Arsenic Culture

Buckfast Tonic Wine is infamous: 15% alcohol, insane caffeine levels, and a reputation for fueling crime in the UK and Ireland. But how bad can it really be?

In this episode of Arsenic Culture, Matt, Jason, and Drew crack open actual bottles of Buckfast to find out. From ridiculous warning labels to wild stats (like police linking Buckfast to countless arrests), this “tonic wine” has a history unlike anything else on the s...

What exactly is Warehouse X at Buffalo Trace,  and why does everyone in bourbon keep talking about it?

In this episode of Arsenic Culture, Matt, Jason, and Drew dig into the legendary Warehouse X, Buffalo Trace’s experimental rickhouse where they test how light, airflow, temperature, and pressure impact aging whiskey. From early experiments to the wild results so far, this is bourbon science like you’ve never heard it befo...

Ever been told your bourbon has to go with steak, or that wine magically pairs with cheese? Is there real science behind food and drink pairings, or is it just pretentious BS?

In this episode of Arsenic Culture, Matt, Jason, and Drew dig into the culture of pairings: from restaurants selling “perfect matches” to the sensory science (taste, smell, texture) that might actually make it legit. Plus, their favorite (and strangest) pairin...

Bourbon store picks are everywhere, but how do you know if you’ve found a good one? From red flags to hidden gems, not all picks are created equal.

In this episode of Arsenic Culture, Matt, Jason, and Drew break down the world of store picks: how to tell if a pick is worth grabbing, which distilleries are known for great picks, and the common traps to avoid. Whether you’re a bourbon beginner or a seasoned collector, this i...

Non-alcoholic spirits and cocktails are everywhere, but why are they suddenly blowing up? From millennials skipping booze to bars charging $20 for an NA cocktail, the rise of “sober curious” culture has everyone talking.

In this episode of Arsenic Culture, Matt, Jason, Drew, and Pierre dig into the world of NA beverages: who’s buying them, why they’re trending, and whether they’re worth the hype (or the price).
Would y...

It’s one of the most heated debates in craft beer culture: should kids be welcome in breweries, or should taprooms stay adults-only?

In this episode of Arsenic Culture, Matt, Jason, Drew, and Pierre take on the “crotch goblin” question with their usual mix of humor and honesty. From breweries that embrace families to taprooms that feel like bars, the guys share their own takes as parents (and non-parents) on where kids do (and don’t...

Every scene has them: the people who know more, drink rarer bottles, and love to remind you about it. From craft beer to bourbon to cocktails, gatekeeping has become part of drinking culture… but does it ruin the fun?

In this episode of Arsenic Culture, Matt, Jason, Drew, and Pierre break down why people gatekeep in the first place, how it shows up in booze culture, and whether taking drinks too seriously actually kills th...

Everyone keeps asking if bourbon is “dead”… but maybe the real question is: what’s next?

In this episode of Arsenic Culture, Matt, Jason, Drew, and Pierre dive into the future of bourbon and cocktail culture. From bottle hoarding and limited releases, to new swings in bourbon’s popularity, to the rise of terroir-driven spirits and premium ready-to-drink cocktails, we’re breaking down where the industry is heading and what ...

THC drinks are showing up everywhere, from dispensaries to mainstream bars, but are they the next big thing in booze culture, or just another passing fad?

In this episode of Arsenic Culture, Matt, Jason, Drew, and guest Pierre dive into the rise of cannabis beverages. From the science of CBD and THC balance, to how these drinks compare to alcohol, to whether people actually want weed in a can, we’re unpacking what this mea...

Everyone’s got an opinion online but how much of it is real, and how much is just hype? From bourbon reviews to the endless cycle of snack ratings, we break down whether you can actually trust what people are saying… and what makes a review worth listening to.

In this episode of Arsenic Culture, Matt, Jason, and Jordon dig into the culture of reviews: why some are helpful, why so many feel like bullshit, and how their own ...

Remember when “going out” just meant cheap drinks and loud music? These days it’s a whole different game. Breweries now double as concert venues, restaurants, and community hangouts, but are we getting what we actually want out of the experience?

In this episode of Arsenic Culture, Matt, Jason, and Jordon break down how going out has changed over the years. From nostalgic beer choices to brewery pizza debates, to whether w...

From limited-edition bourbon to highly anticipated rye, these are the whiskey releases still to come in 2025 that you’ll want to know about before they hit the shelves. Matt, Jason, and Jordon break down the bottles we’re most excited for, why they’re worth your attention, and which ones might disappear fast once the hype hits.

Whether you’re a collector, a casual drinker, or just want to stay ahead of the curve, this list...

From rare bourbon drops to anticipated rye releases, these are the whiskeys still to come in 2025 that you need to know about.

In tomorrow’s episode, Matt, Jason, and Jordon cover:

🥃 The bottles with the most hype

🥃 Which releases are worth chasing, and which to skip

🥃 Why some will vanish before you ever see them on shelves

Whether you’re collecting or just looking for your next pour, thi...

From George Clooney’s billion-dollar tequila to Kendall Jenner’s controversial 818, celebrity booze brands are everywhere. But do people actually like them or are we just buying whatever fame tells us to?

In this episode, Matt, Jason, and Drew dive into the psychology of celebrity liquor: what works, what fails, and what it says about us as drinkers. From Casamigos to Aviation Gin, from LeBron to Jay-Z, we break down which...

Canned cocktails are everywhere now: on shelves, in coolers, and in your buddy’s hand at the pool. But are they actually good... or just the new hard seltzer scam? In this episode, Matt, Jason, and Drew run through a lineup of ready-to-drink cocktails and decide once and for all: is it convenience, or is it crap?

We taste test Long Drink, On the Rocks, Atomic Boss, and more while breaking down why RTDs are blowing up, who ...

Why do we spend hundreds, or even thousands, on bottles we might never open? In this episode, we dive deep into the psychology of liquor collecting, hype culture, FOMO, and the way booze becomes a status symbol. Whether you're building a bunker of bourbon or flexing limited-edition tequila, there's more to it than just what's in the bottle.

From the thrill of the hunt to the trap of identity signaling, Matt,...

Are dive bars going extinct? In this episode, we pour one out for the sticky floors, jukeboxes, and crusty charm of America's best (and worst) drinking holes. Matt, Jason, and Drew dive into what really makes a dive bar, whether they’re being replaced by $18 cocktail lounges, and why these gritty, neon-lit spaces still matter. From cheap beer to barstool therapy, this is a love letter to the dive bar culture that's slowly...

Tipping: everyone has an opinion, but no one agrees. Are you tipping too much? Not enough? And what do you actually owe your bartender?

We dive into the weird rules, unwritten etiquette, and the psychology of tipping in bars and restaurants. From under-tipping horror stories to debates on whether tipping culture has gone too far, we break it all down with our usual unfiltered take. 

What's your rule when it comes to tipping? Let...

The bourbon secondary market: love it or hate it, it’s not going anywhere. Some say it keeps rare bottles moving and rewards collectors. Others say it’s ruining drinking culture, pricing real fans out, and turning whiskey into Wall Street.
We dig into whether the secondary market is helping or hurting bourbon culture, what it means for casual drinkers, and if brands secretly love it.
What do you think, is flipping bottles k...