Zach Johnston
Chief Brand Officer, Blackwood Distilling & Renegade Whiskey Critic
Zach Johnston has lived about five whiskey careers in one lifetime. From Berlin’s high-end bar scene to judging international spirits competitions, Zach brings global expertise to every pour. As the former lead drinks writer at UPROXX, he built one of the most-read whiskey columns on the internet, known for pairing top-tier spirits with pop culture deep dives. Now, he serves as Chief Brand Officer and VP of International Sales for Blackwood Distilling in Kentucky. On Film & Whiskey, Zach’s blend of irreverence, authority, and perfectly off-the-wall pairings has made him a fan favorite, whether he’s sipping Barrell Dovetail during Jojo Rabbit or getting philosophical over Ikiru with a glass of Mossburn.
11
Sept. 23, 2025
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007) / Old Overholt 4-Year Rye
Bob and Brad revisit The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, one of Brad's most reviled movies, alongside guest Zach Johnston of Blackwood Distilling. The conversation delves into the film's unconventional structure, the mythologizing of Jesse James and the American mythos, as well as the historical context of the film's characters. Then, Bob and Brad taste Old Overholt 4-Year Rye, a budget pour that punches above its 86-proof stature. (0:00) Intro (08:07) Brad Explains, P...
Guest: Zach Johnston
25
April 1, 2025
Jojo Rabbit (2019) / Barrell Dovetail Gold Label Whiskey feat. Zach Johnston, Blackwood Distilling
Bob and Brad are joined by returning guest Zach Johnston, master blender at Blackwood Distilling, for a conversation about Taika Waititi’s 2019 film Jojo Rabbit. This genre-bending satire explores the absurdity of hatred, nationalism, and innocence lost…all through the eyes of a 10-year-old boy and his imaginary friend: Adolf Hitler. Then, the guys sip and savor one of the most premium releases to ever grace the podcast—Barrell Craft Spirits' Dovetail Gold Label. With an MSRP of $500 and proo...
Guest: Zach Johnston
Sept. 24, 2024
Blackwood Distilling Co.: Behind the Scenes
In today’s episode, Bob Book flies solo while Brad is on vacation. Bob sits down with Blackwood Distilling Co. founder, Guinness McFadden, and Chief Brand Officer, Zach Johnston. They discuss the origins of Blackwood Distilling, the unique toasted barrel bourbon and rye offerings, and what’s next for the company. If you’re a fan of whiskey and want a behind-the-scenes look at how a small distillery operates, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!
Guests: Zach Johnston , Guinness McFadden
29
July 23, 2024
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story / Jim Beam Devil's Cut Bourbon Whiskey
In this episode, Bob and Brad are joined by Zach Johnston, global brand ambassador for Blackwood Spirits, to dive into the thrilling universe of "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" and sip on the bold flavors of Jim Beam Devil's Cut Bourbon Whiskey. Join us as we explore the Rebel Alliance's daring mission and the rich, extracted notes of this unique bourbon.
Guest: Zach Johnston
Dec. 20, 2023
Zach's Whiskey Corner: Dazed and Confused / Balcones Cataleja ft. Lee Diaz, ReserveBar
Welcome back to Zach's Whiskey Corner, a unique fusion of film lore and whiskey lore, hosted by Zach Johnston from Uproxx. In this episode, we're joined by Lee Diaz of ReserveBar for a nostalgic trip back to the 90s with the coming-of-age classic, "Dazed and Confused." To complement our film discussion, we're savoring the rich and unique Balcones Cataleja whiskey. Film & Whiskey Podcast. New episodes every Tuesday. Film & Whiskey Instagram...
Guests: Zach Johnston , Lee DIaz
Dec. 14, 2023
Zach's Whiskey Corner: First Blood / Woodinville Ginja Cask ft. Adam Tod Brown and Danger Van Gorder
Welcome to another action-packed episode of Zach's Whiskey Corner, part of the Film & Whiskey Podcast. Today, host Zach Johnston from Uproxx delves into the adrenaline-fueled world of "First Blood," the cult classic action movie. Joining Zach are two special guests: Adam Tod Brown, the brilliant mind behind the "You Don't Even Like This Show" Podcast, and Mike "Danger" Van Gorder from the band Countless Thousands. We're not just talking movies; we're also tasting the unique Woodinville Whiskey G...
Guest: Zach Johnston
Dec. 6, 2023
Zach's Whiskey Corner: Wayne's World / Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2023 ft. Ian Sulkowski, Brown-Forman
Welcome back to Zach's Whiskey Corner, a special segment of Film & Whiskey where spirits and cinema blend seamlessly. In this episode, Zach Johnston, spirits editor at Uproxx, is joined by Ian Sulkowski, Brand Ambassador for Old Forester and Brown-Forman. We're taking a nostalgic ride back to the 90s with the comedy classic "Wayne's World" and sipping on the exceptional Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2023 vintage. Get ready for a journey through iconic movie moments and a rare bourbon experien...
Guest: Zach Johnston
Nov. 30, 2023
Zach's Whiskey Corner: The Angel's Share / Mortlach 20 ft. Ewan Morgan, Diageo
Welcome to "Zach's Whiskey Corner", a special presentation of the Film & Whiskey podcast. Host Zach Johnston, spirits editor for Uproxx, takes us on a journey to Scotland to chat with Ewan Morgan, the renowned Diageo Luxury Whiskey Ambassador. Together, we're exploring the depths of Ken Loach's heartwarming 2012 film, "The Angel's Share," and pairing it with a tasting of the exquisite and ultra-rare Mortlach 20 single malt scotch whisky from Diageo's prestigious lineup. It's an episode where Sco...
Guest: Zach Johnston
Sept. 25, 2023
New York World Wine and Spirts Competition 2023 Mega-Episode
Ever wondered what those "gold medals" you see on wine and spirits bottles are for? Bob and Brad were recently invited to serve as judges for the prestigious New York World Wine and Spirits Competition, and they're here to break down the whole process. They've included interviews from Tasting Alliance President Amanda Blue, VP Maddee McDowell, as well as a panel of judges from across the spectrum of the spirits industry, to answer the most-asked questions about spirits judging. Then, they ...
Guests: Zach Johnston , Lee DIaz
21
Aug. 22, 2023
Ikiru / Mossburn Island Blended Malt Scotch
In this exciting episode of Film & Whiskey, Bob, Brad, and special guest Zach Johnston, the UPROXX Drinks editor, dive deep into the world of Akira Kurosawa's 1952 drama, Ikiru. With its recent 2022 remake titled "LIVING" starring Bill Nighy, the hosts ponder whether this could be the game-changing Kurosawa film for Brad. The trio then shifts gears to indulge their senses with Mossburn Island Blended Malt Scotch, a whisky imbued with a distinct peat smoke essence. Timestamps: (0:00) Intro ...
Guest: Zach Johnston
March 9, 2023
Pairing the 2023 Oscar Nominees with Whiskey
Bob is joined by Zach Johnston of Uproxx to break down this year's Best Picture Oscar nominees and pair each one with its perfect whiskey counterpart. The ten films: All Quiet on the Western Front Avatar: The Way of Water The Banshees of Inisherin Elvis Everything Everywhere All at Once The Fabelmans Tár Top Gun: Maverick Triangle of Sadness Women Talking Film & Whiskey Podcast. New episodes every Monday. Film & Whiskey Instagram Film & Whiskey Facebook Film ...
Guest: Zach Johnston
June 20, 2022
San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2022
Bob and Brad discuss the recent winners of the San Francisco World Spirits competition, perhaps the most important awards in the whiskey world. They sit down with Zach Johnston of Uproxx to discuss what it's like to be a judge at the prestigious event. After that, they sample five different whiskies from Gold or Double Gold medal-winning distilleries, Two James and Warfield. Film & Whiskey Podcast. New episodes every Monday. Film & Whiskey Instagram Film & Whiskey Facebook Film & Whiskey Twit...
Guest: Zach Johnston