The Bourbon Life

On this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by The 1933 Society, Denny Potter and Jane Bowie, co-founders of Potter Jane Distilling Company, return for another fun and candid conversation about building their distillery, changing course, and what comes next for Potter Jane.
Mark and Matt catch up with Denny and Jane about the launch of Big Vat Liar, the sourced Kentucky bourbon that playfully acknowledges their earlier declaration that Potter Jane would never source whiskey. They explain why they changed their minds, the story behind the tongue-in-cheek name and launch, and how Jane's vatting process uses custom large-format oak casks, oxidation, time, and blending to create additional depth and complexity.
The conversation also turns to Potter Jane's own whiskey, including a taste of 16-month-old wheated bourbon from some of their earliest production. Denny and Jane discuss what they're learning as the barrels mature, the importance of mouthfeel and flavor development, and their evolving plans for future Potter Jane releases as they work toward older, fully mature whiskey.
And, of course, they taste and review three different expressions, including:
·         Potter Jane Big Vat Liar (Batch 3)
·         Potter Jane 16-Month-Old Wheated Bourbon
·         1973 Old Stone Gate Kentucky Straight Bourbon
It's a wide-ranging conversation about sourcing, blending, patience, experimentation, and the realities of creating a distillery and whiskey portfolio with a long-term, generational vision.
This episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is presented by The 1933 Society and sponsored by Pappy & Co., District 7 Social, The Kitchen Table at the James B. Beam Distilling Co., and Hotel Distil.

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief sits down with Thomas and Nicholas Maas of Dancing Goat Distillery for a conversation about family, legacy and three generations of whiskey knowledge.
 
"Family isn't just the blood that runs through your veins. It's the people who stand beside you, share the hard miles, celebrate the good ones, and never let you ride alone."
 
Big Chief, The Whiskey Trip
 
In the first half, Big Chief pours Stillman's Sonder 10 Year Straight Bourbon and the Stillman's Sonder 10 Year American Single Malt.
 
And that first pour raises a big question:
 
Could this bourbon be a Whiskey of the Year contender for The Whiskey Trip?
 
In the second half, the proof climbs with Swiss Misters Release 013, an 11 year rye finished in chocolate bitters barrels, followed by the Wiscy City Solo Cask, a 5 year straight rye bottled at 133.4 proof.
 
Along the way, Thomas and Nicholas share the Maas family story, the lessons passed down through three generations and how Nicholas is carrying that legacy forward at Dancing Goat.
 
Plus, we're giving away a bottle of Swiss Misters to one lucky listener!
 
Pour yourself something good and Take the Ride.

On this episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by Repeal Oak Fired Steakhouse, Mark and Matt are joined by John Wadell, Head Taster, Blender, and Single Barrel Curator at Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co., for a long-overdue return to the show. Recording from the Kentucky Peerless Suite at Hotel Distil in Louisville, John catches them up on how his role has evolved and reflects on his journey from the early days of Peerless to helping guide the whiskey the distillery is producing today.
John talks about the growth of his palate over the past decade, the collaborative tasting and blending process at Peerless, and how the team decides which barrels become batches, single barrels, or special releases. He also shares the fun behind naming Peerless single barrels, discusses the success of the High Rye Bourbon, and explains why the distillery's sweet mash process, non-chill filtration, and focus on mouthfeel remain such important parts of the Peerless identity.
The conversation also turns to a major milestone for the distillery: the release of Henry Kraver's 10-Year Bourbon. John shares what it was like tasting through roughly 200 barrels to select the final group for the release and why working with whiskey he remembers filling and rolling years ago made the experience especially meaningful. He also looks ahead to the 10-Year Rye planned for next year, the possibility of older age-stated releases and single barrels, and some intriguing older Double Oak barrels still aging in the Peerless inventory.
Along the way, Mark, Matt, and John taste and review "The Phoenix," a 108.5-proof Kentucky Peerless Double Barrel Rye Single Barrel selected for Repeal Steakhouse and Hotel Distil. They talk through its oak, rye spice, citrus, toffee, chocolate, coffee, and malty notes while John explains Peerless' unique approach to Double Oak whiskey—letting the palate, rather than a fixed timetable, determine when each barrel is ready.
It's a fun, wide-ranging conversation about whiskey, patience, blending, the evolution of Kentucky Peerless, and what comes next for one of Louisville's most distinctive family-owned distilleries. Pour yourself a great glass, sit back, and join us for another great episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast.
This episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is presented by Repeal Oak Fired Steakhouse and sponsored by Pappy & Co., District 7 Social, The Kitchen Table at the James B. Beam Distilling Co., and Hotel Distil.

"Life's storms have a way of clearing the trail. Fair weather friends disappear when the rain starts falling, but the ones who ride beside you through the storm, that's your tribe."
 
Big Chief
 
This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief sits down with Brion Dalton and Jared Porritt, founders of Taking the Whiskey Ride, for a conversation about whiskey, friendship, loyalty, and giving back.
 
The three start the ride with The Whiskey Trip Ironroot Republic Single Barrel Pick, the barrel that brought the three of them together. What started with a shared love of whiskey grew into a friendship and eventually something much bigger.
 
Brion and Jared share the story behind the creation of Taking the Whiskey Ride, why they wanted to support The Whiskey Trip, and how the whiskey community has become about far more than what's in the glass.
 
In the second half, everyone takes a different road.
 
Big Chief sips on The Whiskey Trip Frey Ranch Single Barrel Pick, a unique 100% wheat whiskey.
 
Brion pours a J.T. Meleck.
 
Jared breaks out an 18 Year Cooper & Cask.
 
With whiskey in their glasses, the guys look toward the future. They talk about upcoming barrel picks, what's next for Taking the Whiskey Ride, growing the community, and most importantly, finding ways to give back and help others.
 
This episode is about more than whiskey. It's about the people who show up when the weather turns, the friendships forged along the ride, and recognizing the people who have become your tribe.
 
Sometimes the whiskey brings you together. The friendship is what keeps you riding.
 
Pour yourself something good and Take the Ride with Big Chief, Brion, and Jared on this week's episode of The Whiskey Trip.
 
Cheers!

On this episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Mark and Matt are joined by Diane Strong, Executive Director of Bourbon on the Banks, for a great conversation about the continued growth of the festival and what guests can expect when it returns to Frankfort on Saturday, October 3.
Diane talks about how Bourbon on the Banks has evolved since its beginning in 2019, why its relaxed atmosphere along the Kentucky River has become such an important part of its identity, and how the event continues to attract returning guests from across Kentucky and beyond. She also walks Mark and Matt through the full weekend of activities surrounding the festival, including special tastings, the Bourbon Belle, the VIP Reception and Bourbon Auction, Bourbon Street on Broadway, and the Saturday festival itself.
The conversation also explores the charitable mission behind Bourbon on the Banks and the significant amount of money the organization gives back each year to local nonprofits, civic organizations, and scholarship programs. Diane shares why that mission remains at the heart of the festival and how it continues to shape plans for the future.
Along the way, Mark, Matt, and Diane taste and review three of the 2026 Bourbon on the Banks Single Barrel selections that will be available at the festival: Angel's Envy Port Finished Single Barrel Bourbon, Dark Arts Oloroso Finished Single Barrel Bourbon, and Dark Arts Mizunara Finished Single Barrel Bourbon. They also talk about The Bourbon Life's role as the festival's Live Podcast Partner and plans to have The Bourbon Life Mobile Podcast Studio onsite throughout the day.
Whether you're already planning to attend Bourbon on the Banks or simply want to hear how one of Kentucky's most enjoyable bourbon festivals continues to grow while staying true to its community-focused mission, be sure to pour yourself a great glass, sit back, and join us for another great episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast.
This 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.