Exploring the Production Road Trip Experience in May 2025
- Jeff Zahrt
- May 30
- 8 min read
Heading out on our 2025 Production Road Trip to complete filming for season 3. We finally got on the road about a half hour late, and because I live on a gravel road, the Big Human had to stop and wash the truck.
Once we hit the interstate, we soon realized that the wind was going to be a factor and after Kirk did a little sleuthing, we realized we would be driving right into a storm as we headed to Indianapolis. Oh well. It’s always gotta be something. After a stop at a Binny’s in Peoria, Illinois, we kept heading east, but wouldn’t you know it, part of the interstate got shut down because of a wind storm and we had to drive through beautiful Bloomington, as well as several other small Illinois towns.
Eventually we made it to the first stop on our tour. Indianapolis, Indiana. After a quick check in at the hotel to secure our rooms, we grabbed a bite to eat at Buffalo Wild wings (it was the only kitchen still open at 9 pm, and then turned in for the night….at 11:45 pm. Tomorrow, West Fork Whiskey.
First distillery shoot of this trip is at West Fork Distillery in Indianapolis. This distillery was started in 2016, so less than 10 years old. They are very transparent that they are sourcing their Old Hamer whiskey from MGP, but also very focused on using all Indiana grains. Some great history about the Old Hamer name. One of the oldest distilleries (no longer in production) but still has some serious whiskey history. We tasted through several Old Hamer expressions, and then also tasted through some of the expressions of their whiskey they are making labeled West Fork Whiskey.
It’s refreshing to hear a distillery state that they are not trying to compete with Big Bourbon but they are doing things their way. Master Distiller Julian Jones was very transparent and willing to share what they are doing at West Fork Whiskey. The Double Oak was a clear winner for us. In both the Old Hamer brand and the West Fork Whiskey brand. Check it out if you get a chance.
Now, on to Louisville for a shoot at Oxmoor farms and the re-birth of the Oxmoor Bourbon brand. There is some serious whiskey history we are getting into.
Sunday morning we started our day off at Oxmoor Farms in the middle of Louisville. It’s like stepping back in time when you pull onto the grounds. We filmed some great history at this location and while it’s loaded with history, it’s still a working house for the family that owns it. Shirley is the curator and showed us through the house, and told us story after story about this place. However, one of the coolest things we found out was that part of if not all of the Kentucky constitution was drafted in this house, as well as some of the first drafts of the Bottled in Bond Act. If you are a history buff or a whiskey history buff, you have to check it out.
Shirley then walked us through a guided tasting of the Oxmoor brand that has been re-born. To say we were surprised by this bourbon is a clear understatement. We got to taste their small batch, and two of their single barrels.
We then sat down with spirits attorney Brian Haara for some short discussions on the law and whiskey. And what better place to do that than in the library at Oxmoor Farms. Brian is a veritable wealth of knowledge. And, finding out how some of these legal battles shaped the current whiskey landscape, was so much fun. He's an author of the book Bourbon Justice which you can get from his website or from Amazon. Check it out.
So, just when we thought our day was done (it was about 1 pm), we got a text from Amin Karoud at Old Louisville. Boys….saddle up, we got more work to do. So off we went to Old Louisville Bourbon Company to hear Amin’s story and taste some of his whiskey.
Amin is another blender, and putting together some amazing whiskeys. He’s transparent
about where he’s getting whiskey (I love that), and told us that he’s not bottling anything less than 7 and half years old. We got to taste several barrels, and all were unique, tasty and righteous in their own whiskey sphere. It’s an experience you must seek out. The building is tucked away, and easy to miss, so when you go, follow the map.
But, just when we thought we were done at Old Louisville, Amin asked us “hey…do you want to see the new building i’m moving into once I get it remodeled?” It of course was a rhetorical question for us. Amin took us to one of the old Seagrams buildings in Shively that he purchased. From the rooftop we could see The Kentucky Derby Track, U of L stadium and lots of old whiskey factories. It’s going to be a great place.
Monday morning started off a bit rough for us. The Big Human’s truck had a window smashed so we had to deal with that carnage and get it fixed. But, it didn’t stop us from getting to Pursuit Spirits on time for our barrel pick. We sampled through 6 barrels (3 bourbon, 3 rye) and eventually landed on a double oaked bourbon. Now, to be fair, I was the lone dissenting voice and lobbied for a Double Oaked Rye. Even though I couldn't convince the group, the barrel of Double Oaked Bourbon is fantastic.
Kenny Coleman and Ryan Cecil were great guides and of course let us sample and discuss until we landed on the chosen barrel. We then got to participate in dumping the barrel and then bottling it all. A great experience, and all sorts of fun. We started at 10 am and we were completely done by 1:30. And yes, we got to keep the barrel.
We packed everything up, went and got some lunch (Thanks Kenny, Ryan and Sara for lunch) and headed out for some more bourbon hunting. Because why not? After a few stops, we loaded up and headed to Pembroke Kentucky to get ready for our next shoot at MB Roland on Tuesday.
Tuesday is here and we are in South Western Kentucky, Pembroke to be exact, and the distillery is MB Roland. Pulling into this distillery is picturesque. The Rick House (which was built for them) has a beautiful mural painted on the side of the barn that tells you what’s going on in that Rick House. This used to be an Amish Dairy farm, so you know you are in farm country.
This distillery is owned by Paul and Mary Beth Tomaszewski and was opened in 2009, so they have been at this for a while. The distillery’s name comes from Mary Beth who’s maiden name is Roland. You would be surprised by the amount of expressions coming out of this small distillery. Paul loves to experiment and we got to taste not only some great Bourbons and Ryes, but a Dark Fired corn whiskey. And the Big Human fell in love with their Pink Lemonade (that of course has some alcohol that they made). They also have it in slushy form…perfect for a hot summer day. Veteran owned (Paul was in the Army) and southern hospitality (It’s unmistakable from Mary Beth), there is no way you can not have a great time at this distillery. And have some great whiskey. Plus, the drive in is wonderful.
When we finished at MB Roland, we had to get our motor running because we were due to be in Columbia Tennessee for a whiskey tasting session with Colonel Craig Duncan, founder and president of Whiskey University. Now to get there seemed pretty straight forward, but there was a matter of tornados and flooding that kind of impeded us on the way down. However, the Big Human wasn’t about to let that stop him from making this next stop. So away we went.
We finally arrived at Whiskey University (only about 45 minutes late) and were greeted by Colonel Craig Dunkin and his wife Melissa. Once we were set up, the tastings began. Whiskey University has over 2300 whiskey’s. And just like my whiskey’s, they are all open. We got to taste so many whiskey’s. From Craft to Big Bourbon to a few unicorns. You will want to look for these episodes.
Wednesday and we are off to Clarksville, Tennessee to film at Old Glory distillery.
Getting to Old Glory Distillery was a pretty easy drive. About an hour and a half north. However we had to go through Nashville to get there. But thanks to the Big Human’s Nascar skills, we still arrived at Old Glory Distilling on time.
We met Matt Cunningham, Founder and owner at Old Glory who showed us around and was very giving with his time. This is another distillery that put in the time to age their whiskey, and they never sourced their whiskey. They waited till the whiskey was ready. And, it’s obviously paying off. They have two mashbills that they are running. One is a Tennessee Bourbon and the other is a Tennessee whiskey. And they are also doing contract distilling for a number of distilleries.
Upon first glance at the building you would think that it used to be an old warehouse or something else. But Matt, along with his father and brother built the building in 2016. The vibe of this place is fantastic. And speaking of fantastic, they have a scratch kitchen that is knocking out some great food. If you get a chance to pick up Old Glory Bourbon or Whiskey, we encourage you to do so.
Once we wrapped and had some lunch, we packed up and hit the road for our last stop on this road trip. St. Louis, Missouri here we come. Of course, when you are traveling across illinois, you can’t go anywhere without the Big Human knowing someone. So, we got the luxury of meeting some of the Big Human’s friends for dinner at a great dive bar/restaurant in New Minden Illinois called the Blue Room. It had every quality you would want in a dive bar. Perfect. I mean every quality.
Thursday morning and we are at STilL630 Distillery for a conversation with Dave Weglarz. This guy is putting out all sorts of fun, and tasty whisky. His flagship is a Rye and Bourbon, but don’t miss some of his other whiskey’s. Including some of his annual releases that sell out very very fast. And talk about awards. He was awarded Best in Class Whiskey at the 2025 American Craft Spirits Association competition.
It’s not too often that I meet someone that has the same energy level as myself and can match me with enthusiasm, but Dave was that guy. Passion for making great whiskey oozes out of Dave with every breath he takes. STilL630 (and yes, there is a reason it's spelled that way) is in the heart of Downtown St. Louis. In the shadow of the Arch and Busch Stadium. It’s definitely worth a trip.
So that wraps up this production trip for 2025. (Yes Wes, it’s 2025, not 2005…if you know you know). We met some fantastic distillers, heard some great stories and made some fantastic friends. The one thing I will say for all these distillers, and the people that work in this industry, is that everyone is very welcoming and down to earth. Very willing to share their stories. We love that. What a production trip. Keep watching for the videos.
I think it's time for a whiskey.
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