21st Amendment - Part 1: Whiskey, Service & A Second Chance

Send us Fan MailA hidden tasting room, and a bourbon that proudly wears both the American and Florida flags—welcome to our sit-down with 21st Amendment Distillery founder Jeff Palleschi. We start with a clink of 21AD, a 90-proof bourbon built to be smooth without losing its backbone, then open up the larger story: how a former Marine turned a love of American whiskey into a people-first craft distillery in Vero Beach.Jeff walks us through the hard parts you don’t see on a tasting flight: sourcing and installing boilers and chillers in a region without the distilling infrastructure of Kentucky or Tennessee, managing seasonality on the Treasure Coast, and choosing culture over convenience by training a team to deliver what he calls “unreasonable service.” We share how his bartenders read the room—present without hovering, precise without pretense—and why hospitality, more than hardware, sets the standard for every pour.The conversation turns deeply personal as Jeff recounts his fight through dyslexia after viral meningitis, the years of confusion before a diagnosis, and the school that rebuilt his learning from the ground up. That journey forged systems, discipline, and empathy that now shape his business: organized prep, clear routines, and a mission to serve people before product. We explore the patriotic spirit woven into the space—Washington and Lincoln on the walls, a Marine emblem tucked high—and a welcome that invites different views to share one bar, one drink, one conversation.If you care about craft spirits, small business realities, or the quiet power of service that actually serves, you’ll find a lot to love here. Pour a glass and join us as we talk bourbon, boilers, team culture, and the faith that carries a first-time founder through curveballs. Enjoy the episode, then subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a quick review to help more neighbors discover the show. What does great service mean to you?Presented by Killer Bee MarketingHelping local businesses in Vero Beach connect with their neighbors. Support the showSupport The ShowKeep It Local. Keep It GoingBe sure to connect with us on Instagram at @myverobeachdotcom