CS&D Podcast Episode 14: Nic Christiansen of Barrell Craft Spirits Pieces Together the Blended Whiskey Puzzle

As blender and manager of blending operations for Barrell, a brand committed to sourcing and blending rather than distilling, Christiansen finds creative ways to marry distinct flavors in whiskey without muddling their individual characters.

Molly Troupe Sep 3, 2024 - 3 min read

CS&D Podcast Episode 14: Nic Christiansen of Barrell Craft Spirits Pieces Together the Blended Whiskey Puzzle Primary Image

Subscribe to the Craft Spirits & Distilling Podcast:

As blender and manager of blending operations for the blend-focused brand Barrell Craft Spirits, Nic Christiansen’s job is to understand flavors, how they develop, and how they interact with each other to create harmonious wholes.

In this episode, Christiansen and host Molly Troupe discuss:

  • finding new avenues for flavor in blended whiskey
  • building micro-blends that are then married through additional barrel conditioning
  • the benefits and challenges of sourcing whiskey
  • calculating derived mash bills from the component whiskeys
  • taking a flavor-focused approach to blending
  • aging in a variety of casks and the concurrent evaluation process
  • designing whiskey blends around a creative brief that’s experience-based
  • developing blends that push past typical whiskey guardrails
  • protecting one’s palate
  • working in threes

And more.


G&D Chillers understands that each distillery’s chilling requirements are unique. On every distillery project, G&D offers the front-end design and engineering your team needs at no cost to you. Rebecca Harris, president and head distiller of Catoctin Creek recently shared, “Service after the sale is what really separates the quality of a supplier relationship. G&D Chillers has always been a phone call away when we needed them. For a small business like mine, that partnership makes all the difference.” Whether you distill batch by batch or in a continuous operation, for more than 30 years, G&D has had the proven solution. Visit them today at gdchillers.com.


For more than 11 years, ABS Commercial has been your full-service equipment manufacturer, designing quality distillation equipment ranging from 50L – 5,000L. Whether you are establishing a new distillery or expanding into a brewstillery, our team of experienced engineers and designers works with you to develop customized distilling solutions. With our consultative approach, we tailor to your production capacity, space constraints, and budgetary considerations to help you create quality, crafted spirits. Contact us today at [email protected] to discuss your customized distilling needs.

With a Bachelor degree in Chemistry (with an emphasis in forensics) and a Master degree in Brewing and Distilling from the legendary Heriot Watt University, Molly Troupe uses her education and experience to create products focused on localized ingredients and masterful flavor combinations. As Master Distiller and Partner at Freeland Spirits in Portland, Oregon, she has released six different products ranging from gin to whiskey to canned cocktails.

ARTICLES FOR YOU