#81 - He Bet His Life Savings on a Distillery. Then the World Shut Down.

#81 - He Bet His Life Savings on a Distillery. Then the World Shut Down.

Author: Allan Cogan July 17, 2026 Duration: 1:03:20

Allan sits down with Shane Faulkner at End of Days Distillery — housed in a restored WWII-era Quonset hut in Wilmington, North Carolina's Cargo District. Shane opened the doors just six weeks before COVID hit, and instead of shutting down, pivoted the entire operation to producing hand sanitizer, giving away roughly 18,000 bottles to the community for free.


From award-winning gin built off 12 blind-tasted iterations, to an American Single Malt made with heather and pecan-smoked grain, to a 114-proof Navy Strength Rum finished with staves from four countries — Shane walks through the wins, the happy accidents, and the mistakes that shaped End of Days into what it is today.


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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: 50

Crafted Conversations
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#72 - Vetus Distillery w/ Kate Kercheva [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:08
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