Trendsetter Spirits: Crafting Rum & Giving 100% to Homeless Veterans with Dr. Ken Thompson

Trendsetter Spirits: Crafting Rum & Giving 100% to Homeless Veterans with Dr. Ken Thompson

How does a search for a 10-year anniversary bottle turn into a craft spirits brand that gives 100% of its profits to homeless veterans? In this episode, host Arthur Gatton sits down with US Army veteran Dr. Ken Thompson. Dr. Thompson is the founder of Trendsetter Spirits, born out of the Alpha Omega Phi Military Fraternity and Sorority and brought to life through a partnership with veteran-owned Dragon Distillery in Maryland. Dr. Thompson opens up about his personal journey of retiring from the military in 2009, managing PTSD and traumatic brain injuries, and channeling his experiences into earning a doctorate to help other transitioning veterans. Tune in as we discuss the nuances of small-batch rum production, how they developed their massive hit—Mango Pineapple rum—and what it takes to land shelf space at giants like Total Wine. Most importantly, you'll hear how every single bottle sold translates directly into veteran programming, golf therapy, and community support. If you want to drink well and do good, this is an episode you can't miss. Support the Mission & Get Your Bottle: Trendsetter Spirits: https://trendsetterspirits.com Alpha Omega Phi Military Fraternity & Sorority: https://www.alphaomegaphi.org Dragon Distillery: https://www.dragondistillery.com Connect on Social Media: Trendsetter Spirits IG: @trendsetterspirits Trendsetter Spirits Facebook: Trendsetter Spirits Alpha Omega Phi IG: @alphaomegaphi If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! 🎧 Episode Chapters 00:00 Meet the Guest 01:17 Trendsetter Spirits Origin 03:29 Nonprofit Mission 04:53 Military to Boardroom 06:58 Doctorate With Purpose 09:30 Why Trendsetters 10:42 Pandemic Outreach 12:14 How to Get Involved 14:03 Brand Bottles and Distribution 16:48 Choosing Rum 18:02 Small Batch Process 20:10 Flavor Development 21:32 Mango Pineapple Hit 22:02 Flavor Testing Timeline 23:13 Store Driven New Releases 24:05 Winning Big Retail 25:50 Bottles To Veteran Impact 27:54 Golf Therapy For Veterans 31:47 Next Markets And Events 34:39 How To Buy And Request 36:23 Signature Cocktail Tips 37:20 Mission And Social Links 39:29 Mosquito Control Sponsor

Tiki, Touring & Metal: Richie Brown (I Am Morbid / Terrorizer) on Permanent Vacation, European Festivals & Tour Bus Mixology

How does a death metal guitarist end up building one of Florida's premier tropical cocktail programs?  This week on The Last Call Podcast, host Arthur G sits down with Richard “Richie” Brown, guitarist for I Am Morbid and Terrorizer, and the creative force behind Permanent Vacation. Richie opens up about balancing a dual career shredding on stage at massive European festivals like Belgium's Graspop and managing a high-volume, world-class tiki bar.  We talk about the recent "Speed Freak" takeover night with Paris’ legendary Dirty Dick, the hospitality philosophy inspired by Pittsburgh’s Hidden Harbor, and how Richie runs a fully functioning cocktail bar directly out of his tour bus bunk. Plus, Richie drops exclusive updates on Terrorizer’s upcoming album, their transition to festival-focused touring, and a whirlwind travel guide featuring bar finds in Bangkok, Singapore, Poland, and Baba Au Rum in Athens. Pull up a stool for a deep dive into the unexpected parallels between commanding a metal stage and commanding a bar.  Inside this episode: • [01:17] The "Speed Freak" Dirty Dick's Paris pop-up. • [02:53] Playing Europe's massive festivals vs. club tours. • [14:06] Transitioning from music to high-end bartending and consulting. • [23:52] Tiki community menu philosophy and Hidden Harbor's influence. • [28:11] Global bar crawl: Bangkok, Singapore, Bulgaria, and Athens. • [37:07] Tipping culture, respect, and European vs. American hospitality. • [42:38] How to pack a functional cocktail bar on a tour bus. Connect with The Last Call Podcast on social media to see behind-the-scenes photos and cocktail recipes from this episode!  Support our sponsor: https://www.byrnepest.com/

Glenmorangie’s Harrison Ford Edition, “A Tale Of” Series & The Science of Fruity Whisky (with Glenmo Dan)

Dive deep into the world of single malt scotch with returning guest Daniel Crowel (“Glenmo Dan”), Glenmorangie’s National Brand Ambassador! In this episode, host Arthur G sits down with Dan to explore the cutting edge of Glenmorangie's whisky experimentation. We taste the highly anticipated Harrison Ford limited edition (finished in re-toasted Portuguese red wine casks) and discuss how the Hollywood legend actually helped refine the final profile. Plus, we pull back the curtain on Dr. Bill Lumsden’s fearless creative process, the evolution from the Private Editions to the new “A Tale Of” series, and the fascinating science behind Glenmorangie’s signature ester-driven, fruity style. In this episode, we cover: The Harrison Ford Partnership: A tasting and breakdown of the new 46.5% ABV, non-chill filtered limited release. Behind the Barrel: Dr. Bill Lumsden’s massive library of simultaneous whisky experiments. Fermentation Science: How Glenmorangie’s hard, mineral-rich spring water dictates yeast nutrition and flavor. "Once Upon a Time in Scotland": Spotlighting the actual distillery workers behind your favorite drams. Chapter Markers: 00:00 Welcome Back Glenmo Dan aka Daniel Crowel  01:23 Fans Ask: Experimental Bottles 02:44 Private Editions And “A Tale Of” 04:51 Meet Dr. Bill Lumsden 07:01 How Experiments Run In Parallel 09:37 Why Time Cannot Be Rushed 11:06 Harrison Ford Limited Edition 14:33 Celebrity Endorsement Done Right 19:14 Cask Recipe And Tasting Notes 25:43 Once Upon A Time In Scotland 28:03 The People Behind The Whisky 31:24 Spirits, Music, And Memory 32:36 Whiskey Memories and Music 35:05 Distillery Pride and Joy 37:20 Hard Water Fermentation Science 42:07 Against Whiskey Marketing Bias 44:53 Whiskey Speed Dating Events 48:07 Dr. Bill’s Fearless Creativity 52:36 Experimental Releases Explained 55:35 Musician Collab Dream Cask 01:01:23 Where to Find Dan 01:02:51 Final Thanks and Sign Off 01:04:39 Sponsor: Mosquito Control If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

Keepers of the Quaich & The Art of Blending with Dewar’s Gabriel Cardarella

Does blended Scotch truly get the respect it deserves? We dive deep into the technical craft and history of blending to find out. On this episode of The Last Call Podcast with Arthur G, we sit down with Gabriel Cardarella, North American Brand Ambassador for Dewar’s. We are breaking down the intricate details of Dewar’s double aging process, the persistent myths surrounding blended scotch, and how Master Blender Stephanie McLeod is spearheading massive innovation across their portfolio. Gabe also shares his wildly unconventional career path—transitioning from managing tours for the Jackass crew to becoming a highly respected whiskey educator inducted into the Keepers of the Quaich. We explore the philosophy behind experimental releases like the Stone Toasted series, discuss Dewar’s role as the official Scotch of the US Open, and conduct a focused tasting of Dewar’s 12 (featuring a first-fill unrinsed bourbon cask finish sourced from Angel’s Envy) and Dewar’s 15. Grab a glass and join us as we explore how whiskey connects people through time, place, and memory. In this episode, we cover: The truth about age statements and why they don’t automatically equal quality. The technical mechanics of Dewar’s double aging and cask finishing. Gabe's journey into the Keepers of the Quaich in 2024. Tasting notes on Dewar's 12 (Bourbon Finish) and Dewar's 15. Modern bar culture, the Highball soda hack, and frozen Penicillin ideas. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome to the Dewar's Deep Dive 02:01 - Gabe’s People-First Philosophy 05:06 - Beyond the Script: Authentic Whiskey Talk 09:51 - Dewar's Heritage and Innovation 15:12 - Why Blends Deserve Respect 17:29 - Age Statements and Time Capsules 20:41 - Meet the Makers Behind the Whisky 22:25 - From Jackass Tours to Scotch 27:16 - Keepers of the Quaich Explained 31:10 - Proving Credibility in Scotch 34:14 - Golf, the 19th Hole, and US Open Limited Releases 36:33 - Hyper-Local Cask Finishes 40:44 - The Discovery Mindset in Whiskey 42:05 - Blends vs. Single Malts 43:03 - Dewar's 12 Bourbon Finish 45:12 - Tasting Notes & Storytime 50:50 - Single Malts Worth Exploring 54:20 - The Stone Toasted Challenge 56:57 - How Dewar's 12 Drinks 59:07 - Scotch in Modern Cocktails 01:01:13 - The Highball Soda Hack 01:02:51 - Frozen Penicillin Ideas 01:08:13 - Desert Island Dram 01:10:29 - Deathbed Drink Choice 01:13:06 - Dewar's 15 Deep Dive 01:15:13 - Media-Inspired Cocktails 01:19:54 - Wrap Up & Where to Find Gabe

Bonus: Luna La Volpe as Death in Orlando Fringe’s 'Masquerade of the Red Death'

🎟️ See Masquerade of the Red Death at Orlando Fringe (May 12–25): Get tickets at orlandofringe.org [https://orlandofringe.org] Arthur G. and Aurora Fable host a special bonus episode of The Last Call Podcast with performer Luna La Volpe, who is taking the stage as Death in Masquerade of the Red Death at the Orlando Fringe Festival. Luna shares the evolution of her performance career, spanning two decades of teaching dance, character work, and theme park entertainment. She discusses how Miss Foxy DeVill brought her into the world of burlesque, and why finding a home base at The Collective helped her heal from negative experiences in the entertainment industry. In this episode, we discuss: * The Reality of Theater: What it truly requires to be a "swing" and how producers encouraged Luna to build her own androgynous interpretation of Death. * Community & Boundaries: Navigating direct communication, setting boundaries, and building a supportive community outside of an echo chamber. * Orlando Fringe Survival Guide: Exploring "The Lawn," navigating the loss of state arts funding, and breaking down ticket pricing—including the $6 Monday shows for service industry workers! Episode Timestamps: 00:00 - Bonus Episode Intro 01:15 - Meet Our Guest: Luna La Volpe 01:37 - Origin Story: From Theme Parks to Burlesque 07:54 - Why the Burlesque Community Matters 16:51 - Straight Talk vs. Tact & Setting Boundaries 25:21 - "Resting Rage Face" Stories 38:37 - Categorizing Friendships & Accountability 52:05 - Stepping into the Role of Death 54:10 - The Importance of Swings in Theater 01:01:31 - The Orlando Fringe Funding Pitch & What is "The Lawn"? 01:10:02 - Fringe Ticket Costs & Industry Monday Discounts 01:17:51 - Finding Death's Androgyny 01:35:58 - Final Plugs and Fringe Dates 01:42:24 - Sponsor: Burn Pest Control