Potatoes, Passion & Peated Whiskey: The Muff Liquor Story

Explicit content warning

04/14/25 • 50 min

In this episode of The Cocktail Academy, host Damian sits down with Laura Bonner, founder of The Muff Liquor Company, for a deep dive into how a Donegal girl with a bold dream turned her family roots (and potatoes!) into a premium international spirits brand.

Laura shares the very real ups and downs of building a business—from an idea sparked by her grandfather’s poitin to launching a spirits range that's now taking the U.S. by storm. You’ll hear the unfiltered story behind the cheeky brand name, the fight to be taken seriously, and how she landed global investors like Russell Crowe and Ed Sheeran.

Whether you're into Irish spirits, brand-building, or just a sucker for a great origin story, this one is packed with lessons, laughs, and serious hustle.

🥃 WHAT WE COVER:

🥔 Why Laura swapped law books for potatoes
🚀 The 12-year journey from idea to first bottle
🏭 Building a brand (before building a distillery)
🔥 The power of persistence and ignoring the naysayers
🍸 Why her gin isn’t juniper-heavy (and that’s the point)
🥃 Creating one of Ireland’s few peated whiskeys—and why it’s flying in the U.S.
🤝 How a shot of hustle landed her celebrity investors
📦 What cocktails and COVID taught her about consumer connection
🌍 Her mission to bring four Irish spirits to all 50 U.S. states

🔗 CONNECT WITH LAURA / THE MUFF LIQUOR COMPANY:

Website: muffliquorcompany.com
Instagram: @muffliquorcompany

🎙️ FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE:

If you loved this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’d appreciate a behind-the-scenes look at one of Ireland’s boldest spirits brands.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whether you're into Irish spirits, brand-building, or just a sucker for a great origin story, this one is packed with lessons, laughs, and serious hustle.

🥃 WHAT WE COVER:

🥔 Why Laura swapped law books for potatoes
🚀 The 12-year journey from idea to first bottle
🏭 Building a brand (before building a distillery)
🔥 The power of persistence and ignoring the naysayers
🍸 Why her gin isn’t juniper-heavy (and that’s the point)
🥃 Creating one of Ireland’s few peated whiskeys—and why it’s flying in the U.S.
🤝 How a shot of hustle landed her celebrity investors
📦 What cocktails and COVID taught her about consumer connection
🌍 Her mission to bring four Irish spirits to all 50 U.S. states

🔗 CONNECT WITH LAURA / THE MUFF LIQUOR COMPANY:

Website: muffliquorcompany.com
Instagram: @muffliquorcompany

🎙️ FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE:

If you loved this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’d appreciate a behind-the-scenes look at one of Ireland’s boldest spirits brands.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

Jillian Vose on Crafting Cocktails and Creating Outwalker Irish Whiskey

This week on the Cocktail Academy Podcast, Damian is joined by none other than Jillian Vose — bartender, creator, and the brains behind Outwalker Irish Whiskey. From scooping ice cream in Cape Cod to shaking cocktails in New York’s most iconic bars, Jillian shares the journey that led her from high-volume service to high-level spirits innovation.

They dive into her early hospitality days in Arizona, her time at legendary venues like Maison Premiere, Clover Club, Death & Co., and The Dead Rabbit, and how she honed her craft through fine dining, education, and creative collaboration. Jillian also opens up about the development process behind Outwalker — from cask choices to proof levels — and what it really takes to create a whiskey blend with intention and identity.

Whether you're a bar manager, a cocktail nerd, or just love a good story over a good drink, this episode is packed with insight, laughs, and a few f-bombs (all lovingly delivered).

What You’ll Learn:

Jillian’s career path from Cape Cod to New York City
The role of education in mastering spirits and cocktails
How Death & Co. shaped her creative process
The inspiration behind Outwalker Whiskey — and why 44.5% ABV was the magic number
Lessons in collaboration, guest experience, and staying grounded in hospitality

Featured Guest:

👩‍🍳 Jillian Vose — Bartender, creative force, and co-founder of Outwalker Irish Whiskey

Follow Jillian:

📷 @jillianvose

Support the Podcast:

If you’re enjoying the show, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with your cocktail crew.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.