Episode
380: Politics, Pours, and Portfolios: Inside Kentucky Senator Bourbon with Damon Thayer
- Podcast
- Bourbon Lens
- Published
- Apr 27, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2644
- Processing state
not_requested
Actions
POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/bourbon-lens-1160749/episodes/380-politics-pours-and-portfolios-inside-kentucky-senator-bourbon-with-damon-thayer/transcription-requests
Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode.GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/bourbon-lens-1160749/380-politics-pours-and-portfolios-inside-kentucky-senator-bourbon-with-damon-thayer.md
Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource.
Summary
In this episode of the Bourbon Lens , we sit down with Damon Thayer , former Kentucky State Senate Majority Floor Leader and co-owner of Kentucky Senator Bourbon . We dive into the fascinating revival of this historic brand, which originally dates back to the pre-Prohibition era and is now carving out a unique niche by pairing high-quality, aged spirits with the rich political history of the Bluegrass State. Damon shares the brand’s mission of bipartisan storytelling, where each small-batch release—always bottled at 107 proof and aged at least six years—is named after an iconic Kentucky Senator. From the inaugural Alben W. Barkley release to the more recent Jim Bunning and John Sherman Cooper editions, we explore how the brand honors those who shaped Kentucky’s legacy. Beyond the bottle, the conversation gets into the "inner circle" of Kentucky culture. Damon offers his expert strategies for betting on the Kentucky Derby , discusses his work in the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame, and explains the brand’s expansion plans into new markets. Whether you're a history buff, a political junkie, or just a fan of "America's Native Spirit," this episode offers an engaging look at how bourbon and statecraft go hand-in-hand. Show Notes & Key Takeaways Bipartisan Spirits: Discover how Kentucky Senator Bourbon bridges the political divide by focusing on shared history and tradition. The 107 Standard: Why the brand sticks to its signature 107-proof profile and a minimum six-year age statement (matching a Senator's term). Betting the Derby: Damon Thayer shares his personal approach to the track, including how to find value in win, place, and show bets. A Brand Revived: The story of how Thayer and Andre Regard brought back a brand once distilled by Crigler & Crigler and Double S…