Renegades and Raconteurs

In whiskey enthusiasm, each day is an adventure inching you closer to an even greater adventure. The key is finding friends to share those adventures with.
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In whiskey enthusiasm, each day is an adventure inching you closer to an even greater adventure. The key is finding friends to share those adventures with.

The post Renegades and Raconteurs appeared first on Rare Bird 101.

An Event for Generations

There are certain moments in my whiskey journey that I’ll never forget (most of which were firsts): my first sip of 1980’s Wild Turkey, meeting Jimmy and Eddie Russell for the first time, my first Russell’s Reserve private selection, the publication of…

There are certain moments in my whiskey journey that I’ll never forget (most of which were firsts): my first sip of 1980’s Wild Turkey, meeting Jimmy and Eddie Russell for the first time, my first Russell’s Reserve private selection, the publication of my first book, among others. But one that will surely rank as the […]

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Making Whiskey in the Music City

Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery was once Tennessee’s largest distillery in pre-Prohibition times. The great-great-great grandsons of Charles Nelson revived the family business in downtown Nashville,… Read More

Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery was once Tennessee’s largest distillery in pre-Prohibition times. The great-great-great grandsons of Charles Nelson revived the family business in downtown Nashville, and have been making Tennessee whiskey along with sourced Bourbons and now, a Rye Whiskey. The distillery underwent a major expansion recently, and we’ll talk with co-founder Andy Nelson on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, time is running short to avoid a return to Europe’s import tariffs on American whiskies, while a new Wild Turkey Bourbon features something different…three generations of Russells on the label. 

Episode 1028: October 29, 2023

Links: Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery | Midleton Distillery Experience | Distilled Spirits Council of the United States | Wild Turkey | Buffalo Trace | Rabbit Hole | James E. Pepper Distillery | Fraser & Thompson | Frey Ranch | Balcones Distilling | Ironroot Republic Distillery

Wild Turkey Generations

Since I’ll soon be covering the Generations release event (and my thoughts on tasting Generations that special evening), I thought it would be nice for Frank to share his opinion on this very special release. Take it away, Frank! dj Wild Turkey i…

Since I’ll soon be covering the Generations release event (and my thoughts on tasting Generations that special evening), I thought it would be nice for Frank to share his opinion on this very special release. Take it away, Frank! dj Wild Turkey is bursting with a rich family history that no other brand can mimic, […]

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Catching Up with Ardbeg’s Colin Gordon

It’s been three years since Colin Gordon left Islay’s Lagavulin Distillery to move down the road and take over for the retiring Mickey Heads at… Read More

It’s been three years since Colin Gordon left Islay’s Lagavulin Distillery to move down the road and take over for the retiring Mickey Heads at Ardbeg. Since then, Ardbeg has commissioned a completely new stillhouse and visitor traffic has recovered from the pandemic. We’ll catch up with Colin Gordon on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, the clock is ticking toward a partial U.S. government shutdown that could affect whisky makers and consumers, while Scotland’s government is debating an increase in the minimum unit price for whisky and other alcoholic beverages. We’ll also hear from Campari CEO Bob Kunce-Concewitz on his company’s expansion plans, check in with Wild Turkey’s Eddie Russell on the latest expansion of the Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse Series, and get a preview of this year’s Diageo Special Releases from master blender Stuart Morrison.

Links: Ardbeg | Campari Group | Russell’s Reserve | Gordon & MacPhail | Diageo | Balblair | Isle of Harris Distillery | Buffalo Trace Distillery London | Redbreast | Jack Daniel’s

An Unforgettable First

Any first experience at Wild Turkey is memorable, but your first private barrel selection at the storied distillery is unforgettable.
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Any first experience at Wild Turkey is memorable, but your first private barrel selection at the storied distillery is unforgettable.

The post An Unforgettable First appeared first on Rare Bird 101.

2022: A Look Back

Of the six years I’ve covered Wild Turkey, I can’t think of a more eventful year than 2022. From barrel picks at the distillery, to press trips and a day spent as a camp instructor, I had the fortune of experiencing the brand from the inside out. I acc…

Of the six years I’ve covered Wild Turkey, I can’t think of a more eventful year than 2022. From barrel picks at the distillery, to press trips and a day spent as a camp instructor, I had the fortune of experiencing the brand from the inside out. I accomplished several goals as well, thanks to […]

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Russell’s Single Legacy

Last month, I participated in a press trip for the release of Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse. It may not surprise readers who know me, but up to that point I’d never attended a press trip. I suppose it’s the price you pay when your writing focus is…

Last month, I participated in a press trip for the release of Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse. It may not surprise readers who know me, but up to that point I’d never attended a press trip. I suppose it’s the price you pay when your writing focus is so niched. Besides, it’s not like whiskey brands […]

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All Things Wild Turkey with Bruce Russell

This week, Bruce Russel from https://www.wildturkeybourbon.com/ visited us at Jeptha Bend Farm. As Jim and I chatted with him, I wondered if he felt the pressure of continuing the legacy that his grandfather and father have built. He isn’t the first to be put in this position as, Jim Beam, Makers Mark, Heaven Hill

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This week, Bruce Russel from https://www.wildturkeybourbon.com/ visited us at Jeptha Bend Farm. As Jim and I chatted with him, I wondered if he felt the pressure of continuing the legacy that his grandfather and father have built. He isn’t the first to be put in this position as, Jim Beam, Makers Mark, Heaven Hill and Angel’s Envy have all had family members take over operations or as a master distiller. Most of them with success of their own. We hope you will enjoy this week’s episode #277, All Things Wild Turkey with Bruce Russell.

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As the conversation carried on I could see that he has the passion it will take to create something all his own at the famous distillery high on the banks of the Kentucky River. If he feels like there is a monkey on his back he sure doesn’t show it. He was as cool as a cucumber. As with those from others distilleries he has been groomed for it and has the side by side distillery training with two of the best in the business. Add to that his time as a brand ambassador and he might even have something that Jimmy and Eddie didn’t have.

What you won’t hear on the podcast were the side conversations we had between the breaks. Bruce has that understanding of what the true consumers of bourbon really want. He has been on the road, sat at the bar with that blue collar worker, shared pours of his families whiskey with people from all walks of life and understands how to market it to the whiskey drinkers that truly appreciate it.

That’s why we love getting on The Bourbon Road or having guest visit us to do in person interviews. You can get a true sense of what a person is all about with these face to face conversations and this visit with Bruce was proof of that. You should be excited about the future of Wild Turkey and  hopefully Bruce’s future as a Master Distiller one day. He certainly has the talent, passion and vision to build his own legacy at Wild Turkey as I said before.

So grab that glass, a bottle of Wild Turkey 101 so you can listen as Bruce Russel gets on The Bourbon Road to pay us a visit while sipping on three of amazing Wild Turkey expressions of bourbon whiskey. We hope you enjoy this episode of All Things Wild Turkey with Bruce Russell. Cheers

Mike (Big Chief)

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Judy, Jimmy, Bourbon, and Time

Life is full of surprises. Cliché? Sure. But, true. I awoke at 4:00 AM excited for my Tuesday morning flight to Kentucky. As I hastily snoozed my alarm, I noticed my flight had been delayed by two hours. No worries. A quick rebook via Delta’s app and d…

Life is full of surprises. Cliché? Sure. But, true. I awoke at 4:00 AM excited for my Tuesday morning flight to Kentucky. As I hastily snoozed my alarm, I noticed my flight had been delayed by two hours. No worries. A quick rebook via Delta’s app and done. Extra Zs, and I gladly took them. […]

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