The Cottonmouth Club Presents: Bars, Bar Culture, Cocktails & Spirits Michael Neff

Season Two opens on the Anniversary of the Covid-19 shout down of bars all across the world, and coincides with the decision of the Governor of Texas lifting all restrictions and mask mandates, essentially putting the entire public at risk. This risk is amplified in bars, and we have a fair amount to say on the subject.

This episode channels the rage and frustration felt in the bar community all around the country and funnels it into a recap of where we’re at, a crystal ball looking at where we might be going, and an exploration of the risk, both emotional and physical, of opening too irresponsibility and too soon.

Join our host, Master Bartender Michael J. Neff, in this live-stream podcast. The conversation was recorded on our nightly live stream, which you’ll find on Instagram @thecottonmouthclub, in which we discuss everything bar related with people from all over the world.

The Cottonmouth Club Presents is a podcast on Bars, Bar Culture, Cocktails & Spirits. This is our last episode of the 2020, and we look forward to bringing you more conversations in 2021.
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For those of you who listen to this podcast, you know that we talk a lot about the importance of bars, what they’re for, and what role they play in hosting communities. Few other types of bars show this more starkly than the good ol’ American Dive Bar.

But what is a dive bar? What defines one, and how are they made? These questions aren’t well discussed, but are important as we stand on the brink of a post-pandemic world.

Our host, Master Bartender Michael J. Neff brings on a very special guest for exactly that discussion for this, the final podcast episode of 2020. 

World-renowned cocktail historian and veteran dive-bar appreciator, Dr. David Wondrich, is best known as the author of two books that have inspired generations of bartenders and mixologists: “Imbibe” & “Punch.” He was also the storied drinks editor for Esquire Magazine during the heyday of the modern cocktail revival, which has since turned into a movement.

There are few people who know the value of a good dive bar better, and we are honored that Dr. Wondrich came on to discuss them with us.

The nature of the conversation guarantees a lot of ground is covered, but you’ll also end up with a list of great dive bars around the country to visit when the world gets anywhere close to back to normal. If they survive the economic onslaught of this pandemic, they will definitely need your support.

The Cottonmouth Club Presents is a podcast on Bars, Bar Culture, Cocktails & Spirits. This is our last episode of the 2020, and we look forward to bringing you more conversations in 2021.

Weirdo-paced Banjo Music: “Hound Dog Song” & “Old Reuben”
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Training for Mastery takes years of work and dedication, and after a certain point there is no road map in any industry that helps the novice graduate to the journeyman, and the journeyman transform into the master. 
In our continuing Bartending Masterclass, host & Master Bartender Michael J. Neff, discusses the different phases of mastery with some of the finest bartenders from around the world. In this episode, we’re talking with Modern Bartender, ms. franky marshall.

This is the second of our two-part conversation with ms. marshall. You can find part one on our web site at https://thecottonmouthclubpresents.com.

Ms. marshall has been a bartender for a hot minute—both before the modern cocktail movement in nightclubs & dive bars around New York, and after at such storied cocktail bars as The Holiday Cocktail Lounge, Clover Club & The Dead Rabbit.

She has also traveled around the world studying spirits, cocktails, and the culture that surrounds them. Her insights in this, the first part of our conversation, are valuable to anyone with an interest in life on either side of the bar.
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In this episode, General Manager & Distiller of George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey Nicole Austin talks with us about the traditions in Tennessee Whiskey, the idea of imbibing a place, and why she doesn’t use the title “Master Distiller.”

A wonderful primer into the nuances of whiskey-making in general, Nicole offers insights into the art of distilling, and how to make choices based on both tradition and the drive to succeed as a business. In the meantime, she dispels some myths about the whiskeys of Tennessee and talks about its relation to bourbon.

This is Part Two of our two-part conversation. We hope you enjoy it—you can find part one or check out our other Spirit School entries on our website (https://thecottonmouthclubpresents.com), or browse conversations with some of the world’s best bar professionals in our Masterclass Series.

Nicole Austin came up in Kings County Distillery in the early days of the Craft Spirits movement, breaking into the business with a degree in Chemical Engineering and a desire to work in spirits.

From her interview with The Tennessean: “I didn’t have the right last name to work in Kentucky or the right degree for Scotland, so I was like, ‘What am I going to do?’ ” Austin said. “In 2010, Kings County got the license to distill … and I basically knocked on their door and was like, 'I’m going to work for you now. I’m done asking, I’m telling.’ ”

After working for the consulting company of the legendary late distiller Dave Pickerell, she took a job with Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey before being tapped for the top-job at Cascase Hollow Distillery, maker of George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey.

An advocate for the craft spirits movement, Ms. Austin helped found the American Craft Spirits Association, New York Distillers Guild, and helped create the idea of Empire Rye.

Weirdo-Paced Banjo Music: “Lady Gray”
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In this episode, General Manager & Distiller of George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey Nicole Austin talks with us about the traditions in Tennessee Whiskey, the idea of imbibing a place, and why she doesn’t use the title “Master Distiller.”

A wonderful primer into the nuances of whiskey-making in general, Nicole offers insights into the art of distilling, and how to make choices based on both tradition and the drive to succeed as a business. In the meantime, she dispels some myths about the whiskeys of Tennessee and talks about its relation to bourbon.

This is Part One of a two-part conversation. We hope you enjoy it—stay tuned for the second part coming up. In the meantime, check out our other Spirit School entries on our website (https://thecottonmouthclubpresents.com), or browse conversations with some of the world’s best bar professionals in our Masterclass Series.

Nicole Austin came up in Kings County Distillery in the early days of the Craft Spirits movement, breaking into the business with a degree in Chemical Engineering and a desire to work in spirits.

From her interview with The Tennessean: “I didn’t have the right last name to work in Kentucky or the right degree for Scotland, so I was like, ‘What am I going to do?’ ” Austin said. “In 2010, Kings County got the license to distill … and I basically knocked on their door and was like, 'I’m going to work for you now. I’m done asking, I’m telling.’ ”

After working for the consulting company of the legendary late distiller Dave Pickerell, she took a job with Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey before being tapped for the top-job at Cascase Hollow Distillery, maker of George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey.

An advocate for the craft spirits movement, Ms. Austin helped found the American Craft Spirits Association, New York Distillers Guild, and helped create the idea of Empire Rye.

Weirdo-Paced Banjo Music: “Lady Gray”
Support the show

Training for Mastery takes years of work and dedication, and after a certain point there is no road map in any industry that helps the novice graduate to the journeyman, and the journeyman transform into the master. 
In our continuing Bartending Masterclass, host & Master Bartender Michael J. Neff, discusses the different phases of mastery with some of the finest bartenders from around the world. In this episode, we’re talking with Modern Bartender, ms. franky marshall.

Ms. marshall has been a bartender for a hot minute—both before the modern cocktail movement in nightclubs & dive bars around New York, and after at such storied cocktail bars as The Holiday Cocktail Lounge, Clover Club & The Dead Rabbit.

She has also traveled around the world studying spirits, cocktails, and the culture that surrounds them. Her insights in this, the first part of our conversation, are valuable to anyone with an interest in life on either side of the bar.

Some highlights include:

“You have to put as much effort into making that vodka soda as you do in making a Japanese Whisky Highall.... You should be taking pride in your work, so that every single drink you make, even the simplest one, is going to be great.”

“As a trainer, you need to be able to give and you need to be generous with your knowledge.”

“(Relating to people is) why you need to read books, or travel, or look at art, so you have other things to to give to people across that bar.”
Support the show