Back for Another Pour: Thomas Thacker from Southern Grace Actually Came Back to Talk Whiskey with Us!

Thomas Thacker is back…and we’re still trying to figure out why.

When Thomas from Southern Grace Distilleries first joined Whiskey Rocks, we learned the story behind the distillery. This time, we skipped the origin story and went straight down the whiskey rabbit hole.

We dive into barrel selection, fermentation, blending philosophy, whiskey myths that need to disappear, the experiments Thomas still wants to try, and the little details that separate a good whiskey from a great one. Along the way, we settle a few whiskey debates, talk rock music, and prove that once you get a few whiskey nerds around a table, there’s no telling where the conversation will go.

If you’ve ever wanted to hear the conversations that happen after the microphones are supposed to be off, this episode is for you.

To hear our original episode with Thomas tune it to:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2xkU5zJEC4MYLzaDaYpUbc

Pour yourself something good, turn the music up, and join us for another round with one of our favorite returning guests.

Whiskey Rocks…Sip Hard.

Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @thewhiskeyrockspodcast for more behind the scenes, dad jokes and occasional amazing dance moves.

War Trail Spirits: They Risked Everything for Texas Whiskey

What would make you walk away from a successful career, move to Texas, and build a whiskey distillery from the ground up?

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris sit down with Laurie and Bernard Quandt, the founders of War Trail Spirits, to hear the incredible story behind one of Texas’s rising craft distilleries. They dive into the risks, sacrifices, and rewards of starting over, what it takes to build a grain-to-glass whiskey brand, and why the Texas Hill Country has become one of the most exciting regions in American whiskey.

Along the way, the crew tastes Broken Halo Bourbon and Broken Halo Barrel Proof, explores what makes Texas bourbon unique, shares plenty of laughs, and uncovers the stories behind the bottles. From building a business as husband and wife to chasing a dream many people only talk about, this conversation is about much more than whiskey.

Whether you’re a bourbon enthusiast, a fan of craft distilleries, or someone who’s ever wondered what it takes to bet on yourself, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Pour a glass, settle in, and join us for another episode of Whiskey Rocks.

Follow along @thewhiskeyrockspodcast on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube for more videos, pours and a ton of fun.

Pour it…don’t store it!

What happens when a distillery decides tradition is just a suggestion? Joel and Chris sit down with Whit from ASW Distillery in Atlanta to talk about building a whiskey brand outside of Kentucky, taking risks, embracing experimentation, and creating award-winning pours that challenge expectations. Along the way, they dive into Fiddler Wheated Bourbon, Toasted Rye, The Soloist, and the one everyone wants to hear about: the Big Green Egg Bourbon. Expect great stories, plenty of laughs, and a few questions that probably shouldn’t have been asked.

Follow us @thewhiskeyrockspodcast on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube to keep the whiskey flowing and the fun going.

Whiskey Rocks, Sip Hard!

Before bourbon hunting, whiskey influencers, and seemingly endless craft distillery openings, there were a handful of people willing to take a chance on an industry that barely existed.

Phil Prichard was one of them.

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris sit down with Phil Prichard, founder of Prichard’s Distillery, to talk about building a craft whiskey brand long before craft whiskey was cool. From the early days of opening a distillery in Tennessee to navigating an industry that was still finding its footing, Phil shares stories, lessons, and the mindset that helped him turn a bold idea into one of the pioneering names in American craft spirits.

Along the way, the conversation explores Tennessee whiskey, pot still distillation, the evolution of the whiskey industry, and what it’s like watching today’s boom through the eyes of someone who helped lay the foundation for it. Phil also reflects on the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of doing things your own way, and why some of the best decisions in life look a little crazy at first.

Plus, Joel and Chris review Prichard’s Tennessee Whiskey (86 Proof), compare it to classic rock albums, and put Phil through the Whiskey Rocks Lightning Round covering music, whiskey myths, time machines, and the wild ride of building a distillery before anyone knew if the craft whiskey movement would survive.

Pour a dram, turn up the music, and join us for a conversation with one of the true pioneers of modern American craft whiskey.

Whiskey Rocks. Sip Hard.

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Most whiskey companies start with a still.

Root Shoot started with a farm.

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris sit down with Heyward Gualandi and fifth-generation farmer Todd Olander to explore one of the most unique stories in American whiskey. Instead of building a distillery and sourcing grain, Root Shoot flipped the traditional model on its head…growing, harvesting, and malting their own grain before partnering with distilleries best suited to bring their vision to life.

Along the way, they discuss the importance of grain, the rise of American Single Malt, regenerative farming, terroir in whiskey, and why owning the supply chain may matter more than owning the still. They also share the story behind Root Shoot’s award-winning whiskeys (including some fun bourbons on the way), the patience required to take grain from field to bottle, and the larger mission of helping distillers across the country make better spirits.

Plus, Joel and Chris taste and review Root Shoot’s Bottled in Bond American Single Malt and Homestead High Proof Series, compare them to classic rock albums, and put their guests through the Whiskey Rocks Lightning Round.

Pour a dram, turn up the music, and discover why at Root Shoot, the story begins long before the barrel.

Whiskey Rocks. Sip Hard.

To learn more about Root Shoot visit https://www.rootshootspirits.com

Follow us @thewhiskeyrockspodcast on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.

On this episode of Whiskey Rocks, we sit down with Clinton Duggan, co-founder and master blender of Shortbarrel Bourbon, to talk about the wild ride from weekend barrel picks to building one of the most talked-about brands in modern whiskey.

We dive into the art of blending, the evolution of bourbon culture, the rise of Atlanta whiskey, and what really goes into creating bold, memorable pours that stand out in today’s crowded whiskey world. Along the way, we taste through Shortbarrel’s 101 Rye Small Batch, Four Grain Bourbon, and Toasted Small Batch Bourbon while talking music, flavor, bourbon hype, and the future of whiskey.

It’s a laid-back, story-filled conversation packed with big laughs, great pours, and plenty of whiskey nerdery.

Pour yourself something good and sip hard.

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Instagram, TikTok, YouTube & Spotify — @TheWhiskeyRocksPodcast

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, we sit down with Nicolas Lee of Glacier Distilling Company in Montana to talk about building a craft distillery near Glacier National Park and why American single malt whiskey is on the rise.

We dive into their origin story, what makes Montana whiskey different, and break down their Logan Pass American Single Malt with music-inspired tasting notes.

If you’ve ever wondered what American single malt is…or if a whiskey can actually taste like Montana…this one’s for you.

🥃 Topics include:

* Glacier Distilling story

* American single malt whiskey explained

* Montana whiskey

* Logan Pass review

* Music + whiskey tasting notes

Follow The Whiskey Rocks Podcast on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for more episodes. And if you enjoy this one, share it with someone who needs a better bottle.

What happens when you take traditional bourbon-making… and drop it into the Texas heat?

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, we sit down with Robert Likarish of Ironroot Republic Distilling to break down the science—and the fun—behind Texas whiskey aging.

We get into how extreme temperature swings accelerate the aging process, why Texas whiskey often tastes older than it actually is, and how Ironroot is using techniques like “ensembling” and a deep focus on grain to create something completely unique.

But this isn’t just about heat and barrels…

We also talk about:

* The reality of running a distillery (it’s not all romantic barrel rooms)

* The balance between tradition and innovation in bourbon

* Experiments that worked… and the ones that definitely didn’t

* And whether the future of whiskey is headed toward a more terroir-driven approach….and whether or not anyone pronounces terroir correctly

If you’ve ever wondered whether bourbon has to follow the old rules—or if there’s a new way forward—this conversation is for you.

Because in Texas… whiskey doesn’t just age.

It evolves.

To learn more about Ironroot Republic visit:https://www.ironrootrepublic.com/

Follow us on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube @thewhiskeyrockspodcast

Pour it, don’t store it!

Whiskey rocks, sip hard.

On this episode, Joel and Chris dive into Journeyman Distillery, a Michigan craft whiskey operation with bootlegger roots, a factory-turned-distillery story, and a philosophy built on organic grains and craftsmanship. We taste their Pit Spitter Cherry Whiskey, Last Feather Rye, and cask strength expressions, each one telling a story that hits like a classic rock anthem. Plus, Bill and Johanna Welter share the moments that tested them, the lessons they learned, and why their whiskey isn’t just a drink…it’s an experience.

Listen for music-inspired tasting notes, behind-the-scenes stories, and the human side of crafting award-winning whiskey.

To learn more about Journeyman’s whiskey visit:https://www.journeyman.com/

Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @thewhiskeyrockspodcast for more whiskey reviews, incredible dancing and dad jokes.

Whiskey rocks, sip hard!!

The future of whiskey is here.

For this special Women of Whiskey roundtable, Whiskey Rocks brings together Blair from Milam & Greene, Sydney Jones from Heaven Hill, Jaz’min Weaver from Bardstown Bourbon Company, and Liz Pirnat from Napa Valley Wine Academy for a conversation that goes beyond the glass.

Whiskey has long been marketed one way but the reality is evolving. In this episode, we explore how women across the industry are helping reshape the category from grain to glass. From education and storytelling to production and experience, this group shares what they’ve seen change, where real progress is happening, and how they’re personally influencing a more welcoming and dynamic whiskey community.

We talk about breaking down intimidation around whiskey, the myths that need to go, and how to bring new drinkers into the fold all while keeping it true to the Whiskey Rocks spirit with a few pours and music pairings along the way.

It’s thoughtful, it’s fun, and it’s a reminder that whiskey has always been about more than what’s in the bottle it’s about the people who make it matter.

Whiskey Rocks, Sip Hard.

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube @thewhiskeyrockspodcast