379: The Future of Craft Spirits: With Tamworth Distilling's Steven Grasse episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 19, 2026 · 29 MIN

379: The Future of Craft Spirits: With Tamworth Distilling's Steven Grasse

from Bourbon Lens · host Bourbon Lens

The spirits industry is at a crossroads. As consumer preferences shift toward intentional drinking and premiumization, the old playbook for craft distilleries is being rewritten. In this episode of The Bourbon Lens, we dive into the evolving market dynamics of 2026 and why the most successful brands are ditching national expansion to own their home state first.We break down the critical importance of product differentiation and why innovation is no longer optional—it’s the only way to survive a crowded shelf. Whether you are a distillery founder looking to build a loyal local following or a bourbon enthusiast curious about the "why" behind your favorite pours, this discussion offers a deep look into the creativity driving the modern whiskey movement.Key Discussion Points:The 2026 Shift: How market dynamics are changing for craft producers.Hyper-Local Branding: Why winning your backyard is the key to sustainable growth.Innovation vs. Gimmick: Using creativity to stand out in a sea of brown spirits.Consumer Psychology: What the modern whiskey drinker is actually looking for in a bottle.🔔 Subscribe for more weekly discussions, tastings, and bourbon insights from the Bourbon Lens community. 📸 Follow on Instagram: @bourbonlens🌐 Visit: www.bourbonlens.comDiscord: https://discord.gg/pd6ys5nRSUHashtags#BourbonLens #CraftSpirits #WhiskeyIndustry #BourbonTrends #DistilleryLife #SpiritsMarketing #WhiskeyCommunity #DrinkLocal #Bourbon2026 #EntrepreneurshipKeywordsBourbon, Whiskey, Craft Distilling, Spirits Industry Trends 2026, Whiskey Marketing, Bourbon Branding, Local Distilleries, Product Differentiation, Liquor Industry News, Podcast for Bourbon Lovers

The spirits industry is at a crossroads. As consumer preferences shift toward intentional drinking and premiumization, the old playbook for craft distilleries is being rewritten. In this episode of The Bourbon Lens, we dive into the evolving market dynamics of 2026 and why the most successful brands are ditching national expansion to own their home state first.We break down the critical importance of product differentiation and why innovation is no longer optional—it’s the only way to survive a crowded shelf. Whether you are a distillery founder looking to build a loyal local following or a bourbon enthusiast curious about the "why" behind your favorite pours, this discussion offers a deep look into the creativity driving the modern whiskey movement.Key Discussion Points:The 2026 Shift: How market dynamics are changing for craft producers.Hyper-Local Branding: Why winning your backyard is the key to sustainable growth.Innovation vs. Gimmick: Using creativity to stand out in a sea of brown spirits.Consumer Psychology: What the modern whiskey drinker is actually looking for in a bottle.🔔 Subscribe for more weekly discussions, tastings, and bourbon insights from the Bourbon Lens community. 📸 Follow on Instagram: @bourbonlens🌐 Visit: www.bourbonlens.comDiscord: https://discord.gg/pd6ys5nRSUHashtags#BourbonLens #CraftSpirits #WhiskeyIndustry #BourbonTrends #DistilleryLife #SpiritsMarketing #WhiskeyCommunity #DrinkLocal #Bourbon2026 #EntrepreneurshipKeywordsBourbon, Whiskey, Craft Distilling, Spirits Industry Trends 2026, Whiskey Marketing, Bourbon Branding, Local Distilleries, Product Differentiation, Liquor Industry News, Podcast for Bourbon Lovers

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379: The Future of Craft Spirits: With Tamworth Distilling's Steven Grasse

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The Bar is Ankle High Ankle High Productions, LLC Stir your cocktails shake your mocktails and throw back those meds because The Bar is Ankle High is your new favorite podcast about life, love, relationships and everything in between, all tackled through the lens of hindsight and therapy. Medicated or not, tune in every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts to hear our hot takes, hot goss, and reflective research on anything ranging from our adult ADHD diagnoses to how we’ve dodged death to Lizzie Borden. Here’s a quick preview of what you can expect to infiltrate your ear-holes every Thursday, starting September 1st! Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook at The Bar is Ankle High, and email us your personal stories to be featured in our monthly listener episodes at [email protected]. Explicit Beer, Bourbon and Balderdash Beer, Bourbon and Balderdash Good Spirits and Great Conversations! Cheers! Explicit Bourbon and BS Podcast Steve Crain Bourbon and BS stems from our Whiskey Wednesdays in the Steve's Garage in Columbus, OH. Steve will typically crack a new bottle and smoke a few cigars each Wednesday with friends and guests. Tune in each week to see who and what we are talking about and what we are drinking and smoking! Explicit HOME Podcast Laura McKowen & Holly Whitaker HOME Podcast with Laura McKowen and Holly Whitaker takes up the big questions of life through the lens of addiction recovery. Each week, we explore a new discussion about our hearts, relationships, life, love and the universe at large.Intro and outro music by Radiation City. Explicit

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This episode was published on April 19, 2026.

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The spirits industry is at a crossroads. As consumer preferences shift toward intentional drinking and premiumization, the old playbook for craft distilleries is being rewritten. In this episode of The Bourbon Lens, we dive into the evolving market...

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