455. Four Pours, Four Places: From Cody to the Lone Star

In this region-spanning tasting session, The Bourbon Road hosts
Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter
guide listeners through four American whiskeys that each bring
something unique to the table. From the high plains of Wyoming to
the oak-rich rickhouses of Kentucky and the bold, sun-soaked
warehouses of Texas, this episode offers a full-flavored
exploration of how place and process shape the final pour.


First up is Buffalo Bill Cody Straight Bourbon
from Wyoming Whiskey—a 6-year-old, 97-proof
bourbon blended from 26 barrels. Distilled with 100%
Wyoming-grown grain in Kirby, this expression honors a frontier
legend with bold notes of cherry, leather, exotic spice, and
sweet cream. Jim and Todd both agree it’s a standout example of
what regional distilling can deliver—complex, approachable, and
full of character.


The second pour shifts eastward to RD1’s Sister
Cities, a blend of 5- and 7-year-old Kentucky bourbons
with an 8-year-old rye, finished using French oak “necklaces” and
Japanese Mizunara staves. Bottled at 102 proof, the whiskey opens
with a bright, tart fruit nose—orange zest, raisin bran, and
cherries—then develops into warm layers of milk chocolate, spice,
and drying oak. The result is a richly nuanced pour that pays
homage to Lexington’s international connections with refinement
and flair.


In the second half, the hosts feature two expressions from
Milam & Greene’s “The Answer” line—each
identical in distillate but aged in different states. The
Kentucky-aged version delivers a more
traditional bourbon profile, showcasing smooth oak integration,
brown sugar, and baking spice. Meanwhile, the Texas-aged
version leans bolder and darker, shaped by the state’s
intense climate with notes of charred wood, molasses, and earth.
Side-by-side, these two pours demonstrate how dramatically aging
environment alone can influence a whiskey’s flavor, texture, and
personality.


Throughout the episode, Jim and Todd offer their signature
banter, detailed tasting notes, and honest reflections on what
makes each pour special. Whether it’s a frontier homage, an
internationally inspired blend, or an experiment in terroir
through aging, every whiskey in this lineup tells a compelling
story.


This is American whiskey at its best—diverse, regional, and
endlessly expressive.






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Be sure to check out our private Facebook group, “The
Bourbon Roadies” for a great group of bourbon loving
people. You will be welcomed with open arms!