Episode 1

OF BREWERS, BARRELS AND BLENDS

Alex Castle leads a conversation on how the consumer’s mindset has shifted on blended whiskeys, allowing for more flavor experimentation. The group discusses the different methods and merits of blending, brewers’ barrel-finishing, and more.

Episode 2

THE MARK OF A PRO

What makes a customized spirit truly great?
Is it consistency? Creativity? Or how well the product holds true to tradition? Wilderness Trail Distillery co-founder and microbiologist Dr. Pat Heist leads this discussion on the subtleties of crafting custom juice.

Episode 3

THE TRUE SOURCE OF QUAILTY

From distiller to consumer, everyone has an opinion on what makes an exceptional spirit. While discussing the true meaning of quality with the group, Ryan Maybee reveals how quality impacted the development of his propriety whiskey blend at J. Rieger distillery.

Episode 4

LET'S GO TO SPAIN AND CALL IT R&D

Marianne Eaves moved on from Castle & Key in 2019 to start her own consulting business, recently helping create Sweetens Cove bourbon for Peyton Manning. She leads the group as they share the unique perspectives — and far-flung locales — that influence their R&D process.

Episode 5

MAINTAIN THE MAGIC

For Wes Henderson, Angel’s Envy began as a way to work with his father and, eventually, his own sons. Since then, it has grown to be one of the top-selling small batch bourbons in the world. The group discusses the challenges of preserving authenticity while scaling up.

THIRSTY FOR MORE?

See how the Rackhouse Roundtable began. In this first episode, season one guests discuss the value of spirits as a social lubricant.

Watch more Season 1 episodes ›

MEET THE CAST

Ryan Maybe

Authority: Quality

Title: Co-Owner; Bartender
Brand: J. Rieger Distillery; Manifesto
Home: Kansas City, MO

Ryan made a name for himself behind the bar
at Manifesto, one of the best cocktail bars in America. Since then, he’s helped resurrect the
J. Rieger Distillery as co-owner. A true KC local and our gracious host, Ryan has a unique perspective on quality due to his vast spirits
knowledge, and experienced palate.

Dr. Pat Heist

Authority: Customization

Title: Co-Founder; Chief Scientific Officer
Brand: Wilderness Trail Distillery
Home: Danville, KY

As a microbiologist with a Ph.D. in plant pathology, Dr. Heist can speak to the science of what makes Wilderness Trail unique. Through scientific rigor
and a deep-rooted history as part of the Kentucky bourbon trail, their stated mission is not to make
the most spirits, but the best.

Marianne Eaves

Authority: R&D

Title: Consulting Master Distiller
Brand: Eaves LLC
Home: Oregon (frequently travels)

A true visionary and the first woman to hold
the title of “Master Distiller” in Kentucky, Marianne
is no stranger to bold career moves. She left Castle & Key in 2019 to travel the world as a consulting master distiller with a focus on innovation and process improvement. Recently, she created “Sweeten’s Cove” whiskey for Peyton Manning.

Alex Castle

Authority: Blending

Title: Senior Vice President; Master Distiller
Brand: Old Dominick Distillery
Home: Memphis, TN

Master Distiller Alex Castle brings a spirit of restless experimentation to Old Dominick Distillery with her Small Batch R&D Series, which has resulted
in surprising and unique blends of flavors like an oatmeal raisin cookie bourbon. Recently, Alex
helped expand the distillery’s whiskey portfolio by blending their signature bold high rye content bourbon with a sweeter wheat whiskey.

Wes Henderson

Authority: Scalability

Title: Co-Founder; Chief Innovation Officer
Brand: Angel’s Envy
Home: Louisville, KY

Wes’s father was the legendary Lincoln Henderson, who came out of retirement to work with Wes and create Angel’s Envy — handcrafted, small-batch
bourbon. A talented industry pro in his own right, Wes scaled the Angel’s Envy brand to a size that was eventually acquired by Bacardi Limited. He is an expert on achieving sustainable, scalable success through dedication to the craft.

Production Credits

Client: MGP Ingredients
Agency: Callahan
Concepting, Script & Design: Jessica Phillips,
Dan Rood, Matt Slider
Producer: Jon Hardesty
Video Direction & Editing: Two Seam Films,
Michael Martin
Still Photography: Brian Cummings

ON-SCREEN GRAPHICS