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

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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.

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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.

In this very special episode of Whiskey Rocks, we go deep into the heart of Texas to explore the sound, soul, and spirit of Still Austin—one of the boldest voices in American craft whiskey today. Joining us is Jason Harry from Still Austin, who walks us through how music influences their distilling philosophy, why every barrel tells a story, and what it means to create a whiskey that doesn’t just taste good, but feels good.

We’re also thrilled to be joined by whiskey Instagram creator Cinebourbon, who brings his signature cinematic perspective and tasting chops to the conversation. From movie pairings to musical mash bills, this episode is a love letter to the art of whiskey-making—where grain meets groove and every sip strikes a chord.

Pour yourself something soulful and press play.

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris sit down with Caryn Wells, National Brand Ambassador for Green River Distilling Co., for an unfiltered conversation about Kentucky’s 10th oldest distillery and its unexpected rebirth. From whiskey history and heritage to branding brilliance and bold flavor profiles, Caryn pulls back the curtain on how Green River is honoring tradition while carving a fresh path forward.

We talk about the journey from mothballs to must-have bottles, the magic behind the Green River blends, and why Owensboro, Kentucky is punching way above its weight in the whiskey world. Plus, you’ll hear Caryn’s personal whiskey origin story—and yes, we pair it all with the perfect soundtrack.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to bring a legacy brand back to life, this one’s for you.

We sat down with Cyrus Kehyari, the driving force behind Hughes Brothers to explore what it really means to bring a legacy back to life. In this episode, Cyrus shares the remarkable story of reviving his family’s pre-Prohibition whiskey brand—a journey that spans centuries, state lines, and generations. From dusty archives to working stills, we talk about the soul of Pennsylvania whiskey, the weight of history, and the modern grit it takes to restore a name with meaning. This isn’t just a story about spirits—it’s about spirit. And the Hughes Brothers have it in barrel-strength.

On this episode of Whiskey Rocks, Joel and Chris head (virtually) to Hagerstown, Maryland to hang out with Cort Meinelschmidt, the man behind Meinelschmidt Distillery. Nestled in the heart of Western Maryland, Cort’s distillery is bringing bold character and local pride to every barrel—and we’re here for it.

We talk shop about what it takes to build a distillery from the ground up in a small town, the unique flavor profile of Maryland-style whiskey, and why keeping things local—grain, team, and community—is at the core of everything Meinelschmidt does. Cort shares the story behind the distillery’s roots, what sets his spirits apart, and the soundtrack that’s playing in the background of his whiskey journey.

Tune in for great pours, good vibes, and a conversation that proves small towns can produce some big-time whiskey.

In this episode of Whiskey Rocks, we sit down with one of the fearless founders of Old Line Spirits—Mark McLaughlin- a former Navy pilot who traded fighter jets for fermenters. Based in Baltimore, Old Line is making serious noise in the American Single Malt game with bold flavors, unapologetic storytelling, and a rebellious spirit rooted in brotherhood and adventure.

We dive into how a chance encounter with a defunct distillery launched their journey, the risks they took to honor tradition while breaking the rules, and why American Single Malt might just be the next big thing in whiskey. Along the way, we pair their flagship whiskey with some high-octane rock anthems and unpack what makes a great bottle—and a great story.

This one’s got jets, jams, and just the right amount of char. Buckle up.

To learn more about Old Line Spirits visit: http://www.oldlinespirits.com/