In this bonus episode, Toby Blue and Jason Rabinowitz taste Blackleaf Organic Vodka with founders Kevin Larkai and Monté Burrow — nose, palate, finish, and the judges' notes behind the Double Gold and Platinum honors.

What does it take to build a luxury spirits brand that didn't exist before — without waiting for permission? In this episode of Proof of Concept, Toby Blue and Jason Rabinowitz sit down with Kevin Larkai and Monté Burrow, co-founders of Blackleaf Organic Vodka, one of the most decorated organic vodka brands in the world. Kevin and Monté open up about the quieter, harder chapters of building the brand, becoming their own distributor, "Making Organic Sexy," sustainability that's substance over performance, and what it means to be Black founders in a category where ownership remains incredibly rare. Plus: the emotional weight of earning Double Gold and Platinum Awards at The Tasting Alliance's San Francisco, New York, and Asia World Spirits Competitions — and why they're just getting started.

In this bonus episode of Proof of Concept, hosts Toby Blue and Jason Rabinowitz pour their way through the Heaven Hill portfolio — one of the largest family-owned distilleries in America and a cornerstone of Kentucky whiskey. The lineup spans Henry McKenna, Elijah Craig, and Rittenhouse before taking a smooth left turn into Carolans Irish Cream. From bottled-in-bond bourbon to benchmark rye, this tasting digs into what nearly two centuries of distilling heritage tastes like in the glass. Whether you're a bourbon loyalist or just building your whiskey vocabulary, this one covers a lot of ground in a single sitting.

Heaven Hill has stayed family-owned for almost 90 years — through a fire, a generational handoff, and a whiskey boom that swallowed up most of its peers. Co-President Kate Latts joins Toby Blue and Jason Rabinowitz to talk independence, patience, and what it takes to protect a legacy bigger than any one leader.

In this bonus episode of Proof of Concept, hosts Toby Blue and Jason Rabinowitz sit down for a guided tasting of Ten to One Rum — a modern Caribbean brand redefining what rum can be. This episode goes beyond the bottle and into the glass, breaking down the rich, nuanced character that has made Ten to One a standout in the category. From the blend of aged Caribbean rums to the craft and cultural pride behind every pour, this tasting offers a deeper look at what sets truly exceptional rum apart. Whether you're a longtime rum enthusiast or just spirit-curious, this is your chance to experience the craft.

In this episode of Proof of Concept, Toby Blue and Jason Rabinowitz sit down with Marc Farrell, founder and CEO of Ten to One Rum, to explore how he set out to redefine an entire category. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Marc left a successful corporate career to build a modern Caribbean rum brand rooted in authenticity, cultural pride, and a commitment to excellence. Marc shares the story behind Ten to One, from its mission to challenge outdated perceptions of rum to the resilience required to turn an idea into an award-winning global brand. This conversation dives into entrepreneurship, identity, and innovation — highlighting what it takes to honor heritage while building something entirely new.

In this bonus episode of Proof of Concept, hosts Toby Blue and Jason Rabinowitz sit down for a guided tasting of Mezcal Vago — one of the most respected names in artisanal mezcal production.

This conversation goes beyond the bottle and into the glass, breaking down the earthy, complex, and soulful character that has made Mezcal Vago a benchmark for the category. From smoke and terroir to the craft behind every batch, this tasting offers a deeper look at what sets truly exceptional mezcal apart.

Whether you're a mezcal devotee or just agave-curious, this is your chance to experience the craft.

In this episode of Proof of Concept, hosts Toby Blue and Jason Rabinowitz speak with Judah Kuper, co-founder of Mezcal Vago, about the journey behind one of the world’s most respected artisanal mezcal brands. Built on deep relationships with generational mezcaleros, Mezcal Vago is known for radical transparency — crediting each batch to the maestro who made it and documenting every detail from agave species to fermentation and distillation methods. Judah shares how the brand’s philosophy, “Don’t kill the magic,” guides their approach to growth, sustainability, and sharing mezcal with a global audience while protecting its cultural roots. The conversation explores the delicate balance between tradition and scale, the pride and recognition that international awards have brought to Oaxaca’s palenques, and what it means to build a spirits brand that uplifts the people and communities behind the craft.

In this bonus episode of Proof of Concept, hosts Toby Blue and Jason Rabinowitz sit down with Ian Somerhalder for a guided tasting of Brother’s Bond Bourbon. This conversation goes beyond the story and into the glass, breaking down flavor, balance, and the craftsmanship behind every sip.

From notes and structure to the intention behind the blend, this tasting offers a deeper look at how quality shows up in the final product and what sets an award-winning bourbon apart.

Whether you’re a spirits enthusiast or just bourbon-curious, this is your chance to experience the craft.

What does it take to turn a friendship into a Double Gold–winning bourbon? On this episode of Proof of Concept, presented by The Tasting Alliance, hosts Toby Blue and Jason Rabinowitz sit down with Ian Somerhalder, co-founder and Brand Guardian of Brothers Bond Bourbon. Ian shares how a shared vision, hands-on craftsmanship, and uncompromising standards helped build one of the fastest-growing and most awarded bourbon brands in the U.S.

From blending and grain selection to sustainability and regenerative agriculture, this conversation explores what it takes to earn credibility, and Double Gold recognition, in a crowded spirits market. This is a story of proof: that purpose, partnership, and craft can stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best bourbons.