Zach Johnston
Chief Brand Officer, Blackwood Distilling & Renegade Whiskey Critic
Zach Johnston has lived about five whiskey careers in one lifetime. From Berlin’s high-end bar scene to judging international spirits competitions, Zach brings global expertise to every pour. As the former lead drinks writer at UPROXX, he built one of the most-read whiskey columns on the internet, known for pairing top-tier spirits with pop culture deep dives. Now, he serves as Chief Brand Officer and VP of International Sales for Blackwood Distilling in Kentucky. On Film & Whiskey, Zach’s blend of irreverence, authority, and perfectly off-the-wall pairings has made him a fan favorite, whether he’s sipping Barrell Dovetail during Jojo Rabbit or getting philosophical over Ikiru with a glass of Mossburn.
April 1, 2025
Jojo Rabbit (2019) / Barrell Dovetail Gold Label Whiskey feat. Zach Johnston, Blackwood Distilling
Bob and Brad are joined by returning guest Zach Johnston , master blender at Blackwood Distilling , for a conversation about Taika Waititi’s 2019 film Jojo Rabbit . This genre-bending satire explores the absurdity of hatred, ...
Sept. 24, 2024
Blackwood Distilling Co.: Behind the Scenes
In today’s episode, Bob Book flies solo while Brad is on vacation. Bob sits down with Blackwood Distilling Co. founder, Guinness McFadden, and Chief Brand Officer, Zach Johnston. They discuss the origins of Blackwood Distilling, the unique toasted barrel bourbon and rye offerings, and what’s next f…
July 23, 2024
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story / Jim Beam Devil's Cut Bourbon Whiskey
In this episode, Bob and Brad are joined by Zach Johnston, global brand ambassador for Blackwood Spirits, to dive into the thrilling universe of "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" and sip on the bold flavors of Jim Beam Devil's Cut Bourbon Whiskey. Join us as we explore the Rebel Alliance's daring miss…
Dec. 20, 2023
Zach's Whiskey Corner: Dazed and Confused / Balcones Cataleja ft. Lee Diaz, ReserveBar
Welcome back to Zach's Whiskey Corner, a unique fusion of film lore and whiskey lore, hosted by Zach Johnston from Uproxx . In this episode, we're joined by Lee Diaz of ReserveBar for a nostalgic trip back to the 90s with the...
Dec. 14, 2023
Zach's Whiskey Corner: First Blood / Woodinville Ginja Cask ft. Adam Tod Brown and Danger Van Gorder
Welcome to another action-packed episode of Zach's Whiskey Corner, part of the Film & Whiskey Podcast. Today, host Zach Johnston from Uproxx delves into the adrenaline-fueled world of "First Blood," the cult classic action mo...
Dec. 6, 2023
Zach's Whiskey Corner: Wayne's World / Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2023 ft. Ian Sulkowski, Brown-Forman
Welcome back to Zach's Whiskey Corner, a special segment of Film & Whiskey where spirits and cinema blend seamlessly. In this episode, Zach Johnston , spirits editor at Uproxx, is joined by Ian Sulkowski , Brand Ambassador fo...
Nov. 30, 2023
Zach's Whiskey Corner: The Angel's Share / Mortlach 20 ft. Ewan Morgan, Diageo
Welcome to "Zach's Whiskey Corner", a special presentation of the Film & Whiskey podcast. Host Zach Johnston , spirits editor for Uproxx, takes us on a journey to Scotland to chat with Ewan Morgan, the renowned Diageo Luxury ...
Sept. 25, 2023
New York World Wine and Spirts Competition 2023 Mega-Episode
Ever wondered what those "gold medals" you see on wine and spirits bottles are for? Bob and Brad were recently invited to serve as judges for the prestigious New York World Wine and Spirits Competition , and they're here to b...
Aug. 22, 2023
Ikiru / Mossburn Island Blended Malt Scotch
In this exciting episode of Film & Whiskey, Bob, Brad, and special guest Zach Johnston , the UPROXX Drinks editor, dive deep into the world of Akira Kurosawa's 1952 drama, Ikiru . With its recent 2022 remake titled "LIVING" s...
March 9, 2023
Pairing the 2023 Oscar Nominees with Whiskey
Bob is joined by Zach Johnston of Uproxx to break down this year's Best Picture Oscar nominees and pair each one with its perfect whiskey counterpart. The ten films: All Quiet on the Western Front Avatar: The Way of Water The...
June 20, 2022
San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2022
Bob and Brad discuss the recent winners of the San Francisco World Spirits competition, perhaps the most important awards in the whiskey world. They sit down with Zach Johnston of U proxx to discuss what it's like to be a jud...