Send us a text

A blind flight can humble anyone—so we poured three Jamesons without labels and let our palates do the talking. Between laughs, Guinness stories, and a few surprise sneezes, we worked through color, aroma, and mouthfeel to separate Jameson Original, Black Barrel, and the new Triple Triple. One glass leaned darker with char and spice, another felt creamy and layered, and the last stayed bright and easygoing. By the end, we called the lineup with confidence and compared notes on when to sip neat, drop a cube, or mix a highball with ginger.

We also dug into why casks matter so much for Irish whiskey. Black Barrel’s double-charred bourbon barrels and pot still heft brought toast, toffee, and a richer finish. Triple Triple’s bourbon, sherry, and chestnut casks added smooth depth without turning heavy or sweet, making it a standout step-up at a friendly price. The Original reminded us why it’s a bar staple: approachable, light citrus, and endlessly mixable. Along the way, we swapped pub lore, shouted out local spots, and teased a live recording at a hidden speakeasy tucked behind a beer cave door.

Then came an unexpected pairing win: an unboxing from Double Neat with bourbon-glazed jerky, whiskey pecans, maple-roasted almonds, and coffee pods. Sweet nuts softened edges and highlighted caramel notes; a little jerky heat brought out oak and char; coffee aromas echoed roasted cocoa vibes. If you’re building a holiday tasting, keep the pairings simple and let the casks do the heavy lifting.

If this kind of curious tasting and lively banter is your jam, tap follow, share the show with a friend who swears they can spot Black Barrel blind, and drop your pick for the best Jameson expression in the comments. Your recommendations guide our next flight. Cheers.

Support the show

https://linktr.ee/ManCaveHappyHour

www.ManCaveHappyHour.com

Jamie Flanagan @DJJamieDetroit

Matt Fox @fox_beazlefox

August Gitschlag @rawgusto

Merch www.WearingFunny.com

Send us a text

https://www.havenhomesofdetroit.org/

The clink of whiskey fades and a tougher story comes into focus: trafficking in Michigan isn’t a movie plot. It’s months of grooming, IDs taken, credit shattered, and a system that expects people to start over with nothing. We sit down with Aaron from Haven Homes Detroit to unpack how survivors actually rebuild—and what it takes for a small team to turn outreach into long-term stability.

Aaron traces the moment that changed everything: a young woman helped into rehab who was lured back and killed days later. That tragedy exposed the real gap—rescue without housing and documentation isn’t a fresh start. Haven Homes steps into that space with renovated transitional housing, trauma‑informed support, and practical milestones: restoring birth certificates and Social Security cards, repairing credit, teaching financial literacy, and building daily rhythms that make independence possible. With capacity for eight residents across two homes, they’ve already celebrated graduates whose lives now point forward.

We dig into Detroit’s unique dynamics: sports, conventions, and development bring demand; ownership patterns and bulk sales make housing acquisition hard; and while Michigan ranks among the top states for trafficking prevalence, public response still earns failing marks. Aaron talks partnerships with local services, the push for policy change with the Attorney General’s office, and the funding realities nonprofits face in election years. The mission is clear—scale beds, strengthen services, and keep survivors from ever returning to exploitation.

Want to help? Join the Hope & Toast Gala at the Garden Theater, support the June golf outing, or share this conversation with someone who needs to hear the truth behind the headlines. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell a friend—your signal boost can put another key in a survivor’s hand.

https://www.havenhomesofdetroit.org/

Support the show

https://linktr.ee/ManCaveHappyHour

www.ManCaveHappyHour.com

Jamie Flanagan @DJJamieDetroit

Matt Fox @fox_beazlefox

August Gitschlag @rawgusto

Merch www.WearingFunny.com

Send us a text

freshvictor.com

What if the mixer, not the spirit, is the real secret to a great cocktail? We sit down with Fresh Victor founder Ken McKenzie to explore how fresh-pressed, refrigerated mixers turn home pours into bar-quality drinks without the corn syrup, neon dyes, or guesswork. Ken’s journey starts in Guadalajara, where he learned to treat tequila as an Epicurean spirit—complex, mineral-rich, and worth savoring—and ends at a solar-powered facility near Lake Tahoe crafting nine vibrant blends designed to play with any spirit or sparkle on their own.

We crack open flavors like Mexican Lime and Agave, Cactus Pear and Pomegranate, Three Citrus and Mint Leaf, Pineapple and Ginger Root, and Jalapeño Lime, then put them to work in simple builds that anyone can nail. Think a clean, bright margarita; a rye-forward whiskey sour with proper balance; a paloma that pops with sea salt; even a jalapeño-laced highball that delivers real vegetal character, not just heat. Along the way, Ken breaks down how consistent sourcing, pH testing, and cold-fill techniques protect freshness, texture, and aroma—plus why he refuses to go shelf-stable, even when it would be easier to ship.

This is a masterclass in smarter home bartending: use better acids, trust measured ratios, and let the mixer carry the weight while your spirit provides structure. We also dig into refrigerated logistics, on-premise strategy from Vegas to New York, and clever kitchen crossovers like ceviche and grilled fish marinades. Ready to taste the difference? Grab your favorite bottle, stock the fridge, and try a blend that actually tastes like the label.

Enjoy a listener perk: use code “mancave20” at freshvictor.com for 20% off. If you loved the conversation, follow the show, share with a friend, and leave a quick review—what flavor should we mix next?

https://shop.freshvictor.com/

Support the show

https://linktr.ee/ManCaveHappyHour

www.ManCaveHappyHour.com

Jamie Flanagan @DJJamieDetroit

Matt Fox @fox_beazlefox

August Gitschlag @rawgusto

Merch www.WearingFunny.com