Brian and Scott catch up over cocktails, swap plans for a packed holiday season, and compare family Thanksgiving traditions. Scott also makes the case for Aerosmith’s Rocks, the 1976 album that inspired their next listening pick.

• Brian mixes an autumnal Old Fashioned with homemade pumpkin simple syrup, Wilderness Trail wheated bourbon, and spicy bonfire bitters. Scott pours an Elijah Craig single-barrel Old Fashioned with apple blossom bitters.
• The friends talk about juggling holiday parties, Thanksgiving, travel, family gatherings, and gift shopping - and why shared experiences can make good presents.
• Brian describes his family’s low-stress Costco Thanksgiving meal, while Scott shares his uncle’s themed gatherings, which have included Japanese, Italian, and Greek menus. This year’s main dish is goose.
• Scott recounts the family’s Grandma Daris Dirty Joke Contest, where his son will defend his winning joke and trophy.
• Brian takes his kids to see Virginia play Arkansas at Capital One Arena. The game includes a surprise appearance from three pigeons, plus a second-half visit to a neighbor’s suite.
• Scott champions Aerosmith’s Rocks, praising its nine songs, energetic riffs, and influence on musicians including Pearl Jam and Slash. Brian especially enjoys “Back in the Saddle” and “Get the Lead Out.”
• Scott discusses Aerosmith’s shift from the band’s earlier albums to later hits written with outside songwriters.
• Scott picks Ashe's The Girl of Your Dreams for their next album listen. He says Ashe has worked with Finneas and that this is her fourth album.
• Scott previews a best-of episode for the podcast while he’s away. He also gives a shout-out to upcoming tours by Matt Nathanson, Dashboard Confessional, and Kings of Leon with Band of Horses. Brian recognizes veterans and their families ahead of Veterans Day.

Brian and Scott catch up over bourbon, revisit Third Eye Blind’s 1997 debut, and trade complaints about early darkness, frustrating flights, and Halloween trouble in the neighborhood. They also talk about getting older, tee up next episode’s Aerosmith album, and share a recommendation for a local murder mystery night.

• Brian sips Russell’s Reserve with a Reese’s peanut butter cup, while Scott tries to fight off a cold with Wilderness Trail bourbon and orange bitters.
• The hosts compare Halloween costumes: Scott went as Baby Shark and a chilly, undercover Spider-Man, while Brian’s family dressed as characters from The Wizard of Oz.
• Brian and Scott agree that Christmas decorations and music showing up on November 1 is too early; they’d rather enjoy Thanksgiving first.
• They revisit Third Eye Blind’s self-titled 1997 album, which sold about six million copies and produced five singles. Scott’s favorite is “Graduate”; Brian’s is “Motorcycle Drive By.”
• Brian reflects on the album’s darker lyrics, including themes of addiction, abuse, and suicide, and mentions the band’s short documentary, Motorcycle Drive By.
• Scott is frustrated by the early darkness after the time change. Brian sympathizes, then describes a delayed New York flight, the restrictions of basic economy, and his anxiety about missing flights.
• Halloween brought more than costumes and candy for Brian’s neighborhood: a rock was thrown through his garage window, and other neighbors reported candy being taken.
• The hosts laugh about the mismatch between their ambitious solo plans and the reality of wanting to go to bed early, and about the physical indignities of family photos.
• Scott picks Aerosmith’s Rocks for their next album discussion, calling it a standout of the band’s 1970s material. Brian is looking forward to hearing it.
• Brian recommends a Stagecoach Theater Company murder mystery night at Ahso, while Scott offers a shout-out to newly elected officials.

Brian and Scott celebrate Halloween in costume with a five-bourbon, five-candy tasting, comparing how the pairings bring out different flavors. They also revisit Michael Jackson’s Thriller, the best-selling album of all time, and share a story about the long lines and phone-locking pouches at a phone-free Jerry Seinfeld show.

• Brian and Scott discuss Thriller, released in November 1982 and described as having sold 70 million copies. They trade thoughts on its hits, lesser-known tracks, and the iconic “Thriller” video.
• Brian explains his pairing approach: match bourbon and candy flavors, using each to accentuate the other.
• Four Roses Single Barrel meets Twizzlers. Brian chose it for its red-berry notes; Scott, who usually dislikes Twizzlers, says the pairing makes them more enjoyable.
• Weller 12-Year and Butterfinger prove a less successful match: Scott finds the candy’s peanut-butter flavor overpowers the bourbon.
• Woodford Reserve Double Oaked with M&M’s becomes Scott’s favorite pairing. He likes both the bourbon and the combination.
• Taylor Small Batch Bottled-in-Bond joins Twix. Brian explains bottled-in-bond requirements, including 100 proof, at least four years of age, and whiskey from a single distillation season.
• Booker’s and a fun-size Snickers close the tasting. Brian picked the high-proof bourbon for the nutty character associated with Jim Beam; Scott finds it a strong finish.
• Scott’s overall favorite is the Twix pairing, while Woodford Double Oaked with M&M’s leads for bourbon. The hosts invite listeners to share their own candy-and-bourbon combinations.
• Scott recounts the long entry and exit lines at the Anthem’s phone-free Jerry Seinfeld show, where staff used Yondr pouches to secure phones and smartwatches.
• The hosts choose Third Eye Blind’s self-titled album for a future episode and encourage listeners to vote in the upcoming election.

Brian and Scott kick things off with cocktails, a homemade pumpkin bourbon experiment, and a surprisingly fixed monitor before moving into their main album discussion: Smashing Pumpkins’ Siamese Dream. They also cover a packed fall weekend, a Sturgill Simpson show, the ongoing “podcast curse,” and a few very modern uses of AI around the house.

Key topics

• Brian shares his “smashed pumpkin” cocktail, made with bourbon, pumpkin puree, pumpkin syrup, lime juice, and bitters.
• Brian and Scott revisit Siamese Dream by Smashing Pumpkins, discussing its 1990s alternative-rock sound, layered production, and lengthy tracks.
• They trade thoughts on “Cherub Rock,” “Today,” “Disarm,” “Mayonaise,” and “Luna”—and on why Billy Corgan’s voice can be divisive.
• Scott and Brian joke about the podcast being cursed after several postponed concerts, canceled plans, and disappointing sports outcomes.
• They swap theories about the Super Bowl halftime show, including rumors involving Jay-Z and Miley Cyrus.
• Brian recounts a busy Sunday that ended with a last-minute trip to see Sturgill Simpson, performing as Johnny Blue Skies, at Capital One Arena.
• The conversation turns to concert etiquette, packed arenas, and Brian’s idea for displaying song titles once a song is underway.
• They preview next week’s Halloween-season episode: a listen to Thriller and a candy-and-bourbon pairing taste test.
• Scott shares how AI helped him plan the arrangement of nine soccer pictures on his son’s bedroom wall.

Brian and Scott catch up over old fashioneds while comparing bourbon notes, revisiting Hootie and the Blowfish’s Fairweather Johnson, and swapping stories from a rainy political festival, a 25-year high school reunion, and a bourbon pickup that turned into a surprisingly stressful dog walk. They also cover TV and sports updates, including what they’re watching next and why the Capitals and Ovechkin still matter so much in DC.

Key topics

• Brian explains what makes a bourbon “wheated”: it uses wheat instead of rye alongside corn and barley.
• Scott shares his first impressions of the Wilderness Trail Wheated bourbon, while Brian discusses how wheat and rye can shape a bourbon’s flavor.
• Brian breaks down the basics of bourbon, including the 51% corn requirement and the use of new, charred oak barrels.
• They revisit Hootie and the Blowfish’s Fairweather Johnson, comparing it with Cracked Rear View and discussing the tracks that stood out.
• They talk about the Power to the People festival, organized by Tom Morello, and its lineup of Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews, Public Enemy, Cypress Hill, Killer Mike, and others.
• Scott says Tom Morello and Friends was a festival highlight; Brian and Scott discuss why Dave Matthews’s quieter set felt out of place in the lineup.
• Brian shares stories from his 25-year high school reunion in Richmond.
• Scott recounts walking his large dog while carrying a bottle of bourbon, prompting a conversation about accidentally dropping bottles and cases of beer.
• They compare TV watchlists, discuss Ovechkin and the Capitals, and talk about Banana Ball at Nats Park.
• Brian reveals the next album pick: Siamese Dream by the Smashing Pumpkins.

Brian and Scott are joined by Andrew Oh, Heaven Hill’s on-premise channel manager for Northern Virginia, for a cocktail-forward conversation tied to Elijah Craig Old Fashion Week. They cover what makes a strong old fashioned, how bourbon pairs with food, and how the event supports hospitality workers through charity.The crew also gets into bourbon basics, product innovation at Heaven Hill, and why classic pours like Elijah Craig Small Batch still lead the way.

Key topics

• Andrew shares his background in hotel management, grocery and distributor work, and how he landed at Heaven Hill
• The group compares old fashioned builds, including proof, bitters, syrup, and ice
• Andrew explains Heaven Hill’s history, family ownership, Kentucky production, and brands including Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Larceny, Bernheim, Rittenhouse, and Parker’s Heritage
• The group discusses Old Fashion Week’s origins, the $600,000 raised, and its support for hospitality workers through the Southern Smoke Foundation
• They explore how old fashioned recipes vary by bar, from maple and smoked versions to walnut and other creative twists
• Andrew shares what makes a classic old fashioned work, including orange peel, stirring, and bartender precision
• The conversation touches on bourbon and food pairings, including red meat, fish, and curated tasting menus
• Andrew talks about common consumer questions and how he approaches bourbon education
• They discuss innovation at Heaven Hill, including toasted barrel finishes and grain-to-glass sourcing
• The final stretch covers PGA and Ryder Cup partnerships, golf-themed giveaways, and the Tavern Trail featuring historic Virginia properties

Brian and Scott kick off with an update on Scott’s painful fall down the stairs, the urgent care visit that confirmed badly bruised ribs, and the ongoing recovery. From there, the episode shifts into a full 90s nostalgia tour, anchored by Hootie and the Blowfish’s Cracked Rear View and a run of childhood memories that shaped both hosts. We discuss music, TV, snacks, playgrounds, and the stores that defined the decade, with plenty of side quests into concerts, sports, and the weirdness of modern festival cancellations. Brian and Scott also cover a bad restaurant experience, a 4DX movie outing with the kids, and a surprisingly good Farm Aid performance.

Key topics

• Scott explains how he fell down the stairs at home, landed hard on his back, and went to urgent care for X-rays after struggling to breathe and sleep.
• Brian and Scott compare injuries and joke about being medically unqualified but fully supportive of water, painkillers, and recovery.
• The hosts recap a canceled Ocean’s Calling and connect it to the broader “curse” of concerts and festivals getting rained out.
• They dig into Cracked Rear View by Hootie and the Blowfish, calling out “Hannah Jane,” “Only Wanna Be with You,” and the album’s unusually strong run of hooks and singles.
• Scott shares the backstory behind Hootie’s long grind before breaking through, including years of playing shows and the deluxe edition demos.
• Brian and Scott compare Darius Rucker’s voice to Eddie Vedder and talk about how early-90s rock vocals often got lumped together.
• They preview next week’s album pick, Fairweather Johnson, and joke that it may be the classic sophomore slump.
• Scott brings back “Scott Throws Restaurants Under the Bus” after a bad night at Bourbon Boulevard Reserve, where he was overcharged for a smoked old fashioned and a horseradish side.
• The restaurant rant turns into a larger complaint about gimmicky menus, empty dining rooms, and terrible customer treatment.
• Scott describes taking his kids to Avengers Endgame Encore in 4DX, where the seats moved, water splashed, and snow and wind effects turned the movie into a theme park ride.
• The weekend also included Farm Aid, where Brian and Scott talk through Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds, the violin accompaniment, and how “Don’t Drink the Water” plays very differently live.
• The episode ends with a shared list of 90s essentials: MTV, TGIF, wooden playgrounds, Dunkaroos and Handy Snacks, Blockbuster, Toys R Us, and memorized phone numbers.

Brian and Scott kick things off with cocktails, album homework, and a little friendly chaos before settling into a bigger conversation about the start of fall. They also cover two big live music weekends, and a shared love of seasonal bourbon. In this episode: Brian and Scott compare notes on the new Death Cab for Cutie album, talk through standout live shows from Guster and the Avett Brothers, and debate why fall is either the best season or merely acceptable. They also get into pumpkin drinks, bourbon season, and the kind of concert memories that make you wish you had bought the ticket.

Key topics

• Scott’s improvised cocktail experiment with Eagle Rare, maple syrup, and Dalmarva syrup
• Brian’s barrel strength Old Forester and why both hosts are clearing out bottles near the end of their lives
• Death Cab for Cutie’s I’ll Be You a Tower discussion, including:
  • Brian’s favorites: Envy the Birds, Stone Over Water, and Riptide
  • Scott’s picks: I Built You a Tower, Pep Talk, and Riptide
  • The shared verdict that it was solid, but not a top tier album for either host
• The contrast between Death Cab’s older material and its newer, more “dad rock” direction
• Scott’s surprise enthusiasm for Guster as an opener, especially their crowd work at Wolf Trap
• The Avett Brothers playing two nights, two sets, and nearly 50 songs with only a few repeats
• Why some concerts feel like can’t-miss events, especially when paired against football or other plans
• A full fall debate covering:
  • clothing
  • football
  • early sunsets
  • pumpkins and pumpkin drinks
  • apple picking
  • fall festivals, hayrides, and pumpkin patches
• Bourbon Heritage Month and why September feels like the right time to celebrate America’s native spirit
• Brian and Scott’s shared appreciation for stouts, especially gingerbread and bourbon barrel variants