Master blender Ryan Perry reveals the personal stories behind Heaven's Door whiskey that you can't find online.
The episode opens with host Mike G introducing Ryan Perry as the master blender for Heaven's Door whiskey, promising exclusive personal insights. Perry reflects on his childhood in rural Michigan, where he spent time outdoors and developed an early interest in escaping small-town life. He describes his communication style, emphasizing phone calls over email and critiquing written communication as inefficient. Perry discusses his entrepreneurial mindset, calling it a 'disease' and explaining that he never feels satisfied, always reinvesting profits into new ventures. He talks about the challenges of being present for family due to his work obsession. Perry shares his decision-making philosophy, noting that indecision is worse than making a wrong choice. He mentors students at DePaul, finding inspiration in their fearlessness. The conversation shifts to whiskey blending, where Perry explains how he uses smell to evoke memories and create flavors, describing Heaven's Door products as 'bottles of nostalgia.' He addresses perceptions of Tennessee whiskey compared to Kentucky and discusses Heaven's Door's strategy for consistency and limited releases. Perry reveals plans to expand into agave and other spirits through his ventures. He admits to a fear of being poor, driving his financial conservatism. The episode ends with Perry choosing Michael Jackson as his ideal drinking companion, citing childhood musical inspiration.
