The Whiskey Ring Podcast

Ep. 187: Kilchoman Distillery with James Wills

Geese, Barley, and Peat At The First New Islay Distillery in 124 Years
In this brand new episode of the Whiskey Ring Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with James Wills, son of founder Anthony Wills and a worldwide face of Kilchoman Distillery on Islay. This episode marks a significant milestone as it is my first interview with an Islay distillery (I was surprised too!), and I was excited to delve into the unique aspects of Kilchoman and the challenges of distilling on this iconic island.
We start off where any good whisky podcast starts: with geese. Yes, geese. They're kind of a big deal there. I'm not known for going with the grain (yeah I said it) so why not there. Kilchoman has a lot more going for it, though, as it enters its 20th year in 2025. As the first new Islay distillery in 124 years, Kilchoman needed to be different. They couldn't just be peaty, they had to be unique - and thus they became the first farm-to-glass distillery on the island. 
We chat about all the nerdy stuff you'd expect, like barley experimentation and yeast and fermentation, plus a dive into how their bourbon barrel sourcing and full-term maturation (note: not finishing!) work. There's also plenty to explore about the "whys" and inflection points in the distillery's two-decade evolution. 
I've been wanting to have Kilchoman on for two years, and I'm thrilled to finally make that happen for the podcast and for you, the listeners and supporters. 
Thank you to James for entering the Whiskey Ring!
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, BAXUS
Baxus is the world's leading collectible spirits marketplace, with user-friendly options for buyers, sellers, and collectors looking to vault their collections. Use my link below to visit the BAXUS.CO website and sign up! 
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If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so at patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring
The Bottle Share Club - the $25/month Patreon level - is SOLD OUT! You can still support the podcast for as little as $1/month, and $5/month patrons will have first dibs if a $25/month member retires. 
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 
Kilchoman Distillery
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Ep. 186: Journeyman Distillery with Founders Bill and Johanna Welter

One Distillery, Two Time Zones, and Corsets and Whips, Oh My!
Husband-and-wife team BIll and Johanna Welter came to whiskey through very different paths - thankfully, their union has produced not one, but two distilleries from which Journeyman's whiskies and spirits spring forth. Bill's passion for golf led him to St. Andrews, Scotland; Johanna's path led through hospitality, drinking whiskey at a time when "most women were drinking cosmos". 
Somehow, Journeyman is still an under-the-radar distillery, albeit one with two locations (in Three Oaks, Michigan and Valparaiso, Indiana). For those in the know, they're producing some of the best wheat and wheated whiskey in the country, and for this episode I got to try their high-rye cask strength bourbon which, for my mind, might be even better than their wheaters. And to be clear, their wheated products are exempt from my recent distaste for wheaters...they are complete whiskies, whether one grain or multiple, and remain some of the few I'd have on my shelf. 
Journeyman also holds distinction as a long-tenured distillery in the craft scene, launched in 2011 during the end of the first wave or beginning of the second (Bill wasn't quite sure, so we'll hedge!). They've turned that presence into their own formal and informal mentorship programs, lending help and knowledge to a new generation of distillers. 
We also touch on the impact of recent tariffs and their Ingrained program, opening up contract distilling to producers without their own capacity in Journeyman's new 140,000 square foot Valparaiso location. 
Thank you to Bill and Johanna for entering the Whiskey Ring!
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, BAXUS
Baxus is the world's leading collectible spirits marketplace, with user-friendly options for buyers, sellers, and collectors looking to vault their collections. Use my link below to visit the BAXUS.CO website and sign up! 
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_________________________________________________________
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so at patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring
The Bottle Share Club - the $25/month Patreon level - is SOLD OUT! You can still support the podcast for as little as $1/month, and $5/month patrons will have first dibs if a $25/month member retires. 
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 
Journeyman Distillery
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Ep. 185: Pursuit Spirits with Kenny Coleman and Ryan Cecil

Bourbon Pursuit and Pursuit Spirits Enter the Whiskey Ring
What do you ask when your guests have over 1,000 podcast episodes over three shows and 10 years? That was my task this week - let me know how I did! 
My guests are Kenny Coleman and Ryan Cecil, hosts of the Bourbon Pursuit podcast and founders of Pursuit Spirits, an NDP grown out of their love of bourbon and rye and, in my mind, the dream that many of us on this side of the mic think about in our wildest fantasies. 
The first thing, though is simple: with a full-time business (opening a new, second physical location and eventually aiming for 50,000 6-pack cases per year), three shows, and full-time jobs, how do they manage their time? How do you keep all the plates in the air? How do you take a piss-in-your-cheerios type like Kenny and keep the momentum up through challenges?
If you're a long-time listener of Bourbon Pursuit, Behind the Pursuit, and Whiskey Quickies, you'll know most of their story, and I didn't want to reinvent the wheel. Instead, we dove into their business model, the changes in drinking habits over 10 years of podcasting and running a whiskey business, and how once in awhile their wives will still hold it over them that it was the wives who introduced the two guys all that time ago. 
There are also deeper questions. We keep hearing brands have to own their backyard before growing further, but there's an asterisk: unless you live in Kentucky, where you simply can't own your backyard. How do you create a subscription model that incentivizes people to stay with you without overwhelming or outpricing them? 
And finally, there's a new question adapted from *nerdiness alert* The History of Egypt Podcast: if there was one thing in whiskey that is currently unknown or uncertain and you could know or be sure, what would it be? The answer might surprise you - it certainly surprised me! 
Thank you to Kenny and Ryan for entering the Whiskey Ring!
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, BAXUS
Baxus is the world's leading collectible spirits marketplace, with user-friendly options for buyers, sellers, and collectors looking to vault their collections. Use my link below to visit the BAXUS.CO website and sign up! 
BAXUS Website
BAXUS on Instagram
BAXUS on Facebook
BAXUS on Twitter/X
BAXUS on LinkedIn
_________________________________________________________
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so at patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring
The Bottle Share Club - the $25/month Patreon level - is SOLD OUT! You can still support the podcast for as little as $1/month, and $5/month patrons will have first dibs if a $25/month member retires. 
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 
Pursuit Spirits
Pursuit Spirits Website
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Bourbon Pursuit
Bourbon Pursuit Website
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Ep. 184: Oaklore Distilling Co. with Founders Matt Simpkins and Tom Bogan

From Neighbors to Distillers: The Story Behind Oaklore Distilling Co.
In this episode of the Whiskey Ring Podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Matt Simpkins and Tom Bogan, the co-founders of Oaklore Distilling in North Carolina. Their journey began as neighbors bonding over their shared passion for whiskey while walking their kids to the bus stop. What started as casual "Tuesday drinking" sessions evolved into a deep dive into the world of whiskey, leading them to create their own distillery with a mission to produce a whiskey they would want to drink themselves.
We explored the challenges of operating in North Carolina, a control state with specific regulations (though with a very friendly town!), and how they navigated these hurdles while experimenting with different finishes and mash bills. Their commitment to using locally sourced grains is evident in their North Carolina Straight Rye Whiskey, which I greatly enjoyed as a mid-spice rye (70/20/10) that isn't to bourbon-y or to herby. The conversation also highlighted their collaborative spirit within the whiskey community, drawing inspiration from established distillers like the Nelson brothers and John Hargrove, who provided invaluable guidance during their startup phase.
Towards the end of the episode, we delved into their finishing series, including offerings like port wine and honey finishes, which reflect their personal stories and relationships with wineries including San Sebastian, the port producer we recently mentioned in last week's St. Augustine Distillery epsiode. This episode is a fascinating look into Oaklore Distilling's creative process, the challenges of starting a distillery, and their dedication to producing high-quality whiskey that embodies their passion and the rich heritage of North Carolina.
Thank you to Tom and Matt for entering the Whiskey Ring!
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, BAXUS
Baxus is the world's leading collectible spirits marketplace, with user-friendly options for buyers, sellers, and collectors looking to vault their collections. Use my link below to visit the BAXUS.CO website and sign up! 
BAXUS Website
BAXUS on Instagram
BAXUS on Facebook
BAXUS on Twitter/X
BAXUS on LinkedIn
_________________________________________________________
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so at patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring
The Bottle Share Club - the $25/month Patreon level - is SOLD OUT! You can still support the podcast for as little as $1/month, and $5/month patrons will have first dibs if a $25/month member retires. 
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 
Oaklore Distilling Co.
Oaklore Distilling Co. Website
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Ep. 183: St. Augustine Distillery with Ric deMontmollin and Will Hensler

Whiskey, Rum, and Community: St. Augustine Distillery
In this episode of the Whiskey Ring Podcast, we take a deep dive into the world of craft distilling in Florida, featuring two key figures from the St. Augustine Distillery: Will Hensler, the COO, and Rick deMontmollin, the VP of Production. As we explore the unique landscape of distilling in the Sunshine State, we uncover the rich history and innovative practices that have shaped St. Augustine Distillery into a standout player in the craft spirits scene.
We kick off the conversation by discussing the origins of the distillery, which was established as the third beverage alcohol distillery in Florida and the first to produce whiskey. Will and Rick share insights into the early days of the distillery, including the challenges of navigating Florida's licensing requirements and the ambitious collaboration of 22 families that brought the distillery to life. They highlight the lack of distilling history in Florida and how the founders aimed to create a new legacy in the Lincolnville neighborhood of St. Augustine.
The episode delves into the evolution of craft distilling laws in Florida, including the ability for craft distilleries to serve cocktails and the ongoing restrictions on out-of-state investment. Will and Rick explain how these regulations have shaped their growth strategy and the importance of maintaining their craft status.
As we wrap up the episode, we explore the distillery's commitment to sustainability and community involvement, as well as their dedication to employee education and retention. Will and Rick share their vision for the future of St. Augustine Distillery, emphasizing the importance of quality, community, and the unique Florida identity that they strive to embody in every bottle.
Thank you to Ric and Will for entering the Whiskey Ring!
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, BAXUS
Baxus is the world's leading collectible spirits marketplace, with user-friendly options for buyers, sellers, and collectors looking to vault their collections. Use my link below to visit the BAXUS.CO website and sign up! 
BAXUS Website
BAXUS on Instagram
BAXUS on Facebook
BAXUS on Twitter/X
BAXUS on LinkedIn
_________________________________________________________
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so at patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring
The Bottle Share Club - the $25/month Patreon level - is SOLD OUT! You can still support the podcast for as little as $1/month, and $5/month patrons will have first dibs if a $25/month member retires. 
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 
St. Augustine Distillery
St. Augustine Distillery Website
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Ep. 182: Muff Liquor with Founder Laura Bonner

Are You In The Muff Market? Are You A Muff Liquor Man? 
Ok folks, we're going to have fun on this one. 
When I started the research for this episode, I wasn't sure whether the "Muff Liquor Company" name was a tongue-in-somewhere thing or a hard lean-in. Turns out it's the latter with a healthy dose of the former. It is a company based in Muff, Ireland that makes liquor, and yes they know what the name means. 
If you doubt it, check out their April Fool's Day post from this year...just delightfully dirty. 
Once you're past the name, though, you've got to have a good product for me to care, and boy do they. I'm joined by Laura Bonner, founder of Muff Liquor Company and probably the closest connection I'll ever have to Jimmy Carr and Ed Sheeran. She's made Muff Liquors of these men, joining Russell Crowe and other notable celebs as spokespeople and investors. 
The journey was long and hard, and nothing came easy (ok, last puns, I promise). COVID nearly put them under before they could begin. Now, they're thriving, and the US market awaits. 
Muff Liquor's Irish Whiskey is a delicious pour, smoked apples and gentle, sweet peat, at a ridiculously affordable price point (all of their products are $34.99 MSRP, give or take). Take a shot - see if you enjoy diving into the Muff as much as I did (ok, THAT's the last one). 
Thank you to Laura for entering to the Whiskey Ring!
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, BAXUS
Baxus is the world's leading collectible spirits marketplace, with user-friendly options for buyers, sellers, and collectors looking to vault their collections. Use my link below to visit the BAXUS.CO website and sign up! 
BAXUS Website
BAXUS on Instagram
BAXUS on Facebook
BAXUS on Twitter/X
BAXUS on LinkedIn
_________________________________________________________
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so at patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring
The Bottle Share Club - the $25/month Patreon level - is SOLD OUT! You can still support the podcast for as little as $1/month, and $5/month patrons will have first dibs if a $25/month member retires. 
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 
The Muff Liquor Company
The Muff Liquor Company Website
The Muff Liquor Company on Instagram
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The Muff Liquor Company on YouTube

Ep. 181: Brenne Whisky with Founder Allison Parc

Blueberry Muffins in Cognac and an Ice Cream Collab Waiting To Happen
Allison Parc began as a ballet dancer, and nearly 20 years after leaving that career behind, she still exudes the confidence and posture of one about to assume first position. Her new career, embarked upon at just 23 years old, was wildly different: one grounded in a product of indulgence and imbibing. Even she was unsure if she'd succeed - yet succeed she has, going from renting a Citi-bike and riding around NYC selling Brenne by the bottle to multiple acquisitions and international acclaim. 
Brenne is the first French whisky to grace the podcast, and that was purposeful. France has thousands of distilleries making whiskies and brandies, many of them as small as the smallest craft producers in the US yet putting out incredibly unique spirits. For Allison, Brenne was born of a partnership with a cognac-maker who spent a few weeks every year making spirit from malt rather than grapes. The stills, the terroir, the maker all combine into a flavor profile that is so recognizable I'd argue it can't be blinded (blueberry pancakes or muffin tops are shared notes by everyone I know who has tasted it). 
Whether the soft approachability of the Brenne Estate Cask or the more assertive reward of the Brenne 10 Year Old, this is a beautiful pair of whiskies. These profiles were built on years of testing the market, sending bottles on a barrel-by-barrel basis to see which ones hit the consumer the best (the first time I've heard of this method, and one requiring great patience).
Singular. Unique. These words are overused, but here I found them more appropriate than for most. 
As Allison steps back from full-time work at Brenne toward her next chapter, she joined me to reflect on the steps taken and her own journey. Allison's candid reflections on the challenges of entrepreneurship, including the realities of burnout and the need for self-care in a demanding industry will resonate with you as with me. Most of all, remember these two thoughts of wisdom from Allison: we all have trauma, and it is our responsibility to deal with it, and that only you can achieve your dreams. Take the first step, and the support net will grow. 
Thank you to Allison for entering to the Whiskey Ring!
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, BAXUS
Baxus is the world's leading collectible spirits marketplace, with user-friendly options for buyers, sellers, and collectors looking to vault their collections. Use my link below to visit the BAXUS.CO website and sign up! 
BAXUS Website
BAXUS on Instagram
BAXUS on Facebook
BAXUS on Twitter/X
BAXUS on LinkedIn
_________________________________________________________
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so at patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring
The Bottle Share Club - the $25/month Patreon level - is SOLD OUT! You can still support the podcast for as little as $1/month, and $5/month patrons will have first dibs if a $25/month member retires. 
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 
Brenne Whisky
Brenne Whisky Website
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Ep. 180: Kanosuke Distillery with Roland Ng

Shochu Tradition Meets The New Japanese Whisky
In Kagoshima, along one of the longest beaches in Japan, lies Kanosuke Distillery. Though the family has been distilling shochu for 140+ years, they hadn't entered the whisky sphere. That changed in 2017, with the first products coming out in 2021. 
This is a new standard for Japanese whisky, making grain whisky on shochu stills and using Japanese stills to distill the malt. They've aged as much as 40% of their new make in their own shochu casks, and the component series I've tasted with just the shochu cask-aged spirit is as different a Japanese whisky as I've had in years. 
As they enter the US market more fully, the Kanosuke team is led by Roland Ng, a techie-turned-whiskyphile who serves as General Manager for the Americas and is also a founder of Fog City Social. He's a guy who knows his whisky (and is a great hang out!), and I'm glad to call him a friend. 
Thank you to Roland for entering to the Whiskey Ring!
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, BAXUS
Baxus is the world's leading collectible spirits marketplace, with user-friendly options for buyers, sellers, and collectors looking to vault their collections. Use my link below to visit the BAXUS.CO website and sign up! 
BAXUS Website
BAXUS on Instagram
BAXUS on Facebook
BAXUS on Twitter/X
BAXUS on LinkedIn
_________________________________________________________
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so at patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring
The Bottle Share Club - the $25/month Patreon level - is SOLD OUT! You can still support the podcast for as little as $1/month, and $5/month patrons will have first dibs if a $25/month member retires. 
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 
Kanosuke Distillery
Kanosuke Distillery. Website
Kanosuke Distillery on Instagram
Kanosuke Distillery on Facebook