Show De Vie Podcast W/mike G

The world of whiskey wages on even despite the world seemingly being at a halt. In this week's chat, I sit down with one of the world's favorite whiskey men, Adam Harris. As he sits and sips some Booker's 25th Anniversary Bourbon in Houston, we ponder life, film, and what we can do to think about one's self in these times. We chat QT, Brad Pitt, Squirrels, and more.

The Covid19 world is new and different. So I'm taking the time out, in reverence to Social Distancing, to do some remote chats on Instagram Live. This is the first of many with my good friend Antonio Matta. He's a great bartender, and manager with an astute interest in all things agave. We chat Metal, horror, and more.

It has been a very serpentine road for Cinco Sentido's Leslie Cobos. Spending much of her youth in Ciudad de Juarez and El Paso, her Mexican heritage paired perfectly with her affinity for hospitality. With a formative move to Fort Worth, the challenges of understanding American culture, learning English, and fitting into the new environment met her head on. After leaving the world of politics disillusioned by the system, an agave opportunity changed her life forever. We chat Mezcal, travel, cultural heritage, and that DJ life....

Dalla’s Charlie Moore has worked in many different areas of the hospitality industry, but like many others, whiskey became his true calling. With early days in Iowa and a bit of troublemaking intermixed, Charlie shuffled jobs for a bit before finally falling in love with hospitality. His love of people, learning, and structure combined perfectly to provide a larger sense of purpose. And as Dallas’ cocktail scene started to thrive, Charlie found larger and more creative opportunities. Now, as the a leading whiskey ambassador in Texas, what challenges and struggles are in store? We chat Glendronach, fatherhood, trouble, and more.

Graciela Angeles Carreño is one of the leading mezcaleras in the Mezcal world. As a subject of the new film Agave: Spirit of a Nation, her motherhood is explored and her incredible mezcal Real Minero is captured with a beautiful lens. However, as the category expands rapidly, and her visibility increases, what does a notable figure from Santa Catarina Minas do with this added level of fame? We chat motherhood, sustainability, acknowledgment, and more.

The job of an interviewer, at least a good one, is to offer up some vulnerability for your guest to hopefully encourage the same for them. It's not an easy job, but Kris Hart is the man for the job. With his successful show Whiskey Neat, and his gargantuan whiskey event the Houston Whiskey Social, what makes the man tick? The proud father was thrown into the role very young in life but now reflects on the amazing experience. Kris has united whiskey lovers, podcast listeners, and many seeking transparency in the world of spirits, but what's next? We chat QT, Destilado, FB groups, and more.

Benedicte Hardy has been representing the delicious flavors of Cognac for 30+ years. Her family has a legacy of making some of the finest Cognac's in the world. With the recent release of Hardy Legend 1863, the brand tries to modernize the elegant spirit and help bartenders get creative with Cognac. The introduction of Cognac into American culture is an interesting story, and a brilliant history lesson. We chat wine, tradition, family, and more.

For Noble Oak's Tom Johnson, a serendipitous moment drove him to the hospitality industry and another to bike across the country to end up in Seattle. Each chapter of his life becoming clear eventually, but there is no master plan. A thoughtful, funny, and experience hospitality vet, Tom never thought that whiskey would end up bringing him the largest opportunities yet. We chat Baby Yoda, Twitter, Trees, and more.

Without the efforts of Compass Box creator John Glaser, the world of Whisky wouldn't be quite the same. A lover of literature and wine, John Glaser has challenged assertions about flavor and providence in Whisky. He's continued to fight for transparency in the wake of much controversy. And now, with the latest release of Myth's and Legends, he takes almost a textbook approach, but not exactly. We chat R.E.M., art, and influence.

As the first master distiller for Don Julio, Marco Cedano was just a man doing his job. As the element of celebrity has been attributed to master distillers now, his new Tequila, Tromba, brings him a whole new level of recognition. After a chance meeting with a few key Canadians, the new brand was born and his son Rodrigo became an essential piece of the plan. With astute business acumen and understanding of branding, the skills were aligned to produce a delicious Tequila. We talk about education, Texas BBQ, and quality methods.

Jose Cortes of Tequila Herradura has deep roots in the agave fields. As a 3rd generation Jimador, he learned the lifestyle and pride garnered by harvesting agave. After years in the fields, his passion for learning and expanding his opportunities drove Jose into academia. His business acumen led him to learn English, receiving Tequila Expert status, and now being the director of VIP and Trade at Casa Herradura. We chat music, language, and legacy.

Amando Alvarez is a young Mezcalero hailing from the small town of Santa Maria Ixcatlán, Oaxaca. He is a 6th generation producer using very ancestral techniques. As we sit at his palenque outside of town and reflect on how the world feels about Mezcal, a simpler reality sets in. Amando does what he loves and what he knows. The balance of nature, tranquility, and community is unparalleled in this industry. We chat animals, music, and more.

Guadalajara native Alan Ruesga-Pelayo has hospitality in his blood. As a helper with his parents social events, and a lover of conversation, the perfect stage was set for Alan to excel in the bartending community. After moving to meet his sister in Washington DC, a necessity to learn English and a great deal of opportunities in hospitality started to pave his career. Some years later, a chance meeting behind the bar led to his most recent connection with Cazadores as the new and colorful brand ambassador. We chat hosting, press, Austin, and more.

John Campbell has lived on the wee island of Islay his entire life. Ensconced in the culture of Scotch production, fishing, and shepherding, Mr. Campbell couldn't represent the tradition of Laphroaig any deeper. Working his way through all positions at the distillery, John now travels the world talking about the delicious world of peat, and the exceptional liquid that is Laphroaig. What has the 25+ years at the distillery taught him? We chat fatherhood, inspiration, numbers, and more.

The deeply unique and rich flavors of Laphroaig can only be represented by the most exceptional of hosts; enter stage right, Mr Simon Brooking. Simon has a wealth of knowledge about literature, poetry, acting, and the essence of culture. When his passion of acting is combined with the eccentric yet traditional flavors of a heavily peated Scotch, the ensuing fun is unparalleled. The road to Scotch is winding, but Simon punctuates it with eloquence and excellence. We chat about Lore, pairings, Shid, and more.

Ryan Ehrlichman takes deep interest in the world around him. Whether it's traveling, art, or music, he envelopes himself in information to keep his mind expanding. This inner motivation brought the native Indianian to Austin just for the prospect of opportunity. Now, just a few years later, Ryan manages the team at Austin's renowned Midnight Cowboy. Just on the heels, THIS WEEK, of a new horror/fall themed menu release, what's next for Ryan and how will he get there? We chat art, travel, language, and more.

From Ice Cream to Tequila to New York Bitters pedaler, Eric has lived a very interesting life. His friendly demeanor and disarming laugh can make anyone a believer. But a life in hospitality serving others so often, how do you create a balance for yourself? We chat Connecticut, agave, connections, and more.

Sother Teague's journey has been an epic one. But despite where the voyage has taken him, it's always been within the realm of hospitality. A teacher, a writer, a host, and a massive fan of all things bitter; Sother is a renaissance man. Whether pouring drams at his esteemed Amor y Amargo or capturing his essence as a host with his new book I'm Just Here for the Drinks, Sother is the perfect drinking companion. We chat Huey Lewis and the News, Alton Brown, style, and more.

Starting as a finicky eater and a boy of routine, Danny Mena's mathematical mind transformed in his college years. The once deeply analytical mind evolved into the world food. Supper clubs, and many flavor combinations later, Danny paired his business acumen and his kitchen experience to launch a successful restauranteur career. This deep passion of Mexico and flavor inevitably drove him into the beautiful world of Mezcal. We chat music, flavor, inspiration, and Mezcal.

Sombra Mezcal's Andres Portela was steeped in hospitality as part of a generous Argentinian family. Early studies in English and getting mix tape suggestions from his musical siblings encouraged Andres to take the stage, but not in the way you'd think. Working his way through the hospitality industry in Mexico, Andres now takes the stage to educate the masses on the beauty of Agave, and of course Sombra Mezcal. We chat Metal, RiotFest, sustainability, and Mezcal.