Spirits & Distilling Podcast

Spirits & Distilling

Enjoy and learn from conversations with leading distillers as co-hosts Sydney Jones, head distiller for FEW Spirits in Chicago, and Molly Troupe, master distiller for Freeland Spirits in Portland, Oregon, explore the technical and creative processes behind award-winning and storied spirits. It’s a podcast by distillers, for distillers, that covers the broad world of finely crafted spirits—botanical and herbal spirits, fruit distillations, agave spirits, grain spirits, and more. Listen as the hosts discuss every aspect of the process, from ideation and ingredient selection through conversion and fermentation, distilling, aging, finishing, proofing, and packaging. Subscribe to this bi-weekly podcast for tips and techniques that will help you make better spirits.

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47 episodes
Updated Dec 10, 2025

Episodes47

Newest first

May 29, 2024 · 1 hr 6 min
7: Heaven Hill Master Distiller Conor O'Driscoll is Tackling New Product and Process Challenges in the Biggest Way Possible: Building a New Distillery
The seventh master distiller in the history of the storied distillery got his start as a chemical engineer, before finding his way into whiskey. Now, he’s leading the next chapter, as they build and commission the new Heaven Hill Springs distillery, and tackle new processes for making beloved brands.
May 21, 2024 · 55 min
6: Andy Garrison of Stone Barn Brandyworks Takes a Value-Added Approach to Distilling Fruits and Vegetables
The self-styled maker of “irrational fever dreams” and “peasant indulgences” shares his principled yet technical approach to making spirits from unusual ingredients like carrots, ramen noodles, and more.
May 1, 2024 · 1 hr 5 min
5: Riley Henderson of FEW Spirits Explores Whiskey’s “Last Frontier”—Fermentation
What’s left to do in the world of whiskey? Plenty, if you ask FEW Spirits director of operations Riley Henderson. For him, the secret lies in embracing slower, more flavorful fermentations.
Apr 18, 2024 · 54 min
4: Reade Huddleston of Monster Brewing Shares Perspectives on RTDs, Water Quality, and More
Through his career, Huddleston has bounced back back and forth in the brewing and distilling worlds, picking up valuable lessons along the way. Here, he shares important perspectives on packaging RTDs for long term stability, understanding the impacts of water chemistry throughout the distilling process, and much more.
Apr 3, 2024 · 1 hr 2 min
3: Lisa Wicker, Itinerant Distiller, Considers Lessons From Her Past While Looking to the Future
The former president and master distiller for Brooklyn’s Widow Jane took a circuitous route before ending up in distilling, but the lessons in blending, flavor development, and agricultural integration she picked up along the way have informed her approach to distilled spirits to this day.
Mar 26, 2024 · 1 hr 12 min
2: Ale Ochoa Takes a Scientific Approach to Sensory Evaluation and Whiskey Blending
Sensory scientist and experienced whiskey blender Ale Ochoa joins Molly to discuss the finer points of developing a palate, articulating flavor and aroma attributes, training a sensory team, testing and validating results, and more.
Mar 5, 2024 · 1 hr 4 min
1: Hosts Sydney Jones and Molly Troupe Share Their Favorite Distilling Techniques
In this launch episode of the Craft Spirits & Distilling Podcast, hosts Sydney Jones of FEW Spirits and Molly Troupe of Freeland Spirits introduce the podcast and each other with a dive into their favorite distilling techniques.

Spirits & Distilling Podcast

7: Heaven Hill Master Distiller Conor O'Driscoll is Tackling New Product and Process Challenges in the Biggest Way Possible: Building a New Distillery

6: Andy Garrison of Stone Barn Brandyworks Takes a Value-Added Approach to Distilling Fruits and Vegetables

5: Riley Henderson of FEW Spirits Explores Whiskey’s “Last Frontier”—Fermentation

4: Reade Huddleston of Monster Brewing Shares Perspectives on RTDs, Water Quality, and More

3: Lisa Wicker, Itinerant Distiller, Considers Lessons From Her Past While Looking to the Future

2: Ale Ochoa Takes a Scientific Approach to Sensory Evaluation and Whiskey Blending

1: Hosts Sydney Jones and Molly Troupe Share Their Favorite Distilling Techniques