The Spirits Business Podcast

Bartender, ambassador, brand co-founder, mentor, educator, public speaker – Claire Warner has a killer CV. With 25 years in the spirits industry, Claire has worked with some of the brightest minds in the business – and inspired many along the way, too. As head of luxury advocacy at Diageo, she is passionate about championing the on-trade, and building and supporting relationships between brands and bartenders. During our conversation we covered everything from the significance of cocktail competitions and the rise of the no-alcohol category, to the importance of helping hospitality and spirits professionals find balance and avoid reaching burnout, and how to tell when it’s the right time to make that all important career move.Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here:https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/Keep updated on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/Follow along on X (formerly Twitter):https://x.com/spiritsbusinessFind us on Threads:https://www.threads.net/@spiritsbusinessTake a look at our videos on our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpiritsBusinessMagazineThe Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business. This podcast episode was edited by Matchbox Motion.

It’s no secret that the number of women pursuing STEM subjects and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields is woefully low compared to the number of men. But Trudiann Branker, the first woman master blender for Mount Gay Rum, is a shining example of the successful career trajectory that’s possible for women in STEM fields. Passionate about flavour and the science behind creating new profiles in rum, Trudiann is funding huge success and enjoyment from creating innovative rum blends for Mount Gay – and filling the barrels for future master blenders to come. This episode spans the significance of Mount Gay Rum to Barbados, the importance of sustainability – particularly as an island producer – how we can bring even more women into the world of spirits, and career advice for aspiring blenders.Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here:https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/Keep updated on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/Follow along on X (formerly Twitter):https://x.com/spiritsbusinessFind us on Threads:https://www.threads.net/@spiritsbusinessTake a look at our videos on our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpiritsBusinessMagazineThe Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business. This podcast episode was edited by Matchbox Motion.

This is our first live recording of a podcast episode – and we're delighted to share such an insightful and informative talk we held in March to mark International Women's Day. Titled 'Actions speak louder than words: engaging in meaningful change'. This was not a protest or an empty celebration of women; what’s always been at the core of these events is to share a conversation where women can attend, participate, and leave with actionable steps to further their professional development, and support other women along the way.This year’s discussion centred on women in hospitality, with a powerful line-up of experienced voices: Alice Taraschi, manager of The Guard’s Bar & Lounge at Raffles London at The OWO; Hebe Richardson, owner of Soda & Friends; Siobhan Payne and Hannah Sharman-Cox, co-founders and directors of London Cocktail Week, HANDS London Consultancy, and The Pinnacle Guide; and Anna Sebastian, founder of a global hospitality agency and Celebrate Her. Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business, moderated the discussion, which took place at The Guard’s Bar & Lounge – a proudly Pinned bar. From bartenders and bar owners to consultants, ambassadors and more, women in hospitality are flourishing. But how can we support, protect and celebrate them more effectively? We delve into all of this and more in this week's episode. Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here:https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/Keep updated on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/Follow along on X (formerly Twitter):https://x.com/spiritsbusinessFind us on Threads:https://www.threads.net/@spiritsbusinessTake a look at our videos on our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpiritsBusinessMagazineThe Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business. This podcast episode was edited by Matchbox Motion.

Marlene Holmes has had quite the whiskey career. Starting in 1990, Marlene learned from some of the best whiskey makers in the business, including the legendary Booker Noe. Marlene is unquestionably a legend in her own right; after nearly three decades at Beam working in whiskey production, Marlene pursued a dream she had to switch the high-volume production of Beam for a small start-up, Milam & Greene. In this episode, we talk at length about her incredible whiskey career, what it takes to be a master distiller, and why newer producers like Milam & Greene are giving the big players a run for their money.Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here:https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/Keep updated on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/Follow along on X (formerly Twitter):https://x.com/spiritsbusinessFind us on Threads:https://www.threads.net/@spiritsbusinessTake a look at our videos on our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpiritsBusinessMagazineThe Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business. This podcast episode was edited by Matchbox Motion.

Georgie Bell has had a whisky career many would covet. From bartending to becoming a global ambassador for multiple companies, Georgie spent years travelling the world sharing her passion for whisky. Today, she leads her own independent whisky bottling business, The Heart Cut, which she co-founded with her husband, Fabrizio Leoni. This episode covers a lot of ground, from what it was like 15 years ago as a young woman working in whisky to advice on finding balance as a global brand ambassador when you’re on the road for eight to nine months of the year, and how The Heart Cut is working to help whisky drinkers discover new and exciting distilleries from around the world. Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here:https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/Keep updated on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/Follow along on X (formerly Twitter):https://x.com/spiritsbusinessFind us on Threads:https://www.threads.net/@spiritsbusinessTake a look at our videos on our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpiritsBusinessMagazineThe Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business. This podcast episode was edited by Matchbox Motion.

Dan Szor swapped a career of finance and Wall Street to pursue a dream of owning his own whisky distillery in one of the most idyllic parts of England. The Cotswolds Distillery was one of the first English whisky producers on the scene and has been at the forefront of the category’s substantial growth. But what does it take to build a distillery from the ground up, and to grow it into into a global success story? Dan shares his experience in our latest podcast episode, which also touches on the recent GI development for English whisky, what it would mean for the category, and why Dan believes it won't have the detrimental impact on Scotch single malts that some claim. Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here:https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/Keep updated on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/Follow along on X (formerly Twitter):https://x.com/spiritsbusinessFind us on Threads:https://www.threads.net/@spiritsbusinessTake a look at our videos on our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpiritsBusinessMagazineThe Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business. This podcast episode was edited by Matchbox Motion.

In February, podcast host Melita Kiely headed to France for the annual Wine Paris trade fair, one of the biggest trade shows in the spirits industry. The Be Spirits hall was packed with hundreds of spirits products, and of course the famous Infinite Bar – a 40-metre-long bar showcasing some of Europe’s finest bartenders, as they shake and stir cocktails throughout the event. But what were the biggest spirits trends evident from this year's event? We interviewed several exhibitors – from RTD founders and bar owners to an Asian spirits bottler – to hear their insights.Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here:https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/Keep updated on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/Follow along on X (formerly Twitter):https://x.com/spiritsbusinessFind us on Threads:https://www.threads.net/@spiritsbusinessTake a look at our videos on our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpiritsBusinessMagazineThe Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business. This podcast episode was edited by Matchbox Motion.

With a background in pharmaceutical science, Master distiller Lasse Öznek harnesses his background in pharmaceutical science to create distinctively Danish whisky – the kind of whisky he loves to drink. His vision is clear: to challenge conventions of whisky-making to push the boundaries of flavour, and be a leader in the Danish distilling scene. In this episode, we learn about Lasse's background, how he fell in love with whisky, the challenges of creating Danish whiskies that can stand up to more established whisky regions, plus the latest launch from the distillery. Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here:https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/Keep updated on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/Follow along on X (formerly Twitter):https://x.com/spiritsbusinessFind us on Threads:https://www.threads.net/@spiritsbusinessTake a look at our videos on our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpiritsBusinessMagazineThe Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business. This podcast episode was edited by Matchbox Motion.

When the global pandemic hit in 2020, it held a mirror to how behind the spirits industry was in its digital advancements – notably in regards to e-commerce. However, as Rob Hollands, CEO of Proof 8 (which rebranded from Proofworks shortly after this episode was recorded) reveals in this podcast episode, there are still many digital improvements the trade can embrace to improve efficiency, offer greater transparency, and protect transactions and ownership.Rob tells us about how Proof 8 is working with spirits companies to digitise their operations for the better, key business challenges he's seen through his work, and why he believes investing to transform companies from 'analogue' to 'digital' means of working makes solid business sense.Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here:https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/Keep updated on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/Follow along on X (formerly Twitter):https://x.com/spiritsbusinessFind us on Threads:https://www.threads.net/@spiritsbusinessTake a look at our videos on our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpiritsBusinessMagazineThe Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business. This podcast episode was edited by Matchbox Motion.