Rising Tide Spirits: Ed Bley From Enthusiast to Bourbon Creator tasting His New Brand Old Swagger and his Single Barrel Release of Old Stubborn

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Ed Bley, founder of Rising Tide Spirits, shares his journey from
managing barrel selections to creating his own bourbon brand with
meticulous attention to both liquid quality and distinctive
packaging design.

• Ed previously ran Cork & Bottle, selecting over 250 private
barrels which helped define his palate and bourbon
philosophy
• Old Swagger is a new 12-year bottled-in-bond low-rye bourbon
designed to be soft, elegant and approachable
• Old Stubborn single barrels offer a contrasting experience with
high-rye pot still bourbon at barrel strengths up to 142
proof
• The distinctive teardrop bottles feature 3D Rising Tide logos
embedded in the glass base, requiring 14 minutes to hand-blow
each bottle
• Ed prioritizes mouthfeel and viscosity in his whiskeys, wanting
flavors to "hang around" long after tasting
• Rising Tide sources barrels well in advance, working on
releases 2-3 years ahead to maintain quality control
• Packaging challenges, including custom tubes and label
specifications, can significantly impact release timelines
• Ed plans to release each product line twice yearly, with the
next release potentially arriving this winter

Find Rising Tide Spirits online at risingtidespirits.com and on
social media platforms. Sign up for their newsletter to be
notified about upcoming releases.

What happens when a seasoned barrel picker with over 250
selections under his belt decides to create his own bourbon
brand? Ed Bley of Rising Tide Spirits joins the Scotchy Bourbon
Boys to reveal the journey that led to his distinctive Old
Swagger and Old Stubborn bourbons.

With roots deeply planted in bourbon enthusiasm before entering
the industry, Blabe brings a connoisseur's perspective to every
aspect of his craft. His experience climbing rickhouses with
legends like Eddie Russell has shaped his discerning palate and
unique approach to whiskey creation. During the podcast, he
offers listeners a rare glimpse into the meticulous process of
selecting and blending barrels, emphasizing how the marriage of
whiskeys evolves over time.

The conversation dives deep into Rising Tide's striking packaging
design, featuring hand-blown teardrop bottles with
three-dimensional logos embedded in the glass base. "I wanted
something unique, different than what you normally see," Bley
explains, comparing bourbon to a complete pie where every element
must work together—from the liquid to the story to the vessel
containing it.

Most fascinating is how Bley deliberately created contrasting
expressions to reach different palates. His Old Swagger 12-year
bottled-in-bond offers an elegant, balanced drinking experience,
while Old Stubborn single barrels deliver intense flavors with
remarkably long finishes. "When you go to tastings, what's
amazing is they're both excellent but completely different ends
of the spectrum," he notes, emphasizing that quality whiskey can
exist across diverse flavor profiles.

The discussion reveals the extensive behind-the-scenes work of
building a bourbon brand, from navigating supply chains to
planning releases years in advance. For whiskey enthusiasts
curious about craft bourbon's future, this conversation provides
invaluable insights from someone who's dedicated to creating
exceptional drinking experiences.

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upcoming releases, as these limited offerings tend to sell
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