Episode Overview
What happens when world-class distilling meets a neighborhood hangout with no rules and no barstools? In this episode of From Bottle to Bar, host Dino returns to Columbus, Ohio, exploring two concepts that prove the best ideas are born from passion, not playbooks.
We start directly at the source with High Bank Distillery Co. to learn how a “people’s palate” approach turned a small-batch operation into an internationally acclaimed powerhouse. Dino sits down with co-founder Adam to taste their globally recognized vodka and sample the “Desert Island” pour: the award-winning Whiskey War Double Double.
From there, we follow the bottle down to Franklinton’s newest hidden gem, Good Land. Founder Mike shares the accidental story of how a quest for an interesting office space led to a sprawling, living-room-style sanctuary of a bar. Watch as Dino dives into an unconventional Espresso Martini made with local coffee, navigates the unwritten rules of home-style hospitality, and confronts a hilarious, unexpected surprise waiting for him on the bathroom wall.
Episode Features
High Bank Distillery is one of Columbus’ most successful craft distilleries and has become nationally recognized for its award-winning whiskey program. Founded by Adam Hines and Jordan Helman, the company combines a working distillery, restaurant, cocktail bar, and retail experience, with its flagship location in Grandview Heights.
Nestled in the heart of Franklinton, Good Land is a thoughtfully curated gathering place where plants, design, and community come together. Known for its unique selection of houseplants, succulents, cacti, and artisan goods, Good Land offers a welcoming space to explore, connect, and discover items that bring beauty, character, and lasting value to everyday life.
The Full Bottle
High Bank Distillery Co.
Step inside a room full of whiskey barrels for a raw conversation about persistence, global accolades, and building a brand that a city can be proud of.
In this episode of The Full Bottle, we visit a Columbus powerhouse that set out with a simple business plan: to become the most respected distillery in Ohio. We sit down for an unscripted look at how they went from their humble beginnings to capturing “Best Vodka in the World” and winning “Best Blended Whiskey in America” for an unprecedented three years in a row.
Learn the Build
Featured Cocktail
Good Land Espresso Martini
A local-on-local masterclass in flavor alignment. This variant features the award-winning High Bank Vodka paired with simple syrup, a smooth cold foam top, and fresh espresso from Jenning’s Java in German Village. Shrewdly stripped of its traditional martini glass formatting and served in an approachable tumbler, it’s a rich, velvety, and distinctly unpretentious cocktail that keeps things local from start to finish.
2 oz High Bank Vodka
1 oz Jenning’s Java espresso (cooled)
¼ oz Simple syrup
1.5 oz Cold Foam
Garnish with 3 coffee beans