We've done whisky specials before but here we are, back with another. Why? There are always plenty of mighty fine whiskies to shout about. Besides, why the hell not?

We start with two whiskies born and raised in the US. One is the result of two actor friends who bonded over their love of the spirit so much they decided to create their own, aptly called Brother’s Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The other is also the result of two bright minds coming together: this time it's Sirdavis created by Dr Bill Lumsden and Queen B herself, the one and only Beyoncé Knowles-Carter.

Our book is a glorious road trip journal across Japan in which renowned whisky expert Dave Broom shares his very personal observations of the spirit and place in 'The Japanese Way of Whisky'.. And while we're on the subject of travel, there's certainly a whisky-based cocktail or two on the menu at Shakerato, the new bar in Amsterdam from the team behind Mexico City’s award-winning Handshake bar.

And then there's our guest, the fabulous Georgie Bell-Leoni, who has been evangelising about her favourite spirit, whisky, for over 15 years. She tells us about sourcing whiskies for her company, The Heart Cut, talks about how to fully appreciate them and guides us through a tasting of one of the bottlings on offer from her award-winning company The Heart Cut.

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For the products featured in this episode, see websites below:

What we're drinking:

Matcha Highball

By Jason Patz, from Food & Wine Magazine

60ml Japanese whisky (we used Hibiki)

15ml honey water

15ml freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/4 tsp Matcha powder

Chilled Club Soda to top

Lemon wheel to garnish

Method:

Chill Collins glasses. Shake first four ingredients over ice. Pour into the chilled Collins glass, top with Club Soda and garnish with a lemon wheel.

Brother's Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Shakerato, Amsterdam

SirDavis American Whisky

The Heart Cut

The Japanese Way of Whisky – by Dave Broom

The Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' Watson

Edited by Christian Fox

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