The backstory of Balcones' entry into American Single Malt, the importance of local grain and malt, and . . . do I detect a  hint of a rivalry with Westland?

In the first of two episodes, Matt talks with Jared Himstedt about his exploration of American Single Malt and the origins of Balcones Distilling.

In the second of two episodes, Matt concludes his conversation with Amanda Beckwith and Greg Goodson from Virginia Distillery Co.

In the second and final episode with Johnny Jeffery, Matt talks in more depth about the unique approach and amazing design and technology that has gone into the Bently approach of making world-class, bespoke American Single Malt Whisky.

In the first of two episodes, Matt talks with good friend and Master Distiller, Johnny Jeffery, about a career trajectory that started in Chicago's music scene, and, following time spent in Eastern Europe where he fell in love with 18th century agricultural practices, eventually to Northern Nevada, where he . . . well, he basically figured out how to retrofit state-of-the art, world-class, LEED-Certified distilleries into a gorgeous, abandoned, century-old grain mill and butter factory.

In episode 12, Matt gets together with Mr. Gabe Toth, Distiller at Colorado's The Family Jones Distillery and Author of "Craft Floor Malting: A Practical Guide." They cover a LOT of ground, including the importance of (and flavor impacts of) quality grain, the impacts of COVID-19 on the craft beverage industry, Federal Excise Tax and the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act, What floor malting is all about, and why the idea of supporting local business is so important.

And please pardon the bleeps.

Things started to go off the rails there for a bit. . . 

In the final of two episodes with Matt Hofmann, we dig even deeper into how Westland Single Malts have become such an evocative expression of the Pacific Northwest, including some of the thoughts behind different expressions and the use of the rare native Garryana Oak (Quercus Garryana) Westland uses in their maturation program.

In the first of two episodes with Westland Distillery's Co-Founder and Master Distiller Matt Hofmann, Matt digs into the history of Westland and gets a better understanding of its vision, and how that's helped shaped its trajectory into the esteem of so many the world over.

Man, what a great episode!