We sit down with Pete Barger of Southern Distilling Company and taste through Southern Star Paragon Cask Strength, Southern Star Bourbon Finished in Zinfandel Casks, and Southern Star Double Rye—breaking down each pour and the thinking behind the lineup.

Pete shares how he and his wife Vienna launched the distillery, why sourcing grains locally matters, and how their focus on regenerative agriculture extends beyond the farm. We also get into the Zinfandel cask finish—how it came together, how they approach finishing whiskeys (including the Honey Barrel), and why some releases are offered in 375ml bottles.

We close with a look at visiting the distillery in Statesville, North Carolina, how the North Carolina whiskey scene has evolved since their launch, what’s next for Southern Distilling, and where you can find their products.

Trying new bourbon releases is one of the most fun parts of being a whiskey fan—and in this Neat & Mixed episode, we dive into why the chase is worth it. From limited drops to distillery-only bottles, we explore what makes hunting down new releases exciting and how it keeps the bourbon experience fresh.

Along the way, we try two pours: Bardstown Bourbon Distillery Reserve Series Cascadia Garryana Oak Barrel Finish, a unique distillery-only release finished in rare Garryana oak from the Pacific Northwest, and Rare Character Rye Whiskey 2026 Batch No. 1.

We talk about what draws us to new releases, how scarcity and innovation play a role, and whether these bottles actually live up to the hype.

Join us for a Neat & Mixed Flight Night with Clinton Dugan, co-founder and master blender at Shortbarrel, as we taste through three pours: Shortbarrel Four Grain, Shortbarrel Toasted Small Batch, and Shortbarrel Rye 101.

Clinton shares how his journey into bourbon began, the story behind Shortbarrel’s founding—including a chance barrel pick in Louisville with Adam and Patrick—and how the brand got its name. We dive into the making of their flagship four-grain bourbon, the inspiration behind secondary aging in Georgia for the Toasted Small Batch, and how acquiring Old Fourth Distillery in Atlanta changed things.

We also explore Shortbarrel’s limited editions, from the Bees Knees Honey Barrel Finish to the Sapquatch Maple Cask Finish, plus a look at expansion plans, future releases, and what’s next.