

The Philip Duff Show
Philip Duff
Liquor, bars, cocktails: the people and companies who make them, sell them and drink them, plus everything & everyone in-between, with your host, globetrotting spirits guy and escaped bartender, Philip Duff.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 25, 2025 • 1h 41min
#127, Miguel Lancha, global beverage consultant, former head of beverage for Jose Andres Group
Miguel became a mainstay of the burgeoning Spanish cocktail scene in the early 2000s, and we met in 2008, when he brought a crew of Spanish bartenders to the Bols Bartender Academy, which I had founded in Amsterdam. We stayed friends and soon after he moved to the USA, where we reconnected after I moved to NY in 2012. Miguel had a wild ride, from his native Spain to his parents' Venezuela, back to Spain and then on to the Dominican Republic, and finally the US, where he crushed his biggest challenge: opening 50 (!) bars restaurants and clubs for the Jose Andres Group in less than 9 years, all of which made mega revenue, both independently and in hotel groups, and on four continents, before opening his own shop, CORE Consulting. Miguel is a weapon, and if you can hire his firm, you should, and if you want to know how good he is...give this a listen! Miguel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/miguel.f.lancha_drinks/Miguel's firm, CORE Consulting: https://www.corebarconsulting.com/ Get in touch with Duff!Podcast business enquiries: consulting@liquidsolutions.org (PR friends: we’re only interested in having your client on if they can talk for a couple of hours about OTHER things besides their prepared speaking points or their new thing, whatever that is. They need to be able to hang. Oh, plus we don't edit, and we won’t supply prepared or sample questions, or listener or “reach” stats, either, and no, you can't sit in on the interview or Zoom.) Retain Philip’s consulting firm, Liquid Solutions, specialised in on-trade engagement & education, liquor brand creation and repositioning: philip@liquidsolutions.orgPhilip on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philipsduff/ Philip on Facebook: Philip Duff Philip on X/Twitter: Philip Duff (@philipduff) / Twitter Philip on LinkedIn: linkedin.com Old Duff Genever on Instagram: Old Duff Genever (@oldduffgenever) • Instagram photos and videos Old Duff Genever on Facebook: facebook.com Old Duff Genever on X/Twitter: ...

Aug 18, 2025 • 1h 58min
#126, Christian Balke, founder, SIP Advocacy Program (Pernod-Ricard worldwide), Team Leader, Advocacy & Education, Pernod-Ricard Deutschland
Me and Christian met almost twenty years ago; when I was still living in the Netherlands, my friend Robin Weiss asked me to help judge the Havana Club Germany bartender contests, and Christian was involved even back then. In the next few years we hung out at Havana Club contests in Sylt, Dusseldorf, Havana itself and several other cities I can't recall, plus of course Bar Convent Berlin, and Christian always impressed me with his ability to both hang with even the newest and most junior of competing bartenders, and still be up and supervising things at 8am the next day. We had a chat recently at the Cologne Bar Symposium in Germany and I learned that Christian had actually created the new global advocacy program for Pernod-Ricard, SIP, so that was it: I wanted him on the podcast, to catch up with an old friend and professional colleague, and share the tea on how to get a global advocacy program off the ground. This one is GOLD - if you work in advocacy, it's a must-listen. Christian on IG: https://www.instagram.com/herr_balke/SIP on IG: https://www.instagram.com/sip_global?igsh=MWRleDRnczZ0cTdncg== Get in touch with Duff!Podcast business enquiries: consulting@liquidsolutions.org (PR friends: we’re only interested in having your client on if they can talk for a couple of hours about OTHER things besides their prepared speaking points or their new thing, whatever that is. They need to be able to hang. Oh, plus we don't edit, and we won’t supply prepared or sample questions, or listener or “reach” stats, either, and no, you can't sit in on the interview or Zoom.) Retain Philip’s consulting firm, Liquid Solutions, specialised in on-trade engagement & education, liquor brand creation and repositioning: philip@liquidsolutions.orgPhilip on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philipsduff/ Philip on Facebook: Philip Duff Philip on X/Twitter: Philip Duff (@philipduff) / Twitter Philip on LinkedIn: linkedin.com Old Duff Genever on Instagram: Old Duff Genever (@oldduffgenever) • Instagram photos and videos Old Duff Genever on Facebook: facebook.com Old Duff Genever on X/Twitter: ...

Aug 14, 2025 • 37min
#125, BONUS, Amir Babayoff, beverage director, Ophelia Lounge, NYC (collab dual-cast with The Speakeasy podcast)
This is the last of our Tales-recorded episodes, and our final collab with The Speakeasy!Amir, originally from Tel Aviv, runs the cocktail program at one of Manhattan's hidden gems, the amazing Ophelia Lounge on top of the Beekman Tower, one of NY's last remaining true Art Deco skyscrapers, overlooking the UN. He was down at Tales helping us at The Australian Embassy, so myself and Greg dragged him out from behind the bar and into our makeshift podcast studio for a quick martini and a chat - enjoy!Amir on IG: https://www.instagram.com/amirbabayoff/Ophelia Lounge on IG: https://www.instagram.com/opheliany/ Get in touch with Duff!Podcast business enquiries: consulting@liquidsolutions.org (PR friends: we’re only interested in having your client on if they can talk for a couple of hours about OTHER things besides their prepared speaking points or their new thing, whatever that is. They need to be able to hang. Oh, plus we don't edit, and we won’t supply prepared or sample questions, or listener or “reach” stats, either, and no, you can't sit in on the interview or Zoom.) Retain Philip’s consulting firm, Liquid Solutions, specialised in on-trade engagement & education, liquor brand creation and repositioning: philip@liquidsolutions.orgPhilip on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philipsduff/ Philip on Facebook: Philip Duff Philip on X/Twitter: Philip Duff (@philipduff) / Twitter Philip on LinkedIn: linkedin.com Old Duff Genever on Instagram: Old Duff Genever (@oldduffgenever) • Instagram photos and videos Old Duff Genever on Facebook: facebook.com Old Duff Genever on X/Twitter: ...

38 snips
Aug 11, 2025 • 1h 56min
#124, Francois Monti, author, drinks writer, vermouth fanatic
Francois Monti, a drinks writer and vermouth authority, shares his journey from banking in Belgium to becoming a consultant in Spain’s cocktail scene. He dives into the contrasting vermouth cultures of Spain and the U.S., discusses the evolving cocktail literature, and reflects on the impact of Prohibition. The episode celebrates cocktail history, including a tribute to Charles H. Baker Jr., while addressing modern drinking trends among Gen Z and the challenges of independent writing. Expect anecdotes, cultural insights, and a toast to the joy of drinks!

Aug 7, 2025 • 18min
#123, BONUS, Sahil Beri, master blender (and interim CEO), The Australian Bitters Co. (collab dual-cast with The Speakeasy podcast)
Sahil was down in New Orleans to re-launch Australian Bitters Co. in the US, and also because Australian Bitters Co scored both gold and silver medals in the New Orleans Spirits Competition, so me and Greg Benson of The Speakeasy lured him into our makeshift podcast studio and talked about the benefits of having royal family license plates, taking on the Goliath of cocktail bitters companies, and how he sees the bitters market as a whole. Enjoy!(Pic credit: The Cocktail Lovers, link: https://thecocktaillovers.com/meet-the-maker-sahil-beri-the-man-on-a-mission-to-put-australian-bitters-on-the-global-map/Sahil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahil-beri-19691b141 Australian Bitters Co on IG: https://www.instagram.com/australianbitters?igsh=NWlpbXZuYXFtYXd6 Get in touch with Duff!Podcast business enquiries: consulting@liquidsolutions.org (PR friends: we’re only interested in having your client on if they can talk for a couple of hours about OTHER things besides their prepared speaking points or their new thing, whatever that is. They need to be able to hang. Oh, plus we don't edit, and we won’t supply prepared or sample questions, or listener or “reach” stats, either, and no, you can't sit in on the interview or Zoom.) Retain Philip’s consulting firm, Liquid Solutions, specialised in on-trade engagement & education, liquor brand creation and repositioning: philip@liquidsolutions.orgPhilip on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philipsduff/ Philip on Facebook: Philip Duff Philip on X/Twitter: Philip Duff (@philipduff) / Twitter Philip on LinkedIn: linkedin.com Old Duff Genever on Instagram: Old Duff Genever (@oldduffgenever) • Instagram photos and videos Old Duff Genever on Facebook: facebook.com Old Duff Genever on X/Twitter: ...

Aug 4, 2025 • 3h 11min
#122, Jake Burger, mixologist, London bar owner, Portobello Road gin distiller, raconteur
Jake's one of the OG's of the UK bar scene, first making waves by winning multiple cocktail and bartending contests (including one where he won a £10, 000 diamond) when based out of his native Leeds, working in Leeds' top bars and then opening one of his own, then moving to London and opening beloved industry hangout The Portobello Star bar, co-founding the Alternative Bar Awards in the Star, and then upgrading both the Star and its in-house gin still to much larger premises, the Ginstitute, where the brand he co-founded Portobello Road Gin, is produced. Jake's a hilarious man, concealing a deep knowledge of spirits and mixology behind an affable, self-deprecating Northern exterior.The Star, after a period of non-existence, is now back and thriving, as is Portobello Road Gin, and Jake is, God help us, an elder statesman of the UK bar world. Jake was in New Orleans at the same time as me, so we pre-gamed Tales of the Cocktail by meeting up for a martini and some beers, and we shot the shit for an epic three hours one afternoon, enjoy!Jake on IG: https://www.instagram.com/jakefburger/The Portobello Star on IG: https://www.instagram.com/portobello_star/Portobello Road Distillery: https://www.instagram.com/spiritofportobelloroad/?hl=en Get in touch with Duff!Podcast business enquiries: consulting@liquidsolutions.org (PR friends: we’re only interested in having your client on if they can talk for a couple of hours about OTHER things besides their prepared speaking points or their new thing, whatever that is. They need to be able to hang. Oh, plus we don't edit, and we won’t supply prepared or sample questions, or listener or “reach” stats, either, and no, you can't sit in on the interview or Zoom.) Retain Philip’s consulting firm, Liquid Solutions, specialised in on-trade engagement & education, liquor brand creation and repositioning: philip@liquidsolutions.orgPhilip on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philipsduff/ Philip on Facebook: Philip Duff Philip on X/Twitter: Philip Duff (@philipduff) / Twitter Philip on LinkedIn: linkedin.com Old Duff Genever on Instagram: Old Duff Genever (@oldduffgenever) • Instagram photos and videos Old Duff Genever on Facebook: facebook.com Old Duff Genever on X/Twitter: ...

Jul 31, 2025 • 31min
#121, BONUS, Alan Murungi & Guy Brennan, Founders of Procera Gin (collab dual-cast with The Speakeasy podcast)
Down in New Orleans during the Tales of the Cocktail festival, I helped Procera, a luxury gin from Kenya, to run a private hospitality House, which came complete with a pool, so myself and Greg Benson of The Speakeasy had the bright idea to interview the Procera founders, Guy and Alan, while drinking martinis on the rocks, in the pool.Yep, we invented poolcasting!Alan, born and raised in Nairobi, is one of Kenya's most celebrated chefs, a restaurateur, trained brewer (he founded Kenya's first craft brewery) and as well as co-founding Procera, is raising Africa's first herd of cattle for wagyu beef! Guy, who is from Australia, got his MBA in France and spent almost his entire career in microfinance throughout Africa, helping small entrepreneurs gain access to capital to start and grow their businesses, before moving to Nairobi and co-founding Procera. I loved this taping, and, oh yes, HERE the link if you'd like to WATCH this - yep, we recorded video! Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko1RWuYfYWEThis episode is a dual-cast collab with The Speakeasy, the longest-running spirits / bar / cocktail podcast around, to which you should certainly subscribe, link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4MPPFrIDI1sDVjurk9UIGy?si=7kAeza_pS0i6UgtP0oOvXgGreg Benson on IG: https://www.instagram.com/100proofgreg/?hl=enThe Speakeasy on IG: https://www.instagram.com/speakeasypodcast/?hl=enAlan Murungi on IG: https://www.instagram.com/alanmurungi/?hl=enGuy Brennan on IG: https://www.instagram.com/guybrennos?igsh=MXU1d2hzNHE4amp0Nw==Procera Gin on IG: https://www.instagram.com/proceragin?igsh=ZWViYXJyNWJlcmhn Get in touch with Duff!Podcast business enquiries: consulting@liquidsolutions.org (PR friends: we’re only interested in having your client on if they can talk for a couple of hours about OTHER things besides their prepared speaking points or their new thing, whatever that is. They need to be able to hang. Oh, plus we don't edit, and we won’t supply prepared or sample questions, or listener or “reach” stats, either, and no, you can't sit in on the interview or Zoom.) Retain Philip’s consulting firm, Liquid Solutions, specialised in on-trade engagement & education, liquor brand creation and repositioning: philip@liquidsolutions.orgPhilip on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philipsduff/ Philip on Facebook: Philip Duff Philip on X/Twitter: Philip Duff (@philipduff) / Twitter Philip on LinkedIn: linkedin.com Old Duff Genever on Instagram: Old Duff Genever (@oldduffgenever) • Instagram photos and videos Old Duff Genever on Facebook: facebook.com Old Duff Genever on X/Twitter: ...

4 snips
Jul 28, 2025 • 55min
#120, Alexandre Gabriel & Matt Pietrek, authors of “The Rum Never Sets”, a history of naval rum (collab dual-cast with The Speakeasy podcast) 28 July 2025
In this lively conversation, Alexandre Gabriel, master distiller at Maison Ferrand, and Matt Pietrek, a spirits author and publisher, delve into the fascinating world of naval rum. They share Alexandre's unique journey from cognac to rum blending and explore the rich history behind their book, "The Rum Never Sets." The duo discusses the vital role of rum in sailors' lives, debunking myths along the way, and reflects on rum's legacy in naval history, including amusing anecdotes and the evolution of rum recipes. It's a spirited dive into history and culture!

Jul 21, 2025 • 1h 30min
#119, Christian Delpech, 19 x world champion flair bartending, bar director Presidente Miami, bar consultant
I first met Christian, who is Argentinian, in 2000, at the Quest for the Best world bartending championships in Orlando. I'd competed in Quest and Roadhouse and other contests like those quite a few times, but when many of us saw Christian that year - who competed in the Rookie division - a lot of us just decided to retire from competition and become judges! He was that good; next-level, Michael Jordan-good. And he was just getting started: Christian went on to utterly dominate flair bartending contests, becoming practically unbeatable, not just in exhibition and working flair, but also in pourtesting and speed rounds. Headhunted to bartend and perform in Las Vegas, he spent 14 years there before relocating to Miami almost a decade ago, working at the Fontainebleau, Sweet Liberty and Sexy Fish. He's just opened Presidente Miami, the third branch of an Argentinian group of cocktail bar-restaurants and their first American opening, and that was as good an excuse as any for us to sit down and catch up on old times. Enjoy!Christian on IG: https://www.instagram.com/christiandelpechofficial/?hl=enPresidente on IG: https://www.instagram.com/presidentebar.miami/Christian's Freepouring Masterclass: Shaken And Stirred, documentary about flair: https://www.shakenandstirredthemovie.com/ Get in touch with Duff!Podcast business enquiries: consulting@liquidsolutions.org (PR friends: we’re only interested in having your client on if they can talk for a couple of hours about OTHER things besides their prepared speaking points or their new thing, whatever that is. They need to be able to hang. Oh, plus we don't edit, and we won’t supply prepared or sample questions, or listener or “reach” stats, either, and no, you can't sit in on the interview or Zoom.) Retain Philip’s consulting firm, Liquid Solutions, specialised in on-trade engagement & education, liquor brand creation and repositioning: philip@liquidsolutions.orgPhilip on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philipsduff/ Philip on Facebook: Philip Duff Philip on X/Twitter: Philip Duff (@philipduff) / Twitter Philip on LinkedIn: linkedin.com Old Duff Genever on Instagram: Old Duff Genever (@oldduffgenever) • Instagram photos and videos Old Duff Genever on Facebook: facebook.com Old Duff Genever on X/Twitter: ...

Jul 14, 2025 • 2h 46min
#118, Ian Burrell, global rum ambassador, author, “Rum: A Tasting Course”, founder, UK RumFest, co-founder Equiano Rum, EduTainer
I've judged many a cocktail contest with Ian, and he's got a new book out AND just been awarded the Lifetime Achievement award by Tales of the Cocktail, so it was time for us to catch up over a rum or two. Having played basketball in his native UK, and rapped - he still gets royalties from a song of his featured on the soundtrack of "Space Jam" - Ian built a career as the self-styled Global Rum Ambassador, evangelising the whole category at a time when there was very little education about, or even respect for, rum. That led to Ian founding the world's first (and now longest-running) rum festival, UK RumFest, travelling the world to teach about rum, co-founding the Equiano Rum brand, and writing his books, "Rum: A Tasting Course". Enjoy!Ian on IG: https://www.instagram.com/therumambassador/Buy Ian's book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/rum-a-tasting-course-ian-burrell/21335716UK RumFest on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ukrumfest/Equiano Rum on IG: https://www.instagram.com/equianorum/guides/ Get in touch with Duff!Podcast business enquiries: consulting@liquidsolutions.org (PR friends: we’re only interested in having your client on if they can talk for a couple of hours about OTHER things besides their prepared speaking points or their new thing, whatever that is. They need to be able to hang. Oh, plus we don't edit, and we won’t supply prepared or sample questions, or listener or “reach” stats, either, and no, you can't sit in on the interview or Zoom.) Retain Philip’s consulting firm, Liquid Solutions, specialised in on-trade engagement & education, liquor brand creation and repositioning: philip@liquidsolutions.orgPhilip on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philipsduff/ Philip on Facebook: Philip Duff Philip on X/Twitter: Philip Duff (@philipduff) / Twitter Philip on LinkedIn: linkedin.com Old Duff Genever on Instagram: Old Duff Genever (@oldduffgenever) • Instagram photos and videos Old Duff Genever on Facebook: facebook.com Old Duff Genever on X/Twitter: ...