Bourbon Pursuit

If you’ve been following along with the Behind the Pursuit series, you know we don't hold much back. We’ve spent the last twelve months talking about everything from the construction chaos downtown to the nitty-gritty of brand building, but today it’s time to look at the scoreboard. We’re reflecting on 2025—a year that was easily our most ambitious to date. Ryan and I sit down to get real about whether we actually hit those aggressive case goals we set last January and what the financial health of the business looks like after a year of heavy reinvestment. We’ve expanded the team and pushed the envelope on product development, but as any founder will tell you, growth usually comes with a side of growing pains. The conversation gets into the weeds of our newest releases and innovations, but we also take a step back to look at the bigger picture. We talk about the reality of market expansion in a crowded landscape and share some personal reflections on the career shifts that have happened within our own walls. This time last year, we had a vision of where Pursuit Spirits would be by December—today, we find out if we actually made it there, or if the industry had other plans for us.Show Notes: Introduction and Year in Review Case Goals and Financial Insights Team Growth and Management Challenges Product Development and Innovations Future Goals and Market Expansion Personal Reflections and Career Changes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re diving into the Parker’s Heritage Collection 19th Edition, one of the most unpredictable annual releases from Heaven Hill. This year’s blend pulls from 160 barrels across multiple rickhouses.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 December 12th 2025. WhistlePig Distillery has opened The WhistlePig Vault in Louisville, Garrison Brothers Distillery has released a limited-edition Spurs Single Barrel bourbon, and The Old Forester 117 Series is releasing their Prohibition Era Still Proof.Show Notes: WhistlePig opened "The Vault" in Louisville—an immersive experience in a bank featuring a blending room and unique cocktail service via ATM tube Maker's Mark became the first Official Spirits Partner of the Unrivaled women's basketball league, their first-ever sports league sponsorship Jack Daniel's Distillery Series #16, a Tennessee Rye, was released after finishing in Southern table syrup barrels (exclusive to Tennessee) Garrison Brothers released a limited-edition Spurs Single Barrel to celebrate the San Antonio Spurs' City Edition uniforms return Old Hickory launched two new age-stated whiskies: a 12-year Straight Rye BiB and a 15-year Barrel Proof Whiskey Ole Smoky Distillery expanded nationwide into the premium straight whiskey category with a four-year-old Tennessee Straight Bourbon Old Forester 117 Series released the Prohibition Era Still Proof at 130 proof, marking Repeal Day with a historic strength Cathead Distillery introduced Tintype #3 'Kenny Brown,' an 11-year, high-rye, uncut & unfiltered Old Soul Bourbon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all know music and whiskey just inherently go together, but how do you actually build a successful business around that synergy? In this episode, we're sitting down with Ryan Gill, the Director of Marketing and Brand Development for Three Chord Bourbon. Ryan’s journey is pretty cool because he started his life in music production. He takes us through his early days running liquor stores in Memphis, where he first saw the magic of music and whiskey intertwine, straight through to his current role leading brand vision at Three Chord. We get into the inception of Three Chord and where Neil Girlado becomes a face of it. Plus, we dive into their innovative tactics, from artist collaborations to cool limited releases, and he even pitches us some great ideas for immersive experiences, like acoustic sessions right there in the liquor store. I'm you're a huge music junkie, this one's for you. Show Notes: Ryan Gill's origins in retail and concert promotion Journey from liquor store manager to brand leader at Three Chord Bourbon The role of Dock 52 in his whiskey career Three Chord's mission to bridge music and whiskey cultures Creative branding strategies and artist collaborations Insights into the whiskey blending process Building community within the whiskey and music industries The concept of immersive retail experiences through acoustic sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We cracked open the 2025 Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon to see if this year’s blend lives up to the hype. Full tasting notes, honest reactions, and whether it’s worth chasing for $250. 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