Shows
Whisky Buzz114: Then & Now with Mark Gillespie and Davin de KergommeauxMark Gillepsie (WhiskyCast Podcast) and Davin de Kergommeaux (Author of Canadian Whisky: The NEW Portable Expert) have been in the industry longer than most. Davin is a Malt Maniac, and Mark started his podcast far before whisky (and podcasting) has rose in popularity to today's level. We talk about Bourbon made outside of Kentucky, Blended Scotch, Single Malt Scotch Finishes, the "other world" whiskies that are made it big, and Canadian Whisky.2018-03-2900 min
WhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyTen Years of Making Whiskey at Mount Vernon (Episode 665: October 29, 2017)Distillers from around the United States gathered at Virginia’s Mount Vernon this week to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the restoration of George Washington’s Distillery at his historic estate, and of course, they celebrated by making some whiskey. The restored distillery has been producing rye whiskey using Washington’s original recipe to raise money for Mount Vernon’s educational programs, including those on the slaves who worked in the distillery from 1797 until shortly after Washington’s death in 1799. We’ll look at the past ten years of distilling at Mount Vernon and Washington’s legacy on this week’s WhiskyCast In...2017-10-3045 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyBabysitting the Whisky Barrels (Episode 664: October 22, 2017)Managing a whisky warehouse is sort of like running a day care center…but a lot quieter. Corby’s Donald Campbell is responsible for 1.3 million barrels of maturing whisky at the Hiram Walker Distillery’s warehouse campus outside Windsor, Ontario. Just like the kids at a day care center, each of those whisky barrels is developing each day – and some tend to spring a leak every once in a while, too…just like the kids at a day care center! We’ll visit the warehouses this week with Donald Campbell and Hiram Walker Master Blender Dr. Don Livermore on WhiskyCast In-Depth. In...2017-10-2248 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyMaking Sense(s) of Whisky (Episode 658: September 10, 2017)Flavor, aroma, and taste. We all know what they mean…or do we? Gerry Nicholls isn’t so sure. He’s a veteran judge in beer and coffee competitions, and has been studying the research of neuroscientists into the way our brains process flavor, aroma and taste. His conclusion: science knows how we process sensory information, but scientists do a lousy job of explaining it – and what’s worse…they don’t always take one key factor into account. He’ll tell us what that is on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, tourism is booming at whisky distilleries world...2017-09-1153 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyA Cask-Strength Celestial Spectacle (Episode 656: August 27, 2017)Around 6,000 people combined last Monday’s total solar eclipse with whiskey – watching the celestial spectacle from the fields around MB Roland Distillery in Pembroke, Kentucky. WhiskyCast’s Aria Gillespie-Smith was on hand, and we’ll have her report on WhiskyCast In-Depth. We’ll also details on the celebration at Scotland’s Teaninich Distillery as it marks its 200th anniversary this month. In the news, Tasmanian police have opened a fraud investigation into Nant Distillery’s controversial barrel sales, and we’ll compare the economics of craft distilling and craft brewing. We’ll also have the story of MMA champion Conor McGregor’s entry i...2017-08-281h 05WhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyThe World’s Hottest Whisky? (Episode 655: August 20, 2017)Since our first visit to Taiwan’s King Car Distillery in 2011, its Kavalan single malts have arguably become some of the most-acclaimed whiskies in the world, winning top awards in multiple whisky competitions. As the distillery enters its second decade, there have been many changes, including the addition of a complete second stillhouse. We’ll discuss those changes on WhiskyCast In-Depth with Kavalan master blender Ian Chang, along with a future without his mentor, the late Dr. Jim Swan. In the news, union workers at a key Chivas Brothers facility in Scotland have agreed to a new contract and Scotch Whis...2017-08-2045 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyCelebrating the World’s Whiskies in Dublin (Episode 653: August 6, 2017)Whiskies are celebrated at festivals all over the world these days, but there’s no place quite like Ireland when it comes to whisk(e)y. The inaugural Dublin Whiskey Festival kicks off this coming weekend with six days of tastings and events, and the organizers are planning to make it a nationwide event in 2018. John Burke is the festival’s founder and the publisher of The Cask magazine, and he’ll join us on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth with some of the highlights of this year’s festival – and the upcoming issue of The Cask. In the news, the owners o...2017-08-0644 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyAll in the Whiskey Family (Episode 652: July 30, 2017)The Likarish family opened Ironroot Republic Distillery in Denison, Texas in 2013. Brothers Jonathan and Robert Likarish handle the distilling, while their mother Marcia serves as distillery manager. Even though they’ve only been open for four years, they’ve collaborated to make several award-winning whiskies, including the Texas Legation Bourbon for Berry Bros. & Rudd in London. We sat down for a chat in the tasting room at Reserve 101 in Houston for this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Chivas Brothers workers in Scotland are preparing for a one-day strike next Monday after rejecting a second contract offer, while Douglas Read M2017-07-3050 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyTales of a Retired Whisky Maker (Episode 651: July 23, 2017)Jim Boyko’s career took him from the old Seagram’s distillery in Waterloo, Ontario to the Canadian prairie in Gimli, Manitoba, and eventually around the world for Diageo. Once he got to Gimli, though, he and his family made the tiny town on the shore of Lake Winnipeg their home. Now retired, he shows up at the home of Crown Royal to lead the occasional tour for distillery guests. He’ll share his stories with us on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth, including the saddest day of his career when he was one of 210 Seagram’s employees suddenly put out of wor...2017-07-2347 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyGlencairn’s Whisky Glasses Shatter Expectations (Episode 648: July 2, 2017)When Raymond Davidson and his sons started marketing the Glencairn Whisky Glass in 2001, they thought the target audience was whisky blenders and industry professionals, and never imagined much consumer demand. Last year, Glencairn Crystal sold more than three million of its iconic and often-copied whisky glasses worldwide – up 22 percent from the previous year. Scott Davidson is Glencairn Crystal’s managing director now, and joins us on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Bacardi is entering the Irish Whiskey market with a deal to acquire a minority stake and U.S. distribution rights for Teeling Whiskey. Sweden’s Box Distille...2017-07-0246 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyCelebrating Canada’s 150 Years Whisky Style (Episode 647: June 25, 2017)July 1 is Canada Day, and this year it’s even more of a holiday than usual. Canada celebrates its 150th anniversary this Saturday, and Hiram Walker Distillery master blender Dr. Don Livermore marked the occasion with a trip from coast to coast – and all the way from near the U.S. border to the Arctic Circle along the way. He led tastings of the new J.P. Wiser’s One Fifty Commemorative Series whisky at each stop, ending in St. John’s, Newfoundland. That’s where we caught up with him for this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. We’ll also look at the im...2017-06-2554 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyStraight Shooting with Bulleit Bourbon’s Tom Bulleit (Episode 645: June 11, 2017)Tom Bulleit wasn’t born into the Bourbon business, but even as a successful Kentucky lawyer, he knew there was something calling him to whiskey. He eventually tracked down his great-great-grandfather’s Civil War-era whiskey recipe, and in 1987, he launched Bulleit Bourbon. Thirty years later, Bulleit is viewed by many as an “overnight success,” and is the flagship of Diageo’s Bourbon portfolio. In March, Diageo opened the Bulleit Distilling Company distillery in Shelbyville, Kentucky, and this past week introduced Bulleit Barrel Strength Bourbon in New York City. That’s where we sat down with Tom Bulleit for this week’s WhiskyCast I...2017-06-1139 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyDoes The Nose Know For Sure? (Episode 643: May 28, 2017)You may be able to tell different styles of whiskies apart by nosing them – when you know what you’re nosing to begin with. When it comes to telling Bourbons and Rye whiskies apart in a blind nosing session, Dr. Jacob Lahne says your nose is more likely to focus on factors other than the mashbill, though. We’ll discuss sensory science and whisky with the Drexel University food scientist on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Brown-Forman has given Constellation Brands the brush-off, while distillers and farmers in Scotland are watching the skies and hoping for more rain soo...2017-05-2848 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyA Trip Down the Rabbit Hole (Episode 642: May 21, 2017)What would you think of someone who gives up a successful career to make Bourbon for a living? If you said they should seek professional help, Dr. Kaveh Zamanian might not disagree with you. Then again, that’s just what this highly trained psychoanalyst did, setting aside his practice to form Rabbit Hole Distilling in Louisville. We’ll talk with him on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth and get an update from Sweden with Mackmyra’s Angela Forsgren D’Orazio. In the news, the saga of Australia’s Nant Distillery is headed for court again, Tullibardine gets a new master blender, and J...2017-05-2147 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyCelebrating the Spirit of Speyside (Episode 635: April 2, 2017)There will be music, food, and of course, plenty of whisky on hand during the Spirit of Speyside Festival coming up at the end of this month in Scotland. Ticket sales have already set a new record for this year’s festival, and we’ll get a preview from festival chairman James Campbell on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. We’ll also look at the revival of Kansas City’s historic J. Rieger & Co. Monogram whiskey brand with Andy Rieger, the great-great-great grandson of Jacob Rieger. In the news, Scotch Whisky industry leaders will be watching the UK’s upcoming Brexit negot...2017-04-021h 03WhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyWhisky Across the Generations (Episode 634: March 26, 2017)This week’s American Whiskey Convention at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park featured an air of generational change. At one end, legendary master distiller Jimmy Russell of Wild Turkey with 63 years of distilling experience – and at the other end, a crop of young distillers hoping to follow in his footsteps while creating their own unique whiskies. We’ll talk with both generations on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, we’ll have the latest on the ongoing Nant Distillery saga in Australia, along with the launch of two more luxury whiskies from Tamdhu and Glenmorangie and the details on a new whis...2017-03-2650 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyScotch Whisky Pioneer Maureen Robinson (Episode 632: March 12, 2017)Whisky was historically thought of as a “man’s drink” – but today, not only are more women drinking whisky, but women make up around 40% of the Scotch Whisky industry’s work force. Diageo’s Maureen Robinson is one of the industry’s pioneering women, and is celebrating her 40th anniversary in the whisky business this month. She’s the first woman to hold the title of Master Blender in Scotland, and joins us for this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. We’ll talk not only about the changes she’s seen over the last four decades, but the subtle art and science that goes into...2017-03-1252 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyArdbeg’s Native Ileach Mickey Heads (Episode 631: March 5, 2017)Mickey Heads grew up about three miles from Islay’s Ardbeg Distillery, but the third-generation whisky maker never thought he’d wind up as the manager at Ardbeg. This week, he’s celebrating his tenth anniversary as Ardbeg’s manager and joins us on WhiskyCast In-Depth. We’ll also hear from Isabel Graham-Youll of Whisky.Auction, who helped police in London catch an alleged counterfeiter specializing in antique whiskies after spotting fakes the suspect tried to sell through her company’s online auction site. There’s plenty of news to report this week, including an update on the dispute over the future of...2017-03-051h 06WhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyMethod & Madness in Irish Whiskey (Episode 630: February 26, 2017)This week, we’re in Ireland for the debut of the new Method And Madness range of Irish Whiskies from Irish Distillers. The name comes from the collaboration between Midleton’s veteran masters and their apprentices, and it gives us a chance to catch up on Killian O’Mahony’s story. In September of 2013, we first met Killian shortly after he became Ireland’s first apprentice cooper in decades under the tutelage of Midleton Master Cooper Ger Buckley. Nearly four years later, his training is nearly complete, and we’ll hear from both apprentice and master on this week’s WhiskyCast In...2017-02-2638 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyScotch Whisky’s Tiger Gets Back to Work (Episode 627: February 5, 2017)It’s hard for some people to retire. Jim McEwan says he was pacing around his home on Islay “like a tiger” after retiring from Bruichladdich a year and a half ago…so when Stewart Laing offered him the chance to help build his family’s new Ardnahoe Distillery on Islay from the ground up, Jim pounced on the offer. Stewart and his sons recently broke ground on the Hunter Laing & Co.-owned distillery overlooking Port Askaig, with plans to start distilling whisky next year. Jim shares the reasons behind his decision with us on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. We’ll also g...2017-02-051h 14WhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyA Whisky Journey (Episode 626: January 29, 2017)Marcio Ramos started his whisky journey as a bartender in his hometown of Lisbon, Portugal…but thought he’d left the whisky business behind when he moved to Canada a couple of years ago. That didn’t last long, as he wound up becoming Beam Suntory’s Canadian brand ambassador for Bowmore, Laphroaig, and Suntory’s whiskies. Now, he spends his time traveling all over Canada, expanding his horizons and those of the people who attend his tastings. He’ll share his story with us on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, we’ll catch up on new Kentucky Bourbon...2017-01-2948 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyHow Retailers Price Whiskies (Episode 623: January 8, 2017)The controversy over Beam Suntory’s sudden decision to change its plans for a Booker’s Bourbon price hike during the New Year’s holiday weekend left both retailers and consumers confused. We’ll look at whisky pricing from the retailer’s perspective with Ryan Maloney of Julio’s Liquors in the Boston suburb of Westborough, Massachusetts, and he’ll explain how retailers set their prices and work with whisky makers and distributors. We’ll also catch up with Ben Bowers as he winds up his “A Dram a Day” campaign to raise money for a British children’s hospital on WhiskyCast In-Depth...2017-01-081h 07Whisky Buzz83: Chat with Mark Gillespie of The WhiskyCast PodcastMark and Jamie wouldn’t be podcasting without Mark Gillespie of the WhiskyCast. Mark Gillespie joins Mark and Jamie to talk about how he started in podcasting, how the whisky enthusiast community has changed over the years, social media, and where he sees whisky going in 2017.2017-01-0500 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyThe Art of Whisky Blending (Episode 622: January 1, 2017)Blending is part art and part science, and unless you’re drinking a single cask whisky, every dram you try has been tweaked by the nose of an experienced blender. Nancy Fraley describes herself as a “ghost blender,” but it’s fair to call her and other blending consultants “noses for hire” – working in the background to create whiskies for distillers large and small. Nancy’s client list is shrouded in the secrecy of non-disclosure agreements, but she can talk about some of her work and shares some of her secrets with us on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, we’ll Re2017-01-0150 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 621: December 25, 2016The founders of Baltimore’s Sagamore Spirits could have chosen to buy a distillery anywhere they wanted to, but they wanted to help revive Baltimore’s heritage of making Rye whiskey – and help bring a long-suffering waterfront neighborhood back to life. Sagamore Spirit’s new distillery will open next month, and this week, a new cask-strength version of Sagamore Spirit Rye was unveiled to go along with the original version that made its debut earlier this year. We’ll talk with Sagamore Spirit’s Brian Treacy on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth, along with Sazerac CEO Mark Brown, who finished off his year w...2016-12-2500 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 619: December 11, 2016A couple of weeks ago, we credited San Francisco’s Anchor Distilling with being the birthplace of the American craft distilling movement in 1993. While Anchor was one of the early pioneers, the real birthplace was just across the bay at St. George Spirits, where Jörg Rupf started making eau de vie, whiskey, and other spirits in his Holstein still in 1982. Jörg retired several years ago, and his protégé Lance Winters is now the president and head distiller at St. George. We’ll talk craft distilling history with Lance Winters on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth, and how he aced hi...2016-12-1100 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 618: December 3, 2016Earlier this year, we reported on the Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s changes in the US, with marketing and promotion for the global whisky club and independent bottler changing from the Shayne family, which founded the US chapter in 1993, to a firm led by longtime industry veteran Arnaud Brachet. It’s been several months, and we’ll sit down with Brachet for an update on the Society’s progress on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. We’ll also take a look at the science of whisky, as Buffalo Trace’s Harlen Wheatley shares the findings of his first “Warehouse X” experiments. In the...2016-12-0400 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 617: November 27, 2016What we think of today as the boom in craft distilling started 20 years ago this year, when San Francisco brewer Fritz Maytag bottled the first batch of Old Potrero Single Malt Straight Rye Whiskey at Anchor Brewing in the city’s Potrero Hill neighborhood. In 1993, Maytag and his staff cobbled together parts to build a distillery inside the brewery, long known for its Anchor Steam beer, and Bruce Joseph was put in charge of running the still. Today, Bruce Joseph is still Anchor’s head distiller, and he’ll join us for this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, the resu...2016-11-2800 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 615: November 12, 2016This week, we’re celebrating the 11th anniversary of WhiskyCast with a potpourri of sorts, as we catch up with people from all over the world of whisky. We’ll hear from Beam Suntory CEO Matt Shattock on his hopes for the incoming Trump Administration’s policy goals related to the whisky industry, which can be affected by everything from taxes and trade treaties to agricultural policy. We’ll talk with Paul Hletko of FEW Spirits about his new collaboration with Mike Miller and the folks from Delilah’s in Chicago, and Dave Scheurich tells us about Boondocks – the whiskey that lured hi...2016-11-1400 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 613: October 29, 2016Distillery managers come and go at Lagavulin, but Iain McArthur is a fixture at the legendary Islay distillery. McArthur’s something of a legend himself after 44 years as the warehouseman at Lagavulin and previously at Port Ellen, and the native Ileach followed his father and grandfather into the whisky business. We’ll go peat cutting with Iain at his family’s bog and sit down with him for this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. Back in August, Scotch Whisky Association chief executive David Frost told us it would take “a pretty good offer” to lure him back into government service. The offer came...2016-10-3000 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 611: October 16, 2016Charles Maclean is arguably one of the most prolific Scotch whisky writers around, and his years of research and writing have given him a unique historical perspective on whisky. He’s working on the latest edition of “Whiskypedia” and shares some of his thoughts with us on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, workers at Jim Beam’s two Kentucky distilleries have gone on strike after rejecting two proposed contract offers this past week. We’ll also have the details on Chivas Brothers’s plans to make Longmorn a luxury single malt, Woodford Reserve’s annual Masters Collection release, and a u...2016-10-1600 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 610: October 9, 2016Japanese whiskies have become harder to find as worldwide demand grows for them, but books about them are even harder to find. Longtime whisky writer Dominic Roskrow has been studying Japanese whisky for his latest book, “Whisky Japan”, and Roskrow joins us with his perspective on WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Constellation Brands is paying $160 million for Utah’s High West Distillery, and plans to use it as the foundation for a high-end spirits business. We’ll discuss the deal with High West co-founder David Perkins and Constellation’s Bill Newlands. There are also details on new whiskies from The Macallan and...2016-10-0900 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 607: September 17, 2016This week, Ardbeg unveiled its first single malt with an age statement since the original debut of the 10-year-old edition many years ago. The Ardbeg 21 will be available in limited amounts starting October 1. We’ll get the back story behind this whisky from Dr. Bill Lumsden on WhiskyCast In-Depth, along with tasting notes for it as well. There’s plenty of news out of Bourbon Country during Kentucky Bourbon Festival week, including the start of production at the first new distillery to open in Bardstown since 2012 as the Bardstown Bourbon Company fired up its stills. We’ll have the details on that...2016-09-1800 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 606: September 11, 2016Eddie Russell has been working in the shadow of his father, Wild Turkey’s legendary master distiller Jimmy Russell, for the last 35 years. Now, Eddie’s taking on more of the responsibility for developing new Wild Turkey and Russell’s Reserve whiskies, just as his own son enters the family business. We’ll talk with Eddie Russell and find out more about his latest project – the upcoming Master’s Keep Decades Bourbon – on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Utah’s High West Distillery could fetch $100 million at auction, Angel’s Envy has fired up the still at its new distillery i2016-09-1100 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 605: September 4, 2016This week, we’ll visit the Sherry capital of the world…Jerez de la Frontera in Spain. The sherry casks that many whisky makers depend on come from Jerez, and we’ll tour one of the city’s cooperages – or to use the Spanish word: tonelería. The A. Páez Tonelería gets most of its business now from whisky makers, and Francisco Lozano “Paco” Romero will explain the process to us on WhiskyCast In-Depth. This week, Irish Distillers unveiled the Redbreast Lustau Edition in Jerez, which uses A. Páez casks that were first filled with Bodegas Lustau’s Oloroso Sherry. We’...2016-09-0400 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 604: August 28, 2016This week, we’re in Sweden visiting Box Distillery for a follow-up to our 2014 visit, and Box is making some big changes six years after it opened in a former steam plant. The first permanent expression from Box is coming this fall, and exports are making up a larger share of the distillery’s sales. We’ll talk with distillery manager Roger Melander and managing director Thomas Larsson about the changes on WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, construction is underway on a new distillery in Glasgow and we’ll have word on new whiskies from Scotland, the US, Australia, and more. Fi...2016-08-2800 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 601: August 7, 2016We’ve packed this week’s WhiskyCast full of cask-strength conversation from around the world! Texas distillers Amanda and Nick Swift will explain why they decided to make Scottish-style single malt whiskey in the heart of Texas, and why they both gave up successful careers to pursue their shared passion. We’ll also discuss the outlook for the Scotch Whisky industry in the post-Brexit environment with Scotch Whisky Association chief executive David Frost, and why he’s not interested in returning to Her Majesty’s diplomatic corps anytime soon. We’ll also honor three whisky industry leaders who passed away this past we...2016-08-0700 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 600: July 31, 2016Philadelphia has a long history of whisky distilling dating back to Colonial days, and craft distillers are reviving some of that history that died out several decades ago. During this week’s Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, the Distilled Spirits Council arranged a tour of local craft distilleries for reporters covering the convention. We’ll take a non-partisan tour with them on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Diageo’s CEO wants UK politicians to protect Scotch Whisky interests during Brexit negotiations, and we’ll find out who won this year’s Australian Malt Whisky Tasting Championship. We’ll also help a...2016-07-3100 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 595: June 25, 2016Willie Cochrane retired last month after 39 years at Jura Distillery, and spent the last 11 of them as the manager of the Isle of Jura’s largest business (and only distillery) before turning over the keys to his hand-picked successor, Graham Logan. He’s spent most of the last few weeks away from the island traveling with his wife and spending time with their three children and grandchildren – but Willie slowed down enough to spend some time with us for this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. The UK’s Brexit vote and its potential impact on the whisky industry dominates the news this Read 2016-06-2600 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 594: June 18, 2016Moving is one of those things that no one really enjoys…let alone when one has to move hundreds of rare whisky samples to a new home. Whyte & Mackay’s Richard Paterson faced that challenge recently when the company moved to its new headquarters in Glasgow, and he’ll discuss how he and his team handled the move on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, construction has started on Scotland’s latest distillery project – while another new distillery is ready to open in Virginia. We’ll find out what it’s like to go barrel-picking at Wild Turkey, and learn more a...2016-06-1900 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 593: June 12, 2016Many factors go into the decision to give a whisky brand a shakeup, and we’ll look at the factors behind two major facelifts announced in the last few weeks. Both Glen Grant and Jameson unveiled major changes to their whisky lineups with new expressions and packaging. We’ll talk with Glen Grant’s Dennis Malcolm and Jameson’s Billy Leighton and Dan Lundberg about the thinking behind their moves on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. Meanwhile, Dennis Malcolm is in the news for another reason as well this week…he turned up on Queen Elizabeth’s annual Birthday Honours List as a newl...2016-06-1200 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 592: June 4, 2016Penderyn is the only whisky distillery in Wales, but may soon spin off a second distillery under its name in nearby Swansea. Local leaders want a second Penderyn Distillery as part of their revitalization plan for a former copper works along the River Tawe, and the idea fits with Penderyn’s plans for future expansion. We’ll discuss the project with Welsh Whisky Company managing director Stephen Davies and look at Penderyn’s long-term future on WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, BenRiach’s sale to Brown-Forman is complete – and that leaves just one of every four Scotch Whisky distilleries in Scottish h...2016-06-0500 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 591: May 28, 2016This weekend usually marks the beginning of summer, and many people will be heading for the beach – either for real or in their dreams. The entrepreneurs behind the new Beach Whiskey have those people in mind…people who want a dram at the beach, but think a heavy, spicy Bourbon or Single Malt might be too overpowering on a hot day. We’ll talk about building a new whiskey brand with Smoke Wallin, Andrew McGinnis, country music star Jake Owen, and television’s Billy Bush on WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, we’ll have the latest on the WhistlePig Rye standoff i...2016-05-2900 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 590: May 22, 2016One of Scotland’s newest distilleries opened its doors for the first time to visitors this week, though opportunities to visit InchDairnie Distillery in Fife will be few and far between. The state-of-the-art distillery will produce two different styles of malt whiskies – one for blending and one for use in its own single malts that won’t be bottled until at least 2029, if founder Ian Palmer has his way. We’ll take a tour of InchDairnie with Ian Palmer on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth and uncover more of InchDairnie’s mysteries. In the news, WhistlePig Farm is in the middle of a 2016-05-2300 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 588: May 7, 2016Jonathan Drew wants to take his success in the cigar business and expand into the spirits industry, and he plans to do it with the same unique style and drive that turned Drew Estate into a cult favorite among cigar lovers – including fans of the Pappy Van Winkle-branded cigars. His John Drew Brands range is heading to market with a Canadian Rye whisky, a rum, and his Brixton Mash Destroyer – a blend of Bourbon and rum. We’ll meet Jonathan Drew on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth, along with tasting notes for his rye whisky. In the news, Jim Rutledge Read Mor2016-05-0800 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 587: April 30, 2016The other night, Louisville’s Haymarket Whiskey Bar held a “Jim Rutledge Tribute Night” to honor the retired Four Roses master distiller. Less than 24 hours later, Jim announced his plans to come out of retirement and start a $2 million crowdfunding campaign to build a new distillery near Louisville. We’ll talk with Jim about his new project on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Brown-Forman is back in the Scotch Whisky business after 11 years with a $416 million deal to buy the BenRiach Distillery Company from Billy Walker and his partners, Compass Box is hoping to “enlighten” those Read More »2016-05-0100 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 586: April 23, 2016Paul Hletlko is one of the leaders in North America’s craft distilling movement, and the founder of FEW Spirits is in the middle of a distillery expansion that will triple his annual spirits production – in the heart of what was once the capital of America’s temperance movement. We’ll talk with Paul Hletko on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth, and look at some of the highlights from this week’s Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America convention and Independent Spirits Expo in Las Vegas during the news. Finally, we’ll listen as one of today’s hottest country music stars – and a bu2016-04-2500 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 584: April 10, 2016The Whisky Sponge has been puncturing egos and tweaking the Scotch Whisky industry with impunity – and relative anonymity – for nearly three years, but on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth, the Sponge publicly reveals his true identity for the first time. We don’t want to spoil the surprise, but it’s not “Jill Bumsden” and especially not “Dark Mollesty”! In the news, Luxco’s plans for another Bourbon distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky have been confirmed as the longtime blender and bottler tries to lock in whiskey supplies for the future … Crown Royal’s distillery strike could last well into the summer … and Read More »2016-04-1000 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 583: April 3, 2016A lot of trends come out of Portland, Oregon…and while the craft distilling movement didn’t originate there, Portland’s House Spirits helped jump-start the industry when Christian Krogstad started making gin, aquavit, and whisky in 2004. Last November, House Spirits moved into an all-new distillery with a goal of making its Westward Oregon Straight Malt Whisky a leader in the emerging American Single Malt category. Tom Mooney is president of House Spirits, and is also wrapping up a year as president of the American Craft Spirits Association. We’ll talk with him on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Is...2016-04-0300 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 582: March 26, 2016You’ll see a lot of businesses with the “& Son” as part of the name, but rarely do we see businesses with “& Daughter” – let alone “& Daughters.” The Last Drop doesn’t have that in its name, but it has something more…Beanie Espey and Rebecca Jago have taken over the day-to-day management of the company from their fathers, longtime Scotch Whisky industry figures James Espey and Tom Jago. We’ll talk with Beanie Espey about that transition and the latest Last Drop release – a 50-year-old double-matured blended Scotch – on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. We’ll also look at the Read More »2016-03-2700 min
WhiskyCast HDWhiskyCast HD: Pouring The Perfect Pint of GuinnessThis is a special “throwback” video with the very first WhiskyCast video segment released on March 17, 2011 featuring former Guinness master brewer Fergal Murray demonstrating how to pull a perfect pint of Guinness from the tap.2016-03-1609 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 580: March 12, 2016There was once a time when Ireland’s single pot still whiskies were among the world’s most popular drams, but a combination of changing tastes, politics, and other factors nearly destroyed the Irish Whiskey industry decades ago. Now, whisky lovers are rediscovering the heavier, oilier flavor of single pot still Irish whiskies, and one Irish historian has researched the origins and development of those whiskies. We’ll talk with Fionnán O’Connor on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth, along with a look at one of Ireland’s newest distilleries, the William Grant & Sons-owned Tullamore Distillery. In the news, Scotch Whisky...2016-03-1300 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 578: February 28, 2016There’s been a lot of attention paid recently to women working in the whisky industry, but when Allisa Henley was promoted to Head Distiller at Tennessee’s George Dickel Distillery last March, she just took over for John Lunn without even so much as a news release. While most people thought of her as being in charge of the distillery’s visitor center, she had quietly been Lunn’s understudy for a decade and stepped right into the role she had been training for – at the distillery just a few miles from where she grew up. We’ll talk with Allisa o...2016-02-2800 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 576: February 14, 2016With oil prices in the doldrums, stocks sagging, and other forms of investments losing value, a number of investors are turning to rare whiskies as a viable investment option. Rare Whisky 101 tracks UK whisky auctions, and the value of whiskies sold during 2015 gained 25% over 2014’s auction results, and we’ll discuss both the trend and the outlook with Andy Simpson of Rare Whisky 101 on WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, we have details on new whiskies from Tennessee, Scotland, and around the world, along with a new role for one of the whisky industry’s leading ambassadors. Links: Rare Read More »2016-02-1400 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 574: January 30, 2016The debate over age statements on whiskies shows no sign of going away, but how does a brand decide to remove the age statement from its whiskey? Earlier this month, Heaven Hill announced that it would remove the 12-year-old age statement from its Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon and start making the whiskey with casks 8 to 12 years old. We’ll discuss the reasons behind that move with Heaven Hill co-master distiller Denny Potter and longtime Heaven Hill executive Larry Kass on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth, along with the company’s latest plans for expanding its Bernheim Distillery in Louisville to Rea...2016-01-3100 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 573: January 23, 2016Drew Mayville’s 36 years in the whisky business include stints as the final master blender at Seagram’s and as Sazerac’s master blender for Buffalo Trace and its other whiskies, as well as the Pappy Van Winkle whiskies. He was one of the featured presenters at the Victoria Whisky Festival, and joins us to discuss his wide-ranging career on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Stewart Laing and his sons have unveiled their plans for Islay’s newest distillery…we’ll have the latest on new whiskies from Kilchoman, Glenmorangie, GlenDronach, and Highland Queen, bid the Elijah Craig Small Ba...2016-01-2400 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 572: January 17, 2016One of the most-discussed topics at this weekend’s Victoria Whisky Festival was a National Post feature on whisky questioning the future of vintage whiskies, and whether the whisky boom has already reached its peak. One of the whiskies mentioned in the story was The Glenlivet’s Founders Reserve, which is replacing The Glenlivet 12 in many markets around the world. We’ll get the reaction from The Glenlivet’s Ian Logan to that article, and what his colleagues at Chivas Brothers are doing to fight that perception on WhiskyCast In-Depth. We’ll also look at the impact of international trade deals on w...2016-01-1800 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 570: January 9, 2016America has a love-hate relationship with alcohol, and it’s fair to say that drinking has changed the course of American history – for better and for worse. Susan Cheever explored that relationship for her new book “Drinking in America: Our Secret History” and joins us on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, 28 purloined Pappy Van Winkle bottles may not receive the reprieve many Bourbon fans were hoping for once the “Pappygate” case in Kentucky ends, and flooding has closed Scotland’s Glencadam Distillery for repairs. We’ll also answer a listener’s questions on how to prepare for a whisky festival Re2016-01-1000 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 568: December 26, 2015There are a lot of issues facing the world of whisky and spirits these days, and we’ll discuss many of them on this week’s WhiskyCast. During the recent New Brunswick Spirits Festival in Canada, WhiskyCast’s Mark Gillespie moderated a panel discussion with Glenfiddich’s Ian Millar, Dr. Kirstie McCallum of Burn Stewart Distillers, Angostura Rum master distiller John Georges, and The Glenlivet’s Alan Winchester. We discussed topics ranging from declining whisky sales to the impact of the thaw in diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba and more, and you’ll hear the entire discussion on WhiskyCast In...2015-12-2700 minWhiskyCast HDWhiskyCast HD:The First Still Run at Ireland’s Waterford DistilleryIt's rare to watch a whiskey distillery's stills run for the very first time, but that's what we're bringing you in this episode of WhiskyCast HD. Just a year and a week after buying the former Guinness brewery in Waterford, Ireland, Mark Reynier's Renegade Spirits has fired up the stills at what's now known as Waterford Distillery. Many of the brewery's former employees laid off after it closed two years ago have come back to work at the distillery, and 46 area farmers have been contracted to grow barley for use in Waterford's single malt whiskey, which is expected to go...2015-12-1209 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 565: December 5, 2015Every once in a while, you might want to step outside of your comfort zone and try something besides whisky. A WhiskyCast listener asked for suggestions along those lines after hearing our October episode about Armagnacs, and we turned to Jeff Cioletti for answers. He’s the author of the new book “The Year of Drinking Adventurously: 52 Ways To Get Out of Your Comfort Zone” and editor-at-large for Beverage World magazine, and he’ll join us for this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Diageo has bought a stake in Denmark’s Stauning Distillery, while The Macallan and Glenfiddich are both pla...2015-12-0600 minWhiskyCast HDWhiskyCast HD: The Jim Beveridge InterviewDr. Jim Beveridge is the Master Blender for Johnnie Walker, and leads a team of blenders at Diageo's blending lab in Menstrie, Scotland. He rarely does interviews, but sat down with WhiskyCast's Mark Gillespie recently in New York City to discuss the science and the art behind whisky blending.2015-10-1612 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 557: October 10, 2015It’s rare that we talk about spirits other than whiskies on WhiskyCast, but with many people complaining that rising prices for single malts are forcing them to seek alternatives, it’s a good time to take another look at Armagnacs. We first looked at the French spirit back in 2007, and while whisky prices have been rising sharply, prices for vintage Armagnacs have been rising much more slowly. Florence Castarède is the sixth generation of her family to manage Armagnac Castarède, and we’ll discuss Armagnacs with her on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Sazerac plans to re...2015-10-1100 minWhiskyCast HDWhiskyCast HD: Chatting with Bourbon Legends Parker Beam and Jimmy RussellParker Beam and Jimmy Russell were part of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame's inaugural class in 2001, and on September 16, 2015, Jimmy helped present Parker with the Hall of Fame's first Lifetime Achievement Award. The award has been named for Parker as a tribute to the longtime Heaven Hill master distiller, who has been fighting ALS for the last three years. After the presentation, both Bourbon legends sat down with WhiskyCast's Mark Gillespie for a chat.2015-10-0819 minWhiskyCast HDWhiskyCast HD: Silver Trail’s Story of SurvivalKentucky had not had a fatal distillery accident since Prohibition until the morning of April 24, 2015, when the still at the Silver Trail Distillery suddenly over-pressurized and exploded. Distillers Jay Rogers and Kyle Rogers were hit with a blast of steam followed by burning alcohol, and both men suffered severe burns. Kyle Rogers died 17 days later at Nashville's Vanderbilt University Medical Center, while Jay Rogers spent more than two months in the burn unit before he was released. He and Silver Trail founder Spencer Balentine share their stories of survival, the generosity of Kentucky's whiskey community, their future plans, and pay...2015-08-2814 minWhiskyCast HDWhiskyCast HD: The Alan Winchester InterviewAlan Winchester is Master Distiller for The Glenlivet, along with overseeing distilling operations at all of the Chivas Brothers distilleries in Scotland. This June, he'll celebrate his 40th anniversary in the Scotch Whisky industry, and he sat down with WhiskyCast's Mark Gillespie to discuss the past, present, and future of Scotch Whisky during the Spirit of Speyside Festival.2015-05-1415 minWhiskyCast HDWhiskyCast HD: A Big Weekend At Maker’s MarkThe second weekend of April means The Masters for golf lovers, but for fans of Maker's Mark Bourbon, it means horse racing and a visit to the distillery in the heart of Kentucky's Bourbon Country. More than a thousand people lined up at Keeneland in Lexington on Friday (April 10) for the annual Keeneland charity bottle signing featuring University of Kentucky basketball legends. The next day, more than 4,000 people descended on the tiny town of Loretto, Kentucky for the distillery's annual Maker's Mark Handcraft Festival.2015-04-1705 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 529: April 11, 2015This week, we’re on location at the Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky for the annual Maker’s Mark Handcraft Festival and the running of the Maker’s 46 Mile at Lexington’s Keeneland Race Course. Friday also brought an estimated 1,000 whisky and Kentucky basketball fans to Keeneland for the annual signing of the Maker’s Mark Keeneland charity bottle. This year’s bottle honors legendary University of Kentucky basketball coach Adolph Rupp, and several of his former players spent hours signing bottles for the fans who turned out at Keeneland. We’ll have a complete wrap-up of the weekend’s events...2015-04-1200 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 524: March 7, 2015Lawyers are circling around the whisky industry, much like sharks around a shipwreck. At least five different US distillers and bottlers have been hit with class-action lawsuits since last September accusing them of misleading consumers. The litigation largely focuses on whether their whiskies are “hand-made,” “small-batch,” or claim to come from a small-scale distillery that actually purchases bulk whiskey from larger distillers. This week on WhiskyCast In-Depth, we’ll hear from one of the attorneys targeting the whisky industry. Abbas Kazerounian’s California law firm specializes in class-action consumer cases, and is currently suing Maker’s Mark, Jim Beam, and Tito’s Vodka o2015-03-0800 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 522: February 21, 2015For the second straight year, a Texas whiskey has won Best in Show honors at the American Craft Spirits Association competition. San Antonio’s Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling .36 Single Barrel Straight Bourbon beat a field of whiskies and other spirits from around the US. Ranger Creek co-founder Mark McDavid joins us this week on WhiskyCast In-Depth to share the story behind that whiskey and the distillery. In the news, a California law firm is challenging Beam Suntory on two fronts now over claims that Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark are “hand-made”, a distilling prodigy is leaving Brown-Forman for the craft Rea2015-02-2200 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 511: December 13, 2014Amrut got whisky lovers used to the idea of single malt whiskies from India, and now, Paul John is challenging Amrut’s standing as the leader in Indian single malts. John Distilleries has been making single malt whisky in Goa for the last 10 years, but only started exporting it to the UK and Europe in 2012. The Paul John whiskies have now arrived in Australia, and are expected to enter the US market in 2015. Krish Kumar of Paul John explains the distillery’s story on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Maker’s Mark is now facing a court challeng...2014-12-1400 minWhiskyCast HDWhiskyCast HD: Single Malt Whisky Swedish StyleSwedes have a passion for whisky, and that's led some Swedish whisky lovers to open their own distilleries and make single malt whisky with a Scandinavian flair. We'll visit Box and Mackmyra distilleries in Sweden to see what makes Swedish single malt whiskies unique on this episode of WhiskyCast HD.2014-12-1109 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 508: November 29, 2014Irish Whiskey has been leading the global growth in whisky sales for the last several years, posting double-digit gains every year. That growth is being reflected in the number of new distilleries under construction or being planned in Ireland, and distillers from both sides of the border have come together to form the Irish Whiskey Association. Peter Morehead of Irish Distillers was elected the association’s first president, and joins us to discuss the state of Irish Whiskey on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, former Bruichladdich managing director Mark Reynier is getting back into the whisky business with...2014-11-3000 minWhiskyCast HDWhiskyCast HD: The John Glaser Interview, Part TwoCompass Box founder John Glaser has been shaking up the Scotch Whisky industry for the last 15 years. In the final part of our 2-part interview conducted in John's blending lab, we'll discuss his differences with the Scotch Whisky Association, the story behind the new Compass Box whisky “The Lost Blend”, and John answers more questions submitted by WhiskyCast listeners.2014-10-2614 minWhiskyCast HDWhiskyCast HD: The John Glaser Interview, Part OneCompass Box founder John Glaser has been shaking up the Scotch Whisky industry for the last 15 years. In Part 1 of our 2-part interview conducted in John's blending lab, we'll discuss the early years of Compass Box along with his latest whisky, Great King Street Glasgow Blend. He'll also answer questions submitted by WhiskyCast listeners.2014-10-1812 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 483: June 13, 2014David Blackmore spends most of his year on the road as the brand ambassador for Glenmorangie and Ardbeg, and was in Taipei for Ardbeg Day 2014 in what he describes as one of his most interesting road trips yet. He’ll share stories from the road with us on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth during a brief break from his travels. In the news, we have word on new whiskies from Maker’s Mark, Crown Royal, GlenDronach, and Kilchoman. Diageo wins a legal battle with Tennessee regulators, and a sad story from Oklahoma is proof that craft distilling isn’t without its risk...2014-06-1400 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 473: April 5, 2014Many of Scotland’s historic distilleries have faded into history, to be remembered only by archivists and the occasional whisky lover. While the actual malts from Auchnagie, Stratheden, and others no longer exist — a group of whisky lovers and entrepreneurs are trying to keep the names alive, and replicate those old malts as best they can using present-day whiskies. We’ll find out more about The Lost Distillery Company’s whiskies on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, we have word on new whiskies from Glenglassaugh, Bowmore, and Buffalo Trace, along with a new look for Benromach, this year’s Mak...2014-04-0600 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 468: March 1, 2014Maker’s Mark celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, and the distillery is about to undergo a $70 million dollar expansion that will increase capacity by 50% to meet future demands, along with changes to make it easier for distillery workers and thousands of visitors to get around the complex. Maker’s Mark President Rob Samuels explains the project and plans for marking the anniversary on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, there are more distillery projects planned in Scotland, details on the third Orphan Barrel Bourbon, and a new Scotch whisky from The Last Drop. We’ll also answer a listen...2014-03-0200 minWhiskyCast HDWhiskyCast HD: The Richard Paterson Interview, Part 2Richard Paterson, Whyte & Mackay’s Master Blender, answers questions from WhiskyCast community members in Part 2 of our interview during the Victoria Whisky Festival.2014-01-2416 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 462: January 19, 2014More coverage of the Victoria Whisky Festival in this bonus edition of WhiskyCast, with details on new and upcoming releases from Springbank, Duncan Taylor, Tomatin, and Glenfarclas. In the news, Whyte & Mackay’s Richard Paterson discusses his concerns over the future of the company in an exclusive WhiskyCast interview, the world record price for a single bottle of whisky sold at auction has been shattered, and Barry Wilde of Alberta’s Highwood Distillers updates us on the recovery from last summer’s massive flooding that shut the distillery down for weeks. Links: Victoria Whisky Festival | The Macallan | Diageo | United Read More »2014-01-2000 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 452: November 16, 2013Dr. Matthew Crow of Diageo is one of Scotch Whisky’s up-and-coming blenders. Working under Dr. Jim Beveridge, he helped create Johnnie Walker Double Black and worked with Jim last year on the £120,000 John Walker & Sons Diamond Jubilee whisky to mark Queen Elizabeth’s 60th anniversary on the throne. In the past year, he’s helped create three new Talisker releases, and joins us on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth to discuss the subtle differences in blending Single Malts versus Blended Scotch whiskies. In the news, Heaven Hill opens the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience on Louisville’s Main Street, Glenfiddich releases a...2013-11-1700 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 447: October 12, 2013With 28 malt whisky distilleries and two grain whisky distilleries in Scotland, Diageo almost always has something going on. Dr. Nick Morgan is head of whisky outreach for the world’s largest whisky producer, and we sat down in New York City this week with drams of Talisker Storm to discuss the malt’s U.S. debut, this year’s special releases, and more for this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth segment. In the news, plans for another malt distillery in Scotland are getting clearer, Arran releases its Millennium Casks, and WhistlePig unleashes The Boss Hog. We’ll also hear WhiskyCast listeners venting th...2013-10-1300 minWhiskyCast HDWhiskyCast HD: Forty Creek Distillery's Whisky WeekendCanadian whisky lovers converge on the Forty Creek Distillery in Grimsby, Ontario on the final weekend of September each year. That's when Forty Creek founder and whisky maker John Hall releases his annual limited edition release. This year, WhiskyCast's Mark Gillespie was on hand as John released Forty Creek's "Heart of Gold" whisky and around 3,000 whisky lovers showed up to claim their bottles.2013-10-0705 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 445: September 29, 2013This week’s WhiskyCast comes from Forty Creek Distillery’s annual Whisky Weekend in Grimsby, Ontario. Forty Creek’s John Hall makes his whisky differently from any other distiller, and we’ll deconstruct Forty Creek Barrel Select on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth during a Whisky Weekend tasting session with John, Davin de Kergommeaux, and Johanne McInnis. In the news, a WhiskyCast exclusive — Diageo’s supply of whiskey for Bulleit Bourbon from Four Roses will be cut off next spring, and that could force Diageo to make a decision on the future of the long-closed Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville. Links: Forty Creek...2013-09-2900 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 433: July 13, 2013What goes into reviving a distillery that’s been closed for 14 years? That was the question from WhiskyCast listener Scott Mansfield after Chivas Brothers reopened Glen Keith Distillery in Scotland last month, and we put it to Alan Winchester of Chivas Brothers for this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Diageo plans to meet with UK regulators over the future of Whyte & Mackay after its purchase of India’s United Spirits, new distilleries are coming to Louisville and Ireland, and our tasting panel from this month’s WhiskyCast Virtual Tastings shares their thoughts on Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon. Li...2013-07-1400 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyWhiskyCast Episode 432: July 7, 2013Duncan Taylor’s Euan Shand is in the middle of what he calls the company’s busiest year in its 75-year history. He’s just started work on the distillery he’s wanted to build in Huntly for several years, is in the middle of turning an old supermarket into a new bottling hall and gift shop, entering the furniture business, and sponsoring a race car with plans for next year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. We’ll catch up with Euan on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Diageo completes its acquisition of India’s United Spirits, Edrington and Is...2013-07-0700 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 419: April 6, 2013Scotch Whisky exports account for 80% of all Scottish food and drink exports each year, along with about 25% of all UK food and drink exports. The Scotch Whisky Association released its final 2012 export report this week, with little to no gain from 2011. SWA Chief Executive Gavin Hewitt discusses the export data and other key issues facing the industry on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Diageo’s Nick Morgan outlines the company’s plans for a massive expansion of distilling capacity in Scotland, Beam North American President Bill Newlands discusses the Maker’s Mark controversy, and we’ll get sneak Read 2013-04-0600 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 414: March 2, 2013Whisky has historically been thought of as a “man’s drink”, but thankfully, that’s changing. Not only are more women drinking whisky now than ever, more women are making it as well. Victoria MacRae-Samuels is Vice President of Operations at Maker’s Mark, and she’s the first woman to run one of Kentucky’s major distilleries since Prohibition. She discusses her 24 years in the whisky business and the growing diversity within the industry on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, an accident sends Chivas Brothers whisky down the drain, Glenmorangie kicks off its Cask Masters project, we’ll discuss the...2013-03-0200 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 413: February 24, 2013Chip Tate of Balcones Distillery in Texas is winning even more awards for his whiskies, with two gold medals in the inaugural Spirits of the Americas competition. One was for his Texas Single Malt, and the other for a whiskey that Chip used to say he’d never make. He’ll tell us about it on WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, the latest on the Maker’s Mark controversy, along with your comments on Maker’s in our new “Your Voice” segment. We’ll also have the latest on new whiskies from Angel’s Envy and Highland Park, Tuthilltown’s recovery from a fi...2013-02-2500 minWhiskyCast HDWhiskyCast HD: Maker's Mark Cuts Its ProofFor the first time since Bill Samuels Sr. introduced Maker's Mark Bourbon more than 50 years ago, the whisky is being changed. Supply shortages have forced Maker's to lower the alcohol by volume (ABV) level from 45% to 42%, which lowers the proof from 90 Proof to 84 Proof. In this interview with WhiskyCast's Mark Gillespie, Maker's Mark Chief Operating Officer Rob Samuels explains the reasons behind the move, and why he claims it won't affect the taste of the whisky.2013-02-1512 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 411: February 9, 2013It’s been a big week for Barry Crockett. Midleton Distillery’s Master Distiller was named this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner by The Whisky Advocate, and just a couple of days later, announced his plans to retire next month after 47 years at Midleton. We’ll catch up with Barry on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Maker’s Mark makes the first major change in its whisky in five decades to meet demand, the Distilled Spirits Council releases 2012 economic data on whisky sales, and there are new whiskies ranging from a case full of Bourbons to single casks...2013-02-1000 minWhiskyCast HDWhiskyCast HD: Glenfiddich's 125th Anniversary Party in DallasGlenfiddich is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a series of parties in 8 US cities during 2012, including one in Dallas, Texas. This episode of WhiskyCast HD is your pass to get past the velvet rope and see highlights from the Dallas event on October 2, 2012.2012-10-0405 minWhiskyCast | Weekly Whisky, Scotch, & Bourbon Podcast | Discover Latest News, Tasting Notes, Ratings | Spirits to Drink & BuyEpisode 383: August 18, 2012You have questions about whisky, and this week, we have some of the answers. It’s the annual Question and Answer episode of WhiskyCast, and whisky experts will answer some of the many questions that have come in from WhiskyCast community members. We’ll get the definitive answer on whether to store whisky bottles on their side or standing up, among other things. In the news, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail gets a new member, Bowmore and Jameson release new whiskies, and The Famous Grouse goes over and above in setting a new world record. Links: Kentucky Bourbon Trail | Lexington Brewing & Distill...2012-08-1800 minWhiskyCast HDWhiskyCast HD: Taking It To The SourceMany distilleries guard the source of their water supply carefully, but in this episode of WhiskyCast HD, you'll get a close-up look at Scotland's Tarlogie Springs near the town of Tain, the source of Glenmorangie Distillery's water for making its single malt Scotch Whiskies.2012-05-2204 minWhiskyCast HDWhiskyCast HD: The Old Jameson Distillery on St. Patrick's Day WeekendThere are few places better to celebrate St. Patrick's Day than in Dublin, Ireland. Each year, Jameson Irish Whiskey invites radio broadcasters from around the world to do their shows from the Old Jameson Distillery on Dublin's Bow Street. This year, WhiskyCast was part of the Jameson Global Broadcast for the first time, and here's a look at some of the fun.2012-03-2304 minWhiskyCast HDWhiskyCast HD: Whisky Live Paris 2011Whisky Live Paris is one of the world's top whisky festivals, and you'll see why in this episode of WhiskyCast HD. France is one of the world's top two whisky export markets, along with the United States, and there's a passion for whisky in France that's hard to match.2011-10-0400 minWhiskyCast HDWhiskyCast HD: Bruichladdich Celebrates 10th AnniversaryBruichladdich Distillery on Scotland's Isle of Islay marked the 10th anniversary of its reopening on September 11, 2011 with the first bottling of The Laddie Ten. It's the first 10-year-old single malt whisky from Bruichladdich produced exclusively with whisky distilled since the distillery's revival in 2001. WhiskyCast's Mark Gillespie was on hand as The Laddie Ten was bottled.2011-09-1600 minWhiskyCast HDWhiskyCast HD: Chef Mike Isabella's Bourbon Caramel SauceChef Mike Isabella has appeared on Top Chef and Top Chef All-Stars, and now he shares the secret of his Bourbon Caramel Sauce with you on WhiskyCast HD. He uses it on Zeppoles with powered sugar and blueberries, but it's great with all kinds of desserts.2011-07-2200 minWhiskyCast HDWhiskyCast HD: Q&A with Wild Turkey's Jimmy & Eddie RussellWild Turkey Master Distiller Jimmy Russell and his son, Associate Distiller Eddie Russell, answer questions from WhiskyCast listeners in this episode.2011-06-2500 minWhiskyCast HDWhiskyCast HD: Raising a Glass with Laphroaig's Simon BrookingThe thought of speaking in public scares most people to death, but sooner or later, you'll be in a position where you have to offer a toast. In this episode of WhiskyCast HD, Laphroaig brand ambassador Simon Brooking offers some suggestions for toasting your friends or colleagues at a special event.2011-05-2800 min