The Bourbon Life

The Bourbon Life

The Bourbon Life is your source for all things Bourbon. Reviews | Events | Interviews | Lifestyle

  1. The Whiskey Trip - Season 4, Episode 6 - Emiliano A. C. Guajardo, Head Distiller - Still Austin Whiskey Co. & Samantha Olvera, Distiller - Garrison Brothers Distillery

    HACE 2 DÍAS

    The Whiskey Trip - Season 4, Episode 6 - Emiliano A. C. Guajardo, Head Distiller - Still Austin Whiskey Co. & Samantha Olvera, Distiller - Garrison Brothers Distillery

    This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief sits down with Emiliano A. C. Guajardo, Head Distiller at Still Austin Whiskey Co., and Samantha Olvera, Distiller at Garrison Brothers Distillery, for a conversation that runs far deeper than what's in the glass. This episode is about whiskey, yes, but it is also about identity, roots, and the Mexican and Hispanic heritage that helped shape Texas long before bourbon ever flowed through oak. Emiliano and Samantha share their personal journeys, family stories, and what it means to carry that heritage proudly while helping shape the future of Texas whiskey. Throughout the conversation, all three sip on multiple expressions from both Still Austin and Garrison Brothers, using each pour as a doorway into deeper discussion about craftsmanship, patience, place, and the responsibility that comes with putting your name and culture behind a bottle. Big Chief guides the conversation through culture, history, and responsibility, what it means to represent not just a brand, but a people, a legacy, and a future generation watching from behind the scenes. They talk about breaking barriers, honoring those who came before them, and how Texas whiskey is finally telling its full story, in its own voice. The glasses are filled, the laughs are honest, and the moments are real. This is not a surface level interview. It is a reminder that whiskey has always been about more than grain and barrel, it is about who you are, where you come from, and what you choose to pass on. Pour one, slow down, and Take the Ride. This is a conversation worth hearing all the way through.

    1 h y 28 min
  2. The Whiskey Trip - Season 4, Episode 5 - Zach Hargis & Jacob Call, Master Distiller - Silk Velvet Whiskey

    3 FEB

    The Whiskey Trip - Season 4, Episode 5 - Zach Hargis & Jacob Call, Master Distiller - Silk Velvet Whiskey

    Big Chief takes the ride to Henderson Kentucky and sits down with Zach Hargis and Master Distiller Jacob Call for a deep and honest conversation about the resurrection of Silk Velvet Whiskey, a storied Kentucky label with roots that stretch back well over a century. Silk Velvet was once a household name, known for its smooth character and dependable quality during an era when whiskey was as much about trust as it was flavor. Born in Henderson and carried through generations, the brand survived shifting tastes, industry consolidation, and long stretches of dormancy. What Zach and Master Distiller Jacob Call are doing today is not a reinvention for trend's sake. It is a careful revival that honors the legacy while applying modern discipline, transparency, and thoughtful blending to bring Silk Velvet back the right way. In the first half of the show, the glasses are filled with Silk Velvet Small Batch at 107 proof. Big Chief does not just sip. He pours a second glass because it hits everything he loves. Built from a blend of two mash bills, this whiskey delivers a rich sweetness up front, a silky mouthfeel, and a lingering tingle of spice that hangs on just long enough to demand another taste. It is bold, balanced, and classic without feeling dated. The second half steps into the Silk Velvet Single Barrel, also bottled at 107 proof and aged seven years. The mash bill of 75 percent corn, 21 percent rye, and 4 percent malted barley shows its depth immediately. Floral notes rise from the glass, followed by a beautifully balanced wave of spice and sweetness that confirms the patience spent in the barrel. It is expressive, confident, and unmistakably Silk Velvet. This episode is about more than what is in the glass. It is about honoring history, respecting the craft, and proving that some names are worth bringing back with care and conviction. Pour yourself something worthy and take the ride with Big Chief.

    1 h y 20 min
  3. The Whiskey Trip - Season 4, Episode 4 - April Weller Cantrell - The Bourbon Baroness

    27 ENE

    The Whiskey Trip - Season 4, Episode 4 - April Weller Cantrell - The Bourbon Baroness

    This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief sits down with April Weller Cantrell, widely known throughout the whiskey world as The Bourbon Baroness. A trusted voice in American whiskey and one of Big Chief's closest confidants in the industry, April brings experience, perspective, and straight shooting honesty to a conversation that is honest and deep, rooted in respect for the craft and the people behind it. In the first half of the show, Big Chief pours the new Shiner Texas Bourbon from K. Spoetzl Distillery. This single barrel release at 112 proof showcases bold Texas character and opens the door to a thoughtful discussion on grain, climate driven maturation, and where Texas bourbon fits within the broader American whiskey conversation. The second half sees the glasses change. Big Chief sips on Sazerac Rye Full Proof, digging into high proof rye spice, structure, and intensity, even hinting that this pour may have the chops to compete as a Whiskey of the Year contender. Alongside him, the Baroness pours Shakertown Spirits whiskey, offering a heritage driven counterpoint that deepens the conversation around balance, tradition, and thoughtful production. As always, this episode goes beyond tasting notes. It is about truth, perspective, and supporting the people building American whiskey the right way. At its heart, this conversation is a reminder to slow down, be present, and appreciate the moment. A shared pour becomes a pause, a reflection, and a quiet connection to something greater than ourselves. Pour a glass, settle in, and take the ride with Big Chief and the Baroness. Cheers

    1 h y 16 min
  4. The Whiskey Trip - Season 4, Episode 3 - Stephen Callahan, President/Founder/Co-Owner - Tennessee Hills Distillery

    20 ENE

    The Whiskey Trip - Season 4, Episode 3 - Stephen Callahan, President/Founder/Co-Owner - Tennessee Hills Distillery

    This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief heads into the rolling hills of East Tennessee to sit down with Stephen Callahan for a straightforward, no nonsense conversation about building whiskey the right way. The discussion is rooted in experience, patience, and respect for the craft, giving listeners an honest look at what it really takes to build a distillery with intention instead of chasing trends. In the first half of the episode, they sip on S.E. Callahan's Distiller's Select Straight Bourbon Whiskey, an expression that represents the core of the Tennessee Hills house style. The nose opens with familiar and inviting notes of vanilla, honey, milk chocolate, and toasted oak. On the palate, flakey pastry and sweet vanilla cream lead the way, supported by warm baking spices that add depth without overpowering the pour. The finish carries medium long with a rich, viscous linger and noticeable baking spice that keeps you coming back. As they taste, Stephen talks through barrel selection, proofing decisions, and balance, offering real insight into how this bourbon comes together and how he knows when a whiskey is ready. In the second half, the glass shifts to the Tennessee Hills Madeira Cask Finished Bourbon, where thoughtful finishing takes center stage. Rich, smoky oak anchors the whiskey, followed by layers of ripe stone fruit and toasted hazelnut. A subtle wine driven sweetness from the Madeira cask settles in and lingers, adding complexity while allowing the bourbon underneath to remain the star of the show. It is a finish that feels intentional and restrained rather than flashy. The episode closes with a broader conversation about East Tennessee whiskey roots, lessons learned along the way, and the role community plays in building something that lasts. It also serves as a reminder of why supporting craft whiskey matters. These are the producers putting quality first, honoring tradition, and taking the long road so the whiskey in your glass has a real story behind it. Pour a glass, settle in, and take the ride with Big Chief.

    59 min
  5. The Whiskey Trip - Season 4, Episode 2 - Clinton Dugan, Co-Founder & Master Blender - Short Barrel Bourbon

    13 ENE

    The Whiskey Trip - Season 4, Episode 2 - Clinton Dugan, Co-Founder & Master Blender - Short Barrel Bourbon

    On this episode of The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief sits down with Clinton Dugan, co-founder and master blender of Short Barrel Bourbon out of Atlanta. Clinton dives into his approach to blending, barrel selection, and what it really takes to build a whiskey brand that stands out without chasing trends. This is a conversation rooted in patience, experience, and letting the whiskey speak louder than the label. The first half kicks off with Short Barrel's new four grain whiskey, a five year old blend pulling wheat bourbon from Green River Distilling Co. and rye bourbon from Wilderness Trail Distillery. Bottled at 94 proof and priced at a wallet friendly $39.99, this 30 barrel batch delivers exactly what you want in an everyday pour. Soft wheat sweetness leads the charge while the rye brings balance and spice, making this an easy drinking whiskey that quietly punches above its weight. Things turn up quickly with OZ Tyler, a bruiser clocking in at 138.8 proof after spending three years aging in the Atlanta heat. Distilled by Jacob Call, this pour is bold, loud, and unapologetic. Heat, barrel, and time collide to create a whiskey that demands respect and doesn't apologize for it. In the second half, the big men come out swinging with an Old Fourth 10 Year Old Bottled in Bond. The MGP distilled juice is rich and oily, coating the palate with sticky sweetness and layers of stone fruit and chocolate that linger long after the sip. It's a reminder of how elegant well aged whiskey can be when the blending is done right. To close it all out, Clinton pours their Tokaji cask finished rye, and it stops Big Chief in his tracks. Finished in Hungarian Tokaji dessert wine barrels, this rye brings a deep raisin funk right out front, followed by grape driven sweetness, sugar cookie silk, and a smooth, confident finish. Big Chief doesn't hesitate to put it on record, calling it the first whiskey on his list for Whiskey of the Year for 2026. Real talk, real whiskey, and big pours from start to finish. Pour something good and Take the Ride with Big Chief and Clinton Dugan on The Whiskey Trip.

    1 h y 15 min

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The Bourbon Life is your source for all things Bourbon. Reviews | Events | Interviews | Lifestyle

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