In this episode of The Bourbon Road, Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter return for Part Two of their deep dive into Lost Lantern’s 2025 Summer Collection — and this time, it’s all about the rye. The duo tastes through a curated lineup of four standout rye whiskeys, plus a bonus pour, delivering flavor notes, backstories, and some playful banter along the way.

The tasting kicks off with Far North Spirits from Minnesota, a 4-year-old rye clocking in at 111.5 proof. It impresses with grain-forward notes, minty freshness, and a candy-like sweetness that evolves into a spicy finish — evoking everything from Melba toast to black licorice jellybeans.

Next is the return of Fray Ranch from Nevada with a 6-year, 118.6-proof rye that blows both hosts away. With tasting notes of mint chocolate chip, brandy-like fruit, and a chocolate-dipped finish, it emerges as a strong contender for favorite pour of the episode. Colby and the Fray Ranch team continue to prove why their farm-to-glass model is producing truly unique and exceptional whiskey.

The episode is peppered with exciting bourbon news, including:

• The upcoming release of Heaven Hill’s Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Rye (Batch 2)

• The return of Elijah Craig and Larceny barrel-proof expressions

• Jacob’s Pardon Collective Series — a 16-year-old whiskey finished in 50-year-old Oloroso sherry casks

• Upcoming limited releases from Old Forester, Chattanooga Whiskey, Boone County, and New Riff

As always, Jim and Todd keep it real, sharing not just tasting notes but honest opinions about value, availability, and flavor. They also highlight Lost Lantern’s growing influence in the craft whiskey space, with recurring praise for past favorites like Whiskey Acres.

Whether you’re a seasoned rye lover or a curious newcomer, this episode is packed with flavor, insight, and plenty of road-tested recommendations. Don’t miss the bonus pour at the end — a surprise worth sticking around for.

Bourbon on the Banks 2025

Smokeys Lifestyle Cigars

The Hill House Bed and Breakfast

Be sure to check out our private Facebook group, “The Bourbon Roadies” for a great group of bourbon loving people. You will be welcomed with open arms!

In this week’s episode of The Bourbon Road, Jim and Todd settle into the Bourbon Road Bar with four exciting pours—all part of Lost Lantern’s 2025 Summer Collection. Known for spotlighting unique, independently bottled whiskeys, Lost Lantern returns with a compelling lineup that champions estate distilleries—those growing their own grains and crafting whiskey that truly reflects a sense of place.

The hosts dive headfirst into these new expressions, starting with a robust 118.1 proof bourbon from Whiskey Acres in DeKalb, Illinois. With a mashbill of yellow dent corn, wheat, and malted barley, this 5-year-old expression surprises both hosts with its rich character and memorable finish. Jim and Todd recall their past blind tasting with Whiskey Acres and reaffirm its standout quality in today’s tasting.

But this episode isn’t just about tasting notes—it's about exploring what estate distilling means for the future of American whiskey. The hosts discuss how companies like Lost Lantern are leading the charge in showcasing distilleries that prioritize heirloom grains, sustainable practices, and unique terroir. Jim notes how commercial grains have drifted toward mass production, often at the expense of flavor, while Todd highlights how estate distillers are turning the tide.

Listeners also get an insider’s look at:

• The philosophy behind Lost Lantern’s curation

• Why estate-grown grains matter in today’s whiskey

• Upcoming bottles from Russell’s Reserve, Old Forester, and Buffalo Trace

• And how the bourbon industry is evolving thanks to distillers like Freddie Noe and innovators like Lost Lantern

With plenty of banter, tasting impressions, and thoughtful industry analysis, this episode is part one of a two-part journey through eight total samples from Lost Lantern’s newest release. Whether you're a seasoned whiskey lover or just curious about craft expressions that go beyond the big names, this episode delivers a flavorful and informative ride.

So pour a glass, settle in, and join Jim and Todd as they explore bold new frontiers in American whiskey—one barrel at a time.

Bourbon on the Banks 2025

Smokeys Lifestyle Cigars

The Hill House Bed and Breakfast

Be sure to check out our private Facebook group, “The Bourbon Roadies” for a great group of bourbon loving people. You will be welcomed with open arms!

In this relaxed and whiskey-rich episode of The Bourbon Road, hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter take a well-earned pause from their recent travels and barrel picks to enjoy a night of good conversation and even better pours. Broadcasting from the Bourbon Road Bar in Simpsonville, Kentucky, the duo dives into a curated flight of four whiskeys—two bourbons and two ryes—with a monster of a surprise in the final glass.

You'll hear stories of legendary Kentucky moonshine, high-proof adventures, and reflections on the growing bourbon community, including updates on their recent roadie meetups and the much-anticipated debut of the Frankfurt Documentary. There’s even a toast to their “podcast enemies” over at Pursuit United, as Jim and Todd sample the Melwood Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon—a nod to whiskey history and the legacy of George Swearingen and Rudolph Balki.

The episode is more than just tasting notes (though there are plenty): it’s about community, history, and the shared appreciation of exceptional spirits. Learn about Melwood Avenue’s historic distilling past, find out what makes the rare 375ml release from Pursuit United so unique, and stick around for insights on upcoming barrel picks, roadie events, and the always vibrant Bourbon on the Banks Festival.

And yes, they saved the strongest for last—literally. One of the highest-proof pours ever featured on the show makes a thunderous finish, sparking memories of mason jars, X-marked moonshine, and the kind of burn only true Kentuckians could admire.

So pour yourself a generous dram and settle in. This episode is one for the books—and for the bourbon shelves.

Bourbon on the Banks 2025

Smokeys Lifestyle Cigars

The Hill House Bed and Breakfast

Be sure to check out our private Facebook group, "The Bourbon Roadies" for a great group of bourbon loving people. You will be welcomed with open arms!

This week on The Bourbon Road, Jim and Todd sit down with Julian Jones of West Fork Whiskey, an emerging Indiana distillery making bold moves in the American whiskey scene. In a rare twist, the trio kicks things off with a reverse-proof tasting—starting strong with Old Hammer Cask Strength Bourbon. Julian shares the story behind West Fork’s grain-to-glass mission, the challenges of building a craft brand in a Kentucky-dominated world, and why Indiana whiskey deserves your attention. Don’t miss this insightful and flavorful journey through the heartland of whiskey innovation.

Bourbon on the Banks 2025

Smokeys Lifestyle Cigars

The Hill House Bed and Breakfast

Be sure to check out our private Facebook group, "The Bourbon Roadies" for a great group of bourbon loving people. You will be welcomed with open arms!

In this episode of The Bourbon Road, hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter sit down in Frankfort, Kentucky, with filmmaker and bourbon enthusiast Bo Cumberland. Known to fans of the show and followers of the Bourbon Road Facebook community, Bo is the creative mind behind the documentary Frankfort, Kentucky: The Heart of Bourbon, a project highlighting the deep roots and vibrant community surrounding bourbon in Kentucky’s capital.

Bo shares his personal journey - from his move from Knoxville, Tennessee to Sparta, Kentucky - driven by a passion for bourbon and a desire to immerse himself in the culture and camaraderie that bourbon fosters. The conversation touches on his creative inspirations, the challenges and joys of independent filmmaking, and how the Frankfort Bourbon Society shaped his vision for the documentary.

Listeners will enjoy Bo's down-to-earth perspective on bourbon as more than just a drink - it’s a social connector, a cultural icon, and a personal passion. Whether you're curious about life behind the camera, the storytelling of Kentucky bourbon, or what makes a good pour among friends, this episode is one to savor.

Bourbon on the Banks 2025

Smokeys Lifestyle Cigars

The Hill House Bed and Breakfast

Be sure to check out our private Facebook group, "The Bourbon Roadies" for a great group of bourbon loving people. You will be welcomed with open arms!

This episode of the Bourbon Road podcast features Jim Shannon (traveling in Denver, Colorado) interviewing Al Laws of Laws Whiskey House. Laws shares the history and philosophy behind his Denver-based distillery, emphasizing their grain-to-glass approach using heirloom Colorado grains like Centennial white wheat and San Luis Valley rye. He discusses the mash bill of their flagship Four Grain Bourbon (60% corn, 20% wheat, 10% rye, 10% malt) and the specific flavor contributions of each grain, including the unique "penny metallic bite" from the rye and nutty finish from the scarlet barley. Laws explains how they adjusted their cooking technique to achieve balance in the Four Grain Bourbon and credits his mentor, Bill Friel, a veteran distiller from Bardstown, Kentucky.

Laws recounts his personal journey from oil and gas finance in Canada to pursuing his obsession with American whiskey, driven by a desire for hands-on artistry and authenticity. He highlights the historical significance of the Bottle in Bond Act as the first U.S. consumer protection law and Laws Whiskey House's pioneering role as the first Bottled-in-Bond whiskey in Colorado.

The conversation also delves into their 100% Rye Whiskey, exploring the earthy notes derived from the soil where the grain is grown at high altitude in the San Luis Valley. They taste a Cognac Cask Finished Bourbon, discussing the process of layering in different aged bourbons into French oak casks and a large 1600-gallon foeder for integration, resulting in a richer, more integrated flavor over years. This Solera-style finished bourbon is a special, limited annual release. They also try a high-proof, high-wheat blend called "Super Wheater," noting its intense flavor and how water or ice can open it up.

Laws describes the unique distillery visit experience, featuring a "Whiskey Church" for educational tastings and a "Whiskey Sanctuary" tasting room with panoramic mountain views. He emphasizes the importance of their team, calling the distillery a "village". They discuss distribution, noting availability in about 15-16 states, with Illinois being a strong market, and the best way to purchase is often directly online or at the distillery.

Bourbon on the Banks 2025

Smokeys Lifestyle Cigars

The Hill House Bed and Breakfast

Be sure to check out our private Facebook group, "The Bourbon Roadies" for a great group of bourbon loving people. You will be welcomed with open arms!