be ready for another 4-5 years. It’s a fact that great whiskey can’t be rushed, it simply takes time to age and develop.

Utilizing our spirits backgrounds and great industry partnerships, we were able to select hundreds of mature bourbon barrels from a handful of award-winning distilleries in Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee. We’ve transferred most of these barrels to our “Barrel Barn” where they rest and continue to age. As part of our spirits program each of these barrels undergo a barrel analysis and continuous profiling. The process, while intensive, ensures quality and consistency in every barrel, bottle and glass.

Tasting Notes: Bold aromas of malt and dried cherries mingle with hints of new leather and thyme. The palate envelops a silky coating of roasted cherries and dried blueberries. Toasted Oak notes and hints of cinnamon hit throughout the palate and create a refined finish.

About Brush Creek Rye:

Brush Creek Distillery’s straight rye whiskey is like our straight bourbon whiskey in the fact that we’ve meticulously sourced unique rye barrels from the Midwest.  We transferred these hand-selected barrels to Wyoming to further age, blend and bottle while our own rye whiskey matures on-site.  We use multiple mashbills in limited quantities to create our initial Creek Straight Rye Whiskey.  We’re equally as excited about our rye as the intense weather changes in Wyoming offer an unmatched product.

Tasting Notes: Robust notes of Sassafras, nutmeg and pine dance with bright notes of blackberries, apples, cinnamon, freshly made caramel and vanilla bean. The palate encompasses flavors of rose and dried oranges dipped in milk chocolate that are silky and balanced.

Brush Creek Distillery in The Media:

• Brush Creek Distillery 
• Brush Creek Distillery appoints new head distiller - American Whiskey Magazine 
• Destination Spirits: The Distillery At Brush Creek Produces Spirits With A Distinct Connection To Its Land 
• Round Up: Brush Creek Distillery - Big Sky Journal
• Whiskey Distilleries Where You Can Spend the Night | Men's Journal
• Brush Creek Distillery Launches Line of Spirits in Kentucky
• Experience the Brush Creek Distillery