EPISODE 261: MAY 28, 2010 

The road to Bunnahabhain Distillery is four miles long, and full of twists and turns. The views are stunning, though...and the whisky's pretty good, too. This is Bunnahabhain's day during the Islay Festival of Malt and Music, and we'll hear from the new distillery manager, Andrew Brown, along with stillman Robin Morton. There's music from the Scottish boy band Skerryvore, and much more on this episode from Islay.

Listen to this episode (37:27, 17.1 MB)

EPISODE 260: MAY 27, 2010

This is the second of Thursday's two episodes from the Islay Festival of Malt & Music, recorded on location at Isle of Jura Distillery on the island of Jura. It's easy to find the distillery...just get off the ferry, drive down the island's one road, and stop at the end. There's a treat waiting for you, as you'll find in this episode of WhiskyCast!

Listen to this episode (46:49, 21.4 MB)

EPISODE 259: MAY 27, 2010

This is the first of two episodes today from the Islay Festival of Malt & Music. Kilchoman is Islay's first new distillery in more than 120 years, and even though it just released its first single malt a few months ago, it's receiving rave reviews from whisky critics. We'll hear from Kilchoman founder Anthony Wills, Dr. Jim Swan, and some of the dozens of people who lined up for Kilchoman's first official Feis Ile single malt release.

Listen to this episode (43:30, 19.9 MB)

EPISODE 258: MAY 26, 2010

Bowmore is Islay's oldest distillery, and the second oldest in all of Scotland. It's at the heart of Islay's largest town, and plays a major role on Islay. It's also the only distillery with two Feis Ile special bottlings, and distillery manager Eddie McAffer is making one available to a WhiskyCast listener! Details in this episode, along with a visit to Islay's best whisky bar and music from the Spirit of Islay Pipe Band.

Listen to this episode (45:56, 21.0 MB)

EPISODE 257: MAY 25, 2010

Laphroaig is one of those whiskies that you're either going to love or loathe...with no middle ground. Today is Laphroaig's day at the Islay Festival of Malt and Music, and this episode was recorded at the distillery on a windy, but sunny and warm day. We'll hear from distillery manager John Campbell, master blender Robert Hicks, get a cooking lesson from Gordon Harvey, one of the authors of  "The Whisky Kitchen," attend the Feis Ile whisky nosing competition, and hear music from Brigid Kaelin.

Listen to this episode (55:45, 25.5 MB)

EPISODE 256: MAY 24, 2010

Caol Ila Distillery may have the most beautiful setting of any of Islay's distilleries. It sits on the Sound of Islay directly across from the Paps of Jura, and when the skies are clear, you can see the Isle of Mull on the horizon. This is Caol Ila's festival day during the Islay Festival of Malt and Music, and we'll hear from distillery manager Billy Stitchell, taste some Caol Ilas, and talk to a local lobsterman and a precocious 3-year-old.

Listen to this episode (38:22, 17:5 MB)

EPISODE 255: MAY 23, 2010 

Day two of the Islay Festival of Malt and Music is Bruichladdich's turn to shine, and the sun was shining once again as Ileachs and whisky lovers from all over the world gathered at the distillery. Distillery manager Duncan McGillivray joins me in this episode, along with highlights from Jim McEwan's master class, Islay beers, and a song from Robin Laing.  

Listen to this episode (47:00, 21.5 MB)

EPISODE 254: MAY 22, 2010 

Here we go...with the first of many episodes from the Islay Festival of Malt and Music. It's opening day, and Lagavulin traditionally is the first distillery to have its festival day. We'll hear from distillery manager Peter Campbell, a native Ileach, along with many of the people who make Feis Ile special, and I'll have tasting notes on several Lagavulin expressions, including this year's sold-out Feis Ile bottling.

Listen to this episode (44:04, 20.0 MB)

EPISODE 253: MAY 16, 2010

Annabel Meikle does double duty...serving as a sensory whisky expert and educator for Glenmorangie and also serving as a member of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society's tasting panel. We'll discuss everything from training one's nose to the role of women in the whisky industry in this week's episode. In the news, Supernova comes around faster than Halley's Comet, Forty Creek will release a rarity...a Canadian whisky using Canadian Oak, and a question about WhiskyCast advertising and conflicts of interest.  

Listen to this episode (31:01, 14.2 MB) 

EPISODE 252: MAY 9, 2010

Dennis Hendry is one of the true characters of the whisky business. He manages the visitors center and leads tours at Aberlour, and is regarded as one of the top distillery tour guides in Scotland. You'll hear why in this week's episode, along with some of the behind-the-scenes stories that usually never see the light of day. In the news, a new lawsuit reveals the reason for Sazerac's split from the Kentucky Distillers Association, results of the latest McTear's whisky auction, and the cartoonists do it again...taking a swipe at Glenfiddich!

Listen to this episode (54:46, 25.1 MB)

EPISODE 251: MAY 3, 2010 

There's a locked door at the Glenrothes Distillery, which normally is not open to visitors. The sign above the door reads "I.S." -- and stands for "Inner Sanctum." Ronnie Cox has the key to that door, and his inner sanctum has samples of every Glenrothes single malt expression ever released. We'll go through a couple of very rare Glenrothes whiskies during a chat with Ronnie on this episode. In the news, William Grant & Sons buys the Tullamore Dew range of Irish whiskies and the results of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Awards.

Listen to this episode (44:10, 20.2 MB)