WhiskyCast

WhiskyCast Episode 256: May 24, 2010

24 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

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...

WhiskyCast Episode 255: May 23, 2010

24 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

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...

WhiskyCast Episode 254: May 22, 2010

22 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

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 di...

WhiskyCast Episode 253: May 16, 2010

16 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

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 Whi...

WhiskyCast Episode 252: May 9, 2010

10 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

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...

WhiskyCast Episode 251: May 3, 2010

03 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

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 "I...

WhiskyCast Episode 250: April 25, 2010

25 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Back from Scotland, and plenty to talk about. This episode features highlights from the World Whiskies Conference in Glasgow, as well as a rare inter...

WhiskyCast Episode 249: April 19, 2009

19 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

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....

WhiskyCast Episode 248: April 17, 2009

17 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

This episode comes from the Highlander Inn in Craigellachie, Scotland...the heart of Speyside! We'll hear from Highlander co-owner Duncan Elphick and ...

WhiskyCast Episode 247: April 12, 2010

12 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

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 d...

WhiskyCast Episode 246: April 4, 2010

04 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

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...

WhiskyCast Episode 245: March 28, 2010

29 Mar 2010

Contributed by Lukas

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, ...

WhiskyCast Episode 244: March 21, 2010

21 Mar 2010

Contributed by Lukas

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 mark...

WhiskyCast Episode 243: March 14, 2010

14 Mar 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Jackson passed away in 2007, leaving behind a legacy of excellence in whisky writing that includes his classic "Michael Jackson's Complete Gu...

WhiskyCast Episode 242: March 7, 2010

07 Mar 2010

Contributed by Lukas

This week's episode includes highlights from the Whisky Guild's annual Whisky Classic event in Morristown, New Jersey. Ardbeg's Rollercoaster made its...

WhiskyCast Episode 241: February 28, 2010

28 Feb 2010

Contributed by Lukas

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 Brittan...

WhiskyCast Episode 240: February 21, 2010

21 Feb 2010

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

WhiskyCast Episode 239: February 14, 2010

14 Feb 2010

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

WhiskyCast Episode 238: February 7, 2010

07 Feb 2010

Contributed by Lukas

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.....

WhiskyCast Episode 237: January 30, 2010

31 Jan 2010

Contributed by Lukas

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...

WhiskyCast Episode 236: January 23, 2010

24 Jan 2010

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

WhiskyCast Episode 235: January 16, 2010

17 Jan 2010

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

WhiskyCast Episode 234: January 10, 2010

10 Jan 2010

Contributed by Lukas

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 Ch...

WhiskyCast Episode 233: January 3, 2010

03 Jan 2010

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

WhiskyCast Episode 232: December 27, 2009

27 Dec 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 epis...

WhiskyCast Episode 231: December 20, 2009

20 Dec 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Distilleries have ghosts and secrets, as well as memories that live within those who work the stills, the malting floors, and the warehouses. Ian Maci...

WhiskyCast Episode 230: December 12, 2009

13 Dec 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Having a holiday party this season? Master mixologist Dale DeGroff gives us some tips on cocktails and entertaining in this episode. In the news, Diag...

WhiskyCast Episode 229: December 6, 2009

06 Dec 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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....

WhiskyCast Episode 228: November 28, 2009

28 Nov 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

WhiskyCast Episode 227: November 22, 2009

22 Nov 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

WhiskyCast Episode 226: November 14, 2009

15 Nov 2009

Contributed by Lukas

The whisky world gathers every November for Malt Advocate's WhiskyFest in New York. The 12th annual edition featured new whiskies and longtime favorit...

WhiskyCast Episode 225: November 8, 2009

08 Nov 2009

Contributed by Lukas

America is in the forefront of a global micro-distilling boom, with more than 200 licensed artisanal distilleries. 42 of them are producing whisky, an...

WhiskyCast Episode 224: October 31, 2009

30 Oct 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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...

WhiskyCast Episode 223: October 25, 2009

25 Oct 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

WhiskyCast Episode 222: October 17, 2009

18 Oct 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Time for the annual question and answer episode, as experts answer your questions about whisky. This year's panel includes Dr. Bill Lumsden of Glenmor...

WhiskyCast Episode 221: October 10, 2009

10 Oct 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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,...

WhiskyCast Episode 220: October 3, 2009

04 Oct 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Johnnie Walker sells more Scotch whisky than anyone in the world, and Diageo is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Johnnie Walker Black Label in 200...

WhiskyCast Episode 219: September 26, 2009

26 Sep 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 Whi...

WhiskyCast Episode 218: September 19, 2009

19 Sep 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

WhiskyCast Episode 217: September 12, 2009

13 Sep 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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, S...

WhiskyCast Episode 216: September 6, 2009

06 Sep 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 Morg...

WhiskyCast Episode 215: August 28, 2009

28 Aug 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 end...

WhiskyCast Episode 214: August 22, 2009

22 Aug 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 intri...

WhiskyCast Episode 213: August 15, 2009

16 Aug 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 mar...

WhiskyCast Episode 212: August 9, 2009

09 Aug 2009

Contributed by Lukas

This time around, we'll focus on two upcoming whisky festivals in Europe. Maltstock will bring together whisky clubs and individuals from around Europ...

WhiskyCast Episode 211: August 2, 2009

02 Aug 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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. I...

WhiskyCast Episode 210: July 25, 2009

26 Jul 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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...

WhiskyCast Episode 209: July 18, 2009

18 Jul 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 fo...

WhiskyCast Episode 208: July 12, 2009

12 Jul 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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,...

WhiskyCast Episode 207: July 4, 2009

04 Jul 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

WhiskyCast Episode 206: June 28, 2009

28 Jun 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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...

WhiskyCast Episode 205: June 21, 2009

21 Jun 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 i...

WhiskyCast Episode 204: June 14, 2009

14 Jun 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 a...

WhiskyCast Episode 203: June 7, 2009

07 Jun 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Harlen Wheatley of Buffalo Trace usually comes out with something unusual every summer when he unleashes his latest Experimental Collection releases o...

WhiskyCast Episode 202: May 30, 2009

30 May 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 spirit...

WhiskyCast Episode 201: May 24, 2009

24 May 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

WhiskyCast Episode 200: May 16, 2009

16 May 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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...

WhiskyCast Episode 199: May 10, 2009

11 May 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 he...

WhiskyCast Episode 198: May 3, 2009

03 May 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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...

WhiskyCast Episode 197: April 26, 2009

26 Apr 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 Y...

WhiskyCast Episode 196: April 19, 2009

20 Apr 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 touri...

WhiskyCast Episode 195: April 11, 2009

11 Apr 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

WhiskyCast Episode 194: April 4, 2009

05 Apr 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 Li...

WhiskyCast Episode 193: March 28, 2009

28 Mar 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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'...

WhiskyCast Episode 192: March 22, 2009

22 Mar 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 b...

WhiskyCast Episode 191: March 15, 2009

15 Mar 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 T...

WhiskyCast Episode 190: March 7, 2009

07 Mar 2009

Contributed by Lukas

This week's episode features special coverage from the Whisky Classic festival in Morristown, New Jersey. We'll hear from Wild Turkey Master Distiller...

WhiskyCast Episode 189: February 28, 2009

28 Feb 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 o...

WhiskyCast Episode 188: February 22, 2009

22 Feb 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 Laga...

WhiskyCast Episode 187: February 16, 2009

16 Feb 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 worki...

WhiskyCast Episode 186: February 8, 2009

08 Feb 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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...

WhiskyCast Episode 185: February 1, 2009

01 Feb 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Marcel Van Gils has been collecting Laphroaig expressions since 1997, and the Dutch dentist has what is likely the world's largest collection of Laphr...

WhiskyCast Episode 184: January 26, 2009

26 Jan 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Bonus coverage from the Victoria Whisky Festival, as the local Scottish community gathered to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robe...

WhiskyCast Episode 183: January 25, 2009

25 Jan 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

WhiskyCast Episode 182: January 19, 2009

19 Jan 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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...

WhiskyCast Episode 181: January 10, 2009

10 Jan 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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...

WhiskyCast Episode 180: January 3, 2009

03 Jan 2009

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

WhiskyCast Episode 179: December 27, 2008

26 Dec 2008

Contributed by Lukas

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 h...

WhiskyCast Episode 178: December 20, 2008

20 Dec 2008

Contributed by Lukas

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...

WhiskyCast Episode 177: December 14, 2008

14 Dec 2008

Contributed by Lukas

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 boo...

WhiskyCast Episode 176: December 7, 2008

07 Dec 2008

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

WhiskyCast Episode 175: November 30, 2008

30 Nov 2008

Contributed by Lukas

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...

WhiskyCast Episode 174: November 23, 2008

23 Nov 2008

Contributed by Lukas

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 yea...

WhiskyCast Episode 173: November 16, 2008

16 Nov 2008

Contributed by Lukas

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 episo...

WhiskyCast Episode 172: November 9, 2008

09 Nov 2008

Contributed by Lukas

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 da...

WhiskyCast Episode 171: November 2, 2008

02 Nov 2008

Contributed by Lukas

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 disti...

WhiskyCast Episode 170: October 26, 2008

26 Oct 2008

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

WhiskyCast Episode 169: October 18, 2008

18 Oct 2008

Contributed by Lukas

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 leadin...

WhiskyCast Episode 168: October 12, 2008

12 Oct 2008

Contributed by Lukas

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 w...

WhiskyCast Episode 167: October 5, 2008

05 Oct 2008

Contributed by Lukas

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 th...

WhiskyCast Episode 166: September 27, 2008

28 Sep 2008

Contributed by Lukas

This week, WhiskyCast is in Lebanon, Kentucky for the Marion County Country Ham Days Festival. This year's festival honors Independent Stave's Kentuck...

WhiskyCast Episode 165: September 22, 2008

22 Sep 2008

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

WhiskyCast Episode 164: September 21, 2008

22 Sep 2008

Contributed by Lukas

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 th...

WhiskyCast Episode 163: September 20, 2008

21 Sep 2008

Contributed by Lukas

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 ab...

WhiskyCast Episode 162: September 14, 2008

14 Sep 2008

Contributed by Lukas

Canadian Club celebrates its 150th anniversary starting this month, and we'll discuss the distillery's history with long-time ambassador brand ambassa...

WhiskyCast Episode 161: September 6, 2008

06 Sep 2008

Contributed by Lukas

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 Bo...

WhiskyCast Episode 160: August 30, 2008

30 Aug 2008

Contributed by Lukas

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 month...

WhiskyCast Episode 159: August 24, 2008

24 Aug 2008

Contributed by Lukas

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 br...

WhiskyCast Episode 158: August 17, 2008

17 Aug 2008

Contributed by Lukas

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 si...

WhiskyCast Episode 157: August 10, 2008

10 Aug 2008

Contributed by Lukas

When the temperature's approaching 90 (32), sometimes a cold beer just sounds better than a glass of whisky. Northing wrong with that....especiall...