The Bourbon Playbook

Ryan O'Leary and Mike Zika
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Welcome to The Bourbon Playbook, the podcast where friends, family, and the smoothest of brown spirits come together for good conversation and great bourbon. Each episode, we dive deep into the world of whiskey, exploring a different bourbon of the week. From live sips and tasting notes to fascinating history and fun stories, we bring the distilling craft to life in the most relaxed way possible — just like kicking back with old friends in the basement. Whether you're a bourbon connoisseur or just looking to learn more, this show has something for everyone. Tune in for: Bourbon of the Week: A new bottle to explore every episodeLive Sips: Real-time tastings and flavor breakdownsWhiskey Wisdom: Fun facts, history, and stories from the bourbon worldSpirited banter: Engaging conversations on life, family and sportsSo pour yourself a dram, and let’s make some memories one sip at a time on The Bourbon Playbook!

  1. Season 1 finale! Jimmy Russell Wears the Flavor Crown

    22/07/2025

    Season 1 finale! Jimmy Russell Wears the Flavor Crown

    🎤 ANNOUNCEMENT: This episode marks the end of Season 1! We’re shifting from weekly pours to monthly drops, seasoned with deeper dives, social surprises, and a few bonus pours along the way. It’s not goodbye. Just a refill break. We close Season 1 with Episode 35, and it's a barrel-aged banger: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon. From meeting the legendary Jimmy Russell at Wild Turkey to unpacking a pour that’s bold, spicy, and dripping with caramel swagger, this episode is a full-bodied salute to one of bourbon's true Godfathers.

    59 min
  2. The Stagecoach King: Ben Holladay’s Bottled-in-Bond Legacy

    15/07/2025

    The Stagecoach King: Ben Holladay’s Bottled-in-Bond Legacy

    Ben Holladay 7-Year Bottled-in-Bond is a Missouri-made bourbon with deep roots, bold flavor — and a comeback story that spans 160 years. This week, the guys head down to the basement to discuss the "Stagecoach King," the limestone rickhouses of Weston, and why this sleeper bourbon continues to turn heads in the BiB world. Connect with the Bourbon Playbook at tbplaybook.com.

    51 min
  3. Old Fitzgerald: From Rickhouse Keys to Bourbon Legend

    08/07/2025

    Old Fitzgerald: From Rickhouse Keys to Bourbon Legend

    Join us as we reflect on our visit to the Heaven Hill Distillery and uncork one of the classiest bottled-in-bond bourbons in the game: Old Fitzgerald 7-Year. With its vintage decanter and rich wheated profile, this week's pour delivers caramel charm, cinnamon spice, and the fascinating legend of the man behind the juice: John E. Fitzgerald, Plus, some advice on how to transport your bourbon during times of extreme heat (spoiler alert, we learned the hard way). For more on The Bourbon Playbook Podcast, check out tbplaybook.com.

    40 min
  4. Not Your Average Wheater: Pouring Willett’s Purple Top Wonder

    01/07/2025

    Not Your Average Wheater: Pouring Willett’s Purple Top Wonder

    In this episode of The Bourbon Playbook, the guys cover their trip to the Willett Distillery, popping a precious bottle that screams top shelf. This week, we're talking Willett's Wheated 8 Year Purple Top. With its rich oak, cherry cola charm, and cinnamon-sweet punch, this bottle will be among the elite in any bourbon enthusiasts cabinet. In this episode: Why dining at The Bar at Willett is a must (and the signature dish you have to try) The history behind Willett's unique, smaller, family-run distilleryTasting notes breakdown: Is this a bourbon or a bakery?Essential 5 scale: Is Willett 8 Year P.J. Fleck approved?📲 Visit TBPlaybook.com for recipes, ratings, and our latest trail pours. 👀 Next week: A softer sip with angelic baking spice? Stay tuned… Clink responsibly. Cheers! 🥃

    56 min
  5. Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series: Why We Fell for The Heart Release

    24/06/2025

    Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series: Why We Fell for The Heart Release

    We continue our Bourbon Trail Series with a stop in Loretto, Kentucky—home of red wax, rolling hills, and some of the smoothest bourbon magic you’ll ever sip. In this episode, the guys dive into Maker’s Mark’s 2024 Wood Finishing Series: The Heart Release, a silky, high-proof wheated bourbon designed as a tribute to the unsung heroes behind every barrel. Join us as The Bourbon Playbook breaks down its visit to the Maker’s campus (yes, the black-fence roads and cold rickhouses were as dreamy as you imagine), swap blind tasting notes from the 2024 and 2025 Wood Finishing Series, and share why the Maker's Mark Distillery tour is a must for any bourbon enthusiast who's hitting the trail. *** Support the pod by clicking subscribe, leaving a review and visiting tbplaybook.com.

    47 min
  6. Buffalo Trace Distillery & Eagle Rare 10

    17/06/2025

    Buffalo Trace Distillery & Eagle Rare 10

    Fresh off their trip to Bourbon Country, the guys break down their visit to the iconic Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, sharing stories from the tour, the pours, and everything in between! In this week's episode: Top takeaways from the Trail, from Whiskey Row to LexingtonHow navigate Buffalo Trace's daily allocated bottle dropsWhat bourbons (and other spirits) to expect in Buffalo Trace's tasting room History, tasting notes and E5 ratings for the Bourbon of the Week: Eagle Rare 10 YearSubscribe, share the pod with a friend, and be sure to check back next week for Part II of our Bourbon Trail Playbook series!

    44 min
  7. Ben Holladay or E.H. Taylor? Our First Blind Taste Showdown

    10/06/2025

    Ben Holladay or E.H. Taylor? Our First Blind Taste Showdown

    On this week's minisode, the guys put their palates to the test with a blind tasting that brings bold flavors, wild guesses — and just a bit of humble pie. The lineup: Ben Holladay 7-Year Bottled-in-BondE.H. Taylor Single Barrel Bottled in BondBardstown Bottled in Bond Origin Series Which unbiased bottle rises to the top? Join the show and share your own blind tasting notes and experiences at tbplaybook.com.

    21 min
  8. Trailheads & Tasting Rooms: Our Bourbon Trail 2025 Preview

    03/06/2025

    Trailheads & Tasting Rooms: Our Bourbon Trail 2025 Preview

    Alright folks, pour one and buckle in — because this episode is all about bourbon bucket lists. We’re talkin’ about the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Not from the perspective of seasoned veterans…. but from two guys who’ve never done it and are finally making the trip. Yep — it’s happening. We’re headed to bourbon country. And we’re coming in hot with a game plan, a cooler, and just enough hearsay to sound like we know what we’re doing. Are we doing it right? Drop us a dram at tbplaybook.com, and we'll share your Bourbon Trail experiences on a future episode of the pod!

    15 min
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Welcome to The Bourbon Playbook, the podcast where friends, family, and the smoothest of brown spirits come together for good conversation and great bourbon. Each episode, we dive deep into the world of whiskey, exploring a different bourbon of the week. From live sips and tasting notes to fascinating history and fun stories, we bring the distilling craft to life in the most relaxed way possible — just like kicking back with old friends in the basement. Whether you're a bourbon connoisseur or just looking to learn more, this show has something for everyone. Tune in for: Bourbon of the Week: A new bottle to explore every episodeLive Sips: Real-time tastings and flavor breakdownsWhiskey Wisdom: Fun facts, history, and stories from the bourbon worldSpirited banter: Engaging conversations on life, family and sportsSo pour yourself a dram, and let’s make some memories one sip at a time on The Bourbon Playbook!

Información

  • Creador
    Ryan O'Leary and Mike Zika
  • Años de actividad
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodios
    35
  • Clasificación
    Explícito
  • Copyright
    © RCO Audio LLC 2024
  • Mostrar sitio web
    The Bourbon Playbook