Shows
Not Another Whisky PodcastINSIDE WHISKY CAST: A CHAT WITH MARK GILLESPIEThis week on Not Another Whisky Podcast, Mitch & Daz do something dangerously self-indulgent: they look back at how this whole thing started. From a shared love of whisky (and questionable decision-making) to accidentally building a podcast people actually listen to, they dig into the origins of NAWP, the friendships that fuel it, and why they’ve never quite followed the “normal” whisky podcast rulebook.They chat inspiration, format, and how their approach stacks up against other whisky pods — including why they’ve always leaned into conversation over catechism, curiosity over credentials, and fun over faux-seriousness.Then thing...
2026-02-0338 min
Whisky & Smoke News NetworkWNSNN - Ep. 8 - 1/7/26 - Int W/ Mark Gillespie of WhsikyCast "20+ Year Master Podcaster!!!"Dive into Episode 8 of Whisky & Smoke News Network, your ultimate weekly source for the latest whisky news, cigar releases, pipe tobacco updates, and industry insights as of January 7, 2026! Host Chris Kumnick returns after a brief hiatus to deliver exciting scotch whisky developments—like the sherry cask revival in Spain boosting producers for brands like Macallan, Diageo’s new Buchanan’s Green Seal blend, and Heaven Hill’s 90th anniversary—alongside bourbon highlights including Meat Church BBQ’s stake in Pursuit Spirits and World Whiskey Society’s Doc Holliday Huckleberry Edition. Cigar enthusiasts will love updates on revivals like J.C. Newman’s Sa...
2026-01-0859 min
WhiskyCastTurning the Tables on MarkWith WhiskyCast celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, we thought we’d start the year by turning the tables on host and creator Mark Gillespie. Longtime listener Juan Cruz collected questions for Mark from WhiskyCast Community app members, and sat down with Mark over New Year’s Day drams for a conversation. It’s our special one-time-only WhiskyCast In-Depth this week. In the news, the U.S. Surgeon General wants new warnings about the links between alcohol and several different types of cancers on beverage labels, while MGP is looking for a new CEO and Glenmorangie’s Dr. Bill Lumsden can add...
2025-01-0556 minWhiskyCastMark Reynier: Whisky's Enfant TerribleWaterford Distillery founder Mark Reynier has no shortage of opinions about how he feels whisky should be made, and he’s putting those opinions into the bottle. Reynier has butted heads with the whisky establishment many times over the years because of his passion for flavor above all else, critics be damned. He’ll share some of his opinions with us on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Compass Box founder John Glaser is stepping down after 23 years, while there’s both good and bad news about whisky exports.
2024-03-0446 min
Mitlin Money MindsetTurning Your Passion into a Business: Insights from WhiskyCast's Mark Gillespie, Episode #104Mark Gillespie is the host and executive producer of WhiskyCast and founding partner of CaskStrength Media. Now in its 17th year, WhiskyCast is the world's longest-running whiskey podcast series, enjoyed by listeners in over 180 countries. Mark has developed WhiskyCast into a worldwide online community, providing complete news coverage of the whiskey industry. Mark is a veteran journalist with four decades of experience in broadcast and online journalism and was awarded Communicator of the Year honors in the 2021 Whisky Magazine Icons of Whisky Awards. He has also been inducted into the Kentucky Distillers Association's Order of the Writ...
2022-10-2636 minWhiskyCastHappy Hour Live with Bill Samuels Jr. of Maker's MarkIt's been more than a decade since Bill Samuels, Jr. "retired" as chairman of Maker's Mark and turned the reins over to his son Rob, but the 82-year-old Bourbon legend seems just as busy today as ever. He joined us from his office at Maker's Mark headquarters for the #HappyHourLive webcast the other night for a wide-ranging discussion of everything from his early days to being a mentor for today's generation of emerging distillers. Join us each Friday night at 5:00pm New York time for our live webcasts on the WhiskyCast YouTube channel, our Facebook page, Twitter, and Twitch.
2022-02-1555 min
Knock Tales Whisky Podcast with Gordon BruceMark Gillespie, founder and host of WhiskyCastWhat do you say to the ‘Podfather’ of the whisky world when he’s a guest on your own podcast? In this episode of Knock Tales, Gordon settles his nerves and finds out, when he hosts Mark Gillespie, podcasting legend and founder of WhiskyCast who has close to 900 episodes to his name…and counting. Having been a WhiskyCast guest, Gordon enjoys turning the tables on Mark to hear his story: the night he first fell in love with single malt and how it led to a lifetime spent tasting, discovering and sharing whisky stories from around the world. H...
2021-07-0732 min
Around the Barrel with Jack Daniel'sA Podcasting Pioneer: Mark Gillespie, host and executive producer of WhiskyCastSpirits have always been a great way to bring people together. Over fifteen years ago, Mark Gillespie discovered that simply talking about them was just as effective. Gillespie launched WhiskyCast, one of the original spirits podcasts, in 2005 and has since developed a national and international following of industry professionals and whiskey enthusiasts alike. On this episode of Around the Barrel, Gillespie takes a turn as our distinguished guest to discuss the evolution of both podcasting and his whiskey expertise, and shares some of his favorite stories about the spirit.
2021-05-1733 min
Barrel Room ChroniclesSOW EP 35 - Mark Gillespie of WhiskyCast: The World's Longest-Running Whiskey Podcast!This week's guest on Spirits of Whisk(e)y is Mark Gillespie, Host & Executive Producer of WhiskyCast, the world's longest-running whiskey podcast. Listen and learn how Mark, who enjoyed a long career in radio news before blazing a podcasting trail for all who followed, went from journeyman broadcaster to the Internet's most recognizable voice of whiskey. Then hear how Seth Benhaim, Founder & CEO of Infuse Spirits and Broken Barrel Whiskey, started his own successful podcast, The Cartel Hour, with Co-Host and Producer Cameron Stephens. Together they survey the wide world of spirits from the very well-stocked comfort of The Infusery, in...
2021-02-2852 min
Spirited Advocate Podcast013 WhiskyCast's Mark GillespieHost of his own podcast, The WhiskyCast, Mark Gillespie joins the Spirited Advocate Podcast to talk about his experiences diving into the world of whisky, some of his favorite (and most interesting) interviews over the last 15 years and what's on the horizon for the spirits industry post-COVID. WhiskyCast has a worldwide online community with listeners in more than 180 countries.
2020-09-0339 min
Spirited Advocate PodcastWhiskyCast's Mark GillespieHost of his own podcast, The WhiskyCast, Mark Gillespie joins the Spirited Advocate Podcast to talk about his experiences diving into the world of whisky, some of his favorite (and most interesting) interviews over the last 15 years and what's on the horizon for the spirits industry post-COVID. WhiskyCast has a worldwide online community with listeners in more than 180 countries.
2020-09-0300 min
Words on WhiskeyWords on Whiskey - Ep 8 - July 22nd - Mark GillespieEvery week Irish Whiskey Magazine shares the latest news and developments from inside the Irish whiskey industry. We'll be speaking to the movers and shakers in the Irish whiskey landscape and get their insights into all that's happened and is emerging. This week on Words on Whiskey we turn the tables on our guest Mark Gillespie, founder of the longest-running whisky podcast, WhiskyCast. Mark gives us his valuable insight into his many years as a whiskey podcaster and also what's new and exciting in the world of American whisky.________________________________________________________________________More information
2020-07-221h 24
United States of DramericaEpisode 25 - Mark Gillespie, host of Whiskycast25th Episode Special. We’re honoured to have veteran whisky broadcaster Mark Gillespie as our guest.The Whiskycast host talks about drinking in bars after Covid, missing his whisky friendsand his long and fascinating journey in whisky broadcasting.
2020-05-2750 min
Lush LifeHow To Tell The Stories with Mark Gillespie, WhiskyCast PodcastI don’t know who said you should never meet your idols, but they got it wrong this time. My guest today is drinks’ podcasting royalty, and from the first moment I contacted this king of the airwaves, he was raring to join the Lush Life family I’m Susan Schwartz, your drinking companion, and this is, Lush Life Podcast, every week we are inspired to live life one cocktail at a time by everyone in this industry. As the Fates would have it, Mark Gillespie, the Host and Executive Producer of WhiskyCast, the podcast that wro...
2020-04-2137 min
Off Track with Hinch and RossiBourbon Tasting with WhiskycastThis week we joined Mark Gillespie of Whiskycast to do a virtual bourbon tasting for his podcast and live stream. We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed the bourbon! Make sure to check out the livestream to see Thim in a robe, at whiskycast!+++Follow us on Twitter at @askofftrack. Or individually at @Hinchtown, @AlexanderRossi, and @TheTimDurham.To buy a #GetWellWickens sticker and or shirt, visit Toronto Motorsports, all proceeds go to Sam Schmidt's Conquer Paralysis Now Foundation.The music you heard in this episode comes from:
2020-04-171h 09
WhiskyCastMaker's Mark: Bucking Trends for 60 Years60 years ago, Bill and Marge Samuels dipped the first bottles of Maker's Mark Bourbon in Loretto, Kentucky. They left the "e" out of "whisky" and shipped the first cases to Keeneland in Lexington. When Maker's Mark finally decided to start a private barrel program several years ago, Bill Sr. and Marge's grandson Rob decided to put a different spin on the concept and let their customers actually create a unique Bourbon instead of picking from a bunch of cask samples. Keeneland was first in line for a Private Select bottling, too, and we'll get the story behind the program...
2019-07-1548 min
WhiskyCast HDCatching Up with Forty Creek Whisky Founder John HallForty Creek Whisky founder John K. Hall has kept a low profile since selling his distillery to Campari five years ago. He won dozens of awards for his whiskies at Forty Creek, and turned his startup into one of the best-selling Canadian whiskies around - earning him a place in Canadian Whisky history. Hall returned to the 2019 Victoria Whisky Festival for the first time since the sale to serve as the keynote speaker for the Canadian Whisky Awards dinner. In an exclusive interview with WhiskyCast's Mark Gillespie, he shared his thoughts on today's whisky business and whether he may make...
2019-01-2712 min
WhiskyCastMemories of an Irish Whiskey Legend (WhiskyCast Episode 699: May 20, 2018)Irish Whiskey lost one of its longtime champions this past week with the passing of John Clement Ryan. He was the 7th - and final generation of Dublin's Power family to work in the Irish Whiskey business, and while he never distilled a drop of whiskey himself, he traveled the world for three decades promoting Jameson Irish Whiskey during one of the industry's bleakest periods. His evangelism and fervor for Irish Whiskey contributed to the renaissance we see today as Irish Whiskey sales grow year after year. In 2013, we sat down with John Ryan for an interview that's never...
2018-05-2043 min
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
WhiskyCastWaiting for Waterford's Whiskey (WhiskyCast Episode 685: March 18, 2018)It's St. Patrick's Day weekend, and while we cover Irish Whiskey all year-round, it's worth paying special attention to the fastest-growing segment of the whisky business this week. Waterford Distillery has been quietly laying down more than 2.3 million liters of spirit since it opened at the end of 2015, and just as he did at Bruichladdich, Waterford founder Mark Reynier is challenging many of Irish Whiskey's traditions. We'll catch up with Mark for a progress report and discuss his newest challenge - distilling whiskey from biodynamically-grown barley. We'll also hear about another newcomer to the Irish Whiskey scene, as Sabine...
2018-03-181h 15
WhiskyCastOn the Road in Bourbon Country (WhiskyCast Episode 659: September 17, 2017)This week, we're on the road at the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown, Kentucky! We'll have highlights from the festival throughout this week's show, including the presentation of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame's Parker Beam Lifetime Achievement Award to Bill Samuels Jr. of Maker's Mark and the induction of the Hall's Class of 2017. In the news, Brown-Forman will invest $45 million to upgrade its Louisville cooperage over the next two years, while planning to cut around 70 jobs once the project is completed. Local leaders in Bardstown are working on a new project to cement the town's place as...
2017-09-181h 02Whisky 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 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 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 with...
2016-12-2557 minWhiskyCast 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 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 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-Depth. In the news, t...
2015-12-271h 30WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 566: December 13, 2015This week, we'll give you a glimpse at something rarely seen...the very first still run at a new distillery. This week, the stills at Ireland's Waterford Distillery came to life - 24 years after they were last used at the old Inverleven Distillery in Scotland. Like a lot of pieces of the Waterford story, those stills spent some time on Islay at Bruichladdich, but like the old Guinness brewery in Waterford that closed two years ago, they found new life in the Irish Whiskey boom. We'll talk with Waterford founder Mark Reynier and some of the brewery team that...
2015-12-1428 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 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 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 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 538: June 6, 2015This week, we're looking at the end of an experiment nearly 14 years in the making...Buffalo Trace's Single Oak Project. The attempt to create "Bourbon's Holy Grail" used 96 trees to make 192 special casks filled with whiskey for 8 years, with nearly 1,400 different possible variables that could have an impact on the final whiskey. More than 5,000 people posted their tasting notes on the 192 different bottlings, but it took a team of whisky writers to make the final selection from five finalists. We'll discuss the results with Buffalo Trace CEO Mark Brown, along with the fallout from the "PappyGate" series of whiskey...
2015-06-0739 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 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 534: May 9, 2015This episode wraps up our special coverage of the Spirit of Speyside Festival in Scotland, and we'll hear from soccer's Michael Owen. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star is working with Speyside Distillery as a global ambassador for its Spey single malts, and surprised visitors touring the distillery last Monday. He'll tell us why his whisky is better than David Beckham's Haig Club. We'll also look at another pairing -- this one matching whisky with bacon rolls, and George Grant of Glenfarclas let festival visitors pick the distillery's next Family Cask release. In the news, two of...
2015-05-1032 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 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 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 on this week's WhiskyCast. In...
2015-04-1253 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 525: March 14, 2015Anthony Bourdain is many things...a chef, author, journalist, and media personality. At heart, though, he's a hedonist seeking pleasure from everything he encounters - including whisky. The host of CNN's "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown" was the lead juror for this year's American Craft Council Rare Craft Fellowship Awards presented by The Balvenie, and we spent a few minutes discussing whisky at Tuesday's awards luncheon in New York City. He'll share his thoughts on the global interest in whisky, along with his take on what defines a "craft" whisky and more on this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth.
In...
2015-03-1537 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 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...
2015-03-0849 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 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...
2015-02-2235 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 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 challenge over its...
2014-12-1429 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 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 509: December 6, 2014In the first of this week's two episodes of WhiskyCast, we'll travel to Sweden to look at two of the country's whisky distilleries. Mackmyra is Sweden's oldest distillery...even though it's only 15 years old, and matures its malts in a former mine 50 metres underground. The Box Distillery has just released its second single malt four years after beginning production in a former power plant, and both releases sold out within hours at Sweden's state-run liquor monopoly. In the news, Chip Tate has accepted a buyout offer from Balcones Distillery's majority owners and has left with plans to start his...
2014-12-0737 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 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...
2014-11-3031 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 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 496: September 12, 2014Templeton Rye has been in the spotlight in recent weeks as critics go after so-called "sourced whisky" producers for what they claim are violations of a US regulation that requires the disclosure of the "state of distillation" of a whisky if it's different from the producer's home state. The Iowa-based company announced two weeks ago that it will change its labeling to disclose that its whisky is distilled in Indiana, while noting that it's been up front about that fact for years everywhere but on the label. Templeton's Scott Bush and Keith Kerkhoff will tell us their side of...
2014-09-1341 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 489: July 25, 2014Tasmania's distillers have been making some unusual and incredible whiskies in recent years, but many of them are flying under the radar of whisky lovers. Belgrove Distillery is one of those underrated distilleries, but when WhiskyCast listener Matt Wooler told us we had to check it out, we did. Peter Bignell built the distillery from the ground up on his farm, where he grows his own grain, makes his own whisky, and even fills and labels each bottle by hand. He's also making what may well be one of the few peated rye whiskies in the world, and shares...
2014-07-2635 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 484: June 20, 2014Distilling is serious business, and safety is paramount. Brianna Bailey of The Oklahoman can testify to that...she was an eyewitness to an explosion inside Twister Distillery in Moore, Oklahoma on Friday, June 13. Distiller Jeff Thurmon was critically burned after an open propane flame ignited the stream of alcohol spraying from his still. Bailey and the distillery's owner escaped unhurt. She shares the story of that day with us on this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth, and Scott Harris of Catoctin Creek Distillery explains why distillers have to make safety their top priority. Even if you never plan to work in...
2014-06-2144 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 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 risks. This...
2014-06-1428 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 478: May 10, 2014Mark Brown heads up Buffalo Trace and its parent company, Sazerac, and he's known for speaking his mind even when it goes against the rest of the Bourbon industry. These days, he's expressing concerns about an ongoing shortage of Bourbon that can't meet today's demands, let alone the potential demand in years to come. Not only is aged Bourbon in short supply, but the new oak barrels Bourbon producers depend on are also in short supply. Brown says distillers, cooperages, and forest owners need to start working on a strategy for the future. In the news, Whyte & Mackay sells...
2014-05-1137 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 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 Maker's...
2014-04-0621 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 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 listener question...
2014-03-0235 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 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 461: January 17, 2014This is the first of two episodes from this weekend's Victoria Whisky Festival in British Columbia, where Canadian whisky was featured on opening night with the presentation of the 2013 Canadian Whisky Awards. Corby's Lot No. 40 ended Forty Creek Distillery's three-year run as Canadian Whisky of the Year, but by the slimmest of margins. We'll hear from the winners, as well as the equally pleased runners-up. In the news, Suntory's $16 billion deal to acquire Beam is drawing fire from some critics, Wild Turkey will honor Jimmy Russell with a special bottling to mark his 60th anniversary at the distillery this...
2014-01-1822 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 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 special whisky t...
2013-11-1732 min
The WhiskyCast Tasting PanelWhiskyCast Virtual Tastings: Forty Creek SpecialThis special episode of WhiskyCast Virtual Tastings was recorded on location at Canada's Forty Creek Distillery during its annual "Whisky Weekend" at the end of September, 2013. Mark Gillespie moderated a tasting panel with Forty Creek's John Hall, Canadian Whisky Awards founder and author Davin de Kergommeaux, and the "Whisky Lassie," Johanne McInnis.
While Forty Creek is a sponsor of WhiskyCast Virtual Tastings, we have elected to present this tasting panel as a special episode because of its educational value to whisky lovers as a rare opportunity to hear whisky writers discuss a flight of whiskies with the...
2013-10-0843 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 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 423: May 4, 2013Family-owned businesses often face obstacles that other companies don't, and the whisky business is no exception. This week, Fred and Stewart Laing dissolved their 40+ year partnership in Glasgow-based Douglas Laing & Co., with Stewart taking his half of the business to form his own company with his sons. Meanwhile, Fred has brought his daughter Cara into what remains of Douglas Laing, and both brothers are already working on new whisky ideas. We'll hear from both brothers on their views of the split and their plans for the future. In the news, Kentucky's Bourbon distillers had their busiest year in nearly...
2013-05-0547 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 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...
2013-04-0642 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 418: March 30, 2013Cutty Sark is marking two anniversaries within a week or so: the brand's 90's anniversary on March 23 and the third anniversary of its acquisition by the Edrington Group April 1. It's a legendary brand that lost its way in recent years, but recorded its first annual increase in sales during 2012 after years of declining sales. Edrington's first move three years ago was to put Jason Craig in charge of turning the ship around, and he joins us for this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, we'll have plenty of new releases to talk about from Arran, Balblair, Four Roses, Kilchoman...
2013-03-3027 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 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 di...
2013-03-0251 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 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 fire last autumn...
2013-02-2535 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 412: February 16, 2013So, you have an iconic brand, but not enough supply to meet growing global demand...so you make one change in the product to increase supply, and all hell breaks loose! That's the situation Rob Samuels of Maker's Mark found himself in this week after announcing that the Bourbon his family has produced for more than 50 years would be lowered from 45% ABV to 42%. With media outlets from all over the world calling him for interviews, Rob sat down to talk with us this week about the reasons for the change, and why most people shouldn't notice any difference. In...
2013-02-1643 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 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 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.
2013-02-1043 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 403: December 22, 2012Bruichladdich's $90 million acquisition by Remy Cointreau was one of the biggest whisky stories of the year, and CEO Simon Coughlin joins us for this week's "In-Depth" segment to discuss what's changed...and what hasn't since the deal. In the news, Maker's Mark faces a controversy over allegations of discrimination at a downtown Louisville lounge that licenses the Maker's Mark name, Bulleit unveils a new 10-year-old Bourbon in Kansas, Suntory's ready to go shopping, and Scotland's Isle of Harris will be getting its first legal whisky distillery.
2012-12-2254 minWhiskyCast HDWhiskyCast HD: The Tale of Wyoming Whiskey BourbonThere's a common misconception that Bourbon Whiskey can only be made in Kentucky. Actually, it can be made anywhere in the U.S., as long as the conditions are right. Former Maker's Mark master distiller and Bourbon Hall of Fame member Steve Nally is proving that in Wyoming, where his Wyoming Whiskey Bourbon went on sale December 1, 2012. The debut of Wyoming Whiskey also fulfilled a dream for the distillery's owners, who lured Steve and his wife Donna out of retirement and out of Kentucky to the Wild West.
2012-12-0807 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 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 374: June 17, 2012Whisky lovers tend to be passionate about other things as well. For Mark Dermul of Belgium, it's whisky and "Star Wars". Mark and his friends celebrated the 35th anniversary of the premiere of "Star Wars" last month by restoring one of the movie's location sets in the Tunisian desert...then restoring themselves with a couple of bottles of single malt Scotch. He'll tell us why they picked this mission...and which whiskies they celebrated with. In the news, results from Australia's Malt Whisky Tasting Championship and the Compass Box 24 Hours of Le Whisky.
2012-06-1744 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 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 369: May 13, 2012Japanese whiskies have won numerous awards in whisky competitions over the last decade, yet many whisky lovers have yet to try them. Until now, very few whiskies have been exported outside Japan, and even fewer to the U.S. Hakushu 12-year-old single malt has been available in Europe and other regions for a while, but it's just now becoming available in America. Suntory's Mike Miyamoto is a former manager at Hakushu and Yamazaki, and he'll explain the differences between the two whiskies, Michael Jackson's role in developing Hakushu's style, and answer some of your questions as well. In the...
2012-05-1339 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 366: April 21, 2012Dave Pickerell left Maker's Mark as Master Distiller four years ago, and since then, he's been one of the leaders of the craft distilling movement. He's worked as a consultant for dozens of distilleries, and has just taken on the role of Master Distiller at the Hillrock Estate Distillery in New York. In this week's episode, Dave tells us why he's having more fun than ever, and just what new distillers need to have to make it in the whisky business.
2012-04-2235 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 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 359: March 4, 2012Time to shatter some long-cherished myths and legends about Bourbon, and Michael Veach will serve as our myth-buster this week. He's the Bourbon historian at Louisville's Filson Historical Society, and is also a member of the Bourbon Hall of Fame. In the news, Knob Creek and Wild Turkey release new rye whiskies, Ian Logan of Chivas Brothers updates last week's story on Glen Keith's revival, and we'll catch up with Bill Samuels Jr. of Maker's Mark.
2012-03-0453 minWhiskyCast HDWhiskyCast HD: Bidding on Whisky at BonhamsRare whiskies aren't hard to find...if you know where to look. Several auction houses hold regular whisky sales, and we'll take a look at the recent Bonhams auction in New York City.
2011-12-1100 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 342: November 6, 2011Ichiro Akuto is a maverick among Japanese whisky distillers, creating traditional whiskies with a style that's anything but traditional. When his family sold their Hanyu Distillery, he not only bought the remaining stocks of Hanyu, but built his own Chichibu Distillery next to the family's sake brewery. Ichiro shares his family history and his philosophy with us this week as we mark the end of WhiskyCast's 6th year.
2011-11-0633 minWhiskyCast HDWhiskyCast HD: Glasgow's Bon Accord Whisky BarThe Bon Accord in Glasgow is one of Scotland's top whisky bars, and is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2011. We'll find out what makes The Bon Accord so unique in this interview with owner Paul McDonagh.
2011-10-2300 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 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 335: September 24, 2011This is the first of two episodes from Whisky Live Paris, and we'll hear from some of the distillers who have traveled from around the world for one of the world's top whisky festivals, including Japan's Ichiro Akuto and Mark Littler of Australia's Hellyers Road. In the news, the final bottle of The Dalmore 64 sells for a new record retail price, Redbreast 12 goes cask-strength, and WhiskyCast welcomes a new sponsor.
2011-09-2424 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 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 333: September 11, 2011Bruichladdich celebrates the 10th anniversary of its revival this weekend, and this week's episode comes from the distillery on the shores of Loch Indall on Islay! We'll look at how the distillery came back to life and brought a new spirit to the people of Islay, in the words of Head Distiller Jim McEwan, Managing Director Mark Reynier, and some of the people who have had their lives touched by the distillery.
2011-09-1149 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: Knockin' on History's DoorKnockdhu Distillery in Scotland opened in 1894, and has seen many changes over the years. However, the home of An Cnoc single malt has been able to hold on to some rarely-seen parts of its history. Distillery Manager Gordon Bruce gives us a tour.
2011-07-1600 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: The Balblair Distillery TeamIn the old days, as many as 14 men made whisky at Balblair Distillery in the Scottish Highlands. Now, just 7 men are needed...but they do a little of everything during the week, from running the stills to mowing the lawn and painting barrel heads. We'll meet some of the Balblair team in this episode.
2011-06-1500 minWhiskyCast HDWhiskyCast HD: Revealing the Secrets of Taiwan's First Single Malt DistilleryIt took Taiwan's entry into the WTO in 2002 to fulfill the dream of a whisky-loving Taiwanese industrialist. T.T. Lee took advantage of the end of a government monopoly on distilling to build a world-class whisky distillery in Taiwan. King Car's Kavalan single malts have been shocking whisky experts for the last two years, and this is a rare look at what makes King Car's whiskies unique.
2011-06-0300 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
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 317: May 22, 2011This is a big weekend on Islay, and not only because it's the first weekend of the Islay Festival of Malt & Music. Bruichladdich is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its 2001 revival this weekend, and we'll look back at the last 10 years with managing director Mark Reynier and the Bard of Bruichladdich, singer-songwriter Robin Laing. Midleton Distillery cooper Ger Buckley tells us about the centuries-old art of making barrels by hand, and shows us in the debut of WhiskyCast HD, a new series of video podcasts. We'll also hear from the Spirit Journal's F. Paul Pacult and Euan Shand of...
2011-05-221h 04WhiskyCast HDWhiskyCast HD: Midleton Distillery Cooper Ger BuckleyGer Buckley is a 5th generation master cooper at Midleton Distillery, and one of only four coopers working at whiskey distilleries in Ireland. He demonstrates some of the tools and techniques handed down over centuries of barrel making.
2011-05-2000 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 312: April 17, 2011The last time we heard from Japanese whisky blogger and Malt Maniac Chris Bunting, he was in the middle of writing a book on Japan's drinking culture. "Drinking Japan" has just been published, and Chris joins us to discuss his book and the status of Japan's whisky distilleries after the recent earthquakes. Chris is also donating part of his royalties from the book to earthquake relief efforts. In the news, Bill Samuels Jr. of Maker's Mark is the toast of Kentucky after his retirement, whiskies for the Royal Wedding, and much more!
2011-04-1732 min
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 298: January 16, 2011Your boss wants you to take on a massive project...restoring a distillery that was abandoned for more than 20 years. Dave Scheurich of Brown-Forman took on that challenge with the old Labrot & Graham Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky. Today, it's the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery, and Dave has just retired as distillery manager. He'll share some of his stories with us in this episode. In the news, Shackleton's whisky is heading back to Scotland, Bill Samuels Jr. turns over Maker's Mark to the next generation, and much more!
2011-01-161h 07
WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 293: December 12, 2010Canadian whisky has been celebrating a renaissance of sorts, with shows like "Mad Men" and "Boardwalk Empire" renewing interest in these often-overlooked whiskies. Davin de Kergommeaux is the publisher of CanadianWhisky.org, and this past week handed out the first Canadian Whisky Awards. Davin and I discuss the winners and other Canadian whiskies to watch for. In the news, Fortune Brands plans to shed divisions and focus on spirits, an interview with new Maker's Mark master distiller Greg Davis, and US regulators answer the "single malt whisky" question.
2010-12-1252 minWhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 279: September 19, 2010Ireland's Midleton Distillery features 5 pot stills, eight column stills, and literally dozens of possibilities for making Irish whiskey. It's home to Jameson, Power's, Midleton, Paddy, and many other Irish whiskeys. While the Old Midleton Distillery is now a visitors center, the main distillery is off-limits to visitors -- until now. You'll get an in-depth look inside one of the world's great distilleries on this episode. In the news, the Bourbon Hall of Fame welcomes the Class of 2010, a shake-up at Maker's Mark, the details on Amrut's new expression...and this week's trivia question.
2010-09-191h 07WhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 267: June 27, 2010Dave Pickerell has been keeping a low profile since leaving Maker's Mark in April of 2008. Turns out he was doing research into rye and microdistilling, and discovered a 10-year-old rye that just begged to be bottled. Dave and his partners are now selling WhistlePig Rye Whiskey, with plans to build a distillery on a farm in Vermont's Green Mountains. Dave explains his new whiskey and his research in this week's episode. In the news, George Washington's Rye goes on sale this week, results from the Bonhams auction in New York, and more new whiskies.
2010-06-2735 minWhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 246: April 4, 2010It's the start of the festival season in Scotland, which saw gains in tourism last year despite the global recession. Scottish Minister of Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop joins me to discuss whisky's impact on Scotland's tourism and economy, and will help me announce a competition to win a trip for two to Glasgow for Whisky Week in September! In the news, the winners of the San Francisco World Spirits Competition have been announced, Maker's Mark wins a battle in court over its dripping red wax trademark, and the results of the WhiskyCast March listener pledge drive!
2010-04-0421 minWhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 245: March 28, 2010We know it by many names...White Lightning and Corn Liquor to name a couple. Moonshine whiskey has been a part of American culture for generations, and is still being produced today. Max Watman embraced the moonshine culture for his new book, "Chasing the White Dog," and shares some of that culture in this week's episode. We'll also hear from Kevin Smith of Maker's Mark about the official name for his new bourbon, "Maker's 46." I'll have tasting notes for it, the new Crown Royal Black, and the Four Roses 100th Anniversary Single Barrel bourbon in the "What I'm Tasting...
2010-03-2946 minWhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 241: February 28, 2010France is known more for wine and cognac than whisky, but Jean Donnay hopes to change that perception. Jean's Glann ar Mor Distillery on the Brittany Coast is already receiving high marks for its whisky, and was a runner-up for Distiller of the Year in Whisky Magazine's 2010 Icons of Whisky Awards. We'll hear from Jean in this week's episode, along with tasting notes for two Glann ar Mor expressions. In the news, Whisky Magazine announces its World Whiskies Awards, Maker's Mark makes a choice for its new bourbon, and comments on the last episode's interview with Ralfy Mitchell of...
2010-02-2838 minWhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 237: January 30, 2010As I reported in the last episode, Maker's Mark is working on a new bourbon. This time around, Master Distiller Kevin Smith sits down with me to taste "Profile 51", which will be released this summer. That's the unofficial name for the new whiskey, which will be bottled at a higher proof than Maker's Mark and will have a completely different taste. In the news, new whiskies from Glenfiddich, Tullibardine, and The Glenrothes, support for Haitian earthquake relief, and Chivas may need years to recover from the damage caused by this winter's storms. Finally, there's a new contest for WhiskyCast...
2010-01-3141 minWhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 172: November 9, 2008Robert Hicks
tried to retire a couple of years ago as the Master Blender at Teacher's,
Laphroaig, and Ardmore...but he's busier than ever these days. 2009 will mark
his 45th year in the whisky business, and he'll share his memories in this
episode of WhiskyCast! In the news, Diageo taketh away from Canada and giveth to
developing markets...new (old) whiskies from Glenglassaugh, the PC7 from
Bruichladdich, and (ri)1 takes rye whiskey to the trend-setters...
2008-11-0936 minWhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 167: October 5, 2008Bourbon's big, baby! So big that we've crammed four of Kentucky's best distilleries into one big episode of WhiskyCast. We'll get the first look at this year's Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, along with the new Mariage Series from Four Roses, a whopper from Heaven Hill, and a special election bottling from Maker's Mark. In the
news, India's Supreme Court strikes a blow against globalism, a look at new Irish whiskies and the latest Blue Hanger, and trying to beat the angels out of their share!
2008-10-0542 minWhiskyCastWhiskyCast Episode 166: September 27, 2008This week, WhiskyCast is in Lebanon, Kentucky for the Marion County Country Ham Days Festival. This year's festival honors Independent Stave's Kentucky Cooperage, the local cooperage that supplies barrels for every one of Kentucky's bourbon distilleries, and you'll get a rare insider's tour in this special episode of WhiskyCast. In fact, the cooperage supplies 9 out of every 10 casks for the county's only distillery, Maker's Mark in nearby Loretto, and we'll also hear
from master distiller Kevin Smith.
2008-09-2820 min