Crafted Conversations

In this episode, I again traveled to Frederick, Maryland to visit McClintock Distilling and speak with owner and operator Braeden Bumpers! Braeden graciously welcomed me into the distillery and gave a wonderfully detailed tour showcasing their beautiful space and I certainly can't wait to return! Visit them online at https://mcclintockdistilling.com/ Follow them @mcclintockdistilling If you enjoy...

In this episode I traveled to Frederick, Maryland to visit Puerto Rico Distillery and speak with owner and operator Angel Rivera. Originally from Puerto Rico, Agnel prides himself on sharing a slice of his culture with the American spirits market and often hosts events in the area to share a bit of his delicious Pitorro – or Puerto Rican Moonshine. This was my first rum exclusive distillery, and a...

In this episode I traveled to Benson, North Carolina to visit Broadslab Distillery and speak with the man behind it all, Jeremy Norris. Broadslab is just a short drive away from where I frequently visit in North Carolina and I’m glad I finally had the opportunity to take a tour and visit the beautiful farm. This is one I am excited to bring to video one day because the space Jeremy has created is...

In this episode I traveled to Beltsville, Maryland to visit Shmidt Spirits and talk with master distiller, Brian Roan. The small distillery is owned and operated by Arthur Shmidt – an engineer from the College Park, Maryland area who’s desire to make better spirits than what’s on the market emboldened his blending of engineering and his love of fine liquor. Shmidt Spirits’ small operation and desi...

In this episode I traveled to Northern Pennsylvania to visit the Keir Family Distillery located in the small town of Warren Center. The distillery sits on a farm just 5 miles south of the New York/Pennsylvania state border and is only about an hour from where I spend my time drilling for the Army National Guard. I had the pleasure of speaking with owner and distiller Sam Keir and learned all about...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of visiting the beautiful veteran owned Tobacco Barn Distillery in Hollywood, Maryland and sat down with the trio behind it all: Dan, Sean, and Scott! Tobacco Barn is a true ground to glass distillery, growing the corn used in their whiskey right there on the farm. Ground to glass recently paid off when in 2023, Tobacco Barn Distillery was named America’s Best F...

In this episode, I traveled to Smyrna, Delaware to visit Painted Stave Distilling and speak to one of their owners - Michael Rassmusen. The most unique thing about this craft distillery is the building's history! It was originally opened as the Smyrna Theatre back in 1948 and Painted Stave maintained much of the original aspects of the theater inside! This is one of the distilleries I’m really loo...

In this episode, Allan sits down with Dan Morello of Tenth Ward Distilling Co. in Frederick, Maryland. Dan is one of the main distillers and graciously sat down to talk about his background and the awesome story behind Tenth Ward. Proudly woman owned and operated since 2016 by owner Monica Pearce in what used to be the Tenth Ward of downtown Frederick, Maryland - their cocktail bar is a perfect st...

In this episode I traveled to Weston, West Virginia to visit the MannCave Distillery and had the pleasure of speaking to the family behind it all! Father and Daughter duo Stephen and Kelly Mann joined me for a conversation discussing their business and the unique character a small craft distillery imparts on distillation out there in the sticks of West Virginia. Stephen and Kelly were more than gr...

In this episode I traveled to Culpeper, Virginia to visit the Belmont Farm Distillery and speak with famous moonshiner, Chuck Miller! The word legend isn’t enough to describe Chuck’s influence on the craft spirits industry, and his expertise is showcased in several episodes of Discovery Channel’s “Moonshiners”. In fact, while at the distillery, visitors had lined up to snag a photo and a bottle si...

In this episode I traveled to Manassas, Virginia to visit KO Distilling and had the pleasure of sitting down with Peter Mowery, the distillery’s Director of Sales. "Upon retiring early, the question became, “what next?” Neither one satisfied with sitting idle, in 2013 Bill and John set off to create craft spirits with local ingredients, high-quality production methods, and a passion that they...

In this Episode, Allan sits down with Owen King from Ironclad Distillery Co. located in Newport News, Virginia. Ironclad is a family run craft distillery reveling in the rich Civil War history of the area. In 1862, one year into the American Civil War, the first ships to be armored in iron engaged in the waters off the Port of Newport News, Virginia. The distillery sits along the James River withi...

In this episode, Allan sits down with Co-Founder Jim Larkin and Head Distiller Kevin Szady from Murlarkey Distilled Spirits, located in Bristow, Virginia Jim and Kevin discuss their proud support for local farms and showcase their unique offerings that set Murlarkey apart from other craft distilleries. visit Murlarkey at their website: https://murlarkey.com/ follow them on social media: @murlarkey...

In this episode Allan sits down with Michael & Lorenzo Paluzzi of Falls Church Distillers - located in Falls Church, Virginia! A father and son team, taking on the challenge of craft spirits and making uniquely delicious whiskey, gin, and vodka - including their incredibly successful Ready-to-drink canned cocktails! Learn more about them at http://www.fcdistillers.com Follow them on IG @fcdist...

In this episode, Allan had the pleasure of sitting down with Becky Harris, Chief Distiller of Catoctin Creek Distilling located in Purcellville, Virginia. She and her husband Scott opened with the intent of celebrating Virginia’s rich rye history and has become a favorite spot of mine to visit. Episode Thumb Photo credit: Alicia Bruce + Catoctin Creek Distilling Becky Harris ( @beckhar67 ) | Catoc...

In this episode, Allan sits down with Derek Anderson, the owner of The MacMillan Whisky Room located in the Mosaic District of Fairfax, Virginia. This place is one of Allan's favorite places to grab a cocktail and enjoy a meal, especially given their vast whiskey collection! "Come to the MacMillan Whisky Room and enjoy a dram of your favorite malt or let our bartenders guide you through our collec...

In this episode Allan sits down with Chris Roedl, the Founder of Hatch Distilling Co. - located in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin. Door County is a top tourist destination in Wisconsin, and the small town of Egg Harbor offers some of the best spots - including this craft distillery. "Our founder, Chris, spent his formative years working in the commercial poultry industry raising laying hens. That childhood...

In this episode Allan sits down with Evan Hughes, the co-owner of Central Standard Craft Distillery - located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. "Central Standard is more than a name. It’s an idea. An idea to make better spirits, with locally sourced products, by hard-working local professionals who are passionate about what they create. We’ve been lucky enough to turn that idea into reality, with a number...

In this Episode, Allan sits down with the head distiller, Nate Newbrough, of Great Lakes Distillery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Great Lakes Distillery has called Wisconsin home since their founding by Guy Rehorst in 2004. Nestled in the heart of the vibrant city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the distillery stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment of producing high-quality, handcrafted spirits th...

In this episode, Allan sits down with Alex Laufer, CEO and co-founder of District Made Spirits located in the Ivy City neighborhood of Washington D.C. Recorded onsite at the distillery, Alex discusses the unique craft of distilling whiskey and other spirits in the Nation's Capital and the value he puts on community and using local products in the process. "More than the nation's capital, Washingto...

In this episode, Allan sits down with Head Distiller Jake Walish of the Northern Waters Distillery located in Minocqua, Wisconsin. Recorded onsite, this space has a beautiful tasting room and has incredible lake views - a perfect spot to share some whiskey and learn more about the craft in the North Woods. Jake shares his own personal story and how Northern Waters makes their craft whiskey so uniq...

In this episode, after taking Allan on a flight in his personal plane around Hartford, Wisconsin, Brad Schnell sits down to discuss some bourbons that he's has never tried, and tell Allan all about his professional wedding officiant business "I do" (https://idoofficiant.com/) and his aviation hobby. Brad is a self proclaimed bourbon man so a conversation with a flight of bourbon seemed like a perf...

In this episode, Allan sits down with Master Distiller Steve Bashore at George Washington's Distillery & Gristmill on the Mount Vernon property. Steve shares his expertise on all things whiskey from the time of our first president and explains the 18th century distillation process. While discussing this incredible history, Steve shares the three rye whiskies that are produced to honor the lega...

In this short episode, Allan discusses the rise in craft distilleries in the past decade and their influence on the whiskey market and how it has opened the door for several celebrities to create their own lines of whiskey - for better or worse. Background music courtesy of the Blues Lounge YouTube channel. They are a band of musicians performing under one alias Brian Grey. Be sure to like, follow...

Nathan Haug, a longtime friend since their college bowling days, joins Allan to sample 3 bottled-in-bond bourbons. Featured is Heaven HIll 7yr old Bonded, Old Grand Dad bonded, and Fainting Goat's C.B. Fishers Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon. All three are very different, but very delicious! While enjoying these samples, Allan gets to know Nate better as they discuss fatherhood, work life and their indivi...