Crafted Conversations

#78 - From Moonshine to Craft | Matt Crittenden of Crittenden Distillery

Allan sits down with Matt Crittenden at Crittenden Distillery in Kiln, Mississippi — a one-man craft operation in the heart of the Gulf Coast's moonshine country. They go inside the distillery to talk mash bills, barrel finishing, and what it means to build something authentic in a market that rewards conformity. From Mississippi's long prohibition history to a lineup that includes a bottled-in-bond bourbon, a 7-year single barrel rye, and an imaginative cryptid series finished in everything from Laphroaig barrels to blackberry mead — Crittenden is doing things their way. Crafted Conversations is a proud member and partner of the American Distilling Institute Learn more at www.distilling.com [http://www.distilling.com/] — Thank you to our sponsors! The Bar Book — thebarbook.app Bridgetown Brew Systems — bridgetownbrew.com — Support Crafted Conversations Everything you see and hear on this show — including travel — is funded out of pocket. If you believe in our mission of spotlighting the people and stories behind small businesses, you can support the show at buymeacoffee.com/craftedconvos Every dollar goes directly into creating more episodes and giving breweries, distilleries, and makers the spotlight they deserve. — Stay Connected Website: craftedconvos.com Follow: @craftedconvosmedia Watch on YouTube: @craftedconvospod Produced by: Allan Cogan, Grant Brown, Nick Post, and Andrew Sindall Crafted Conversations Media LLC Questions or inquiries: coganconvo@gmail.com [coganconvo@gmail.com] Music provided by Artlist.io This episode features conversations about alcohol. Please drink responsibly. Cheers!

#77 - Building Jacksonville's Only Organic Distillery — Manifest Distilling

EPISODE #77In this episode, Allan sits down with Jim Webb at Manifest Distilling — Downtown Jacksonville's only full-scale organic distillery, located in the heart of the Sports District. We go inside the operation to talk craft, philosophy, and what it means to build something independently in the modern spirits landscape. From their commitment to taking only the "hearts" of each distillation to a diverse lineup that includes vodka, gin, rye whiskey, and even a single origin coffee liqueur — Manifest is doing things their way. Pull up a stool in the Cocktail Room and join the conversation. 🥃 Learn more at manifestdistilling.com Jacksonville, FL🌐 craftedconvos.com—#CraftDistillery #FloridaDistilling #craftwhiskey #DistilleryTour #CraftSpirits #EntrepreneurStory #craftedconvos #AmericanWhiskey #smallbusinessjourney Thank you to our sponsors! The Bar Book - https://thebarbook.appBridgetown Brew Systems - https://www.bridgetownbrew.comSupport Crafted ConversationsEverything you see and hear on this show — including travel — is funded out of pocket. If you believe in our mission of spotlighting the people and stories behind small businesses, you can support the show at:buymeacoffee.com/craftedconvosBuy Me a Coffee allows for simple one-time donations or a monthly contribution. Every dollar goes directly into creating more episodes and giving breweries, distilleries, and makers the spotlight they deserve.Stay ConnectedWebsite: www.craftedconvos.comFollow: @craftedconvosmediaSubscribe on YouTube: @craftedconvospodProduced by: Allan Cogan, Grant Brown, Nick Post, and Andrew SindallCrafted Conversations Media LLCFull video available on YouTube and SpotifyQuestions or inquiries: coganconvo@gmail.comMusic provided by Artlist.io (copyright information available upon request)Cheers!This episode features conversations about alcohol. Please drink responsibly.

#76 - Exclusively Craft | Selling the Story, Not Just the Bottle

Beth Hurwitz spent 15 years selling bottles to distillers. She knew the product, she knew the people, and she knew the problem — the three-tier system was leaving incredible craft spirits with nowhere to go and no one to champion them at the retail level. Her answer was Craft Spirits Social in Bonita Springs, Florida — a one-of-a-kind venue with over 400 curated craft spirits, a cocktail bar, regular tastings, distiller-in-residence weekends, and a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform. Exclusively craft. No compromises. In this conversation, Beth tells the story behind the concept, what it took to build it, and why she thinks the industry's biggest problem is also its biggest opportunity. Thank you to our sponsors! The Bar Book — https://thebarbook.app [https://thebarbook.app/] Bridgetown Brew Systems — https://www.bridgetownbrew.com [https://www.bridgetownbrew.com/] Support Crafted Conversations Everything you see and hear on this show — including travel — is funded out of pocket. If you believe in our mission of spotlighting the people and stories behind small businesses, support the show at: buymeacoffee.com/craftedconvos One-time or monthly — every dollar goes directly into creating more episodes and giving breweries, distilleries, and makers the spotlight they deserve. Stay Connected Website: www.craftedconvos.com [http://www.craftedconvos.com/] Follow: @craftedconvospod YouTube: @craftedconvospod Questions: coganconvo@gmail.com [coganconvo@gmail.com] Produced by Allan Cogan, Grant Brown, Nick Post, and Andrew Sindall Crafted Conversations Media LLC Full video available on YouTube and Spotify. Music provided by Artlist.io. This episode features conversations about alcohol. Please drink responsibly.

#75 - Life is a Preez: Florida's Best Micro Distillery! | Ramon Perez

After 21 years in the U.S. Army, Ramon didn't take it easy in retirement — he opened a distillery. Preez Distillery in Largo, Florida started as a kitchen experiment in Alaska, grew through word of mouth during COVID, and is now one of the most unique craft spirits operations in the state. In this episode we sit down with Ramon for a wide-ranging conversation about what it really means to make something by hand, why he thinks the word "craft" has been hijacked by the industry, and how he built a business around hospitality first and sales second. We also work through the full product lineup — a sugar-based vodka, a gin that converts gin haters, a strawberry vodka made from fresh Plant City strawberries, and more. If you've ever thought about turning a passion into a business — or you just love a great spirits story — this one's for you.📍 Preez Distillery — Largo, Florida🌐 preezdistillery.com—#CraftDistillery #FloridaDistilling #craftwhiskey #DistilleryTour #CraftSpirits #EntrepreneurStory #floridalife #AmericanWhiskey #SmallBusinessJourneySupport Crafted ConversationsEverything you see and hear on this show — including travel — is funded out of pocket. If you believe in our mission of spotlighting the people and stories behind small businesses, you can support the show at:buymeacoffee.com/craftedconvosBuy Me a Coffee allows for simple one-time donations or a monthly contribution. Every dollar goes directly into creating more episodes and giving breweries, distilleries, and makers the spotlight they deserve.Stay ConnectedWebsite: www.craftedconvos.comFollow: @craftedconvospodSubscribe on YouTube: @craftedconvospodProduced by: Allan Cogan, Grant Brown, Nick Post, and Andrew SindallCrafted Conversations Media LLCFull video available on YouTube and SpotifyQuestions or inquiries: coganconvo@gmail.comMusic provided by Artlist.io (copyright information available upon request)Cheers!This episode features conversations about alcohol. Please drink responsibly.

#74 - Whiskey Run: Building a Wisconsin Craft Distillery

Join me in New Glarus, WI with Todd Kuehl, founder of Whiskey Run, as we explore what it takes to build a small-town craft distillery from the ground up. From transitioning a winery to whiskey, to grain-to-glass production, distilling philosophy, and the challenges of launching a local spirits brand, this episode is packed with insights for craft spirits lovers, aspiring founders, and anyone curious about American whiskey. Discover the stories, risks, and passion behind one of Wisconsin’s most exciting craft distilleries. Connect & Learn More: Website: craftedconvos.com [https://www.craftedconvos.com/] Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/craftedconvos [https://buymeacoffee.com/craftedconvos] Follow Whiskey Run: @whiskeyrundistillingcompany | @baileysrunvineyardandwinery Recorded onsite at Whiskey Run, New Glarus, WI – December 27th, 2025. Copyright Crafted Conversations Media LLC