An Exercise in Whisky Blending
Anyone can blend one whisky, but to blend a whisky with long-term consistency between batches takes a true talent. This week, we’ll share an informal… Read More
blending
10 Years In…And a Lot More Left to Learn
Ann Marshall and Scott Blackwell founded High Wire Distilling in Charleston, South Carolina 10 years ago this week. They started out with no distilling experience,… Read More
A New Era for Blended American Whisky (Episode 1004: May 14, 2023)
Blended American Whisky has been ignored by connoisseurs for many years, largely because the category has been dominated by cheap blends using grain neutral spirits. Now, there’s a new era for Blended American Whisky as blenders explore the flexibility the category offers, from being able to blend Bourbons and Ryes with other styles of whisky to being able to use whisky matured in used barrels. We’ll talk with master blender Ari Sussman about the trend in this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Australian distillers are in a dispute over what should be called a “single malt,” Russian officials raid Read More »
Myths & Misconceptions
February 19, 2023 – There are a lot of myths and misconceptions surrounding whisky, and every so often, we need to puncture those myths and shed some light on the facts… For instance, the common perception is that if a whiskey is labeled as “straight,” then it can’t have any coloring or flavoring materials added. This is where things get tricky…straight Bourbons, straight malt, straight rye, straight wheat, straight corn, and straight rye malt can’t have any coloring or flavorings added to them… However, according to the TTB’s Beverage Alcohol Manual, “blended” versions of those whiskies (such as “a blend of Read More »