The Bourbon Life

On this episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Mark travels to Louisville to sit down with Steve Smith, Founder of Uncle Boojie's Distilling Co., for a captivating conversation about family history, Kentucky heritage, and the role bourbon plays in connecting us to the stories that came before us.
Steve shares his own background as an entrepreneur, preservationist, and storyteller before diving into the remarkable history of his Howard family ancestors, whose distilling roots in Howardstown, Kentucky, date back to the late 1700s. He discusses the research that uncovered generations of family involvement in whiskey production and how that discovery ultimately inspired the creation of Uncle Boojie's Distilling Co.
The conversation also explores the origins of Uncle Boojie's, the story behind the company's namesake, and Steve's vision for creating something far greater than a bourbon brand. Through the concept of "Porchlight Hospitality," Steve explains how Uncle Boojie's seeks to create meaningful experiences that bring people together through bourbon, storytelling, and genuine Kentucky hospitality.
Mark and Steve also discuss the importance of preserving family history, the fascinating ways our individual stories intersect with one another, and how bourbon serves as a thread that weaves throughout Kentucky's shared history and culture. Steve shares his passion for helping visitors discover not only his family's story, but also connections to their own histories and the larger story of Kentucky itself.
The conversation concludes with a look at Uncle Boojie's Homeplace, one of the newest destinations on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, and what guests can expect when they visit the unique Louisville experience.
Along the way, they enjoy three exceptional pours:
• Lana – 9-Year-Old Double Oaked Single Barrel Bourbon
• Ivy – 7-Year-Old Single Barrel Rye
• Prohibition-Style Bourbon – Yet to be released
Whether you're fascinated by bourbon history, passionate about genealogy and family heritage, or simply enjoy hearing the stories behind the people and brands shaping Kentucky whiskey today, this episode offers a thoughtful and entertaining look at how bourbon, history, and human connection continue to intertwine across generations.
Be sure to pour yourself a great glass, sit back, and join us for another great episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast.
The Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is presented by Pappy & Co., District 7 Social, and The Kitchen Table at the James B. Beam Distilling Co.

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief sits down with Heather and Derek Latzel of Porchlight Distillery in Mason, Texas, one of the newest members of the Texas Whiskey Trail.
 
This episode isn't about finding a finished product. It's about remembering that everyone starts somewhere.
 
As the group shares pours of Porchlight's 95-proof Wheated Bourbon, they talk honestly about the challenges of building a craft distillery from the ground up. The whiskey is still young, but it already shows promising qualities and offers a glimpse of what's to come as the distillery continues to mature its craft.
 
For Big Chief, the visit comes full circle. As a teenager growing up in Central Texas, he made regular trips to Mason to sell Angora goat mohair before stopping at the old feed store to buy livestock feed for the ranch. Decades later, that same historic building has been transformed into Porchlight Distillery—a reminder that while buildings can change, the stories they hold never fade.
 
Heather and Derek share their journey of restoring a piece of Mason's history while pursuing their dream of creating Texas whiskey. It's a story of faith, hard work, and investing in a community they now proudly call home.
 
Every legendary distillery was once the new kid on the block. This conversation is about supporting those willing to take that first step and celebrating the beginning of what could become another great Texas whiskey story.
 
On this week's ride you'll hear:
 
    ●    Heather and Derek's journey to opening Porchlight Distillery.
    ●    Why they chose Mason, Texas, to chase their dream.
    ●    The story behind the historic feed store that now houses the distillery.
    ●    Big Chief's memories of hauling Angora goat mohair to Mason and buying feed in that very building.
    ●    A discussion of Porchlight's young 95-proof Wheated Bourbon and the promise it holds for the future.
    ●    What it means to be one of the newest members of the Texas Whiskey Trail.
    ●    Why supporting new craft distilleries helps strengthen the entire Texas whiskey community.
 
Every great whiskey story has a beginning. This week, you'll hear one that's just getting started.
 
Take the Ride. Cheers!

On this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Mark and Matt welcome back two returning favorites and some of the most respected educators in the bourbon world: Peggy Noe Stevens and Heather Wibbels.
Peggy is the President of Peggy Noe Stevens & Associates, a Master Bourbon Taster, and a member of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame. Heather, known throughout the bourbon community as Cocktail Contessa, is a whiskey educator, author, and former Managing Director of Bourbon Women.
Since their last appearances on the show, both Peggy and Heather have been busy educating, writing, speaking, and helping shape the future of bourbon culture. In this Episode, they share what they've been working on, discuss their respective books, and dive deep into a fascinating conversation about the ever-growing role of cocktails in the bourbon world.
Together, they tackle topics including:
What makes a truly great bourbon cocktail
The myth that you shouldn't use good bourbon in cocktails
How glassware and garnishes can completely transform the drinking experience
Why cocktails continue to attract new consumers to bourbon
The evolution of cocktail culture and its impact on bourbon's growth and popularity
The conversation wraps up with a preview of their upcoming Kentucky Bourbon Festival experience, "3 Books + 3 Cocktails," where attendees will enjoy a unique blend of storytelling, bourbon education, literature, and cocktail craftsmanship.
And for what may be a first in the history of The Bourbon Life Podcast, no bourbons were sampled or reviewed during this episode. Instead, the focus is entirely on education, storytelling, cocktails, and the people helping introduce new audiences to America's Native Spirit.
Whether you're a neat-pour purist, a cocktail enthusiast, or somewhere in between, this Episode offers plenty of insights, laughs, and great stories from two of bourbon's most passionate educators and ambassadors.

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief heads to Iron Wolf Ranch & Distillery in Spicewood, Texas, to sit down with CEO and President Jordan Watters. Jordan shares the story behind one of Texas' fastest-growing craft distilleries, the vision that built Iron Wolf, and why Texas whiskey continues to make its mark across the country.
 
The first half of the episode features Iron Wolf's High Rye Bourbon, where Big Chief and Jordan discuss the bold spice and balanced sweetness that define the pour. They then move to Iron Wolf's Rye Whiskey, comparing the two expressions while talking about mash bills, flavor development, and the craft behind great whiskey.
 
In the second half, the conversation shifts to Iron Wolf's popular HotScotch, featuring rich butterscotch flavors that have made it a fan favorite. They finish with Iron Hot, a bold and spicy spirit that perfectly showcases Iron Wolf's adventurous approach to crafting unique products.
 
Whether you're a longtime whiskey enthusiast or just discovering Texas spirits, this episode is full of great stories, exceptional pours, and plenty of laughs. Pour yourself a glass, settle in, and Take the Ride.

On this episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Mark flies solo as host and welcomes back longtime friends and multi-time guests Barry and Tori Brinegar for a conversation that's been a long time coming—and one that finally lets Barry answer the question everyone has been asking: What's next?
The answer is Kentucky Bonded Spirits, a new venture created by Barry and Tori that will work alongside spirits brands in a consultative role, drawing on Barry's years of experience and relationships across the industry to help brands build their presence, navigate the marketplace, and create meaningful growth.
Barry and Tori share the story behind Kentucky Bonded Spirits, why they felt the traditional model was ready for a different approach, and how they plan to work primarily in Kentucky and Georgia alongside their Georgia partner, Josh Culbreth. They also discuss their vision for disrupting some of the conventional thinking around distribution, market access, and ultimately creating better pathways for brands to connect directly with consumers.
The conversation then turns to one of the brands Kentucky Bonded Spirits will be working with - Row 94, the whiskey brand backed by country music superstar Dierks Bentley. Barry and Tori talk about the opportunity they see in the brand, what makes Row 94 interesting in an increasingly crowded whiskey marketplace, and how they hope to help build its presence and reach.
And because Barry, Tori, and Mark have been around this industry, and each other for a while, the conversation naturally wanders into a few stories about some very good mutual friends.
They talk about Kim and Tom Bard and the incredible work happening at Bard Distillery, as well as Denny Potter and Jane Bowie and the exciting things taking shape at Potter Jane Distillery. It's a conversation about friendship, entrepreneurship, taking chances, building something of your own, and the people who continue to make Kentucky bourbon such a fascinating industry to follow.
And with this crew, there was certainly no shortage of whiskey on the table.
Along the way, Mark, Barry, and Tori enjoy an impressive lineup of pours:
• Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel
• Row 94 Small Batch
• Row 94 Broken Branches
• Row 94 Full Proof
• John Prine Kentucky Straight Bourbon from Bard Distillery
• Big Vat Liar from Potter Jane Distillery
From launching a brand-new venture and challenging traditional industry models to Dierks Bentley, old friends, new distilleries, and a table full of great whiskey, this episode covers a lot of ground and has plenty of laughs along the way.
So pour yourself a great glass, settle in, and join Mark, Barry, and Tori for another fun conversation about new beginnings, big ideas, good friends, and what might be next for the bourbon industry on this episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast.