Angles with John Richmond

Ep10: Justin Hartman — From Lawyer to Distiller: Building Hartman’s Craft Spirits & Community

John Richmond Season 1 Episode 10

Host John Richmond sits down with Justin Hartman—former New York City trial lawyer and founder of Hartman’s Distilling Co.—to unpack his leap from law to whiskey, the science of crafting award-winning bourbon, and the realities of scaling a Buffalo distillery through a pandemic. Hartman explains how courtroom discipline, relentless research, and a timely pivot into producing 30,000 gallons of hand sanitizer kept operations on track. The discussion covers mentorship, balancing risk with vision, and plans to create a “Kentucky-style” visitor experience on Buffalo’s waterfront. A must-listen for entrepreneurs and bourbon enthusiasts alike.

Enjoying the episode?
Subscribe, leave a review, and share Angles with John Richmond with a friend.

🎧 New episodes every week.

Visit www.richmondvona.com/angles-podcast/ for more

📱 Follow us on Instagram:
@anglesjohnrichmond
@johnrichmondlaw
@richmondvona

🎥 Follow us on TikTok:
@richmondvona
@johnrichmondesq

📺 Watch on YouTube: @angleswithjohnrichmond

Follow us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576886611238