The Bourbon Road
Food
About
The Bourbon Road is two friends sharing pours and good stories with interesting guests. Each week we sip on bourbon while talking with celebrities, musicians, chefs, authors, industry experts and everyone in between. If bourbon makes it better... or even the other way around, then we want to talk about it.
Episodes
- 498. Spirits of Lawrenceburg: A Bourbon Legacy Forged Through Time
Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter welcome listeners back to the Corner Rickhouse for a special episode centered around the upcoming documentary Spirits of Lawrenceburg: A Bourbon Legacy Forged Through Time . Joining them are Jerry Daniels of Sto…
- 497. Single Barrel Season: Previewing Bourbon on the Banks with Diane Strong
Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter welcome back two familiar faces to the corner of Rick House in Frankfort: Diane Strong, the driving force behind the Bourbon on the Banks Festival, and Bo Cumberland, the festival's videographer and distillery f…
- 496. Summer Sippers: Five Finished Whiskeys for Hot Days and Cool Nights
Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter settle into the Bourbon Road bar for a warm-weather tasting session built around one unifying theme: light-proof, finished whiskeys perfect for summer sipping. The pair reconnect after Jim's trip to Branson and…
- 495. Heritage Showdown: Jack Daniel's, Knob Creek, Maker's Mark & Evan Williams
Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter are back at the Corner Rickhouse in Frankfort, Kentucky, just down the road from Buffalo Trace, settling in for a heritage distillery tasting that spans from the hills of Lynchburg, Tennessee, all the way throug…
- 494. Wheel Horse and Copper & Cask: Four Bottles That Punch Way Above Their Price
In episode 494 of The Bourbon Road, hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter are joined by Stephen Corrigan, Barrel Master for Latitude Beverage LLC. They conduct a deep dive into two of Latitude
- 493. All Rye Everything: Short Barrel, New Riff, Frey Ranch & More
The Bourbon Road episode 493 features hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter discussing five rye whiskeys. The episode covers expressions from Short Barrel, New Riff, Frey Ranch, and Pursuit United, detailing their tasting notes, mash bills, an…
- 492. Old Glory Distilling Co: Clarksville's Grain-to-Glass Story with Devin Puckett
Devin Puckett from Old Glory Distilling Co. discusses the distillery's founding, including a pivot to hand sanitizer production during COVID-19 which funded equipment. The episode features tastings of Old Glory Tennessee Bourbon Small Batc…
- 491. Five Premium Pours: From Gatsby to Garryana Oak
The Bourbon Road episode "Five Premium Pours: From Gatsby to Garryana Oak" reviews six bourbons. Selections include Remus Gatsby Reserve, Old Forester High Angel Share Rye, Bardstown Bourbon Company Cascadia Garriana Oak, Redemption 10 Yea…
- 490. The Hazmat Flight: Tasting Lost Lantern's Highest Proof Releases
Welcome back to another exciting episode of The Bourbon Road! This week, hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter are broadcasting from the Corner Rickhouse at the Frankfort Bourbon Society. They are joined by a very special recurring guest and f…
- 489. A Four-State Craft Whiskey Tour with Drew Hannush
Welcome back to another episode of The Bourbon Road! This week, hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter are broadcasting from the Corner Rickhouse at the Frankfort Bourbon Society. Joining them for his sixth appearance is a great friend of the s…
- 488. Building a Bourbon Legacy: Saga Spirits Group with Wes and Brian
Welcome back to another incredible episode of The Bourbon Road! This week, hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter are back in the studio together to host a true double-header featuring two fantastic guests and some phenomenal whiskey. We are ho…
- 487. Overholt Overload: Tasting the 10, 11, and 12-Year Cask Strength Ryes
Welcome back to The Bourbon Road! This week, hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter are diving deep into the history and flavor of one of America's most iconic whiskey brands. We are keeping a long-overdue promise to our listeners by doing a si…
- 486. The Return of the King: Tasting King of Kentucky Small Batches
Welcome back to another episode of The Bourbon Road! After a brief hiatus, the man, the myth, the legend—Jim Shannon—is officially back in the host chair. Jim recently returned from a trip to Florida, where he experienced the wild swings o…
- 485. Bonding Over Bourbon: Dusty Old Crow, Angel's Envy, and Old Dominick
Welcome back to another episode of the Bourbon Road podcast! This week, Todd Ritter is holding down the fort solo while Jim Shannon escapes to warmer weather. But Todd isn't drinking alone at the Bourbon Road bar; he's joined by two fantas…
- 484. Exploring the Three Chamber Rye and High West Cask Strength
Welcome back to The Bourbon Road! This week, Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter are back in the Corner Rickhouse at the Frankfort Bourbon Society for a classic review episode. With a lineup of four highly distinct and highly anticipated expressio…
- 483. Craft Innovation & Contract Kings: Inside Lofted Spirits
Welcome back to another exciting episode of The Bourbon Road! This week, hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter are joined by a special guest, Pete Marino, the President of Lofted Spirits. If the name Lofted Spirits sounds new to you, you aren'…
- 482. From the Battlefield to the Bottle: A Journey to Perryville, Kentucky
Welcome to another exciting episode of The Bourbon Road! This week, hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter hit the road, navigating a snowy and icy Kentucky winter to visit the historic Sugarbush Farm in Perryville, Kentucky. They are joined by…
- 481. Back in the Saddle: Jim Returns for a 4-Bottle Review
Welcome back to the Bourbon Road! The long wait is officially over—Jim Shannon has returned from his Dry January hiatus, and he's ready to make up for lost time. Rejoining Todd Ritter in the Bourbon Road bar, the duo wastes no time getting…
- 480. Bonjour Bourbon: A Deep Dive into French Oak Finishing
Bonjour and welcome to another episode of The Bourbon Road! With Jim still observing Dry January, Todd Ritter is flying solo in the host chair—but he's certainly not drinking alone. To help him navigate a deep dive into the world of French…
- 479. The Narrator, The Historian and The Guide
Welcome back to the Bourbon Road! In this episode, your host Todd Ritter is flying solo while Jim takes a brief hiatus for Dry January. But don't worry—Todd isn't drinking alone. He has recruited two heavy hitters from the world of whiskey…
- 478. Travel Guide to Experiencing American Whiskey
Jim and Todd welcome back a familiar face to the Bourbon Road: Drew Hannush, the host of the Whiskey Lore podcast and author of the massive new travel compendium, Experiencing American Whiskey . With the 2026 edition of his book hot off th…
- 477. Whiskey of the Year 2025: The Top 5 Countdown
It's the most anticipated episode of the year! Jim and Todd return to the Bourbon Road bar to ring in the New Year and unveil their 2025 Whiskey of the Year. After a marathon year of reviewing nearly 200 different spirits—including 121 bou…
- 476. New Year's Eve Sample Blowout: Calvados Casks to Mesquite Smoke
Happy New Year from The Bourbon Road! Jim and Todd ring in the New Year at the Bourbon Road bar with one final sample show to close out 2025. With the "Whiskey of the Year" episode just around the corner, the hosts are clearing the decks a…
- 475. The Wrath of Todd: Tasting the Harden's Creek Trio
Jim and Todd return to the Bourbon Road bar for a sequel to their recent Jim Beam tasting, dubbing this episode "The Wrath of Todd" With the holiday season in full swing, the hosts settle in for a sample show dedicated to exploring the imp…
- 474. Grain-to-Glass in North Carolina: Southern Distilling's Story
Jim and Todd welcome Pete Barger, co-founder of Southern Distilling Company, to the show for a deep dive into the history and revival of Statesville, North Carolina—once known as the "Liquor Capital of the World". As one of the nation's la…
- 473. Revenge of the Maltmigos
The "Maltmigos" ride again! Jim and Todd welcome back recurring guests and fellow whiskey lovers, Amsey and Rob, for a long-awaited reunion show. Dubbed "The Revenge of the Maltmigos," this episode strays from the bourbon path to explore a…
- 472. Beam Me Up, Toddy: A Trek Through Jim Beam's 2025 Rarities
"Beam me up, Toddy!" Jim and Todd embark on a voyage to the final frontier of flavor with an epic tasting of four highly anticipated limited releases from the James B. Beam Distilling Co. In a show packed with Star Trek puns and serious sp…
- 471. The Sample Safe: Unlocking Lost Lantern's Fall 2025 Collection
Jim and Todd return to the "Corner Rick House" for a massive tasting session, cracking open the "Sample Safe" to explore Lost Lantern's Fall 2025 Collection. Dubbed "The Scotch Lovers' Collection," this ambitious release focuses entirely o…
- 469. Bourbon on the Banks 2025: The Official Wrap-Up
Jim and Todd sit down for their annual "Bourbon on the Banks" wrap-up show, joined by two key figures behind the successful event, Diane Strong and Renee True. As longtime listeners and friends of the show, Diane and Renee dive deep into a…
- 468. E.H. Taylor's Rule of the Regions
Host Todd Ritter flies solo in this special episode, taking listeners on a journey through the latest bourbon news and a deep dive into whiskey history. With Jim out of town, Todd kicks off the first half by tackling a massive slate of ind…
- 467. Tricks, Treats & Whiskey Neat: A Bourbon Road Halloween
Join Jim and Todd in the "ghastly" Bourbon Road bar for a special Halloween episode filled with tricks, treats, and plenty of spirits! Instead of candy, their trick-or-treat bag is filled with five unique whiskey expressions shared by frie…
- 466. Blending Masters: Inside Barrel Craft Spirits with Joe and Tripp
Jim and Todd welcome Joe Beatrice, Founder, and Tripp Stimson, Chief Whiskey Scientist, from the highly acclaimed Barrel Craft Spirits to the studio. While their award-winning whiskeys have graced the show before, this episode offers liste…
- 465. Rocking with Bluegrass Distillers in Midway
Jim and Todd take the show on the road to the beautiful Elkwood Farm in Midway, Kentucky, home of Bluegrass Distillers. They sit down with friend of the show Sam Rock for his third appearance to discuss the distillery's incredible evolutio…
- 464. An Evening with a Ghost: The E.H. Taylor, Jr. Story
In a very special episode, host Todd Ritter travels back in time to sit down with a true titan of the bourbon industry: the ghost of Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. himself. Taking a brief leave from his permanent residence in the Frankfort Cemet…
- 462. Smoked Bourbon, White Wine Rye, and a Trip Abroad
Jim is back from his worldly travels, and he's not just returning to work—he's returning to bourbon after a two-week hiatus filled with Belgian beers and French wine. He recounts his trip through Amsterdam, Brussels, Germany, and Paris wit…
- 461. Hunting for Laughs with the Bourbon Hunters
This week, host Todd Ritter flies solo while Jim Shannon is on vacation in Europe. He's joined by special guests Dude Pool and JD Fritches, two of the hosts from the popular Bourbon Hunters podcast. The guys kick things off by tasting thei…
- 459. Uncorking the Festival: A Preview of Bourbon on the Banks with Diane Strong
Join hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter on another episode of The Bourbon Road podcast, recorded live from the Corner Rick House in Frankfort, Kentucky. They are joined by a special returning guest and friend of the show, Diane Strong, for…
- 458. Back to Lexington: Four Pours at RD1 Distillery
In this episode of The Bourbon Road, hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter hit the road and set up their mics at the beautiful RD1 Distillery in Lexington, Kentucky. It's a return visit for RD1—last featured in Episode 340—but this time, thing…
- 457. Beyond the Barrel: Tasting with Delysia Chocolatier
This week, hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter venture down a sweeter path on The Bourbon Road podcast for a truly decadent and educational experience. They are joined by a very special guest, Nicole Patel, the founder and master chocolatier…
- 456. The Roadies Decide: A Bourbon Flight to Remember
In this community-powered tasting, The Bourbon Road hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter dive into five fan-voted pours—each selected by members of their Bourbon Roadies Facebook group. With a lineup that spans both heritage and experimental…
- 455. Four Pours, Four Places: From Cody to the Lone Star
In this region-spanning tasting session, The Bourbon Road hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter guide listeners through four American whiskeys that each bring something unique to the table. From the high plains of Wyoming to the oak-rich rickh…
- 454. An Evening at Rare Eagle 2.0
In this special episode of The Bourbon Road , hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter reunite with returning guest Rob Carter at the beloved Rare Eagle Bar for a crowd-powered tasting experience unlike any other. But this time, the listeners hav…
- 453. From Goa to Glasgow: The Maltmigos Ride Again
In this globe-trotting episode of The Bourbon Road , hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter are joined once again by Rob Carter, one-third of the "Maltmigos," for a single malt tasting session that travels from the Himalayas to the Highlands. T…
- 452. Mother of Bourbon: A Whiskey Story Worth Telling
In this captivating episode of The Bourbon Road , hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter sit down with Rabbit Hole founder Kaveh Zamanian at the distillery's stunning downtown Louisville location for a twofold journey: one through the glass, an…
- 451. From Ground to Glass: Inside Lost Lantern's Summer Collection Part 2
In this episode of The Bourbon Road, Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter return for Part Two of their deep dive into Lost Lantern's 2025 Summer Collection — and this time, it's all about the rye. The duo tastes through a curated lineup of four sta…
- 450. From Ground to Glass: Inside Lost Lantern's Summer Collection Part 1
In this week's episode of The Bourbon Road , Jim and Todd settle into the Bourbon Road Bar with four exciting pours—all part of Lost Lantern's 2025 Summer Collection. Known for spotlighting unique, independently bottled whiskeys, Lost Lant…
- 449. Estate Grown & Climate Controlled: The Innovative Spirit of Minden Mill
In this episode of the Bourbon Road podcast, hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter are joined by Joe O'Sullivan, Master Distiller at Minden Mill Distilling, for an in-depth exploration of their unique Nevada-born spirits. This episode offers a…