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The Bourbon Playbook

The Bourbon Playbook

By: Ryan O'Leary and Mike Zika
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About this listen

Welcome to The Bourbon Playbook, the podcast where friends, family, and the smoothest of brown spirits come together for good conversation and great bourbon. Each episode, we dive deep into the world of whiskey, exploring a different bourbon of the week. From live sips and tasting notes to fascinating history and fun stories, we bring the distilling craft to life in the most relaxed way possible — just like kicking back with old friends in the basement. Whether you're a bourbon connoisseur or just looking to learn more, this show has something for everyone. Grab your glass and join the conversation with new episodes every Tuesday!

Tune in for:

  • Bourbon of the Week: A new bottle to explore every episode
  • Live Sips: Real-time tastings and flavor breakdowns
  • Whiskey Wisdom: Fun facts, history, and stories from the bourbon world
  • Spirited banter: Engaging conversations on life, family and sports

So pour yourself a dram, and let’s make some memories one sip at a time on The Bourbon Playbook!

RCO Audio LLC 2024
Episodes
  • Bourbon Trail Playbook (Part I): Buffalo Trace Distillery & Eagle Rare 10
    Jun 17 2025

    Fresh off their trip to Bourbon Country, the guys break down their visit to the iconic Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, sharing stories from the tour, the pours, and everything in between!

    In this week's episode:

    • Top takeaways from the Trail, from Whiskey Row to Lexington
    • How navigate Buffalo Trace's daily allocated bottle drops
    • What bourbons (and other spirits) to expect in Buffalo Trace's tasting room
    • History, tasting notes and E5 ratings for the Bourbon of the Week: Eagle Rare 10 Year

    Subscribe, share the pod with a friend, and be sure to check back next week for Part II of our Bourbon Trail Playbook series!

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    44 mins
  • Ben Holladay or E.H. Taylor? Our First Blind Taste Showdown
    Jun 10 2025

    On this week's minisode, the guys put their palates to the test with a blind tasting that brings bold flavors, wild guesses — and just a bit of humble pie.

    The lineup:

    1. Ben Holladay 7-Year Bottled-in-Bond
    2. E.H. Taylor Single Barrel Bottled in Bond
    3. Bardstown Bottled in Bond Origin Series

    Which unbiased bottle rises to the top? Join the show and share your own blind tasting notes and experiences at tbplaybook.com.

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    21 mins
  • Trailheads & Tasting Rooms: Our Bourbon Trail 2025 Preview
    Jun 3 2025

    Alright folks, pour one and buckle in — because this episode is all about bourbon bucket lists.

    We’re talkin’ about the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Not from the perspective of seasoned veterans…. but from two guys who’ve never done it and are finally making the trip.

    Yep — it’s happening. We’re headed to bourbon country. And we’re coming in hot with a game plan, a cooler, and just enough hearsay to sound like we know what we’re doing.

    Are we doing it right? Drop us a dram at tbplaybook.com, and we'll share your Bourbon Trail experiences on a future episode of the pod!

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    15 mins
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