On The Road

A collection of 52 posts

On The Road

BourbonCon 2026 Recap: Highlights and Takeaways From The First Bourbon Festival of the Year

What makes BourbonCon unusual among major whiskey events is its origin story. It wasn’t launched by a nonprofit, a tourism bureau, or an industry group. BourbonCon was born inside a hotel.

On The Road

Cain carries on centuries of family whiskey-making at Nobeltons Distilling House

Lest you think Cain is some radical spirits maker, know that his grain choices and fermentation techniques are rooted firmly in family traditions. For more than a century, his family has used its own heirloom varietal born of Canadian rye “that’s similar to a brasado rye.

On The Road

At Wood Hat Spirits, better corn is the fulcrum of flavor

Gary Hinegardner has a problem with bourbon makers. He says the No. 2 yellow dent corn used by the vast majority of American whiskey makers is a subpar grain never intended for the distillation of America’s native spirit.

On The Road

9 Trends From The 2025 Kentucky Bourbon Festival

Distilleries jockeyed for headlines, unveiling new releases, launching new brands, and—most dramatically—Heaven Hill returned to making Bourbon in Bardstown. The Kentucky Bourbon Festival isn’t just a local event anymore; it’s a tentpole moment on the whiskey calendar.

On The Road

The One Question You Should Always Ask At A Whiskey Festival

The Four Roses booth had its usual suspects lined up, but behind the staff, I spotted a plain brown bottle with a PC-printed label: Straight Bourbon Whiskey 20 Year. One polite ask later, I was holding a glass of 20-year-old Four Roses.

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.

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On The Road

Behind the scenes of a Four Roses barrel pick

Not everyone can snag a spot on a Four Roses barrel pick, but we’ve got you covered. We documented the whole experience to give our entire community a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to be part of a Bourbon & Banter Four Roses barrel pick

On The Road

Bearface Whisky is more nuanced, subtle than its name

“One reason I chose to do this in Canada was the rules for Canadian whisky aren’t so strict as they are for bourbon, I wanted to have more freedom to do something different."

On The Road

We drank bourbon at every lounge in the Atlanta airport

As a seasoned travelers, we are well-acquainted with the pleasures of the airport lounge. It offers a respite from the masses, a dedicated bathroom, a smattering of (usually mediocre) snacks, and a bevy of alcoholic drinks to enjoy between gates.

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On The Road

Minden Mill Distilling: Terroir-Driven Nevada Spirits

"We're not just farming here—we're stressing these grains, making them work for it. And that stress translates to flavor."

On The Road

The bar for whiskey and food is elevated at High West Distillery

“To have the distillery and Saloon in the heart of Park City was the original owners’ end-all, be-all goal—a place where guests could come, have a wonderful meal and whiskey pairing, and see our production right in front of their faces."

Get To Know

The Happy, Hellish Journey of Starting a Distillery

We have zero plans to build and sell the distillery. We want to own and be a part of it for a very long time.

On The Road

Slow Water Reduction Lets Still Austin Age Longer in Texas Heat

So, to look at the back label on a bottle and read ‘produced and bottled by,’ you know you’re getting something truly from that distillery.

This Round's Mine

Barton 1792 Distillery Awards Demonstrate Sazerac's Deep Bench

At least single-barrel picks are better at Barton. My first pick ever happened there on a frigid winter day; the outdoor temp was 18 degrees and I was wondering why anyone thought this was fun.

On The Road

Contract Distilling is Fun, but Call Eyes Future for Family Brands at W. KY Distilling Co.

Making whiskies for others in his own place is fun, he said, “but to have our family’s name on our own unique brands—a flagship brand is what gets me up in the morning. It gets me excited.”

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On The Road

Smooth Ambler's Best Whiskies Are Yet To Come

Of all the lessons Little has learned, one that seems obvious is: “We’re going to do what’s right for the whiskey, not what’s right for marketing. Do everything necessary to make the whiskey delicious.”

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Jack Daniel's

You don’t know, Jack! – Part 2

Countless whiskey fans—me included—are enjoying Jack Daniel’s growing lineup of higher-proof and longer-aged releases. I’m not the first to say that Jack is becoming its best self in these new releases.

Industry News

Pursuit Spirits Launches Two New Immersive Distillery Experiences in Louisville

Guests will taste a variety of Pursuit's award-winning whiskeys, learn all about mashbills, blending, and maturation from our expert guides, partake in their own private barrel selection, and then fill a personalized bottle to take home.

On The Road

A Quick Getaway in North Texas with a Bonus for the Whiskey-Lover!

If you don't consider whiskey options when planning a vacation or getaway, you might want to start!

Banter

Wyoming Whiskey: Well Worth the Lone Prairie Journey

The discussion to create a distillery was born of Kate Mead’s pitch to her husband to build a winery. Her notion was, in common spouse-dismissal fashion, prompt and pointed. According to co-founder David DeFazio, “Brad thought she was crazy and told her, ‘No one grows grapes out here.’”

On The Road

Breckenridge Distillery & Laws Whiskey House – Worth the Visit and Purchase

Our visit to Breckenridge Distillery began later that day with a tour. Our guide, Davis, was entertaining and generous with a tasting that regular tourists don’t get. (Yay, whiskey media!)

On The Road

Whiskey Tourism To Make A Profitable Footprint In Townsend, Tenn

Townsend, Tenn., markets itself as “the peaceful side of the Smokies,” and indeed, it’s quieter than the fabricated expanse of Pigeon Forge and the din of crowded Gatlinburg. Townsend has the feel of a village scattered in plots over a several-mile stretch of Hwy. 321.

On The Road

Get To Know: KO Distilling

Now that 2021 is in the rearview mirror, I thought it would be a good time to revisit one of the team’s favorite experiences from the past year – our road trip to visit KO Distilling in Manassas, Virginia, during Bourbon Heritage Month.

On The Road

Nashville Barrel Company Redefines the Honey Barrel

A gourmet chef, a beekeeper, and a brewery owner walk into a bar… Waiting for them are Mike Hinds and James Davenport, the two gentlemen behind the meteoric rise of Nashville Barrel Company.

On The Road

Wine Plays Fine Role In Bardstown Bourbon Co.’s Tourism Strategy

I also love Maker’s Mark, arguably Kentucky’s prettiest distillery, but a handful of challengers, most notably Bardstown Bourbon Company (BBC), have entered the distillery beauty contest. In a runoff, the 6-year-old BBC property might lose only because of its campus.