Distilling the West

On this exciting new episode of Distilling the West, Dan and Dave sit down with Harley Norwood and Marc Christensen of Dented Brick Distillery for a conversation about whiskey, craftsmanship, and the story behind one of the most unique names in the spirits industry.

Harley and Marc take us behind the scenes at Dented Brick Distillery, sharing the history behind the name, their approach to distilling, and the passion and creativity that go into producing their spirits. From their production process to the challenges and rewards of crafting quality whiskey, there's plenty to explore.

Of course, it wouldn't be Distilling the West without a tasting! Dan and Dave sample three different rye whiskeys from Dented Brick, exploring their unique flavors, characteristics, and what makes each expression stand out.

Whether you're a rye whiskey enthusiast, a craft spirits lover, or just curious about the stories behind the bottles, this is an episode you won't want to miss!

Pour yourself a glass, sit back, and join us as we explore Dented Brick Distillery!

On this episode of Distilling the West, Dan and Dave sit down with Stephen Julander, Senior Operations Manager at Woody Creek Distillers.

Stephen shares his background, how he found his way into the spirits industry, and what his role looks like today at Woody Creek. They dig into the day-to-day work behind the distillery, the approach Woody Creek takes to producing its spirits, and some of the projects Stephen is currently working on.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Distilling the West without a few pours along the way. Dan, Dave, and Stephen taste through a rye whiskey, bourbon, and gin, talking about the production, flavors, and ideas behind each bottle.

Join us for a great conversation about distilling, operations, whiskey, gin, and the people behind Woody Creek Distillers.

On this episode of Distilling the West, Dan and Dave sit down with Stuart Woolf of Woolf Agave and Erik Ettner of O’Neill Distillers & Vintners to explore the rapidly growing world of American agave spirits.

They dive into what it takes to grow agave, the challenges and opportunities of farming the crop outside of Mexico, and why more producers are looking to agave as an exciting new category in American spirits. Stuart and Erik share their firsthand experiences with the agricultural side of the industry, the long-term commitment required to grow agave, and what the future could look like as more distillers begin experimenting with locally grown plants.

Of course, no episode of Distilling the West would be complete without tasting some spirits along the way.

Whether you’re a fan of tequila and mezcal, interested in farming and distilling, or just curious about where the next big category in American craft spirits might come from, this is a fascinating conversation about agave, agriculture, and the future of American spirits.

On this special episode of Distilling the West, Dan and Dave are joined by special guest host Oliver Hutton for a fascinating conversation with Tim Gatto and Antonio Rivera of Gatto Rivera Design Studio.

As they sip through a few bottles that Tim and Antonio helped bring to life, the group dives into the creative process behind designing bottles, labels, packaging, and brands for the liquor and wine industry. They talk about what makes a bottle stand out on the shelf, how a design goes from an idea to a finished product, and the many details consumers may never realize go into creating the look and feel of a spirits or wine brand.

It’s a different side of the beverage industry than we usually get to explore, combining great drinks with an inside look at the art, strategy, and craftsmanship behind the bottles we all recognize. Pour yourself something good and join Dan, Dave, Oliver, Tim, and Antonio for a fun and insightful conversation about where great design meets great spirits.

On this episode of Distilling the West, Dan and Dave sit down with Chas Marsh of Jackson Hole Still Works in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

They talk about the distillery, its approach to crafting distinctive spirits, and the inspiration behind its lineup. Along the way, they taste through an amaro, a barrel-aged gin, and a classic gin, exploring the flavors, botanicals, and techniques that make each one unique.

Dan and Dave also get an exclusive taste of an unreleased bourbon and rye, offering an early look at what Jackson Hole Still Works has coming next.

Pour yourself a glass and join us for a great conversation about creativity, craft distilling, and the spirits of Jackson Hole.

In this episode of Distilling the West, Dan and Dave sit down with Anna Mantheakis of Bubble Cap Consulting for a conversation packed with insight, experience, and a truly unique perspective on spirits. Anna shares her background in the industry, what led her to consulting, and how Bubble Cap helps distilleries navigate the many moving parts of building and growing a successful brand.

A major part of the conversation explores Anna’s auditory/olfactory synesthesia and how it shapes the way she experiences aroma, flavor, and tasting. She explains how sound and smell connect for her, giving her a distinctive way of evaluating spirits and understanding sensory details that many people might miss.

From production and operations to business strategy and the art of tasting, this episode offers a fascinating look behind the scenes of the spirits industry through the lens of someone who experiences it in a remarkable way.

In this episode of Distilling the West, Dan and Dave sit down with Tanya Slye and Kimberlee Weaver of Jettywave Distillery in beautiful Half Moon Bay, California.

They talk about what makes Half Moon Bay such a special coastal destination, the inspiration behind Jettywave, and the creativity that goes into making such unique spirits by the ocean. Tanya and Kimberlee share the story of the distillery, their approach to flavor, and what sets their lineup apart.

Dan and Dave taste through a great selection of Jettywave spirits, including their bourbon, single malt whiskey, gin, and barrel aged gin. From bold whiskey character to coastal botanical notes, this tasting shows off the range and personality of Jettywave Distillery.

Pour a glass and transport yourself to beautiful coastal California to talk about craft spirits and the people behind Half Moon Bay’s best craft distillery. Cheers!

On this episode of Distilling the West, Dan and Dave sit down with Dave Smith, Head Distiller and Co-Owner of St. George Spirits out of Alameda, California. This interview is an incredible conversation about how intention is behind everything that is done at St. George. Dave talks about how sense memories drive the development and production of their exceptionally made craft spirits at St George. Dave has some of the most descriptive storytelling we have heard on the show that will transport you, and we’re here for it!

Dave brings every story to life, from the people behind the spirits to the details of the distilling process. It was truly enjoyable to hear him share his experiences, his passion, and the deep and rich stories behind St. George Spirits.

Throughout the episode, Dan and Dave taste through Pear Brandy, Valley Gin, and St. George American Single Malt Whiskey, Lot 25. Each pour leads to a deeper conversation about sense memories, complex yet intentional flavor, striving for perfection, and the unique approach that has made St. George Spirits such an important name in American craft distilling.

Join us for this memorable episode with one of the best American craft spirit distilleries in the industry. Cheers to St. George!

It’s a milestone episode for Distilling the West — Dan and Dave are celebrating their 100th episode with a very special guest: Mark Stell from Bird Creek Distillery.

Mark was the very first interview on the show, so having him back for episode 100 makes this one extra meaningful. The guys sit down with Mark to talk about Bird Creek, the journey since that first conversation, and the important connections he makes with the farmers that grow the rare, heirloom, and ancient varieties of barley he uses to make world class American Single Malt.

Throughout the episode, Dan and Dave taste through five different Bird Creek offerings, exploring the flavors, stories, and craftsmanship behind each varietal. It’s a full-circle moment packed with whiskey, laughs, stories, and a look at what makes Bird Creek such a unique part of the Western spirits scene.

A huge thank you to everyone who has followed along for the first 100 episodes — here’s to many more! Check out the interview on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts and be sure to give us a like, follow, and subscribe. Cheers everybody!

Wanting a delicious espresso martini with a perfect foam crema without having to putting all the ingredients together yourself? Then look no further than Charbay’s Espresso Martini RTD!

Raise a glass with us as we dive into Charbay’s soon-to-launch Espresso Martini RTD. This ready-to-drink cocktail is not officially out yet, but after tasting it, we can confidently say it is one to watch.

In this episode, we talk first impressions, flavor, balance, coffee character, cocktail vibes, and where this espresso martini fits in the growing RTD world. Spoiler: the RTD was amazing.

A big thank-you to Charbay for sponsoring this video and letting us get an early taste of what they have coming soon.