In the Spirit of Bourbon: Old Carter Whiskey
Lagralane Spirits
How unbelievable it feels to say this, but... the final episode is here! In the Season 3 finale, we bring you an intimate and spirited conversation with Mark Carter, the founder of Old Carter Whiskey. This entrepreneur, mentor, and friend has built a Bourbon legacy through grit, camaraderie, and unyielding positivity. Tune in to hear about Mark’s journey, his philosophy on life, and the waiting list for a bottle of Old Carter that has become a legend in of itself. In this episode, we are also joined by Rob Beatty, the Founder of the Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild, who looks to Mark...
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In the Spirit of Bourbon: Bespoken Spirits
Lagralane Spirits
In this episode, we take a tour of Bespoken Spirits, the innovative distillery that is transforming the Bourbon industry, one molecule at a time. Instead of waiting years for whiskey to age in barrels, Bespoken Spirits has developed a method that replicates the aging process in just a few days. Tune in to hear how this distillery uses cutting-edge technology like gas chromatographs and mass spectrometers to create bourbons that are delicious, sustainable, and accessible. This episode is for everyone—whether you’re a science enthusiast, a bourbon lover, or simply curious about what the heck...
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In the Spirit of Bourbon: Fresh Bourbon
Lagralane Spirits
In this episode, we meet with Tia and Sean Edwards, a couple whose journey began at a gas station and led to redefining the bourbon industry. Tia and Sean’s Lexington-based distillery, Fresh Bourbon, is on a bold mission to make bourbon accessible to everyone. Their journey is not just about crafting a drink but about reclaiming ownership (a word that speaks volumes to us) in an industry that hasn’t always been inclusive. We recorded this episode with Sean and Tia shortly after an interactive “build-your-own Old Fashioned” tasting experience, led by Nate Taylor, the VP of Brand...
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In the Spirit of Bourbon: Cyndi Gatterdam & Chris Grecco
Lagralane Spirits
We reconnect with Jason’s long-time friend, Cyndi Gatterdam, and her husband, Chris Grecco. Cyndi has 20+ years experience in the bourbon industry, currently serving as the District Sales Manager at Republic National Distributing. In classic “Cocktail Confession” fashion, Jason and Yvonne discuss how bourbon has become an integral part of culture, a symbol of identity, and a bridge between generations. In this episode, we enjoy homemade cocktails by Jason – self-dubbed the “Best At-Home Bartender in Studio City.” The sounds of Jason making another round of drinks, setting...
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In the Spirit of Bourbon: Castle & Key
Lagralane Spirits
In this episode, Jason and Yvonne take listeners on a trip through the grounds of the Old Taylor Distillery – a historic site that was abandoned for over 30 years before Castle and Key brought it back to life in 2018. At the time of our visit, our lovable guest and guide, Valerie (Val) Colella, was Castle & Key’s Single Barrel Specialist and National Brand Ambassador. Join us as we explore the castle-inspired architecture, the rich history of bourbon-making, and the untold stories of the women and enslaved individuals who shaped the industry. As you listen to this episode, you’ll...
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In the Spirit of Bourbon: Brough Brothers
Lagralane Spirits
What does it take to break into an industry that hasn’t made room for you? For Victor Yarbrough and his brothers, the answer is clear: a whole lot of grit, a little bit of chemistry, and an unshakable commitment to their community. In this episode, we sit down with Victor, one-third of the trio behind Brough Brothers Distillery — one of the only Black-owned distilleries in Kentucky. In the Spirit of Bourbon: Brough Brothers was recorded in 2024. You know what that means? Any Bourbon releasing “this year” …is available now. So pour yourself a glass of Brough Brothers — this is one...
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In the Spirit of Bourbon: LIVE with Rob Beatty of the Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild
Lagralane Spirits
In this special episode, we chatted LIVE with Rob Beatty, Founder of the Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild — a groundbreaking initiative to preserve hidden histories, promote inclusivity, and celebrate the legacy of African Americans in bourbon culture. Rob was instrumental in the making of Lagralane Spirits Season 3. He connected us to several incredible guests this season and guided us through Louisville and Lexington’s rich Bourbon culture. It was a delight to pick Rob’s brain again. So please pour a glass of your favorite Bourbon and hear from a multi-faceted entrepreneur who is...
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In the Spirit of Bourbon: Woodford Reserve
Lagralane Spirits
In this episode, we meet with Elizabeth McCall, the Master Distiller of Woodford Reserve, who leads a tasting that feels more like an art class than a lesson in Bourbon. Elizabeth shows us how pairing curated foods with Bourbon releases new flavors. And together, we experience how pairing a few good stories with Bourbon can unlock an unforgettable conversation. Our greatest takeaway? Bourbon is more than a drink — it’s a way to explore identity and history. This episode also features the voices and palettes of our dear friend, Cyndi Gatterdam and our Producing Team. We hope...
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A Special Message About Season 3
Lagralane Spirits
Jason and Yvonne share a quick message about this special season of Lagralane Spirits.
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FOOD: Creating Connection Through Story with Chef B.B. Huff
Lagralane Spirits
Is food central or trivial to the formation of identity? In our final episode of the season, hosts Jason and Yvonne Lee welcome Yvonne’s sister, Chef B.B. Huff to the show. Chef Huff left the corporate world to begin her own company, , which is a boutique catering firm specializing in storytelling through food. In this episode, these three bring food into the story of our lives. They ask questions like how do we use ingredients and dishes to tell a story? How does art and the story of food connect us to the past? What is food’s role in preserving culture? This spirited...
info_outlineIn this episode, Jason and Yvonne sit down with Jacqueline Olive, a friend and a filmmaker. All three met through her documentary, “Always in Season” at the Sundance Film Festival. Here, they sit down and examine the meaning behind the question, “Who’s telling the story, and does that add or take away from the story?” Through the lens of storytellers and their own experiences as People of Color living in America, they respond.
This week:
- Jason asks, “How do we author history?
- Jacqueline’s work is about filling in the gaps of narrative in history?
- Jackie’s documentary, “Always in Season” won the 2019 Sundance Special Jury Prize for Moral Urgency
- Jackie asks, “Who’s telling the story, and does that add or take away from the story?"
- Quote originates from Greek poet, Dinos Christianopoulos “They tried to bury us but they didn’t know we were seeds.”
- Jackie talks about how acts of rebellion and resistance inspire her to create
- Jackie says that having a child is authoring history
- Jackie described the racial tension that she and her family experienced in Mississippi
- Jackie says authoring history is about going to school with questions, not answers
- Yvonne asks Jackie if she finds that some Black people do not want to talk about painful racial topics
- Jackie responds that she is not about to judge them, but she will make space for the conversation to be had
- Jason says that trauma can also stop us from exploring our ancestry
- Jason explores why some people stop talking about their history
Cocktail: Manhattan
Recipe
- 2 oz of Rye Whiskey
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- Three teaspoons of simple syrup
- Several dashes* of Angostura and orange bitters
- Brandied cherry
- Stirred in a mixing tin
*We love our bitters; “You can’t under-bitter a Manhattan”
History & Meaning
The Manhattan :
The Manhattan is one of David Embury’s six essential cocktails which he mentions in his 1948 book, The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks. The six are the Manhattan, Martini, Old Fashioned, Daiquiri, Sidecar and the Jack Rose. It was important to us to include the Manhattan; no one really knows who created this classic -- there are a lot of theories and stories. Enjoy!