In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, we sit down with Adam Hines — designer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of High Bank Distillery — to go deep into the brand’s meteoric rise and their fearless approach to craft whiskey. From the early days of conceptual design to winning multiple gold medals, Adam shares the bold strategy behind High Bank’s standout line, Whiskey War.

We unpack how High Bank blends award-winning spirits with sharp branding, the mindset behind challenging industry norms, and why disrupting the whiskey world sometimes means throwing out the traditional playbook. Whether you’re a whiskey lover, a brand builder, or just love a good underdog story, this one’s for you.

Topics We Cover:

• The origin and evolution of Whiskey War

• Adam’s transition from creative director to distiller

• Building a brand-first distillery in a product-first industry

• The role of storytelling, design, and bold moves in craft whiskey

• High Bank’s secret to staying scrappy and standing out

• Why the Whiskey War name is more than just a label

Drinks we pour and Joel’s review of them:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DL8fvoes0CR/?igsh=MTF4NGRycWdheng3Ng==

https://www.instagram.com/p/DLyHfZ-MSVV/?igsh=MTJha2xqZGFlaTJnbQ==

https://www.instagram.com/p/DKfqMvbMAWl/?igsh=N3c0enA4dWNuZzRw

Follow Us:

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→ TikTok: @thewhiskeyrockspodcast

In this episode of the Whiskey Rocks podcast, Joel is joined by guest co-host Angry Irish Mac (sitting in for Chris) for a bold conversation with Greg Keeley, founder of Larrikin Bourbon, a Kentucky-based distillery making waves in the craft whiskey scene.

Before launching one of the most unapologetic bourbon brands on the market, Greg served in covert operations with both the Australian and U.S. Navies. His journey from military missions to mash bills is as intense as it is inspiring. We explore how his no-nonsense background influences his whiskey-making philosophy, what makes Larrikin stand out in a crowded field, and why he believes bourbon should be as bold as the people who drink it.

Whether you’re a fan of independent distilleries, a lover of American whiskey, or just want to hear how someone went from the battlefield to the barrel room, this episode is packed with grit, guts, and rock and roll energy.

Listen now and discover why Larrikin might just be the most rebellious bourbon you’ve never tried.

Find Whiskey Rocks online:

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Join the conversation on Reddit at r/whiskeyrocks

When we invited Ben and Jess Loseke, the married co-founders of Midwest Barrel Co., onto the show, we thought we were just going to talk about barrels — the kind that once held bourbon, whiskey, wine, and beer. But what we got was a front-row seat to one of the most unexpected and inspiring stories in the world of whiskey.

In this episode, we dig into how a simple side hustle turned into a booming business, what most people don’t know about used barrels, and the wild places these barrels end up next (spoiler: it’s not always whiskey 👀 ). From building a business as a couple to serving everyone from distilleries to DIY-ers to barbecue pitmasters, Ben and Jess are redefining what it means to be a part of the spirits community — even after the spirits are long gone.

This one’s equal parts business, love story, and bourbon-soaked adventure. Pour a glass of one of your favorite drams and enjoy a Hollywood worthy story in the first of our “Voices of the Industry” special episodes.