Whiskey and Wisdom Podcast with Matt Ray: Blind Barrels Tasting & Bourbon Insights
Welcome back to another exciting episode of the Whiskey and Wisdom Podcast! In this episode, we dive into our quarterly Blind Barrels tasting, a thrilling whiskey experience where we try different bourbons and whiskeys sent to us with unique concepts. Today, our guest Matt Ray, owner of Ibis and the Starling, joins us to provide his whiskey expertise and insights. We explore various tasting notes and guess details like age, proof, and mash bill. We also discover the interesting stories behind each sample, from Kansas City Whiskey to the Jimmy Red Bottled and Bond Bourbon.
Listen as we share our thoughts on the tasting profiles, discuss the impact of barrel aging, and even debate the differences between two Weller foolproof picks. Matt Ray offers fascinating anecdotes from his bourbon adventures and distillery visits, making this episode a must-listen for all whiskey enthusiasts. Additionally, catch some fun stories about bourbon trail trips, whiskey events, and even some bourbon trivia. Don't miss out on the fun and wisdom shared in this whiskey-filled episode!
00:00 Introduction to the Whiskey and Wisdom Podcast
00:03 Exploring Blind Barrels: Concept and Setup
00:51 Tasting Notes and Whiskey Insights
01:38 Guest Introduction: Matt Ray
02:58 Seasonal Whiskey Tasting
04:04 Blind Barrels Game: Age, Proof, and Mash Bill
05:25 Whiskey Tasting and Guessing
06:16 Discussing Whiskey Preferences and Experiences
09:13 Unique Whiskeys and Tasting Notes
18:31 Fun with Whiskey Colors and Flavors
38:01 Matt Ray's Blind Tasting
49:18 Planning a Bourbon Trail Adventure
49:33 Barrel Picks and Collaborations
50:32 Blind Tasting Challenges
53:40 Wild Turkey Masters Keep
56:14 Personal Barrel Stories
59:42 Aging and Transporting Barrels
01:00:54 End of Days Rye Release
01:01:58 Podcast Questions and Shoutouts
01:14:54 Comparing Barrel Picks
01:27:15 Upcoming Events and Guests
