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Bourbon Deep Dive with Jonathan Lumley-Sapanski of Lum's Cellars
š„ Episode Summary
In this flavorful episode, hosts Jason Shearer and Akram āAKā Khalis sit down with Jonathan Lumley-Sapanski, owner of Lumās Cellars, to explore the intersection of whiskey, entrepreneurship, storytelling, and community.
Jonathan walks us through his journey from the high-paced restaurant grind to launching his own bottle shop in Maplewood, New Jersey. With an eye for craft, a respect for heritage, and a passion for educating consumers, Jonathan shares how his store curates private barrels, honors lesser-known distilleries, and builds customer trust one pour at a time.
š ļø Topics Covered- Jonathanās hospitality and sales backgroundāand what led him to open Lumās Cellars
- Renovating a 100-year-old store and honoring the legacy of its previous owner
- How storytelling, heirloom grains, and transparency shape the new whiskey landscape
- The rise of MGP-sourced spirits and the cult appeal of brands like Found North and Penelope
- Balancing allocated bottles and consumer expectations in a specialty shop
- The role of education, trust, and flavor exploration in retail liquor sales
- How climate, glassware, and personal taste shape how we enjoy whiskey
- Building a retail brand rooted in transparency, community events, and deep knowledge
- Penelope Rio ā https://shop.penelopebourbon.com/products/rio
- Koval Four Grain ā https://www.koval-distillery.com/newsite/whiskey/four-grain
- The reality of whiskey allocations and distributor relationships
- Why some $30 bottles outperform $80 ones in blind tastings
- The power of private barrel selections to differentiate a store
- How brands blend marketing, storytelling, and substance
- The āWebMD effectā of informed (and misinformed) whiskey shoppers
- Jonathanās go-to drink: The Boulevardier
- Why rye makes a cocktail singāand how spice complements bitter
Episodes drop every other Monday, blending smart buildings, big spirits, and a little storytelling.
š§ Who Should Listen?- Whiskey lovers and curious newcomers
- Retail entrepreneurs in the food & beverage space
- Distillers, marketers, and small producers
- Anyone interested in the craft and culture behind the bottle
- Lum Cellars on Instagram: @lumscellars
- Visit the shop: 1718 Springfield Ave, Maplewood, NJ 07960
- Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube
- Follow Jason, AK, and Jonathan for more insider conversations
View all episodes
By Distilled Buildings Techš„ Episode Summary
In this flavorful episode, hosts Jason Shearer and Akram āAKā Khalis sit down with Jonathan Lumley-Sapanski, owner of Lumās Cellars, to explore the intersection of whiskey, entrepreneurship, storytelling, and community.
Jonathan walks us through his journey from the high-paced restaurant grind to launching his own bottle shop in Maplewood, New Jersey. With an eye for craft, a respect for heritage, and a passion for educating consumers, Jonathan shares how his store curates private barrels, honors lesser-known distilleries, and builds customer trust one pour at a time.
š ļø Topics Covered- Jonathanās hospitality and sales backgroundāand what led him to open Lumās Cellars
- Renovating a 100-year-old store and honoring the legacy of its previous owner
- How storytelling, heirloom grains, and transparency shape the new whiskey landscape
- The rise of MGP-sourced spirits and the cult appeal of brands like Found North and Penelope
- Balancing allocated bottles and consumer expectations in a specialty shop
- The role of education, trust, and flavor exploration in retail liquor sales
- How climate, glassware, and personal taste shape how we enjoy whiskey
- Building a retail brand rooted in transparency, community events, and deep knowledge
- Penelope Rio ā https://shop.penelopebourbon.com/products/rio
- Koval Four Grain ā https://www.koval-distillery.com/newsite/whiskey/four-grain
- The reality of whiskey allocations and distributor relationships
- Why some $30 bottles outperform $80 ones in blind tastings
- The power of private barrel selections to differentiate a store
- How brands blend marketing, storytelling, and substance
- The āWebMD effectā of informed (and misinformed) whiskey shoppers
- Jonathanās go-to drink: The Boulevardier
- Why rye makes a cocktail singāand how spice complements bitter
Episodes drop every other Monday, blending smart buildings, big spirits, and a little storytelling.
š§ Who Should Listen?- Whiskey lovers and curious newcomers
- Retail entrepreneurs in the food & beverage space
- Distillers, marketers, and small producers
- Anyone interested in the craft and culture behind the bottle
- Lum Cellars on Instagram: @lumscellars
- Visit the shop: 1718 Springfield Ave, Maplewood, NJ 07960
- Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube
- Follow Jason, AK, and Jonathan for more insider conversations