On this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris head (virtually) to Hagerstown, Maryland to hang out with Cort Meinelschmidt, the man behind Meinelschmidt Distillery. Nestled in the heart of Western Maryland, Cort’s distillery is bringing bold character and local pride to every barrel—and we’re here for it.

We talk shop about what it takes to build a distillery from the ground up in a small town, the unique flavor profile of Maryland-style whiskey, and why keeping things local—grain, team, and community—is at the core of everything Meinelschmidt does. Cort shares the story behind the distillery’s roots, what sets his spirits apart, and the soundtrack that’s playing in the background of his whiskey journey.

Tune in for great pours, good vibes, and a conversation that proves small towns can produce some big-time whiskey.

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, we sit down with one of the fearless founders of Old Line Spirits—Mark McLaughlin- a former Navy pilot who traded fighter jets for fermenters. Based in Baltimore, Old Line is making serious noise in the American Single Malt game with bold flavors, unapologetic storytelling, and a rebellious spirit rooted in brotherhood and adventure.

We dive into how a chance encounter with a defunct distillery launched their journey, the risks they took to honor tradition while breaking the rules, and why American Single Malt might just be the next big thing in whiskey. Along the way, we pair their flagship whiskey with some high-octane rock anthems and unpack what makes a great bottle—and a great story.

This one’s got jets, jams, and just the right amount of char. Buckle up.

To learn more about Old Line Spirits visit: http://www.oldlinespirits.com/

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris sit down with Mark Vierthaler from Whiskey Del Bac to explore how the rugged beauty of the Sonoran Desert shapes every bottle they produce. From mesquite-smoked malts to bold innovation rooted in tradition, Mark walks us through the unique distilling process that gives Whiskey Del Bac its unmistakable Southwestern character. Along the way, they talk about the challenges of crafting American single malt in a region known more for saguaros than spirits—and the surprising ways music, community, and creativity fuel the distillery’s vision. Whether you’re a desert dweller or a whiskey wanderer, this episode will leave you craving a sip of the Southwest.

For more info on Whiskey Del Bac please visit: https://whiskeydelbac.com/

Whiskey Rocks, Sip Hard!

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris sit down with Liz Pirnat of WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) to explore her journey through the whiskey world and her impact as a catalyst in the industry. Liz shares her experiences not only in whiskey but also her time with the Napa Valley Wine Academy, where she deepened her knowledge of spirits and honed her expertise.

Liz talks about how her education in wine and spirits gave her a unique perspective that she brings to the whiskey world today. She discusses the parallels between wine and whiskey, the art of sensory evaluation, and how her time at the academy prepared her to better understand and appreciate the complexity of whiskey.

Joel and Chris dive into the evolving role of women in whiskey, the importance of education in building confidence in the industry, and Liz’s thoughts on how mentorship can create more opportunities for future generations.

Whether you’re a whiskey enthusiast or curious about the intersection of wine and spirits, this episode is packed with knowledge, inspiration, and a few good laughs. Don’t miss this conversation with one of the women shaping the future of whiskey.

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris sit down with Miles Munroe, master blender at Westward Whiskey, to explore the bold world of American Single Malt. They dive into Westward’s brewing-inspired approach, the impact of Oregon’s unique climate on aging, and how innovation drives their whiskey-making philosophy. Of course, no episode is complete without pairing whiskey with music—so expect some great tunes to match Westward’s signature flavors. Whether you’re a whiskey aficionado or just whiskey-curious, this conversation uncorks something for everyone!

Whiskeys we tasted this episode:

Westward American Single Malt finished in Pinot Noir Casks

Westward American Single Malt finished in Guatemalan Rum casks

Westward American Single Malt single barrel Westward Club special release

For more info on Westward Whiskey visit: https://westwardwhiskey.com

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, we sit down with the one and only Jaz Weaver from Bardstown Bourbon Company—a distillery that’s redefining the whiskey game with innovation, collaboration, and some serious rockstar energy.

We dive into Bardstown’s unique approach to blending tradition with creativity, taste through three incredible pours and talk about the future of Bardstown.

Whiskeys We Tasted:

• Origin Series High-Wheat Bourbon – A smooth, well-balanced sip with notes of caramel, fruit, and a soft wheat finish.

• Discovery Series #12 – A bold and complex blend showcasing Bardstown’s expertise in pushing the boundaries of whiskey.

• Collaborative Series with Goose Island Brewing – A one-of-a-kind release that brings together the best of bourbon and barrel-aged beer.

From killer collaborations to the art of blending, this episode has everything a whiskey (and music) lover could want. Tune in, pour a glass, and get ready to turn up the volume on Bardstown Bourbon!

To learn more about Bardstown Bourbon Company visit https://bardstownbourbon.com/

To visit their Saint or Sinner quiz go to http://www.bourbonsaintorsinner.com

Whiskey Rocks, Sip Hard! 🥃🎸

New York City isn’t just a concrete jungle—it’s a whiskey frontier. In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris sit down with Colin Spoelman, co-founder of King’s County Distillery, to talk about what it takes to make serious bourbon in the heart of Brooklyn.

From humble beginnings as an apartment moonshiner to running NYC’s first legal whiskey distillery since Prohibition, Colin shares how King’s County carved out a place in the craft whiskey world. They discuss the pros and cons of distilling in a city that never sleeps, how their bold approach to bourbon defies industry norms, and why New York attitude belongs in a bottle.

Along the way, Joel, Chris and Colin mix whiskey with music, debating what makes a great rock ‘n’ roll bourbon, how New York’s gritty past influences its spirits, and why craft distilling is just as rebellious as punk rock. Grab a glass, turn up the volume, and join the whiskey revolution—Brooklyn style.

Featured Whiskey Pairing: King’s County Straight Bourbon & The Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter.”

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, hosts Joel and Chris sit down with Joshua Hatton, co-founder of Single Cask Nation, to dive deep into the world of single cask whiskey. Joshua shares the origins of Single Cask Nation, the passion behind selecting unique casks, and how they bring exclusive, unfiltered whiskey experiences to their members. The conversation flows from the art of whiskey curation to the stories behind some of their most memorable casks.

Joshua also discusses “One Nation Under Whiskey,” the podcast he co-hosts, which offers listeners even more behind-the-scenes insights into the whiskey industry, interviews with industry leaders, and deep dives into the world of single cask releases. Whether you’re a seasoned whiskey aficionado or new to the single cask world, this episode is sure to strike a chord.

Explore more about Single Cask Nation and their exclusive offerings by visiting their website: www.singlecasknation.com

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, we sit down with Tom Gray, co-founder of River Roots Distillery, and Tim Harnett, their National Brand Ambassador, to explore the art of crafting exceptional spirits through thoughtful sourcing.

Unlike traditional distilleries, River Roots takes a different approach, focusing on curating high-quality sourced whiskey that reflects their unique vision. Tom walks us through how they carefully select their whiskey partners, ensuring the highest standards of flavor and quality. Tim dives into their approach to marketing, their logo design process and creating unique bottle designs.

We also chat about the challenges and opportunities of being a non-distilling producer, their commitment to transparency (as much as is allowed) and the importance of building trust with their customers. And as always, we pair their bold and complex flavors with the perfect playlist to elevate your tasting experience.

Pour yourself a glass and join us for a conversation that proves great whiskey is just as much about the choices you make as the whiskey itself.

For more info on River Roots visit: https://www.riverrootsbarrelco.com/

And if you could, help us out. Buy a hoodie or something and wear it on a video online….tag us... Help us grow. We want this to be a community of whiskey enthusiasts who see the value of music and whiskey being served up together! Visit: https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-whiskey-rebellion-club

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, we journey to the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains to explore the groundbreaking work of Virginia Distillery Co. Known for redefining American Single Malts, Virginia Distillery Co. blends tradition and innovation to create whiskeys that capture the spirit of the region.

Joel and Chris sit down with Amanda Beckwith, the distillery’s Lead Blender, to dive into their unique approach to whiskey-making, the influence of the Blue Ridge landscape on their process, and the rise of American Single Malts on the global stage. From barrel selection to flavor profiles, Amanda shares insights into what makes Virginia Distillery Co. a standout in the industry. They are joined by BourbonBarry who always brings fun, laughs and insights.

Tune in as we pair whiskey with music, discuss the future of American craft spirits, and raise a glass to the harmony between tradition and creativity.

For more info on Virginia Distillery, visit: https://vadistillery.com/

But a T-shirt or hat or coffee mug and help the show out! https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-whiskey-rebellion-club