
The guys behind Pursuit Spirits in Louisville (Ryan and Kenny, who are also the guys beyond the Bourbon Pursuit podcast) have blended a new straight rye whiskey, finished in XO Cognac barrels. It’s called Pursuit United Cognac Cask Rye. They call it a “refined rule bender.”
“After just one small-scale test in three short weeks, this rye easily became one of the best barrel finishes we’ve ever pulled off,” said Ryan Cecil, Pursuit Spirits Master Blender and CEO. “With that in mind, we quickly scaled it up by selecting full barrels that would enhance the cognac qualities. The result calls for a heavy pour.”
Pursuit Spirits is putting the finishing touches on a tasting experience and cocktail bar in downtown Louisville on Whiskey Row. The Whiskey Network took a hard hat construction tour of the incredible new venue with Pursuit Spirits Co-Founder and COO Kenny Clement this week. We’ll have a full report soon.
“Our Cognac Cask Rye is really just another example of what we do best – bottling bold flavors and encouraging others to drink a little more adventurously. t’s a remarkably smooth journey from start to finish, and we hope it inspires people to gather around a bottle, reveling in the taste and the moment.”
Kenny Coleman, Pursuit Spirits Co-Founder and COO

Pursuit Spirits Cognac Cask Rye
Tasting notes (from the distillery): “A delightful combination of sweet fried dough, tart cranapple, rich roasted dates, and candied ginger on the nose, leading to a palate featuring soft baked apricots, comforting toasted bread pudding, earthy black walnuts, and sweet date syrup. A surprising finish brings notes of floral jasmine tea, bright orange zest, warming sweet paprika, and lingering charred oak.”
Age: A blend of four-to-seven-year-old whiskies.
ABV: 54%.
Mash bill:
Bardstown Bourbon Co: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley.
Sagamore Spirit: 52% Rye, 43% Corn, 5% Malted Barley.
Sagamore Spirit: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley.
SRP: $69.99.

About Pursuit Spirits
(From the distillery) Pursuit Spirits is a Louisville, Kentucky-based whiskey brand founded by the innovative forces behind the number one bourbon podcast, Bourbon Pursuit. Their journey began with a deep curiosity and an unwavering dedication to the craft, leading them to seek out and blend exceptional American whiskeys. Rather than operating a traditional distillery, Pursuit Spirits has pioneered a modern, customized approac in h to blending, carefully selecting award-winning bourbon and rye barrels from multiple distilleries across the country. This unique method allows them to consistently craft small-batch expressions with unparalleled flavor complexity. Their award-winning Pursuit United line exemplifies this by harmoniously uniting diverse mash bills and barrel types. Additionally, their distillery-exclusive Mellwood Legacy Collection pays homage to the rich history of their distillery's location. Pursuit Spirits provides more than just bottles; their venue on Whiskey Row offers curated, immersive experiences where guests can participate in exclusive barrel selections and bottle their own whiskey; P. Club, an all-access, exclusive pass to Pursuit Spirits no matter your location; and a cocktail lounge called Trial + Error that seamlessly balances warm, lived-in charm and stylish modern comfort, complete with an extensive spirits menu and a variety of small bites.