The Cocktail Academy

012: The Evolution of Irish Whiskey: Insights from Barry Chandler, Founder of Stories & Sips


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In this captivating episode, Damian sits down with Barry Chandler, a prominent figure in the Irish whiskey industry and the founder of the Stories & Sips Whiskey Club. Barry shares his journey from the United States to becoming a globally recognized Irish whiskey expert. He discusses the growth of Irish whiskey, the significance of storytelling in whiskey culture, and the importance of building a global community of whiskey enthusiasts. This episode is packed with insights for anyone interested in the history of Irish whiskey, whiskey tasting, and the craft of distillation.


Key Topics Discussed:

  1. Barry's Introduction to Irish Whiskey:
  • How a charity event led Barry to discover his passion for Irish whiskey tasting.
  • The role of storytelling in connecting people with whiskey brands.
  1. Founding Stories & Sips Whiskey Club:
  • The origins and growth of a global whiskey community.
  • Challenges and successes in launching exclusive whiskey releases.
  1. Navigating the Irish Whiskey Industry:
  • Insights into the production of Irish whiskey and the different styles such as single malt and pot still whiskey.
  • The impact of historical events on the development of whiskey styles in Ireland.
  1. Building a Global Whiskey Community:
  • Barry’s strategies for engaging whiskey enthusiasts around the world.
  • Leveraging online platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic to grow the whiskey community.
  1. Future of Irish Whiskey:
  • Barry’s vision for the future of Stories & Sips and the ongoing mission to share the joy of Irish whiskey globally.

Quotable Moments:

  • "We don’t distill red breast; we distill whiskey, and it doesn’t yet know what it’s going to be."
  • "This is not any process or whiskey that any one of us owns or has to defend vigorously. Rather it’s another tool for us to have a bit of crack and some chats." – Barry Chandler

Guest Contact Information:

  • Website: Stories & Sips
  • Instagram: @IrishWhiskeyBarry


If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to the Cocktail Academy Podcast for more inspiring stories from the world of cocktails and spirits. Don’t forget to leave a review and share this episode with fellow whiskey/cocktail enthusiasts!

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The Cocktail AcademyBy Damian Cole

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