The Whiskey Ring Podcast

Ep. 46: David Mandell, Kentucky Owl and the Kentucky Bourbon Festival

Hey Whiskey Ringers, thanks for tuning in to another episode of the Whiskey Ring Podcast. This week's guest is David Mandell, founder of Bardstown Bourbon Company, now of Kentucky Owl and Kentucky Bourbon Festival fame. 
After a career in government (the NTSB and the FAA) and as a lawyer, David and his college friend decided they wanted to get into distilling. That's the short story - today, he's the Chairman of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival and running Kentucky Owl Bourbon, with a long legacy still in place at Bardstown Bourbon Company. 
Make sure to grab your tickets to this year's KBF in the show notes below!
Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so. I’ve reworked the levels, and here are a few of the changes: 
The $5 tier will have access to the new, Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk about a topic that’s under their skin in whiskey. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks, including one coming up in partnership with the This is my Bourbon Podcast. 
The $25 tier - for people who really want to propel the pod and website forward - will have the same benefits as the $5 tier plus right of first refusal to join me on future barrel picks, access to my personal inventory, and more. 
You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up. 
Next: there are THREE upcoming events. After you all made the Jack Daniels events such a success, I had to follow it up, so here’s what’s coming up: 
In July, an advent calendar curated by me that includes 15 samples, 15 different producers (and 14 different distilleries), two samples that have whiskey older than I am, and a special pour I promise you won’t find anywhere else. This event is available ONLY to people in the Whiskey Ringers Facebook group or to website subscribers. As of this recording, eight of the fifteen spots are already claimed, so grab yours today, and join the Facebook group for discount codes and insider access.
In August, I’m switching gears and hosting a two-part event, an introduction to Japanese whisky. The first event on August 11th will focus on the beginnings of Japanese whisky going back to the 17th century and through the founding of Japan’s two titans, Suntory and Nikka. The second, on August 18th, will focus on the new guard of Japanese whisky makers and the evolutions of the old guard. Both will start at 8:30pm to accommodate folks in the Mountain and Western time zones. 
Finally, please do like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening - it really helps the Whiskey Ring Podcast move up the rankings. 
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 
Thanks for listening! Now here’s David Mandell of Kentucky Owl, the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, and (formerly) Bardstown Bourbon Company.
David Mandell, Kentucky Owl, and KBF Links
Kentucky Bourbon Festival
Kentucky Owl Bourbon
Thanks to our Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
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ImpEx on Twitter

Ep. 45: Colin Keegan, Santa Fe Spirits

Hey Whiskey Ringers, thanks for tuning in to another episode of the Whiskey Ring Podcast. This week's guest is Colin Keegan, founder of Santa Fe Spirits. In just over a decade as a distiller, Colin has gone from newbie to veteran to industry powerhouse, all while maintaining the cool, calm, informed demeanor that mixes his childhood in Northern England with his life in Santa Fe. 
Santa Fe Spirits, in my opinion, is on the leading edge of the American Single Malt movement. Their core products are ready to drink right now, with finishings being experimented with. It's single malt comparable to anything you'd find from Scotland, Ireland, Japan, or India - and the single malt is just the start. 
Summary? I HIGHLY recommend this brand, every product. And I know you'll enjoy Colin getting into the details of distilling and his roles in the craft and American single malt movements. 
Before we jump into the interview with Colin Keegan of Santa Fe Spirits, just a few quick notes:
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so. I’ve reworked the levels, and here are a few of the changes: 
The $5 tier will have access to the new, Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk about a topic that’s under their skin in whiskey. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks, including one coming up in partnership with the This is my Bourbon Podcast. 
The $25 tier - for people who really want to propel the pod and website forward - will have the same benefits as the $5 tier plus right of first refusal to join me on future barrel picks, access to my personal inventory, and more. 
You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up. 
Next: there are THREE upcoming events. After you all made the Jack Daniels events such a success, I had to follow it up, so here’s what’s coming up: 
In July, an advent calendar curated by me that includes 15 samples, 15 different producers (and 14 different distilleries), two samples that have whiskey older than I am, and a special pour I promise you won’t find anywhere else. This event is available ONLY to people in the Whiskey Ringers Facebook group or to website subscribers. As of this recording, two of the fifteen spots are already claimed, so grab yours today, and join the Facebook group for discount codes and insider access.
In August, I’m switching gears and hosting a two-part event, an introduction to Japanese whisky. The first event on August 11th will focus on the beginnings of Japanese whisky going back to the 17th century and through the founding of Japan’s two titans, Suntory and Nikka. The second, on August 18th, will focus on the new guard of Japanese whisky makers and the evolutions of the old guard. Both will start at 8:30pm to accommodate folks in the Mountain and Western time zones. 
Finally, please do like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening - it really helps the Whiskey Ring Podcast move up the rankings. 
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 
Thanks for listening! Now here’s Colin Keegan of Santa Fe Spirits.
Santa Fe Spirits
Santa Fe Spirits Website
Santa Fe Spirits on Facebook
Santa Fe Spirits on Instagram
Santa Fe Spirits on Twitter
Thanks to our Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter

Ep. 44: Alan Bishop Returns with The Whiskey Witch

That's right, he's back!
Welcome Whiskey Ringers to Episode 44, the return of the Alchemist himself, Alan Bishop. 
The star of this episode is one of Alan's newer concoctions, The Whiskey Witch, a wheat, oat, barley, and Indiana peat-smoked mash that defies categorization. Seriously - we don't know how this will be categorized! 
As always, this episode with Alan is a blast. I can't wait to visit Spirits of French Lick and see his Alchemist Cabinet in person. 
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community, now is the time: you can now support the site and podcast for as little as $1 a month. There are also $5 and $25 tiers available, and you’ll want to get in on the ground floor today for big events coming up this year. Just go to patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring to sign up.
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 
Finally, please subscribe to the Whiskey Ring Podcast on your favorite podcast platform today! Please leave a 5-star rating and review and share with your friends and fellow whiskey lovers.
Thank you for listening and for supporting, and please enjoy this episode with Alan Bishop of Spirits of French Lick.
Spirits of French Lick Distillery
Spirits of French Lick Distillery Website
Spirits of French Lick on Facebook
Spirits of French Lick on Instagram
Spirits of French Lick on Twitter
Alan Bishop's Instagram
Thanks to our Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter

Ep. 43: Uncle Nearest Distillery with Victoria Eady Butler

Welcome Whiskey Ringers to Episode 43! Today's guest is Victoria Eady Butler, Master Blender and 5th-generation descendant of the distillery's namesake, Nathan "Nearest" Green.  
Uncle Nearest Distillery is no stranger to the Whiskey Ring: earlier this year, Fawn Weaver joined the Podcast for a conversation about the Distillery's place in the whiskey world and a retrospective on the then-and-now of its history. Delving deep into Uncle Nearest as a man, the ways Fawn endeavored to bring his legacy to life, and how Clay Risen's original research inspired Fawn to pursue her own was an incredible episode. 
Victoria, however, comes in as a Whiskey Ring newbie. With Fawn we spoke about business and ideation - with Victoria, we go deep into the whiskey itself, through the sourcing to the new Master's Blend that is 100% Uncle Nearest-distilled spirit. Of course, Nearest Green's heritage had to be included, but this focused on what Victoria is doing as blender and distiller in her own right. 
If the Master's Blend is any indication, this is the next phase of Uncle Nearest - and it's ready to blast off. 
There are only 5 tickets left for the Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey Event! Sign up for your samples here: Jack Daniel's Tasting Events and grab them before tomorrow, May 12th!
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community, now is the time: you can now support the site and podcast for as little as $1 a month. There are also $5 and $25 tiers available, and you’ll want to get in on the ground floor today for big events coming up this year. Just go to patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring to sign up.
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 
Finally, please subscribe to the Whiskey Ring Podcast on your favorite podcast platform today! Please leave a 5-star rating and review and share with your friends and fellow whiskey lovers.
Thank you for listening and for supporting, and please enjoy this episode with Victoria Eady Butler of Uncle Nearest Distillery.
Uncle Nearest Distillery
Uncle Nearest Distillery Website
Uncle Nearest Distillery on Facebook
Uncle Nearest Distillery on Instagram
Uncle Nearest Distillery on Twitter
Thanks to our Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter

Ep. 42: DISCUS and Responsibility.org with Chris Swonger

Welcome Whiskey Ringers to Episode 42! Today's guest is Chris Swonger, President and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) and Responsibility.org. 
Chris has a long history in the spirits world, but after ten years away he was asked to take the reins of the industry's leading advocacy organization. In 2019, he assumed his role, leading both DISCUS and the alcohol-use awareness organization, Responsibility.org. 
We discuss how DISCUS is the "tip of the spear" for the spirits industry, advocating on the federal and state levels for improved economic conditions (and against tariffs!), working within the three-tier system to increase connections between distilleries and consumers, and leading the charge for responsible consumption.
From the smallest, newest craft distilleries to the heritage brands known around the world, DISCUS represents them all. Dealing with 50 different state systems is no easy feat, yet Chris and the DISCUS team have led the charge for direct-to-consumer shipping, increased state-to-state reciprocity, and for the easing of excise taxes. 
He's also incredibly accessible for the head of a 48-member, $17M national organization. Reach out via email or social media - Chris cares and will respond. 
Finally, a note on Responsibility.org. The mission comes down to one word: moderation. Nobody wants a return to Prohibition, and even less so overconsumption, drunk driving, accidents, and other effects of overindulgence. The industry has a self-interest in promoting moderation, and Responsibility.org is, like DISCUS, the tip of the spear. I'm an advocate for drinking what you like how you like it, and for always tasting something new when you can. But always - always - drink responsibly. 
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community, now is the time: you can now support the site and podcast for as little as $1 a month. There are also $5 and $25 tiers available, and you’ll want to get in on the ground floor today for big events coming up this year. Just go to patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring to sign up.
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 
Finally, please subscribe to the Whiskey Ring Podcast on your favorite podcast platform today! Please leave a 5-star rating and review and share with your friends and fellow whiskey lovers.
Thank you for listening and for supporting, and please enjoy this episode with Victoria Eady Butler of Uncle Nearest Distillery.
DISCUS
DISCUS Website
DISCUS on Facebook
DISCUS on Instagram
DISCUS on Twitter
Responsibility.org
https://www.responsibility.org
https://www.facebook.com/GoFAAR
https://instagram.com/go_FAAR
https://twitter.com/goFAAR
Thanks to our Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter

Ep. 41: Stoll & Wolfe Distillery with Erik Wolfe

Welcome Whiskey Ringers to Episode 41! Today's guest is Erik Wolfe, co-founder of Stoll & Wolfe Distillery in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. 
Erik founded Stoll & Wolfe with the late Dick Stoll, who worked for decades at Bomberger's (later Michter's) Distillery until it closed in 1989. After nearly three decades, Erik convinced Dick to come out of retirement to found a brand new distillery honoring Pennsylvania Whiskey tradition. With the heritage Rosen Rye, a mashbill from Stoll's days at Michter's, and a custom still, Stoll & Wolfe is producing some of the best Pennsylvania Rye (and bourbon!) around. 
Oh, and it's only about 1 year old in the bottle. 
There are only 5 tickets left for the Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey Event! Sign up for your samples here: Jack Daniel's Tasting Events and grab them before May 12th!
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community, now is the time: you can now support the site and podcast for as little as $1 a month. There are also $5 and $25 tiers available, and you’ll want to get in on the ground floor today for big events coming up this year. Just go to patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring to sign up.
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 
Finally, please subscribe to the Whiskey Ring Podcast on your favorite podcast platform today! Please leave a 5-star rating and review and share with your friends and fellow whiskey lovers.
Thank you for listening and for supporting, and please enjoy this episode with Erik Wolfe of Stoll & Wolfe Distillery.
Stoll & Wolfe Distillery
Stoll & Wolfe Distillery Website
Stoll & Wolfe Distillery on Facebook
Stoll & Wolfe Distillery on Instagram
Stoll & Wolfe Distillery on Twitter
Thanks to our Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter

Ep. 40: Single Cask Nation with Joshua Hatton

Welcome Whiskey Ringers to Episode 40! Today's guest is Joshua Hatton, co-founder of Single Cask Nation (SCN). SCN is one of the most popular independent bottlers on the planet, with every release a near-instant sellout. But it wasn't always this way. Join us as we talk starting up an independent bottler, how to choose where to pick your barrels, turning barrels down, and the picks that went under the radar. 
There are only 5 tickets left for the Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey Event! Sign up for your samples here: Jack Daniel's Tasting Events and grab them before May 12th!
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community, now is the time: you can now support the site and podcast for as little as $1 a month. There are also $5 and $25 tiers available, and you’ll want to get in on the ground floor today for big events coming up this year. Just go to patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring to sign up.
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 
Finally, please subscribe to the Whiskey Ring Podcast on your favorite podcast platform today! Please leave a 5-star rating and review and share with your friends and fellow whiskey lovers.
Thank you for listening and for supporting, and please enjoy this episode with Joshua Hatton, co-founder of Single Cask Nation.
Single Cask Nation
Single Cask Nation Website
Single Cask Nation on Facebook
Single Cask Nation on Instagram
Single Cask Nation on Twitter
Thanks to our Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter

Ep. 39: Watershed Distillery with Founder and CEO Greg Lehman

Welcome Whiskey Ringers! Today's guest comes to me via Bourbon & Banter, where I reviewed Watershed Distillery's Apple Brandy-finished Bourbon and their Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon last year. I got to try their original cask strength (5-grain, including spelt) and their apple brandy, too. TL;DR, I'm impressed. Watershed is putting out solid bourbon with its own unique twist, and it's priced at a point where you can take a flier and not regret it if it's not your thing. 
I also won the Watershed/Eaves Blind bottling, but I'll get to that later...
There are only 5 tickets left for the Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey Event! Sign up for your samples here: Jack Daniel's Tasting Events and grab them before May 12th!
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community, now is the time: you can now support the site and podcast for as little as $1 a month. There are also $5 and $25 tiers available, and you’ll want to get in on the ground floor today for big events coming up this year. Just go to patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring to sign up.
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 
Finally, please subscribe to the Whiskey Ring Podcast on your favorite podcast platform today! Please leave a 5-star rating and review and share with your friends and fellow whiskey lovers.
Thank you for listening and for supporting, and please enjoy this episode with Greg Lehman, Founder and CEO of Watershed Distillery.
Watershed Distillery
Watershed Distillery Website
Watershed Distillery on Facebook
Watershed Distillery on Instagram
Watershed Distillery on Twitter
Thanks to our Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter