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Proof of Concept

Proof of Concept

By: Toby Blue | Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of The Tasting Alliance
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About this listen

 Welcome to Proof of Concept, the official podcast of The Tasting Alliance — the team behind the world’s most prestigious spirits competitions, including the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, New York World Spirits Competition, Asia World Spirits Competition, and Latin America World Spirits Competition. Hosted by Toby Blue, Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of The Tasting Alliance and longtime spirits industry executive and Jason Rabinowitz, Multiple Grammy Award Nominee and Entertainment Industry Veteran, this series explores the journeys behind the world’s most exceptional Double Gold–winning spirits — and the founders bold enough to build them. At its core, Proof of Concept is about entrepreneurship, craftsmanship, innovation and resilience. Each episode dives deep into the stories of founders, distillers, master blenders and visionaries who transformed an idea into an award-winning spirit — validated under the most rigorous blind tasting standards in the world. Proof as potency. Proof as validation. Proof that an idea can work. This podcast is where passion meets purpose, and where brand building, storytelling, sustainability, leadership and legacy intersect in the glass. From Idea to Icon. From Grain to Glass to Gold.2026 Art Cooking Economics Food & Wine Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Guardians of Tradition: Mezcal Vago’s Global Journey

    Guardians of Tradition: Mezcal Vago’s Global Journey
    Apr 28 2026
    In this episode of Proof of Concept, hosts Toby Blue and Jason Rabinowitz speak with Judah Kuper, co-founder of Mezcal Vago, about the journey behind one of the world’s most respected artisanal mezcal brands. Built on deep relationships with generational mezcaleros, Mezcal Vago is known for radical transparency — crediting each batch to the maestro who made it and documenting every detail from agave species to fermentation and distillation methods. Judah shares how the brand’s philosophy, “Don’t kill the magic,” guides their approach to growth, sustainability, and sharing mezcal with a global audience while protecting its cultural roots. The conversation explores the delicate balance between tradition and scale, the pride and recognition that international awards have brought to Oaxaca’s palenques, and what it means to build a spirits brand that uplifts the people and communities behind the craft.
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Brother’s Bond Tasting - Inviting, Approachable, and Decadent

    Brother’s Bond Tasting - Inviting, Approachable, and Decadent
    Apr 14 2026
    In this bonus episode of Proof of Concept, hosts Toby Blue and Jason Rabinowitz sit down with Ian Somerhalder for a guided tasting of Brother’s Bond Bourbon. This conversation goes beyond the story and into the glass, breaking down flavor, balance, and the craftsmanship behind every sip. From notes and structure to the intention behind the blend, this tasting offers a deeper look at how quality shows up in the final product and what sets an award-winning bourbon apart. Whether you’re a spirits enthusiast or just bourbon-curious, this is your chance to experience the craft.
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    5 mins
  • Blending Bourbon with Purpose: Inside Brother’s Bond Bourbon

    Blending Bourbon with Purpose: Inside Brother’s Bond Bourbon
    Mar 31 2026
    What does it take to turn a friendship into a Double Gold–winning bourbon? On this episode of Proof of Concept, presented by The Tasting Alliance, hosts Toby Blue and Jason Rabinowitz sit down with Ian Somerhalder, co-founder and Brand Guardian of Brothers Bond Bourbon. Ian shares how a shared vision, hands-on craftsmanship, and uncompromising standards helped build one of the fastest-growing and most awarded bourbon brands in the U.S. From blending and grain selection to sustainability and regenerative agriculture, this conversation explores what it takes to earn credibility, and Double Gold recognition, in a crowded spirits market. This is a story of proof: that purpose, partnership, and craft can stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best bourbons.
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    1 hr
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