In this Whiskey Rocks Whiskey Nerd Takeover, Joel and Chris welcome back Blair Ault from Milam & Greene for a deep dive into a special release, The Answer. What starts as a behind-the-scenes breakdown of blending philosophy, flavor decisions, and how this bottle came to life quickly turns into a full-on whiskey masterclass when Master Distiller Marlene Holmes drops in unexpectedly.

But that’s only half the story. Somewhere along the way, the conversation takes a hard left turn into the wonderfully strange. We’re talking Star Trek debates, music tangents, movie villains, and a few moments that have absolutely nothing to do with whiskey—but somehow make perfect sense in the moment. It’s the kind of detour that only happens when the drinks are poured, the mics are on, and everyone’s having too much fun to steer the ship straight.

This episode delivers real insight for anyone who loves whiskey, studies whiskey, or just wants to hang out with two of the sharpest minds in the industry. It’s nerdy, it’s unpredictable, and it might be the most enjoyable chaos we’ve had on the show. Buckle up.

To follow us, find us on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram @thewhiskeyrockspodcast

Whiskey rocks, sip hard!

What does it really mean for a whiskey to be “local”? Is it about where the grains come from, the climate where the barrels age, the people who make it, or something deeper about place and identity?

In this episode, we sit down with Will and Ric at St. Augustine Distillery in the nation’s oldest city to talk about what makes their whiskey unmistakably Floridian. We get into how heat and humidity shape the barrel, why sourcing from nearby farms matters, and how a distillery can reflect the character of a community rather than just operate inside it.

This is a conversation about craft, patience, environment, and pride. And it might change the way you think about where whiskey flavor really comes from.

If you enjoy stories about people building something with intention, this one is for you.

Learn more about St. Augustine at https://www.staugustinedistillery.com/

Follow us for more whiskey and fun over on Instagram, TikTok and even YouTube @thewhiskeyrockspodcast

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris sit down with Owen King, the distiller behind Iron Clad Distillery out of Newport News, Virginia, a brand that’s as bold and unapologetic as its name.

Owen takes us deep into Iron Clad’s roots, from the Civil War history that inspired its name to the modern craft grit that defines its bourbon. We talk family hustle, local pride, and what it means to build whiskey with real backbone.

This one’s got everything….stories of turning an old shipyard town into whiskey country, the beauty of doing things your own damn way, and a few laughs that’ll make you want to pour another glass.

So crank the volume, grab a pour, and join us for a conversation that proves: when whiskey gets loud, Iron Clad’s leading the band.

Follow us @thewhiskeyrockspodcast on all social channels for more