WhiskyCast

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A Whisky Trade War on the Horizon? (WhiskyCast Episode 703: June 3, 2018) Jun 03, 2018

Show notes

Canada and the European Union are planning retaliatory tariffs on imports of Bourbon and other American whiskies after this week's move by the Trump Administration to impose tariffs on their steel and aluminum exports to the United States. That sets the stage for what could potentially become a full-fledged trade war with whisky as a weapon, and whisky makers are worried that the U.S. will respond with tariffs against their whiskies. We'll talk with William Lavelle of the Irish Whiskey Association, who's urging European Union leaders to carefully consider the economic impact of their plans. We'll also explain just how tariffs on whisky imports work in our Behind the Label segment, and share some of your reactions on Your Voice. In the news, the ringleader of the "Pappygate" distillery thefts in Kentucky has been sentenced to 15 years in prison, but there's still no verdict yet on the fate of the stolen whiskey.

Becoming a Bourbon Badass (WhiskyCast Episode 702: May 31, 2018) Jun 01, 2018

Show notes

Bourbon scares some people away...at first. Often, those who approach Bourbon gingerly develop a true passion for it, and become what Linda Ruffenach refers to as a "Bourbon Badass." Linda founded the Whisky Chicks four years ago in Louisville, and while her book "How to be a Bourbon Badass" is geared to women, the term itself - just like a passion for Bourbon - is gender-neutral. We'll talk with Linda Ruffenach on WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, the trade war is on between the United States and the European Union over steel and aluminum imports, and the Europeans are firing back with plans to impose tariffs on Bourbon and other American whiskies. We'll have that story, along with plans for another new distillery in Scotland's Speyside region, The Macallan's oldest whisky ever, and your comments on the raging inferno from our last episode.

Port Charlotte and Islay's "Middle Child Syndrome" (WhiskyCast Episode 701: May 27, 2018) May 27, 2018

Show notes

Bruichladdich's Port Charlotte single malt lies in between the distillery's namesake unpeated whiskies and its Octomore heavily peated malts, and Bruichladdich CEO Douglas Taylor admits the range has suffered from "middle child syndrome" in recent years. As part of Bruichladdich's open day today during the annual Islay Festival of Malt & Music, Port Charlotte is getting some much-needed attention. There's a new Port Charlotte 10-year-old that will be available worldwide, a new 2011 Islay Barley bottling, and an end to "hand-me-down" bottles and packaging. On WhiskyCast In-Depth, we'll talk with Douglas Taylor about the upgrade, along with growing concerns on Islay about the Scotch Whisky industry's impact on the island. In the news, another deadline is approaching in the ongoing trade dispute between the U.S. and the European Union, while Sazerac's plans for a new distillery in Tennessee have gotten the green light. We'll also have tasting notes for a couple of whiskies that take spice - and the score for one - to a new level.

The Macallan's Whisky Cathedral Opens in Scotland (WhiskyCast Episode 700: May 24, 2018) May 24, 2018

Show notes

Edrington first announced plans for The Macallan's new distillery in 2012, but the planning process on what may be one of the longest distillery projects on record started well before that, and construction work alone took three and a half years. The Macallan's new home welcomed its first guests the other night, and will open for tours on June 2. We'll talk with The Macallan's Ken Grier about the new distillery and what it means for the brand's future, along with the recent move to revamp The Macallan's core ranges and last week's pair of million-dollar bids for two rare 1926 Macallans at Bonhams in Hong Kong. In the news, Diageo has named project managers for the revival of its Port Ellen and Brora distilleries. There's a report that U.S. trade officials are pressuring Great Britain to weaken protections for Scotch Whisky in a post-Brexit free trade deal, while Gordon & MacPhail has unveiled another new range of single malts and Irish Distillers is adding two new whiskies to its Method and Madness lineup.

Memories of an Irish Whiskey Legend (WhiskyCast Episode 699: May 20, 2018) May 20, 2018

Show notes

Irish Whiskey lost one of its longtime champions this past week with the passing of John Clement Ryan. He was the 7th - and final generation of Dublin's Power family to work in the Irish Whiskey business, and while he never distilled a drop of whiskey himself, he traveled the world for three decades promoting Jameson Irish Whiskey during one of the industry's bleakest periods. His evangelism and fervor for Irish Whiskey contributed to the renaissance we see today as Irish Whiskey sales grow year after year. In 2013, we sat down with John Ryan for an interview that's never aired before as he shared some of his history and Irish Whiskey's history with us - you'll hear that interview on WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, the million-dollar mark for a single bottle of whisky sold at auction has been broken - twice in one day! We'll have the details, along with the story of an unusual collaboration among some of Bourbon's masters for Kentucky charities. We'll also have your comments, tasting notes, and look at barrel vocabulary on "Behind the Label."

30 Years of the Scotch Whisky Experience (WhiskyCast Episode 698: May 17, 2018) May 17, 2018

Show notes

In May of 1988, the Scotch Whisky Experience opened its doors on Edinburgh's Royal Mile, next to Edinburgh Castle. Over the last 30 years, millions of whisky lovers have made the hike to the top of the Royal Mile to learn more about Scotch Whisky - and sample a dram or two. This month kicks off a year-long anniversary celebration, and we'll talk with Julie Trevisan Hunter of the Scotch Whisky Experience on WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Suntory is disappointing whisky lovers with word that it'll be dropping the Hakushu 10 and Hibiki 17 whiskies later this year because of supply shortages, while Diageo broke ground this week for a new Bulleit Distillery visitors center in Kentucky. We'll also have details on the week's new whiskies and find out how 500 whisky lovers are getting their names on the car Jay Howard is trying to qualify for next weekend's Indianapolis 500. Finally, we'll look at a whisky debate that may send shivers down your spine, depending on how you feel about ice in your dram!

A Big Boost for Scotch Whisky Tourism (May 13, 2018) May 13, 2018

Show notes

Scotland's distilleries have been investing millions of pounds over the last several years to upgrade their visitor experiences as more tourists come to Scotland specifically to learn more about whisky. Now, Diageo is making what is likely to be the largest single investment ever in Scotch Whisky tourism with a £150 million project over the next three years. In addition to upgrades for the visitor centers at its 12 distilleries that are open to the public, there are plans for a new Johnnie Walker brand home in Edinburgh. While the plans are still in development, Diageo's Ewan Gunn joins us on WhiskyCast In-Depth with a preview. In the news, U.S. distillers are gathering in Washington for the industry's annual public policy conference - and to persuade members of Congress to make the recent cut in federal excise taxes on distilled spirits permanent. The Scotch Whisky industry is gearing up for a tax battle of its own, and Pernod Ricard is getting into the beer business for the first time - to protect one of its key whiskey brands.

The Way of Whisky (WhiskyCast Episode 696: May 10, 2018) May 10, 2018

Show notes

Dave Broom has been one of Japanese whisky's most passionate observers for many years, and his latest book "The Way of Whisky" delves into Japan's unique whisky culture at a time when demand for Japanese whiskies far outpaces the supply. We'll talk with Dave about those shortages, along with other so-called "world whiskies" that he's uncovering on his travels and his upcoming Scotch Whisky documentary, "The Amber Light," on WhiskyCast In-Depth. We'll also look at the latest political clashes that could pose problems for whisky lovers and get the details on new whiskies, including one that's getting our highest score ever! To appreciate the great, though, one must taste the not-so-great, and our new "Behind the Label" segment has the back story of what could be one of the worst - yet still highly sought-after whiskies ever bottled.

Sip, Sip, Sippin' On Heaven's Door (WhiskyCast Episode 695: May 6, 2018) May 06, 2018

Show notes

Bob Dylan is known for many things, but slapping his name onto a product to make a quick buck is definitely not one of them. In fact, the new Heaven's Door line of whiskies marks the first time the legendary singer and songwriter has ever put his brand on anything other than his music and art. Dylan partnered with a team of spirits experts led by Marc Bushala, who helped bring Angel's Envy to the market before selling it to Bacardi in 2015, and Ryan Perry to create three new whiskies, along with plans for a distillery and art gallery scheduled to open next year in Nashville. Marc Bushala and Ryan Perry join us on WhiskyCast In-Depth to share their story of creating whiskies with Bob Dylan, and we'll also have tasting notes for the Heaven's Door whiskies, too. In the news, a bad Brexit breakup could cost the Scotch Whisky industry millions of pounds each year in trade tariffs, and industry leaders are trying to persuade British officials to avoid that outcome. We'll have that story, along with a look at the first whisky distillery in the Scottish Borders since 1837, and much more on this episode of WhiskyCast.

Challenging Scotch Whisky's Norms at Eden Mill (WhiskyCast Episode 694: May 3, 2018) May 03, 2018

Show notes

The area around St. Andrews was home to Scotch Whisky's Haig family and their Seggie Distillery, but after it closed in 1850, the whisky industry largely moved away from St. Andrews. Paul Miller brought it back when his Eden Mill Brewery started distilling whisky in 2014, and now, the first Eden Mill single malts are reaching the market. Miller and his team led by head distiller Scott Ferguson have been challenging the traditions of Scotch Whisky while respecting the heritage, and they'll join us on WhiskyCast In-Depth. We'll also have news on another music icon's entry into the world of whiskies, details on a one-of-a-kind Glenfarclas rescued from the back of a cupboard, and since it's Kentucky Derby week, we'll look at the history of horse racing's favorite cocktail, the Mint Julep.

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