Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter are back at the Bourbon Road bar for a dedicated rye whiskey night, working through five distinct expressions that showcase the breadth and character of American rye. From honey-finished blends to farm-strength single-grain pours, the lineup spans distilleries across Nevada, Ohio, Maryland, Kentucky, and Atlanta, giving listeners a wide-angle view of what rye whiskey looks like in 2025 and beyond.

On the Tasting Mat:**

- Short Barrel After Swarm 2: A blend of MGP and Green River 95/5 rye finished in Kelvin Cooperage barrels previously soaked with Oregon meadow foam honey for approximately 10–11 months, then aged an additional 11–12 months in those honey-conditioned staves. Bottled at 108.6 proof and retailing around $115, this six-plus-year expression opens with unmistakable honey on the nose alongside coconut and vanilla, leading to a syrupy, well-balanced palate of rye muffin, honey butter, and toasted pine nuts, with a finish that drifts toward Mexican chocolate and dried chili. *(00:01:19)*

- New Riff 10 Year Malted Rye: A special limited 375ml release from New Riff Distilling in Newport, Kentucky, drawn from a two- to three-barrel blend of 100% malted rye aged a minimum of ten years and bottled at 118.8 proof (approximately $46 for the 375ml). The nose offers earthy, chalky minerality with underlying fruit and aromatic spice. On the palate it shows a softer, grain-forward character with dry dark chocolate, mint, and a coniferous, living-forest quality on the finish. *(00:09:23)*

- Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut Rye: A 100% Canadian winter rye expression from Frey Ranch in Northern Nevada, distilled and aged on the same 2,500-acre farm where the grain is grown, aged a minimum of six years and bottled at cask strength, 124.52 proof. Available exclusively through the distillery's online shop at $79.99, this pour delivers an exceptional grain-forward nose with cream sweetness, fresh strawberry, and an almost field-fresh rye character. The palate is smooth and deceptively easy-drinking for the proof, with candy cinnamon and a long, clean finish that highlights the integrity of the single-farm grain. *(00:16:01)*

- Pursuit United Triple Mash Rye: Blended and bottled by Pursuit United in Louisville, Kentucky, this expression combines three distinct mash bills — Sagamore Spirits high-corn rye (52% rye / 43% corn / 5% malted barley), Sagamore Spirits 95/5 rye, and Bardstown, Kentucky 95/5 rye — with barrels ranging roughly four to eight years old, all bottled at barrel proof of 124.8 and retailing for $79.99. The nose is warm and holiday-spiced with dark fruit, nutmeg, cinnamon, and a hint of citrus. The palate is buttery and velvety with blueberry, lemon sorbet, and a trefoil-cookie sweetness, finishing long and satisfying. *(00:25:53)*

- Archer Eland Cashmere Rye: A collaboration between founder Wendy Pevich (formerly of Penelope Bourbon) and Middle West Spirits in Columbus, Ohio, this expression uses 100% Ohio-grown rye — a combination of standard and malted rye — aged approximately seven years and bottled at 126 proof, retailing for $84.99. The nose leads with dried apricot, peach, and a malt-forward fruitiness. On the palate it balances earthiness, ripe fruit, and a pronounced spicy mint-pepper character, with a medium-length finish carrying peach soda and fresh mint. *(00:32:38)*

Rye whiskey night at the Bourbon Road bar proved once again that the category rewards exploration. Whether you gravitate toward the softer, sweetened side of the spectrum or prefer high-proof grain-forward expressions straight from the farm, this lineup offered something for every rye enthusiast. All five bottles are available now or through their respective distillery channels, and every one of them makes a compelling case for keeping a rye or two on your shelf year-round.

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Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter welcome Devin Puckett, Brand Representative for Old Glory Distilling Co. out of Clarksville, Tennessee, to the Bourbon Road. Devin shares the remarkable origin story of Old Glory — from founder Matt Cunningham's days as a firefighter devising a distillery plan in his mid-twenties, through the COVID pivot to hand sanitizer that ultimately funded a towering 24-foot Vendome copper column still, to the 8,650-barrel warehouse that stands today. Devin also reveals his own path into the industry: a Ball State grad from northern Indiana who married into the Cunningham family, sold RVs, and answered a text message that changed everything.

**On the Tasting Mat:**

- **Old Glory Tennessee Bourbon Small Batch (90 Proof):** A grain-to-glass Tennessee bourbon distilled on a Vendome copper column still from a mash bill of 73% corn, 19% rye, and 8% malted barley, aged approximately three and a half years in new char #4 Kelvin barrels. Bright and clean on the palate with a dry finish, green apple, caramel drizzle, and light citrus — an accessible everyday pour at an approachable price point. *(00:09:50)*

- **Old Glory Tennessee Bourbon Bottled in Bond (100 Proof):** Drawn from 15–20 hand-selected pot still barrels and aged five years — an extra year beyond the minimum bonded requirement — this expression steps up the complexity considerably. The same 73/19/8 rye mash bill opens into darker fruit, rich brown sugar, cardamom, cinnamon, and a wave of baking spices, with a noticeably fuller, rounder texture. *(00:30:34)*

- **Old Glory Tennessee Bourbon Single Barrel #271 (121.7 Proof / 5 Years 9 Months):** Selected by master blender Caleb Martin, this cask-strength pot still expression offers an entirely different dimension — a lush dessert character of blackberry cobbler, buttery dark fruit, and a lingering finish that keeps unfolding. One of the early pot still barrels that helped define Old Glory's identity before the column still era. *(00:44:10)*

From a cornfield off I-24 to nearly 9,000 barrels of aging Tennessee whiskey, Old Glory is a distillery doing it the long way — grain to glass, family owned, community rooted. With a double oak release on the horizon, 100% rye and wheat casks quietly maturing in the warehouse, and a thriving on-site restaurant and event venue, there's plenty of road ahead for Clarksville's homegrown spirit. If you find yourself between Nashville and the Kentucky border, Old Glory Distilling Co. is more than worth the detour.

The Bourbon Road crew is back with an exceptional lineup of five premium pours that showcase the diversity of bourbon craftsmanship. Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter kick off with the 2025 Remus Gatsby Reserve, a 15-year-old 102.8 proof straight bourbon from MGP's Ross & Squibb Distillery, released to celebrate the 100th anniversary of F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby." This beauty delivers smoky oak, vanilla, and cinnamon notes that evolve beautifully throughout the tasting.

Next up is Old Forester's High Angel Share Rye from their 117 series—a 110 proof, 375ml gem featuring a 65% rye, 20% malted barley, and 15% corn mashbill. The hosts discover fruity strawberry jam notes balanced with spicy gumdrops and subtle chocolate, making it a standout rye experience.

The third pour brings something truly unique: the Bardstown Bourbon Company Cascadia Garriana Oak, a distillery reserve blend featuring 80% 10-year Kentucky bourbon, 12% 10-year Indiana bourbon, and 8% 9-year Kentucky bourbon finished for 10 months in rare Garriana oak barrels from Oregon's Willamette Valley. This expression delivers sandalwood, clove, and sophisticated woody notes that transport you to the Pacific Northwest.

Moving into the second half, the hosts explore Redemption's 10 Year Old Barrel Proof High Rye Bourbon at 114.4 proof—60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley—which impresses with candy-like sweetness, toffee, glazed pecans, and a surprising mint quality.

Finally, Todd shares his first-ever personal bottle of EH Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 14B at 127.4 proof, a 6-8 year old mash bill one expression that delivers traditional bourbon character with red berries, caramel, and sophisticated baking spices.

Each whiskey tells its own story, from heritage distilleries to innovative finishes, making this an episode where every pour earns serious consideration.