Benji Purslow joins Damian this week to discuss his journey from pub bartender and aspiring musician to International Advocacy Manager at Heaven Hill.

From pulling pints in seaside pubs to representing one of the world's largest whiskey producers, Benji shares lessons learned from more than 25 years in hospitality and explains what modern brand advocacy really looks like.

The conversation explores career progression, supplier relationships, bourbon's current challenges, and why deep expertise remains one of the most valuable assets a bartender can develop.

Hospitality teaches resilience, adaptability and work ethic that transfers into almost any career. The best brand advocates aren't simply marketers—they connect producers, distributors, bars, bartenders and consumers. Benji explains why brands look for the right fit rather than simply chasing social media numbers, and why developing specialist knowledge in a single category can create significant career opportunities.

The discussion also explores bourbon's current oversupply concerns, why the situation is more nuanced than many headlines suggest, and how today's challenges could ultimately benefit whiskey drinkers in the years ahead. Above all, Benji argues that passion matters, and that the most successful advocates tend to work with products and categories they genuinely love.

Benji's route into hospitality, the realities of modern brand advocacy, working with Heaven Hill and American whiskey, what brands look for in bartenders and venues, bourbon's boom, slowdown and future outlook, career advice for aspiring advocates, and reflections on Tales of the Cocktail and industry networking.

Follow Benji on Instagram: @benjipurslow

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