whiskey podcast

Our guests this week are the Father-Son team at 15 STARS Fine Aged Spirits.  Rick and Ricky Johnson join Bourbon Lens to talk whiskey and how they founded the company.  The Johnsons are no stranger to the world of unique grains, given their background in growing heirloom corn varietals, including Baby Black Corn and red, white, and blue heritage corns. Currently, 15 STARS is releasing some award-winning limited release whiskey blends and has aging stocks of whiskey which leverage their heirloom corns mashbills. 15 STARS hit the ground running with their early releases and continues to impress. We look forward to seeing what’s in store for the brand in the near future.

For past coverage of 15 STARS on Bourbon Lens, check out our archive here.

About 15 STARS

Started by father and son entrepreneurs Rick and Ricky Johnson, 15 STARS is a tribute to more than 225 years of Kentucky bourbon craftsmanship and pays homage to Kentucky, America’s 15th state. Bourbon lovers can find their portfolio of limited-release fine-aged bourbon whiskeys at select retail locations and fine restaurants in Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, Missouri, Georgia & Louisiana as well as online at 15STARS.com. Future releases will incorporate innovative grains while still following the founders’ low barrel entry proof, creative blending, and flavor-proofing techniques. 15 STARS distills and bottles at Bardstown Bourbon Company in Bardstown, Kentucky. For more information visit 15stars.com or follow them on social at @15STARSbourbon.

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

Bourbon Lens visits the Willy Wonka Factory of Whiskey this week.  We’re in Lawrenceburg Indiana for an amazing tour at the Ross & Squibb Distillery (formerly known as MGPI) and an eye-opening podcast. Jake and Scott sit down with Master Distiller Ian Stirsman and Master Blender Sam Schmeltzer to discuss the distillery, its history and a little of what’s in store for its bright future.

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

We’re joined by Heather Greene, CEO and Master Blender for Milam & Greene Whiskey.  Heather is an industry veteran with a diverse background and a wealth of knowledge.  She is also a whiskey writer, author of Whisk(e)y Distilled, and understands many of the behind the scenes dynamics of the whiskey world. For her contributions to Milam & Greene, Heather was recently recognized as the Top Master Blender 2023 by the Bourbon Women at the Women of Whiskey Awards. Milam & Greene sources barrels, contract distills at Bardstown Bourbon Co., and distills at its Blanco, Texas distillery.  In this episode, we discuss Milam & Greene’s history, its current portfolio, and what’s on the horizon for the brand. Don’t miss 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 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

About Milam & Greene

Milam & Greene Whiskey is made by some of the world’s most experienced whiskey professionals, including CEO, master blender, and author, Heather Greene, and 30-year whiskey veteran and master distiller, Marlene Holmes. 2023 has been a stellar year for Milam & Greene so far, after being named “2023 Rising Star Spirits Company of the Year” at The Ascot Awards followed by Heather Greene being awarded “Master Blender of the Year”. The Milam & Greene team distills in Blanco, Texas on copper pot stills as well as in Kentucky on classic column stills, using its proprietary yeast recipe and mash bill. Aging takes place in rickhouses located across four states in casks with an assortment of char levels for a variety of flavors resulting in the most thorough array of casks made and collected by any craft distiller. These casks become the ingredients from which its award-winning American whiskey range is batched to create perfection. Milam & Greene Whiskey believes in using the best people and ingredients to create delicious, award-winning whiskey for whiskey lovers. For more information visit: www.milamandgreenewhiskey.

🎙️ Welcome to a captivating journey into the heart of Ybor City's cultural oasis! In this episode, join us as we meet with Harry, the Owner of the Sterling Cigar Lounge and chat about Family Bonds, Life Lessons, and Entrepreneurial Spirit. 🌆

Discover the story behind The Sterling Cigar Lounge, where family values intertwine seamlessly with the essence of life and business. Our engaging conversation delves into the captivating journey of the lounge, uncovering the threads of a familial legacy that have been woven into every corner.

🎧 Tune in now and join us on this journey through the heart and soul of The Sterling Cigar Lounge! . 🚀 #LegacyUnwrapped #YborCity #Entrepreneurship #FamilyValues

Don't forget to hit that subscribe button and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of our Cigar and Whiskey conversations.

Episode Content

00:00 Introducing 
00:30 Tour of Sterling Cigar Lounge
01:07 Meet Harry the Owner
01:22 The Humidor
03:36 Harry's Puff, Sip, Chat
05:06 All About Family & Life Lessons
06:40 Being Embraced by the Tampa Cigar Community
07:27 the Sterling Vibe
08:05 The Design Behind Sterling
08:30 The Sterling Bar and Selection
08:58 Harry the Owner or Harry, the Manager
09:38 The Sterling Emphasis on Great Service
10:20 The Sterling Music Scene
11:02 The Biggest Challenge Since Opening Sterling Cigar
11:50 The Quiet Opening
12:29 The Marketing Plan
12:45 Harry's Life Before Sterling Cigar Lounge

Help us to continue to make great content! Your donations are truly appreciated! 

- Loyal to Ash Subscription -  https://www.puffsipchat.com/
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We’re joined by Virginia Distillery Company CEO, Gareth Moore. We discuss the role of VDC in the continued growth of American Single Malt as well as Gareth carrying forward his father’s legacy of making the finest single malts in America. And, of course, we walk through some VDC’s portfolio of American Single Malt.  VDC is one of the leaders in the ASMW world and their role in pushing the category into the mainstream in America is particularly evident.  If you haven’t explored American Single Malt yet, you’ll find that VDC’s broad portfolio is a great place to dip your feet.  Cheers!

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

About Virginia Distillery Company

Virginia Distillery Co. is America’s most awarded single malt distillery. Its founder, George G. Moore had a vision for redefining what heights a great American Whisky could reach. He unfortunately passed away while the distillery was being built, but his wife, Angela, and son, Gareth, inherited his vision, and have built the business in pursuit of George’s vision. Staffed by a local Virginia team and mentored by Scottish consultants with decades of experience, Virginia Distillery Company is the largest, independently owned American Single Malt whisky distillery in the U.S. The distillery has an annual production volume of 80,000 4.5L cases and growing. At full capacity, the distillery can produce over 8,000 casks yielding 350,000 4.5L cases annually. The distillery distills, matures and bottles everything on-site in Lovingston, VA. Virginia Distillery Co. produces the most awarded American Single Malt whisky brand, Courage & Conviction, on-site using malted barley from North America and water from Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. In addition, the distillery offers the award-winning VHW series, made with 100% malted barley, blending together both American and Scotch whiskies, showcasing both Old and New World whisky-making.

About Gareth H. Moore, CEO

Gareth serves as CEO and carries on his father George’s legacy and commitment to creating an exceptional American Single Malt. He is also a Principal at Adelphi Capital, a middle-market merchant banking business in Washington, DC. He is the President of the Virginia Distillers Association and serves on the DISCUS Craft Advisory Council as well as several other boards. He received a BA from Boston College and an MBA from Georgetown University.

Our late founder, Dr. George G. Moore, a native Irishman, had a vision of producing world class single malt whisky in America. With his untimely passing, his wife and son inherited his vision, and are compelled by George’s often used expression, “Have the courage of your convictions.” Using the highest quality malted barley and fresh spring water fed from the Blue Ridge Mountains, our spirit develops in Virginia’s dynamic climate, allowing the broad temperature shifts to add depth to our whisky. We let the whisky tell us when it’s done, and when it is, it’s one that George would have been proud of.

Trip Whitbeck joins The Scotchy Bourbon boys Xavier Tiny and Roxy on this very fun and informative podcast!  Tripp who is the owner operator blender and over seer of I Bourbon his brand of bourbon for everyone.  He tells us what that means and gives details on I bourbon. We all finish up tasting this very interesting sweet oaky whiskey!  Make sure you don't miss this podcast of the Scotchy Bourbon Boys! 

https://www.scotchybourbonboys.com

We’re back with this year’s Holiday soundtrack and lots of gifts for you. It’s the new annual tradition that makes your spirits right!

We discuss the Kentucky Bourbon Festival going virtual the pros and cons.  we also do a taste comparison between Bookers Ganny's Batch and the just released Boston Batch!  this is as fun as it gets 

https://www.scotchybourbonboys.com