Unpoured Perspectives

Your brain on whisky! Unpoured Perspectives was lucky enough to visit Gretzky Estates for the release of their new Ginger Beer Cask Rye. We were lucky enough to get a tour of the facilities from Mark Evangelista (Blending & Maturation Lead), and then, we got to interview Mark and the new head of both Spirits and Wine, Jason Roller. The tour will be part 2, even though we technically did the tour first. And of course for Canada Corner we have the Ginger Beer Cask Rye. There are lots of exciting things planned at Gretzky Estates, including a couple that we got to try on the tour. 

@gretzkyestates | https://waynegretzkyestates.com 
Bobby Laevons | @dramsanddrips
Joel Bacchus | @scratchnscotch
Kevin Donde |  @spiritforus  | https://spiritforus.ca

00:00 - Intro
00:12 - Recooping barrels
03:16 - Blending Room
04:25 - Blending in progress
05:22 - 8 year-old Rye Toasted Barrel
09:04 - 7 year old Barley Virgin Oak
13:31 - Outro

Your brain on whisky! Unpoured Perspectives was lucky enough to visit Gretzky Estates for the release of their new Ginger Beer Cask Rye. We were lucky enough to get a tour of the facilities from Mark Evangelista (Blending & Maturation Lead), and then, we got to interview Mark and the new head of both Spirits and Wine, Jason Roller. The tour will be part 2, even though we technically did the tour first. And of course for Canada Corner we have the Ginger Beer Cask Rye. There are lots of exciting things planned at Gretzky Estates, including a couple that we got to try on the tour.

@gretzkyestates | https://waynegretzkyestates.com |
Bobby Laevons | @dramsanddrips
Joel Bacchus | @scratchnscotch
Kevin Donde |  @spiritforus | https://spiritforus.ca

00:00 - Your mind on whisky
00:27 - What are we drinking
00:49 - How have things changed for you?
01:34 - Sweet/Fire water
02:20 - Easter Eggs
03:06 - Good whisky?
03:47 - Signature/Craftsmanship series continuation
04:27 - Canada Corner
06:15 - From wine to whisky
08:13 - Favourite child?
10:07 - What are you drinking at home?
11:32 - Ian Buxton quote
14:09 - Craft or Commercial?
16:37 - Recipe
17:51 - One question each?
21:04 - Favourite Beverage
22:04 - Beer Program?
22:49 - Answer one, leave one
28:04 - Where can we find you?

Welcome to Unpoured Perspectives. In this episode, we interview Denver Cramer from Denver and Liely. "For Love Not Money" does have a bit of a James Bond ring to it. Intentional, I promise. Glassware is a favourite topic for spirits enthusiasts, and talking to Denver about his whisky/bourbon/mezcal/beer and wine glasses was a real treat. It was also fun to see everyone one-up each other with the whisky, rum, and tequila they were drinking. We get into his history, current easter eggs and future plans that spirit enthusiasts have to look forward to, as well as a sort of surprise announcement for one lucky contractor. 

https://denverandliely.com | Denver & Liely | @denverandliely

Denver Cramer: @denvercramer
Joel: @scratchnscotch
Bobby: @dramsanddrips
Kevin: @spriritforus

http://spiritforus.ca
https://eauclairedistillery.ca/ | Eauclaire Cask Series Moscatel

Music credit to BoDleasons for Alone

The fate of all glass is to one day break.
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:15 - What's in the glass?
00:04:37 - Whisky Glass
00:05:34 - Denver & Liely
00:13:21 - Performance over aesthetics & style
00:17:33 - Easter Eggs
00:20:55 - Then vs Now
00:25:54 - The Gospel
00:29:34 - Time for a little one up-manship
00:32:50 - High ABV?
00:36:00 - Los Frontieres
00:39:12 - Next dram
00:47:27 - Wine Glass
00:53:04 - Quench Journal
00:57:42 - Drinking environment
01:00:58 - Quote of the Day
01:02:36 - Closing questions
01:14:11 - Canada Corner

In episode 8 we talk with Two-sips Romano the Consigliere of spirits at Baytowne Wine and all the fun they get up to at Baytowne Wine and how they serve Canadians from Rochester New York and more.

Baytowne Skits
https://www.instagram.com/baytownewine/reel/DJ7xhVBuXN4/
https://www.instagram.com/baytownewine/reel/C1heI6SuEhM/
https://www.instagram.com/baytownewine/reel/DFgRg1UhU7n/

Baytowne Skits
https://www.instagram.com/baytownewine/reel/DJ7xhVBuXN4/
https://www.instagram.com/baytownewine/reel/C1heI6SuEhM/
https://www.instagram.com/baytownewine/reel/DFgRg1UhU7n/

Lucas : @lstasting | @baytownewine | https://baytownewine.com/
White Water Distilling Co : @whitewaterdistillingco | https://www.whitewaterspirits.ca/ 
Joel : @scratchnscotch
Bobby : @dramsanddrips
Kevin : @spriritforus

00:00:00 - Start
00:07:34 - History
00:10:41 - Cocktails
00:14:49 - Ravens vs Bills
00:16:16 - Canadian Connections
00:20:37 - What's a Tom Collins Seminar?
00:25:00 - Tea-na-colada
00:27:14 - American market structure
00:38:32 - Raising Glasses
00:40:02 - Renaissance Rum
00:42:41 - New & Exciting
00:48:35 - Balancing popularity vs personal preference
00:57:23 - Label Game
01:05:27 - Last Question
01:09:52 - Canada Corner
01:18:43 - Recent SOS / SFU goings on

This episode of Unpoured Perspectives was recorded on July 23rd 2025. Today, we talk with the man, the myth, the legend... Don Dimonte from Last Straw Distillery. We've spoken about Don and Last Straw many times over our inaugural season so far. In that way, he is somewhat of a legend. Don has helped numerous other distillers and distilleries get started. This week, he released his Southern Ontario Sippers barrel pick of Amber Whisky ($75 - great value for money). While you're there, consider his Stout whisky as another incredible alternative. In a few weeks, for those who have been paying attention, we'll be releasing 4 new products. Head to spiritforus.ca and sign up to stay informed. We also sample his Blended Rye ($32.95) and others.  While we meander along the palates of several whiskies, we also talk through the excellent news for Ontario distillers. Great outlook for the future of distilling in Ontario! 

https://laststrawdistillery.com | Last Straw Distillery

Last Straw Distillery: @laststrawdistill
Joel: @scratchnscotch
Bobby: @dramsanddrips
Kevin: @spriritforus

http://spiritforus.ca

Welcome to Unpoured Perspectives. We have "The Instructor of Alcohol", "The Teacher of Tipples", "The Professor of Canadian Liquid Courage" ... Andrea Fujarczuk. We had so much to talk about that we had to break it up into two episodes. In part two, we start with Canada Corner and talk John Sleeman & Sons/Springmill distillery and so much more ...

https://www.niagaracollege.ca/winebeerspirits/program/artisan-distilling/ | @niagaracollege

Andrea: @cdnwhiskyprof
Joel: @scratchnscotch
Bobby: @dramsanddrips
Kevin: @spriritforus

http://spiritforus.ca

Welcome to Unpoured Perspectives. We have "The Instructor of Alcohol", "The Teacher of Tipples", "The Professor of Canadian Liquid Courage" ... Andrea Fujarczuk. I think this is definitely one of our best episodes. We had so much to talk about we had to break it up into two episodes. In part two we start with Canada Corner and talk John Sleeman & Sons/Springmill distillery and so much more, part two will be up soon ...

https://www.niagaracollege.ca/winebeerspirits/program/artisan-distilling/ | @niagaracollege

Andrea: @cdnwhiskyprof
Joel: @scratchnscotch
Bobby: @dramsanddrips
Kevin: @spriritforus

http://spiritforus.ca

Welcome to Unpoured Perspectives. We have Evan Eckersley from Kensington Wine Market. We have a really great conversation about the state of Canadian Whisky, including how the different Canadian markets work. And in particular, we get into a couple of essential pricing examples. In Canada Corner, we talk about Eau Claire distillery.

https://eauclairedistillery.ca/ | @eauclairecraft
https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/ | @bedfordparkspirits

Evan: @sagelikefool
Joel: @scratchnscotch
Bobby: @dramsanddrips
Kevin: @spriritforus

http://spiritforus.ca
https://laststrawdistillery.com | Get your Spooneys and more.

Welcome to Unpoured Perspectives. Episode 4 is less about perfection and more about Funky and talking whisky. We get into the breadth of the first Bedford Park release. And in Canada Corner we talk Hansen distillery Roughstock.

https://hansendistillery.com | @hansendistillery
https://www.bedfordparkspirits.com | @bedfordparkspirits

Joel: @scratchnscotch
Bobby: @dramsanddrips
Kevin: @spriritforus

http://spiritforus.ca
https://laststrawdistillery.com | Get your Spooneys and more.

Welcome to Unpoured Perspectives. Episode 3 is titled Funk Soul Brothers because we have the incredible high energy Steve and Les from Tabletop Tastings. Unpoured Perspectives is just a few guys following their passion, talking about whisky and other spirits. With our guests we talk whisky, board games and Whisky Wonderland. We also have a new section on the podcast called Canada Corner highlighting some Canadian Distilleries and whiskies.  

https://www.youtube.com/@TabletopTastings 
TT on Instagram: / @tabletoptastings  
Les on Instagram: / @les.tabletoptastings  
Steve on Instagram: / @slicedicedrams  

https://www.whiskywonderland.ca/
https://thewhiskyexplorer.ca/pages/the-winners-the-whisky-explorer-awards

https://menaud.ca/ | @menaud.chx
https://waynegretzkyestates.com | @gretzkyestates
https://www.northof7distillery.ca | @n7distillery

Joel: @scratchnscotch
Bobby: @dramsanddrips
Kevin: @spriritforus

http://spiritforus.ca
Get our new whisky dropping on March 21st at http://laststrawdistillery.com or visit https://www.spiritforus.ca/spooneys for more information.