Distillers Talk (Christi Atkinson and Alan Bishop)

Erica and Patience Fields of Brooks Grain join Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to chat about the company and Erica's 40+ years experience supplying rye and more to the spirits industry. We discuss grain trends over the past few decades and predictions for the future, including what we can expect to see with grain prices in the near future.

Todd Leopold joins for a Zoom panel discussion and tasting of the Three Chamber Rye. This is the audio release of the show for our podcast listeners.

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson interview Will Persons of Washington State distillery, Olde Tyme Spirits

Author and host of the Whiskey Lore podcasts, Drew Hannush joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss his new book, The Lost History of Tennessee Whiskey. Order it now through Amazon here.

Henry Anderson of Dominion Distillery and Gatling Still Works in Washington State joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to chat about the distillery and his still building company. You've heard about one of his projects on a previous episode!

Jeff Wuslich of Cardinal Spirits in Bloomington, Indiana joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to talk about the distillery and its spirits, getting into copackaging, considerations for new brands and so much more.

Thomas Thacker in North Carolina joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to talk more about his process and operations at Southern Grace Distilleries making Conviction Bourbon and White Dog. Tune in also to learn about their whiskey prison and paranormal tour stories!

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson are joined again by Stephen Osborn of Stoutridge Winery and Distillery to discuss his botanical spirit production with gin and absinthe

We're deep in a long recording week on-site, so're taking you to DT Blockbuster with a rerun of our interview/blending party with Lisa Wicker of Widow Jane.

Brett Schlagel of Distillery 64 in New Albany, Indiana joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to chat about the distillery and speakeasy.

Jesse Wilson from Still It returns again with Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to catch up on his latest experiments. Jesse and Alan introduce a collaboration to honor the late Ben Quady through Bad Motivator's next chapter using barrels that had been provided to them by Ben. We also nerd out on fermentation cultures, and Alan waxes nostalgia with his new affinity for naming still designs after 80's pop culture.

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson catch up with owners Josh Howes and Tommy Craggs at Watch Hill Proper, a new whiskey lounge and club in Louisville, KY. We're also joined by WHP Director of Operations Forrest Price and friends from the team at Castle & Key Distillery. 

Indiana Historian Jeremy Elliott chats with Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson about feuds between local moonshine families and more

Jim Martin of Key West Trading Company and Kris Koenig of Golden Beaver Distillery are live from the Key West Absinthe House with Christi Atkinson. Alan Bishop joins the party virtually for an insider's look at the Absinthe House as we discuss what's new with the two brands and make a Root of All Evil cocktail.

Distiller Bill Hockett of Dayton Barrel Works Artisan Distillery joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss his recent release of Harper's Siren Armagnac Barrel-Aged Gin.  We also chat about the whiskey Bill will be releasing in the future under his own label, contract work and then we try to find the perfect botanical-themed name for future Baby Hockett coming this year.

Christopher Conrad of BadMotivator Legacy Barrels joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson with updates on the company and their innovative barrels, as well as a sampling of some of Christopher's experiments using BadMotivator barrels.

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson welcome back Dr. Pat Heist of Wilderness Trail and Ferm Solutions for a discussion on yeast with friend of the show, Kent Mace

Journalist and writer Marielle Songy joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to talk about her new book, The Absinthe Frappé, and all things absinthe. Tune in to hear about her exploration with absinthe and thoughts on how distillers and cocktail bars can help make absinthe more relatable in the U.S. market.

Irish whiskey historian and author Fionnán O'Connor returns to Distillers Talk with Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss his upcoming new book, Créatúr. Fionnán speaks about his adventures and travels digging into the history of poitín and Irish pot still whiskey, and his journey to bring back (and even be a part of the distillation of) lost Irish mash bills with the help of others along the way. We also get into the temperance movement, past and present.

Carrie and Daniel Ford of Dragon's Mouth Distillery join Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss their emerging distillery in Indiana

Will, Clay and Dallas Glazik of Silver Tree Beer & Spirits join Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to talk about the new distillery the three brothers are launching, as well as their current and upcoming products. We also learn about the family farm and their proprietary seed strains.

Andrew Lohfeld of Roulaison Distilling Co in Louisiana joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss some hot topics in rum right now. We get into single estate varietals and Louisiana grown sugarcane, a Louisiana rum designation, rum nomenclature and changes to Louisiana state law for self distribution. 

Ray Hooker of Indian River Distillery in Vero Beach, Florida joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to explore a sampling of several different experimentals and product.

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson catch up with Tripp Stimson from Barrell Craft Spirits and do a tasting of three whiskeys

The family behind Mingo Creek Craft Distillers joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss Liberty Pole Spirits in Washington, PA

Christian Kahle of Lucky Sign Spirits joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to chat about his unique spirits, including finocchietto, raki, limoncello and more. We get into standards of identity and communication amongst distillers, as well as the merits of a two chamber still. Christian discusses his corn stalk agricole project and lemonade burrito is our new favorite tasting note.

Erik Wolfe of Stoll & Wolfe Distillery joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to talk about his latest distilling adventures with Alan on the road at both Stoll & Wolfe and George Washington's Mount Vernon. We also catch up on another collaborative effort, the Historic Trades Workshop. There's several colorful stories along the way, including "dough balls of anger".

David McIntyre of West Fork Whiskey in Indianapolis joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson this week. We discuss West Fork's beginnings under a small budget and the evolution of its production setup and product line, as well as struggles encountered along the way. This is a great episode for those looking to start up a distillery with a small investment!

Max Fann and Malik Warrad of Inbox Beverage join Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss their container-based brewing and distilling units, as well as their own spirits offerings.

Jesse Tate and Grant Patterson from Vista Gin in Florida join Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to delve into their unique pot still gins. We discuss building flavor through production techniques and Grant's culinary background, as well as working with koji in making their whiskey.

Dirk Fentz, aka Indiana Bourbon, joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to chat about whiskey in Indiana

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson chat with Mike Root of Copper Sky Distillery and try a sampling of their whiskeys

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson catch up with Todd Leopold of Leopold Bros in this two-part episode about the release of the Three Chamber Rye, absinthe and more. 

Cyrus Mason of the podcast Still 'n the Clear joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss the podcast and his newly launched Moonshiners Academy.

Learn more about Cyrus:

John Miller of Steekee Creek Malt joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to chat about his malting company and more

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson interview Laura Fields of the American Whiskey Convention and Delaware Valley Fields Foundation

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson are on location at Donum Dei Brewery in New Albany, Indiana with owner/distiller/brewer Richard Otey. We discuss and tour the brewstillery's operations, and enjoy a flight of their products.

Ben Quady of Badmotivator Barrels joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss his approach to alternative barrels. We also explore a flight of samples from his projects.

Distiller Tyler Johnson from Hawaiian rum distillery, KoHana, joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to talk about the distillery and their unique sugarcane varietals. 

Jimmy Jaxx of Jimmy Jaxx Shine Shack joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to talk about the distillery and his work with Amanda Bryant

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson chat with Jedd Hass of Atelier Vie in New Orleans and go through a tasting of products

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson are joined by Ken Schreiner to discuss the distilling notebooks of AJ Schreiner, Ken's great great grandfather. The notebooks include his personal notes on mash bills, process, yeast making, malting and more from the late 1800's to early 1900's spanning distilleries across Kentucky and Indiana.

Fernando Plata of Big Cypress Distillery in Miami joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss botanical spirits and extraction methods. Make sure you catch this one as we also issue a challenge for a unique botanical bill to meet our custom spirits request!

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson catch up with Wayne Herbert of Ozark Still Works

Chip Tate returns to Distillers Talk with Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to deep dive into questions distillers should be asking themselves and any prospective partners before entering into business agreements. We also get into brandy and agave spirits!

Zach Traylor joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss his research work focused on cultivating corn varieties tailor-made for whiskey production. 

Jessie Zien and Matt Nurre of Two Eagles Distillery join Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to talk about their distillery located in the Chicago area. They talk about their adventures in contract distillation, in addition to making their own products including whiskey, gin, arak and RTD cocktails. We get into their specialty working with flavor chemistry and botanicals, as well as ethical barrel sourcing and the future of barrels for aging whiskey. 

Randall Janc aka Whiskey Shaman joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson this week with a blind flight of spirits he is working on and we discuss his projects, including his spirits-focused YouTube Channel.

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson chat with Kris Koenig from Golden Beaver Distillery in California, and have a tasting from the product line.

Chip Tate of Chip Tate Craft Copperworks and Tate & Co Distillery joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss his custom still building, the craft distilling industry, future plans with the distillery, brandy and more.

Bobby Demars, Christian Riddout and Christopher Sebastian from Blind Barrels join Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss their unique whiskey service, helping connect their subscribers with American craft distilleries.

Brian Gelfo of Broadleaf Whiskey joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss the brand as we drink through two batches and even chat about the future of Brothers of the Leaf

Kelley Tennille joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to update on her latest projects with Whiskey Thief Distilling and her seasonal gins, as well as her work producing okra hydrosols for Pholk Beauty. We also highlight her second run on Moonshiners: Master Distiller, which is currently airing on the Discovery Channel.

Stephen Callahan of Tennessee Hills Brewstillery joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson on Distillers Talk with his team, including Head Distiller Jason Franklin and brewmaster Danny Smith.

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson host a panel discussion on Rosen rye (and its importance in the history of whiskey in America) and the three chamber still with guests Laura Fields (Delaware Valley Fields Foundation), Erik Wolfe (Stoll & Wolfe), Robert McDonald (Dancing Star Farms) and Todd Leopold (Leopold Bros). This episode addresses inaccuracies perpetuated in the media and the industry surrounding these topics.

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson chat with Australian distiller Nick Hope of Dusty Barrel about rice whiskey and using koji, as well as production and making the company sustainable.

Moonshiners Master Distiller contestant and veteran JJ Jackson, aka "High and Angry", joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson on Distillers Talk to discuss his personal journey that led a philosophy and theater arts major to the military and ultimately to distillation.

Author, food and spirits journalist and sprits educator Steve Coomes joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to chat about agave based spirits and his impressions from a recent trip to Mexico to explore tequila distilleries

Stephen Shellenberger of Boston Apothecary joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to talk about the birectifier and its benefits for the distilling industry

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson take on some controversial topics in the spirits industry right now and discuss the future of the market, as well as tips for brands and ancillary partners.

Jeff Rasmussen of StillDragon joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to share his more unique experiences helping their clients design more efficient and innovative systems. We also chat about his journey into the industry and some surprises coming up with DragonStill.

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson chat with Lorenzo Alvarado and Adam Inman from Old Samuel's about the distillery's revitalization and future

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson chat with Wayne Herbert of Ozark Still Works

Distillers Talk goes to Yunnan Province, China this week! Evan Villarrubia of MB Distillery joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss his start in the distilling industry in China, as well as the production of some of his products including sugar cane rum and rice based spirits. We’re also going to get into China’s multi-tier system and Chinese distilling culture. 

Check out our Facebook and Instagram on Monday, February 12th to weigh in on our poll with questions for Evan's next episode with us!

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson catch up with Amanda Bryant from the Discovery Channel's Moonshiners: Master Distiller.

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson catch up with Lawrence Pritchard from Flatrock Distilling and discuss his latest projects and life following Master Distiller

Ian Verno of Ten-030 Barrels joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss his hybrid barrels

Jim Martin from Key West Trade Co joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson for an uncensored, full-on rant fest about his current industry issues. We're covering everything from glass shortages to 100% defective labels.

Erik Wolfe joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to chat about the early days of Stoll & Wolfe Distillery with Dick Stoll. We get into apple brandy and pommeau, and you know we're digging into yeast!

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson learn more about Stoutridge Winery and Distillery with Stephen Osborn

Amy Bohner of Alchemy Distillery in Humboldt County, California joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson. Nerd out with us as we get into all sorts of unique grains and go through a flight of their Boldt Cereal Killer triticale whiskey, wheat whiskey and genever style gin. We also chat about their new tasting room and on site restaurant.

Al Laws of Laws Whiskey House in Colorado joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson on all things grain and terroir. Al guides us through a tasting of their Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey, San Luis Valley Straight Rye Whiskey, Centennial Straight Wheat Whiskey and Henry Road Straight Malt Whiskey. We also discuss production and their upcoming new tasting room. 

Andrey Orlov of Doctor Gradus chats with Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson about the company and home distilling in Russia

Moonshine Shua of the Un-Taxed Podcast and Broken Bones Distillery joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson

Amzie Wenning joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to talk about the Bourbon on the Banks festival in Frankfort, Kentucky

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson catch up after vacation to chat about what they've been up to over the past couple weeks. We get into barrel picks, Alan's recap from the ADI conference, getting locked in garages and elevators and more on the horizon during Bourbon Heritage Month.

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson chat with Hunter Coffey of Three Boys Farm and Distillery on-site at the distillery about some updates and new projects around the corner.

Stephen Osborn of Stoutridge Distillery and Winery joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson again, and this time he's brought his latest Quartarium series as part of a Transcendent Spirit Exploration.

Seth Benheim and Nick Roady of Broken Barrel Whiskey Company join Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson and discuss the importance of packaging and standing out in a market as a craft producer in a developed market. We also get into responsible distribution strategies and working with foreign markets while satisfying your home accounts, as well as upcoming plans and unique collaborative releases.

Birk O'Halloran of Rockwell Vermouth and Iconic Wine joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson on Distillers Talk. Birk chats about his lengthy botanical R&D project developing his artisan vermouths using local California botanicals, as well as what sets the products apart from other vermouths on the market. We also get into some upcoming projects, including single cask vermouths.

Jerrod Leon Henry of Rio Grande Distillery joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to chat about the distillery and their products. We're digging deep into agave, gin, moonshine and more. He even shares a story from his youth about the first time he was playing around and trying to make liquor.

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson return in Part 2 with Todd Leopold of Leopold Bros to discuss tasting notes on the Three Chamber Rye and more geeking out!

Australian distiller, Craig "Crafty" Fields joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson 

Jolee Kasprzak of Old Homestead Distilling Co and Patoka Lake Winery joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson this week. Jolee and Alan update on the progress so far at Old Homestead. We also talk about Sunshine, a line of sunflower moonshine spirits already being run at the distillery, as well peach brandy. Alan and Jolee discuss the distillery's terroir-focused approach to spirits and the homage to the region including trapping local yeast and growing a strain of wheat originally grown in the area. 

Lynn Delean-Weber and Martin Weber of Edelbrand Pure Distilling join Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss their European style fruit brandy, or vinars.

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson chat with still maker and Moonshiners Master Distiller contestant Jason Harl of 13 Stills

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson catch up with Mark Pressley and Mark Taylor of Moondrops Distillery

Gary Hinegardner from Wood Hat Spirits joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss some of the corn breeds Gary is growing and using in his spirits, and what truly makes a distillery 'craft'. We also catch up on some Wood Hat news and rant about protecting our corn harvests from avenging wildlife.

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson chat with Josh Gardner of Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling in Texas and do a tasting of the Rimfire Single Malt Whiskey

Jesse Wilson of the Still It Youtube show and Chase the Craft podcast joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson chat with Joseph Lofthouse, landrace seed developer and food advocate, about promiscuous pollination and why distillers should be developing their own grain varieties.

We're on vacation this week but we have a short bonus episode from Indiana Historian Jeremy Elliott who was previously featured on Distillers Talk

Alexis Casimiri of La Mauvaise Graine Distillerie in Lyon, France joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to talk about his introduction to distilling and the industry. We learn more about his spirits and process, particularly his Louise Gin, a tribute to his grandmother and the people of Lyon. Alexis talks about his botanical sourcing from the local area and partnering with wild harvesters.

Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson interview Blake Riber of Seelbach's

Food Historian David Shields returns with Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss distilling grains and breeding, sorghum and rum, and cultivating natural bittering agents.

Bryan Smith of Hard Truth joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to chat about their new whiskey and more

Morgan Egnater from Female Whiskey Society joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss the foundation and the group's charity work in the spirits industry