From Cognac-Barreled Rye To Motor City Exotics: Sipping, Stories, And Speed

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A dusty bottle on the studio shelf turned into the perfect spark for a wide-open conversation. We finally cracked a Grand Traverse Distillery rye finished through a cognac-influenced, triple-barrel journey—and it surprised us. Instead of the hot, young profile we feared, the nose showed dry cherry, vanilla, and seasoned oak, with a clean, warming finish that felt more gentleman than brawler. If you’ve ever doubted what regional distillers can do, this pour makes a strong case for patience, wood choice, and careful blending.

With glasses in hand, we welcomed Lenny from Motor City Exotics and shifted gears into car culture. We traded first car memories—the freedom of bench seats and stick shifts, booming subwoofers, and the kind of breakdowns that become legends. Then Lenny got real about the exotic rental game: thin deposits, high-risk drivers, denied claims, and a scaling problem that grows harder instead of bigger. That hard truth fueled his pivot to allstuffauto.com, a software-driven marketplace that aims to manage assets smarter, not own more depreciating metal. Think marketplace tech with a practical spine, built from the front lines of Palm Beach to Michigan.

Dream cars rounded it out, from the engineering-first Lexus LFA to Detroit-classic muscle and niche Porsches that value feel over flash. The theme ties back to the glass: substance wins. A well-finished rye can outshine a louder bottle; a thoughtfully engineered car can outlast trend-chasing hypercars. It’s a conversation for anyone who loves craft—whether it’s charred oak and cognac perfume or titanium rods and balanced chassis.

If you enjoyed the ride, tap follow, share this with a friend who loves whiskey or wheels, and drop us a review with your dream car pick. And yes—links to Lenny and Grand Traverse are in the notes. Cheers.

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Jamie Flanagan @DJJamieDetroit

Matt Fox @fox_beazlefox

August Gitschlag @rawgusto

Merch www.WearingFunny.com