Episode #9
The Loveland Frogman: Ohio’s Most Credible Cryptid | ft. Bulleit Bourbon
Welcome back to Bourbon Legends — where we open something great and then go somewhere strange. This week, Justin and Jeff pour Bulleit Kentucky Straight Bourbon — the high-rye frontier whiskey that’s been turning heads since Augustus Bulleit first made it in 1830 — and dig into one of the most credible cryptid cases in American history: the Loveland Frogman. A 4-foot bipedal frog-like creature with glowing orange eyes and an overwhelming putrid smell has been reported near the Little Miami River outside Loveland, Ohio since at least 1955. In 1972, two police officers filed independent reports on back-to-back nights describing the same creature on the same stretch of road. One of them fired a shot at it. It stepped calmly over a guardrail, maintained eye contact, and walked into the river. No blood trail was found. Then in April 2026, two Ohio state representatives introduced a bipartisan bill to make the Loveland Frogman the state’s official cryptid. Justin and Jeff break down 70 years of sightings, the dead dog detail, the wand that emits sparks, and whether this is the cryptid case that finally holds up. (Kevin’s not here. The Frogman may or may not be involved.) BOURBON OF THE EPISODE Bulleit Kentucky Straight Bourbon | Bulleit Distilling Co. | Diageo A true high-rye frontier bourbon with roots going back to 1830, when Augustus Bulleit first created the recipe in Louisville, Kentucky. Revived by his great-great-grandson Tom Bulleit in 1987. The high rye content — at 28% one of the highest in mainstream bourbon — gives Bulleit its distinctive spicy, bold character. Mash Bill: 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley | Proof: 90 (45% ABV) | Aged minimum 6 years Nose: Cinnamon and nutmeg spiced sandalwood, leather, corn, and vanilla. Palate: Bold and spicy — cinnamon, black pepper, and clove leading into caramel and vanilla with a medium-bodied mouthfeel. Finish: Warm, medium-long, with lingering spice, toasted oak, and a touch of dried fruit. Learn more: bulleit.com WHAT WE COVER • The 1955 Branch Hill encounter: three creatures, a spark-emitting wand, and a smell of almonds and alfalfa • The 1972 police sightings: Officer Shockey and Deputy Matthews on back-to-back nights, the gunshot, no blood trail • The 2016 Pokémon Go sighting and dashcam footage • The fire department chief who saw it from his car headlights • Why the wand from 1955 breaks every conventional explanation • The iguana theory — and its significant problems • Ohio’s bipartisan bill to make it the official state cryptid • Bulleit Bourbon: history, high-rye character, and tasting notes SUBSCRIBE New episodes every week. New bourbon. New legend. Hit subscribe so you never miss a pour. #BourbonLegends #LovelandFrogman #Cryptid #OhioCryptid #Frogman #BulleitBourbon #BourbonPodcast #UrbanLegends #Cryptids #ConspiracyTheory
