One lesson. Three parts. Zero BS.

Meet whiskey’s next generation

In this lesson, we explore the new generation of American whiskey—bold, thoughtful, and future-facing. These maverick makers honor tradition while pushing boundaries, blending innovation with authenticity. From high-altitude bourbons to legacy tributes and grain-to-glass craft, this trio shows how American whiskey is evolving.

In this lesson you’ll try:

Breckenridge Bourbon Whiskey

Uncle Nearest 1884 Premium Small Batch Whiskey

Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon Whiskey

A true field-to-bottle Bourbon—crafted from four homegrown grains and pure Sierra snowmelt water.

The big picture: A new era emerges

• Place-Based: Think terroir. Where it’s made, how it’s grown, and who makes it.
• Transparent: Many new producers show the full journey from grain to glass, with some even growing their own grain.
• Inclusive: The new wave is diverse and human. Legacy stories are being rewritten to include long-overlooked figures and new voices.
• Rule-Bending: Blending grains, tweaking mash bills, using non-traditional aging techniques—nothing is off-limits if it leads to flavor.
• Sustainably Minded: From water sources to packaging, new-wave distillers are thinking beyond the bottle.

Smartass corner

• Altitude Affects Flavor: Whiskey aged at elevation (like Breckenridge) experiences faster temperature swings, which speeds barrel interaction and flavor development.
• The Lincoln County Process: A Tennessee tradition—whiskey is filtered through sugar maple charcoal before barreling. It softens the final product and defines the region’s style.
• Grain-to-Glass: Frey Ranch grows, harvests, malts, and distills every grain they use.
• Representation Matters: Uncle Nearest honors the real first African-American master distiller.
• Four-Grain Mashbill: Most bourbons use 3 grains (corn, rye or wheat, barley). Frey Ranch uses all four—each playing a role in complexity.