Single Malt Frontier

Last week, you heard from the community voices who love and support ASMW. This week, join us for an interview with the President of the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission (ASMWC) himself. We'll hear from the man spearheading the organization of ASMW distillers and discuss the state of the ASMW rules, the commercial development of the category, the growing variety and interest in the category, and talk about the dangers of the industry continuing along without a formal regulation for or protection of the term "American Single Malt".

It's been over 2 years since TTB published their proposal for American Single Malt Whiskey (ASMW) [1]. Since the comment period ended 2 months later, they've assured producers and consumers of ASMW that finalizing and ratifying these rules is a top priority for them, but with such a long delay, we need to do a bit of a media push and put a little pressure on them. See links below.

More info and show notes will be added to the blog as available after the show: https://demitastes.com/2024/08/14/ep-25-still-waiting-on-the-ttb-with-steve-hawley-president-of-the-asmwc/

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Visit ASMWC's website: https://www.americansinglemaltwhiskey.org/

The ASMWC can be found on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/asmcommission/

Join the letter writing campaign to urge the TTB to action (it's just a few clicks): https://www.spiritsunited.org/american-single-malt-whiskey-campaign/

You can also write in favor of Direct to Consumer: https://www.spiritsunited.org/dtc/

See the proposed rules at:

[1] https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/07/29/2022-16244/proposed-addition-of-american-single-malt-whisky-to-the-standards-of-identity-for-distilled-spirits

See Doug's write-up about what the proposed rules mean at https://demitastes.com/2022/09/20/a-new-whiskey-category-explaining-american-single-malt-whiskey/

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We're finally a real podcast! You can find us on Podbean, Player.fm, and soon coming to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & more. Let us know where you listen and we'll get our feed published there! https://singlemaltfrontier.podbean.com/

Single Malt Frontier can be found on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/singlemaltfrontier

Doug can be found at https://www.instagram.com/demitastes and https://demitastes.com/

Phill can be found at https://www.youtube.com/@therangersrespite and https://www.instagram.com/rangersrespite

Join us in The Whiskey Lodge Discord: https://discord.gg/KQGkBmtzPT

Join the American Single Malt Whiskey Community on Reddit: https://reddit.com/r/AmericanSMW

See ASMW reviews and more at https://maltrunners.com

Disclaimer: While some products we discuss on our show have been provided to us free of charge by industry sources, this conversation is 100% unsponsored and candid. We give our unbiased opinions, discuss brands as they are relevant to the conversation, and retain full editorial control.

Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5015366613991424

Join us for a Round Table discussion between 4 whiskey industry insiders, content creators, enthusiasts, and fans of American Single Malt Whiskey (ASMW), as we break down the state of the landscape of ASMW. Doug and Phill will be joined by our guests, Jake of Coming Whiskey, and Jerm of Freedom Malts.

It's been over 2 years since TTB published their proposal for American Single Malt Whiskey (ASMW) [1]. Since the comment period ended 2 months later, they've assured producers and consumers of ASMW that finalizing and ratifying these rules is a top priority for them, but with such a long delay, we need to do a bit of a media push and put a little pressure on them. See links below.

Between the 4 of us, we represent an affinity for and residence in many of the ASMW-producing corners of the country. Doug has lived in Texas and currently lives in the Pacific Northwest, Phill lives in Virginia, Jake lives in Kentucky, and Jerm represents the Midwest. We all also have other areas of interest in whiskey and craft spirits, bringing balanced perspectives to this conversation.

Visit ASMWC's website: https://www.americansinglemaltwhiskey.org/

Join the letter writing campaign to urge the TTB to action (it's just a few clicks): https://www.spiritsunited.org/american-single-malt-whiskey-campaign/

You can also write in favor of Direct to Consumer: https://www.spiritsunited.org/dtc/

See the proposed rules at:

[1] https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/07/29/2022-16244/proposed-addition-of-american-single-malt-whisky-to-the-standards-of-identity-for-distilled-spirits

See my write-up about what the proposed rules mean at https://demitastes.com/2022/09/20/a-new-whiskey-category-explaining-american-single-malt-whiskey/

We can be found on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/singlemaltfrontier

Doug can be found at https://www.instagram.com/demitastes and https://demitastes.com/

Phill can be found at https://www.youtube.com/@therangersrespite and https://www.instagram.com/rangersrespite

Jake of Coming Whiskey can be found at https://www.comingwhiskey.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/comingwhiskey/

Jerm of Freedom Malts can be found at https://www.instagram.com/freedom_malts and https://www.youtube.com/@freedom_malts

Join us in The Whiskey Lodge Discord: https://discord.gg/KQGkBmtzPT

American Single Malt Whiskey Review Community on Reddit: https://reddit.com/r/AmericanSMW

ASMW reviews and more at https://maltrunners.com

Disclaimer: while some products we discuss on our respective channels have been provided to us free of charge by industry sources, this conversation is 100% unsponsored and candid. We give our unbiased opinions and discuss brands as relevant to the conversation.

Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5015366613991424

Today we'll be interviewing Rick Wasmund, Founder of Copper Fox Distillery.

This live interview is scheduled for 2pm PDT / 5pm EDT on Thursday 7/25.

Copper Fox Distillery makes some amazing American Single Malts smoked and/or aged with hardwood such as applewood and peach wood. This is a completely unique source of flavor amongst the world's whiskeys and we can attest that the results are both delicious and intriguing.

Learn more about Copper Fox Distillery at https://www.copperfoxdistillery.com and on Instagram @copperfoxdistillery

This interview is part of the 2024 Virginia Whiskey Tournament. More info on that at Phill's Socials and on the blog: https://demitastes.com/2024/07/25/interview-rick-wasmund-founder-of-copper-fox-distillery/

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The 2024 Virginia Whiskey Tournament is on! You don't have to live in Virginia or even own bottles from the distilleries to vote. Cast your votes!

- This week's polls: https://x.com/DrinkingGeeks/status/1815364470639575066

- Round 2 bout 1: https://x.com/DrinkingGeeks/status/1815364474259255411

- Round 2 bout 2: https://x.com/DrinkingGeeks/status/1815364476712915235 - featuring Copper Fox Distillery!

For another producer of hardwood-smoked whiskey, see our interview with Mark Vierthaler of Del Bac: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-R4iH2rXRA

For more wood-chip-aged whiskey, see our interview with Phil Morgan of Arcane: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juWHSnMBm-g

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- https://www.instagram.com/singlemaltfrontier

- Join us in The Whiskey Lodge Discord: https://discord.gg/KQGkBmtzPT

Doug:

- https://www.instagram.com/demitastes

- Articles, reviews, and more: https://demitastes.com

- Reviews of single malt & more: https://maltrunners.com

Phill:

- https://www.youtube.com/@therangersrespite

- https://www.instagram.com/rangersrespite

- https://x.com/DrinkingGeeks

This show runs on your support. The best way you can support us is to help us grow the channel. Like, subscribe, comment, and share to your friends!

We're also looking for volunteers who can help with some pre- and post-production tasks. Do you have industry connections you want to share with us? Do you want to help with announcements, video thumbnails, or question writing? Do you want to help add chapter annotations and show notes to our videos, publish transcripts, or help with edits, shorts, and clips? Want to help us figure out an efficient way to turn this into an audio-only podcast for Apple, Spotify, etc.? Just let us know!

You can, of course, support us financially, if you wish:

Buy Phill's barrel stave pens! Find him in The Whiskey Lodge or visit his Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheRangersRespiteCo?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1717319220&from_page=singlemaltfrontier

Buy us a coffee - https://ko-fi.com/demitastes

Disclaimer: All of the Copper Fox Distillery products that we discussed today we purchased for ourselves. We would still like to note that in general over the course of this show we are sometimes given samples to discuss on air. In these cases, we receive no compensation outside of the samples themselves, and we maintain our journalistic integrity: we feature the brands and products that we love *because we love them* and for no other reason, and we give our honest opinions.

Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5015366613991424

The 2024 Virginia Whiskey Tournament is on! Doug and Phill dig in on some of the American Single Malts available from Virginia distilleries that you can try right now!

You don't have to live in Virginia or even own bottles from the distilleries to vote. Cast your votes!

(No guest today. Just vibes.)

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- Join us in The Whiskey Lodge Discord: https://discord.gg/KQGkBmtzPT

- Articles, reviews, and more: https://demitastes.com

- Reviews of single malt & more: https://maltrunners.com

This show runs on your support. The best way you can support us is to help us grow the channel. Like, subscribe, comment, and share to your friends!

We're also looking for volunteers who can help with some pre- and post-production tasks. Do you have industry connections you want to share with us? Do you want to help with announcements, video thumbnails, or question writing? Do you want to add chapter annotations and show notes to our videos, publish transcripts, or edit shorts and clips? Want to help us figure out an efficient way to turn this into an audio-only podcast for Apple, Spotify, etc.? Just let us know!

You can, of course, support us financially:

Buy Phill's barrel stave pens! Find him in The Whiskey Lodge or visit his Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheRangersRespiteCo?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1717319220&from_page=singlemaltfrontier

Buy us a coffee - https://ko-fi.com/demitastes

Disclaimer: Some of our guests and industry contacts give us samples of their products for us to discuss on air. In these cases we receive no compensation outside of the samples themselves, and we maintain our journalistic integrity: we feature the brands and products that we love *because we love them* and for no other reason, and we give our honest opinions. In this case of this video, the Virginia Distillery Co trio of VDC-branded cask-finished American Single Malt whiskeys, as well as the Courage & Conviction Double Cask Reserve American Single Malt whiskey were given to us by the distillery over the past year to review and discuss at our leisure.

Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5015366613991424

We've been looking forward to this follow-up with Anna Mantheakis, a distiller, blender, and data expert for Westward Whiskey. We will talk about her path through the industry from Wine to Whiskey, and especially her experiences with synesthesia and how that shapes her tasting abilities. Anna experiences a type of synesthesia which causes sound to affect her sense of taste (flavor and texture). We're going to go deep on learning about synesthesia with Anna, and touch on the fascinating story of her path through the beverage industry as a synesthete!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Note: This live stream is scheduled for a different time slot than usual: Wednesday at 6pm PDT (rather than the usual Thursday at 5pm PDT).

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Links to the sounds we listened to on air today:

https://rainymood.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj2GVOR7WHg - 440 Hz "A" sine wave

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EE8OjI_dl4 - 440 Hz "A" played on a violin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npEz3h0h8CA - orchestra tuning "A"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubFq-wV3Eic - TV static white noise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqzGzwTY-6w - brown noise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXtimhT-ff4 - pink noise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqwFimG3X3w - 60 Hz background noise

More about the variants of random noise: white noise, pink noise, brown noise, grey noise, blue noise, etc. - https://primesound.org/noise-types/

A nice demo and explanation of white, pink, and brown noise: https://youtu.be/cXNZUnY_4ug

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Here's Anna's standard list of sounds she uses for tasting:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qVwEkhjE_hcV3T6Ak2s8a99V23W0l-BL?usp=sharing

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Join us in The Whiskey Lodge Discord: https://discord.gg/KQGkBmtzPT

Articles, reviews, and more: https://demitastes.com

Buy Phill's barrel stave pens! Find him in The Whiskey Lodge or visit his Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheRangersRespiteCo?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1717319220&from_page=singlemaltfrontier

You can also support us by buying us a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/demitastes

Disclaimer: Some of our guests give us samples of their products for us to discuss with them on air. In these cases we receive no compensation outside of the samples themselves, and we maintain our journalistic integrity: we feature the brands and products that we love *because we love them* and for no other reason, and we give our honest opinions. In this case of this video, Westward is the brand in question. While Doug has received 3 bottles from Westward (including the Westward Pinot and the Westward Vintner's Cuvee mentioned in this video), he has also purchased at least 9 other bottles of Westward Whiskey for his personal collection. Phill purchased his own bottle of Westward Stout Cask. Doug's bottle of Stranahan's Distillery Exclusive Batch 006 Colorado Brewer's Cask also mentioned today was a complimentary distillery sample from Stranahan's.

Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5015366613991424

It feels wrong that we've had an American Single Malt-focused show for so long and we haven't yet had our friends at Lost Lantern join us on the air.

Lost Lantern is an Independent Bottler and Blender of American Whiskey. As their tagline goes, they are "Shining a Light on the Independent Spirit."

Adam and Nora have 2 rules: they must visit in person every distillery they will work with, and despite their differing palates, they both must like every bottling they release. This means that no matter what you buy from Lost Lantern, it will be a crowd pleaser with a great story behind it.

This week we'll be talking about the important role that Independent Bottlers and Blenders have in the growing craft whiskey market in the United States, and how they're highlighting the unique and varied facets of American craft whiskey and American Single Malts.

Join us in The Whiskey Lodge Discord: https://discord.gg/KQGkBmtzPT

Articles, reviews, and more: https://demitastes.com

Buy Phill's barrel stave pens! Find him in The Whiskey Lodge or visit his Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheRangersRespiteCo?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1717319220&from_page=singlemaltfrontier

You can also support us by buying us a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/demitastes

Disclaimer: Some of our guests give us samples of their products for us to discuss with them on air. In these cases we receive no compensation outside of the samples themselves, and we maintain our journalistic integrity: we feature the brands and products that we love *because we love them* and for no other reason. In this case of this video, all of the Lost Lantern products in my possession were purchased with my own money. Phill received his samples from Lost Lantern.

Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5015366613991424

As whiskey enthusiasts, we experience a lot of sherry-cask whiskey, but how much do whiskey drinkers really know about the wine itself? The best way to find out is to ask an expert, so we've brought on Nathan Layman of Lustau to introduce us whiskey people to the rich and fascinating world of sherry and sherry casks.

See you there!

Join us in The Whiskey Lodge Discord: https://discord.gg/KQGkBmtzPT

Articles, reviews, and more: https://demitastes.com

Buy Phill's barrel stave pens! Find him in The Whiskey Lodge or visit his Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheRangersRespiteCo?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1717319220&from_page=singlemaltfrontier

You can also support us by buying us a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/demitastes

Disclaimer: All of the products we discussed in this video were purchased with our own money.

Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5015366613991424

(This interview was pre-recorded.)

A year and a half ago I was sent a sample of Arcane Imperial, a whiskey which was vacuum-distilled from an un-hopped Imperial Stout beer. Arcane had previously released a hopped whiskey called Alpha. I had questions about what exactly was in the bottle -- especially why it wasn't labeled an American Single Malt, even though it was made from 100% malted barley. I initially didn't get any response from Arcane or the PR firm I was in touch with when I requested more details. I later found out that Arcane was no longer producing spirits and any hope of a conversation with the producers faded away.

Recently I've again started investigating what "hopped whiskey" really means and its relationship to American Single Malt and I reached out again to Arcane, not expecting any response. To my delight, the PR firm connected me with Phil Morgan who previously worked for Arcane as a consulting distiller. He fit me into his schedule and we had a great chat. Enjoy!

Join us in The Whiskey Lodge Discord: https://discord.gg/KQGkBmtzPT

Articles, reviews, and more: https://demitastes.com

Buy Phill's barrel stave pens! Find him in The Whiskey Lodge or visit his Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheRangersRespiteCo?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1717319220&from_page=singlemaltfrontier

You can also support us by buying us a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/demitastes

Disclaimer: Some of our guests give us samples of their products for us to discuss with them on air. In these cases we receive no compensation outside of the samples themselves, and we maintain our journalistic integrity and full editorial control: we feature the brands and products that we love *because we love them* and for no other reason. In this case of this video, a *long* time ago, I received a free sample of Arcane Imperial to evaluate and review.

Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5015366613991424

A long time overdue, we're finally having Mark Vierthaler on the show! Mark is Head Distiller of Whiskey Del Bac, makers of Mesquite-smoked American Single Malt Whiskey. Smoked whiskey is a particular point of passion for me, and especially alternative sources of smoke like mesquite wood. Can't wait for this conversation! We'll see you there!

Join us in The Whiskey Lodge Discord: https://discord.gg/KQGkBmtzPT

Articles, reviews, and more: https://demitastes.com

Buy Phill's barrel stave pens! Find him in The Whiskey Lodge or visit his Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheRangersRespiteCo?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1717319220&from_page=singlemaltfrontier

You can also support us by buying us a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/demitastes

Disclaimer: Some of our guests give us samples of their products for us to discuss with them on air. In these cases we receive no compensation outside of the samples themselves, and we maintain our journalistic integrity: we feature the brands and products that we love *because we love them* and for no other reason. In this case of this video, Whiskey Del Bac provided us with samples of the products we discussed.

Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5015366613991424

Caitlin Bartlemay, Head Distiller of Clear Creek Distillery, returns to the show! Bartlemay makes one of our favorite whiskeys, McCarthy's Oregon Single Malt. Even so, as Head Distiller of Clear Creek and Hood River Distillers, she's responsible for a whole lot more than that!

The last time we had Bartlemay on, she convinced us whiskey geeks to not dismiss vodka out of hand as a spirit with potential for quality and nuance! So I guess we're vodka nerds now. Let's see if she can convert us to brandy next!

See our previous interview and tasting with Caitlin Bartlemay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4CFIaTCYUE

Join us in The Whiskey Lodge Discord: https://discord.gg/KQGkBmtzPT

Articles, reviews, and more: https://demitastes.com

Buy Phill's barrel stave pens! Find him in The Whiskey Lodge or visit his Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheRangersRespiteCo?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1717319220&from_page=singlemaltfrontier

You can also support us by buying us a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/demitastes

Disclaimer: All of the products we discussed in this video were purchased with our own money.

Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5015366613991424