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The Curious Bartender Podcast

Tristan Stephenson
Hospitality
Scotch Whisky
Cocktails
Whisky
Bartending
Fermentation
Sustainability
Flavor Perception
Whiskey
Cocktail Culture
Gin
Rum
Mezcal
Multisensory Experience
Port Of Leith Distillery
Cider Brandy
Terroir
Aroma
Wine
Agave Spirits

Long-form conversations with the leading minds in drinks, spanning history, science, culture, and craft, with bestselling author and bartender Tristan Stephenson.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes76Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Curious Bartender Podcast

Latest Episodes

Thibaut Hontanx is only the seventh master blender in Courvoisier's nearly 200-year history, but that might not be the most interesting thing about his incredibly eclectic career.

From growing up around his grandfather's sawmill in France, to arriv... more

Dave Mulligan is the owner of Dublin's Bar 1661 and The Sackville Lounge, founder of Bán Poitín, and one of the most committed advocates for Ireland's oldest spirit currently working the floor.

Poitín was banned by the British Crown in 1661 and rem... more

Edward Slingerland is a distinguished University Scholar and Professor of Philosophy at the University of British Columbia, whose research spans early Chinese thought, cognitive science, and evolutionary psychology. He is, among other works, the auth... more

Mathieu Sabbagh spent fifteen years navigating the corporate corridors of Pernod Ricard, working on the relaunches of absinthe and Suze, before packing it in, driving around France looking for something real, and ending up buying a mobile still in Be... more

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Recent Guests

Thibaut Hontanx
Master Blender, Courvoisier
Courvoisier
Episode: #76 Thibaut Hontanx - World's Most Travelled Distiller: Cognac, South African Agave Spirits, Rhum Clement, Courvoisier, Hennessy
Dave Mulligan
Poitín producer and bar owner (1661 Belfast bar)
1661 Belfast / Sackville bar and related ventures
Episode: #75 Dave Mulligan - Is Poitín Ireland's Mezcal? History, Production, Brands, Tasting
Edward Slingerland
Philosopher and author of Drunk
University of British Columbia (philosophy); author
Episode: #74 Edward Slingerland - The Evolutionary Case for Getting Drunk, Alcohol and Neurochemistry, Socialisation, Archaeology, Philosophy
Mathieu Sabbagh
Mobile distillery founder, Burgundy distillation revivalist
Sabs & Co. / DeVille Burgundy collaboration
Episode: #73 Mathieu Sabbagh - Mobile Distillery, Fin de Bourgogne, Eau-De-Vie, Fruit Spirits, Reviving Tradition
Franz-Arthur MacElhone
Custodian of Harry's Bar Paris, descendant of the bar's namesake
Harry's Bar Paris
Episode: #72 Franz-Arthur MacElhone - Harry's Bar Paris, History of Bloody Mary, Sidecar, French 75; Harry MacElhone, Being a Custodian
Kami Newton
Flavor perception expert and educator in sensory science
Independent researcher / educator
Episode: #71 Kami Newton - Flavour Perception, Sensory Science, How to Taste Spirits
Padraig Fox
Guinness Global Brand Ambassador (interviewed on tour at the Guinness Storehouse)
Guinness
Episode: #70 Padraig Fox - Guinness: History, Production, Quality Control, Advertising, 0.0, Global
Agostino Perrone
Head Bartender/Bar Director at Connaught Bar, London
Connaught Bar
Episode: #68 Agostino Perrone - Connaught Bar, Creativity, Italian Hospitality, Career, Photography
Tom Oliver
Cider and perry maker, known for artisan production techniques.
Episode: #67 Tom Oliver - Cider & Perry Making, Orchards, Varieties, Fermentation, Cider Appreciation, Herefordshire, Agriculture

Host

Tristan Stephenson
Host of The Curious Bartender Podcast; co-host in many episodes

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 123 ratings
  • One of the best!

    Amazing podcast about spirits/history/fermentation and culture! Look forward to every episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    fermentedself
    United States5 months ago
  • Love it

    I look forward to every episode of this insightful and engaging show about my beloved industry.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CreativeDrunk
    United States5 months ago
  • My favourite flavour focused podcast

    As someone who works in the drink industry and loves learning about flavours this is easily the best podcast I have found so far: inquisitive and fun host, interesting guests and a quality array of topics.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❤️🇪🇸
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Great show

    A must listen show if you’re into spirits/bar history, and culture. Entertaining and enlightening long form interviews.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Not Michael Anthony
    United States9 months ago
  • Absolutely Essential

    An must for anyone interested in the world of beverages and the people, stories, and elements behind them.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JeffreyMorgen
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

- Engaging and educational long-form interviews that feel both entertaining and insightful.
- High-caliber guests from bartending to brand storytelling drive deep, actionable insights.
- Polished host with a curious interviewing style that invites guests to share behind-the-scenes stories.
- Positive, knowledgeable discussions that blend history with practical craft.
- Consistently strong production values and thoughtful guest selection.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#76 Thibaut Hontanx - World's Most Travelled Distiller: Cognac, South African Agave Spirits, Rhum Clement, Courvoisier, Hennessy
Q: You've had a very varied career. You have worked in multiple continents through basically all of the spirit categories, right?
Yes, it's been a journey across wine, agave, cognac, and whiskey, learning from each category's fermentation, distillation, and aging to bring insights back to what I do today in Cognac.
#73 Mathieu Sabbagh - Mobile Distillery, Fin de Bourgogne, Eau-De-Vie, Fruit Spirits, Reviving Tradition
Q: What distinguishes Marc de Bourgogne and Fin de Bourgogne from more established brandies like Cognac or Armagnac?
Marc de Bourgogne uses pomace distillates from Burgundy wines, while Fin de Bourgogne uses distillates from Burgundian wines aged to highlighted standards. They incorporate red and white wines from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, offering a terroir-driven alternative that leverages Burgundy's climate and varietals rather than relying solely on the typical white-wine focus seen in Cognac/Armagnac.
#72 Franz-Arthur MacElhone - Harry's Bar Paris, History of Bloody Mary, Sidecar, French 75; Harry MacElhone, Being a Custodian
Q: What about the Sidecar and its connection to Harry's Bar?
The Sidecar is linked to the same era as the Bloody Mary, with early recipes featuring equal parts Cognac, Cointreau, and lemon; multiple origin stories exist, including a possible link to a motorcycle sidecar, but the guest stresses sticking to documented information while acknowledging unconfirmed tales.
#72 Franz-Arthur MacElhone - Harry's Bar Paris, History of Bloody Mary, Sidecar, French 75; Harry MacElhone, Being a Custodian
Q: Tell me about the story of the Bloody Mary and its creation.
There are competing legends about the drink's name and origin, but the speaker focuses on verifiable facts: the 1920 origin in Paris at Harry's Bar, the involvement of Fernand Petiot, and the ingredient base of tomato juice, vodka, spices, lemon, and orange juice; the bartender emphasizes evidence like photos and receipts, and notes the role of tomato juice availability in Paris at the time.
#70 Padraig Fox - Guinness: History, Production, Quality Control, Advertising, 0.0, Global
Q: What makes the two-part pour so important for Guinness?
It ensures the gas and liquid have space in the glass, results in a consistent head height across multiple pours, and allows the top dome to form properly for a visually appealing and stable serving.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Curious Bartender Podcast

What is The Curious Bartender Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Long-form conversations with leaders and craftsmen in drinks, spanning history, science, culture, and craft. Listeners hear deep dives with bartenders, bar directors, cider makers, historians, and hospitality innovators, offering practical insights for bar programs, product storytelling, and industry trends. The show often threads technical topics (production, sourcing, service rituals) with cultural context and personal anecdotes, creating a rich mix for professionals and enthusiasts who want behind-the-scenes understanding of drinks, bars, and brand storytelling. Notable strengths include high-caliber guests, a curious, coaching-minded interviewing style, and a blend of heritage with forward-looking innovation that keeps discussions both ... more

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1. The Rachman Review
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How many episodes of The Curious Bartender Podcast are there?

The Curious Bartender Podcast launched a year ago and published 76 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Curious Bartender Podcast?

Recent guests on The Curious Bartender Podcast include:

1. Thibaut Hontanx
2. Dave Mulligan
3. Edward Slingerland
4. Mathieu Sabbagh
5. Franz-Arthur MacElhone
6. Kami Newton
7. Padraig Fox
8. Agostino Perrone

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