WhiskyCast

Internet whisky forums are buzzing with rumors about the fate of The Balvenie Founder's Reserve, and we'll have the answer to those rumors directly from The Balvenie's global brand manager, Jens Tholstrup! Also, a facelift and new name for Jim Beam Brands, a top Diageo executive announces his plans to leave the company, and the answer to a whisky newcomer's question about Johnnie Walker Swing...all on this episode of WhiskyCast!

Plenty of new developments to talk about in this episode...new leadership in place at the Scotch Whisky Association, Johnnie Walker honored in an unusual way, Sazerac Rye Whisky returns to New Orleans just in time for Mardi Gras, and Bruichladdich's Mark Reynier gives us an in-depth look at the Burns Night distillation of an unusually rare whisky. Plus...is that Bruichladdich 10-year-old whisky really 10 years old? Yes...and then some!

It's time to celebrate one of Scotland's legends...the poet Robert Burns. While Burns Night is associated with Scotch Whisky, only one distillery is allowed to use Burns' name and image on its whiskies. We'll talk about the Robert Burns whiskies with Douglas Davidson of Arran Distillery in Ayrshire. Also, an update from Whisky Magazine's Dominic Roskrow on the new issue of Whisky Magazine, new releases from Kentucky and Scotland, and the events calendar.

We'll span the world in this episode, and hear the story of a Kentucky lawyer who took his great-great-grandfather's whiskey formula and turned it into a modern classic. Tom Bulleit explains the legend behind his Bulleit Frontier Bourbon Whiskey. In the news, bidding has opened for one of two special bottles of Whisky Magazine's Speyside vatting to combat hunger and poverty, Bruichladdich brings back an ancient classic for Burns Night, and another pronunciation lesson...all on this episode of WhiskyCast!

Bowmore's new visitors center will open later this year, and one of the key exhibits will be something most distilleries can only dream of: a nearly-complete collection of every Bowmore expression ever produced! We'll get the details from Bowmore's Glen Moore, along with a bad break for frequent fliers, a new whisky forum on the Web, and classes open soon at the Woodford Reserve Bourbon Academy. Oh, and we finally have the correct pronunciation of "Groningen" once and for all!

Everyone makes mistakes, and on this episode, we'll look back at the controversy over how I botched the pronounciation of a certain city in the Netherlands, as well as a tongue-in-cheek look at the unique pronunciations you'll find in Scotland. There's also a news update and a complete events calendar. Also, thanks to WhiskyCast listener Jeof Vita for creating a new logo for the show!

Feel like a vacation? We'll take a look at planning the perfect whisky vacation with Caroline Dewar of Distillery Destinations. In the news update, Glen Garioch's preparing to welcome guests to its new vistors center, Glasgow is gearing up for the Festival of Whisky later this month, and John Hansell's putting the final touches on the new edition of Malt Advocate Magazine. Finally, how would you pronounce "Groningen" on your first try. Apparently, I didn't get it quite right in the last episode.

It's a new year, and WhiskyCast is back at the bar with a complete roundup of whisky news and a packed event calendar for the first three months of the year. Whisky Magazine editor Dominic Roskrow unveils a big surprise for Whisky Live New York in April, and we'll swing on the Spice Tree with John Glaser of Compass Box.

It's the holiday season, and the final WhiskyCast episode for 2005 focuses on the marriage between whisky and food. Forget about wine and cheese...John Glaser of Compass Box says whisky and cheese makes a better combination. Woodford Reserve executive chef David Larson treats fine whiskies like varietal wines, and uses bourbon in almost everything he cooks. There are also a couple of whisky recipes available at the WhiskyCast web site -- www.whiskycast.com! Happy Holidays!

Issue #52 of Whisky Magazine is out, and we'll get an update from editor Dominic Roskrow on what you'll find inside. Also, it's not too soon to make your travel plans for the spring. Riannon Walsh gives us a preview of the Whiskies of the World Expo coming up in San Francisco in late March. She's also been busy working on a new project...a nosing glass that could put Riedels to shame!