Mark McLaughlin is the co-founder of Baltimore-based Old Line Spirits. McLaughlin and distillery co-founder Arch Watkins met in the Navy flying EA-6B Prowlers. After more than a decade of service, they both happened to move to the same neighborhood in Baltimore and left their civilian careers to open Old Line Spirits in 2017.

In this episode, McLaughlin discusses his and Watkins’s time in the Navy; buying a distillery from another pair of veterans; their lineup of American single malt whiskey, including a Navy strength whiskey; and their relationship with Middle West Spirits. He also touches on the distillery’s rum and some upcoming special releases.

51: Mark McLaughlin of Old Line Spirits

William Goldberg is the co-founder and head distiller of Oak and Grist Distilling Co. in Black Mountain, North Carolina. 

The distillery is located in the devastating path that Hurricane Helene charted across Western North Carolina in late September. Fortunately, Oak and Grist was in large part spared of damage and all of its employees are safe. 

Goldberg, who is a graduate of nearby Warren Wilson College, recently joined Jon Page, who also lives in the area, to discuss his own experience in the storm, how Oak and Grist is helping the community in Helene’s aftermath, the long road to recovery for Western North Carolina, and the future of the distillery.

Help support Oak and Grist’s staff:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/aid-oak-grist-team-through-hurricane-recovery?qid=985e46050c8567fc9b5ba91d61aa5dbd

Buy Oak and Grist products online:
https://www.oakandgrist.com/spirits

52: William Goldberg of Oak and Grist Distilling Co.

Ryan Lang is the founding head distiller and CEO of Middle West Spirits in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 2008, Middle West Spirits combines a reverence for traditional whiskey-making techniques with innovative practices.
 
In this episode, Ryan discusses his path to starting Middle West Spirits and how his grandfather and some Irish distilleries provided some inspiration for the distillery; the role of Ohio agriculture in Middle West’s products; the company’s recent expansion; and some of the economic headwinds and market access challenges currently facing craft spirits producers.

53: Ryan Lang of Middle West Spirits

Tom Bard is the co-founder of The Bard Distillery in Graham, Kentucky. Together with his wife, Kim, Tom launched The Bard Distillery in 2019, repurposing a 100-year-old school campus—the very same school Tom attended as a child.

With a degree from the University of Kentucky, Tom brings a strong background in industrial quality control and continuous improvement, skills he honed over many years in motorsports, where he first met Kim. Just this year, Tom also joined the American Craft Spirits Association’s Board of Directors.

In this episode, Tom dives into his family’s deep connections to Bardstown; how his experience uniquely positions him for success as a distiller; the distillery’s flagship spirits and their exciting plans to further develop the property; and more.

54: Tom Bard of The Bard Distillery

Bonnie Boglioli-Randall and Nate Randall are the co-founders of Hinterhaus Distilling in Arnold, California. They founded the distillery in 2020 and Hinterhaus reflects the rugged mountainscape of its Sierra Nevada perch and benefits from high-quality local ingredients and fresh Sierra water.

In this episode, Bonnie and Nate discuss their backgrounds and how they started the distillery amidst the pandemic; why they create vodka from wine; the vision behind their American single malt whiskey; the happy accident that led to Warming Hut, a holiday spirit which claimed the Innovation Award at the last American Craft Spirits Competition; market access challenges for distilleries in California; and much more.

55: Bonnie Boglioli-Randall and Nate Randall of Hinterhaus Distilling

James Donaldson is the co-owner and creative director of Chemist Spirits in Asheville, North Carolina.

The distillery was founded by Debbie Word, and was born of many hours of experimentation with Word’s daughter, Danielle Donaldson, an actual chemist. The distillery and its bar, Antidote, are located in Asheville’s South Slope district, which did not suffer severe damage when Hurricane Helene devastated the region in late September. However, Chemist also has a facility in historic Biltmore Village, which is located alongside the Swannanoa River and experienced flooding.

In this episode, James discusses the current state of things in Asheville a few months after Helene; the challenges of reinventing a historic building in a floodplain; how Chemist helped its community in the immediate aftermath of the storm; the story behind Chemist’s gin and whiskey; the potential for collaborations born out of the storm; and more.

57: James Donaldson of Chemist Spirits

Jason Parker is the co-founder of Seattle-based Copperworks Distilling Co., which makes American single malt whiskey, a series of gins and vodka, all from malted barley. Parker led Copperworks to become a founding member of the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission. And he also serves on the board of directors of the Craft Maltsters Guild.

In this episode, Parker discusses his previous career as a brewer and what led him to distilling; the rise of American single malt whiskey; how Copperworks creates the base for its spirits; which of their whiskeys will be going on a permanent hiatus; and much more.

Episode Sponsor
Bridgetown Brew Systems designs and builds high-quality distilling equipment, including pot, hybrid, and continuous column stills, tailored to your unique needs. From small-batch craft operations to large-scale production, they combine artisanal craftsmanship with modern engineering to deliver exceptional performance. The Bridgetown team works closely with you to provide custom solutions, expert guidance, and lifelong support, ensuring your distillery thrives. At Bridgetown Brew Systems, they’re passionate about helping you craft extraordinary spirits and building a lasting legacy. Find Bridgetown Brew Systems at booth 908 at the ACSA convention, and you can also learn more at bridgetownbrew.com.

Convention Sponsors
ACSA would like to extend a special thanks to our convention sponsors, including: 
American Custom Distilling
AnyRoad Lifetime Loyalty
Axtra
Blanc
CF Napa Brand Design
Gatto Rivera Branding
Grandstand
Lallemand Distilling / Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits
Liquor Bottle Packaging International
Monvera Glass Decoration
Paychex
Powell Junia
Speyside Bourbon Cooperage 
Thousand Oaks Barrel Co.
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59: Jason Parker of Copperworks Distilling Co.

Erin Lee is the head distiller at FEW Spirits in Evanston, Illinois. Lee became a certified tea sommelier in 2021 and quickly discovered a love for the tasting process. That passion led her into the world of whiskey, and soon after, she was selected for the inaugural class of interns for the STEPUP Foundation—an inclusion and equity program that aims to provide underserved and underrepresented individuals with training, encouragement and opportunities to enter the craft spirits community.

In this episode, Erin shares her journey to becoming head distiller at FEW, and how she’s blending her dual passions for spirits and tea—from the release of FEW Smashing Pumpkins Bourbon to a recent presentation she gave on demystifying tea. She also offers insight into FEW’s core lineup and reflects on the pivotal role the STEPUP internship played in shaping her career.

60: Erin Lee of FEW Spirits

Colin Spoelman is the co-founder and distiller at Kings County Distillery in Brooklyn, New York. He’s also a board member of the ACSA and an author, whose latest book is “The Bourbon Drinker’s Companion.”

In this episode, Spoelman discusses the new law allowing New York distilleries to ship directly to consumers and what it means for the future of craft spirits. He also shares his thoughts on Empire Rye, upcoming releases, his path to distilling, and his latest book.

61: Colin Spoelman of Kings County Distillery

Joseph O’Sullivan is the master distiller at Minden Mill Distilling in Minden, Nevada. O’Sullivan started his distilling career in 2005, and was previously the master distiller for Hood River, Oregon-based Clear Creek Distillery. At Minden Mill, O’Sullivan oversees production of the distillery’s estate-made spirits, which include bourbon, rye, and a recently released American single malt whiskey. 

For this episode, O’Sullivan sat down with CRAFT SPIRITS magazine editor in chief Jeff Cioletti at the 12th annual American Craft Spirits Convention & Expo this March in Tucson, Arizona. They discuss O’Sullivan’s move from Oregon to Nevada, his passion for sharing knowledge in the spirits industry, the concept of terroir in whiskey, the current and future state of no- and low-alcohol spirits, and much more.

New tracks tagged #craft spirits