Brent Joseph

Private Barrel Program Coordinator and Senior Contributor

Podcast

Ramble On: The 2025 Summit Podcast Special Edition

This wasn’t an “anniversary episode.” No balloons, no confetti, no commemorative T-shirt order (yet…). Just a damn good conversation fueled by great whiskey and even better company.

On The Road

Maui’s Waikulu Agave Spirit: Better than your favorite tequila?

Waikulu Distillery is located on the windward side of the island in Makawao. The setting of this place is gorgeous. Yes, it’s Maui, everything looks amazing,  but the farm is nestled on 6 acres on the side of a hill/mountain/volcano. It’s stunning.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Old Hamer 10 Year Bourbon Review: Corn-Fueled Classic

After sampling a handful of these different 8- and 10-year-old barrels, Pops and I decided that instead of a “Bottle” rating, we should buy a barrel.

Paid-members only

The Bourbon Drinker's Guide to Coping with February

I’m here for the party so I’m not leaving. Unlike Steve, I don’t have a curfew or a standing bedtime. Halftime is for bathroom breaks, bourbon refills, and another trip to the food spread to see if anything new hit the table while I was watching the game.

Members only

This Round's Mine

8 Bourbon Trends We Want Gone (or to Stay) in 2025

If you've never visited Punch.com, it's a great booze-centric website with great info, stories and cocktail recipes. The site's crew did a running commentary of which drink trends should disappear next year, and we thought it so good that we decided to do

Annual Summit

2024 Bourbon & Banter Summit Recap Report

Join us as we recap the Bourbon & Banter Summit 2024 in Louisville, featuring exclusive tours, tastings, and unforgettable experiences.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

West Fork Whiskey Bottled in Bond Wheated Bourbon Review

The nose is surprisingly sweet with notes of sweet corn and cherry pie filling dominating the glass. Think of a Hostess Cherry Pie. I was blown away by how sweet this was. This is not your typical craft bourbon.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Monk’s Road Fifth District Series II Toasted Barrel Finish Review

If you want to try something new and not from one of the big distilleries, try this one.

Banter

Inaugural Bourbon & Banter Summit Recap

We recently wrapped our first annual Bourbon & Banter Community Summit held in Louisville, Kentucky.  We were thrilled to be able to mix and mingle with our community members from across the country IRL. If you’re curious what it’s like to be a member of our community, here are a few highlights.

Rye Whiskey Reviews

Old Potrero Rye Review

This is a unique rye. Old Portrero doesn’t have much of the typical spice on the palate that you can usually pick out from a Rye if you tasted it blind. At $65, you have for sure paid more for less.

Gear

Cicero Barrel Co. Is An Excellent Shop for Customized Whiskey Barrels

Ever since I’ve been into bourbon, I’ve always wanted a barrel. But up until recently, I hadn’t really thought about what I would do with one. In the Spring of 2021, I met up with three other Bourbon & Banter team members in Louisville to pick six barrels over two days.

Rye Whiskey Reviews

KO Distiller’s Reserve Bottled-In-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey Review

This is a very good and interesting rye whiskey. Interesting because of the orange vanilla notes mixed with the rye spice. Creamy on the front of the tongue with the rye spice coming through on the back. It is very enjoyable.

Drinking Accessory Reviews

Whiskey Advent Calendar Review

This isn’t just your average flimsy cardboard advent calendar that is typically filled with chocolate or candy that you don’t really want to eat. This one is filled with your favorite type of spirits.

Drinking Accessory Reviews

Orca Barrel Oak Wood Grain Drink Tumbler Review

This item is made from your typical industry standard 18/8 Stainless Steel with seamless inner wall. There are a few things that set this apart from the other standard offerings from the major brands in this category. The main one is the way it looks.

Tequila Reviews

Drinks By The Dram 12 Day Tequila & Mezcal Review

If you’re reading this blog, that means there’s an excellent chance you follow the Bourbon & Banter team, or you are at least getting our email updates. If you’re not signed up for our email list, you should go do so now.

Banter

Is Bourbon Broken? Part 4 – A Final Argument

I think that one final argument that can be made as to why bourbon is broken, is that consumers keep paying ridiculous prices at retail stores for bottles of extremely young or sourced bourbon from a myriad of new brands.

Banter

Is Bourbon Broken? Part 3 – The Distribution & Retail Problem

Another large reason that bourbon can be viewed as broken is the three-tier distribution system in this country. Unfortunately, we can’t do too much about the system. It is what it is. By law, the distillers have to sell to the distributors.

Banter

Is Bourbon Broken? Part 2 – The Secondary Problem

If you really have to have that bottle, you’re forced to buy it on the secondary market. That is when you are at the mercy of the hype train. People are paying 4-8x retail for $30 bottles? Are you kidding me? That’s insane to me.

Banter

Is Bourbon Broken? Part 1 – The Consumer Problem

I’ve been into bourbon for about 25 years now. It started with drinking Woodford Reserve on the rocks. Now I pretty much only drink it neat. The only real exception to this is if it’s a hot day and I’m relaxing by a pool, then I probably have a Kentucky Mule.

Food Stuff Reviews

Craft Jerky Company – Jerky of the Month Club Review

Just in time, I’m here to save your Father’s Day gift for you. It’s a subscription box. But wait, before you roll your eyes and delete this, it’s a good one. Unless you’re a vegetarian or vegan terrorist.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Widow Jane 10 Year Old Bourbon Review

Overall I was pretty impressed with this current expression of Widow Jane 10. This is actually my second review of Widow Jane. I wrote a a review of the Widow Jane 10 Year Old Single Barrel bourbon a few years ago after they sent me a sample to try and I wasn’t a fan.

Tennessee Whiskey Reviews

Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskeys Review

I’ll be honest when I was invited on the PR trip for Uncle Nearest, and I had never tried their product. I did very little research and investigation into the brand to go into the experience with an open mind and an unbiased opinion.

Banter

Kentucky Barrel Pick Trip Recap – Day 1

Almost two years to the day after the B&B team traveled to Kentucky to celebrate the 5 year anniversary of Bourbon & Banter, we got the band back together to do it again. There were a few team members that were able to make the trip again and there were some new faces that were able to join.

cigars

Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Robusto Review

As is my experience with the Fuente brand in general, this cigar is extremely well made/constructed. The wrapper is really beautiful and has no visible seams or significant veins.

Distilleries

Old Weller Antique Private Barrel Pick Trip

A barrel pick experience is without a doubt one the best things you can be a part of if you are a bourbon fan. Each one is different. Every distillery does it a bit differently and the people you are with all help to make each one unique.