Ep. 35 - Strong Enough For A Man, But Made By A Woman - KY Bourbon Festival

When Jason and Bradford invite the inimitable Suzanne Phifer Pavitt (of Phifer Pavitt Spirits) their first female guest on the podcast, to join them on the podcast the conversation turns into a masterclass in bourbon, vision, and sensory expertise. Recorded while visiting the speakeasy at The Trail Hotel in Bardstown, Kentucky during the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, this episode, explores how women—perhaps more attuned to aroma and nuance—often lead with their noses in the spirits world, and how that sensitivity becomes an advantage in crafting world-class bourbon.

Suzanne recounts the daring genesis of Late Night, Phifer Pavitt’s 10-year bourbon finished in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon barrels. That extra 13 months in Cabernet-kissed French oak imparts a signature profile of bold vanilla, dark caramel, smoked caramel, almond brittle, and deep raisin and fig notes. She walks Jason and Bradford through the mash bill (80% corn, 11% rye, 9% malted barley) and shares how she leaned into her own sensory intuition to refine the flavors and finish. She also opens up about a catastrophic fire during COVID that destroyed her family farm and winery, and how that experience shaped her resilience and perspective. Sign up for release dates of Late Night and Reserve at www.phiferpavittspirits.com.

Over tasting pours, Suzanne teases out the stories behind each sip: why finishing in wine barrels matters, how tactile memory and scent guide decision-making, and how she balances strength and delicacy in the whiskey she crafts. Jason and Bradford probe, tease, and drink deeply, discovering how a bourbon “made by a woman” can carry enough backbone to impress even the most hardened bourbon purist.

Tune in for laughter, insight, and a sensory journey you won’t forget.

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