What We're Drinking with Dan Dunn

On this episode, Dan welcomes two whiskey powerhouses and adds his own poetic flair to the mix. First up is Noah Rothbaum, acclaimed spirits authority and author of The Whiskey Bible: A Complete Guide to the World’s Greatest Spirit. Noah breaks down why whiskey remains a global obsession, offering insights, history, and a few surprising stories you won’t find anywhere else.Then, Dan sits down with Blake Johns, the man behind Smokeye Hill, an exciting new whiskey brand that’s already turning heads. Blake shares the vision, passion, and flavor profile that set Smokeye Hill apart in a crowded market.And because no summer is complete without a proper cocktail, Dan closes things out with something special: an original poem—his ode to the refreshing drink that helped him survive the sweltering heat of Los Angeles.Whiskey wisdom, entrepreneurial spirit, and a dash of poetic comedy... this one’s got it all.Our Sponsors:* Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a great deal: https://www.dietsmoke.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Recorded on-site at Baby Blues BBQ in Venice Beach, this episode of What We’re Drinking—titled “The Audible: Calling Smarter Game Day Pours”—focuses on the art of tailgating done right. Host Dan Dunn is joined by actor Oliver Cooper, Baby Blues pitmaster Rick McCarthy, spirits expert Joe Brooke, and wine authority Geoff Whitman for a lively roundtable that covers everything from perfect barbecue to smart drink choices for game day.Featured pours include Old Forester Bourbon, Prescription Vineyards Wine, Deep Eddy Vodka, Smokeye Hill Whiskey, Bubba’s Secret Stills, and Tequila Corralejo, each bringing its own character to the table. Between the conversation, the food, and the drinks, it’s a complete guide to elevating the tailgate experience.Our Sponsors:* Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a great deal: https://www.dietsmoke.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On this episode of What We’re Drinking, Dan shares the story of getting called in for jury duty and, let’s just say, not exactly rising to the occasion. We’ve also got a brand-new installment of our enormously entertaining and egregiously neglected segment What’ll It Be, featuring a major Hollywood star as the guest in our bar—served, of course, by Lloyd, the creepy bartender from The Shining. And we wrap things up with a small announcement we think you’ll enjoy. Pour yourself a drink and settle in.Our Sponsors:* Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a great deal: https://www.dietsmoke.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, Dan takes you inside one of the best dinners of his life—an omakase feast at Asakura in Los Angeles, where legendary chef Makoto Okamoto (La Bombance, Tokyo) was behind the counter. We dive into the artistry of omakase, the history of sake, and a remarkable story from brewmaster Takafumi Sumikawa, whose family’s Sumikawa Brewery nearly collapsed after a devastating flood in 2013, only to come back stronger than ever with their award-winning Toyo Bijin sake. Also, in "Drinks of the Week," we keep the good stuff flowing with a few bottles you’ll definitely want on your radar.Our Sponsors:* Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a great deal: https://www.dietsmoke.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It’s hotter than the hinges on the gates of hell, so we’re cooling down with the neon, tropical legend that is the Blue Hawaii. Born in 1957 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village thanks to bartender Harry Yee and a bottle of Windex-colored booze, this drink became Hawaii’s unofficial liquid postcard. We’ll shake it up, spill some wild Elvis trivia (including questionable Hollywood casting choices and age gaps that would get you two disturbing Netflix docuseries today), and drop a few jokes that might get us banned from Waikiki. Grab your rum, your pineapple juice, and let’s Yee-haw into paradise.Our Sponsors:* Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a great deal: https://www.dietsmoke.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week on What We’re Drinking, Dan heads to the heart of Napa Valley for a sit-down with Rob Lloyd, the powerhouse winemaker behind Lloyd Cellars. Recorded on location among the vines, the conversation covers Rob’s journey from UC Davis to becoming one of the most respected names in California Chardonnay, his winemaking philosophy, and why he thinks wine should be fun, not fussy. Plus, Dan gets into a few bottles (purely for research purposes) and tries to convince Rob to launch a canned wine called “Lloyd Rage.” Spoiler: it doesn’t go well. (Spoiler #2: Just kidding.) Cheers to great stories, even better wine, and another unforgettable Napa adventure.Our Sponsors:* Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a great deal: https://www.dietsmoke.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dan is in Napa Valley with three heavy hitters: Braiden Albrecht of Mayacamas, Kristy Melton of Freemark Abbey, and Matt Crafton of Chateau Montelena. These wineries aren’t just legends, they helped put Napa on the map at the 1976 Judgment of Paris. Nearly 50 years later, they’re still setting the standard for California wine. We talk history, tradition, and what it takes to keep making world-class juice in one of the most competitive wine regions on Earth. Grab a glass and join us.Our Sponsors:* Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a great deal: https://www.dietsmoke.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It’s the dog days of summer, and Dan’s teaming up with drinks expert Brad Japhe to help you chill out in style. We’re talking frosty, flavor-packed cocktails like the Watermelon Mint Cooler and the Cucumber Basil Gimlet—perfect for turning any scorcher into a poolside paradise. That’s just the tip of the ice cube… there’s plenty more frozen magic waiting for you in this episode. Hit play, cool down, and let’s make summer taste better.Our Sponsors:* Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a great deal: https://www.dietsmoke.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This is an encore presentation of “The 3-Minute Bartender,” because Dan is currently on vacation celebrating his birthday—and by vacation, we mean drinking professionally in a different zip code. In about the time it takes to jot down a grocery list or purge your social media feed, he’ll tell you everything you need to know about The Last Word, a classic, gin-based Prohibition-era cocktail that’s as easy to make as it is to drink way too many of. Dan will hit you with its backstory, a few fun facts, and maybe a joke or two, because learning is more fun when it’s lubricated. Cheers to encores, birthdays, and cocktails that never go out of style!Our Sponsors:* Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a great deal: https://www.dietsmoke.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On this episode of What We're Drinking, Dan unloads on the worst spirit he's ever tasted, calling it nothing short of “Chernobyl in a bottle.” We also debut a brand-new segment, History at Work, kicking things off with a deep dive into Rum Row, the floating lifeline that kept Americans buzzed during the buzzkill that was Prohibition. And in Drinks of the Week, we’re shouting out Kleos, the Greek spirit your summer absolutely needs.Our Sponsors:* Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a great deal: https://www.dietsmoke.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this festive installment of 3-Minute Bartender, we’re trading stars and stripes for a splash of green with a bold, Irish-inspired cocktail: the Shamrock Sour. Sure, it sounds like a St. Paddy’s Day special, but Dan makes the case for celebrating America’s birthday with a nod to the 33 million proud Irish-Americans who helped build (and booze up) this country.Dan mixes up a modern riff on the classic whiskey sour using Egan’s Irish Whiskey—his go-to—plus lemon, simple syrup, a touch of green (crème de menthe or food coloring, your call), and the optional egg white for that silky, firework-worthy finish. It’s smooth, citrusy, and just gimmicky enough to make your backyard BBQ guests raise a brow and a glass.Along the way, you’ll get a quick history lesson (spoiler: St. Patrick wasn’t even Irish), some charming Irish trivia, and a few groan-worthy jokes that’ll make you laugh in spite of yourself. So grab a coupe, shake it like a Roman candle, and get ready to toast freedom with a drink that’s proudly Irish—and just American enough to crash the 4th of July party. Sláinte!Our Sponsors:* Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a great deal: https://www.dietsmoke.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It’s a very special caffeinated edition of the show, as Dan turns his attention to his other liquid obsession: coffee. Joining him is none other than Maynard James Keenan. Yes, that Maynard—vocalist for bands you’ve definitely cranked up loud, and also the man behind Caduceus Cellars, Merkin Vineyards… and now, Queen Bee Vinyl Cafe, a kickass coffee roaster in Arizona.But wait, there’s more: Dan also serves up hot takes on two of his go-to java brands, La Colombe and Free Rein. Along the way, there’s a story about Bruce Springsteen, a heartfelt tribute to a Van Halen cover band, and enough coffee talk to keep you wired 'til the next episode.Our Sponsors:* Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a great deal: https://www.dietsmoke.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On this installment of the Nobel Prize–snubbed (but emotionally validated) “3-Minute Bartender,” Dan dives headfirst into the Chuflay, Bolivia’s national cocktail and perhaps the only drink in history that sounds like a command to swat insects. That’s right, it’s Chuflay (pronounced “shoo-fly”). Our intrepid host was first introduced to this oddly named but downright delightful drink by none other than Academy Award–winning director Steven Soderbergh. You know, the guy behind Ocean’s 11, Magic Mike, and all those Oceans films. Soderbergh also happens to own a booze brand called Singani 63, the key ingredient in a proper Chuflay.And yes, Dan wants you to know — in no uncertain terms — that he and Steven are friends. Real friends. Like, text-each-other-unprompted friends. So please, don’t make it weird. All that and more, in the time it takes to watch the credits of Black Bag, Soderbergh’s most recent film. Which is awesome, by the way. As Dan told Steven during their most recent texting sesh!Our Sponsors:* Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a great deal: https://www.dietsmoke.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On this episode of What We’re Drinking, Dan is joined by JoJo Fletcher and Mallory Patton, the dynamic duo behind Saint Spritz, a ready-to-drink cocktail brand that’s clean, crisp, and free of Red 40, artificial sweeteners, and all the other crap we’ve been pretending not to notice in our drinks.You might also recognize JoJo from her time on The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, where she bravely attempted to find love in a house full of shirtless narcissists while being constantly interrupted by camera crews and rose ceremonies. So yeah, she's more than qualified to handle the chaos of launching a booze brand.Plus, Dan dives into a sobering cultural crisis currently plaguing bars across America. No, it’s not a bourbon shortage. It’s Gen Z. That’s right—the Venmo-wielding, tab-avoiding generation that treats bar tabs like radioactive waste. You’re not gonna want to miss his take on it. Spoiler alert: he has thoughts.Our Sponsors:* Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a great deal: https://www.dietsmoke.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It’s officially summer, and that means one thing: it’s time to drink like it. In this sun-soaked episode of What We’re Drinking, Dan is joined by world-renowned spirits savant Brad Japhe for a spirited showdown of the season’s most essential cocktails. Recorded on-location at the culinary wonderland that is Hatchet Hall in Culver City, this episode is part tasting session, part expert masterclass, and all vibe. Dan and Brad dive glass-first into a lineup of warm-weather winners, including the smooth elegance of Suntory Whisky Toki, the rich American classic Michter’s US*1 Bourbon, the magic of Don Fulano Tequila, the crisp surprise of Fonseca Siroco White Port, the zesty botanicals of Condesa Prickly Pear & Orange Blossom Gin, and the agave powerhouse Tequila Fortaleza.Expect big flavors, big opinions, and more than a few laughs as Dan and Brad wax poetic about what makes each of these spirits a front-runner for cocktail dominance this summer. Cocktails of the Summer 2025 is your go-to guide for drinking well when it’s hot as hell.Our Sponsors:* Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a great deal: https://www.dietsmoke.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It’s the big 3-0-0 on What We’re Drinking with Dan Dunn, and we’re popping metaphorical (and literal) bottles to celebrate! Joining Dan for this milestone episode is cocktail royalty Dale DeGroff, the godfather of the modern bartending movement, who mixes up wisdom and wit in equal measure. Also pulling up a barstool: ace horse racing handicapper Pete Fornatale, who shares some Belmont Stakes picks, pours, and possibly a few ponies we should avoid like an over-oaked Chardonnay.Making guest appearances are actor Colin Donnell, who proves that leading men can also lead great toasts, and Dan’s brother Sean, who’s been around since before episode one—so technically, he’s an OG cast member.Dan takes a walk (or maybe a slightly wobbly stagger) down memory lane, revisiting some of the show’s most memorable moments from the past six years. There’s laughter, there’s reflection, there’s gratitude—lots of it—as Dan raises a glass to the listeners who’ve made this all possible.Here’s to 300 episodes of stories, spirits, and spirited storytelling… and to at least 300 more. Cheers!Our Sponsors:* Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a great deal: https://www.dietsmoke.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On this episode of What We’re Drinking, Dan welcomes back an old friend and true titan of the tipple: James Beard Award-winning bartender Charles Joly. If you’ve ever watched the Oscars or the Emmys and wondered who’s responsible for keeping Hollywood’s elite well-lubricated, look no further—Charles has been crafting cocktails for the stars on the industry’s biggest nights for years. Beyond red carpets and gold statues, Charles is also the visionary behind Crafthouse Cocktails, one of the first premium ready-to-drink brands to prove that convenience and quality can happily co-exist in a bottle. Dan and Charles dive into the evolution of the modern cocktail renaissance, the delicate art of making drinks under pressure (while paparazzi lurk nearby), and where the adult beverage world is headed next.Plus, Dan serves up a scorching take on the latest "green" gimmick to hit your feed: the Matcha Martini. Spoiler alert—he’s not a fan. Cheers to great drinks, great stories, and great company.Our Sponsors:* Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a great deal: https://www.dietsmoke.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

He’s baaaack! Actor, director, and spirits entrepreneur Matthew Lillard returns for a long-overdue second round, exactly one year after his first visit, because clearly, we’re creatures of habit (and good taste). This time around, Matthew dives even deeper into his wildly entertaining acting career—from Scream to Scooby-Doo to Five Nights at Freddy's and beyond—and gives us the latest on his fast-growing spirits brand, Find Familiar Spirits, and its latest release Quest’s End Druid.Dan and Matt talk shop, swap stories, and sip the good stuff. If you liked him the first time (and how could you not?), you’re going to love him all over again. Lillard’s got charisma, range, and... whiskey. Cheers to that.Our Sponsors:* Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a great deal: https://www.dietsmoke.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On this episode, we’re boldly going where no podcast has gone before... but first, Dan kicks things off with his hotly debated, no-holds-barred list of the Top 5 Drinking Cities of 2025. Did your hometown make the cut? Is it time to move? Tune in and find out.Then, it's warp speed into whiskey as we beam up a special segment featuring two out-of-this-world Star Trek-inspired expressions—crafted through an intergalactic collaboration between Howard Jackowitz and Craig Spurrier of Spirits That Rock and our longtime friends at Barrell Craft Spirits. These limited-edition beauties are housed in bottles modeled after the legendary (and formerly illegal) Romulan Ale—and yes, they’re every bit as intriguing as they sound.And hey, if you want to try them yourself, Dan’s got a discount code for you (psst... it's ROMULAN), but you'll have to listen for the deets. Engage!Our Sponsors:* Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a great deal: https://www.dietsmoke.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dan is joined by actor Wyatt Russell and producer Rich Peete, who swing by Baby Blues BBQ in Venice Beach to talk about their fast-growing line of ready-to-drink cocktails, Lake Hour — a delicious tribute to summertime, friendship and carefree afternoons that often turn into epic nights. Wyatt dishes on what it was like growing up with Hollywood royalty Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn for parents, while Rich shares wild stories from their lakeside adventures that helped inspire the brand. They also get into Wyatt’s starring role in Marvel’s highly anticipated Thunderbolts, and Rich’s latest producing project, the critically-acclaimed new film The Legend of Ochi. It's boats, beers, and behind-the-scenes madness... the kind of episode you’ll want to shotgun a Lake Hour to.Our Sponsors:* Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a great deal: https://www.dietsmoke.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy