In this episode I traveled to Weston, West Virginia to visit the MannCave Distillery and had the pleasure of speaking to the family behind it all! Father and Daughter duo Stephen and Kelly Mann joined me for a conversation discussing their business and the unique character a small craft distillery imparts on distillation out there in the sticks of West Virginia.

Stephen and Kelly were more than gracious, and I really enjoyed my time with them!

• visit https://www.manncave.com/ to learn more!

If you enjoy this episode, and others we’ve done, I’d really appreciate it if you followed us on social media Also, be sure follow us on your preferred podcast platform and leave a rating and review! We currently stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, YouTube and others! And soon, we’ll be doing this show in full video format, so stay tuned!

• visit us online at www.craftedconvos.com
• follow us on social media @craftedconvospod

Cheers!

In this episode I traveled to Culpeper, Virginia to visit the Belmont Farm Distillery and speak with famous moonshiner, Chuck Miller! The word legend isn’t enough to describe Chuck’s influence on the craft spirits industry, and his expertise is showcased in several episodes of Discovery Channel’s “Moonshiners”. In fact, while at the distillery, visitors had lined up to snag a photo and a bottle signed by him – which made me even more appreciative of the time he took to show me around the distillery and sit down for an interview.

At nearly 80 years old, Chuck has been making whiskey since his grandfather taught him back in the day and has built up Belmont Farm, alongside his wife Jeanette, to be America’s first Craft Distillery and famously shares his grandfather’s original recipe of Virginia Lightning Moonshine around the nation.

If you enjoy this episode, and others we’ve done, I’d really appreciate it if you followed us on social media – we’re currently active on Instagram and Facebook. Also, be sure follow us on your preferred podcast platform and leave a rating and review! We currently stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, YouTube and others! Soon, we’ll be doing this show in full video format, so stay tuned!

• Visit Belmont online at: https://www.belmontfarmdistillery.com/home

Available on all podcast platforms, our link in bio, and our website at http://www.craftedconvos.com/listen

• visit us online at www.craftedconvos.com
• @craftedconvospod on social media

Cheers!

In this episode I traveled to Manassas, Virginia to visit KO Distilling and had the pleasure of sitting down with Peter Mowery, the distillery’s Director of Sales.

"Upon retiring early, the question became, “what next?” Neither one satisfied with sitting idle, in 2013 Bill and John set off to create craft spirits with local ingredients, high-quality production methods, and a passion that they were excited to share with their local community. 

Since breaking ground in 2015, Bill and John have turned KO Distilling into a state-of-the-art production facility and local attraction in Manassas, VA. After their initial offering of unaged craft whiskey and gins in 2015, Bill and John realized their goal of producing their first aged spirit, Bare Knuckle American Wheat Whiskey, in November 2016."

• visit KO Distilling: https://kodistilling.com/
• @kodistilling on Instagram

This is our 20th episode and we have so much more in store – if you like this conversation with KO Distilling and others like it, please give us a follow on social media and leave us a review and rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Our goal is to be the go to craft platform, showcasing amazing craft distilleries like KO, but we can only do it with your help!

• visit us online at www.craftedconvos.com
• follow us on social @craftedconvospod

Cheers!

In this Episode, Allan sits down with Owen King from Ironclad Distillery Co. located in Newport News, Virginia. Ironclad is a family run craft distillery reveling in the rich Civil War history of the area.

In 1862, one year into the American Civil War, the first ships to be armored in iron engaged in the waters off the Port of Newport News, Virginia. The distillery sits along the James River within view of the Ironclads battle sight.

• Be sure to check out Ironclad at https://www.ironcladdistillery.com/ and follow them on social media @ironcladdistillery.

This is our last episode of 2023, so if you like this episode, and others we’ve done, do me a favor and leave us a rating and review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! I’d appreciate subscribing to our YouTube as well!

• Visit us at https://www.thecoganconvo.com/
• Follow us @thecoganconvo
• Subscribe to our YouTube at www.youtube.com/@thecoganconvo

Cheers!

In this episode, Allan sits down with Co-Founder Jim Larkin and Head Distiller Kevin Szady from Murlarkey Distilled Spirits, located in Bristow, Virginia

Jim and Kevin discuss their proud support for local farms and showcase their unique offerings that set Murlarkey apart from other craft distilleries.

• visit Murlarkey at their website: https://murlarkey.com/
• follow them on social media: @murlarkey

If you like this episode, and others we’ve done – I’d appreciate a share on social media and a review on your favorite podcast platform!

• visit us online at: www.thecoganconvo.com
• follow us on social media: @thecoganconvo

Cheers!

In this episode Allan sits down with Michael & Lorenzo Paluzzi of Falls Church Distillers - located in Falls Church, Virginia!

A father and son team, taking on the challenge of craft spirits and making uniquely delicious whiskey, gin, and vodka - including their incredibly successful Ready-to-drink canned cocktails!

• Learn more about them at http://www.fcdistillers.com
• Follow them on IG @fcdistillersllc

Be sure to like, share, follow, and subscribe to help us get the word out. We've got lots of great things coming up!

• visit us online at www.thecoganconvo.com
• Follow us on social media @thecoganconvo

Cheers!

In this episode, Allan had the pleasure of sitting down with Becky Harris, Chief Distiller of Catoctin Creek Distilling located in Purcellville, Virginia. She and her husband Scott opened with the intent of celebrating Virginia’s rich rye history and has become a favorite spot of mine to visit.

Episode Thumb Photo credit: Alicia Bruce + Catoctin Creek Distilling

• Becky Harris (@beckhar67) | Catoctin Creek Distillery (@catoctincreek)
• visit Catoctin Creek online: https://catoctincreekdistilling.com/

If you like this episode, and others we’ve done, do me a favor and leave us a rating and review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. I truly appreciate your listenership and look forward to sharing the amazing things we have coming.

• visit http://www.thecoganconvo.com for more info!
• Follow us on social media @thecoganconvo

Cheers!

In this episode, Allan sits down with Derek Anderson, the owner of The MacMillan Whisky Room located in the Mosaic District of Fairfax, Virginia. This place is one of Allan's favorite places to grab a cocktail and enjoy a meal, especially given their vast whiskey collection!

"Come to the MacMillan Whisky Room and enjoy a dram of your favorite malt or let our bartenders guide you through our collection of hundreds of whiskies, specialty tastings and a full menu skillfully prepared to accommodate every palate."

visit them online at https://www.themacmillan.com

• visit us online at www.thecoganconvo.com
• follow us on social media @thecoganconvo
• Subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheCoganConversation

Cheers!

In this episode Allan sits down with Chris Roedl, the Founder of Hatch Distilling Co. - located in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin. Door County is a top tourist destination in Wisconsin, and the small town of Egg Harbor offers some of the best spots - including this craft distillery.

"Our founder, Chris, spent his formative years working in the commercial poultry industry raising laying hens. That childhood part-time job evolved into a commitment to agriculture, and later a career in a large scale poultry operation. After moving on from that job, he still felt the need to stay involved with animal husbandry, and since his wife, Emily, wasn’t too keen on a flock of chickens in their backyard, bees seemed like the natural option. One hive turned into many, and before long, the idea was borne to distill spirits out of raw Wisconsin honey."

Learn more about the distillery at www.hatchdistilling.com

• follow us on social media @thecoganconvo
• visit us online at www.thecoganconvo.com

Cheers!

In this episode Allan sits down with Evan Hughes, the co-owner of Central Standard Craft Distillery - located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

"Central Standard is more than a name. It’s an idea. An idea to make better spirits, with locally sourced products, by hard-working local professionals who are passionate about what they create. We’ve been lucky enough to turn that idea into reality, with a number of our spirits winning local and national awards for quality and excellence. We are Milwaukee through and through. We pour our heart and soul into crafting the best spirits for your cocktails."

visit them online at https://thecentralstandard.com/

Special shout out to Dr. Nick Post for his work on this episode as associate producer.

• follow us on social media @thecoganconvo
• visit us online at www.thecoganconvo.com

Cheers!