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On this episode of The Fred Minnick Show, Paul Charchian joins Fred for whiskey sipping and spirited conversation. Charchian is an fantasy sports pioneer who launched Fanball.com in 1993, currently serves as the Chairman of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association and makes regular appearances on AM-1130 KFAN and Fox Sports Radio as well as ESPNews. They sip Pappy Van Winkle 15-year and other bourbons on the show.

In a rare opportunity, Fred Minnick sat down with heavy metal icon Shawn Crahan, aka Clown of Slipknot, They blended Iowa Bourbon at Cedar Ridge and Clown opened up about his favorite foods and more.

On the latest episode of The Fred Minnick Show, Fred is joined by former NFL star quarterback Peyton Manning. Manning, considered one of the best to ever play the game, won two Super Bowls while playing 18 years with the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos and will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame 2021 class. He also had a successful collegiate career at the University of Tennessee before being drafted first overall in the 1998 NFL draft. On the episode, joined by Peyton’s older brother Cooper, Peyton and Fred touch on topics like ascots, Peyton’s whiskey brand Sweetens Cove, hiding your best bourbon where no one can find it and rum history, all while sipping whiskey and rum. Whiskeys tasted: • Sweetens Cove Batch 2 (6:50) • Vintage Four Roses circa 1940s (13:09) • Michter’s 10 Year (23:59) • 291 Colorado Whiskey (32:38) • Vintage Cuban Rum (35:58) • Vintage Oscar Pepper Bourbon circa 1925 (43:50) RESOURCES http://www.peytonmanning.com/ https://sweetenscovespirits.com/

On the new episode of The Fred Minnick Show, Fred is joined by country music star Craig Campbell, who has a brand new single titled "Never Mine." He is best known for hits such as "Family Man" and "Keep Them Kisses Comin'." While on the show, Craig and Fred talk TikTok, tuning guitars, bourbon notes, whiskey in song, coffee and plenty more. Oh yeah, and they sip six, count them, six whiskeys. (Note: This interview was recorded early in the covid pandemic.) Whiskeys tasted: Jack Daniel's Taster's Select (16:28) Jack Daniel's Single Barrel (22:14) Wild Turkey Revival (27:30) Russell's Reserve 10 Year Barrel Pick (39:59) Four Roses Single Barrel (45:38) Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (52:27) EPISODE SUMMARY Fred and Craig talk about a wide variety of things, such as: Craig uses a friend's house for the interview because the internet service at his place is "terrible." Craig's daughters are big fans of TikTok, a space Fred hasn't mastered yet. Campbell jumps into a song before the whiskey comes out, performing "The Whiskey's Fine." The first whiskey poured is Jack Daniel's Taster's Select, and Craig has to grab a glass (although, to be fair, drinking whiskey straight from the bottle is probably pretty darn country). Jack Daniel's Single Barrel comes next, and Fred chose JD because of Campbell's affinity for cinnamon and banana pudding. They talk about why the word "whiskey" appears in a lot of country songs - Craig notes that it's a "man's drink," and if you drink it, "that means you're a bad-ass." While Craig admits he can't find the banana flavor, he promises Fred he will try to dig into the bourbons more offline to try and train his palate. Craig talks about being an independent artist versus having record deals. Campbell explains that while he is often his own worst critic, he also is a big fan of himself. He believes when he listens to his own songs, he can spot ways to improve. On the Wild Turkey Revival, Craig says, "The Turkey was ... stout." It's onto the Russell's Reserve, and Campbell's palate finds the cinnamon almost immediately. Craig is a coffee drinker, and he and Fred compare tasting coffee versus tasting bourbon. Only one involves actively slurping. Campbell says when he sees Four Roses bourbon, he thinks of a "not-good whiskey." Fred tells him the fascinating history of why for some people, Four Roses once was not seen in a positive light. Of course, Jim Rutledge changed that. Fred then dispels the myth that to be bourbon, it must be made in Kentucky. As a bonus, he drops a funny anecdote. Craig's wife Mindy makes an appearance to jokingly make sure Fred isn't getting Craig drunk. Campbell chooses his favorite as the Jack Daniel's Tasters Select, calling it the smoothest for his palate. Craig closes out the session by playing his song, "You Can't Drown Misery With Whiskey." QUOTABLES Craig Campbell, on being signed to a record label: "The upside to having a record label is that if you are one of their guys, they will make it happen. But if you're not one of their guys, it will not happen." RESOURCES https://www.craigcampbell.tv/ https://www.facebook.com/CraigCampbelltv https://twitter.com/craigcampbelltv https://www.instagram.com/craigcampbelltv/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Fred Minnick Show, Fred is joined by Terry Bradshaw, the legendary NFL quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. In his 14 seasons in the league, Bradshaw helped lead the Steelers to four Super Bowl wins in a career that would lead him to induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989. Since 1994, Bradshaw has been an NFL analyst on Fox NFL Sunday. On the show, Fred and Terry sip some whiskey and talk about many things, from Bradshaw's brand of bourbon to his football career and plenty more. Whiskeys tasted: Bradshaw Bourbon Batch 2 (10:15) Bradshaw Rye (25:51) Old Grand-Dad Vintage 1970s 86 Proof (36:41) Very Old Barton Vintage 1960s (52:21) I.W. Harper Vintage 1933 (1:10:00) EPISODE SUMMARY Fred and Jay talk about a wide variety of things, such as: Terry is immediately impressed by the Fred Minnick logo mini-bottles. He tells Fred how he came to release his bourbon, emphasizing the importance for him that he loved the bourbon he ultimately chose to release under his name. "I wanted it to have a wow impact. I wanted it to taste to last and not fade out on me." Terry notes he didn't know anyone in the industry, nor did he have any clue how to launch a whiskey brand, before jumping in. He started by watching the film "Neat." He doesn't like the fact it was immediately termed a "celebrity bourbon," but says, "Hey, it is what it is." The 51.9 proof in the bourbon is also Bradshaw's career completion percentage in the NFL. Fred says the Bradshaw Bourbon tastes more mature than its two years of aging. There is a long and involved discussion of smelling things. Fred notes when he was in the agriculture business, he could smell fertilizer from five miles away. When Terry first got into the bourbon business, he didn't know who Fred was, and then he discovered that Fred was "important" to what he was doing. "When I heard you liked me bourbon," Terry tells Fred, "it was like ... oh my god." They try the Bradshaw Rye, and Fred gets sugar cookies and lots of spice. (Terry admits he's never been a "rye guy.") Fred notes that two other former NFL stars - Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson - also are in the bourbon business now. Terry says he heard Manning's bourbon is highly expensive, and to Terry that means he isn't a "serious player" in the business. Bradshaw's bourbon hits around $40. They move to the vintage Old Grand-Dad, which Fred says it is a "throwback" to when National Distillers was making its hay releasing 86-proof whiskeys. The one being tasted dates back to the 1970s, when Bradshaw was lighting up the NFL. Fred talks about how distilling is different today than when the Old Grand-Dad was made, much the way football is different today than it was then. Fred then asks Terry if this particular whiskey reminds him of any game or play from the 1970s. "If I could drink a bunch of this, I could go back and tell you about some times," Terry says, laughing. Terry: "I call it bourbon, I don't call it whiskey. Bourbon is a little sexier than whiskey." Fred tells Terry he got into the bourbon business at just the right time. Terry then tells the story of how he picked his first barrel. Terry's pretty sure the master distiller who helped him was none other Jim Rutledge at Four Roses. He ended up doing it two more times - while also donating profits to Wounded Warriors - which is how he ultimately decided to get into the business. Terry: "I have a little problem with my preacher. They think I am some kind of heathen." Terry: "I get the feeling I would become an alcoholic before I ever got good at this." Terry talks about a scene he wants to shoot a scene that has a James Bond theme. Sadly, Bond was a vodka drinker. Terry chimes in: "I don't like vodka. I can't stand gin. Tequila, you can have. If I drink beer I have one beer and that's enough for me. I'm a bourbon drinker." Fred notes that many ranchers would use...

On this episode of The Fred Minnick Show, musician, actor and producer Fee Waybill joins in. Waybill was front man for 1970s-1980s hitmakers The Tubes and also worked with artists such as Toto, Richard Marx and Bryan Adams. He also has appeared on television and film, including a cameo in "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure." He sits down with Fred to talk about his diverse career, getting back to touring, the band's reputation for being over the top and, of course, he tastes some bourbon. Whiskeys tasted: Chapin and Gore Vintage (06:10) 291 Colorado Whiskey (19:33) Barrell Bourbon 15 Year Old (53:14) Diplomatico Rum (1:06:00) EPISODE SUMMARY Fred and Fee talk about a wide variety of things, such as: They start with the Chapin and Gore whiskey from the 1970s, which is around the time when The Tubes were just bursting onto the music landscape. Fred gives Fee a quick education on what bourbon is versus whiskey. Fee talks about performing in the early days, telling the story of his stage manager Chopper always having a joint rolled and ready for him when he walked off stage. When he started drinking, it began with Jack Daniel's. These days, it's single malt Scotch whisky. Fred asks about Fee's on-camera chemistry with David Letterman. Turns out Fee knew Letterman's girlfriend, who was a huge fan of The Tubes. They move to the 291 Colorado Whiskey, and Fee immediately exclaims, "Oh, it's hot!" But his taste buds quickly acclimate. Talk turns to the inability for artists to make money from streaming. "The only way we can make money these days is by live performance and selling merchandise," Fee says. Of course, the pandemic wiped out most of that income. Fee talks about the timeline of The Tubes, which broke up in the 1980s, but got back together in 1994. They're still together, although they haven't played a live show since January 2020, thanks to covid. Plans are in the works for live shows later this summer. Fee recalls when the band "ruled" San Francisco, back in the days when they would put topless girls onstage to dance during shows. In Kansas City, they had to play under a $10,000 "obscenity bond." But fee insists there was no truth to the rumors of live sex onstage. He talks about meeting Richard Marx and about recording the Tubes' hit "She's a Beauty." The two became good friends, and Fee has written many songs with him. Much of their work culminated in a Fee Waybill solo album. The Barrell Bourbon is broken out, but Fee admits he's "Pretty much done already." The high-proof Colorado Whiskey tends to do that. Then Fee starts talking about Pavarotti and a duet he did with James Brown. Pavarotti sang his part in Italian, and the Tubes ended up performing a parody of it. Fred goes to the subject of Fee's acting career, and Fee says he is "obsessed" with making it to Broadway. Specifically, he wants to play the part of the King in "Hamilton." He then tells the story of being cast as Frankfurter in a production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Fee's dog Daisy makes a brief appearance. They go to the final pour, Diplomatico rum. Fee picks the Barrell Bourbon as his favorite of the session. RESOURCES https://www.facebook.com/TheFeeWaybill/ https://feewaybill.com/ https://www.thetubes.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thefeewaybill/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Fred Minnick Show, the great E-40, the legendary rapper and hip hop artist, joins the show. E-40, whose given name is Earl Stevens, is well known as a pioneer of West Coast rap, the founder of Sick Wid it Records, and a collaborator with artists like Tupac Shakur, Lil Jon, Snoop Dogg and countless others. E-40 also is a purveyor of spirits, from wine to cognac to tequila to his new bourbon brand, Kuiper Belt. During this week's interview, Earl and Fred sip whiskey (obviously) and discuss topics such as his spirits brands, how hip hop would be different if Tupac was still alive, San Francisco 49ers football, and a lot more. Whiskeys tasted: Russell's Reserve Barrel Pick (12:34) Eagle Rare Vintage 1970s (31:48) Old Schenley Vintage 1940s (53:54) EPISODE SUMMARY Fred and E-40 talk about a wide variety of things, such as: They start things off by talking about E-40's bourbon, Kuiper Belt 8 Year Whiskey, which Fred calls one of the better sourced bourbons he's had in some time. Look for more releases coming soon. Among his many ventures, E-40 even has a cookbook coming out under the moniker Goon With a Spoon. The first whiskey in the session is a Russell's Reserve barrel pick, which Fred says has a similar flavor profile to Kuiper Belt. They do a side by side tasting, and E-40 quickly exclaims, "Kuiper Belt got 'em!" Fred shifts to talking football, and the recent draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers, of which the Bay-area native E-40 is a big fan. The rapper predicts big things for Trey Lance. Talk then turns to Steve Young and Joe Montana. And then? Colin Kaepernick. Talk then turns to E-40's life in the 1990s, when he was making his ascent, along with what he was drinking in those days. Back then, he always mixed bourbon with Coca-Cola. "I wanted it to last all damn day," he says. "All gas, no brake pads." Fred asks what Tupac was drinking during the day, and E-40 offers some interesting commentary at around the 23:00 mark. The choice in those days was Hennessy Cognac. Today? E-40 feels sure it would be his brand, Tycoon Cognac. Why? Because Tupac was all about supporting black-owned business and products. E-40 mentions that he misses his friend, and also brings up another friend, Biggie Smalls. He and Fred talk about what the hip hop industry would be like if they were alive today. "One thing 'Pac did was uplift the inner-city spirits," E-40 says. "Whether it was female or male. No matter what you were going through, he had something to say that was going to uplift your spirits." Branching off a conversation about family, Fred talks about how the international bourbon community has become a family. At that point, E-40 says, "Can I stop you for a minute? I'm drunk!" He then says, "I'm getting in the studio tonight! I'll probably write the dopest rap ever." It's been a while since Fred has laughed this hard on the show. As they head into tasting the vintage Eagle Rare, E-40 collects himself and talks about why he likes to help young rappers, such as Jeezy. E-40's son Droop-E, also a rapper, comes into the conversation, along with the evolution of hip hop. We briefly get into what would happen if E-40 was a deep sea fisherman on Clubhouse. He talks about growing up with a single mother - after age 8, at least - and how life for his family was difficult. As the oldest of four, however, he knew he had to "figure it out." But, he said, "I did it." They bust out the Old Schenley to toast to E-40's mom. Then check out a story about the fate of one of his platinum records, as well as some other personal belongings. It's a story he clearly is still frustrated by, but he vowed to let it go. Fred responds with a story of his own that turned out better, but was similarly frustrating. Will Fred ever launch his own bourbon brand? Two or three years ago, he would have said "never." But covid helped change his thinking....

On this edition of The Fred Minnick Show, NFL defensive end Ndamukong Suh joins Fred for an interview and a few whiskeys. Suh was a No. 2 overall draft pick by the Detroit Lions who has gone on to be a five-time All-Pro, as well as Defensive Rookie of the Year in his first season, 2010. During this episode, Fred Ndamukong talk about what it's like to win a Super Bowl, the ongoing saga with Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Portland, Oregon, and whiskey. Whiskeys tasted: Spirits of French Lick Four Grain (7:04) 291 Colorado Whiskey (9:31) Chapin & Gore Vintage 1960s (18:49) Gregarious Grump Rum 12 Year (24:23) EPISODE SUMMARY Fred and Ndamukong talk about a wide variety of things, such as: First things first: What's it like to win the Super Bowl? Ndamukong says it was nice to "get the monkey off his back" after being unsuccessful in his first attempt with the Rams. His hope is his current team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, can get back there again after the 2021 season as well. He says the defense executed its game plan to near perfection in the dominant win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was running for his life all evening. They discuss Lori Locust and Maral Javadifar, female coaches in the NFL who work for the Buccaneers. Peyton Manning comes into the conversation. His comment on Suh was that he wanted to say only nice things so as not to make Ndamukong mad. Ndamukong talks about projects he's working on in his home of Portland, Oregon. He has developed a company with a friend that, among other things, is to help facilitate affordable housing for those who need it. Suh's philosophy is to empower people by giving them a sense of ownership in their community. He then describes the 291 Colorado Whiskey as "definitely powerful." Fred jokingly compares the 1960s-era Chapin & Gore to 1960s football, when you could "poke a guy in the eye and smoke a cigarette on the sideline." They talk about free agency and the off-season NFL drama. Suh follows it mostly because it's hard not to, given how much moves and situations get talked about. He calls the Aaron Rodgers situation "interesting." Like most of us, he would be interested in hearing some of the details. "It seems like it's a little bit of a fractured relationship," Suh says. "Get some charcuterie boards and some cheese, and have a nice sit-down with some bourbon." They talk about playing a season during covid and playing on a team with Tom Brady. Suh describes what he terms "a challenge," from constant masking, daily testing and staying focused. But he described a team in which everyone focused on doing their jobs and achieving a team goal. They then discuss the difficulty of having to "pivot" to change a game plan at the last minute. He, of course, is referring to the team nearly losing to the Washington Football Team and quarterback Tyler Heinecke. Fred tells Ndamukong the high-proof flight he prepared for the show was "the equivalent to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defensive line." QUOTABLES Ndamukong Suh on Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers: "Ton of respect for him. I think he's been able to do a lot of successful things in his career - a quarterback I would consider for sure playing with, even though we've had our own feuding on the field. ... We've lipped quite a bite. All in good fun on the football field." RESOURCES https://www.ndamukongsuh.com/ https://twitter.com/ndamukongsuh https://www.instagram.com/ndamukong_suh/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Fred Minnick Show, singer-songwriter and model Rachel Lorin drops by. Born in Atlanta, the 25-year-old Lorin began singing at age 12 and went on to launch her career by way of the reality singing show, "Next Big Thing." Her newest single "Shoot a Man" is out now. On the show, she and Fred discuss pot stills, southern food, skiing, the music business and, of course, bourbon. Whiskeys tasted: Willett Pot Still (6:45) 291 Colorado Whiskey (16:29) Lagavulin 16 Year Old (26:43) Foursquare Rum 12 Year Old (38:43) EPISODE SUMMARY Fred and Rachel talk about a wide variety of subjects, such as: Rachel's first taste of whiskey came when she was a baby and her dad put whiskey on her gums to help relieve teething pain. Fred describes what a pot still is for Rachel as they start to sip the Willett Pot Still. She talks about her new song, "Shoot a Man," which is a fictional story set in a saloon. Fred goes through his standard tasting techniques to get Rachel started on her flight. Then she tastes it and says, "Whoo! This is going to put hair on my chest!" Her standard spirit while touring is Hennessy cognac. Rachel is hopeful she can embark on another tour this year, with covid restrictions lifting across the U.S. "It's going to be good to be back on stage. It's going to feel weird." They talk about pairing fried chicken with bourbon. Rachel suggests throwing in some waffles for good measure. Fred jokes that this episode is sponsored by the American Heart Association. (Hear that, AHA? It was just a joke.) They then go to the 291 Colorado Whiskey, which is over 130 proof. Fred warns her that it's likely going to come in hot, or as he put it, it's "more in a feisty zone." She takes a drink and admits it "has a bite." They talk about her hit tune "Kerosene" briefly, which recently hit 1 million streams on Spotify, which leads them to talk about the music streaming industry. She then talks about how the sometimes slow pace of releasing music can drive her a little nuts. The peaty aroma of the Lagavulin catches Rachel off guard; she decides to "let it breathe for a minute." She talks about her musical influences as she was growing up, which, interestingly, leaned toward classic rock. She notes she was in a Journey cover band when she was a teen-ager. But the band she's seen perform live the most is Muse. Fred says his favorite concert of all time was a birthday surprise from his wife to see Garth Brooks in a small setting in Las Vegas. They finish the session with the Barbados-made Foursquare rum. Rachel's response is "Wow." When it's all said and done, the Lagavulin is Rachel's favorite. QUOTABLES "Anything alcoholic, I never kick out of my bed. Whiskey is one of my favorites." Rachel Lorin RESOURCES https://www.rachellorinmusic.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLeZUwnIuGh5FVipkFk5gbQ https://twitter.com/RLorinOfficial https://www.instagram.com/rachellorinmusic/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The three chamber still was extinct until Todd Leopold and the Leopold Brothers brought it back. Now, it's a still to be reckoned with! Fred tastes the rye from this magnificent still and interview Todd. The YouTube version: https://youtu.be/foeHvskXuLE Leopold Brothers video on the Three chamber Still: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NL2vimfbog&t=526s See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Fred Minnick Show, barbecue master Rodney Scott, who won a James Beard Award and put barbecue on the level of fine dining, joins in. Rodney and Fred talk about his new book, "Rodney Scott's World of BBQ," chicken thighs, cooking with bourbon, shopping for meat, and of course, pairing meat with bourbon. Whiskeys tasted: Michter's 10 Year (7:43) Woodinville Finished in Port Casks (14:10) Blood Oath Finished in Cognac Casks (29:18) 291 Colorado Whiskey (49:29) EPISODE SUMMARY Fred and Rodney talk about a wide variety of things, such as: Fred starts right off with the hard-hitting questions, asking Rodney if he drinks bourbon while is in the barbecue pit. Rodney confirms that he does. The first pour, the Michter's, was Fred's first bourbon in four days. "When you drink for a living, sometimes you have to schedule some off time," he notes. The Michter's inspires Rodney to pair it with pulled pork or maybe dark meat chicken, like a thigh, then he explains the optimal way to smoke chicken thighs. Fred admits he's already getting hungry. Fred asks Rodney for the "secret sauce" to making great barbecue and doesn't get much out of Rodney. Hey, why give away trade secrets? They talk about using bourbon as a marinade and how to utilize it in grilling. Mustard slaw or mayonnaise slaw? Rodney was raised on the latter: "I am an adult today because of mayonnaise slaw." Fred leans mustard-style. Fred talks about his days raising pigs. They ponder what's special about barbecue and why it brings people together. Rodney attributes it to natural human curiosity. They talk about what Rodney's accomplishments as a barbecue chef have affected the world of barbecue overall. They agree the Blood Oath would be a great pairing with barbecue - Rodney jokes that it might be best to enjoy that one when you're not in charge of dinner because "it invites you back in." Nevertheless, Rodney thinks smoked turkey and beans would be good pairings. Fred circles back to Rodney's "secrets," and insists he's holding out. "You gotta put on the right tunes. You gotta be in a good mood," Rodney says. Fred opines that restaurants will never go away because they are too important to our culture. Rodney agrees. They talk about the recent "attack" on meat. Rodney says, "Say what you want about meat, I'm going to eat meat. I'm going to cook meat." Fred: "You want to be a vegan, eat a carrot." But why vilify meat? And why try to copy it by turning plants into fake meat? Carnivores can relate. Rodney suggests pairing steak with the 291 Colorado Whiskey. Something like a bone-in ribeye. The barbecue chef talks about what he looks for when buying meat - pay attention, backyard barbecuers. (One hint: Always get the jumbo wings.) Rodney compartmentalizes his bourbon flight, saying he would choose the Michter's 10 Year first if a friend came over. But he would be selfish with the 291. QUOTABLES Rodney Scott on why barbecue brings people together: "One of the things that strikes our curiosity to draw us into barbecue so much is the fact that, one, you're cooking with fire; two, we know that you're cooking some type of protein. And the last thing that's going to keep you there is how is your protein going to be different than what I had before? That curiosity is such a natural thing. It's almost automatic." RESOURCES https://www.rodneyscottsbbq.com/ https://twitter.com/pitmasterrs https://www.instagram.com/rodneyscottsbbq/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Fred Minnick Show, New York Times political reporter and author Jennifer Steinhaur joins Fred for conversation and whiskey sipping. Steinhaur has covered the U.S. Congress since 2010, having joined the Times in 1989. During the interview, she and Fred talk about life during Covid, her book The Firsts: The Inside Story of the Women Reshaping Congress, women's roles in history, meatloaf, the beef industry and plenty more. Whiskeys tasted: Old Forester 117 Series (14:59) Johnnie Walker Green Label (28:11) High West Bourye (43:22) EPISODE SUMMARY Fred and Steve touch on plenty, such as: Jennifer offers a look at her 2020 book and how it pays tribute to the women coming up through U.S. Congress. Fred admits he prefers working with women, in part because of communication. Steinhaur offers interesting insights. Talk briefly turns to sexual misconduct and harassment in the military (a topic Jennifer covers often) and Fred's experience working with women during his service in the Army. The whiskey comes out, and they talk about how women tend to be excellent tasters and why. Jennifer loves the tough-to-find Old Forester 117 Series, describing it as "her new favorite thing ever." Fred suggests Old Forester 1920 as a whiskey that's easy to find and has a similar flavor profile. On the Johnnie Walker Green Label, Jennifer says it tastes like a "high school bonfire." Along the way, Fred offers up a brief history of Scotch whiskey. About halfway through, Jennifer goes into her love of meatloaf and the meatloaf cookbook she co-authored. Bottom line, it's easy to make and it's affordable. They then talk about the future of eating beef amid environmental concerns about how it is raised. Conversation then turns to the current difficulty of, well, having productive conversations. Fred posits that it would be great if whiskey could be the universal conversation conduit. Fred talks about drinking certain whiskey neat versus with ice or in cocktails. They briefly delve into the world of book nerds and the difficulty of writing a book proposal. Jennifer asserts that the proposal often seems more difficult than writing the book itself. Fred talks about "the return of rye," rye history and MGP's role. The topic of glassware comes up. Fred prefers a glass that "shows the whiskey." He of course then sings the praises of the Glencairn glass. Ultimately, Jennifer chooses Old Forester as her favorite of the flight. QUOTABLES Jennifer Steinhaur, on women's likelihood to be good collaborators and problem-solvers: "I think women naturally, in the workplace and in their family lives, have to find themselves in that kind of mediator mode. Sometimes it is the role we have to embrace in very male spaces. ... Sometimes, perhaps that plays out in the legislature and the workplace in a way that can be favorable to outcomes." RESOURCES https://www.jennifersteinhauer.com/ https://twitter.com/jestei https://www.instagram.com/steinhauer.jennifer/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Fred Minnick Show, sports talk radio personality Steve Czaban joins Fred for some lively conversation and tasty whiskey. Czaban is a veteran of Fox Sports Radio, Yahoo Sports Radio and others, and his Steve Czaban Show currently airs on 97.3 The Game in Virginia. During the interview, he and Fred discuss what might happen if Fred's bourbon fell off the shelves, mindfulness, Stitzel-Weller, modern sports media and more, all while tasting and comparing three different whiskeys. Whiskeys tasted: Belfour Straight Rye (8:20) Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond 8 Year (20:14) Doc Swinson's 15 Year Old (24:37) EPISODE SUMMARY Fred and Steve touch on plenty, such as: They come right out of the gate trying to name Fred's studio space, starting with the possible name "The Bunghole." Let's hope that one doesn't stick. The Belfour sparks conversation about the "Kentucky chew." They engage in conversation about mindfulness and applying it to aromas and flavor. Pappy Van Winkle bourbon comes into the conversation briefly. Fred talks about how high whiskey can go in terms of proof and why. Steve compares a non-soccer fan watching soccer to a rookie whiskey drinker drinking whiskey - you know whether you like it or not, but you can't really explain why. Fred talks about his grading system for spirits. They then engage in conversation about modern sports media ... and how bad so much of it is. They take well deserved shots at Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless, and ESPN shows like Around the Horn. Steve calls it, "Completely non-nutritious for a thinking person." They agree that the best way to enjoy whiskey is with friends. It provides a nice transition from making fun of yelling sports talk hosts to agreeing on enjoying whiskey any way you choose. That said, don't be mixing Coke with your Pappy. Yes, Jack Daniel's is technically bourbon. Steve chooses the Belfour as his favorite because the bottle reminds him of the Stanley Cup. Fred proclaims that "whiskey rocks are lame." QUOTABLES Steve Czaban, on modern sports talk broadcasting, "The stuff that is churned out by ESPN every day is so laughably bad. I say to myself, who on Earth watches this and thinks, 'Yeah, Stephen A. [Smith], that's a perfectly solid opinion.' Nobody with a brain." RESOURCES https://czabe.com/ https://twitter.com/czabe https://www.instagram.com/czabe/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Fred Minnick Show, former National Football League player Michael Oher, who also was the subject of the film "The Blind Side," starring Sandra Bullock, is the guest. The former tackle for the Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans and Carolina Panthers talks with Fred about his playing career, the well-known film, overcoming obstacles, barbecue and more, while also sipping a few select whiskeys, including some Pappy Van Winkle. Whiskeys tasted: Old Fitzgerald 14 Year 2020 Fall (7:17) Michter's 10 Year (12:38) Penelope Four Grain Cask Strength (29:13) 291 Colorado Whiskey (36:30) Jefferson's Rye Finished in Cognac Barrels (43:04) Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year (48:59) EPISODE SUMMARY Fred and Michael touch on a variety of subjects, such as: Fred immediately puts Michael on the spot by asking which of his former teammates would be most likely to steal his Pappy Van Winkle. Michael only goes so far as saying it would probably be a defensive lineman. Fred sent Michael six whiskeys. Michael said he isn't a big drinker but that he thinks socially drinking whiskey is the way to go. Oher says the physical rigors of football mean there wasn't much alcohol in the locker rooms he was in. He also talks about current Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and his athleticism and elusiveness. Oher also expresses plenty of respect for former Ravens signal caller Joe Flacco. Oher: "Fans don't realize they're the ones making all this go." The movie "The Blind Side" was preceded by the book "The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game" by Michael Lewis. Michael talks about his plan to open a school for at-risk youths. His hope is to offer the "push" to young people like he got when he could have gone down the wrong path. "You have to give them the benefit of the doubt, give them that chance." Inevitably, the Popeye's chicken sandwich enters the conversation. Michael says he hasn't had one in a while because he's trying to lose his "covid 25." Fred compares the 133 proof 291 Colorado Whiskey to a "raunchy" defensive lineman, name dropping the Rams' Aaron Donald. Michael talks about how his football injuries and other life difficulties set him back at times and that a new book project he is working on is about overcoming obstacles of all kinds. "This will be the best [book] yet for people who can't get over the hump," he says, adding, "You can do whatever you put your mind to." He also says, "You can find all the answers in the mirror." Fred then shares how he overcame his issues with PTSD after returning home from serving in Iraq. Fred notes that the Jefferson's Rye finished in cognac barrels is one of his favorite whiskeys of the year. The conversation turns to barbecue. Michael is a brisket guy and says he's mostly into dry rubs for seasoning the meat. "I want you to taste my hard work," he says, explaining why he doesn't sauce up the smoked goods. They taste the Pappy 20 year and Fred admits that he may like it better than his preferred 15 year expression. Fred asks Michael what it felt like to be drafted into the NFL. Michael says, given the difficult road he traveled to get there, "to finally hear my name called, tears of joy just poured down. ... I still can't believe to this very day that I got drafted. I can't get used to the things it provided to me. ... I can't describe it because I still can't believe it." QUOTABLES Oher, on his feelings about the film and the part of his life it depicts: "It's very inspiring, very motivating. There are so many other Michael Ohers out there that need a way out. ... I could have dropped out of school in sixth grade. ... I didn't have anybody to show me the way out, so I had to do it on my own." RESOURCES https://twitter.com/MichaelOher https://www.facebook.com/MichaelOher/ https://www.instagram.com/michaeloher/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GWAR leaves Antartica for a spell to kidnap Scott and Becky Harris of Catoctin Creek. Will the Harris couple make a whiskey good enough that encourages GWAR to spare their lives? Find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Fred Minnick Show, singer-songwriter Bailey Bryan joins Fred for conversation and whiskey sipping. Bryan, who was named an "Artist of Tomorrow" at the 2016 Grammys, drops her new album Fresh Start this week, and that was a big part of the conversation. They also rapped about surviving the covid pandemic, staying creative in the face of uncertainty, her first song, her evolving influences, learning about bourbon, sipping whiskey from a bowl and plenty more. Enjoy! Whiskeys tasted: Kuiper Belt 8 Year Kentucky Bourbon (4:03) Westland American Single Malt 2015 Barrel Pick (18:44) Wyoming Whiskey National Parks Limited Edition Bourbon (31:49) EPISODE SUMMARY Fred and Bailey talk about a wide variety of things, such as: The first order of business was to talk about Bailey's new album Fresh Start, which drops May 7. She said the album is about "life, love and the pursuit of confidence." The second order of business was to get to drinking, starting with Fred giving Bailey his tutorial on bourbon sipping. The first whiskey they tasted was a new one to the market: Kuiper Belt. Bailey talks about how she first knew she was going to be a musician. It includes her being 4 years old and singing the first song she ever wrote, "Pickles in the Forest." The 23-year-old started playing guitar at age 12, and for the next three or four years she "just wanted to be Taylor Swift." They talk about the fact that musical genres have opened up in recent years, so that performers aren't pressured into "fitting into a box." One of Bailey's bourbons got shifted from her glass into a bowl. Hey, she didn't want to waste good whiskey. Fred re-ruins Chipotle for Bailey. Bailey accidentally drinks the Westland a little too quickly. Oops. They talk coffee and lavender for a couple of minutes, relating to Bailey's growing up near Seattle. Bailey talks about the transition of moving from the Pacific Northwest to Nashville and the things she misses - like the beach. They go into pairing whiskeys with Bailey Bryan songs. Kuiper Belt ends up being Bailey's favorite - she also learns she is not a fan of peaty whiskey. They circle back to talking about Fresh Start, the title track and the concept behind the album. She goes into how 2020 shaped the album, and her writing style, creatively, as well as what she has learned: that life is a series of fresh starts. QUOTABLES Bailey on becoming a singer-songwriter: "I can't remember a time when I didn't want to do music. It's the only thing I'm super good at and enjoy ... I always have written songs and made up dances, and made my parents and my friends watch them. I've always liked attention, and that bodes well for me as an artist." RESOURCES https://www.baileybryan.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO9dG5higUHMLcG9Z1hPuoA https://twitter.com/baileymyown https://www.instagram.com/baileymyown FOLLOW FRED htps://www.instagram.com/fredminnick/ https://twitter.com/FredMinnick https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyE_GJtYr3yowks2iv1o4jg https://www.facebook.com/fred.minnick/ SPONSORS Michter's: https://michters.com/ Distillery 291: https://distillery291.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Fred Minnick Show, chef and author Derek Wolf brings the fire - the cooking fire, that is. He and Fred dive into Derek's new book, "Over the Fire Cooking," sip bourbon and enjoy some lively conversation. Along the way, they hit on topics like pairing whiskey to grilled meats, being a grilling god, cooking on an open fire and types of woods best for attaining "clean smoke." Grab some grilled meat and a bourbon and join them. Whiskeys tasted: Maker's Mark Private Selection USO Warrior Spirit (6:44) Nashville Barrel Co. Small Batch Rye (27: 27) Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A121 (39:47) EPISODE SUMMARY Fred and Derek dig into a variety of topics: The Maker's Mark private barrel pick opens up the show with a discussion of oak and aging techniques employed by the distillery. They talk about the similarities of tasting bourbon versus tasting food. Wolf compares high-proof whiskey and getting adventurous when seasoning food. (He recommends cinnamon on steak to accentuate peppery spice.) Fred asks Derek what he would grill to go with the Maker's Mark, and he immediately goes to lots of garlic and peppercorn steak. Derek talks about his joy of testing the boundaries of flavor pairings. Wolf talks about his shift from Corporate America (he worked at an accounting firm in Nashville) to becoming an open-fire cook. He is quick to point out that he has no formal culinary training. "You don't have to be a chef to do this," he says. Derek calls himself "the Ron Swanson of social media," calling out the beloved if gruff Parks & Recreation TV character. Fred calls Derek a "grilling god," while Derek himself claims only to be "a pyro and a meathead." The Nashville Barrel Rye conjures apple and cinnamon notes, according to Derek, and Fred notes it is unlike most MGP ryes. Fred has Derek list his five favorite seasonings per protein. Take notes on this one, folks. Don't sleep on the smoked tequila salt. Derek then talks about the best woods to use for open-fire cooking. Much like with bourbon, white oak is a go-to, he says. He also notes red oak and white oak, while hickory can be "overpowering" and mesquite can be overly smoky. The goal? Clean smoke. They go back to do side-by-side tastings of the three whiskeys in their flights, and Derek chooses Elijah Craig as his favorite of the session. Fred concurs. They then talk about the art of tasting and identifying specific flavors in various spirits. Derek tells the story of arguing with his wife's grandmother about how to cook steak. Awkward but funny. And the payoff is that Nana was right and Derek was right as well, thanks to how cooking techniques have evolved over the decades. Interested in getting into open-fire cooking? Derek Wolf has some tips for you. QUOTABLES "You can tell a lot about a person by how they season their steak when no one's looking. Whether they're just doing straight salt and just classic/traditional, they can't do anything else, all the way to being adventurous with their flavor profiles." -Derek Wolf, on comparing tasting bourbon to tasting food FOLLOW DEREK https://www.instagram.com/overthefirecooking/ https://www.facebook.com/overthefirecooking https://www.amazon.com/Derek-Wolf/e/B08P3X8ZTK/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1 FOLLOW FRED htps://www.instagram.com/fredminnick/ https://twitter.com/FredMinnick https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyE_GJtYr3yowks2iv1o4jg https://www.facebook.com/fred.minnick/ SPONSORS Michter's: https://michters.com/ Distillery 291: https://distillery291.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest episode of The Fred Minnick Show, Jackie Zykan, Master Taster at Old Forester, joins Fred to sip and talk whiskey. During their 43-minute session, they talk about their shared love of music and how it is both different and similar to whiskey. In addition, at one point they disagree about the finish of a certain Old Forester bourbon they taste. Finally, Jackie's dog Ingo joins the party to liven things up a bit. Whiskeys tasted: Old Forester "L-House Roulette No. 1" (20:02) Barrell Jamaican Rum (29:18) EPISODE SUMMARY Fred and Jackie hit on several topics, like: Since Ingo is in the house, Fred offers a shout-out to his beloved dog Remo, who he's had for 14 years. And almost immediately, they forsake whiskey talk to discuss cheeseburgers. Jackie professes her love of Smashburger and Five Guys. Fred does love Five Guys, despite all the peanuts sitting around. Fred also shouts out WW Cousins, with its tubs full of condiments. Fred suggests making a fermented ketchup spirit and asks Jackie what it would be called. Her response? "Gross." This parlays into a discussion of contraband mustard. Getting around to discussing music about 10 minutes in, Jackie says that rather than having a favorite genre, she knows what she specifically doesn't like: pop country. But she was influenced by her father's vinyl collection, which included albums by bands like Led Zeppelin. Her first ever cassette was a greatest hits collection by Canadian band The Guess Who. Teen-age dating is a topic that rarely makes it into an episode of The Fred Minnick Show, but it makes this one. Comparing music to whiskey, they agree tastes can often be affected by moods. Also, there is some music that is churned out for mass consumption while some music is more carefully crafted and is typically destined for a smaller audience. At around the 20-minute mark, they pop open an untasted Old Forester expression that was sort of a warehouse straggler. Fred immediately is hit with banana notes on the nose. Jackie calls it "angry." Fred likens the whiskey to Metallica playing acoustic. But they definitely disagree on the finish - luckily, it doesn't lead to fisticuffs. (If you want to find out for yourself, Jackie said bottles will be for sale in the distillery's gift shop.) Fred notes he is in the middle of tasting through his new spirits awards. Look for more on that coming later this spring. Fred offers up a taste of one of his many bourbons, and Jackie declines, saying she's already tasted way too many bourbons that day. Instead, she requests a "weirdo, funky little rum." So, Fred breaks out the Barrell Bourbon Jamaican Rum finished in Isla Scotch barrels. The rum prompts a discussion of the spirits industry crossing over with barrel finishes, and Jackie hints that there are some crossover projects happening at Old Forester. To bring the loose music-meets-spirits theme full circle, they come to the conclusion that if the Barrell Rum were music, it would be "Vaseline" by Flaming Lips. QUOTABLES Jackie expressed some disbelief that Fred didn't like the finish on the proprietary Old Forester she brought to the interview: "I don't know how you think that finish is flat. It's very warm, and it is definitely there. It sinks way back into the throat. It is not a front-loaded finish by any means, palate-wise - it sits way in the back. Backseat driver." RESOURCES https://www.oldforester.com/ https://twitter.com/oldforester See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Fred Minnick Show, the alt-blues band Houndmouth joins Fred for some whiskey sipping and lively conversation. Formed in New Albany, Indiana, in 2011, the band consists of Matt Myers, Zak Appleby and Shane Cody. On the show, they talk about touring, 10 years of being headquartered in downtown New Albany, they sip everything from Michter's 10 to 291 Colorado Whiskey and they perform two songs -- one of which is slated to be on their forthcoming new album. Whiskeys tasted: Michter's 10 Year (14:24) 291 Colorado Whiskey (23:40) Penelope Four Grain Bourbon (44:12) Peerless Rye (47:00) Old Fitzgerald 14 Year Bottled in Bond (55:46) EPISODE SUMMARY Fred and the members of Houndmouth talk about a wide variety of things, such as: Fred gives the band a moment to decide whether to perform before drinking the whiskey or after. It is noted that performing pre-whiskey would be a foreign experience; predictably, they choose post-whiskey. There's a quick discussion of thrift stores and haunted dolls. The band is headquartered in an old house in downtown New Albany which sits next to a fire station, making it sometimes difficult to record. They tell the story of how the band name came about, and it is directly related to the fact sound bleeds into the old house. Fred takes the band through his method of tasting bourbon. Fred says mindfulness - paying close attention to what you're eating or drinking - can work even for something as mundane as a McDonald's cheeseburger. Talk then turns to chicken sandwiches and later hot chicken. Because it's so freaking good. Fred then somehow waxes eloquent about Tanzanian cashews. The band agrees they've never tasted anything quite like the 291 Colorado Whiskey. Aspen staves will do that. (They loved it.) Fred talks about some of the many flavors he's encountered in whiskey: Drywall, plastic and even dead cat. The origins of Houndmouth, which first began to take shape in 2011, are explored. Interestingly, each of the original members primarily played guitar, so they were forced to diversify. The band performs a song at around the 37:00 mark. Fred gets to the Penelope Four Grain and the group already had consumed it. Oops. The Peerless Rye comes out. There is a discussion about the benefits of having a great mother-in-law. Before covid, Houndmouth toured so relentlessly that in one year they played 280 shows. They already drank the Old Fitz as well. As for the overall favorite? Penelope Four Grain was the winner ... which is why they essentially finished it before the show was recorded. Look for a new album from Houndmouth this spring. The band performs a song from the forthcoming album at around the 55:00 mark. RESOURCES https://www.houndmouth.com/ https://twitter.com/Houndmouth https://www.facebook.com/Houndmouth/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Fred Minnick Show, Whitechapel bass player Gabe Crisp joins the show. Named for the Whitechapel district of London, where Jack the Ripper famously went on his killing spree, the Knoxville, Tennessee, metal band has released seven studio albums to much acclaim. Fred talks with Crisp about the role of a bass player, his career, his love of bourbon, the covid era, heavy metal fandom and plenty more. Whiskeys tasted: Distillery 291 Colorado Whiskey (12:44) Henry & Sons Cask Strength (18:26) Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond 9 Year (26:50) Knob Creek 15 Year Old (40:07) EPISODE SUMMARY Fred and Gabe talk about a wide variety of things, such as: Gabe says it was the pandemic lockdown that made him a bourbon fan. The band would sometimes get Blanton's on the road, but it was a trip to Kentucky for a bachelor party, a trip that involved several distillery tours, that initially got him hooked. While the pandemic shut down Whitechapel's 2020 tour, it gave the band the bandwidth to write and record its new album. Per usual, Fred gives Gabe a tutorial on his method for tasting whiskey, starting with Distillery 291 Colorado Whiskey. Fred, a wannabe bass player himself, asks Gabe if he thinks Whitechapel would ever go full-on Spinal Tap/"Big Bottom" wherein the bass takes over entirely. Gabe essentially says "maybe." Crisp was inspired to play bass by listening to Green Day, a bass-forward band featuring Mike Dirnt on bass that got big in the 1990s. There's a brief discussion about why Gabe doesn't sing in the band. In short, singing in a deathcore band isn't as easy as many might think. Fred professes his love for Old Fitzgerald bourbons: "If this was football, [Old Fitz bourbons] would be Pro-Bowlers." Fred also notes that the interview was recorded on the anniversary of the Bottled in Bond Act, which was passed in 1897. They celebrated with an Old Fitzgerald bottled in bond whiskey. Fred and Gabe talks about parallels between bourbon and music when it comes to hype driving popularity. Crisp says he feels metal fans, in general, are more devoted than other fans and are "there for the long haul." Crisp says he doesn't listen to much music, but rather listens to the same music he did in high school: 1990s pop punk and 1960s rock like the Beatles and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Gabe narrows his favorite of the flight down to the Old Fitzgerald and Knob Creek, ultimately going with Knob Creek, with a nod to J. Henry for its finish. Expect the new album from Whitechapel before the end of 2021. QUOTABLES On why he sticks to playing bass guitar and doesn't sing for Whitechapel: "One time, back in the very beginning of the band, we were just messing around and I tried to do some sort of actual scream. It was something you could still laugh about today. It's a lot harder than people think it is. To scream and yell and make it sound forceful, and actually articulate and make it sound like something, and do that for an hour ... It's a skill for sure." RESOURCES https://twitter.com/gabecrisp https://www.instagram.com/gabe.crisp/ https://www.facebook.com/public/Gabe-Crisp See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.