Tasting Notes: In this episode, Jason sits down with Daniel — the creator behind @mashorpass6 — whose honesty, creativity, and grounded approach have made him a standout voice in the whiskey community. From his clean aesthetic to his mash-or-pass philosophy, Daniel shares the story behind his brand, his whiskey journey, and why staying humble matters more than any free bottle ever could.

We dive into creativity, community, Columbus distilleries, the changing social-media landscape, and the magic that happens when whiskey is rooted in relationships rather than entitlement. This one is packed with authenticity, humor, storytelling, and real talk from start to finish.

💬 In This Episode

🌾 Daniel’s Origin Story

How Mash or Pass started post-COVID… including the hilarious tale of the original username being taken by someone reviewing mashed potatoes. Yes — mashed potatoes.

🎨 The Creative Process

Daniel opens up about his background in art, music, photography, ceramics, and design, and how that mix lets him create stunning reels in minutes — not hours. His philosophy?

💭 The Message Behind the Posts

Daniel talks about why he uses his platform to share thoughtful reminders about gratitude, humility, and staying grounded, including his recent reflections on entitlement in the whiskey community.

🏡 The Columbus, Ohio Whiskey Scene

A deep look at:

• High Bank Distillery
• Middle West Spirits
• Watershed
• River Roots

Daniel shares personal stories of thieving barrels, behind-the-scenes blending sessions, and what makes Columbus a growing hotspot for American whiskey.

👥 Community, Not Competition

Why the best part of whiskey has nothing to do with bottles — and everything to do with people, relationships, and shared pours.

📍 Where to Find Daniel

Instagram: @mashorpass6

📍 Where to Find The Dram Amateur Podcast

Instagram: @dram_amateur
Facebook & YouTube: The Dram Amateur Podcast

Life’s too short for bad pours. Make every dram count. 🥃✨

Tasting Notes: In this episode, Jason sits down with Raul (@thesmokentexpodcastshow) — a West Texas creator, cigar lover, whiskey sipper, and the heart behind The Smoken Tex Podcast Show.

They dive into Raul’s journey from oil-field road life to building community online, the faith and family values that keep him grounded, and the stories that shaped who he is today. From childhood moments to the fear of the mic, from finding purpose on the road to becoming a connector in the cigar and whiskey worlds — this is a conversation full of humor, heart, and honesty.

Pour something good, settle in, and enjoy a story-driven episode about passion, community, and the people who bring us together.

🔥 Highlights

Community & Connection: Raul shares how support from others shaped his journey and why he believes everyone’s story deserves a spotlight.

Faith, Family & Home: He talks about life on the road, the sacrifices of being away, and the foundation his family gives him.

West Texas Roots: Childhood stories, humor, and the moments that built his personality and resilience.

Creator Growth: From camera nerves to posting freely, learning tech, and building confidence through lives and community support.

Raul as the Connector: How he naturally brings people together and keeps conversations positive, grounded, and real.

Standout Life Moments: A supportive gift from his parents, lessons from mistakes, and his commitment to creating without limits.

📣 Where to Find Raul

Instagram: @thesmokentexpodcastshow
YouTube: The Smoken Tex Podcast Show
Show him some love — subscribe, follow, support, and keep the #CommunityNotCompetition energy alive.

📍 Connect with The Dram Amateur Podcast

Instagram: @dram_amateur
YouTube: The Dram Amateur Podcast
Facebook: The Dram Amateur Podcast

Life’s too short for bad pours — make every dram count. 🥃✨

Tasting Notes: This week, Jason sits down with Sammy Halpern, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer of Desolas Mezcal, for an energizing conversation about tradition, innovation, and the future of Salmiana agave. From his early days in the industry to helping build Blue Run Spirits, Sammy shares how passion, relationships, and curiosity shaped his journey — and why the world is ready for a brighter, agave-forward mezcal from San Luis Potosí.

🔥 Highlights

🏁 Sammy’s Path Into Spirits

• The internship that changed everything
• Why relationship-building became his superpower
• Lessons from Moët Hennessy and the rise of Blue Run Spirits

☀️ The Story Behind Desolas

• How founder Gigi Mirvis spent 15+ years working with the Olivia family
• Why low-smoke, citrus-forward Salmiana agave is the star of the show
• The meaning of Desolas (“of the sun”) and its role in the brand’s identity
• A timeless, Mexican-crafted design meant to last

🛢️ Aged Salmiana — A First in the Category

• The new Reposado and upcoming 31-month single barrels
• How whiskey blending techniques inform their aged mezcal
• Honoring agave without overpowering it

🌎 Culture, Community & What’s Next

• Why consumers crave education, transparency, and authenticity
• How Desolas is welcoming agave-curious drinkers into the category
• Availability, distribution growth, and online ordering

🔗 Connect With Desolas Mezcal

Instagram: @desolasmezcal
Website: desolasmezcal.com
Order Online: Available to ship to 39 states

🔗 Connect With The Dram Amateur Podcast

Instagram: @dram_amateur
YouTube: The Dram Amateur Podcast
Facebook: The Dram Amateur Podcast
Behind-the-scenes, updates, pours & more every week

Life’s too short for bad pours — make every dram count. 🥃✨

Tasting Notes: Boom 💣 — we’re lighting the fuse on this one! In this episode, Jason sits down with Vince from Powdermen Spirits, a Connecticut distillery that blends craftsmanship, danger, and family legacy in every pour. From the blasting pits of New England to the barrels of Flyrock Corn Whiskey and Blackwick Bourbon, Vince shares how his father’s life in explosives inspired a one-of-a-kind spirits brand with the unforgettable motto — “Don’t Drink and Blast.”

They dive deep into the history, science, and heart behind Powdermen — exploring how a moonshiner’s recipe, a double gold medal win, and a love of local sourcing have shaped their rise in the craft whiskey world. ⚗️✨

🧨 In This Episode:

🔥 From Blasting Caps to Bourbon:
How Vince and his father Frank turned decades in the drilling and explosives business into a distillery that honors the grit and tradition of real powder men.

🍿 The Legend of Charlie:
The man, the myth, the moonshiner — how a Special Forces veteran and “beaver dam blaster” inspired Powdermen’s first whiskey recipe and spirit of rebellion.

🏆 Double Gold at San Francisco:
Vince relives the shock and joy of winning Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition — and what that validation meant for their small Connecticut operation.

🌾 Local Roots, Real Grains:
Why they insist on working with nearby farms like Pleasant View Farms and the Thrall Family Farm, using 90% corn and 10% malted barley for a distinctly Connecticut flavor.

🧪 Engineering Meets Distilling:
Vince’s inner mechanical engineer shows up big — from experimenting with small barrels and accelerated aging to chill filtration hacks and the science of “slow proofing.”

🔥 Accelerated Aging, Not Shortcuts:
How Powdermen uses temperature cycling and a controlled-heat process to replicate years of maturation — pushing innovation while staying true to bourbon’s soul.

🥃 Blackwick Bourbon & Flyrock Corn Whiskey:
Jason tastes through several batches — including Batch Six (Double Gold Winner) and Batch Ten C (Cask Strength)— unpacking notes of coconut, spice, fruit, and a hint of danger.

🧠 Whiskey Nerd Heaven:
Learn about Uranus’ Principle, saponification, slow proofing, and why Vince keeps a “southern engineer’s curiosity” alive in every experiment.

👨‍👩‍👦 Family Business with Fire:
From his sister designing labels to his father mentoring distilling runs, this is a tight-knit crew doing things their way — small batch, full heart, and New England tough.

🥇 Tasting Highlights:

• Blackwick Batch Six: 🥥 Coconut-forward, rich and oily, layers of sweetness and spice, five years and ten months in a 15-gallon barrel.
• Blackwick Batch Ten C (Cask Strength): 🍓 Sweet fruit and oak in perfect balance, aged one month with accelerated heat method, proofed at 104.
• Batch Nine: ⚡️ A “happy accident” blend that turned a failed experiment into a bold, oaky win.

🌐 Connect with Powdermen Spirits:

👉 powdermenspirits.com
📍 Simsbury, Connecticut
📸 Instagram: @powdermenspiritsco

🎙️ Connect with Jason & The Dram Amateur Podcast:

Instagram: @dram_amateur
YouTube | Facebook: The Dram Amateur Podcast
🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts

🎙️ Tasting Notes: In this episode of the Dram Amateur Podcast, Jason sits down with Arturo Lamas, founder of Lost Lore Tequila — a brand that’s not just crafting exceptional tequila, but reviving a century-old family legacy. From humble beginnings in Zacatecas to crafting tequila in Jalisco, Arturo’s journey is a tribute to perseverance and passion.

We talk about how Lost Lore was born from a forgotten family craft, the meaning behind its mysterious name, and how Arturo and his wife Sarah are building a brand rooted in authenticity, transparency, and quality. Arturo also shares what it’s like working with legendary master distiller Sergio Cruz, experimenting with unique finishes (including stout barrels and amburana wood!), and pushing boundaries in the world of agave spirits.

Whether you’re a tequila enthusiast, an entrepreneur, or just love a good story about passion and perseverance — this pour is one you won’t want to miss.

🔥 Highlights You’ll Love

✨ Family Legacy Reborn: How Arturo’s great-grandfather began distilling agave in the 1920s — and how Lost Lore honors that 100-year tradition.
🌵 The Meaning of “Lost Lore”: A tribute to traditions lost when Arturo’s father moved to the U.S. and the family’s journey to bring them back.
💪 Teamwork & Tenacity: Arturo’s wife Sarah is not just a partner in life, but a powerhouse behind the business — managing compliance, logistics, and growth.
🧪 Innovation in Agave: From stout barrel experiments to amburana finishes and hoven blends, Arturo breaks down how Lost Lore keeps tequila exciting while respecting its roots.
💬 Transparency & Quality: Why Lost Lore sticks to agave, water, and yeast — and how those three ingredients can create endless flavor profiles.
🌎 Community & Connection: The power of social media, relationships with fans, and how authenticity fuels growth in the craft spirits world.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 At the Core: Arturo opens up about being a family man first — and how every decision starts with his loved ones in mind.
🎶 Just for Fun: What mythical creature represents Lost Lore (hint: it’s a Griffin 🦅), Arturo’s desert island picks, and what’s next for the brand — including collabs with breweries, hip-hop artists, and an AEW wrestler!

🧭 Key Takeaway

Lost Lore Tequila isn’t just about what’s in the bottle — it’s about reviving lost traditions, celebrating culture, and daring to innovate. Arturo’s story reminds us that great spirits are made with heart, hustle, and heritage.

📲 Connect & Follow

Follow Lost Lore Tequila on:

• Instagram: @lostloretequila
• Website: www.lostloretequila.com

Follow The Dram Amateur Podcast on Instagram:
👉 @dram_amateur

🥃 Final Toast

“Tradition may fade, but stories — and good tequila — never die. Here’s to the legends who keep the lore alive.”
– Jason, The Dram Amateur Podcast

🎙️ Tasting Notes:

On this week’s episode of The Dram Amateur Podcast, Jason sits down with one of the most influential voices in modern rum — Kate Perry, U.S. National Manager for La Maison & Velier and the woman behind the Instagram handle @wheninrhum.

From opening Seattle’s iconic Rumba bar to bringing Clairin and other authentic Caribbean spirits into the U.S. market, Kate’s story is equal parts passion, persistence, and purpose. She didn’t wait for opportunity — she booked a flight to the Caribbean and created one.

This episode dives deep into Kate’s journey from sherry to sugarcane, her crash-course trip through the islands, and how a chance encounter at 1 a.m. in New Orleans changed everything. 🌙

🍹 Highlights from the Pour

• Jumping in feet first: How a random idea to open a rum bar led Kate to the Caribbean on a self-taught rum education journey.
• The meeting that changed her life: The story of how she met Luca Gargano at Tales of the Cocktail — and talked her way into her dream job.
• Building the U.S. rum movement: What it was like to self-distribute Clairin and Caroni through the streets of New York long before rum was “cool.”
• The power of community: Why Kate believes rum is best when shared — and how the global rum family continues to grow.
• Authenticity in the spirits world: Her advice to brands — and people — about staying true to your voice and knowing when to say no.
• Rum vs. Bourbon: The rise of transparency, the importance of producers, and why rum still flies under the radar (for now).

💬 Rapid Fire & Reflections

• The rum she pours for someone who says “I don’t like rum.”
• Her three-bottle rum “starter pack.”
• What rum in America will look like in five years.
• A dream tasting panel featuring Joy Spence, Mary Oliver, and 90s Gwen Stefani (yes, really).
• The deeper purpose behind what she does — bringing people together, one pour at a time.

🌍 Final Takeaway

Kate’s journey is more than a career story — it’s a masterclass in following your calling, building community, and doing things the right way. Whether you’re a bourbon drinker dipping into rum for the first time or a longtime sugarcane spirit enthusiast, this episode will make you see rum (and the people behind it) in a whole new light.

🔗 Connect with Us

Follow @wheninrhum for global rum adventures and updates from Kate.
Follow @dram_amateur on Instagram for more behind-the-scenes content, episode drops, and spirited conversations.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode — it helps the podcast grow and keeps the drams flowing!

Tasting Notes: This week, Jason sits down with David and Richard, the passionate founders of Dos Gabachos Mezcal, a brand that was built the hard way: relationship by relationship, bottle by bottle, bar by bar.

These guys didn’t stumble into mezcal—they chased it. From long nights bartending in downtown LA, to life-changing trips to Mexico City, to bumpy car rides through the hills of Oaxaca, their journey is one of grit, authenticity, and respect for tradition.

🎙️ What’s Inside the Episode:

• How a friendship behind the bar in LA turned into a mezcal brand with roots deep in Oaxaca.
• The eye-opening trip that changed everything and introduced them to the Martinez family—4th generation mezcaleros in Santo Domingo Albarradas.
• Why mezcal isn’t just “smoky tequila” (and what really gives it those earthy, complex flavors).
• The hustle behind building a spirits brand without celebrity backing or deep pockets—hand-delivering bottles, educating bartenders, and earning every reorder.
• A deep dive into their lineup: from the Espadín (their flagship) to the Rosé, Tobala, Tepeztate, and the wild, celebratory Pechuga distilled with fruits and a chicken breast. 🐓🍍🍎
• The importance of terroir, tradition, and transparency in every bottle.
• Mezcal’s magic: why it makes you feel alive, connected, and always worth sharing.

🥂 Why You’ll Love It:

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to bring an authentic spirit from the hills of Oaxaca to the shelves of bars in California and New York, this is the episode for you. It’s a story of sweat, culture, passion, and the belief that mezcal is more than a drink—it’s heritage in a glass.

So pour yourself something good (bonus points if it’s mezcal 😉), and join us for this unforgettable conversation with the storytellers behind Dos Gabachos.

👉 Follow Dos Gabachos on Instagram: @dosgabachosmezca

👉 Check them out and order online: dosgabachos.com

👉 Connect with me: @dram_amateur on Instagram, Threads, and X | The Dram Amateur Podcast on Facebook

Tasting Notes: Strap in, whiskey explorers—because this week, we’re saddling up with Chuck and Kim from Overland Drams! 🥃🚙 These two adventurers are blending bold pours of American whiskey with the untold stories of the West. Together, we dive into their brand-new Western Whiskey Trails project, starting with the Santa Fe Whiskey Trail.

From dusty pioneer paths to virtual campfires, they’re proving that whiskey history runs far beyond Kentucky—and it’s just waiting for you to discover it. 🌄

🔥 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• 🌍 The Origin Story: How Chuck’s time in Greenland, Kim’s adventurous spirit, and their shared passion for history + whiskey sparked Overland Drams.
• 🥃 Whiskey Meets the Wild West: Why the Santa Fe Trail is ground zero for Western whiskey, and how distilleries across the West are keeping that legacy alive.
• 📖 Stories You Haven’t Heard: Forgotten distillers, outlaw saloons, and the characters that shaped American whiskey outside Kentucky.
• 🛻 Overlanding & Whiskey Hunting: How they rigged up their adventure vehicle to chase down distilleries across vast Western landscapes.
• 💡 The Big Vision: Building a connected whiskey culture in the West, complete with sensory kits, virtual tastings, and modern-day whiskey rendezvous.
• 🎶 Soundtrack of the Santa Fe Trail: From Johnny Cash to Tom Petty, the music that sets the tone for sipping on the open road.
• 🔮 Legacy & Future: How Overland Drams hopes to preserve history, grow community, and inspire the next generation of whiskey adventurers.

👥 About the Guests:

Chuck & Kim of Overland Drams are explorers at heart—Antarctica veterans, whiskey enthusiasts, and now trailblazers building the Western Whiskey Trails. Their mission? To connect the glass in your hand to the land, stories, and people of the American West.

Follow them on Instagram 👉 @overlanddrams
Learn more 👉 overlanddrams.mykajabi/priority-list

📲 Stay Connected:

Follow me on Instagram: @dram_amateur

YouTube & Facebook: Dram Amateur Podcast

🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, drop a like, share it with a friend, and leave a review—it helps us grow and keeps the pours flowing!