In 11/2011, Charles Cheung and I formed a company that aspired to express our love of music, art, and food in a liquid form, a spirituous Gin more specifically. Thus, Genius Gin was born. We worked with close friends and confidants to develop the flavors, the right proof, and I remember Jeret Pena saying that the lab sample at 57% was “Flavor Country”. I remember that early tasting with Jessica Sanders where I was nervous and riddled with anxiety. That first Genius martini, as Bill Norris opened up Midnight Cowboy early for us to talk about the gin. It was a riveting time. A tough time. One in which no…
-
-
Ep 259 – Adam Hannett & James Donaldson: All the Way From Islay
The shores of Islay have been described as beautiful, gray, and obscured. However, this small area of Scotland produces some of the most beautiful and vibrant spirits in the world. Master distiller of Bruichladdich, Adam Hannett and master forager, James Donaldson, have constructed something different on Islay, something truly unique to the flavors of the area. The resulting Botanist Gin is the beauty, smoke, and grayness of Scotland in a bottle. The painstaking process of hand picking botanicals, using different distillates, and crafting something outside the comfort zone of Scotch, is the perfect of The Botanist gin. We chat fatherhood, humility, not recognizing actors, and more.
-
Ep 258 – Allan Logan: A Big Man on a Small Island
Allan Logan is the distillery manager of Bruichladdich distillery on the wee island of Islay. A small community of around 3000 people enriched by whiskey culture and camaraderie due to the limited number of resources. This small community often leads to intimate understandings of whiskey culture and surfaces some, but yet rare, career opportunities. Allan had such an opportunity at the early age of 28. Years later, his team is composed of creative, driven, and Black Arts vibed individuals. We chat sherry, yellow submarine, Bere barley, and more.
-
Ep 257 – The Story of Nickel City
The dynamic duo of Travis Tober and Brandon Hunt have created the modern legend of a bar Nickel City. At first apprehensive of one another, the 2 forged a long lasting relationship over a few Old Fashioned’s. Nickel City is the apex of hospitality and accessibility in the cocktail movement. With inexpensive food, rare whiskey, and an unparalleled staff, the Austin staple has quickly become one of the most lauded bars in the United States. But the only way to truly understand Nickel City is to sip a dram and enjoy a burger. Thanks to Travis and Brandon a monument to community thrives in East Austin.
