WhiskyCast Episodes

Big Changes for Wyoming Whiskey (Episode 1008: June 11, 2023)

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Wyoming Whiskey marked its 10th anniversary last December, and this April, Edrington took majority ownership of the Cowboy State’s first distillery. That ended the run of David DeFazio as Wyoming Whiskey’s president, but he remains the brand’s global ambassador and a part-owner of the distillery. We’ll talk with him about the changes since then, along with what the future holds, both for him and the brand. We’ll also catch up with Wyoming Whiskey’s first master distiller, Bourbon Hall of Famer Steve Nally and master blender Nancy Fraley on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth, too. In the news, the drinks industry is Read More »

Old Pulteney Shutting Down for 8 Weeks to Protect Water Supply (Episode 1007: June 4, 2023)

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With some parts of Scotland facing another long, dry summer, distilleries are making plans to cope with expected water shortages from the lochs and rivers that provide essential water for distilling. Wick’s Old Pulteney Distillery has already announced plans to shut down production for eight weeks this summer after losing much of the last two summers to drought. We’ll talk with distillery manager Malcolm Waring on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Balmenach Distillery has received a £4 million upgrade to make the distillery more energy-efficient, a bottle of the rare 81-year-old The Reach from The Macallan is up Read More »

Another New Distillery for Campbeltown (Episode 1006: May 28, 2023)

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At one time, Campbeltown was Scotland’s whisky capital with more than 35 distilleries. That number dwindled to just three over the years, but now, planning approval is being sought for up to three new distilleries. The latest project is the Witchburn Distillery to be built on the former RAF Macrihanish site, and we’ll talk with project manager and master distiller Andrew Nairn on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. We’ll also hear from Beam Suntory’s Daryl Haldane following the auction Friday of a one-of-a-kind Bowmore single malt to raise money for projects on Islay. In the news, Stirling Council has rejected plans Read More »

Celebrating World Whisky Day (Episode 1005: May 21, 2023)

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Whisky lovers around the world celebrated World Whisky Day Saturday. The holiday was created a dozen years ago by whisky writer and consultant Blair Bowman, and we’ll check in with him on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. He’s been involved in several major controversies affecting the Scotch Whisky industry, from protesting the planned Deposit Return Scheme now scheduled to take effect next March to fighting a proposed series of marketing and advertising restrictions for whiskies and other alcoholic beverages. In the news, we’ll have an update on new whiskies released for World Whisky Day, while the owners of Justins’ House of Read More »

A New Era for Blended American Whisky (Episode 1004: May 14, 2023)

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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 »

“Bourbon Capital of the World” Hits the Brakes on New Whiskey-Related Projects (Episode 1003: May 7, 2023)

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Bourbon’s construction boom in Central Kentucky is raising concerns in Nelson County, home to Bardstown, the “Bourbon Capital of the World.” County officials have reached a compromise with whiskey makers for a 90-day moratorium on planning approval for new warehouses in agricultural zones. Nelson County Judge Executive Tim Hutchins wants a review of current ordinances allowing virtually unfettered development of warehouses without public input, while allowing projects in areas zoned for industrial use to move forward. We’ll talk with Judge Hutchins on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth about the moratorium and the impact of losing millions of dollars in barrel tax Read More »

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