What does it take to pivot from selling the hottest consumer tech of the early 2000s into leading, not one but two, distilleries? Today's guest is Luis Gonzalez. We've known Luis on our first trip out to Old Elk and he forever made an impression on us. If you've ever heard Ryan say "sanity over vanity" this the guy that shared that wisdom. Luis has an interesting journey of starting in mall kiosks selling BlackBerry before making his way to executive status at OtterBox and got the call to help build Old Elk from the ground up. His next big move is now stepping into the Chief Commercial Officer role at Middle West Spirits in Columbus, Ohio after the acquisition of Old Elk. For nearly two years, Middle West has been quietly operating in custom contract distilling, aging, and bottling behind the scenes. We talk about how Luis manages massive inventory networks, maintain transparency with customers, and how to avoid the race-to-the-bottom price wars. Plus, we get into how Middle West is already distilling Old Elk’s custom mash bills and what the future holds for all their brands. Show Notes: How a career-ending baseball injury led Luis from Baton Rouge to consumer tech sales at BlackBerry and OtterBox Building Old Elk from the ground up and mastering the long-term lead times required in whiskey forecasting Transitioning to Middle West Spirits as Chief Commercial Officer and managing commercial operations across multiple facilities The hidden power of contract distilling and how Middle West has quietly served the industry for nearly two years How Middle West manages inventory, warehouse operations, and custom mash bills while avoiding price wars What the transition of Old Elk mash bills to Ohio means for transparency, blending, and future releases Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bomberger’s 2026 brings a wild mix of historic Pennsylvania whiskey heritage, unique oak finishing, and some seriously unexpected flavor notes. Think cola, fruit, spice, and a pour that kept us guessing from nose to finish.DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's This Week in Bourbon for July 31st 2026. 24th class of inductees into the prestigious Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame have been announced, More tariff wars resume, and Bardstown Bourbon Company is launching Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish Whiskey.Show Notes: Kentucky Distillers' Association announces 24th Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame class Apogee 21 acquires Luca Mariano Distillery and Rod & Hammer's President Trump levies 50% tariffs on select Canadian imports Uncle Nearest receiver files major counterclaim alleging lender oversight and fraud Starlight Distillery celebrates 25th anniversary with limited-edition releases Bourbon Women SIPosium returns to Louisville for 15th anniversary event Alabama Cooperage to close Trinity plant by September 2026 US removes 10% tariff on Scotch whisky imports Moonshine University to cease operations at the end of 2026 RNDC files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and winds down operations James B. Beam Distilling Company announces 2026 Old Grand-Dad 7-Year Bottled-In-Bond Goose Island unveils 2026 Bourbon County Brand Family stout lineup New Riff Distilling brings back annual Headliner release for 3rd year B.H. James Distillers launches Spirit 76 line of flavored Kentucky bourbon Heaven Hill Distillery debuts Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 9-year bourbon Maker's Mark launches travel retail exclusive Artist Series – City Edition Brother's Bond Bourbon launches 7-year bottled-in-bond straight bourbon Garrison Brothers Distillery announces 1st-ever pre-sale for Hye Rye Bourbon Bardstown Bourbon Company debuts Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish Whiskey Old Forester debuts The 117 Series Triple Char Kentucky Straight Bourbon St. Louis Bourbon Festival returns to Lemp Mansion on October 16, 2026 Bib and Tucker introduces 8-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond Tennessee Bourbon Still Austin Whiskey Company opening massive 15,000-sq-ft venue in Austin Jefferson's Bourbon debuts ultra-limited Founder's Reserve 20-Year-Old Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s Bourbon Community Roundtable, our panel is tackling two massive seismic shockwaves rattling the very foundation of the spirits world. We jump straight into the first major headline: the shocking closure of Moonshine University. We break down what losing a premier educational hub like the Stave & Thief Society means for the future of spirits education, and whether this shutdown is the ultimate canary in the coal mine for a slowing craft distillery boom. Then, we turn our attention to the absolute biggest story in spirits retail: distributor giant RNDC filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and winding down operations. We unpack the domino effect of major supplier exits, razor-thin middle-tier margins, and unpaid invoices, analyzing the devastating fallout for small craft brands fighting for local liquor store shelf space. Finally, we throw down over what this massive distributor consolidation actually means for the three-tier system—debating whether this crisis will finally force lawmakers to rethink direct-to-consumer (DTC) shipping laws, or if we’re simply watching a maturing bourbon market undergo a painful, necessary contraction. Show Notes: The closure of Moonshine University: What losing a premier distilling school means for the spirits industry Assessing the value of bourbon certifications: Essential career springboard or mostly symbolic status? Unpacking RNDC's Chapter 11 filing: Supplier exits, thin margins, and the winding down of a middle-tier giant The ripple effect on small brands: Shelf space access, unpaid invoices, and the future of three-tier distribution Will distributor consolidation accelerate the push for direct-to-consumer (DTC) shipping legislation? State of the bourbon market: Reading the room on consumer demand amid industry contraction and adjustments Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heaven Hill’s Deatsville Commemorative Release had us excited from the first nose with dark cherry, chocolate, leather, and classic sweet oak. But did the palate and finish live up to the legendary warehouse hype?DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A few years ago I was given a bottle by Dr. Pat Heist and it made me say Nevada bourbon? And today, we get to hear the story of Frey Ranch with Colby and Ashley Frey. They turned a multi-generational agriculture operation into one of the most respected craft distilleries in the country. Long before the whiskeys, Colby was growing wheat, rye, barley, and corn in the high desert of Fallon, Nevada. Colby takes us through those early days of battline state legislation and assembling their custom Vendome hybrid still system. Meanwhile, Ashley walks us through crafting the brand's packaging, and if you own a bottle you know how heavy the glass bottle and and topper are. But there's a deeper meaning to it and I won't spoil it for you. From meeting in college to balancing rural farm life, raising a family, and navigating the operational pressures of scaling a modern brand, Colby and Ashley give us an inside look at how they divide responsibilities, manage controlled expansion, and roll out their latest releases. Show Notes: How generations of Nevada agriculture paved the way for a 100% estate-grown, grain-to-glass whiskey operation The early legal and legislative battles required to make craft distilling legal in the state of Nevada Designing and assembling a hybrid Vendome still system to achieve both high-volume output and maximum flavor control The story behind Ashley’s farm-inspired bottle design, including the iconic bolt topper and belt-buckle label How Colby and Ashley divide leadership responsibilities while raising a family on a working rural ranch Scaling the brand intentionally, expanding into new markets, and what to expect from their upcoming rye releases Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Green River’s first Distillery Select release brings an 8 year toasted double oak bourbon with bakery notes, orange marmalade, buttered toast, apricot, and a touch of mango. The nose starts subtle, but the palate takes this one in a totally different direction from classic Green River.DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When your entire professional life revolves around premium spirits, late-night industry events, and endless barrel selections, the lines between work and life don’t just get blurry—they can completely disappear. The bourbon lifestyle promises a lot of camaraderie and incredible pours, but what does it actually cost your health, your calendar, and your family dinner table? On this week's episode Fred and I sit down for a deeply personal conversation about balancing bourbon with the reality of raising kids. We're not going to be hitting on tasting notes or anything like that but it's a look into our personal lives of school, sports, tracking timeboxes on a calendar, and trying to stay present for our kids as they grow up. Show Notes: Navigating school forms and schedule shifts while managing a global spirits brand The hidden physical toll of the whiskey trail: Managing sleep, health, and late-night industry expectations Kenny’s calendar timeboxing strategy for forcing boundaries between work and family Tasting vs. Consuming: Deconstructing moderation and the critical importance of drinking with intent Radical transparency: How Fred and his wife talk to their sons about alcohol, driving, and fentanyl Using the grueling discipline of youth wrestling to foster positive peer groups and work ethic The hidden financial trap of trying to turn a personal bourbon collection into a media business The reality of tax write-offs, charity auctions, and the true cost of over-collecting A definitive look at long-term responsibility, family support systems, and the power of being present Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Found North Batch 12 continues the brand's streak of impressive Canadian whiskey releases. This 16-year-old, 128.2 proof blend is rich with brown sugar, butter, cornbread, and sweet oak, while an extra maturation in new American oak barrels adds incredible depth without overpowering the whiskey. Is this one of the best Found North releases yet? Watch our full review to find out.DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's This Week in Bourbon for July 10th 2026. Fawn Weaver and Keith Weaver have been terminated from Uncle Nearest, a new investigation into Canada's ongoing boycott of American alcohol, and Barton now has their 1792 Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey.Show Notes: Court-appointed receiver terminates Fawn and Keith Weaver from Uncle Nearest, Inc. amidst Humble Baron's collapse Jack Daniel Distillery partners with USO for national "United We Toast" campaign honoring the Armed Forces WhistlePig Whiskey sells Moriah Business Park auxiliary facility for over $17,000,000 to Zags 26 Wyoming Whiskey returns to local ownership as WW Partners, LLC acquires an 80% stake from Edrington Congresswoman Claudia Tenney introduces the "Canada Act" to investigate Canada's ongoing boycott of American alcohol Country Boy Brewing expands into spirits production with Country Boy Distilling launching this autumn Shady Knoll Orchards & Distillery fights Washington's direct-to-consumer shipping restrictions in federal appeals court Kentucky Bourbon Trail expands to 74 total stops by welcoming four new distilleries to the trail Buffalo Trace Distillery debuts "Camp Buffalo Trace" immersive overnight adult summer camp experience Knob Creek introduces limited-edition 9-Year-Old Independence Edition with a blue wax seal for America's 250th Redwood Empire Whiskey officially releases Colonel Armstrong Wheated Bourbon, a premium four-grain blend Woodinville Whiskey Company launches national rollout of premium Single Barrel Bourbon and 100% Rye program Sagamore Whiskey announces nationwide launch of its 108-proof High Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey Brush Creek Distillery expands 2026 Heroes Edition Straight Bourbon Whiskey release to three barrels Buffalo Trace Distillery unveils the third limited-edition release of its historic medicinal Prohibition Collection B.H. James Distillers launches Spirit 76 line of flavored Kentucky Bourbons at 76 proof Jackson Purchase Distillery debuts its first house-branded Bottled in Bond and Select Bourbons Barton 1792 Distillery introduces permanent Straight Rye expression alongside ultra-aged 1792 XV Bourbon Garrison Brothers Distillery announces the return of Laguna Madre alongside a new Cask Strength companion bottle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices