This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief saddles up and rides into the Hemingway Hideout for a straight-shooting, cork-popping conversation with Kevin and Ken Hemingway — two brothers with a taste for bold pours and even bolder opinions. They are not marketing executives with polished taglines — they are full-blooded whiskey enthusiasts who live for the hunt, the crack of a fresh cork, and the kind of stories that only come after the second glass.

Together, we tear into the wild world of whiskey marketing — the magazine spreads that make you dream, the in-store tastings that hook you, the whiskey festivals that drain your wallet (and fill your heart), and the podcasts that keep the conversation alive. The Hemingways share their unfiltered take on what works, what misses the mark, and how brands could better connect with the people who actually buy the bottles.

All the while, we work our way through four powerhouse pours handpicked by the Pour Decisions Rickhouse group on Facebook:

• Dettling – a bold Alabama bourbon making waves.

• Augusta Ten Year – rich with patience and deep oak character.

• Founders Eighteen Sixty-Seven – a heritage pour that nods to history.

• The Blendery – proof that art and science can live in the same glass.

Pour heavy, listen close, and take the trip — where every conversation is authentic, every pour is true, and the whiskey never lies.

On this week’s pour-heavy adventure, Big Chief sits down with Tripp Stimson, Chief Whiskey Scientist and Master Distiller at Barrell Craft Spirits — a trailblazer in blending, aging, and proofing some of the boldest expressions on the market.

They kick things off with Foundation, a single barrel bourbon that clocks in at 104.08 proof. It’s a flavorful introduction to Barrell’s blending philosophy — full of depth, balance, and character.

Next up? Batch 37 — a high-rye bourbon bottled at 111.38 proof, bursting with notes of kettle corn drizzled in hot honey. Sweet, spicy, and delightfully nostalgic, this one hits all the right notes. As the second half of the show opens, Big Chief doesn’t hold back: he names it a contender for Whiskey of the Year.

To close things out, they sip on Decades — a 142.7 proof Canadian whiskey, made from 10 barrels aged from 20 to 30 years. It’s powerful yet elegant, with each year adding a layer of richness to this rare blend.

Throughout the episode, Tripp shares the origin story of Barrell Craft Spirits, the brand’s relentless pursuit of innovation, and how their recent production expansion is allowing them to meet growing demand while continuing to push boundaries.

This episode is for the bold, the curious, and anyone who believes great whiskey is a blend of art, science, and a little bit of rebellion.

Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, pour yourself a glass, and drink along with The Whiskey Trip. The road is always better with a bottle and a story.

In this episode of The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief rolls into Fort Worth, Texas, and steps inside a whiskey wonderland — the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory of whiskey — known officially as Trinity River Distillery, home of Silver Star Spirits.

Joining him are Thomas Ingham, CEO and President, and Brett Luchesi, Master Distiller. Together, they discuss how they’ve breathed new life into this historic site — including one standout feature: their use of purified Texas rainwater, harvested on-site, to proof their whiskey. It’s a sustainable, terroir-driven touch that gives each bottle a literal taste of Texas skies.

Built on 27 acres with over 250,000 square feet of warehouse space, this isn’t just a distillery — it’s a Texas whiskey empire. Housed inside the legendary Ranch Style Beans factory, built in 1911, this historic site has been transformed from a pantry icon into a cutting-edge whiskey destination, where old-school craftsmanship meets modern innovation.

Big Chief opens the episode with Silver Star 1849 Bourbon, a rich, bold pour that honors the founding year of Fort Worth. With notes that recall saddle leather, toasted oak, and frontier grit, it’s a fitting tribute to Texas Rangers and the dusty trail towns of Lonesome Dove.

Next up is a special 100-proof fall release — a whiskey that surprises with bright orange marmalade sweetness, a silky, oily texture, and a subtle smokiness that settles in like a Texas campfire. It’s a seasonal stunner designed for cooler nights and deeper conversations.

From there, the trio continues tasting their way through the Silver Star lineup throughout the episode. But one surprise pour stops Big Chief in his tracks — Devil’s Grin Gin. Distilled with a bold blend of botanicals, including Texas mesquite beans, this gin delivers an earthy, slightly smoky twist that defies every expectation. It’s Texas terroir in a glass — and even a devoted whiskey man has to tip his hat.

This episode is more than a whiskey tasting — it’s a journey through legacy, innovation, and the spirit of Fort Worth. Pour a glass and ride along.

And remember — Big Chief don’t sip what don’t speak the truth. Silver Star’s got a whole lot to say, and every drop tells the story loud and proud.