About this podcast
Enjoy and learn from conversations with leading distillers as co-hosts Sydney Jones, head distiller for FEW Spirits in Chicago, and Molly Troupe, master distiller for Freeland Spirits in Portland, Oregon, explore the technical and creative processes behind award-winning and storied spirits. It’s a podcast by distillers, for distillers, that covers the broad world of finely crafted spirits—botanical and herbal spirits, fruit distillations, agave spirits, grain spirits, and more. Listen as the hosts discuss every aspect of the process, from ideation and ingredient selection through conversion and fermentation, distilling, aging, finishing, proofing, and packaging. Subscribe to this bi-weekly podcast for tips and techniques that will help you make better spirits.
Episodes
The newest 20 of 47 episodes
- 47: Steven Grasse Connects the Dots from Wild Ideas to Realistic Strategies for Selling Spirits · 54 minSteven Grasse has long enjoyed building brands that stand out—from his earlier days as an advertising exec to his time with William Grant & Sons to today, owning Tamworth…
- 46: Owen Martin of Angel’s Envy Applies Strategies from Scotch to Signature Kentucky Bourbon · 59 minBourbon is the focus as master distiller Owen Martin joins Sydney Jones to dig into the production philosophies shaping Angel’s Envy today, from the Scotch-inspired discipline he…
- 45: John Angus Explores the Science and Chemistry of Spirits Flavor · 47 minJohn Angus approaches the mechanics of flavor creation in spirits through the lens of a chemist but with the soul of an educator, breaking down complex processes and cutting-edge…
- 44: Dave Smith of St. George Spirits Captures Sense Memories in a Bottle · 1 h 23 minIn this episode, host Sydney Jones sits down with Dave Smith, head distiller at St. George Spirits in Alameda, California, to explore the creative process behind one of America’s…
- 43: Anne Brock of Bombay Sapphire Is Bullish on the Future of Gin · 52 minIf there’s a typical path to becoming the master distiller at Bombay Sapphire, Anne Brock didn’t take it. Besides some bartending experience, her road took her through studying…
- 42: Alex Castle of Augusta Distillery Embraces New Challenges in Old Bourbon · 58 minAs a Kentucky native, Alex Castle knew she wanted to work in beverage alcohol before most—bourbon is culturally important in the state, and she wanted to play a part in its…
- 41: John D.E. Jeffery Wants You to Balance Science and Intuition When Crafting Spirits · 55 minJohn D.E. “Johnny” Jeffery’s journey into distilling began after a trip to Poland inspired him to make nalewka, a traditional infused liqueur. It’s a journey that’s taken him…
- 40: Joe O’Sullivan of Minden Mill Controls the Variables in Dry-Climate Whiskey Maturation · 1 h 3 minThe romance of whiskey maturation meets environmental reality in many parts of the world these days—increasingly hot, dry climates can produce markedly different results than the…
- 39: Jarrad Huckshold of The Cask Takes a Winemaker’s Approach to Whiskey Maturation and Blending · 1 h 0 minWhile we often look at spirits aging through the lens of popular climates and standard barrels—used cooperage in the cool climate of Scotland or new charred oak barrels in hot…
- 38: Jonathan Goldberg of Black Velvet Seeks Harmony through Thoughtful Blending · 57 minBuilding a blend of aged spirits that feels effortless requires both art and craft, and for Jonathan Goldberg of Black Velvet in Alberta, Canada, the key to great blends is…
- 37: Staying Sane and Happy in the Spirits Industry—a Panel Discussion with Maggie Campbell and Jennifer Wren · 1 h 13 minIn this special episode of the podcast, co-hosts Molly Troupe and Sydney Jones reunite for a panel discussion—not on distilling, specifically, but on how to set yourself up for…
- 36: Todd Leopold Designs and Distills Spirits that Have Something to Say · 1 h 24 minThree decades in, you’d think Todd Leopold of Denver’s Leopold Bros would have this whole distilling thing locked down, but he’s the first to admit he’s still figuring it all…
- 35: American Cane Tells Expressive Stories in Regionally Relevant Rum · 53 minA certain kind of alchemy occurs when everything aligns in the production of rum—ingredients, expressive fermentation, maturation—but the story and the “why” behind great rum is…
- 34: Brent Looby of Desert Door Summons the Spirit of Sotol · 1 h 4 minThe distilling traditions we enjoy today are often the product of centuries of trial and error from past generations of makers, with ingredients carefully developed for…
- 33: Stranahan’s Tyler Glasser Distills with Artful Efficiency · 55 minFor Tyler Glasser of Stranahan’s, problem solving and creative exploration are best begun with a holistic view, borne from perspectives gained working across the various roles…
- 32: Aged Whiskeys and Citrus-Flavored Spirits Heat up for St. Augustine Distillery and City Gate Spirits · 1 h 2 minIn this episode focused on distilling in Florida—host Sydney Jones’ old stomping grounds—she reconnects with industry friends Ric deMontmollin and Zack Wildrick from St…
- 31: Sara Sergent of Alpine Distilling Blends Science with Instinct and Flair in Botanical Spirits · 50 minSara Sergent, master distiller for Alpine Distilling in Park City, Utah, has garnered countless accolades over her career, and today she works with some of the biggest names in…
- 30: Bob Dillon of Dismal Harmony Refines Flavors with Creative Flair · 1 h 4 minBigger world events have a way of bringing clarity and focus to individual goals, and for Bob Dillon of Dismal Harmony, the COVID pandemic gave him just the push he needed to…
- 29: Devon Trevathan of Liba Spirits and Trovador Rum Distills Spirits with Stories · 1 h 1 minStorytelling is in Devon Trevathan’s blood, and whether she’s distilling unique spirits in Austria, New Orleans, or Australia, or writing about the inspiring technical work of…
- Episode 28: Brett Steigerwaldt of Lyon Rum is Crafting Contemporary Expressions with Timeless Methods · 57 minThe process of making rum is rife with lore, but for Brett Steigerwaldt of Lyon Rum in St. Michael’s, Maryland, breaking down the variables and understanding the impacts of each…
