Distilling the West

Dan took a little trip out to Mare Island in Vallejo, California and got a tour of Redwood Empire’s new Distillery and Whiskey bar and picked up something special. In this Tasting Talk episode, Dan and Dave focus on tasting notes and impressions of Haystack Needle Bourbon from Redwood Empire Whiskey. They break down the nose, palate, and finish, highlighting prominent oak influence, layered sweetn...

On this episode of Distilling the West , Dan and Dave sit down with John and Deborah Patt from Desert Diamond Distillery , out of Kingman, Arizona, the first Arizona distillery featured on the podcast. They talk about the origins of the distillery, how it came to be, and what it takes to operate a craft distillery in the Arizona desert. The conversation also touches on the distillery’s award-winni...

On this Cocktail Hour from Distilling the West , Dan is joined by guest host Oliver as they dive into one of the most iconic cocktails of all time—the Manhattan . From its storied origins to the balance between whiskey, vermouth, and bitters, they explore what makes a Manhattan timeless, debate rye versus bourbon, and share tips on dialing in the perfect stir. A classic cocktail, thoughtfully unpa...

On this special year-end episode of Distilling the West , Dan and Dave take a moment to reflect on an incredible year. They thank all of the guests who joined them behind the mic, as well as the listeners who tuned in, shared episodes, and supported the show throughout the year. The conversation turns a bit more personal as they talk about holiday activities, traditions, and how they’re spending t...

In this episode of Distilling the West , we’re joined by guest hosts Oliver Hutton and Travis Cardoso from CASKS & CORKS for a relaxed but detailed tasting that focuses heavily on process and how it shows up in the glass. Today’s tasting lineup includes: ​ Charbay Distillery 24 year old Brandy ​ Sabbatical Distillery Straight Bourbon ​ Woodinville Whiskey Company Rye finished in Port casks ​ Woodi...

In this new Tasting Talk , Dan is joined by guest host Oliver as they dive into a special release from Branch Point Distillery — the Rare & Limited Oloroso Cask Finish . They explore how the Oloroso sherry cask shapes the whiskey’s aroma, flavor, and strikingly dark color , discussing what that deep, rich hue says about the cask influence and extended finishing time. Dan and Oliver break down laye...

On today’s episode of Distilling the West , Dan and Dave sit down with Marko Karakasevic — the 13th-generation master distiller behind Charbay Distillery. Marko shares the extraordinary history of the Karakasevic family, whose distilling lineage spans centuries. He talks about how this heritage influences his approach to craftsmanship, innovation, and preserving Old World techniques in a modern Am...

In this new Tasting Talk session, Dan and Dave dig into a compelling bottle from Bainbridge Organic Distillers : the Battle Point Wheat Whiskey finished in Hokkaido Mizunara Cask s . They explore how Bainbridge takes its organic wheat whiskey and finishes it in Hokkaido-grown Mizunara oak , creating a whiskey that blends tropical warmth with the famed incense-spice character of Japanese Mizunara....

Ever wonder about the history of the Old Fashioned cocktail? In this new episode of Distilling the West , Dan and Dave introduce a fresh segment: Cocktail Hour . For its debut, they dive into one of the most iconic drinks in American cocktail history—the Old Fashioned . They explore how this simple mix of spirit, sugar, bitters, and citrus became a timeless classic, and why it evolved into two bel...

In this Tasting Talk, Dan and Dave sit down with a glass of The Distillarium Riveter Rye — a bold and balanced rye whiskey out of Yakima, Washington that pays tribute to hard work and heritage. They explore its aroma, flavor, and finish, share stories of their interview with the distillery, and, of course, toss in a few rye puns along the way. It’s an approachable sip with plenty of laughs.

Dave is flying solo this week while Dan is out sick, and he’s joined by Julia Bringolf from Cash Butte Distillery in Royal City, Washington . Cash Butte operates on the grounds of Royal Bluff Orchards , where apples have been grown since the early 1980s. The distillery was founded to bring back the tradition of true farm distilling —transforming orchard fruit (including fruit that might not make i...

In this new Tasting Talk on Distilling the West , Dan and Dave dive into High West Double Rye aged in a Grenache barrel — a fascinating twist on one of High West’s most popular whiskeys. They explore how the finishing in Grenache wine casks adds a layer of fruit-forward complexity to the classic rye spice, bringing out notes of cherry, honey, and subtle tannins alongside the peppery warmth High We...

This is a new Tasting Talk on Distilling the West where Dan and Dave sit down with a bottle of Hinterhaus Distilling’s Trapper’s Oath , a bold and complex rye whiskey that captures the rugged spirit of the Sierra Nevada. Made from a sourced Canadian rye whiskey, Trapper’s Oath is further aged to 18 years old at elevation in Arnold, California, and is finished in stout barrels, developing rich laye...

This is a new episode of Distilling the West featuring Venus Spirits out of Santa Cruz, California . Dan and Dave sit down with founder and head distiller Sean Venus to explore his path from the world of brewing to launching one of California’s standout craft distilleries. Sean shares how his background in brewing helped shape his approach to distilling, blending creativity and precision to produc...

Welcome to Distilling the West , the podcast where we explore the stories, people, and spirits that define craft distilling across the American West. This week, your hosts Dan Machek and Dave Wolper sip on Frey Ranch Cask Strength Bourbon Hand Selected for CA Costco Members. This big baby comes in at 124.44 proof and packs a big and bold bag of flavors. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or just...

Today’s episode of Distilling the West features a conversation with Brucato Amaro from San Francisco, California. Dan and Dave sit down with Sierra Clark, the co-founder, to talk about the inspiration and craftsmanship behind their lineup of amaros. Sierra shares the story of how Brucato came to life, blending California’s agricultural bounty with traditional Italian methods to create modern expre...

In this new Tasting Talk on Distilling the West , Dan and Dave sit down with a pour of Distillarium’s Techno Trit, a whiskey that immediately grabs their attention. From the first sip, they recognize the thoughtful craftsmanship behind it — a spirit that balances bold flavors with smooth drinkability. They take their time unpacking the layers, discussing how the grain character comes through along...

In this new episode of Distilling the West , Dan and Dave welcome Kevin Aslan from Hotaling & Co., one of San Francisco’s most historic and innovative spirits companies. The conversation takes listeners on a wide-ranging journey through Hotaling’s diverse portfolio, beginning with Junipero, a bright and expressive gin that highlights their precision in botanical balance. From there, the discussion...

This is a new Tasting Talk on Distilling the West where Dan and Dave dive into 503 Distilling’s Single Barrel Bourbon. Right from the first sip, vanilla shines through as the standout note, giving the whiskey a rich and inviting character. They explore how the single barrel expression brings depth, balance, and individuality to the pour, making each taste a unique experience. Their conversation hi...

In this new episode of Distilling the West , Dan and Dave welcome a special guest, Logan Perkins, the creator of the popular social media page The Perks of Cognac . Together, they dive deep into the world of cognac, comparing different expressions, exploring tasting notes, and discussing how cognac stacks up alongside whiskey. Logan shares stories from his travels to the Cognac region of France, g...

This is a new Tasting Talk where Dan and Dave taste Woodinville’s newest release — a 9-Year-Old Bourbon. Right away, they note the especially dark color, a sign of its long aging, and dive into the rich flavors and depth that nearly a decade in oak brings. They share their impressions of how this bourbon stacks up in Woodinville’s lineup and what makes it stand out.

In this episode of Distilling the West , Dan is away on vacation, so Dave takes the reins for a one-on-one conversation with Dave Schleef , co-founder of 503 Distilling out of Portland, Oregon. Known for their creativity and bold flavors, 503 has carved out a space in the world of RTDs (Ready-to-Drink cocktails) —and Dave and Dave waste no time diving in. Together, they taste through several of 50...

In this new Tasting Talk on Distilling the West , Dan and Dave enjoy a special pour from San Diego Distillery — a Mizunara staved 9-year bourbon. They break down how the rare Japanese oak staves impart notes of sandalwood, coconut, exotic spice, and delicate florals, which beautifully complement the bourbon’s deep caramel, vanilla, and oak backbone. The conversation highlights both the whiskey’s c...

In this lively and wide-ranging episode of Distilling the West , Dan and Dave are joined by guest host Oliver for a special conversation with Rohit Nayyar and Jason Ornellas —two dedicated whiskey lovers who have helped shape a thriving community of enthusiasts. Rohit, ever the adventurer, joins the call from the middle of a camping trip, using Starlink to beam in from the wilderness. Despite the...

In this new Tasting Talk, Dan and Dave crack open a special barrel pick of Laws San Luis Valley Straight Rye Whiskey . This limited-edition release brings bold rye spice, deep earthy character, and the unmistakable terroir of Colorado’s San Luis Valley. They break down the flavor profile, talk about what makes this barrel unique, and share why Laws continues to stand out in the world of American r...