Tasting Notes: This episode marks a major milestone for The Dram Amateur Podcast—the official debut of the One More Pour Studio and the transition into video podcasting.

Jason pulls back the curtain on the journey of building the studio, the challenges of creating in a small space, and what it means to finally feel at home behind the mic and camera. This is a candid, reflective check-in with the community, a thank-you to the creators who helped shape the vision, and a preview of what’s coming next in 2026.

Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or just poured your first dram with the show, this episode is about growth, creativity, and staying grounded in why this podcast exists in the first place

Intro One More Pour Studio

🛠️ Inside the One More Pour Studio

• The long road from idea to finished space
• Finding comfort, creativity, and confidence in a small setup
• Lessons learned from lighting, layout, and camera positioning
• Why the studio isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection

📺 What’s New for the Podcast

• 🎥 Video podcasts are officially here (YouTube launch underway)
• 🎧 Audio episodes continue on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms
• ✂️ Behind-the-scenes workflow: filming, editing, and learning as he goes
• A test run episode before bigger content drops

🤝 Community Shoutouts & Gratitude

This episode is also a heartfelt thank-you to the creators and friends who helped shape the studio and encouraged the leap into video—through feedback, ideas, and constant support.

The Dram Amateur Podcast has always been about community over competition, and this episode reinforces that foundation.

🔮 What’s Coming Next

• New guests already booked for the next few months
• Returning favorites and fresh creative concepts
• More experimental, fun, and interactive episodes
• Blind tastings, themed conversations, and collaborative ideas
• A 2026 vision that builds on 2025’s momentum—with more creativity layered in

🥂 Final Pour

Thank you for being part of this journey—whether you’ve listened to one episode or every single one. The support, reposts, messages, and conversations mean more than you know.

🎙️ Video episodes drop soon
⏳ Two weeks until the next full guest episode
🥃 Plenty more pours to come

Until we get to share one more pour together—cheers.

Tasting Notes: Happy New Year, friends — and welcome back to The Dram Amateur Podcast 🥃
This episode is a bit of a reset, a reflection, and a look ahead at what’s coming in 2026.

No guest this time — just me checking in, sharing what I’ve been up to lately, and talking through some great recent experiences around whiskey, agave, community, and the studio.

🥃 What’s Inside This Episode

🎉 Happy New Year

Kicking things off by wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and pour-filled New Year. I talk about stepping into 2026 with intention — slowing down, appreciating the moments, and continuing to build something meaningful around this community.

🎙️ Behind the Scenes: The Studio & What’s New

I share updates on what I’ve been working on lately:

• Continued improvements to the One More Pour Studio
• A brand-new intro for 2026
• Expanding into video content on YouTube, and what that means for the podcast moving forward

It’s all about evolving while keeping the heart of the show the same.

🌍 Whiskies of the World

I recap attending the Whiskies of the World event — great pours, great conversations, and the reminder of how wide and diverse the whiskey world really is. From familiar favorites to new discoveries, events like this always reignite the curiosity.

🎟️ Raffle Day at Max’s Bottle Shop

A fun stop at Max’s Bottle Shop where I took part in a raffle, soaked in the atmosphere, and enjoyed what makes local spots so special — community, conversation, and shared experiences.

🛒 A Visit to Ancestral Bottle Shop

I wrap things up talking about a trip to Ancestral Bottle Shop — a place that truly gets it. Thoughtfully curated bottles, knowledgeable staff, and that feeling of walking into a shop that’s built by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts.

🥃 Final Pour

This episode is all about momentum — reflecting on where things are, appreciating the moments in between, and looking forward to what’s next for the podcast, the studio, and the community around it.

Thank you for continuing to listen, support, and share pours along the way.
Here’s to 2026 — one more pour at a time.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts
📺 YouTube — video episodes coming your way
📸 Follow along on Instagram: @dram_amateur

Tasting Notes:

Some guests show up.
Others bring the room with them.

This episode is all about the latter.

I finally sat down with Big Al — a voice many of you already know from Howl'in with Big Al and the Lounge Life Podcast — for a conversation that felt less like an interview and more like pulling up a chair in a cigar lounge with a good friend.

We talk cigars, bourbon, tequila, fatherhood, grief, laughter, and why slowing down matters more now than ever. This one is honest, thoughtful, and full of moments that remind you why this community is so special.

So pour something you enjoy, light one up if that’s your thing, and settle in.

🤝 Community Over Competition

Big Al embodies what makes the cigar and spirits world special — welcoming people in, sharing knowledge without ego, and creating space for real connection. From podcasting to lounges, this episode reinforces why how you show up matters.

🧠 Slowing Down on Purpose

Cigars and spirits aren’t about rushing — they’re about ritual. From cutting a cigar to nosing a pour, Al explains how these moments force us to pause, reflect, and be present in a world that rarely stops moving.

👨‍👦 Fatherhood, Legacy & Memory

From racing go-karts with his dad to sharing cigars with his son, Al opens up about how passions become bridges across generations — and how those memories shape who we become.

🎧 Finding Your Voice Through Podcasting

We talk about the jump from solo podcast attempts to building chemistry on the Lounge Life Podcast, what makes conversations feel natural, and why the best shows feel like hanging out with friends.

🥃 Palate Evolution (and Letting Go of the Rules)

Whether it’s bourbon, tequila, or cigars, your palate changes — and that’s okay. We break down how tastes evolve, why hype doesn’t equal enjoyment, and why drinking or smoking “the right way” is simply your way.

🎯 Standout Moments

• The cigar that surprised Big Al the most
• Why not every expensive pour is worth chasing
• How infused cigars can be a gateway — not a gimmick
• The importance of grace, patience, and humility in community spaces
• Why being present beats being perfect every time

🎙️ About Our Guest

Big Al (@howlin_wit_big_al) is the host of the Howl'in with Big Al Podcast and co-host of the Lounge Life Podcast, a passionate cigar enthusiast, and one of those people who makes any room feel lighter just by being in it. Known for his laughter, authenticity, and generosity, Al represents the best parts of this community.

🔗 Connect & Listen

🎧 Listen to the episode wherever you get your podcasts
📲 Follow The Dram Amateur Podcast on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook
💬 Join the conversation and let us know your favorite takeaway