Libsyn Directory

211: Kings County Distillery is New York City's Oldest Distillery

Release Date: 01/30/2023

312: Discussing Jeptha Creed's Founding, its Heirloom Grains, and the Future

Bourbon Lens

We’re excited to bring you a new episode of the Bourbon Lens podcast featuring Joyce Nethery, founder and Master Distiller of Jeptha Creed Distillery. In this episode, Joyce takes us behind the scenes of their innovative distillery, sharing the story of how Jeptha Creed was founded, their commitment to using heirloom grains, and what the future holds for the brand. Jeptha Creed has always stood out for its dedication to sustainability and craftsmanship. Joyce discusses their dedication to leveraging heirloom grains, creating distinctive bourbons with a unique flavor profile. Their careful...

311: Angel’s Envy and Its Future with Master Distiller Owen Martin

Bourbon Lens

In this new episode of the Bourbon Lens Podcast, we’re honored to be joined by Owen Martin, the Master Distiller at Angel’s Envy. Known for crafting some of the most unique and beloved finished whiskey expressions in the bourbon world, Angel’s Envy has set itself apart with its finishing techniques and commitment to quality. Owen shares his journey in the spirits industry, what it takes to craft a perfect bottle of Angel’s Envy, and the artistry he looks to leverage as Angel’s Envy enters into its next chapter of whiskey-making. Tune in now for a deep dive into the world of Angel’s...

310: Exploring Compass Box Whisky's New Core Collection

Bourbon Lens

In this new episode of the Bourbon Lens Podcast, we welcome Racheal Vaughan Jones, Marketing Director at Compass Box Whisky. Racheal shares her journey from working with global drinks brands like Ballantine’s Scotch Whisky to helping shape the direction of Compass Box, one of the most innovative independent Scotch whisky makers in the world. As the driving force behind Compass Box’s recent initiatives, including the launch of their new Core Collection and the Long Live Interesting campaign, Racheal provides an inside look at what makes this brand stand out in the crowded world of Scotch....

309: Gabriel Macht Talks Bear Fight Whiskey, Acting, and His Love for Whiskey

Bourbon Lens

In this exciting new episode of the Bourbon Lens Podcast, we’re joined by actor Gabriel Macht! Known for his iconic role as Harvey Specter on the hit TV show Suits, Gabriel opens up about his latest venture into the world of whiskey as an investor and partner in Bear Fight Whiskey. During this conversation, Gabriel dives deep into his love for fine spirits, the entrepreneurial side of the whiskey industry, and how he found a perfect match with Bear Fight Whiskey. He also reflects on his career in Hollywood, the lasting impact of Suits, and what it’s like to balance acting with his...

308: True Story Whiskey with Wes Henderson: A New Chapter in the Henderson Family Legacy

Bourbon Lens

In this episode of the Bourbon Lens podcast, we’re joined by Wes Henderson, the co-founder of Angel’s Envy, as he talks about his exciting new brand, True Story. Wes takes us on a journey through the creation of this new venture, offering insights into the inspiration behind the brand and what sets True Story apart in the world of whiskey. We also dive into two new whiskies from the True Story lineup: Wes shares how True Story marks a new chapter in the Henderson family’s distilling history, reflecting both his personal journey and the family’s commitment to crafting...

307: Blanton’s Bourbon Super Fan Dominic Guglielmi and His New Book

Bourbon Lens

In the newest episode of the Bourbon Lens Podcast, we sit down with Dominic Guglielmi, a Blanton’s Bourbon super fan and author of the new book Warehouse H: The Story of Blanton’s Bourbon, America's Most Influential Whiskey. We dive deep into the history of Blanton’s, its role in shaping the modern bourbon landscape, and the stories from Warehouse H at Buffalo Trace Distillery. Whether you're a die-hard bourbon aficionado or a casual fan, this episode is a must-listen! We are thankful for your support over the last 6 years. We must give the biggest shoutout to our amazing community of...

306: Kaveh Zamanian of Rabbit Hole Distillery Talks Innovation and New Role at Pernod Ricard

Bourbon Lens

In this episode of the Bourbon Lens podcast, Jake sits down with Kaveh Zamanian, the founder and former CEO of Rabbit Hole Distillery, to discuss his journey in the whiskey world, the evolution of Rabbit Hole, and his new role within the spirits industry. Kaveh and Jake also talk about the new Founder’s Collection – 8-Year-Old Boxergrail Rye Whiskey from Rabbit Hole. We also dive deep into Kaveh’s exciting new chapter at Pernod Ricard as he transitions into his role as Chief Operating Officer and Head of North American Distillers. This role brings a significant opportunity to impact the...

305: Benromach's Unique Speyside Scotch Whisky with Keith Cruickshank

Bourbon Lens

In this episode of the Bourbon Lens podcast, we dive deep into the world of Benromach, one of Scotland's most celebrated distilleries. We’re joined by Keith Cruickshank, Distillery Manager at Benromach, who walks us through the rich history and what make their subtly smoky Speyside whiskies stand out. We’re honored to taste through their impressive portfolio, including their rare and limited-release 50-Year-Old Scotch, a truly exceptional and costly expression that showcases the artistry and dedication behind Benromach’s craft. Keith shares insights into the distillery’s commitment to...

304: Fawn Weaver on Her New Book, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, and Honoring Nathan Green

Bourbon Lens

In this episode of Bourbon Lens, hosts Jake and Scott sit down with Fawn Weaver, the trailblazing founder of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey. Fawn takes us on a journey through her remarkable story—how she discovered the legacy of Nathan “Nearest” Green, the first African-American master distiller, and how she turned that discovery into the globally recognized whiskey brand, Uncle Nearest. Fawn also shares insights into her newly released book, Love & Whiskey: The Remarkable True Story of Jack Daniel, His Master Distiller Nearest Green, and the Improbable Rise of Uncle Nearest, which...

303: A Deep Dive with Ross Cornelissen, Master Distiller of 1792 Bourbon

Bourbon Lens

This week, we’re talking about Barton 1792 Distillery and 1792 Bourbon. Master Distiller Ross Cornelissen joins Bourbon Lens to talk about the workhouse bourbon distillery. Barton 1792 is a historic distillery in the Bourbon Capital of the World and owned by Sazerac Company. We discuss three limited releases from Barton 1792, including Sweet Wheat, Aged Twelve Years, and Thomas S. Moore Port Cask Finished Bourbon. We are thankful for your support over the last 6 years. We must give the biggest shoutout to our amazing community of Patreon supporters! As always, we'd appreciate it if you...

More Episodes

Colin Spoelman is our guest this week and he is the Co-Founder of NYC’s Kings County Distillery. We discuss how Colin grew a tiny distillery into New York City’s oldest and most respected craft whiskey distillery. Colin has a unique approach to his whiskey craft and isn’t afraid to ruffle a few feathers to make great whiskey and gain respect amongst the world’s largest, and even smallest, distilleries. Find out what makes Kings County whiskey stand out in the crowd by downloading this week’s episode.

Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you’re there.

We are thankful for everyone who has supported us. A huge shoutout goes to our growing Patreon Community as well! We'd appreciate it if you can take the time to give us feedback on our podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter. And please check out our Patreon to learn how you can support our endeavors, earn Bourbon Lens swag, be part of future barrel picks, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected].

Check out our BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and details on our upcoming single barrel picks.

Cheers,
Scott and Jake
Bourbon Lens

About Colin Spoelman:

Colin is Co-Founder and Head Distiller at Kings County, New York City’s premier craft whiskey distillery and has written The Guide to Urban Moonshining and Dead Distillers about American whiskey. He grew up in the moonshine (not the bourbon) part of Kentucky and graduated from Yale University.

About Kings County Distillery:

KINGS COUNTY DISTILLERY is New York City's oldest, largest, and premier whiskey distillery. Founded in 2010, Kings County makes handmade bourbon, rye, and other whiskeys out of the 123-year-old Paymaster Building in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. We use New York grain and traditional distilling equipment to make whiskeys that have been praised by the New York Times, Wine & Spirits Magazine, and Whisky Advocate and is recognized as one of the preeminent craft distilleries in the United States, having been named Distillery of the Year in 2016 from the American Distilling Institute.

Recent Press Release from Sept. 13, 2022:

BROOKLYN, N.Y.- Kings County Distillery, New York City's premier craft distillery, is releasing a new flagship whiskey in wide-release, a blended bourbon made from house-distilled straight whiskeys. The resulting whiskey is bright, complex and approachable—a multi-occasion whiskey for neat sipping or mixing. With a suggested price of $54.99, Kings County's Blended Bourbon will be its most accessible aged spirit and arrives in a striking new blue label, one which clearly differentiates this spirit from Kings County's established bourbon, rye, and single malt whiskeys.

"As we have done with moonshine and bottled-in-bond, making a blended bourbon is a way of asking whiskey drinkers to reconsider an overlooked category of spirit," said Co-Founder and Distiller Colin Spoelman. "Blended whiskey is most often associated with crowd-pleasing scotch or Canadian whiskies. We used the all-but-forgotten category of blended bourbon to create the American analog to these reliable and endlessly versatile spirits. Composed entirely of in-house, pot-distilled straight bourbon, straight corn whiskey, straight rye whiskey, and malt whiskey, our Blended Bourbon makes for a sippable, lower proof bourbon, suitable for nearly any application calling for an approachable American whiskey. In the interest of providing the drinker with the highest level of transparency and elevating a category historically associated with intentionally vague labeling practices, we list the exact blend composition on every bottle."

By law, blended bourbon must use 51% straight bourbon, but the open-ended definition allows the Kings County's blending team to use the full breadth of our mature inventory to craft a complex and purposeful flavor profile within the lineup. With this added flexibility, Blended Bourbon can become a volume leader in Kings County's portfolio, joining an existing line of superlative aged whiskeys.

Kings County's spirits have been widely accepted and appreciated, but with supply of aged whiskey growing short across the spectrum of American whiskey, Kings County aims to lead the market with a superior all-purpose two-year-old spirit. With notes of honey, caramel, and rye pepper, this is a flexible whiskey, and one that shows what can be achieved through the use of quality organic ingredients, careful distilling, and creative blending. It also presents a spirit suitable for mixing, creating a new audience for the brand.

Kings County Blended Bourbon will be available throughout New York State starting on September 14th with national rollout to follow, visit www.kingscountydistillery.com for more information. With the new entry-level aged whiskey will come a reduction in pricing on Kings County's unaged spirits. "While many distillers are raising prices, we are making our whiskeys more affordable and accessible," said Spoelman. "We want to be the distiller that meets the moment for our customers and fans."

Kings County Distillery Online and in the Media:

TOPICS