WTF - Whiskey Tequila Fridays Podcast

Ep. 20: Beginner Buys 2: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Bourbon and Espolon Reposado

The boys noticed that the question they get most often is something like, "I've never tried whiskey/tequila before.  Where should I start?" 
So here we go with Beginner Buys 2! (or is it Deux?) 
In this episode, the boys bring two bottles they think are perfect for beginners, experts, and everyone in between.  Matt brings Russell's Reserve 10 Year Bourbon, and Drew brings Espolon Reposado. 
Each bottle has a unique story and both fit the criteria the boys set for a Beginner Buy.
These bottles are everywhere, so pick up one of each, tune in, listen and sip along, and make it a Happy Friday!

Ep. 19: Double Barrel Beauties - The Final Chapter: Legent Bourbon and Excellia Reposado

Remember when CDs and DVDs had hidden bonuses called "Easter Eggs"?  And if you listened or watched long enough, you'd stumble across something amazing?
This week the boys bring yet another set of bottles that boast double barrel beauty!  Matt brings Legent Bourbon, the bottle that celebrates the collaboration between Beam and Suntory.  Drew brings Excellia Reposado, the slightly less aged version of the Anejo featured two weeks ago, but no less complex thanks to the master blending of rested tequila in two different barrels.
This episode will end our Double Barrel Theme... for now...
The boys give a thorough geek-out on these two bottles, and also make a little time to discuss their favorite  albums.
Both of these bottles are on the shelves- Legent is everywhere and Excellia from 1139 can still be found with a bit of hunting.  Pick them up, share with your friends, and make it a Happy Friday!
PS - make sure you listen to the bitter end.
 

Ep. 18: Double The Barrel, Double the Fun: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon and Excellia Anejo

Today the boys bring bottles that have a little extra barrel influence.  Once again, these two bottles go perfectly together!  
Matt shares the Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon, aged in two oak barrels with different characteristics.
Drew shares the Excellia Anejo, aged in two barrels that previously held two different spirits.
The QuickSips™ bring waves of both mouth-watering and mouth drying, and the long finish won't quit!
Pick up these two bottles, share with friends, and make it a Happy Friday!

Ep. 17: Starward Single Barrel Single Grain Australian Whisky and Old School Chinaco Reposado

Happy Friday!  Today the boys bring two special treats: Matt brings an Australian Whisky made of 100% wheat, the Starward Single Barrel Single Grain, and Drew brings a 20+ year old bottle of Chinaco Reposado. 
These are two amazing bottles that pair so nicely together, as revealed in the QuickSips™!  
You know these aren't recorded and released in order, right?  Go back in time as the boys discover how to adjust the volume of the QuickSips™ to equalize proof- something they've now been doing for months.  It's just like the metaverse!
So drink along and discover bright tropical flavors, stewed fruits, deep dark notes, the proper way to consume cornbread, and how every mother in the 80's coveted those big Country Crock tubs.
Cheers! 

Ep. 16: Catching Unicorns: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof & Siembra Azul 15 Anniversary Tequila Reposado

Ever catch a Unicorn?  How about two?
Well, this week the boys bring two bottles that are definitely Unicorn-status.
Matt brings the Colonel EH Taylor Barrel Proof Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey, and Drew brings Siembra Azul 15 Anniversary Tequila Reposado.
The boys had never tasted these two together before hitting record- they could tell it was a perfect match just by the nose!
A quick geek out on movie sequels inspires another sequel, as the boys bask in the complex flavors of an unprecedented double round of QuickSips™!
These bottles are out there, but hard to find on the shelves.  If you do snag a Unicorn or two, then taste along.  Until then, listen with whatever is in your glass and make it a Happy Friday!

Ep. 15: Widow Jane Times Two: Widow Jane 10 Year Bourbon and Tequila Ocho Reposado Barrel Select Widow Jane

This week the boys bring two bottles that were not only made for each other, but literally made *by* each other!
Matt brings the Widow Jane 10 Year Bourbon and Drew bings the Tequila Ocho Reposado Barrel Select Widow Jane: a beautiful Ocho aged in Widow Jane 10 year barrels!!!
What?!?
Join the boys in this journey of deliciousness as they sip two beautiful spirits.  Ride along as they tangent into random movie titles.  And finally, see what the QuickSips™ bring out from each glass... Hint: the finish is sublime.
BTW: Tequila Ocho recently announced that there will be another release of Widow Jane Reposado in 2023, so don't go wasting money in the secondary market now- just keep your eyes open for the new release later this year.
Want to have a curated tasting experience?  Find these two bottles, spread the positivity, call your friends, and bond over the lovely flavors found in this episode.
Happy Friday, Friends!   

Ep. 14: “Beer.” -or- “More Than The Sum…”: Sagamore Ale Cask Finished Rye and Fortaleza Reposado Winter Blend 2020

This week the boys bring two bottles that were aged in similar barrels: Beer barrels.  Drew brings the Fortaleza Reposado Winter Blend 2020 and Matt brings the Sagamore Ale Cask Finished Rye.  They both agree the presence of beer adds a lot to their favorite spirits.  And yet again, these are two bottles they won’t be drinking without the other, because as Matt points out, “they are more than the sum of their parts.”
The boys reference The Agave Social Club Podcast for the 2022 Winter Blend release; find the episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-agave-social-club/id1528306060?i=1000578669835
By the way, the 2022 Winter Blend has now been released and it’s fantastic.  If you find it, BUY IT.
As always, the boys wish you and yours a Happy Friday!

Ep. 13: Saint Liberty Bertie’s Bear Gulch Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Tequila Primo 1861 Blanco with special guests Shawn Miller and Jeff Ernst of PKGD Group

In the first episode of 2023, and the first ever with guests, the boys are joined by PKGD Group’s Chief Left Brain, Jeff Ernst, and Chief Right Brain, Shawn Miller.
Jeff introduces us to Saint Liberty Bertie’s Bear Gulch Straight Bourbon Whiskey, celebrating the Women Pioneers of whiskey during Prohibition and beyond, and produced using interesting methods.
Shawn introduces us to Tequila Primo 1861 Blanco, and its significance within the Camarena family. 
Jeff drops breaking news about PKGD Group’s evolving relationship with G4!  Shawn shares insight on the Confirmed Additive Free program, its importance, and its controversy.
 As usual, the QuickSips™ bring an elevated and elongated finish for each spirit, and Jeff surprises us with yet another permutation!
Happy Friday, Friends!
Find our guests on their website and socials:
https://pkgd.group/
https://pkgd.group/our-team/
https://saintlibertywhiskey.com/
https://www.facebook.com/saintlibertywhiskey
https://twitter.com/saintlibertywhiskey
https://www.tequilaprimo.com/
https://www.facebook.com/primo.1861/

Ep. 12: Happy Holidays: Willet Rye 4 Year Cask Strength Small Batch Whiskey and Grand Mayan Ultra Aged 5 Year Extra Anejo

Okay, Listeners: pull the car over, sit down, and brace yourselves, because this one breaks all the rules—
The boys flip the script and sip a tequila that’s had more time in the barrel than the whiskey.  It's a Holiday Miracle!
Drew brings the Grand Mayan Ultra Aged 5 Year Extra Anejo, and Matt brings the Willet Rye 4 Year Cask Strength Small Batch Whiskey.  (Mind blown, right?)
Each spirit brings a flavor journey that the boys can’t get enough of, but they still manage to tangent into all kinds of Christmas Movies: Mainstream, Obscure, Holiday-Centered, and “Christmas Adjacent.”
Matt decides it’s NOT a wonderful life, and Drew confesses he’s a Holiday Movie addict!
Finally, the QuickSips™ reveal a wonderful mix of flavors and palate journeys, and the boys decide it’s a split decision on the winner.
Find true Happiness this Holiday Season when you buy these two bottles and share them with friends and family.
Happy Friday, Friends!

Ep. 11: It’s About Damn Time: Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch and Fortaleza Blanco

Have you ever looked back on a project and said: “What took so long?”  That is this episode.
The boys bring two of their favorite bottles—the bottles that all other bottles are judged against.  Matt shares The Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch and Drew brings Fortaleza Blanco.  And they both agree: It’s about damn time!
Matt tells us all about the colorful character and innovator that was The Colonel E.H. Taylor, and especially the first piece of food legislation in the US: The Bottled in Bond Act of 1897.  (We had whiskey legislation before we had the USDA or FDA!)
Drew tells a few stories about Fortaleza, suggests everyone checks out The Agave Social Club podcast for more history, and we review the Taste Tequila / Tequila Matchmaker Confirmed Additive Free program.
The QuickSips™ are magical.  Vanilla and Brine?  Yep.  Olives and Caramel?  Yep.  And they’re delicious?  YEP!
We read a listener review, tease some future episodes, and marvel at the beauty within these two spirits!
Want a Happy Friday?  Pick up these bottles!
 
The Agave Social Club, hosted by Doug Price, with Fortaleza and Billy Erickson: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-agave-social-club/id1528306060?i=1000518966958