The Whiskey Ring Podcast

Angus MacRaild and I get together to talk about his independent bottling venture - Decadent Drinks - and the blog that he started nearly 10 years ago, WhiskySponge. 

Decadent Drinks was virtually unknown to me a few months ago. Since then, I've gotten a number of bottles. Why? Because they're fantastic, each a true showcase of their home distillery in the way an independent bottling should be. And, when a stupendous bottle comes along - like the 29 year old Rhosdhu he had - I had to have it. 

Then there's WhiskySponge. One of the OG non-Reddit blogs and, in Angus' own words, "one started to take the piss out of people who take whisky too seriously." By his own admission, it may not be getting the attention it once did, but that's what happens when you find success. 

Hell, I have trouble catching up with my own writing - I feel it. 

But here's the thing - the Sponge (and WhiskyFun, which he also writes for) are just damn good reading. It's the kind of writing I want to write, and the kind I want to emulate with my own touches. 

We talk about finding your place in the hobby you love most, and if that's not something to aspire to, I don't know what is. 

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Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:

The first WRP barrel pick is coming! I'm heading to Tennessee to pick two barrels - that's right, two! - of Jack Daniel's Barrel Proof Rye. There are also upcoming picks of KO Distilling and Spirits of French Lick (trust me - Alan has picked out some funky things for us to try!). $25 members get the chance to join me on picks, and one of your fellow Patreon members is joining me in Lynchburg!

Join the Patreon now for early access to the barrels!

If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so! Only 2 Spots Remain in the Barrel Club.

• The $5 tier has access to the Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk whiskey, life, and influencing. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks.

You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up. 

Finally, please do like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening - it really helps the Whiskey Ring Podcast move up the rankings. 

If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 

Angus MacRaild 

• Decadent Drinks

Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages

• https://impexbev.com

Thanks to our Sponsor, Scotch Malt Whisky Society

• SMWS Website

Purchase your sample kit here for the virtual private Riachi tasting by June 17th to ensure delivery! 

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Surprise, surprise: another connection made at that center of the NYC whiskey universe, Travel Bar. 

I got to meet Ronan Currie at a GlenAllachie tasting event and had to have him on the podcast. The GlenAllachie has a rich history as a brand despite it being one of the newer distilleries in Scotland. 

Just a few years ago, though, it was making a lot of whisky - around 4M LPA - but not much of it was seen outside the blends into which it disappeared. Billy Walker, fresh off the sale of BenRiach, Glendronach, and Glenglassaugh distilleries, had a vision: to create a new version of Scotch single malt that focused not just on making good spirit, but more importantly on making it with the best wood available. 

Half a decade later, The GlenAllachie is producing some incredible and fascinating releases including GlenAllachie spirit aged in Mizunara casks, rye casks, and multiple casks for a single release. They've also reduced that 4M LPA to a fraction of their capacity, making only 800,000 LPA (20%) of their previous volume. 

Quality over quantity - can't argue against that, right? 

______________________________________________________

Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:

The first WRP barrel pick is coming! I'm heading to Tennessee to pick two barrels - that's right, two! - of Jack Daniel's Barrel Proof Rye. There are also upcoming picks of KO Distilling and Spirits of French Lick (trust me - Alan has picked out some funky things for us to try!). $25 members get the chance to join me on picks, and one of your fellow Patreon members is joining me in Lynchburg!

Join the Patreon now for early access to the barrels!

If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so! Only 3 Spots Remain in the Barrel Club.

• The $5 tier has access to the Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk whiskey, life, and influencing. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks.

You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up. 

Finally, please do like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening - it really helps the Whiskey Ring Podcast move up the rankings. 

If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 

The GlenAllachie

• The GlenAllachie Website

Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages

• https://impexbev.com

Thanks to our Sponsor, Scotch Malt Whisky Society

• SMWS Website

Purchase your sample kit here for the virtual private Riachi tasting by June 17th to ensure delivery! 

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Please welcome back returning guest Ari Sussman to talk about Whiskey JYPSI and Outsiders Spirits! 

Heard of Eric Church? Maybe the Jack Daniel's Eric Church Single Barrel special release? Maybe you're just a fan of his music (though if you're listening to this podcast I kind of doubt you missed the Jack Daniel's release). 

It was easy to brand that initial partnership as another celebrity slapping their name on a label to drive sales and publicity (though, I should note, I didn't think it was a bad release). There are so many whiskies and spirits like that nowadays it's hard to keep track. And trust me, I asked Ari about that. 

But what if you had a celebrity who was also a true whiskey lover - one who wanted to do something truly new and different, even if it meant producing a whiskey without their name anywhere on the label? 

That seems like what we have here. Whiskey JYPSI is, at its core, a cross-border international blend (itself an incredibly rare occurrence) that reaches back to the days of global giants like Schenley and Seagrams. Bending the 70/21/9 mashbill into a ratio of whiskies instead of a grain bill, this is something new and special, something that will be a marker in the industry. 

And Eric Church's name isn't on anything but the press release. 

I was skeptical, I admit, of whether they could pull this off, but I must say I'm impressed. 

Listen for answers about creating a non-celebrity celebrity whiskey, blending across the border, and how to imbue the term "JYPSI" (or Gypsy/Romani) with a positive, non-derogatory respect. 

______________________________________________________

Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:

The first WRP barrel pick is coming! I'm heading to Tennessee to pick two barrels - that's right, two! - of Jack Daniel's Barrel Proof Rye. There are also upcoming picks of KO Distilling and Spirits of French Lick (trust me - Alan has picked out some funky things for us to try!). $25 members get the chance to join me on picks, and one of your fellow Patreon members is joining me in Lynchburg!

Join the Patreon now for early access to the barrels!

If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so! Only 3 Spots Remain in the Barrel Club.

• The $5 tier has access to the Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk whiskey, life, and influencing. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks.

You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up. 

Finally, please do like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening - it really helps the Whiskey Ring Podcast move up the rankings. 

If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 

Whiskey JYPSI

• Whiskey JYPSI Website

Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages

• https://impexbev.com

Thanks to our Sponsor, Scotch Malt Whisky Society

• SMWS Website

Purchase your sample kit here for the virtual private Riachi tasting by June 10th to ensure delivery! 

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Colby Frey's family has been farming in Nevada for 165 years, so no opportunistic farmers here (is there such a thing?) For most of that history, the family grew grain and animals for commodity markets - the high-protein, low-starch grains desired for feed, not the kind that's good for whiskey making. 

Sitting on a unique, oasis-like area by Lake Tahoe, the Frey Ranch land is magical. It truly can do whatever you want it to, if you treat it well. 

So, Colby made two decisions: he and Ashley, his wife and partner in all things farm (and whiskey!), were getting into the world of bourbons, ryes, and wheat whiskey; and, to do that, all their grain production (or at least part of it at first) would have to switch to the high-starch, low-protein style needed for making good spirits. 

I love these kinds of stories, the ones where the farmer is the distiller, the husband and wife are clearly co-partners, and where they have a heck of a dream that continues to build on itself. Sure, Frey Ranch might be limited in reach right now, but as long as they can grow enough grain to do so the Freys are intent on expanding. 

And did I mention their whiskies are fantastic? Don't believe me? Check out their social media for the lines that await them on the morning of a release, or try to get a wheat whiskey (I waited too long, and by too long I mean 4 minutes). 

I'll be rolling out reviews of their Bottled-in-Bond Rye, Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and Quad-Malt Bourbon in the next few days - keep an eye on the show notes and on socials so you don't miss them! 

Finally, remember their motto: Be good to the land and the land will be good to you. 

_________________

Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:

The first WRP barrel pick is coming! I'm heading to Tennessee to pick two barrels - that's right, two! - of Jack Daniel's Barrel Proof Rye. There are also upcoming picks of KO Distilling and Spirits of French Lick (trust me - Alan has picked out some funky things for us to try!). $25 members get the chance to join me on picks, and one of your fellow Patreon members is joining me in Lynchburg!

Join the Patreon now for early access to the barrels!

If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so! Only 4 Spots Remain in the Barrel Club.

• The $5 tier has access to the Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk whiskey, life, and influencing. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks.

You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up. 

Finally, please do like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening - it really helps the Whiskey Ring Podcast move up the rankings. 

If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 

Frey Ranch Distillery

• Frey Ranch Distillery Website

Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages

• https://impexbev.com

Thanks to our Sponsor, Scotch Malt Whisky Society

• SMWS Website

Purchase your sample kit here for the virtual private Riachi tasting by June 10th to ensure delivery! 

_________________

Finding Riachi was a happy accident, and boy am I happy it happened. Riachi has been making wine and spirits - mainly arak - in Lebanon for 184 years (since 1839), until they decided to enter the whisky space in 2011.

Roy Riachi, the family's current generation, found a love for whiskies around that time and put his family's unusual still to use making Lebanese whisky. A decade later, they're still the only Lebanese whisky distillery around. 

They have two product lines: Levant Heights, their experimental line, and Athyr, an all-Lebanese product made from Lebanese sun-dried barley, Lebanese oak, and Lebanese cedar for the Cedarwood finish. This is some seriously good and seriously cool whisky, and you'll want to try it. 

Luckily, someone just happens to be hosting a private virtual tasting on June 17 with Roy himself! 

Purchase your sample kit here by June 10th to ensure delivery! 

_________________

Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:

The first WRP barrel pick is coming! I'm heading to Tennessee to pick two barrels - that's right, two! - of Jack Daniel's Barrel Proof Rye. There are also upcoming picks of KO Distilling and Spirits of French Lick (trust me - Alan has picked out some funky things for us to try!). $25 members get the chance to join me on picks, and one of your fellow Patreon members is joining me in Lynchburg!

Join the Patreon now for early access to the barrels!

If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so! Only 4 Spots Remain in the Barrel Club.

• The $5 tier has access to the Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk whiskey, life, and influencing. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks.

You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up. 

Finally, please do like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening - it really helps the Whiskey Ring Podcast move up the rankings. 

If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 

Riachi Winery and Distillery

• Riachi Winery and Distillery Website

Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages

• https://impexbev.com

Thanks to our Sponsor, Scotch Malt Whisky Society

• SMWS Website

Bonus episode #5! Welcome back to Devin Ershow and Chase Langdon of American Mash & Grain and Borrowed Page American Whiskey. 

I loved Borrowed Page Volume 1 (2022). It blended four distilleries and four distinct styles into a one-of-a-kind American whiskey that allowed you to taste all four components without losing sight of the whole. 

It was a tough act to follow, but Borrowed Page Volume 2 is at least as good, maybe even better. At minimum, it was good enough to make me eat some crow about Virginia Distilling Company (read the review to see why). 

Devin and Chase join me to catch up on where Borrowed Page is going and dive into the behind-the-scenes details on how Volume 2 came to be, including their collaboration with Ryan Mills, a.k.a. @thatoneduderyan.

_________________

Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:

The first WRP barrel pick is coming! I'm heading to Tennessee to pick two barrels - that's right, two! - of Jack Daniel's Barrel Proof Rye. There are also upcoming picks of KO Distilling and Spirits of French Lick (trust me - Alan has picked out some funky things for us to try!). $25 members get the chance to join me on picks, and one of your fellow Patreon members is joining me in Lynchburg!

Join the Patreon now for early access to the barrels!

If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so! Only 4 Spots Remain in the Barrel Club.

• The $5 tier has access to the Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk whiskey, life, and influencing. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks.

You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up. 

Finally, please do like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening - it really helps the Whiskey Ring Podcast move up the rankings. 

If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 

Borrowed Page American Whiskey

• Borrowed Page American Whiskey Website

Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages

• https://impexbev.com

Thanks to our Sponsor, Scotch Malt Whisky Society

• SMWS Website

We're finally back to whiskey, I promise!

This is a classic episode - a distillery making single malt in the corn capital of the US. Don't worry, they make a damn good bourbon, too, but my first taste of Cedar Ridge was a single barrel of their single malt picked by Lost Lantern. 

I'm joined by head distiller and Scotch-lover Murphy Quint, who has led the distillery's operations except for a stint at Stranahan's. We chatted about adding a distillery onto a winery, making their whiskey stand out, and most importantly what the Quints want their legacy to be. 

_________________

Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:

The first WRP barrel pick is coming! I'm heading to Tennessee to pick two barrels - that's right, two! - of Jack Daniel's Barrel Proof Rye. Join the Patreon now for early access to the barrels!

If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so! Only 4 Spots Remain in the Barrel Club.

• The $5 tier has access to the Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk whiskey, life, and influencing. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks.

You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up. 

Finally, please do like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening - it really helps the Whiskey Ring Podcast move up the rankings. 

If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 

Thanks for reading! Now here’s Murphy Quint of Cedar Ridge Distillery.

Cedar Ridge Distillery

• Cedar Ridge Distillery Website

Cedar Ridge Distillery Reviews

• Cedar Ridge The Quintessential Signature Blend American Single Malt Review

Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages

• https://impexbev.com

Thanks to our Sponsor, Scotch Malt Whisky Society

• SMWS Website

After a few weeks abroad, we're back in the US, in Kentucky! 

But we're not back to whiskey yet. This week, it's the Brandy Ring Podcast!

Copper & Kings American Brandy Distillery sits in the heart of Louisville's Butchertown neighborhood. In a relatively small space, they manage to use shipping containers, a wide-open events space/patio, and a beautiful wall of windows that can open in good weather right in front of their copper pot stills. 

Brandy just might be the oldest spirit in America, if not the world. And if you think Kentucky is just for whiskey, think again. Whether it's from grapes, apples, pears, or some other fruit they're trying for fun, C&K is pumping out world-class brandy in the left ventricle of the bourbon world. 

They were doing sonic aging before Blackened (click here to subscribe to their daily playlists!). Their stills are named for women in Bob Dylan songs. 

They're not afraid to play with casks (they call themselves barrel sluts) or with finishes, and the bottle-your-own experience where I got a heritage cider apple brandy is not to be missed (nor is their restaurant). Also don't sleep on a 130 proof 4YO absinthe that is *chef's kiss*. 

Enjoy this episode all about brandy with distiller Brandon O'Daniel!

_________________

Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:

If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so! Only 4 Spots Remain in the Barrel Club.

• The $5 tier has access to the Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk whiskey, life, and influencing. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks.

You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up. 

Finally, please do like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening - it really helps the Whiskey Ring Podcast move up the rankings. 

If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 

Thanks for reading! Now here’s Brandon O'Daniel of Copper & Kings Distillery.

Copper & Kings Distillery

• Copper & Kings Distillery Website

Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages

• https://impexbev.com

Thanks to our Sponsor, Scotch Malt Whisky Society

• SMWS Website

Finland, Norway, and now Iceland - we're working our way back to this side of the pond, but not before visiting one of the most unique distilleries (and products) I've ever come across. 

Eimverk Distillery is also known unofficially as Floki Distillery, named for the eponymous single malts that showcase both Icelandic barley and an Icelandic smoking tradition that can sound like a gimmick until you learn more. 

I'm here to tell you: yes, I tried the Floki Sheep Dung Smoked Single Malt, and no, it's not a gimmick (it also doesn't taste like dung, thankfully). There will be more in the review, but suffice to say here that it relies on a centuries-old smoking/preserving tradition in Iceland and is 100% authentic. 

Eimverk prides itself on being eco-friendly, using biofuels whenever possible and harnessing the immense geothermal heat beneath the island. They also have easily one of the most intense barley flavors I've had. It forces you to recognize that this is different, that this barley has survived harsh conditions and come out stronger for it. 

This is seriously good whisky, folks, and deserves your attention. Thank you to Eva-Maria for a fantastic conversation about all things Iceland. 

_________________

Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:

If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so! Only 4 Spots Remain in the Barrel Club.

• The $5 tier has access to the Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk whiskey, life, and influencing. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks.

You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up. 

Finally, please do like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening - it really helps the Whiskey Ring Podcast move up the rankings. 

If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 

Thanks for reading! Now here’s Eva-María Sigurbjörnsdóttir of Eimverk Distillery.

Eimverk Distillery

• Eimverk Distillery Website

Eimverk Distillery Reviews

• Eimverk Distillery Floki Single Malt Review

Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages

• https://impexbev.com

Thanks to our Sponsor, Scotch Malt Whisky Society

• SMWS Website

A week after visiting Finland, we're staying in the Nordic countries - kind of. 

Emily Vikre's family comes from Norway. There were always aquavit and hearty meals to be had. But when it came time to do something with that heritage - something that had nothing to do with her PhD in food policy and behavioral theory - she came home to Duluth to found Vikre Distillery. 

Yes, they're making whiskey, but this episode is whiskey-lite. Instead, I wanted to take the time to delve into the Scandinavian origins of aquavit, the caraway style favored in Denmark with which I've fallen in love, and how Vikre fits in the rising wave of Nordic cuisine. 

Emily, of course, has thought about all of this already. I love doing research for these episodes so I'm as prepared as possible - Emily came just as prepared as I did, armed with generations of knowledge, a 17-course feast in her rearview, and a true understanding of where Vikre is, where she wants it to be, and what its identity is. This may be a shorter episode than usual, but believe me I felt as elatedly exhausted as I do after a two-hour one. That's the sign of a great guest. 

I can't wait to have her back on. Thanks Emily!

_________________

Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:

If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so! Only 5 Spots Remain in the Barrel Club.

• The $5 tier has access to the Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk whiskey, life, and influencing. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks.

You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up. 

Finally, please do like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening - it really helps the Whiskey Ring Podcast move up the rankings. 

If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 

Thanks for reading! Now here’s Emily Vikre, Founder (with husband Joel!) of Vikre Distillery.

Vikre Distillery

• Vikre Distillery Website

Vikre Distillery Reviews

• Vikre Distillery Øvrevann Aquavit Review (Coming soon!)

Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages

• https://impexbev.com

Thanks to our Sponsor, Scotch Malt Whisky Society

• SMWS Website