We are diving back into the fascinating and often frustrating world of direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales. We're thrilled to reconnect with Ari Sussman and welcome Bruce Fougere, co-founder of MASH Networks, a data-driven software company that's truly shaking things up. Ari wastes no time stressing why DTC isn't just an option for distilleries anymore—it's essential. MASH Networks is arming brands with the crucial tools they need to cut through the noise and break those geographic barriers. Bruce then pulls back the curtain on how their tech leverages data and powerful storytelling to turn casual buyers into lifelong fans. We also talk about how all of this has to build on customer loyalty and why consumers are looking meaningful engagement in the brands they support. Show Notes: MASH Networks' impact on craft distilling. The importance of DTC in the evolving market. Effective use of customer data and analytics. Insights from Mammoth Distillery case study. Utilizing QR codes for consumer engagement. Building emotional connections and community. Strategies for tasting experiences and promotions. Exploring subscription models in craft spirits. Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Michter's 10 Year Bourbon. This 10 year old bourbon is 94.4 proof and $195 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!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

Subscribe to ⁠Behind The Pursuit: From Bourbon to Brand⁠ Herb Heneman, now an instructor at the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits at the University of Kentucky, teaches students about marketing and building a spirits brand from the ground up. Both Ryan and Kenny share a connection with Herb, and not long ago he invited Kenny to guest lecture for his class. The session covered a series of insightful questions about the industry, but unfortunately, it wasn’t recorded. In this two-part episode, we revisit those questions and the conversations they sparked from the inception of Bourbon Pursuit, through it’s now 10-year career, and how they’ve built a Spirits brand out of it.  We hit on: The numbers, and how BP has become “The Official Podcast of Bourbon” How and when did you start the podcast? Who have been some of your favorite guests? Any that were total disasters? Where and how do you record and how has this evolved over the years How do you decide topics for discussion? What makes a piece of content newsworthy for BP to talk about? How did you grow BP’s reach and get paced across different platforms like Apple, Pandora, iHeart and Spotify? and much more. P.club by Pursuit Spirits puts you in the inner circle. As a member, you’ll unlock exclusive distillery-only releases, VIP access to live virtual tastings with Q&As, 10% off all merch and special perks. Whether you choose free doorstep delivery or distillery pickup, you’ll always be first in line for our newest drops. With a flexible cart and priority access to limited barrels, P.Club isn’t just a membership—it’s your all-access pass to Pursuit. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Come and see us on Mellwood! 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered if whiskey subscriptions are the real deal, or just another trend? Or is it just a way for someone to run through inventory faster? To answer these questions Greg Cohen, the guy behind Pour More joins the show. We set the stage, pulling back the curtain on the rise of these models during covid and how Greg transformed from a marketer to a crucial player in Pour More's journey. I'm geniuonly curious about the business model so we hit on operations, the power of great storytelling, and how landing features in big-name publications put Pour More on the map. Greg breaks down their dual audience – the hardcore connoisseurs and the gift-givers – and how they navigate the maze of alcohol distribution laws. Plus, we pull apart their tiered pricing, and how to balance killer value with exclusive access. Show Notes: Introduction to Greg Cohen and the inception of Pour More. Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on whiskey subscriptions. Analysis of customer demographics and acquisition methods. Marketing strategies and redefining the whiskey culture. Creating connections with distillers for a unique experience. Challenges in customer retention and innovative solutions. Speculations on the future of whiskey subscriptions and brand storytelling. Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Maker's Mark The Keeper's Release. This non-age stated bourbon is 109.2 proof and $75 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!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 25th 2025. Luca Mariano files for chapter 11, Kentucky’s Attorney General files a lawsuit against Temu, and Sazerac releases Sazerac Rye 100.Show Notes: Luca Mariano Distillery files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Kentucky AG sues Temu over privacy, forced labor, and IP theft, naming Buffalo Trace & Churchill Downs. Sazerac sues "John Doe" for impersonating Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley on social media. Whiskey House of Kentucky inks long-term supply deal with Germany's Berentzen-Gruppe. Buffalo Trace launches Sazerac Rye Whiskey 100 Proof. 15 STARS introduces new First West line with Small Batch, Toasted Oak, and 8-Year-Old Bourbons. Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you ever just say to yourself, this whiskey needs more proof? Well, if you're already above 140, how much more do you really need? In this episode, we cover the wild world of hazmat bourbon and whiskey. What once started as a rare novelty has turned into constant churn of 140+ high proof releases with everyone running to grab a bottle. We discuss why bourbon should be considered rare while the inclusion of light whiskey is an education problem but it still works for the high proof chasers out there. We talk about the retail end of things but also wonder if this trend will ever die or if it will be on fire forever. Show Notes: Exploration of the hazmat whisky phenomenon and its surge in the market. Historical significance of hazmat spirits and their evolution. Discussion on consumer tendencies towards higher proof and perceived quality. Insights on the novelty effect versus actual taste experiences. Legal and regulatory considerations in the transportation of hazmat whiskies. Predictions on the sustainability of the hazmat trend and potential future shifts in consumer preferences. Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Lux Row Albariño Cask Bourbon. This 4 year old bourbon is 105 proof and $60 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!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 18th 2025. Stitzel-Weller Distillery is up for sale, Brothers Wright Distilling Co. acquires Dueling Barrels Brewery & Distillery, and Buffalo Trace Distillery is releasing Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Distiller’s Council.Show Notes: The historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery property, including 15 barrel warehouses, is currently for sale. World-renowned expert Noah Rothbaum is set to release The Whiskey Bible, a comprehensive guide to whiskey's history, secrets, and cocktails, in September 2025. Brothers Wright Distilling Co. has acquired Dueling Barrels Brewery & Distillery in Pikeville, expanding capacity and adding a restaurant and music venue. Meridian Biotech is partnering with Buffalo Trace Distillery to build a $40 million facility in Franklin County to convert distillery byproducts into alternative proteins. Acclaimed mixologist Molly Wellmann is joining Hidden Barn Whiskey as its Master Taster to enhance their blends and single barrel selections. Wolves has collaborated with Willett Family Estate on a limited-edition 10-year rye whiskey, blending Kentucky and California-aged ryes. Old Forester is bringing back its annual 1910 Extra Extra Old release, a 93-proof double-barreled bourbon aged for an additional 24 months. Bib & Tucker is launching Gold Roast Bourbon, a 6-year Tennessee Bourbon finished with whole roasted Arabica coffee beans using a cold extraction method. Frey Ranch Distillery is introducing its Five Grain Single Barrel Bourbon, made entirely with grains grown on their farm, with limited quantities available. Rebel Bourbon announces the annual release of its 10-Year Single Barrel Bourbon, a 100-proof wheated whiskey with a limited allocation hitting shelves this month. Great Jones Distilling Co. has released a new Wheated Bourbon crafted entirely from New York-grown grains, aged at least four years. Buffalo Trace Distillery is unveiling Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Distiller’s Council, a $1,499.99 ultra-premium, limited-edition bourbon using 19th-century techniques. The James B. Beam Distilling Co. is releasing the annual Old Grand-Dad 7-Year-Old Bonded Bourbon, barreled in spring 2018 at 100 proof. Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye Kentucky Straight Blended Whiskey is returning due to popular demand, combining 9-year bourbon and 7-year rye at 113 proof. Wyoming Whiskey is launching its National Parks: Acadia Edition, expanding its series with a Maine-exclusive bourbon supporting Acadia National Park. Barrell Craft Spirits is releasing Barrell Decade, a Black Label Series blend of whiskeys distilled from 1995-2005 and secondarily matured in Spanish brandy and Hungarian oak casks. Jim Beam has announced Lineage Batch #2, a 15-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon crafted by Fred and Freddie Noe, exclusively available at the Beam campus. Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the topics I love to dive into on the show is retail. This is where the rubber meets the road because it's the telling sign if a brand or category is alive or dying. I'm excited to welcome Chris Blandford back on the show. He holds the title of Adult Beverage Field Specialist for Kroger. He’s right there on the front lines of consumer trends, and he’s got some amazing insights into the changing landscape of bourbon, and he's also the content development lead for the bourbon and culinary stage at Bourbon & Beyond, a music festival right here in Louisville you've heard us talk about before. We talk about evolving consumer tastes because there is a trend back towards lower proof whiskey and some hilarious stories about those high-potency THC infused drinks that are making waves. Chris also shares his inspiring personal journey of health transformation, which is a fantastic parallel to his work. Plus, you’ll get a sneak peek into the exciting experiences waiting for everyone at Bourbon & Beyond. Show Notes: Who is Chris Blandford and his role at Kroger? Insights on rising trends among bourbon consumers. Discussion on the interest in lower-proof, approachable bourbons. Unique bourbon blend produced for Bourbon & Beyond. Reactions to various bourbons tasted and discussed. Chris's health and fitness transformation journey. Kroger’s partnership significance with Bourbon & Beyond. Resources for aspiring bourbon distillers and entrepreneurs. Humorous exchanges surrounding bourbon experiences. Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices