What happens when the whiskey boom cools—and leadership is the only thing keeping the lights on?

In this episode of Bourbon & Ballistics, host Joel Potter sits down with Wylie McDade, founder of Devil’s Due Distillery. After retiring from a 25-year career in the U.S. Navy, he decided to take on the challenge of building a craft distillery from the ground up.

This conversation goes beyond bourbon to explore:

• Leadership in small business when markets tighten

• The realities of entrepreneurship without a safety net

• Lessons learned from military service and technical careers

• Navigating a cooling whiskey market with discipline and patience

• Building a family-driven brand rooted in Appalachian community

Devil’s Due isn’t just a distillery—it’s a case study in earned success, long-term thinking, and paying the price to do things

If you care about entrepreneurship, leadership, veterans in business, or the real story behind craft whiskey, this episode

Pour a glass and join the conversation.