Looking Back at 99 Episodes of Bourbon, Brass & Beyond

Can you believe we have already made it this far? As we sit down to write this post, it is hard to fathom that nearly a year has passed since we first fired up the microphones, poured our very first glasses of whiskey on air, and launched Bourbon, Brass & Beyond. What started as a fun idea between friends who simply loved talking about whiskey has blossomed into an incredible community of passionate listeners, fantastic guests, and unforgettable tasting experiences. To celebrate our journey, we dedicated our latest milestone show to looking backward at how far we have come while looking forward to what is next. If you want to dive right into the audio version of this celebration, you can listen to the full conversation over at Episode 99 — 99 Problems, The Bourbon Ain't One. In this blog post, we are going to expand on those reflections, talk about our technical evolution, reminisce about some of our favorite bottle finds, and break down the incredible Jack Daniel’s age-stated lineup that we tasted to mark the occasion.

From Echoes to Evolution: The Journey of Our Recording Space

Every great podcast has humble beginnings, and ours was no exception. When we first started recording Bourbon, Brass & Beyond, we had zero professional audio engineering experience. We basically grabbed whatever microphones we could find, set up in a spare room, and hit record. Looking back now, some of those early audio files make us cringe just a little bit. We had massive echo problems, terrible acoustics, and HVAC systems that seemed to turn on with a vengeance the exact second we started speaking about a rare vintage pour.

Over the past year, our recording space has undergone a massive transformation. Changing locations in the house with multiple renovations- we finally have a setting that works very well.  Moving around furniture, upgrading our mixing gear, and tweaking our software settings became a regular side project. It is funny to think about how much time we have spent soundproofing a room just so we can accurately describe the delicate whispers of oak and caramel in a glass of high-end bourbon. But that evolution is part of the charm. Our space grew right alongside our confidence, turning from a noisy echo chamber into a proper studio where we can sit back, relax, and share our passion with the world.

Reflecting on the Early Days and Memorable Bottle Finds

When you start a podcast dedicated to whiskey, you naturally look back at the bottles that sparked your passion in the first place. For us, the early episodes were all about exploring classic flights, comparing mash bills, and figuring out how to articulate what we were tasting. We dove into iconic releases, debated the merits of various high-rye versus wheated bourbons, and shared memories of our college drinking days when bourbon was just something to mix with cola rather than savor neat.

Of course, part of the fun of running this show has been the hunt. Over the last 99 episodes, we have had the absolute privilege of opening some jaw-dropping pours. We have talked about incredible finds like vintage Yellowstone, Old Taylor, and elusive bottles of Van Winkle Fame. We even dove into the wild world of secondary market pricing and "tater" culture, discussing what makes certain bottles instantly legendary while others fly under the radar. Every bottle tells a story, and looking back at our early tasting notes reminds us of just how much fun it is to pull the cork on something truly special for the very first time.

Unforgettable Guests and Distillery Visits

While sitting across the table from each other every week is a blast, some of our absolute favorite moments on the podcast have come from bringing other voices into the fold. Throughout the year, we have had the honor of speaking with incredible figures in the whiskey industry who have shaped the spirits world as we know it today.

We fondly remember our conversations with legends like Preston Van Winkle, sharing stories about family heritage and the legacy of their iconic brand. We also think back to our amazing visit to Log Still Distillery, where we sat down with Wally to talk about tradition, craft, and the art of modern distilling. Getting to hear firsthand stories from industry icons—as well as having fellow enthusiasts and friends like Nick join us on the mic—has added layers of depth to the show that we never could have anticipated. Those interviews taught us that whiskey is not just a drink in a glass; it is a community of passionate, dedicated people who pour their lives into their craft.

How Our Whiskey Palates Have Grown

If there is one constant in the world of whiskey, it is that your palate is never truly finished evolving. When we started this journey, our preferences were fairly locked in. We knew what we liked, and we tended to stick to our comfort zones. But hosting a podcast forces you to taste blindly, step outside your boundaries, and sample things you might normally pass by on a store shelf.

Take rye whiskey, for example. I was famously skeptical of rye during the early days of the podcast, often leaning heavily toward sweet, approachable, wheated bourbons. But episode after episode of blind tastings, barrel picks, and expert recommendations slowly chipped away at those reservations. Now, complex spicy ryes are frequently welcomed into our regular rotation. Our palates have become more refined, more tolerant of higher proofs, and much better at picking out nuanced notes like leather, tobacco, dark cherries, and earthy baking spices. Tasting hundreds of different liquids over the course of a year will do that to your senses.

Tasting the Jack Daniel’s 10, 12, and 14 Year Lineup

To properly celebrate our 99th episode, we knew we needed a tasting flight that was equally monumental. We decided to line up the critically acclaimed Jack Daniel’s age-stated series: the 10 Year, the 12 Year, and the eagerly anticipated 14 Year releases. This lineup gave us a fantastic masterclass in how extended barrel aging interacts with Tennessee whiskey.

We started with the Jack Daniel’s 10 Year. This expression is remarkably easy-drinking, offering a smooth entry with plenty of classic character, though it lacks some of the deeper complexity found in its older siblings. It is a fantastic pour, but it acts as a gentle introduction. Next up was the 12 Year. Stepping up in age brought a noticeable shift toward deeper sweetness, featuring prominent notes of rich caramel, brown sugar, and a distinct marshmallow quality that had us all smiling. Finally, we cracked open the Jack Daniel’s 14 Year. This bottle brought the heat, but it balanced that punchy proof with incredible layers of dark molasses, heavy oak, and a remarkably long, complex finish. Comparing the three side-by-side allowed us to geek out over batch variations, proof dynamics, and value, proving once again why these limited Jack Daniel’s releases have captured the attention of the entire whiskey community.

Looking Ahead to Our Milestone Episode 100 Celebration

As we wrap up our reflections on episode 99, our eyes are firmly fixed on the horizon. Reaching 99 episodes is a massive milestone, but it is merely the stepping stone to an even bigger celebration: Episode 100!

Planning for our centennial episode has been an absolute blast. We are bringing together a large group of friends, past contributors, and fellow whiskey lovers for a massive group tasting event that we know you are going to love hearing about. We want to take a moment to thank every single one of you who has downloaded an episode, left a review, shared our show with a friend, or sent us a message on social media. You are the reason we keep turning on the microphones week after week. Be sure to check out Episode 99 — 99 Problems, The Bourbon Ain't One right now, get caught up on our journey, and get ready for a monumental Episode 100 celebration coming your way very soon. Cheers!