Gordon & MacPhail has released thousands of single cask bottlings over the years, including the two oldest whiskies ever bottled: 70-year-old casks of Mortlach and Glenlivet single malts. Now, the family-owned company is reviving its "Rare Old" series of single malts with a series of new releases. Many of those new releases are from distilleries that closed 30 years ago this year during one of the industry's biggest cutbacks in distilling capacity. We'll discuss those distilleries and whether a new "whisky loch" is filling up with Gordon & MacPhail's Michael Urquhart in this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, another Indian distillery expands its single malt lineup, Miltonduff Distillery gets a turn in the spotlight, and more new distilleries are coming to Northern Ireland. This week's tasting notes include Ardbeg's new Ardbog, The Glenlivet's new Alpha single malt, and Forty Creek's upcoming Heart of Gold Canadian whisky.

One of the fun things about WhiskyCast has been the opportunity to watch dreams come true, and that's the case with this week's episode. Back in 2006, we first met Barry Stein and Barry Bernstein as they were just getting started as Canada's first independent Scotch whisky bottlers and dreamed of making their own whisky. in 2009, they opened Still Waters Distillery in a Toronto suburb, and on April 27, the first cask of their Stalk & Barrel single malt whisky went on sale. This weekend, they were pouring it at the Spirit of Toronto festival, and we'll catch up with the guys on WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Diageo's shaking up the executive suite, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail gets a new stop on Louisville's Whiskey Row, and we'll hear about new whiskies from Mackmyra, Jura, Corby, and Masterson's.

Family-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 four decades during 2012, Heaven Hill's partners are signing on to help support Parker Beam's Promise of Hope fund for ALS research, and the Maker's Mark controversy pays off for Beam.

When Ireland's distillers joined forces in 1966 to merge their struggling distilleries into one company, they placed their bet on Jameson as their principal export brand. Powers became the leading whiskey in Ireland, with limited exports to the U.S. and other key markets. The bet paid off, and Jameson became the world's best-selling Irish whiskey. Now, Irish Distillers is giving the world a taste of the pot still whiskey John Ryan's family created seven generations ago. He's been in the U.S. for a series of Powers tastings, and joins us for this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, a gutsy thief steals a $26,000 bottle of whisky in Toronto, Kentucky's getting ready for Derby Week, and Amrut's greedy angels are on the loose.

The English Whisky Company has been distilling since 2006, and while it may not be able to claim the title of "England's only whisky distillery" for much longer, it'll be able to call itself "England's oldest whisky distillery". Andrew Nelstrop's been touring the U.S. to introduce his family's whiskies for the first time in the colonies, and joins us for this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, South Africa's Distell Group has bought Burn Stewart Distillers, Chivas Brothers clears a hurdle to building a new distillery in Speyside, and we'll have the weekly update on new whiskies.

When Magnus Eunson set up his illegal still on Orkney in 1798, the gaugers in the village of Kirkwall were a safe distance away. Graham Manson manages Highland Park now, and Kirkwall has grown up around the distillery. We'll hear from Graham on WhiskyCast In-Depth, and get some historical perspective from retired Highland Park and Scapa worker Davie Reid. In the news, U.S. craft distillers have broken away from the American Distilling Institute to set up their own organization, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society expands to India, and Chicago's getting ready for Whisky Week.

Scotch 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 previews of this year’s Four Roses Limited Edition Single Barrel Bourbon from Jim Rutledge and the new Wild Turkey visitors center from Jimmy Russell. 

Cutty 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, and more...including a very special Bruichladdich single cask with a lot of sentimental value for former managing director Mark Reynier. This week's tasting notes include a special limited edition Cutty Sark, a single malt from Germany, and a Kentucky classic.

This week's episode required 35 hours of flying and 17,000 miles of round-trip travel, but it was well worth it to visit Amrut's distillery in Bangalore, India. We'll catch up with Amrut's Rick Jagdale to discuss a series of new Amrut single malts, including one that pays tribute to the excessively greedy angels in Amrut's warehouses, and Rick will answer some of your questions about Amrut as well. In the news, Billy Walker's investment team has added Glenglassaugh Distillery to their portfolio that already includes BenRiach and GlenDronach, Whisky Magazine announces this year's winners of the World Whiskies Awards and the Icons of Whisky Awards, more whiskies receive honors in the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, and it'll cost more for a dram of Scotch in Scotland after a UK tax increase.

This week's episode comes from Frankfurt, Germany...during a layover on my trip to visit the Amrut Distillery in Bangalore, India. However, we're focusing on a rare  breed of whisky this week...the Peated American Single Malt. There are very few examples of this rare breed, one being Leviathan from Lost Spirits Distillery on California's Monterey Peninsula. Bryan Davis of Lost Spirits explains his reasons for producing a highly-peated single malt in this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Dewar's enters the flavored whisky market, Highland Park unleashes the shape-shifting Loki on the whisky world, and Scottish officials consider reviving the old Dallas Dhu Distillery in Speyside as a working distillery as well as a museum.

Buffalo Trace's Single Oak Project is at the halfway point, with 96 of the 192 single cask bottlings released and the remainder to be parceled out every three months for the next two years. We'll get a progress report from Buffalo Trace Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley on this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth, and get some hints about a possible new release from the distillery in the near future. In the news, there's word on a bunch of new whiskies from Heaven Hill, Jefferson's, Michter's, Johnnie Walker, Corby, and Ranger Creek...Ichiro Akuto has a U.S. distribution deal for his Japanese single malts, and Bourbon Hall of Fame member Mike Veach's new book on the history of Bourbon is now available.

Whisky 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 new Bulleit 10-year-old Bourbon with Hollis Bulleit, and get a preview of this month’s Bourbon Classic in Louisville.

Chip 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, and a tour of the new WhiskyCast.com!

So, 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 the news, we mourn the passing of Truman Cox, get the first word on an all-new Bourbon from Jim Beam, and discover a new use for whisky glasses.

It'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.

It's hard to keep things quiet in the close-knit Scotch Whisky industry, but that's exactly what the owners of the new Wolfburn Distillery in Thurso managed to do until construction began last fall. The distillery went into production this week when manager Shane Fraser hammered in the bung on the first barrel of Wolfburn, which has a history that dates back to 1821. Shane joins us for this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth. We'll have sad news from Heaven Hill as Parker Beam is diagnosed with ALS, and word of new whiskies from An Cnoc, Master of Malt, and The Balvenie.

Georgina Bell is part of a new generation of whisky connoisseurs, and is already making her place in the whisky industry as an ambassador for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. She'll explain how one goes from studying whisky in college to traveling the world promoting it two and a half years later during WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, there's word that the Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville may be reopening after 22 years in mothballs, another proposed Scotch distillery gets government assistance, and there are new whiskies from Glenfiddich and The Balvenie.

Time for our second episode of the weekend with highlights from this weekend's Victoria Whisky Festival! We'll get the latest on new whiskies from Tullibardine, Springbank, and Duncan Taylor, along with word on expansion plans for Benromach and a new program for Scotch Malt Whisky Society members in the U.S. In the news, Shackleton's whisky has been returned to Antarctica for reburial in the ice at Cape Royds, and we'll answer a listener question about the two types of mash tuns in use at most distilleries.

It's time for one of the world's top whisky festivals...the Victoria Whisky Festival in British Columbia. The festival kicked off with the presentation of the annual Canadian Whisky Awards, and we'll hear from founder Davin de Kergommeaux and the distiller behind the 2012 Canadian Whisky of the Year, Forty Creek's John Hall. We'll also get an update on the progress of British Columbia's largest whisky distillery from Shelter Point owner Patrick Evans, and update the week's news in the first of two episodes from Victoria this weekend!

Dreamers abound in the whisky business. In the case of the Kingsbarns Distillery project planned near St. Andrews in Scotland, two dreamers had to join forces to achieve their goal. Doug Clement had everything needed to make Kingsbarns work...except money. William Wemyss wanted to build a distillery in the area where his family has lived for centuries. Now, Wemyss Malts has acquired Kingsbarns, and Doug Clement might just wind up as the distillery manager when it opens in 2014. In the news, Indian regulators are raising issues with Diageo's acquisition of United Spirits, whiskies, designer, and celebrity chefs join forces, and a Detroit bartender wins Woodford Reserve's annual Manhattan cocktail competition.

Most of us spend a lifetime working in the shadows, wondering if anyone notices. Then, one day, a letter comes in the mail with news that you're being honored for that work. Douglas Campbell of Tomatin got a letter like that, with news that he's being honored by Queen Elizabeth as a Member of the Order of the British Empire. The honor's not only for his work at Tomatin, but his work in the community of Tomatin as well. Douglas tells us what it was like to open that letter on this week's episode.

There are plenty of ideas for entrepreneurs seeking a place in the world of whisky, but as always, getting the funding is the hard part. This week, we'll hear about some entrepreneurs who have taken advantage of the Web to raise money for their projects using Kickstarter.com. It's a light week news-wide because of the holidays, but there's word that Shackleton's whisky is about to be returned to Antarctica, Penderyn's planning an expansion, and a new report on Scotch Whisky's economic impact.

Bruichladdich'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.

John McDougall's years of experience as a distillery manager in all five of Scotland's whisky regions have made him a sought-after consultant for new distilleries. His latest project is the Dingle Distillery in Ireland, which started producing its first spirit this month. We'll catch up with John for the first time in a few years to learn more about Dingle, along with his line of single-cask bottlings and his upcoming US tour with the Wild Scotsman, Jeffrey Topping. In the news, the list of potential suitors for Beam gets even longer and more complicated, Springbank spins Glengyle off, and the final bottle of Glenfiddich's 55-year-old Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve malt goes on the auction block.

For the 10th year, the Malt Maniacs are honoring some of the world's best whiskies with the Malt Maniacs Awards. Maniacs Keith Wood of Germany and Krishna Nukala of India join us to discuss this year's competition, which was dominated once again by GlenDronach with three gold medals. In the news, new whiskies from Evan Williams, Aberfeldy, and Kavalan...Johnnie Walker expands in China and brings the House of Walker back to New York City...and an update on last weekend's Hurricane Sandy benefit whisky auction and tasting.

We're marking one milestone with another...this week's episode was recorded on location in Kirby, Wyoming, the home of Wyoming's first legal whiskey since Prohibition. Wyoming Whiskey made its official debut today at the distillery in Kirby, and the little town of 92 people was swarmed with around 4,000 whiskey lovers from as far away as Australia for the launch party. In the news, whisky events postponed by Hurricane Sandy return to the East Coast, Laphroaig tries to balance supply with demand, and Lidl fires back in its whisky war with discount competitor Aldi.

Most whisky lovers dream of making their own whiskies, but that's easier said than done, since building a distillery takes a lot of time and even more money. But...what if you could rent time at a craft distillery, complete with consultants and professionals to help you? The Distilled Spirits Epicenter in Louisville is just that place, and we'll talk about the possibilities with Colleen Rice on WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, New York whisky lovers are hoping to raise money for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts, Angel's Envy goes cask-strength, new whiskies from Douglas Laing, Arran, and Aldi...yes, Aldi.

Edwin Foote started his distilling career in the old Henry McKenna Distillery, and wound up as the Master Distiller at the legendary Stitzel-Weller and Old Fitzgerald Distillery in Louisville. This Bourbon Hall of Famer sits down with us for WhiskyCast In-Depth to discuss his career and how the whiskey business has changed over the years...both good and bad. In the news, an updates on the Balblair 1969 and other new whiskies, water bottled specially to be mixed with whisky, and more!

Kentucky is synonymous with Bourbon, but few places maintain the history of Bourbon in the Bluegrass State like the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History in Bardstown. Mary Ellyn Hamilton is the museum's curator, and tells us about the collection's early days in the mansion of Barton Brands founder Oscar Getz to its current home in Bardstown's Spalding Hall. In the news, Diageo agrees to take a majority stake in India's United Spirits, Beam expands its presence in Louisville, and I'll explain why this week's episode comes from Thermopolis, Wyoming.

This week, we promise a politics-free episode! We'll look at the history and future of India's Amrut Distillery with third-generation Amrut executive director Rick Jagdale and learn how graduate school helped bring Amrut to the world. In the news, Hurricane Sandy had an impact on the whisky community, trapping a number of distillery representatives in New York as their post-WhiskyFest flights were cancelled. We'll also get an update on the latest Bonhams auction in New York, and in non-hurricane news, word of new whiskies from Glenmorangie, Balblair, Buffalo Trace, and more!

Lots to talk about this week, with new whiskies and a new version of a very old whisky. Whyte & Mackay is producing a new release of MacKinlay's to help raise money for the New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust, which maintains the historic sites from Sir Ernest Shackleton's expeditions to Antarctica. In the news, Nikka whiskies are on their way to the US, Woodford Reserve unveils this year's Masters Collection Bourbon, and we'll get an update on Wiser's plans to increase its profile worldwide. Dr. Nick Morgan of Diageo joins us for WhiskyCast In-Depth to discuss distillery expansions, this year's Special Releases from the Classic Malts, and the global impact of Blended Scotches.

The pre-holiday rush of new whiskies is in full swing, and we'll sit down with Iain MacCallum of Morrison Bowmore to taste and talk about new single malts from Bowmore, Auchentoshan, and Glen Garioch. In the news, Gable Erenzo of Tuthilltown Distillery updates us on repairs following last month's fire, Alyssa Henley of George Dickel explains the new Dickel Rye, and the latest on distillery expansions in Scotland.

Italians are known for their wine, but one Italian firm helped pioneer the concept of single cask whiskies. Silvano Samaroli started bottling his own casks in 1968, and while his bottlings are hard to find, they're well worth the extra effort. Samaroli's Francesco Binetti explains the company's unique philosophy in this week's episode, and I'll have tasting notes for some of the Samaroli whiskies. In the news, we'll get updates on recent whisky auctions, George Dickel jumps on the Rye bandwagon, and the 2010 Water of Life Drive brings clean water to two Ethiopian villages!

Jack Daniel's has operated with one simple whiskey recipe for 100 years...until now. The distillery started quietly working on a rye whiskey recipe a couple of years ago, and has now unveiled what's being called "Jack Daniel's Unaged Rye." Master Distiller Jeff Arnett explains how his new whiskey fits into the Jack Daniel's tradition, and why an unaged spirit is being released years before a fully mature version will be available. We'll also have highlights from the Glenfiddich 125th Anniversary Party in Dallas this week, the latest on Scotch whisky exports, and reaction to last week's interview with "Midwest Whisky Olympics" organizer Greg Ramsay.

This week's episode looks at a controversial whisky tasting/competition recently held in Michigan. The "Midwest Whisky Olympics" at Journeyman Distillery has been criticized because it was organized by Greg Ramsay of the New Zealand Whisky Company, and two of his whiskies won medals. Greg Ramsay explains his side of the story in this episode, and for the first time, we have the complete list of the 17 entries. In the news, fire damages New York's Tuthilltown Distillery, a Scottish biofuel project using distillery by-products gains steam, Scottish designer Maeve Gillies creates a unique decanter to be auctioned in Edinburgh, and much more!

This week, we're catching up with old friends and on new whiskies. After two full weeks on the road, there was much more to talk about than what would fit in the episodes from Paris and Bardstown -- even with bonus episodes each week. We'll "Czech" up on Hammer Head's new 23-year-old Czech single malt, Gordon & MacPhail's re-release of the Glenlivet 70 in Vancouver, and find out about a really old Karuizawa single malt from Japan...complete with tasting notes!

Bonus coverage in this special episode from the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, with highlights from the Bourbon Hall of Fame induction ceremony for the legendary I.W. Bernheim, the World Championship Bourbon Barrel Relay, the Master Distillers' Auction, and much more. In the news, Michter's unveils a whopper of a bourbon along with expansion plans in Louisville, Woodford Reserve opens up to the archaeologists, and Jim Beam's Fred Noe pens his memoirs.

This weekend, I'm in Bardstown for the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival. There's a legitimate claim that this could be the world's largest whisky festival, with an estimated 50,000 visitors from around the world. In this first of two episodes from Bardstown, we'll hear from members of the Beam family who are getting back into the family business, look at the boom in Bourbon tourism, and much more!

More from Whisky Live Paris in this special episode...we'll hear from David Roussier of France's Distillerie Warenghem, which marks its 25th anniversary this year. Ann Miller of Aberlour tells us about the latest release for France's most popular single malt, and we'll hear from Michael Urquhart of Gordon & MacPhail, Doug McIvor of Berry Bros. & Rudd, Daryl Haldane of Highland Park, and catch up with an old friend...Midleton Distillery cooper Ger Buckley.

This is the first of two episodes from Whisky Live Paris, and there's a lot to cover this weekend. We'll hear from The Balvenie's Malt Master, David Stewart, on his 50th anniversary single malt, along with the latest on whiskies from all over the world. In the news, updates on Diageo's plans for another new malt whisky distillery in Scotland, and Pernod Ricard's Chivas Brothers unit is getting closer to a decision on a new distillery of its own.

Emerging markets have been responsible for most of the growth in whisky sales worldwide, and Billy Walker of BenRiach and GlenDronach joins us this week to discuss the growing world of whisky. In the news, new whiskies from Bruichladdich, the Classic Malts, and Compass Box. Glenfiddich's Mitch Bechard tells us about the US debut of the Malt Master's Edition and a series of upcoming tastings, and Wild Turkey holds another groundbreaking ceremony in Kentucky...this time for a new $4 million visitors center.

Par Caldenby caught the whisky bug at an early age, but built a career as a lawyer in Sweden. The whisky bug first inspired him to write the book "Enjoying Malt Whisky" in 2006, and later to build his own distillery on Sweden's West Coast. This week, Smögen Whisky marked the second anniversary of its first cask filling, and we'll catch up with Par on WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Heaven Hill's Craig Beam tells us about this year's Parker's Heritage Collection bourbon, John Glaser of Compass box updates us on new Great King Street and Flaming Heart releases, and Springbank announces its 2013 Whisky School dates.

You 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.

Canadians Barry Bernstein and Barry Stein have made whisky their second careers. After starting out as Canada's first independent Scotch Whisky bottlers with Premium Bottlers whiskies, they've moved into the distilling business. Their Still Waters Distillery near Toronto has already produced its first Canadian whisky, and is about to release its first single malt whisky. We'll catch up with Barry and Barry on this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, new whiskies from Four Roses, Buffalo Trace, Glenfarclas, and the story of a world record that could have been...

Kirsteen Campbell has tried to keep a low profile since she was named Master Blender for Cutty Sark two years ago. However, it's hard to stay out of the spotlight when your whiskies are winning major awards. This week on WhiskyCast In-Depth, Kirsteen tells us about reviving one of Scotch whisky's iconic brands. In the news, Beam beats Wall Street expectations and the latest on new whiskies from Laphroaig, Buffalo Trace, BenRiach, Compass Box, and WhistlePig. We'll also announce the winner of the Glenmorangie/Open Championship Golf Giveaway!

What's the most intense environment one could age a whisky in? A Kentucky rickhouse with 100-degree temperature swings and high humidity...maybe. How about a deep-sea fishing boat on the ocean for more than three years? Trey Zoeller of Jefferson's Bourbon came up with the idea to put several Bourbon casks on a friend's boat...and his Ocean-Aged Bourbon is the result. He'll tell us how the marine environment changed the spirit into something unique. In the news, the latest on Bruichladdich's sale, a new Bourbon honoring a legendary whiskey thief, and much more...

Ian MacMillan manages three distilleries for Burn Stewart, each with their own unique personality. We'll talk with Ian about Bunnahabhain on Islay, Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, and Deanston in the Highlands. In the news, the Bruichladdich sale to Remy Cointreau has been completed for a whopping $90 million, the latest on Whyte & Mackay's financial situation, Glenmorangie goes golfing, and plenty of new whiskies are on the way!

You've probably never heard of the James Sedgwick Distillery, but South Africa's first whisky distillery has been producing some award-winning whiskies. Three Ships 5-year-old won top honors among blended whiskies in this year's World Whiskies Awards, and Bain's Cape Mountain grain is featured in Ian Buxton's new book "101 World Whiskies to Try Before You Die". Distillery manager Andy Watts tells us what makes his whiskies so unique in this week's episode. In the news, Remy Cointreau's bid to Bruichladdich is just days from completion and details on new whiskies, including one that just might have you singing "Satisfaction"...

Each year, F. Paul Pacult takes all of the spirits he tastes during the year for the Spirit Journal and distills them down into the SJ 140, his list of the world's finest spirits. Paul discusses the 2012 SJ 140 with us in this episode, along with this year's choices for the Spirit Journal Hall of Fame. In the news, Edrington announces its annual financial results and hints at expansion plans in Scotland and Gordon & MacPhail updates its Connoisseur's Choice range.

Ken Loach's new film "The Angel's Share" focuses on an attempt to steal rare bottles of Malt Mill single malt Scotch. The actual Malt Mill distillery was hidden away inside Islay's Lagavulin Distillery until it closed in 1962. What may be the most precious Malt Mill artifact is now on display at Lagavulin: a sample of new make spirit from Malt Mill's final still run. It's been at Lagavulin all this time, handed down by each distillery manager to his successor. Georgie Crawford is the current manager, and with the interest in "The Angel's Share", she decided to reveal the existence of Malt Mill's secret sample to the world.

Crown Royal master blender Andrew Mackay didn't have to look far when it came time to create a successor to the original Crown Royal XR, which used whiskies from the old Waterloo Distillery in Ontario. He just had to look in the warehouses at his home base, the old Lasalle Distillery in Montreal. In the news, Edinburgh's North British distillery is open again after receiving a clean bill of health from inspectors following the area's Legionnaire's disease outbreak. We'll also update last year's visit to Knockdhu Distillery, and Bonhams has pulled a controversial Ardbeg bottle from this week's auction in New York City.

Whisky 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.

How do you spend a billion and a half dollars? Believe it or not, it's hard to spend that much money. Diageo's Dr. Nick Morgan and his colleagues are about to find out just how hard it can be, since the world's largest spirits company has committed to investing that much to increase its Scotch whisky production. Nick explains the tentative plans for one new malt distillery and possibly a second, along with expansions at several existing distilleries and new warehouse facilities. In the news, Edinburgh's North British grain whisky distillery has been closed temporarily after a Legionnaire's Disease outbreak that has claimed at least one life.

Ian Buxton's 2010 book "101 Whiskies to Try Before You Die" was a hit with whisky lovers around the world. Now, Ian has compiled a new list of "101 World Whiskies to Try Before You Die", and his new book is on the way to booksellers now. He'll share some of the unusual whiskies he found in non-traditional whisky-producing countries such as Austria and Finland with us in this episode. In the news, Chivas Brothers plans to expand its Scotch whisky production, lawyers take on Louisville's "Bourbon Barons", and a herd of cows turns a backyard picnic into a beer bash!

This week's episode was recorded on location at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the day before the 2012 Indianapolis 500. The Speedway holds a lot of memories for me, and I decided to make the trip this year for the first time in many years...and found some Scotsmen who feel the same way about Indy. We'll hear from them, and more to the point, we'll discuss the revival of another Irish pot still whiskey that's been gone for four decades. Irish Distillers has re-created Yellow Spot, one of the legendary Irish whiskies that holds a special place in the hearts of many Irish whiskey lovers. Kevin O'Gorman of Irish Distillers shares the process of reviving this classic whiskey with us.

1964 was an iconic year at Scotland's Bowmore Distillery, though that fact wouldn't be known for decades. The casks laid down that year produced the legendary Black Bowmore, along with the Gold and White Bowmores that make up the Bowmore Trilogy series. Turns out there was one cask from 1964 left....a Fino Sherry cask that will be available later this year as the Bowmore 1964. Turns out it's also the same cask that Morrison Bowmore's Iain McCallum poured me a sample from during my visit to his blending lab in 2010...without telling me what it was.

Japanese 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 news, Maker's Mark wins another round in court, the matriarch of the William Grant family has passed away, and the Larks celebrate an anniversary in Australia.

It's festival week in Speyside, and the Spirit of Speyside Festival has become one of the region's largest events of the year. We'll talk with Festival chairman Jim Royan about this year's event, as well as growing up downwind from Glen Moray, life in Speyside, and the region's unique character. In the news, another Irish whiskey bottler is looking for a new distiller, new whiskies from The Dalmore, Highland Park, The Macallan, Buffalo Trace, and plans for a high-altitude whisky tasting...

Whisky can be one of the most versatile spirits for chefs as well as cocktail lovers. We'll talk about cooking with whisky for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on this week's episode with Stacy Laabs, one of the authors of "The Never Cook Sober Cookbook", and discuss how whiskies can complement and even enhance the flavors of your next meal. In the news, Heaven Hill announces plans for the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience on Louisville's downtown "Whiskey Row", and we'll have tasting notes for the first Clan Speyburn exclusive bottling.

Dave 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.

This week's episode features highlights from Whisky Live New York, including interviews with distillers from two of the city's own craft distilleries. We'll also get the latest on Adelphi's plans for a new distillery on Scotland's Ardnamurchan Peninsula, Ardbeg in orbit, and plenty of new whiskies!

If you want evidence of the boom in craft distilling, all you need to do is look at registration numbers for the American Distilling Institute's annual conference each April. This year's event in Louisville had double the attendance of last year's...which had double the attendance of the previous year's...and so on. We'll hear from some of the craft distillers who have jumped into whisky making with both feet, as well as some of their role models...including Jimmy Russell of Wild Turkey.

This week's episode is a little different than most WhiskyCast episodes. My father passed away earlier this week, and my family and I have been in Indiana with the rest of our relatives. I considered taking the week off, but after thinking about my Dad's commitment to hard work, I decided that it would be best to produce an abbreviated episode focusing on the week's news, comments, and the Calendar of Events, along with some comments on life and love and a special version of the "What I'm Tasting This Week Department.

Four times each year, Woodford Reserve master distiller Chris Morris becomes the headmaster of the Woodford Reserve Bourbon Academy. His students get a one-day class on the intricacies of Bourbon, from the entire distilling process to nosing and tasting lessons. We'll listen as Professor Morris leads a recent class through some hands-on mashing experience as well. In the news, Whisky Magazine hands out the Icons of Whisky Awards and the World Whiskies Awards in London, and 192 years of whisky production comes to a close in the Scottish town of Kilmarnock.

It's St. Patrick's Day, and we're in Dublin for the annual Jameson Global Broadcast from the Old Jameson Distillery. Each year, radio stations from around the world broadcast their shows from the distillery, and you'll hear David Byrne of Irish Distillers lead them through a cask sampling of whisky from the Midleton Distillery. We'll also hear from Midleton distiller Liam Donegan and artist Paul Daly, who designed the special St. Patrick's Day Jameson bottle available only at the distillery.

Investment-grade Scotch. The very idea makes many whisky lovers furious...but there are those who see potential profits from their whisky collections. Andy Simpson is a former investment banker who now runs Whisky Highland, a business designed to help whisky investors make the most of their collections. Andy explains the potential he sees for whisky investing, and why it's not for everyone. In the news, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked reaches the market, Laphroaig and Auchentoshan expand their travel retail ranges, and much more!

Time 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.

Each year, Glenmorangie releases a special edition finished in fine wine casks. This year's edition is Artein, and takes the flavors of Sassicaia wine casks from Italy's Tenuta San Guido in Tuscany. We'll hear from Ferdinando Fiori, an Italian whisky connoisseur who suggested Sassicaia casks to Glenmorangie's Bill Lumsden...and distillery manager Andy McDonald takes us to the Tarlogie Springs, the source of the distillery's precious water supply.  In the news, Gillian Howell leaves Penderyn to join Bill Lumsden's team, Chivas Brothers plans to reopen Glen Keith for the first time since 1999, and Campari announces plans for a new Wild Turkey bottling plant in Kentucky. 

Craft distillers make whisky as much out of passion as a desire to make money, and that gives them the freedom to try different things...just because. Darek Bell is one of the partners in Corsair Artisan Distillery, based in Nashville, Tennessee and Bowling Green, Kentucky, and he's written a new book for craft distillers...and those who would like to be. "Alt Whiskeys" outlines some really unusual whiskey recipes, including an 11-grain Bourbon and "Amarillo Aromatherapy Bourbon." In the news, Adelphi has applied for permits to build Scotland's newest distillery and Cutty Sark tries to reclaim a piece of its heritage.

Rob Cederlid of Stockholm isn't your typical Swedish whisky lover. For instance, you're likely to see him in a cowboy hat and boots that are more suited to cattle drives than cross-country skiing. Rob owns the Saddle & Sabre restaurant and bar, where the steaks, beer, and the whiskey come from the US. The Saddle & Sabre has arguably one of the best bourbon collections of any bar in Europe, and Rob explains his passion for cowboy culture in this week's episode. In the news, two special whiskies honor Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee and another rare Glenfiddich auction raises money for the UK's wounded warriors. 

Whisky stories can make you smile, laugh, or even shed a tear once in a while, and we have stories to make you do all three in this episode. Some of whisky's best storytellers share their best family tales, jokes, and even an escapade or two...and those are just the ones we could get them to tell us on the record. In the news, Highland Park hammers the competition with Thor, new whisky sales and export numbers from the U.S., Glenfiddich rolls out the Cask of Dreams, and much more!

More from the Victoria Whisky Festival in this week's episode, including updates from Kilchoman, Gordon & MacPhail, Amrut, Edradour and Signatory, and two of British Columbia's local distilleries, Shelter Point and Victoria Spirits. In the news, there may soon be a truce in the trade dispute between India and the European Union that affects Scotch whisky exports...and Yale's offering an architecture class with a whiskey-related theme.

The end of January means many things, but in the whisky world, it means a trip to the Victoria Whisky Festival in British Columbia. The VWF is one of the world's best whisky festivals, and this week's episode features some of the highlights from this weekend's event. We'll get the latest on new whiskies from Cooley, Glenfarclas, Glenmorangie, and many more distillers, along with the results of the Canadian Whisky Awards and the newest chapter of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

A year ago, the owner of Glasgow's Pot Still Bar, Ken Storrie, passed away. At first, Glasgow whisky lovers were sad...but they quickly became mad after the Pot Still's landlord threw Ken's family and managers out. Now, they're happy...and going back to the Pot Still once again now that former manager Frank Murphy and his family have taken over one of Scotland's best whisky bars. Frank explains the whole sordid story and shares his memories of Ken and his hopes for the Pot Still in this week's episode.

Irish whiskey is enjoyed around the world, but perhaps not with as much passion as in Dublin. Leo Phelan is the president of Dublin's Irish Whiskey Society, and shares some of that passion with us in this week's episode. We'll hear his excitement about the revival of Pot Still Irish Whiskey, discuss some of Dublin's distilling history, and look at the future for Irish Whiskey. In the news, Redbreast 12 Cask Strength is on its way to the U.S., Masterson's Rye is headed home to Canada, and Whyte & Mackay isn't going up for sale any time soon.

Glen Grant's Dennis Malcolm marked 50 years at the distillery during 2011, and spent Christmas Day on a special mission. On Christmas Day in 1961, he filled a sherry hogshead with new make spirit, and three years ago, he moved that cask to a cave in the distillery's garden. On Christmas, he retrieved that cask, and what the angels (and Dennis) didn't get over the years will be bottled as a special anniversary edition of Glen Grant. Dennis shares some of his 50 years of stories with us, and helps quash a report out of Australia that Glen Grant was demolished years ago.

Mike Padlipsky had two loves...software and whisky. He also had one mission...to find what he thought of as the world's best single malt whisky. Sadly, his last act before his death was to find a bottle of that whisky...and he never got to open it. Bill Ricker is the keeper of Mike's dual legacies in computing and whisky. He'll tell us about his friend's passions in this week's episode, and exactly what that whisky was that Mike sought out until his dying day.

This is a big weekend for the eight founders of Sweden's Mackmyra Distillery. Their initial dream of building Sweden's first whisky distillery has been more successful than they dreamed...so much so that they've had to build a second distillery a couple of kilometers away to meet global demand. Rikard Lundborg was one of the founders, and now heads up global sales for the company. He'll tell us about the new distillery, which uses a unique design to minimize energy use and maximize efficiency...and he'll give us the real story behind the ski trip that was the genesis for Mackmyra. In the news, Beam acquires Ireland's Cooley Distillery, a 55-year-old Glenfiddich breaks auction records at Bonhams, and tasting notes for a 60-year-old single malt from The Macallan.

If you're trying to find a rare whisky, the easiest way to track it down may be through one of the many whisky auctions conducted by galleries like Bonhams and McTear's. Bonhams held its pre-Christmas whisky auction in New York City this past week, and we'll have exclusive coverage on this episode. You'll also find out how to put your own whiskies on the block, too. In the news, Johnnie Walker goes platinum, The Naked Grouse visits Dubai, and Buffalo Trace unleashes Bourbons made with rice and oats!

The arrival of December brings with it the annual announcement of the Malt Maniacs Whisky Awards. 171 whiskies from around the world were entered in this year's competition, and just eight won gold medals. Maniacs Keith Wood and Krishna Nukala join me from Germany and India to discuss this year's results on this week's episode. In the news, Woodford Reserve unveils Double Oaked Bourbon, the first permanent addition to the Woodford range since the debut of Distillers Select, and Chris Morris gives us the toasty details. We'll also have word on more new whiskies, and a new bourbon from West Virginia's Smooth Ambler Distillery.

The Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville is holy ground for many bourbon lovers, even though it closed 20 years ago. Stitzel-Weller was the home of Pappy Van Winkle's legendary bourbons, and we'll look at the distillery's history and its future on this episode of WhiskyCast with historian Michael Veach and Julian Van Winkle. Tom Bulleit's Bulleit Bourbon is aged at Stitzel-Weller now, and he'll explain Diageo's plans to open at least part of the grounds to the public as The Bulleit Experience.

Irish Whiskey has been the fastest-growing segment of the whisky business for the last several years. William Grant & Sons acquired Tullamore Dew last year, and has been investing millions of Euros to build the brand. A new "Irish True" marketing campaign for Tullamore Dew debuted this week in New York City, and we'll hear more from John Quinn and Shane Hoyne about the brand's heritage and its future...which may include a new Tullamore Dew distillery at some point. In the news, the Kentucky Distillers Association and Sazerac settle their legal dispute over the Bourbon Trail, new whiskies from The Glenlivet, Kilchoman, and The Whisky Exchange, and WhiskyCast gets a boost from Hollywood!

Whisky Magazine announced its U.S. Icons of Whisky Awards this week in Louisville, and I was on hand for the ceremonies. Four Roses won Distiller of the Year honors for the second year in a row, and Balcones Distillery in Waco, Texas was named Craft Distiller of the Year. We'll hear from winners Jim Rutledge and Chip Tate. In the news, a French family-owned wine company has bought Tullibardine, ghost hunters search Buffalo Trace for spirits of the ethereal variety, and much more!

Ichiro 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.

Each autumn, Woodford Reserve releases its Masters Collection whiskey, a variation on one of the five elements of Bourbon defined by Oscar Pepper and James Christopher Crow 160 years ago. This year's edition is actually two 100% rye whiskies, with one aged in new oak barrels and the other in refill Woodford barrels. Master Distiller Chris Morris unveiled them this week, and explains them in this episode. In the news, they're cheering in Wick, a bit of rumor control with Laphroaig's Simon Brooking, and the annual Pappy Van Winkle whiskies are on the way.

Chuck Miller describes himself as "America's First Craft Distiller". He's been making moonshine legally at his Stillhouse Distillery in Culpeper, Virginia for 25 years, using the recipe and techniques he learned from his grandfather. Grandpa helped keep Washington wet during Prohibition and made moonshine illegally for decades, and despite frequent raids, never once got caught. Chuck shares his "shine" stories with us in this week's episode. In the news, the distillery that's helped many a craft distiller get started has been sold, The Balvenie Road Show winds up, and a listener sings the praises of Blended Scotches.

Adelphi's history dates back to 1826 and the old Adelphi Distillery in Glasgow. Descendants of the distillery's owners revived the name as an independent bottler, and we'll hear more about their unique whiskies and even more unique tasting notes in this week's episode. In the news, a vintage bottle of The Glenlivet sold for nearly $30,000 at the latest Bonhams auction in Edinburgh and Suntory's Mike Miyamoto gives us the details on the Hakushu single malt's arrival in North America.

Jim Beveridge is the master blender for Diageo's Johnnie Walker whiskies, which means he's responsible for some of the world's best-selling Scotch whiskies. It also means he doesn't have time to do interviews very often, and I've wanted to talk with him for several years...so when we had the chance to connect for a few minutes, I jumped at the chance. We'll discuss his latest creation, Johnnie Walker Double Black, which has jumped from travel retail into mainstream markets, along with the art and science of whisky blending. In the news, Suntory prepares to export Hakushu single malts to the U.S., the 2012 Malt Whisky Yearbook has been published, and more!

Back at home, but with Paris still on my mind, and plenty of news to catch up on! We'll catch up with more news on new releases from Whisky Live Paris, along with the latest headlines. Is United Spirits hot for Teacher's, Beam's Red Stag gets two more members in the herd, and Tim Forbes of The Whisky Exchange gives us a preview of this week's Whisky Show in London.

In our final episode from Whisky Live Paris, we'll get updates on the process of exporting Nikka's Japanese whiskies to the U.S. for the first time, along with the latest on new releases from Kilchoman, Compass Box, Glen Grant, Aberlour, and a host of other distillers. In the news, a 19th century bottle of The Glenlivet will go on the auction block at Bonham's next month, Vijay Mallya sets his sights on Beam, and much, much more!

This 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.

Glasgow has been the heart of Scotland's whisky industry for decades, and while it retains much of its gritty character, there's plenty to make whisky lovers feel welcome. This time around, we'll look at some of Glasgow's best places for whisky lovers to visit, including a special focus on McTear's, one of the world's top whisky auction houses. In the news, the Bourbon Hall of Fame welcomes the Class of 2011, new whiskies, and the latest on whisky exports.

Bruichladdich 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.

Every September, whiskey lovers start prowling their favorite liquor stores for the arrival of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection whiskies. This year's lineup of three Bourbons and two Ryes was unveiled this week, and Kris Comstock of Buffalo Trace joins me to discuss them. I'll also have tasting notes for all five, and compare this year's George T. Stagg Bourbon to previous years. In the news, birthdays, big bottles and a "tun" of news from The Balvenie's Sam Simmons.

The Kentucky Bourbon Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary three weeks from now, and we'll discuss this year's Festival and its history with Executive Director Linda Harrison. In the news, Four Roses unveils its 2011 Limited Edition Small Batch bourbon to be released at the Festival, the final remaining bottle of Dalmore Trinitas finds a home, and new single cask bottlings from BenRiach, GlenDronach, and Glenglassaugh.

One of the world's most unusual whisky festivals is coming up in a few weeks. Maltstock doesn't take place in a hotel or convention center, but at a former Scout camp in the Dutch woods. Maltstock co-founder Bob Wenting joins us on this week's episode to discuss what makes Maltstock unique. In the news, Abhainn Dearg releases its first official single malt, Catto's celebrates 150 years, and Buffalo Trace releases the second edition of Col. E.H. Taylor Bourbon.

It's the second weekend of the month, and they're raising dust on the dirt road leading to Atlantic City. Not the one in New Jersey, but the one in Wyoming. For the last 3 years, Bob and Barbara Townsend have been holding single malt tastings on the second Saturday of each month at their Miner's Delight Inn...and they've had guests from as far away as California! In the news, Japan's Karuizawa whiskies get a new home, Old Pulteney gets an award, and would you believe someone has created a bourbon-based "spa treatment"?

40 years ago, Dublin's Bow Street Distillery closed down after nearly 200 years of producing Jameson Irish Whiskey. In 1997, what survived of the old distillery reopened as the Old Jameson Distillery, a visitors center devoted to preserving the heritage of John Jameson's original distillery. Nearly 250,000 people visit the old distillery each year, and guide Christopher Goggins gives us a private tour in this week's episode...complete with drams at the end!

As the U.S. faces another debt crisis, this week marks the anniversary of a key event in another U.S. debt crisis...the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794. On August 1, 1794, 7,000 Americans gathered at Braddock's Field in Western Pennsylvania to protest President Washington's tax on whiskey production. The protest led to a declaration of insurrection, and Washington led an army into the area to quash the rebellion. Dr. Dennis Pogue of Mount Vernon explains the history of the Whiskey Rebellion in this episode. In the news, Glen Moray has its first new single malt release under new ownership, Crown Royal lends its name to NASCAR's Brickyard 400, and much more!

New Orleans certainly has a cocktail culture, and this weekend, it's the Mecca for cocktail enthusiasts and bartenders from all over the world. Tales of the Cocktail is in its 9th year, and co-founder Paul Tuennerman joins us to talk about the history of Tales and how it's survived along with New Orleans in the post-Katrina era. In the news, a Canadian distillery starts producing single malt spirit for the future, Auchentoshan wants to "switch" bartenders, and we'll have a sneak preview of an all-new WhiskyCast podcast!

The Scottish town of Oban celebrated its 200th anniversary this week, and the folks at Oban Distillery fired up a Time Machine to celebrate. They went back to 1823 and found a cousin of the distillery's founders to explain life as Oban was being settled. "Alan Stevenson" explains some of the history, along with Joanne McCutcher of the Diageo Archives and Oban visitors center manager Carol Bennett. We'll also hear from Glenmorangie/Ardbeg's David Blackmore and Knob Creek Whisky Professor Bernie Lubbers, and there's breaking news on plans to export Nikka whiskies to the U.S.!

As distilleries replace old equipment with new, the old stuff winds up on the scrap heap most of the time. Not so at Knockdhu Distillery in Scotland. Whether by coincidence, planning, or sheer luck, many of the distillery's artifacts have been preserved for decades after they were replaced by modern equipment. Knockdhu manager Gordon Bruce gives us a tour of his "museum" in this week's episode. In the news, plans for a new distillery in Louisville, management moves at Pernod Ricard, and plenty of new whiskies!

It's been a little over four months since a massive earthquake destroyed much of Christchurch, New Zealand and claimed 181 lives. Today, the city is trying to rebuild, despite occasional large aftershocks. One of those people trying to rebuild is Michael Fraser Milne of Whisky Galore, Christchurch's largest whisky shop. His store was destroyed in the earthquake, which came just three days before Whisky Galore's biennial DramFest festival. Michael tells us about the recovery in Christchurch, and what he calls a "humbling" outpouring of support from the whisky community. In the news, Ian Macleod Distillers has bought Tamdhu Distillery and will bring it back to life, Diageo plans to expand in Speyside, and much more!

Since 1869, Wild Turkey Bourbon has been made on Wild Turkey Hill, just east of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Jimmy and Eddie Russell saw a need to expand production to meet growing global demand for bourbon, but no room to grow on the Hill. Now, they're making Wild Turkey at a new $50 million distillery just up the road, and the dedication ceremony for the new distillery was held this week. The Russells tell us how they've gotten the new plant to make spirit that tastes just like the old place, and we'll hear Jimmy's entire speech during the ceremony.

Pulteney Distillery celebrates its 195th anniversary this year in the North Sea fishing town of Wick, Scotland. It's the home of Old Pulteney single malt whisky, and distillery manager Malcolm Waring takes us on a tour in this week's episode. In the news, new whiskies from Islay, Colorado, and the Lowlands of Scotland, an old whisky returns home to Islay, and the winners of the first WhiskyCast Father's Day competition.

It's a busy summer at Balblair Distillery in the Scottish Highlands. Not only are they making whisky, but the distillery is also a movie set this week, the site of a wedding next month, and two days after the wedding...construction starts on the distillery's first-ever visitors center. Distillery manager John MacDonald tells us about his hectic summer in this week's episode. In the news...plenty of new whiskies, including two charity bottlings, and dueling boycotts over the conflict in the Middle East.

In the last episode, I mentioned the Balcones Brimstone blue corn whiskey from Balcones Distillery in Waco, Texas...and how the corn was smoked over Texas scrub oak. Turns out I was wrong, and there's an even more interesting story behind this whiskey and the distillery. In the news, Jack Daniel's neighbors want to tax the distillery's whiskey barrels, Ireland could have a fourth distillery two years from now, new whiskies from Glen Garioch and The Macallan, and tasting notes for craft whiskies from Arkansas and Washington.

Chuck Cowdery was writing about Bourbon back in the days when few people were paying attention to America's Native Spirit, and his work has earned him a spot in the Bourbon Hall of Fame. The author of "Straight Bourbon" and "The Bourbon Country Reader" tells us about Kentucky's love-hate relationship with Bourbon, long-gone distilleries, and the rebirth of interest in Bourbons. In the news, new whiskies from Jim Beam, Bunnahabhain, and Laphroaig, the Islay weather report, and a chat with "Whisky Classified" author Dr. David Wishart.

This 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 Duncan Taylor.

The Powers family distilled whiskey for seven generations and two centuries on John's Lane in Dublin, and John Ryan is the seventh and final generation to carry on his family's tradition. While the Powers Distillery closed nearly 40 years ago, its legacy is now part of Irish Distillers, and John shares that history with us in this episode. In the news, plenty of new whiskies, awards, auctions, and a chance to buy a piece of Ponzi scheme history!

Irish whiskies once ruled the world, and Dublin was the center of Ireland's whisky industry. There are no distilleries left in Dublin, but there's plenty of whisky history to be found, along with a handful of good whisky shops and great pubs. We'll hear from Michael Hedigan, the latest in a long line of Hedigans to run the Brian Boru pub in Dublin's Glasnevin neighborhood. In the news, Irish Distillers unveils two new single pot still Irish whiskies from Midleton and a massive expansion plan for Ireland's largest distillery.

You've heard of single cask whiskies, but Buffalo Trace is taking the idea to an extreme with its Single Oak Project. There are 192 different bottles in the range, using wood from 96 different trees...and all of the wood in each cask comes from the same tree. It's just one way to control the variables that make the whisky from two barrels different, and there are nearly 1,400 possible combinations! We'll hear from the team behind this unique experiment, along with the week's news and the debut of a new feature -- in which you get to ask the questions!

Charles MacLean is one of the world's top whisky writers, and is marking 30 years of writing about the water of life this year. We'll hear from this Master of the Quaich about how he developed his love for whisky and his nosing skills, along with what he likes and doesn't like about whisky these days. In the news, Graham Eunson leaves Glenglassaugh to become distillery manager at Tomatin, Diageo's Scotch distilleries show an increase in visitor traffic, and the UK prepares to mix whisky with politics...in one polling place.

The 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!

Belgium is known for its outstanding beers, but the country has three languages, three different cultures, and one sub-culture that unites them...a whisky culture! Belgian whisky writer Fernand Dacquin explains in this week's episode, which also includes highlights from Whisky Live New York. In the news, Scottish distillers team up to help Japan, Tomatin's Douglas Campbell celebrates 50 years of distilling, and Jim Beam gives the Devil his due.

This week's episode features one of the most mysterious single malt whiskies in the world. Taiwan's Kavalan whisky has received awards in worldwide competitions, even though the King Car Distillery has only been distilling whisky for six years and Kavalan is sold in only four Asian countries. We'll travel to Taiwan for an in-depth look at what makes this whisky unique. In the news, Decanter #1 of the Glenlivet 70 raises $24,000 for Japanese earthquake relief, new bourbons, and a new record for Scotch whisky exports.

Five generations of the William Grant family have been making Grant's Scotch whiskies, and we'll look at the entire Grant's range with Ludo DuCroq in this episode. In the news, Decanter #1 of Gordon & MacPhail's Glenlivet 70 goes on the auction block for Japanese earthquake relief, the UK government sticks whisky lovers with the annual tax increase, and much more!

More from Edinburgh on this edition, with a look at some of the key places whisky lovers seek out on a visit to Scotland's capital. We'll check out Royal Mile Whiskies, The Scotch Whisky Experience, and one of Edinburgh's best whisky bars. In the news, Whyte & MacKay is about to release a replica of Shackleton's whisky from Antarctica, Australian whisky comes to the US, an update on Japan's distilleries after the earthquake, and much more!

1940 was a crucial moment in world history, as World War II was breaking out in Europe. That February, Gordon & MacPhail arranged to have 15 casks filled with new make spirit at The Glenlivet in Speyside. 70 years later, the one remaining cask has been bottled as the second release in G&M's "Generations Series". The Glenlivet 70 was unveiled this past Tuesday in Edinburgh, along with 5 other single cask Glenlivets from 1954 through 1991, and you'll hear the highlights and reaction on this episode of WhiskyCast!

 

David Perkins has been getting a lot of attention for his High West whiskies. Malt Advocate just named him its Industry Pioneer of the Year, and two weeks ago, Matt Colglaizer sang the praises of High West in his WhiskyCast interview. This time around, David explains how he moved from biochemistry to making whisky in Utah. In the news, the winners of Whisky Magazine's World Whiskies Awards, a new Bulleit Rye whiskey hits the market, and much more!

Brown-Forman's cooperage in Louisville, Kentucky has an impact on whiskies all over the world. The cooperage makes all of the barrels for Jack Daniel's, Woodford Reserve, and Brown-Forman's other whiskies...and of course, those barrels are later sent to distilleries in Scotland and around the world for aging whiskies. It's also one of the few cooperages open for tours, and general manager Greg Roshkowski will give us a tour in this episode. In the news, the Christchurch earthquake and its connection to the whisky world, plenty of awards, and more new whiskies!

Still in Indiana, but that's giving me a chance to catch up with old friends. Matt Colglazier writes the American Craft Spirits blog, and also happens to be the marketing manager for Big Red Liquors in Bloomington, Indiana. That's where I spent four years getting my degree (in Bloomington, not at Big Red), and Big Red now boasts a selection of more than 200 whiskies. We'll hear from Matt about the growth in craft spirits and much more in this episode...

This week's episode comes from Edinburgh...no, not THAT Edinburgh. I'm actually in Edinburgh, Indiana on family business, but talked with Alistair Longwell of Ardmore and Ryan Maloney of Julio's Liquors in Westborough, Massachusetts before I headed west. They've been working on the first official single cask Ardmore bottling that will make its debut at Julio's later this month. In the news, Diageo has an eye on Beam Global's future, a Kentucky distilling family wants to return to its roots, and much more.

Jim Murray isn't one to hold his tongue when he doesn't like something, and the man behind the Whisky Bible shares some of the things that are bothering him these days in this episode, along with some of the whiskies that surprised him this year. We'll also hear from Andrew Ferguson of Calgary's Kensington Wine Market about his hotbed of whisky in the middle of the cold Canadian prairie, along with the rest of the week's news and much more.

 

Canadian whiskies seldom gets their fair share of credit, since many whisky drinkers perceive them as something best mixed into a cocktail. While that's certainly an acceptable way to drink them, there are many Canadian whiskies that can hold their own when compared to any whisky from around the world. Davin de Kergommeaux of Canadian Whisky.org shares some of the history behind these unique whiskies and a few recommendations in this episode. In the news, new whiskies from Cooley, Highland Park, Buffalo Trace, Bowmore, and much more...

Plenty of highlights at this year's Victoria Whisky Festival, and we'll have all of the details in this episode recorded on location in Victoria, British Columbia. In the news, Scotch whisky exports are on the rise, Glenfarclas marks an anniversary, Arran goes peaty, Compass Box goes Orangerie again...and we mourn the loss of longtime Buffalo Trace legend Jimmy Johnson.

 

This is the first live webcast of WhiskyCast, on location at the Victoria Whisky Festival in British Columbia. Our tasting panel and nosers from the audience went through five blind samples selected by Malt Maniac and Victoria Whisky Festival president Lawrence Graham, and you'll hear just how hard it is to guess just what a whisky could be without any clues. In the news, Shackleton's whisky gets first-class treatment, new expressions from The Dalmore and Old Pulteney, and whisky in a can?

Your 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!

 

Whisky lovers take their passion into all sorts of areas. Shai Gilboa decided to look into the history of a fairly obscure blended Scotch whisky after coming across an old bottle of Stewart's Cream of the Barley during a tasting in Israel. He not only studied the history, but tracked down a current bottle of Stewart's and sent samples of the old and new bottlings to friends around the world to compare. In the news, Ralph Erenzo's condition improves, Skye loses one of its champions, and Early Times brings out a new bourbon in the U.S.

We'll start off the New Year with a rare interview with Tim Morrison, managing director of A. Dewar Rattray and the son of Morrison Bowmore founder Stanley Morrison. Tim's career in the whisky business spans the acquisition of Bowmore by his family to today's independent bottlings he selects for A. Dewar Rattray. In the news, an update on Ralph Erenzo's condition and Whisky Magazine's U.S. Icons of Whisky winners.

In the final episode of 2010, we'll take a look back at some of the year's more memorable moments. In the news, Tuthilltown Spirits founder Ralph Erenzo is hospitalized in critical condition after a car accident, Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey has been sold, new whiskies from BenRiach and Glengoyne, and the real person in charge at Bruichladdich is retiring.

Dominic Roskow took on a tough challenge for his latest book - identifying the world's 750 best whiskies. We'll hear from the author of "The World's Best Whiskies: 750 Essential Drams from Tennessee to Tokyo" in this episode. In the news, Ken Storrie, the owner of Glasgow's legendary pub "The Pot Still" has died...and his Scrooge-like landlord evicted Ken's widow and family from the premises days before Christmas. We'll also hear about the retirement of Woodford Reserve manager Dave Schuerich, a milestone at Heaven Hill, and some of your "Dramcember" drams.

 

Canadian 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.

Each year, a dedicated group of maniacal whisky lovers takes on the challenge of tasting and judging the world's best whiskies. The Malt Maniacs Awards is one of the world's toughest whisky competitions, and the 2010 edition is no exception with just 12 gold medals...and 262 entries! Master Maniac Johannes van den Heuvel joins me from Amsterdam to discuss this year's winners on this week's episode. In the news, winter weather hits Scotland hard and Johnnie Walker gets a bar of its own in New York City.

The last time we heard from Jim McEwan, he was leading a toast at the end of his master class at Bruichladdich during Feis Ile in May. Jim's been a busy man since then, but he agreed to sit down for a few minutes and discuss his dalliance with distilling gin, the future of Bruichladdich as the 10th anniversay of its reopening nears, and his own approaching retirement to spend time with his grandchildren. In the news, repair work is underway at Springbank, auction results from Glasgow and Hong Kong, and the debut of the WhiskyCast Glencairn nosing glass!

 

Whisky truly is the "water of life", and as many as 60,000 people will benefit from the sale of one very special bottle of whisky this past week. The Macallan in Lalique Cire Perdue Decanter is the largest and heaviest Lalique decanter ever made, and holds the oldest Macallan whisky ever bottled. It sold Monday night at Sotheby's in New York for the highest price ever paid for a single bottle of whisky: $460,000. There's complete coverage of the auction in this week's episode, along with news from the Bonhams whisky auction in Edinburgh, several whisky competitions, and the Holiday Gift Guide has a Vegas flair.

Malt Advocate held its annual WhiskyFest New York this past week, and the microdistilling community was out in force. Some of the most creative experiments in distilling are being done at American microdistilleries, and you'll hear from some of the distillers in this episode. In the news, a boiler explosion shuts down Springbank, a $160,000 bottle of whisky is still on the market, and the Friends of Laphroaig visit the Statue of Liberty.

This episode marks a milestone...the fifth anniversary of the first WhiskyCast episode. Veteran bartender and author of "Bartending for Dummies" Ray Foley joins us to discuss the art of bartending, and don't dare refer to him as a "mixologist". In the news, Scotch whisky exports are on the rise, new bourbons are on the way, Caperdonich comes tumbling down, and the holiday gift guide looks at new whisky-specific glassware from Villeroy & Boch.

Serge Valentin takes whisky seriously...but not much else. His WhiskyFun.com website is among the world's most popular whisky web sites, with tasting notes for thousands of whiskies from all over the world, music reviews, and much more. Serge explains his philosophy of life in this episode, along with the latest news, this week's trivia question, and the holiday gift guide.

Ever wondered why the U.S. requires whisky to be sold in 750ml bottles, while most of the rest of the world sells 700ml bottles? We'll get the definitive answer to that and other federal red tape questions from former ATF and TTB agent William Earle, now president of the National Association of Beverage Importers. In the news, another ultra-premium Johnnie Walker whisky, new malts from The Glenrothes and Amrut, and the debut of the WhiskyCast Holiday Gift Guide.

Compass Box marks 10 years in the whisky business this week, and John Glaser is celebrating with retrospective tastings in New York and Edinburgh. We'll have highlights of the New York tasting on this week's episode. In the news, a rare bottle of Mortlach 70 is stolen at the Stockholm Beer & Whisky Festival, and two bottles of 64-year-old Dalmore have sold for about $160,000...each! We'll also remember Ronnie Eddins, the longtime Buffalo Trace warehouse manager who passed away this past week.

Every master has an apprentice learning the tricks of the trade and preparing to fill the master's shoes one day. Brian Kinsman served as David Stewart's protege at William Grant & Sons, and has now taken on David's role as Master Blender for Grant's and Glenfiddich Malt Master. David continues as Malt Master for The Balvenie, and we'll hear from both men in this episode. In the news, Dewar's completes the first phase of its expansion plans, two bottles of George Washington's Rye go on the auction block, and Woodford Reserve searches for the perfect Manhattan recipe.

No journalist has ever been allowed inside the Chivas Brothers blending lab in Kilmalid, Scotland...which means whisky lovers have never gotten a look inside...until now. Master Blender Sandy Hyslop directs the production of Ballantine's Scotch and other Chivas products from this lab, and that includes the entire range of single malt bottlings from the Chivas Brothers distilleries. We'll get a look at everything from new make grain spirit to Ballantine's 30-year-old Scotch, and there's a quiz at the end. You don't have to take it...I did. In the news, Highland Park unveils a 50-year-old expression, Diageo opens the massive Roseisle Distillery in Speyside, Old Pulteney's looking for an Arctic Explorer, and brace yourselves, Android users...there's an app coming your way soon.

This is the third and final episode from Whisky Live Paris, where I was honored to be a judge in the Nikka Perfect Serve competition for bartenders from 10 European countries. We'll also hear from David Robertson of Whyte & Mackay, Glann ar Mor's Jean Donnay, Glen Grant master distiller Dennis Malcolm, Doug McIvor of Berry Bros. & Rudd, Lisa Collins of Mackmyra, take a look at Blanton's bourbons that you'll never see in Kentucky and get a taste of absinthe!

More coverage from Whisky Live Paris on this special episode of WhiskyCast! We'll hear from Anthony Wills of Kilchoman, John MacDonald of Balblair, author Dave Broom, Bill Lumsden of Glenmorangie, Ann Miller of Aberlour, Compass Box's John Glaser, Luc Timmermans of Belgium's Lindores Whisky Society and much more...along with tasting notes for some of the whiskies I've tasted today in Paris!

I'm on the road this weekend at Whisky Live Paris, and it's a weekend full of new whiskies to taste! We'll hear from Thierry Benitah of La Maison du Whisky, along with Kerry White of GlenDronach, Amrut's Ashok Chokalingam, Michael Urquhart of Gordon & MacPhail, Marcin Miller of Number One Drinks Company, and three of Australia's leading distillers!

Ireland'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.

This week's episode comes from the Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh, Scotland, which has been completely renovated to provide state of the art whisky education for both consumers and professionals. We'll hear from the Experience's Julie Hunter on the changes, which include the addition of the Claive Vidiz Collection of whiskies to the exhibits on display. We'll also catch up with Alastair Day on the success of his Tweedale Blend whisky and Victor Brierley tells us about a new tour service for Glasgow's great whisky bars.

Women are discovering whisky and other brown spirits at record levels, and dispelling the old myth that whisky is a "man's drink." Meghan Leary is the author of "Whiskey for Women" and the website of the same name, and is on the forefront of teaching women about whisky. She'll share her insights with us on this week's episode. In the news, Scotland's government plans to impose minimum pricing over industry objections, Colum Egan of Bushmills picks his apprentice, and the "Water of Life Drive" reaches its goal for Charity: Water!

The Whisky Guild held its annual "Whisky on the Hudson" tasting and dinner cruise in New York City the other night, with more than 900 people on hand to taste dozens of whiskies. I'll have some of the highlights on this week's episode, including a visit to The Balvenie's Warehouse 24 room and chats with some of the U.S. microdistillers on hand. In the news, a new peated Glenmorangie, 10 single casks from BenRiach, a new Macallan 1824 Collection expression, and an update on the "Water of Life" Drive for Charity: Water.

Ever have one of those conversations that seems like just a few minutes, until you look at the clock and realize it's gone on for a long time? That sums up my chat this week with Robin Blackadder, the "nom du whisky" for Blackadder bottler Robin Toucek. We discussed everything from how he picks single casks to whisky festivals, politics, and small animals, and you'll hear our chat in this week's episode. In the news, Dr. Martin Tangney of Edinburgh Napier University explains his new technique for turning distillery waste into a usable biofuel, along with details on new whiskies and auction results for old ones.

There's no doubting that Kentucky makes great bourbons, but a single malt? That hasn't happened since 1919...until now. Dr. Pearse Lyons is the CEO of Alltech, which makes yeasts and animal feed supplements in Kentucky. He comes from generations of Irish coopers, and since Alltech already owns the Kentucky Brewing Company in Lexington, he decided to honor his heritage with a single malt. We'll also get the latest on Shackleton's whisky from Nigel Watson of the Antarctic Heritage Trust and learn more about Charity: Water from CEO Scott Harrison.

"Hammer Head" sounds like the name for a Caribbean rum, not a whisky. In this case, it's not a shark reference, but the name of a long-forgotten Czech single malt whisky just being released. Tony Roberts of Stock Spirits Group shepherded Hammer Head to market, and explains the origin of the whisky and its unusual name. Plenty of new whiskies to talk about this week, along with the start of the WhiskyCast "Water of Life" Drive.

Heather Greene works two jobs...as a singer and as one of the U.S. brand ambassadors for Glenfiddich. It's the second job that has made her a fixture at whisky festivals and helped her win Whisky Magazine's Icons of Whisky award as the best young whisky ambassador in the U.S. this year. Heather discusses balancing music and whisky in this week's episode, and in the news, new releases from Heaven Hill, The Balvenie, and tasting notes for the new Parker's Heritage Collection 2010 Wheated Bourbon and a vintage Glenfarclas.

 

 

I met up with Richard Paterson of Whyte & Mackay at Boston's Federal Wine & Spirits just as the news came from New Zealand that scientists will thaw out one of the cases of whisky found at Sir Ernest Shackleton's camp in Antarctica. Richard shares his hopes for the whisky inside that case, along with news on new bottlings from The Dalmore and Isle of Jura, and his unique tale of the history of Scotch whisky. We'll also touch base with Federal's Joe Howell on the business of selling whisky, and taste two Dalmores...one old and one new.

Laphroaig's stillhouse is a popular part of tours at the distillery, and the stillman you're most likely to meet is Allan Hyslop. Allan's been a fixture at Laphroaig for 30 years, and celebrated his anniversary during Feis Ile this year. He'll share some of his stories with us in this episode. In the news, the defending champion in the Australian Malt Whisky Tasting Championship has been dethroned, Heaven Hill expands its line of Evan Williams bourbon-based liqueurs, and an amazing find at the bottom of the sea between Sweden and Finland.

Tommy Smith worked at Strathisla Distillery in Speyside for 27 years before taking "early retirement." He's put in another eight years since then guiding visitors around the distillery and telling tales of the days when coal fired the stills, men ran the stills instead of computers, and "dramming" was part of the job. He'll share some of his stories with us in this episode. In the news, new releases from Ardbeg, Six Isles, Four Roses, charity events, and competitions, along with your e-mails and ways to keep cool in the summer's heat.

George Washington's estate at Mount Vernon is a unique part of American history, and for the first time since Washington's distillery burned down in 1814, whiskey distilled at Mount Vernon went on sale this week. Just 471 bottles of rye whiskey using the original Washington recipe sold out within two hours, and this episode includes some of the festivities as well as tasting notes for the whiskey.

Dave 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.

Glenfiddich will be releasing just 50 bottles of its 50-year-old single malt a year for the next 10 years, and opened one of the first 5 U.S. bottles Thursday at New York City's Mandarin Oriental Hotel. We'll hear from Caspar MacRae of William Grant & Sons, along with a Seattle whisky lover who won a trip to New York to taste the Glenfiddich 50. I'll have my tasting notes for this one of a kind whisky, too.

Time for another trip inside the blending lab, and Iain McCallum of Morrison Bowmore is our host. He'll take us through some old Auchentoshans and Glen Gariochs, along with a special surprise at the end. In the news, William Grant & Sons teams up with one of the top U.S. microdistillers, Glen Breton rubs it in, Glenmorangie's team of bloggers picks this year's Vintage Cask, and Glenmorangie says "L'Chaim."

The Glenlivet is the world's #2 selling single malt, and is taking aim at the top spot with a new distillery expansion. Chivas Brothers celebrated the $15 million dollar project today with a Royal Salute...literally. Prince Charles was on hand for the dedication, and you'll get a taste of the festivities on this episode of WhiskyCast recorded on location at The Glenlivet.

The Port Ellen Maltings supplies malt for many of Islay's distilleries, and I'll wrap up the special series of Feis Ile episodes from Islay with a rare tour inside the Maltings led by native Ileach manager Graham Logie. There's music from Robin Laing and some final thoughts as I wind up coverage of the 25th Islay Festival of Malt & Music.

Ardbeg has the final distillery day of the annual Islay Festival of Malt & Music, and even though there wasn't a full-size roller coaster on hand for the carnival Ardbeg threw, there was a full-proof Rollercoaster -- the special bottling marking the 10th anniversary of the Ardbeg Committee. Today was also the official debut of the 2010 version of Supernova, and you'll get tasting notes in this episode, hear from some of the 300-plus people who started lining up last night to get the Ardbeg Feis Ile bottling, and listen as I get up close and personal with some peat.

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 band Skerryvore, and much more on this episode from Islay.

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!

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.

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 the island. 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.

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 Scotch Whisky Cookbook," attend the Feis Ile whisky nosing competition, and hear music from Brigid Kaelin.

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'sfestival 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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Back from Scotland, and plenty to talk about. This episode features highlights from the World Whiskies Conference in Glasgow, as well as a rare interview with retired Suntory master blender Dr. Koichi Inatomi. In the news, Springbank's distillery manager heads north to take over Duncan Taylor's new distillery project in Huntly, along with a new 40-year-old single malt from Glenfarclas, Highland Park's plans to phase out two travel retail releases, and new travel retail expressions from The Balvenie and Grant's.

I had a great experience today, and decided it warranted a special mid-week episode recorded on board a First ScotRail train from Aberdeen to Glasgow. Michael Urquhart gave me a private tour of the Gordon & MacPhail warehouses and sample room in Elgin, along with a tasting of several G&M bottlings, including the new 70-year-old Mortlach! Along the way, we talked about the family's history in the whisky business, nosing and tasting, and much more!

This episode comes from the Highlander Inn in Craigellachie, Scotland...the heart of Speyside! We'll hear from Highlander co-owner Duncan Elphick and the manager of the Highlander's world-class whisky bar, Tatsu Minagawa, about the Highlander's history and its whisky selection. In the news, Scotch whisky exports hit a new high despite the economy, a mothballed Speyside distillery will be sold and closed forever, new distillery tours, and a new GlenDronach. I'll also go to whisky school with Donald Renwick and the faculty at Royal Lochnagar!

The whisky business is in good shape despite the global recession. That's the view of Sir Gavin Hewitt, CEO of the Scotch Whisky Association. I sat down with Sir Gavin during his visit to New York for Whisky Live and a seminar for trade professionals to discuss whisky exports and the impact of the new Scotch Whisky Law. I'll also have highlights from Whisky Live New York, and word on new whiskies from Early Times, Caribou Crossing, an ultra-rare Macallan, and the results of the Alzheimer's Association Chocolate Symphony Scotland tour auction!

It'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!

We 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 This Week" Department.

For some reason, I always wind up doing a show on Irish whiskies around St. Patrick's Day. Irish whiskies have the fastest-growing sales in many markets, and we'll get some ideas why from Abigeal Hendron of Michael Collins Irish Whiskey. Bushmills Master Distiller Colum Egan explains what he's looking for as Bushmills starts a competition to find someone to spend 30 days working at the distillery this autumn, and I'll compare two distillery bottlings with independent bottlings in the "What I'm Tasting This Week Department."

Michael Jackson passed away in 2007, leaving behind a legacy of excellence in whisky writing that includes his classic "Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch." Now, an updated edition of his guide is being released, and fittingly, it took three men to do the job. Editors Dominic Roskrow, Gavin Smith, and William Meyers discuss the controversy over their work and how they worked together to create the new guide. In the news, Gordon & MacPhail unveils a 70-year-old Mortlach bottling, and the latest on new expressions from Four Roses, Glenfarclas, and The Whisky Exchange.

 

This week's episode includes highlights from the Whisky Guild's annual Whisky Classic event in Morristown, New Jersey. Ardbeg's Rollercoaster made its U.S. debut at the Whisky Classic, and we'll get some of the details from Dr. Bill Lumsden. We'll also hear about plans for the first U.S. Ardbeg Committee gathering this April in Chicago, and Rick Wassmund of Copper Fox will tell us about his latest single malt from Virginia. In the news, John MacLellan leaves Burn Stewart Distillers for Kilchoman, Texas gets its first-ever bourbon, Denmark gets a new single malt, and the WhiskyCast iPhone app is now available!

France 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 Ralfy.com.

 

We've seen an explosion in the number of whisky bloggers over the past year, and one of the most popular is Ralfy Mitchell of Ralfy.com. His whisky rating videos have become a hit on YouTube, and we sat down to talk at the recent Victoria Whisky Festival. In the news, Compass Box has something special planned for the upcoming Whisky Live London, another new whisky from The Dalmore, Buffalo Trace goes Canadian, and Bonhams puts a Glenfiddich bottling of casks from 1937 and 1939 on the auction block next week.

 

 

English farmers send barley north to Scotland, and sooner or later, the Scots send it back as whisky. The Nelstrop family has been growing barley for decades, and decided to change that formula. The first English single malt whisky in more than a century is now available from the family's St. George's Distillery in Norfolk. In the news, the finalists have been selected in the Spirit of Speyside Festival Whisky Awards, Malt Advocate Magazine announces its 2009 award winners, and tasting notes for a rare Glenfiddich single cask bottling.

Call it beginner's luck if you want, but Peter Hart's first batch of single malt spirit received rave reviews at the recent Victoria Whisky Festival...even though it was only two months old. Peter's the distiller at Victoria Spirits, a converted British Columbia winery now producing highly-regarded gin and as we'll learn in this episode, plans to produce a 100% British Columbia single malt whisky. In the news, the first interview with Al Fastier of the Antarctic Heritage Trust on the successful recovery of not just two cases of Sir Ernest Shackleton's 100-year-old whisky, but a third case of whisky and two cases of brandy! Also, Edrington and Berry Brothers swap whisky assets...and reports of a new Ardbeg expression!

As 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 newsletter subscribers!

 

This time around, I'm on location at the Victoria Whisky Festival in British Columbia, and I'm joined by a panel of whisky experts to discuss some of the issues facing whisky producers and drinkers alike. Jim Murray, Malt Maniac Davin De Kergommeaux, Ed Patrick of Canada's Companions of the Quaich, Stuart Nickerson of Glenglassaugh, Andrew Gray of Bruichladdich, and Dan Tullio of Canadian Club discuss the state of Canadian whisky, government regulation and taxes, premiumization, and their dream drams. In the news, Maker's Mark is experimenting with a new formula that may or may not make it to market, and Bruichladdich is experimenting with technology to turn its waste into fuel.

 

 

Dewar's is one of Scotland's iconic whiskies, thanks to the efforts of generations of the Dewar family. Ian Buxton has just released a new book, "The Enduring Legacy of Dewar's", in cooperation with Dewar's owner Bacardi, and he joins us via Skype from Edinburgh to share some of Dewar's history. In the news, whisky and politics, whisky and sports, and whisky with a smoky kick!

 

China may well become the world's largest whisky market over the next decade, and Ian Chang is hoping his Kavalan single malt becomes the choice of Chinese whisky lovers. Kavalan is the first single malt whisky distilled in Taiwan, and even though its first releases are only three years old, Kavalan has already won several medals in international whisky competitions. In the news, heavy snow damages 21 Chivas Brothers warehouses holding 100 million gallons of whisky, Diageo prepares for the second release in the Manager's Choice Series, and we'll hear from the editor of Australia's first whisky magazine, Tumbler's Kristy Booth.

 

The last decade could well be remembered for the emergence of Japanese single malt whiskies on the world stage. We'll discuss the malts from the Land of the Rising Sun with Chris Bunting, author of the Nonjatta.com blog. In the news, new whiskies from Gordon & MacPhail and The Glenrothes, and Whyte & MacKay's Richard Paterson can tell you where to go...if you have a TomTom GPS.

 

 

We'll close out 2009 with a look at bourbon and beer. Devin Zell of Bourbon Drinker.com loves both. He'll share his dual passions with us in this episode, including how he and his friends aged a beer for 9 months in a barrel used for Pappy Van Winkle's 23-year-old bourbon. In the news, new expressions from Berry Brothers & Rudd, the BBC discovers a distillery on the Isle of Lewis, and tasting notes for three top-shelf bourbons in the "What I'm Tasting This Week Department."

Distilleries have ghosts and secrets, as well as memories that live within those who work the stills, the malting floors, and the warehouses. Ian Macilwain has collected those stories in his new book "Bottled History" and joins us from Aberdeen for this week's episode. In the news, Bonhams completes a three-continent series of whisky auctions, Highland Park honors an Orkney legend, and Brown University researchers look at the cause of hangovers.

Having a holiday party this season? Master mixologist Dale DeGroff gives us some tips on cocktails and entertaining in this episode. In the news, Diageo's Scottish workers call off their campaign against plant closings, Scotch whisky exports are up despite the recession, the latest word on new whisky releases, a Balvenie competition, and look for WhiskyCast soon on your iPhone!

Tasting and scoring around 200 different whiskies over the course of a few weeks is tough work, but the Malt Maniacs make this sacrifice every autumn. The results of this year's Malt Maniacs Whisky Awards have been released, and with just 9 gold medal winners, represent the best of the best. Longtime Malt Maniac Davin de Kergommeaux puts this year's winners into perspective. In the news, whisky competitions anyone can win, Glenfiddich's plans to auction a bottle of 50-year-old whisky for charity, celebrating the Macallan, and a look at whisky from the philosophical point of view with Marcus Adams, one of the editors of the new book "Whisky and Philosophy."

 

The Scotch Whisky industry is operating under new rules for the first time in 20 years. A complete re-write of the Scotch Whisky Law went into effect this week, and David Williamson of the Scotch Whisky Association explains the new law in this episode. In the news, if someone offers you a bottle of Tactical Nuclear Penguin beer, sip it...don't chug it...along with Bonham's auction results from Hong Kong...Power's sends a new Irish whiskey to the US, and tasting notes for something spicy, something blue, and something bluegrass.

McKinlay's Rare Old Scotch Whisky was one of the many brands destined to be part of the history books...until two cases of McKinlay's were discovered in 2006 beneath a hut used by Sir Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic expedition from 1907 to 1909. Now, whisky lovers all over the world want to know what a whisky stored in ice for a century would taste like. We'll hear from Al Fastier of the New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust and Richard Paterson of Whyte & Mackay on plans to recover the whisky from its icy home in February...and what should happen to it. In the news, Edrington Group plans to mothball Tamdhu Distillery, a new master distiller for The Glenlivet, and Whisky Magazine presents its U.S. Icons of Whisky Awards.

The whisky world gathers every November for Malt Advocate's WhiskyFest in New York. The 12th annual edition featured new whiskies and longtime favorites. We'll cover the entire show in this episode, including Lifetime Achievement awards for retired Edrington Group master blender John Ramsay and Beam Global's Robert Hicks. In the news, Louisville's Urban Bourbon Trail adds two stops, Woodford Reserve releases a Seasoned Oak version, and details on a new competition for WhiskyCast listeners!

America is in the forefront of a global micro-distilling boom, with more than 200 licensed artisanal distilleries. 42 of them are producing whisky, and many have received guidance from Bill Owens of the American Distilling Institute. Bill shares some of the benefits and potential pitfalls of starting a distillery in this episode. In the news, new Scotch whisky regulations will take effect later this month, Diageo changes course in the Canadian market, Glen Grant prepares for a U.S. debut, and if you missed out on tickets for Malt Advocate's WhiskyFest New York, there's a preview of this week's Philadelphia Whiskey Festival.

Whisky is a treat for many of us, but the trick is finding the right one (obligatory Halloween reference). Keith Law is one of the master blenders for Diageo, and suggests that a blended Scotch may be the way to go for some people. In the news, English Whisky is just a few weeks away, the Knob Creek drought of 2009 is over, The Balvenie's coppersmith celebrates his 50th anniversary, and tasting notes for several rare Islays and the 2000 Vintage Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon.

This week, I'm on the road at Proof on Main in Louisville! Heaven Hill is celebrating Parker Beam's 50th anniversary as a distiller this weekend, and you'll share in the fun as we hear from Parker and some of his many friends and colleagues. In the news, David Stewart scales back his duties at William Grant & Sons, new travel retail releases, and tasting notes for the Gold Bowmore! We'll also hear from noted chef Charlie Palmer and more about one of Louisville's best bourbon bars.

Time for the annual question and answer episode, as experts answer your questions about whisky. This year's panel includes Dr. Bill Lumsden of Glenmorangie, Chris Morris of Woodford Reserve, and Diageo master blender Keith Law. In the news, Wild Turkey unveils a new bourbon, Mark Andrews of Castle Brands discusses growing bourbon and Irish whiskey sales, and thieves steal a rare collection of Springbank whiskies!

Jim Murray's 2010 Whisky Bible is out, and let the second-guessing begin. Jim's annual guide to the world's whiskies generates controversy every year, and he'll answer his critics and discuss his choices for the year's best new whiskies in this episode. In the news, new releases from The Dalmore, Glengoyne and The Glenrothes...Buffalo Trace releases more experimental bourbons, results of the International Wine & Spirits Competitions whisky awards, and Charles Maclean becomes a Master of the Quaich.

Johnnie Walker sells more Scotch whisky than anyone in the world, and Diageo is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Johnnie Walker Black Label in 2009. Andrew Ford is a member of the team of master blenders that watches over the Johnnie Walker blends, and he'll tell us about the art of blending in this episode. He'll also answer questions submitted by listeners like you through Facebook and Twitter! In the news, Glengoyne adds a new expression, and we'll hear from Michael Urquhart of Gordon & MacPhail, John Glaser of Compass Box, and Ethan Kelley of the Brandy Library.

A double feature this week...the latest issue of Malt Advocate is out. John Hansell will give us a preview, and we'll also talk about next month's WhiskyFest in San Francisco. Mikael Mossvall of Mackmyra will give us an update on Sweden's only single malt whisky and plans to export it to the U.S. in 2010. In the news, Jack and Jim pull out of NASCAR, new whiskies from Compass Box, Benromach, and Douglas Laing, and tasting notes for 10 different whiskies!

The Macallan folks like to do things big...like the new $15,000 Macallan Lalique expression: 57-year-old Macallan in a Lalique decanter! Ken Grier is the director of malts for Macallan parent Edrington Group, and he'll update us on the latest from the Macallan and Highland Park, including the 1824 Collection series of travel retail expressions and the upcoming Highland Park 1964 and 1968 vintage releases. In the news, the Bourbon Hall of Fame welcomes 7 new members, $20,000 gets you your own whisky from Whyte and Mackay, and a look at the science of the cocktail.

This time around, we'll have highlights from the Whisky Guild's "Whisky on the Hudson" cruise, including the US debuts of the Balvenie Madeira Cask, Suntory's Hibiki blended whisky, and Laphroaig's new 18-year-old Scotch. In the news, Bowmore comes out with another edition of its legendary 1964 whiskies, Kilchoman debuts its first single malt, and bureaucrats on the loose!

For the first time, Diageo is releasing single cask bottlings from all 27 of its malt distilleries in Scotland. Diageo's master of malt, Dr. Nick Morgan, explains how the Manager's Choice malts were selected, and also previews this year's Distiller's Edition series of single malts. Graeme Wallace will preview the first Whisky Show in London coming up in November, and we'll listen in on the first (ri)1 Iron Bartender Competition held in New York this past week. In the news, new single malts from Ardbeg, Bowmore, Edradour, and Glen Garioch, and I taste a 30-year-old Lagavulin!

A bit of Irish distilling history is being brought back to life this weekend, if only for one day. Commercial shipping along Ireland's Grand Canal ended 50 years ago this year...shortly after the closing of the Locke's Distillery in Kilbeggan. Cooley brought the Old Kilbeggan Distillery back to life two years ago, and now, whisky and history buffs are recreating the shipping of whiskey casks from Kilbeggan to Dublin to honor the surviving men who sailed up and down the Canal. In the news, more political problems for Diageo, an anniversary bottling for Johnnie Walker, new whiskies from Connemara and Bruichladdich...and much more!

Last time around, I mentioned the Laing Brothers and their vatting of casks from Laphroaig and Macallan to create the "Double Barrel." It was so intriguing that I decided to get Stewart Laing on the phone to explain it...and their plans to bring together casks from other distilleries with opposing taste profiles. In the news, the results of this week's Bonhams whisky auction, Arran names a whisky after the distillery peacock...who promptly takes off, Jefferson's Bourbon goes Presidential, and tasting notes on the new 25-year-old Rittenhouse Rye coming soon from Heaven Hill!

Today marks the birthday of a legend in the bourbon business. Buffalo Trace Master Distiller Emeritus Elmer T. Lee turns 90 today, and his friends marked the milestone with a party at the distillery. I had the chance to interview Elmer in the fall of 2006, and he'll share some of his stories with us in that interview. In the news, Buffalo Trace unveils this year's Antique Collection, Chris Morris tells us about this year's Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, The Whisky Exchange unveils a new line of single cask bottlings, and the Laing Brothers put Macallan and Laphroaig together.

This time around, we'll focus on two upcoming whisky festivals in Europe. Maltstock will bring together whisky clubs and individuals from around Europe for a weekend in the Netherlands, and Teun van Wel will tell us how the event came together. Chris Maybin of La Maison du Whisky will preview next month's Whisky Live Paris for us as well. In the news, the whisky world is mourning the death of longtime Jack Daniel's master distiller Jimmy Bedford, Four Roses unveils the second release in its Mariage Collection series of bourbons...and more layoffs in Scotland.

If you've never had a chance to attend a master class with Whyte & MacKay's Richard Paterson, you're missing out on an education...and a great time. In this week's episode, you'll get to listen in as the master blender teaches a group of New York City bartenders about The Dalmore. In the news, Glenfiddich confirms its new 50-year-old single malt, Suntory does the same with Hibiki and surprises the U.S. with a rare Yamazaki release, Park Avenue Liquors has a bunch of new single cask releases coming in...and Parker Beam's done it again!

It's been a busy year at GlenDronach and BenRiach distilleries...the investor group led by Billy Walker added GlenDronach to their portfolio less than a year ago, and are already revamping the entire range. Their BenRiach malts have won 17 medals in competitions over the last few weeks...and Alastair Walker brings us up to date in this episode. In the news, the Scottish Government may offer Diageo public funding to keep the Johnnie Walker bottling plant in Kilmarnock open, Heaven Hill unveils the latest release in Parker Beam's Heritage Collection of bourbons...and tasting notes for some new spirits.

On the road in Michigan this week, but had the chance to sneak across the Detroit River to Windsor, Ontario...where Canadian Club has been produced for 151 years at the Hiram Walker & Sons Distillery in the Walkerville neighborhood of Windsor. Hiram Walker's headquarters building is now the Canadian Club Heritage Center, and this classic building patterned on a 16th century Italian palace will appeal to whisky lovers, art lovers, and architecture fans alike. CC's Tish Harcus tells us about the building's history over a dram or two. Plenty of new releases in the news, including a 50-year-old Glenfiddich, the coming debut of Suntory's Hibiki blended whisky in the U.S., and a dozen single-cask bottlings!

Glenfiddich is the world's most popular single malt Scotch, and Hans-Henrik Hansen knows more about Glenfiddich's history than almost anyone. In fact, he has what may be the world's largest collection of Glenfiddich malts. He'll tell us about what prompted him to start collecting Glenfiddich expressions in this week's episode. In the news, more fallout over Diageo's plan to close plants and cut jobs in Scotland, a Canadian province rolls back its spirits tax increase, Bruichladdich plans to close its Whisky Academy, and new whiskies from Old Forester and Berry Bros. & Rudd.

It may be a summer holiday weekend in the U.S., but it's the middle of winter in Australia. The inaugural Whisky Live Sydney will be held the week of August 31 through September 6, and organizer Doug van Tienen explains the emphasis on events for bar and restaurant staff as well as whisky lovers. He'll also update us on the growing number of Australian whisky distilleries. In the news, Diageo announces major cuts in Scotland, more details on the John Ramsay Glenrothes release, and word on limited-edition releases from The Balvenie and Old Pulteney.

Jim Murray's 2009 Whisky Bible named a hard-to-find rye whiskey as the Best Rye Whiskey in the World Under 10 Years Old. That whiskey is Templeton Rye, produced illegally for generations by farmers in Templeton, Iowa -- but now legally available in Iowa and Illinois. Scott Bush and Keith Karkhoff started bottling the legal version of Templeton Rye in 2006, and it's become a cult favorite among rye whiskey lovers. Scott updates us on Templeton's success and future in this episode. In the news, Old Taylor Bourbon is back home at Buffalo Trace, the SWA wins a battle against an Italian imitator, and another distillery is in the works for the area around St. Andrew's in Scotland.

John Ramsay has turned over the duties of Master Blender for The Glenrothes and the Edrington Group's other whiskies to Gordon Motion after 43 years in the whisky business. He'll share his insights with us in this episode, along with the plans for one final malt that he's working on. In the news, William Grant & Sons gets a new CEO, a 1919 Springbank sells for nearly $2500 (for a mini!), and Knob Creek runs dry for a few months.

Kate Hopkins's new book "99 Drams of Whiskey: The Accidental Hedonist's Quest for the Perfect Shot and the History of the Drink" is getting a lot of attention from whisky lovers...and with good reason. She's been blogging as the Accidental Hedonist since 2004, and I think it's one of the best whisky books of the year. We'll hear from Kate in this episode...and in the news, the legal fight over Glen Breton Rare Single Malt Canadian Whisky may be over after a Canadian Supreme Court ruling, Isle of Jura shuts down because of ferry problems, and new whiskies from The Glenrothes and Douglas Laing.

Harlen Wheatley of Buffalo Trace usually comes out with something unusual every summer when he unleashes his latest Experimental Collection releases on the world. This year, he's releasing one of the distillery's older experiments -- bourbon aged in two different types of oak casks for 15 years. One batch was aged in coarse-grained oak from fast-growth forests, and the other was aged in fine-grain oak from slow-growth forests. He'll tell us what he found in this week's episode.

It's hard enough just to keep track of whiskies, but F. Paul Pacult does just that...and rums, tequilas, gins...you name it. Paul names his top spirits of 2009 in the latest edition of the Spirit Journal, and he'll share some of his favorites in this episode. In the news, Campari closes on the purchase of Wild Turkey, Isle of Jura goes elemental, Buffalo Trace gets experimental, and the results of Kilchoman's charity auction are astronomical...

It's festival week on Islay, and thousands of people are on the island for this year's Islay Festival of Malt & Music. The festival is more than just a celebration of the island's 8 distilleries...it celebrates a unique cultural heritage as well and Feis Ile chairman Kevin Murphy will explain. In the news, U.S. Senators are eyeing whisky and other alcoholic beverages with an eye to raising taxes, there are new 40-year-old malts from Glengoyne and it's sister label Chieftain's, Suntory releases a new 12-year-old Hibiki in the U.K., and we'll get an update on the revival of Glenglassaugh from Stuart Nickerson.

It's a milestone episode of WhiskyCast, and we'll hear from veteran whisky writer and Malt Maniac Dave Broom of Whisky Magazine in this week's episode. In the news, there's a controversy developing over whisky tastings at The Gathering in Edinburgh in July...Regis LeMaitre has two new bottlings to go mad over, and Willie Tait tells us about the return of The Dalmore to the U.S.

It's another road trip for WhiskyCast...this time to the Spirit of Toronto festival! The festival is in its fifth year, and better than ever. We'll hear from Dan Tullio of Canadian Club about the debut of CC's 20-year-old expression in North America, Mike Harrison of Berry Bros. & Rudd gives us a sneak preview of the first-ever kosher expression of The Glenrothes and new expressions from Cutty Sark, and John Hall of Kittling Ridge tells us about the upcoming port wood version of Forty Creek!

The judges at Whisky Magazine gave Highland Park's 21-year-old Scotch the title of World's Best Singe Malt in this year's World Whisky Awards, and that has the guys on Orkney jumping for joy...except for one little problem. They're in the process of tweaking it because of supplies...and Jason Craig will explain in this episode. In the news...no news on the merger front, the Spirit of Speyside Festival kicks off Whisky Month in Scotland...and Benromach honors a sailing legend.

Last week, Scotland...this week, Kentucky! We'll look at plenty of vacation options in and around Louisville in the heart of Bourbon Country. Stacey Yates of the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau's Bourbon Country project will be our guide. Dave Broom of Whisky Magazine will give us the winners of this year's World Whisky Awards, and we'll talk whisky taxes in the UK, consolidation rumors within the industry, horses with Chris Morris of Woodford Reserve, and David Mair of The Balvenie updates us on the latest release of the Signature 12-year-old single malt.

We're getting into the start of the vacation season, and there are plenty of whisky-related places to see in Scotland. Chris Conway heads up the tourism initiative Scotland Whisky, and will give us a few highlights in this week's episode. In the news, Pernod Ricard may put more whisky brands and distilleries up for sale, Buffalo Trace goes Mongolian, and U.S. whisky lovers will get to try two world whiskies later this year. Jonathan Bray tells us about the impending arrival of India's Amrut and Australia's Sullivan's Cove.

Colin Scott has been the Master Blender at Chivas Brothers for years, overseeing the consistency of Chivas Regal Scotch. He's also created the Chivas Regal 18 and 25-year-old blends, and works closely with the distillers at The Glenlivet, Strathisla, and Longmorn on their single malts. Colin shares his experiences of more than 4 decades in the whisky business in this week's episode. In the news, Campari buys Wild Turkey for $575 million, China may crack down on counterfeit whiskies, and Glencairn's classic whisky glass gets an upgrade!

This has been a busy week for whisky lovers, with three major festivals in the past week. This week's episode features special coverage from Whisky Live New York, including interviews with Duncan Taylor's Euan Shand, Ardmore & Laphroaig brand ambassador Simon Brooking, and many more...and Ardbeg's Dr. Bill Lumsden helps answer a listener question, too!

55 years ago, Jimmy Russell got a job at the Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky...and it was the best hire the distillery ever made. He's been the Master Distiller since 1967, and has no plans to retire any time soon. Jimmy shares his history and the Wild Turkey legend with us in this week's episode. In the news, the winners of the San Francisco World Spirits Competition have been announced, Highland Park uncovers a treasure from the past, and Buffalo Trace is now selling its "white dog" spirit at the distillery.

It's been about a year and a half since we lost Michael Jackson, and his friends are honoring the best whisky and beer writer of all time with a new book being released this week on what would have been Michael's 67th birthday. We'll hear from Ian Buxton of Classic Expressions about "Beer Hunter, Whisky Chaser" and plans to donate the proceeds to charity. We'll also hear from Doug McIvor of Berry Bros. & Rudd about the one-of-a-kind blended whisky he created from the opened bottles Michael left behind. We'll also wind up St. Patrick's Day with the annual update from Colum Egan of Bushmills, and John McDougall will tell us about a new distillery he's consulting on along the Irish coast.

It wouldn't be March without a look at Irish whiskies, and Heidi Donelon gives us a look at the history of Irish distilling. Her new Ireland Whiskey Trail website is a guide to distilleries past and present, as well as some of the island's best whiskey bars. In the news, Vijay Mallya's United Spirits is putting Whyte & Mackay up for sale, and Burn Stewart Distillers is up for sale as well. Ardbeg's annual single cask is now available at the distillery, Jack Daniel's releases its annual Scenes of Lynchburg bottle, and there's a new charity blend made from the whiskies in Michael Jackson's collection!

This week's episode features special coverage from the Whisky Classic festival in Morristown, New Jersey. We'll hear from Wild Turkey Master Distiller Jimmy Russell about his recent venture into political activism, and Wild Scotsman Jeff Topping will tell us about his new whiskies. We'll also hear from Whisky Guild guru and Whisky Life magazine publisher Jeff Karlovitch, Rick Wassmund of Copper Fox Distillery, Pat McCarthy of Bayway's World of Liquors, and Dorothy Bakker Lee of Ardbeg has details on the U.S. arrival of Supernova! We'll close things out with a tune to make you feel a little better about the economy...even if it means some self-medication...

This is Whisky Live London weekend, and one of the highlights is the annual Icons of Whisky Awards. Whisky Magazine editor Rob Allanson gives us the overall winners, as well as the winners for the world category (Scotland and U.S. regional winners were announced recently). John Glaser of Compass Box is bottling a special whisky at the festival this weekend...in hopes of making people feel more "optimistic" about the state of the world these days. In the news, the politicians run amok, and a new Irish whiskey website hits the Internet!

Mike Nicolson spent 36 years working at some of Scotland's leading distilleries before retiring to British Columbia a few years ago. He's managed Lagavulin, Royal Lochnagar, and Blair Athol...just to name a few, and he'll share some of his memories with us in this week's episode. In the news, the finalists have been announced in the Spirit of Speyside Festival Whisky Awards, the Famous Grouse has plans to migrate to India, and Malt Advocate cuts the cost of tickets for WhiskyFest Chicago.

This week...the winner of the "Pick the Interview" poll on the WhiskyCast Facebook page! We'll hear from Fred Laing of Douglas Laing & Co. about working with both blends and single cask bottlings, his family's history in the whisky business...his stories about Richard Paterson and Jim McEwan...and how he was almost traded for a distillery! In the news, Diageo and Pernod Ricard cope with the recession, Kentucky distillers protest a tax increase by dumping bourbon on the steps of the State Capitol...and Mount Vernon marks Presidents' Day by firing up the stills at George Washington's Distillery...

A double feature this time around! If you've ever wanted to make your own whisky, the folks at New York's Tuthilltown Spirits are willing to teach you...and let you use their distillery! We'll also get some tips for surviving your first whisky festival from some veterans, and Facebook users can help decide the topic of the next episode of WhiskyCast!

Marcel Van Gils has been collecting Laphroaig expressions since 1997, and the Dutch dentist has what is likely the world's largest collection of Laphroaigs. His collection even includes the empty cask Prince Charles signed during a visit to the distillery in 1994! Marcel will tell us about his collection in this episode, and in the news, more on the Glen Breton controversy, U.S. whisky sales are being affected by the recession, and we'll hear from James Robertson of Tullibardine and Frances DuPuy of A. Dewar Rattray.

Bonus coverage from the Victoria Whisky Festival, as the local Scottish community gathered to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns. We'll hear from Euan Mitchell of Isle of Arran, the only distiller authorized to use the Burns name on Scotch whisky. Warning: This episode contains bagpipe music! ;)

This week, WhiskyCast is in British Columbia for the Victoria Whisky Festival! It may be the only whisky festival with ticket scalpers because of the many whisky lovers in the area, and distilleries came from all over the world to show off their whiskies. We'll hear from Andrew Currie, who's building Vancouver Island's first single malt distillery...along with Ron Stothers of Alberta's Highwood Distillers, Peter Currie of Springbank, Andrew Gray of Bruichladdich, and Ashok Chokalingam of Amrut. There's also news about thieves hitting the old Rosebank Distillery...and stealing the stills!

The Spirit of Speyside Festival is still a few months away, but it's not too soon to start making your travel plans. In fact, tickets for the Festival events go on sale starting today! We'll get a preview of the biggest Spirit of Speyside Festival yet from director Ros Lewis. In the news, Sazerac buys a second Kentucky distillery to go along with Buffalo Trace, Jack Daniel's celebrates the Obama inauguration, Glenmorangie releases Astar to the world, and the peatiest Ardbeg ever!

Glen Grant has been producing whisky along the River Spey since 1840, and in that time, there have been only eight distillery managers. Dennis Malcolm was born at the distillery, and is in his second stint as manager. We'll hear from Dennis about the history and the future of Glen Grant, which includes exporting its malts to the United States. In the news, new whiskies from The Balvenie and Wemyss Vintage Malts, Woodford Reserve prepares for its annual whiskey schools, and a look at the start of Homecoming in Scotland to mark the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns' birth.

Many of the microdistillers producing whisky got their inspiration from the craft brewing boom of the last 15 years, and more craft brewers are being inspired to use whisky barrels to age their beers. Greg Hall of Chicago's Goose Island Beer Company has been making bourbon barrel-aged stout for years, while newcomers like James Watt of Scotland's Brewdog Brewery and Christopher Bird of the Lexington Brewing Company are producing their own variations on the concept. In the news, GlenDronach outlines its plans for 2009 under Billy Walker's leadership and Kilchoman starts teasing us with plans to release its first single malt.

Marko Karakasevic is the latest in a long family line of distillers, and like many other sons who go into the family business, his goal is to out-do his father. Marko's taking an unusual tack with whisky at his family's Charbay Distillery in California's Napa Valley, and he'll explain in Part 2 of our look at microdistillers. In the news, Scotch whisky exports fell during the first three quarters of 2008, and Inver House is giving U.K. whisky lovers a chance to win their own cask of An Cnoc single malt.

A double feature this time around: William Wemyss shares his family's Scottish heritage with a line of single cask and blended malts named to describe what the whiskies inside taste like. We'll also start a two-part series looking at the growth of microdistillers in the U.S., featuring Jess Graber of Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey, Jay Harman of The Notch, and Brian Ellison of Death's Door Spirits.  In the news, Bruichladdich unleashes the Octomore peat monster and the X4 quadruple-distilled spirit on the world.

 

Time for another visit to the library...Ian Buxton joins us with details on the newest release in the Classic Expressions series of vintage whisky books. "Truths About Whiskey" dates back to 1878, and was produced by 4 Dublin distillers arguing for regulations to protect Irish whiskeys from what they perceived as inferior Scotch whiskies. In the news, more awards from Whisky Magazine and The Whisky Shop, the Tom Moore Distillery in Bardstown opens its doors to the public, and a chemistry lesson on whisky science that's actually easy to understand!

Orkney's Scapa Distillery has been relatively quiet since it was acquired by the Chivas Brothers unit of Pernod Ricard in 2005, but that's about to change. Scapa is releasing its first new bottling since the Chivas acquisition -- a 16-year-old malt that's available only in France now, but will be available in many markets early in 2009. Neil Macdonald of Chivas tells us what's been going on behind the scenes at Scapa for the last three years. In the news, the latest Evan Williams Single Barrel is heading to retailers, Old Pulteney is going through renovations, and you could win a bottle of the rare White Bowmore...plus more on the 75th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition!

It's time to announce the winners of the 2008 Malt Maniacs Awards, and Serge Valentin will join us with this year's selections from his home in France! In the news, the U.K. flip-flops on a whisky tax increase, we'll take a look at the upcoming 75th anniversary of the end of Prohibition on Friday, Auchentoshan releases a second cask of 50-year-old single malt, and Glenlivet celebrates Founder's Day this weekend.

Willie Tait has been a fixture at Whyte and Mackay for 34 years, and is most known for his work at Isle of Jura Distillery. He's the third of this year's Lifetime Achievement Award winners at the Malt Advocate Magazine Awards, and shares some of his stories with us in this episode...including how he and his family wound up on Jura in the first place. We'll also hear from Chris Morris of Woodford Reserve, John Hall of Forty Creek, and John Glaser of Compass Box on their new whiskies.

Malt Advocate Magazine handed out its annual awards at this week's WhiskyFest New York, and you'll hear from some of this year's winners in this episode, including Jim Rutledge of Distillery of the Year Winner Four Roses and two of the three Lifetime Achievement Award winners: Kenny Gray of Oban and veteran Buffalo Trace warehouse manager Ronnie Eddens (next time, we'll hear from Isle of Jura's Willie Tait). In the news, the latest on Springbank, The Macallan gets artsy, and Jeff Arnett's having a ball as the new master distiller at Jack Daniels.

Robert 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...

We'll go inside the laboratory this time around, and our guides are the lead chemist at Buffalo Trace, Truman Cox, and one of the leaders of the distillery's tasting panel, Dendress Ennis. Buffalo Trace was just honored by Whisky Magazine as Innovator of the Year in the US round of its 2009 Icons of Whisky Awards, so these guys are the perfect guides to explain what happens behind the scenes. In the news, the rest of the Icons winners from the US and Scotland rounds, a new independent bottler from South Africa, and more new whiskies from all over the world!

Balblair Distillery sits on the Dornoch Firth in Edderton, and it's been getting a lot of attention these days. Distillery manager John MacDonald was instrumental in helping re-launch the Balblair range from age-dated expressions to vintages, and the Balblair 1989 was recently picked by Scotch lovers as the best whisky at the Whisky Fringe in Edinburgh. We'll hear from John about what went into the redevelopment of Balblair. In the news, Laphroaig's John Campbell tells us about plans to harmonize the distillery's range worldwide, and we'll get updates on this fall's new Classic Malts releases, new malts from Glengoyne and Auchentoshan, and how you can help support prostate cancer research during "Movember."

Many of us think of ourselves as whisky collectors, but Giuseppe Begnoni is in a league of his own. Begnoni is regarded as one of the world's leading whisky collectors, and his spirits collection numbers more than 40,000 bottles. He'll tell us about his nearly 40 years of collecting whisky in this episode, and we'll also hear from Richard Paterson of Whyte & Mackay about the major changes to The Dalmore's single malt range. In the news, a belated Birthday Bourbon from Old Forester, a "Sweet 16" from Bruichladdich, and a 250th Anniversary Robert Burns single malt from Arran, along with the latest on Jim Murray's 2009 Whisky Bible.

Glenmorangie's Dr. Bill Lumsden is regarded as one of the leading innovators in the whisky business. He's credited with creating an industry-leading wood management program and developing the distillery's series of award-winning "finished" whiskies over the years. In this episode, we'll hear from Bill about his work with Glenmorangie and Ardbeg. In the news, Crown Royal re-launches its Reserve Edition, the world's largest whisky collection will go on public display, the 2009 Malt Whisky Yearbook is out, and Mackmyra celebrates 10 years of making whisky the Swedish way.

Bourbon'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!

This 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.

Here's a special bonus episode from Whisky Live Paris...on location at one of the world's great bars. Hemingway drank at Harry's, Parisians drink at Harry's...and now, WhiskyCast goes to Harry's New York Bar. Thierry Benitah of La Maison du Whisky joins us for this special episode...his family has been supplying whisky to Harry's for 52 years, and he'll share some of the history of Harry's and La Maison du Whisky with us. We'll also hear from Suntory's Mike Miyamoto and Kamiguchi Naofumi of Nikka about their latest and most unusual whiskies that have the French going "incroyable!"

Time now for part two of WhiskyCast's special coverage of Whisky Live Paris! We'll get an update on Islay's newest distillery, Kilchoman...where the first spirit reaches legal age later this year, and the new boss at Glendronach, Billy Walker of BenRiach fame, has plans to turn his team's new acquisition loose and let the spirit go free! We'll also hear from Dennis Malcolm of Glen Grant, Steven Teeling of Cooley, and Michael Urquhart of Gordon & MacPhail...and in the author's corner...Hans Offringa tells us about his new books on the history of Laphroaig and "A Taste of Whisky," and Ulf Buxrud shares details of his new book on Japanese whiskies.

It's Whisky Live weekend in Paris, and this is Part 1 of special coverage of an amazing weekend! We'll find out why the French are so passionate about whisky, and not just drinking it, but distilling it as well! Aberlour's Ann Miller weighs in, along with Jean Metzger of Uberach Distillery, Jean Donnay of Glann Ar Mor, and Whisky Magazine France editor Martine Nouet. Andrew Symington updates us on new releases from Edradour and Signatory, and I'll have details on the sale of Glen Moray to a French company and the new members of the Bourbon Hall of Fame.

Canadian Club celebrates its 150th anniversary starting this month, and we'll discuss the distillery's history with long-time ambassador brand ambassador Dan Tullio. We'll also taste the new Canadian Club 30-year-old whiskey being released to celebrate the anniversary. In the news, we'll also hear from Glenmorangie's Dr. Bill Lumsden about the new Glenmorangie Signet and an update on the sale of Glen Moray, along with new duty-free Glenrothes and Balvenie expressions.

We're just a week or so away from a week that may make Derby Week look almost boring in Louisville...the combination of Ryder Cup week and Kentucky Bourbon Festival Week! Knob Creek Whiskey Professor and Louisville native Bernie Lubbers gives us some ideas of how to spend time in Louisville when you're in the area to visit the bourbon distilleries. In the news...an update from New Orleans and our friends at the Museum of the American Cocktail after Hurricane Gustav.

Three years ago this weekend, New Orleans and much of the Gulf Coast were in ruins after Hurricane Katrina. It's only been in the last couple of months that The Museum of the American Cocktail was able to return to its home in New Orleans, just in time for the arrival of Hurricane Gustav. Museum co-founder Dale DeGroff brings us up to date on the Museum's journey to Las Vegas and back home over the past three years, along with an update on New Orleans's reconstruction. Of course, we couldn't let this master mixologist get away without his favorite cocktail recipe...and he'll share his method for the perfect Sazerac.

Unless you work in the whisky industry, you've probably never heard of James Espey or Tom Jago. However, I'll bet that you've had one of the whisky brands they've been responsible for creating over their decades in the business. Now, they've teamed up with Peter Fleck for The Last Drop, an ultra-premium blend with whiskies blended in 1972 and left in the corner of a warehouse ever since. It's the first of what they promise will be a series of "gob-smacking" whiskies from The Last Drop. In the news, the final still is installed at Roseisle, Bruichladdich turns down bidders, and who tips better, Republicans or Democrats?

A double feature with two (actually, three) great whiskies to talk about this week! Glenlivet's breaking the age barrier with its first 25-year-old single malt, and we'll taste it with Ian Logan. David Mair of The Balvenie will tell us more about the new Balvenie Signature, along with a special distillery-only bottling he snuck out of Speyside for a trip to New York...the Balvenie Rose. In the news, China gives Scotch Whisky trademark protection status, the Famous Grouse releases a new duty-free expression, and Bruichladdich asks us to compare and contrast.

When the temperature's approaching 90 (32), sometimes a cold beer just sounds better than a glass of whisky. Northing wrong with that....especially when the beer has whisky in its DNA. More brewers are experimenting with aging their beers in whisky casks, and one of the most unusual comes from Scotland's Harviestoun Brewery. Ola Dubh is aged in casks from Highland Park's 12, 16, and 30-year-old malts, and each beer bears the special characteristics of its corresponding malt. We'll hear from Harviestoun's master brewer Stuart Cail in this week's episode. In the news, an update on Auchentoshan's new line of malts from new distillery manager Iain McCallum and a preview of some of the fall's new whiskies.

Night and Day, Positive and Negative, Black and White. There are opposites all around us, which means that if there is a Black Bowmore, there must be a White Bowmore. There is...it's the fraternal twin to the legendary Black Bowmores -- both the original and the newly released version. This one was aged in bourbon casks, while the Black Bowmores were aged in brown walnut sherry casks. We'll learn more about the White Bowmore and a new 1992 Bordeaux cask-aged Bowmore from chief blender Andrew Rankin. In the news, a new Macallan for duty-free and Mount Vernon celebrates the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794.

It may be seen as a sacrilege in Scotland, but imagine a single malt whisky from India that can compete with the best of Scotland's malts in many ways. That's the case with Amrut's single malts, which draw their water from the snow melt of the Himalayas and their barley from local farmers in northern India -- and their intense maturation from the heat of Bangalore. Askok Chokalingam of Amrut gives us the details, and Thierry Benitah of La Maison du Whisky previews September's Whisky Live Paris. In the news, an update on the reopening of Braeval, more charity whiskies for WhiskyFest San Francisco, and the "Whisky Bus" hits Glasgow.

Almost every whisky lover has dreamed of getting the call from a distillery to serve on an exclusive tasting panel to select a special release. Jimmy Bradley got that call...and the owner/chef of two New York City restaurants tells about his experience helping to select this year's Glenfiddich Vintage Reserve bottling, In the news, another distillery may be up for sale, Braeval comes back to life, and construction begins on a new distillery in Canada.

It's not too soon to start making travel plans for the fall whisky festival season, and Malt Advocate's WhiskyFest San Francisco on October 10th is shaping up to be something really special. Editor and Publisher John Hansell gives us a preview, along with details on the new summer issue of the magazine that's just hitting the newsstands now. In the news, another distillery may be on the market, Glen Moray may not be on the market for long, and Chivas opens up two of its usually private distilleries for a rare series of visitor tours.

Last fall, I mentioned The Balvenie's search for a brand ambassador to represent the single malt in the US. Now, the lucky person has been chosen, and you'll meet the new "Balvenie Guy" in this week's episode. Sam Simmons is the whisky lover behind the "Dr. Whisky" blog, and now, he's bringing his considerable knowledge of whisky to The Balvenie. In the news, an update on Springbank's now-temporary shutdown for six months, Glenmorangie puts its Glen Moray distillery on the block and announces plans to move its headquarters from Broxburn to Edinburgh, and Bruichladdich comes up with a simpler name for its peated malt..."Bruichladdich Peat."

Compass Box produces some of the more unusual whiskies on the market, and John Glaser gives us the details on two new limited releases coming out later this year. In the news, the official word from Springbank on plans to temporarily stop producing new spirit because of commodities costs, Nikka's plans to start exporting to Russia, and plans for new UK alcohol laws that may or may not mean the end of distillery tour drams.

If you're looking for buddy trip ideas, a distillery school might be just the thing. Fellow Malt Maniac Lawrence Graham just finished up a buddy trip to the Springbank Distillery Whisky School, and he'll tell us what he learned. On a sadder note, the Speyside Whisky Museum may be forced to close its doors next spring, and we'll find out why. In the news, Glenfiddich honors Michael Jackson, we'll hear from the winner of the Australian Malt Whisky Nosing Championship, and Macallan lovers will want to be at WhiskyFest San Francisco in October.

What distillery produces so many different expressions of whisky that one could probably drink a different one each day for a month with no repeats? The answer is simple...Bruichladdich. Jim McEwan and his team come up with a malt for every occasion, and he'll bring us up to date in this episode. In the news, Glengoyne celebrates a special anniversary with a special malt, Tullamore Dew comes up with a 10-year-old Irish whiskey, and Glenfiddich picks a vintage cask.

The best single malts in the world come from Scotland, right? Not any more, and the winner of Whisky Magazine's World Whiskies Award as the world's best single malt is proof. Nikka's Yoichi 20-year-old took top honors this year, and it's the latest honor for a distillery that remains a mystery to many whisky lovers. Japanese whisky expert Ken Noma helps us clear up some of the mystery about Nikka. In the news, new whiskies from Auchentoshan, Balvenie, and Benromach, along with a preview of Scotland's 2009 year-long tribute to Robert Burns.

While it's the start of summer in Scotland, it's the start of a winter of whisky in Australia. Later this month, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society's Australian chapter will revive an old tradition: the Australian Malt Whisky Tasting Championship. The Society's Andrew Derbidge gives us the details. In the news, word of a hedonistic new whisky from Compass Box and a rare chance to learn whisky blending from John Glaser, new distillery expansions in Kentucky, and another legal battle in India.

It's festival week on Islay, and we'll hear about the plans for this week's Islay Festival of Malt and Music from Laphroaig's John Campbell, Ardbeg's Michael Heads, and Jim McEwan of Bruichladdich. Every distillery on Islay and Jura has a special bottling for this week's festival, and the guys will give us details on theirs. In the news, skyrocketing prices for crops and energy mean we'll be paying more for whisky in the future, Constellation Brands sells a Quebec distillery to Diageo, and updates on new whiskies planned for later this year.

One of the world's great whisky bars sits in between a stationery store and a restaurant in Toronto's Beaches neighborhood. Ian Innes has owned The Feathers since 1981, and his selection of single malts is amazing. There are 460 different expressions from almost every distillery in Scotland (and he probably had those at one time or another)! We'll hear about Ian's amazing collection...the most expensive of which is just $35 a dram -- amazing in itself. In the news, a milestone at Buffalo Trace, new whiskies on the market, including a new 40-year-old Springbank, and much, much more...

On the road again, and back in one of my favorite cities...Toronto. This time around, it's for the Spirit of Toronto Festival. We'll have some of the highlights, including the first public tasting of Highland Park's new 40-year-old single malt...more from John Hall of Kittling Ridge on his upcoming new release of Forty Creek Canadian whisky, and a chat with festival organizer Johanna Ngoh.

Good things take time, and after 109 years, Ardmore is finally being released as a single malt. Until now, all of the Aberdeenshire distillery's output has been used for blending, but after Beam Global acquired Ardmore a couple of years ago and realized just what it had...plans were quickly made to release the Ardmore Traditional single malt. We'll hear from Ardmore master distiller Alistair Longwell about the distillery's history and his new pride and joy. In the news, winners of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards, Glen Grant opens a new visitors center, and Scotch whisky exports set a new record.

This is Kentucky Derby week in Louisville, and that makes it a perfectly good time to focus on bourbon. We'll hear from Ron Givens, author of the new book "Bourbon at its Best." Ron's book covers everything from bourbon history to travel tips and cocktail recipes. One of the recipes is for the Seelbach Cocktail, named for the legendary Old Seelbach Bar at the Seelbach Hilton in Louisville. Jerry Slater tells us about the Old Seelbach's century of history with bourbon.

Running a distillery is a tough job...but Ian MacMillan runs three. Oh, he serves as the master blender, too. Ian's in charge of Burn Stewart's three distilleries: Bunnahabhain, Deanston, and Tobermory...and he is also responsible for the Black Bottle blended Scotch. Ian tells us about his 36 years in the whisky business in this episode. In the news, a major -- and unexpected -- change at Maker's Mark, as Kevin Smith replaces Dave Pickerell as master distiller. We'll also have the World Whisky Awards winners, the new 40-year-old Highland Park, and much more...

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. Assistant 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

With St. Patrick's Day just around the horizon, it's time for Part 1 of a 2-part series on Irish whiskies, In this episode, we'll hear from the Master of Whiskey Science at Irish Distillers' Middleton Distillery, David Quinn. He'll explain the basic difference that makes Irish whiskies 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.

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.

 

 

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.

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.

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.

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 New York City. In the news, Irish distillers go to court over a Russian whiskey deal, The Glenrothes releases a new vintage, Duncan Taylor adds a new version of Auld Reekie, and if the Mutter Bowmore isn't the world's oldest whisky...a bottle in a New Zealand museum just might be.

There's always at least two sides to a story, and in the case of the "Mutter Bowmore" controversy, there are many more. This time around, we'll get the third side of the story behind the bottle of Bowmore said to be from 1851 that was auctioned at McTears in Glasgow last month. Glen Moore of Morrison Bowmore tried to win the auction for the distillery, and refutes rumors that the so-called "Russian collector" who won the bottle doesn't exist. In the news, a new An Cnoc, a headless Johnnie Walker, and answers to some of your whisky questions.

It's time to celebrate Burns Night this week! Whisky lovers around the world will honor the bard of Scotland, the legendary Robert Burns, on the 249th anniversary of his birth January 25th. In what's becoming an annual tradition, we'll take a look at Burns' life and his works on this episode. Joann Gilmartin performs Burns' songs and poetry, as well as teaching young people about those works, and she'll share her love of Burns with us. In the news, modern-day gaugers break up a bootlegging operation in the Black Country, a new Laphroaig is duty-free bound, and Diageo apologizes for stuffing the ballot box in this year's Drammies.

This time around, we'll get the other side of the debate over the rare Bowmore that sold for more than $50,000 at McTear's in Glasgow last month, despite questions over its exact age. Martin Green is the whisky consultant for McTear's, and was responsible for verifying its provenance. Martin states his case in this episode. In the news, Bowmore's releasing a new Black Bowmore -- and giving one away in a web contest...a new chairman for the Scotch Whisky Association, and details on a special deal for WhiskyCast listeners!

The debate over whisky auctions and the provenance of some of the whiskies sold at those auctions continues with the saga of a Bowmore said to have been bottled in 1850. It sold at McTear's in Glasgow last month for more than $50,000, even though historians questioned whether the whisky was as old as advertised. Scotch Whisky Review editor Dave Broom's update of the story appears on the WhiskyCast web site, and we'll hear from Dave on this episode. In the news, a new Talisker, potential buyers for Glenglassaugh, honours for Edrington's chairman, and another tale of sadness...and sharing...at airport security.

We'll close out the year with a look at a man fulfilling almost every guy's dream. Keith Wood is a transplanted Englishman in the heart of Munich, Germany, where beer is a passion. Earlier this year, Keith bought a bar in Munich's Schwabing neighborhood, and now The Arc has become one of Munich's best whisky bars. Also...an update on the experiment with a Whisky Works kit from Ontario's Premium Bottlers.

Jim McEwan and the guys at Bruichladdich don't really care what the rest of the whisky industry thinks of them. They do care greatly what whisky drinkers think, though...and the passion they share for great whisky leads them to try the unusual. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't...but there's no denying the passion in each bottle. Jim shares his outspoken views with us in this episode, and in the news, Whyte & Mackay buys back The Dalmore's US rights, Euan Shand gets the permits for his new distillery in Huntly, and we get a lesson on how not to beat the airport security guards.

Single malt scotches and Japan's single malts are a world apart in geography, and some might say the same applies to taste as well. This time around, we'll hear from the man behind Suntory's award-winning Yamazaki single malts, distillery manager Hiroyoshi "Mike" Miyamoto. Mike also has a history in Scotland, where he worked at Morrison Bowmore after Suntory purchased it in 1994. That gives him a unique perspective that few have on whiskies of the world.  In the news, new whiskies and more on the "Macallan 1856" saga.

You may want to introduce your non-whisky drinking friends to the water of life during the holidays, but sometimes it takes a little something extra to get them to try it. We'll take a look at whisky-based cocktails in this episode with veteran mixologist Bobby Gleason and the winner of Whisky Live Toronto's bar chefs competition, Shona Jensen. In the news, 10,000 bottles of Bowmore have been stolen in England, Dewar's starts a year-long celebration of the 75th anniversary of Prohibition's repeal, and the Christie's auction of rare whiskies and spirits in New York brings in more than $300,000.

The results are in from this year's Malt Maniacs Whisky Awards, and we'll get a rundown on the top award-winners from Malt Maniac Davin de Kergommeaux at the Maniacs' celebration in Turckheim, France. In the news, Isle of Jura is phasing out its 21-year-old single malt, Ian Macleod strikes a deal to export Chieftain's Choice malts to the US, Christie's pulls a suspect 1856 Macallan from next week's auction in New York, and Ian Buxton debuts the Whisky Channel online community.

Last month, Malt Advocate Magazine honored David Stewart of William Grant & Sons with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his 45 years in the whisky business. Stewart is the Malt Master for Grant's, and is responsible for both Glenfiddich and The Balvenie single malts, as well as Grant's blended Scotch. David shares his story with us in this episode...in the news, we'll get word of a new nautical-themed Benromach, an update on Euan Shand's plans for a distillery in Huntly, and more Icons of Whisky regional awards from Whisky Magazine.

Only one distillery can claim to have the world's best selling whiskey, and it's not in Scotland or Kentucky. Jack Daniels in Lynchburg, Tennessee sells more than 10 million cases of its Black Label whiskey every year...and 2008 will mark 40 consecutive years of service for master distiller Jimmy Bedford. We'll hear from Jimmy, along with the latest on a rare Glenfiddich single cask, Ardmore's pending arrival in the US, and how to make it as a whisky ambassador.

John Hall of Canada's Kittling Ridge Distillery makes his whiskies the hard way, distilling and maturing his grains separately, then blending them years later to make Forty Creek Canadian Whiskey. He's won numerous awards for his whiskies over the last several years, and we'll hear his story in this week's episode. In the news, a $12,000 Macallan, the guys who work at Glengoyne select three single-cask bottlings, a new Highland Park hits duty-free, and if you've ever dreamed of working in the whisky business, The Balvenie is looking for two serious whisky lovers. 

On the road again...this time at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for the Maker's Mark "When in Rome Weekend". Nearly 1500 Maker's Mark Ambassadors descended on Caesars for the distillery's first major event outside Kentucky, with bourbon tastings, cooking classes, and a toga party. We'll hear from some of the Ambassadors, along with master chef Bryan Ogden of Bradley Ogden's restaurant in Las Vegas, and a lesson on bourbon history from Bill Samuels, Jr. in the biggest episode of WhiskyCast yet!

This is a special episode of WhiskyCast with highlights from Tuesday night's Malt Advocate WhiskyFest in New York City. It's the 10th anniversary of WhiskyFest New York, and we'll hear from the winners of this year's Malt Advocate Whisky Awards, including Alastair Walker of Distillery of the Year BenRiach, along with Lifetime Achievement Award winners David Stewart of William Grant & Sons and Jim Rutledge of Four Rosesr. We'll also get updates on several new whiskies, including a couple of powerhouse ryes and a single grain from Ireland.

What's a $700 whisky like? When it's a special edition of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, expect it to be something unique (and have a pretty good story behind it). We'll find out more about the new King George V edition of Blue Label, along with new whiskies from the Balvenie and changes for Auchentoshan and Ballantine's on this episode of WhiskyCast.

Willie Nelson made "On the Road Again" famous, and it's time to hit the road for a series of special episodes. Thie time around, it's Whisky Live in Toronto, and while technical problems kept me from recording the show live on-site, we'll get the latest on a new edition of Wiser's Canadian whiskey, along with a bunch of changes at Whyte & Mackay, and we'll check on two old friends. Last year, we met Barry Stein and Barry Bernstein, who gave up their successful careers to become independent whisky bottlers. We'll get the update from Barry, Barry...and their wives.

It's a good time to be in the whisky business. Scotch whisky exports are growing by 4 percent a year, and added up to $5 billion last year worldwide. We'll talk with Scotch Whisky Association chief executive Gavin Hewitt about the political and business issues facing the industry. In the news...more new whiskies this week, a preview of the Christie's whisky auction this December in New York City, and John Hansell gives us the details on the fall edition of Malt Advocate Magazine...along with a preview of WhiskyFest events in San Francisco and New York City.

Jim Murray's Whisky Bible is almost required reading for serious whisky lovers, and the 2008 edition of the Bible is on its way to booksellers now. We'll get a preview from Jim in this episode, along with his thoughts on the passing of Michael Jackson. In the news, more new whiskies are on the way -- including the annual Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, a duty-free Highland Park, new Macallans, and a small batch Forty Creek. Also...a bottle of George Washington's rye whiskey brings $35,000 at a charity auction, and a full schedule of whisky events around the world.

Ever wondered whether the CEO's of whisky companies get any special perks? In this week's episode, we'll get the answer from Tom Flocco, CEO of Beam Global Spirits & Wine. On a more serious note, we'll find out how the two-year-long process of integrating Laphroaig and other former Allied Domecq brands into Beam's portfolio is going, along with his view of the global whisky market. In other news, the 2008 edition of the Malt Whisky Yearbook is out, and we'll get a preview from editor Ingvar Ronde...along with word on new rare -- and expensive malts from the Classic Malts series.

For the first time, we'll talk about something other than whiskies on WhiskyCast! There's a new trend toward single-estate Cognacs and Armagnacs from France that compare very favorably with many single malts...and can often be a fraction of the price! Veteran spirits writer F. Paul Pacult led a tasting of rare Cognacs and Armagnacs this past week in New York, and he'll help guide us on a journey through the French countryside. In the news, a $30,000 Balvenie hits the market, new whiskies from Compass Box, and Mallya does motorsports as well as whisky...

The Beams are the First Family of Bourbon, and the torch has officially been passed at Jim Beam. Each bottle has pictures of the six generations of Beam family members who have led the distillery. This week, a new label was unveiled with the latest patriarch of the Beams, Fred Noe...who joins his late father, Booker Noe, and the rest of the family. We'll hear from Fred and more as Kentucky celebrates Bourbon Festival week in Bardstown.

George Washington...founding father of the United States, and a man who knew how to capitalize on an opportunity. When he heard that merchants near his Mount Vernon estate couldn't meet the demand for whiskey, he built one of the fledgling nation's biggest distilleries. The restored distillery is now producing rye whiskey from George's original recipe, and you'll hear the details in this episode. In the news, we'll hear from Springbank's Frank McHardy about his distillery's whisky schools this fall...and much, much more...

The world of whisky lost its greatest ambassador this week. Through his books, Michael Jackson gave us a vocabulary, and set words to our passion for the water of life. Michael passed away at his home Thursday morning (August 30) after a long fight with Parkinson's Disease and other health problems. In March, I had the chance to talk with Michael, and you'll hear part of that interview on this episode, along with memories of Michael from Martine Nouet. Raise a glass if you will...to a man who now sips from the angel's share.

The Famous Grouse is Scotland's #1 blended Scotch, but the newest version of the Grouse won't be available there. The Black Grouse is a new blend that takes the best of the Grouse and adds in a touch of Islay for a peatier, smokier blend. It's been on the market all year in Sweden, where Edrington's Helen Potter got the inspiration to create the Black Grouse. Helen is the innovation and development manager for The Famous Grouse, and she'll give us the details on the Black Grouse. In the news, new whiskies from Benriach and Old Forester, and they'll fire up the still at George Washington's Distillery this week.

The rumors of change at Glenmorangie are true, and we'll get the details on the new Extra Matured range from Glenmorangie whisky maker and blender Rachel Barrie. In the news, Heaven Hill announced the details for a new collection honoring master distiller Parker Beam, the International Wine and Spirits Competition honors whiskies from around the world, New York ends its ban on whisky auctions...and what exactly is a Flanscargle single malt?

It's time for the first question and answer episode of WhiskyCast, as we'll get answers to your e-mailed questions from John Glaser of Compass Box, John Hansell of Malt Advocate magazine, and Steve Fox of Preiss Imports. In the news, is Glenmorangie going Gallic...new whiskies from Laphroaig and Arran, Templeton Rye goes back home to Chicago...and a collector's item sure to make the most devoted Robert Burns fan weep with joy goes on the auction block at Bonham's later this month.

Nick Morgan of Diageo has the job most of us would love...next to running a distillery of our own. As Global Marketing Director for Diageo's premium malts and the Classic Malts series, he has access to whiskies most of us only dream of being able to taste. We'll find out about his personal favorites, as well as what goes into selecting malts for the Classic Malts range. In the news, Dewars gets a $250 million investment to expand its whisky production...Jim Beam releases a special bourbon to benefit the children of New York City firefighters, the Westin Turnberry Resort has a few bottles of a rare Glenfiddich private release left, and Bruichladdich keeps the golf theme going with two new releases in its Links series. 

The Grant family bought Speyside's Glenfarclas distillery in 1865, and six generations of Grants have worked at the distillery since then. George Grant is following the path led by his great-great-great grandfather, and he'll lead us through a vertical tasting of four single malts from the family distillery. In the news, profits and losses in the business, Glengoyne gives a nod to its past, Heaven Hill gives Parker Beam a well-deserved honor, and an update on the calendar of events.

Iain Henderson's CV includes everything from sailing the seas as an engineer on oil tankers to managing the stills at Laphroaig, Bladnoch, and Edradour (among others). His latest venture, though, has created some controversy in Scotland -- he's helping a single malt distillery in England get off the ground! In the news, Benromach's organic single malt is on its way to the U.S., Woodford Reserve isn't the only one experimenting with bourbon and chardonnay barrels, and Diageo submits its plans for a new malt distillery in Roseisle.

It's a milestone episode for WhiskyCast, and to mark the occasion, I've selected a few of my favorite moments from the first 99 episodes. You'll hear from Jim McEwan, John MacDougall, Jim Cryle, Jim Murray, Tom Bulleit, and others during this special episode. In the news, the other shoe has dropped in India's whisky tax war, there are new releases from Whyte & Mackay and Bruichladdich, and the Classic Malts Cruise gets underway in Oban.

There's no shortage of Scotch whiskies with wine finishes, but until now, finished Bourbons have been just an academic idea. Chris Morris of Woodford Reserve worked with his corporate siblings at Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards to create a chardonnay-finished version of Woodford Reserve. We'll get a preview from Chris, along with a look at next week's Classic Malts Cruise along the Scottish coast from Diageo's Nick Morgan. In the news, India has lowered its whisky tariffs, Whyte and Mackay's managing director leaves, and details on a "double-barrel" Ardbeg.

Last September, Ian Buxton gave us a preview of his "Classic Expressions" series of vintage whisky books, lovingly re-printed under the guidance of Ian and publisher Neil Wilson. Back then, Ian was looking for founding subscribers to support the printing of the first two books in the series. Now, "Reminiscenses of a Gauger" by Joseph Pacy and Ian MacDonald's "Smuggling in the Highlands" are available for a new generation of whisky lovers to enjoy. Ian and Neil have three more classics in the pipeline, and we'll get an update from Ian in this episode. In the news, Talisker gets a new manager, Canadian Club celebrates Dario Franchitti's Indy 500 victory, and the Indian spirits tariff dispute may have a resolution soon.

John Glaser of Compass Box is one of the whisky industry's leading innovators, and in this episode of WhiskyCast, we'll find out what he's working on in his blending laboratory. There's also new spirits legislation in Europe that should clarify some of the rules about whisky production, a road race for bourbon-loving runners in Kentucky, and an update on what may really be the Southern Hemisphere's first peated whisky after all...

Time to travel down under to Australia, where fall has turned into winter, and it's whisky season. 15 years ago, Bill and Lyn Lark started Australia's first malt whisky distillery on a lark (pun intended). Since then, they've produced the Southern Hemisphere's first peated single malt whisky, and helped spawn a series of distilleries that have put Australia on the whisky map. In the news, new whiskies from Isle of Jura, Templeton Rye celebrates a "quasquicentennial", and a lack of rain in Lynchburg, Tennessee has the folks at Jack Daniels nervous.

It's a rare road trip for WhiskyCast, with a special episode taped on location at the Brandy Library in New York City. We'll get an update on the new Benriach series of finished 15-year-old single malts from Steve Fox of Preiss Imports, the US importer for Benriach. By the way, if you don't like caramel coloring or chill-filtering, raise a glass in Steve's honor if you try one of these malts...he's the guy who convinced Benriach to drop them. In the news, we'll hear about a $10,000 Macallan sale and plans for a new distillery in western Scotland.

There's been a lot of talk about India and whisky over the past few months, and in this episode, we'll get the local perspective on India's whisky tastes, tariffs, and the Whyte & Mackay deal from India's only Malt Maniac, Krishna Nukala.

There probably isn't a serious whisky lover who hasn't dreamed of having his or her own distillery. Euan Shand of Duncan Taylor is making his dream come true, with plans for a new (and carbon-neutral) distillery in Huntly. We'll hear about Euan's plans, along with the winners in Scotch and Irish whiskies at this year's International Wine & Spirit Competition and an oil shortage that could bring Islay's distilleries to a halt...all on this episode of WhiskyCast!

Evan Cattanach has seen a world of changes since he got his first distillery job in 1961. Over the years, he worked at Linlithgow, Glentauchers, Caol Ila, Cardhu, and Lagavulin before retiring in 1993. That only lasted a few months before Diageo brought him back to serve as a brand ambassador traveling the world on behalf of the Classic Malts range. We'll hear from Evan and his wife, Melissa, on this episode. In the news, the Whyte & Mackay deal is finally done, Benromach's organic single malt gets top honors, and yours truly gets a lesson in royal protocol.

It's rare that a whisky is more well-known overseas than in its home country, but that's the case with Four Roses Bourbon. It was once America's best-selling bourbon, until Seagram's magnate Samuel Bronfman decided it should be sold only in export markets. Bronfman's long gone, but Four Roses is back at home. We'll hear the whole story from Four Roses Master Distiller Jim Rutledge. In the news, Speyside's finest are honored, Ardmore finally gets its due as a single malt, and the latest from Jim Murray on the 2007 Whisky Bible.

Distillers get all the glory, but there's more to making great whisky than just running the still. The whisky industry's unsung heroes are the coopers, the guys who make the barrels that hold our precious whisky for years without a leak...even though the angels still get their share. Don Ramsay is head cooper at Glenfiddich, and has been building barrels for nearly 47 years. We'll hear his story on this episode, along with news of a royal whisky, overpouring drams, and brain shrinkage...

It's festival week in Speyside, as whisky lovers descend on the banks of the River Spey for the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. We'll find out what's new this year from festival coordinator Ros Lewis. It's also Kentucky Derby week in Louisville, and Woodford Reserve's Chris Morris shares his recipe for the traditional mint julep. In other news...Duncan Taylor is sending its new NC2 malts to North America, and a whisky cheat pleads guilty...

The World Whiskies Conference has ended, with some unusual ideas that may spark some controversy...OK, a lot of controversy. But getting back to whisky, we'll hear from one of the world's great bourbon makers, Julian Van Winkle, along with plans for the rebirth of the Spirit of Toronto Festival next month and a new 21-year-old single malt from Glengoyne.

It's whisky festival season, and that always means new bottlings, along with unusual whiskies that come out of the woodwork to make their debut. In this episode, we'll look at more of both, with a new Ambassador's Cask bottling from Highland Park, new vintages from The Glenrothes, and details on the new Singleton of Glendullan. In the second category, we'll find out about a rye whiskey that got its start in Iowa during the dark days of Prohibition, and is now coming out of the moonlight (or moonshine) into the spotlight.

This is one of the biggest weeks for whisky lovers in the United States, with three major whisky festivals in three different cities over a 10-day period. Whisky Magazine's Whisky Live New York started off the fun this past Wednesday night, and I'll have the details in this episode, including interviews with experts from Bowmore, Black Bottle, Four Roses, and Old Pulteney. In the news, Scotch whisky exports set a new record, William Grant & Sons plans for a new malt distillery, and Ulf Buxrud has the best spirits book of the year for 2006.

This is an abbreviated episode of WhiskyCast, as a family emergency kept me from making it to Mount Vernon for this week's opening of George Washington's Distillery. Because of that, it's just the headlines this time around, along with a look at the calendar of events. In the headlines, the winners of this year's San Francisco International Spirits Competition have been announced, there's a new edition of Johnnie Walker Blue Label available in Asia, Old Pulteney sends two older expressions sailing off to the U.S., and this Thursday is "Wear A Kilt to Work Day".

Michael Jackson gets credit for inspiring the current generation of whisky writers and journalists with his work, including the "Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch" and "Whisky." Now, Michael has disclosed that while he's been writing and traveling the world for the last ten years or more, he's also been fighting Parkinson's Disease. He'll update us on his writing plans, as well as his health, in this episode of WhiskyCast.

Irish whiskeys really deserve more than just a taste at St. Patrick's Day. They're the fastest growing segment of the whisky business, and we'll hear from Bushmills Master Distiller Colum Egan and Cooley Distillery's Jack Teeling. In the news, William Grant & Sons has plans to enter the travel retail business, Shetland's Blackwood Distillers pulls back from plans for a new distillery on Unst, and Spirit of Toronto organizer Johanna Ngoh is putting together a whisky auction in honor of Michael Jackson and his fight with Parkinson's Disease. We'll get an update from Michael on that fight, with more to come in the next episode.

Dr. Jim Swan has been working with distilleries around the world for years as a consultant, helping to make the whiskies we drink even better. Jim was a guest on the very first episode of WhiskyCast, and we'll get his unique perspective on the industry in this episode. In the news, we'll get an update on the upcoming Whiskies of the World Expo in San Francisco, the United States sides with the European Union in the whisky war with India, the Scotch Whisky Association keeps fighting in Canada, and more details on the new expression from Longmorn.

If you're planning a summer vacation to Scotland, there are plenty of new places to visit. Many distilleries are sprucing up their visitor centers as a way to connect with whisky lovers, and we'll get an update from Caroline Dewar of Distillery Destinations. In the news...yet another Distiller of the Year award for Buffalo Trace as Whisky Magazine announces its annual Icons of Whisky winners...a facelift for Gentleman Jack and a new expression for Longmorn...and the latest on the whisky war between Europe and India.

Wonder just how differently casks from the same distillery, produced and stored under identical conditions, can turn out after years of maturation? We'll get some insight as we join the tasting panel at Bayway's World of Liquors as they select a barrel of Eagle Rare Bourbon for a store-exclusive bottling. In the news...still more expansion as Heaven Hill gets the green light to add capacity and jobs at the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, and Whyte and Mackay gets a new U.S. distributor for many of its whiskies.

The whisky business is growing by leaps and bounds worldwide, and distillers are responding with millions of dollars in new investments. This past week, Diageo announced plans to pump nearly $200 million into its Scotch production, including an all-new malt distillery in the Moray area. We'll hear from Diago's Peter Smith and Ken Robertson, along with Dave Pickerell of Maker's Mark, where Beam Global is also investing on additional capacity. In the news, Mount Vernon will be able to sell whisky from George Washington's distillery, 400 distillery workers in Southern Indiana may be able to keep their jobs, and the saga of Whyte & MacKay's sale may finally be near an end.

The guys at Bruichladdich have never shied away from a challenge, and their latest goal is to bring whisky distilling back to the nearby town of Port Charlotte on Islay. The town's distillery was turned into a car park decades ago, but Mark Reynier tells us they have the old warehouses, a still, and big plans for the Port Charlotte Distillery. In the news, the 16 Men of Tain at Glenmorangie is now 15...and a woman of Tain. There's also news of next month's Woodford Reserve bourbon academies, discounts for WhiskyCast listeners at the Wild Scotsman Whisky School, and much more.

Plenty of news in this episode: A Nova Scotia distillery wins its battle with the Scotch Whisky Association...for now, India may give in to demands to reduce its stiff tariffs on imported spirits, whisky accounted for $5 billion in U.S. sales during 2006, Laphroaig adds a lounge at the distillery just for its Friends, and the new issue of Malt Advocate magazine is out! We also pay tribute to John Sutherland, distillery manager at The Glenrothes, who passed away last week at his home near Elgin.

 

 

Scotland celebrates the 248th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns this week...and the world celebrates with Scotland. Burns Suppers are held all over the world...for just a few people or a few hundred people. We'll get the details on hosting your own Burns Supper, as well as a look at the life and legacy of Robert Burns. In the news, there's word of new distribution deals for William Grant & Sons and Blackadder, a new web site for the Scotch Whisky Association, and the latest issue of Whisky Magazine is in the mail.

 

Jim McEwan is one of whisky's most outspoken ambassadors. As production manager at Bruichladdich, he's been responsible for bringing a silent distillery back to life, and creating some of the more unusual single malts around. He'll share some of his stories with us in this episode. In the news...one of Jim's proteges gets a promotion, there's a new production manager at Glenfarclas, and Bunnahabhain opens the doors to its online store.

Welcome to 2007, and if you're in New York, your assignment is to go to the library. Not the big building with a bunch of books, but the Brandy Library in Manhattan's Tribeca neighborhood. We'll talk with spirit sommelier Ethan Kelley about one of America's best whisky bars. In the news, researchers have found new photos of Laphroaig legend Bessie Williamson, Burn Stewart brings out a 10-year-old Ledaig single malt, Maker's Mark announces the dates for its annual Thoroughbreds and Redheads Weekend in April, and honors for Malt Maniac-turned writer Ulf Buxrud.

It's the final episode of 2006, and we'll end the year with a profile of one of the newest distillers in the business, and one who's already making her mark on single malts. Gillian Howell is the distiller at the Welsh Whisky Company, which produces Penderyn Single Malt. Gillian explains how she went from the University of Cardiff straight to the stillroom at Penderyn, and we'll get a performance review from her mentor, Dr. Jim Swan. Finally, thanks for listening to WhiskyCast over the past year. I've learned a lot about whisky from producing this podcast, and I hope you've learned something as well. Best wishes for a New Year full of joy, peace, and abundance. Slainthe!

There are many whisky competitions, but few give the average whisky lover a vote in deciding the winners. Now, the Drammie Awards have changed that, thanks to Kevin Erskine of The Scotch Blog. Erskine created the Drammies, and joins us to go through the inaugural list of winners. In the news, Jim Murray gives a blended whisky top honors and malt lovers fits, Scotch whisky exports have an economic impact of nearly 3 billion pounds, and help boost profits at Gordon & MacPhail...the Scotch Whisky Association takes on a Canadian distillery over the word "Glen", and Glenmorangie PLC confirms that Michael Heads will be taking over at Ardbeg in the spring. Pour yourself a dram, relax, and have a very merry Christmas...Hanukkah, Boxing Day, Kwanzaa...or whatever holiday you're celebrating...

The debate over blended whiskies vs. single malts will never be decided, but both can be appreciated, much as a music lover can enjoy both symphonies and jazz. One of the maestros of blended whiskies is Whyte & Mackay's Richard Paterson, and he shares his lifetime of experience in the whisky business with us. In the news, Ardbeg has hired a new manager to replace Stuart Thomson, Duncan Taylor puts more rare whiskies on the auction block for charity, and we'll get some tasting notes on a Pakistani single malt!

Many of us would describe ourselves as "malt maniacs", but the title of "Malt Maniac" belongs to 24 serious whisky experts from around the world. You've heard from several of the Maniacs in previous episodes, and now, Master Maniac Johannes van den Heuvel joins us from Amsterdam with the winners of the 2006 Malt Maniacs Awards! In the news, socialism and whisky apparently don't mix well in Venezuela, but do in Vietnam, and the infidels are distilling something interesting in Pakistan.

The green and white labels may be plain, but the whisky inside the bottles is usually something special. We'll go inside the Scotch Malt Whisky Society with US chapter president Alan Shayne. In the news, one of the oldest bottles of whisky on record fetched thousands at auction, more whisky winners, and was George Washington not only the "father of his country", but the "distiller of his country"?

One of the things I get asked about most often is why WhiskyCast doesn't have more tasting sessions. We'll answer that request in this episode, as Suntory's Lincoln Henderson takes me through a tasting session with Suntory's Yamazaki 12 and 18-year-old Japanese single malts. In the news, the European Union fires another volley in the whisky war with India, Bunnahabhain celebrates 125 years with a special single malt, BenRiach releases four new single malts with special finishes, we'll go to the woodshed with Alastair Hart of Hart Brothers, and it's holiday season at Maker's Mark.

There are only two living bourbon distillers with whiskies named after them, and you'll hear from one of them in this episode of WhiskyCast. Elmer T. Lee is the Master Distiller Emeritus at Buffalo Trace, and at 87 years of age, is still selecting the casks that make up the bourbon that carries his name. In the news, a really rare Glenfiddich goes on sale in Calgary, John Glaser of Compass Box has a new innovation in vatted malts, and you can help decide the winners of the Drammie Awards.

It's the first anniversary for WhiskyCast, and we had a big party in New York Monday night to celebrate. OK, it wasn't really our party...it was Malt Advocate's WhiskyFest New York. Still, we're celebrating the anniversary with a special episode featuring the winners of the Malt Advocate Awards, including an unprecedented repeat win for Buffalo Trace as the Distillery of the Year. You'll also hear from Lifetime Achievement Award winner Frank McHardy of Springbank and Glengyle distilleries, George Grant Jr. of Glenfarclas, Russell Anderson of Highland Park, and Euan Shand of Duncan Taylor. There were new whiskies, old whiskies, and even a few non-whiskies...and the details are in this anniversary episode of WhiskyCast!

It's the weekend before WhiskyFest New York, but there's a lot going on! We'll go back to Toronto to visit a whisky lover's dream...the Summerhill tasting tower, where rare whiskies can be yours to sample. In the news, Inver House has new owners with deep pockets, William Grant and Sons' managing director steps down, four new Glengoyne malts hit the market, along with two new Bowmores and one new Hart Brothers Macallan.

Jim Cryle "retired" this year as Master Distiller at The Glenlivet, but somehow he seems just as busy as ever after 40 years of making Scotch. My conversation with Jim includes everything from his early days in distilling to what it's like to walk into a warehouse first thing in the morning, as well as his choice for that final dram. In the news, Bruichladdich's bottling Port Charlotte PC5, the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre gets a new name, and new whiskies are on tap -- so to speak -- for WhiskyFest in New York next week.

 

 

Most of us will never be able to produce our own whisky, but admit it, you'd probably love to be able to bottle your own whisky as an independent bottler. Barry Stein and Barry Bernstein are doing just that, and they're the first independent bottlers in Canada. They'll tell us about negotiating the bureaucratic maze, getting their first bottles into liquor stores in Alberta, and just how much fun it is to have a bottle of Scotch on your desk for dramming at desire! In the news, Buffalo Trace Distillery hits the Triple Crown with another Distiller of the Year Award, Woodford Reserve marks an anniversary, Dewar's decides to give the U.S. a taste of Aberfeldy, and will there ever be a deal at Whyte and MacKay?

WhiskyCast hits the road again...this time around, to Toronto for the first Whisky Live Toronto festival! We'll hear from William Grant and Sons' Ian Millar about a new Grant's blend that combines the best of beer and the best of whisky in one...along with the competition for Toronto's best whisky chef/bartender, and a peek into a special Crown Royal whisky that will only be around for a short while. Finally...there's a blessed event in the WhiskyCast family! Put on your hockey jersey, crank up a rousing chorus of "O Canada", and join us for this special edition of WhiskyCast!

Last time, Sweden...this time, Australia. They're about as far apart as you can get physically, but both countries share a love of whisky. There are a handful of Australian distilleries, and we'll hear from Patrick Maguire, who manages the Tasmania Distillery and makes Sullivan's Cove Single Malt. In the news, the saga of Whyte and MacKay continues, and there are a bunch of new whiskies from Buffalo Trace, Gordon and MacPhail, and Diageo's Classic Malts series.

Sweden is a nation of whisky lovers, with more than 200 whisky clubs. In fact, three of the year's best whisky books have been produced by Swedish whisky lovers. We'll hear from Ingvar Ronde, the editor of the 2007 Malt Whisky Yearbook, which is being published this week. We'll also talk with Ulf Buxrud, Keeper of the Quaich, Malt Maniac, and author of the upcoming book "Rare Malts" on the 36 distilleries that make up the Rare Malts series. Finally, Par Caldenby, author of "The Enthusiast's Guide to Enjoying Malt Whisky" gives us his reasons why Sweden's state monopoly on alcohol sales actually makes it easier to find rare whiskies. In the news, William Grant and Sons takes control of its UK distribution rights, Duncan Taylor and Co. puts some rare single malts on the auction block, the US chapter of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society goes on the road, and Malt Advocate Editor and Publisher John Hansell gives us a preview of the fall issue.

Whisky lovers generally love to collect more than just bottles of their favorite drams, and those who collect whisky books are among the most avid collectors. Earlier this year, Ian Buxton produced a new edition of the 1930 Aeneas MacDonald classic, "Whisky". Now, he and fellow whisky book lover Neil Wilson have teamed up to launch Classic Expressions, a new series of historical whisky books rarely seen today. We'll get the details from Ian, and in the news, the Bourbon Hall of Fame inducts three new members, Bowmore gives travelers a 30-year-old Islay malt to collect, and on the business front, Pernod Ricard has a record sales year, while Glenmorangie's hoping to get back into the black.

There are distillery bottlings, independent bottlings...and then, there are bottlings that you'll only find at one retailer. Whisky specialist retailers are buying casks and having their own exclusive single-cask bottlings produced. In this episode, we'll hear from two spirits specialists on why these bottlings are in so much in demand. In the news, a Dutchman wins the Cadenhead's Malt Whisky Nosing Challenge, Whisky Magazine hands out its annual awards for independent bottlers, and whisky TV comes to the Web!

In the last episode, I had hints about changes at Highland Park. Now, we get the complete details, courtesy of Highland Park global controller Jason Craig. Craig's had the bottle and label redesigned, changed the marketing and branding, but is going by one philosophy: "Thou shalt not touch the whisky...the whisky is good." In the news, will whisky lovers pay $150 for a very special American rye whiskey, Springbank gets a new distillery manager, and Whyte and MacKay makes more changes at Isle of Jura. Again, the whisky itself is sacred, but the additions are a new lodge at the distillery, a whisky school, and a redesigned website. I'll also answer a listener question about whether crystal decanters are safe to use.

Five years ago, the stills at Islay's Bruichladdich Distillery roared back to life. The spirit produced on May 29, 2001 is now making its way into the market, and Bruichladdich's Mark Reynier will give us the story behind the new Port Charlotte single malt. In the news, Ardbeg's husband-and-wife team of Stuart and Jackie Thomson are leaving the distillery after bringing it back from the brink of oblivion, construction has started at Ladybank Distillery near Fife, Old Forester Bourbon celebrates a birthday, the latest earnings reports from Diageo and Brown-Forman, along with a busy calendar of September events. Pour a dram, sit back, and turn up the volume for Episode 56 of WhiskyCast!

 

 

It's not often that The Glenlivet introduces a new single malt, but that's what's happening this week! We'll get an update from The Glenlivet's Andy Nash on the new 16-year-old Nadurra, the first cask-strength bottling available to most whisky drinkers. In the news, Robbo lands at Whyte and MacKay, Diageo releases another entry-level single malt for the duty-free market, and on the festival front...there will be one in Louisiana this October, but will there be two in Toronto? Also, it's time for you to become a part of WhiskyCast...all you need to do is record a whisky joke or drinking song, and you could be featured in an upcoming episode!

More from the WhiskyCast Book Club in this episode...Misako Udo's passion for whisky has landed her a publishing deal for "The Scottish Whisky Distilleries." Back in February, we talked with Misako, and we'll get an update in this episode. In the news...is Whyte & MacKay up for sale, or is it? Also, a whisky festival planned for this fall in Louisiana has been cancelled, and writer Ian Buxton has plans to give new life to more classic whisky books.

Every whisky lover has a special preference...water or no water...ice or no ice...and then there's the glass. We'll look at the choices whisky lovers face in selecting a glass for that special dram. In the news, the trade war between India and the Europeans over whisky tariffs is heating up, this past week's terrorist scare means we'll have to leave our flasks at home, and Whisky Magazine editor Dominic Roskrow is leaving for a new challenge.

Last year, 250,000 people visited the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre on Edinburgh's Royal Mile. The tour includes a free dram of Scotch, and that's a lot of drams to pour! We'll hear more about the Centre from its founder and managing director, Alastair McIntosh. In the news, Dave "Robbo" Robertson leaves Jon, Mark, and Robbo's -- and perhaps Edrington Group -- for parts unknown (perhaps Whyte & MacKay?), there's a new vintage from The Glenrothes, Maker's Mark is shutting down the stills for summer maintenance, and more whisky events to plan your next vacation around...

In part two of our series on whisky tasting for beginners, award-winning whisky writer Dave Broom offers his advice for beginners, as well as some criticism of the whisky industry for failing to better educate newcomers. In the news, Russian red tape is holding thousands of bottles of whisky hostage, Pernod Ricard sales worldwide are on the rise, phase one of the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre's remodeling is complete, and we'll have the winners of Scottish Field Magazine's latest whisky merchants' challenge.

It's a milestone for WhiskyCast, and we'll mark the occasion by going back to basics with a lesson on whisky tasting and nosing for beginners. Our guide: whisky writer and Keeper of the Quaich Martine Nouet. In the news...an update on Ardbeg's rare -- and expensive -- 1965 single malt release, the Scotch Whisky Review gets new ownership, and while distilleries have been adding hotel rooms to attract visitors, a hotel in the Highlands is adding a distillery...the details on Episode 50 of WhiskyCast!

I'll admit to skipping a few classes now and then in college, but then, none of my classes were held in a distillery! Jeff Topping of Wild Scotsman has two classes this fall no whisky lover would want to skip...and we'll get the details on this episode of WhiskyCast. In the news, the winners of this year's International Spirits Challenge have been announced, Old Forester bourbon gets a new look with a classic touch, the Classic Malts Cruise gets underway on the Scottish coast, and word of a raid on the liquor cabinet on board India's equivalent of Air Force One.

There's no arguing that John Glaser of Compass Box is one of the whisky industry's leading innovators, but John's latest creation has been pulled off the market after a conflict with the Scotch Whisky Association over traditional practices. We'll hear from both sides, and there's a lot of news as well in this episode. Ardbeg's turning out a 40-year-old, the Famous Grouse has a new nest online, there's another addition to the WhiskyCast book club, and if you've ever wondered what working in a distillery would be like, a Wild Scotsman wants to give you the chance to find out.

WhiskyCast hits the road again, this time to the luxurious New York Yacht Club. Glasgow is sponsoring one of the ships sailing in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, which reached New York City on Friday, and the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau sponsored a reception to celebate. Glengoyne Distillery's table was the highlight, with a whisky blending competition for guests to try their hand at nosing and blending their own whisky. We'll follow one amateur blender through his turn at the table, and it's a perfect time for us to look at a "conventional wisdom" of the whisky world -- that there are 32 primary aromas the human nose can detect. As Kevin Erskine and Charles MacLean tell us, science has rendered that theory obsolete. In the news, Glasgow's controversial proposal to ban glasses from the city's pubs has been shattered...and we'll have the details on Episode 47 of WhiskyCast!

Time for a chapter from the WhiskyCast Book Club...back in 1930, a Scotsman going by the name of Aeneas MacDonald wrote the first book on whisky aimed at whisky drinkers. "Whisky" was a groundbreaking book for its time, and many of MacDonald's comments are still true today. Now, Ian Buxton has solved the mystery of Aeneas MacDonald, and Canongate Books has released a new edition of "Whisky" for a new generation of whisky lovers. Ian gives us the details, along with readings from the book on this episode of WhiskyCast!

It's the first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and many whisky lovers are thinking of their summer vacations. More Scotch distilleries are taking the tourism business seriously, with at least half a dozen distilleries upgrading or opening new visitors centers this year. We'll hear from Sarah Bottomley at Glengoyne and Ian Millar of Glenfiddich about their new centers and tours, including a new tour at The Balvenie. In the news, Scotch Whisky Association leaders are touting their new code of practices, Highland Park prepares to release a new Ambassador's Cask, and a new whisky festival is in the works to celebrate Celtic and Cajun heritage in Louisiana.

Whisky and charity often go hand in hand, as whisky lovers raise thousands of dollars for those in need every year. In this episode, we'll hear from Inver House's Nial Mackinlay, who led a team of his colleagues on the UK's Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for Children First, the Royal Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. What is the Three Peaks Challenge? Climb the highest peaks in England, Scotland, and Wales...and do all three in under 24 hours. In the news, Cooley Distillery releases a new single grain Irish whiskey, and blogger/author Kevin Erskine's new edition of "The Instant Expert's Guide to Single Malt Scotch" has just been published...

It's easy to stick to the official distillery bottlings of whiskies, but a visit to specialty shops may pique your curiosity with independent bottlings. Many come from very familiar distilleries, but some bottlings are so rare that they may be the only way to find out what a distillery's single malt whisky tastes like. We'll hear from Euan Shand of Duncan Taylor & Company, Lorne Mackillop of Mackillop's Choice, and Malt Advocate's John Hansell plays devil's advocate for us. In the news, Pot Still owner Ken Storrie is standing up to Glasgow regulators, Chivas Brothers takes on a Chinese newspaper, and another woman cracks the whisky world's glass ceiling...it's a new month, and time for another new episode of WhiskyCast!

It's time for the annual Islay Festival of Malt and Music, and that also means a bit of madness on the island...everything from sheepdog trials to a visit from the Mayor of Islay...the Islay in Peru. We'll get a preview from Festival Chairperson Angus Rice on the festivities, while Laphroaig's John Campbell, Ardbeg's Stuart Thomson, and Bruichladdich's Mark Reynier tell us about some of the distillery events -- some traditional and others quite unusual -- that make Feis Ile unique. In the news section, distiller Jim Cryle is bringing back a touch of Scotland's rebellious days, and there's a major auction of whiskies on the block in Keith...

New York's a city full of whisky drinkers, but most of them only think of Scotch Whisky. LeNell Smothers is on a one-woman mission to change all that...from a tiny storefront in Brooklyn's Red Hook neighborhood. LeNell's stocks more than 100 different types of bourbon and other American whiskies, and many of them are available for tasting at a store that's been honored as the best in New York and one of the world's best retailers by Whisky Magazine. Plus...Seagram pensioners get the shaft, Diageo gets new leadership in Scotland, another native Ileach comes home to take over Lagavulin...Bunnahabhain gets a new website, and it's festival time on Islay...all on this episode of WhiskyCast!

Japanese whiskies are a mystery to many whisky lovers, and we'll get some insight to these special malts from Suntory consultant Lincoln Henderson, who spent most of his career making bourbons for Brown-Forman. In the news, Whisky Magazine's Dave Broom is honored, Penderyn finally makes it to U.S. stores, and profits flow at Pernod Ricard. Pour yourself a dram, and relax with Episode 40 of WhiskyCast!

Whisky is a passion for distillers, but it's also a science...and good scientists experiment to see what might make a good whisky and what won't. Harlen Wheatley of Kentucky's Buffalo Trace Distillery is a chemical engineer by trade and a distiller by choice, and a new collection of his experiments are being released for whisky lovers to sample. We'll hear from Harlen about his experiments, along with a contest to challenge your whisky nosing skills, and Suntory's Lincoln Henderson helps answer a listener question...all on this episode of WhiskyCast!

Laphroaig has been making whisky for nearly 200 years, but until now, no native of Islay has ever served as the distillery manager there. John Campbell grew up in the shadow of Laphroaig, and now, he's running the place. We'll hear from John, and get the latest news...and if you're a daily drammer, you'll be glad to hear that one drink a day may help you avoid obesity. We'll also get some tips from Malt Advocate publisher John Hansell on how to host your own whisky tasting for friends.

Canadians take pride in their whisky, but one very special whisky often goes overlooked on store shelves. That's a mistake, though...Alberta Premium was chosen by Jim Murray as his Canadian Whisky of the Year in his 2006 Whisky Bible, and we'll hear from the man who makes it, Master Distiller Jim Rogerson. Also, the recipe for the perfect Mint Julep in time for the Kentucky Derby, honors for two whisky writers and the release of the second edition of Dr. David Wishart's "Whisky Classified", a retirement at The Dalmore, and John Hansell updates us on the spring edition of Malt Advocate magazine.

Jeff Topping traveled from Ohio to Scotland to explore his family's heritage, and wound up as the "Wild Scotsman", producing his own line of independent bottlings. We'll have his story on this episode, along with Jim Cryle on the special vatting he and fellow retired distiller Ed Dodson put together for this weekend's Spirit of Speyside Festival...a $1000 Kentucky Derby cocktail, and news of layoffs at the Seagram distillery in Indiana...all on this episode of WhiskyCast.

There's only one man living who can claim to have managed distilleries in all five of Scotland's whisky-producing regions, and you'll hear his story on this episode of WhiskyCast. Also, Scottish First Minister Jack McConnell weighs in on the dispute over Indian whisky import tariffs, news of a new web site for whisky beginners, Buffalo Trace turns its experiments in bourbon loose on the world, and a gardening tip you'll enjoy...all on this episode of WhiskyCast!

It's a big weekend in Kentucky, as Maker's Mark celebrates Thoroughbreds & Redheads Weekend. We'll get the details from Master Distiller Dave Pickerell, along with updates on George Dickel and Bulleit whiskies, the events calendar, and the final installment of my interview with whisky writer Jim Murray. In this chapter, Jim talks about maintaining his independence as a journalist, problems with the Whisky Bible web site, and his choice for that one final dram...

The biggest WhiskyCast yet! Part two of the Jim Murray interview, along with a roundup of new whiskies from the recent Whisky Live New York. We'll have details of the new Balvenie 17-year-old single malt, new Bunnahabhains, and the first kosher single malt, along with two new amazing blends.

You may love him...you may hate him...but you've probably got a copy of his Whisky Bible on the shelf. Jim Murray talks about he became the first full-time whisky journalist, as well as how one man can taste thousands of whiskies a year and survive. Also...a Wild Scotsman is a Mad Scotsman these days...and in this special episode on location at New York's Grand Central Station, details on the auction of a Glenfiddich Rare Edition 1937 single malt.

No April Fool's Day jokes in this episode...just cask-strength whisky news! The winners of the annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition have been announced, and we have the details. Also, Whisky Magazine's editors are training for the "Islay Triathlon", and we'll find out more from Glenfiddich's Ian Millar about the world's oldest whisky to be auctioned off in New York Tuesday night. Plus...one Glenfiddich single malt is "forbidden fruit" for American whisky drinkers, but that's about to change...

The numbers are in for 2005, and Scotch distillers had one of the best years on record -- despite sales declines in Europe. We'll get the details, along with a charity auction of what may be the world's oldest whisky, new Kentucky Derby releases, and a newcomer to the world of whisky...with a Swedish accent and rave initial reviews for Mackmyra Reserve.

Tullibardine Distillery in the Scottish Highlands is making up for lost time after reopening in 2003, and we'll get an update from veteran distillery manager John Black. In the news, a new "pillaged malt" is being sold for charity, along with a rare whisky that raised $30,000 for the Himalayan Trust, and master blender Richard Paterson heads off on a worldwide mission to promote Glasgow's 2014 Commonwealth Games bid.

WhiskyCast goes on location to Fitzer's Bar at the Fitzpatrick Hotel on Madison Avenue in New York City...right along the parade route for New York's St. Patrick's Day Parade. We'll look at Irish whiskeys in this episode, featuring interviews with Bushmills Master Distiller Colum Egan and Cooley Distillery's John Teeling and Willie McCarter on the new whiskey named after Irish revolutionary hero Michael Collins.

The title "Best Whisky Bar in the World" is sought by many, earned by few. This year, Whisky Magazine's Icons of Whisky award went to The Pot Still in Glasgow, and that prompted owner Ken Storrie to buy a round for the house! We'll hear from Ken, and in the news, we'll have word of a new Balvenie single malt release, a brewing trade war between Europe and India over whisky, and why China matters so much to whisky producers.

Time for an update on new whiskies heading for your local bar or retailer, including the 2006 lineup for Diageo's Classic Malts and Rare Malts series and new releases from Bunnahabhain and Compass Box. We'll hear from the folks at Glenfarclas, just named Whisky Magazine's Distiller of the Year, Also, an update on next month's Spirit of Speyside Festival and more on the "weapons-grade whisky" controversy.

It's a milestone of sorts for WhiskyCast, with 25 episodes now on the web! We'll celebrate independent spirit in this episode. Bruichladdich's Mark Reynier explains just what he and his mates were thinking when they distilled a weapons-grade whisky from a 300-year-old recipe last week. We'll hear from Penderyn co-founder Brian Morgan on his distillery's delays in getting the first Welsh whisky in a century into the United States, and news of a new distribution deal for one of Canada's most underrated whiskies...all on this special edition of WhiskyCast!

This cask-strength episode spans the globe, from controversies in India to whiskies that are fiery and smoky in Islay. We'll also re-visit an old friend of WhiskyCast, as Dawn Callan's group "Gopher Baroque" debuts their new song "Shipwrecked Whisky"!

What's a whisky lover to do when tasting and collecting just aren't enough? How about taking the ultimate distillery tour...where you actually work at the distillery for a few days. We'll learn about getting a graduate degree in "whisky science" from Bladnoch Distillery owner Raymond Armstrong. In the news, registration is open for a new conference bringing together whisky industry leaders, plus honors for The Whisky Shop, a new release from Ian Macleod, new developments at Glengoyne, and much more...all on this episode of WhiskyCast!

In the last episode, we discussed the controversy in Greece and India over an Athens bar display featuring a Hindu goddess carrying bottles of Southern Comfort. The display infuriated members of the Hindu faith, and Brown-Forman executive Phil Lynch explains how the company is trying to resolve the situation. On a happier note, we have news of new releases from Arran and The Glenlivet, along with the one place whisky and cars do go together -- on the race track!

Whisky inspires passion, and we'll get the proof on this episode of WhiskyCast. Why else would a man release a special single malt to honor his great-great-great grandfather's 200th birthday? Why else would Misako Udo travel from Japan to Scotland to make her home and her career helping others discover whisky, then self-publish one of the best books ever written on Scotch Whisky history? And unfortunately, why would Hindus be upset over what they see as blasphemy when a bar portrays one of their goddesses toting a bottle of whisky? All that...and more on this episode of WhiskyCast.

The next few weeks will be full of whisky events around the world, and we'll find out more about Whisky Live, the Whiskies of the World Expo, and WhiskyFest Chicago. In the news, bidding continues in Whisky Magazine's charity auction, the Spirit of Speyside Festival is looking for Moray's best photos, and one man has found a new way to mix whisky with computers.

It's Super Bowl weekend in the US, and we'll get some tips for planning the big event from Brown-Forman's CEO -- "Chief Entertaining Officer" Tim Laird. In the news, Heaven Hill reaches a milestone, a Penderyn co-founder is honored, and new data shows the extent of binge drinking in Great Britain.

Internet whisky forums are buzzing with rumors about the fate of The Balvenie Founder's Reserve, and we'll have the answer to those rumors directly from The Balvenie's global brand manager, Jens Tholstrup! Also, a facelift and new name for Jim Beam Brands, a top Diageo executive announces his plans to leave the company, and the answer to a whisky newcomer's question about Johnnie Walker Swing...all on this episode of WhiskyCast!

Plenty of new developments to talk about in this episode...new leadership in place at the Scotch Whisky Association, Johnnie Walker honored in an unusual way, Sazerac Rye Whisky returns to New Orleans just in time for Mardi Gras, and Bruichladdich's Mark Reynier gives us an in-depth look at the Burns Night distillation of an unusually rare whisky. Plus...is that Bruichladdich 10-year-old whisky really 10 years old? Yes...and then some!

It's time to celebrate one of Scotland's legends...the poet Robert Burns. While Burns Night is associated with Scotch Whisky, only one distillery is allowed to use Burns' name and image on its whiskies. We'll talk about the Robert Burns whiskies with Douglas Davidson of Arran Distillery in Ayrshire. Also, an update from Whisky Magazine's Dominic Roskrow on the new issue of Whisky Magazine, new releases from Kentucky and Scotland, and the events calendar.

We'll span the world in this episode, and hear the story of a Kentucky lawyer who took his great-great-grandfather's whiskey formula and turned it into a modern classic. Tom Bulleit explains the legend behind his Bulleit Frontier Bourbon Whiskey. In the news, bidding has opened for one of two special bottles of Whisky Magazine's Speyside vatting to combat hunger and poverty, Bruichladdich brings back an ancient classic for Burns Night, and another pronunciation lesson...all on this episode of WhiskyCast!

Bowmore's new visitors center will open later this year, and one of the key exhibits will be something most distilleries can only dream of: a nearly-complete collection of every Bowmore expression ever produced! We'll get the details from Bowmore's Glen Moore, along with a bad break for frequent fliers, a new whisky forum on the Web, and classes open soon at the Woodford Reserve Bourbon Academy. Oh, and we finally have the correct pronunciation of "Groningen" once and for all!

Everyone makes mistakes, and on this episode, we'll look back at the controversy over how I botched the pronounciation of a certain city in the Netherlands, as well as a tongue-in-cheek look at the unique pronunciations you'll find in Scotland. There's also a news update and a complete events calendar. Also, thanks to WhiskyCast listener Jeof Vita for creating a new logo for the show!

Feel like a vacation? We'll take a look at planning the perfect whisky vacation with Caroline Dewar of Distillery Destinations. In the news update, Glen Garioch's preparing to welcome guests to its new vistors center, Glasgow is gearing up for the Festival of Whisky later this month, and John Hansell's putting the final touches on the new edition of Malt Advocate Magazine. Finally, how would you pronounce "Groningen" on your first try. Apparently, I didn't get it quite right in the last episode.

It's a new year, and WhiskyCast is back at the bar with a complete roundup of whisky news and a packed event calendar for the first three months of the year. Whisky Magazine editor Dominic Roskrow unveils a big surprise for Whisky Live New York in April, and we'll swing on the Spice Tree with John Glaser of Compass Box.

It's the holiday season, and the final WhiskyCast episode for 2005 focuses on the marriage between whisky and food. Forget about wine and cheese...John Glaser of Compass Box says whisky and cheese makes a better combination. Woodford Reserve executive chef David Larson treats fine whiskies like varietal wines, and uses bourbon in almost everything he cooks. There are also a couple of whisky recipes available at the WhiskyCast web site -- www.whiskycast.com! Happy Holidays!

Issue #52 of Whisky Magazine is out, and we'll get an update from editor Dominic Roskrow on what you'll find inside. Also, it's not too soon to make your travel plans for the spring. Riannon Walsh gives us a preview of the Whiskies of the World Expo coming up in San Francisco in late March. She's also been busy working on a new project...a nosing glass that could put Riedels to shame!

On December 10th, the Wall Street Journal looked at the controversy over "finishing" whisky, with this question in the headline: "What's in that bottle?" In this episode, we'll look at the debate over finishing whiskies with Jim McEwan of Bruichladdich, Simon Brooking of The Dalmore, and Malt Advocate Magazine editor and publisher John Hansell.

Award-winning whiskies dominate this edition of WhiskyCast! We'll hear from Graham Coull of Glen Moray, the home of Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2006 Single Malt Scotch of the Year. Also, award-winners from the Malt Maniacs and The Spirit Journal's F. Paul Pacult -- and a childhood memory from Bill Samuels Jr. of Maker's Mark.

Want to invest in a distillery? Would you rather drink a truly Scotch whisky instead...or are you looking for a "best buy". All that, and more...on this edition of WhiskyCast.

In this episode, Lawrence Graham gives us an update on January's Victoria Whisky Festival. Our news update reports Scottish politicians and the whisky industry have come to terms on formal designations for Scotch whiskies, and we'll have an update on the North American release of Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2006, along with kudos for WhiskyCast.

A special episode recorded on location at Monk's Cafe in Philadelphia, as Malt Advocate publisher John Hansell discusses the winners of this year's Malt Advocate Whisky Awards. In the news, the owner of Glenfiddich and The Balvenie expands to China, where whisky sales are booming. Pernod Ricard is considering cuts at its distilleries and bottling plants in Scotland, and a list of upcoming whisky events around the world

Dave "Robbo" Robertson of Jon, Mark, & Robbo's Easy Drinking Whisky Company explains the philosophy behind JMR's line of vatted malt whiskies. Also, an update on the Kurt Busch controversy and Hurricane Katrina's impact on Diageo.

Crown Royal dethrones NASCAR's defending champion, Aberlour celebrates Founder's Day, and Bruichladdich's Jim McEwan comes up with a solution for those who want their dram ice-cold.

An introduction to WhiskyCast, featuring interviews with Parker Beam of Heaven Hill Distilleries and Dr. Jim Swan of Penderyn Distillery. Also...the latest news on two rare Ardbeg releases, Jim Murray's latest edition of the Whisky Bible, and a list of tastings and whisky events.