Fred Minnick’s latest book “Bottom Shelf: How a Forgotten Brand of Bourbon Saved One Man’s Life” is part memoir, part Bourbon history all wrapped up in a single narrative. The former Army photographer once tried to take his own life, but ended up becoming obsessed with the history of Old Crow Bourbon — an obsession that lasted nearly 20 years until he found out the truth about his favorite Bourbon of all time. We’ll talk with Fred Minnick on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, President Donald Trump has imposed a 15% tariff on all U.S. imports after the Supreme Court rejected his previous tariff scheme, and that will have an impact on the Scotch Whisky industry. We’ll have the details and the rest of the week’s whisky news on this week’s WhiskyCast. 

The Scotch Whisky Association released new export data this week showing a second straight year of global sales declines, with a softening economy and tariffs getting much of the blame. We’ll go through the numbers with SWA chief executive Mark Kent on WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, another new report this week says one in five Scotch Whisky distilleries is in financial distress. Crown Royal avoids a boycott in Ontario, and there’s no change in the receivership at Uncle Nearest. 

A critical court hearing is set for Monday in the Uncle Nearest receivership case in Tennessee. Founder Fawn Weaver wants to terminate the receivership and take back control of the company, while the receiver says Uncle Nearest is insolvent and putting it back in Weaver’s hands will lead to foreclosure on $108 million in loans. We’ll get the latest on the case from Janet Patton, who covers the whiskey industry for the Lexington Herald-Leader and has been tracking the case. In the news, Kirin has agreed to sell Four Roses Bourbon to E&J Gallo for approximately $775 million, and we’ll have details of two economic reports on the health of the whiskey business. 

Starward Whisky founder David Vitale stepped back from the Australian whisky maker’s day-to-day operations several years ago, but after Diageo’s Distill Ventures incubator unit pulled its support for Starward and other distillers last year, Vitale was faced with a dilemma. With his board wanting to seek a buyer for Starward, Vitale decided he was the best potential buyer for the business. Vitale has now bought out Diageo and his former partners, and is charting a new course for the distillery that involves slower, steadier growth. We’ll talk with David Vitale on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, whisky makers in the U-K have been hit with an excise tax increase that will drive up the price of a dram, while China has agreed to reduce its import tariffs on Scotch Whisky.