The Whiskey Ring Podcast

Ep. 52: Middle West Spirits with Co-Founder and Head Distiller Ryan Lang

Episode 52! We're jumping back to the Midwest with Middle West Spirits. Co-founder and head distiller Ryan Lang joins the Whiskey Ring Podcast to talk distilling in Ohio, heavy and light grains, and how to properly pronounce "Michelone".
Middle West puts out some spectacular whiskies, and my favorite of the core lineup might just be their Pumpernickel Rye. 
Don't miss out on the wheat whiskey or the wheated bourbon, though. Middle West Spirits is having the conversation about wheat that other distilleries are having about rye - what can wheat be and what can it bring to the table.  Check out my tasting notes on all their products farther down in this description.
Who knows - Wheat Whiskey might just be the next boom after Rye. 
Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so. It's Episode 52! 
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 bottles I'm sent to taste and review, and more. The first box of samples has already been sent! 
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. 
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 Ryan Lang, co-founder and head distiller of Middle West Spirits.
Middle West Spirits
Middle West Spirits Website
Middle West Spirits Instagram
Middle West Spirits Facebook
Middle West Spirits Twitter
Middle West Spirits Reviews
Middle West Spirits Straight Wheat Whiskey
Middle West Spirits Straight Wheated Bourbon "Michelone Reserve"
Middle West Spirits Dark Pumpernickel Rye (Coming later today!)
Middle West Spirits Straight Wheated Bourbon "Michelone Reserve" TSR Pick Stagg Smasher
Thanks to our Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
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Ep. 51: Village Garage Distillery

Hey Whiskey Ringers, thanks for tuning in to another episode of the Whiskey Ring Podcast. This week's guests are Glen Sauer and Ryan Scheswohl of Village Garage Distillery in Vermont. 
Village Garage is located in Bennington, VT, within 3 hours of multiple major markets. Despite this, they're starting small and want to stay small, producing what they like and experimenting how they want to. This was a super fun interview - we chat about starting a distillery, operating in a liquor control state, and much more. 
Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so. It's Episode 51! 
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 bottles I'm sent to taste and review, 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. 
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 Glen and Ryan of Village Garage Distillery.
Village Garage Distillery
Village Garage Distillery Website
Village Garage Distillery Instagram
Thanks to our Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter

Ep. 50: Stephen Fante, Limestone Branch Distillery and Yellowstone Bourbon

Hey Whiskey Ringers, thanks for tuning in to another episode of the Whiskey Ring Podcast. This week's guest is Stephen Fante, National Brand Ambassador for Limestone Branch Distillery.
Stephen has a fascinating back story: between being a tea sommelier (a new thing for me that I love), a childhood friend of Stephen Beam who lost touch then reconnected over the latter's distillery, and now a national brand ambassador, he is a damn interesting character. 
Limestone Branch Distillery is on the newer side, but there's no denying the massive heritage behind it. The Beam family, the most prolific single family in American whiskey, is here, too, in the form of Stephen and Paul Beam, 7th generation distillers. 
Then there's the connection with Yellowstone National Park. The Yellowstone brand is as old as the Park, being founded in 1872 in its honor. Though it's changed hands over the years, it is a venerable brand with a nearly continuous history. Now owned by Limestone Branch, the brand is in its new glory days - and Stephen Fante is at the front lines. 
Donate to the National Parks Conservation Association Here.
Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so. It's Episode 50! 
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 bottles I'm sent to taste and review, 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. 
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 Stephen Fante of Limestone Branch Distillery.
Limestone Branch Distillery
Limestone Branch Distillery Website
Limestone Branch Distiller Facebook
Limestone Branch Distiller Instagram
Limestone Branch Distiller YouTube
Thanks to our Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter

Ep. 49: Scott Brunow, Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Hey Whiskey Ringers, thanks for tuning in to another episode of the Whiskey Ring Podcast. This week's guest is Scott Brunow from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. 
You might recognize Scott from his still-going and long-running series with friend Bart, the Scotch Test Dummies. Scott has spent nine years trying Scotch (and other whiskies) and reviewing them on a journey to try and learn about the whisky. Recently, he brought his talent and experiences to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS). 
SMWS was founded by Pip Hills as just a group of friends in Scotland purchasing a cask of whisky here or there from distilleries. Since then, the SMWS is now 20,000 members strong around the world, with 5,000 in America. No longer just bottling Scotch single malts, the SMWS is now bottling single barrels from around the world and blending their own whisky releases. There's a lot to get into!
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 bottles I'm sent to taste and review, 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. 
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 Scott Brunow from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. 
Scotch Malt Whisky Society
SMWS Website
SMWS Facebook
SMWS Instagram
SMWS Twitter
Thanks to our Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter

Ep. 48: Wheel Horse Whiskey

Hey Whiskey Ringers, thanks for tuning in to another episode of the Whiskey Ring Podcast. This week's guests are Terry Lozoff and Randall Bird of Wheel Horse Whiskey. 
Wheel Horse is sourced - as transparently as I've seen a brand be - from Owensboro, KY and Green River Distilling. Green River, temporarily named OZ Tyler, didn't have the greatest reputation due to the TerraPURE process being used from some products. But, behind the scenes, Ron and Jacob Call were distilling and aging the old fashioned way. The results so far have been fantastic. 
Wheel Horse Whiskey is one of the first new products coming out of Owensboro, preceding even their own Green River Bourbon. Plus, Wheel Horse Rye was the first rye ever to come out of the distillery. 
There's a lot to talk about here, and it's a hell of a conversation. 
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 bottles I'm sent to taste and review, 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 up is the Advent Calendar! After you all made the Jack Daniels events such a success, I had to follow it up, so here’s what’s coming up: 
The calendar is starting on July 1st, so it might be too close to order one, but you can still enjoy the show!
This event is available ONLY to people in the Whiskey Ringers Facebook group or to website subscribers. 
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 Terry Lozoff and Randall Bird of Wheel Horse Whiskey. 
Wheel Horse Whiskey
Wheel Horse Whiskey Website
Wheel Horse Whiskey Facebook
Wheel Horse Whiskey Instagram
Thanks to our Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter

Ep. 47: Blair Ault, Milam and Greene Whiskey

Hey Whiskey Ringers, thanks for tuning in to another episode of the Whiskey Ring Podcast. This week's guest is Blair Ault from Milam & Greene Whiskey. 
Milam & Greene is a Texas distillery with a heart in Kentucky. Drawing on the combined talents and lineages of Marlene Holmes and Heather Greene, Milam & Greene distills in both Texas AND Kentucky (at Bardstown Bourbon Company) to their own specifications. 
Then, there's Blair, a national brand ambassador and woman of whiskey in her own right (seriously - she's a renowned mixologist and co-hosts the Whiskey Women Podcast, linked below). Blair joins the podcast to talk Milam & Greene's founding, present, and future - and set the stage for her own return in the Patreon-only Under the Influencer show.  
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 bottles I'm sent to taste and review, 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 up is the Advent Calendar! 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, ten of the fifteen spots are already claimed, so grab yours today, and join the Facebook group for discount codes and insider access.
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 Blair Ault of Milam & Greene Whiskey. 
Blair Ault and Milam and Greene
Milam and Greene Whiskey Website
Milam and Greene Whiskey Facebook
Milam and Greene Whiskey Instagram
Milam and Greene Whiskey Twitter
Whiskey Women Podcast
Thanks to our Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter

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
ImpEx on Facebook
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