WhiskyCast

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"Do You Even Like Whisky" Sep 04, 2023

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Women still face huge barriers to equality within the whisky industry, according to a new survey from the Our Whisky Foundation. The survey found high levels of unconscious bias and sexual harassment along with a perceived lack of respect for women working in the industry. We'll discuss the survey's findings with Becky Paskin of the Our Whisky Foundation on this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Heaven Hill's new Bardstown distillery reached a major milestone this week, while the Bourbon Women honored this year's Women in Whisky Award winners.

A Deep Dive Into Scotch Whisky Data Aug 28, 2023

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There's a lot of data behind the whiskies we enjoy, and analyzing that data can give us some insights into the health of the whisky industry. Martin Purvis and Duncan McFadzean examine whisky data for their Commercial Spirits Intelligence newsletter, and concluded that last week's Scotch Whisky export numbers aren't as bad as they might appear on face value. We'll talk with Martin Purvis about the analysis on this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, we have details on this year's crop of annual releases from Four Roses, Heaven Hill, and Old Forester, along with the rest of the week's new releases. We'll also have our Community segment and explain in Behind the Label why you can't get a Kentucky Bourbon Trail passport stamped at one of the Commonwealth's most popular distilleries.

The Risks of Whisky Investing Aug 21, 2023

Show notes

Valuations for rare whiskies have started to slow down after being one of the best performing alternative investments over the last ten years. The latest Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index shows a four percent decline year-over-year in the value of the rare whiskies that make up the index. Is this the start of a trend? We'll ask rare whisky consultant Andy Simpson, who helps compile the index for Rare Whisky 101.

In the news, Scotch Whisky exports fell during the first six months of 2023 compared to last year, with a sharp 20 percent decrease in volume. Irish whiskey exports rose during 2022, according to a new report released this week, and Hedley Wright, the longtime chairman of Springbank owner J&A Mitchell Co. Ltd. passed away this month at the age of 92.

Whisky and Music Come Together in Rhythm & Booze Records Aug 14, 2023

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Whisky and music go perfectly together, but Felipe Schrieberg and Paul Archibald are taking the volume up to 11 with Rhythm & Booze Records. They're combining an independent record label with an independent bottler and making whiskies to match their music, which can be streamed using a QR code on each bottle. We'll talk with Felipe Schrieberg on this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth and share tasting notes for their debut release, Rhythm & Booze Records Release #1. In the news, Molson Coors has acquired Blue Run Spirits to expand its presence in the whisky business, and we'll talk with David Coors and Blue Run's Mike Montgomery about the deal. David Beckham is splitting with Diageo's Haig Club Scotch Whisky brand, and there's a new Elijah Craig Bourbon out to celebrate next month's Ryder Cup.

Digging Into Scotland's Whisky History Aug 07, 2023

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Thousands of illicit distilling sites exist around Scotland. Derek Alexander and his team of archaeologists at the National Trust for Scotland have barely scratched the surface of the country's bothys, but their recent digs have uncovered some rare artifacts of illicit distilling's past. We'll catch up with Derek on this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, The Balvenie's longtime Malt Master, David Stewart, is standing down after 47 years in the post. The UK, Australia, and New Zealand all raised liquor taxes this week, and Suntory is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a "tiny house" tour of America.

A New Era for Gordon & MacPhail Jul 31, 2023

Show notes

The 128-year-old family-owned independent bottler stunned the whisky world this week with news that it will stop sourcing new make spirit from other distillers starting next year. Instead, Gordon & MacPhail will focus on single malts from its two distilleries, Benromach and The Cairn in the future. With decades of maturing whisky on hand, the change won't be felt for at least 12 to 15 years and Gordon & MacPhail will continue bottling older whiskies for decades to come. We'll discuss the change in philosophy with G&M managing director Ewen Mackintosh on this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth. On Behind the Label, we'll celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Excise Act of 1823, which directly led to today's Scotch Whisky industry, and we'll have tasting notes for whiskies from Bunnahabhain, Lost Lantern, and Dràm Mòr, too.

Reviving Rosebank Distillery After 30 Silent Years Jul 24, 2023

Show notes

When Rosebank Distillery's stills went silent in 1993, many whisky lovers assumed the Falkirk distillery was gone forever - especially after thieves stole the copper stills for scrap a couple of years later. Now, after 5 and a half years of work, Rosebank has come back to life, and the team at Ian Macleod Distillers filled the first casks of Rosebank since 1993 this week. We'll talk with Ian Macleod's Gordon Dundas about the revival of Rosebank on this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth.

In the news, the whisky world pays tribute to the Bon Accord's Paul McDonagh after the legendary Glasgow whisky bar's owner passed away this week. Speyburn Distillery in Scotland is opening its doors to visitors for the first time starting next week, and we'll have the details. We'll take a look at sweet mash and sour mash distilling on Behind the Label, and our tasting notes this week include whiskies from Amrut and Arran distilleries.

A New Experience at The Scotch Whisky Experience Jul 17, 2023

Show notes

The Scotch Whisky Experience on Edinburgh's Royal Mile celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, and this week launches an all-new multimedia tour highlighting the production of Scotch Whisky. We'll talk with CEO Susan Morrison on this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, unique one of a kind whiskies are going on the auction block for charity this October, Bruichladdich cuts its carbon footprint with a new recycled glass bottle for the Classic Laddie, and The Dead Rabbit's expansion plans took two big steps this week. We'll have the rest of the week's whisky news, tasting notes, and more!

Four Roses Bourbon Celebrates 135 Years Jul 10, 2023

Show notes

Back in 1888, Paul Jones Jr. started selling Bourbon under the Four Roses brand. 135 years later, the brand is stronger than ever, and to mark the anniversary, Four Roses is releasing a first-ever tasting kit with all 10 of the distillery's unique recipes. We'll talk with Master Distiller Brent Elliott about the anniversary, and what makes each of those 10 recipes different, on this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth.

In the news, new distilleries are opening up in Japan, Wales, and Pennsylvania this week, while Sazerac has won a counterfeiting lawsuit against a company that was selling miniature bottles of its W.L. Weller Bourbon online.

A Craft Maltster's Closing Leaves Distillers in the Lurch Jul 03, 2023

Show notes

The collapse of Washington's Skagit Valley Malting last month left distillers and brewers alike searching for new suppliers of malted barley. The craft maltster had more than 270 customers when it closed unexpectedly, including Seattle's Westland and Copperworks distilleries. We'll talk with Copperworks co-founders Jason Parker and Jeff Kanof this week on WhiskyCast In-Depth, along with Kate Bernot, who's been covering the story for Good Beer Hunting. In the news, the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame gets eight new inductees, while Woodford Reserve is teaming up with Kentucky farmers to develop the state as a rye-producing region. We'll have all the week's whisky news, tasting notes for whiskies from the U.S., Japan, and India, and much more on this week's WhiskyCast.

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