#75 - Life is a Preez: Florida's Best Micro Distillery! | Ramon Perez

#75 - Life is a Preez: Florida's Best Micro Distillery! | Ramon Perez

Author: Allan Cogan March 20, 2026 Duration: 59:09

After 21 years in the U.S. Army, Ramon didn't take it easy in retirement — he opened a distillery. Preez Distillery in Largo, Florida started as a kitchen experiment in Alaska, grew through word of mouth during COVID, and is now one of the most unique craft spirits operations in the state.

In this episode we sit down with Ramon for a wide-ranging conversation about what it really means to make something by hand, why he thinks the word "craft" has been hijacked by the industry, and how he built a business around hospitality first and sales second. We also work through the full product lineup — a sugar-based vodka, a gin that converts gin haters, a strawberry vodka made from fresh Plant City strawberries, and more.

If you've ever thought about turning a passion into a business — or you just love a great spirits story — this one's for you.📍 Preez Distillery — Largo, Florida🌐 preezdistillery.com—#CraftDistillery #FloridaDistilling #craftwhiskey #DistilleryTour #CraftSpirits #EntrepreneurStory #floridalife #AmericanWhiskey #SmallBusinessJourneySupport Crafted ConversationsEverything you see and hear on this show — including travel — is funded out of pocket. If you believe in our mission of spotlighting the people and stories behind small businesses, you can support the show at:buymeacoffee.com/craftedconvosBuy Me a Coffee allows for simple one-time donations or a monthly contribution. Every dollar goes directly into creating more episodes and giving breweries, distilleries, and makers the spotlight they deserve.Stay ConnectedWebsite: www.craftedconvos.comFollow: @craftedconvospodSubscribe on YouTube: @craftedconvospodProduced by: Allan Cogan, Grant Brown, Nick Post, and Andrew SindallCrafted Conversations Media LLCFull video available on YouTube and SpotifyQuestions or inquiries: coganconvo@gmail.comMusic provided by Artlist.io (copyright information available upon request)Cheers!This episode features conversations about alcohol. Please drink responsibly.


There's a story in every bottle, a history in every glass, and a person behind every label. Crafted Conversations is a journey into the world of whiskey that goes far beyond tasting notes. Host Allan Cogan travels from historic Scottish distilleries to innovative urban bars, sitting down with the individuals whose lives are intertwined with this craft. You'll hear directly from Master Distillers about the alchemy of aging, from distillery owners about the risks and rewards of a family legacy, and from mixologists who treat whiskey as a living ingredient. This podcast digs into the personal journals of its guests, uncovering the passion, tradition, and sometimes sheer stubbornness that defines their work. It’s less about the technical specs and more about the human spirit-the late nights, the failed experiments, and the moments of triumph. Each episode feels like pulling up a stool for a deep, meandering talk with someone who has dedicated their life to their art. Through these genuine dialogues, the culture and society surrounding whiskey come into sharp focus, revealing how a simple spirit can connect people across continents. Tune in for a series of intimate portraits that just happen to be set against a backdrop of oak barrels and copper stills.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 77

Crafted Conversations
Podcast Episodes
Exclusively Craft | Selling the Story, Not Just the Bottle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:31
Beth Hurwitz spent 15 years selling bottles to distillers. She knew the product, she knew the people, and she knew the problem — the three-tier system was leaving incredible craft spirits with nowhere to go and no one to…
#74 - Whiskey Run: Building a Wisconsin Craft Distillery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:50:06
Join me in New Glarus, WI with Todd Kuehl, founder of Whiskey Run, as we explore what it takes to build a small-town craft distillery from the ground up. From transitioning a winery to whiskey, to grain-to-glass producti…
#72 - Vetus Distillery w/ Kate Kercheva [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:08
In this episode I traveled to Monroe, North Carolina to chat with Kate Kercheva, the wife of the fantastic husband and wife team behind Vetus Distillery who pride themselves on sharing their Bulgarian traditions and root…
#70 - Fair Game Beverage Co. w/ Lyle Estill [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:52
In this episode I traveled to Pittsboro, North Carolina to chat with Lyle Estill - the esteemed Lion Tamer of Fair Game Beverage Company!I can't thank Lyle and the Fair Game team enough for their generosity and hospitali…
#69 - Muddy River Distillery w/ Robbie Delaney [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:30
In this episode I traveled to Mount Holly, North Carolina to chat with Robbie Delaney, owner and operator of Muddy River Distillery!I can't thank Robbie and the Muddy River team enough for their generosity and hospitalit…
#68 - Catoctin Creek Distilling Co. w/ Scott Harris [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:35
In this episode I traveled to Purcellville, Virginia to pay a visit to our friends at Catoctin Creek! In our previous episode with Catoctin, we sat down with the great Becky Harris - but this time around we were joined b…
#67 - Los Angeles Distillery w/ Lewis Harsanyi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:39
In this episode I traveled to Los Angeles, California to visit the great Lewis Harsanyi - a Hungarian immigrant making some delicious whiskey at Los Angeles Distillery! I can't thank Lewis enough for his generosity and h…
#66 - Dismal Harmony Distilling w/ Bob Dillon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:22
In this episode I traveled to Morristown, NJ to visit Dismal Harmony Distilling and sat down with the mastermind of liqueurs: Bob Dillon!I can't thank Bob and the Dismal Harmony family enough for their hospitality and we…