562 - An Intersection of Film and Bourbon with the Balas Brothers

562 - An Intersection of Film and Bourbon with the Balas Brothers

April 16, 2026 · 1h 11m · Season 1 · Episode 562

About this episode

The episode discusses the intersection of film and bourbon with the Balas brothers, focusing on authentic storytelling in the whiskey industry.

Does the whiskey industry need another corporate documentary, or does it just need a better script? Today we’re joined by Ryan and Alec Balas, the creative minds behind Whiskeyland TV, to talk about their transition from professional filmmaking to capturing the soul of the bourbon trail. From shooting childhood home videos to their serendipitous entry into the spirits world with their film Runner, the brothers share how a candid "bathtub epiphany" led to a vision for whiskey-centric storytelling that bypasses the big brands to focus on the authentic narratives of smaller producers. In a saturated market that often favors flashy, 15-second clips over substance, Ryan and Alec are focused on nuanced storytelling that resonates with enthusiasts on a personal level. I've been a fan of their work and ever since their debut of Whiskeyland of Pursuit as episode 1, they have certainly made a name for themselves in this space. Show Notes: How childhood experiences influenced Ryan and Alec's creativity The origin story of Whiskeyland TV The importance of authenticity in whiskey storytelling Challenges faced in today's content creation landscape Balancing audience engagement with genuine…

People in this episode

Host: Bourbon Pursuit

Guests: Ryan Balas, Alec Balas

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Whiskeyland TV

Books & works: Runner

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