This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief sits down with Heather and Derek Latzel of Porchlight Distillery in Mason, Texas, one of the newest members of the Texas Whiskey Trail.
This episode isn't about finding a finished product. It's about remembering that everyone starts somewhere.
As the group shares pours of Porchlight's 95-proof Wheated Bourbon, they talk honestly about the challenges of building a craft distillery from the ground up. The whiskey is still young, but it already shows promising qualities and offers a glimpse of what's to come as the distillery continues to mature its craft.
For Big Chief, the visit comes full circle. As a teenager growing up in Central Texas, he made regular trips to Mason to sell Angora goat mohair before stopping at the old feed store to buy livestock feed for the ranch. Decades later, that same historic building has been transformed into Porchlight Distillery—a reminder that while buildings can change, the stories they hold never fade.
Heather and Derek share their journey of restoring a piece of Mason's history while pursuing their dream of creating Texas whiskey. It's a story of faith, hard work, and investing in a community they now proudly call home.
Every legendary distillery was once the new kid on the block. This conversation is about supporting those willing to take that first step and celebrating the beginning of what could become another great Texas whiskey story.
On this week's ride you'll hear:
● Heather and Derek's journey to opening Porchlight Distillery.
● Why they chose Mason, Texas, to chase their dream.
● The story behind the historic feed store that now houses the distillery.
● Big Chief's memories of hauling Angora goat mohair to Mason and buying feed in that very building.
● A discussion of Porchlight's young 95-proof Wheated Bourbon and the promise it holds for the future.
● What it means to be one of the newest members of the Texas Whiskey Trail.
● Why supporting new craft distilleries helps strengthen the entire Texas whiskey community.
Every great whiskey story has a beginning. This week, you'll hear one that's just getting started.
Take the Ride. Cheers!
