It's Springtime, friends! That enchanting spell when Mother Nature peels off her chilly garb and dons a more revealing ensemble. It's that golden slice of the calendar when the globe stretches out, groggily murmurs, "How about we uncork a bottle?", and honestly, who are we to decline? As flowers burst into a riot of hues and trees deck themselves out in lush finery, there’s simply no grander stage for a delightful pour of wine. The air’s balmy, the days stretch lazily longer, and the wine? It’s ...
Apr 16, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 256
Ah, Springtime! That magical season when Mother Nature shakes off her frosty duds and slips into something a little more comfortable. It's the time of year when the world seems to be stretching its limbs and saying, "Hey, how about a glass of wine?" And who are we to argue? As the flowers put on their Technicolor dreamcoat and the trees get all leafy, there's no better backdrop for a bit of vino. The air is warmer, the days are longer, and the wine? Well, it's like the liquid equivalent of a spr...
Apr 09, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 255
Imagine, if you will, a cocktail that stares back from the abyss with a frothy grin, daring you to dive into its depths. That, my friends, is the Death Flip . A concoction born of tequila's fire, Chartreuse's mystic herbal whispers, and a velvety curtain of egg white, this libation is not for the faint of heart. With a dash of sugar to sweeten the deal, it flips death on its head, offering a sip of the sublime. It's a ride on the wild side, a toast to the audacious, a testament to the bartender'...
Apr 02, 2024•7 min
Ah, day drinking, that glorious bastion of hedonism where time ceases to hold sway, and societal norms take a well-deserved nap. It's the art of declaring, "To hell with productivity!" before noon has a chance to turn its judgmental gaze upon us. There’s a certain je ne sais quoi to sipping something spirited as the sun gallivants across the sky, a brazen act of rebellion against the nine-to-five grind. Day drinking whispers sweet nothings of freedom, promising adventures that the night, with al...
Mar 27, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 254
Today we welcome Matthew Lillard, star of iconic films like "Scream," "Scooby Doo," and "Five Nights at Freddy's." Matt, a lifelong gamer, passionately believes in the magic of community in fandom. He's channeled this love into Find Familiar Spirits, a fantastic booze company he co-founded with screenwriter Justin Ware, known for "Bloodsucking Bastards." In this episode, Dan and Matt will be toasting to the release of QUEST'S END ROGUE, the second installment in their series of limited-edition, ...
Mar 19, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 253
Hold onto your shamrocks, because "Somebody Feed Phil" host Phil Rosenthal is back, teaming up with the hilariously talented Emmy-winner Tom Caltabiano for a deep dive into the amber waves of Irish whiskey. Just in time for St. Paddy's, they're uncorking the good stuff—Teeling, Natterjack, Tullamore D.E.W., Egan's, Bushmills, and Slane. Ah, Irish whiskey, that silky-smooth elixir with a storied past stretching back eons. Renowned for its triple-distilled finesse, this spirit dances on the palate...
Mar 12, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 252
Oh Bloody Mary, why are you so bedeviling to the brunching masses? What makes you okay to drink before 11 am? Is the Bloody Mary really named after someone named Mary? In the time it takes to make toast (it is brunch, after all), Dan answers these and other questions about fortified tomato juice. Our Sponsors: * Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a great deal: https://www.dietsmoke.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com...
Mar 05, 2024•4 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Barbecue and whiskey are a match made in heaven, or at least in the smoky depths of a pitmaster's dreams. The bold, robust flavors of barbecue, with its charred edges and succulent meats, find a perfect companion in the rich, complex notes of whiskey. It's a pairing that's as timeless as it is delicious. Recorded at the famed Baby Blues BBQ in Venice Beach, Dan is joined with the Yum Yum Foodie, Eddie Zamora, along with Baby Blues owner/pitmaster Rick McCarthy. They sample great food with some p...
Feb 27, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 251
Ah, the spirited history of U.S. Presidents and their beloved booze! George Washington, our founding father, ran a mean whiskey distillery at Mount Vernon. Thomas Jefferson, a true oenophile, had a wine collection that would make Bacchus blush. Honest Abe Lincoln, while not much of a drinker, did own a tavern in his younger days. Teddy Roosevelt, the Rough Rider, was partial to a mint julep, sipped with the vigor of a man charging up San Juan Hill. And let's not forget FDR, who mixed up a mean m...
Feb 20, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 250
It's time to learn a thing or two about the Hanky Panky cocktail, a bewitching concoction that whispers sweet nothings of gin and sweet vermouth, with a Fernet Branca flick that'll tickle your fancy like a feather in a magician's cap. Conjured up by Ada Coleman at London's Savoy Hotel in the early 20th century, it's the liquid equivalent of a sly wink across a crowded room. This potion's not just a drink; it's a spell of sophistication, a cheeky dance on your palate. Sip it, and presto! The nigh...
Feb 13, 2024•4 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Despite its name, the Long Island Iced Tea has about as much to do with tea as our host has with teetotalism. Indeed, there's not a single drop of Earl Grey or Darjeeling in this bad boy. It's a masterclass in misdirection, the Houdini of highballs, if you will. A boozy Trojan Horse masquerading as a refreshing summer sipper, only to unleash its spirited fury once inside the gates of your palate. And Dan is here to tell you all about its history and preparation... in roughly the amount of time i...
Jan 30, 2024•5 min•Season 1Ep. 37
In celebration of National Irish Coffee Week — ya, that's a real thing — Dan recounts a harrowing tale about one of several occasions in which he was nearly beaten to a pulp at a Dublin pub. Also, everything you ever needed to know about Irish Coffee, AND the funniest Karate Kid joke of all time, courtesy of one of Dan's comedic idols. Please be sure to check out Dan on Instagram @TheImbiber, and watch fun booze-related content on What We're Drinking's YouTube channel. Our Sponsors: * Check out ...
Jan 23, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 249
Dan has spent years researching and experimenting various combinations of food and alcohol and has come to a single, earth-shattering conclusion: We could all learn a lot from the Japanese. There’s seemingly no esculent the Japanese find so repulsive that a little steamed rice and soy sauce won’t fix, and this appetite for disgusting extends to potables as well. This got Dan thinking about convenient food stuffs that could be improved by the addition of alcohol… and in this episode he shares his...
Jan 16, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 248
So we all know about Dry January, right? It's the time of year people boast about 'detoxing' while secretly crying into their non-alcoholic beer. It's grown like a bad rumor, spreading worldwide with people bragging about better sleep and more cash, all while secretly dreaming of the moment February 1st arrives. Well, Dan has had enough, for a number reasons. And so he's kicking off the year by putting Dry January on blast. Our Sponsors: * Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a grea...
Jan 09, 2024•17 min•Season 1Ep. 247
Dan says goodbye to 2023, but not before dishing on his most challenging interview of the year AND reviewing a brand new boozy product — the beverage equivalent of a unicorn wearing a sombrero... we're talking about Empirical x Doritos Nacho Cheese Spirit. Oh boy! Also, a Christmas poem and a special 3-Minute Bartender all about that most beloved holiday libation, Eggnog. Our Sponsors: * Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a great deal: https://www.dietsmoke.com Advertising Inquiri...
Dec 19, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 246
Our annual Winter Wonderland of Wine continues with special guests Katia Dragotis and vino expert Kaitlyn Harrah. Wines featured on this episode include: Terlato Pinot Grigio 2022, Rodney Strong Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Beronia Reserva Rioja 2018, Scaia 2020, Harveys Medium Dry Sherry and Dows' 2018 Late Bottled Vintage Port. Recorded on location at Dear Jane's in Marina Del Rey, California. Our Sponsors: * Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a great deal: https://www.diets...
Dec 12, 2023•43 min•Season 1Ep. 245
Dan celebrates, evaluates and appreciates the wines of winter, 2023, long with Purple Banter Network's Katia Dragotis and Kaitlyn Harrah, wine director for the Citrin and Melissa Hospitality Group. Recorded on location at Dear Jane's in Marina Del Rey, California. Wines featured on this episode include Bottega Vinaia Pinot Grigio ($22), Landmark Vineyards Hop Kiln Estate 2021 Pinot Noir ($50), J.O. Sullivan Rutherford Estate Founders Reserve Merlot 2020 ($310), Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Cab...
Dec 05, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 244
Alcohol was originally considered a medicine, Indeed, during Prohibition one of the most reliable places to get your hands on a bottle of liquor was the pharmacy. So with that — and everyone’s general health and well being in mind — we present the Penicillin. With fresh ginger, lemon and a healthy dose of Scotch, this little wonder, invented by Sam Ross in 2005, does indeed have an ineffable healing quality. And in the amount of time it takes sing an average Scottish folk song, Dan reveals all a...
Nov 28, 2023•4 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Everyone's favorite wine expert, Clair Coppi of SOMM TV, returns for a wide ranging exploration of the wonderful world of New Zealand wine. Among the many fun facts discussed: Marlborough is New Zealand's largest wine-producing region, and Hawkes Bay is the oldest; winery growth in NZ really took off in the 1990s; and due to its location, its vineyards are the first on our planet to see the sun each day. Wines reviewed include Quartz Reef Methode Traditionnelle Brut NV, Mt. Beautiful Sauvignon B...
Nov 21, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 243
Pleased to welcome back longtime friend of the show Joe Beatrice, founder of Barrell Craft Spirits. Joe and Dan discuss the brand's latest releases, which include a Cask Finish Series and Barrell Foundation, its first non-cask strength bourbon. Also, Dan recounts his "Sunday Funday" shenanigans in Beverly Hills, including an extremely chichi lunch atop the Gucci store and some after-lunch libations at Dante in the Maybourne Hotel. Our Sponsors: * Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for...
Nov 14, 2023•52 min•Season 1Ep. 242
Five years ago this month the spirits industry lost a titan in master distiller Dave Pickerell, whose imprimatur is on such iconic brands as Maker's Mark, Blackened and WhistlePig among others. This episode features an interview Dan and his former "Drinky Fun Time" cohost Emma Patterson conducted with Dave at the 2017 Bourbon & Beyond Festival in Louisville, Kentucky. Also, updates on Dan's dog Buna and his surgically repaired eye (known simply as "eye"), and a "Drinks of the Week" segment f...
Nov 07, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 241
Academy Award-winning filmmaker Steven Soderbergh returns, and he brought along Nicolas Granier, whose family's Bolivian distillery produces Soderbergh's delightful spirit, Singani 63. They talk cocktails, movies, government agencies and other cool stuff. Also on the show, WWD's Official Brooklyn Correspondent Scott Alexander is back to discuss Dan's recent woes — namely a serious eye injury and his seriously ill dog. Fun, right? Hey, we never promised you a rose garden! Our Sponsors: * Check ou...
Oct 31, 2023•54 min•Season 1Ep. 240
Dan's beloved 12-year-old pit-lab mix Buna has unfortunately been facing some health issues of late. As anyone who's ever dealt with an ailing, aging pet knows, when your fur baby suffers so do you. And at times like these it helps to have someone to talk to who can not only empathize, but educate... and there's no one better at doing both than Ellen Ballon, founder of Deity Animal Rescue in Los Angeles. Also on this episode, another exciting installment of "Drinks of the Week" in which Dan revi...
Oct 24, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 239
Dan is joined in-studio by WWD's Official Brooklyn Correspondent Scott Alexander for a lively, in-depth discussion about a service industry and tipping culture gone mad. The fellas take on “tipflation”— the proliferation of bars, restaurants and other establishments implementing digital payment checkout systems that prompt customers to select the gratuity rate before any service has even been rendered (if at all). They also discuss the rise in pricey dining experiences in which customers are exp...
Oct 17, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 238
This one’s for anyone who’s ever woken up with a hangover and thought, "What I could really use right now is… another drink!" That’s right, we’re talking about that most morbid of libations, the Corpse Reviver #2, one of the few cases where the sequel is better than the original — it’s like the "Godfather Part 2" or "Wrath of Kahn" of cocktails. In just over 180 seconds, Dan dishes all there is to know about this killer combination of gin, lemon juice, orange liqueur, a white aperitif and a teen...
Oct 10, 2023•5 min•Season 1Ep. 35
As Dan sees it, there are precisely 10 things you must do in a bar before your LAST last call, from making a lifelong friend to having sex in the bathroom. Whether you’re a fellow stiff-necked sot bound for Satan-town or a holy roller who only drinks on the Lord’s day (because when you think about it, every day is the Lord’s day, isn’t it?), Dan is here to help, delivering the list in all its ingloriousness. Speaking of lists, Dan also comes correct in this episode with a rundown of 7 legendary ...
Oct 03, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 237
Friend of the show Jon Taffer returns to talk about his latest venture, Taffer's Browned Butter Bourbon. Other topics of discussion include, but are not limited to, Taffer's Tavern, the Las Vegas Knights, ageism, and the enduring appeal of Jon's long-running TV show "Bar Rescue" and the craziest things he's encountered on set. Also, another installment of "Drinks of the Week," highlighting offerings from one of Dan's favorite winemakers. Our Sponsors: * Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPO...
Sep 26, 2023•50 min•Season 1Ep. 236
Dan is joined by Johnny Van Zant, lead vocalist of the legendary band Lynyrd Skynyrd and proprietor of a new American whiskey brand called Hell House. They talk rock n'roll and booze. Johnny reveals which Skynyrd songs he loves to perform most, and Dan teaches him the Philadelphia Eagles fight song. Also, an update on Dan's next book, and another installment of "Drinks of the Week" featuring a new rye whiskey from Jack Daniel's, a high-end tequila line called Laneta, and Mozart Chocolate Liqueur...
Sep 19, 2023•43 min•Season 1Ep. 235
In the course of 180-some-odd seconds, Dan lays out the history and proper preparation technique of the cocktail canon's most slovenly standout — a middling, uncomplicated cream drink from the mid-20th century that would likely have faded into obscurity had it not been plucked from a room crowded with milkshake-like beverages of the era and ushered into the spotlight by Jeff Bridges in the 1998 movie, "The Big Lebowski." We recommend listening while wearing sunglasses and a bathrobe, and perhaps...
Sep 12, 2023•4 min•Season 1Ep. 34
"Somebody Feed Phil" star Phil Rosenthal and Emmy-winning comedian/writer Tom Caltabiano join Dan for an epic exploration of tequila and mezcal. Agave-based spirits are the hottest category in America, and on this episode the fellas sample some heavy hitters — on the tequila side, Tequila Ocho Plata, Nosotros Tequila Madera and El Tesoro de Don Felipe. Mezcal featured includes Hedonistas De La Fe Espadin, Mezcal Vago Ensamble and Del Maguey Chichicapa, Our Sponsors: * Check out Diet Smoke and us...
Sep 05, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 234
