Spirits & Distilling Podcast

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Spirits & Distilling Podcast episodes

March 04, 202527: Ashley Barnes of The Blending House Uses Data to Drive Better Blends
Ashley Barnes, master blender at the Blending House, joins host Molly Troupe for an in-depth discussion of the scientific and sensorial approaches to building characterful blends. A former pharmaceutical quality chemist, Barnes was recruited by Buffalo Trace, later moved on to Four Roses, and has worked with (and learned from) some of the greats in the bourbon world. Now, at the Blending House, she works with nondistilling producers to carefully age and blend fine spirits using a variety of creative and data-driven techniques, while tracking environmental data such as temperature and evaporation to better understand long-term flavor development.
Over the course of the episode, they discuss:
Learning quality, flavor profiling, and profile maintenance from Four Roses master distiller Brent Elliott
The challenge of creating different flavors from the same barrel stock
Useful analogies for thinking about cohesive blends
Both negative and positive selection for minimizing distractions while maximizing cohesion
Controlling variables in rickhouse aging for more favorable flavor development
Ongoing research on yeast and other topics
The basics of labs for both blending quality and bottling quality
Sensory strategies for maintaining consistency through varying personal circumstances
Building the right lexicon for sensory description
And more.
G&D Chillers: G&D Chillers understands that each distillery’s chilling requirements are unique. On every distillery project, G&D offers the front-end design and engineering your team needs at no cost to you. Sid Dilawri from Filibuster Distillery says, “From the design and engineering to installation and start-up, G&D was easy to work with. We’ve had great customer service since commissioning our chiller, and I’d highly recommend them for any distillery system.” Reach out for a quote today at gdchillers.com.
53 min
February 19, 2025 26: Caley Shoemaker of As Above, So Below Explores Character and Texture in Vodka Distillation
Caley Shoemaker got her start in whiskey at Denver’s Stranahan’s and went on to distill at Hanger One in Southern California before launching her own distillery, As Above, So Below in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 2021. Now, from her home base on the edge of the mountains in a state nicknamed “The Land of Enchantment,” she’s summoning strong spirits with their own particular swagger.
In this episode, host Sydney Jones and Shoemaker discuss:

• Creating vodka, gin, whiskey, and botanical spirits inspired by place, travel, and experience

• Making vodka from a mash with darker grains, for creamy texture and flavor

• Aging spirits in the high and dry climate of New Mexico

• Managing cuts to balance flavor and character given target aging time and high loss from barrels

• Balancing botanicals in gin while prizing flavor over locality

• The secrets to her ACSA medal-winning absinthe

• Learning through consulting with a potato vodka distillery in Rwanda
And more.
G&D Chillers: G&D Chillers understands that each distillery’s chilling requirements are unique. On every distillery project, G&D offers the front-end design and engineering your team needs at no cost to you. Hank Pressley, head distiller at Moon Drop Distillery says, “Early on, we made a decision to partner with quality American-made companies. One of those companies was G&D Chillers, and we are proud of that choice. Our equipment from them has run long and strong. We put our first barrel in our rickhouse in September 2021, and in the next 3 years we have put back more than another 540 barrels. What a great decision to team up with a company like G&D Chillers.” Reach out for a quote today at gdchillers.com.
1 hr 2 min
February 04, 202525: Gian Nelson of Jano Spirits and Ruins Distillery is Exploring the Possibilities in California Agave
Tequila and mezcal are top of mind when you think “agave,” but Gian Nelson is working to change that assumption. For the past few years, working through his brand Jano Spirits, he has partnered with growers who cultivate California agave—a much larger cousin of the classic Blue Weber agave used in tequila—to better understand what it takes to cultivate agave plants that translate into fine spirits.
In this episode, Nelson and host Molly Troupe discuss:
differences in types of agave plants, from Brix to maturation times
farming practices that produce better agave
wine-like fermentation for California agave with native and commercial yeast
managing methanol production in California agave
the impact of aeration
leaning into inefficiency
And more.
G&D Chillers: G&D Chillers understands that each distillery’s chilling requirements are unique. On every distillery project, G&D offers the front-end design and engineering your team needs at no cost to you. Hank Pressley, head distiller at Moon Drop Distillery says, “Early on, we made a decision to partner with quality American-made companies. One of those companies was G&D Chillers, and we are proud of that choice. Our equipment from them has run long and strong. We put our first barrel in our rickhouse in September 2021, and in the next 3 years we have put back more than another 540 barrels. What a great decision to team up with a company like G&D Chillers.” Reach out for a quote today at gdchillers.com.
49 min
January 22, 2025Episode 24: Eli Breitburg-Smith Is Ushering in the Epoch of Rye in Baltimore
Founded in 2015, Baltimore Spirits is celebrating a decade of distilling in Charm City. Led by cofounder and head distiller Eli Breitburg-Smith, that run has played a notable role in the craft revival of American rye. Their Epoch Reserve has won multiple double golds at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, more recently landing on Fred Minnick’s Top 100 list of American whiskeys in 2024.
In this episode, hosted by Sydney Jones, Breitburg-Smith talks about how he got into distilling as a former craft brewer and how Baltimore Spirits was focused from the beginning on bringing pot-distilled rye whiskey back to Maryland. He also discusses:
the influence of single-malt on their rye whiskeys
making other spirits, including their Shot Tower Gin, unusual apple brandies, and New World amari
using Belgian and American ale yeasts to help drive tropical character in the Epoch Rye
Baltimore Spirits’ approach to single-malt, and preparing barrels for that spirit
what makes Maryland rye whiskey different, including its history
the Ja Rule whiskey collaboration, Amber & Opal, featuring honey, smoky tea, and other botanicals
making apple brandies aged and blended Solera-style, distilled from smoked apples—and pechuga-inspired, made with smoked ham and seasonal botanicals
working with the Maryland Distillers Guild to share technical know-how and push for legislative changes for craft distillers
And more.
G&D Chillers: G&D Chillers understands that each distillery’s chilling requirements are unique. On every distillery project, G&D offers the front-end design and engineering your team needs at no cost to you. Hank Pressley, head distiller at Moon Drop Distillery says, “Early on, we made a decision to partner with quality American-made companies. One of those companies was G&D Chillers, and we are proud of that choice. Our equipment from them has run long and strong. We put our first barrel in our rickhouse in September 2021, and in the next 3 years we have put back more than another 540 barrels. What a great decision to team up with a company like G&D Chillers.” Reach out for a quote today at gdchillers.com.
58 min
January 08, 202523: Morgan McLachlan of AMASS and De Soi Builds Thoughtful Botanical Bases for Both Gin and Nonalcoholic Spirited Beverages
Morgan McLachlan, the Los Angeles–based cofounder of Amass Spirits and Katy Perry’s nonalcoholic De Soi brand, has a flair for theatrics that’s only fitting for someone who started her career as a camera operator for film and TV. Every nuanced performance is built on layers, some barely noticeable—but understanding the purpose of those creative choices is essential for McLachlan, as she constructs everything from gins and nonalcoholic spirits to fragrances and other botanical-based products.
In this episode, host Molly Troupe and McLachlan discuss:
McLachlan distilling background, which began in her own bathtub
distilling clementine oranges into a citrus spirit
using strategies from the fragrance and culinary worlds to produce compelling botanical blends in spirits
the varied impacts of house-made and sourced botanical extracts as well as different extraction techniques
challenges when working in the nonalcoholic space with water as a solvent
how certain terpenes behave through the distillation process for unexpected results
managing challenging botanicals such as cardamom
creating gin that’s both classically versatile and noteworthy
regulatory challenges with specific ingredients
And more.
G&D Chillers: G&D Chillers understands that each distillery’s chilling requirements are unique. On every distillery project, G&D offers the front-end design and engineering your team needs at no cost to you. Sid Dilawri from Filibuster Distillery says, “From the design and engineering to installation and start-up, G&D was easy to work with. We’ve had great customer service since commissioning our chiller, and I’d highly recommend them for any distillery system.” Reach out for a quote today at gdchillers.com.
49 min
December 24, 202422: Spirits & Distilling Year in Review Special
Year one of the Spirits & Distilling podcast is in the books, and in this special year-end look back, hosts Sydney Jones and Molly Troupe recount some of their favorite conversations of 2024, discuss the dramatic changes in their own lives, muse on big issues of the past year like the TTB’s adoption of a definition for American Single Malt, and look at the big issues and conversations they’re focusing in on for the next year. Along the way, they discuss:
refereeing between the two wolves inside of you
developments in agave spirits
favorite spirits they’ve tasted over the past year
why meat is the last cool frontier in spirits
water and its impact on distilling
the benefits of higher proof bottled cocktails
impacts of AI on distilling
new year’s resolutions
And more.
Brought to you by:
G&D Chillers: G&D Chillers understands that each distillery’s chilling requirements are unique. On every distillery project, G&D offers the front-end design and engineering your team needs at no cost to you. Jim Kuhr, VP of Manufacturing at Red Boot Beverages says, “G&D has been with us since the early days. Their knowledgeable engineers and service techs are there when we need them. We’re in the midst of a large expansion, and they have been right there with us to select chiller solutions for today and the future.” Reach out for a quote today at gdchillers.com
1 hr 6 min
December 10, 202421: David Fisher of Sydney’s Archie Rose Distilling Prizes Independence and Balance
David Fisher’s love of spirits started with bartending in London and followed a winding path, eventually passing through pandemic-era New York City into sensory analysis and blending back home in Australia. Now the senior spirits blender at award-winning Archie Rose Distilling in Sydney, Fisher has one of the most respected noses in the business.
In this discussion with host Molly Troupe, Fisher shares his thoughts on the importance of confidence to sensory and blending, and knowing your weaknesses as well as your strengths. He also discusses:
stopping to smell the flowers (and everything else) in collecting sense memories
the aromatic purity of gin botanicals versus the integrated matrix of whiskey
the overarching importance of balance
bridging New World flavors and Old World elegance
the effects of Australian temperature swings on barrel aging
backing up sensory data with numbers, and making the connections with production choices
making distinctive whiskey with malts smoked by unusual local woods
And more.
Brought to you by:
G&D Chillers: G&D Chillers understands that each distillery’s chilling requirements are unique. On every distillery project, G&D offers the front-end design and engineering your team needs at no cost to you. Jim Kuhr, VP of Manufacturing at Red Boot Beverages says, “G&D has been with us since the early days. Their knowledgeable engineers and service techs are there when we need them. We’re in the midst of a large expansion, and they have been right there with us to select chiller solutions for today and the future.” Reach out for a quote today at gdchillers.com
52 min
November 26, 202420: Sherrie Moore Uses Data and Experimentation to Understand and Optimize Whiskey Flavor and Consistency
There aren’t many problems in whiskey that Sherrie Moore hasn’t tackled and solved. Over her 30+ years at Tennessee’s renowned Jack Daniel’s distillery, she’s worked in just about every role imaginable—from chemist and processing manager to barrel warehousing manager and, eventually, director of whiskey production. She’s since directed whiskey production for Nearest Green Distillery, and for the past few years she has expanded her scope to help smaller brands dial in processes, products, and operations.
In this episode, Moore and host Sydney Jones discuss:
Understanding tradition before getting into experimentation
Jack Daniel’s experiments to reduce the angel’s share
Managing a distillery through periods of overproduction and rebalancing
Understanding the impact of toast versus char
Newer research from ISC Barrels on barrel preparation
Creating greater consistency, not just quality
Understanding the dynamics of barrel warehouses
Evaluating with the eyes to understand flavor
Collecting data on consumer preference through tasting-room experiments
And more.
Brought to you by:
G&D Chillers: G&D Chillers understands that each distillery’s chilling requirements are unique. On every distillery project, G&D offers the front-end design and engineering your team needs at no cost to you. Jim Kuhr, VP of Manufacturing at Red Boot Beverages says, “G&D has been with us since the early days. Their knowledgeable engineers and service techs are there when we need them. We’re in the midst of a large expansion, and they have been right there with us to select chiller solutions for today and the future.” Reach out for a quote today at gdchillers.com
57 min
November 13, 202419: A Global Perspective on Gin With Olivier Ward of Everglow Spirits
Olivier Ward got his start in gin in the mid-oughts, working on projects for Hendricks, and the he hasn’t been able to shake the gin world since. The people, places, and processes captivate him, and building or telling those brand stories has been a major focus for the better part of the past two decades. As chief gin judge for the IWSC, he tastes thousands of gins in any given year and has a context for flavor and approaches that few possess. Now, with Everglow Spirits, he’s taking a fresh approach to both education and consultation, helping distillers (and would-be distillers) articulate their visions and understand the challenges of creating and growing brands.
In this episode, Ward and host Molly Troupe discuss:
Thinking about gin beyond just flavor
Opportunities and risks in direct-to-consumer sales
The common mistakes that brands make, and how great brands hone their focuses
Finding resonance beyond baseline expectations for quality
The variety of creative approaches and tasting profiles around the world
Base spirits and their impact on gins
Categorizing for competition with process in addition to flavor
And more.
Brought to you by:
G&D Chillers: G&D Chillers understands that each distillery’s chilling requirements are unique. On every distillery project, G&D offers the front-end design and engineering your team needs at no cost to you. Jim Kuhr, VP of Manufacturing at Red Boot Beverages says, “G&D has been with us since the early days. Their knowledgeable engineers and service techs are there when we need them. We’re in the midst of a large expansion, and they have been right there with us to select chiller solutions for today and the future.” Reach out for a quote today at gdchillers.com
Modern Process Equipment: Attention all distillers! The MPE Gran-U-Lizer is the precision roller mill that will change the way you approach distilling. The MPE Gran-U-Lizer masters every grain with unparalleled consistency—providing better flavor extraction and a more efficient process. One distiller even saved more than $38,000 a year after switching from a cage mill to an MPE roller mill! This is your key to achieving a perfect grind every time. Learn more on the Modern Process Equipment website: mpechicago.com!
1 hr 8 min
October 30, 202418: Mark Vierthaler of Whiskey Del Bac Is Pursuing a Distinct Sense of Place, Transparently
Whiskey Del Bac in Tucson, Arizona, has pursued a taste of place in its spirits since opening in 2011, using local mesquite wood instead of peat to smoke-dry malt for its single-malts. Head distiller and blender Mark Vierthaler—also the interim marketing director—joined the team in 2021, leading the production of what he calls the distillery’s “love letter to the Sonoran desert.”
In this episode, Vierthaler joins host Sydney Jones to talk terroir, transparency, marketing, blending, and balancing art with pragmatism. Among other topics, he discusses:
transparency and sense of place as integral to the brand
sourcing rye whiskey—transparently—and filtering it through mesquite charcoal
adding a rye that fits the locally rooted brand
collecting and interpreting sensory data to craft a blend that’s better, not just to spec
the push-and-pull of creativity and the needs of the business
marketing perspective and brand consideration for distillers
the Distiller’s Cut series as an outlet for creativity
fermenting hot, up to 95°F (35°C), with special ester-forward yeast
fermenting and distilling a cleaner product meant for aging in the hot climate
using thick-staved barrels to mitigate for dramatic daily temperature swings in an arid climate
leaning into Arizona flavor for wider appeal
And more.
Brought to you by:
G&D Chillers: G&D Chillers understands that each distillery’s chilling requirements are unique. On every distillery project, G&D offers the front-end design and engineering your team needs at no cost to you. Rebecca Harris, president and head distiller of Catoctin Creek recently shared, “Service after the sale is what really separates the quality of a supplier relationship. G&D Chillers has always been a phone call away when we needed them. For a small business like mine, that partnership makes all the difference.” Whether you distill batch by batch or in a continuous operation, for more than 30 years, G&D has had the proven solution. Visit them today at gdchillers.com.
Modern Process Equipment: Attention all distillers! The MPE Gran-U-Lizer is the precision roller mill that will change the way you approach distilling. The MPE Gran-U-Lizer masters every grain with unparalleled consistency—providing better flavor extraction and a more efficient process. One distiller even saved more than $38,000 a year after switching from a cage mill to an MPE roller mill! This is your key to achieving a perfect grind every time. Learn more on the Modern Process Equipment website: mpechicago.com!
59 min

About Spirits & Distilling Podcast

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Enjoy and learn from conversations with leading distillers as co-hosts Sydney Jones, head distiller for FEW Spirits in Chicago, and Molly Troupe, master distiller for Freeland Spirits in Portland,…