NOLADrinks Show – Bourbon in lieu of Bourbon Fest – Mar20Ep2

Please note – The featured interview was recorded on March 12 as they coronavirus crisis was emerging and in the wake on the postponement of the New Orleans Bourbon Festival.

On this edition of The NOLADrinks Show with Bryan Dias, we’re doing a show on bourbon in the wake of The New Orleans Bourbon Festival being postponed due to the coronavirus crisis. We’re joined by the festival’s executive director, Tracy Napolitano, and Heaven Hill global ambassador, Bernie Lubbers.

NOLADrinks Show – Bourbon in lieu of Bourbon Fest – Mar20Ep2

We start things off letting you know about this week’s show and that, as of the time of taping, there was no update on the reschedule of Bourbon Fest (at the time of this podcast and writing, there is still not one – stay tuned.)

Next, we’re off to one of our favorite spots in New Orleans – Barrel Proof in the Lower Garden District – for our featured interview. Please note – we were planning on 2-3 shows or so to be taped at the postponed New Orleans Bourbon Fest and we hope to bring those shows to you when the event is rescheduled and happens!

Nonetheless, we put together a sort of “ad-hoc” show and are graciously joined by by the festival’s executive director, Tracy Napolitano, and Heaven Hill global ambassador, Bernie Lubbers. The latter was in town already, at the time of postponement.

Part of the spirit of the show was to let you know about the fest, where things stood with updates, and, simply, to sip on some whiskey and talk about it! So, that’s what we do!

Aside from tasting through some tasty selections, we talk about the whiskey landscape in the US, understanding the big production houses versus the numerous craft producers that have sprung up in recent years, and several connected aspects.

Both Tracy and Bernie stick around for our podcast-only segment – “Another Shot with NOLADrinks” – where we continue the conversation and sip through a bit more.

Thanks to our friends at Barrel Proof for hosting us. You can see their location on the map below and please support them as soon as they re-open! You can subscribe to, stream, and download The NOLADrinks Show with Bryan Dias podcast using the links and player at the top of the post.

Cheers and Be Safe, You All!

~ Bryan