What makes a bottle worth remembering? For Dixon Dedman, the answer starts with the people who share it.
The master blender behind 2XO joins Mick Hunt for a conversation about bourbon, hospitality, creative conviction, and the legacy he hopes to leave his children. Dixon explains how his family's hospitality roots shaped his purpose, why blending requires more than mixing percentages, and how he approaches mouthfeel, maturation, and secondary oak exposure.
Mick also tastes Rapper's Delight during the conversation, and Dixon shares the story of a father and son celebrating a new generation with a bottle of Kentucky Owl. That moment brings the conversation back to his because: making something that becomes part of another person's meaningful experience.
In this episode:
How hospitality shaped Dixon's purpose and approach to bourbon
The challenge of reproducing a small sample blend at barrel scale
Why creative conviction matters when developing a whiskey
His focus on mouthfeel, viscosity, and the overall drinking experience
The personal connections that matter beyond awards and ratings
His hope that the next generation will carry the family legacy forward
Listen for the lesson that travels beyond bourbon: exceeding expectations can turn a product or service into a moment someone remembers.
Chapters
00:00 A moment beyond selling bottles
00:40 Meet Dixon Dedman
03:06 What is your because?
07:30 Moments, memories, and personal connection
10:07 Unplugged Truth: the craft of blending
15:20 Putting a personal mark on whiskey
19:27 Hot Takes: tasting Rapper's Delight
22:01 Mouthfeel and the drinking experience
35:00 The Room: a toast to three generations
39:29 2XO and the recorded plans discussed
42:20 Unplugged 5
46:08 The legacy Dixon hopes to leave
48:08 Closing reflections
Follow Mick Unplugged for more conversations about purpose, leadership, and the because behind the work.
Connect & Discover Dixon Dedman:
Instagram: @dixon_dedman
LinkedIn: @dixon_dedman
X: @dixon_dedman
Website: 2xowhiskey.com
FOLLOW MICK ON:
Spotify: MickUnplugged
Instagram: @mickunplugged
Facebook: @mickunpluggedYouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast
LinkedIn: @mickhunt
Website: MickHuntOfficial.com
Website: howtobeagoodleader.com
Website: Leadloudseries.com
Apple: MickUnplugged
Book: How to be A Good Leader When You’ve Never Had One
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