It’s the last show of the year and we’re rolling straight through that weird lull between Christmas and New Year’s—Goochmas—with bourbon, bad ideas, and the kind of talk you only get when the pours start stacking up.

We kick things off on Skid Row: a true blind taste test of three bottom-shelf bottles (all under $30). We run them through nose + palate, rank them, reveal what they are, and then immediately do what responsible adults shouldn’t do—turn it into a questionable “infinity pour” experiment that tastes exactly like the decision-making that created it.

Next up, we hit a fresh Am I The Asshole? that’s basically bourbon rage-bait: a limited-release bottle of Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged—a meaningful work gift—gets opened and completely drained by the boyfriend who thinks “shared home” means “shared everything.” We break down why that’s not “sharing,” it’s just being an asshole… and yes, we absolutely label it Kyle behavior.

From there we get into Dry January—where it came from, why people do it, and the difference between doing it for health vs. doing it because you think you “have to.” We respect anyone who takes a break, but we also keep it real: adulting is hard, and we’re not signing up for liver boot camp just because the calendar flipped.

Then we take a turn into the bigger stuff: masculinity, machismo, and how Gen X got built—latchkey life, thick skin, dark humor, and why being a man isn’t just toughness or bravado. We talk about how those ideas change as you get older, become a father, and start thinking more about serving your family and showing up as a steady presence.

And then we’re joined by Corey Allender from the Cracked Skull Podcast (“Mental health, one glass at a time”). Corey talks about building the show, doing the creative/editing work, growing an audience, and how whiskey conversations can turn into actual support—real friendship, real mental health talk, and real-life perspective. We also get into bottles, barrel picks, Ohio bourbon life, and the kind of road trips you justify when a great rye is on the line.

We raise one last glass for 2025 and step into 2026 with one goal: stronger bottles, better conversations, and more honest talk—what’s in the glass and what’s in our heads.

Cheers, and thanks for talking shit with us. 🥃

In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Lewand of Fire & Flask Distillery for a conversation that starts with craft spirits and quickly takes the scenic route. We talk distilling, passion projects, and what it really takes to build something you care about — and Ryan gives us a look behind the scenes at Fire & Flask, their approach to flavor, and what sets their spirits apart. Then, because this is Talking Shit Today, we immediately pivot into a surprisingly heartfelt round of Am I the Asshole.

From there, things go exactly where you’d expect: Christmas side-dish debates, strong opinions, questionable food loyalties, and a line that absolutely must be drawn when it comes to Miracle Whip. It’s one part craft distilling, one part holiday chaos, and one part classic Talking Shit Today — honest conversations, bad takes, good laughs, and zero chance of staying on topic for long.

Check out Fire & Flask Distillery and see what Ryan and his team are building — and as always, pour yourself something good and settle in. This one’s got a little bit of everything.

X and Lumpy pour King’s County straight bourbon and 13th Colony cask strength southern rye while diving into holiday chaos, from Whamageddon and Secret Santa assholery to real talk about men’s mental health when the season hits hardest. They swap stories on friendships, grief, and being 1,800 miles from family, share a simple challenge to check on your boys, and shout out 988 as a lifeline that everyone should know. All that, plus bourbon nerdery, Christmas traditions, and why a good rye pairs perfectly with a good maduro.

General X and Lumpy kick things off with pure chaos, dodgeball theology, and absolutely zero filters before diving into a wild bourbon-soaked night with special guests Whiskey Odin, Whiskey Witch, and Big Red Whiskey.

The crew talks about:

• 🧪 A four-year passion project from 3 Witches Distillery / Valkyrie Mountain Farms – including an unreleased “unicorn” pour

• 🔥 Hazmat madness: Blanton’s Straight From the Barrel, Buckner’s 14-year, and the infamous Wyatt Earp 13-year 165.4

• 🥵 Lumpy’s Carolina Reaper–infused chocolate and the story of one man’s empty-stomach, gym-bathroom suffering

• 🦃 Thanksgiving vs. Friendsgiving: turkey wars, stuffing crimes, Latin sides, “white people” green bean casserole, and what happens if there’s no turkey or ham

• 🥃 AITA: Hazmat at Friendsgiving Edition — is Kyle an asshole for wanting to drown a hazmat in Coke and tap water?

They wrap the Ocho with a toast to good bottles, good friends, and knowing damn well when not to mix the two, plus a custom rap outro to send you off right.

Pour something brown, press play, and gobble your wobble — it’s The Ocho.

Yo, yo – welcome to Episode 007 of Talking Shit Today. X kicks things off with a brutal conference story involving a rogue sneeze, 300 people, and an instant “fuck you” moment before the guys settle into what’s in the glass: Hardin’s Creek Warehouse R, 11 years, 110 proof, mushroom label and all. They nose it, sip it, splash some water in it, and land around a 7.2/10 – earthy, savory, hot, and probably better on the rocks than neat.

From there, they dive into a friendly-but-real debate: does money actually buy better bourbon? Pappy, King of Kentucky, Peerless, Old Forester barrel picks, Benchmark, and the $20–$800+ question all hit the table. Then things get deeper: X and Lumpy unpack philos, eros, and agape, why men struggle to say “I love you” platonically, and how aging, pain, and wisdom show up in midlife (knee surgeries, bad backs, and “mind strong, body weak” included).

They close with love, laughs, and a tease for EP008 featuring Whiskey Odin from Three Witches Distillery. Smash follow, rate the show, and drop a comment: is expensive bourbon really worth it—and do you tell your friends you love them?

Lumpy and X are talking shit and sipping on a stellar lineup of whiskey!

They start with a "dangerous drinker," Company Distilling Straight Tennessee Whiskey Finished with Applewood, and discuss the unique Lincoln County Process that mellows the spirit. Then, the guys try a high-proof Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Proof store pick, using it to demonstrate the "magic" of the Whiskey Grail and how it can tame the heat of cask-strength pours.

The final pour is Widow Jane Lucky 13, a 13-year-old, 93 proof bourbon. They explore its unique taste profile, which features notes of pecan pie, vanilla bean, and birch beer, and its connection to the Rosendale Mines of New York.

Plus, X shares the history of the new Bourbon Trading Cards from The Bourbon Don, and they discuss X's classic car project—a 1950 Chevy Styleline and the electrical woes of a 2003 Ford Thunderbird—all from the comfort of the 35-foot Winnebago studio!

The glasses are full and the mics are hot as General X and Lumpy dive into another round of bourbon, dad life, and chaos management. From killer pours to curve-ball conversations, it’s equal parts smooth and unfiltered. Laughs, lessons, and a few surprises—because on this show, the plan is no plan.

Explicit content. Sip responsibly and share the vibe.

Bourbon pops, travel tales, dance-dad origins, and a tool-nerd victory lap—Episode 4 brings heat, laughs, and a surprisingly creamy 90-proof finish.