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.

Last December, Pops (@chief.drinking.officer) and Patrick Pho (@districtofbourbon)hit the Whiskey in the Winter Festival in St. Louis to dive deep into the hottest topic in bourbon: Is the bubble about to burst? Armed with cameras and questions, we connected with industry insiders to get their take on