Brian and Scott catch up over old fashioneds while comparing bourbon notes, revisiting Hootie and the Blowfish’s Fairweather Johnson, and swapping stories from a rainy political festival, a 25-year high school reunion, and a bourbon pickup that turned into a surprisingly stressful dog walk. They also cover TV and sports updates, including what they’re watching next and why the Capitals and Ovechkin still matter so much in DC.

Key topics

• Brian explains what makes a bourbon “wheated”: it uses wheat instead of rye alongside corn and barley.
• Scott shares his first impressions of the Wilderness Trail Wheated bourbon, while Brian discusses how wheat and rye can shape a bourbon’s flavor.
• Brian breaks down the basics of bourbon, including the 51% corn requirement and the use of new, charred oak barrels.
• They revisit Hootie and the Blowfish’s Fairweather Johnson, comparing it with Cracked Rear View and discussing the tracks that stood out.
• They talk about the Power to the People festival, organized by Tom Morello, and its lineup of Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews, Public Enemy, Cypress Hill, Killer Mike, and others.
• Scott says Tom Morello and Friends was a festival highlight; Brian and Scott discuss why Dave Matthews’s quieter set felt out of place in the lineup.
• Brian shares stories from his 25-year high school reunion in Richmond.
• Scott recounts walking his large dog while carrying a bottle of bourbon, prompting a conversation about accidentally dropping bottles and cases of beer.
• They compare TV watchlists, discuss Ovechkin and the Capitals, and talk about Banana Ball at Nats Park.
• Brian reveals the next album pick: Siamese Dream by the Smashing Pumpkins.

Brian and Scott are joined by Andrew Oh, Heaven Hill’s on-premise channel manager for Northern Virginia, for a cocktail-forward conversation tied to Elijah Craig Old Fashion Week. They cover what makes a strong old fashioned, how bourbon pairs with food, and how the event supports hospitality workers through charity.The crew also gets into bourbon basics, product innovation at Heaven Hill, and why classic pours like Elijah Craig Small Batch still lead the way.

Key topics

• Andrew shares his background in hotel management, grocery and distributor work, and how he landed at Heaven Hill
• The group compares old fashioned builds, including proof, bitters, syrup, and ice
• Andrew explains Heaven Hill’s history, family ownership, Kentucky production, and brands including Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Larceny, Bernheim, Rittenhouse, and Parker’s Heritage
• The group discusses Old Fashion Week’s origins, the $600,000 raised, and its support for hospitality workers through the Southern Smoke Foundation
• They explore how old fashioned recipes vary by bar, from maple and smoked versions to walnut and other creative twists
• Andrew shares what makes a classic old fashioned work, including orange peel, stirring, and bartender precision
• The conversation touches on bourbon and food pairings, including red meat, fish, and curated tasting menus
• Andrew talks about common consumer questions and how he approaches bourbon education
• They discuss innovation at Heaven Hill, including toasted barrel finishes and grain-to-glass sourcing
• The final stretch covers PGA and Ryder Cup partnerships, golf-themed giveaways, and the Tavern Trail featuring historic Virginia properties

Brian and Scott kick off with an update on Scott’s painful fall down the stairs, the urgent care visit that confirmed badly bruised ribs, and the ongoing recovery. From there, the episode shifts into a full 90s nostalgia tour, anchored by Hootie and the Blowfish’s Cracked Rear View and a run of childhood memories that shaped both hosts. We discuss music, TV, snacks, playgrounds, and the stores that defined the decade, with plenty of side quests into concerts, sports, and the weirdness of modern festival cancellations. Brian and Scott also cover a bad restaurant experience, a 4DX movie outing with the kids, and a surprisingly good Farm Aid performance.

Key topics

• Scott explains how he fell down the stairs at home, landed hard on his back, and went to urgent care for X-rays after struggling to breathe and sleep.
• Brian and Scott compare injuries and joke about being medically unqualified but fully supportive of water, painkillers, and recovery.
• The hosts recap a canceled Ocean’s Calling and connect it to the broader “curse” of concerts and festivals getting rained out.
• They dig into Cracked Rear View by Hootie and the Blowfish, calling out “Hannah Jane,” “Only Wanna Be with You,” and the album’s unusually strong run of hooks and singles.
• Scott shares the backstory behind Hootie’s long grind before breaking through, including years of playing shows and the deluxe edition demos.
• Brian and Scott compare Darius Rucker’s voice to Eddie Vedder and talk about how early-90s rock vocals often got lumped together.
• They preview next week’s album pick, Fairweather Johnson, and joke that it may be the classic sophomore slump.
• Scott brings back “Scott Throws Restaurants Under the Bus” after a bad night at Bourbon Boulevard Reserve, where he was overcharged for a smoked old fashioned and a horseradish side.
• The restaurant rant turns into a larger complaint about gimmicky menus, empty dining rooms, and terrible customer treatment.
• Scott describes taking his kids to Avengers Endgame Encore in 4DX, where the seats moved, water splashed, and snow and wind effects turned the movie into a theme park ride.
• The weekend also included Farm Aid, where Brian and Scott talk through Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds, the violin accompaniment, and how “Don’t Drink the Water” plays very differently live.
• The episode ends with a shared list of 90s essentials: MTV, TGIF, wooden playgrounds, Dunkaroos and Handy Snacks, Blockbuster, Toys R Us, and memorized phone numbers.