The Speakeasy

Latest Episodes:

Boomerang! from Baobab Lounge in Savannah Jun 06, 2025

Show notes

Greg continues his trek across Savannah's riverfront, venturing into Baobab Lounge. Built inside of a former power plant, Baobab's food and beverage program echo its founder's deep appreciation for African culture, while their Kenyan sous chef brings a taste of her family recipes to the menu. GM Vonnie Ciesla walks Greg through their story, their drinks, the neighborhood, and the tale of a very weird crocodile as Greg tries to pin down the ever elusive vibe of Savannah, GA.

Our 600th Episode Extravaganza is happening live during BCB on June 10th at Ft. Hamilton Distilling in Industry City! Get your tickets here to see Greg, Sother, Damon and of course, their special celebrity guest: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1345657631199?aff=oddtdtcreator

Love The Speakeasy but wish there was more? Check out Bottled in Bond, our new Patreon podcast exclusively for you, our best regulars! Join now for sponsor-free listening, drink recipes from all our guests, and free kits every month from our friends at Shaker & Spoon. Higher proof and aged to perfection, check it out now at patreon.com/BottledinBond

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Boomerang! from Bootlegger in Savannah Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

In the second Boomerang! installment from Savannah Greg ventures to the riverfront district to talk with Brittany, aka Bugsy of the Bootlegger bar. They unpack the responsibilities that come with running a bar that is several centuries old and how to make the best Old Fashioned in town. Greg might even come around to smoked cocktails! Listen now.

Follow Bootlegger at @thebootleggersavannah

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Boomerang! from Club Bardo in Savannah May 30, 2025

Show notes

Greg returns with another Boomerang episode, this one live from Savannah's Club Bardo with industry luminary Eben Klemm. The two discuss trends in high end hospitality, the state of the union for hotel bars, and what makes the city of Savannah so unique. They also dig into what it takes to hire and train a team to run Hotel Bardo's restaurant, Saint Bibiana.

Plus, it turns out Eben was something of a mentor for a certain other Speakeasy Host. Tune in to find out who.

Follow Eben at @ebenklemm Follow Hotel Bardo at @staybardo
Follow Saint Bibiana at @saintbibiana

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gotta Be BCB May 23, 2025

Show notes

Jackie Williams is the brains behind Bar Convent Brooklyn, or as we like to call it, BCB. Tasked with running one of the largest cocktail conventions in the world, she has hundreds of stakeholders to juggle and no two work days are alike. She takes time out of her busy schedule to talk with Greg and Damon about 2025’s upcoming festival on June 10th and 11th in Industry City, what goes into making BCB Brooklyn a success, and how the festival has grown since she came on board just four years ago.

Plus, are you ready for the reveal of our special celebrity guest at BCB Brooklyn 2025? Greg & Damon finally pull the curtain back to reveal who they’re gonna be talking to for episode number 600.

Follow BCB Brooklyn at @barconventbrooklyn

The Speakeasy is now on YouTube! Tune in to “see” what we’re talking about at youtube.com/@Speakeasy.Podcast

Check out Quiote Imports at quioteimports.com and use promo code “Speakeasy” to get free shipping at checkout.

Get your hands on some Buddha’s Hand Bitters at kingfloyds.com

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🔥🔥Join us each week as industry leaders, Damon Boelte and Sother Teague, sit down with a wide range of hospitality and spirits experts from around the world to discuss everything that impacts our business.

Damon Boelte @DamonBoelte

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

Greg Benson @100ProofGreg

Speakeasy Podcast @SpeakeasyPodcast

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

SpeakeasyRadio @SpeakeasyRadio

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Don’t Sweat the Technique May 16, 2025

Show notes

Jonathan Adler is a triple threat. Michelin-starred chef, certified sommelier, and now a 50 Best rated mixologist. His latest venture is Shinji’s in midtown Manhattan, which has been racking up praise and instagram mentions alike for its inventive, high technique cocktail program. Jonathan sits down with Greg and Sother to talk about some of the varsity-level moves his team pulls to make these drinks, whether there’s a place for molecular mixology in the bar world of 2025, and what guests who pop in for a drink can expect on their summer menu.

Plus, are all of tequila’s problems the result of monoculture? Greg breaks down how a lawsuit rocking the industry points the answer towards “yes.”

Follow Jonathan at @jonservesdrink

Follow Shinji’s at @shinjisbar

You can read the Food & Wine piece about the tequila suit here.

The Speakeasy is now on YouTube! Tune in to “see” what we’re talking about at youtube.com/@Speakeasy.Podcast

Check out Quiote Imports at quioteimports.com and use promo code “Speakeasy” to get free shipping at checkout.

Get your hands on some Buddha’s Hand Bitters at kingfloyds.com

Don’t forget to click SUBSCRIBE and RATE the show if you can.

Damon Boelte @DamonBoelte

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

Greg Benson @100ProofGreg

Speakeasy Podcast @SpeakeasyPodcast

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

SpeakeasyRadio @SpeakeasyRadio

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Speakeasy by becoming a member!

The Speakeasy is Powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Barley and Botanicals May 09, 2025

Show notes

What’s a Scotch distillery doing making gin? For that matter, what’s a Scotch distillery doing making an unbelievably peated single malt in packaging so dark you can barely read it? Douglas Taylor of Bruichladdich and The Botanist sits down with the band to discuss the iconoclastic whisky distillery, their philosophy behind pushing the envelope with locally sourced barley, how they wound up making a London Dry Gin, and how that story involves punching a hole in a building with a wrecking ball.

Plus, it was Grand Army’s birthday! Damon recaps the party (many Hard Starts were involved) and talks about what it means to have lasted ten years in one of the hardest industries on Earth

Follow Bruichladdich at @bruichladdich

Follow the The Botanist at @thebotanistgin_us

The Speakeasy is now on YouTube! Tune in to “see” what we’re talking about at youtube.com/@Speakeasy_Podcast

Check out Quiote Imports at quioteimports.com and use promo code “Speakeasy” to get free shipping at checkout.

Get your hands on some Buddha’s Hand Bitters at kingfloyds.com

Don’t forget to click SUBSCRIBE and RATE the show if you can.

Damon Boelte @DamonBoelte

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

Greg Benson @100ProofGreg

Speakeasy Podcast @SpeakeasyPodcast

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

SpeakeasyRadio @SpeakeasyRadio

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Speakeasy by becoming a member!

The Speakeasy is Powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Easy Squeezey May 02, 2025

Show notes

Is the world ready for a Southside RTD? How are you gonna handle the minty flavor? What the hell is a southside supposed to taste like anyway? These were all questions Meredith Mills-Merritt wrestled with when she found the Original Southside. Based on her mother’s famous cocktail recipe from Oklahoma, Meredith worked in secret to perfect the recipe before launching last year. She discusses the R&D process of getting the gin, mint and citrus just right, the thought process behind her small business model, and the graphic design that gave the world Southside’s beloved mascot Squeeze.

Plus, Bar Convent Brooklyn is fast approaching and so is The Speakeasy’s 600th episode! Tickets are on sale now (and Patreon Regulars get in for free), so get yours now to see which bona fide celebrity guest is gonna be there for this landmark show. Book early to avoid disappointment!

Follow Meredith at @meredithleahmerritt

Follow the Original Southside at @drinksouthsides

The Speakeasy is now on YouTube! Tune in to “see” what we’re talking about at youtube.com/@Speakeasy_Podcast

Check out Quiote Imports at quioteimports.com and use promo code “Speakeasy” to get free shipping at checkout.

Get your hands on some Buddha’s Hand Bitters at kingfloyds.com

Don’t forget to click SUBSCRIBE and RATE the show if you can.

Damon Boelte @DamonBoelte

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

Greg Benson @100ProofGreg

Speakeasy Podcast @SpeakeasyPodcast

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

SpeakeasyRadio @SpeakeasyRadio

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Speakeasy by becoming a member!

The Speakeasy is Powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Barrelling Forward Apr 25, 2025

Show notes

Ever wanted a barrel of whiskey delivered directly to your living room? George Koutsakis can’t provide that exactly, but he can definitely find one for you to buy. The writer, serial entrepreneur and whiskey lover sits down with the band to talk about a number of his ventures, including Barrel Global, a service that allows organizations and individuals to buy whiskey barrels for a single barrel expression of their very own. George also talks about InBarrel, which allows customers to personalize their own tequila bottles and the Maltyverse, his experiment in illustrated storytelling, complete with whiskey puns.

Plus, most major cities have a little sibling, and New Yorkers might not be happy to find out which theirs is. And, it’s a small Scottish craft beer world after all. It turns out Greg and George have a common former employer, and a lot of stories to swap.

Follow George at @georgekoutsakis_

Follow Barrel Global at @barrelglobal

The Speakeasy is now on YouTube! Tune in to “see” what we’re talking about at youtube.com/@Speakeasy_Podcast

Check out Quiote Imports at quioteimports.com and use promo code “Speakeasy” to get free shipping at checkout.

Get your hands on some Buddha’s Hand Bitters at kingfloyds.com

Don’t forget to click SUBSCRIBE and RATE the show if you can.

Damon Boelte @DamonBoelte

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

Greg Benson @100ProofGreg

Speakeasy Podcast @SpeakeasyPodcast

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

SpeakeasyRadio @SpeakeasyRadio

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Speakeasy by becoming a member!

The Speakeasy is Powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

That’s Wonderous Bruv Apr 18, 2025

Show notes

Speakeasy fave (and let’s be honest, everybody fave) Colin Asare-Appiah returns to the show to talk about Ajabu, the cocktail and spirits festival he’s been building in South Africa for the past few years. Ajabu is a platform for the African hospitality industry to connect across the continent and beyond, to inspire innovation, collaboration, and creativity, as well as to celebrate Africa and its incredible diversity of people, ingredients and drinks. Colin unpacks the wealth of flavors, ingredients and talent the festival has unleashed, what it’s like to build a cocktail festival even when everyone tells you not to, and where this brainchild of his is headed next.

Plus, is all British food bad? Greg and Colin weigh in.

Follow Colin at @cocktailcolin

Follow Ajabu at @ajabufestival

The Speakeasy is now on YouTube! Tune in to “see” what we’re talking about at youtube.com/@Speakeasy_Podcast

Check out Quiote Imports at quioteimports.com and use promo code “Speakeasy” to get free shipping at checkout.

Get your hands on some Buddha’s Hand Bitters at kingfloyds.com

Don’t forget to click SUBSCRIBE and RATE the show if you can.

Damon Boelte @DamonBoelte

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

Greg Benson @100ProofGreg

Speakeasy Podcast @SpeakeasyPodcast

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

SpeakeasyRadio @SpeakeasyRadio

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Speakeasy by becoming a member!

The Speakeasy is Powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Barely Ilegal Apr 11, 2025

Show notes

Gilbert Marquez, the literal face of Ilegal, remembers a time when it was gauche to mix Mezcal into a cocktail. Today he sits down with Greg to talk about Ilegal’s new Caribbean rum cask expression, the punk rock history of the brand, and how he connected with Ilegal’s eccentric founder in the first place. The two of them also reminisce about Ilegal’s many pop ups over the years, while Gilbert details his relationship to agave spirits as a first generation Mexican American.
Plus, with all this market uncertainty Greg goes back on a thing he said he’d never do with green chartreuse. Tune in to find out what!
Follow Gilbert at @gilbertomarquez_
Follow Ilegal at @ilegalmezcal
The Speakeasy is now on YouTube! Tune in to “see” what we’re talking about at youtube.com/@Speakeasy_Podcast
Love The Speakeasy but wish there was more? Check out Bottled in Bond, our new Patreon podcast exclusively for you, our best regulars! Join now for sponsor-free listening, drink recipes from all our guests, and free kits every month from our friends at Shaker & Spoon. Higher proof and aged to perfection, check it out now at patreon.com/BottledinBond
Check out Quiote Imports at quioteimports.com and use promo code “Speakeasy” to get free shipping at checkout.
Get your hands on some Buddha’s Hand Bitters at kingfloyds.com

Don’t forget to click SUBSCRIBE and RATE the show if you can.

Damon Boelte @DamonBoelte

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

Greg Benson @100ProofGreg

Speakeasy Podcast @SpeakeasyPodcast

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

SpeakeasyRadio @SpeakeasyRadio

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Speakeasy by becoming a member!

The Speakeasy is Powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.