Keeper’s Heart Whiskey is making waves with a bold idea: blending the rich tradition of Irish whiskey with the deep character of American bourbon. In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris sit down with Keeper’s Heart’s lead distiller, Kate Douglas, to talk about the inspiration behind the blend, how it’s crafted, and why it’s turning heads across the whiskey world. From the challenges of merging two whiskey heritages to the exciting innovations happening at their Minneapolis distillery, Kate gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what makes Keeper’s Heart so unique.

Whether you’re an Irish whiskey fan, a bourbon devotee, or just someone curious about what happens when the two collide, this conversation will leave you reaching for a glass.

Learn more about Keeper’s Heart at keepersheartwhiskey.com.

Follow Whiskey Rocks on Instagram and TikTok for more whiskey stories, tastings, and laughs:

• Instagram: @thewhiskeyrockspodcast

• TikTok: @thewhiskeyrockspodcast

From Bourbon Pursuit to Pursuit Spirits, Ryan Cecil has carved out a unique path in the whiskey world, transforming his passion for storytelling into a whiskey brand that’s challenging industry norms. In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris sit down with Ryan to dig into the origins of Pursuit Spirits, the philosophy behind their blends, and what it takes to move from documenting whiskey history to actually making it.

Whether you’re a seasoned bourbon drinker or just starting your whiskey journey, Ryan’s perspective offers both insider knowledge and inspiration for anyone who’s ever wondered what it takes to turn a passion into a legacy.

To learn more, visit www.pursuitspirits.com

And don’t forget to follow us on TikTok and Instagram at @thewhiskeyrockspodcast for more whiskey conversations, reviews, and behind-the-scenes fun.

Watershed Distillery has been quietly making waves in the world of craft whiskey — and it’s time you heard the story straight from the source. In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris sit down with Tommy Householder, U.S. Brand Ambassador for Watershed, to talk about how a Columbus, Ohio distillery is redefining what bourbon can be.

From their bold approach to flavor to the surprising history behind the brand, we dig into what makes Watershed stand out in a crowded market. We’ll cover their distilling process, the role of local ingredients, and the whiskey expressions you should be sipping right now.

Whether you’re an Ohio bourbon skeptic or already a fan, this conversation will have you rethinking the Midwest’s place in American whiskey.

Learn more about Watershed Distillery at www.watersheddistillery.com.

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @thewhiskeyrockspodcast for more whiskey stories, laughs, and music pairings.

What if your favorite whiskey… wasn’t actually your favorite? In this “Voices of the Industry” episode of Whiskey Rocks, we sit down with Bobby DeMars, founder of Blind Barrels, the underground whiskey subscription that’s flipping the script on how we taste, discover, and love American whiskey.

Bobby shares the story behind launching Blind Barrels, why blind tasting reveals more than any label ever could, and how they’re giving underdog distilleries the spotlight they deserve. Whether you’re a whiskey collector, a casual sipper, or just chasing that next hidden gem, this conversation will change how you think about what’s in your glass.

We talk about:

•Why blind tastings strip away bias and elevate flavor

•How Blind Barrels is building a community of curious drinkers

•What most people get wrong when “rating” whiskey

•Bobby’s biggest surprises (and failures) from blind tasting

•The indie rock spirit of craft distilling

💥 Spoiler alert: Your “top shelf” may not be your best sip.

Want to test your palate? Explore the whiskey world without the hype at blindbarrels.com.

Follow us for behind-the-scenes pours, blind tasting reactions, and dad-worthy whiskey wisdom:

• Instagram- @thewhiskeyrockspodcast

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During Prohibition, a legal loophole allowed doctors to prescribe whiskey for “medicinal use”—and patients could walk away with a 10-day supply. In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, we’re joined by Dr. Rob and Dr. Dave, two of the co-founders of Ten Day Bourbon, a bold brand bringing that rebellious spirit back to the glass.

We explore:

•The wild true story behind prescription bourbon during Prohibition

•How two real-life doctors turned that history into a full-flavored modern whiskey

•The science, creativity, and grit behind Ten Day Bourbon’s unique approach

•How they’re breaking norms in an industry steeped in tradition

•And of course, a tasting session that blends medicine with mischief

Whether you’re a whiskey nerd, a history lover, or just into drinking with purpose, this episode is your prescription. Pour a glass and discover how Ten Day Bourbon is rewriting the rules—one dose at a time.

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, we sit down with Adam Hines — designer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of High Bank Distillery — to go deep into the brand’s meteoric rise and their fearless approach to craft whiskey. From the early days of conceptual design to winning multiple gold medals, Adam shares the bold strategy behind High Bank’s standout line, Whiskey War.

We unpack how High Bank blends award-winning spirits with sharp branding, the mindset behind challenging industry norms, and why disrupting the whiskey world sometimes means throwing out the traditional playbook. Whether you’re a whiskey lover, a brand builder, or just love a good underdog story, this one’s for you.

Topics We Cover:

• The origin and evolution of Whiskey War

• Adam’s transition from creative director to distiller

• Building a brand-first distillery in a product-first industry

• The role of storytelling, design, and bold moves in craft whiskey

• High Bank’s secret to staying scrappy and standing out

• Why the Whiskey War name is more than just a label

Drinks we pour and Joel’s review of them:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DL8fvoes0CR/?igsh=MTF4NGRycWdheng3Ng==

https://www.instagram.com/p/DLyHfZ-MSVV/?igsh=MTJha2xqZGFlaTJnbQ==

https://www.instagram.com/p/DKfqMvbMAWl/?igsh=N3c0enA4dWNuZzRw

Follow Us:

→ Instagram: @thewhiskeyrockspodcast

→ TikTok: @thewhiskeyrockspodcast

In this episode of the Whiskey Rocks podcast, Joel is joined by guest co-host Angry Irish Mac (sitting in for Chris) for a bold conversation with Greg Keeley, founder of Larrikin Bourbon, a Kentucky-based distillery making waves in the craft whiskey scene.

Before launching one of the most unapologetic bourbon brands on the market, Greg served in covert operations with both the Australian and U.S. Navies. His journey from military missions to mash bills is as intense as it is inspiring. We explore how his no-nonsense background influences his whiskey-making philosophy, what makes Larrikin stand out in a crowded field, and why he believes bourbon should be as bold as the people who drink it.

Whether you’re a fan of independent distilleries, a lover of American whiskey, or just want to hear how someone went from the battlefield to the barrel room, this episode is packed with grit, guts, and rock and roll energy.

Listen now and discover why Larrikin might just be the most rebellious bourbon you’ve never tried.

Find Whiskey Rocks online:

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When we invited Ben and Jess Loseke, the married co-founders of Midwest Barrel Co., onto the show, we thought we were just going to talk about barrels — the kind that once held bourbon, whiskey, wine, and beer. But what we got was a front-row seat to one of the most unexpected and inspiring stories in the world of whiskey.

In this episode, we dig into how a simple side hustle turned into a booming business, what most people don’t know about used barrels, and the wild places these barrels end up next (spoiler: it’s not always whiskey 👀 ). From building a business as a couple to serving everyone from distilleries to DIY-ers to barbecue pitmasters, Ben and Jess are redefining what it means to be a part of the spirits community — even after the spirits are long gone.

This one’s equal parts business, love story, and bourbon-soaked adventure. Pour a glass of one of your favorite drams and enjoy a Hollywood worthy story in the first of our “Voices of the Industry” special episodes.