The Dram Amateur

Tasting Notes : Cocktails Are More Than a Recipe—They're Hospitality in a Glass. What separates a good cocktail from one you'll remember years later? In this episode, Jason sits down with Marielle (@mariibar_nyc)—bartender, cocktail creator, and hospitality professional—to explore the artistry, philosophy, and passion behind modern cocktails. From unexpectedly falling in love with barten...

Tasting Notes:   What happens when two friends sit down with four mystery pours, zero preparation, and a shared love for great spirits? In this episode, Jason welcomes back fan-favorite guest John (@mr._given)—the king of Porch Pops and High-Proof Hikes—for another Blind Bonanza. This time, the focus shifts to Reposado tequila as the guys work through a lineup of mystery pours, attempting to ident...

Tasting Notes:   What happens when two friends sit down with four mystery pours, zero preparation, and a shared love for great spirits? In this episode, Jason welcomes back fan-favorite guest John (@mr._given)—the king of Porch Pops and High-Proof Hikes—for another Blind Bonanza. This time, the focus shifts to Reposado tequila as the guys work through a lineup of mystery pours, attempting to ident...

Tasting Notes : In this episode, Jason sits down with Dan Hakker, founder of Oade Armagnac, for a deep dive into the history, craftsmanship, and soul behind one of the world’s most overlooked spirits. From hidden cellars in Gascony to tasting 100-year-old Armagnacs straight from the barrel, this conversation explores why Armagnac isn’t just another spirit category—it’s living history in a glass. D...

Tasting Notes: What does it take to revive a whiskey city after 100 years? In this episode, Jason sits down with Tim Piersant, CEO of Chattanooga Whiskey, to unpack the journey from grassroots startup to 2x Craft Producer of the Year . From fighting outdated laws to building one of the most innovative distilleries in America, this conversation dives into the mindset, risks, and relentless creativi...

Tasting Notes:   Ever wonder who actually decides what hits the shelf… and what never makes it out of the warehouse? Jason sits down with Vick, owner of Kenny 18 Bottle Shop in Atlanta, to break down the real world of liquor retail— allocations, hype bottles, hidden gems, and what customers get completely wrong. What We Get Into: 🥃 The Truth About Allocations It’s not just luck—there’s strategy,...

🥃 Tasting Notes: What happens when a hockey-loving Zamboni driver falls headfirst into the world of whiskey, rum, tequila, and cigars? In this episode, I sit down with Jerry—co-host of Bourbon, Beards & Belvederes and the voice behind @a_whiskey_kydd_and_his_peppers . From COVID-fueled curiosity to building a collection of hundreds of bottles, Jerry shares how passion, patience, and community...

🥃 Tasting Notes: What happens when a hockey-loving Zamboni driver falls headfirst into the world of whiskey, rum, tequila, and cigars? In this episode, I sit down with Jerry—co-host of Bourbon, Beards & Belvederes and the voice behind @a_whiskey_kydd_and_his_peppers . From COVID-fueled curiosity to building a collection of hundreds of bottles, Jerry shares how passion, patience, and community...

Tasting Notes:   In this episode of the Dram Amateur Podcast , Jason welcomes back Adrian from Planet Mezcal after his recent trip to Oaxaca — the sacred ground of mezcal production. But this wasn’t just another influencer visit. Adrian spent time in remote palenques, talking directly with mezcaleros and documenting the realities of producing one of the world’s most traditional spirits. What he di...

🥃 Tasting Notes Some people build brands. Some build followings. Jay West (@t8ke.review) builds trust . Known to many as T8KE, Jay has helped shape how thousands experience whiskey — through the subreddit selection program and now as principal whiskey maker behind Provenance Bourbon and The Reveries . This conversation isn’t about scores or hype. It’s about intent. Restraint. And earning the righ...

🥃 The Stories We Keep in the Bottle Because the pours we remember are never just about what’s in the glass. Some bottles are opened. Others open chapters. Because the pours we carry with us? They’re rarely about rarity — and always about the moment. 🎙️ Tasting Notes On this episode of The Dram Amateur Podcast , Jason welcomes back Mike from Whiskey Morgue (@whiskeymorgue) for a conversation that...

Tasting Notes: This episode marks a major milestone for The Dram Amateur Podcast —the official debut of the One More Pour Studio and the transition into video podcasting . Jason pulls back the curtain on the journey of building the studio, the challenges of creating in a small space, and what it means to finally feel at home behind the mic and camera. This is a candid, reflective check-in with the...

Tasting Notes: Happy New Year, friends — and welcome back to The Dram Amateur Podcast 🥃 This episode is a bit of a reset, a reflection, and a look ahead at what’s coming in 2026 . No guest this time — just me checking in, sharing what I’ve been up to lately, and talking through some great recent experiences around whiskey, agave, community, and the studio. 🥃 What’s Inside This Episode 🎉 Happy N...

Tasting Notes:  Some guests show up. Others bring the room with them . This episode is all about the latter. I finally sat down with Big Al — a voice many of you already know from Howl'in with Big Al and the Lounge Life Podcast — for a conversation that felt less like an interview and more like pulling up a chair in a cigar lounge with a good friend. We talk cigars, bourbon, tequila, fatherho...

Tasting Notes: In this episode, Jason sits down with Daniel — the creator behind @mashorpass6 — whose honesty, creativity, and grounded approach have made him a standout voice in the whiskey community. From his clean aesthetic to his mash-or-pass philosophy, Daniel shares the story behind his brand, his whiskey journey, and why staying humble matters more than any free bottle ever could. We dive i...

Tasting Notes: In this episode, Jason sits down with Raul (@thesmokentexpodcastshow) — a West Texas creator, cigar lover, whiskey sipper, and the heart behind The Smoken Tex Podcast Show. They dive into Raul’s journey from oil-field road life to building community online, the faith and family values that keep him grounded, and the stories that shaped who he is today. From childhood moments to the...

Tasting Notes: This week, Jason sits down with Sammy Halpern , Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer of Desolas Mezcal , for an energizing conversation about tradition, innovation, and the future of Salmiana agave. From his early days in the industry to helping build Blue Run Spirits, Sammy shares how passion, relationships, and curiosity shaped his journey — and why the world is ready for a bri...

Tasting Notes:  Boom 💣 — we’re lighting the fuse on this one! In this episode, Jason sits down with Vince from Powdermen Spirits , a Connecticut distillery that blends craftsmanship, danger, and family legacy in every pour. From the blasting pits of New England to the barrels of Flyrock Corn Whiskey and Blackwick Bourbon , Vince shares how his father’s life in explosives inspired a one-of-a-kind...

🎙️ Tasting Notes:  In this episode of the Dram Amateur Podcast , Jason sits down with Arturo Lamas , founder of Lost Lore Tequila — a brand that’s not just crafting exceptional tequila, but reviving a century-old family legacy . From humble beginnings in Zacatecas to crafting tequila in Jalisco, Arturo’s journey is a tribute to perseverance and passion. We talk about how Lost Lore was born from a...

🎙️ Tasting Notes: On this week’s episode of The Dram Amateur Podcast , Jason sits down with one of the most influential voices in modern rum — Kate Perry , U.S. National Manager for La Maison & Velier and the woman behind the Instagram handle @wheninrhum . From opening Seattle’s iconic Rumba bar to bringing Clairin and other authentic Caribbean spirits into the U.S. market, Kate’s story is equ...

Tasting Notes: This week, Jason sits down with David and Richard , the passionate founders of Dos Gabachos Mezcal , a brand that was built the hard way: relationship by relationship, bottle by bottle, bar by bar. These guys didn’t stumble into mezcal—they chased it . From long nights bartending in downtown LA, to life-changing trips to Mexico City, to bumpy car rides through the hills of Oaxaca, t...

Tasting Notes: Strap in, whiskey explorers—because this week, we’re saddling up with Chuck and Kim from Overland Drams ! 🥃🚙 These two adventurers are blending bold pours of American whiskey with the untold stories of the West. Together, we dive into their brand-new Western Whiskey Trails project, starting with the Santa Fe Whiskey Trail . From dusty pioneer paths to virtual campfires, they’re pr...

Tasting Notes: 🍹 American rum is having a moment, and Seth Benhaim is leading the charge! In this episode of The Dram Amateur Podcast , Jason sits down with Seth Benhaim —the visionary mind behind Mainland Rum and the innovative Broken Barrel Whiskey . Seth isn’t just bottling spirits; he’s bottling a movement. We dive into: Why American rum deserves respect and how Mainland is putting domestic d...

Tasting Notes:   Jason is joined by fellow Niners fan, agave enthusiast, and Instagram mainstay John (@mr._given) for Part 2 of their episode taking a deep (and delicious) dive into the world of tequila, agave spirits, and community connection. What starts with laughs about live streaming challenges turns into a passionate and nerdy journey through flavor profiles, terroir, and barrel aging . Whet...

Tasting Notes:   We're kicking off Season 3 with a bang — and a blind tequila tasting! Jason is joined by fellow Niners fan, agave enthusiast, and Instagram mainstay John (@mr._given) for a deep (and delicious) dive into the world of tequila, agave spirits, and community connection. What starts with laughs about live streaming challenges turns into a passionate and nerdy journey through flavo...