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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You ever hear about the time Dan nearly became a Las Vegas cautionary tale? It’s a wild ride involving a championship prize fight, a topless pool (because, Vegas), an over-served spirits industry exec who thought he was part of the Rat Pack, and—oh yeah—the cops. Also, on this week’s "Drinks of the Week," we're diving headfirst into the green fairy's arms with Absente absinthe. This isn't just a drink; it's a hallucination in a glass. Remember, with absinthe, you don’t just drink it, you negotiate with it. Pour, dilute, sip, and repeat—like Dan's attempts at adult responsibility. Cheers, or as they say in the absinthe circles, à votre santé—and maybe hide your phone.

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The Clover Club cocktail is one of those drinks that makes you feel like you've been invited to a secret society meeting, where everyone’s wearing velvet smoking jackets and discussing the finer points of monocle craftsmanship. Born in pre-Prohibition Philadelphia, this elegant mix of gin, lemon juice, raspberry syrup, and egg white was the toast of the Clover Club, a swanky all-men’s social club. Back then, it was the kind of cocktail you'd order if you wanted to seem like the most interesting guy in the room—without even trying. Today, it’s back on menus, and popular as ever. And don’t let the pink hue fool you,. This drink has enough punch to remind you that sophistication doesn't have to mean boring. It's a cocktail with class and just enough zing to keep things interesting.

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Dan is joined by bartending legend Dale DeGroff and renowned artisan distiller Ted Breaux for some lively conversation about their latest creations: DeGroff Bitter Aperitivo and New World Amaro. These delightful concoctions mark their second collaboration with Oregon’s Clear Creek Distillery. DeGroff, whom Dan credits as the man who helped kickstart his career in spirits journalism, brings his signature charm to the discussion. Meanwhile, Dan dives into the real origin of the word "booze" and goes on a hilarious rant about the seemingly endless parade of "Batman" movies and TV shows flooding screens everywhere.

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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