Make Mine Neat

Canadian whiskies always seem to get overlooked, but not today as we welcome the world’s foremost expert on the category, Davin de Kergommeaux as we explore the reasons, rationale, and exceptionalism that built a global empire one glass at a time. 

Bill Owens, famous photographer, brewer, and the singularly loudest voice of the craft distilling movement.  Listen in as Flavien and Ethan pick his brain to uncover a million reasons why you should never open a distillery and the passionate reasons why you should. 

Flavien and Ethan open the door to the dark side of spirits when they discuss some of the more exotic and lesser known spirits they have had the privilege and sometimes horror of tasting. 

Agave ain’t easy, but thankfully we have the master of all things Jalisco, David Suro, world renowned Agave distillate expert of Siembra Azul and owner of Philadelphia’s own, Tequila’s Restaurant to sort it out for us.

There is a strong and growing population that is more mindful of their alcohol intake than ever before. Founders of non-alcoholic Bourbon company, Spiritless, Lauren Chitwood and Lexie Lancaster Larsen join for a flavorful conversation about how their brand is revolutionizing the low to no ABV cocktail.

Brandy is on the move and it’s being made, enjoyed, and growing up right here in the good ole U.S. of A. Brandy empresario, Dan Farber joins to touch on the finer points of fruit distillation, what we can learn from the French and the years of tradition, and what changes we can expect on the innovation front.

Understanding flavors is not as straightforward as it seems. Reverend Dr. R. M. Peluso, author of Deep Tasting, the world’s foremost expert on pairing whiskies and chocolates discusses the finer points of profiles, experiencing, and growing into a new level of tasting maturity.  This is not your everyday trip to the chocolate shop.

From Cognac to the Caribbean, Alexandre Gabriel of Maison Ferrand joins us as we discuss the rum world and learn more about the highly anticipated expansion of the West Indies Rum Distillery. We find out what consumers can expect from the sipping rums of various nations and why these varied and rich cultures are so important to the cocktail community.

Prolific author and whiskey expert Aaron Goldfarb breaks down all the new and weird things people are doing with their drinks, some much better than others. Listen in as he discusses the life of a novelist, a transformation to whiskey expert, and why he may be just the best damned guide out there for a night of spirited adventures. 

Owner and overseer of some of the greatest stocks of Armagnac in Gascony Marc Darroze answers all questions on the silent but impressive growth of this Brandy category, how the spirit is shaped by the people of Gascony, and what the world can expect more of in the not so distant future.