Craft Spirits Podcast The Craft Spirits Podcast

Greg Eidam is the master distiller for Gatlinburg, Tennessee-based Sugarlands Distilling Co. and a recently elected member of the American Craft Spirits Association’s Board of Directors. He oversees the production of Sugarlands Shine, Appalachian Sippin’ Cream, High Rock Vodka and Roaming Man Whiskey, as well as Sugarlands research and development, and engineering projects.
In this episode, Eidam discusses the distillery’s growth; the inspiration behind the flavors for Sugarlands’ moonshines and sippin’ creams; the distillery’s partnerships with celebrities like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and brands like Eggo Waffles; his background as a civil engineer; and more.

Our latest guests on The Craft Spirits Podcast are Aleks and Maks Zhdanov, twin brothers and co-founders of 3BR Distillery in Keyport, New Jersey. Drawing inspiration from their grandfather, who was a moonshiner in the Soviet Union, the distillery specializes in pea-based and other unusual spirits.

In this episode, the brothers discuss the meaning behind the distillery’s name and their heritage; the realities of operating a distillery in New Jersey; a new spirit; and more.

Our latest guests on The Craft Spirits Podcast are Megan Campbell, Renée Newton and Sean W. Richards—the new owners of Montanya Distillers in Crested Butte, Colorado.

In this episode, the trio talks about how they came together to join a partnership; their plans to honor the distillery’s past while also asserting their vision for its future; the current state and future of the American rum industry; and they also tease some upcoming products.

Our latest guests on The Craft Spirits Podcast are Kallyn Romero and Laura Walters of Ironton Distillery & Crafthouse of Denver. Romero is the co-founder and a Colorado native and Walters is a head distiller who studied winemaking at Oregon State University and got her start in the spirits industry at Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey.

In this episode, Romero and Walters discuss the benefits of making craft spirits in Colorado; launching Ironton and crafting gin, whiskey and a wide range of spirits; their pride in being a women-owned and -distilled company; and much more.

Our latest guests on The Craft Spirits Podcast are Mollie Lewis and Hannah Lowen of New Riff Distilling in Newport, Kentucky. In June, the distillery announced that next spring, founder and CEO Ken Lewis will retire, and Mollie (Ken’s daughter), Lowen and Denny Gorman will assume leadership. Lowen, who currently serves as vice president of operations, will become CEO. Mollie, currently the sales director, will become president. And Gorman will transition from director of engineering and logistics to COO.

In this episode, Mollie and Hannah discuss the leadership transition and maintaining family ownership; how Mollie’s and Hannah’s backgrounds in wine and political organizing, respectively, help them in the whiskey business; new expressions and renovations at the distillery; and much more.

Our latest guest on The Craft Spirits Podcast is Murphy Quint of Cedar Ridge Distillery in Swisher, Iowa. As head distiller and director of operations, Murphy oversees the distillery, winery, vineyards, campus grounds and facilities. As Cedar Ridge is one of the few winery and distilleries in the United States, Murphy has gained a unique understanding of how the influence of wine can impact the flavor profile of whiskey. During his tenure at Cedar Ridge Distillery, Murphy has helped the distillery overcome legacy brands to become the number one selling bourbon in Iowa.
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In this episode, Murphy discusses the growth of American single malt whiskey; the success of Cedar Ridge’s bourbon; the distillery’s partnership with the band Slipknot; and much more.