Women & Whiskey: Stop Mansplaining Me

In this episode the tables turn as co-host Wendy Peveich steps into the hot seat to share the story behind her own line of rye whiskey, Archer Eland. Created in honor of her mother and crafted with the team at Middle West Spirits, Archer Eland is a rye unlike any other. Follow along as Wendy, Amy, and Melanie take us from the spark of an idea to the first pour, sharing the passion, creativity, and challenges behind these truly distinctive rye whiskies. UPDATE: Archer Eland will be available in Ohio beginning December 1!

Lanessa and Leigh Ann kick off a rare morning edition of Women and Whiskey: Stop Mansplaining Me with a truly special guest — Melissa Rift, Master Taster at Old Forester. Melissa takes us through her inspiring journey from social work to spirits, detailing how she rose from tour guide to one of the most influential tasting experts in bourbon. We also dig into the beauty of Old Forester’s lineup. Did you know they use a single recipe for all their expressions? Yep — one mash bill, but countless flavor experiences. Whether you love ooey-gooey sweet notes or bold roasty-toasty sips, Old Forester has a bottle that’ll hit your sweet (or spicy) spot. From bourbon newbies to seasoned aficionados, there’s a pour for everyone. 🥃 Tune in to hear Melissa’s story and maybe even find your next favorite bottle.

In this episode of Women & Whiskey: Stop Mansplaining Me, Leigh Ann, Amy and Wendy chat with TK Burtin-Johnson, Co-Founder of Red Hazel Whiskey, joining in from Atlanta, GA. TK opens up about her inspiring journey of co-founding a flavored whiskey brand with her brother—crafted with real ingredients and pure passion. Hear how she tackles the challenges of entrepreneurship, juggles a full-time job, and faces obstacles head-on with determination and grace. Whether you’re into whiskey, entrepreneurship, or simply love a great story, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in now and raise a glass to breaking barriers, one sip at a time!

In this episode of Women and Whiskey: Stop Mansplaining Me, we welcome the trailblazing Dawn O'Neal, PhD in Ecology and founder of New Dawn Distilling, launched proudly on Juneteenth last year. Dawn's story is a unique blend of scientific expertise, passion for the environment, and a deep love for whiskey. Dawn shares her inspiring journey from the scientific field to the world of distilling, weaving together her passion for ecology with innovative spirit-making. Living in New Orleans, a city rich with culture and history, Dawn draws constant inspiration from nature. Her journey into distilling is rooted in her commitment to sustainability—she's dedicated to reducing her carbon footprint and using eco-friendly practices in every step of the distilling process. From the grains she sources to the energy she uses, Dawn ensures that New Dawn Distilling is as environmentally responsible as it is innovative. Pour a drink, sit back, and enjoy this inspiring episode!

In this episode, Sangeeta Lakhani, Executive Director of Service!, A Relief Organization for Hospitality Workers returns to tell us about the upcoming expansion of Service!

Some things just go great together like champagne and caviar, pretzels and beer and whiskey and cigars. In this episode, Amy, Lanessa and Leigh Ann chat via Zoom with Christy Pruitt-Haynes, Founder and Operator of The Sip and Smoke Experience. Christy is a Certified Cigar Sommelier Tobacconist, Executive Bourbon Steward and Certified Bourbon Professional who hosts both private events and public seminars evangelizing the joys of pairing cigars with whiskey. Check out her website: thesipandsmokeexperience.com. You can also find Christy on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram.

Grant Gorham joins me to talk about the newly launched Ohio Distillery Tour. Check it out at ohiodistillerytour.com or at womenandwhiskeypodcast.com/check-it-out

Amy, Wendy and Leigh Ann taste through two bottles of Old Elk; one from their Cigar Cut series and the other from their Cask Finish series. These bottles were generously gifted to us by Melinda Maddox, Master Blender. The Cigar Series Punch Cut had us feelin' all the feels and the Cognac Cask Finished left us wanting more. (Full disclosure — we may have had a drink or two before we recorded this tasting.) If you have questions or comments, email us at whiskeywomen5@gmail.com or message us on Instagram at women_whiskey

In this episode, Amy, Wendy and Leigh Ann chat remotely with Stephanie Anderson, Regional Sales Manager with Rock Town Distillery in Little Rock, Arkansas. Stephanie generously sent a bottle of their Column Still Collection, Single Barrel Bourbon that was a collaboration with Bardstown Bourbon Company. Rich, Sweet and Floral this bottle did not disappoint. Learn about Rock Town and Stephanie's bold journey in the spirits industry.

On this Valentine's Day, I bring you a podcast episode about a love project that turned into a small business. Nakia Bell, aka Sober Bourbon Girl, started her bourbon journey as an anniversary gift for her husband. That gift evolved into a huge social media following on YouTube, @soberbourbongirl, along with a website, soberbourbongirl.com, with merch coming soon.

Barrel pickin' is no easy task especially when you're given 24 amazing choices but the crew at Women & Whiskey podcast are up to the challenge. In this episode, follow along as we choose 8 barrels of Weller Full Proof for the OHLQ Exclusive Liquor Program.

Need holiday gift ideas? We've got you covered! From holiday cocktails to great gift ideas, we've got a gift idea for everyone. Visit our website www.womenandwhiskeypodcast.com for merch, etc

In this episode, Amy and I chat with Melinda Maddox, Master Blender at Old Elk Distillery. From Bartender to Blender, Mel shares her journey in the spirits industry, stepping out from behind the stick to become Old Elk's award-winning Blender. Support female musicians too… click here to learn more about the band Snarls: takethistoheartrecords.limitedrun.com/produc…-burst

In this episode I chat via Zoom with Diana Hancharenko, founder and operator of Belle of the Barrel Whiskey Tasting Experiences. Diana creates curated whiskey tastings for beginners, experts and everyone in between. Book a holiday party, corporate retreat or just a fun night with family and friends at belleofthebarrel.com

In this episode, we chat with Nicole Volk, M.S., a PhD Candidate at The Ohio State University about her thesis work that focuses on the whiskey industry. She spent time at various distilleries in Kentucky to research how the whiskey industry could be an integral part of educating adults about agricultural. Distilleries just might be the key to reconnecting consumers to where their food, and whiskey, comes from. Stick around after our chat with Nicole to hear about new releases from Middle West Spirits and Maker's Mark.

In this episode, we chat via Zoom with Judy Hollis Jones, Co-Founder of Buzzard's Roost whiskey. Born out of a barrel pick for clients and friends, Judy and her partner Jason Brauner decided to create their own whiskey brand. Setting their whiskey apart by focusing on wood science, they have successfully created an impressive line-up of whiskeys to please any palate.

This episode was recorded for our sister podcast "If This Bar Could Talk" but It's so special, I decided to share it with W&W listeners. I hope you enjoy. Danielle Goldtooth, a Native American mixologist, Zooms in from New Mexico to share her mission to reconnect Americans to their food and honor the farmers, ranchers and agriculturists who provide it. Danielle, along with her husband Allen (who is a chef), and their business partner host pop-up dinners in the Phoenix area featuring as many foraged and locally-sourced ingredients as possible — and educate their guests about creating sustainable food and drinks. Danielle believes that hospitality can change the world… and we agree. You don't want to miss our conversation with this truly amazing person.

In this episode, I travel to Lynnville Tennessee to visit Big Machine Distillery. Devin Walden has been on a fast track to success in the spirits industry since she was 22 years old. Now 30, her hard work and tenacity has paid off becoming the Master Distiller at Big Machine. From tattoo artist to Master Distiller, her journey is the perfect blueprint for anyone looking to advance in the Spirits Industry.

In this episode, Amy and Wendy interview Jane Bowie, co-founder of Potter Jane Distillery. Jane, along with neighbor and former co-worker Denny Potter left their jobs at Maker's Mark to pursue their dream of opening their own distillery. Listen as Jane describes their plan to make a whiskey their way.

In this episode, recorded in the private dining room at Vaso in Dublin, Ohio, Beth Burrows, Senior American Whiskey Ambassador at James B Beam, walks us through a tasting of A. Overholt Rye Whiskey a stunning rye made in the old style "Monongahela Mash". It's not an exaggeration to say that we were all blown away by the flavors in this whiskey. This is a long one but hang in there to learn about 22 second hugs, 6 second kisses, the many uses of breast milk and so much more!