Ask the Distiller: Ardbeg’s Dr. Bill Lumsden

This week, Ardbeg and Glenmorangie’s Dr. Bill Lumsden joins us to answer your questions posed in the WhiskyCast Community app. The questions ranged from why… Read More

This week, Ardbeg and Glenmorangie’s Dr. Bill Lumsden joins us to answer your questions posed in the WhiskyCast Community app. The questions ranged from why the new Ardbeg 17 is chill-filtered and bottled at 40% ABV to what it was like working with Beyoncé on her new Sir Davis Whiskey. We’ll have Bill’s answers on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Scotch Whisky industry leaders are calling this week’s UK excise tax hike a “betrayal” and a “kick in the teeth” — and we’ll hear from Scotch Whisky Association CEO Mark Kent, who’s also worried about the potential impacts of this week’s US presidential election on tariffs. We’ll also have the rest of the week’s news, tasting notes, and much more. 

Episode 1081: November 3, 2024

Links: Glenmorangie | Ardbeg | Scotch Whisky Association | The Cabrach Distillery | Aultmore Distillery | Buffalo Trace | Crown Royal | Redwood Empire Distillery | Wyoming Whiskey | Westland Distillery | Jeptha Creed Distillery | Holyrood Distillery | Drinks International | Clonakilty | Stauning Distillery

The World’s Most Remote Distillery?

Few places are as remote as the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic, and that makes the Faer Isles Distillery the world’s most remote distillery.… Read More

Few places are as remote as the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic, and that makes the Faer Isles Distillery the world’s most remote distillery. A group of friends founded the distillery several years ago, and have persuaded more than a thousand shareholders to join them via two crowdfunding campaigns. The first Faer Isles whisky is set for release in late 2026, and co-founder Danial Hoydal gives us a preview on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, a coming port strike on the U.S. East Coast could play havoc with whisky shipments for the holidays, and in our Behind the Label segment, we’ll go behind the creation of The Storyman whisky with actor James Cosmo. 

Episode 1076: September 29, 2024

Links: Faer Isles Distillery | Black Bourbon Society | Malts.com | Bimber Distillery | The Glenlivet | Isle of Harris Distillery | Littlemill | Rampur Distillery | Barrell Craft Spirits | Elijah Craig | Larceny Bourbon | Bulleit Bourbon | Wyoming Whiskey | Milam & Greene | Glenfiddich | Dewar’s | Storyman Whisky

Image courtesy Faer Isles Distillery.

Wyoming Whiskey names Brendan Cook as new Master Blender

Cook’s leadership is poised to elevate Wyoming Whiskey in the category, strengthening the brand’s commitment to crafting exceptional spirits that are a true expression of Wyoming’s rugged and pristine landscape.

Wyoming Whiskey names Brendan Cook as new Master Blender

Wyoming’s first legal distillery, Wyoming Whiskey, is proud to welcome Brendan Cook as its new master blender. With an extensive background in Scotch and Canadian whisky, Cook brings a wealth of experience, a refined palate and a passion for the spirit to his new role.

Cook succeeds the esteemed Nancy Fraley as master blender. Since officially joining the Wyoming Whiskey team at the end of 2023, Cook has immersed himself in the whiskey-making process at the distillery in Kirby, Wyoming. His new residence in Kirby has allowed him to implement a year-round sampling procedure and daily cask monitoring, ensuring consistency and quality. This hands-on approach has provided Cook with a deep understanding of what’s happening with the spirit on a daily basis and how Wyoming’s extreme temperature fluctuations and unique maturation environment impact the final spirit. Reflecting on this process, Cook shares, “Being based in Kirby allows me to closely monitor the maturation of our casks week by week, month by month. This proximity allows me to personally evaluate their progress and sample the spirit, which enables us to strategically move casks at just the right time and fine-tune our new blends.” 

Cook’s extensive experience with diverse cask types equips him with a deep understanding of how to amplify and balance the flavors in whiskey. He is eager to apply this expertise to Wyoming Whiskey’s future expressions, with a vision of showcasing the distinct characteristics of Wyoming’s environment in every bottle. Cook’s first completed expression as master blender was Independence Rock, Wyoming Whiskey’s annual Wyoming-exclusive bourbon, released in July 2024. This expression marks the beginning of a new chapter for Wyoming Whiskey, one that will continue to highlight the state’s unique terroir under Cook’s expert guidance.

Cook’s leadership is poised to elevate Wyoming Whiskey in the category, strengthening the brand’s commitment to crafting exceptional spirits that are a true expression of Wyoming’s rugged and pristine landscape.

Crunch Time for Craft Distillers

U.S. craft distillers are facing a crisis, with an average of one distillery shutting down each week over the past year. Inflation and cutbacks in… Read More

U.S. craft distillers are facing a crisis, with an average of one distillery shutting down each week over the past year. Inflation and cutbacks in consumer spending get part of the blame, but there’s also a distribution crisis. Just three companies control the route to market for many craft distillers, and their focus is on high-volume brands as opposed to the low-volume craft distillers. Margie Lehrman of the American Craft Spirits Association is one of the leading advocates for “direct to consumer shipping,” which would allow distilleries to ship their whiskies directly to consumers. The option is only available in 10 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, and wholesalers have vehemently opposed any attempts to expand that number. We’ll talk with Margie Lehrman on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, economic headwinds cut into sales for both Pernod Ricard and Brown-Forman, while Angel’s Envy co-founder Wes Henderson plans to build a $93 million dollar distillery in Kentucky. 

Episode 1072: September 1, 2024

Links: American Craft Spirits Association | Pernod Ricard | Brown-Forman | Lexington Herald-Leader | Connacht Whiskey | Bowmore | The Dalmore | Jura | Glencadam | Parker’s Heritage Collection | Booker’s Bourbon | Little Book | Redemption Whiskey | Wyoming Whiskey | New Riff Distilling | Compass Box | Lost Lantern | Hirsch Whiskeys

Touring the New Heaven Hill Springs Distillery

Heaven Hill’s new $130 million distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky is still about six months away from being finished, but this week on WhiskyCast In-Depth, we’re… Read More

Heaven Hill’s new $130 million distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky is still about six months away from being finished, but this week on WhiskyCast In-Depth, we’re getting a hard-hat preview tour from Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll. We’ll also have details and tasting notes for the new Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Collection of whiskies as well. In the news, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is celebrating 25 years of Bourbon tourism, the owners of Justins’ House of Bourbon have reached a settlement with state regulators, and the International Whisky Competition announces its 2024 winners. 

Episode 1062: June 23, 2024

Links: Heaven Hill | Kentucky Bourbon Trail | Justins’ House of Bourbon | International Whisky Competition | Bonhams Skinner | Jim Beam | Wyoming Whiskey | Cedar Ridge Distillery | Milam & Greene Distillery | Glenglassaugh | Paul John Whisky | PUNI Distillery

Edrington To Sell Noble Oak Bourbon

Six years after launching the Noble Oak Bourbon brand, Edrington has agreed to sell the brand to A21 Wine & Spirits for an undisclosed amount.… Read More

Six years after launching the Noble Oak Bourbon brand, Edrington has agreed to sell the brand to A21 Wine & Spirits for an undisclosed amount. Edrington launched the brand in 2018 for the U.S. market as a way to enter the premium Bourbon category.

Noble Oak started with a “double oaked” Bourbon finished in Sherry casks, and later added a Rye Whiskey to the portfolio, using whiskey sourced from MGP for both expressions. The move is expected to cement Wyoming Whiskey as Edrington’s flagship U.S. whiskey brand.

The brand made its reputation by pledging to plant a tree for every bottle sold, and has accounted for more than 1.2 million plantings in reforestation projects nationwide.

Jack Daniel’s Tequila-Finished Whiskey Tops Week’s New Releases

Jack Daniel’s has released the latest in its Distillery Series line of experimental whiskies, a Tennessee Whiskey finished in añejo tequila barrels that had first… Read More

Jack Daniel’s has released the latest in its Distillery Series line of experimental whiskies, a Tennessee Whiskey finished in añejo tequila barrels that had first been used at Jack Daniel’s before being sent to Mexico. The release was selected by Master Taster Danny Lamb, and is the 11th release in the distillery series. It’s available at the distillery’s White Rabbit Bottle Shop in Lynchburg and select Tennessee retailers with a recommended retail price of $41.99.

Aberfeldy is adding to its Red Wine Cask Collection with a new 18-year-old single malt finished in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wine casks. It’s a cousin to last year’s 15-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon finish, and will be available through the distillery’s web site at first before rolling out in the UK, France, Germany, and the United States with a recommended retail price of £115 per bottle.

Angus Dundee Distillers is reviving the Glencadam 18-year-old Highland single malt. It disappeared from the lineup several years ago because of a lack of supply dating back to when the distillery was mothballed between 1999 and 2003, but there are enough stocks now to ensure a permanent supply. It will be available worldwide with a recommended retail price of £145 a bottle. 

Glengoyne has released its latest Cask Strength edition. It’s the 10th in the series, and marks a decade of the annual limited edition. It’s matured in a combination of first-fill Oloroso Sherry, ex-Bourbon, and refill casks, and won a gold medal in the recent International Spirits Challenge. It is available through whisky specialist shops globally as well as the Glengoyne web site.

Wolfcraig master blenders Richard Paterson and Ian Macmillan have created the second blend in the Wolfcraig lineup, It’s a 14-year-old blend that uses whisky matured in ex-Bourbon barrels along with aged sherry casks, and will launch in August with a recommended retail price of £80 a bottle. 

Wyoming Whiskey is out with its annual Wyoming-exclusive release. This year’s whisky is named Integrity, and honors former U.S. Senator Alan Simpson with a 7 year-old Bourbon. It’s available through the distillery and Wyoming retailers only.

Finally, Ireland’s Teeling Whiskey Company has released the second edition in its Wonders of Wood Collection. It’s a single pot still Irish Whiskey matured in virgin Portuguese Oak barrels. It’s available through the Teeling web site for 80 Euros a bottle, with part of the proceeds going to help plant native Irish tree species in Ireland.

This story was published July 31, 2023. Photo courtesy Jack Daniel’s.

A New Era for Gordon & MacPhail

The 128-year-old family-owned independent bottler stunned the whisky world this week with news that it will stop sourcing new make spirit from other distillers starting… Read More

The 128-year-old family-owned independent bottler stunned the whisky world this week with news that it will stop sourcing new make spirit from other distillers starting next year. Instead, Gordon & MacPhail will focus on single malts from its two distilleries, Benromach and The Cairn in the future. With decades of maturing whisky on hand, the change won’t be felt for at least 12 to 15 years and Gordon & MacPhail will continue bottling older whiskies for decades to come. We’ll discuss the change in philosophy with G&M managing director Ewen Mackintosh on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. On Behind the Label, we’ll celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Excise Act of 1823, which directly led to today’s Scotch Whisky industry, and we’ll have tasting notes for whiskies from Bunnahabhain, Lost Lantern, and Dràm Mòr, too.

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Episode 1015: July 30, 2023

Links: Gordon & MacPhail | Bruichladdich | Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery | McCarthy’s Clear Creek Distillery | Pursuit Spirits | New Orleans Spirits Competition | Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards | Jack Daniel’s | Glencadam | Aberfeldy | Wolfcraig | Wyoming Whiskey | Teeling Whiskey Company | Whisky Fun | Bunnahabhain | Lost Lantern Whiskey | Dràm Mòr Group | The Glenlivet

Image courtesy Gordon & MacPhail.

Big Changes for Wyoming Whiskey

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… Read More

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 mourning the death of Diageo CEO Sir Ivan Menezes this week, while Brown-Forman has won a trademark lawsuit challenge at the U.S. Supreme Court.

Episode 1008: June 11, 2023


Links: Wyoming Whiskey | Diageo | Jack Daniel’s | Glenglassaugh | Aberfeldy | Ardray Whisky | Ian Macleod Distillers | Buffalo Trace | Hudson Whiskey | Killowen Distillery | Bardstown Bourbon Company | Bunnahabhain | Brown-Forman

Big Changes for Wyoming Whiskey

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… Read More

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 mourning the death of Diageo CEO Sir Ivan Menezes this week, while Brown-Forman has won a trademark lawsuit challenge at the U.S. Supreme Court.

Episode 1008: June 11, 2023


Links: Wyoming Whiskey | Diageo | Jack Daniel’s | Glenglassaugh | Aberfeldy | Ardray Whisky | Ian Macleod Distillers | Buffalo Trace | Hudson Whiskey | Killowen Distillery | Bardstown Bourbon Company | Bunnahabhain | Brown-Forman