by Ilias Mastrogiannis
Distillery Nation is a podcast that takes you inside the story of starting a small craft distillery. Ilias Mastrogiannis talks about his own story on starting up a business. The struggles, regulations, cost and everything in between. In addition to real-world advice we interview some of your favorite craft distillers!
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
9/15/2015
Email Addresses
1 available
Phone Numbers
0 available
March 31, 2025
<p class="whitespace-pre-wrap break-words">In the evolving landscape of global spirits, one visionary stands at the forefront of a quiet revolution. Tomas Nava, owner and distiller at <a title="Gran Tunal Distillery" href= "https://www.facebook.com/people/Gran-Tunal-Destiler%C3%ADa/100051906911575/">Gran Tunal Destilería</a>, is redefining what Mexican whiskey can be through his passionate commitment to heritage and innovation.</p> <p class="whitespace-pre-wrap break-words">Nava's journey began behind the bar, where he pioneered his town's first mezcal establishment. This immersion in Mexico's traditional spirits sparked a curiosity that would later flourish into full-scale production. After exploring gin-making with a distinctive Prickly Pear base, Nava found his true calling in whiskey—but with a uniquely Mexican identity.</p> <p class="whitespace-pre-wrap break-words">"The soul of whiskey is in its grain," Nava often says, and this philosophy drives Gran Tunal's most ambitious project. While most distillers worldwide rely on commercial corn varieties, Nava has turned to Mexico's rich agricultural heritage, sourcing indigenous heirloom corn varieties that pre-date European contact.</p> <p class="whitespace-pre-wrap break-words">These ancient grains—each with distinct flavor profiles, colors, and cultural significance—provide the foundation for whiskeys unlike any other in the world. The result is not merely a Mexican interpretation of Scottish or American traditions, but something genuinely new: expressions that capture Mexico's terroir and agricultural legacy in every sip.</p> <p class="whitespace-pre-wrap break-words">The production process honors both whiskey-making traditions and Mexican cultural practices. By combining careful distillation with these exceptional base ingredients, Gran Tunal creates spirits that speak eloquently of place and history.</p> <p class="whitespace-pre-wrap break-words">Industry experts have taken notice. As Mexican whiskey emerges as a category in its own right, Nava's creations stand as benchmarks of quality and innovation, earning recognition in international competitions and among discerning connoisseurs.</p> <p class="whitespace-pre-wrap break-words">For Tomas Nava, each bottle represents more than just a fine spirit—it's a preservation of agricultural biodiversity, a celebration of Mexican heritage, and a bold step forward in the global spirits conversation.</p>
March 1, 2025
<p class="whitespace-pre-wrap break-words">In this month's episode of The Distillery Nation Podcast, we dive into the world of tasting rooms and hospitality with acclaimed bar owner and author <a title= "Sling and Arrows Consulting" href= "https://slingsarrowsconsulting.com/">Chall Grey</a>. Known for his practical guidebook <a title="The Cocktail Bar Notes Book" href= "https://distilling.com/book/the-cocktail-bar-notes-for-an-owner-operator/">The Cocktail Bar: Notes for an Owner and Operato</a>r, Chall brings years of hands-on experience in creating exceptional guest experiences.</p> <p class="whitespace-pre-wrap break-words">For distillers looking to expand their brand presence through a tasting room, this conversation offers invaluable insights. Chall and I explore the critical importance of location selection—examining foot traffic patterns, neighborhood dynamics, and how your space should reflect your brand identity. We discuss how a thoughtfully designed tasting room can become your most powerful marketing tool, creating brand ambassadors with every visit.</p>
February 1, 2025
<p class="whitespace-pre-wrap break-words">In this episode of the Distillery Nation Podcast, we sit down with Noah Friedman, co-founder of <a title="Top Shelf Ventures" href= "https://www.topshelf.ventures/">Top Shelf Ventures</a>, to explore the fascinating world of spirits investment and brand building. If you've ever wondered how certain spirits brands rise to prominence while others struggle to gain traction, this conversation offers some compelling answers.</p> <p class="whitespace-pre-wrap break-words">Noah shares the story behind Top Shelf Ventures and walks us through their approach to identifying promising alcohol brands. With the spirits industry facing new challenges and shifting consumer preferences, his insights on navigating these changes while building sustainable brands are particularly timely.</p> <p class="whitespace-pre-wrap break-words">During our chat, Noah breaks down what makes investors take notice of a spirits brand. He offers practical perspectives on brand building in today's market, mixing traditional industry wisdom with modern growth strategies. The conversation covers everything from initial brand positioning to scaling operations effectively.</p> <p class="whitespace-pre-wrap break-words">We also dive into the current media landscape around alcohol brands and how successful companies are adapting their strategies. Noah's experience provides valuable insights for both established distillers and newcomers to the industry, offering a realistic look at what it takes to succeed in today's competitive market.</p> <p class="whitespace-pre-wrap break-words">Whether you're running a craft distillery, planning to launch a spirits brand, or simply interested in the business of booze, this episode delivers practical insights and honest talk about building successful alcohol brands. Join us for a conversation that mixes industry expertise with real-world experience.</p>
Christi Atkinson and Alan Bishop
The Craft Spirits Podcast
Spirits & Distilling
Bourbon Pursuit
The Daily Wire
Still Talking Podcast
Guy Raz | Wondery
All Things Comedy
The New York Times
Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett
NPR
Wondery
The Wall Street Journal
Matt McCusker & Shane Gillis
Wondery
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at [email protected] for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.