Meredith Mills-Merritt didn’t set out to make just another canned cocktail. Drawing on her background in beauty and brand innovation, she reimagined the RTD category with a family Southside recipe built on cleaner ingredients and transparency. We talk about building an alcohol brand from the ground up, why authenticity matters more than marketing, the future of drinking culture, and how the Clean Alcohol Collective is pushing the industry forward. It’s a thoughtful conversation about gin, entrepreneurship, and creating a brand with purpose—not just another product.
-
-
Ep 338 – Jeff Duckhorn: Standing Among The Giants
Jeff Duckhorn is the master distiller for Redwood Empire Whiskey. His career trajectory shows that sometimes if you’re crunching numbers in the back of the room, they might eventually ask you to run the still. With a deep concern for the environment, balance, and attention to detail, Jeff crafts delicious whiskey in Sonoma County, California. As the whiskey markets become even more saturated with MGP marks, Jeff flourishes with unique blends and bottled in bond creations. We chat classical music, food waste, malt whiskey, and more.
-
Ep 278 – Sother Teague: A Bittersweet Symphony
Sother Teague’s journey has been an epic one. But despite where the voyage has taken him, it’s always been within the realm of hospitality. A teacher, a writer, a host, and a massive fan of all things bitter; Sother is a renaissance man. Whether pouring drams at his esteemed Amor y Amargo or capturing his essence as a host with his new book I’m Just Here for the Drinks, Sother is the perfect drinking companion. We chat Huey Lewis and the News, Alton Brown, style, and more.
