This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief sits down with Kevin LeBlanc — The Bourbon Gator, one of the rising voices in the whiskey community.

Kevin is a Southeast Texas whiskey enthusiast and content creator who's building a following by keeping whiskey fun, approachable, and all about community. We talk about how The Bourbon Gator got started, his journey into whiskey, creating content, and where he hopes to take the brand next.

On this week's ride:

Kevin pours Chickenduck Wheated Bourbon (94 Proof) and Garrison Brothers Señora, while Big Chief pours Bon Vāle Cask Strength American Single Malt from Distillerie Acadian and Milam & Greene Unabridged Volume 5.

We also hit Kevin with the Quick Fire Round, talk about the people doing great things in the whiskey community, and recognize this week's Rising Tide, Dan Henley.

Plus, we shine a light on Frontline Heroes Outdoors, Whiskey Valor, Hearts & Barrels, and Daxton's Heart Warriors.

Is The Bourbon Gator whiskey's next big voice? Jump in and Take the Ride with us.

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On this episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Mark welcomes Stacy and Philip back to the Bourbon Life Studios for another entertaining Crew Episode. With Matt in Hawaii preparing for the Ironman World Championship in Kona and Chad unable to join the fun, the three settle in around the table to catch up on what's happening in the bourbon world, share a few laughs, and taste three exciting new whiskey releases.

The Crew kicks things off with a look back at Bourbon Heritage Month and the 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival. They discuss the festival's continued growth, the changing atmosphere surrounding limited bottle releases, and whether the increasing presence of social media influencers is taking attention away from the brands, people, and traditions that make bourbon special. The conversation also turns to declining bourbon sales, increasingly available allocated bottles, rising prices, and whether consumers are finally becoming more selective about where they spend their whiskey dollars.

The Crew also discusses the recent fire at the historic Old Crow Distillery property, home to Glenns Creek Distilling, and the importance of preserving Kentucky's bourbon heritage. They explore the challenges facing distilleries in today's market, including international trade issues, growing whiskey inventories, and the increasing popularity of innovative barrel finishes as established brands look for new ways to capture consumers' attention.

The Crew also tackles one of the most shocking stories to emerge from the bourbon industry in recent memory: the civil lawsuit involving Wes Henderson, co-founder of Angel's Envy and former CEO of True Story Whiskey and The Kentucky Castle. They discuss the disturbing allegations that Henderson secretly recorded family members and other guests in private settings, his subsequent removal as CEO, and reports of a federal investigation. Mark also reflects on his previous interviews and personal interactions with Henderson, while the Crew considers the potential legal consequences and broader fallout from the controversy, emphasizing that the allegations remain unproven and Henderson has denied them.

And, of course, the Crew tastes and reviews three new whiskey releases, including:

• Bardstown Bourbon Company 2026 Discovery Series Garryana Finished Bourbon
• Michter's 2026 Toasted Barrel Strength Rye
• Booker's The Reserves 2026 Rye Finished in Apple Brandy Casks and Infused with Cinnamon

From the unique influence of Pacific Northwest Garryana oak to the rich, dessert-like character of Michter's toasted rye, and a special Booker's release inspired by a family tradition involving apple brandy and cinnamon, the Crew shares its impressions of three very different expressions.

It's another fun-filled Crew Episode featuring great whiskey, plenty of laughs, some spirited opinions, and an entertaining look at where the bourbon industry has been and where it might be headed next.

This episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is sponsored by Repeal Oak-Fired Steakhouse, Bluegrass Distillers, District 7 Social, and The Kitchen Table at the James B. Beam Distilling Co.

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief welcomes back Master Distiller Denny Potter of Potter Jane Distillery for the third installment in a series following Denny and Jane's incredible journey through the world of Kentucky bourbon.

From their days at the legendary Maker's Mark Distillery to stepping out on their own and building Potter Jane Distillery, this story is about more than making whiskey. It's about taking everything you've learned, trusting your instincts, and having the courage to build something with your own name on it.

Over the course of these three conversations, Big Chief has followed Denny and Jane's evolution from working at one of Kentucky's most iconic heritage distilleries to creating their own brand and shaping their own future in American whiskey.

In the first half, Big Chief and Denny get a glimpse into the future of Potter Jane, sipping two 18-month-old bourbon samples straight from their developing whiskey program.

First up is their Wheated Bourbon, featuring a mash bill of 64% corn, 23% wheat, and 13% malted barley. This young whiskey offers an early look at the flavor profile Denny and Jane are developing for their distillery.

Next, they explore their Rye Bourbon, crafted with 64% corn, 23% rye, and 13% malted barley. With the same corn and malted barley percentages, swapping wheat for rye gives the guys an opportunity to explore how the secondary grain influences the character of the whiskey.

In the second half, things get interesting as Denny and Big Chief pour Big Vat Liar, a sourced six-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in oak casks.

And here's where the story gets good!

Big Vat Liar takes its name from a promise Denny and Jane made about something they said they would never do. Sometimes the whiskey business has a way of making you eat your own words, and this bottle embraces that reality with a little humor and a whole lot of bourbon.

Throughout the episode, Denny shares another chapter in the Potter Jane story, giving listeners a look at the challenges, decisions, and excitement that come with leaving an established distillery behind to build something entirely your own.

This episode is about heritage, friendship, taking chances, and chasing a dream. It's a reminder that even after years of making some of the world's most recognizable bourbon, there's always another chapter waiting to be written.

So pour yourself something good, settle in, and join Big Chief and Denny Potter for another unforgettable ride through Kentucky bourbon country.

Because the best stories aren't always about where you've been. Sometimes they're about where you're headed.

Like the episode, subscribe to The Whiskey Trip, and share it with a friend who loves great bourbon and the people behind it.

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Be a Rising Tide.