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.