Bourbon: Legends from the Trail
Welcome to “Bourbon: Legends from the Trail,” the ultimate podcast where bourbon’s rich history and captivating stories are poured into every episode. Hosted by Travis Hounshell, a seasoned bourbon trail guide, this show explores the fascinating world of America’s native spirit, uncovering the legends, myths, and truths that have shaped bourbon’s legacy.
Each episode takes listeners on a journey through the heart of bourbon country, visiting iconic distilleries like Buffalo Trace, Maker’s Mark, Jim Beam, Four Roses, and Wild Turkey and many more! Travis dives deep into the lives of industry pioneers, from the infamous to the revered, shedding light on the personalities and events that crafted some of the world’s most beloved spirits. Discover how legends like Elijah Craig and Pappy Van Winkle helped shape bourbon’s legendary status, and uncover the secrets behind famous brands, like the story behind Maker’s Mark’s signature red wax or The Great White Whale of bourbon (a bourbon that most do not even know exists, but is a collector's apex)
Whether you’re a seasoned bourbon aficionado or someone who simply loves a good story, “Bourbon: Legends from the Trail” offers a flavorful blend of education, entertainment, and surprises. You’ll hear about the passion, innovation, and resilience behind each bottle, while learning the untold stories and serendipitous moments that turned bourbon into an enduring American icon.
Pour a glass of your favorite bourbon, uncork the history, and join us for a journey through time and taste. Hit subscribe or follow button and immerse yourself in the legends behind the spirit that continues to captivate whiskey lovers worldwide. Cheers to the stories, the craftsmanship, and the legends that live in every drop of bourbon!
Bourbon: Legends from the Trail
Bourbon: Legends From The Trail Season 2 Trailer
(Season 2 begins March 3, 2025)
Last season… we took a journey to discover LEGENDS
We uncovered the legend of how bourbon came to Kentucky—why this state, why this water, and why it became the beating heart of America’s spirit. We met Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr., the legend who shaped modern bourbon. We hunted the White Whale of Bourbon—one of the rarest bottles ever made, lost to time and a legend sought after by the greatest hunters. We unmasked the King of Bootleggers, a infamous legend who ruled Prohibition’s underworld. We saw how one of the Wild West’s most notorious outlaw legends came to Bardstown and left his Mark. And we even took a detour down to Tennessee to reveal a legend lost in the hills for over a hundred years and discovered the true father of Tennessee whiskey and the Lincoln County Process—spoiler: it wasn’t Jack Daniel.
Each episode, we dug deeper into the stories only whispered across the bourbon trail—the tales you won’t find on distillery tours, legends that are passed from bartender to the backroom speakeasy’s, from master distillers to late-night campfires
But that… was just the beginning.
Now, get ready for Season 2.
Because if you thought we covered it all, you haven’t heard anything yet.
This season even more legends are coming your way…. we’re resurrecting a lost bourbon—one that disappeared for decades, only to be brought back like something straight out of Jurassic Park. We’re diving headfirst into Pappygate—the infamous heist at Buffalo Trace that turned the bourbon world upside down.
We’ll trace the rise, fall, and rebirth of some of the most legendary distilleries—Four Roses, Green River, Stitzel-Weller—the very places that shaped the bourbon we chase today. And speaking of legends… how did Pappy Van Winkle himself become the icon he is today? The answer may surprise you. We will see how several distilleries suffered blows from Mother Nature, and how one was almost ruined forever, only to rise from the literal ashes.
And that’s just the first pour.
There are more stories just waiting—hidden in dusty warehouses, lost in the stacks of aging barrels, in the ink of old newspapers, in the memories of those who lived them. Stories of deception, determination, and the spirits that refused to be forgotten.
So, grab your favorite bourbon, settle into your best listening spot, and get ready. Because Season 2 of Bourbon: Legends from the Trail is coming… and the next round of legends is about to be poured.
You ready?
Feel free to email your thoughts about the episode or the show in general at thebourbonprincipal.com. I would love to hear from you!
Thank you for listening to Bourbon: Legends from the Trail, where history meets flavor and every bottle has a story to tell. Cheers to the stores and legends behind the Spirit! Please leave a rating and review as it will help me plan future episodes.
Last season… we took a journey to discover LEGENDS
We uncovered the legend of how bourbon came to Kentucky—why this state, why this water, and why it became the beating heart of America’s spirit. We met Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr., the legend who shaped modern bourbon. We hunted the White Whale of Bourbon—one of the rarest bottles ever made, lost to time and a legend sought after by the greatest hunters. We unmasked the King of Bootleggers, a infamous legend who ruled Prohibition’s underworld. We saw how one of the Wild West’s most notorious outlaw legends came to Bardstown and left his Mark. And we even took a detour down to Tennessee to reveal a legend lost in the hills for over a hundred years and discovered the true father of Tennessee whiskey and the Lincoln County Process—spoiler: it wasn’t Jack Daniel.
Each episode, we dug deeper into the stories only whispered across the bourbon trail—the tales you won’t find on distillery tours, legends that are passed from bartender to the backroom speakeasy’s, from master distillers to late-night campfires
But that… was just the beginning.
Now, get ready for Season 2.
Because if you thought we covered it all, you haven’t heard anything yet.
This season even more legends are coming your way…. we’re resurrecting a lost bourbon—one that disappeared for decades, only to be brought back like something straight out of Jurassic Park. We’re diving headfirst into Pappygate—the infamous heist at Buffalo Trace that turned the bourbon world upside down.
We’ll trace the rise, fall, and rebirth of some of the most legendary distilleries—Four Roses, Green River, Stitzel-Weller—the very places that shaped the bourbon we chase today. And speaking of legends… how did Pappy Van Winkle himself become the icon he is today? The answer may surprise you. We will see how several distilleries suffered blows from Mother Nature, and how one was almost ruined forever, only to rise from the literal ashes.
And that’s just the first pour.
There are more stories just waiting—hidden in dusty warehouses, lost in the stacks of aging barrels, in the ink of old newspapers, in the memories of those who lived them. Stories of deception, determination, and the spirits that refused to be forgotten.
So, grab your favorite bourbon, settle into your best listening spot, and get ready. Because Season 2 of Bourbon: Legends from the Trail is coming… and the next round of legends is about to be poured.
You ready?
