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The Whiskey Trip - Season 4, Episode 12 - Kevin Alker, Owner & Distiller - Old Alker Distillery
Episode 12
Monday, 23 March, 2026
This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief rolls into the rhythm, heat, and soul of New Orleans with Kevin Alker, owner and distiller of Old Alker Distillery. This one hits different… it's got history in its bones, music in its step, and whiskey that carries a family legacy back to life. Long before Old Alker was filling bottles, the Alker name was moving wood… barrel staves flowing through New Orleans, supplying some of the biggest names in American whiskey. Now that same family blood is back in the game, and you can feel it in every pour. They open the show with Old Alker's Small Batch Blend at 100 proof. This is a front porch in the spring kind of whiskey… buttery, nutty, smooth as a slow jazz tune drifting through the French Quarter. Easy sipping, but full of character. As the first half winds down, Big Chief and Kevin lean into a 7-year-old Single Barrel, also at 100 proof. This one dances a little. Bright summer fruits, a touch of citrus, then it settles into that sweet caramel popcorn ball note with a hint of toffee that lingers like the last note of a trumpet on Bourbon Street. Then it's time to turn it up. In the second half, they pour a 7-year-old Cask Strength Single Barrel at 114 proof. This pour is a straight-up baby candy bar in a glass… rich chocolate and caramel leading the charge, layered with flavor from front to back. It builds with hints of orange citrus spice that cut through the sweetness just enough to keep you coming back for another sip. And it's damn good to see another craft distillery rising in New Orleans… adding to the story of a city that knows whiskey, respects it, and knows how to bring it to life with soul. This episode isn't just about whiskey. It's about heritage, resilience, and bringing something back to life with purpose… the kind of story New Orleans was built on. So grab a glass, turn up the music, and Take the Ride with Big Chief. Cheers
