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The Scotchy Bourbon Boys welcome Randy Prassy, Kentucky Bourbon Festival President, to discuss major improvements for the upcoming festival including a transformed VIP experience and expanded distillery footprint.

• Complete transformation of St. Joseph's Church parking lot into a premium turf-covered distillery area with shade structures and cooling fans
• Expansion of the Great Tent to include three air-conditioned education suites
• Introduction of RFID technology on 34 single barrel pick bottles to track their journey globally
• Implementation of a beta test for direct-to-consumer shipping options through Kentucky Bourbon Direct
• Relocation of the cigar lounge to provide better accessibility with multiple retailers
• 85% of festival attendees come from outside Kentucky, creating significant economic impact
• Announcement of 2025 festival dates: September 10-13
• Introduction of the exclusive President's Club VIP experience featuring Oris watches and luxury accommodations
• Festival tickets go on sale mid-April with VIP typically selling out within minutes

Remember to mark your calendars for September and book accommodations early, as hotels fill quickly. Follow the Kentucky Bourbon Festival website to join their insider email list for ticket pre-sales.

Step behind the velvet rope of Kentucky's premier bourbon celebration as Festival President Randy Prasse reveals the meticulous planning and significant upgrades coming to this year's Kentucky Bourbon Festival. What began as a bold reinvention five years ago has blossomed into the ultimate bourbon enthusiast's playground, with 85% of attendees traveling from outside Kentucky to experience what can't be found anywhere else in the world.

The 2025 festival promises a complete transformation of the visitor experience. Imagine walking across lush green turf (replacing hot asphalt) to air-conditioned tasting tents, where 34 exclusive single barrel picks await. Each bottle now features cutting-edge RFID technology that tracks its journey globally as it changes hands—creating a digital passport for these sought-after spirits. The distillery footprint has expanded dramatically, with major players like Heaven Hill and Maker's Mark relocating to create a more intuitive flow throughout the grounds.

For collectors and bourbon hunters, the festival has become a treasure trove. Some distilleries now sell more bottles during the festival weekend than at their permanent gift shops, with many creating special releases available exclusively to festival attendees. A beta test of direct-to-consumer shipping options through Kentucky Bourbon Direct will allow visitors from reciprocal states to purchase bottles at the festival and have them shipped home legally—solving the perennial "how do I get all this bourbon home?" dilemma.

The evolution reflects a deeper understanding of what makes bourbon culture special: the intersection of craftsmanship, community, and shared experience. While the festival has transformed from its free-admission roots, it has maintained affordability for genuine enthusiasts while creating luxury options like the exclusive President's Club (featuring Oris watches and premium accommodations) for those seeking the ultimate experience.

Mark your calendars for September 10-13, 2025, but don't wait to secure accommodations—hotels and Airbnbs were booked solid within minutes of the date

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Green River Distilling Company partners with the US Army to create a special 250th anniversary bourbon bottled at a meaningful 111.1 proof to commemorate Veterans Day. The collaborative project reflects Green River's long history of supporting veterans dating back to the distillery's founding by J.W. McCulloch, who gained favor with veterans that helped secure an 18-year contract as the sole spirits provider for US Marine Hospitals.

• Official licensed product of the United States Army required navigating complex approval processes
• Project revitalized through personal connection between Green River leadership and the Sergeant Major of the Army
• Small batch blend of four to six-year-old barrels with notes of warm vanilla, leather, cinnamon, and cherry
• Special product launch featured former Golden Knights parachuting bottles from 5,000 feet at Fort Bragg
• Initial production of 10,000 six-packs quickly sold out across distribution channels
• Priced at $49.99, making it accessible while honoring military service
• Green River continues expanding with future innovations including a four-grain bourbon currently aging
• Team-based approach to distilling reflects military values of teamwork and excellence

Remember to drink responsibly. Never drink and drive and live your life uncut and unfiltered.

A toast to those who serve! Green River Distilling Company's Master Distiller Aaron Harris & CEO Colonel (Ret) Mark Erwin of lofted Spirits joins the Scotchy Bourbon Boys to share the extraordinary story behind their special US Army 250th Anniversary bourbon. This isn't just another limited release – it's a heartfelt tribute that celebrates America's oldest military branch through meticulous craftsmanship and meaningful symbolism.

The bourbon's journey from concept to bottle showcases the nimble innovation possible at Green River, where military connections run deep. Harris reveals how the Sergeant Major of the Army personally revived the project after initial legal challenges, and details the painstaking process of creating an official licensed Army product. The partnership extends Green River's long legacy of supporting veterans, dating back to founder J.W. McCulloch's generous whiskey donations at veterans' memorials that helped secure an 18-year government contract.

Bottled at a purposeful 111.1 proof to honor Veterans Day (11/11), this small batch blend features four to six-year-old barrels selected for their warm vanilla, leather, and cinnamon notes, with distinctive cherry undertones. The hosts conduct a thorough tasting that confirms this bourbon delivers exceptional quality, earning near-perfect scores for its rich complexity and buttery mouthfeel. But perhaps most memorable is the dramatic product launch – Erwin describes the unforgettable day when former Army Golden Knights parachuted bottles from 5,000 feet at Fort Bragg before sharing authentic toasts among veterans.

What began as a projected 2,000-case release quickly expanded to 10,000 six-packs that flew off shelves nationwide. Priced accessibly at $49.99, this commemorative bottle offers bourbon enthusiasts and military supporters alike the chance to honor service while enjoying premium Kentucky whiskey. Subscribe now to join the Scotchy Bourbon Boys for more exclusive distillery insights and passionate bourbon appreciation!

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We explore Milk & Honey (M&H) Israeli whiskey, a groundbreaking single malt aged at the lowest place on Earth. The Dead Sea location creates extreme maturation conditions, with temperatures reaching 124°F and extraordinary atmospheric pressure resulting in a complex whiskey despite its young age.

• First whiskey ever aged in the Dead Sea region, 1,400 feet below sea level
• Loses 25% to the angels each year (75% over its three-year aging period)
• Made from 100% malted barley at 111 proof (55.5% ABV)
• Aged in bourbon barrels and STR (shaved, toasted, re-charred) red wine casks
• Features chocolate and burnt marshmallow on the nose with notes of pineapple on the finish
• Part of M&H's Apex Terroir series exploring how location affects whiskey development
• Inspired by the late Dr. Jim Swan's vision of Israel as a "playground for innovation"
• Demonstrates how extreme conditions can accelerate maturation and create unique flavor profiles

Remember to check out www.scotchybourbonboys.com for merchandise including t-shirts and Glencairn glasses. Follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, X, Apple, iHeart, and Spotify – like, comment, subscribe, and leave good feedback to help others discover our content.

Journey with us to the lowest place on Earth as we explore the remarkable M&H Dead Sea whiskey from Israel's first whiskey distillery. This groundbreaking single malt defies conventional aging wisdom by maturing in the extraordinary conditions of the Dead Sea region – 1,400 feet below sea level where temperatures soar to 124°F and atmospheric pressure creates a whiskey environment unlike anywhere else in the world.

The Whiskey Doctor joins us for this special Whiskey Without Borders episode to unpack what makes this Israeli innovation so fascinating. We discover how extreme maturation conditions create an astonishing 25% angel's share per year, meaning 75% of this whiskey evaporates during its three-year aging process. The result? A surprisingly complex whiskey that delivers far beyond its young age.

As we taste through this 111-proof expression, we uncover a remarkable sensory journey – from chocolate and burnt marshmallow aromas to hints of campfire smoke and unexpected tropical fruit notes. The whiskey offers what our hosts describe as "the hug" – that warming sensation that travels through your chest with a proper sip of quality spirits.

This episode delves deep into whiskey terroir – how specific locations shape a whiskey's character through climate, elevation, and atmospheric conditions. M&H's Apex Terroir series represents the cutting edge of whiskey innovation, demonstrating that excellence doesn't require centuries of tradition, just vision and a willingness to push boundaries.

Whether you're a bourbon devotee curious about global whiskey expressions or a single malt enthusiast looking to expand your horizons, this episode offers fascinating insights into how Israeli whiskey is carving its unique place in the spirits world. Subscribe, leave a review, and join us as we continue exploring exceptional whiskeys from unexpected places around the globe.

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