Two Guys On A Porch

Ep. 47 - More Than Smoke & Bourbon: What We’re Really Building on the Porch

Every good place has a beginning.
For Mission Cigar and Social, it started with an idea from Monty Collins—create a space where people could slow down, sit for a while, and enjoy a cigar.
Simple enough.
But like most things that matter, it became more than that.
What Monty built isn’t just a cigar lounge. It’s a place where conversations happen. Where people come in one way and leave a little different. Where you can sit down, not have to perform, and just be around others for a bit.
That’s not all that different from what we’re trying to do here on the porch.
This episode moves through cigars, stories, Tennessee Collective, Franklin Distillery and a few laughs… but it keeps circling back to the same idea:
Most people aren’t looking for more noise.They’re looking for a place to land.
A place where connection isn’t forced… it just happens.
Come visit Franklin, TN and be sure to spend some time at Mission Cigar and Social. You’ll experience what we are talking about here and on all episodes of Two Guys On A Porch.  
That’s the point.
This is Part 2 of our conversation with Monty—so if you haven’t yet, go back and listen to Part 1 featuring Franklin Distillery, Tennessee Collective Whiskey, and Padrón. It’ll give you the full picture.
So whether you’re listening on the way home, sitting on your back porch, or lighting one up with a friend—thanks for being part of it.
 
#TwoGuysOnAPorch #BourbonPodcast #CigarPodcast #WhiskeyPodcast #MensPodcast #CigarConversation #BourbonTalk #CigarCulture #MensMentalHealth #BrotherhoodMatters #PodcastClips #franklintn #franklintennessee #downtownfranklin #visitfranklintn #Franklin #TennesseeCollective #TennesseeWhiskey #TNWhiskeyTrail #FranklinDistillery
 
 

Ep. 46 - Mission Social in Franklin, TN: Local Cigar Shop & TN Bourbon - TN Collective + Franklin Distillery

This episode is anchored in one of the South’s most iconic towns—Franklin, Tennessee—where history, hospitality, and a damn good pour all collide.
Jason and Bradford sit down with Monty Collins of Mission Cigar and Social, now firmly planted just off the historic downtown square. If you’re visiting Franklin—and you should be—this is where you land. While the shops, restaurants, and charm pull people in… Mission Cigar is where conversations actually happen. Also visit their Spring Hill, TN location.
And on this porch, the pours are as local as it gets.
The guys light up a Padrón 50th Anniversary—a top-shelf cigar that might just be “last smoke worthy.  Additionally the boys crack into a rare Franklin Distillery 20-Year—a true “sleeper” bottle that drinks far smoother than its proof—and a one-of-a-kind Tennessee Collective Whiskey, a 12-distillery collaboration that might be the most uniquely Tennessee pour you’ll ever taste.
This isn’t just whiskey—it’s a snapshot of what’s happening across the state right now. From heritage names to rising players, Tennessee is building something real:
Jack Daniel's – the global standard
Company Distilling – modern craft done right
Leiper's Fork Distillery – local pride with serious flavor
Nashville Barrel Company – sourcing and blending at a high level
Sugarlands Distilling Company & Ole Smoky Distillery – Smoky Mountain staples
Old Glory Distilling Co. & Tennessee Legend Distillery – honoring tradition
Tennessee Hills Distillery & Old Forge Distillery – small-town craftsmanship
Lost State Distilling – emerging and experimental
Big Machine Distillery – bold and expanding
 
Together, they represent a growing movement—one that blends tradition, innovation, and a whole lot of Southern grit.
Along the way, Monty shares his story—from chemist to business owner to selling the family company—and the unexpected weight that comes with success. It’s real talk about work, identity, and what actually lasts when the deal is done.
This episode is about more than bourbon and cigars.It’s about place, people, and purpose.
So if you’re headed to Franklin:👉 Walk the square👉 Take in the history👉 And make your way to Mission Cigar
We’ll save you a seat on the porch.
Pour always good whiskey… or pour nothing at all.
 
Hashtags (real + high-impact):#TwoGuysOnAPorch #FranklinTN #VisitFranklin #TennesseeWhiskey #BourbonLife #CigarCulture #MissionCigar #JackDaniels #CompanyDistilling #LeipersFork #NashvilleBarrelCo #BigMachineDistillery #SugarlandsDistilling #OleSmoky #OldGloryDistilling #TennesseeLegend #TennesseeHills #OldForgeDistillery #LostStateDistilling #PorchLife #MenAndCommunity

Ep. 45 - Slow Sips, The Snake, and the Porch - Blanton's

Slow Sips, The Snake, and the Porch
Episode Description
In a culture that celebrates speed, this episode of Two Guys on a Porch leans into something different—the art of slow living.
Jason and Bradford settle into the rhythm of the porch with two exceptional pours: Blanton’s Gold Edition Bourbon and Blanton’s Original Single Barrel Bourbon. Both bourbons come from the legendary Buffalo Trace Distillery and share the same single-barrel DNA that made Blanton’s famous, yet each offers its own personality.
Blanton’s Original is where the story began—the first commercially marketed single-barrel bourbon. Smooth and balanced, it brings classic notes of caramel, vanilla, citrus, and light spice. It’s approachable but still complex, the kind of pour that invites you to sit down, relax, and take your time.
Blanton’s Gold, on the other hand, turns up the volume. Bottled at a higher proof and often harder to find, it carries deeper richness—honey, dark fruit, baking spice, and a longer, warmer finish. It’s the same heritage as the Original, but with more intensity and weight.  
One of the most recognizable things about Blanton’s bourbon is the horse and jockey stopper on top of every bottle. Those little metal horses aren’t just decorative—they’re actually a collectible set that bourbon fans hunt for.
The metal horse and jockey toppers collection spells “B-L-A-N-T-O-N-S.
Paired with the bourbon is the rare and beautifully crafted Plasencia Year of the Snake Cigar from the iconic Plasencia Cigars. The Plasencia family has been growing tobacco for more than a century, building a reputation for patience, craftsmanship, and respect for the land—values that mirror the very idea of slow living. The Year of the Snake release is complex, refined, and meant to be savored slowly, revealing layers of flavor as the conversation unfolds.
Together, the cigars and bourbon create the perfect backdrop for a conversation about slowing down and savoring life.
Along the way, the guys explore:
Why slowing down feels almost rebellious in today’s culture
The power of sitting with good friends and letting conversations unfold naturally
Why some of life’s best insights come between the sips and the smoke
With notes of honey, citrus, oak, and spice drifting through the evening air, this episode is less about getting somewhere fast and more about learning to enjoy where you already are.

Ep 44 - Gerrymandering: Crooked Lines, Straight Talk, and Proper Pours of Old Fitz and Jefferson’s

On this episode of Two Guys On a Porch, Jason and Bradford settle back where they belong—warming on the porch—and step squarely into the crooked, uncomfortable, and often explosive topic of gerrymandering with honesty, humor, and a couple of historic pours. In the glasses: Jefferson’s Marianne McLain Bourbon, a modern expression tied to Jefferson’s long tradition of experimentation and independence, and Old Fitzgerald 7 Year, 80 Proof, a Bottled-in-Bond classic with deep Kentucky roots that rewards patience and restraint—much like the conversation itself.
The discussion doesn’t shy away from the tension in Texas, Tennessee and more. Gerrymandering is one of those words that can shut down a room fast, yet the guys lean in, acknowledging the criticism, the abuse, and the very real mistrust it creates. At the same time, they wrestle with the unpopular side of the argument: when done transparently and with restraint, gerrymandering can protect every representation, preserve communities of shared interests, and prevent purely population-driven maps from steamrolling local voices. It’s a razor’s edge—necessary to some, corrosive to others—and that’s where the debate gets interesting.
Different perspectives clash, assumptions get challenged, and no one pretends the issue is clean or comfortable. What remains steady is the friendship—proof that disagreement doesn’t require disdain and that thoughtful conversation still has a place, especially when guided by a simple porch rule: “Pour always good whiskey or pour nothing at all.”
As the bottles settle and the lines are drawn, the episode closes with Padron 1964 Anniversary Pyramid cigars—a bold, full-bodied finish to a conversation that values history, honesty, and the rare art of getting along even when the lines don’t match. 🥃🔥

Ep. 43 - Bacon, Eggs & Biscuits: Traditions & Memories Featuring Old Grand-Dad & Evan Williams

In this Happy New Year 2026 Edition, Jason and Bradford pour two bourbons that have stood the test of time.
Evan Williams, smooth, approachable, and proudly Kentucky-born, represents consistency—the kind of bottle that’s always been on the shelf and never lets you down. Old Grand-Dad, bolder and a little spicier, brings a nod to heritage and grit, a reminder that tradition doesn’t have to be quiet to be meaningful. Paired with the classic, well-balanced Arturo Fuente Hemingway, it’s a lineup built on trust, history, and character.
 
The conversation drifts back to moments that linger: Saturday mornings filled with bacon, eggs, and biscuits made by Dad, the smell filling the house before anyone else was awake; sleepovers after Friday night football games, night after night throughout high school, where loyalty was learned, friendships were forged, and the future still felt wide open. Ever consider having an ex-spouse join a holiday meal? Bradford does it every year!
From family breakfasts and locker-room bonds to Christmas footie pajamas, New Year’s rituals and personal habits, this episode reflects on what we carry forward—and why some traditions are worth protecting as the years roll on as the past helps us celebrate the present. So pour a glass, light a cigar, and pull up a chair on the porch. Winter has settled in across the country, the nights are long, and there’s no better time to catch up. Watch this episode—and if you’re new here, make it a season-long tradition to watch every episode of Two Guys on a Porch.
Here’s to 2026, to old stories, good bourbon, and staying warm together on the porch. 🥃🔥
#TwoGuysOnAPorch #PodcastLife #Bourbon #BourbonLife #EvanWilliams #OldGrandDad #CigarLife #ArturoFuente #CigarsAndWhiskey #FamilyTraditions #NewYears2026 #WinterNights

Ep. 40 - Men, Friendship & Bourbon: Porch Talk with Dave Schroeder and Premium Whiskey

On this episode of Two Guys On A Porch, Jason and Bradford welcome Dave Schroeder, a longtime Christian publishing veteran who’s worked with authors like Max Lucado and John Eldredge. They dive into the importance of community for men, exploring how to build friendships intentionally, why being part of a supportive circle matters, and what it takes to actually show up for the people around you.
Of course, no porch talk is complete without a cigar and whiskey. Tonight, they light up a Cuban Partagás Origen Línea Maestra, and pour a lineup of premium Kentucky whiskeys: Buffalo Trace Blanton’s Foundations 2024 Special Edition, Wild Turkey Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse 2024, and Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 19-Year Wheated Whiskey. Deep conversation, great spirits, and a little smoke—this is what the porch is for.
Whether you’re into Christian leadership, men’s community, or just love a good cigar and whiskey pairing, this episode proves that meaningful connection and great taste go hand in hand.
 

Porch Picks Edition: Blind Wild Turkeys

Porch Picks Edition: Blind Wild Turkeys
On this blind tasting Porch Picks episode of Two Guys On A Porch, Jason and Bradford take on the wild world of Wild Turkey—without knowing what’s in their glass. With senses sharpened and labels hidden, they explore three notable expressions from this iconic Kentucky brand: the refined and oak-kissed Longbranch, the bold Rare Breed (even teasing the barrel proof legend), and the richly matured Wild Turkey 12 Year—built on a mash bill of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley.
They break down flavor, complexity, burn, and balance—calling out notes of caramel, spice, heritage, and maybe a little humble pie as guesses fly and truths are revealed. It’s part tasting, part turkey trivia, and all porch truth—where friendship, firelight, and honesty pour as freely as the bourbon.
Pull up a chair, pour something (blind if you dare), and find out which Wild Turkey wins the porch.
 
 
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Ep. 39 - Pappy & Jack plus 24 Hours of Daytona: Lanny Hester’s Drive for Purpose

Ep. 39 - Pappy & Jack plus 24 Hours of Daytona: Lanny Hester’s Drive for Purpose
In this second installment of our two-part conversation with renowned story-teller and entrepreneur Lanny Hester, we keep the good times rolling—pouring more Jack Daniels Bonded, savoring a fine Pappy 12-Year, and lighting up a couple of Padrón cigars—the kind of comforts that pair well with big stories.
Lanny dives deeper into his life behind the wheel. He recounts his high-stakes battles on the track: in the 1986 24 Hours of Daytona, he and his team pushed a Roush-built Ford Mustang to a class-leading finish—crossing the line ahead of none other than Bruce Jenner. UPI+1 He also reflects on his time in the 12 Hours of Sebring, where endurance racing brought celebrities, cars, and camaraderie in equal measure. Wikipedia
Lanny opens up about what truly matters to him now: his wife, community, legacy, and the flame of relationships and purpose that burns as steady as any cigar. 
Join us on the porch! 
 
#EntrepreneurLife #EntrepreneurMindset #Entrepreneurship #LifePurpose
#Community #Leadership #Motorsport #RacingLife #EnduranceRacing #Daytona24 #Sebring12 #FordMustang #RaceCar #CarCulture #ClassicCars #AutoRacing #BruceJenner #PaulNewman #Bourbon #Whiskey #PappyVanWinkle #JackDaniels #BourbonLife #WhiskeyGram #BourbonLovers #WhiskeyLovers #KentuckyBourbon #CigarAndBourbon

Ep. 38 - Padron, Poker, Jack & Pappy Plus The Entrepreneur Who NASCAR's Bristol Night Race

Padron, Poker, Jack & Pappy Plus The Entrepreneur Who Invented the Bristol Night Race
This week, Jason and Bradford welcome their friend Lanny Hester to the porch — a man whose life story spans industries, eras, and adventures. A talented entrepreneur whose ventures have ranged from the medical world to co-owning Bristol Motor Speedway in the late 1970s, Lanny has lived the kind of life you just can’t script.
With Padron cigars from The Mission Cigar and Social in hand — a brand known for quiet excellence and uncompromising quality — the guys settle into a blind whiskey tasting between Jack Daniel’s Bonded and Pappy Van Winkle 12-Year. Both are fan favorites on the porch, but this afternoon, it’s about pure taste and value — no labels, no bias.
Between sips, Lanny shares stories that sound almost mythical but are entirely true — like the time he found himself in a Las Vegas poker game with Pug Pearson, Amarillo Slim, and Sailor Roberts. And how a bold idea during his time co-owning Bristol led to one of NASCAR’s greatest traditions: the Bristol Night Race.
This episode is more than cigars and bourbon — it’s about creativity, risk, and the kind of vision that turns good ideas into legacies.
Light up a Padron, pour something bold, and join us for an afternoon of unforgettable storytelling with the man who helped bring the lights to Bristol.
 
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Ep. 37: The Jack Daniel’s Blind Test – Coy Hill vs. Single Barrel Proof & Kid Launch

Episode 37: The Jack Daniel’s Blind Test – Coy Hill vs. Single Barrel Proof and Kid Launch
On this episode, Jason, Bradford, and Kimber are back on theTennessee porch pouring two powerhouse Tennessee whiskeys for a blind tasting showdown — Jack Daniel’s Coy Hill vs. Total Wine’s Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof. Both pack a punch north of 130 proof, but can either man tell which is which? The Coy Hill, famously released from the highest floors of the rickhouse where the heat pushes proof and intensity to the edge, faces off against the consistent classic of Single Barrel Barrel Proof. Expect rich oak, dark caramel, and that unmistakable Tennessee charcoal finish — but which one steals the porch crown?
As the smoke from a Liga Privada No. 9 cigar drifts through the fall air, the guys tackle a real-life topic: launching our kids. The Liga Privada No. 9 sets the tone perfectly — a full-bodied cigar known for its dark, oily Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper and complex, earthy character. Notes of espresso, cocoa, leather, and black pepper evolve throughout the smoke, creating the perfect pairing for a high-proof Tennessee pour and a deep conversation.
This week’s discussion hits home: we love having our kids around, but isn’t the goal to raise them so they want to move out and be independent? How do we balance welcoming them home while still encouraging them to build their own lives?
It’s a free-flowing, heartfelt conversation about parenting, independence, and the bittersweet beauty of watching our kids take flight — all while sipping two of Lynchburg’s boldest creations.
#JackDaniels #CoyHill #SingleBarrelSelect #SingleBarrelProof #TennesseeWhiskey #EmptyNest #Fatherhood