The Philip Duff Show

Philip Duff
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Food
  • Updated Weekly

Liquor, bars, cocktails: the people and companies who make them, sell them and drink them, plus everything & everyone in-between, with your host, globetrotting spirits guy and escaped bartender, Philip Duff. 

  1. #165, H. Joseph Ehrmann, owner, Elixir bar (San Francisco), Chief Mixology Officer, Fresh Victor cocktail mixers 29 June 2026

    2d ago

    #165, H. Joseph Ehrmann, owner, Elixir bar (San Francisco), Chief Mixology Officer, Fresh Victor cocktail mixers 29 June 2026

    H is an old friend and I'd been meaning to catch up with him anyway, but when I heard he was piloting a ground-breaking new mentorship program for bartenders, in association with the brand he helps spearhead, Fresh Victor, it was time to schedule a session.  From being a line cook to gaining an MBA, creating products for grocery and consulting on liquor brands, then breathing new life into San Francisco's second-oldest bar, he's done it all.  Enjoy! H on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cocktailambassadors/ Elixir on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elixirsf/ Fresh Victor: https://www.instagram.com/freshvictorcocktails/ (Get in touch with Duff! Podcast business enquiries:  consulting@liquidsolutions.org  (PR friends: we’re only interested in having your client on if they can talk for a couple of hours about OTHER things besides their prepared speaking points or their new thing, whatever that is. They need to be able to hang. Oh, plus we don't edit, we won’t supply prepared or sample questions, nor listener or “reach” stats, either, and no, you can't sit in on the interview (or lurk on the Zoom.)   And our AI automatically deletes pitch emails that are clearly written using AI.  Retain Philip’s consulting firm, Liquid Solutions, specialised in on-trade engagement & education, liquor brand creation and repositioning: philip@liquidsolutions.org Philip on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philipsduff/ Philip on Facebook: Philip Duff Philip on X/Twitter: Philip Duff (@philipduff) / Twitter Philip on LinkedIn: linkedin.com Old Duff Genever on Instagram: Old Duff Genever (@oldduffgenever) • Instagram photos and videos Old Duff Genever on Faceboo...

    1h 46m
  2. #164, Seymour Ferreira, global liquor CEO, brand owner (inc. Ridgeview Wine Estate), founder of Chimera import, distribution & brand development (UK)

    Jun 22

    #164, Seymour Ferreira, global liquor CEO, brand owner (inc. Ridgeview Wine Estate), founder of Chimera import, distribution & brand development (UK)

    Seymour has has a long career in liquor and has been a global CEO multiple times, adding millions of cases and value to every firm he worked at, from the Philippines to Singapore, to Amsterdam, and from Allied-Domecq to Maxxium to Amber Beverage, and many more besides.  Seymour was my client for years, starting at Maxxium, and we developed a friendship that's seen us collaborate on many projects since.  His newest venture, Chimera brand development in the UK, is less than two years old but already has thousands of distribution points in bars and wholesalers throughout the UK and recently acquired the Ridgeview Wine Estate in England as well.  We talk about his upbringing and education, working for the Mars brothers, his route into liquor, how competitive it was back then, fighting counterfeiters in the Philippines, building global liquor brands, what's important, what isn't, and how it all works.   This is a great episode  - enjoy.  Seymour on IG: https://www.instagram.com/seymourferreira/ Seymour on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seymour-ferreira-3b41351  Chimer Brand Development:  https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWlisdcsPjY/ (Get in touch with Duff! Podcast business enquiries:  consulting@liquidsolutions.org  (PR friends: we’re only interested in having your client on if they can talk for a couple of hours about OTHER things besides their prepared speaking points or their new thing, whatever that is. They need to be able to hang. Oh, plus we don't edit, we won’t supply prepared or sample questions, nor listener or “reach” stats, either, and no, you can't sit in on the interview (or lurk on the Zoom.)   And our AI automatically deletes pitch emails that are clearly written using AI.  Retain Philip’s consulting firm, Liquid Solutions, specialised in on-trade engagement & education, liquor brand creation and repositioning: philip@liquidsolutions.org Philip on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philipsduff/ Philip on Facebook: Philip Duff Philip on X/Twitter: Philip Duff (@philipduff) / Twitter Philip on LinkedIn: linkedin.com Old Duff Genever on Instagram: Old Duff Genever (@oldduffgenever) • Instagram photos and videos Old Duff Genever on Faceboo...

    1h 60m
  3. #163, Hemant Pathak, partner & beverage director Junoon, Jazba, Room 207 & Tandoor Oven (NYC), World Class and Bacardi Legacy winner (India)

    Jun 15

    #163, Hemant Pathak, partner & beverage director Junoon, Jazba, Room 207 & Tandoor Oven (NYC), World Class and Bacardi Legacy winner (India)

    Hemant , who is from a small village in the foothills of the Himalayas, became a star overnight after winning Diageo World Class India, followed quickly by winning Bacardi Legacy India, but when he moved to New York he was briefly homeless and just four weeks from returning to India. At the last moment he was connected to restaurateur  Rajesh Bhardwaj, owner of the Michelin-starred Junoon restaurant, where Hemant went on to become the beverage director and general manager. Subsequently Hemant was able to buy his own restaurant, Tandoor Oven on NY's Upper East Side, and go on to open the acclaimed Jazba and, most recently, Room 207 bar with Rajesh, and even open his own boutique hotel in his home town.  Hemant's a warm and cheerful man I've known for years, and it was a delight to get his full backstory - this is one of the best episodes we have taped, enjoy! Hemant on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hemantnyc/?hl=en Junoon: https://www.instagram.com/junoonnyc/?hl=en Jazba: https://www.instagram.com/jazbanyc/?hl=en Room 207: https://www.instagram.com/room207nyc (Get in touch with Duff! Podcast business enquiries:  consulting@liquidsolutions.org  (PR friends: we’re only interested in having your client on if they can talk for a couple of hours about OTHER things besides their prepared speaking points or their new thing, whatever that is. They need to be able to hang. Oh, plus we don't edit, we won’t supply prepared or sample questions, nor listener or “reach” stats, either, and no, you can't sit in on the interview (or lurk on the Zoom.)   And our AI automatically deletes pitch emails that are clearly written using AI.  Retain Philip’s consulting firm, Liquid Solutions, specialised in on-trade engagement & education, liquor brand creation and repositioning: philip@liquidsolutions.org Philip on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philipsduff/ Philip on Facebook: Philip Duff Philip on X/Twitter: Philip Duff (@philipduff) / Twitter Philip on LinkedIn: linkedin.com Old Duff Genever on Instagram: Old Duff Genever (@oldduffgenever) • Instagram photos and videos Old Duff Genever on Faceboo...

    1h 19m
  4. Brian Maxwell, owner & beverage director, Vieux Carre, Pittsburgh

    Jun 10

    Brian Maxwell, owner & beverage director, Vieux Carre, Pittsburgh

    Brian is a peripatetic bartender who's slung drinks in his native Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Philadelphia, New York, and, with the recently opened Vieux Carre, back to Pittsburgh. He's also been a fighter, starting with wrestling, then boxing and MMA, and fought the booze too, becoming and staying sober after going to just one too many "celebrations of life" for someone who left us too soon.  This is a great conversation, and fun too - enjoy! Brian on IG: https://www.instagram.com/shakerofspirits/ Vieux Carre on IG: https://www.instagram.com/vieuxcarrepgh/ (Get in touch with Duff! Podcast business enquiries:  consulting@liquidsolutions.org  (PR friends: we’re only interested in having your client on if they can talk for a couple of hours about OTHER things besides their prepared speaking points or their new thing, whatever that is. They need to be able to hang. Oh, plus we don't edit, we won’t supply prepared or sample questions, nor listener or “reach” stats, either, and no, you can't sit in on the interview (or lurk on the Zoom.)   And our AI automatically deletes pitch emails that are clearly written using AI.  Retain Philip’s consulting firm, Liquid Solutions, specialised in on-trade engagement & education, liquor brand creation and repositioning: philip@liquidsolutions.org Philip on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philipsduff/ Philip on Facebook: Philip Duff Philip on X/Twitter: Philip Duff (@philipduff) / Twitter Philip on LinkedIn: linkedin.com Old Duff Genever on Instagram: Old Duff Genever (@oldduffgenever) • Instagram photos and videos Old Duff Genever on Faceboo...

    2h 1m
  5. Aarón Díaz, founder, Carnaval (Lima), beverage director Super Group, chef & mixologist

    Jun 2

    Aarón Díaz, founder, Carnaval (Lima), beverage director Super Group, chef & mixologist

    I met Aarón in Europe when he was visiting, and I've wanted to sit down with him for ages. From a childhood in kitchens to teaching culinary arts around the world and falling sideways into mixology after a stint at Chicago's world-famous Aviary, his career path has been anything but straightforward. He's now moving on from Carnaval, the bar he founded that put Lima on the map for 50 Best Bars, so we caught up on his plans.  Aarón on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/aarondiazolivos/?hl=en (Get in touch with Duff! Podcast business enquiries:  consulting@liquidsolutions.org  (PR friends: we’re only interested in having your client on if they can talk for a couple of hours about OTHER things besides their prepared speaking points or their new thing, whatever that is. They need to be able to hang. Oh, plus we don't edit, we won’t supply prepared or sample questions, nor listener or “reach” stats, either, and no, you can't sit in on the interview (or lurk on the Zoom.)   And our AI automatically deletes pitch emails that are clearly written using AI.  Retain Philip’s consulting firm, Liquid Solutions, specialised in on-trade engagement & education, liquor brand creation and repositioning: philip@liquidsolutions.org Philip on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philipsduff/ Philip on Facebook: Philip Duff Philip on X/Twitter: Philip Duff (@philipduff) / Twitter Philip on LinkedIn: linkedin.com Old Duff Genever on Instagram: Old Duff Genever (@oldduffgenever) • Instagram photos and videos Old Duff Genever on Faceboo...

    56 min
  6. Mike Paladini and Danny Polise, founders, Penelope Bourbon

    May 25

    Mike Paladini and Danny Polise, founders, Penelope Bourbon

    I bumped into Mike at NY's legendary Irish bar Swift in 2020, when a mutual friend who'd been showing Mike around Manhattan bars introduced us. I'd heard a story or two about this new-to-the-market MGP-sourced bourbon named Penelope from a couple of New Jersey guys, and I took his business card and wished him well; the whiskey had only been available for a year or so at that stage. Mike sent me a nice email afterwards saying he enjoyed reading some of the articles I was writing for Imbibe magazine at the time.  Fast forward to May 2023, and MGP bought the brand for $105m in cash, and potentially a further $110.8m if they hit some targets.  So it was high time for Mike and his co-founder and childhood friend Danny Polise to come on The Philip Duff Show and tell us how they did it! This is a great episode, covering Mike's origins in the worlds of showbiz and tech, Danny's background as a bar owner and engineer, and how they built Penelope by ignoring a lot of received industry wisdom, working from first principles, and trusting in themselves. Danny also taught himself to be a true master blender, never having done it a day in his life before.  Enjoy! Many thanks to LaForce PR for hosting us (great cookies!) and Mike and Danny for bringing some tasty whiskey for us to try, plus their banging bottled cocktails.  Mike on IG: https://www.instagram.com/michaelpaladini/ Danny on IG: https://www.instagram.com/dpolise/ Penelope Bourbon: https://www.instagram.com/penelopebourbon/ (Get in touch with Duff! Podcast business enquiries:  consulting@liquidsolutions.org  (PR friends: we’re only interested in having your client on if they can talk for a couple of hours about OTHER things besides their prepared speaking points or their new thing, whatever that is. They need to be able to hang. Oh, plus we don't edit, we won’t supply prepared or sample questions, nor listener or “reach” stats, either, and no, you can't sit in on the interview (or lurk on the Zoom.)   And our AI automatically deletes pitch emails that are clearly written using AI.  Retain Philip’s consulting firm, Liquid Solutions, specialised in on-trade engagement & education, liquor brand creation and repositioning: philip@liquidsolutions.org Philip on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philipsduff/ Philip on Facebook: Philip Duff Philip on X/Twitter: Philip Duff (@philipduff) / Twitter Philip on LinkedIn: linkedin.com Old Duff Genever on Instagram: Old Duff Genever (@oldduffgenever) • Instagram photos and videos Old Duff Genever on Faceboo...

    1h 49m
  7. Rakshay Dhariwal, founder, Maya Pistola Agavepura Indian agave spirit, co-founder Passcode Hospitality and India Cocktail Week

    May 20

    Rakshay Dhariwal, founder, Maya Pistola Agavepura Indian agave spirit, co-founder Passcode Hospitality and India Cocktail Week

    I met Rakshay a few years back on one of the legendary Blueblazer press tours of bars in Italy, and he let me taste the agave spirit he produces in India, Maya Pistola Agavepura. Its distilled with traditional tequila methods from an Indian-grown species of agave usually used in Mexico for mezcal, then aged on the tropical Indian island of Goa before bottling. Pistola was born during Covid and after being on the market for just a couple of years, Diageo's Indian subsidiary, United Spirits, became minority investors.  Its the best non-Mexican agave spirit I've ever had.  We got together to talk about Pistola , Rakshay's background in hospitality and the group he co-founded with his sister, India Cocktail Week and a lot more - enjoy! Rakshay on IG: https://www.instagram.com/rakshay/ Maya Pistola Agavepura on IG: https://www.instagram.com/pistola.agave/ Passcode Hospitality: https://www.instagram.com/passcode.hospitality/ India Cocktail Week on IG: https://www.instagram.com/indiacocktailweek/ (Get in touch with Duff! Podcast business enquiries:  consulting@liquidsolutions.org  (PR friends: we’re only interested in having your client on if they can talk for a couple of hours about OTHER things besides their prepared speaking points or their new thing, whatever that is. They need to be able to hang. Oh, plus we don't edit, we won’t supply prepared or sample questions, nor listener or “reach” stats, either, and no, you can't sit in on the interview (or lurk on the Zoom.)   And our AI automatically deletes pitch emails that are clearly written using AI.  Retain Philip’s consulting firm, Liquid Solutions, specialised in on-trade engagement & education, liquor brand creation and repositioning: philip@liquidsolutions.org Philip on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philipsduff/ Philip on Facebook: Philip Duff Philip on X/Twitter: Philip Duff (@philipduff) / Twitter Philip on LinkedIn: linkedin.com Old Duff Genever on Instagram: Old Duff Genever (@oldduffgenever) • Instagram photos and videos Old Duff Genever on Faceboo...

    1h 27m
  8. #158, Drew Schenck, owner, Dram & Draught bar group,(North Carolina), founder, Moonbird Gin & GOATz Rum

    May 5

    #158, Drew Schenck, owner, Dram & Draught bar group,(North Carolina), founder, Moonbird Gin & GOATz Rum

    Drew has been a friend for half a decade, and as well as being a lauded bar owner, we created Moonbird Gin (double gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Awards) and GOATz Spiced Rum together  - and he's a hilarious, fascinating guy.  Drew on IG: https://www.instagram.com/drewbarman/ (Get in touch with Duff! Podcast business enquiries:  consulting@liquidsolutions.org  (PR friends: we’re only interested in having your client on if they can talk for a couple of hours about OTHER things besides their prepared speaking points or their new thing, whatever that is. They need to be able to hang. Oh, plus we don't edit, we won’t supply prepared or sample questions, nor listener or “reach” stats, either, and no, you can't sit in on the interview (or lurk on the Zoom.)   And our AI automatically deletes pitch emails that are clearly written using AI.  Retain Philip’s consulting firm, Liquid Solutions, specialised in on-trade engagement & education, liquor brand creation and repositioning: philip@liquidsolutions.org Philip on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philipsduff/ Philip on Facebook: Philip Duff Philip on X/Twitter: Philip Duff (@philipduff) / Twitter Philip on LinkedIn: linkedin.com Old Duff Genever on Instagram: Old Duff Genever (@oldduffgenever) • Instagram photos and videos Old Duff Genever on Faceboo...

    1h 7m
See All (165)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Liquor, bars, cocktails: the people and companies who make them, sell them and drink them, plus everything & everyone in-between, with your host, globetrotting spirits guy and escaped bartender, Philip Duff. 

Information

  • Creator
    Philip Duff
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    165
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Philip Duff Show
  • Show Website
    The Philip Duff Show

You Might Also Like