EmbellishPod

In this episode of the Embellish podcast, the host welcomes guest Jackie Zykan, a partner at Hidden Barn Whiskey. The conversation goes beyond whiskey and delves into topics such as mental health, the impact of social media, and the challenges of being in the spotlight. Jackie shares her experiences in the whiskey industry, discussing the pressures of always being "on" and the need for transparency. She also talks about her passion project, Oduoak, a fragrance brand that captures the aromatics of whiskey and other sensory experiences. The host and Jackie explore the process of blending fragrances and how it relates to blending whiskey. Overall, the episode offers a unique perspective on the whiskey industry and the intersection of scent and taste.
The downside of it all…I 100% recorded all of this audio from the crappy macbook microphone because I didn’t check my settings.  For a guy in the technology sphere professionally this is a huge oversight.  I apologize for the audio but I think you’ll be ok with the content. 
 
Connect with Jackie:
https://www.jackiezykan.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jackiezykan/
https://hiddenbarnwhiskey.com/
https://www.instagram.com/hidden_barn/
https://www.oduoak.com/
https://www.instagram.com/oduoak/
Connect with The Embellish Pod:
Website: www.embellishpod.com
Instagram: embellishpod
TikTok: embellishpod
 

I spent a little bit of time away from podcasting and content creating and after some distinct soul searching here is what came out the other end.  

In this episode of EmbellishPod, I had the pleasure of chatting with Devin and Chase from American Mash and Grain and Borrowed Page.
They started American Mash and Grain as a whiskey website that features a new craft whiskey distillery each month, diving deep into their history, process, and brand storytelling. They also released their own whiskey called Borrowed Page Volume 1 and recently released Volume 2.
Devin and Chase explained that Borrowed Page is a series of blends where they work with distilleries previously featured on their website. They aim to challenge the idea of American whiskey and use the blends as an extension of their storytelling mission. They want to support craft distilleries and push the boundaries of what American whiskey can be.
When selecting distilleries for the blends, they look for alignment in ethos and mission. They want to partner with distilleries that have a great message and are doing something different. They also consider the flavor profiles of the component whiskeys and how they will play together in a blend.
We discussed the concept of the blends being greater than the sum of their parts. While they aim for a well-crafted blend, their main goal is to showcase the distinct contributions of each individual distillery and allow their products to shine through. They want to create a unique and high-quality blend that represents the hard work and passion of the craft distilleries they work with.
They also touched on the geographical aspect of their blends, mentioning that they try to avoid repeating states back-to-back. They want to connect different parts of the country and shine a light on distilleries that may not be as well-known in certain areas.
They also discussed the process of selecting distilleries and the importance of finding partners who are aligned with their mission. They mentioned the support they received from distilleries like Watershed, Mammoth, and Old Dominick, and how their enthusiasm for the project helped drive its success.
This episode provided insights into the world of American Mash and Grain and Borrowed Page, their mission to support craft distilleries, and their approach to creating unique and high-quality blends. Listeners were given a glimpse into the process of selecting distilleries, the concept behind the blends, and the future direction of the project.
 
On this newest episode we talk about the future of the product, the goals and ethos, some inside baseball on Chase and Devin’s friendship and more.  It’s always great to have the join me and I couldn’t be happier to have them. 
 
 
 
Long Form Distillery Pieces:
https://www.mashngrain.com/
Where to buy Borrowed Page Vol 1 and 2:
https://shop.mashngrain.com/
 
Borrowed Page Volume 2 Specifics:
https://www.mashngrain.com/industry/borrowed-page-vol-2
 
Members of the blend
 
Talnua:
https://www.mashngrain.com/distilleries/talnua-distillery
https://www.talnua.com/
 
Mammoth Distilling:
https://www.mashngrain.com/distilleries/mammoth-distilling
https://mammothdistilling.com/
 
Virginia Distillery:
https://www.mashngrain.com/distilleries/virginia-distillery
https://vadistillery.com/
 
Things to be on the lookout for
 
Storm King Distilling:
https://www.mashngrain.com/distilleries/storm-king-distilling
http://www.stormkingdistilling.com/
 
Liberty Pole Spirits:
https://www.mashngrain.com/distilleries/liberty-pole-spirits
https://www.libertypolespirits.com/
 
 

I've been working on this episode for a month and a half, but life and work often gets in the way.  I really thought about blaming everyone else that decided to do an Irish Whiskey episode in the month of March but the reality is it's a busy month and I had to come in sideways with three flat tires and an engine on fire to be able to complete this episode.  It's got a lot to do with Drew Hannush from Whiskey Lore, Irish Whiskey, history and maybe even good whiskey friends.  
 
Links of Interest:https://a.co/d/byh76Gg
https://www.theirishroadtrip.com/
https://www.irishwhiskeymagazine.com/magazine/independent-bottling-part-1/

@291distillery has been making some great whiskey for a while and I've had the chance to try several things from their inventory. But brand new to their line is the "All Rye" whiskey which is a 100% malted rye whiskey finished with Aspen Staves. 291 All Rye 100% Rye Malt Colorado Whiskey Finished with Aspen Wood Staves, Batch #1 is made up of 50% Colorado Malted Rye (Root Shoot Malting) and 50% German Rye Malt (Weyermann® Specialty Malting). 291 All Rye 132.6 Proof Mentions: @bourbonlens @hoodsommelier @whiskeyinmyweddingring @whiskeylore #bourbon #bourbonporn #bourbongram #bourbonwhiskey #whiskey #whiskeyfamily #whiskeylover #whiskeypic #whiskeygram #whiskeylover #instawhiskey #whiskeypic #podcast #podcasting #podcaster #applepodcast #spotify #podcastersofinstagram

President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Today, Black History Month is a time to honor the contributions and legacy of African Americans across U.S. history and society
Links:
https://www.esquire.com/food-drink/drinks/a32957916/black-owned-liquor-company-experience-jackie-summers-sorel/
https://www.themjf.org/
https://www.exclavespirits.com/whiskey
https://sipbirdie.com/
https://www.hendersonspiritsgroup.com/
 

I'll have a chance to talk with Jason Fruits of Old 55 and some of his friends from Beck's Seeds to talk about some projects they are working on. It's always a treat to talk to the distillery and the provider of the raw goods.@old55distilleryhttps://old55distillery.com/

I've taken a couple of weeks off but it's time to get back on the airwaves. We'll talk 2022, State of the Podcast (SotP) and human connections. It'll be a real treat. www.embellishpod.comwww.instagram.com/embellishpod/https://www.youtube.com/@embellishpodcast

Join us in this special episode of Embellishpod where we dive deep into the world of craft whiskey.David Levine of the Whiskey Ring Podcast and myself, this roundtable discussion brings together a panel of experts from the whiskey industry to explore the nuances of craft whiskey.
Our panelists include Blake from Seelbach's, Colin from Kings County Distillery, Nora from Lost Lantern, and the team from American Mash & Grain, Devin and Chase. Together, they tackle the complexities of defining craft whiskey, the impact of regional flavors, and the evolving perceptions of craft and blended whiskeys.
Whether you're a bourbon enthusiast, a whiskey geek, or just curious about the craft whiskey movement, this episode is packed with insights and lively debate. From the challenges of pricing and age statements to the potential for regional whiskey definitions, our panelists share their experiences and predictions for the future of American whiskey.
🥃 Episode Highlights:
Defining craft whiskey and its connotations
The relationship between pricing, age, and consumer perception
The idea of regional whiskey profiles in the US
The role of transparency and intentionality in craft whiskey production
Co-Host:
Wedding Ring Podcast@whiskeyinmyweddingring@whiskeyringpodcastDavid Levinewww.whiskeyinmyweddingring.com/
Guests:
American Mash and Grain/Borrowed Page American Whiskey@mashngrainChase and Devinwww.mashngrain.com
Lost Lantern Whiskey@lostlanternwhiskeyNora Ganley-Roperwww.lostlanternwhiskey.com
Seelbachs and BourbonrBlake Riberwww.bourbonr.com@bourbonrwww.seelbachs.com
Kings CountyColin Spoelman@kingscountydistillerywww.kingscountydistillery.com

In this episode of the Embellish podcast, I interview David Jennings, also known as @rarebird101, who is a renowned expert on Wild Turkey whiskey. We discuss David's journey into the world of whiskey, his passion for Wild Turkey, and his experience writing books on the subject. We also touch on the importance of being passionate about what you write, the process of designing and publishing a book, and the interactive nature of David's latest book, "Wild Turkey Musings." We delve into the concept of dusty whiskey and the challenges of finding authentic vintage bottles. The conversation also covers the significance of barrel picks and the unique experiences David has had in selecting barrels at Wild Turkey. We concluded by discussing the rise of flippers and the importance of authenticity and trust in the whiskey community. 
Connect with Dave:
Website: https://rarebird101.com/
Instagram: @rarebird101
Twitter/X: @RBird101
 
Connect with The Embellish Pod:
Website: www.embellishpod.com
Instagram: embellishpod
TikTok: embellishpod