The Bourbon Life

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

  1. The Whiskey Trip - Season 4, Episode 8 - Tom Crofton, Distiller - Ranger Creek Distilling

    18H AGO

    The Whiskey Trip - Season 4, Episode 8 - Tom Crofton, Distiller - Ranger Creek Distilling

    This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes listeners for a ride to San Antonio to sit down with Tim Crofton, the distiller behind Ranger Creek and a fellow Army Veteran. This episode goes beyond the glass. It is about service, transition, discipline, and building something meaningful after the uniform comes off. Founded in 2010, Ranger Creek was one of the first brewery and distillery combinations operating under one roof in Texas. They were putting barrels away before Texas whiskey had national momentum and before American single malt became a headline. They built this brand in South Texas heat that does not forgive shortcuts. Barrels expand, contract, and mature aggressively. You either stay disciplined or you lose control of the process. Ranger Creek chose discipline. Tim and Big Chief talk about how military service shapes leadership inside a distillery and how that mindset carries into daily operations. As fellow veterans, they also discuss the Department of Defense SkillBridge program and Ranger Creek's role in helping transitioning service members find purpose in the craft industry. Giving veterans a pathway from service to skilled trade is not just smart. It is leadership in action. The first pour of the episode was State and Republic Wheated Bourbon. Wheat brings a rounded sweetness and approachability, but Texas oak still drives structure and backbone. It represents the steady foundation of Ranger Creek's bourbon program and the control required to age whiskey in a climate that accelerates everything. Next came the Distiller's Vault Rye Whiskey. This pour shifted the tone. Rye carries natural spice and intensity, and Texas maturation amplifies it. Black pepper, baking spice, oak, and heat layered together with authority. The Vault series allows Tim to showcase barrels with bold character while still maintaining balance. This rye had grit. It demanded attention. In the second half, the conversation moved into American single malt, a category Ranger Creek has been serious about long before it gained mainstream attention. Texas Landmark The Original No. 2 American Single Malt delivered roasted malt, dark chocolate notes, and structure built for Texas aging. It is confident, direct, and distinctly Texan. Then came the 307 Tricentennial Series Single Malt. Aged in apple brandy barrels and then finished for 4.5 days in an Amburana barrel, it became something layered and memorable. The apple brandy influence brought fruit and sweetness, while the Amburana added cinnamon, baking spice, and warmth. Apple strudel in a glass. That 4.5 day finish required precision. Too long and it dominates. Just right and it transforms the whiskey. We closed with the Texas Landmark Cask Strength Mesquite Smoked Single Malt. This was the exclamation point of the episode. Mesquite smoke is bold and unmistakably Texas, but here it was controlled and intentional. The smoke wrapped around the malt instead of overpowering it. At cask strength, it delivered depth, intensity, and a finish that stayed with you. It might be the best single malt I have ever had. This episode is about Ranger Creek's history, evolution, and the work behind every barrel. It is about service, transition, heat, discipline, and building legacy in Texas. Good whiskey. Hard work. Real leadership. Take the ride.

    1h 25m
  2. The Whiskey Trip - Season 4, Episode 7 - Mark Shilling, President, & Brandon Onstott, Head Distiller - Maverick Distilling

    FEB 17

    The Whiskey Trip - Season 4, Episode 7 - Mark Shilling, President, & Brandon Onstott, Head Distiller - Maverick Distilling

    This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief sits down with President Mark Shilling and Head Distiller Brandon Onstott of Maverick Distilling for a conversation built on Texas history, independence, and whiskey that carries the weight of the Maverick name. The legacy of Samuel Maverick sets the tone early, independent, unbranded, and unapologetically Texan, and that same spirit shows up in every pour. They open the first half of the show sipping Maverick's Straight Bourbon Whiskey, made with all Texas grains. At 88 proof, it drinks with a natural sweetness and a rich, viscous mouthfeel that coats the palate without overpowering it. It is approachable but still carries structure, a true everyday Texas bourbon that does not sacrifice character for smoothness. From there, they step it up to their Bottled in Bond 5 year old expression. The extra age and proof bring depth and backbone, layered oak, developed sweetness, and that unmistakable bottled in bond integrity that speaks to patience and discipline in the rickhouse. In the second half, they begin with their Single Barrel Four Grain, a whiskey that immediately commands attention. Bold yet balanced, complex yet intentional, it is the pour that makes Big Chief lean back and say it out loud, this one can compete for his Whiskey of the Year. The balance of grains creates a layered experience with sweetness, spice, and oak working together instead of fighting for dominance. It is Texas confidence in a glass. They close the show with their Triticale expression. That grain brings a distinctive character, offering spice on the front end, a steady sweetness through the mid palate, and lingering tobacco notes on the finish. It is different, thoughtful, and memorable, the kind of pour that reminds you Texas distillers are not afraid to innovate. Throughout the episode, Mark speaks to the responsibility of carrying the Maverick legacy forward, while Brandon breaks down how grain selection, Texas heat, and barrel management shape each expression. This is not whiskey chasing Kentucky tradition. This is whiskey rooted in Texas soil, shaped by Texas climate, and driven by Texas independence. Pour something worthy, settle in, and take the ride.

    1h 24m

  3. FEB 13

    Season 7, Episode 5: Barry & Tori Brinegar - Kentucky's First Couple of Bourbon

    In this episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Mark and Matt welcome Barry and Tori Brinegar into The Bourbon Life Studios for a conversation that's equal parts bourbon history, industry insight, and good-natured chaos. Barry is well known across the whiskey world as the former Co-Founder and National Brand Ambassador of RD1 Spirits, and he's joined by his wife Tori—affectionately known around here as the First Lady of Bourbon. Across three segments, the guys dig into Barry's journey through the bourbon industry, the founding and growth of RD1, and what life looks like after stepping away from a brand he helped build from the ground up. Barry shares behind-the-scenes stories from the road as a brand ambassador, lessons learned building a bourbon company, and a few tales that probably shouldn't be repeated—but thankfully were anyway. Tori jumps in with her perspective on life in the bourbon world, keeping Barry grounded, and what it's really like being married to a guy whose job revolves around whiskey. As always, the pours are flowing and the reviews are honest. This episode features tastings of: Henry McKenna 10 Year Bottled in Bond Stagg Jr. Batch 12 Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye There's plenty of laughter, a few strong opinions, and a whole lot of great bourbon conversation in this one. Pull up a chair, pour yourself something neat, and enjoy a fun, candid sit-down with one of bourbon's most recognizable personalities—and the woman who keeps him in line. This Episode is sponsored by District 7 and The Kitchen Table at the James B. Beam Distilling Co.

    1h 38m
  4. The Whiskey Trip - Season 4, Episode 6 - Emiliano A. C. Guajardo, Head Distiller - Still Austin Whiskey Co. & Samantha Olvera, Distiller - Garrison Brothers Distillery

    FEB 10

    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.

    1h 28m

  5. FEB 6

    Season 7, Episode 4: April Catron, Brand Ambassador & Junior Cecil, Co-Founder/Owner - Southern Kentucky Distillery

    In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Matt and Mark spend some time in The Bourbon Life Studios with April Catron, Brand Ambassador, and Junior Cecil, Co-Founder/Owner, of Southern Kentucky Distillery. The guys talk with April and Junior about their respective backgrounds and how they each ended up in the Bourbon industry, the story of how Southern Kentucky Distillery was created from a passion for making moonshine and their unique process that involves Cherrywood, and the success that this relatively young distillery has already had with its releases and its inclusion on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the Kentucky Moonshine Trail. They also taste and review quite a few expressions from Kentucky Southern Distillery including their Turby's Kentucky Cherrywood Wheated Bourbon at 90 Proof and 106 Cask Strength, their soon to be released Turby's Kentucky Cherrywood Rye Mashbill Bourbon at 90 Proof and 108.2 Cask Strength, and their only sourced product, Long Ridge High Rye Kentucky Straight Bourbon. There may have also been some moonshine and other goodies poured up in between too.  This Episode is sponsored by District 7 and The Kitchen Table at the James B. Beam Distilling Co.

    1h 49m
  6. The Whiskey Trip - Season 4, Episode 5 - Zach Hargis & Jacob Call, Master Distiller - Silk Velvet Whiskey

    FEB 3

    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.

    1h 20m
  7. The Whiskey Trip - Season 4, Episode 4 - April Weller Cantrell - The Bourbon Baroness

    JAN 27

    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

    1h 16m

  8. JAN 23

    Season 7, Episode 3: The Bourbon Life Crew - 2026 Industry Predictions

    In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, The Bourbon Life Crew (minus Stacey) spend some time hanging out together in The Bourbon Life Studios sharing some great conversation and great pours. The Crew talk about the recent BourbonCon event that was just held in Lexington, KY for the 4th year, some updated news regarding several troubled distilleries and brands and the impact that may have on the Bourbon industry, and they each make their predictions for the Bourbon industry in 2026. They also taste and review the new Angels Envy Two-Grain Kentucky Bourbon, the new Michter's Toasted Barrel Finish Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey, and 15 Stars Artisan Collection 12-Year Old Bourbon. This Episode is sponsored by District 7 and The Kitchen Table at the James B. Beam Distilling Co.

    1h 25m
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4.8
out of 5
185 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    The Bourbon Life
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    105
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © (c) 2022 The Bourbon Life
  • Show Website
    The Bourbon Life

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