Guess What’s in Your Glass: Bobby DeMars Blindsides the Whiskey World (S4 E10)
In this episode of Barrel Room Chronicles, Kerry Moynahan its down with Bobby DeMars—filmmaker turned whiskey innovator and founder of Blind Barrels, the only double-blind whiskey tasting subscription in the U.S. What began as a quarantine pastime has grown into a national movement, spotlighting small American distilleries and making premium craft whiskey more accessible than ever.
From navigating the complex three-tier liquor system with 17 free legal consultations to designing custom glassware and gamifying the tasting experience, Bobby shares his entrepreneurial journey, whiskey revelations, and plans to bring blind tastings to restaurants nationwide. Plus, hear how a legendary outlaw distiller’s legacy lives on in one of Blind Barrels’ most talked-about releases.
Whether you’re a seasoned bourbon fan or just starting your spirits journey, this episode is full of insights, laughs, and inspiration—one sip at a time.
Featured Topics:
- What makes Blind Barrels a “double-blind” tasting experience
- The unexpected legal maze of shipping whiskey
- Elevating small craft distilleries through storytelling
- Gamification and education in whiskey tasting
- Legacy whiskey and the story behind the Doc Holiday bottle
- Plans for tequila, rum, and restaurant experiences
- How Bobby’s background in filmmaking and test prep prepared him for whiskey entrepreneurship
Guest:
Bobby DeMars, Founder of Blind Barrels
🎁 Use code WHISKEY10 for 10% off and a free custom tasting glass.
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Bobby DeMars
Founder & CEO
Bobby DeMars is the Founder of Blind Barrels - a blind whiskey tasting subscription that is disrupting the industry’s current distribution model by showcasing American craft distilleries, ones which rarely get the shelf space they deserve. The COVID-19 quarantine brought about blind whiskey tastings with friends, and DeMars saw an opportunity for a startup unlike any other in
the alcohol industry. These blind tastings are all about discovery, education, removing brand bias, and, of course, supporting smaller distillers that are making some amazing handmade products. Each quarter, subscribers get to test their senses by tasting and discovering hard-to-try-or-find craft whiskey brands - ones that deserve to be discovered. A former USC football player (1997-2001), DeMars is an award-winning filmmaker whose documentary, "The Business of Amateurs" (2016), took on the NCAA’s exploitation of college athletes and the prevalence of brain trauma inherent to college football. He is on the oversight committee for the National
College Players Association (NCPA). Both the film and the NCPA have been instrumental in passing laws for college athlete rights, including the Supreme Court ruling in 2021 that opened the door for college athletes to make money from their Name Image Likeness (NIL).
