Show Notes
We're back with Part 2 of our PursuitPalooza 2026 AMA session. We kick off by tackling the business realities of the RTD boom because we keep punting the idea if we should do one ourselves, and exploring why entering the canned cocktail market is a completely different beast than aging bourbon in a barrel.
We talk about some the weirdest tasting notes we've ever pulled like peanut butter and jelly, peach rings, and Grandma's candy jar. Finally, we get personal about what it really takes to run an independent spirits company. We talk about managing operational pressure, our core philosophy of "no problems, only solutions," and some of the wild, unfiltered Palooza memories from over the years. Show Notes: RTDs vs. Aged Whiskey: The hidden challenges of canned cocktails, including shelf-life stability, high R&D costs, and retail distribution hurdles.
Sourcing Strategy: Why Pursuit Spirits prioritizes proven legacy distillates over volatile craft profiles to establish consumer trust.
Wild Tasting Notes: Recalling the most unusual flavor profiles we've encountered, from PB&J and peach rings to farmyard funky pours.
Labeling & TTB Regulations: How slight legal nuances define "straight bourbon" versus finished expressions, and what consumers actually notice.
Leadership & Problem Solving: Behind the scenes of scaling Pursuit Spirits, empowering employees, and keeping cool under operational stress.
Celebrity Brands & Industry Hype: Our unfiltered thoughts on celebrity-backed spirits, hazmat-proof trends, and the ongoing craze for allocated bottles.
Palooza War Stories: Reliving hilarious, late-night Palooza memories, EDM club outings, and keeping the annual event fresh for repeat attendees.
Historical Dream Pours: Ryan and Kenny name the iconic figures—including George Garvin Brown and President William Howard Taft—they'd love to share a dram with.
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