This week on The Bourbon Showdown Podcast, we welcome Bardstown Bourbon Company back to the show as Director of Distillation & Head Distiller Nick Smith joins us in Charlotte, NC to talk all things Bardstown.

Nick walks us through his journey to the head distiller chair and shares how Bardstown Bourbon Company has built a reputation for exceptional whiskey through transparency, innovation, and a bold vision from day one. As one of the OG's of this brand, Nick offers firsthand insight into how the brand was built, the philosophy behind their process, and their mission to bring truly outstanding whiskey to whiskey lovers everywhere.

It’s a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most forward-thinking distilleries in America — and a true whiskey masterclass you won’t want to miss.

This week on The Bourbon Showdown Podcast, we pop the top with the team behind the whiskey brand that has been voted the “Best in the World” — Never Say Die Bourbon.

Brian Luftman from Lexington and his UK counterpart Martha Dalton sit down with us to do a deep dive on the incredible origin story behind this award-winning brand — a story that truly has everything. From horse racing and royalty to the Beatles and a transatlantic bourbon voyage.

Never Say Die packs a lot of flavor into each pour and we dive right as we crack open both their Bourbon and Rye, discussing mash bills, barrels, and the journey this whiskey makes from grain to glass.

So grab a glass and get ready for another flavor-packed episode of The Bourbon Showdown Podcast.

This week on The Bourbon Showdown Podcast, Jesse sits down with whiskey maker Ari Sussman of Whiskey JYPSI to pop the top and pour through the new LEGACY Batch 003: The Declaration.

Jesse and Ari dive into the brand’s history and explore how Ari and Eric Church have worked tirelessly since day one to craft a true bourbon symphony—creating a volumetric, 3D whiskey experience with every release. Legacy Batch 3 is a perfect showcase of that passion and precision. Along the way, Ari drops a few Easter eggs hidden within this release, some dating all the way back to Revolutionary times, as the two break down the mash bill, grains, barrels, and the meticulous blending that brings this whiskey to life.

It’s a flavor-packed, behind-the-scenes conversation filled with great stories, Eric Church moments, and some seriously memorable pours. So pour yourself a big pour of Whiskey JYPSI and get ready for this week’s episode of The Bourbon Showdown Podcast.

This week on The Bourbon Showdown Podcast, Jesse Jones sits down with — 8th Generation Master Distiller of James B. Beam Distilling Co., Freddie Noe!

Jesse and Freddie dive deep into the Beam legacy while sipping on the ultra-rare Knob Creek 21 Year. Freddie shares his journey to the Master Distiller chair, the philosophy behind Booker’s, Knob Creek, Little Book, and his experimental Infinity Series, and what it takes to carry forward one of bourbon’s most iconic family lineages.

It’s a flavor packed, behind-the-scenes conversation filled with stories, insight, and some seriously great pours. So pour yourself a big pour of your favorite Beam and get ready for this weeks Bourbon Showdown Podcast.

This week on The Bourbon Showdown, we’re joined by Kaveh Zamanian, Founder of Rabbit Hole Distillery. We crack open the new Amrulé Rye, finished in Maple Brûlé casks, and dive into Kaveh’s journey from hospitality and psychology to building one of Kentucky’s most distinctive whiskey brands.

We talk about the evolving whiskey landscape, what sets Rabbit Hole apart, and how thoughtful branding paired with exceptional liquid creates a truly standout experience. It’s a fun, insightful conversation as we follow Kaveh down the Rabbit Hole on this week’s Bourbon Showdown.

This week we welcome Majure Markow and Old Soul Bourbon back to The Bourbon Showdown for another deep dive into Mississippi whiskey, music, and the stories that shape both. The conversation ranges from Old Soul’s journey to the blues-inspired Tintype Series #3 release, featuring bluesman Kenny Brown, and the music infused whiskey making ideology behind the brand. Jesse and Majure taste through Tintype #3 and a few surprise bottles along the way, breaking down flavor, inspiration, and what makes Old Soul stand out on the shelf.

This week we welcome Master Distiller Becky Harris from Catoctin Creek to the show to talk all things Virginia whiskey! We go through not just the history of Catoctin Creek but Becky takes me through the history of whiskey in Virginia! It is a fantastic conversation filled with whiskey history, whiskey production and of course good people sharing pours! We dive into some delicious Catoctin Rye starting at the 80 proof and working our way up to the cask proof! We do a deep dive what makes this rye stand out and what separates it from other ryes on the shelf all while drinking through some goodness and having a damn good time! So get ready because it’s the first Bourbon Showdown of the New year and I can’t think of a better way to start the year than with a pour of amazing whiskey! So lets go to Virginia on this weeks Bourbon Showdown podcast!

This week on the Bourbon Showdown Podcast, I’m joined by Murphy Quint , Master Blender & Director of Operations at Cedar Ridge Distillery to talk about the tastiest whiskey coming out of Iowa! Murphy’s been in the game since before “craft” was king, and he walks me through Cedar Ridge’s journey—from proving great whiskey could come from outside Kentucky and Tennessee to becoming the number one whiskey in their home state. We talk about staying true to the core expressions while still dropping banger after banger, and then we do what we always do on this show when we’re hanging with good people talking good whiskey… we drink it. We’re cracking into The QuintEssential Special Release No. 5 and their Amontillado Sherry Finished Bourbon—two absolutely beautiful pours—plus some stories and all-star moments from Murphy’s whiskey past. Damn good conversation, damn good whiskey on this weeks Bourbon Showdown Podcast!