Winebow Spirits Sessions

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Don Carlos and Fany Camarena share the fascinating story behind the creation of Curado, their innovative tequila infusion, and the rich family legacy in tequila production. Discover how their family has shaped tequila history and their vision for the future of tequila education. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Carlos C. Camarena i...

Send us Fan Mail In part two of the conversation, Lynette Marrero dives deeper into her work as Liquid Creative Director at Aplós, unpacking the creative and technical process behind building serious non-alcoholic spirits. The discussion focuses on flavor, texture, and mouthfeel, the functional benefits of Aplós products, and how the brand creates distinctive experiences without relying on traditi...

Send us Fan Mail In this engaging conversation, Lynnette Marrero shares her journey from the world of theater to becoming a prominent figure in the beverage industry. She discusses her experiences in various bars, the evolution of cocktail culture, and the creation of Speed Rack, an initiative aimed at empowering women in bartending. The discussion also touches on the rising popularity of non-alco...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Marc-Kwesi Farrell discusses the journey and philosophy behind Ten to One Rum, highlighting the unique blending process that creates their distinctive offerings. He elaborates on the core products, including the white and dark rums, and their appeal to both rum enthusiasts and whiskey drinkers. The discussion also covers the brand's innovative collaborat...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Marc-Kwesi Farrell, founder of Ten To One Rum, shares his journey from Trinidad and Tobago to launching a successful Rum brand. He discusses the cultural significance of Rum in Caribbean society, the challenges faced during the pandemic, and the importance of community in building the brand. The conversation delves into the art of blending Rums from different...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we delve into the rich tapestry of traditional Mexican spirits, exploring their cultural significance and the efforts to preserve these cherished traditions. David Suro shares insights into the historical and cultural roots of the brands in the Suro International portfolio. Discover the stories behind:  Siembra Spirits Tequila Cascahuin Mezonte Mezcal Paranubes Ro...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an insightful conversation with David and Dan Suro, the dynamic father-son duo behind Tequilas and La Jefa in Philadelphia. Discover their journey from the early days of Mexican cuisine in the U.S. to becoming influential figures in the agave spirits industry. David shares his passion for preserving traditional methods and the cultural significance of agave spirits, wh...

Send us Fan Mail Pablo and Red discuss the intricate world of mezcal, focusing on the Jimenez Mendez family and their legacy in the mezcal industry. They explore the importance of agave quality, the production process, and the family's dynamics in decision-making. The conversation also highlights the role of Winebow in expanding the brand's reach and the future plans for community engage...

Send us Fan Mail Red talks about his journey into the mezcal industry, the founding of El Búho, and the cultural significance of mezcal. Red shares insights into the team behind the brand, the challenges of developing a brand, and the deep-rooted traditions associated with mezcal production. Red shares his journey into the world of mezcal, detailing his initial experiences in Oaxaca, the cultural...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Shawn and Pablo explore the PKGD portfolio. They have a well rounded offering of 'world class' spirits. Their current line up is comprised of G4 Tequila, Palomo Mezcal from Oaxaca, Ultramundo Mezcal from Durango and two Raicilla expressions from Jalisco. Dive deeper and find your favorite! ---------------------------------------------------------- Shawn M...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Shawn Miller shares his journey in the tequila business, detailing his partnership and long time friendship with Jeff Ernst and their experiences in marketing and brand advocacy.  ---------------------------------------------------------- Shawn M. Miller is the co-founder of PKGD Group, a U.S.-based import company specializing in authentic, producer-owned aga...

Send us Fan Mail In this engaging conversation, Brandon Cummins shares his journey through the world of spirits, discussing his experiences with tequila and whiskey, the importance of traditional production methods, and the exciting developments at High N' Wicked. He emphasizes the significance of blending and finishing techniques, the challenges of navigating perceptions in the industry, and...

Send us Fan Mail In this engaging conversation, Brandon Cummins and I explore the world of spirits, blending, and the personal journeys that led us to our current roles in the industry. We discuss  Brandon's emotional connections to his brands, and the impact of family and upbringing on his career. Brandon shares his experiences as the head of High N Wicked at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival an...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Mhairi delves into the story behind Brovo Spirits name and creative philosophy; emphasizing the importance of collaboration, creativity, and advocacy in the distilling industry. We talk about the personalities that became the core foundation of Brovo's bartender partnering ethos, which acts as a guiding star to creating products for the lineup. The discu...

Send us Fan Mail Mhair Volsgen, founder of Brovo Spirits shares her background and journey from architecture to the spirits industry. She discusses the most pivotal moments in her career and the moment she decided to start a distillery. Mhairi emphasizes the importance of authenticity and the soul of a place in the creation of spirits.  Pablo talks journey from working at a distillery to becoming...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Jacopo Poli discusses the evolution of grappa production at the Poli Distillerie, combining traditional methods with modern technology. The distillery now uses three different technologies to distill grappa, allowing for experimentation and the creation of different spirits. Jacopo emphasizes the importance of using fresh ingredients and capturing the essence...

Send us Fan Mail In this special episode, I get a rare opportunity to talk with Jacopo Poli in person. Jacopo shares the history of his family's distillery and the tradition of grappa production in Bassano de Grappa. He discusses the challenges faced by artisan distilleries in the face of industrial competition and the importance of quality and craftsmanship in producing grappa. Jacopo also r...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Misty Kalkofen discusses her role at Suro Imports and the importance of education and conversation in the spirits industry. She also talks about her work at Liquid Productions and her involvement in the Bar 5 Day program. Misty emphasizes the need for transparency and protection of traditional practices in the agave spirits industry. She also mentions her rec...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Misty Kalkofen shares her journey in the hospitality industry and how she discovered her passion for cocktails. She talks about her early bartending experiences in Boston and the influence of her mentor, Brother Cleve and the moving to the B-side lounge.  The conversation highlights the importance of classic cocktails and the connection between cocktails and...

Send us Fan Mail This is the second part of my chat with Elena Urbani, the brand ambassador for Mancino Vermouth, Rinomato Aperitivo and Lucano Amaro.  This time around. Elena shares her journey from bartending to becoming an ambassador. She discusses the challenges and rewards of her role, the importance of repetition in mastering presentations, and the need for self-care while traveling. Elena a...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, I interview Elena Urbani, the brand ambassador for Mancino Vermouth, Rinomato Aperitivo and Lucano Amaro. We discuss the popularity of vermouth in Italy and its different styles, the misconceptions about vermouth, the resurgence of vermouth in the last 20 years, and Elena's journey into the hospitality industry.  Elena shares her experience starting as a...

Send us Fan Mail What are Richard and Pablo drinking? Is it  green tea, whiskey, tequila, or both? They touch on the future of the industry, and the importance of staying ahead of trends. Richard shares insights on how Winebow is diversifying into spirits and the challenges of keeping salespeople engaged.   Overall, the conversation highlights the need for innovation and adaptability in the bevera...

Send us Fan Mail Richard Driscoll, head of Spirits Business Developments and former EVP of Spirits for Winebow National, discusses his journey in the spirits industry and the growth of Winebow's spirits portfolio from it's inception more than 30 years ago. He shares how Winebow became a player in the spirits business and the importance of family-owned brands in their portfolio. Richard a...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Monique and Pablo discuss the importance of tasting and how to drink like a professional.  They highlight the challenges of controlling consumption as port of the job and the need for responsible drinking at trade shows with emphasis on the value of education and the variety of activities offered at these types of events. They conclude by discussing the prese...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Pablo and Monique discuss the art of tasting and drinking with intention. Monique shares her journey in tasting, starting with her first experience of tasting a 40-year-old Scotch that opened her mind to the possibilities of flavor. They discuss the importance of developing a sensitive palate and the role of smell and memory in tasting. Monique provides tips...