No filters, full glass, full of s#it

The Whiskey Friends are finally back around the table after more than a year away—and it doesn't take long to prove that very little has changed.

Ken, Doc, Iggy, and Michael catch up over Weller Single Barrel and E. H. Taylor while discussing memorable bottles, the changing whiskey market, and future episodes.

Melissa from Des Moines Whiskey Fest joins the conversation to discuss her plans for the festival, including whiskey tastings, live music, food, charitable giving, and her larger vision for bringing people together through shared experiences. Listen for a ticket discount code during the show.

Along the way, expect Malört, Casey’s breakfast pizza, questionable medical advice, bourbon-and-bacon ideas, a Vegas story, and plenty of immature behavior.

This is not polished whiskey snobbery. It is four friends sharing whiskey, stories, laughter, and almost no good judgment.

Welcome back to the Whiskey Friends.

Adult language and humor are included.

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,

“Ever wondered what happens when a whiskey lover drags his whiskey-hating partner into the world of bourbon? This week on The Whisky Friends, we’re joined by TikTok’s ‘She Hates My Whiskey’ duo — Matt and Renee — who bring their hilarious on-camera chemistry to our table. From sweet maple Canadian pours to high-proof burn, we sip our way through rare bottles, unexpected favorites, and whiskey fails.

Along the way, we talk TikTok fame, local finds, and why friendship — not just whiskey — keeps us coming back for another pour. Grab your glass, settle in, and enjoy the ride. Cheers!”

You can find Matt and Renee on TikTok by following the link HERE.