228: Brindiamo Group Pulls Back the Curtain of the Whiskey Industry
Release Date: 05/28/2023
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_outlineJeff Hopmayer joins us in "The Office" to discuss the Brindiamo Group, the company he founded, which has played an integral part in the behind-the-scenes creation of many spirits brands you've seen emerge and grow in years past. In fact, Brindiamo Group stands out as one of the largest suppliers of bourbon, whiskey, and other bulk spirits in the world. We delve into the Brindiamo Group's exceptional position in the spirits world and the growth of sourced and independently bottled whiskey. This provides a distinct perspective on one side of the whiskey industry that is often overlooked and even mysterious. We cannot express enough gratitude to Jeff for his openness and the insight he provided during this episode. If you are seeking more information on the services the Brindiamo Group offers, you can contact them via their website: https://www.brindiamogroup.com/.
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Cheers,
Scott and Jake
Bourbon Lens
About Jeff Hopmayer, Founder:
Jeff Hopmayer has decades of progressive experience in food, wine, spirits, bulk sourcing, mergers, acquisitions, branding, marketing, turnarounds and capital sourcing. His company, Brindiamo Group, is one of the largest suppliers of bourbon, whiskey and other bulk spirits in the world.
With a dedicated team in the U.S. and the U.K., Brindiamo Group is a global leading provider of bourbon, whiskey, spirits, consulting services, mergers and acquisitions direction, for consumer products with a focus on the adult beverage industry. Brindiamo Groups partners and affiliates have owned and operated successful beverage companies, distributors and import companies (public and private) and played an instrumental role in the growth of the beverage industry.
Brindiamo Group’s skilled professionals have well-established expertise, including a deep understanding of the beverage industry, including craft, spirits, wine and beer, along with the skills, experience and resources to successfully complete all types of industry transactions. Within the industry, Hopmayer has worked with and is in constant contact at the highest level with teams from LVMH, Pernod Ricard, Constellation, Bacardi, Gallo, Campari, Kendall-Jackson and many others.
He is a former CEO of the largest preferred food supplier for Starbucks with four consecutive appearances on the Inc. 500 list of the nation's fastest growing private companies. Jeff is also a former CEO of a London Stock Exchange listed adult beverage company and of one of the larger wineries on the Central Coast of California.
Jeff has participated in boards around the globe including, Stoli, Amber Beverage (Latvia), SPI Group S.a.r.L (Luxembourg), Bardstown Bourbon Company (Kentucky), MStreet (Tennessee), Tennessee Performing Arts Council, The Albert and Anne Mansfield Foundation (Illinois) and several others.
About Brindiamo Group:
Brindiamo Group is one of the largest bulk bourbon and whiskey suppliers in the world and has years of experience sourcing bulk liquor for a variety of companies in the adult beverage industry. For those in need of a more continuous stream of liquid products, we have the resources you need. Marrying the practical experience of our team of experts with our long list of reputable suppliers allows our clients to get their business to market with quality bulk supplies.
At Brindiamo Group, we take a holistic approach to helping our clients. With a goal to empower and support spirit businesses, we provide various complimentary services. Within every project we take on, our aim is to connect with our clients and facilitate relationships with our extensive list of spirit partners. Married with our beverage industry knowledge, capital and more, Brindiamo Group aims to ensure our clients achieve their goals.
Every client is different and the solutions that we create for each of them are just as distinct. Our services can include:
- Liquid Sourcing
- Strategy & Advisory
- Financial Solutions
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Marketing & Branding