What We're Drinking with Dan Dunn

Dan hunkers down for a no-holds-barred chat with the world's most celebrated salvager of sh#tty saloons, "Bar Rescue" host Jon Taffer. Topics include nightmare bar owners, cellphone addicted servers, the demise of mega-clubs, bar fights and the future of the bar biz. Also, Dan rants about other podcasts that are very popular, yet kinda suck. And he offers reviews of new wine, whiskey and...

Our tequila-fueled march toward Cinco de Mayo continues with comedian Big Jay Oakerson from Philly and delicious Tequila Casazul from Jalisco. Dan and Jay talk booze, news, the blues and Louie's miscues. Pay attention... cuz if you snooze you lose. Rhyming is fun! Our Sponsors: * Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a great deal: https://www.dietsmoke.com Advertising Inquiries: https:...

In the time it took James Bond to escape before Goldfinger's laser beam could burn a hole through his short and curlies, Dan spills the beans about author Ian Fleming's second most favorite creation, the Vesper, a beguiling combination of gin, vodka, Lillet and bitters. Once Fleming invented the drink, he named it after the very first Bond girl, thankfully one with a name that hasn’t become SUPER...

Dan is joined by the co-founders of Villa One Tequila, Nick Jonas and John Varvatos. The dynamic duo talks about the history of the brand, the preponderance of celebrities in the agave spirits space, and the time Nick almost froze to death with Bear Grylls. Also, a chat with Areli Castro (aka King Mala), a superstar in the making whose debut single "She Calls Me Daddy" is our host's new...

Dan is joined by Maynard James Keenan, vocalist for the bands Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer. Maynard is also the founder and winemaker at Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards, and features prominently in Dan's memoir, "American Wino: A Tale of Reds, Whites and One Man's Blues," which was released five years ago this month. They drink wine, they talk wine, they revere wine. Our Spo...

In the time it takes to write a grocery list or go on a social media unfollowing spree, Dan tells ya all ya need to know about The Last Word, an awesome, gin-based, Prohibition-era cocktail that’s both easy and delicious. Our Sponsors: * Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a great deal: https://www.dietsmoke.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Ou...

Dan throws back Barrell Seagrass Rye Whiskey with actor Harry Lennix, star of NBC's "The Blacklist" and the blockbuster film "The Justice League." Also on the show, Joe Beatrice, founder of Barrell Craft Spirits, the award-winning independent blender and bottler of unique aged, cask-strength sourced whiskey and rum. Our Sponsors: * Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20...

Dan is joined by his longtime friend, former colleague and celebrity crush Jessica Hall, host of the "Flashbacks" podcast and founder of Fetch, an all natural vodka cocktail in a can. Topics include Playboy Mansion parties, Palm Springs pool parties, Hollywood parties and cornhole leagues. Also, we unveil a new feature called the "Shots Game," with our inaugural contestant, act...

In the time it takes to pack a carry-on for a weekend jaunt, Dan takes you on a journey to the Aviation, a delightful variation on a Gin Sour that is truly one of the great treasures of the cocktail pantheon. It's not the easiest drink to prepare properly, but fear not, our high-flying host promises to pilot you through the process with minimal turbulence and plenty of warm nuts. Our Sponsors: * C...

Firestone Walker has been making great beer on California's Central Coast for a quarter of a century. In celebration of the brewery's Silver anniversary, Dan is joined by co-founder David Walker, who knows more about beer than most... certainly more than Dan, anyway. They geek out about hops and water sources and haziness and all sorts of other cool beer stuff. Also, Dan relays a compelling "...

It’s Women’s History Month, and on this episode we’ll be celebrating with not one, not two, but THREE amazing women from Zacapa Rum: Master Blender Lorena Vásquez; Global Brand Ambassador Chef Grace Ramirez; and the brand’s resident mixologist Lynnette Marrero. Also, Dan unveils his grand plan for launching a signature booze brand, and info on how to mask up and help the bartending community by do...

We celebrate St. Patrick's Day Week (it's a thing) with WWD's "Official East Coast Co-Host" actor Colin Donnell ("Chicago Med," "The Affair") and Jonny Egan, Director and Brand Custodian of Egan’s Irish Whiskey. The gents do a deep dive into the history, cultural relevance and cocktail-ability of whiskey made on the Emerald Isle, and Also, Dan answers listener voicema...

Dan is joined by comedian Ryan Long, whose riotously funny videos have garnered over 100 million views. In 2019 Ryan immigrated to America from Toronto, via an 'Extraordinary Alien' green card... as far as we know, he's the first Extraordinary Alien we’ve had on the show this year. Also on the episode, Dewar's North American ambassador Gabe Cardarella tells us all about the world's most awarded bl...

Alcohol was originally considered a medicine, Indeed, during Prohibition one of the most reliable places to get your hands on a bottle of liquor was the pharmacy. So with that — and everyone’s general health and well being in mind — we present the Penicillin. With fresh ginger, lemon and a healthy dose of Scotch, this little wonder, invented by Sam Ross in 2005, does indeed have an ineffable heali...

Dan is joined by Eddie Zamora, aka the Yum Yum Foodie, a culinary expert who's extremely passionate about wine. They share reds and whites from two superb producers, Castello di Verrazzano from Tuscany, Italy, and Trimbach from Alsace, France. Also, in a new feature, we blast out booze-fueled scenes from some of Dan's favorite films including "Casablanca," "Bridesmaids," Team A...

Dan loves Bunnahabhain Scotch so much, he named his dog after it. On this episode he tips back a few drams of his favorite Islay malt with "Everybody Loves Raymond" creator and "Somebody Feed Phil" star Phil Rosenthal, along with Emmy-winning writer-comedian Tom Caltabiano. They talk food, whisky and travel... and the go-to drinks of some of TV's best known characters. Also, WW...

In the time it takes to pour a proper Guinness, our host Dansplains one of the Emerald Isle's great libational achievements, Irish Coffee. He theorizes about its most likely origin, lays out how to make it the right way, suggests some variations and, as always, tells a hilarious joke at the end. Again, in average-shiite time. Slainte! Our Sponsors: * Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 f...

On this special episode, Bryan Cranston is THE ONE WHO KNOCKS back mezcal with Dan. Dos Hombres Mezcal, that is, the brand Bryan started with his friend and former “Breaking Bad” co-star Aaron Paul. Among the topics discussed are the many ways to enjoy mezcal, the current state of the American bar scene, and the go-to cocktails of some of Bryan’s most iconic characters. Our Sponsors: * Check out D...

For four glorious seasons, South Boston's own Jack Maxwell had a dream job — or Dan Dunn's idea of a dream job, anyway — globetrotting and imbibing as the host of "Booze Traveler" on the Travel Channel. Not that Dan's still bitter about losing out on that gig. Ok, maybe he remains a tad salty, but he's got nothing but love for Mr. Maxwell. Also on tap, Tristan Mermin, founder and CEO of...

Bourbon and hamburgers... two great tastes that taste great together! Dan chats and drinks with George Motz, the author of “Hamburger America” and “The Great American Hamburger Book.” George is the resident burger scholar on "The Burger Show" on Complex Media’s "First We Feast." Did we mention that he knows a thing or two about burgers? Right! Also on the show, the founder and...

In the course of 180-some-odd seconds, Dan lays out the history and proper preparation technique of the cocktail canon's most slovenly standout — a middling, uncomplicated cream drink from the mid-20th century that would likely have faded into obscurity had it not been plucked from a room crowded with milkshake-like beverages of the era and ushered into the spotlight by Jeff Bridges in the 1998 mo...

Dan is joined by Wine Enthusiast magazine's reigning "Winemaker of the Year" Greg Brewer of Brewer-Clifton Winery in Santa Barbara, CA. Greg is one of the most fascinating personalities in the industry, and makes incredible Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Sta. Rita Hills appellation, where he’s spent his entire career on an 8-mile stretch of land. We talk wine theory, history and flav...

Allison Janney has won an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, seven Primetime Emmy Awards and seven Screen Actors Guild Awards. But one thing she hadn't accomplished in her illustrious career — until now — is survive an epic round of tequila-drinking with Dan Dunn. Along with Emmy-winning writer-comedian Tom Caltabiano, Allison and Dan throw back a tidy amount of El Tesoro, a tequila that...

Dan and guest cohost Joe DeRosa powwow with Billy Gould, founding member of Faith No More and proprietor of Yebiga Rakija. Never heard of “rakija” or “rakia," the famous fruit brandy of the Balkans? You're not alone. This beautiful, bracing spirit might be on every table in Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Bosnia, but until now, the finest family recipe version has never come stateside. Unless i...

Dan chats with director Steven Soderbergh, whose iconic films include Traffic, Erin Brockovich, Ocean’s 11 through 23... what else, The Laundromat, Out of Sight... Contagion— although Dan DOES NOT recommend watching that last one during this particular period of time. Steven’s got his own spirits brand called Singani 63— Singani being the national liquor of Bolivia, and 63 being the decibel level...