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EPISODE 140: APRIL 12, 2008
Time for a road trip...this time to the spiritual home of Bourbon...Kentucky. This week's episode comes from DeSha's Restaurant and Bar in Lexington, which tied for top honors as Best Whisky Bar in the World in Whisky Magazine's recent Icons of Whisky Awards. It's about an hour away from another Icon award winner...the Maker's Mark Distillery in Loretto, which was named Best Visitor Attraction by Whisky Magazine. Master Distiller Kevin Smith and Rob Samuels, grandson of Maker's Mark founder William Samuels Sr. will guide us through the distillery and its new visitors center.
Listen to this episode (18:43, 8.6 MB)
EPISODE 139: APRIL 6, 2008
It's been a busy week for whisky festivals from coast to coast in the US, with events in San Francisco, New York, and Chicago. In this episode, we'll get some of the highlights from Whisky Live New York. Ronnie Cox of The Glenrothes talks about a rare 1975 vintage, Duncan Taylor's Euan Shand updates us on his construction plans for a new distillery and a new website offering cask whisky purchases, new selections from Scott's Selection, and wider US distribution for The Singleton of Glendullan.
Listen to this episode (18:15, 8.4 MB)
EPISODE 138: MARCH 30, 2008
In the last episode, I mentioned the growing controversy over proposed UK legislation that would set specific labeling standards for Scotch Whisky, including a new name for what have been known as "vatted malts". Trouble is, support for "blended malts" is not unanimous, and critics are speaking out. Mark Reynier of Bruichladdich is one of the most outspoken critics of the legislation and the influence of the Scotch Whisky Association in preparing it. We'll hear from Mark, along with SWA spokesman David Williamson.
Listen to this episode (53:45, 49.2 MB)
EPISODE 137: MARCH 23, 2008
Inver House was recently named Distiller of the Year in Whisky Magazine's annual Icons of Whisky Awards for its work in re-launching the Balblair single malt, along with Old Pulteney and An Cnoc. We'll hear from master blender Stuart Harvey about the behind-the-scenes work that earned Inver House its honors, and he also spills the beans about some new single malts coming later this year.
Listen to this episode (26:00, 23.8 MB)
EPISODE 136: MARCH 16, 2008
In Part 2 of our series on Irish Whiskeys, we'll hear from Bushmills master distiller Colum Egan. Colum was under pressure to come up with a special whiskey to celebrate the 400th anniversary of distilling in the area around Bushmills, and he met the challenge with Bushmills 1608. We'll also look at Knappogue Castle and Clontarf with Kelley Spillane of Castle Brands, who predicts a new distillery will be built in Ireland in the next few years because of the worldwide demand for Irish whiskey. In the news, Alastair's no Darling as far as whisky distillers are concerned, someone pinches a rare malt from Gordon & MacPhail, and Harlen Wheatley of Buffalo Trace is back from his laboratory lair with something special.
Listen to this episode (19:00, 7.6 MB)
EPISODE 135: MARCH 9, 2008
With St. Patrick's Day just around the horizon, it's time for Part 1 of a 2-part series on Irish Whiskeys, In this episode, we'll hear from the Master of Whiskey Science at Irish Distillers' Midleton Distillery, David Quinn. He'll explain the basic difference that makes Irish whiskeys unique, and tell us about the new Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve. In the news, distilling veteran Stuart Nickerson unveils the plans to revive the mothballed Glenglassaugh Distillery, and we'll hear about two new Balvenie limited editions...and why drinking whisky can save the Earth.
Listen to this episode (32:10, 12.9 MB)
EPISODE 134: MARCH 2, 2008
Dominic Roskrow is the former editor of Whisky Magazine, and he's written a new book on whiskies from around the world. "From Confused to Connoisseur" is designed for the novice, and includes distillery details, tasting notes, and Dominic's 50 favorite whiskies. We'll get a preview from Dominic in this episode...in the news, Whisky Magazine's Icons of Whisky award-winners are announced...the first -- and only -- Kininvie single malt will be available at London's Heathrow Airport, a new Singleton of Glen Ord is headed for retailers, and a look at this past week's Kosher Whisky Festival in New York City.
Listen to this episode (17:30: 7.0 MB)
EPISODE 133: FEBRUARY 24, 2008
There's a new generation of whisky makers coming into their own, and we'll hear from one of them in this episode. Iain McCallum told us about the Black Bowmore in Episode 131, and now he shares his story of nearly half a lifetime at Morrison Bowmore. Of course, he's only 32! In the news, Ardmore Traditional comes to the US, the Classic Malts Cruise is looking for a few good sailors, and the winners of this year's Drammie Awards have been announced.
Listen to this episode (16:30, 6.7 MB)
EPISODE 132: FEBRUARY 17, 2008
The new issue of Malt Advocate magazine is out, and the cover story focuses on cask ownership programs. We'll talk with writer Jonny McCormick, who has a cask of his own aging at Bruichladdich. In the news, you'll be able to get Bushmills for a fiver in Ireland...at least a fiver with Bushmills on it, Clontarf gets new packaging honoring its own place in Irish history, and the tax man may have something to say about UK whisky prices soon.
Listen to this episode (24:00, 9.7 MB)
EPISODE 131: FEBRUARY 10, 2008
The Black Bowmore is one of Islay's legendary whiskies, and sells for thousands of dollars...when you can find it. Now, Bowmore is releasing a new Black Bowmore, and it's not a copy. It's the same as the original, just a few years older. We'll get the details from Bowmore blender Iain McCallum, and I'll share my tasting notes on this amazing whisky. In the news, changes are coming at Whyte and MacKay, a mothballed distillery in Kentucky is coming back to life, and honors for Gordon and MacPhail and George Washington's Distillery.
Listen to this episode (16:30, 6.7 MB)
EPISODE 130: FEBRUARY 3, 2008
With
Valentine's Day almost here, thoughts of chocolate will certainly be on the
minds of some whisky lovers...whether it's for themselves or for that
special person. We'll get some tips on pairing whiskies with chocolates from
Sage Friedman of Chocolat Michel Kluizel in
Listen to this episode (16:15, 6.7 MB)