Behind the Pursuit: From Bourbon to Brand C+C Pursuit Spirits

Will consumers become tired of Kentucky bourbon? With the rise of non-Kentucky brands gaining recognition for their quality whiskey, Kentucky bourbon still holds a strong position in the market due to its long-established reputation and consumer perception of safety and acceptance. 
While Kentucky will likely continue to hold the cache of consumer preferences, today we debate whether consumers will move past the big six Kentucky brands, or Kentucky in general, and latch on or explore other options. We'd love to hear from you on this!
We hit on:

Non-Kentucky brands like Ben Holladay, JT Meleck, Still Austin and Frey Ranch gaining recognition for their quality whiskey.

Kentucky bourbon still holds a strong position in the market due to its long-established reputation and consumer perception of safety and acceptance

Consumers may be hesitant to move past the big six Kentucky brands due to familiarity and brand recognition

The cache of Kentucky will likely continue due to marketing and consumer preferences

Are there Kentucky Bourbons being made that are still riding the 'Kentucky Badge of Honor' that aren't very good?

As a blender, why does Kentucky matter as a point of inclusion if that isn’t a focus of the product (or even on the label)?


and much more.
Be sure to visit pursuitspirits.com and click on Visit Us to book a tasting or barrel selection experience. For questions or topic requests on upcoming episodes, email us at podcast@pursuitspirits.com.

You know what they say about all work and no play. Today, Kenny and Ryan are back in the studio after a week off. We break down their trips, discuss the access to bourbon outside of our Kentucky bubble, and the importance of stepping away from time to time.
We hit on:

Taking time off for vacation being important for mental and physical health

Bourbons popularity to other spirits at outside of Kentucky

The challenges of being a whiskey-focused company in a market dominated by mass-market liquors

Meeting demand and planning for future growth being ongoing challenges for the company


and much more.
Be sure to visit pursuitspirits.com and click on Visit Us to book a tasting or barrel selection experience. For questions or topic requests on upcoming episodes, email us at podcast@pursuitspirits.com.

Everyone has seen it play out: there's a bottle you cant get, really want to get, or you see someone else get it... and now you gotta have it. We saw it ourselves with the positive reception to the Pursuit United Double Oaked release, but what made it more hyped than our other offerings? In today's episode, we talk about what drives hype for certain brands and bottles, and explore the playbook for building and maintaining it.
We hit on:

In a world of Double Oaked products, what was it about Pursuit United Double Oaked that has so many talking about it?

Hype in the whiskey industry being driven by factors such as scarcity, limited availability, and the desire for status.

The innate human condition that has us wanting to fit in with the masses.

Seeing hype play out involving a buzz through press releases, influencers, and social media.

Balancing the needs of the mass market and whiskey enthusiasts being important for brand success.

Is playing into the hype game really in the best interest of the consumer, or for the brand, or can it be both?


and much more.
Be sure to visit pursuitspirits.com and click on Visit Us to book a tasting or barrel selection experience. For questions or topic requests on upcoming episodes, email us at podcast@pursuitspirits.com.

"As longtime fans of vintage whiskey, we wanted to craft something truly special that gives a nod to the best bottles we've been lucky enough to try over the years," said Ryan Cecil, Master Blender and Co-Founder of Pursuit Spirits. "This double oaked release encapsulates part of that nostalgic flavor profile but in a modern, premium bourbon experience."

In the works for nearly a year, the guys finally announced the release of Pursuit Spirits Double Oaked Bourbon. In today's episode, we unpack a bunch of questions around the product ahead of it's release at the Warehouse & Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky on Friday, March 15th.
We hit on:

Why did we decide to roll out a Double Oaked Bourbon?

What should people expect from the product?

Can you describe the secondary finishing and partnership with InnerStave?

How does this differ from the Oak Collection line?

Will there be a Double Oaked Rye?

What does the inclusion of Double Oaked in the Pursuit United Private Selection look like?

What does distribution look like for this product?

Details of the release weekend


and much more.
Be sure to visit pursuitspirits.com and click on Visit Us to book a tasting or barrel selection experience. For questions or topic requests on upcoming episodes, email us at podcast@pursuitspirits.com.

In this episode, the boys discuss their recent trip to DC and Maryland to launch Pursuit Spirit in the new market. They share their experiences with visiting on-premise accounts, bottle signings, engaging with customers and store owners and standing in awe at the bourbon mecca - Jack Rose. The guys highlight the positive reception of their products and the success of their private selection program. They also mention unique liquor store experiences and the importance of building relationships to make sales. They also had the opportunity to meet with their ambassador team and conduct general sales meetings with the distributor. The trip highlighted the importance of distributor partnerships and the value of engaging with fans and customers, with no shortage of stories in this jam-packed visit. Thanks to everyone who came out and made this launch such a success, we really wouldn't be here without each and everyone one of you.
We hit on:

Building strong relationships with distributors being crucial for successful brand promotion.

Engaging with fans and customers in person helping create a personal connection and build brand loyalty.

Visiting different markets allowing for valuable insights and opportunities to tailor marketing strategies.

The support and positive reception from fans and customers being both humbling and encouraging for the brand's growth.

Takeaways the guys learned from this trip about the brand.


and much more.
Be sure to visit pursuitspirits.com and click on Visit Us to book a tasting or barrel selection experience. For questions or topic requests on upcoming episodes, email us at podcast@pursuitspirits.com.

Stemming from the episode of the Bourbon Pursuit podcast with John Foster of Ragged Branch, today's episode comes from a few listeners of the show, Todd and David, as Kenny discusses the process of choosing distributors specifically for Pursuit Spirits. We touch on topics such as the three-tier distribution system, the role of distributors in the industry, and the challenges of market launches and incentives. We also share experiences with different distributors and the importance of building relationships in the industry. Kenny discusses the challenges of managing skew sprawl and UPCs in the bourbon industry. He explains how Pursuit Spirits aims to strike a balance between batch uniqueness and consumer familiarity. He also shares advice for those starting in the industry, emphasizing the importance of education and consulting. He explores different distribution models and the goals brands may have, whether it's long-term brand building or rapid expansion... but where is Pursuit in all of this?
We hit on:

Choosing the right distributor being crucial for a brand's success in the spirits industry.

The three-tier distribution system presenting both challenges and opportunities for brands.

Market launches, market support, and building relationships with distributors and retailers.

Different distributors strengths and capabilities, and the importance of finding the right one for each market.

Brand consideration of their goals and a distribution model that aligns with their long-term plans, whether it's slow brand building or rapid expansion.

Pursuit Spirits' own business model.


and much more.
Be sure to visit pursuitspirits.com and click on Visit Us to book a tasting or barrel selection experience. For questions or topic requests on upcoming episodes, email us at podcast@pursuitspirits.com.