Bourbon & Banter Podcast #39 – Gitche Gumee Cometh

The biggest and most honest podcast in all of bourbon is back — this time live and in person (and we've got the video to prove it). That’s right, Pops and Bob are finally sharing a mic and a room again, kicking off fall with full pours, fresh rants, and faces made for radio.

They start things off by recapping Bourbon Heritage Month (04:09), thanking the thousands who downloaded the 30 Days of Bourbon calendar and teasing a possible “Rye January” challenge for 2026 — because while some folks go dry, Bourbon & Banter plans to go rye. From there, the guys preview the upcoming 2025 Bourbon & Banter Summit (06:14), complete with two new barrel picks (1792 and Green River Barrel Proof), a Mercenary BBQ feast, and the long-awaited King David vs Vienna Hot Dog Showdown. Yes, that’s a real thing.

Next up (11:04) comes community news: monthly virtual tastings with J. Henry and 10th Mountain Whiskey, a December holiday party with sensory testing kits, and rumors that Banta himself may drop by with surprises. Join the community if you want in on that action.

Then it’s time for a Whiskey Hot Wash (12:29), a no-spin recap of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival — from the Buff Turkey trend to secondary-market nonsense and why some folks need a lesson in festival etiquette. Spoiler: don’t flip your bottle 20 feet from the booth.

The S.N.I.F.F. Team (26:25) drops anchor on a wild rumor out of O.H. Ingram River Aged — plans for the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald Barrelhouse, a two-story floating rickhouse said to “age whiskey to the brink of legend.” Sources claim the barge will feature wave-driven agitation, a foghorn that plays My Old Kentucky Home, and enough insurance disclaimers to make Lloyd’s of London blush. Pops and Bob weigh in on whether it’s genius, madness, or just really good buoy branding.

And finally, the guys wrap with another round of Bourbon Bullshit (37:41): taking aim at Traveler Full Proof (“no flavor needs more proof”), roasting gift-set gimmicks, and saluting Jimmy Russell for sticking to his guns — and his tagline — “Don’t Change a Damn Thing.” They close with a few words on Buffalo Trace’s latest “Never Gonna See It Collection” releases and a reminder to skip the whiskey stones this holiday season.

Here’s the Episode #39 breakdown – Gitche Gumee Cometh:

• 00:00  Pumpkin Spice Madness & the Return to Live Recording
• 04:09  Bourbon Heritage Month Recap & Rye January Tease
• 06:14  Summit Preview + Hot Dog Showdown Details
• 11:04  Community Updates & Virtual Tasting News
• 12:29  Whiskey Hot Wash – Kentucky Bourbon Festival Recap
• 26:25  S.N.I.F.F. Team – Peggy Noe Stevens & the Taylor Swift Saga
• 37:41  Bourbon Bullshit – Traveler Full Proof, Gift Sets & Jimmy Russell
• 53:14  Holiday Shopping BS & Closing Thoughts

Are you ready? Pour yourself a drink, get comfortable, and listen to Episode 39 using the player above or your favorite podcast player.

Warning: If you're not comfortable with unapologetic, independent thinking, plus a healthy dose of swearing, you might want to skip this one, folks. It's recorded at barrel strength with full-throttle banter.

Fan Requested Video Now Live

Despite having faces built for radio, Pops and Bob have agreed to record their podcast sessions and post to YouTube. If you're so inclined, you can now watch them banter "live" from the Bourbon & Banter HQ.

We sure hope you enjoyed Episode 39 of the official Bourbon & Banter podcast and that you'll consider sharing it with your friends. We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below or by emailing us.

Have a great weekend, and remember to stay safe while spreading the bourbon gospel and learning to #drinkcurious.

Hey, wait a minute. You have listened to all our previous episodes. If not, check out our most recent bourbon podcast episodes and get caught up.