Welcome to Between Drinks, a new podcast where we dive into the stories behind the drinks you love… and the drinks you’re about to love. Hosted by Caro Griffin, a mezcal sommelier and traveling bartender based in Mexico City.
Islay Single Malt Scotch: Doing Craft the Hard Way
Islay has about 3,000 people and ten whisky distilleries — an absurd ratio, even by Scotland's standards.
In this episode, I take a ferry, then a bus, then another bus, to talk to Adam Hannett, Master Blender at Bruichladdich, about peat, patience, and why he thinks whisky has terroir — something I went in fully prepared to argue against.
We get into rebuilding a distillery from scratch, tracing barley back to twenty individual farms, and why decisions made today won't pay off for another decade.
By the end, I was ready to book a very inconvenient ferry back.
Transcript and show notes available at betweendrinks.co/singlemalt
29 Jul 2026
Blended Scotch Whisky: Whisky's Original Craft
Blended Scotch makes up more than 85% of all Scotch sold in the world, but is often relegated to the bottom shelf.
In this episode, I'm in Leith, the old whisky-trading port of Edinburgh, talking to Peter Allison, co-founder of Woven Whisky — a blending house that doesn't own a single still, just a studio in an old biscuit factory and a very strong point of view.
We get into how blending actually works, why Pete sources whisky from South Africa to Taiwan, and why he thinks blending, not distilling, is the most creative job in the entire industry.
16 Jul 2026
London Dry Gin: Craft at a Global Scale
Gin is just juniper-flavored vodka, right? That's what I used to think too…
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Anne Brock, the longtime Master Distiller at Bombay Sapphire, to talk about what it actually takes to make one of the biggest gin brands in the world — with a team of nine people, botanical baskets that are loaded by hand, and a human nose that still beats out any machine.
We get into gin's genuinely chaotic backstory, why you don’t have to be small to be "craft," and what a warming climate means for the wild juniper that the whole category depends on.
By the end, you won't look at a G&T quite the same way.
4 Feb 2026
Japanese Whisky: Rethinking the classics in Kagoshima
Japanese whisky is world-famous, but the category has always been dominated by just two brands… Enter a few upstarts at stage left.
In this episode, we're traveling to Kagoshima, where a fourth-generation shochu producer is reimagining what Japanese whisky could look like.
This episode is a must-listen for any fans of Japanese whisky. Plus, anyone who’s planning a trip to Japan and looking for a great destination off the usual path.
Guests: Tatsuya Ishihara, Kanosuke Whisky
28 Jan 2026
Japanese Whisky: Redefining craft in Hokkaido
Whisky is a thoroughly Western drink with a six-hundred-year history. And yet, Japan, which has only been making it for a hundred years, is world-renowned for its whisky.
In this episode, we're traveling to Hokkaido, where the grandfather of Japanese whisky set up one of the first distilleries in the country. Inspired by Scotch, but singularly Japanese, Nikka has become famous the world over for its flavor and quality.
Whether you’re already a big fan or have just wondered what the big deal is, this episode is for you!
Guest: Naoki Tomoyoshi, Nikkia Whisky
21 Jan 2026
Japanese Shochu: Exploring the spirit of Japan
Shochu is Japan’s most popular spirit, yet it’s largely unknown outside the country.
In this episode, we're traveling to Kyushu, the “kingdom of shochu,” where distillers use local produce to make a truly unique spirit that can be enjoyed in any number of ways.
Along the way, we’ll talk to Julia Momose, a world-renowned bartender and author, to understand exactly what makes shochu so special - and how to order it on your next trip to Japan.
Full transcript & show notes: betweendrinks.co/japaneseshochu
Guests: Julia Momosé
14 Jan 2026
Japanese Sake: More than just a “rice wine”
Japanese sake is more than just rice wine; it’s a traditional drink older than Japan itself.
In this episode, we're traveling to Kobe, Japan, to learn why the most premium sake is made in the Hyogo prefecture.
We’ll talk to a fourth-generation Toji who's preserving tradition while doing things his own way. Plus, the owner of my favorite sake bar in Yokohama, who spends his day pouring bottles for locals.
By the end of this episode, you’ll be able to navigate this complex category and order like a pro. Plus, you’ll have some fun facts to impress your friends with when you do.
Full transcript & show notes: betweendrinks.co/japanesesake
Guests: Kimio Yonezawa, Miho Komatsu, Brian Hutto
24 Sept 2025
Mexican Coffee: the best brew you haven’t tried
Coffee is the most consumed beverage in the world after water, and Mexicans have been growing it since the 1700s. And Mexican coffee is really good! So, why isn’t it easier to find abroad?
In this episode, we talk to an agricultural economist specializing in Mexican coffee. Plus, the owner of a specialty coffee shop in Mexico City.
We’ll cover coffee’s long history in Mexico, the complicated reasons it hasn’t really taken off internationally, and why supporting ethical roasters is more important than ever.
20 Aug 2025
Mexican Craft Beer: Going beyond Modelo
Mexico exports more beer than any other country in the world but all the well-known brands are owned by just two foreign companies. Luckily, a few hundred craft breweries are working to change that.
In this episode, we travel to Queretaro to learn about Cerveceria Hercules, a craft brewery making “beer-flavored beer” and some “wild” lambic-style beers.
We’ll cover the challenges of brewing beer in Mexico, what it means to make a “fresh” beer, and where to find Mexican craft beer near you.
6 Aug 2025
Mexican Gin: Tradition with a twist
Gin is a spirit defined by its botanicals. So, what happens when you make it in one of the world’s most biodiverse countries? You get some interesting takes on gin!
In this episode, we learn about Mexican gin styles from two producers with different styles - a traditional London dry gin made in Mexico, and something totally new.
23 Jul 2025
Mexican Aperitifs: Spicing up your next spritz
Aperitivos are quintessentially Mediterranean, yet Mexico is making waves with its own version! In this episode, we’re traveling to a woman-owned micro distillery on the edge of Mexico City to learn about Xila, a spicy aperitif. (The perfect addition to your next spritz!)
9 Jul 2025
Mexican Whiskey: Making corn whiskey in the birthplace of corn
Mexican whiskey is about more than creating a great-tasting whiskey; it’s about preserving heirloom corn that is at risk of disappearing. In this episode, we're traveling to Querétaro, Mexico, to learn more from the makers of Juan del Campo. (One of my favorite whiskeys!)
27 Sept 2024
Trailer
Welcome to Between Drinks, a new podcast where we dive into the stories behind the drinks you love… and the drinks you’re about to love.
Each episode, we’ll travel somewhere new to dive into a local drink that captures the heart and soul of a place, and the people who pour them. From small batch mezcal made in small towns across Oaxaca to the big gin brands from London that you've been drinking in G&Ts for years... we're covering it all!
Whether you’re a cocktail lover, a curious traveler, or just someone who enjoys a good story with your drink, this podcast is for you. And trust me, after hearing some of these backstories, you’ll never order a shot of bad tequila again.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
12 ratings
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