It’s the end of the year. The magical season where every critic, pundit, and unemployed know-it-all crawls out of their hole to slap you in the face with lists. Oh, the lists. “Best of this.” “Most compelling that.” Like you’ve been wandering through 2024 in some kind of cultural fog, just praying for some random chump to come along and tell you which Taylor Swift song defined your existence.

What have you been doing all year? Living under a rock? Completely unaware of the Top Ten Ways to Make Your Coffee Taste Like Regret or the Most Overplayed Breakup Anthem That Made You Want to Gouge Your Ears Out? Clearly, you need saving. And here comes Dan, because he, too, is a sucker for this ridiculous yearly tradition.

So, fine—here’s his contribution to the nonsense: “The 63 Coolest Things About Drinking.” Why 63? Because lists with odd numbers are edgy now. So grab a drink, scroll through this thing, and let’s pretend this matters. If you can’t beat ‘em, at least you can toast to how stupid it all is. Cheers!

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Eggnog: the boozy holiday sweater you drink. A festive concoction born from the unholy union of eggs, cream, sugar, and whatever bottle of booze your uncle reaches for first. Traditionally spiked with rum, brandy, or bourbon (or all three if you’re aiming for a sleigh ride straight to DrunkyTown), this yuletide classic feels like a dessert, a drink, and a dare all at once.

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The Paper Plane is a drink so perfectly balanced, it could moonlight as a tightrope walker. Born in 2008 at the hands of NYC bar legend Sam Ross, this beauty is an equal-parts wonder: bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and fresh lemon juice, shaken into a frothy symphony of citrusy, bittersweet perfection. It’s light enough for summer, complex enough for winter, and just strong enough to make your in-laws semi-tolerable this holiday season. Served up in a coupe, it’s as sleek and stylish as its name implies. Buckle up for this high-flying edition of 3-Minute Bartender, where Dan takes the Paper Plane for a well-deserved spin.

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Oxnard, California—a charming, sun-drenched coastal town better known for its strawberries and surf than for spirits. But that’s changing, thanks to the arrival of one of the whisky world’s most celebrated figures. Enter John Campbell, a man who spent over 25 years crafting single malt masterpieces at the iconic Laphroaig Distillery on Islay, Scotland. Now? He’s trading briny peat and windswept moors for California sunshine and a bold new challenge at Sespe Creek Distillery.Campbell’s name is synonymous with whisky excellence, a guy who’s had his fingerprints all over some of the most beloved Scotch whiskies on the planet. And now, he’s bringing that same legendary skillset to a scrappy upstart distillery nestled in the agricultural heart of Ventura County. It’s a move that’s equal parts unexpected and inspired, and you better believe Dan had to see it for himself. In this episode, we’ll dive deep into John’s incredible journey—how a kid from Islay grew up surrounded by whisky lore, mastered the craft at one of Scotland’s most revered distilleries, and ended up transforming spirits in a sleepy California beach town. Plus, we’ll get an inside look at what he’s working on now at Sespe Creek and what’s next for this whisky pioneer turned SoCal trailblazer.

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We do our best to steer clear of politics on this show—unless, of course, the folks in Washington start tampering with our beloved booze. And it looks like that might be the case once Donald Trump returns to the Oval Office. During his first term, Trump slapped tariffs on imports that hammered the booze industry hard—unfortunately, not in the fun way. This time, he’s promising more of the same. In this episode, Dan dives into what happened last time, what’s likely ahead, and how we can fight back. Plus, “Drinks of the Week” featuring fresh gins from the always-creative Tamworth Distilling.

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Newly minted Emmy winner Eric Andre and Dan hosted an epic bash at Melrose Umbrella Co., Los Angeles’ favorite spot for well-made drinks and debauchery. The guest list? A little insane. We’re talking WWD’s wandering spirit expert Brad Japhe, Melrose proprietor Zach Patterson, and a who’s-who of LA’s cocktail gods. Plus, let’s not forget the real stars of the shindig: Del Maguey Mezcal, El Buho Mezcal, G4 Tequila, Cierto Tequila, Mi Casa Tequila, Tequila Herradura, Codigo 1530 Tequila, and Patron. Did we forget anything? Absolutely not. Don’t miss out—hit play and join the party!

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Dan kicks things off with a wild recounting of his first brush with the future—zipping around town in a driverless Waymo. Imagine the excitement (and a touch of terror) as he sits back, trusting the wheel to a car with no driver. Spoiler alert: it’s a smooth, freakishly calm ride… until it takes him down a one-way street in the wrong direction. Just kidding! But he’ll have you gripping your armchair like you’re riding shotgun.

Next up, Dan raises a glass in memory of the legendary Quincy Jones, who left us this past weekend. Expect no tearful eulogies here—just pure, unadulterated admiration for a music giant whose talent was as vast as his influence. Then, it’s time for some big news: Dan’s back at it with his newest venture, Substack. That’s right, he’s writing again, and he’s got some words for you. Brace yourself.

Finally, we're diving into our fan-favorite segment, “Drinks of the Week,” where Dan gives the lowdown on two new expressions from Woodinville Whiskey (think rich, warm, and ready for winter) and a sweet, sultry liqueur straight out of Southern Spain. Grab a glass, folks—it’s about to get good!

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Dan is joined by WWD’s resident Wine Goddess herself, Clair Coppi, for a seasonal plummet into the vino vat—the kind of wine lineup that gets you through those sweater-weather nights. This year, we’ve curated a selection that’ll pair just as well with a cozy night in as it will with your attempts to out-chef the family.

Here’s the rundown on the roster: Dolly Wines 2023 California Chardonnay, Siduri 2023 Sonoma County Chardonnay, Maggy Hawk 2021 Jolie Pinot Noir, CHEV 2021 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Rodney Strong 2019 Rockaway Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2023 Grant Burge Paso Ink.

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Dan kicks off the episode by launching into a spirited debate—naturally—with himself, over who’d win in an imaginary bar brawl between Vodka and Gin. You know, the kind of existential dilemma we all wrestle with. After that, he sits down with one of the beverage industry’s heavy hitters, Amanda Victoria, co-founder of Siponey Spritz Co. The two dive into topics ranging from honeybees and the fascinating history of ready-to-drink cocktails, to New York City’s unseasonably warm weather and their go-to cold remedies.

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Alright, bar buffs and cocktail connoisseurs, Dan is back with the ultimate bucket list – or should I say, "booze bucket" list? He’s distilled his years of bar-crawling expertise into a list of the ten essential experiences that every self-respecting bar aficionado should knock out before last call on life. This isn’t your average listicle – we’re talking sacred rites of passage, people. You think you've done it all? Think again. And that's not all. In our "Drinks of the Week" segment, Dan reviews two fresh-off-the-still whiskies from the legend himself, Wes Henderson. Yes, the Bourbon Hall of Famer who helped craft Angel's Envy is back with a brand-new venture that’ll make even the most jaded booze snob sit up and take notice.

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