PODCAST · arts
Neat & Mixed from Hops & Spirits
by Greener Side Podcasts
Whether you like it neat, mixed or in a cocktail, we're talking all things bourbon (and bourbon adjacent). We sample a variety of expressions on our Flight Nights with different brands and ask plenty of questions about events, brands and so much more on our We've Got Questions series. Find more Neat & Mixed at hopsspirits.com.
Episodes
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Meet Ghostwood Whiskey: Four-Grain Bourbon & Western Roots
In this episode of Neat & Mixed, we sit down with Lachlan Perks, brand manager and co-owner of Ghostwood Whiskey, to explore the story behind the Montana whiskey brand and its approach to whiskey. Lachlan shares how Ghostwood got its name, the cowboy values that shape the brand and the meaning...
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Owen Martin on Angel's Envy, having fun and what's next
At the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown, Neat & Mixed sits down with Angel’s Envy Whiskey Maker Owen Martin to talk about his journey to the brand, the art of blending, experimenting with whiskey finishes, and what’s next for Angel’s Envy. We also taste two unique releases: Angel’s Envy...
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What Is American Whiskey Scholar? Colin Blake Explains AWS
In this episode of Neat & Mixed, we talk with Colin Blake, co-creator and instructor of American Whiskey Scholar (AWS), about a new approach to American whiskey education. Colin, the former director of Moonshine University and current Vice President at Peggy Noe Stevens & Associates, explains…
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How heirloom corn shaped 10 years of Jeptha Creed bourbon
Jeptha Creed Distillery co-founder and master distiller Joyce Nethery joins Neat & Mixed to talk about the Kentucky distillery’s first decade and the story behind its 10th Anniversary Bourbon. Joyce shares how Jeptha Creed’s use of heirloom corn has shaped its whiskey, why the distillery brought...
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Blake Layfield on Maker's Mark, innovation and more
At the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown, we catch up with Maker's Mark Master Distiller Blake Layfield to talk about innovation, how that works at Marker's Mark and more.
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Larrikin heads down under at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival
Larrikin’s new Australian Series is here, and Neat & Mixed is tasting all three.Exclusively available at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival this weekend, this limited collection was created from just six barrels of 11-year-old Old Elk bourbon. The same cask-strength bourbon — 51% corn, 15% rye, and…
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How a family farm became one of the biggest independent cider brands
Get an inside look at Blake's Beverage Company on this episode of Neat & Mixed Questions as we sit down with CEO Andrew Blake to explore the journey from a family farm to one of the largest independent cider companies in the country. Andrew shares how the Blake family’s agricultural roots have...
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McGillin's Olde Ale House History: Civil War, Prohibition & Beyond
Get an inside look at McGillin's Olde Ale House, the oldest continuously operating tavern in Philadelphia, on this episode of Neat & Mixed Questions. We sit down with Irene Levy Baker to explore the remarkable history behind McGillin's and her book, Cheers to McGillin's: Philly's Oldest Tavern....
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Jefferson’s Bourbon Flight Night | Ocean Voyage 34, Reserve Cask Strength & More
Get an inside look at Jefferson's Bourbon on this episode of Neat & Mixed Flight Night as we sit down with Master Blender Ale Ochoa to explore creativity, innovation, and the art of blending bourbon. We try Jefferson’s Very Small Batch, Jefferson’s Ocean Voyage 34, and Jefferson’s Reserve Cask...
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Flight Night with Hard Truth and Bryan Smith
Get an inside look at Hard Truth Distilling Co. on this episode of Neat & Mixed Flight Night as we sit down with Bryan Smith to explore the distillery’s growth, whiskey-making philosophy, and the evolution of Indiana craft bourbon and rye. We sample Hard Truth’s 7-Year Bourbon, 7-Year Wheated...
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Olde Raleigh Distillery story | Brandon McCraney on blending, barrels & growth
Get an inside look at Olde Raleigh Distillery on this episode of Neat & Mixed Questions as we sit down with founder & master blender Brandon McCraney to discuss the journey from idea to award-winning distillery. Brandon shares how his military background helped shape his approach to building a...
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National Bourbon Week 2026 | Special Releases, Distilleries & Events
Get an inside look at National Bourbon Week 2026 in Bardstown. On this episode of Neat & Mixed Questions, we sit down with Sam Lacy to talk about the continued growth of National Bourbon Week heading into year three, how the event has evolved since its launch, and why it has become a true...
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Rabbit Hole Flight Night: Dareringer, Raceking & Boxergrail reviewed
We sit down with Matt Gandolfo, Master Taster at Rabbit Hole Distillery, to taste through Dareringer Single Barrel, Raceking Limited Release, and Boxergrail Rye Whiskey—breaking down each pour, the unique mash bills behind them, and what makes Rabbit Hole’s approach stand out in today’s whiskey...
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We talk 75 beach cocktails, mocktails & more with Allyson Reedy
In this episode of Neat & Mixed, we sit down with food writer, restaurant critic and author Allyson Reedy to talk about her latest book, Beach Cocktails — a vibrant collection of drinks inspired by coastal bars and destinations. Allyson shares how her background in food writing and cookbook...
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What’s new at the 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival
We preview the 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival with President and COO Randy Prasse, taking place September 10-13 in Bardstown. We talk through the festival’s 35-year evolution and how it has grown into one of the premier bourbon events in the country, drawing more than 60 distilleries to…
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Two funky pours reviewed: Buzzard’s Roost Cigar Blend & Olta Mexican Whisky
In this episode of Neat & Mixed, we get funky with two unique whiskey pours and break down our thoughts on Buzzard’s Roost Cigar Blend Bourbon and Olta Mexican Corn Whisky.First up, we dive into Buzzard’s Roost Cigar Blend Bourbon, a 6-year-old, 105-proof bourbon featuring a 60% corn, 36% rye, 4%...
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Southern Star Flight Night: Paragon Cask Strength, Zinfandel Finish & Double Rye
We sit down with Pete Barger of Southern Distilling Company and taste through Southern Star Paragon Cask Strength, Southern Star Bourbon Finished in Zinfandel Casks, and Southern Star Double Rye—breaking down each pour and the thinking behind the lineup. Pete shares how he and his wife Vienna...
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Why chasing new bourbon releases can be fun | Bardstown Cascadia & Rare Character Rye
Trying new bourbon releases is one of the most fun parts of being a whiskey fan—and in this Neat & Mixed episode, we dive into why the chase is worth it. From limited drops to distillery-only bottles, we explore what makes hunting down new releases exciting and how it keeps the bourbon experience...
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Shortbarrel Bourbon Flight Night | Four Grain, Toasted, Rye 101
Join us for a Neat & Mixed Flight Night with Clinton Dugan, co-founder and master blender at Shortbarrel, as we taste through three pours: Shortbarrel Four Grain, Shortbarrel Toasted Small Batch, and Shortbarrel Rye 101. Clinton shares how his journey into bourbon began, the story behind...
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Kentucky Bourby 2026: Bourbon, fun & a bigger mission
We sit down with Brian Helton, VP of TKO Flight Club and co-founder of the Kentucky Bourby, to break down what’s ahead for the 5th annual event in 2026. Brian shares how his journey into bourbon led to launching Kentucky Bourby, how the event has grown since its early days, and what makes it…
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Celebrity Bourbons: Are They Actually Good? We try Row 94 & Brothers Bond
Celebrity-backed bourbon brands are everywhere right now—but are they actually any good? We put that question to the test by tasting two high-profile releases: Row 94 Kentucky Straight Bourbon, created by country superstar Dierks Bentley in partnership with Green River Distilling Co., and…
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What’s New at Bourbon on the Banks 2026
Get an inside look at Bourbon on the Banks 2026, happening this October in Frankfort. We chat with Diane Strong and Rene True to preview this year’s upgrades, including the new Special Access Ticket experience, expanded educational sessions with Bourbon Women, and what folks can expect during the...
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Kentucky Senator Bourbon Flight Night | Releases 6 & 7 + Huey Long
We’re joined by Damon Thayer and Andre Regard, the co-founders of Kentucky Senator Bourbon, for this Flight Night to taste through three expressions: Kentucky Senator Release 6: John Edwards, Louisiana Senator Release 1: Huey Long, and Kentucky Senator Release 7: Jim Bunning Liquor Barn Single...
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Buzzard’s Roost Flight Night with Jason Brauner
We’re joined by Jason Brauner, co-founder and master blender of Buzzard’s Roost Whiskey, for a Neat & Mixed Flight Night where we taste through four expressions from the brand: Signature Double Oak, Four Grain Double Oak, Bottled-in-Bond, and Fred Minnick’s Club Marzipan Single Barrel Pick. Jason...
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What makes Duck Club Bourbon different? McCauley Williams breaks it down
We chat with McCauley Williams, co-founder and CEO of Duck Club Bourbon, for an inside look at building a modern whiskey brand in a competitive market. McCauley shares his path into the spirits industry, the experiences that shaped his approach to brand-building, and how the idea for Duck Club...
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Tasting Bardstown Bourbon + Green River | Flight Night with Dan Callaway
We’re joined by Dan Callaway, Master Blender and Vice President of Product Development at Lofted Spirits, for a Flight Night exploring four different pours — Bardstown Bourbon Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Bardstown Bourbon Rye, Bardstown Bourbon High Wheat, and Green River Full Proof. Dan shares…
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Pizza, Bourbon & Single Barrels | Inside Goodfellas & Wiseguy Lounge
We’re joined by Eric Boggs and Alex Coats, owners of Goodfellas Pizzeria and Wiseguy Lounge, for a Flight Night that blends New York–style pizza and bourbon. We explore their path into the restaurant business, why New York–style pizza became the foundation of Goodfellas, and how bourbon naturally...
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Three Chord Flipside Triple Wood & Strange Collab review
We try Three Chord Bourbon Volume 2 by breaking down two (of their four) releases that showcase the brand’s refreshed look and music-driven storytelling. Dropped in summer 2025, Volume 2 marks a new chapter for Three Chord, pairing bold finishes with artist collaborations that tie bourbon and…
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Supporting Your Favorite Bourbon Brands | Reviewing Tradewater, Sagamore and Copper & Cask
We explore what it means to support your favorite brands, even during moments like Dry January, by taking a closer look at three unique bourbons — Tradewater Single Barrel, Sagamore High Rye Bourbon and Copper & Cask Cigar Blend. We review the Tradewater Kentucky Straight Bourbon Single Barrel, a...
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Wheel Horse Whiskey Reviewed
We explore where New England craft meets Kentucky bourbon with a deep dive into Wheel Horse Whiskey’s latest releases — Barrel Proof and Baltic Porter Beer Barrel Finish.We break down the brand’s first-ever barrel proof small batch, a 5-year Kentucky Straight Bourbon bottled at 112.6 proof…
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The ultimate bourbon weekend? | Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction & Celebration
In this episode, Andrew Varga—founder of the Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction and Celebration and co-owner of J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery—dives deep into the vision behind one of the most ambitious bourbon weekends in Kentucky. Set for Fe 13-15 in Louisville, the Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction...
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Inside the future of American Whiskey | Lofted Spirits President Pete Marino
In this episode, Pete Marino, President of Lofted Spirits, shares an inside look at his unconventional career path—from PR and consulting to Molson Coors and ultimately leading one of the most influential operations in American whiskey. Pete talks candidly about what surprised him most when he...
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Travel. Explore. Drink Bourbon | Rare Releases & Bold Proofs
Brandon and Jonathan are back exploring the Travel. Explore. Drink Bourbon mindset—where vacations, discovery, and trying new pours go hand in hand. In this episode, we dive into three releases that highlight unique mash bills, high proof character, and global finishing styles: the Louisiana...
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Launching Trackside Distilling
We caught up with Jade Peterson of Trackside Distilling at this year’s Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown to sample their pours and talk about the launch of his new whiskey brand. Jade shares what pushed him to start Trackside Distilling, why he made the bold choice to use chocolate malt in…
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Potter Jane White Dog Review — New Distillery at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival
We tried Potter Jane Distillery’s White Dog at this year’s Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown. As a brand-new distillery launching in 2025, Potter Jane brought some unique early pours to give bourbon fans a first look at what they’re building.
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Craig Beam on returning to bourbon & Jackson Purchase’s first release
We caught up with Craig Beam of Jackson Purchase Distillery at this year’s Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown to talk about his return from retirement, how the distillery got its start, and the story behind their Batch #1 Full Proof Bourbon. Craig shares what brought him back into the…
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Dark Arts Whiskey Review
We hit one of the busiest booths at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown to review a pour from Dark Arts Whiskey House.
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Reviewing Remington Reserve
We tried the Remington Reserve “Open Season” Bourbon from Log Still Distillery at this year's Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown.
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Inside New Era Whiskey: 3 Single Barrels Inspired by Kentucky’s State Parks
We sit down with Zane Brammell, co-founder of New Era Whiskey, for a flight night featuring three Kentucky-inspired single barrels: Nature’s Crossing at Natural Bridge (115 proof), Dark Wonders at Mammoth Cave (113.8 proof), and Magic Moonbow at Cumberland Falls (115 proof). Zane shares how he…
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Silk Velvet Whiskey Is Back — How the Hargis Family and Jacob Call Made It Happen
At the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown, we chat with Zach and Zeb Hargis and master distiller Jacob Call to talk about the revival of Silk Velvet Whiskey. They share how the Hargis family brought Jacob on board, what inspired the return of this historic brand, what people can expect from…
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McKenzie Whiskey Flight Night: Bourbon, Rye & Pot Still with Collin McConville
We sit down with Collin McConville, Head Distiller at Finger Lakes Distilling in New York, for a flight night featuring McKenzie Bourbon, McKenzie Rye, and McKenzie Pot Still Whiskey. Collin shares his path into distilling, what drew him to Finger Lakes, and how the NYS Farm Distillery Bill…
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Tasting 2XO with Dixon Dedman: The Art of Double Barreled Bourbon
It's a Flight Night with Dixon Dedman, American whiskey blender and founder of 2XO Whiskey, as we sip through the American Oak, Vinyl Blend, and Gem of Kentucky expressions. Dixon shares the story behind his family’s bourbon legacy—dating back to his great-great-grandfather, who founded Kentucky...
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The Story Behind Olta Whisky: Blending Cultures, Craft & Corn
We sit down with Selene Nestor, founder and CEO of Olta Whisky, to talk about how she’s redefining what it means to craft whiskey with a Mexican soul. Inspired by her daughter’s Mexican and Irish heritage, Olta blends tradition, innovation, and ancestral corn to create a whisky that honors both...
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Patrick Davis on Songwriters in Paradise Bardstown, good drinks & songwriting
Songwriters in Paradise founder and singer-songwriter Patrick Davis talks about his incredible career writing songs for top country artists and how he turned a passion for music into Songwriters in Paradise. Patrick shares his journey from early influences to creating unforgettable songwriter...
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Heirloom corn to bourbon: 15 STARS First West Flight Night
Rick and Ricky Johnson of 15 STARS Bourbon join us for a Flight Night as we explore their brand-new First West lineup. We dive into the story behind how heirloom corn and history inspired the bottles, and what makes these pours stand out. From the First West Small Batch to the Toasted Oak and…
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Exploring Bourbon Styles: Hard Truth American Odd & Penelope Cigar Sessions
Brandon and Jonathan are back on Neat & Mixed to talk about the fun of trying different styles of bourbon and what makes each pour unique. In this episode, we’re putting two bottles to the test. We’re sipping the Hard Truth American Odd Sweet Mash Bourbon Bottled-in-Bond (a Mellencamp Whiskey Co....
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Back Together Again: Life Updates & Rye Whiskey Reviews
Brandon and Jonathan are back on Neat & Mixed after a summer break! In this episode, we catch up with some life updates, dive into why rye whiskey is one of our go-to pours, and taste two standout bottles. We’re sipping the Chicken Cock Ryeteous Blonde: Beer Barrel Finish and the 15 STARS…
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Eron Plevan on elevating whiskey cocktails at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival
Eron Plevan, lead bartender at Tartan House, joins us to preview his premium event at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival — “What Goes Up? Whiskey Cocktails – Best Served Up.” He shares what attendees can expect from the add-on session, why whiskey cocktails served “up” are often the most expressive…
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Music, Bourbon & Starstruck Moments: Chris Blandford on Fork & Flask
We sit down with Chris Blandford, Kroger’s Wine & Spirits Expert and co-host of Fork & Flask, to talk about all things Bourbon & Beyond — one of the country’s biggest music, food, and bourbon festivals. Chris shares how he got involved with the event, what it’s like to co-host Fork & Flask, and…
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Oaklore Distilling Story: From Neighbors to Bourbon Makers
Join us for an inside look at Oaklore Distilling with co-founders Tom Bogan and Matt Simpkins, along with Jack Shute, VP of Sales and Commercial Operations. We hear the story of how a simple neighborhood friendship and walking kids to school sparked the launch of their distillery.Discover the...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Whether you like it neat, mixed or in a cocktail, we're talking all things bourbon (and bourbon adjacent). We sample a variety of expressions on our Flight Nights with different brands and ask plenty of questions about events, brands and so much more on our We've Got Questions series. Find more Neat & Mixed at hopsspirits.com.
HOSTED BY
Greener Side Podcasts
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