What happens when Oklahoma pride, Oklahoma State Cowboys, and Oklahoma whiskey come together?

We head to Hochatown Distilling Co. for a conversation with Tommy "Blue" McDaniel about what it means to make whiskey in The GREAT State of Oklahoma and why it may be one of American whiskey's next great stories.

Gavin grew up in Perkins, Oklahoma, so this episode is personal. From Oklahoma roots and Cowboy country to the rise of Oklahoma distilling, we're talking about the people, places, grain, barrels, and downright stubborn Oklahoma spirit behind the whiskey.

We'll dig into:
🥃 What makes Oklahoma whiskey different
🌾 Oklahoma grown grain and the role it can play
🪵 How Oklahoma's climate impacts aging whiskey
🌲 The story behind Hochatown Distilling Co.
🔥 The challenges and opportunities of making whiskey in Oklahoma
🟠 Oklahoma State, Cowboy culture & whiskey
🤠 What the future of Oklahoma whiskey might look like

And, of course, we're going to drink some whiskey along the way.
This isn't Kentucky.
This isn't Tennessee.
This is Oklahoma whiskey.

Pour yourself a dram, pull up a chair, and join us for a very Oklahoma episode of The Noble Dram.
GO POKES! 🟠🥃

👇 LIKE • SUBSCRIBE • COMMENT • SHARE
Tell us in the comments: What's YOUR favorite Oklahoma whiskey?

New episodes drop every Thursday.
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or iHeartRadio
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fIkERjIoyQ0

Pour It Forward: https://thenobledram.com/pouritforward 

For More Whiskey Adventures:
https://www.instagram.com/thenobledram/
https://www.facebook.com/thenobledram
https://www.tiktok.com/@thenobledram 

#TheNobleDram #HochatownDistilling #OklahomaWhiskey #OklahomaState #GoPokes #Oklahoma #Whiskey #Bourbon #AmericanWhiskey #OklahomaMade #Hochatown #Perkins #PerkinsOK #Stillwater #StillwaterOK #EskimoJoes #EskimoJoesClothes #PistolPete #ralphspacking #OkieState #okstate #PourItForward 

Send us Fan Mail

What bottles deserve a spot on your whiskey shelf?

In this episode of The Noble Dram, Gavin takes the lead and builds his ultimate Collection Selection, 12+ whiskies he believes every whiskey enthusiast should consider when starting or building their collection.

But this isn't about chasing unicorn bottles, hunting down impossible allocations, or spending a fortune.

It's about choosing bottles that bring variety, value, character, and most importantly, something you actually want to pour.

From bourbon and rye to Scotch, Irish whiskey, and beyond Gavin breaks down what makes a bottle worthy of your shelf.

🥃 What should every whiskey collection have?
🔥 When is a bottle worth the splurge?
🌎 How much variety do you really need?
💰 Can you build an incredible shelf without breaking the bank?
👀 And which bottles would Gavin pick if he could only choose 12?

Whether you're buying your first three bottles or trying to take your collection to the next level, this episode is all about building a shelf that's your collection selection, not somebody else's.

Because the best whiskey on your shelf isn't necessarily the most expensive…

It's the one you can't wait to pour.

🥃 What bottle HAS to be in your collection selection? Tell us in the comments!

New episodes drop every Thursday.🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or iHeartRadio
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3pmaM-QxJV0

Pour It Forward: https://thenobledram.com/pouritforward 

For More Whiskey Adventures:
https://www.instagram.com/thenobledram/
https://www.facebook.com/thenobledram
https://www.tiktok.com/@thenobledram 
#TheNobleDram #GavinsCollectionSelection #Whiskey #Whisky #Bourbon #Scotch #IrishWhiskey #WhiskeyCollection #WhiskeyShelf #WhiskeyLovers #DrinkWhiskey #WhiskeyCommunity #PourItForward #Scotch #AmericanWhiskey

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when you stop trying to make whiskey the way everyone else does and decide to make it your way?

In this episode of The Noble Dram, Aaron and Gavin sit down with Ryan & Natasha DeHart, the owners behind BENDT Distilling Co., for a conversation that goes far beyond what's in the bottle.

From the heart of North Texas, BENDT has built a reputation around doing things differently—and Ryan and Natasha have a story that is just as interesting as the whiskey they're making.
We dig into the real side of building a distillery: the risks, the mistakes, the unexpected wins, the barrels that didn't go according to plan, and the decisions that quietly shape what eventually ends up in your glass.

Ryan and Natasha pull back the curtain on BENDT, sharing the passion, personality, and stubbornness it takes to build something truly your own.
This isn't just a conversation about bourbon.

It's about Texas whiskey, entrepreneurship, risk, family, creativity, and the pursuit of making something worth pouring.

So pour yourself a dram, turn it up, and get ready to go a little…

HELL BENDT.

The Noble Dram — Drink what you like. Share what you love. Keep your pour noble.

New episodes drop every Thursday.
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or iHeartRadio
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OZ44MRvWAtI

Pour It Forward: https://thenobledram.com/pouritforward 

For More Whiskey Adventures:
https://www.instagram.com/thenobledram/
https://www.facebook.com/thenobledram
https://www.tiktok.com/@thenobledram 

#TheNobleDram #BENDTDistillingCo #HellBendt #TexasWhiskey #TexasBourbon #AmericanWhiskey #Bourbon #Whiskey #Whisky #CraftDistilling #WhiskeyPodcast #BourbonPodcast #GetBendt #AmericanMalt #PourItFoward #texaswhiskeytrail #graintoglass #bendt #DrinkLikeAGirl #WhiskeyNeat

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when one of Scotland's youngest distilleries decides the best way forward is to look back?

In this episode of The Noble Dram, Gavin and Aaron head to Islay to explore the remarkable story of Kilchoman Distillery, the island's first new distillery in more than 120 years and one of the few true farm distilleries in Scotland.

From barley fields surrounding the distillery to traditional floor maltings and world-class peated whisky, Kilchoman has built a reputation for doing things differently. But is that difference something you can actually taste, or is it simply one of the best stories in Scotch?

Join us as we pour Madeira Cask Matured &  Sanaig, while diving into what makes this distillery so special. Along the way, we'll tackle some of whisky's biggest questions:

🥃 Does "farm-to-bottle" really matter?
🌾 Can terroir exist in Scotch whisky?
🔥 Is young whisky finally earning the respect it deserves?
🏴 Has Kilchoman already become an Islay icon?
💰 Is it still one of the best values in peated Scotch?

Expect plenty of laughs, friendly debate, tasting notes, whisky history, and a few hot takes as we discover why this small farm on Islay has become one of the most respected names in modern Scotch whisky.

Whether you're a longtime peat lover or just beginning your Scotch journey, pour yourself a dram and join us for another unforgettable episode of The Noble Dram.

Slàinte!

New episodes drop every Thursday.🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or iHeartRadio
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8iND2s4g7Es

Pour It Forward: https://thenobledram.com/pouritforward 

For More Whiskey Adventures:
https://www.instagram.com/thenobledram/
https://www.facebook.com/thenobledram
https://www.tiktok.com/@thenobledram 


#TheNobleDram #Kilchoman #ScotchWhisky #Islay #PeatedWhisky #SingleMalt #WhiskyPodcast #FarmToBottle #WhiskyLovers #DrinkCuriously #ImpEx 

Send us Fan Mail

🥃 Can you taste tradition? That's the question we're exploring as we step inside one of Scotland's most iconic distilleries, The Balvenie.

After touring the distillery firsthand, we're sharing what makes The Balvenie unlike almost any other Scotch producer. From the legendary Five Rare Crafts to the people who have preserved traditional whisky making for more than 130 years, this episode is all about the balance between craftsmanship, tradition, and innovation.

Along the way, we're pouring two incredible expressions:
🥃 The Balvenie Curious Casks
🔥 The Balvenie Week of Peat

Join us as we discuss:
• What makes The Balvenie truly unique
• Why craftsmanship still matters in modern whisky
• The Five Rare Crafts that set Balvenie apart
• Can you actually taste tradition?
• Does innovation strengthen—or challenge—a distillery's identity?
• Our tasting notes and final rankings of Curious Casks and Week of Peat

Whether you're new to Scotch or a lifelong whisky enthusiast, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at a distillery that continues to do things the hard way, for all the right reasons.

🥃 Have you visited The Balvenie or tried either of these expressions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and Ring the Bell so you never miss a pour.

Slàinte!

New episodes drop every Thursday.🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or iHeartRadio

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8iND2s4g7Es

Pour It Forward: https://thenobledram.com/pouritforward 

For More Whiskey Adventures:

https://www.instagram.com/thenobledram/

https://www.facebook.com/thenobledram

https://www.tiktok.com/@thenobledram 

#TheNobleDram #TheBalvenie #ScotchWhisky #SingleMalt #WhiskyPodcast #Speyside #WeekOfPeat #CuriousCasks #WhiskyReview #Craftsmanship #WhiskyLovers #Scotland #PourItForward #DramItThatsGood #Craft #RareCraft #QuestForCraft #RawCraft 

Send us Fan Mail

Every whisky lover remembers the bottle that started it all.

But if you were building a starter shelf today...which bottles truly deserve a spot?

In this episode of The Noble Dram, Aaron takes on the challenge of creating the ultimate whiskey starter collection. The original goal? Choose just 12 bottles. Easy enough...until Aaron decided that one list wasn't enough.

Instead, he built TWO.

🥃 12 Budget-Friendly Bottles – Incredible pours that prove you don't have to spend a fortune to drink great whiskey.

🥃 12 Premium Bottles – Exceptional whiskies that showcase just how incredible the spirit can become when you're ready to take the next step.

The Rules
Every bottle had to earn its place by following these guidelines:
✔️ Accessible – Bottles should be reasonably obtainable (no unicorns or impossible-to-find releases).
✔️ Representative – Each bottle should showcase a unique style, region, cask influence, or flavor profile.
✔️ Educational – Every pour should teach you something new about whisky.
✔️ Value Driven – Whether budget or premium, each bottle must justify its price.
✔️ Shelf Worthy – If a bottle doesn't bring something unique to the collection, it doesn't make the cut.
✔️ Drink, Don't Display – These bottles are meant to be opened, shared, and enjoyed—not collected for dust.

From bourbon, rye, and American single malt to Scotch, Irish, Japanese, and world whiskies, this episode is packed with recommendations that will help you build a collection you'll actually enjoy drinking.

🥃 What's on your starter shelf?
Tell us in the comments:
Which bottle is an absolute must-have?
Which budget bottle offers the best bang for the buck?
Which premium whiskey is worth every penny?
Which bottle did Aaron get completely wrong?

If you enjoy whisky reviews, blind tastings, distillery stories, and spirited debates, make sure to Like, Subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss a pour.

🥃 Cheers from The Noble Dram!

New episodes drop every Thursday.🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or iHeartRadio
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0d6pQqjIBr4

Pour It Forward: https://thenobledram.com/pouritforward 

For More Whiskey Adventures:
https://www.instagram.com/thenobledram/
https://www.facebook.com/thenobledram
https://www.tiktok.com/@thenobledram 
#TheNobleDram #PourItForward #Whiskey #Whisky #Bourbon #Scotch #IrishWhiskey #JapaneseWhisky #AmericanSingleMalt #WhiskeyCollection #WhiskeyShelf  #SingleMalt #RyeWhiskey #OldElk #BuffaloTrace #4Roses #GlenScotia #Hibiki #MonkeyShoulder #BenRiach #Ardbeg #Aberlour #Bruichladdich #Glendalough #Rittenhouse #RussellsReserve #ElijahCraig #JackDaniels #Teeling #Dalwhinnie #Bunnahabhain #Lagavulin #HighlandPark #CompassBox #Kavalan #Glenmorangie

Send us Fan Mail

Every whiskey lover has been there.

You're standing in the liquor store when a bottle catches your eye. You've never seen it before. No reviews. No recommendations. No awards on the label. Just a bottle... asking you to take a chance.

So what do you do?

In this episode of The Noble Dram, Gavin and Aaron dive into the psychology of buying whiskey when you don't know what's inside the bottle. How much research is enough? Are YouTube reviews and ratings helping or ruining the fun of discovery? And is taking a chance on an unknown bottle one of the best parts of the whiskey hobby?

Together they discuss:
🥃 What makes a bottle worth the risk
🥃 How bottle shares help you discover new favorites
🥃 Whether reviews influence your buying decisions
🥃 The excitement—and disappointment—of buying blind
🥃 How often your favorite whiskey started as a complete unknown

🥃 How many bottles should you have on your shelf?

On the table:
 🥃 EH Taylor - Barrel Proof Uncut & Unfiltered - Batch #11
 🥃 Lagavulin 12 - 2018 Edition

Sometimes the best bottles are the ones nobody told you to buy.

So before you reach for the latest hyped release, maybe it's worth asking...

When was the last time you took a chance on a whiskey?

🥃 Join the conversation!
What's the best "random" bottle you've ever picked up? Have you ever discovered an incredible whiskey simply because the label caught your eye? Or have you been burned by taking a gamble? Let us know in the comments!

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and ring the bell so you never miss a pour with The Noble Dram.

🥃 Cheers!

New episodes drop every Thursday.🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or iHeartRadio
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-UPaemcZpM4

Pour It Forward: https://thenobledram.com/pouritforward 

For More Whiskey Adventures:
https://www.instagram.com/thenobledram/
https://www.facebook.com/thenobledram
https://www.tiktok.com/@thenobledram 

#Whiskey #Whisky #Bourbon #Scotch #IrishWhiskey #JapaneseWhisky #WhiskeyCollection #WhiskeyShelf #StarterCollection #WhiskeyForBeginners #WhiskeyCommunity #TheNobleDram #DrinkWhiskey #WhiskeyTube #WhiskeySelection #WhiskeySelectionCollection #What'sYourCount #TheNobleWay #BeNoble #PourItForward #DramItThatsGood #EHTaylor #Lagavulin

Send us Fan Mail

What exactly is peat, and why does it make some Scotch whiskies taste like a campfire by the sea?

In this episode of Scotch for Starters, Gavin and Aaron tackle one of the most misunderstood and most polarizing topics in Scotch whisky. Whether you're peat-curious or a lifelong smoke lover, we'll explain what peat is, how it's used during whisky production, why it creates such unique flavors, and why not all peated Scotch tastes the same.

To bring the lesson to life, we're pouring two incredible drams:
 🥃 Longrow Peated (Campbeltown)
 🥃 Caol Ila 12 Year Old (Islay)

You'll discover why these two heavily peated whiskies couldn't be more different, despite sharing similar smoky roots.

Whether you're taking your very first sip of peated Scotch or looking to deepen your whisky knowledge, this episode will help you appreciate the history, science, and artistry behind one of Scotland's most iconic flavors.

If you've ever said, "Scotch tastes too smoky," this episode is for you.

🥃 What's your favorite peated Scotch?
 Let us know in the comments! Are you Team Islay, Team Campbeltown, or somewhere in between?

If you enjoyed this episode:
 👍 Like the video
 💬 Leave a comment
 🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a pour from The Noble Dram!

New episodes drop every Thursday.🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or iHeartRadio
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube

Pour It Forward: https://thenobledram.com/pouritforward 

For More Whiskey Adventures:
https://www.instagram.com/thenobledram/
https://www.facebook.com/thenobledram
https://www.tiktok.com/@thenobledram 

About Scotch for Starters
Scotch for Starters is The Noble Dram's educational series designed to make Scotch whisky approachable, entertaining, and easy to understand, one dram at a time.

#ScotchForStarters #ScotchWhisky #Peat #PeatedScotch #SingleMalt #Longrow #CaolIla #Campbeltown #Islay #WhiskyEducation #WhiskyReview #TheNobleDram #Scotch #WhiskyLovers #DrinkCurious #TheNobleWay #BeNoble #PourItForward #DramItThatsGood 

Send us Fan Mail

America is turning 250 years old, and we're raising a glass to celebrate the only way we know how, with great whisky and even better company.

In this special America 250 episode of The Noble Dram, Aaron and Gavin go head-to-head as Team America and Team England, celebrating two nations forever connected by history... and now by exceptional single malts.

On the table:
 🥃 Westland Garryana – American Single Malt
 🥃 Cotswolds English Single Malt – Peated Cask 

Along the way, we'll dive into:
 The fascinating role whiskey played in America's founding
 👑 George Washington vs. King George III
 🎉 Fun America 250 trivia and surprising historical facts
  ⚔️ A friendly (and completely unbiased) battle between Team England and Team America

Whether you're celebrating Independence Day, America's 250th Birthday, or you're simply looking for your next great pour, pull up a chair and join us.

Because history is always better with a dram.

🥃 Good Whiskey. Great Company.

👍 If You Enjoyed This Episode
✔️ Like the video
 ✔️ Subscribe to The Noble Dram
 ✔️ Share your favorite "George" in the comments
 ✔️ Tell us: Team America or Team England? Which whisk[e]y wins?

New episodes drop every Thursday.🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or iHeartRadio
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube

Pour It Forward: https://thenobledram.com/pouritforward 

For More Whiskey Adventures:
https://www.instagram.com/thenobledram/
https://www.facebook.com/thenobledram
https://www.tiktok.com/@thenobledram 

#TheNobleDram #America250 #SingleMalt #AmericanSingleMalt #Westland #WestlandWhiskey #Garryana #Cotswolds #EnglishWhisky #Whisky #Whiskey #GeorgeWashington #KingGeorgeIII #IndependenceDay #FourthOfJuly #GoodWhiskeyGreatCompany #TheNobleWay #BeNoble #PourItForward #DramItThatsGood

Send us Fan Mail

When you think about Scotch whisky, you probably think about the distillery, the ingredients, or maybe even the age statement. But what if we told you the barrel might be the most important part of the entire process? 
 
In this episode of Scotch for Starters, Aaron and Gavin dive into the world of whisky barrels and explore how wood transforms raw spirit into the Scotch we know and love. From the legal requirements set by the Scotch Whisky Association to the different barrel sizes used throughout the industry, we're breaking down everything you need to know about cask maturation. 
 
Learn how bourbon barrels, sherry butts, hogsheads, puncheons, and port pipes influence flavor, color, aroma, and texture. We also discuss the Angel's Share, why Scotland relies so heavily on used barrels, and whether the barrel is actually more important than the distillate itself. 
 
Whether you're brand new to Scotch or a seasoned whisky enthusiast, understanding the barrel will completely change the way you taste and appreciate whisky. 
 
🥃 In This Episode we’re pouring: 
Glenmorangie 16 - The Nectar 
Ardnamurchan - Mezcal Cask Release 
 
📌 Scotch for Starters is our beginner-friendly series designed to help whisky drinkers build a strong foundation in Scotch education—without taking ourselves too seriously. 
 
🥃 What type of cask influence do you prefer? 
 👇 Let us know in the comments: 
 Bourbon Cask, Sherry Cask, Port Finish, or something else? 
 
👍 If you enjoyed this episode: 
 ✅ Like the video 
 ✅ Subscribe to The Noble Dram 
 ✅ Share with a friend who's curious about Scotch whisky 
 
New episodes drop every Thursday.🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or iHeartRadio 
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube 
 
Pour It Forward: https://thenobledram.com/pouritforward 
 
For More Whiskey Adventures: 
https://www.instagram.com/thenobledram/ 
https://www.facebook.com/thenobledram 
https://www.tiktok.com/@thenobledram 
 
#ScotchForStarters #ScotchWhisky #WhiskyEducation #TheNobleDram #SingleMaltScotch #WhiskyPodcast #WhiskyTube #ScotchWhiskey #BourbonCask #SherryCask #WhiskyMaturation #WhiskyBarrels #WhiskyNerd #WhiskyCommunity #DrinkCurious #Glenmorangie #Ardnamurchan 

Send us Fan Mail