Whiskey, Grit, and the Untold Story of Big Nose Kate (BRC S4 E11)

Welcome to another exciting episode of Barrel Room Chronicles! I'myour host, Kerry Moynahan, and today we're diving deep into the vibrant worldof whiskey at the Tales of the Cocktail festival in New Orleans. This episodeis packed with spontaneous street interviews, exclusive festival finds, andinsightful conversations with industry leaders. So, pour yourself a dram, kickoff your shoes, and join me on this whiskey adventure.

Fog City Social isn’t your typical whiskey festival—it’s a curated experience where every pour tells a story and every guest is treated like a VIP.In this episode, Kerry takes you inside Fog City Social Four at San Francisco’s historic Ring Con Center, sharing conversations with some of the most exciting voices in whiskey today:Rory Glasgow (Brown-Forman, GlenGlassaugh/BenRiach/Glenglassaugh)Nora Ganley-Roper (Lost Lantern)Peter Talhame (Bear Fight Whiskey, with Seth MacFarlane & Gabriel Macht)Richard Lobrano-Chibnall (Molly Malone Whiskey)Zakai (Filey Bay English Single Malt)Peter Currie (Shand Import, rare Caledonian single grain)From tropical coastal Scotch and bold American blends to delicate Irish whiskey and rare 31-year-old single grain, this episode celebrates the innovation, heritage, and community spirit that make Fog City Social unlike any other festival.🎧 Pour a dram and join the journey.

Kerry Moynahan talks with Mel Heim, the creative mind behind Big Nose Kate Whiskey, a bold spirit honoring the legendary frontier woman who outlived Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp. Backed by powerhouse investors Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone, the brand rewrites Kate’s story—celebrating resilience, independence, and a legacy too big to be forgotten.

In this episode of Barrel Room Chronicles, Kerry Moynahan its down with Bobby DeMars—filmmaker turned whiskey innovator and founder of Blind Barrels, the only double-blind whiskey tasting subscription in the U.S. What began as a quarantine pastime has grown into a national movement, spotlighting small American distilleries and making premiumcraft whiskey more accessible than ever.Also, check out our new online whiskey shop!

In this special on-location episode, Kerry Moynahan takes you behind the velvet ropes at The Nth 2025, one of the most prestigious luxury whiskey events in the world. Join Kerry as she reconnects with some of the industry’s most respected voices—and tastes some of the rarest expressions on the market. From brand-new American launches and collector-level Scotch to unique rice whiskies from Japan and elegant cask-finished releases, this episode showcases the craftsmanship, innovation, and personality behind the glass.

In this episode of Barrel Room Chronicles, host Kerry Moynahan explores two unique sides of the American spirits revolution—one driven by finance, the other by flavor.First, Kerry sits down with Ryan LaValle and Hunter Robillard, of ASM Capital Partners, a venture firm dedicated to fueling the future of American Single Malt whiskey. From Hunter’s early days helping his father create a maple-infused whiskey brand to Ryan’s transition from Wall Street to whiskey investment, this duo is helping bridge the gap between distilleries and capital. They discuss how whiskey becomes an asset class, what makes American Single Malt such a compelling category, and how ASM is empowering distilleries to grow through thoughtful investment and strategic support.Then, in Tavern Talk Kerry speaks with Neal Cohen, co-founder of Tip Top Proper Cocktails. From their humble beginnings inspired by the music festival circuit to landing on Delta Airlines, Tip Top is redefining what ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails can be. Neal walks us through their whiskey-forward offerings—from their high-rye bourbon Old Fashioned to their award-winning Penicillin—and shares how they’ve built a brand rooted in balance, convenience, and craft.Whether you’re a whiskey enthusiast, an investor, or just someone curious about the next frontier in spirits, this episode pours you a full measure of insight and inspiration.

In this episode of Barrel Room Chronicles, host Kerry Moynahan sits down with Caitlin Bartlemay, Master Distiller at Clear Creek Distillery, to dive into the pioneering spirit behind McCarthy’s Whiskey—widely recognized as the original American single malt. Broadcasting from the heart of Hood River, Oregon, Caitlin shares her journey from wheat farm kid to one of the most respected figures in American craft distilling.Listeners will hear about the visionary founder Steve McCarthy, who launched Clear Creek in 1985 with a mission to create European-style fruit brandies using Oregon-grown produce. A rainy hiking trip in Ireland later sparked his passion for peated single malt, and in 1994, McCarthy’s released the first drops of what would become the foundation of the American single malt movement.Caitlin breaks down the unique distillation process using imported Scottish peated malt and Oregon oak barrels, as well as the use of a single-pass hybrid still—setting McCarthy’s apart from traditional Scotch methods. From the flagship 3-year white label to the rich 6-year and Pedro Ximénez Sherry Cask Finish, Kerry and Caitlin taste their way through the core expressions, highlighting their earthy, forest-forward peat profile and complex flavor development.

Host KerryMoynahan takes Barrel Room Chronicles to the floor of WSWA Access Live in Denver for an exclusive Whiskey Whereabouts special. From global cask aging with Lost Irish to the bold innovation of Tennessee Legend, this episode features dynamic interviews with the people behind today’s most exciting spirits. Discover award-winning American single malts from Balcones and Virginia Distillery Co., a bourbon tribute to a 12-year-old innovator with Edmond’s Honor, and updatesfrom returning favorites like Natterjack. Plus, learn about the legacy of Tom Bullock Spirits and the mission behind Pronghorn Collective. Pour yourself a dram and join the journey.🎧 Listen now on BarrelRoomChronicles.com or whereveryou get your podcasts.#WhiskeyWhereabouts #BarrelRoomChronicles#WSWA2025

In this spirited episode of Barrel Room Chronicles, host KerryMoynahan sits down with two trailblazing women who are reshaping the whiskey world—Women Who Whiskey founder Julia Ritz Toffoli and Kim Ohanneson, head of the Los Angeles chapter.In This Episode:·       The origin story of Women Who Whiskey·       Julia’s first taste of whiskey—and how it changed everything·       How Kim launched the LA chapter and grew it to 2,000+ members·       The club’s motto: “Whiskey without mansplaining”·       Whiskey + Poetry Salons, brand partnerships, and bottle releases·       How to join or start a chapter in your city·       Why whiskey is for everyone—novices, nerds, and everyone in between·       Celebrating Chizuru Fukano with a special Fukano bottle collaboration·       https://potomacwines.com/index.php?route=product/search&search=women%20who%20whiskey

In this episode of Barrel Room Chronicles, host Kerry Moynahan heads to the University of Kentucky for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most innovative programs shaping the future of American whiskey. Her journey begins with a conversation with Dr. Janice Fernheimer, Professor and founding facultymember of the University’s Distillation, Wine & Brewing Studies program. They discuss her unique path from Jewish Studies into bourbon scholarship, the origins of the “Craft Writing” course, and her groundbreaking work on the Womenin Bourbon Oral History Project and the graphic novel America’s Chosen Spirit.Later, Kerry tours the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits with Associate Director Ilka Balk. Together, they explore the Institute’s world-class research distillery and brand-new rickhouse, learning how students are gaining hands-on experience in production, fermentation, and aging. The episode highlights the intersection of education, heritage grains, sustainable practices, and real-world bourbon training — all happening on a dry campus. Whether you're a whiskey enthusiast, a fan of fermentation science, or simply curiousabout how the next generation of distillers is being educated, this episode offers an inspiring and informative deep dive into the academic side of spirits.To see the full show notes for this episode visit BarrelRoomChronicles.com BRC is a production of 1st Reel Entertainment.