Behind the Pursuit: From Bourbon to Brand

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

Take part in a journey to build a bourbon brand. Brian Beyke sits down with the founders of the top whiskey podcast, Kenny and Ryan of Bourbon Pursuit, to figure out what it takes to bring their whiskey label to life. Experience the highs, lows, and everything in between from investments, filling barrels, and shipping bottles. Special episodes will feature in-depth tasting notes for single barrel releases. It's your chance to have the first ever inside look into the bourbon business and learn about the whiskey industry with Pursuit Spirits.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    10 Years In The Making

    2025 marks the 10-year mark for Bourbon Pursuit, and even longer of the guys having conversations about what they will do in the whiskey space together. Fresh off of their live Bourbon Community Roundtable event, In this episode of Behind the Pursuit Kenny and Ryan reflect on their experiences in the bourbon industry and the evolution of Pursuit Spirits. They discuss the challenges and successes they've faced over the past decade, the importance of building a brand that resonates with consumers, and the lessons learned from industry trends and guests. The conversation highlights the journey of entrepreneurship in the bourbon space and the significance of storytelling in connecting with audiences. We hit on: What was the inception point into whiskey deeper than the podcast? How has 10-years in the industry affected how you continue to focus the brand, with what you’ve seen in trends coming and going and movement to the bourbon consumer?  As you are interviewing guests and hearing people talk about the industry for the last 10-years, what have some of the more recent guests continued to reveal or teach you about the industry, and how has that shaped how you think about Pursuit Spirts? 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.

    39 min

  2. NOV 6

    Early Goals For 2025

    In this episode of Behind the Pursuit we reflect on the past year, focusing on both growth and challenges. Kenny and Ryan delve into their goals for 2025, including the opening of our new downtown location, the importance of connecting with consumers, and the strategies for direct-to-consumer sales. The conversation also touches on the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, the challenges of marketing in the spirits industry, and the need for innovative approaches to stand out in a crowded market. We hit on: As we wind down 2024, what are some goals you are focusing on for 2025 and beyond? What are you thinking about doing in the downtown space to help people relate to the brand, and what is the breakdown of focus on Pursuit Spirits vs. Bourbon Pursuit? What are the pros and cons of focusing on a DTC distribution model? What does scale look like for something like that vs. the existing distribution model? Where have you found success in terms of marketing and how do you see that changing or staying the same in 2025? How do you navigate the importance of being involved as much as possible but hands off as much as possible for healthy growth?  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.

    40 min

  3. OCT 23

    The Mellwood Legacy Collection

    Building on the history surrounding Mellwood that we dove into on Episode 66, today we are talking about the upcoming Mellwood Legacy Collection release which pays homage to the historic Mellwood Distillery. We recap a bit of the history of the distillery, the creative process behind the new labels, and the unique offerings of the Derby Town and Old Anvil labels. The conversation also touches on the current state of the whiskey market and the opportunities for independent bottlers. While a press release isn't out yet on these, we wanted to give you a peek behind the curtain of what to expect. We hit on: An overview of the Mellwood Distillery history and reasoning behind the Mellwood Legacy Collection The new labels kicking off the Mellwood Legacy Collection How the blending approached is different from Pursuit United The estimated launch date of the Mellwood Legacy Collection 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.

    37 min

  4. OCT 9

    Cask Strength

    It seems like today's whiskey drinker is set on cask strength and barrel proof expressions, but what is it exactly that draws them to the higher proof - and is a whiskey truly better for it? Today, we dive into the topic of cask strength whiskey, when they guys may do one for Pursuit United, and much more. We hit on: Why do you think whiskey consumers are so focused on cask strength expressions? Do you think cask strength is the best expression of a whiskey? What do you think consumers miss in the decision to proof a whiskey? When will we see a cask strength expression of Pursuit United? 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.

    28 min

  5. SEP 25

    Kentucky Bourbon Festival & Bourbon & Beyond Recap 2024

    Another year, another festival recap! In today’s episode of Behind the Pursuit we reflect on our experiences at the recent Kentucky Bourbon Festival and Bourbon and Beyond Festival. We discuss the evolution of Pursuit Spirits over the last three years and how our presence at these festivals has changed over those years. The conversation highlights the importance of brand storytelling, the growing popularity of Double Oaked, and the intersection of bourbon culture with music festivals. We share insights on consumer behavior, sales performance, and the overall atmosphere at the events, emphasizing the excitement and community surrounding bourbon and whiskey tasting. We hit on: With this being the first year hosting the events on separate weeks, did you prefer that to when it was all on one weekend?  What did you look forward going into KBF this year? Did you do anything differently? How does it feel that people aren’t asking your story anymore? How do you keep your story integrated but pivot to what’s more of the focus with consumers? Was anything surprising about what people enjoyed during the tastings at the booth? Did KBF feel bigger without sharing the stage with Bourbon & Beyond? What role do you feel bourbon plays in a growing annual music festival? What do the results of these last two weeks have you thinking about for next year? 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.

    38 min

  6. SEP 11

    The Easy Button Pt. 2

    Ryan tackled these questions back on Episode 068, and with the feedback we got from listeners, we wanted to give Kenny an opportunity to chime in as well. Today's question comes from listener Richard C. Richard had a series of questions looming from the recent Bourbon Roundtable Live Q&A during Pursuit Palooza. Kenny & Ryan used to joke that they should have gone the "easy route" to a brand and just bottled MGP instead of doing their own thing. Now, MGP brands are truly everywhere, the bourbon market is undergoing a correction, and bottles are sitting on the shelf for longer.  We hit on: How do you feel looking back on your original decision to forge a different path? Did you feel you missed out on something by doing that? Do you feel you are better positioned now for the current market, and for the future, than if you had bottled MGP?  Where do you think you'd be currently if you had gone with MGP instead of creating the Pursuit United brand as we know it? What would you do differently if you could do it all over again? What would you tell the 2018 versions of Kenny & Ryan? How do you continue to set the brand up for success with so many other brands continuing to develop around you? 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.

    35 min

  7. AUG 28

    Double Oaked Rye Release

    "For this product, we wanted to push the boundaries of what rye whiskey can be and compete with the best older whiskeys out there. At 108 proof, it delivers a bold yet balanced experience that we believe will captivate both rye enthusiasts and those new to the category. This limited release truly embodies our pursuit of whiskey excellence." Coming off the heels of Pursuit United Double Oaked Bourbon, it’s time for Pursuit United Double Oaked Rye! 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 Thursday, August 29th. We hit on: What is different about Double Oaked Rye from it's base product vs the Double Oaked Bourbon from it's base product? What has the process of making Double Oaked Rye taught you that making Double Oaked Bourbon didn’t?  Have you noticed the Double Oaked products help people go back into trying the other SKUs? Out of all the experiments you did for Double Oaked Rye, were there any runner-ups that you went back and forth on moving forward with? What does the inclusion of Double Oaked Rye in the Pursuit United Private Selection look like? What does distribution look like for this product? 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.

    30 min

  8. AUG 14

    The Rye vs Bourbon Debate

    “You can create an amazing product but if it's not what the market wants, it doesn’t matter.” - Ryan Cecil While Pursuit United Rye is our highest awarded product, it still doesn’t seem to perform the same way as the bourbon SKUs do. We don’t pretend that this is a trend only seen within our brand, as we see it with other brands in the industry as well. With the upcoming release of Pursuit United Double Oaked Rye, could it help changes people’s minds on what they think about the rye category? Can using the “buzz” of double oaked, in both process and marketed terminology, reach a larger market of whiskey consumers?  We hit on: Are there certain markets where rye seems to do well? Are there any where it out performs bourbon?  From your experience as consumers yourselves, have you noticed a time when rye was more prominent as a whole in the market?  Do you see the trajectory of rye sales overall gaining a larger slice of the market?  Were there any ryes that you think have helped drive the current success of the rye category? What is it that prevents people from latching on to rye in the same way as other whiskeys or spirits?  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.

    39 min
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About

Take part in a journey to build a bourbon brand. Brian Beyke sits down with the founders of the top whiskey podcast, Kenny and Ryan of Bourbon Pursuit, to figure out what it takes to bring their whiskey label to life. Experience the highs, lows, and everything in between from investments, filling barrels, and shipping bottles. Special episodes will feature in-depth tasting notes for single barrel releases. It's your chance to have the first ever inside look into the bourbon business and learn about the whiskey industry with Pursuit Spirits.

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