Not Real Art

Whiskey is more than just a drink; in fact, the word “whiskey” derives from the Gaelic phrase uisge beatha, meaning “water of life.” In today’s podcast episode, NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power sits down with Jared Himstedt and Gabe RiCharde of Balcones Distilling to discuss the duo’s philosophy on crafting fine whiskey in Waco, Texas. Key Points From This Episode:What “Balcones” means and how it’s relevant to Texas and Balcones DistillingChallenges that come with high standards and keeping a business localHow Jared and Gabe use raw ingredients as tools for artistic expressionWhere Balcones falls on the spectrum between tradition, rebellion, and innovationThe significance of Texas to Balcones Distilling and the American Single Malt MovementProduct development at Balcones and their sometimes surprising sources of inspirationWhy artists shouldn’t rely on critical acclaim, external validation, or market feedbackInsight into Gabe’s journey from geologist to spirits manager at BalconesJared’s deeply pe