Inside the "Masquerade of the Red Death" | Burlesque, Edgar Allan Poe & Cocktail Chaos

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

Inside the "Masquerade of the Red Death" | Burlesque, Edgar Allan Poe & Cocktail Chaos

Welcome back to The Last Call Podcast with Arthur G! Today we are joined by two incredible burlesque performers, Aurora Fable and the newly married Whitney Wolfe, for an episode full of theater secrets, book talk, and cocktail chaos. With the award-winning “The Masquerade of the Red Death” returning for Fringe (May 12–25), we get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to bring Edgar Allan Poe’s dark concepts to the stage. Aurora shares her panic-mode preparation schedule, while Whitney discusses the pressure and creative freedom of stepping into the role of the new Green Room. Beyond the stage, we’re diving into smut reads, romantasy books, the logistics of casting partners in burlesque acts, and a hilarious game of Dracula: F***, Marry, Kill. 🥃 What We’re Drinking: To match the Green Room theme, we’re pouring up a fantastic Green Chartreuse "Last Word" variation, alongside a refreshing Gin, Lemon, and Hibiscus cocktail. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify! Episode Chapters: 00:00 - Meet Aurora Fable & Whitney Wolfe 03:45 - Orlando Fringe Prep & "The Masquerade of the Red Death" 06:05 - Big Bang Boom Collective’s "Tour de Force" 10:07 - Whitney Joins the Cast: The New Green Room 14:18 - Drink of the Day: Hibiscus Gin & A "Last Word" Variation 17:53 - Translating Poe into Burlesque 28:53 - The Colored Rooms of Death Explained 43:36 - Podcast Side Quests & Audience Stats 48:04 - Smut Reads, Galatea, & Romantasy Books 55:39 - Casting Partners in Acts & Beetlejuice Ideas 01:02:17 - Rapid Fire & Dracula FMK 01:09:05 - Where to Find the Guests 01:14:12 - Final Thanks & Sponsor Links & Resources: Sponsor: Protect your home with Byrne Termite and Pest Control! https://www.byrnepest.com/ Catch the Show: Get your tickets for “The Masquerade of the Red Death” at Fringe (May 12–25) here: https://www.orlandofringe.org/ Tour de Force: Grab tickets for Big Bang Boom Collective at the Me Theater on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/big-bang-boom-collective-69152612363 Take a Class: Join Whitney’s Wednesday burlesque class at Exchange Dance Academy: https://www.exchangedance.com/ Follow Aurora Fable: aurorafable Follow Whitney Wolfe: misswhitneywolfe Follow Arthur G: @lastcallwitharthur on Instagram and TikTok

The Dark Side of the Mezcal Boom | Fabiola Santiago of Mi Oaxaca

Show Notes: Episode Overview: Who really profits from the global obsession with mezcal? In this episode of The Last Call Podcast with Arthur G, Arthur sits down with Fabiola Santiago—public health expert, advocate, and the founder/executive director of Mi Oaxaca. Born in the "world capital of mezcal," Santiago Matatlán, and raised in Los Angeles, Fabiola brings a vital perspective to the spirits industry. Fabiola unpacks the harsh realities often hidden behind slick marketing campaigns, challenging the idea that mezcal is synonymous with all of Mexico. She dives into the anti-Indigenous bias and power imbalances regarding brand ownership, exposes the loopholes in Denomination of Origin laws, and explains how terms like “artisanal” and “ancestral” came to be. From discussing her advocacy work against wage theft to highlighting ethical ways to enjoy agave spirits, this episode is a must-listen for any cocktail enthusiast or hospitality professional who wants to understand what is actually in their glass. Key Takeaways from this Episode: * The Mission of Mi Oaxaca: How the nonprofit is fighting for cultural preservation and economic equity in the mezcal industry. * The Wage Theft Wake-Up Call: How a high-profile case involving an upscale Mexican restaurant sparked Fabiola’s focus on exploitation in food and spirits. * Label Loopholes: The truth behind Denomination of Origin and what "artisanal" or "ancestral" really means. * Celebrity Brands & Gentrification: The disconnect between the mezcal boom and the reality on the ground in Oaxaca. * Expert Bottle Picks: Fabiola’s top ethical and authentic mezcal recommendations, including Siete Misterios, Real Minero, and Mezcal Vago. Connect with Fabiola & Mi Oaxaca: * Website: https://www.mioaxaca.org/ * Instagram: @oaxacthetalk Connect with The Last Call Podcast: * Instagram: @lastcallwitharthur * YouTube: @lastcallpod

Glenmorangie Single Malt Deep Dive: Signet, Tall Stills & Cask Mastery w/ Dan Crowell

Welcome to The Last Call Podcast with Arthur G! Pour yourself a dram and settle in as we take a deep dive into the world of single malt Scotch with Dan Crowell, the U.S. Brand Ambassador for Glenmorangie. In this episode, Dan shares his unconventional journey from music school and drumming to becoming a leading voice in hospitality and spirits education. We break down what it actually takes to master Scotch, focusing on genuine passion, empathetic education, and the intensive blind tasting required to train your palate and manage bias. 🥃 What We Pour Into In This Episode: The Glenmorangie Difference: How their famous “giraffe” tall stills and copper reflux create an elegant, signature flavor profile. Cask Management Masterclass: The logistics of shipping sherry casks, preventing spoilage, and why the flagship expression evolved from a 10-year to a 12-year. Tasting & Deconstructing: We taste and break down the Triple Cask Reserve, the Lasanta 15’s shift to first-fill Oloroso, and the complex, high-roast chocolate malt secrets behind the coveted Signet. Experimental Releases: Exploring the limited “Tale” series (Tale of the Forest & Tokyo Oak) and getting a few hints about their upcoming May 4th launch. Whether you're a seasoned Scotch enthusiast or just starting your whisky journey, this episode is packed with industry insights and expert knowledge. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and let us know your favorite Glenmorangie expression! Episode Chapters: 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:55 Spirits as Universal Language 03:03 From Music to Hospitality 09:27 Empathy and Education Mindset 11:53 Scotch Aha Moment 16:41 Passion That Resonates 20:00 Master of Scotch Journey 24:26 Mentorship and Rigorous Exams 28:12 Training Your Palate 32:17 Life on the Road as Ambassador 36:28 What Makes Glenmorangie Unique 37:09 Giraffe Stills and Copper Reflux 39:06 Reflux and Flavor Style 40:11 Hard Water Fermentation Boost 40:44 Giraffe Still Explained 41:33 Features vs Benefits Marketing 45:06 Cask Timing and Spoilage 49:57 Bourbon Barrels and Ardbeg Contrast 52:52 Signet Origins and Secret Recipe 54:53 Roasted Malt Production Challenges 58:02 Signet Blending and Price 01:01:14 Original 12 Replaces 10 01:02:30 Why the Flagship Evolved 01:09:57 15 Year Return to Oloroso 01:13:22 Tasting Notes and Blind Approach 01:14:27 Cinnamon Sherry Notes 01:16:05 Triple Cask Explained 01:19:04 Tales Series Origins 01:19:58 Tale of the Forest 01:25:21 Tale of Tokyo Oak 01:28:20 Whiskey Music Pairing 01:31:47 Movie Cocktail Build 01:34:11 Where to Find Dan 01:36:35 Wrap Up and Sponsor