Distilling the West

In this new Tasting Talk on Distilling the West , Dan and Dave dive into Woodinville Whiskey Co. 100% Straight Rye from Woodinville, Washington. They break down the rye’s unique flavor profile, noting its spicy, pepper-forward character balanced with hints of caramel and oak from its aging process. The hosts discuss the whiskey’s smoothness, complexity, and how it stands up in the growing rye cate...

In this captivating episode of Distilling the West , Dan and Dave sit down with Ron Silberstein, Co-Founder and Proprietor of Admiral Maltings, to uncover the intricate world of malting—a critical but often overlooked foundation of flavor in both spirits and beer. Based in Alameda, California, Admiral Maltings is renowned for its commitment to traditional floor-malting techniques and its dedicatio...

In this latest Tasting Talk on Distilling the West , Dan and Dave explore Two Bitch Small Batch Bourbon from Eureka, Nevada. They dive into its flavor profile, discussing its bold and balanced character, with notes of caramel, vanilla, and a hint of spice. The hosts share their impressions of the bourbon's smoothness and how it compares to other small-batch bourbons they’ve tasted, bringing their...

In this intriguing episode of Distilling the West , Dan and Dave sit down with Steven Day, Distiller and Co-Owner of Branch Point Distillery—and a practicing neurologist. Branch Point Distillery is located in Dayton, Oregon in the Willamette Valley. They embark on a tasting journey featuring three exceptional whiskeys: Trit Straight Whiskey 6-year, Bourbon Whiskey 6-year, and Cask For A Cause Oreg...

In this Tasting Talk on Distilling the West , Dan and Dave dive into Smoke Wagon Straight Bourbon Whiskey Uncut Unfiltered Batch 105 out of Las Vegas, Nevada. They discuss its bold character, known for layers of rich caramel, spice, and subtle smokiness that make it a standout among bourbons. The hosts share their tasting notes, exploring the whiskey's complex blend of flavors and how it performs...

In this episode of Distilling the West , Dan and Dave are joined by Ryan Thompson, Founder and CEO of 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Co., for an insightful discussion that goes beyond the glass. Together, they taste and explore three of the distillery's standout spirits: a bourbon, an American single malt, and a rye. Ryan shares the story behind each spirit, offering insights into the distilla...

In this Tasting Talk on Distilling the West , Dan and Dave explore Old Elk Wheated Bourbon, which they describe as a "vanilla bomb." They dive into the bourbon's pronounced vanilla notes, discussing how the wheat in the mash bill contributes to its smooth, sweet profile. Alongside the vanilla, they highlight hints of caramel, subtle spice, and a creamy texture, making it a rich and inviting pour....

In this rich and detailed episode of Distilling the West , Dan and Dave sit down with David Warter, Vice President of E&J Gallo, and Rita Hansen, Senior Director of Distillation, to explore not just the flavors of their exceptional spirits but the deep history behind one of America’s most influential distilleries. The conversation spans generations of innovation, from the founding of E&J G...

In this latest Tasting Talk on Distilling the West , Dan and Dave explore a 5-year Bull Bourbon from Stein Distillery. They delve into the complexity of this aged bourbon, discussing its rich flavor profile developed over five years of maturation. The hosts offer their tasting notes on the bourbon’s smoothness, oak influence, and hints of spice and caramel. They also share thoughts on how it stack...

In this special episode of Distilling the West, Dan and Dave are joined by Isaac Winter, Distilling Manager for High West Distillery, for an exclusive tasting of three standout whiskeys: a bourbon, High Country Whiskey, and the latest release of Midwinter Night's Dram. As a huge fan of High West, Dave is especially excited to dig into the nuances of these spirits. Isaac provides an insider’s persp...

In this in-depth episode of Distilling the West, Dan and Dave sit down with Andy Robinson from Aimsir Distillery and Adam Junod from Good Creative to explore the creation of a one-of-a-kind spirit: VÆttir Aquavit. Drawing on the deep-rooted traditions of Nordic distillation, this unique Aquavit brings together ancient techniques and modern creativity in a way that sets it apart in the world of cra...

In this new Tasting Talk on Distilling the West , Dan and Dave explore the unique Double Circle Lavender Infused Vodka. They dive into the distinct floral notes of the lavender infusion, analyzing how it complements the vodka's smooth profile. The hosts break down the balance between the herbal and botanical flavors, discussing its potential for both sipping and mixing in cocktails. As always, the...

In this episode of Distilling the West, Dan and Dave explore Hood River Distillers, joined by guests Caitlin and Garrett. They dive into a tasting of three distinct spirits: Timberline Vodka, a pear brandy, and the first American Single Malt whiskey McCarthy’s. Throughout the episode, Caitlin and Garrett share the story of their distillery, explaining the craftsmanship and inspiration behind each...

In this episode of Distilling the West , Dan and Dave dive into another Tasting Talk, focusing on the offerings from Just A Distillery, a craft distillery based in Sandy, Oregon. The featured selection is "Just Rum and Spices," a spiced rum that showcases the distillery’s unique approach to crafting high-quality, small-batch rum. Throughout the episode, Dan and Dave share their tasting notes, high...

In this episode of Distilling the West, Dan and Dave take listeners on a journey through the diverse offerings of Hinterhaus Distilling in Arnold, California. Joined by distiller Nate Randall, the hosts taste and discuss three of Hinterhaus’s standout spirits: a unique vodka made from grapes, a bourbon finished in a Calaveras cask, and a single barrel bourbon cask strength. Throughout the episode,...

In this Tasting Talk episode of Distilling the West , hosts Dan and Dave delve into New Deal Distillery’s Distiller's Reserve Wheat Whiskey. Without the distillers on hand, the duo focuses on their tasting experience, offering listeners a detailed exploration of the whiskey’s flavors, aromas, and overall character. They will also be at DISTILLERS FEST WEST on October 11, 202.

In Episode 12 of Distilling the West , hosts Dan and Dave chat with Adam Junod from the Oregon Distillers Guild and Kamon from Just Rum. The discussion covers Oregon's craft spirits scene, emphasizing local ingredients and the collaborative spirit of the community. They also talk about DistillersFestWest.com , an event showcasing the region's top distilleries, allowing professionals and en...

We had the pleasure of speaking with both Jeff Duckhorn Master Distiller and Lauren Patz Master Blender from Redwood Empire Whiskey out of Graton, California. Jeff and Lauren gave a great breakdown of their distilling, maturation, and blending processes. The two talk about how they got started in the industry, how the company has grown, and the exciting future ahead for this "Grizzly Beast&qu...

Join our hosts Dan and Dave as they sample and review a wide range of craft spirits, from classic staples to rare finds. We'll break down the aromas, tasting notes, and finishes; providing you with a detailed sensory experience. Today they are tasting Woodinville Bourbon finished in a PX sherry cask. You can find Woodinville at https://woodinvillewhiskeyco.com/ and on Instagram at @woodinvillewhis...

Joining us today on Distilling the west, is one of the founders of All The Bitters, Ian Blessing. ATB is a company dedicated to crafting non-alcoholic bitters that are as complex and delicious as their traditional counterparts. These botanical infusions are transforming cocktails, mocktails, and even culinary creations with their rich, aromatic profiles. We'll be diving into their journey, from th...

This podcast was with Molly Brown Spirits out of Denver, Colorado. They built the distillery by hand and are producing some of the most delicious spirits. Thank you for the interview!!!

On today’s episode we are speaking with Kris Koenig of Golden Beaver distillery, located in our home base of Chico, California. We spoke to Kris about the craft spirits they are producing and all of the thought and intention that goes into his process. Kris focuses heavily on Calrose rice being a part of their mash bill. It is a product that is locally produced and sourced right here in our area....

Today on this episode, we have a round table discussion with the Chico Whiskey Society. Spoiler alert, we are three out of the four organizers for Chico Whiskey Society so we have our good friend and fellow CWS organizer Oliver on for the discussion and tasting. We will be reviewing four different whiskeys from the Western U.S.: Bottled in Bond Wheat Whiskey from Oregon Spirit Distillers out of Be...

On this episode of Distilling the West, we spoke with Dylan Carney of Savage and Cooke based out of Mare Island in Vallejo, California. Savage and Cooke was founded by Dave Finney who originally started the Prisoner Wine company. His background in the wine industry influences their products today. Dylan was such a great resource about the use of local products in their whiskeys. We’ll taste throug...

On this episode of Distilling the West, we run you through the basics of whiskey. We talk about the difference between whiskey, bourbon, and rye along with other topics we hope you find helpful. If there's anything you think we missed, leave us a comment and we'll make sure we include it in Whiskey 201 (or is it 102? ... we'll have to figure that out.) Vocabulary From The Episode: ​ ABV : Alcohol...