The Whiskey Rocks Podcast

During Prohibition, a legal loophole allowed doctors to prescribe whiskey for “medicinal use”—and patients could walk away with a 10-day supply. In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, we’re joined by Dr. Rob and Dr. Dave, two of the co-founders of Ten Day Bourbon, a bold brand bringing that rebellious spirit back to the glass. We explore: •The wild true story behind prescription bourbon during Prohibit...

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, we sit down with Adam Hines — designer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of High Bank Distillery — to go deep into the brand’s meteoric rise and their fearless approach to craft whiskey. From the early days of conceptual design to winning multiple gold medals, Adam shares the bold strategy behind High Bank’s standout line, Whiskey War. We unpack how High Bank blends a...

In this episode of the Whiskey Rocks podcast, Joel is joined by guest co-host Angry Irish Mac (sitting in for Chris) for a bold conversation with Greg Keeley, founder of Larrikin Bourbon, a Kentucky-based distillery making waves in the craft whiskey scene. Before launching one of the most unapologetic bourbon brands on the market, Greg served in covert operations with both the Australian and U.S....

When we invited Ben and Jess Loseke, the married co-founders of Midwest Barrel Co., onto the show, we thought we were just going to talk about barrels — the kind that once held bourbon, whiskey, wine, and beer. But what we got was a front-row seat to one of the most unexpected and inspiring stories in the world of whiskey. In this episode, we dig into how a simple side hustle turned into a booming...

In this very special episode of Whiskey Rocks, we go deep into the heart of Texas to explore the sound, soul, and spirit of Still Austin—one of the boldest voices in American craft whiskey today. Joining us is Jason Harry from Still Austin, who walks us through how music influences their distilling philosophy, why every barrel tells a story, and what it means to create a whiskey that doesn’t just...

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris sit down with Caryn Wells, National Brand Ambassador for Green River Distilling Co., for an unfiltered conversation about Kentucky’s 10th oldest distillery and its unexpected rebirth. From whiskey history and heritage to branding brilliance and bold flavor profiles, Caryn pulls back the curtain on how Green River is honoring tradition while carving...

We sat down with Cyrus Kehyari, the driving force behind Hughes Brothers to explore what it really means to bring a legacy back to life. In this episode, Cyrus shares the remarkable story of reviving his family’s pre-Prohibition whiskey brand—a journey that spans centuries, state lines, and generations. From dusty archives to working stills, we talk about the soul of Pennsylvania whiskey, the weig...

On this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris head (virtually) to Hagerstown, Maryland to hang out with Cort Meinelschmidt, the man behind Meinelschmidt Distillery. Nestled in the heart of Western Maryland, Cort’s distillery is bringing bold character and local pride to every barrel—and we’re here for it. We talk shop about what it takes to build a distillery from the ground up in a small town,...

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, we sit down with one of the fearless founders of Old Line Spirits—Mark McLaughlin- a former Navy pilot who traded fighter jets for fermenters. Based in Baltimore, Old Line is making serious noise in the American Single Malt game with bold flavors, unapologetic storytelling, and a rebellious spirit rooted in brotherhood and adventure. We dive into how a chance enco...

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris sit down with Mark Vierthaler from Whiskey Del Bac to explore how the rugged beauty of the Sonoran Desert shapes every bottle they produce. From mesquite-smoked malts to bold innovation rooted in tradition, Mark walks us through the unique distilling process that gives Whiskey Del Bac its unmistakable Southwestern character. Along the way, they talk...

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris sit down with Liz Pirnat of WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) to explore her journey through the whiskey world and her impact as a catalyst in the industry. Liz shares her experiences not only in whiskey but also her time with the Napa Valley Wine Academy, where she deepened her knowledge of spirits and honed her expertise. Liz talks about how he...

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris sit down with Miles Munroe, master blender at Westward Whiskey, to explore the bold world of American Single Malt. They dive into Westward’s brewing-inspired approach, the impact of Oregon’s unique climate on aging, and how innovation drives their whiskey-making philosophy. Of course, no episode is complete without pairing whiskey with music—so expe...

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, we sit down with the one and only Jaz Weaver from Bardstown Bourbon Company—a distillery that’s redefining the whiskey game with innovation, collaboration, and some serious rockstar energy. We dive into Bardstown’s unique approach to blending tradition with creativity, taste through three incredible pours and talk about the future of Bardstown. Whiskeys We Tasted:...

New York City isn’t just a concrete jungle—it’s a whiskey frontier. In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris sit down with Colin Spoelman, co-founder of King’s County Distillery, to talk about what it takes to make serious bourbon in the heart of Brooklyn. From humble beginnings as an apartment moonshiner to running NYC’s first legal whiskey distillery since Prohibition, Colin shares how K...

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, hosts Joel and Chris sit down with Joshua Hatton, co-founder of Single Cask Nation, to dive deep into the world of single cask whiskey. Joshua shares the origins of Single Cask Nation, the passion behind selecting unique casks, and how they bring exclusive, unfiltered whiskey experiences to their members. The conversation flows from the art of whiskey curation to...

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, we sit down with Tom Gray, co-founder of River Roots Distillery, and Tim Harnett, their National Brand Ambassador, to explore the art of crafting exceptional spirits through thoughtful sourcing. Unlike traditional distilleries, River Roots takes a different approach, focusing on curating high-quality sourced whiskey that reflects their unique vision. Tom walks us...

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, we journey to the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains to explore the groundbreaking work of Virginia Distillery Co. Known for redefining American Single Malts, Virginia Distillery Co. blends tradition and innovation to create whiskeys that capture the spirit of the region. Joel and Chris sit down with Amanda Beckwith, the distillery’s Lead Blender, to dive into thei...

In this special Thanksgiving Day episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris sit down with Bo Garrett, legendary guitarist of Montgomery Gentry and Wild Turkey brand ambassador. They dive into Bo’s journey in southern rock, his passion for bourbon, and how music and whiskey have intertwined in his life. From backstage stories to barrel-aged wisdom, Bo shares unforgettable tales about his career, his...

Join Joel on Whiskey Rocks as he dives into the fiery story of Iron Smoke Distillery with founder Tommy Brunett. Tommy has played guitar for bands like Modern English among others. Discover how this musician-turned-distiller blends rock ‘n’ roll and craft whiskey to create spirits as bold as his journey. From smoky flavors to unforgettable tales, this episode is a must-listen for whiskey and music...

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris dive into the rhythm of Taconic Distillery, a hidden gem nestled in the Hudson Valley. Known for its award-winning bourbons and ryes, Taconic has been hitting all the right notes in the whiskey world. Join Joel and Chris and special guest Alex McCabe (@bourbonboot) as they chat with Sean O’Donnell, uncovering the story behind Taconic’s rise, its ded...

Join us on this special Veterans Day episode as we explore the high-altitude spirit of 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Company, a Colorado-based distillery honoring the legacy of the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division. In this episode, we dive into the unique story behind the distillery’s founding, its connection to military history, and how they craft their bold, mountain-inspired whiskeys. Get re...

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris sit down with the legendary Bernie Lubbers from Heaven Hill Distillery. Known as the “Whiskey Professor,” Bernie shares his vast knowledge and passion for bourbon, diving deep into the history and craftsmanship that makes Heaven Hill a cornerstone in the whiskey world. From the art of distillation to the unique stories behind their iconic brands, th...

In this exciting episode of Whiskey Rocks, we sit down with Alex Clark and Amy Grindeland, the visionary founders behind Fort Hamilton Distillery. From the inspiration rooted in New York’s Revolutionary War history to the art of crafting bold rye whiskey, Alex and Amy share their passion and innovation that fuels Fort Hamilton’s unique spirit. We discuss the craft of distilling in the heart of Bro...

On this episode, Joel and Chris sit down with Savage & Cooke Distiller Dylan Carney @thewhiskeyjesus and learn more about how Savage & Cooke approaches the distilling process. Savage & Cooke is Dave Phinney's whiskey brand. Dave is a winemaker and was the man behind The Prisoner line of wines. Dave Phinney is recognized for his risk-taking, creativity, and passion for blending, both in...

In this episode, Chris and Joel welcome social media personality Joe Hayhoe from @theblindpigbasementbar and Murphy Quint, master distiller from Cedar Ridge onto the show. They talk all about their award winning whiskeys and all things Iowa. Cedar Ridge is a family owned and Murphy takes us through their beginnings and where they're headed. Tune in! To learn more about Cedar Ridge visit: https://c...