On this week's episode of The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief pulls up a chair with his brother Little Feather for a no-nonsense, end-of-year sit-down rooted in family, flavor, and hard-earned opinions. With a year of miles behind them and a table full of whiskey in front of them, the brothers look back on Big Chief's 2025 Whiskey Trail while taking on the challenge of naming Whiskey of the Year and Distillery of the Year. It is part reflection, part debate, filled with laughs, brotherly jabs, and a deep respect for the craft and the people behind it. To strip away hype, labels, and reputation, the tasting is done completely blind, with all five whiskeys poured into plain mason jars. No fancy glassware and no branding, just whiskey. Each pour is judged on nose, palate, mouthfeel, finish, and balance, forcing every whiskey to stand on its own merits. The mason jars set an honest, humble tone and lead to a few surprises and some strong, unfiltered reactions. As the tasting unfolds, Little Feather flips the mic and interviews Big Chief about the highs, lessons, and standout moments from the 2025 Whiskey Trip. Between sips, they talk road miles, distillery visits, and the people who made the journey matter. The conversation naturally turns forward, with Big Chief sharing what is already taking shape for 2026, including new regions, deeper dives into the craft, and a continued commitment to giving distillers a real voice. The five whiskeys competing for Whiskey of the Year represent a wide range of styles from stops along the trail. The lineup includes Anita's Choice, a six-grain bourbon from Burnt Church Distillery; Reverence from 1845 Distilling Company; a bold Cask Strength Rye from Ponfeigh Distillery; Broken Halo Cask Strength from War Trail Distillery; and Batch 37 from Barrell Craft Spirits. With no labels to lean on, each whiskey earns praise or criticism based solely on what is in the jar. When the dust settles, Whiskey of the Year goes to 1845 Preemption Reverence, a pour that rose above the rest when judged blind for its balance, depth, and character. Distillery of the Year honors go to Trinity River Distillery, recognized not only for its whiskey but for the full experience it delivers, from immersive tours to the renovation of its historic ranch-style bean factory, along with its Whiskey Kitchen and Bourbon Nursery. Whether listeners agree with the final calls or not, this episode is about honoring the pours, the places, and the passion that keep American whiskey moving forward. Pour yourself something good, pull up a chair, and Take the Ride with Big Chief and Little Feather as they close out 2025 and set their sights on what is ahead.
