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Brad Bonds welcomes listeners to Revival Vintage Spirits and Bottle Shop in Covington, Kentucky, where vintage whiskeys tell the story of American distilling from Prohibition to present day. Located just minutes from the interstate at the unofficial start of the bourbon trail, Revival offers a unique experience with rare and historic spirits that can't be found anywhere else.

• Revival Vintage Spirits occupies a historic 1800s building that once served as Covington's YMCA
• Dusty bottles aren't just old whiskeys—true dusties have tax strips from before 1984
• Well-preserved vintage spirits can remain good for decades or centuries if properly sealed
• Revival makes rare spirits accessible by offering affordable quarter-ounce pours of pre-prohibition whiskey
• The shop occasionally features medicinal prohibition bottles complete with original prescriptions
• Revival hosts distillers and brand owners regularly for special events and tastings
• The store serves as both a bottle shop and bar, creating a comprehensive whiskey experience
• Brad and his business partner are working to change Kentucky law to improve vintage spirit regulations
• Small distilleries can partner with Revival to showcase their products and connect with enthusiasts
• Whiskey collecting is comparable to baseball card collecting, but with the added benefit of consumption

If you're passing through Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky, stop by Revival Vintage Spirits, ask for Brad personally, and experience a true grain-to-glass journey from the past to your present.

Step into the fascinating world of vintage spirits as we join Brad Bonds at Revival Vintage Spirits and Bottle Shop in historic Covington, Kentucky. Just minutes from Cincinnati, this extraordinary establishment serves as both the gateway to bourbon country and a living museum of American whiskey history.

Brad guides us through the remarkable journey of Revival, from its humble beginnings to its current home in a beautifully restored 1800s building that once housed Covington's YMCA. More than just a bottle shop, Revival represents the preservation of whiskey heritage, offering enthusiasts the chance to taste spirits that most people only read about in books.

The conversation delves deep into what makes "dusty" bottles special – those time capsules of whiskey history featuring tax strips from before 1984 that capture production methods long since abandoned. Brad explains the remarkable stability of properly stored vintage spirits, which can remain perfect for decades or even centuries, unlike wine or other collectibles. We explore the delicate art of bottle assessment, learning how clarity, fill level, and label condition impact both value and the drinking experience.

What sets Revival apart is its commitment to accessibility. While some establishments might charge $1,000 per ounce for pre-Prohibition whiskey, Brad shares stories of offering quarter-ounce pours for $40, allowing hundreds of people to experience liquid history. His philosophy shines through in every aspect of the business: "We're trying to figure out a way every day to be fair to who we buy from and fair to who we sell to."

The passion behind Revival is infectious as Brad compares whiskey collecting to baseball cards, but with one crucial difference – "this is the final frontier, because you can choose to buy a b

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The bourbon lifestyle encompasses more than just drinking; it's about creating connections through shared experiences, travel, food pairings, and immersing oneself in bourbon culture from Kentucky trails to home collections.

• Bourbon lifestyle defined: relaxation, moderation, appreciation over consumption
• The House of Commons Bourbon Library in Frankfurt epitomizes bourbon elegance with jazz, leather couches, and expertly curated selections
• Travel experiences: Kentucky Bourbon Trail, regional distillery tours, and destination bourbon bars
• Home bar setup: proper glassware, decanters, and specialized tools for the authentic experience
• Food pairings enhance bourbon enjoyment, demonstrated by the chef-inspired Maker's Mark Tastemakers Series
• Maker's Mark Tastemakers Series highlights collaborations with James Beard-nominated Ohio chefs
• Detailed tasting of Chef Vinnie Camino's Maker's Mark selection revealed notes of cherry cobbler, cinnamon, and chai spices
• Barrel stave bar creation project showcases how enthusiasts incorporate bourbon elements into home design
• Merchandise and accessories signal passion and create conversation starters within the community

Live your life uncut and unfiltered, drink fancy, don't get drunk, and embrace the bourbon lifestyle in all its dimensions.

What does it truly mean to live the bourbon lifestyle? In this captivating exploration, we uncover the multidimensional world that extends far beyond simply drinking whiskey. From crafting the perfect home bar to journeying through Kentucky's hallowed distilleries, the bourbon lifestyle represents a rich tapestry of experiences connected by a common thread – appreciation over consumption.

The House of Commons Bourbon Library in Frankfurt emerges as a shining example of bourbon culture done right. With its elegant atmosphere, leather couches, jazz soundtrack, and meticulously curated selection, this establishment creates a space where bourbon serves as the centerpiece for meaningful connections. Owner David Sandiam has mastered the art of bourbon hospitality, demonstrating how the right environment enhances every sip.

We take a deep dive into the remarkable Maker's Mark Tastemakers Series, a limited Ohio release featuring expressions created in collaboration with James Beard-nominated chefs. Our comprehensive breakdown of Chef Vinnie Camino's selection reveals a complex profile with notes of cherry cobbler, cinnamon, and chai spice – earning an impressive 17 out of 18 on our rating scale. This innovative series perfectly illustrates how bourbon intersects with culinary artistry, creating truly unique expressions that tell a story in every glass.

The bourbon lifestyle encompasses many elements – specialized glassware, thoughtful food pairings, distillery merchandise, and even home design incorporating bourbon elements. We share the journey of creating a custom barrel stave bar face, transforming a standard bar into a showpiece that celebrates bourbon heritage through repurposed materials from various distilleries.

Whether you're new to bourbon or a seasoned enthusiast, this episode provides valuable insights into cultivating authentic bourbon experiences. The lifestyle isn't about showcasing expensive bottles or excessive consumption – it's about the stories, the craftsmanship, and the connections made along the way. Jo

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We compare the newly released 2025 1792 Sweet Wheat bourbon with the 2023 release that's been open for a year, exploring how wheated bourbons evolve over time while scoring each on body, nose, taste, and finish.

• 1792 Sweet Wheat is a 91.2 proof wheated bourbon that represents the classic bourbon style from Barton Distillery
• Barton 1792 Distillery was founded in 1879 by Thomas Moore and is now owned by Sazerac Company
• The freshly opened 2025 release shows strong vanilla, toast, and developing cherry notes with an excellent body presence
• After a year open, the 2023 bottle displays significantly more caramel, an intense butterscotch-to-cherry transition, and a shorter finish
• Both bottles scored 15/18 on our rating scale but achieved this through different strength categories
• Wheated bourbons benefit substantially from being open for extended periods, allowing oxygen to develop the flavors
• The colonial-styled 1792 bottle design reflects the historical significance of the year Kentucky became a state

Visit www.scotchybourbonboys.com for merchandise including our Glencairn glasses and t-shirts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X, and listen to us on Apple, iHeart, Spotify, or any major podcast platform. Remember, good bourbon equals good times and good friends.

Dive into the fascinating world of wheated bourbon with our comparative tasting of the 1792 Sweet Wheat 2025 release against its 2023 counterpart. This episode uncovers the remarkable transformation that happens when a quality wheated bourbon sits open for a year, developing complex layers of flavor that weren't present upon first pour.

The Barton 1792 Distillery, established in 1879 by Thomas Moore, continues its tradition of excellence with their Sweet Wheat expression. At 91.2 proof, this bourbon replaces the traditional rye grain with wheat for a softer, more approachable profile while maintaining the distillery's signature character. Our side-by-side analysis reveals how oxygen exposure dramatically enhances this whiskey's profile over time.

Our freshly-opened 2025 bottle immediately impressed with its long legs in the glass and a beautiful body that coated every corner of the mouth. The nose offered toasted notes with prominent vanilla, reminiscent of Brach's candy chews, eventually developing subtle cherry hints. On the palate, it delivered a remarkable cherry transition that one taster described as a "cherry flavored cigar" with a lengthy finish that earned it high marks in our rating system.

Meanwhile, the 2023 bottle that had breathed for a year showed the magic that happens with patience. Its nose had transformed to showcase significant caramel development, while the taste featured an intense "momentary butterscotch" explosion that transitioned beautifully to cherry notes. Though its finish was shorter than the fresh bottle, its evolved complexity earned it equal overall points through different strengths.

Whether you're new to wheated bourbons or a seasoned enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into how these spirits develop over time. The next time you crack a bottle of wheated bourbon, consider setting some aside to experience months later – you might be surprised by how dramatically it transforms. Subscribe to our podcast for more comparative tastings and bourbon adventures that will enhance your whiskey jo

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