Tasting Notes:

This episode is different.

No guest. No bottle on the table. Not even the One More Pour Studio.

Just me giving you an update on where I’ve been, what’s been happening over the last several weeks, and why I’ve made the difficult decision to officially put The Dram Amateur Podcast on pause.

Since July 1st, I’ve been dealing with some unexplained health issues—episodes of blurred vision, headaches, brain fog, elevated heart rate, chest discomfort, and just feeling disconnected from myself. I’ve been to doctors, made a trip to the hospital, met with a cardiologist, and I still have more testing and appointments ahead.

The good news? So far, the tests have looked good.

The frustrating part? I still don’t have an answer.

And until I do, I need to focus on the things that matter most: my health, my family, and being present.

⏸️ Why I’m Hitting Pause

I love this podcast. I love sitting down with people, hearing their stories, sharing great pours, and getting to know this incredible spirits community.

But I’ve always wanted to give this show everything I have.

Right now, I can’t do that.

I’ve stepped away from spirits and cigars while I work through what’s going on, and rather than force episodes just to keep the podcast moving, I’d rather pause, take care of myself, and hopefully come back when I can truly enjoy doing this again.

🥃 More Than the Pour

Looking back on the last three years, I keep coming back to one thing:

This was never really about what was in the glass.

It was about the people sitting around it.

The friendships, conversations, ridiculous stories, shared bottles, new experiences, and people I probably never would have met if I hadn't decided to start this little podcast.

That doesn’t disappear because I’m hitting pause.

So please stay connected. Reach out. Send me a message. Grab my number. Invite me onto your podcast. Hell, if you need a co-host, give me a call.

I'm still here.

❤️ Thank You

To every guest who trusted me with their story, every person who listened or watched, every brand that supported the show, and especially every friendship that came from this crazy little idea:

Thank you.

I don’t know exactly what the next couple of months will bring. Hopefully, I get some answers, get myself back where I need to be, and eventually sit back down behind that microphone in the One More Pour Studio.

Because this isn't goodbye.

It's just a pause.

Until we get to share one more pour together.

Cheers.

Tasting Notes: Three years ago, this podcast started with a microphone, a curiosity about great spirits, and the hope of creating something meaningful. Today, it's become something far bigger than I ever imagined.

In this solo episode, I'm taking a step back to reflect on the journey—from recording audio-only episodes at my kitchen table to building the One More Pour Studio, launching video on YouTube, and connecting with listeners from around the world. More than anything, this episode is about gratitude for the incredible community that's grown around the Dram Amateur Podcast.

But it's also a conversation about what kind of spirits community we should strive to be. After witnessing an unfortunate experience at a liquor store, I share why respect, encouragement, and community over competition will always be at the heart of this podcast.

And of course... no episode would be complete without opening a few incredible bottles and sharing the stories behind them.

🥃 What We're Pouring Into This Episode
- Celebrating three years of the Dram Amateur Podcast and the start of Season 4.
- How the podcast evolved from audio-only into the One More Pour Studio and YouTube.
- The incredible growth of listeners from countries all over the world.
- Why interviewing people—and hearing their stories—has become the heart of the show.
- A candid discussion about gatekeeping in the spirits community and why kindness matters.
- The unforgettable experience of finding a Fortaleza Winter Blend 2025 through an act of generosity.
- First impressions of Rey Campero Ponche de Frutas, a mezcal that immediately became one of my favorites.
- A look ahead at Season 4, returning guests, new ideas, and where the podcast is headed next.

🥃 Key Moments
🎙️ Looking back on where the podcast started—and how much it's grown.
🌎 The surprise of building a worldwide audience through a shared love of spirits.
❤️ Why relationships matter far more than bottle hype.
🥃 Community, not competition—and standing up for welcoming new enthusiasts.
🍹 Uncorking some incredible pours and sharing the stories that make them memorable.
🔮 A preview of what's coming in Season 4.

🥃 Follow The Dram Amateur
📸 Instagram: @dram_amateur
▶️ YouTube: The Dram Amateur Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow whiskey, tequila, or spirits enthusiast and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts.

🥃 Final Pour
Sometimes it's easy to focus on bottles, ratings, or chasing the next release. This episode is a reminder that the best part of this hobby has never been what's in the glass—it's the people standing around it.
Whether you've been here since Episode 1 or just recently found the podcast, thank you for being part of this journey. Here's to many more conversations, many more stories, and plenty more pours to share together.

Tasting Notes: Sometimes the best conversations aren't with industry insiders—they're with the friends who have been there for decades.

In this episode, Jason welcomes his longtime friend Greg to the One More Pour Studio for an evening built around a newly opened bottle of Wild Common Cuishe Mezcal. What starts as a simple tasting quickly turns into a conversation about how a random online video game led to a friendship spanning more than 20 years.

From late-night SOCOM sessions and unforgettable road trips to Bills vs. 49ers debates, Tree House beer, tequila, mezcal, and the memories that only longtime friends can share, this episode is less about reviewing a bottle and more about celebrating why we open them in the first place.

If you've ever made lifelong friends over a shared drink—or even a shared hobby—this one's for you.

🔑 Key Topics & Takeaways

🥃 First Impressions of Wild Common Cuishe Mezcal

• Opening a brand-new bottle together
• Why quality mezcal is much more than just smoke
• How different agave varieties create completely different experiences
• Tasting the spirit neat before building cocktails

🍸 Why Great Spirits Deserve Great Cocktails

• Making a spicy mezcal margarita
• Why expensive bottles shouldn't be "too nice" to mix
• Balancing cocktails without overpowering the spirit
• Exploring mezcal beyond traditional sipping

🎮 The Friendship That Started It All

• Meeting over SOCOM more than two decades ago
• How online gaming friendships were different in the early 2000s
• Clan battles, late-night gaming, and lifelong memories
• Turning an online friendship into a real-world one

✈️ Road Trips, Sports & Shared Adventures

• Syracuse basketball memories
• Bills vs. 49ers rivalry
• Braves baseball and unforgettable moments
• Pub crawls, brewery visits, and years of traveling to see each other

🍺 Beer, Tequila & Chasing Great Drinks

• Why Tree House Brewing still sets the standard
• Favorite tequila discoveries
• Finding great liquor stores that focus on education
• The fun of constantly exploring new pours

🤝 The Real Reason We Collect Bottles

• Spirits as a reason to slow down with friends
• Why memories outlast expensive pours
• Community over collecting
• Celebrating friendships one glass at a time

📝 Memorable Moments

• The story of two strangers becoming lifelong friends.
• Greg opening his very first bottle of Wild Common Cuishe Mezcal live on the podcast.
• Jason sharing why great mezcal isn't defined by smoke alone.
• Memories from Syracuse pub crawls, Braves games, Bills games, and countless road trips.
• The realization that sometimes the best podcast episodes aren't interviews—they're simply conversations between friends.

🥃 Follow The Dram Amateur
📸 Instagram: @dram_amateur
▶️ YouTube: The Dram Amateur Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow whiskey, tequila, or spirits enthusiast and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts.

🥃 Final Pour

Every bottle has a story.

Sometimes it's about where it was made.

Sometimes it's about who made it.

And sometimes it's simply about who you opened it with.

This episode is a reminder that the best pours are rarely the most expensive—they're the ones shared with people who have been part of your story for years.

Because every pour comes with a story. 🥃Cheers.

Tasting Notes: Cocktails Are More Than a Recipe—They're Hospitality in a Glass.

What separates a good cocktail from one you'll remember years later?

In this episode, Jason sits down with Marielle (@mariibar_nyc)—bartender, cocktail creator, and hospitality professional—to explore the artistry, philosophy, and passion behind modern cocktails.

From unexpectedly falling in love with bartending during COVID to now crafting drinks in one of New York City's most respected cocktail bars, Marielle shares why great cocktails aren't just about ingredients—they're about creating experiences.

Along the way, Jason mixes two of Marielle's cocktail recipes posted on her Instagram, learns why ice matters more than most people realize, and discovers the small details that transform a drink into something unforgettable.

Whether you're a whiskey drinker looking to branch out or someone who's always wondered what separates an average cocktail from an exceptional one, this episode is full of practical insights and fascinating stories.

🔑 Key Topics & Takeaways

🍸 Falling Into Bartending... and Finding a Passion
- Why Marielle never planned to become a bartender
- How stepping behind the bar during COVID changed everything
- Discovering creativity through cocktails instead of simply serving drinks

🎨 Cocktails as an Art Form
- Why presentation matters just as much as flavor
- Designing drinks that create memorable experiences
- The balance between aesthetics and functionality
- Why egg white cocktails remain one of her favorite techniques

🧪 Creativity Behind Every Cocktail
- Where inspiration actually comes from
- Turning food experiences into cocktails
- Experimentation, failures, and creating award-winning drinks
- Why not every creative idea survives the tasting glass

🧊 The Details Most People Never Notice
Jason gets a live masterclass on:
- Why ice size changes a cocktail
- Proper shaking techniques
- Ingredient order while building drinks
- Why fresh citrus is non-negotiable
- How premium ingredients elevate every cocktail

🌎 California vs. New York Cocktail Culture
Marielle compares two very different hospitality worlds:
- Different guest expectations
- Cocktail trends across the country
- Why New York continues to push cocktail innovation
- Building menus for different audiences

❤️ Hospitality Over Everything
Perhaps the biggest takeaway of the episode:
A memorable cocktail isn't always the most complicated one.
It's the connection between bartender and guest that people remember long after the glass is empty.

📱 Building a Cocktail Community Online
Marielle also discusses:
Creating cocktail content on Instagram
Learning videography while growing her audience
Staying authentic on social media
Why personality matters more than perfection

🥃 Jason's Live Cocktail Challenge
Throughout the episode, Jason attempts to recreate two cocktails Marielle has posted on her Instagram account:
🍋 Paper Plane
🔥 Smoky Spicy Margarita
...while getting real-time coaching from a professional bartender.
Needless to say, there are a few lessons learned along the way.

🥃 Connect with Marielle
📸 Instagram: @mariibar_nyc

🥃 Follow The Dram Amateur
📸 Instagram: @dram_amateur
▶️ YouTube: The Dram Amateur Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow whiskey, tequila, or spirits enthusiast and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts.

Because every pour comes with a story. 🥃

Tasting Notes: What happens when two friends sit down with four mystery pours, zero preparation, and a shared love for great spirits?

In this episode, Jason welcomes back fan-favorite guest John (@mr._given)—the king of Porch Pops and High-Proof Hikes—for another Blind Bonanza. This time, the focus shifts to Reposado tequila as the guys work through a lineup of mystery pours, attempting to identify distilleries, proofs, and flavor profiles completely blind.

Along the way, the conversation wanders into everything from social media creativity and tequila collecting to side-by-sides, college tuition, Braves baseball, NFL Draft reactions, and why certain spirits become lifelong favorites.

As always, the real fun isn't just what's in the glass—it's the stories that come with it.

Key Topics & Takeaways

🥃 Blind Bonanza: Reposado Edition

• Four mystery Reposado tequilas tasted blind
• Guessing proofs, distilleries, and production styles
• Why proof doesn't always tell the whole story
• The surprising differences between Highland and Lowland tequilas
• How barrel influence can dramatically change a tequila's profile

🌄 Highlands vs. Lowlands Tequila

• What terroir means in tequila production
• Why Highland tequilas often showcase brighter citrus and fruit notes
• How volcanic soils influence Lowland tequila character
• Learning to identify regional characteristics through blind tasting

And why some bottles become "repeat reaches" regardless of how many options sit on the shelf.

📸 Creativity, Community & Instagram

• How content creators develop their own style
• The inspiration behind Jason's "Repeat Reach" series
• Why authenticity matters more than chasing trends
• Building community through shared passions

🚜 Porch Pops, High-Proof Hikes & New Toys

John talks about:

• Purchasing a Kawasaki Mule
• The origins of "Musings from the Mule"
• Why followers keep asking for merch
• The surprising ways social media catchphrases take on a life of their own

⚾ Sports Talk & Dad Life

• Braves baseball optimism
• Georgia Bulldogs baseball
• NFL Draft reactions
• Raising kids, preparing for college, and balancing hobbies with real life

🇲🇽 Falling Down the Agave Rabbit Hole

The conversation explores:

• Why tequila continues to gain momentum among whiskey drinkers
• The appeal of additive-free tequila
• High-proof versus standard-proof expressions
• How tequila and mezcal reveal terroir in unique ways
• Why Mexico's culture, food, and hospitality continue to inspire

Connect with John

Follow John for Porch Pops, High-Proof Hikes, whiskey adventures, and plenty of good laughs:

Instagram: @mr._given

Connect with The Dram Amateur

📸 Instagram: @dram_amateur
🎥 YouTube: The Dram Amateur Podcast
📘 Facebook: The Dram Amateur Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow whiskey, tequila, or spirits enthusiast and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts.

Because every pour comes with a story. 🥃

Tasting Notes: What happens when two friends sit down with four mystery pours, zero preparation, and a shared love for great spirits?

In this episode, Jason welcomes back fan-favorite guest John (@mr._given)—the king of Porch Pops and High-Proof Hikes—for another Blind Bonanza. This time, the focus shifts to Reposado tequila as the guys work through a lineup of mystery pours, attempting to identify distilleries, proofs, and flavor profiles completely blind.

Along the way, the conversation wanders into everything from social media creativity and tequila collecting to side-by-sides, college tuition, Braves baseball, NFL Draft reactions, and why certain spirits become lifelong favorites.

As always, the real fun isn't just what's in the glass—it's the stories that come with it.

Key Topics & Takeaways

🥃 Blind Bonanza: Reposado Edition

• Four mystery Reposado tequilas tasted blind
• Guessing proofs, distilleries, and production styles
• Why proof doesn't always tell the whole story
• The surprising differences between Highland and Lowland tequilas
• How barrel influence can dramatically change a tequila's profile

🌄 Highlands vs. Lowlands Tequila

• What terroir means in tequila production
• Why Highland tequilas often showcase brighter citrus and fruit notes
• How volcanic soils influence Lowland tequila character
• Learning to identify regional characteristics through blind tasting

And why some bottles become "repeat reaches" regardless of how many options sit on the shelf.

📸 Creativity, Community & Instagram

• How content creators develop their own style
• The inspiration behind Jason's "Repeat Reach" series
• Why authenticity matters more than chasing trends
• Building community through shared passions

🚜 Porch Pops, High-Proof Hikes & New Toys

John talks about:

• Purchasing a Kawasaki Mule
• The origins of "Musings from the Mule"
• Why followers keep asking for merch
• The surprising ways social media catchphrases take on a life of their own

⚾ Sports Talk & Dad Life

• Braves baseball optimism
• Georgia Bulldogs baseball
• NFL Draft reactions
• Raising kids, preparing for college, and balancing hobbies with real life

🇲🇽 Falling Down the Agave Rabbit Hole

The conversation explores:

• Why tequila continues to gain momentum among whiskey drinkers
• The appeal of additive-free tequila
• High-proof versus standard-proof expressions
• How tequila and mezcal reveal terroir in unique ways
• Why Mexico's culture, food, and hospitality continue to inspire

Connect with John

Follow John for Porch Pops, High-Proof Hikes, whiskey adventures, and plenty of good laughs:

Instagram: @mr._given

Connect with The Dram Amateur

📸 Instagram: @dram_amateur
🎥 YouTube: The Dram Amateur Podcast
📘 Facebook: The Dram Amateur Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow whiskey, tequila, or spirits enthusiast and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts.

Because every pour comes with a story. 🥃

Tasting Notes: In this episode, Jason sits down with Dan Hakker, founder of Oade Armagnac, for a deep dive into the history, craftsmanship, and soul behind one of the world’s most overlooked spirits.

From hidden cellars in Gascony to tasting 100-year-old Armagnacs straight from the barrel, this conversation explores why Armagnac isn’t just another spirit category—it’s living history in a glass.

Dan shares the journey of building Oade Armagnac from scratch, traveling across southwest France to uncover forgotten barrels, meeting multi-generational producers, and introducing American drinkers to a spirit built on patience, authenticity, and human connection.

This episode is about more than tasting notes.
It’s about slowing down, honoring craftsmanship, and appreciating the stories behind every pour.

🔑 Key Topics & Takeaways

🇫🇷 Discovering the Soul of Gascony

• How Dan fell in love with Armagnac through travel, food, and culture
• Why Gascony feels completely different from the modern spirits world
• The emotional connection between people, land, and spirit production
• What makes Armagnac feel deeply personal compared to other categories

🥃 What Exactly Is Oade Armagnac?

• The meaning behind the name “Oade”
• Why Oade focuses on honoring producers instead of making spirit themselves
• Traveling across France to taste over 2,500 barrels
• Finding rare single-barrel, cask-strength Armagnacs to bring to the U.S.

🧪 How Armagnac Is Actually Made

• The once-a-year harvest and distillation process
• Traveling alembic stills that move from farm to farm
• Why Armagnac production is still incredibly small-scale
• How aging environments dramatically impact flavor

🍇 The Importance of Terroir & Grapes

• The difference between Bas Armagnac and Tenarèze
• Why Baco grapes became legendary after Phylloxera
• How soil, climate, and barrel placement shape flavor profiles
• Why no two producers taste alike

🏚️ Hidden Cellars & Forgotten Barrels

• Discovering producers with no digital footprint
• Walking into century-old cellars covered in dust
• The emotional experience of tasting Armagnac from the 1900s
• Why some producers refuse to sell—even when the barrels are extraordinary

⚠️ Building a Brand With No Roadmap

• Launching an import business with zero alcohol industry experience
• Navigating distribution, importing, and international logistics
• Surviving tariff increases right as the first shipment was ready
• Why educating consumers is the real challenge

🕰️ Why Armagnac Teaches You to Slow Down

• Appreciating time, craftsmanship, and patience
• Why Armagnac changes in the glass over time
• The importance of savoring experiences instead of rushing through them
• How Armagnac became Jason’s “Sunday pour”

🧠 What You’ll Learn

• Why Armagnac is radically different from bourbon and cognac
• How vintage Armagnac is preserved and documented
• What makes aging conditions so important in Armagnac
• Why authenticity matters more than hype
• How culture and craftsmanship still survive in modern spirits

🔁 Why This Episode Matters

This episode is a reminder that not everything needs to move fast.

Armagnac represents:

• patience over production
• craftsmanship over scale
• connection over marketing

And in today’s spirits world, that’s becoming increasingly rare.

🥃 Featured Armagnacs Tasted

• “The Farewell” — 1986 Domaine Marquestau
• “Serendipity” — 1985 Domaine du Carpoulat
• 1976 Vintage — J. Damblat Selection

Follow Oade Armagnac

• Oade Armagnac Website: www.oadearmagnac.com
• @oadearmagnac on Instagram
  
  

Follow the Dram Amateur Podcast

• @dram_amateur on Instagram
• The Dram Amateur Podcast on YouTube
  
  
• Share this episode with a fellow spirits enthusiast
• Leave a review to help grow the community

🥂 Closing Thought

Some spirits are made to sell.

Others are made to preserve history.

Armagnac belongs to the second category.

Tasting Notes: What does it take to revive a whiskey city after 100 years?

In this episode, Jason sits down with Tim Piersant, CEO of Chattanooga Whiskey, to unpack the journey from grassroots startup to 2x Craft Producer of the Year. From fighting outdated laws to building one of the most innovative distilleries in America, this conversation dives into the mindset, risks, and relentless creativity behind the brand.

This isn’t just about whiskey—it’s about identity, community, and building something that actually means something.

🔑 Key Topics & Takeaways

🔥 Bringing Whiskey Back to Chattanooga

• The accidental discovery of Chattanooga’s pre-Prohibition distilling history
• Launching a brand overnight with nothing but a story and a Facebook page
• Turning local pride into a movement

🏆 Craft Producer of the Year (Twice)

• What the award really means internally
• Why “product integrity” is the core of everything they do
• How validation changes (and doesn’t change) the mission

⚙️ Building a Brand from the Ground Up

• Bootstrapping the business with extreme risk and belief
• The moment they had to jump from 20 barrels to 1,200
• Changing Tennessee laws to legally distill

🧪 The Experimental Distillery

• Over 500 experimental barrels and counting
• Why innovation never stops being R&D
• How small-batch releases became a cult following

🥃 Tennessee High Malt Explained

• Creating a completely new style of American whiskey
• Why they chose to “wear blinders” instead of copying trends
• The role of roasted & toasted grains in their flavor profile

⚡ The Biggest Risk That Could’ve Killed the Brand

• Replacing sourced whiskey with their own overnight
• Walking away from 18,000-case momentum
• Betting everything on authenticity

🏙️ Why Chattanooga Matters

• The city’s role in the brand’s success
• Community, culture, and investor support
• Why this story couldn’t exist anywhere else

💬 Standout Moments

• “We didn’t just build whiskey—we built identity.”
• “Product integrity over brand hype. Every time.”
• “We could’ve killed the company overnight… but we didn’t.”
• “This is a company full of creators—not just distillers.”

🧠 What You’ll Learn

• How to turn history into opportunity
• Why authenticity beats trend-chasing in spirits
• What real innovation in whiskey looks like
• The power of community-driven brands

🔁 Why This Episode Matters

This episode is a masterclass in:

• Taking risks when there’s no roadmap
• Building a brand with purpose—not just product
• Staying creative even as you scale

Follow Chattanooga Whiskey:

• Follow @chattwhiskey on Instagram
• www.chattanoogawhiskey.com

Follow the Dram Amateur Podcast:

• Follow @dram_amateur on Instagram
• YouTube, Facebook
• Share this with a fellow whiskey lover
• Leave a review to help grow the community

🥂 Closing Thought

Some brands follow the rules.
Others rewrite them.

Chattanooga Whiskey chose the second path.