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Ed Bley, founder of Rising Tide Spirits, shares his journey from managing barrel selections to creating his own bourbon brand with meticulous attention to both liquid quality and distinctive packaging design.

• Ed previously ran Cork & Bottle, selecting over 250 private barrels which helped define his palate and bourbon philosophy
• Old Swagger is a new 12-year bottled-in-bond low-rye bourbon designed to be soft, elegant and approachable
• Old Stubborn single barrels offer a contrasting experience with high-rye pot still bourbon at barrel strengths up to 142 proof
• The distinctive teardrop bottles feature 3D Rising Tide logos embedded in the glass base, requiring 14 minutes to hand-blow each bottle
• Ed prioritizes mouthfeel and viscosity in his whiskeys, wanting flavors to "hang around" long after tasting
• Rising Tide sources barrels well in advance, working on releases 2-3 years ahead to maintain quality control
• Packaging challenges, including custom tubes and label specifications, can significantly impact release timelines
• Ed plans to release each product line twice yearly, with the next release potentially arriving this winter

Find Rising Tide Spirits online at risingtidespirits.com and on social media platforms. Sign up for their newsletter to be notified about upcoming releases.

What happens when a seasoned barrel picker with over 250 selections under his belt decides to create his own bourbon brand? Ed Bley of Rising Tide Spirits joins the Scotchy Bourbon Boys to reveal the journey that led to his distinctive Old Swagger and Old Stubborn bourbons.

With roots deeply planted in bourbon enthusiasm before entering the industry, Blabe brings a connoisseur's perspective to every aspect of his craft. His experience climbing rickhouses with legends like Eddie Russell has shaped his discerning palate and unique approach to whiskey creation. During the podcast, he offers listeners a rare glimpse into the meticulous process of selecting and blending barrels, emphasizing how the marriage of whiskeys evolves over time.

The conversation dives deep into Rising Tide's striking packaging design, featuring hand-blown teardrop bottles with three-dimensional logos embedded in the glass base. "I wanted something unique, different than what you normally see," Bley explains, comparing bourbon to a complete pie where every element must work together—from the liquid to the story to the vessel containing it.

Most fascinating is how Bley deliberately created contrasting expressions to reach different palates. His Old Swagger 12-year bottled-in-bond offers an elegant, balanced drinking experience, while Old Stubborn single barrels deliver intense flavors with remarkably long finishes. "When you go to tastings, what's amazing is they're both excellent but completely different ends of the spectrum," he notes, emphasizing that quality whiskey can exist across diverse flavor profiles.

The discussion reveals the extensive behind-the-scenes work of building a bourbon brand, from navigating supply chains to planning releases years in advance. For whiskey enthusiasts curious about craft bourbon's future, this conversation provides invaluable insights from someone who's dedicated to creating exceptional drinking experiences.

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