Whisky in China: Exploring Hai Seas Distillery and the Modern Chinese Whisky Scene

Join us as we journey through Shanghai's vibrant whisky culture, visit the innovative Hai Seas Distillery, and discover how Chinese tradition and modern techniques blend in this emerging whisky landscape. This episode dives into distillery stories, local drinking culture, and the challenges and triumphs of crafting whisky in China.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to whisky scene in China and Shanghai’s whisky shops
01:19 - Price comparisons and bar experiences in Shanghai
02:46 - Tour of Hai Seas Distillery with founders Brian and Dan
04:55 - Explanation of the distillery’s barrel collaboration using French, American, and Chinese oak
06:10 - Significance of the name "Hai Seas" and cultural symbolism
07:00 - The logo design and inspiration from Chinese history and exploration
08:17 - The unique three-wood barrels and flavour experimentation
09:21 - Winning awards and the distillery’s experimental cask strengths
10:07 - The science behind whisky proof levels and tasting techniques
11:37 - The sensory experience of whisky tasting and the value of distillery visits
12:39 - Challenges of establishing a distillery in Shanghai’s regulatory landscape
13:54 - Exploring Chinese oak (Quercus mongolica) and its impact on flavour
15:04 - Founders’ favourite whiskies and exciting milestones in their journey

Resources & Links:

• Hai Seas Distillery Official Website https://hai-seas.com/
• Hai Seas Distillery Instagram @haiseasdistillery
• Quercus mongolica (Mongolian oak) information

Enjoy this deep dive into China’s whisky innovation and the spirit of exploration embodied by Hai Seas. Cheers!

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#whisky #whiskypodcast #podcast #shanghai #china #EmergingWhisky #WhiskyTravel #travel #ShanghaiLife #ChinaTravel

Journey to Lindores Abbey, the birthplace of recorded Scotch whisky (1494), and uncover the overlooked role women played in early distillation—before witch trials turned their craft into “evidence.” We explore Friar John Cor’s famous entry, the rise of male guilds, and taste three modern drams with Lorena from Lindores Abbey Distillery.

Featuring tastings of: 

LINDORES SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY MCDXCIV (1494)

LINDORES THIRON 2025

LINDORES FRIAR JOHN COR ‘THE CASK STRENGTH CONGREGATION’ – CHAPTER III

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to Whisky Angels at Lindores Abbey

00:25 Women, alembics, and the domestic roots of distillation

01:55 Guilds, royal privileges, and the witch-trial crackdown

03:05 1494: Friar John Cor and the first Scotch on record

04:52 Meet Lorena at Lindores Abbey Distillery

05:40 Tasting 1: 1494 (MCDXCIV) – Bourbon, STR, Oloroso

07:05 Lindores character: creamy, silky, citrus-vanilla notes

08:20 Abbey emblem and origin story

09:20 Tasting 2: Thiron Oak – roots entwined, 49.4%

10:40 Flavor profile: rich warmth, winter dram vibes

11:25 Family-run touches: named stills and washbacks

12:30 Tasting 3: Friar John Cor Chapter 3 – bourbon + PX/Amontillado

13:50 Sherry layers, cask strength, long finish

15:10 Staying true to history while innovating

16:10 Archaeology on-site and closing toast

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#WhiskyAngels #LindoresAbbey #ScotchWhisky #WomenInHistory #WomenDistillers #WitchTrials #AquaVitae #Fife #ScottishHistory ##WhiskyTasting #Distillation #WhiskyNerds #Slainte #Scotland #Podcast

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Welcome back to WhiskyAngelz, where we pour a dram of knowledge and a splash of irreverence into your day! 

In this episode of WhiskyAngelz, host Max welcomes Natalie Jayne Clark, author of The Malt Whisky Murders. 

Natalie shares her journey from a whisky novice to a whisky ambassador and author. The conversation explores her debut novel, set in Campbelltown, where two women take on the whisky industry, only to uncover a dark secret. Natalie discusses her experiences in the whisky world, the role of women in the industry, and the importance of whisky pairings. The episode offers a blend of humour, insight, and a deep dive into the world of whisky, making it a must-listen for whisky enthusiasts and crime fiction fans alike. A huge thank you to Lindores Abbey Distillery for letting us film there on location. Featuring dram: Dalwhinnies Winter's Gold!

00:00:00 Introduction to WhiskyAngelz
00:01:00 Meet Natalie Jayne Clark
00:03:00 Natalie's First Whisky Experience
00:05:00 The Malt Whisky Murders
00:08:00 Women in the Whisky Industry
00:11:00 Natalie's Journey to Authorship
00:14:00 Whisky Tasting and Pairing

#whiskylover #whisky  #TheMaltWhiskyMurders #Campbelltown #womeninwhisky #fiction #newrelease #books #authors #podcast #whiskytasting #crimefiction #murdermystery

Key Takeaways
Natalie's first whisky experience was at a pub instead of university.
The Malt Whisky Murders is set in Campbelltown, a former whisky capital.
Natalie became a whisky ambassador through a UK accredited course.
Whisky tasting is more freelance compared to wine tasting.
Natalie believes whisky should be paired with experiences.
The novel features a female-led distillery disrupting the industry.
Natalie discusses the role of women in the whisky industry.
Whisky is often seen as masculine, but women are significant consumers.
Natalie shares her journey from English teacher to author.
The book was pitched at Bloody Scotland festival and quickly secured a deal.

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Join host Max in this exciting episode of WhiskyAngelz as he visits the Kavalan Distillery in Taiwan. Delve into the unique story behind this remarkable distillery, its innovative production methods, and the distinct qualities of its award-winning whisky.

In conversation with David Chen, a representative from Kavalan, we explore:

• The rich history of Kavalan and its vision for 100% Taiwanese single malt whisky.
• The significance of local water sources and how Taiwan's climate influences the whisky maturation process.
• Kavalan's impressive global reach, with over 900 gold medals won in international competitions.
• The innovative DIY whisky blending experience available at the distillery.

Throughout the episode, we taste various expressions of Kavalan whisky, showcasing their unique flavours and the distillery's unwavering commitment to quality.

Key Takeaways:

• Kavalan has been crafting whisky for nearly 20 years.
• The Lee family's dream of creating a premier Taiwanese single malt became a reality post-WTO entry in 2002.
• Kavalan uses pure, mineral-rich water from the Yilan region.
• The distillery produces 10 million bottles annually, primarily for export.
• Kavalan's maturation process is accelerated by Taiwan's climate.

Sound Bites:

• "Kavalan is special. It's special to me."
• "We make 10 million bottles every year."
• "We have collected more than 900 gold medals."

#whisky #whiskey #Kavalan #Taiwan #whiskyblending #podcast #whiskylover #whiskycommunity #whiskytasting

Chapters:
00:00 Welcome to Kavalan Distillery
00:46 The Story of Kavalan
02:23 Unique Qualities of Kavalan Whisky
04:26 The Importance of Water in Whisky Production
05:23 Production Scale and Global Reach
06:54 Awards and Recognition
08:53 Maturation Process in Taiwan's Climate
11:34 Core Whisky Expressions
12:04 Tasting Kavalan's Unique Flavours
15:42 Exploring Special Expressions
17:52 The Role of Peat in Kavalan Whisky
19:57 DIY Whisky Blending Experience
29:54 The Future of Kavalan and Whisky Trends

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In this WhiskyAngelz special episode, Max explores the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, focusing on the unique show 'Whisky and Witches.' The creators, Christine and Jane, share their journey of how the show came to be, highlighting the intersection of whisky culture, folklore, and the empowerment of women in the whisky industry. They discuss the immersive experience of the show, which combines music, storytelling, and dark comedy to educate audiences about the historical context of women in whisky and witchcraft.

Edinburgh Fringe, Whisky, Women in Whisky, Whisky and Witches, Folklore, Musical Theatre, Immersive Experience, Whisky Culture, Dark Comedy, Women Empowerment

Book tickets via https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/whisky-and-witches
@whiskyandwitches
 @Christine.Kammerer  
@the.mother.superior.bar

Chapters
00:00 Exploring the Edinburgh Fringe and Whisky Culture
02:56 The Birth of Whisky and Witches
05:58 The Show's Concept and Themes
09:04 Music and Storytelling in the Show
12:00 Closing Thoughts and Future Performances

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In this WhiskyAngelz special episode, we abandon the studio for the glorious bedlam of the Edinburgh Fringe—armed with nothing but a microphone, tall tales, and a questionable sense of direction. Max explores the vibrant world of whisky at the Edinburgh Fringe with Ben Hunter, who runs the Whisky Folklore show. They discuss the evolution of whisky tours, favourite whisky selections (Old Pulteney, Glenlivet, and more), and the unique experience of whisky tastings in a cozy venue, and share stories so absurd even the Hulk would blush. Pour a dram, sit back, and embrace the madness—because at WhiskyAngelz, disaster is always on the menu.

whisky, Edinburgh Fringe, whiskey folklore, whisky tours, whisky tasting, Old Pulteney, Glenlivet, Islay whisky, whisky history

Book tickets via https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/whisky-and-folklore

@littlefishtours

Chapters

00:00 Whisky and Folklore at the Edinburgh Fringe

05:53 Exploring Favourite Whiskies

08:52 The Venue and Experience of Whisky Tastings

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Bowmore 12 year old sets the stage as our reference dram in this episode of WhiskyAngelz, Cask Strength Chaos. Join Max for a dive into what makes a reference whisky essential for our podcast – from comparing new bottlings to building your own taste vocabulary. Special guest André de Almeida (Inside the Cask blog) joins the fun to explore the wild world of fictional whiskies in movies and television, from GlenGoolie in Archer to liquid legends that leap off the screen and into pop culture. Expect playful whisk(e)y banter, a mini Islay history lesson, and fresh takes on how drinking culture and cinema collide. Don’t forget to subscribe and catch full episodes via the links below!

Huge thanks to André from http://insidethecask.com for sharing his knowledge and chat!

Chapter Marks:
00:00 – Introduction to WhiskyAngelz & Podcast Ethos
01:20 – What’s a Reference Whisky?
02:00 – Bowmore & the Islay Setting
04:41 – Bowmore 12 YO Tasting
09:33 – Interview: André Della Media on Fictional Film Whiskies
13:50 – Wrapping Up & More Resources

#WhiskyAngelz #Bowmore12YO #WhiskyPodcast #IslayWhisky #Scotch #FilmWhisky #PopCulture #InsideTheCask #WhiskyCommunity #CaskStrengthChaos #Podcast

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Tune into WhiskyAngelz: Cask Strength Chaos for a wild ride through Scotland's whisky culture. Max and Ann Miller, the Dram Queen, explore the magic of whisky festivals, the unsung heroines of whisky, and the evolution from illicit stills to global icons. With tales of gunpowder proofing, smuggling adventures, and the importance of casks, this episode is a blend of history, hilarity, and high-proof spirits. Ann shares her desert island dram, and we discuss the recent tariff news with India. It's a dram-filled adventure you don't want to miss. Available on all major platforms. Sláinte!

Huge thanks to Ann @dramqueenann for sharing his expertise—check out ⁠her website www.dramqueen.co.uk for more information on whisky fun, festival and events.

Buy Desert Island Dram Aberlour A'Bunadh (Affiliate Link): https://amzn.to/4ktF9lj

00:00 Introduction
00:40 Ann Miller The Dram Queen
05:08 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival ands festival tips
15:04 Women in Whisky
20:02 Early years of whisky and gunpowder!
26:38 Desert Island Dram
29:23 Whisky Education  

Listen and Watch the full podcast: https://linktr.ee/whiskyangelz

whisky, whiskey, cask, scotland, scotch, Podcast, WhiskyTasting, Spirits, Bourbon, Scotch, WhiskyCulture, Distilling, WhiskyReviews, WhiskyNews, WhiskyCommunity, DrinkResponsibly, WhiskyLovers, WhiskyEducation

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🥃🌴 Brazilian whisky? Of course it’s a thing—and it’s spectacular. This week on WhiskyAngelz: Cask Strength Chaos, we’re joined by the wonderful André de Almeida from Inside the Cask Blog to explore Brazil’s booming whisky scene.


From Union Distillery’s 16-year-old single malt to Lunatic Asylum’s bold experiments, Brazil is proving it’s more than beaches and cachaça. With tropical Angel’s Share, rich flavours, and a dash of chaos, it’s no wonder Brazil is a key player in the whisky world.


Huge thanks to André for sharing his expertise—check out ⁠Inside the Cask Blog⁠ for more whisky magic! 🎧 Listen now on all major platforms or watch on YouTube/Spotify. Cheers! 🥃

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#drinkresponsibly #WhiskyAngelz #CaskStrengthChaos #BrazilianWhisky #WhiskyPodcast #TropicalDram

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WhiskyAngelz dive into the wild true story of the SS Politician, the shipwreck that sent 22,000 cases of whisky and millions in cash washing up on Scottish shores—and sparked a legendary islander “rescue” operation.

#Whisky #Scotland #WhiskyGalore #SSPolitician #Podcast #History

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