The Dram Amateur

🥃 Tasting Notes:

What happens when a hockey-loving Zamboni driver falls headfirst into the world of whiskey, rum, tequila, and cigars?

In this episode, I sit down with Jerry—co-host of Bourbon, Beards & Belvederes and the voice behind @a_whiskey_kydd_and_his_peppers. From COVID-fueled curiosity to building a collection of hundreds of bottles, Jerry shares how passion, patience, and community shaped his journey.

We talk mezcal surprises, rum revelations, evolving palates, and why sometimes the best pour isn’t the rarest bottle—it’s the right one for the moment.

And yeah… we also talk about driving a Zamboni 🧊

🔥 What We Get Into

• 🧊 From hockey rinks to whiskey glasses: Jerry’s unexpected journey
• 🥃 The COVID turning point that changed everything
• 🌵 Falling down the tequila & mezcal rabbit hole
• 🍌 Breaking down a wild 17-year Trinidad rum pour
• 💸 Why chasing bottles isn’t the move anymore
• 🧠 How your palate actually evolves over time
• 🎙️ Building Bourbon, Beards & Belvederes from the ground up
• 🧔 The beard game… and the products that actually work
• 🤝 Community over hype—always

🎯 Key Takeaways

• Your palate will change—what you loved early on may not stick
• Trying before buying saves money and regret
• Rum and tequila are still wildly underrated categories
• The “story” matters… but the moment matters more
• Community is what keeps this whole thing fun

💬 Standout Moment

That applies to bottles… and honestly, everything else too.

🎧 Why You Should Listen

If you’ve ever:

• Bought a bottle you regretted
• Wondered how your taste changed over time
• Felt overwhelmed by all the options out there

This episode hits home.

It’s real, it’s relatable, and it’s exactly what this community is about.

📲 Where to Connect

Follow Jerry:

• Instagram: @a_whiskey_kydd_and_his_peppers
• Podcast: Bourbon, Beards & Belvederes @bourbonbeardsandbelvederes

Follow The Dram Amateur Podcast:

• Instagram: @dram_amateur
• YouTube, Facebook

🥃 Final Pour

This one’s about the journey.
Not the hype bottles. Not the price tags.

Just good pours…
good people…
and figuring it out along the way.

Until next time—one more pour. 🥃

Tasting Notes: 

In this episode of the Dram Amateur Podcast, Jason welcomes back Adrian from Planet Mezcal after his recent trip to Oaxaca — the sacred ground of mezcal production. But this wasn’t just another influencer visit. Adrian spent time in remote palenques, talking directly with mezcaleros and documenting the realities of producing one of the world’s most traditional spirits.

What he discovered goes far beyond smoky flavors and beautiful agave fields.

From water shortages and government regulation to falling prices and generational traditions, Adrian’s documentary shines a light on the real challenges facing mezcal producers today. The conversation dives deep into what consumers rarely see — the work, the culture, and the struggle behind every bottle. 

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to taste mezcal straight from the still, meet the families behind it, or walk through a working palenque in Oaxaca… this episode takes you there.

Pour yourself something good and join the journey.

Jason and Adrian explore:

🥃 Adrian’s recent trips to Oaxaca and Guadalajara
🎥 The story behind his documentary “Mezcal en Peligro: Lo Que Nadie Está Comentando” (Mezcal in Danger)
🌵 The realities of agave harvesting and traditional mezcal production
💧 Why water scarcity is becoming a major issue for mezcaleros
📉 How post-COVID oversupply and market forces are affecting producers
🏛️ Government regulations and taxes impacting small palenques
👨‍👩‍👦 Generational mezcal families and passing the craft to the next generation
🍊 Why food in Oaxaca might ruin you for food back home
🎟️ Adrian’s plans for a Planet Mezcal community event

Adrian’s independently produced documentary highlights the human side of mezcal production.

Rather than focusing only on romantic imagery of agave fields and traditional distillation, the film explores:

• Financial pressures on small producers
• Environmental challenges like water scarcity
• Corruption and regulatory hurdles
• Market forces affecting agave pricing
• The cultural responsibility of preserving mezcal traditions

And perhaps most importantly, it captures the voices of mezcaleros themselves.

Many drinkers don’t realize the time and effort behind each bottle.

A typical bottle may represent:

• 10+ years for the agave plant to mature
• Days of roasting agave in underground earthen ovens
• Manual crushing using tahonas or traditional tools
• Natural fermentation
• Small-batch copper or clay pot distillation

Add aging in glass, export logistics, taxes, labeling, and distribution — and suddenly the price of mezcal starts to make a lot more sense.

One highlight of Adrian’s trip was visiting Berta Vasquez, one of the most respected mezcaleras in Oaxaca.

Her mezcal represents generations of knowledge and craftsmanship — and tasting it directly at the source is a rare experience few enthusiasts ever get.

For Jason, it reinforces an important truth:

Every bottle tells a story.

Sometimes that story spans decades.

His goal is simple:

Help more people understand mezcal — and the people who make it.

Follow Adrian and Planet Mezcal (www.planetmezcal.com):

Instagram: @planetmezcal
YouTube: Planet Mezcal

If you enjoyed this episode:

⭐ Leave a review
📲 Share it with a fellow spirits lover
🥃 And most importantly… pour something good

Because the best conversations happen one more pour at a time.

🥃 Tasting Notes

Some people build brands.
Some build followings.
Jay West (@t8ke.review) builds trust.

Known to many as T8KE, Jay has helped shape how thousands experience whiskey — through the subreddit selection program and now as principal whiskey maker behind Provenance Bourbon and The Reveries.

This conversation isn’t about scores or hype.
It’s about intent.
Restraint.
And earning the right to put your name on a bottle.

🔥 In This Episode

🧠 From Reddit to Reveries

What started as tasting notes became one of the most respected community-driven barrel programs in the country.

Jay shares how a medical setback in college reshaped his relationship with spirits — ultimately leading to Wild Turkey 101, Reddit, and a philosophy built on transparency and feedback.

🏛 Democratizing Whiskey

The subreddit program isn’t about exclusivity — it’s about fairness.

Same odds.
No shortcuts.
No pay-to-play.

That kind of integrity doesn’t scale easily — but it builds credibility.

🥃 Provenance vs. The Reveries

Provenance
Classic. Balanced. Intentional.
Complex without chasing extremes.

The Reveries
Experimental. Avant-garde.
A home for barrels too strange — or too special — to fit anywhere else.

Jay rejects more barrels than he bottles.
Saying no protects the brand more than saying yes.

🎨 What’s Coming Next

We also talk about:

• Murder of Crows
• The Deep
• And why innovation doesn’t require abandoning restraint.

🧭 What Stood Out

Jay doesn’t call himself “Master.”
He chooses “Principal.”

Because stewardship matters more than ego.

When I asked what he hopes remains after the bottle is empty, his answer was simple:

Trust in the process — and excitement for what’s next.

📲 Connect with Jay

• Reddit: R/BOURBON
• Provenance Bourbon | @provenancebourbon | 1787provenancebourbon.com
• @t8ke.review

(And yes… set your alarm for that email drop.)

If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who cares about what’s in their glass.

Until we get to share one more pour together — cheers. 🥃

Because the pours we remember are never just about what’s in the glass.

Some bottles are opened.
Others open chapters.

Because the pours we carry with us?
They’re rarely about rarity — and always about the moment.

🎙️ Tasting Notes

On this episode of The Dram Amateur Podcast, Jason welcomes back Mike from Whiskey Morgue (@whiskeymorgue) for a conversation that steps away from specs and scores and into the personal stories behind the bottles — the moments, places, and relationships that continue to echo long after the glass is empty.

Mike approaches whiskey with a different lens, chasing feeling instead of hype and reflecting on why a bottle entered your life when it did — and what it still says years later.

Because Dram Amateur has never been about chasing bottles…

It’s about chasing the stories inside them.

🔥 What You’ll Discover

Inside this episode:

• How a simple Penelope store pick became a powerful reminder of home, family memories, and growing up.
• Why the best pours often come from shared experiences — even something as unexpected as sipping Michter’s 20 from a solo cup with a new industry friend.
• How whiskey builds community, turning conversations into friendships and bottles into lifelong markers.

🧭 The Brand Anchor

Dram Amateur believes in:

🥃 Connection over collecting
🥃 Story over status
🥃 People over product

💡 Signature Reflection

The longer you spend in this world, the more you realize…

The rarest thing you’ll ever collect isn’t the bottle.

It’s the memory attached to it — the people beside you, the laughter across the table, the moment you wish you could relive just one more time.

Because in the end…

We may arrive for the pour.
But we stay for the connection.

🙌 Gratitude 

A huge thanks to Mike from Whiskey Morgue for joining the conversation — and to all of you for tuning in, sipping along, and helping build this incredible community.

If this episode resonated with you, follow the show, share it with someone who appreciates a meaningful pour, and leave a review to help more listeners find their way to the table. You can also follow @dram_amateur for updates and behind-the-scenes content.

🥃 Until Next Time

Until we get to share one more pour together… cheers.

Tasting Notes: This episode marks a major milestone for The Dram Amateur Podcast—the official debut of the One More Pour Studio and the transition into video podcasting.

Jason pulls back the curtain on the journey of building the studio, the challenges of creating in a small space, and what it means to finally feel at home behind the mic and camera. This is a candid, reflective check-in with the community, a thank-you to the creators who helped shape the vision, and a preview of what’s coming next in 2026.

Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or just poured your first dram with the show, this episode is about growth, creativity, and staying grounded in why this podcast exists in the first place 

Intro One More Pour Studio

🛠️ Inside the One More Pour Studio

• The long road from idea to finished space
• Finding comfort, creativity, and confidence in a small setup
• Lessons learned from lighting, layout, and camera positioning
• Why the studio isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection

📺 What’s New for the Podcast

• 🎥 Video podcasts are officially here (YouTube launch underway)
• 🎧 Audio episodes continue on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms
• ✂️ Behind-the-scenes workflow: filming, editing, and learning as he goes
• A test run episode before bigger content drops

🤝 Community Shoutouts & Gratitude

This episode is also a heartfelt thank-you to the creators and friends who helped shape the studio and encouraged the leap into video—through feedback, ideas, and constant support.

The Dram Amateur Podcast has always been about community over competition, and this episode reinforces that foundation.

🔮 What’s Coming Next

• New guests already booked for the next few months
• Returning favorites and fresh creative concepts
• More experimental, fun, and interactive episodes
• Blind tastings, themed conversations, and collaborative ideas
• A 2026 vision that builds on 2025’s momentum—with more creativity layered in

🥂 Final Pour

Thank you for being part of this journey—whether you’ve listened to one episode or every single one. The support, reposts, messages, and conversations mean more than you know.

🎙️ Video episodes drop soon
⏳ Two weeks until the next full guest episode
🥃 Plenty more pours to come

Until we get to share one more pour together—cheers.

Tasting Notes: Happy New Year, friends — and welcome back to The Dram Amateur Podcast 🥃
This episode is a bit of a reset, a reflection, and a look ahead at what’s coming in 2026.

No guest this time — just me checking in, sharing what I’ve been up to lately, and talking through some great recent experiences around whiskey, agave, community, and the studio.

🥃 What’s Inside This Episode

🎉 Happy New Year

Kicking things off by wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and pour-filled New Year. I talk about stepping into 2026 with intention — slowing down, appreciating the moments, and continuing to build something meaningful around this community.

🎙️ Behind the Scenes: The Studio & What’s New

I share updates on what I’ve been working on lately:

• Continued improvements to the One More Pour Studio
• A brand-new intro for 2026
• Expanding into video content on YouTube, and what that means for the podcast moving forward

It’s all about evolving while keeping the heart of the show the same.

🌍 Whiskies of the World

I recap attending the Whiskies of the World event — great pours, great conversations, and the reminder of how wide and diverse the whiskey world really is. From familiar favorites to new discoveries, events like this always reignite the curiosity.

🎟️ Raffle Day at Max’s Bottle Shop

A fun stop at Max’s Bottle Shop where I took part in a raffle, soaked in the atmosphere, and enjoyed what makes local spots so special — community, conversation, and shared experiences.

🛒 A Visit to Ancestral Bottle Shop

I wrap things up talking about a trip to Ancestral Bottle Shop — a place that truly gets it. Thoughtfully curated bottles, knowledgeable staff, and that feeling of walking into a shop that’s built by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts.

🥃 Final Pour

This episode is all about momentum — reflecting on where things are, appreciating the moments in between, and looking forward to what’s next for the podcast, the studio, and the community around it.

Thank you for continuing to listen, support, and share pours along the way.
Here’s to 2026 — one more pour at a time.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts
📺 YouTube — video episodes coming your way
📸 Follow along on Instagram: @dram_amateur

Tasting Notes: 

Some guests show up.
Others bring the room with them.

This episode is all about the latter.

I finally sat down with Big Al — a voice many of you already know from Howl'in with Big Al and the Lounge Life Podcast — for a conversation that felt less like an interview and more like pulling up a chair in a cigar lounge with a good friend.

We talk cigars, bourbon, tequila, fatherhood, grief, laughter, and why slowing down matters more now than ever. This one is honest, thoughtful, and full of moments that remind you why this community is so special.

So pour something you enjoy, light one up if that’s your thing, and settle in.

🤝 Community Over Competition

Big Al embodies what makes the cigar and spirits world special — welcoming people in, sharing knowledge without ego, and creating space for real connection. From podcasting to lounges, this episode reinforces why how you show up matters.

🧠 Slowing Down on Purpose

Cigars and spirits aren’t about rushing — they’re about ritual. From cutting a cigar to nosing a pour, Al explains how these moments force us to pause, reflect, and be present in a world that rarely stops moving.

👨‍👦 Fatherhood, Legacy & Memory

From racing go-karts with his dad to sharing cigars with his son, Al opens up about how passions become bridges across generations — and how those memories shape who we become.

🎧 Finding Your Voice Through Podcasting

We talk about the jump from solo podcast attempts to building chemistry on the Lounge Life Podcast, what makes conversations feel natural, and why the best shows feel like hanging out with friends.

🥃 Palate Evolution (and Letting Go of the Rules)

Whether it’s bourbon, tequila, or cigars, your palate changes — and that’s okay. We break down how tastes evolve, why hype doesn’t equal enjoyment, and why drinking or smoking “the right way” is simply your way.

🎯 Standout Moments

• The cigar that surprised Big Al the most
• Why not every expensive pour is worth chasing
• How infused cigars can be a gateway — not a gimmick
• The importance of grace, patience, and humility in community spaces
• Why being present beats being perfect every time

🎙️ About Our Guest

Big Al (@howlin_wit_big_al) is the host of the Howl'in with Big Al Podcast and co-host of the Lounge Life Podcast, a passionate cigar enthusiast, and one of those people who makes any room feel lighter just by being in it. Known for his laughter, authenticity, and generosity, Al represents the best parts of this community.

🔗 Connect & Listen

🎧 Listen to the episode wherever you get your podcasts
📲 Follow The Dram Amateur Podcast on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook
💬 Join the conversation and let us know your favorite takeaway

Tasting Notes: In this episode, Jason sits down with Daniel — the creator behind @mashorpass6 — whose honesty, creativity, and grounded approach have made him a standout voice in the whiskey community. From his clean aesthetic to his mash-or-pass philosophy, Daniel shares the story behind his brand, his whiskey journey, and why staying humble matters more than any free bottle ever could.

We dive into creativity, community, Columbus distilleries, the changing social-media landscape, and the magic that happens when whiskey is rooted in relationships rather than entitlement. This one is packed with authenticity, humor, storytelling, and real talk from start to finish.

💬 In This Episode

🌾 Daniel’s Origin Story

How Mash or Pass started post-COVID… including the hilarious tale of the original username being taken by someone reviewing mashed potatoes. Yes — mashed potatoes.

🎨 The Creative Process

Daniel opens up about his background in art, music, photography, ceramics, and design, and how that mix lets him create stunning reels in minutes — not hours. His philosophy?

💭 The Message Behind the Posts

Daniel talks about why he uses his platform to share thoughtful reminders about gratitude, humility, and staying grounded, including his recent reflections on entitlement in the whiskey community.

🏡 The Columbus, Ohio Whiskey Scene

A deep look at:

• High Bank Distillery
• Middle West Spirits
• Watershed
• River Roots

Daniel shares personal stories of thieving barrels, behind-the-scenes blending sessions, and what makes Columbus a growing hotspot for American whiskey.

👥 Community, Not Competition

Why the best part of whiskey has nothing to do with bottles — and everything to do with people, relationships, and shared pours.

📍 Where to Find Daniel

Instagram: @mashorpass6

📍 Where to Find The Dram Amateur Podcast

Instagram: @dram_amateur
Facebook & YouTube: The Dram Amateur Podcast

Life’s too short for bad pours. Make every dram count. 🥃✨

Tasting Notes: In this episode, Jason sits down with Raul (@thesmokentexpodcastshow) — a West Texas creator, cigar lover, whiskey sipper, and the heart behind The Smoken Tex Podcast Show.

They dive into Raul’s journey from oil-field road life to building community online, the faith and family values that keep him grounded, and the stories that shaped who he is today. From childhood moments to the fear of the mic, from finding purpose on the road to becoming a connector in the cigar and whiskey worlds — this is a conversation full of humor, heart, and honesty.

Pour something good, settle in, and enjoy a story-driven episode about passion, community, and the people who bring us together.

🔥 Highlights

Community & Connection: Raul shares how support from others shaped his journey and why he believes everyone’s story deserves a spotlight.

Faith, Family & Home: He talks about life on the road, the sacrifices of being away, and the foundation his family gives him.

West Texas Roots: Childhood stories, humor, and the moments that built his personality and resilience.

Creator Growth: From camera nerves to posting freely, learning tech, and building confidence through lives and community support.

Raul as the Connector: How he naturally brings people together and keeps conversations positive, grounded, and real.

Standout Life Moments: A supportive gift from his parents, lessons from mistakes, and his commitment to creating without limits.

📣 Where to Find Raul

Instagram: @thesmokentexpodcastshow
YouTube:  The Smoken Tex Podcast Show
Show him some love — subscribe, follow, support, and keep the #CommunityNotCompetition energy alive.

📍 Connect with The Dram Amateur Podcast

Instagram: @dram_amateur
YouTube: The Dram Amateur Podcast
Facebook: The Dram Amateur Podcast

Life’s too short for bad pours — make every dram count. 🥃✨

Tasting Notes: This week, Jason sits down with Sammy Halpern, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer of Desolas Mezcal, for an energizing conversation about tradition, innovation, and the future of Salmiana agave. From his early days in the industry to helping build Blue Run Spirits, Sammy shares how passion, relationships, and curiosity shaped his journey — and why the world is ready for a brighter, agave-forward mezcal from San Luis Potosí.

🔥 Highlights

🏁 Sammy’s Path Into Spirits

• The internship that changed everything
• Why relationship-building became his superpower
• Lessons from Moët Hennessy and the rise of Blue Run Spirits

☀️ The Story Behind Desolas

• How founder Gigi Mirvis spent 15+ years working with the Olivia family
• Why low-smoke, citrus-forward Salmiana agave is the star of the show
• The meaning of Desolas (“of the sun”) and its role in the brand’s identity
• A timeless, Mexican-crafted design meant to last

🛢️ Aged Salmiana — A First in the Category

• The new Reposado and upcoming 31-month single barrels
• How whiskey blending techniques inform their aged mezcal
• Honoring agave without overpowering it

🌎 Culture, Community & What’s Next

• Why consumers crave education, transparency, and authenticity
• How Desolas is welcoming agave-curious drinkers into the category
• Availability, distribution growth, and online ordering

🔗 Connect With Desolas Mezcal

Instagram: @desolasmezcal
Website: desolasmezcal.com
Order Online: Available to ship to 39 states

🔗 Connect With The Dram Amateur Podcast

Instagram: @dram_amateur
YouTube: The Dram Amateur Podcast
Facebook: The Dram Amateur Podcast
Behind-the-scenes, updates, pours & more every week

Life’s too short for bad pours — make every dram count. 🥃✨