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Dan reunites with his longtime buddy Zane Lamprey, a man who has somehow turned drinking on camera into a multi-decade career and lived to write about it. Zane joins the show to talk about his new book Glass Half Full, a funny, self-aware look at the highs, lows, and hangovers that come with chasing a dream in the booze business. Along the way, he and Dan swap war stories from the road, talk about the brutal reality of keeping shows alive in a fickle TV landscape, and, naturally, get into what they’re drinking now. It’s equal parts nostalgia, comedy, and a reminder that if you can laugh at the chaos, you’re probably doing something right. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week Dan sits down with Johnny Depp to talk about his newly launched rum brand, Three Hearts. The conversation covers everything from the rich, rebellious history of rum (pirates, privateers, and plenty of bad decisions) to what drew Johnny into the spirits world in the first place. He also makes a compelling case for why dark rum is where the real soul of the category lives—deeper flavor, more character, less of that spring-break-in-a-plastic-cup energy. Along the way, they dip into Johnny’s film career, the strange parallels between storytelling and spirit-making, and how both require a certain tolerance for chaos. Dan also recaps the Three Hearts launch party... an only-in-L.A. affair where he found himself talking shop with Steven Tyler, Beck, Jerry Cantrell, and a rotating cast of rock royalty. Not a bad night’s work. It’s a little chaotic, a little boozy, and exactly the kind of conversation you hope to overhear but rarely do. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dan and Brad Japhe raise a glass to one of the world’s most enduring cocktails in this celebratory deep dive into National Gin & Tonic Day. From its roots as a medicinal mashup of quinine-laced tonic and British gin in colonial India to its modern status as a global go-to refresher, the G&T gets the full treatment—history, technique, and why it still hits like nothing else on a hot day. Then it’s onto the good stuff: a spirited tour through some of the most compelling gins behind today’s best pours. Dan and Brad break down the botanical fireworks of Monkey 47, the refined elegance of Nolet’s, the cocktail workhorse reliability of Ford’s, the intriguing newcomer Strange Nature, the Japanese precision of Roku, and the timeless, juniper-forward backbone of Tanqueray, which is still setting the standard since 1830. Whether you’re a die-hard gin nerd or just someone looking to upgrade your next G&T, this episode delivers equal parts education, opinion, and thirsty enthusiasm. Bottom line: better gin, better tonic, better life. Cheers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

March has not exactly been Dan’s month, so in the interest of preserving what was left of his sanity, he headed south to San Diego for a change of scenery and a stiff drink with Trey Zoeller, the founder of Jefferson's Bourbon. Trey was in SD for a pretty wild reason: Jefferson’s has teamed up with Holland America Line to launch a new ocean-aged whiskey project, which involves loading a barrel of bourbon onto a cruise ship and letting the sea do its thing. It’s part science experiment, part marketing genius, and entirely on brand for a guy who’s built a career on pushing whiskey into uncharted waters. Dan and Trey post up in San Diego, sip something strong, and get into it: the origins of Jefferson’s, the magic (and madness) of aging whiskey at sea, what happens to a barrel sloshing around the Pacific, and why this partnership could be one of the more interesting collaborations in the spirits world right now. It’s equal parts therapy session, boozy adventure, and deep dive into one of bourbon’s more unconventional minds. Cheers to getting out of town—and back in the game. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We took the show to Townhouse in Venice Beach for a live recording with the incomparable William H. Macy and, yeah, he more than delivered. Alongside Brad Japhe, we talk through Bill’s decades-spanning acting career, his involvement with Woody Creek Distillers, and the single best nugget of wisdom he ever got from David Mamet. As a bonus, Bill caps off the night with a few original tunes on the ukulele, because of course he does. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of What We’re Drinking, Dan is joined by Colm O’Connor, Guinness Brewery Ambassador straight out of the legendary Guinness Storehouse in Dublin. Together, they dive deep into all things Guinness—its rich history, the craft behind the perfect pour, enduring myths, and why it remains one of the most iconic beers on the planet. With St. Patrick’s Day upon us, Colm shares how the holiday is celebrated in Ireland versus the States, along with a few insider tips to help you drink Guinness the way it was meant to be enjoyed. But it’s not all pints and craic. Dan also takes a moment to pay tribute to a dear friend who recently passed, reflecting on a life well-lived and the kind of friendship that leaves a lasting mark. It’s an episode that balances celebration and remembrance, raising a pint to both. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this St. Patrick’s Day–themed episode, Dan is joined by esteemed spirits writer Brad Japhe for a deep dive into the rich history and remarkable resurgence of Irish whiskey. Tasting their way through five standout expressions—Jameson Triple Triple, Redbreast Moscatel Wine Cask Edition, Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy, Green Spot, and Powers Gold Label—the two explore what makes each bottle unique while unpacking the centuries-old traditions behind Ireland’s most iconic spirit. Along the way, they break down the origins of St. Patrick’s Day, share a few favorite Irish whiskey cocktails, and offer plenty of spirited commentary for anyone looking to celebrate the holiday with a proper pour. Sláinte! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jon Taffer is back, and this time he’s raising hell in honor of Season 10 of Bar Rescue. The hospitality hitman joins me to talk about a decade of blowups, breakdowns, and barstool breakthroughs, what still shocks him after all these years, and why so many owners keep screwing up the same fundamentals. We get into the psychology of failing bars, the art (and science) of turning them around under the glare of reality TV, and what this milestone season says about the state of the bar business in America. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on What We’re Drinking with Dan Dunn, we welcome one of the true mad scientists of the spirits world: Alexandre Gabriel, founder and master blender of Maison Ferrand. Our main focus is the release of Batch No. 2 of Planteray Mister Fogg Navy Rum, a bold, high-seas-inspired expression that channels the swagger, strength, and storytelling tradition of classic Navy rum. Alexandre walks us through his long-standing fascination with maritime rum history, from the British Royal Navy’s daily tot to the complex blending traditions that defined the category. What started as historical curiosity evolved into a full-blown passion project, and ultimately into Mister Fogg itself. We also dig into the innovative techniques behind the bottle, including Maison Ferrand’s dynamic aging philosophy and the uniquely named “Navy Active Vatting” process—a method designed to mimic the movement, mingling, and oxidative influence rum once experienced aboard ships at sea. The result? A layered, muscular spirit that manages to feel both historically grounded and strikingly modern. If you’re into rum, naval lore, obsessive blending, or simply listening to a master at work, this one’s for you. Pour yourself something sturdy and join us. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

National Margarita Day falls on February 22nd, and we’re celebrating accordingly at WWD Headquarters. On this special episode, Dan is joined by Margarita Time author Caroline Pardilla and spirits expert Brad Japhe for a deep dive into America’s most beloved tequila cocktail, and the agave spirits that make it all possible. We break down why the Margarita remains endlessly popular, deceptively simple, and perpetually reinvented, then get into an in-depth assessment of standout agave spirits that shine in the glass. The tasting lineup includes four tequilas—Código 1530, Olmeca Altos, G4, and El Tesoro—alongside two mezcals, Del Maguey and Hedonistas de la Fe. It’s part history lesson, part tasting session, and part spirited debate about what really makes a great Margarita...just in time to raise a glass on February 22. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Essential Mardi Gras Cocktails is a spirited, history-soaked romp through New Orleans drinking culture, with Dan joined by WWD’s official roving correspondent Brad Japhe and Abigail Gullo, Bar Director at Loa and a James Beard Award semifinalist. Together, they trace the roots of Mardi Gras itself before diving deep into the cocktails that define the season and the city: the Hurricane, Ramos Gin Fizz, Sidecar, French 75, Vieux Carré, Sazerac, Bourbon Milk Punch and a new instant classic that Abigail created. Along the way, they unpack technique, lore, and evolution, spotlighting featured spirits including Rabbit Hole Distillery Bourbon and Rye, Planteray Rum Three Stars and Original Dark Rum, Wilde Irish Gin, and Maison Ferrand’s Cognac 1840 Original Formula and Dry Curaçao. The result is equal parts cocktail masterclass, cultural history, and laid-back New Orleans hang. Perfect for anyone who likes their Mardi Gras with a little depth in the glass. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dan and roving correspondent Brad Japhe dive into The Wonders of Italian Wine, spotlighting standout pours from Luca Bosio Vineyards and Bel Colle, including a lineup of single-vineyard Barbaresco and Barolo. Along the way, they unpack what makes Bel Colle’s celebrated Monvigliero and Bussia Grand Cru holdings so special, and explore how Luca Bosio blends generations of vineyard know-how with modern, low-intervention winemaking to deliver wines defined by clarity, structure, and sense of place. Dan also weighs in on reports that Gen Z is drinking less, and what that might mean for the future of drinking culture. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The episode opens with Dan getting candid about the weird emotional math of making a weekly podcast—and creative work in general—when the world feels like it’s perpetually on fire. He talks through the balancing act: staying engaged, staying human, and still showing up to do the job without pretending everything’s fine. From there, Dan shifts gears to something grounding and familiar: his friend and frequent guest Maynard James Keenan, and his latest venture, a thoughtfully curated coffee club that combines quality beans with the same obsessive attention to detail Maynard brings to everything else he does. Then it’s on to today’s main event: a wide-ranging, relaxed conversation with Steven Soderbergh. With National Singani Day around the corner, Steven talks about his passion for Bolivia’s national spirit and the story behind his brand, Singani 63—why singani matters, how people should drink it, and why it deserves a bigger place in the global spirits conversation. Steven also digs into his latest film and television projects, including a documentary he’s producing built around the final interview John Lennon and Yoko Ono ever did together, recorded just one day before Lennon was killed. A haunting, historically significant moment that’s only now being revisited. To close things out on a lighter note, Dan puts Steven through a game that tests his b******t detector: guessing whether a series of obscure “holidays” are real or completely made up. Some he nails. Some… not so much. Heavy thoughts, good drinks, pop culture, history, and a little nonsense. Pretty much the full What We’re Drinking experience. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this edition of What We’re Drinking with Dan Dunn, Dan sits down with writer, cultural agitator, and longtime professional pundit Joel Stein for a conversation that cuts straight through wine, journalism, mortality, and modern American weirdness. Dan and Joel talk frankly about the sad, shrinking state of journalism. What it used to be, what it’s become, and why so many writers now find themselves operating outside the old institutions, whether they planned to or not. That leads naturally to a discussion of the recent death of Scott Adams, and Joel’s clear-eyed, unsentimental piece on Adams for The New York Times, a meditation on talent, provocation, and what happens when a cultural figure spends years daring the world to turn on him. The conversation turns darker with news that the investigation into Hunter S. Thompson’s death has been reopened. Dan, who was friends with Hunter for years, offers his own perspective—measured, personal, and skeptical—on what reopening the case means, what it doesn’t, and why some legends refuse to stay buried no matter how definitive the ending once seemed. Dan also runs through his favorite cities to drink in across America. Places where bars still feel lived-in and drinks are poured with conviction. And, in a moment of humility rarely captured on tape, he admits to losing a football bet to Braiden Albrecht of Mayacamas Vineyards, proving once again that confidence and gambling are distant cousins at best. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of 3-Minute Bartender, Dan turns his attention to one of winter’s most reliable coping mechanisms: a mug filled with something hot, boozy, and unapologetically indulgent. Cold weather is not his natural habitat, so when temperatures drop, the response is simple: build a drink designed to push back. The Hot Buttered Rum is a cocktail that often gets dismissed before it’s properly understood. Dan explains why it works so well, tracing its roots to early American drinking culture, when rum was abundant, butter was a staple, and comfort mattered more than restraint. He breaks down the two essential approaches: a classic batter-based version that delivers richness and depth, and a streamlined method for nights when speed matters but quality still counts. Along the way, he offers guidance on rum styles, spice control, and common missteps that can derail the drink. The result is a clear case for Hot Buttered Rum as a cold-weather essential. Practical, comforting, and far better than its reputation suggests. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.