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What happens when you line up four Buffalo Trace pours—two store barrel picks and two standard releases—and taste them blind? We set the table with numbered glasses, a few strong opinions, and a lot of curiosity, then let our palates do the talking. The result: clear favorites, a couple of surprises, and a deeper respect for how consistency and character can both shine in a bourbon lineup.

We start with a nod to Detroit’s evolving scene, from a hidden speakeasy behind a cooler door to the energy pulsing through neighborhood spots. Then we pay tribute to Freddie Johnson, the beloved Buffalo Trace storyteller whose family promise and warmth inspired us to make this a Trace-focused happy hour. Along the way, we unpack the brand’s roots, from river shipments to Colonel E. H. Taylor’s push for standards, and why that history still matters when you pick a bottle off the shelf today.

The tasting itself is where the fun takes off. One pour hits with extra spice and depth—classic “store pick” swagger. Another leans into the dependable Buffalo Trace profile: balanced caramel, soft oak, a comfortable finish. Side by side, the differences become vivid and personal. We debate whether airline minis differ from 750s, talk proof and palate, and confront the pricing paradox that turns fair MSRPs into chase bottles. Most importantly, we celebrate opening bottles instead of hoarding them—especially when signatures and sales help good causes like cemetery restoration tied to Freddie’s work.

If you love bourbon, Buffalo Trace, Detroit cocktail culture, or you’re just bourbon-curious, this one’s for you. Hit play to hear the full blind reveal, our favorites, and a few travel and community stories that keep the glasses clinking. If you dig the vibe, subscribe, share with a whiskey‑loving friend, and drop your pick for best value bourbon—we’ll shout out our favorite takes next week.

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Jamie Flanagan @DJJamieDetroit

Matt Fox @fox_beazlefox

August Gitschlag @rawgusto

Merch www.WearingFunny.com

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A room that used to hide barrels now hides something better: a city’s heartbeat. We slide behind The Wine Garden into a bar that feels like a password, pour a round, and meet the people turning cocktails into community for veterans who deserve more than a thank‑you. The night hums with games, laughter, and a serious purpose as Crown Royal’s hand‑painted single barrels tour Detroit, raising funds and awareness alongside care‑bag drives.

Jim—26 years across the Army and Navy—pulls back the curtain on Mission Roll Call’s model: connect locally, amplify nationally, and keep veteran issues on the desks that matter. He walks us through how the Detroit art scene brought twenty barrels to life, why each event invites guests to donate nonperishables, and where you can see and bid on the pieces that might redefine your home bar. We share the stops, the links, and the easy ways to get involved right now.

Between sips, we explore mindful options with Little Saints’ zero‑proof line, including Saint Oak’s old fashioned profile built on lion’s mane, reishi, and Damiana—rich flavor without the alcohol. Then we dive into the cocktail program that makes this hidden room sing: Smoke and Mirrors, a smoked old fashioned with Bulleit 10 Year, fig, orange, and bitters; Code Black, weaving Johnnie Walker Black with espresso and amaro; and Classified, a crisp, layered blend of vodka and aromatized wines with Meyer lemon. Tony’s vision anchors it all—a back bar curated over years, multiple expressions for true tasting flights, branded garnishes, and a QR‑driven list that turns curiosity into discovery.

Come for the secret bar. Stay for the veterans it uplifts. Tap play, share with a friend who loves Detroit, whiskey, or good causes, and drop a review so more people can find the show. Then tell us: which cocktail—or barrel—would you claim for your own?

Support the show

https://linktr.ee/ManCaveHappyHour

www.ManCaveHappyHour.com

Jamie Flanagan @DJJamieDetroit

Matt Fox @fox_beazlefox

August Gitschlag @rawgusto

Merch www.WearingFunny.com

Send us a text

A brown bag, a number on the cap, and a chorus of guesses—there’s something electric about a blind pour. We crack open day one of a whiskey advent exchange and let the senses lead: orange peel peeks out, a warm glide crawls across the palate, and debate kicks off about proof, finish, and whether banana means Jack or something sneakier. The best part isn’t being right; it’s how a room full of notes sharpens your own.

From there, we move into holiday-hosting reality. Picture a house that’s seen forty-plus at dinner, a bar that has to move fast, and a menu that keeps guests happy without burying you in prep. We road-test a Grand Marnier Old Fashioned—bourbon split with orange cognac liqueur, bitters riding shotgun, a Luxardo cherry when you want depth over peel—and dial the ratios so the bourbon still sings. Pair it with one bright spritz and you’ve got a complete, flexible playbook that turns a busy day into effortless hospitality.

Along the way we get honest about collecting and taste: why high-proof bottles are fun to try but not always the bottles you live with, how to build a shelf you actually pour from, and what makes a drink memorable: balance, intention, and a table that welcomes everyone. We also zoom out to creative work: keeping a podcast consistent, defining goals before gear, and curating an Irish music stream that respects real artists in an age of AI shortcuts. It’s all connected—taste, trust, and the communities we build around them.

Raise a glass with us, steal a cocktail idea, and join the conversation. If you enjoy the show, subscribe, share it with a friend who loves bourbon, and leave a quick review to help more whiskey fans find us. Cheers.

Support the show

https://linktr.ee/ManCaveHappyHour

www.ManCaveHappyHour.com

Jamie Flanagan @DJJamieDetroit

Matt Fox @fox_beazlefox

August Gitschlag @rawgusto

Merch www.WearingFunny.com