Explore every episode of the podcast Neat & Mixed from Hops & Spirits

We chat with McCauley Williams, co-founder and CEO of Duck Club Bourbon, for an inside look at building a modern whiskey brand in a competitive market. McCauley shares his path into the spirits industry, the experiences that shaped his approach to brand-building, and how the idea for Duck Club evolved from concept to fast-growing label. He also discusses how his partnership with Riley Green came together and why it made sense for the vision behind the brand.The conversation dives into Duck Club’s strategy of blending premium 5-to-8 year sourced bourbon with strong value, the philosophy behind sourcing and maintaining consistency, and why outdoor culture and conservation were built into the brand’s foundation from day one. McCauley also talks about standing out in a crowded bourbon landscape, lessons learned from early growth and what’s next for Duck Club—including future expressions and where fans can find bottles.

We’re joined by Dan Callaway, Master Blender and Vice President of Product Development at Lofted Spirits, for a Flight Night exploring four different pours — Bardstown Bourbon Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Bardstown Bourbon Rye, Bardstown Bourbon High Wheat, and Green River Full Proof.

Dan shares his unique journey from professional musician and certified sommelier to leading product development for Bardstown Bourbon Company and Green River Distilling, and explains what drew him to Bardstown in 2018 as the brand was redefining what a contemporary whiskey company could be. He also breaks down what makes a great collaboration partner—drawing from projects with Amrut, Plantation Rum, and Goose Island Beer—and why the company undertook a major packaging redesign.

We also discuss the addition of Green River Distilling to the portfolio, how Lofted balances multiple brands while supporting custom distillation partners, and what’s next for both labels.

We’re joined by Eric Boggs and Alex Coats, owners of Goodfellas Pizzeria and Wiseguy Lounge, for a Flight Night that blends New York–style pizza and bourbon. We explore their path into the restaurant business, why New York–style pizza became the foundation of Goodfellas, and how bourbon naturally became part of the brand’s identity as they expanded across multiple states.

We also dive into the creation of Wiseguy Lounge, how they curate an approachable yet impressive bourbon list, and what they look for when selecting single barrel picks. Along the way, we taste through four of their single barrels—Elijah Craig, 1792 Full Proof, Stagg, and Old Forester—while talking pizza-and-bourbon pairings, community support, scaling without losing quality, and what’s next for Goodfellas and Wiseguy Lounge.

We try Three Chord Bourbon Volume 2 by breaking down two (of their four) releases that showcase the brand’s refreshed look and music-driven storytelling. Dropped in summer 2025, Volume 2 marks a new chapter for Three Chord, pairing bold finishes with artist collaborations that tie bourbon and music together.

We dive into Flipside Triple Wood, a blend of 4-7 year old bourbons aged in new charred American oak barrels, then finished in a mix of new and used toasted French and American oak barrels for 2-3 months. Triple Wood features blues legend Guitar Shorty on the label.

We also try Strange Collab, a unique release featuring Neil Giraldo and Rick Derringer on the label, and notably the only Pinot Noir-finished bourbon widely available on the market, with barrels sourced from Strange Family Vineyards. Beyond flavor and finish, we discuss the story behind the bottle, including the tribute to Johnny Strange and the charitable component supporting the Johnny Strange Foundation.

We explore what it means to support your favorite brands, even during moments like Dry January, by taking a closer look at three unique bourbons — Tradewater Single Barrel, Sagamore High Rye Bourbon and Copper & Cask Cigar Blend.

We review the Tradewater Kentucky Straight Bourbon Single Barrel, a find by Brandon on the shelves. We also dive into Sagamore High Rye Bourbon, the brand’s first straight bourbon whiskey with a high-rye mash bill and six years of aging. Rounding out the episode is Copper & Cask Small Batch Series Batch 13: Cigar Blend, an eight-year bourbon finished across multiple cask types, including PX and Oloroso sherry, Armagnac, Cognac, and Tawny Port.

We explore where New England craft meets Kentucky bourbon with a deep dive into Wheel Horse Whiskey’s latest releases — Barrel Proof and Baltic Porter Beer Barrel Finish.We break down the brand’s first-ever barrel proof small batch, a 5-year Kentucky Straight Bourbon bottled at 112.6 proof, offered at an approachable $40 MSRP. We also dig into Wheel Horse’s innovative Baltic Porter Beer Barrel Finish, created in partnership with Narragansett Beer, where four-year-old Kentucky bourbon spent an additional 4–5 months finishing in barrels previously used for a barrel-aged Baltic porter.

In this episode, Andrew Varga—founder of the Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction and Celebration and co-owner of J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery—dives deep into the vision behind one of the most ambitious bourbon weekends in Kentucky. Set for Fe 13-15 in Louisville, the Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction and Celebration is designed as a multi-day experience rather than a traditional festival, bringing together legendary distilleries, rising bourbon makers, exclusive releases, and chef-driven culinary events.

Andrew breaks down what attendees can expect from the weekend, including the Grand Reveal Tasting, immersive food pairings, and a live auction featuring rare and one-of-a-kind bourbon offerings.

In this episode, Pete Marino, President of Lofted Spirits, shares an inside look at his unconventional career path—from PR and consulting to Molson Coors and ultimately leading one of the most influential operations in American whiskey. Pete talks candidly about what surprised him most when he entered the whiskey world, how he balances building brands like Bardstown Bourbon Company and Green River while supporting custom distillation partners behind the scenes, and where the category must protect tradition while still evolving.

The conversation explores how Lofted has continued to grow in a shifting market, the evolution of tasting room experiences in Louisville, Bardstown, and Owensboro, and what today’s whiskey drinker looks like compared to a decade ago. Drawing on lessons from emerging categories like non-alcoholic and cannabis beverages, Pete also shares his perspective on smart growth, what excites—and concerns—him about the future of American whiskey, and what newcomers often misunderstand about how the whiskey business really works.

Brandon and Jonathan are back exploring the Travel. Explore. Drink Bourbon mindset—where vacations, discovery, and trying new pours go hand in hand.

In this episode, we dive into three releases that highlight unique mash bills, high proof character, and global finishing styles: the Louisiana Senator Bourbon: The Huey P. Long Release, the first in an 8–10 year vertical series bottled at 107 proof; the hard-to-find Frey Ranch 5 Grain Single Barrel, featuring all five grains distilled together at a hefty 130+ proof; and the RD1 Sister Cities 2025 Edition, finished with Japanese Mizunara and French Oak.

From aging and proof to price and availability, we break down what makes each bottle unique—and which ones are worth chasing on your next bourbon adventure.

We caught up with Jade Peterson of Trackside Distilling at this year’s Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown to sample their pours and talk about the launch of his new whiskey brand. Jade shares what pushed him to start Trackside Distilling, why he made the bold choice to use chocolate malt in the mash bill, and what's next for the brand.

We tried Potter Jane Distillery’s White Dog at this year’s Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown. As a brand-new distillery launching in 2025, Potter Jane brought some unique early pours to give bourbon fans a first look at what they’re building.

We caught up with Craig Beam of Jackson Purchase Distillery at this year’s Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown to talk about his return from retirement, how the distillery got its start, and the story behind their Batch #1 Full Proof Bourbon. Craig shares what brought him back into the industry, what makes Jackson Purchase’s approach unique, and what fans can expect next from the distillery.

We hit one of the busiest booths at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown to review a pour from Dark Arts Whiskey House.

We tried the Remington Reserve “Open Season” Bourbon from Log Still Distillery at this year's Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown.

We sit down with Zane Brammell, co-founder of New Era Whiskey, for a flight night featuring three Kentucky-inspired single barrels: Nature’s Crossing at Natural Bridge (115 proof), Dark Wonders at Mammoth Cave (113.8 proof), and Magic Moonbow at Cumberland Falls (115 proof).

Zane shares how he fell in love with bourbon, launched his first single-barrel club in 2022, and how that passion grew into New Era Whiskey. We dig into why their releases are named after iconic Kentucky state parks and how the team brought these single barrels to market.

Plus, Zane walks us through the label designs, past drops like the Headline Series, what future releases might look like, and where whiskey fans can track down New Era bottles.

At the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown, we chat with Zach and Zeb Hargis and master distiller Jacob Call to talk about the revival of Silk Velvet Whiskey. They share how the Hargis family brought Jacob on board, what inspired the return of this historic brand, what people can expect from the new Silk Velvet pours, and what’s next for the team

We sit down with Collin McConville, Head Distiller at Finger Lakes Distilling in New York, for a flight night featuring McKenzie Bourbon, McKenzie Rye, and McKenzie Pot Still Whiskey.

Collin shares his path into distilling, what drew him to Finger Lakes, and how the NYS Farm Distillery Bill helped kickstart New York’s craft spirits scene. We dig into the region’s grain-to-glass approach, the patience behind their 4+ year aging process, and how McKenzie balances American tradition with Irish inspiration.

Plus, Collin gives us a taste of what’s next for Finger Lakes Distilling, from new projects to what visitors can expect at the distillery itself.

It's a Flight Night with Dixon Dedman, American whiskey blender and founder of 2XO Whiskey, as we sip through the American Oak, Vinyl Blend, and Gem of Kentucky expressions. Dixon shares the story behind his family’s bourbon legacy—dating back to his great-great-grandfather, who founded Kentucky Owl in 1879—and how that heritage shaped his path from reviving Kentucky Owl to creating 2XO.

We dive into the art of blending and the signature “Two Times Oak” process that defines every 2XO release. Dixon breaks down the creativity behind his Icon and Oak Series, why he loves experimenting with French, Hungarian, and Mizunara oak finishes, and how each bottle balances innovation with deep Kentucky tradition.

We sit down with Selene Nestor, founder and CEO of Olta Whisky, to talk about how she’s redefining what it means to craft whiskey with a Mexican soul. Inspired by her daughter’s Mexican and Irish heritage, Olta blends tradition, innovation, and ancestral corn to create a whisky that honors both cultures.

Selene shares how her background in hospitality and co-founding the Hispanic Restaurant Association led her to launch Olta, why she chose whisky over tequila or mezcal, and how double distillation and barrel history shape Olta’s distinctive flavor. We also discuss the all-female farming and distilling team in Michoacán, Olta’s recent bronze medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and what’s next for the brand—including upcoming 4-year and 7-year releases.

Songwriters in Paradise founder and singer-songwriter Patrick Davis talks about his incredible career writing songs for top country artists and how he turned a passion for music into Songwriters in Paradise. Patrick shares his journey from early influences to creating unforgettable songwriter experiences in Napa, Cabo, Healdsburg, the Bahamas—and now Bardstown, Kentucky.

Plus, we dive into what makes Songwriters in Paradise Bardstown unique, from the carefully curated lineup and intimate performances to the bourbon flowing throughout the weekend. Patrick gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how SIP experiences come together, what fans can expect this year, and why Bardstown is the perfect setting for songwriters and bourbon lovers alike.

Rick and Ricky Johnson of 15 STARS Bourbon join us for a Flight Night as we explore their brand-new First West lineup. We dive into the story behind how heirloom corn and history inspired the bottles, and what makes these pours stand out.

From the First West Small Batch to the Toasted Oak and Extra Aged expressions, we sip through the lineup and hear firsthand how the Johnson family combined their two businesses—popcorn and bourbon—into something truly unique. Plus, we talk availability, future releases, and what fans can expect next from First West.

Plus, Rick and Ricky talk about what pours will be available at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, including a new 15 STARS release.

Brandon and Jonathan are back on Neat & Mixed to talk about the fun of trying different styles of bourbon and what makes each pour unique. In this episode, we’re putting two bottles to the test.

We’re sipping the Hard Truth American Odd Sweet Mash Bourbon Bottled-in-Bond (a Mellencamp Whiskey Co. collab featuring John Mellencamp’s artwork) and the Penelope Bourbon Cigar Sessions Chapter 1.

Brandon and Jonathan are back on Neat & Mixed after a summer break! In this episode, we catch up with some life updates, dive into why rye whiskey is one of our go-to pours, and taste two standout bottles.

We’re sipping the Chicken Cock Ryeteous Blonde: Beer Barrel Finish and the 15 STARS Founders Reserve Fine-Aged Rye—comparing flavors, finish, and what makes each pour unique.

Eron Plevan, lead bartender at Tartan House, joins us to preview his premium event at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival — “What Goes Up? Whiskey Cocktails – Best Served Up.” He shares what attendees can expect from the add-on session, why whiskey cocktails served “up” are often the most expressive, and how he balances bold creativity with timeless classics.

We also dive into Eron’s journey from Texas to Kentucky, his process for building cocktail menus, and how he’s worked with everything from local ingredients to liquid nitrogen behind the bar. He shares tips for home cocktail makers, what makes Tartan House a standout in Louisville’s bourbon scene, and how he answers the classic request: “Surprise me.”

🥃 For those attending the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, premium event add-ons are still available — don’t miss your chance to experience Eron’s approach to whiskey, cocktails, and elevated flavor.

We sit down with Chris Blandford, Kroger’s Wine & Spirits Expert and co-host of Fork & Flask, to talk about all things Bourbon & Beyond — one of the country’s biggest music, food, and bourbon festivals.

Chris shares how he got involved with the event, what it’s like to co-host Fork & Flask, and how the series brings musicians, chefs, and spirits together in a unique and flavorful way. He reflects on memorable moments from past years, interviewing artists over a few pours, and what it’s like to see music stars step into the bourbon and food world onstage.

Plus, we dig into the festival experience itself — from top-shelf tastings to local culinary creations — and Chris shares his favorite part of it all.

Join us for an inside look at Oaklore Distilling with co-founders Tom Bogan and Matt Simpkins, along with Jack Shute, VP of Sales and Commercial Operations. We hear the story of how a simple neighborhood friendship and walking kids to school sparked the launch of their distillery.Discover the challenges they faced navigating Charlotte and North Carolina laws, the story behind the name Oaklore, and their unique approach to bourbon making. Learn about their latest release, the Oaklore Four Grain Bourbon, and their impactful Angel Barrel program supporting local nonprofits.Plus, find out about their other spirits, what to expect when visiting the distillery, where to buy their products, and what exciting plans lie ahead for Oaklore.

Join us for Flight Night with Sagamore Spirit of Maryland and Clint “Spotty” Spotleson, their Global Advocacy & Engagement Manager. We taste three distinct rye whiskey expressions — Bottled in Bond Rye, Double Oak Rye, and Cask Strength Rye — while chatting with Spotty about Sagamore’s rich history, their focus on using Maryland-grown rye, the unique mashbills behind each expression, upcoming new releases, and much more.

Join us for Flight Night with Rodrigo Bojórquez, founder and master distiller of Kilinga Bacanora. We sample three unique bacanora expressions — Silvestre, Blanco, and Reposado — while Rodrigo shares what makes bacanora special, how it differs from mezcal and tequila, the journey of bringing bacanora to the US market, and much more.

It's a Flight Night with Minden Mill (of Nevada) and master distiller Joe O’Sullivan. We try three expressions -- American Single Malt, Bourbon and Rye -- and chat with Joe about his passion for single malt, making estate-made whiskies, their unique barrel aging process, making an affordable pour, what's next and more.

We love the innovation and approaches that craft distillers take. Especially when they release something unexpected. Plus, we review the Monk's Road Rye, Kentucky Senator Bourbon John Edwards Release and Larrikin Rosewater.

Is there anything better than listening to some music and enjoying a few pours? We talk how drinks, especially bourbon, are meeting music these days in more ways. Plus, we review the Whiskey JYPSI Tribute Double Barreled Bourbon (from Eric Church and company) & Three Chord Allman Brothers Band Legacy Edition Bourbon.

It's Derby Season in Kentucky as the horses hit the track and the pour start flowing. Plus, we review the High N' Wicked Bourbon and Yellowstone Small Batch 107.

We've Got Questions for the Bourbon on the Banks crew on what new events are happening this year, what to expect at the event, ticket options, how Frankfort, Kentucky has grown and more.

So how much can a barrel finish a whiskey? We find out with a trip to Washington. Plus, we review the Woodinville Rye Whiskey and Woodinville Rye Whiskey finished in Port Casks.

There's plenty of reasons why you should go visit Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky, for their spring and/or fall meet. Plus, we review the Wheel Horse Double Oak Bourbon, Never Say Die Bourbon and Never Say Die Rye.

It's a Flight Night with The Perfect Fifth's Canongate and founder/CEO Karl Schoen. We try three of their Canongate single barrel expressions -- 11YO, 14YO and 15YO -- and chat with them about how they source their barrels, why they finish aging the barrels in Scotland, future releases, making a home in Kentucky and more.

We've Got Questions for Randy Prasse , president and COO of KBF, about what folks can expect at this year's Kentucky Bourbon Festival. Plus, he talks about new ticket options, a new layout and more.

There's plenty of reasons why you should go to bourbon festivals, such as the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Bourbon on the Banks, and others. Plus, we review the Town Branch Overproof (which debuted at KBF) and Maple Barrel Stout Finished Bourbon.

It's time for the Boozy 8: The states that we think make the best bourbon and whiskey in the US. Plus, we talk about some of our favorite distilleries and some great shirts by Copper & Tap.#bourbon #whisky #whiskey

It's a Flight Night with 15 STARS and Rick & Ricky Johnson. We try four expressions -- Three Ports, Three Kings, Triple Cask II and Timeless Reserve -- and chat with them about getting creative with blending, working together as father/son, how they got into bourbon, what's next and more.

We've Got Questions for Vienna Barger, co-founder of Southern Distilling Company in North Carolina, about what inspired her and her husband Peter to launch the distillery, how the industry has evolved since their start in 2013, why they’ve been at the forefront of changing North Carolina’s distilling laws, what’s next for them and so much more.

Is Target a good date night spot? What about a Target gift card as part of a date night basket? Clearly Jonathan needs some help from Ya Boi Brandon. Plus, we review the Larrikin Decade Cognac Cask, Southern Star Honey Finish, & Penelope Havana

It's a Flight Night with J Mattingly 1845 Distillery and their president Harry Richart. We try four expressions -- Open Doors, Rye’lly Road, Classic and Single Barrel -- and chat with Harry about how he joined J Mattingly, moving to their new Frankfort (KY) location, the Mattingly's distilling history, launching the Classic and so much more.

We've Got Questions for Beau Beckman, co-founder of Hogshead. Beau talks about how Hogshead came to be, why there's a need for an online barrel marketplace, how Hogshead differs from others, what's next for them and more.

We ask the question what bourbon do you bring to the bottle share? Plus, we review the 15 STARS Three Kings and Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend.

In honor of the Super Bowl, we ask the question what bourbon do you bring to the tailgate? Plus, we review the Filmland Spirits Ryes of the Robots Extended Cut Rye Whiskey and Larrikin Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon.

We ask the question what do you love about craft distillers and craft bourbon brands. Plus, we review the Woodinville 8YR Special Release and the 15 STARS First West Bourbon.

We ask the question what bourbon releases you look forward to each year. Plus, we review the Barrell Bourbon Cask Finish Series: Mizunara and the Yellowstone 2024 Limited Edition Release finished in French Brandy + Cognac Casks.

We've Got Questions for Michael Moeller, Founder of Kentucky Hop Water. We ask Michael about what made him launch Kentucky Hop Water, what folks can expect when they get to try it, what the future holds and more.

It's a Flight Night with Still Austin and master distiller John Schrepel. We try four expressions -- The Musician, Cask Strength Bourbon, The Artist and Cask Strength Rye -- and chat with John about how he joined Still Austin, building the brand, working on the 42-foot-tall column still, how the Texas heat changes things, their labels and so much more.