After nearly a year away, Whiskey Friends is back.

In this special return episode, Ken Allsup sits down with Melissa Merrifield, Levi Fahlenkamp, and Wes Fahlenkamp, part of the new ownership team behind the Des Moines Whiskey Festival. The conversation explores how the group became involved with the event, their plans for the future, and how they hope to create a premier whiskey experience in Iowa.

The discussion covers Iowa distilleries, whiskey tourism, festival planning, collecting bottles, favorite pours, and the friendships that often form around a shared glass of whiskey.

Joining the conversation are Matt and Renee from She Hates My Whiskey, who share their experiences discovering new whiskeys and even put a bottle through its paces during a live tasting around the table.

Whether you're a longtime bourbon enthusiast, a scotch lover, or just whiskey curious, this episode offers an inside look at one of Iowa's biggest whiskey events and the people working to build its future.

Topics Include:

• The return of Whiskey Friends
• New ownership of Des Moines Whiskey Fest
• Women & Whiskey and Whiskey Reserve events
• Iowa distilleries and whiskey tourism
• Building a whiskey community
• Collecting and tasting whiskey
• Cedar Ridge, Revelton, Templeton Rye and more
• Live tasting with She Hates My Whiskey
• What's ahead for Iowa whiskey enthusiasts

Learn more about the Des Moines Whiskey Festival at DSMWhiskeyFest.com

Enjoy responsibly.

Keywords:

Whisky Friends, Des Moines Whiskey Festival, Iowa whiskey, bourbon, whiskey podcast, Cedar Ridge, Templeton Rye, Revelton Distilling, Iowa distilleries, whiskey tasting, bourbon community, whiskey tourism, She Hates My Whiskey,