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A dusty bottle on the studio shelf turned into the perfect spark for a wide-open conversation. We finally cracked a Grand Traverse Distillery rye finished through a cognac-influenced, triple-barrel journey—and it surprised us. Instead of the hot, young profile we feared, the nose showed dry cherry, vanilla, and seasoned oak, with a clean, warming finish that felt more gentleman than brawler. If you’ve ever doubted what regional distillers can do, this pour makes a strong case for patience, wood choice, and careful blending.

With glasses in hand, we welcomed Lenny from Motor City Exotics and shifted gears into car culture. We traded first car memories—the freedom of bench seats and stick shifts, booming subwoofers, and the kind of breakdowns that become legends. Then Lenny got real about the exotic rental game: thin deposits, high-risk drivers, denied claims, and a scaling problem that grows harder instead of bigger. That hard truth fueled his pivot to allstuffauto.com, a software-driven marketplace that aims to manage assets smarter, not own more depreciating metal. Think marketplace tech with a practical spine, built from the front lines of Palm Beach to Michigan.

Dream cars rounded it out, from the engineering-first Lexus LFA to Detroit-classic muscle and niche Porsches that value feel over flash. The theme ties back to the glass: substance wins. A well-finished rye can outshine a louder bottle; a thoughtfully engineered car can outlast trend-chasing hypercars. It’s a conversation for anyone who loves craft—whether it’s charred oak and cognac perfume or titanium rods and balanced chassis.

If you enjoyed the ride, tap follow, share this with a friend who loves whiskey or wheels, and drop us a review with your dream car pick. And yes—links to Lenny and Grand Traverse are in the notes. Cheers.

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www.ManCaveHappyHour.com

Jamie Flanagan @DJJamieDetroit

Matt Fox @fox_beazlefox

August Gitschlag @rawgusto

Merch www.WearingFunny.com

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A blind flight can humble anyone—so we poured three Jamesons without labels and let our palates do the talking. Between laughs, Guinness stories, and a few surprise sneezes, we worked through color, aroma, and mouthfeel to separate Jameson Original, Black Barrel, and the new Triple Triple. One glass leaned darker with char and spice, another felt creamy and layered, and the last stayed bright and easygoing. By the end, we called the lineup with confidence and compared notes on when to sip neat, drop a cube, or mix a highball with ginger.

We also dug into why casks matter so much for Irish whiskey. Black Barrel’s double-charred bourbon barrels and pot still heft brought toast, toffee, and a richer finish. Triple Triple’s bourbon, sherry, and chestnut casks added smooth depth without turning heavy or sweet, making it a standout step-up at a friendly price. The Original reminded us why it’s a bar staple: approachable, light citrus, and endlessly mixable. Along the way, we swapped pub lore, shouted out local spots, and teased a live recording at a hidden speakeasy tucked behind a beer cave door.

Then came an unexpected pairing win: an unboxing from Double Neat with bourbon-glazed jerky, whiskey pecans, maple-roasted almonds, and coffee pods. Sweet nuts softened edges and highlighted caramel notes; a little jerky heat brought out oak and char; coffee aromas echoed roasted cocoa vibes. If you’re building a holiday tasting, keep the pairings simple and let the casks do the heavy lifting.

If this kind of curious tasting and lively banter is your jam, tap follow, share the show with a friend who swears they can spot Black Barrel blind, and drop your pick for the best Jameson expression in the comments. Your recommendations guide our next flight. Cheers.

Support the show

https://linktr.ee/ManCaveHappyHour

www.ManCaveHappyHour.com

Jamie Flanagan @DJJamieDetroit

Matt Fox @fox_beazlefox

August Gitschlag @rawgusto

Merch www.WearingFunny.com

Send us a text

https://www.havenhomesofdetroit.org/

The clink of whiskey fades and a tougher story comes into focus: trafficking in Michigan isn’t a movie plot. It’s months of grooming, IDs taken, credit shattered, and a system that expects people to start over with nothing. We sit down with Aaron from Haven Homes Detroit to unpack how survivors actually rebuild—and what it takes for a small team to turn outreach into long-term stability.

Aaron traces the moment that changed everything: a young woman helped into rehab who was lured back and killed days later. That tragedy exposed the real gap—rescue without housing and documentation isn’t a fresh start. Haven Homes steps into that space with renovated transitional housing, trauma‑informed support, and practical milestones: restoring birth certificates and Social Security cards, repairing credit, teaching financial literacy, and building daily rhythms that make independence possible. With capacity for eight residents across two homes, they’ve already celebrated graduates whose lives now point forward.

We dig into Detroit’s unique dynamics: sports, conventions, and development bring demand; ownership patterns and bulk sales make housing acquisition hard; and while Michigan ranks among the top states for trafficking prevalence, public response still earns failing marks. Aaron talks partnerships with local services, the push for policy change with the Attorney General’s office, and the funding realities nonprofits face in election years. The mission is clear—scale beds, strengthen services, and keep survivors from ever returning to exploitation.

Want to help? Join the Hope & Toast Gala at the Garden Theater, support the June golf outing, or share this conversation with someone who needs to hear the truth behind the headlines. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell a friend—your signal boost can put another key in a survivor’s hand.

https://www.havenhomesofdetroit.org/

Support the show

https://linktr.ee/ManCaveHappyHour

www.ManCaveHappyHour.com

Jamie Flanagan @DJJamieDetroit

Matt Fox @fox_beazlefox

August Gitschlag @rawgusto

Merch www.WearingFunny.com