The Spirits Business Podcast

If you’ve ever been to Bar Convent Berlin, you’ll know what a jam-packed few days you’re in store for. But luckily, during this year’s show I was able to meet with Nicola Olianas, who is the global head of advocacy and ambassadors for Fratelli Branca Distillerie. A fierce advocate for the global bar community and representing a portfolio with some seriously iconic brands, this was a really inspiring episode where Nicola talked through the evolving role of advocacy, what it takes to be really effective brand ambassador, and why sometimes, staying the same and leaning heavily into your heritage can be the key to long-lasting global success. Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here:https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/Keep updated on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/Follow along on X (formerly Twitter):https://x.com/spiritsbusinessFind us on Threads:https://www.threads.net/@spiritsbusinessTake a look at our videos on our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpiritsBusinessMagazineThe Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business. This podcast episode was edited by Matchbox Motion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This year (2026) marks 20 years of High West, an American whiskey brand founded in Park City in Utah. It was one of the first modern distilleries in American whiskey, and an indisputable leader in the rye whiskey renaissance. For such a milestone occasion, it felt only right to sit down with both High West’s master distiller Isaac Winter, and director of sensory and product development Tara Lindley to hear more about how the brand has helped to popularise rye whiskey during its modern resurgence. We also covered how blending and sourcing whiskey became respected as part of American whiskey’s story and culture, and what the next 20 years could look like for High West and the wider whiskey category. Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here:https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/Keep updated on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/Follow along on X (formerly Twitter):https://x.com/spiritsbusinessFind us on Threads:https://www.threads.net/@spiritsbusinessTake a look at our videos on our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpiritsBusinessMagazineThe Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business. This podcast episode was edited by Matchbox Motion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if one of Poland’s most historic spirits could be on the brink of a new beginning? Starka is a centuries-old rye vodka-based spirit, aged in oak for years – and sometimes decades – creating something that sits intriguingly between vodka and whisky. And now, its historic distillery in Szczecin is up for sale.So, what makes Starka so unique, what potential lies in its extraordinary stocks and heritage, and what might its next chapter look like? In today’s podcast episode, I’m joined by David Lesperance to find out more about Starka, learn about the sale process, and what he and his team at Lesperance Associates are looking for in the next owner. Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here:https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/Keep updated on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/Follow along on X (formerly Twitter):https://x.com/spiritsbusinessFind us on Threads:https://www.threads.net/@spiritsbusinessTake a look at our videos on our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpiritsBusinessMagazineThe Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business. This podcast episode was edited by Matchbox Motion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since 1993, Chopin has been spearheading the luxury, super-premium vodka category. This is a brand that was one of the early adopters of promoting how good-quality base materials can create flavoursome vodka, and debunking the age-old assumption that vodka is neutral – because as fans of this versatile spirit will confirm, it is anything but. I recently connected with the founder and CEO of Chopin Tad Dorda to learn more about the brand’s establishment and what it’s like overseeing Poland’s last family-owned vodka maker.Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here:https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/Keep updated on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/Follow along on X (formerly Twitter):https://x.com/spiritsbusinessFind us on Threads:https://www.threads.net/@spiritsbusinessTake a look at our videos on our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpiritsBusinessMagazineThe Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business. This podcast episode was edited by Matchbox Motion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spirits fans will likely know Speyside in Scotland for its world-class whiskies, but there’s one distillery that’s showing a different side to the Scottish region, and that’s Glenrinnes Distillery, which is showing Speyside can also make brilliant clear spirits like vodka and gin. After taking a little time out to rethink its branding and marketing strategy, Glenrinnes is back with Eight Lands Vodka and Gin – the same delicious, award-winning liquid, a brand new packaging design, many lessons learned and even bolder ambitions. Keep listening to hear more from founder Alex Christou. Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here:https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/Keep updated on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/Follow along on X (formerly Twitter):https://x.com/spiritsbusinessFind us on Threads:https://www.threads.net/@spiritsbusinessTake a look at our videos on our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpiritsBusinessMagazineThe Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business. This podcast episode was edited by Matchbox Motion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.