web02.fireside.fm Sat, 23 May 2026 02:03:36 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Spirits & Distilling Podcast - Episodes Tagged with “Sourced Bourbon” https://spiritsanddistilling.fireside.fm/tags/sourced%20bourbon Tue, 30 Sep 2025 13:00:00 -0600 Enjoy and learn from conversations with leading distillers as co-hosts Sydney Jones, head distiller for FEW Spirits in Chicago, and Molly Troupe, master distiller for Freeland Spirits in Portland, Oregon, explore the technical and creative processes behind award-winning and storied spirits. It’s a podcast by distillers, for distillers, that covers the broad world of finely crafted spirits—botanical and herbal spirits, fruit distillations, agave spirits, grain spirits, and more. Listen as the hosts discuss every aspect of the process, from ideation and ingredient selection through conversion and fermentation, distilling, aging, finishing, proofing, and packaging. Subscribe to this bi-weekly podcast for tips and techniques that will help you make better spirits. en-us episodic Make and drink great spirits. Spirits & Distilling Enjoy and learn from conversations with leading distillers as co-hosts Sydney Jones, head distiller for FEW Spirits in Chicago, and Molly Troupe, master distiller for Freeland Spirits in Portland, Oregon, explore the technical and creative processes behind award-winning and storied spirits. It’s a podcast by distillers, for distillers, that covers the broad world of finely crafted spirits—botanical and herbal spirits, fruit distillations, agave spirits, grain spirits, and more. Listen as the hosts discuss every aspect of the process, from ideation and ingredient selection through conversion and fermentation, distilling, aging, finishing, proofing, and packaging. Subscribe to this bi-weekly podcast for tips and techniques that will help you make better spirits. no spirits, distilling, distilled spirits, bourbon, vodka, rum, gin, craft, craft spirits. Spirits & Distilling support@spiritsanddistilling.com 42: Alex Castle of Augusta Distillery Embraces New Challenges in Old Bourbon https://spiritsanddistilling.fireside.fm/42 e1ba29bd-b612-4e46-aff7-9461b905e28c Tue, 30 Sep 2025 13:00:00 -0600 Spirits & Distilling full Spirits & Distilling From distillery build-outs in historic buildings to process concerns with calcium-rich water and building a flavor through-line in sourced-bourbon releases, Castle shares lessons learned over 15 years of distilling in Kentucky and Tennessee. 58:10 yes <p>As a Kentucky native, Alex Castle knew she wanted to work in beverage alcohol before most—bourbon is culturally important in the state, and she wanted to play a part in its continued tradition and evolution. She learned the ropes on pot stills at Alltech and a high-throughput continuous still at Wild Turkey before building out and launching Old Dominick in Memphis. But her return to Kentucky to helm <a href="https://augustakydistillery.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Augusta Distillery</a> and the Buckner’s brand has ushered in a new chapter of both learning and sharing, as she stashes away barrels of their own distillate for future releases while sourcing older barrels from fellow Kentucky distilleries for limited single-barrel releases. </p> <p>In this episode, Castle and host Sydney Jones discuss: </p> <ul> <li>learning the ropes at Town Branch Bourbon and Wild Turkey before building out and launching Old Dominick in Memphis</li> <li>building out Augusta Distillery in a historic Kentucky building</li> <li>the challenges in distillery processes that use Kentucky groundwater</li> <li>building a flavor through-line in aged sourced-bourbon releases</li> <li>barrel rotation as a means of balancing stock for intended age-statement releases</li> <li>the impact of rye on bourbon flavors</li> <li>how location can impact barrel maturation</li> <li>weathering the current spirits-market slowdown<br> </li> </ul> <p>And more. </p> <p><strong><a href="https://gdchillers.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">G&amp;D Chillers:</a></strong> G&amp;D Chillers understands that each distillery’s chilling requirements are unique. On every distillery project, G&amp;D offers the front-end design and engineering your team needs at no cost to you. Hank Pressley, head distiller at Moon Drop Distillery says, “Early on, we made a decision to partner with quality American-made companies. One of those companies was G&amp;D Chillers, and we are proud of that choice. Our equipment from them has run long and strong. We put our first barrel in our rickhouse in September 2021, and in the next 3 years we have put back more than another 540 barrels. What a great decision to team up with a company like G&amp;D Chillers.” Reach out for a quote today at gdchillers.com. </p> distilling, whiskey, bourbon, aged bourbon, sourced bourbon, distillery build-out As a Kentucky native, Alex Castle knew she wanted to work in beverage alcohol before most—bourbon is culturally important in the state, and she wanted to play a part in its continued tradition and evolution. She learned the ropes on pot stills at Alltech and a high-throughput continuous still at Wild Turkey before building out and launching Old Dominick in Memphis. But her return to Kentucky to helm Augusta Distillery and the Buckner’s brand has ushered in a new chapter of both learning and sharing, as she stashes away barrels of their own distillate for future releases while sourcing older barrels from fellow Kentucky distilleries for limited single-barrel releases.

In this episode, Castle and host Sydney Jones discuss:

  • learning the ropes at Town Branch Bourbon and Wild Turkey before building out and launching Old Dominick in Memphis
  • building out Augusta Distillery in a historic Kentucky building
  • the challenges in distillery processes that use Kentucky groundwater
  • building a flavor through-line in aged sourced-bourbon releases
  • barrel rotation as a means of balancing stock for intended age-statement releases
  • the impact of rye on bourbon flavors
  • how location can impact barrel maturation
  • weathering the current spirits-market slowdown

And more.

G&D Chillers: G&D Chillers understands that each distillery’s chilling requirements are unique. On every distillery project, G&D offers the front-end design and engineering your team needs at no cost to you. Hank Pressley, head distiller at Moon Drop Distillery says, “Early on, we made a decision to partner with quality American-made companies. One of those companies was G&D Chillers, and we are proud of that choice. Our equipment from them has run long and strong. We put our first barrel in our rickhouse in September 2021, and in the next 3 years we have put back more than another 540 barrels. What a great decision to team up with a company like G&D Chillers.” Reach out for a quote today at gdchillers.com.

]]> As a Kentucky native, Alex Castle knew she wanted to work in beverage alcohol before most—bourbon is culturally important in the state, and she wanted to play a part in its continued tradition and evolution. She learned the ropes on pot stills at Alltech and a high-throughput continuous still at Wild Turkey before building out and launching Old Dominick in Memphis. But her return to Kentucky to helm Augusta Distillery and the Buckner’s brand has ushered in a new chapter of both learning and sharing, as she stashes away barrels of their own distillate for future releases while sourcing older barrels from fellow Kentucky distilleries for limited single-barrel releases.

In this episode, Castle and host Sydney Jones discuss:

  • learning the ropes at Town Branch Bourbon and Wild Turkey before building out and launching Old Dominick in Memphis
  • building out Augusta Distillery in a historic Kentucky building
  • the challenges in distillery processes that use Kentucky groundwater
  • building a flavor through-line in aged sourced-bourbon releases
  • barrel rotation as a means of balancing stock for intended age-statement releases
  • the impact of rye on bourbon flavors
  • how location can impact barrel maturation
  • weathering the current spirits-market slowdown

And more.

G&D Chillers: G&D Chillers understands that each distillery’s chilling requirements are unique. On every distillery project, G&D offers the front-end design and engineering your team needs at no cost to you. Hank Pressley, head distiller at Moon Drop Distillery says, “Early on, we made a decision to partner with quality American-made companies. One of those companies was G&D Chillers, and we are proud of that choice. Our equipment from them has run long and strong. We put our first barrel in our rickhouse in September 2021, and in the next 3 years we have put back more than another 540 barrels. What a great decision to team up with a company like G&D Chillers.” Reach out for a quote today at gdchillers.com.

]]> 14: Nic Christiansen of Barrell Craft Spirits Pieces Together the Blended Whiskey Puzzle https://spiritsanddistilling.fireside.fm/14 a9d23e41-45e9-45c0-a63e-e96b482d7dd5 Tue, 03 Sep 2024 17:00:00 -0600 Spirits & Distilling full Spirits & Distilling As blender and manager of blending operations for Barrell, a brand committed to sourcing and blending rather than distilling, Christiansen finds creative ways to marry distinct flavors in whiskey without muddling their individual characters. 53:43 yes <p>As blender and manager of blending operations for the blend-focused brand <a href="https://www.barrellbourbon.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Barrell Craft Spirits,</a> Nic Christiansen’s job is to understand flavors, how they develop, and how they interact with each other to create harmonious wholes. </p> <p>In this episode, Christiansen and host Molly Troupe discuss: </p> <ul> <li> finding new avenues for flavor in blended whiskey</li> <li> building micro-blends that are then married through additional barrel conditioning</li> <li> the benefits and challenges of sourcing whiskey</li> <li> calculating derived mash bills from the component whiskeys</li> <li> taking a flavor-focused approach to blending</li> <li> aging in a variety of casks and the concurrent evaluation process</li> <li> designing whiskey blends around a creative brief that’s experience-based</li> <li> developing blends that push past typical whiskey guardrails</li> <li> protecting one’s palate</li> <li> working in threes</li> </ul> <p>And more.</p> <p><strong>Brought to you by:</strong><br> <strong><a href="https://gdchillers.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">G&amp;D Chillers:</a></strong> G&amp;D Chillers understands that each distillery’s chilling requirements are unique. On every distillery project, G&amp;D offers the front-end design and engineering your team needs at no cost to you. Rebecca Harris, president and head distiller of Catoctin Creek recently shared, “Service after the sale is what really separates the quality of a supplier relationship. G&amp;D Chillers has always been a phone call away when we needed them. For a small business like mine, that partnership makes all the difference.” Whether you distill batch by batch or in a continuous operation, for more than 30 years, G&amp;D has had the proven solution. Visit them today at gdchillers.com.</p> <p><strong>[ABS Commercial:](hhttps://abs-commercial.com)</strong> For over 11 years, ABS Commercial has been your full-service equipment manufacturer, designing quality distillation equipment ranging from 50L – 5,000L. Whether establishing a new distillery or expanding into a brewstillery, their team of experienced engineers and designers work with you to develop customized distilling solutions. With their consultative approach, they tailor to your production capacity, space constraints, and budgetary considerations to help you create quality, crafted spirits. Contact them today at <a href="mailto:sales@abs-commercial.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">sales@abs-commercial.com</a> to discuss your customized distilling needs.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://www.breweryworkshop.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Brewery &amp; Distillery Workshop:</a></strong> IIf you’re planning a distillery or brewery launch, adding a distillery to your brewery, or considering purchasing an existing brewing or distilling business, then visit breweryworkshop.com for more information about the Brewery and Distillery workshop brought to you by Craft Spirits &amp; Distilling and Craft Beer &amp; Brewing. Over four days, you’ll learn what it takes to get a successful craft beverage business off the ground, through panel discussions, working group sessions, technical tours, and more. Get your ticket now at breweryworkshop.com. </p> whiskey, bourbon, sourced bourbon, whiskey blending As blender and manager of blending operations for the blend-focused brand Barrell Craft Spirits, Nic Christiansen’s job is to understand flavors, how they develop, and how they interact with each other to create harmonious wholes.

In this episode, Christiansen and host Molly Troupe discuss:

  • finding new avenues for flavor in blended whiskey
  • building micro-blends that are then married through additional barrel conditioning
  • the benefits and challenges of sourcing whiskey
  • calculating derived mash bills from the component whiskeys
  • taking a flavor-focused approach to blending
  • aging in a variety of casks and the concurrent evaluation process
  • designing whiskey blends around a creative brief that’s experience-based
  • developing blends that push past typical whiskey guardrails
  • protecting one’s palate
  • working in threes

And more.

Brought to you by:
G&D Chillers: G&D Chillers understands that each distillery’s chilling requirements are unique. On every distillery project, G&D offers the front-end design and engineering your team needs at no cost to you. Rebecca Harris, president and head distiller of Catoctin Creek recently shared, “Service after the sale is what really separates the quality of a supplier relationship. G&D Chillers has always been a phone call away when we needed them. For a small business like mine, that partnership makes all the difference.” Whether you distill batch by batch or in a continuous operation, for more than 30 years, G&D has had the proven solution. Visit them today at gdchillers.com.

[ABS Commercial:](hhttps://abs-commercial.com) For over 11 years, ABS Commercial has been your full-service equipment manufacturer, designing quality distillation equipment ranging from 50L – 5,000L. Whether establishing a new distillery or expanding into a brewstillery, their team of experienced engineers and designers work with you to develop customized distilling solutions. With their consultative approach, they tailor to your production capacity, space constraints, and budgetary considerations to help you create quality, crafted spirits. Contact them today at sales@abs-commercial.com to discuss your customized distilling needs.

Brewery & Distillery Workshop: IIf you’re planning a distillery or brewery launch, adding a distillery to your brewery, or considering purchasing an existing brewing or distilling business, then visit breweryworkshop.com for more information about the Brewery and Distillery workshop brought to you by Craft Spirits & Distilling and Craft Beer & Brewing. Over four days, you’ll learn what it takes to get a successful craft beverage business off the ground, through panel discussions, working group sessions, technical tours, and more. Get your ticket now at breweryworkshop.com.

]]> As blender and manager of blending operations for the blend-focused brand Barrell Craft Spirits, Nic Christiansen’s job is to understand flavors, how they develop, and how they interact with each other to create harmonious wholes.

In this episode, Christiansen and host Molly Troupe discuss:

  • finding new avenues for flavor in blended whiskey
  • building micro-blends that are then married through additional barrel conditioning
  • the benefits and challenges of sourcing whiskey
  • calculating derived mash bills from the component whiskeys
  • taking a flavor-focused approach to blending
  • aging in a variety of casks and the concurrent evaluation process
  • designing whiskey blends around a creative brief that’s experience-based
  • developing blends that push past typical whiskey guardrails
  • protecting one’s palate
  • working in threes

And more.

Brought to you by:
G&D Chillers: G&D Chillers understands that each distillery’s chilling requirements are unique. On every distillery project, G&D offers the front-end design and engineering your team needs at no cost to you. Rebecca Harris, president and head distiller of Catoctin Creek recently shared, “Service after the sale is what really separates the quality of a supplier relationship. G&D Chillers has always been a phone call away when we needed them. For a small business like mine, that partnership makes all the difference.” Whether you distill batch by batch or in a continuous operation, for more than 30 years, G&D has had the proven solution. Visit them today at gdchillers.com.

[ABS Commercial:](hhttps://abs-commercial.com) For over 11 years, ABS Commercial has been your full-service equipment manufacturer, designing quality distillation equipment ranging from 50L – 5,000L. Whether establishing a new distillery or expanding into a brewstillery, their team of experienced engineers and designers work with you to develop customized distilling solutions. With their consultative approach, they tailor to your production capacity, space constraints, and budgetary considerations to help you create quality, crafted spirits. Contact them today at sales@abs-commercial.com to discuss your customized distilling needs.

Brewery & Distillery Workshop: IIf you’re planning a distillery or brewery launch, adding a distillery to your brewery, or considering purchasing an existing brewing or distilling business, then visit breweryworkshop.com for more information about the Brewery and Distillery workshop brought to you by Craft Spirits & Distilling and Craft Beer & Brewing. Over four days, you’ll learn what it takes to get a successful craft beverage business off the ground, through panel discussions, working group sessions, technical tours, and more. Get your ticket now at breweryworkshop.com.

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