We reconnect with Jason’s long-time friend, Cyndi Gatterdam, and her husband, Chris Grecco. Cyndi has 20+ years experience in the bourbon industry, currently serving as the District Sales Manager at Republic National Distributing. In classic “Cocktail Confession” fashion, Jason and Yvonne discuss how bourbon has become an integral part of culture, a symbol of identity, and a bridge between generations.

In this episode, we enjoy homemade cocktails by Jason – self-dubbed the “Best At-Home Bartender in Studio City.” The sounds of Jason making another round of drinks, setting glasses on the table, and the creaks of old, wooden floors in a 19th-century colonial home set the scene for a riveting conversation with our two dear friends. So please pull up a chair, pour yourself a glass, and enjoy.

Please visit www.lagralanespirits.org/episodes/cyndichris for shownotes, transcripts, and more.

Links

Guests

Cyndi Gatterdam - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyndi-gatterdam-80b04228b

Chris Grecco - https://elementmr.com/who-we-are/our-team/chris-grecco/

Republic National Distributing Company - https://www.rndc-usa.com/

Additional links + Special thanks to:

WEP - https://weeditpodcasts.com/

Liam E. Allen (original music) - @Liamea97

Bourbon Women - https://bourbonwomen.org

Which Fork Do I Use with My Bourbon? by Peggy Noe Stevens (Cyndi’s mentor) & Susan Riegler - https://a.co/d/3988Ut3

In this episode, Jason and Yvonne take listeners on a trip through the grounds of the Old Taylor Distillery – a historic site that was abandoned for over 30 years before Castle and Key brought it back to life in 2018. At the time of our visit, our lovable guest and guide, Valerie (Val) Colella, was Castle & Key’s Single Barrel Specialist and National Brand Ambassador. Join us as we explore the castle-inspired architecture, the rich history of bourbon-making, and the untold stories of the women and enslaved individuals who shaped the industry.

As you listen to this episode, you’ll hear everything from train whistles to mash bills hissing to factory clangs! The vast grounds of the Old Taylor Distillery are filled with diverse structures and ambient sounds that tell the fascinating story of this charming bourbon destination. Each unique environment from the sunken gardens to cavernous rickhouses influences the audio in a way that we hope will immerse you into the rich atmosphere that is Castle and Key. At times, you will also hear inquisitive remarks from our Production Team, who joined us on this exciting adventure.

Please visit http://www.lagralanespirits.org/episodes/castlekey for shownotes, transcripts, and more.

Links

Guest:

Valerie Colella - https://www.instagram.com/therealwhiskeywoman/

Castle & Key - https://www.castleandkey.com/

Additional links + Special thanks to:

WEP - https://weeditpodcasts.com/

Liam E. Allen (original music) - @Liamea97

What does it take to break into an industry that hasn’t made room for you? For Victor Yarbrough and his brothers, the answer is clear: a whole lot of grit, a little bit of chemistry, and an unshakable commitment to their community. In this episode, we sit down with Victor, one-third of the trio behind Brough Brothers Distillery — one of the only Black-owned distilleries in Kentucky.

In the Spirit of Bourbon: Brough Brothers was recorded in 2024. You know what that means? Any Bourbon releasing “this year” …is available now. So pour yourself a glass of Brough Brothers — this is one story you don’t want to miss.

Please visit www.lagralanespirits.org/episodes/broughbrothers for shownotes, transcripts, and more.

Links

Guest:

Victor Yarbrough, Brough Brothers

https://broughbrothers.com/

https://www.instagram.com/broughbrothers/

Additional links + Special thanks to:

WEP - https://weeditpodcasts.com/

Liam E. Allen (original music) - @Liamea97

In this special episode, we chatted LIVE with Rob Beatty, Founder of the Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild — a groundbreaking initiative to preserve hidden histories, promote inclusivity, and celebrate the legacy of African Americans in bourbon culture.

Rob was instrumental in the making of Lagralane Spirits Season 3. He connected us to several incredible guests this season and guided us through Louisville and Lexington’s rich Bourbon culture. It was a delight to pick Rob’s brain again. So please pour a glass of your favorite Bourbon and hear from a multi-faceted entrepreneur who is leading the charge to make the Bourbon industry more diverse and inclusive.

This episode was streamed live to Facebook and Instagram. Internet connection impacted the audio quality at a couple brief moments.

Links

Guest:

Rob Beatty + Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild

https://kentuckyblackbourbonguild.com/

https://www.instagram.com/iamrobbeatty/

In this episode, we meet with Elizabeth McCall, the Master Distiller of Woodford Reserve, who leads a tasting that feels more like an art class than a lesson in Bourbon. Elizabeth shows us how pairing curated foods with Bourbon releases new flavors. And together, we experience how pairing a few good stories with Bourbon can unlock an unforgettable conversation.

Our greatest takeaway? Bourbon is more than a drink — it’s a way to explore identity and history.

This episode also features the voices and palettes of our dear friend, Cyndi Gatterdam and our Producing Team. We hope you’ll enjoy the warm and inviting atmosphere as we share stories over delicious Woodford Reserve Bourbon.

Please visit www.lagralanespirits.org/episodes/woodford for shownotes, transcripts, and more.

Links:

Guest

Elizabeth McCall

https://www.woodfordreserve.com/press-room/elizabeth-mccall/

https://www.woodfordreserve.com/

https://www.woodfordreserve.com/lifestyle/

Additional links + Special thanks to:

WEP - https://weeditpodcasts.com/

Liam E. Allen (original music) - @Liamea97

Jason and Yvonne share a quick message about this special season of Lagralane Spirits.

Is food central or trivial to the formation of identity?

In our final episode of the season, hosts Jason and Yvonne Lee welcome Yvonne’s sister, Chef B.B. Huff to the show. Chef Huff left the corporate world to begin her own company, The Salted Parlor, which is a boutique catering firm specializing in storytelling through food. In this episode, these three bring food into the story of our lives. They ask questions like how do we use ingredients and dishes to tell a story? How does art and the story of food connect us to the past? What is food’s role in preserving culture?

This spirited culinary conversation will leave you wondering, if food is a conversation starter, what happens after they leave your table?

For more spirited discussions, make sure to subscribe to the podcast.

And if you’ve enjoyed thinking and mocktailing along with us, we’d love for you to leave us a review.

Cheers … and Please Drink Responsibly!

Links:

Guests:

Chef B.B. Huff - The Salted Parlor

https://www.thesaltedparlor.com/about

https://www.instagram.com/saltedparlor/

Cesar Chavez

https://ufw.org/research/history/story-cesar-chavez/

https://www.history.com/topics/mexico/cesar-chavez

Lower Depth Theatre

https://lower-depth.com/

Additional Links + Special thanks to:

Podcast Haven - https://thepodcasthaven.com/

Liam E. Allen (original music) - @Liamea97

Cocktail Recipe: Ala Ala*

*This cocktail was created by Jason Lee. “Alaala” translates from Tagalog to English as “Memory” or “Recollection.” It is also the name of Jason’s elementary school yearbook in Manila, which was an interesting inspiration for the cocktail.

Muddle sliced peaches w/ dashes of Regan’s Orange Bitters; Peychauds; Bitters Lab Charred Cedar & Currant bitters; and Hella Bitters Smoked Chili bitters.

Then:

2 oz Pierre Ferrand Cognac

1/4 oz Lambanog

1/2 oz simple syrup

1/2 oz sparkling water

Build in cocktail glass.

Serve on rocks.

Add Tangerine peel (or blood orange peel) garnish.