Best Makersmark Podcasts (2026)

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476. New Year's Eve Sample Blowout: Calvados Casks to Mesquite Smoke 46:58

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2h ago46:58

46:58

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 and diving into four distinct and intriguing pours that range from experimental finishes to classic Kentucky pro…

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475. The Wrath of Todd: Tasting the Harden's Creek Trio 47:24

7d ago47:24

47:24

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 impact of warehouse location—or "terroir"—on whiskey. While there are no live guests in the studio, the episode fe…

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474. Grain-to-Glass in North Carolina: Southern Distilling's Story 57:15

8d ago57:15

57:15

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 largest privately owned distilleries, Southern Distilling balances a massive contract distilling operation with t…

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473. Revenge of the Maltmigos 1:00:08

15d ago1:00:08

1:00:08

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 diverse lineup of Irish whiskeys and Scotch whiskies, including a rare and experimental rye from a legendary I…

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472. Beam Me Up, Toddy: A Trek Through Jim Beam's 2025 Rarities 44:14

23d ago44:14

44:14

"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 spirits, the hosts explore how Eighth Generation Master Distiller Freddie Noe is pushing the boundaries of the fa…

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471. The Sample Safe: Unlocking Lost Lantern's Fall 2025 Collection 57:53

30d ago57:53

57:53

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 on American Single Malt, showcasing the incredible diversity and maturity of the category across seven distinct …

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470. Jim Returns for a Winner Winner Chicken Dinner 46:06

1M ago46:06

46:06

Jim Shannon is back in the saddle at the Corner Rick House! After a week of travel, he rejoins Todd Ritter to recap Todd's recent solo history lesson and, more importantly, to dive into a "Winner Winner Chicken Dinner" review show featuring four distinct and intriguing whiskeys. From new brands with legendary backing to rare single-barrel finds, th…

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469. Bourbon on the Banks 2025: The Official Wrap-Up 50:39

1M ago50:39

50:39

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 "postmortem" of the 2025 festival, discussing its record-breaking successes, logistical challenges, and plans …

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468. E.H. Taylor's Rule of the Regions 37:50

2M ago37:50

37:50

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 industry updates before sampling a unique experimental whiskey. He covers the Lost Lantern "Scotch Lover's" Fall 2…

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467. Tricks, Treats & Whiskey Neat: A Bourbon Road Halloween 56:40

2M ago56:40

56:40

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 friends and sourced from local stops. It's a spooky season showdown as they taste through a diverse and high-proof …

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466. Blending Masters: Inside Barrel Craft Spirits with Joe and Tripp 1:07:35

2M ago1:07:35

1:07:35

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 listeners a chance to hear directly from the minds behind the brand. Joe and Tripp share the origin story of Barrel …

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465. Rocking with Bluegrass Distillers in Midway 1:17:43

2M ago1:17:43

1:17:43

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 evolution and taste through a stellar lineup of their unique whiskeys. Sam shares the story of their new home, a histor…

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464. An Evening with a Ghost: The E.H. Taylor, Jr. Story 1:13:50

3M ago1:13:50

1:13:50

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 Cemetery, the Colonel joins the show to tell his incredible life story in his own words. He recounts his early life,…

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463. Sweet Rye, Cigar Blends, and Industry Buzz 54:46

3M ago54:46

54:46

Jim and Todd are back together in the Bourbon Road bar for a tasting flight of five unique whiskeys, along with a roundup of the latest bourbon industry news. They kick off the night with the Brothers Bond Regenerative Grain Bourbon. This 92-proof, four-year-old expression is a four-grain blend of wheated and high-rye bourbons from 70 barrels hand-…

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462. Smoked Bourbon, White Wine Rye, and a Trip Abroad 57:26

3M ago57:26

57:26

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 with original Bourbon Road co-host Randy, from backpacking and train travel to attending the World Belgian Beer Fe…

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461. Hunting for Laughs with the Bourbon Hunters 1:11:24

3M ago1:11:24

1:11:24

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 their very first legacy distillery barrel pick as a podcast, a fantastic Old Forester 100-proof single barrel selec…

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460. Ranking the Titans: Old Forester Birthday vs. Bardstown Hokkaido 48:13

4M ago48:13

48:13

Join hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter at the Corner Rick House for a powerhouse sample review show on The Bourbon Road. The guys are finally catching up on their sample backlog and are tasting four tremendous, high-profile whiskeys that listeners will not want to miss. From a coveted annual release to a unique cigar blend and a Mizunara-finished m…

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459. Uncorking the Festival: A Preview of Bourbon on the Banks with Diane Strong 56:37

4M ago56:37

56:37

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 an exclusive preview of the highly anticipated 2025 Bourbon on the Banks Festival. Diane gives listeners the ul…

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458. Back to Lexington: Four Pours at RD1 Distillery 1:12:38

4M ago1:12:38

1:12:38

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, things have evolved. The distillery has expanded its footprint, sharpened its brand, and doubled down on innovation …

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457. Beyond the Barrel: Tasting with Delysia Chocolatier 53:03

5M ago53:03

53:03

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 of the Austin-based Delysia Chocolatier. In a fascinating twist, Nicole reveals that her journey to becoming a…

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Uncle Nearest Legal Battle Shakes Whiskey World 1:00:22

5M ago1:00:22

1:00:22

Will and Greeze dive headfirst into the chaos rocking the whiskey world, from distillery bankruptcies and shifting consumer trends to the explosive legal battle facing Uncle Nearest. As they unpack a headline-grabbing New York Post article about Kentucky's $9 billion whiskey industry facing a Gen Z-fueled crisis, the hosts reflect on dropping sales…

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456. The Roadies Decide: A Bourbon Flight to Remember 1:06:33

5M ago1:06:33

1:06:33

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 releases, this episode explores everything from elegant bottled-in-bond bourbons to wheat whiskeys with a moder…

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455. Four Pours, Four Places: From Cody to the Lone Star 48:02

5M ago48:02

48:02

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 rickhouses of Kentucky and the bold, sun-soaked warehouses of Texas, this episode offers a full-flavored exploration…

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454. An Evening at Rare Eagle 2.0 1:07:14

5M ago1:07:14

1:07:14

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 have spoken—literally. The episode features five top-shelf, extra-aged bourbons selected through a Bourbon Roadies …

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The Age Statement Renaissance 1:00:38

5M ago1:00:38

1:00:38

Welcome back, whiskey lovers! In this episode of The PodCask, Will and Greeze dive headfirst into the resurgence of age statements in the world of bourbon and American whiskey. The conversation kicks off with some friendly banter about recent whiskey competitions, family reunions, and updates from summer break, before they get right to the big whis…

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Tennessee Gets Ready: Inside the 2025 Southern Whiskey Society Experience 47:42

5M ago47:42

47:42

In this lively episode, Will and Greeze are joined by none other than Tiny Irwin, the force behind Southern Whiskey Society—the South's most anticipated whiskey and food event. The trio dives right into sharing laughs, personal anecdotes, and, of course, plenty of whiskey wisdom. Tiny opens up about the evolution of Southern Whiskey Society, teasin…

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Whiskey, History, and Hidden Stories: Inside Jack Daniel's with Historian Nelson Eddy 1:20:01

5M ago1:20:01

1:20:01

In this special episode, hosts Will and Greeze sit down with a truly unique guest: Nelson Eddy, the official historian for Jack Daniels. Nelson has been immersed in the world of Jack Daniels for an astonishing 38 years, making him a walking encyclopedia of all things related to this iconic American whiskey. In this episode, you'll hear how Nelson's…

Makersmark Podcasts

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The Bourbon Road

The Bourbon Road

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The PodCask: a Podcast About Whiskey

Whiskeytainment, LLC

1
476. New Year's Eve Sample Blowout: Calvados Casks to Mesquite Smoke 46:58

1
475. The Wrath of Todd: Tasting the Harden's Creek Trio 47:24

1
474. Grain-to-Glass in North Carolina: Southern Distilling's Story 57:15

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473. Revenge of the Maltmigos 1:00:08

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472. Beam Me Up, Toddy: A Trek Through Jim Beam's 2025 Rarities 44:14

1
471. The Sample Safe: Unlocking Lost Lantern's Fall 2025 Collection 57:53

1
470. Jim Returns for a Winner Winner Chicken Dinner 46:06

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469. Bourbon on the Banks 2025: The Official Wrap-Up 50:39

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468. E.H. Taylor's Rule of the Regions 37:50

1
467. Tricks, Treats & Whiskey Neat: A Bourbon Road Halloween 56:40

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466. Blending Masters: Inside Barrel Craft Spirits with Joe and Tripp 1:07:35

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465. Rocking with Bluegrass Distillers in Midway 1:17:43

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464. An Evening with a Ghost: The E.H. Taylor, Jr. Story 1:13:50

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463. Sweet Rye, Cigar Blends, and Industry Buzz 54:46

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462. Smoked Bourbon, White Wine Rye, and a Trip Abroad 57:26

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461. Hunting for Laughs with the Bourbon Hunters 1:11:24

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460. Ranking the Titans: Old Forester Birthday vs. Bardstown Hokkaido 48:13

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459. Uncorking the Festival: A Preview of Bourbon on the Banks with Diane Strong 56:37

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458. Back to Lexington: Four Pours at RD1 Distillery 1:12:38

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457. Beyond the Barrel: Tasting with Delysia Chocolatier 53:03

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Uncle Nearest Legal Battle Shakes Whiskey World 1:00:22

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456. The Roadies Decide: A Bourbon Flight to Remember 1:06:33

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455. Four Pours, Four Places: From Cody to the Lone Star 48:02

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454. An Evening at Rare Eagle 2.0 1:07:14

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The Age Statement Renaissance 1:00:38

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Tennessee Gets Ready: Inside the 2025 Southern Whiskey Society Experience 47:42

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Whiskey, History, and Hidden Stories: Inside Jack Daniel's with Historian Nelson Eddy 1:20:01