Distilling the West

In this episode of Distilling the West , Dan and Dave sit down with Anna Mantheakis of Bubble Cap Consulting for a conversation packed with insight, experience, and a truly unique perspective on spirits. Anna shares her background in the industry, what led her to consulting, and how Bubble Cap helps distilleries navigate the many moving parts of building and growing a successful brand. A major par...

In this episode of Distilling the West , Dan and Dave sit down with Tanya Slye and Kimberlee Weaver of Jetty w ave Distillery in beautiful Half Moon Bay, California . They talk about what makes Half Moon Bay such a special coastal destination, the inspiration behind Jettywave, and the creativity that goes into making such unique spirits by the ocean. Tanya and Kimberlee share the story of the dist...

On this episode of Distilling the West , Dan and Dave sit down with Dave Smith, Head Distiller and Co-Owner of St. George Spirits out of Alameda, California. This interview is an incredible conversation about how intention is behind everything that is done at St. George. Dave talks about how sense memories drive the development and production of their exceptionally made craft spirits at St George....

It’s a milestone episode for Distilling the West — Dan and Dave are celebrating their 100th episode with a very special guest: Mark Stell from Bird Creek Distillery . Mark was the very first interview on the show, so having him back for episode 100 makes this one extra meaningful. The guys sit down with Mark to talk about Bird Creek, the journey since that first conversation, and the important con...

Wanting a delicious espresso martini with a perfect foam crema without having to putting all the ingredients together yourself? Then look no further than Charbay’s Espresso Martini RTD! Raise a glass with us as we dive into Charbay’s soon-to-launch Espresso Martini RTD. This ready-to-drink cocktail is not officially out yet, but after tasting it, we can confidently say it is one to watch. In this...

In this episode, Dan and Dave recap their experience attending the ACSA Convention in Sacramento. They share stories from the event, including the people they met, the conversations they had, and the highlights from the convention floor. They also talk about the different spirits they tasted, what stood out to them, and how the event brought together makers, industry professionals, and enthusiasts...

In this episode of Distilling the West , Dan and Dave dive into a unique tasting talk featuring Wheyward Spirit —a truly one-of-a-kind distillate made from whey, the byproduct of cheese production. This innovative spirit flips traditional distilling on its head, transforming what was once waste into something remarkably refined. The boys explore the story behind Wheyward, discussing its sustainabl...

Can quality aged spirits be made in the deserts of Las Vegas? Hell yeah! In today’s episode of Distilling the West , Dan and Dave sit down with Jonny VerPlanck, master distiller at Las Vegas Distillery, for a conversation about craft spirits, desert aging, and the unique approach behind the distillery’s lineup. Along the way, they taste through three distinct expressions: a straight bourbon, a dar...

In this episode of Distilling the West , Dan and Dave sit down for a Tasting Talk focused on Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Aged 6 Years) . They explore the whiskey’s character, breaking down its notes of caramel, vanilla, oak, and spice, and share their impressions on how the six years of aging shape its depth and balance. Along the way, they also chat about the upcoming ACSA Conference in...

In this episode of Distilling the West , Dan and Dave sit down with Nels Wroe of Dry Land Distillers from Longmont, Colorado to explore a truly distinctive approach to craft spirits rooted in the high-desert landscape of Colorado. Nels shares the philosophy behind Dry Land, emphasizing locally sourced ingredients, regional identity, and a deep connection to place. The conversation is brought to li...

In this Tasting Talk episode of Distilling the West , Dan and Dave pour a glass of Doc Swinson’s Alter Ego and dive into what makes this whiskey stand out. From flavor notes to overall impressions, they break down the experience and share whether this unique expression lives up to the hype. The conversation also turns to the listeners as they answer a question from Mike, who’s looking to explore m...

In this episode of Distilling the West , Dan and Dave head to the islands—virtually—where they sit down with Tiffany Tubon and Nick Sadowski of Kō Hana Rum , crafting exceptional agricole-style rum in Kunia, Hawaii. Kō Hana is redefining American rum by starting at the source—growing and harvesting their own sugarcane, then pressing it fresh to create a spirit that truly reflects the land. Tiffany...

On this episode of Distilling the West , it’s time for another Tasting Talk . Dan and Dave dive into Boldt Mash Confusion from Alchemy Distillery out of Arcata, California, breaking down its flavors, character, and what makes it stand out. Alchemy took a kitchen sink approach to this whiskey, combining a little bit of many of their mash bills culminating into something special and quite delicious....

In this episode of Distilling the West , Dan and Dave sit down with Ryan Montgomery , founder of Montgomery Distillery in Missoula, Montana. The conversation kicks off with a little Montana weather talk before diving into Ryan’s approach to crafting distinctive spirits and the philosophy behind his distillery. All the grains used are grown in Montana, including the rye and wheat that are grown on...

Bet you’ve never tried quinoa whiskey! In this Tasting Talk episode of Distilling the West , Dan and Dave pour a glass of Alchemy Distillery’s Bottled in Bond Quinoa Whiskey . Made from the ancient grain quinoa and produced under the strict standards of Bottled-in-Bond whiskey, this unique spirit takes a different path from traditional mash bills. The grain is grown 9 miles away from the distiller...

In this episode of Distilling the West , Dan and Dave sit down with Stephanie Sadri and Caitlin Bartlemay from the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) to talk all things craft spirits and the highly anticipated ACSA Convention & Expo happening April 17–18 in Sacramento, California. They dive into what attendees can expect at this year’s convention, from educational seminars and industry pane...

This remastered remix of our very first episode takes us back to where it all began. We revisit our conversation with Mark Stell of Bird Creek Distillery in Portland, Oregon, exploring the world of American Single Malt whiskey in the Western United States. Bird Creek represents the spirit of the Western whiskey movement — crafting exceptional American Single Malts from locally sourced heirloom mal...

This episode marks a first: Distilling The West’s debut interview with a Hawaiian distillery - and we’re diving into rum. In this episode, Dan and Dave sit down with Robert Ramer , the Chief Operating Officer of Kōloa Rum in Kauai, Hawaii. The conversation explores what makes Kōloa Rum unique—from the ingredients and production process to the environmental factors that shape rum made on the island...

Do you like French oak finished bourbon? In this new tasting talk , Dan and Dave dive into San Diego Distillery’s French oak stave finished bourbon bottled at cask strength 112 proof. It’s an exceptional example of what French oaked bourbon can be, it delivers bold peppery sandalwood spice from an MGP high rye bourbon balanced with some surprising coconut notes. This is an interesting one you won’...

Which rye whiskey from the western United States will take the top spot? To wrap up Rye January, Dan and Dave dive into a blind tasting of five rye whiskeys from the western United States to see how they stack up when labels, hype, and price tags are stripped away. The guys have tasted some amazing rye whiskeys from the west so they pitted some of the best of the west in a head to head blind tasti...

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...