Patrick "Pops" Garrett

Founder and Chief Drinking Officer of Bourbon & Banter. I've been drinking, writing, and arguing about bourbon professionally since 2011.

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You're Invited: The Ingram Distillery Virtual Tasting

The Definitive Guide to the 30 Days of Bourbon Challenge: 2025 Edition

Here’s the deal: drink 30 different bourbons in 30 days. Sounds fun, right? But it’s more than just a boozy checklist—it’s a full-on bourbon experience. You’ll explore new bottles, discover fresh favorites, and gain a deeper appreciation for the history, variety, and flavor that bourbon delivers.

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Proof of Life

Proof of Like: Bourbon at 30,000 Feet

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Virtual Tasting

Replay: Union Horse Virtual Tasting

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Annual Summit

Save the date: 2025 Summit

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Proof of Life

Proof of Life: Scams, Scandals & Single Barrels

It’s been a scorcher here in St. Louis—humid enough to proof down barrel strength bourbon with the air alone. But while the temps are boiling, this edition of Proof of Life is cooling things down with some smart sipping advice, a side of spirits scandal, and more new

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BITB Club

Replay: BDC Live Tasting #14

Our fourteenth Blind Drinkers Club (BDC) Live Tasting was held this past Monday. This month's dark and disturbing tasting kits included seven samples providing a fantastic range of expressions, including budget-friendly bottles and pricier, hard-to-find new releases. As always, hanging out with everyone to enjoy

Events

INDY OR BUST: A Whiskey Weekend Recap

Earlier this month, the Bourbon & Banter crew hit the road for another whiskey-fueled adventure—this time to Indianapolis. We’re talkin’ barrel picks, behind-the-scenes distillery access, ATV-fueled trail sippin’, and one late-night bottle share that wrapped around 3 a.m. (because of course it

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Proof of Life: Declaration of Drinkdependence

Surprise! We’re dropping this edition of the Proof of Life newsletter a little early so you can enjoy it with your Fourth of July coffee—or whatever you’re sipping before the fireworks start. Because nothing says "America" quite like bourbon, bold opinions, and a newsletter that

Proof of Life

Proof of Life: Get Lost

Irregular Dispatches for the Drinking Class from Your Chief Drinking Officer

Proof of Life

Proof of Life: The Last Refuge

Irregular Dispatches for the Drinking Class from Your Chief Drinking Officer

Proof of Life

Proof of Life: Special Isn't Special Anymore

Irregular Dispatches for the Drinking Class from Your Chief Drinking Officer

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Virtual Tasting

Replay: Hard Truth Virtual Tasting

Proof of Life

Proof of Life: People First, Pours Second

Irregular Dispatches for the Drinking Class from Your Chief Drinking Officer

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BITB Club

Replay: BDC Live Tasting #13

Proof of Life

Proof of Life: Full Circle

Irregular Dispatches for the Drinking Class from Your Chief Drinking Officer

Proof of Life

Proof of Life: The NOM Father Always Wins

This edition? It's loaded. We’re floating ideas for a bourbon-fueled Colorado getaway, unpacking industry drama (spoiler: distributors are still the worst), and spotlighting everything from a tequila truth-teller getting raided to a bottle auction honoring a bear more beloved than most politicians.

Proof of Life

Proof of Life: Washed Away, Wound Up, and Wide Open

For a limited time, we’re unlocking this and a few past editions for all members to read. So if you like what you see, share it with a friend who knows good whiskey—and even better BS—when they read it.

New Brand Releases

Maker’s Mark Breaks Tradition with First Wheat Whisky

Star Hill Farm Whisky will be the first to carry an Estate Whiskey certification — a new designation by The Estate Whiskey Alliance™ group established by the University of Kentucky to highlight the advantages of local sourcing and sustainable production in the whiskey industry.

Proof of Life

Proof of Life: Fourteen Years of Pour Decisions

Welcome to another edition of Proof of Life—brought to you this week by bourbon, honey, lemon, and whatever miracle is hiding in a hot toddy. I’ve been a bit under the weather, but I still managed to pull this one together with more punch than your Aunt Edna’

Proof of Life

Proof of Life: Clickbait Sucks

Irregular Dispatches for the Drinking Class from Your Chief Drinking Officer

Proof of Life

Proof of Life: Hold My Barrels

Irregular Dispatches for the Drinking Class from Your Chief Drinking Officer

New Brand Releases

Yellowstone Bourbon introduces Small Batch 107

“The higher proof brings out more flavors, and by non-chill filtering Small Batch we created a much more full-bodied product than a lower-proof chill filtered bourbon...

New Brand Releases

Whiskey JYPSI introduces Tribute Double Barreled Bourbon

This is a whiskey with a price point and a flavor profile everybody can enjoy, but with the same high-quality approach we’ve taken with our other whiskeys. And that’s what we were looking for with Tribute.

Industry News

The Secret Stash: What's Under the Table at Whiskey Festivals?

It’s a well-known secret at whiskey festivals—some brands stash away something special for those who are in the know. Maybe it’s a rare single barrel, a high-proof experimental batch, or even a unicorn bottle that never sees a retail shelf. But you won’t find it on display—you have to ask.