4. The Pinnacle Guide: creating the ultimate guide to the world’s best bars

Introducing our first international podcast recording! Earlier this year, podcast host Melita Kiely enjoyed a whistle-stop trip to Ireland to meet this episode's guest: Zak Oganian, CEO of Origen X. His company is focused on acquiring heritage assets and rebuilding historic brands. So far, Origen X boasts an impressive portfolio that includes Kinahan's Irish whiskey, Ukrainian vodka Mikolasch, and Rhum Bouvil from Haiti. This episodes covers everything from Zak's vision for Origen X, to the challenges that come with working in complex markets such as Ukraine and Haiti, bottling supply issues in the Republic of Ireland, and more. Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here:https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/Keep updated on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/Follow along on X (formerly Twitter):https://x.com/spiritsbusinessThe Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business. This podcast episode was edited by Matchbox Motion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final episode of the first season of The Spirits Business Podcast, Sam Simmons, head of whisky at Atom Brands – also known as Dr Whisky – takes us on a global exploration of the whisky category. Nothing is off the table in this conversation: from the pros and cons of being an independent whisky bottler, including the challenges cask investments are presenting to indie bottlers, to the importance of age statements for consumers, why Canadian whisky has arguably been overlooked, a special That Boutique-y Whisky Company tasting (including a 30-year-old blended grain), and a quick-fire question round. Pour yourself a dram, sit back, and we hope you enjoy. Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here:https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/Keep updated on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/Follow along on X (formerly Twitter):https://x.com/spiritsbusinessThe Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business. This podcast episode was edited by Paul Machnicki. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode's podcast guest, Felipe Schrieberg, is an award-winning journalist. He's also a musician, a whisky bottler, and importantly for our conversation today, passionate about uniting the whisky industry against fraudulent whisky cask investment schemes. Having recently launched Portectyourcask.com, a website dedicated to informing people about the potential pitfalls of whisky cask investments, we delve into the pros and cons of this complex subject. Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here:https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/Keep updated on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/Follow along on X (formerly Twitter):https://x.com/spiritsbusinessThe Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inspired by their father’s passion for winemaking, sibling duo Alex and Emma Watson are adding to the family story with their own brand: Renais Gin. But this is more than just another celebrity spirit; Alex and Emma have poured their heart into this project, leaning on Alex's extensive experience in the alcohol beverage world and Emma's creative mind. In this episode, Alex shares the important role family has played in shaping the brand, what it was like creating a gin brand with his sister Emma, why a life in the spotlight wasn't for him, and his ultimate ambitions for Renais. Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here:https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/Keep updated on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/Follow along on X (formerly Twitter):https://x.com/spiritsbusinessThe Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Ian Burrell and Aaisha Dadral, two of the four co-founders of Equiano – the world's first African and Caribbean rum. From successful music careers working with some of the world's biggest artists, the pair have found a passion for brand-building, and have embarked on a journey sharing their love for rum with the world. This episode leaves no stone unturned as we discuss everything from the history of rum and its links to slavery to positive 21st-century developments, the rise of agricole, how to do spiced rum right, the challenges of starting your own business, and future ambitions for Equiano. Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here:https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/Keep updated on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/Follow along on X (formerly Twitter):https://x.com/spiritsbusinessThe Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business. Editing is by Paul Machnicki. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Do you even like whisky?" Becky Paskin, founder of the OurWhisky Foundation, has been asked this question all too frequently during her career – and a recent study showed many women in the industry have similar experiences to share. The OurWhisky Foundation works to promote gender equality in whisky, providing a free modern media library, a platform to share women's stories, and a global mentorship scheme to help women achieve their whisky-related goals. In this episode, Becky discusses how the OurWhisky Foundation came to be, the challenges women continue to face working in whisky – and also the positive changes she has seen across the sector. Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here:https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/Keep updated on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/Follow along on X (formerly Twitter):https://x.com/spiritsbusinessThe Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business. Editing is by Paul Machnicki. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to find purpose in your work, the importance of boundaries and thoughts on cancel culture are all up for discussion in this week’s podcast episode with Lorraine Copes, founder of Be Inclusive Hospitality. Multi-award-winning social entrepreneur Lorraine Copes founded Be Inclusive Hospitality four years ago at the height of the pandemic. Its aim is to advance racial quality across the hospitality, food and drink industries. From her time working across the drinks industry supply chain, Copes explains how she has noticed a constant underrepresentation of people of colour across the industry. But how can the industry work to improve this?Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here:https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/Keep updated on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/Follow along on X (formerly Twitter):https://x.com/spiritsbusinessThe Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business. Editing is by Paul Machnicki. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our fourth episode, The Spirits Business editor Melita Kiely caught up with the three founders behind The Pinnacle Guide – Siobhan Payne, Hannah Sharman-Cox and Dan Dove – the day after the inaugural pinned bars were announced. A total of 37 bars were award one pin and two pins – but so far, no venue has met the requirements for that coveted three-pin status. Siobhan, Hannah and Dan talk us through the years-long journey to launching The Pinnacle Guide, the positive impact it has already had on helping bars improve their service, sustainability and staff welfare, and what comes next.Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here:https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/Keep updated on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/Follow along on X (formerly Twitter):https://x.com/spiritsbusinessThe Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business. Editing is by Paul Machnicki. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How much do you know about Peru's hospitality scene? Well, this episode is set to change any preconceptions you may have had about the country's vibrant cocktail culture. Earlier this year, our editor, Melita Kiely, flew to Lima to spend a week exploring what the capital city's food and drinks scene has to offer. In this episode, Diego Macedo, founder of speakeasy bar Sastrería Martinez, discusses everything from his professional acting background to launching a bar in the midst of a pandemic, and how Peruvian flavours play an important role in his bar's offerings. Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here:https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/Keep updated on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/Follow along on X (formerly Twitter):https://x.com/spiritsbusinessThe Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business. Editing is by Paul Machnicki. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Deano Moncrieffe is arguably one of the industry's most respected bartenders. Not only is he the founder of award-winning bar Hacha in London and bottled cocktail brand Mirror Margarita, but he is on a mission to create a more equitable hospitality industry for everyone through his non-profit Equal Measures. In episode two, Deano candidly opens up about his personal experiences of discrimination and racism, and why paving the way to a truly inclusive hospitality industry is imperative.Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here:https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/Keep updated on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/Follow along on X (formerly Twitter):https://x.com/spiritsbusinessThe Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business. Editing is by Paul Machnicki. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.