365: Exploring Old Potrero Rye and Junipero Gin with Kevin Aslan of Hotaling & Co.
Bourbon Lens
In this episode of The Bourbon Lens Podcast, Jake and Scott welcome Kevin Aslan of Hotaling & Co., Head Distiller/Blender for Old Potrero, and a longtime friend of the show. The conversation spans two shared passions—gin and rye whiskey—and highlights what makes Old Potrero one of the most distinctive producers in American whiskey. Jake and Scott dive into Kevin’s and Scott’s mutual love of gin, including a discussion of Junipero Gin and its lineup, exploring how botanical balance and unique gin prodction resonates with modern drinkers. The conversation then shifts to Old...
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364: Inside James B. Beam Distilling Co. and Hardin’s Creek with Alex Bowie
Bourbon Lens
In this episode of The Bourbon Lens Podcast, Jake and Scott travel to Clermont, Kentucky to sit down with Alex Bowie, Director of Homeplace Experiences at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. The conversation was recorded on location in Beam’s brand-new podcast studio, with Bourbon Lens receiving early access to the space for an exclusive insider look. While working through a few first-day kinks in the new studio, Jake and Scott explore what makes the Beam Homeplace experience unique and dive into the current and upcoming whiskey innovations coming out of the James B. Beam Distilling Co. Alex...
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363: Jack Daniel’s New Tanyard Hill Rye & Heritage Barrel with Chris Fletcher
Bourbon Lens
In this episode of The Bourbon Lens Podcast, Jake and Scott sit down with Chris Fletcher, Master Distiller at Jack Daniel’s Distillery, to discuss several of the most exciting recent and upcoming releases from the historic Tennessee distillery. The conversation covers the debut of Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Heritage Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, a new year-round offering built around barrels matured at the distillery’s highest elevations. Chris walks through the unique Heritage Barrel program, how lower barrel entry proof and warehouse placement influence flavor, and why this release...
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362: Inside The Classic Cocktail Revival with Jennifer Brian
Bourbon Lens
Bourbon Lens welcomes Jennifer Brian, "Cocktail Evangelist" and founder of , to discuss her upcoming book, , which released in September 2025 from the University Press of Kentucky. Born in the Bluegrass and shaped by deep family roots in Eastern Kentucky, Jennifer’s earliest memories of hospitality, food traditions, and gracious gatherings laid the foundation for her 25-year career in the hospitality industry. From luxury catering and event planning to becoming a nationally recognized cocktail evangelist, her work centers on collaboration, education, and making cocktails approachable for...
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361: Burnt Tavern Bourbon & William Berkele Distillery
Bourbon Lens
In this episode of The Bourbon Lens Podcast, Jake and Scott sit down with members of the team behind Burnt Tavern Bourbon, a new bourbon developed by William Berkele Distillery in collaboration with renowned whiskey maker Chip Tate. Joining the conversation are Bennett Clark, President of William Berkele Distillery, Royce Blevins, Lead Founder, and Chip Tate, Master Distiller. Together, they discuss the origins of Burnt Tavern Bourbon, the historical inspiration behind the brand, and how William Berkele Distillery is bringing a centuries-old story into the modern whiskey landscape. The episode...
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360: Inside the Estate Whiskey Alliance at UK's Beam Institute
Bourbon Lens
Bourbon Lens heads to Lexington, Kentucky for an on-location episode at the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits, located at the University of Kentucky. We sit down with Alexa Narel, Operations Manager for the Estate Whiskey Alliance, and Landon Borders, Director, to explore how the Alliance is reshaping the future of whiskey grain, sustainability, and transparency. The Estate Whiskey Alliance (EWA) brings together farmers, distillers, researchers, and industry partners to develop scientifically backed standards for estate-grown whiskey. Alexa and Landon break down what “estate...
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359: Field of Dreams Whiskey - Baseball, Bourbon, and Blending History
Bourbon Lens
In this episode of Bourbon Lens, Jake and Scott sit down with Field of Dreams Whiskey Co-founders Andy Keller and Drew Storen, former Major League Baseball pitcher, to talk about how their shared passion for the game and great whiskey turned into one of the most unique whiskey projects in America. The conversation dives into the origin story of Field of Dreams Whiskey, Drew’s journey through the Major Leagues, and what life looks like after baseball. Andy and Drew share how the spirit of teamwork, community, and nostalgia behind Field of Dreams continues to inspire their approach to whiskey...
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358: Southern Distilling’s Pete Barger on American Whiskey
Bourbon Lens
In this episode of Bourbon Lens, Jake and Scott welcome back Pete Barger, Co-Founder and CEO of Southern Distilling Company and Statesville Contract Distilling, for an in-depth conversation about the growth and innovation happening in North Carolina whiskey. Pete shares insights into the distillery’s world-class production operations and how Southern Distilling has positioned itself as one of the largest producers of American Whiskey in the Southeast. The discussion dives into two standout whiskeys from their portfolio — Southern Star American Single Malt Whiskey and Southern Star Bottled...
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357: Showcasing Westland Garryana 10th Edition American Single Malt
Bourbon Lens
Jake and Scott sit down with Shane Armstrong of Westland Distillery to explore the growing American Single Malt movement. Westland has helped pioneer the category through innovation, transparency, and a true sense of place in the Pacific Northwest. The conversation centers on the release of Garryana 10th edition, Westland’s acclaimed limited-edition Garryana American Single Malt Whiskey. Aged a full 10 years, this special release represents the apex of the Garryana story, showcasing the unique influence of Quercus garryana, the rare native oak of the Pacific Northwest. Shane discusses...
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356: Three Chord Bourbon Volume 2, Vinyl Revival, & Whiskey Maker Ari Sussman
Bourbon Lens
Bourbon Lens is joined by Ari Sussman, Whiskey Maker for Three Chord Bourbon, to talk about the brand’s newly released Volume 2 Series — a refreshed lineup featuring bold new blends, labels, and a creative direction deeply rooted in music culture. The Volume 2 collection introduces redesigned packaging that draws inspiration from classic vinyl records and live concert photography, reinforcing Three Chord’s connection between the worlds of whiskey and rock-and-roll. Ari shares the creative process behind these new blends and how the brand continues to evolve its identity through both...
info_outlineIt’s National Irish Coffee Day on January 25th and we couldn’t have asked for a better guest to celebrate the occasion. We’re joined by Alex Conyngham from Slane Distillery in Ireland. Slane Irish Whiskey is the perfect accompaniment to the classic Irish Coffee and they’ve put their own spin on the cocktail to celebrate. Partnering with Red Bay Coffee, they’ve developed their own roast which pairs perfectly with Slane Irish Whiskey. Be sure to check out the full recipe below and be sure to let us know if you try it.
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Scott, Michael & Jake
Bourbon Lens
Slane Irish Coffee Cocktail:
- 1 part Slane Irish Whiskey
- ⅔ parts vanilla-infused demerara syrup
- Freshly Brewed Double Espresso
- Boiling water
- Double Cream (lightly whisked)
- Dark Chocolate Orange Shavings
- INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat your glass
- Brew your espresso. Make it a double!
- Half fill your glass with boiling water
- Add syrup, double espresso and whiskey, then stir it up
- Top with double cream float
- Sprinkle on a little chocolate
- ENJOY!
About the Distillery and Slane Castle
- Alex Conyngham who, together with his father Henry Mount Charles – the man behind the legendary Slane Castle concerts – decided to set up the Slane Distillery in 2015.
- Slane Castle first got into the whiskey business in 2009. At the time, it sourced liquid from Cooley, a nearby distillery, for what it called “Slane Castle Whiskey”. When Cooley was acquired by Beam in 2012, the castle’s supply of whiskey was cut off.
- 2012, Slane Castle Whiskey went off the market, and Conyngham went to the drawing board to design the future distillery—and to search for a partner, one he eventually found in Brown-Forman. The company—owner of brands such as Jack Daniel’s and Woodford Reserve—acquired the business in 2015, before its first drop of whiskey was made, and the distillery’s construction began in January 2016.
- “Triple cask,” in this instance, means that the whiskey is aged in three distinctively different barrels:
- virgin oak barrel that has never contained whiskey,
- seasoned barrel that once contained Tennessee whiskey or bourbon, and
- a sherry cask.
- Slane Irish Whiskey, as it exists now, officially launched in 2017 with that triple-casked liquid bought from another distillery and aged in those triple casks for two years. Around the same time that the whiskey hit the market, Slane started producing its own liquid at the new, operational distillery on the Slane Castle grounds, using barley it grows on a family-owned farm across the river.
- Slane Irish Whiskey is now available across the U.S., and the distillery is open to visitors, along with the castle.
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