What We're Drinking with Dan Dunn

Yo, ho, ho! In the time it takes to sing an ol' sea shanty — and who doesn't love an ol' sea shanty? — Dan walks us down the plank and dives into the Dark 'n Stormy, an invigorating coalescence of Gosling's Black Seal Rum and ginger beer that hails from Bermuda and derives its name from one of the worst opening lines in literary history. A kissing cousin to the Moscow Mule, it's an inviting drink with an ominous hue once described as "the color of a cloud only a fool or dead man would sail under."

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dan is joined by Barrell Craft Spirits founder Joe Beatrice and the company's Director of Distillery Operations & Chief Whiskey Scientist, Tripp Stimson. Barrell Craft Spirits isn’t just making whiskey—they’re bottling liquid adventure. Founded in 2013 by Beatrice, the Louisville-based company has mastered the art of blending, curating small-batch, cask-strength gems that ignite the palate. Their philosophy? Don’t dilute greatness. Each batch is like a fingerprint—unique, unrepeatable, and loaded with character. Barrell scours the globe for top-notch barrels, blending them into transcendent bourbon, rye, and rum. They're not chasing tradition—they're reimagining it.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Country music superstar Dierks Bentley stops by to share the story behind his latest venture, ROW 94—a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey crafted with care at the historic Green River Distilling Co. in Owensboro, KY. Dierks dives into what drew him to the spirits business and the unique influences that shaped the flavor of his new whiskey. Of course, they dive into music too, revisiting his debut single and instant classic, “What Was I Thinkin’,” and reflecting on the journey that led to multiple #1 hits, chart-topping albums, and billions of global streams. Plus, Dierks spills on his favorite country music drinking songs. This is one episode you won’t want to miss.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Tailgating is where culinary alchemy meets liquid artistry—a pre-game spectacle that’s less about the final score and more about the sizzling symphony of the grill, the cold embrace of a well-poured drink, and the joyous blur of camaraderie. It’s that sacred space where friendships are grilled to perfection over spicy wings, cold beverages, and the kind of choices you might not brag about later. Tailgating: where parking lots morph into arenas of epic indulgence. In this episode, Dan is joined by Eddie "the YumYumFoodie" Zamora and Rick McCarthy, the BBQ wizard behind Baby Blues in Venice Beach, CA, to dive deep into the art of America’s favorite pastime. Expect world-class BBQ dancing harmoniously with the liquid legends that are Ford's Gin, Bacardi Reserva Ocho Rum, and Kastra Elion Vodka.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

At the start of each chapter in Dan's book, Living Loaded, you'll discover cocktail recipes crafted to perfectly complement the theme of the chapter. These tantalizing drinks were exclusively created for the book by fifteen of the world’s top mixologists, all of whom Dan proudly counts as friends. In this episode, Dan spotlights a few of these masterfully mixed cocktails, featuring contributions from legendary figures like Dale DeGroff, Aisha Sharpe, Allen Katz, and more.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In a few shakes of a lamb's tail, Dan tips his hat to the Boulevardier, that urbane cousin of the Negroni. Swapping out gin's juniper jab for whiskey’s warm embrace, this cocktail mingles sweet vermouth and bitter Campari, achieving a rich, ruddy hue. Conceived in the roguish Parisian circles of the 1920s, where expatriates like Erskine Gwynne heralded its creation, the Boulevardier whispers of smoky parlors and literary wit, an elixir not just sipped, but savored.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

History tells us that anything that becomes popular is immediately beaten to death with a shovel. This has certainly been the case with Pumpkin Spice Lattes, or PSLs for those who find syllables too burdensome. In this episode, our intrepid host declares it’s time to admit we’ve reached the pinnacle of pumpkin spice mania. The higher we’ve climbed, the harder the inevitable fall. When the PSL backlash hits, it'll be brutal, and Dan will be hailed as a prophet. And since we’re smack dab in the middle of summer vacation season, Dan would like to offer a public service announcement: The Do’s and Don’ts of Summer Vacation Drinking.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

One of our all-time favorite humans graces the podcast once again! The multi-talented Aisha Tyler—actor, director, writer, and spirits entrepreneur—joins Dan along with guest co-hosts Claire Coppi and Austin Melrose for a whirlwind chat at the cozy Melrose Umbrella Co. in Los Angeles. We dive deep into Aisha's star-studded career from "Criminal Minds" to "Friends," and even those memorable "Talk Soup" days with our very own Mr. Dunn. And what's on the menu for today? None other than Aisha's latest smash hit, losophē—the margarita in a bottle that's set to topple all your cocktail expectations!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It's been said that it's always wine o'clock in the summertime, and that's certainly the case on this episode, featuring a bunch of great wine and a pair of vino experts in Claire Coppi and Austin Melrose... oh, and Dan too! The wines sampled include Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Sauvignon Blanc, FitVine Aluminum Chillable Red Blend, Diatom Santa Barbara County Chardonnay, Stag’s Leap Winery Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Loveblock Organic Sauvignon Blanc, Champagne Lanson Le Green Label and Beaulieu Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Recorded on location at Melrose Umbrella Co. in West Hollywood, CA.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dan imparts hard-earned wisdom gleaned from years spent perched upon barstools the world over. For instance, did you know that if you multiply the number of whiskies drank in a session by ten, subtract from your body weight, divide by four, add one for every decade you’ve been alive, you get the precise number of hours you’ll be hungover the next day? Try it. Works every time. Also, we hand out our annual bar industry awards in oft-overlooked categories such as Best Bartender Tattoo, World’s Worst Bar, and Best Guy To Pick A Fight With In A Dive Bar. And finally, we showcase a new rye from Wild Turkey in our wildly popular "Drinks of the Week" segment.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy