In Part 2 of our series on Irish Whiskeys, we'll hear from Bushmills master distiller Colum Egan. Colum was under pressure to come up with a special whiskey to celebrate the 400th anniversary of distilling in the area around Bushmills, and he met the challenge with Bushmills 1608. We'll also look at Knappogue Castle and Clontarf with Kelley Spillane of Castle Brands, who predicts a new distillery will be built in Ireland in the next few years because of the worldwide demand for Irish whiskey. In the news, Alastair's no Darling as far as whisky distillers are concerned, someone pinches a rare malt from Gordon & MacPhail, and Harlen Wheatley of Buffalo Trace is back from his laboratory lair with something special.

With St. Patrick's Day just around the horizon, it's time for Part 1 of a 2-part series on Irish whiskies, In this episode, we'll hear from the Master of Whiskey Science at Irish Distillers' Middleton Distillery, David Quinn. He'll explain the basic difference that makes Irish whiskies unique, and tell us about the new Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve. In the news, distilling veteran Stuart Nickerson unveils the plans to revive the mothballed Glenglassaugh Distillery, and we'll hear about two new Balvenie limited editions...and why drinking whisky can save the Earth.

Dominic Roskrow is the former editor of Whisky Magazine, and he's written a new book on whiskies from around the world. "From Confused to Connoisseur" is designed for the novice, and includes distillery details, tasting notes, and Dominic's 50 favorite whiskies. We'll get a preview from Dominic in this episode...in the news, Whisky Magazine's Icons of Whisky award-winners are announced...the first -- and only -- Kininvie single malt will be available at London's Heathrow Airport, a new Singleton of Glen Ord is headed for retailers, and a look at this past week's Kosher Whisky Festival in New York City.

There's a new generation of whisky makers coming into their own, and we'll hear from one of them in this episode. Iain McCallum told us about the Black Bowmore in Episode 131, and now he shares his story of nearly half a lifetime at Morrison Bowmore. Of course, he's only 32! In the news, Ardmore Traditional comes to the US, the Classic Malts Cruise is looking for a few good sailors, and the winners of this year's Drammie Awards have been announced.

The new issue of Malt Advocate magazine is out, and the cover story focuses on cask ownership programs. We'll talk with writer Jonny McCormick, who has a cask of his own aging at Bruichladdich. In the news, you'll be able to get Bushmills for a fiver in Ireland...at least a fiver with Bushmills on it, Clontarf gets new packaging honoring its own place in Irish history, and the tax man may have something to say about UK whisky prices soon.

The Black Bowmore is one of Islay's legendary whiskies, and sells for thousands of dollars...when you can find it. Now, Bowmore is releasing a new Black Bowmore, and it's not a copy. It's the same as the original, just a few years older. We'll get the details from Bowmore blender Iain McCallum, and I'll share my tasting notes on this amazing whisky. In the news, changes are coming at Whyte and MacKay, a mothballed distillery in Kentucky is coming back to life, and honors for Gordon and MacPhail and George Washington's Distillery.

With Valentine's Day almost here, thoughts of chocolate will certainly be on the minds of some whisky lovers...whether it's for themselves or for that special person. We'll get some tips on pairing whiskies with chocolates from Sage Friedman of Chocolat Michel Kluizel in New York City. In the news, Irish distillers go to court over a Russian whiskey deal, The Glenrothes releases a new vintage, Duncan Taylor adds a new version of Auld Reekie, and if the Mutter Bowmore isn't the world's oldest whisky...a bottle in a New Zealand museum just might be.

There's always at least two sides to a story, and in the case of the "Mutter Bowmore" controversy, there are many more. This time around, we'll get the third side of the story behind the bottle of Bowmore said to be from 1851 that was auctioned at McTears in Glasgow last month. Glen Moore of Morrison Bowmore tried to win the auction for the distillery, and refutes rumors that the so-called "Russian collector" who won the bottle doesn't exist. In the news, a new An Cnoc, a headless Johnnie Walker, and answers to some of your whisky questions.

It's time to celebrate Burns Night this week! Whisky lovers around the world will honor the bard of Scotland, the legendary Robert Burns, on the 249th anniversary of his birth January 25th. In what's becoming an annual tradition, we'll take a look at Burns' life and his works on this episode. Joann Gilmartin performs Burns' songs and poetry, as well as teaching young people about those works, and she'll share her love of Burns with us. In the news, modern-day gaugers break up a bootlegging operation in the Black Country, a new Laphroaig is duty-free bound, and Diageo apologizes for stuffing the ballot box in this year's Drammies.

This time around, we'll get the other side of the debate over the rare Bowmore that sold for more than $50,000 at McTear's in Glasgow last month, despite questions over its exact age. Martin Green is the whisky consultant for McTear's, and was responsible for verifying its provenance. Martin states his case in this episode. In the news, Bowmore's releasing a new Black Bowmore -- and giving one away in a web contest...a new chairman for the Scotch Whisky Association, and details on a special deal for WhiskyCast listeners!