EmbellishPod

In this episode, John Hughes talks with Mike Fruge from JT Meleck about the journey from rice farming to crafting rice whiskey. They discuss the challenges and triumphs of distillation, the unique qualities of rice whiskey, and the importance of authenticity in the spirits industry.

• Mike Fruge shares the transition from rice farming to distillation.
• The unique qualities of rice whiskey are explored.
• Mike emphasizes t...

In this episode of the Embellish Pod, I sit down with Shawn from Bluegrass Bitters to explore the fascinating journey from a personal quest for the perfect old-fashioned to the creation of a unique brand. Discover how Shawn's passion for consistency and quality in cocktail bitters led to the development of Bluegrass Bitters, a brand that aims to complement Kentucky bourbon with precision and flair.

Key talking points include:

The i...

Join us in this episode as we delve into the world of Barrell Craft Spirits, exploring their innovative strategies and the challenges they face in the ever-evolving spirits industry. Host John Hughes sits down with Joe Beatrice and Nic Christansen to discuss market trends, the art of blending, and the unique processes that set Barrell Craft Spirits apart.

Episode Highlights:

[00:02:15] Introduction to Barrell Craft Spirits' new ble...

Welcome to another exciting episode of The Embellished Pod! In this episode, we dive deep into the story behind Four Branches Bourbon, a unique spirits brand founded by veterans from four different branches of the U.S. military. Join us as we chat with Mike Trott and Greg Snyder about their journey from concept to a top-performing brand, their commitment to quality, and their mission to give back to the veteran community.

Timestamp...

Join us for an exciting episode of the EmbellishPod as we dive deep into the world of Puerto Rican rum with two incredible guests from Don Q! In this episode, we chat with Sylvia Santiago, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing, and Liza Cordero, Master Blender, to uncover the secrets behind Don Q's exceptional rum.

• Introduction to Don Q: Learn about the origins of the brand and why it was named after Don...

Welcome to another exciting episode of The Embellish Pod! 🎙️ In this episode, we sit down with Joyce Nethery, one of the founders of Jeptha Creed Distillery. Joyce shares the fascinating journey of building a family-run distillery from the ground up, the unique heirloom grains they use, and their commitment to sustainability.

Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:22 - Meet Joyce Nethery from Jeptha Creed 01:01 - The Story Behind Je...

In this episode of the Embellish Pod, I take you on an immersive journey through the world of Islay whiskies. If you stumbled upon this podcast by chance, make sure to hit the subscribe button to stay updated on future episodes. You can find video versions on YouTube and all my links on Instagram and TikTok at @embellishpod. For more details, visit my website at www.embellishpod.com.

Islay, a small island with j...

In this episode of The Embellish Pod, we embark on a journey through the diverse and storied world of Highland whiskeys. If you stumbled upon this episode by chance, don't forget to hit the subscribe button to stay updated with our latest content. You can find video versions of this podcast on YouTube and all my links on Instagram and TikTok at @embellishpod. For more details, visit my website at www.embellishpod.com

Welcome to another episode of EmbellishPod! In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of cork with Patrick Spencer, the Executive Director of the Natural Cork Council. 🌳✨

Patrick shares his journey from a sustainability coordinator at a large winery in Oregon to leading an organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the use of natural cork. We explore the environmental benefits of cork, its role in the wine a...

In this episode of the Embellish Pod, we dive deep into the world of Speyside whisky, a region renowned for its elegant and complex single malts. If you stumbled upon this episode by chance, don't forget to hit the subscribe button to stay updated on all things whisky. You can find video versions of this podcast on YouTube and all my links on Instagram and TikTok at @embellishpod. For more details, visit my website at www.embellish...

In this episode, we dive into a recap of recent happenings and exciting future plans for the podcast. Join us as we discuss:

The lull in the whiskey market during the summer and gearing up for the busy fall season.

Upcoming podcast episodes featuring more diverse and adjacent topics to bourbon and whiskey.

Introducing the Scotch Whiskey Discovery Series!

We're thrilled to announce a new mini-series where we'll explore over 35 expre...

Join us in this episode of The Embellish Pod as we dive into the fascinating world of spirits with Monique ten Kortenaar, the master distiller at Lucas Bols. With a legacy spanning over 450 years, Bols is renowned for its exceptional liqueurs, including the newly launched Blue 1575, a modern twist on the classic Blue Curacao.

In this episode, we explore:

Monique's unique journey to becoming the head distiller of such a historic com...

Welcome to another exciting episode of the EmbellishPod! In this episode, we sit down with Anna and Wendelin, the dynamic cousin duo behind Lodestar Whiskey. Join us as we dive into their fascinating journey from the entertainment industry to the world of whiskey, driven by a shared passion and a desire to create something truly unique.

In This Episode:

Introduction to Lodestar Whiskey and its innovative blend of high rye bourbon a...

Welcome to another exciting episode of EmbellishPod! 🎙️ In this episode, we dive deep into the world of whiskey with Connor Gilbert, co-founder of McTavish Spirits. Connor shares his unique journey from podcasting to launching a whiskey brand alongside actor Graham McTavish.

🔔 Don't forget to subscribe and hit the bell icon to stay updated with our latest episodes!

In This Episode:

Introduction to Connor Gilbert and McTavish Spir...

Welcome to another exciting episode of the EmbellishPod! In this episode, we are joined by Kenny Coleman from Bourbon Pursuit, one of the biggest whiskey podcasts in existence. Kenny shares his journey from starting the podcast in 2015 to launching their own whiskey brand, Pursuit Spirits, in 2018.

We dive deep into the world of whiskey podcasting, brand building, and the challenges of starting a whiskey brand. Kenny also gives us ...

In this episode, we are joined by George Koutsakis, the innovative mind behind Barrel Global. George shares his fascinating journey from managing a Brewdog bar in Tokyo to becoming a prominent figure in the whiskey industry. With a unique background that spans across Greece, Scotland, Japan, and now Mexico, George brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

George's Background: Disco...

Join us for an exciting episode of the Embellish Pod as we dive into the world of Indiana whiskey with Dave McIntyre, co-founder of West Fork Whiskey Company and Old Hamer. In this episode, we explore the journey of West Fork Whiskey, from its humble beginnings to becoming a key player in the craft bourbon scene.

Discover how Dave and his childhood friends turned their passion for bourbon into a thriving business, the unique charac...

Join us for an exciting episode of the EmbellishPod as we sit down with the incredible Peggy Noe Stephens, a pioneer in the whiskey industry and the founder of the Bourbon Women Association. With nearly 30 years of experience, Peggy shares her journey from marketing to master tasting and her mission to create a community for female bourbon enthusiasts.

In this episode, we dive into the origins of Bourbon Women, the importance of me...

Join us for an exciting episode of the EmbellishPod as we dive into the world of craft distilling with Greg from Larrikin Distillery, formerly known as Lawrenceburg Distillery. In this episode, we explore the evolution of Larrikin, the inspiration behind its unique branding, and the fascinating story of Greg's journey from the Australian Navy to the U.S. Navy and ultimately to the bourbon industry.

Discover the meaning behind the n...