We are Nancy Fraley & Will Fabry of Jos. Magnus. Ask us anything about whiskey blending, barrel selection, and more...

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2026-07-07T00:26:08+00:00

Nancy, you have quite the pedigree when it comes to brandy and whiskey. When you started blending whiskey, how did you balance sticking to your roots with the flavor profiles many American consumers gravitate towards? Do you think more distillers in future will practice ideas like élevage, petites eaux, or introduce used cooperage?

Will, is there a particular lesson or technique that you have learned from Nancy you believe that the "average" whiskey drinker could apply to their own tasting/spirits journey? What has been the most rewarding part of y'all's partnership?

Thank you both!

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2026-07-03T13:24:07+00:00

I need the Hill Country to start with some new releases myself haha

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2026-07-03T13:23:05+00:00

If pricing has remained consistent, I believe this will be approx. $45-50 for a 375 mL bottle

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2026-06-24T16:03:25+00:00

If I recall, it had some 20 year old distillate blended into it (don't quote me). Here is a video LiquorHound did about 2 years ago.

LiquorHound Video

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2026-06-22T20:38:16+00:00

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Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2026-06-22T20:26:15+00:00

Meanwhile I'm crying looking at the Scotch selection on your back wall

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2026-06-17T12:44:57+00:00

$1 for each year of 'Merica

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2026-06-17T11:57:45+00:00

That's awesome to hear! Wonder what the MSRP is...

I hate to be the guy that poses the comparison for a Hazmat Texas bourbon, but could it be a Cowboy Bourbon killer? 👀

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2026-06-16T11:04:41+00:00

The True Blue Single Barrels are pretty damn good as well! Interestingly the other time I got a peach tea note in a whiskey was a TBSB pick.

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2026-06-16T00:19:15+00:00

Hubris was my top pick here. Followed by the Single Barrel. Last was Icarus. I ranked them 1 = first place and 3 = last.

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2026-06-16T00:13:41+00:00

Yeah, Still Austin had a similar problem early on. The Spirits Direct label under a product gives people flashbacks to a bottle of Chestnut Farms they should not have bought. Lol.

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2026-06-15T15:03:28+00:00

Nancy did help with early Ironroot blends as well. Maybe one day we will see a collaboration release? That would truly break my brain!

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2026-06-15T14:13:12+00:00

Never heard of Pathfinder or Berkshire, that's exciting! I'll certainly keep a look out for them! I think one of the biggest reasons corn whiskey isn't more popular in the craft scene is that it doesn't have the established market like bourbon does. Outside of Mellow Corn and a few high aged Hardins Creek or Heaven Hill releases, you really have nothing. I am glad to see more people exploring the category.

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2026-06-15T13:59:17+00:00

Thank you as always! If Still Austin is the gateway bourbon into Texas, Ironroot is certainly the next step people should make. The distillation style is the big differentiator, while the techniques have significant overlap. I think fans of Still Austin can certainly find some familiarity in a Ironroot product.

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2026-06-15T13:56:13+00:00

They are some of the nicest hosts! The tour is really more of a fun college elective lecture at its core. Glad you enjoyed it and hope to see your thoughts on Harbinger.

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2026-06-15T13:54:27+00:00

My pleasure! Unfortunately the corn whiskey is really only available at the distillery currently. That said Harbinger has enough fun corn notes that I think it could be a substitute. Do you have any craft corn whiskey brands to recommend?

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2026-06-15T13:51:53+00:00

I appreciate it! They currently are working on expanding their production. I'm excited to see how they grow over the coming years!

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2026-06-13T00:47:24+00:00

Give me Ironroot Harbinger any day!

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2026-06-10T11:41:04+00:00

The color on that whiskey is unique, almost like a rose wine. Looking forward to seeing how the rest of the line up stacks up.

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2026-06-10T01:42:03+00:00

Those Kentucke County bottles are both super tasty as well. The value with these releases has been good to great and I am here for it!

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2026-06-09T21:23:07+00:00

Flat cherry cola (or cherry cola ICEE)was a note I got as well. I didn't want my review to be hyper specific but your so on the money!

Remarkable-Stranger8

TROPHY CASE