Whisky Buzz

Bry Simpson, the Brand Ambassador for Ardbeg and Glenmorangie, joins Jame and Mark on the podcast. We talk about Bry’s origin story, we debate which distillery released double cask maturation first, and drink plenty of delicious whiskies!

Mark Bylok interviews Dr. Don Livermore, Master Blender of Hiram-Walker Distillery. We introduce the Northern Border Collection Rare Release of 2018, including Lot No. 40 Cask Strength, Gooderham & Worts Eleven Souls, J.P. Wiser’s 35, and Pikes Creek 21 Year Old! We geek out over the Canadian flavour wheel, and how Dr. Don is using the flavour wheel to tailor blends of whisky.

In the early days, Raymond Davidson ordered his whisky in a wine glass when drinking at the bar. Already being in the crystal business, he had enough of this, and created what we now know as the iconic Glencairn Glass. It wasn’t until his son Paul found the glass, that this was turned into a product primarily intended for whisky trades-people. While when originally released (back in 2001), it was intended for trades people, it’s the glass many consumers use to enjoy their whisky.

FEW Spirits is a grain to grass distillery founded by Paul Hletko located in Evanston Illinois, the birthplace of prohibition. Located just outside of Chicago, FEW produces ryes, bourbons, and gin! Paul Hletko takes us through the history of the distillery, the town, and the range of the whisky. Recorded in New Orleans, during Tales of the Cocktail!

We visit the Eagle Rare Lab, newly opened, where Master Blender Drew Mayville builds some of the best bourbon and ryes coming out of Kentucky from Buffalo Trace Distillery. Drew takes us through the new lab, and we do a tasting of whisky (of course!). We discuss the essence of George T. Stagg Bourbon, the story behind Taylor Four Grain, and explore a brand new expression from Weller as chosen by Buffalo Trace fans!

Brett Ferencz combined his passion around whisky, Star Wars and photography to take a hobby into a full-time job. His account took a hiatus when a complaint was filed against Brett and the brands he worked with, in around using Star Wars figurines to promote whisky products (the complaint is unrelated to the Star Wars franchise). Brett tells us about his tribulations, and his return to whisky photography!

Fred Minnick joins the podcast to talk about the history of trade wars, including the most recent bourbon tariffs enacted against Bourbon. We also talk about Fred Minnick’s latest book on mead, writing, and a special bottling of Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel.

Matt Jones and Ray Daniel of Beam Suntory join the podcast to talk about Kentucky, Scotland, and Japanese whisky! Matt Jones recently took on the global whisky brand ambassador role for Beam Suntory in Canada, and Ran Daniel joins the bourbon portfolio that Matt Jones used to represent. We talk whisky:

Note: Apologies for some of the audio issues. I (Mark) didn’t notice a mic wasn’t working.

Tales of the Cocktail is under new ownership! Director, Caroline Rosen, joins us to talk about the cocktail conference for 2018 returning to its home in New Orleans! We talk about events, parties, seminars, and the cocktails we drink. The podcast, though, starts with a state-of-the-union for the podcast where we introduce Bryan Goman to the team.

Mark Bylok is joined by Crown Royal's North American Brand Ambassador, Stephen Wilson, and Crown Royal's Master Blender, Mark Balkenende. Crown Royal Bourbon Mash has taken on controversial note when using the term "bourbon" in a Canadian whisky. We cover the reasons why. Plus, Mark gets surprised by pour of a special whisky!