In this week’s pour, we’re diving deep into the story of a modern bourbon powerhouse: Bardstown Bourbon Company. What started as a contract distillery quietly crafting premium bourbon for over 30 other brands has transformed into one of the most innovative and transparent producers in the game.

We rewind to 2014 to trace Bardstown’s bold mission to become the “Napa Valley of Bourbon,” unpack the unique DNA behind their Origin Series High Wheat Bourbon, and break down why this six-year, wheated gem is earning rave reviews at just over $50 a bottle.

For more about the Bourbon Playbook Podcast, visit tbplaybook.com.

In this week's edition of The Bourbon Playbook, the guys explore the unique connection between the beer- and whiskey-making process, and uncover a famous Midwest brewery famous for turning its famous stout into a legendary pour of brown juice!

Join hosts Ryan O'Leary and Mike Zika for new episodes every Tuesday, and be sure to drop the guys a dram at tbplaybook.com.

On this week's episode of the pod, the guys put a highly sought-after toasted barrel bourbon under the microscope. It’s got the accolades, the cult following and a flavor profile that promises toasted marshmallow heaven… but does it deliver?

Hosts Ryan O'Leary and Mike Zika break down the history, the hype, and the hot takes from the internet—because not every unicorn bottle is a golden pour.

Check us out and drop us a dram at tbplaybook.com.

This week, join us as we dive into a bourbon that carries the name of a true American firebrand. From frontier distillers to tax revolts, hosts Ryan O'Leary and Mike Zika uncover the story of a man who stood against the system, only to become a legend in the process. But does the bourbon named in his honor live up to the hype?

The guys break down the origins of this cask-strength pour, explore its mysterious sourcing, and put it to the test on the Essential 5 (E5) Scale. Is this bourbon Hype or Hogwash? Pour a glass and join Mike and Ryan as they sip, debate, and decide! 🥃🔥

For more and to support the pod, visit tbplaybook.com.

This week, we’re diving into the history of one of the most notorious figures in bourbon—and crime—history. Before Prohibition, he was a respected lawyer. During it, he became the “King of the Bootleggers,” controlling nearly a third of all illegal liquor in the U.S.

His story is filled with fortune, betrayal, and even murder. And now, his legacy lives on in a high-proof bourbon that’s just as bold as his past.

Join the guys as they break down the rise, fall and redemption of this whiskey legend — and, of course, give their takes on whether his namesake bourbon is worth the hype. Grab a glass, because this pour comes with one hell of a backstory!

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This week on The Bourbon Playbook, the guys dive into a bourbon with deep Irish roots and Kentucky heritage—one that’s aged to perfection and wrapped in Bottled-in-Bond prestige. We’re talking about a whiskey that went from a $30 sleeper pick to an award-winning, must-have bottle practically overnight.

Some bottles are more than just bourbon — they’re stories poured into a glass. This week, the guys dive into a whiskey with a legacy so rich, it was almost lost in time. From a hidden pioneer in distilling history to one of the most awarded brands today, this pour is as bold as the man behind it.

Join us as we celebrate Black History Month while uncovering the truth behind a master distiller’s forgotten influence, the technique that shaped an entire style of whiskey, and how one brand is making sure his name is never lost again (just maybe not the right one).

In this week's episode:

3:25 — Zika's Pour of the Week

7:45 — O'Leary's Pour of the Week

19:25 — Bourbon of the Week

22:40 — Bourbon History

33:00 — Tasting Notes

42:40 — Aging and Mash Bill

44:45 — E5 Scale Rating

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Recognized for its award-winning French oak stave finishing process, this week's pour brings a sophisticated yet spicy profile to the table. Join hosts Ryan O'Leary and Mike Zika as they explore a unique and rapidly growing brand in the Bourbon world.

In this week's episode:

2:30 — Super Bowl pours

17:30 — Bourbon of the Week

19:30 — History

24:30 — Let's talk MGP (Midwest Grain Products)

32:00 — Tasting Notes

39:00 — E5 Scale Ratings