Pour a glass and pull up a chair with Mark, Joe, Jeff, and Riley as they sip, squabble, and stumble through the wide world of bourbon. Each episode, the Beasts crack open a bottle - sometimes rare, sometimes budget, always bourbon. Dive into tasting notes, distillery lore, drinking history, and whatever nonsense comes up in between. Expect wisecracks, hot takes, and the occasional moment of insight. No scripts. No experts. Just three old friends (and one decent microphone) figuring it out as they go. New episodes every week(ish). Bring your own bottle.
Publisher
Jeff Cohen, Joe Holland, Mark Manfredi, Riley Heldenfels
Episode 11 - Infinity Bottles, Beginner Bourbons, and John Wick
This time the guys build on Joe's infinity bottle habit as Mark unveils his own 16 variety blend, complete with hand delivered samples and a decanter presentation. The crew swaps beginner bourbon recommendations for newcomers, from Buffalo Trace and Bulleit to Angel's Envy and Green River, then debates rye versus bourbon, revisits their rocky first impression of Evan Williams, and finally lands the answer to this week's fun fact, John Wick's go to bourbon. Add in some Jack Reacher talk, storage space complaints, and the usual ribbing, and you have another solid round with the crew.
10 Jun 2026
Episode 10 Pt. 2 - Bourbon Books, Split Pants and Rock-and-Roll Bourbon
In Part 2 of Episode 10, the conversation shifts from the glass to the bookshelf as the crew discusses bourbon author Fred Minnick, the history of Old Crow, bourbon storytelling, and the personalities shaping today's whiskey world.
The guys also dive into the changing bourbon industry, the rise of regional craft distilleries, and surprising facts about America's top bourbon-producing states. Along the way, Joe shares the story of his first golf outing in more than a decade - a tale involving company golf, torn pants, and unintended workplace comedy.
And finally, the mystery is solved: Joe reveals the iconic rock legend whose favorite bourbon was Rebel Yell.
More bourbon recommendations, more laughs, and more evidence that retirement may be the perfect time to become a full-time bourbon concierge.
3 Jun 2026
Episode 10 Pt. 1 - Award-Winning Bourbon and A Distillery Surprise
The Best of Bourbon crew is back with a packed episode featuring a live tasting of New Riff Kentucky Straight Bourbon-the recent winner of a major international whiskey award. The guys compare tasting notes, discuss whether bourbon competitions really matter, and share stories about tracking down bottles in Massachusetts, Texas, California, and beyond.
Along the way, Mark takes us inside Saint Augustine Distillery, a small independent Florida operation housed in a historic icehouse, where local craftsmanship, bourbon, rum, vodka, and even gin come together under one roof.
Plus, Joe kicks off a bourbon-themed rock-and-roll mystery: which legendary musician's bourbon of choice was Rebel Yell? The clues start here, but you'll have to tune in to Part 2 for the answer.
Join Mark, Joe, Jeff, and Riley for another round of bourbon, banter, and questionable math.
8 Apr 2026
Episode 09 - Budget Bottles and Bourbon Blunders
This week the crew proves (again) that you don’t need to spend big to drink well—diving into solid pours under $50, from Buffalo Trace to Green River and beyond. Along the way, things get… predictably off the rails. AI-powered tasting notes, charred oak glasses, a tragic infinity bottle mix-up, and a liquor store loophole worth knowing about. Plus, a little bourbon history with Harry Truman’s go-to pours, and the usual debate of purists vs. mixers. As always-good bourbon, questionable expertise.
8 Mar 2026
Episode 08 - New Bottles, Japanese Whisky, and Bourbon Semantics
This week, the crew swaps notes on recent bourbon finds and a mysterious “local” bottle that wasn’t so local after all. Riley and Jeff share stories from their whiskey adventures in Japan, and the group dives into some bourbon semantics while debating what really qualifies as bourbon. Along the way there are travel tales, budget bottle talk, and and plenty of banter round out the pours.
2 Mar 2026
Episode 07 - Infinity Bottle Unveiled and One Year on the Bourbon Trail
This week, the crew celebrates one year since their Bourbon Trail trip by finally unveiling the infinity bottle experiment. They swap tasting notes, debate proof and price points, talk merch mishaps, revisit Louisville favorites, and make plans for a return trip. Anniversary pours, big laughs, and just enough bourbon math to keep things interesting.
The Beasts are back with a blind taste test that surprises everyone—turns out this whiskey of the week hits different when you don't know what you're drinking. Joe updates the crew on his ever-evolving infinity bottle project (23 bourbons and counting), while the gang shares their favorite places to enjoy a pour, from backyard fire pits to kitchen counters to bars around the globe. Plus: laptop troubles, Rocky Horror nostalgia, and the eternal truth that there's no such thing as "plenty of bourbon."
24 Nov 2025
Episode 05 - WhistlePig and Lake Champlain
This week, the crew kicks off their annual Lake Champlain trip with a stop at the WhistlePig tasting room in Vermont. They talk through the flights they tried, the rye that surprised them, and what makes the distillery worth the detour, all while mixing in ferry stories, shifting weather, fishing plans, and their usual banter over a few good pours.
26 Oct 2025
Episode 03 - The Bourbon Trail pt. 3
Stories, laughs, and a few unexpected detours mark the final leg of the Bourbon Trail. The crew celebrates good whiskey, great company, and the memories made along the way.
26 Oct 2025
Episode 04 - Infinity Bottles, Lake Trips, and National Bourbon Week
This week, the crew dives into bourbon adventures near and far - from planning a lake trip through Vermont to tasting Whistlepig and exploring the mysterious infinity bottle. We share travel tales and toast to National Bourbon Week, all while keeping the banter flowing and the glasses full.
26 Oct 2025
Episode 01 - The Bourbon Trail pt. 1
We talk about launching your first project.
26 Oct 2025
Episode 02 - The Bourbon Trail pt. 2
The journey continues on the Bourbon Trail, with the crew uncovering hidden gems, debating the best pours, and proving that great whiskey pairs perfectly with sharper banter. More laughs, more pours, and Louisville tasting like a dream.
26 Oct 2025
Episode 00 - We Don't Know Jack (But We'll Drink Him Anyway)
We talk about launching your first project.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
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