This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief heads to one of the most cherished stops on his whiskey journey—Leiper’s Fork Distillery—a place where friendship has aged into family and the spirits are as bold as the stories behind them.

He sits down with the powerhouse herself, Kendra Anderson, the head distiller whose path began behind the bar mixing cocktails and now leads the charge in the stillhouse. Her rise from mash cook to master of the barrel is a testament to grit, passion, and unshakable dedication.

In the first half of the episode, Kendra and the big man pour a glass of Revenue’s Reserve—a heartfelt tribute to Samuel Claybrook Locke, a Federal Revenue Officer tragically killed in 1925 in Franklin, Tennessee. This 3-barrel blend of 7- and 8-year-old Tennessee Whiskey hits with a mash bill of 70% corn, 15% rye, and 15% malted barley. Clocking in at 100 proof, it drinks like a fire-tempered blade—bold, spicy, and unforgettable.

But then comes the moment that stops time.

Kendra breaks out a honey cask wheated bourbon—a Leiper’s Fork masterpiece with a mash bill of 70% corn, 15% wheat, and 15% malted barley. Layered with a honey bill that reads like Southern poetry—29% willow, 25% sweet clover, 14% blackberry, and 8% sumac—this bourbon sings with nostalgic notes of Honey Comb and Honey Smacks cereal, warming the soul with every sip.

Leiper’s Fork isn’t just a distillery—it’s a beacon of Southern hospitality, craftsmanship, and character. So raise your glass and buckle in—because this ride with Big Chief is one soaked in spirit, soul, and the sweet burn of tradition.

This is The Whiskey Trip. Cheers, y’all.

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief takes the backseat and lets the Bottled-in-Bond Professor himself, Bernie Lubbers, steer us through a masterclass in American whiskey history. Known for his relentless advocacy, storytelling talent, and undying love for the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, Bernie has been the face of bonded whiskey for decades—especially with iconic brands like Henry McKenna 10-Year and Evan Williams Bottled in Bond.

As Bernie takes a step back as National Brand Ambassador for Heaven Hill Distillery, we raise a glass to a man who has poured his heart into preserving one of whiskey’s greatest legacies. In this episode, Bernie dives deep into:

• The history and significance of the Bottled-in-Bond Act

• How he earned the nickname “The Bottled-in-Bond Professor”

• The evolution of Heaven Hill’s bonded lineup

• His personal whiskey journey—from the stage to the rickhouse

• Why Bottled-in-Bond still matters in today’s whiskey world

And yes, we sip…

Big Chief and Bernie share few special pours that helped shape Bernie’s career.

Whether you’re a bonded whiskey nerd or just discovering what those four little words mean, this episode is a tribute to passion, tradition, and one unforgettable ambassador of American whiskey.

Raise a glass. This one’s for Bernie. Cheers

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out in The Bourbon Life Studios with Juliet Schmalz, CEO & Founder, of Fortune’s Fool Whiskey.

The guys talk with Juliet about her decision to leave her career as an anesthesiologist to pursue a career and launch a new brand in the whiskey industry, the creation of the brand and the challenges that she has faced since starting Fortune’s Fool, as well as what the future looks like for her and Fortune’s Fool Whiskey.

They also taste a review Fortune’s Fool “The Prelude” Straight Rye Whiskey and the Fortune’s Fool “The Overture” Straight Rye Whiskey.

This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is sponsored by Three Chord Bourbon and The Kitchen Table at James B. Beam Distilling Co.

Check out all of our amazing sponsors online at:

www.threechordbourbon.com

www.visitthekitchentable.com