In this Whiskey Rocks Whiskey Nerd Takeover, Joel and Chris welcome back Blair Ault from Milam & Greene for a deep dive into a special release, The Answer. What starts as a behind-the-scenes breakdown of blending philosophy, flavor decisions, and how this bottle came to life quickly turns into a full-on whiskey masterclass when Master Distiller Marlene Holmes drops in unexpectedly.

But that’s only half the story. Somewhere along the way, the conversation takes a hard left turn into the wonderfully strange. We’re talking Star Trek debates, music tangents, movie villains, and a few moments that have absolutely nothing to do with whiskey—but somehow make perfect sense in the moment. It’s the kind of detour that only happens when the drinks are poured, the mics are on, and everyone’s having too much fun to steer the ship straight.

This episode delivers real insight for anyone who loves whiskey, studies whiskey, or just wants to hang out with two of the sharpest minds in the industry. It’s nerdy, it’s unpredictable, and it might be the most enjoyable chaos we’ve had on the show. Buckle up.

To follow us, find us on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram @thewhiskeyrockspodcast

Whiskey rocks, sip hard!

What does it really mean for a whiskey to be “local”? Is it about where the grains come from, the climate where the barrels age, the people who make it, or something deeper about place and identity?

In this episode, we sit down with Will and Ric at St. Augustine Distillery in the nation’s oldest city to talk about what makes their whiskey unmistakably Floridian. We get into how heat and humidity shape the barrel, why sourcing from nearby farms matters, and how a distillery can reflect the character of a community rather than just operate inside it.

This is a conversation about craft, patience, environment, and pride. And it might change the way you think about where whiskey flavor really comes from.

If you enjoy stories about people building something with intention, this one is for you.

Learn more about St. Augustine at https://www.staugustinedistillery.com/

Follow us for more whiskey and fun over on Instagram, TikTok and even YouTube @thewhiskeyrockspodcast

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris sit down with Owen King, the distiller behind Iron Clad Distillery out of Newport News, Virginia, a brand that’s as bold and unapologetic as its name.

Owen takes us deep into Iron Clad’s roots, from the Civil War history that inspired its name to the modern craft grit that defines its bourbon. We talk family hustle, local pride, and what it means to build whiskey with real backbone.

This one’s got everything….stories of turning an old shipyard town into whiskey country, the beauty of doing things your own damn way, and a few laughs that’ll make you want to pour another glass.

So crank the volume, grab a pour, and join us for a conversation that proves: when whiskey gets loud, Iron Clad’s leading the band.

Follow us @thewhiskeyrockspodcast on all social channels for more

What happens when bourbon meets a prison cell? You get one of the most fascinating stories in whiskey.

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel, Chris and guest host Brad Hughes from @bradsbourbonreviews dive into the incredible journey of Thomas Thacker, co-founder of Southern Grace Distillery…the North Carolina whiskey that ages its barrels inside a former prison.

From converting cell blocks into barrelhouses to unlocking unexpected flavor profiles, Thomas shares how Southern Grace turned confinement into creativity. We talk heritage, innovation, and the beautiful madness that comes with making whiskey in a place built for second chances.

Follow Southern Grace Distillery on Instagram @southerngracedistilleries to see where the magic happens.

Follow Brad Hughes at @bradsbourbonreviews on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram for honest whiskey takes and behind-the-scenes pours.

And don’t forget to follow us at @thewhiskeyrockspodcast on TikTok and Instagram…because whiskey’s better when the music’s loud and the company’s good.

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris sit down with Trey Boggs, co-founder of Palmetto Distillery, the trailblazing South Carolina brand behind the state’s first legal moonshine. Trey takes us inside the Palmetto story — from family roots and Southern tradition to building a distillery that celebrates Carolina pride with every pour.

We dive into Palmetto’s journey from moonshine to whiskey, the challenges of carving out a space in the craft spirits world, and why music is such a big part of their DNA. Trey also shares the inside scoop on Palmetto’s collaboration with Darius Rucker, blending whiskey, country, and rock into something that hits all the right notes.

Whether you’re a whiskey lover, a music fan, or just someone who enjoys a good Southern story, this episode is a must-listen.

For more info on Palmetto Distillery, please visit them at https://www.palmettodistillery.com/

To follow us on IG and TikTok, find us at @thewhiskeyrockspodcast on both platforms.

On this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris sit down with Blair Ault of Milam & Greene Whiskey, a trailblazing voice in the world of American whiskey. Milam & Greene isn’t just another Texas distillery, it’s a woman-owned and woman-led brand that’s breaking barriers while crafting some of the most exciting bottles on the market today.

Blair takes us inside the story of Milam & Greene, from their innovative blending techniques to the challenges of standing out in a crowded whiskey scene. We talk about what makes their whiskey unique, why their woman-owned leadership matters in an industry long dominated by men, and which bottles you should be reaching for if you want to experience the heart of Milam & Greene.

Whether you’re a seasoned whiskey drinker or new to exploring Texas spirits, this conversation will give you a deeper appreciation for the craft, the people, and the passion behind every pour.

Visit https://milamandgreenewhiskey.com to learn more.

Follow us at @thewhiskeyrockspodcast on Instagram or Tiktok to keep the fun going.

Keeper’s Heart Whiskey is making waves with a bold idea: blending the rich tradition of Irish whiskey with the deep character of American bourbon. In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris sit down with Keeper’s Heart’s lead distiller, Kate Douglas, to talk about the inspiration behind the blend, how it’s crafted, and why it’s turning heads across the whiskey world. From the challenges of merging two whiskey heritages to the exciting innovations happening at their Minneapolis distillery, Kate gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what makes Keeper’s Heart so unique.

Whether you’re an Irish whiskey fan, a bourbon devotee, or just someone curious about what happens when the two collide, this conversation will leave you reaching for a glass.

Learn more about Keeper’s Heart at keepersheartwhiskey.com.

Follow Whiskey Rocks on Instagram and TikTok for more whiskey stories, tastings, and laughs:

• Instagram: @thewhiskeyrockspodcast

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From Bourbon Pursuit to Pursuit Spirits, Ryan Cecil has carved out a unique path in the whiskey world, transforming his passion for storytelling into a whiskey brand that’s challenging industry norms. In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris sit down with Ryan to dig into the origins of Pursuit Spirits, the philosophy behind their blends, and what it takes to move from documenting whiskey history to actually making it.

Whether you’re a seasoned bourbon drinker or just starting your whiskey journey, Ryan’s perspective offers both insider knowledge and inspiration for anyone who’s ever wondered what it takes to turn a passion into a legacy.

To learn more, visit www.pursuitspirits.com

And don’t forget to follow us on TikTok and Instagram at @thewhiskeyrockspodcast for more whiskey conversations, reviews, and behind-the-scenes fun.

Watershed Distillery has been quietly making waves in the world of craft whiskey — and it’s time you heard the story straight from the source. In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris sit down with Tommy Householder, U.S. Brand Ambassador for Watershed, to talk about how a Columbus, Ohio distillery is redefining what bourbon can be.

From their bold approach to flavor to the surprising history behind the brand, we dig into what makes Watershed stand out in a crowded market. We’ll cover their distilling process, the role of local ingredients, and the whiskey expressions you should be sipping right now.

Whether you’re an Ohio bourbon skeptic or already a fan, this conversation will have you rethinking the Midwest’s place in American whiskey.

Learn more about Watershed Distillery at www.watersheddistillery.com.

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @thewhiskeyrockspodcast for more whiskey stories, laughs, and music pairings.

What if your favorite whiskey… wasn’t actually your favorite? In this “Voices of the Industry” episode of Whiskey Rocks, we sit down with Bobby DeMars, founder of Blind Barrels, the underground whiskey subscription that’s flipping the script on how we taste, discover, and love American whiskey.

Bobby shares the story behind launching Blind Barrels, why blind tasting reveals more than any label ever could, and how they’re giving underdog distilleries the spotlight they deserve. Whether you’re a whiskey collector, a casual sipper, or just chasing that next hidden gem, this conversation will change how you think about what’s in your glass.

We talk about:

•Why blind tastings strip away bias and elevate flavor

•How Blind Barrels is building a community of curious drinkers

•What most people get wrong when “rating” whiskey

•Bobby’s biggest surprises (and failures) from blind tasting

•The indie rock spirit of craft distilling

💥 Spoiler alert: Your “top shelf” may not be your best sip.

Want to test your palate? Explore the whiskey world without the hype at blindbarrels.com.

Follow us for behind-the-scenes pours, blind tasting reactions, and dad-worthy whiskey wisdom:

• Instagram- @thewhiskeyrockspodcast

• TikTok- @thewhiskeyrockspodcast