The Real Smoke Podcast with Charles and Mick latest episode!
This week on The Real Smoke Podcast, hosts Mick & Charles sat down with a truly inspiring guest—Devin Walden of Big Machine Distillery. Her story is anything but conventional, and in this episode, she opens up about the twists and turns that led her from the world of art and tattoos to becoming a rising force in the distilling industry.
Devin began her journey as a tattoo artist, driven by a passion for art and creativity. But life had other plans. A leap of faith brought her into the world of spirits, where she landed a job at the prestigious Woodford Reserve Distillery. There, she felt like a fish out of water—unsure of herself, worried about making mistakes, and struggling with feelings of inadequacy. But what stood out most was the warmth and support of the community around her. They helped her find her footing, and soon, she started to believe in herself.
“If other people could do it, I could figure it out too,” she said—words that became a quiet mantra throughout her journey.
Opportunities continued to find Devin. She eventually moved to Florida to run the retail side of operations in the liquor industry, diving headfirst into the business side of things. This experience would prove to be invaluable when she later helped launch a distillery from the ground up in Miami, blending spirits and building something special from scratch.
Although things were going well in Miami, Devin couldn’t shake the feeling of homesickness. She missed the familiar smell of mash and aging barrels. So when the opportunity to join Big Machine Distillery came knocking, it felt like the right move. Despite the pressure of stepping into the shoes of the previous master distiller—and those old feelings of doubt creeping back—Devin faced the challenge head-on.
And she didn’t just rise to the occasion—she thrived. She learned, grew, and ultimately became exactly where she was meant to be.
Tune into The Real Smoke Podcast to hear the full story of Devin Walden’s incredible journey, the lessons she learned along the way, and what Big Machine Distillery has in store for the future. It’s a story of grit, growth, and the kind of passion that can only be distilled over time.
Take a listen to the episode and drop a comment with your thoughts. Let’s keep the conversation going.
I’m John Cardenas, also known as Johnny Havana in the cigar industry. What I love about being involved with Cigar Public is that I have the opportunity to learn and share the stories of those in the cigar industry. I’ve formed lifelong relationships over a cigar and conversations. I’m committed to providing honest reviews of cigars and sharing my experiences with you. @JohnnyHavana
