Which rye whiskey from the western United States will take the top spot? To wrap up Rye January, Dan and Dave dive into a blind tasting of five rye whiskeys from the western United States to see how they stack up when labels, hype, and price tags are stripped away. The guys have tasted some amazing rye whiskeys from the west so they pitted some of the best of the west in a head to head blind tasting. From spice to sweetness and everything in between, the guys break down each pour and share their honest reactions in this special episode they’re calling Rye January Blind Tasting.

Dan took a little trip out to Mare Island in Vallejo, California and got a tour of Redwood Empire’s new Distillery and Whiskey bar and picked up something special. In this Tasting Talk episode, Dan and Dave focus on tasting notes and impressions of Haystack Needle Bourbon from Redwood Empire Whiskey. They break down the nose, palate, and finish, highlighting prominent oak influence, layered sweetness, spice, and the impact of well-aged bourbon and rye in the blend. The conversation stays centered on how the whiskey drinks, its overall balance, and what stands out most in the glass, offering listeners a straightforward, palate-driven discussion of this unique release.

On this episode of Distilling the West, Dan and Dave sit down with John and Deborah Patt from Desert Diamond Distillery, out of Kingman, Arizona, the first Arizona distillery featured on the podcast. They talk about the origins of the distillery, how it came to be, and what it takes to operate a craft distillery in the Arizona desert. The conversation also touches on the distillery’s award-winning spirits and the recognition they’ve received along the way. Throughout the episode, Dan and Dave taste and discuss a wide variety of offerings, including rum and whiskey, exploring flavors, production methods, and what makes Desert Diamond Distillery stand out.

On this Cocktail Hour from Distilling the West, Dan is joined by guest host Oliver as they dive into one of the most iconic cocktails of all time—the Manhattan. From its storied origins to the balance between whiskey, vermouth, and bitters, they explore what makes a Manhattan timeless, debate rye versus bourbon, and share tips on dialing in the perfect stir. A classic cocktail, thoughtfully unpacked, West-style.

On this special year-end episode of Distilling the West, Dan and Dave take a moment to reflect on an incredible year. They thank all of the guests who joined them behind the mic, as well as the listeners who tuned in, shared episodes, and supported the show throughout the year.

The conversation turns a bit more personal as they talk about holiday activities, traditions, and how they’re spending the season away from the studio.

In this episode of Distilling the West, we’re joined by guest hosts Oliver Hutton and Travis Cardoso from CASKS & CORKS for a relaxed but detailed tasting that focuses heavily on process and how it shows up in the glass.

Today’s tasting lineup includes:

• ​Charbay Distillery 24 year old Brandy
• ​Sabbatical Distillery Straight Bourbon
• ​Woodinville Whiskey Company Rye finished in Port casks
• ​Woodinville Whiskey Company Bourbon finished in Sauternes casks

Alongside the spirit tastings, the conversation naturally moves into wine-making processes and how wine and spirits intersect—especially when it comes to finished barrels and secondary cask influence. Rather than getting overly technical, the discussion stays practical and experience-based, exploring how wine practices and wine-finished casks impact flavor, color, and overall character in whiskey and brandy.

This episode is a great listen for anyone interested in how wine and spirits worlds overlap, with thoughtful tasting notes, real-world perspective, and plenty of insight into how process decisions shape the final pour.

In this new Tasting Talk, Dan is joined by guest host Oliver as they dive into a special release from Branch Point Distillery — the Rare & Limited Oloroso Cask Finish.

They explore how the Oloroso sherry cask shapes the whiskey’s aroma, flavor, and strikingly dark color, discussing what that deep, rich hue says about the cask influence and extended finishing time. Dan and Oliver break down layers of banana, dried fruit, nutty sweetness, and oak-driven complexity while talking about why sherry finishes can add both depth in flavor and intensity in appearance.

They also discuss what makes this limited release stand out, the role of secondary maturation, and why rare cask-finished whiskeys like this are worth paying attention to.

On today’s episode of Distilling the West, Dan and Dave sit down with Marko Karakasevic — the 13th-generation master distiller behind Charbay Distillery. Marko shares the extraordinary history of the Karakasevic family, whose distilling lineage spans centuries. He talks about how this heritage influences his approach to craftsmanship, innovation, and preserving Old World techniques in a modern American distillery.

During the conversation, they taste and explore three standout Charbay spirits:

• ​Doubled & Twisted – a boldly expressive whiskey distilled from finished beer.
• ​Brandy No. 89 – a refined, elegant 24 year old brandy that reflects generations of artistry.
• ​Double-Distilled, Double-Aged Rum – a rich and layered rum shaped by time and technique.

From family legacy to creative experimentation, this episode dives deep into what makes Charbay and the Karakasevic story truly one-of-a-kind—paired with lively tasting notes and behind-the-scenes insights.

In this new Tasting Talk session, Dan and Dave dig into a compelling bottle from Bainbridge Organic Distillers: the Battle Point Wheat Whiskey finished in Hokkaido Mizunara Casks.

They explore how Bainbridge takes its organic wheat whiskey and finishes it in Hokkaido-grown Mizunara oak, creating a whiskey that blends tropical warmth with the famed incense-spice character of Japanese Mizunara. Expect them to break down:

• ​Aromas: vanilla cream soda, and that signature Mizunara temple incense
• ​Palate: sandalwood , toasted coconut from the Mizunara influence, and big creamy vanilla notes
• ​Finish: long, viscous, warming, with lingering oak spice
• ​Overall impressions: Does this Bainbridge expression push the Battle Point line into new territory?

Dan and Dave compare tasting notes, debate the dominant flavors, and deliver their verdict on whether this bottle earns a spot on your shelf. They also talk about how the western U.S. is churning out exceptional single grain whiskeys. Hint: because a lot of it’s grown in the west!

Ever wonder about the history of the Old Fashioned cocktail? In this new episode of Distilling the West, Dan and Dave introduce a fresh segment: Cocktail Hour. For its debut, they dive into one of the most iconic drinks in American cocktail history—the Old Fashioned.

They explore how this simple mix of spirit, sugar, bitters, and citrus became a timeless classic, and why it evolved into two beloved regional variations:

• ​the traditional rye Old Fashioned, dry, spicy, and spirit-forward
• ​the Brandy Old Fashioned, the sweet Midwestern staple with its own unique twist

From frontier-era origins to modern interpretations, Dan and Dave break down the history, the myths, and the flavors behind each version. If you enjoy a good drink—and a good story—this is the perfect pour.