Podcast Summary

Pablo Torre Finds Out

Episode: An Intoxicating Share & Tell with Katie Nolan & Alcohol Expert Jason Wilson
Date: March 1, 2024
Host: Pablo Torre
Guests: Katie Nolan (Sports/TV Personality), Jason Wilson (Author & Alcohol Critic)

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Pablo Torre brings together Katie Nolan and acclaimed spirits/wine writer Jason Wilson to conduct a deep, entertaining, and at times irreverent taste test of celebrity/alcohol brands—specifically those owned or endorsed by famous athletes. The trio attempts to answer a listener’s question: Should we be excited or annoyed when athletes launch alcohol brands? Over the course of escalating intoxication, they taste, critique, and roast a diverse lineup: wines from NBA stars, bourbons from sports legends, and celebrity tequilas and champagne. The result is a whirlwind of candid opinions, expert insights into the world of alcohol branding, and infectious, unscripted fun.

Key Discussion Points & Notable Segments

1. Setting the Stage: Why Athlete Booze? (01:00–03:45)

• Prompt: Listener “Zeke from Brooklyn” wonders if athlete-branded alcohols are genuine or just cynical cash grabs.
  • Pablo relates how athlete merchandise has evolved from candy bars (like the Isaiah Thomas bar) to today's signature wines and tequilas.
  • Pablo: “In 2024, wine and tequila have basically replaced the candy bar as the product that a pro athlete is most likely to lend their name, image, and likeness to.”
    — (02:00)
• Guest Intros:
  • Jason Wilson: Praised by The New York Times; author of Godforsaken Grapes, Cider Revival, and Boozehound—the last of which Anthony Bourdain called “superbly informative, entertaining and deeply subversive.”
    — (03:49)
  • Katie Nolan: “Resume is what I've drank on television related to sports.” Noted for beer miles, Drunk History, and chugging six beers at once on camera.
    — (04:20)

2. Tasting the Wines of the NBA (05:54–16:29)

a. James Harden’s “J-Harden” Cabernet Sauvignon (06:01–08:58)

• Analysis:
  • Marketing: “A wine with swag.”
  • Tasting: Katie: “Tastes like juice.”
    — (06:57)
  • Jason’s take: Simple profile, finishes abruptly, but “not bad for $20.”
  • Pablo’s joke: “This ended prematurely… happens to a lot of James Harden’s postseasons.”
    — (07:58)
• Price Guess: Actual retail $21.
• Consensus: Serviceable table wine, easy to sip, but nothing mind-blowing.

b. Chosen Family Pinot Noir (Kevin Love & Channing Frye) (09:22–12:43)

• Tasting: “Big for a Pinot,” a bit “oakier” than expected.
  • Jason: “It’s a big athlete’s Pinot for sure.”
    — (10:46)
• Price Guess: $35–$40; actual $40.
• Consensus: Not universally loved; perhaps needs age, a bit expensive for the quality.

c. CJ McCollum’s Heritage Pinot Noir (12:51–16:29)

• Tasting: Earthy, “enveloping” mouthfeel; prominent forest floor/loam notes.
  • Katie: “Smells like peat moss… enveloping my tongue.”
    — (13:24–14:01)
• Price Guess: $50–$60; actual $55.
• Consensus: Clearly the best of the wine bunch—complex, worth savoring.

3. The Bourbon Showdown (17:33–25:28)

a. Charles Woodson “Woodson Bourbon” (17:42–22:00)

• Label: “Six month accelerated age Kentucky bourbon.”
  • Jason: “That feels like something you do, but don’t tell.”
• Tasting: Light, very drinkable, lacks the expected depth.
  • Katie: “Baby’s first bourbon… it’s a training wheels bourbon, but a little expensive for the starter pack.”
    — (21:53)
• Price Guess: $47–$50 retail.

b. Steph Curry’s “Gentleman’s Cut” Bourbon (22:08–25:28)

• Features: Aged 5+ years, 45% ABV, “high rye” mash bill.
• Tasting: Deeper caramel, vanilla, honey, pecan, more complexity than Woodson.
  • Jason: “I kind of respect Steph Curry that he went high-rye in the bourbon.”
• Price: $80—"not surprising" for the branding/market.
• Consensus: Much preferred to Woodson’s; a “real bourbon” with richer, more interesting flavor.

4. Athlete Tequila & Canned Cocktails (26:22–38:59)

a. Travis Kelce’s “Mi Casa” Tequila Soda (26:25–28:12)

• Tasting: Low-alcohol (5%), heavily flavored, little presence of tequila; “fake sugar” (aspartame) notes.
  • Katie: “It almost tastes like aspartame…100 calories on top.”
    — (27:11)
• Verdict: Standard canned seltzer with celebrity branding.

b. LeBron James’ “Lobos 1707 Reposado” Tequila (28:12–33:35)

• Info: 40% ABV, aged in American oak, finished in Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry casks for a twist.
• Tasting: Bold alcohol nose, unique “audacious” character, some vanilla/sweet notes from sherry casks.
• Price: $55 retail.
• Consensus: Interesting but perhaps over-engineered; not universally appealing.

c. Michael Jordan’s “Cincoro” Tequila (33:40–39:03)

• Notable Packaging: Tall, ornate “pentagonal” bottle; heavy branding/ideation.
• Tasting: Very sweet on the nose (vanilla, cotton candy), but puzzling chemical/smoky finish.
  • Katie: “Smells sweet…then the finish is like a cigarette…flat no for me.”
• Price: $120 retail (“silly—absolutely not in this economy”).
• Brutal honesty:
  • Pablo (reading bottle): “Share truth.”
  • Katie (immediately): “Yeah, well, your tequila sucks, dude.”
    — (38:23)

5. The Athlete Champagne Finale (39:30–44:14)

Isaiah Thomas’ “Cheurlin Champagne” (40:05–44:14)

• Claim: No added sugars, “reasonably priced.”
• Tasting: “Smells pissy,” “zero bite,” more neutral/inoffensive than good.
  • Katie: “I don’t love the taste… but it’s drinkable.”
• Discussion: What makes “real” champagne (region, tradition, “dosage”/sugar addition).
• Price: $50 retail.
  • Katie: “Reasonably priced is Andre. That’s $12.99.”
• Consensus: Unimpressive for the cost; playful roasting of branding (“what are we even doing, Isaiah?”).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the proliferation of athlete alcohol brands:
  Pablo: “I’m afraid what we’re doing here today... because of Zeke from Brooklyn.” — (03:10)
• On tasting the wines:
  Katie: “Tastes like juice.” (James Harden’s cab; 06:57)
  Pablo: “This ended prematurely... happens to a lot of James Harden’s postseasons.” (07:58)
• On Charles Woodson’s bourbon:
  Katie: “Baby’s first bourbon… it’s a training wheels bourbon, but a little expensive for the starter pack.” (21:53)
• On Jordan’s tequila:
  Katie: “Flat no for me. I don’t like the way it tastes. I don’t like the way it’s named. Feels like too many meetings, not enough tequila.” (38:03) Pablo: “Share truth.”
  Katie: “Yeah, well, your tequila sucks, dude.” (38:23)
• General:
  Jason: “I think for $20 for a California Cabernet, it’s not bad.” (07:41)
  Jason: “I kind of respect Steph Curry that he went high-rye in the bourbon.” (24:49) Katie (on being served by LeBron): “And when he handed it to me, I said, thank you, LeBron James. What the fuck?” (33:35)
• On judging these drinks:
  Pablo: “It feels like brand ideation.” (38:07)

Segment Timestamps

• 00:40–03:45: Listener question & athlete brand context
• 03:48–05:54: Introductions (Jason & Katie)
• 06:01–08:58: James Harden wine
• 09:22–12:43: Chosen Family (Kevin Love/Channing Frye) wine
• 12:51–16:29: CJ McCollum wine
• 17:33–22:00: Charles Woodson bourbon
• 22:08–25:28: Steph Curry bourbon
• 26:25–28:12: Travis Kelce tequila soda
• 28:12–33:35: LeBron James tequila
• 33:40–39:03: Michael Jordan tequila
• 40:05–44:14: Isaiah Thomas champagne
• 44:14–End: Dump cups, final roast, episode wrap-up

Final Thoughts & Takeaways

• The panel enjoys the journey but is highly critical of over-priced, over-branded products—especially when flavor doesn’t match cost or hype.
• The best entries (CJ McCollum's wine, Steph Curry’s bourbon) win praise for complexity and character, while some (Jordan’s and Isaiah Thomas’ offerings) get panned despite heavy branding.
• There’s genuine expertise and transparent honesty, but the tone is casual, charismatic, and gleefully irreverent.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

This episode is an unfiltered, funny, and surprisingly educational journey through the world of athlete-booze brands, serving sharp tasting notes, industry insights, and plenty of playful jokes. The critical take: be skeptical of the hype, check your price tags, and don’t be fooled by fancy celebrity branding—sometimes, the ‘share truth’ is that the bottle just isn’t worth it.