
In this episode, we are treated to a conversation with Natali, the National Agave Ambassador of Constellation Brands. Join us as we get an education in tequila ranging from agave types, production, innovative barrel aging, and of course sipping and so much more.Key Moments:(00:00) Intro(01:15) First Pour of Casa Noble(02:00) Tequila Production(03:53) What makes agave different?(05:48) Terroir and Fermentation(07:20) Where can tequila actually be made?(11:49) Maturation differentiation(13:30) Finding Notes in Tequila(20:00) Why the headache?(22:18) Additives(26:40) What is Joven tequila?(28:43) Most popular cocktails in the US and Mexico(30:00) Innovating with Mi Campo(31:00) Artistry in the Mi Campo label(36:00) Sipping Tequila(39:40) Building Flights(42:24) Food Pairings(44:27) Bottle Easter Egg(49:43) Refining your palate(51:48) Malört(53:07) Find your tequilaLearn more about Casa Noble and Mi Campo tequila.Hit follow to be notified of future episodes.Follow us on InstagramEvery week we share explorations in flavor, sipping, and curated experiences.Join the newsletter to follow the journey
Feb 22
55 min

In this episode, we are treated to a flavor-filled conversation with the one and only bourbon trailblazing Peggy Noe Stevens. Join us as we discuss her history and continued passion for changing and transforming the bourbon industry.Key Moments:(00:00) Intro(03:15) What Bourbon Women Means(08:33) The Maker’s Mark Bourbon Women Experience(10:28) Spirit of Women Film Preview(13:22) Who is Peggy Noe Stevens(16:15) The Not So New Emerging Demographic of Women Drinkers(19:30) Favourite Bourbon Women SIP 2025 session(23:10) The Palate of Women(26:50) The Role of Texture(29:15) The Importance of the Finish(33:30) What’s NextLearn more about Peggy Noe StevensHit follow to be notified of future episodes.Follow us on InstagramEvery week we share explorations in flavor, sipping, and curated experiences.Join the newsletter to follow the journey
Dec 16, 2025
35 min

In this episode, we are treated to a conversational journey with award-winning bourbon writer Susan Reigler. Join us as we discuss her non-linear, adventurous path to becoming one of the most multi-faceted, well-respected, and award-winning bourbon writers in the industry.Key Moments:(00:00) Intro(03:57) Zoology(05:40) Brass bands, miners, and pubs - have your drinks and play with them too(08:36) Write something every day(10:00) A cockroach walks into an article(12:50) Restaurant critic and fortuitous Chinese food(15:20) Moving into whisky(16:43) The birth of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail(18:45) Flavour practice(20:42) Star Hill Farm Wheat Whiskey(22:47) French water in Kentucky bourbon(30:40) Non-Linear paths(32:47) A Music History Lesson in the Old British Library(35:25) Latin Never Dies(37:44) I have an entomology lab downstairs…as people do(38:42) Bourbonology(42:05) Always follow your curiosity(44:17) Don’t Be A Chair(45:56) Legacy(48:30) The Future of the whisky market(51:11) Bourbon Community(52:36) Memorable sipping experience(54:36) Charles DarwinLearn more about Susan and her workHit follow to be notified of future episodes.Follow us on InstagramEvery week we share explorations in flavor, sipping, and curated experiences.Join the newsletter to follow the journey
Dec 12, 2025
56 min

In this episode we are treated to a cocktail masterclass with the one and only Cocktail Contessa aka Heather Wibbels. Join us as she guides us through using sensory to craft elevated cocktail experiences.Key Moments:(00:00) Intro(05:11) Bourbon and bitters class(06:03) Find your old fashioned(06:22) Your palate changes(08:24)Choosing a cocktail(09:06)The Whiskies(09:40) The Amari(14:12) Choosing the spirit, amaro combination(16:00) First cocktail(17:25) Choosing to add or not add bitters(19:52) How to choose fruit for garnishing vs juicing(21:31) Try black manhattans at different temperatures(23:16) Building a cocktail(29:47) How bitters change a cocktail(37:57) Second cocktails(44:20) Comparing second cocktail notes(47:00) Third cocktail(49:17) Dankness and balance in cocktails(56:52) Who is Heather Wibbels?(01:00:22) Comparing three Black Manhattans(01:02:02) What’s that flavor?(01:03:44) Taste testing amari(01:05:23) The Origin of Cocktail Contessa(01:07:47) Who is a whiskey drinker?(01:10:00) Blind Tasting(01:14:15) Your palate is actually okay(01:17:51) Ordering what you want at a bar/restaurant(01:20:13) Favorites of cocktails we made(01:22:15) Sipping cold vs room temperature(01:29:37) Flavor differences between palates are okay(01:30:56) Different is how you define why something is better(01:32:48) All experiences are informativ(01:38:14) The reality of glassware in bars/restaurants 1:38:14(01:41:08) Expectations of a whisky drinker(01:44:02) The role of memory in cocktail experience(01:49:46) What makes a whiskey drinker a whiskey enthusiast(01:52:14) Whiskey [more than] neat(01:53:19) The hazmat people(01:54:11) Creme brûlée cinnamon or churro cinnamon(01:57:11) Elevated cocktails(02:00:32) One person, dead or alive, you’d want to sip with(02:02:20) Drinking with Thanos(02:05:18) New book(02:11:24) Are low sugar, low carb cocktails possible?(02:12:56) Having a healthy relationship with alcohol(02:15:40) Flights + Comparison + SensoryBase Black Manhattan recipe from the episode:2 oz bourbon or rye1 oz amaro1 dash (8-10 drops) of bitterslemon peel garnishRye whiskey from the episode:Castle and Key Restoration RyeRussell's Reserve 6 yr RyeNew Riff Single Barrel RyeAmari from the episode:Amaro BraulioAmaro CioCiaroAmaro MontenegroForo AmaroFor more on amari checkout Heather’s recent post - https://www.cocktailcontessa.com/whiskey-and-amaro-cocktail-playground/Follow Heather on Instagram @cocktail_contessaHit follow to be notified of future episodes.Follow us on InstagramEvery week we share explorations in flavor, sipping, and curated experiences.Join the newsletter to follow the journey
Sep 26, 2025
2 hr 19 min

New Name. New Vibe. Same Curious Palate.After a long break, the podcast is back, and it has a wild new twist.Say hello to Wyld Pours 🥃(formerly Distilled: Legends & Lore)We’re diving into blind tastings, bottle battles, and offbeat conversations with the people behind the pours: distillers, brewers, vintners, sommeliers, and industry pros.Less lore, more flavor. Less script, more sip.Hit follow to be notified of future episodes.Follow us on InstagramLet's get Wyld!
Aug 23, 2025
1 min

In this episode, we look back on the year 2023 and talk about our tastings and learnings.
Key Moments:
(00:00) Intro
(00:45) What we saw
(01:51) What we tasted
(03:05) What we learned
Hit the follow to be notified of future episodes.
Follow us on Instagram
Visit thecuratedcup.com for reviews and other content
If you're interested in a curated tasting, send us an email at [email protected]
Music by AlexGrohl
Dec 31, 2023
4 min

In this episode, we give our Top 5 Smash, Sip or Pass episodes of 2023.
Key Moments:
(00:00) Intro
(01:29) #5
(04:02) #4
(06:26) #3
(09:48) #2
(11:35) #1
What did you think about this Top 5 Smash, Sip or Pass Episodes of 2023?
Let us know by checking out the episode Q&A or sending us a message at [email protected]
If you liked this episode, hit the follow to be notified of future episodes.
Follow us on Instagram
Visit thecuratedcup.com for more reviews and other content
If you're interested in a curated tasting, send us an email at [email protected]
Music by AlexGrohl
Dec 29, 2023
13 min

In this episode, after blind tasting through 16 wheated whiskies, we reveal all of the matchups in our 2023 Battle of the Wheats and our 2023 Champion of the Wheats.
View all matchups at thecuratedcup.com/battleofthewheats2023
Key Moments:
(00:00) Intro
(01:36) Sweet 16
(18:31) Elite 8
(30:19) Final Four
(35:58) Finals
What did you think of Battle of the Wheats 2023?
Let us know by checking out the episode Q&A or sending us a message at [email protected]
If you liked this episode, hit the follow to be notified of future episodes.
Follow us on Instagram
Visit thecuratedcup.com for more reviews and other content
If you're interested in a curated tasting, send us an email at [email protected]
Music by AlexGrohl
Dec 27, 2023
42 min

In this episode we taste the final matchup of our 2023 Battle of the Wheats. Listen to find out which whiskey is our Champion of the Wheats 2023.
Stay tuned for our reveal of all matchups and our winner.
View all matchups at thecuratedcup.com/battleofthewheats2023
Key Moments:
(0:00) Intro
(00:58) How Battle of the Wheats 2023 works
(02:25) Whiskey #10
(03:37) Whiskey #16
(05:56) Smash Sip or Pass
Did you enjoy this battle of the wheats blind tasting?
Let us know by checking out the episode Q&A or sending us a message at [email protected]
If you liked this episode, hit the follow to be notified of future episodes.
Follow us on Instagram
Visit thecuratedcup.com for more reviews and other content
If you're interested in a curated tasting, send us an email at [email protected]
Music by AlexGrohl
Dec 22, 2023
8 min

In this episode we continue the Final Four of our 2023 Battle of the Wheats where we’re blind tasting through 16 wheated whiskies to crown our champion of the wheats.
Follow along at thecuratedcup.com/battleofthewheats2023
Key Moments:
(00:46) How Battle of the Wheats 2023 works
(02:10) Whiskey #6
(03:01) Whiskey #10
Are you enjoying this battle of the wheats blind tasting?
Let us know by checking out the episode Q&A or sending us a message at [email protected]
If you liked this episode, hit the follow to be notified of future episodes.
Follow us on Instagram
Visit thecuratedcup.com for more reviews and other content
If you're interested in a curated tasting, send us an email at [email protected]
Music by AlexGrohl
Dec 20, 2023
5 min
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