The chicks slid their way into the studio—literally. Ice, near-falls, and an immediate demand for salt and filters. The AI debate kicks things off: JoJo thanks ChatGPT like a person, Bill has a whole Irish-accented Alexa situation, and apparently saying "please" to AI is burning enough energy to heat a lake. Science.
Enter Matt Lusinarius, Sales Director at Empire State Distillers—and yes, Rebecca attempted the name before recording. Bravely. They originally invited his wife Sarah, who looks like a China doll and couldn't make it. Matt showed up instead. With bottles. Already winning.
Empire State Distillers is a veteran and first responder owned company out of Geneva. The mission goes beyond great spirits because a portion of every sale supports the families of veterans and first responders, the ones who get left out to dry while their person carries the trauma home.
The brand is called Battle Rattle. There are five spirits, each named after something that means something to Matt. The vodka? Fire for Effect. The bourbon? I Work for a Living. The gin? It's called New Jack and it tastes like Fruit Loops in liquid form, going down dangerously smooth. The brandy is named after Sergeant Esparza, a Mexican immigrant who became a naturalized citizen and served in the US military. A true American. JoJo may have teared up.
Matt also played pro soccer across four continents, and when he retired in 2015 he struggled like a lot of veterans do figuring out who you are when the thing that defined you is gone.
Their tasting room opens in Ontario, NY in March. Find bottles near you at battlerattle.us.
Spirits, haunted wineries, veteran pride, and a gin recipe that'll ruin every other cocktail you've ever had...this episode has it all!
