Ep. 63 - Inside the World of Vintage Decanter Bourbon - Part 1

The B Team Podcast

Take a sip of liquid history as the B-Team dives deep into the forgotten world of vintage bourbon with special guest Stephen Mansfield (Instagram: @DustyWhiskeyHunter). What started as a casual conversation quickly transforms into a fascinating exploration of America's whiskey past through rare "dusties" – bourbon produced primarily before the 1960s that tastes remarkably different from modern spirits.
Stephen guides us through the post-Prohibition era when distilleries faced a surprising problem: too much aged bourbon and not enough buyers. As American drinkers shifted to vodka and clear spirits in the 50s and 60s, bourbon makers created elaborate decorative decanters – from chess pieces to figurines – marketed as collectibles rather than for their contents. Today, these forgotten vessels often contain liquid treasures that reveal how dramatically bourbon production has changed.
The highlight comes when Stephen shares his recent discovery of over 1,000 vintage decanters in an Arkansas collector's basement – six shelves high around every wall. As we sample an 8-year Lionstone and 10-year Old Crow from his collection, the differences from modern bourbon become immediately apparent: deeper mahogany colors, pronounced leather and tobacco notes, more minerality, and complex wood sugars that create unique tasting experiences.
But what exactly makes these dusties so distinctive? Stephen explains three key differences: less filtered water with natural minerals, barrels made from older trees with tighter growth rings, and proprietary yeast strains that distilleries once kept under lock and key. Together, these practices created bourbons with depth and character that modern production methods – focused on efficiency rather than maximizing flavor – simply can't replicate.
Whether you're a bourbon enthusiast, history buff, or simply curious about America's distilling heritage, this episode offers a rare glimpse into flavors and production methods largely lost to time. Subscribe to the B-Team Podcast and join us each week as we explore all things Bentonville, business, and bourbon!

Chapters

1. Ep. 63 - Inside the World of Vintage Decanter Bourbon - Part 1 (00:00:00)

2. Welcome to the B-Team Podcast (00:00:11)

3. Defining Dusty Bourbon (00:01:22)

4. The Prohibition Effect on Distilleries (00:03:08)

5. The Bourbon Glut Era (00:06:17)

6. Hunting for Vintage Decanters (00:08:53)

7. Tasting Vintage Lionstone (00:17:21)

8. How Old Bourbon Differs (00:21:42)

9. Tasting Old Crow Chess Decanter (00:24:50)

10. Comparing Past and Present (00:29:19)