Neat & Mixed from Hops & Spirits

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...

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 cre...

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 Am...

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 str...

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 Fi...

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 tog...

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...

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;...

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...

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 patie...

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 di...

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 Associ...

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 ma...

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...

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...

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 w...

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, an...