Whiskey Blog

Dave Pickerell left Maker’s Mark as Master Distiller four years ago, and since then, he’s been one of the leaders of the craft distilling movement. He’s worked as a consultant for dozens of distilleries, and has just taken on the role of Master Distiller at the Hillrock Estate Distillery in New York. In this week’s episode, Dave tells us why he’s having more fun than ever, and just what new distillers need to have to make it in the whisky business.

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This week’s episode features highlights from Whisky Live New York, including interviews with distillers from two of the city’s own craft distilleries. We’ll also get the latest on Adelphi’s plans for a new distillery on Scotland’s Ardnamurchan Peninsula, Ardbeg in orbit, and plenty of new whiskies!

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If you want evidence of the boom in craft distilling, all you need to do is look at registration numbers for the American Distilling Institute’s annual conference each April. This year’s event in Louisville had double the attendance of last year’s…which had double the attendance of the previous year’s…and so on. We’ll hear from some of the craft distillers who have jumped into whisky making with both feet, as well as some of their role models…including Jimmy Russell of Wild Turkey.

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This week’s episode is a little different than most WhiskyCast episodes. My father passed away earlier this week, and my family and I have been in Indiana with the rest of our relatives. I considered taking the week off, but after thinking about my Dad’s commitment to hard work, I decided that it would be best to produce an abbreviated episode focusing on the week’s news, comments, and the Calendar of Events, along with some comments on life and love and a special version of the “What I’m Tasting This Week Department.

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Four times each year, Woodford Reserve master distiller Chris Morris becomes the headmaster of the Woodford Reserve Bourbon Academy. His students get a one-day class on the intricacies of Bourbon, from the entire distilling process to nosing and tasting lessons. We’ll listen as Professor Morris leads a recent class through some hands-on mashing experience as well. In the news, Whisky Magazine hands out the Icons of Whisky Awards and the World Whiskies Awards in London, and 192 years of whisky production comes to a close in the Scottish town of Kilmarnock.

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It’s St. Patrick’s Day, and we’re in Dublin for the annual Jameson Global Broadcast from the Old Jameson Distillery. Each year, radio stations from around the world broadcast their shows from the distillery, and you’ll hear David Byrne of Irish Distillers lead them through a cask sampling of whisky from the Midleton Distillery. We’ll also hear from Midleton distiller Liam Donegan and artist Paul Daly, who designed the special St. Patrick’s Day Jameson bottle available only at the distillery.

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Investment-grade Scotch. The very idea makes many whisky lovers furious…but there are those who see potential profits from their whisky collections. Andy Simpson is a former investment banker who now runs Whisky Highland, a business designed to help whisky investors make the most of their collections. Andy explains the potential he sees for whisky investing, and why it’s not for everyone. In the news, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked reaches the market, Laphroaig and Auchentoshan expand their travel retail ranges, and much more!

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Time to shatter some long-cherished myths and legends about Bourbon, and Michael Veach will serve as our myth-buster this week. He’s the Bourbon historian at Louisville’s Filson Historical Society, and is also a member of the Bourbon Hall of Fame. In the news, Knob Creek and Wild Turkey release new rye whiskies, Ian Logan of Chivas Brothers updates last week’s story on Glen Keith’s revival, and we’ll catch up with Bill Samuels Jr. of Maker’s Mark.

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Each year, Glenmorangie releases a special edition finished in fine wine casks. This year’s edition is Artein, and takes the flavors of Sassicaia wine casks from Italy’s Tenuta San Guido in Tuscany. We’ll hear from Ferdinando Fiori, an Italian whisky connoisseur who suggested Sassicaia casks to Glenmorangie’s Bill Lumsden…and distillery manager Andy McDonald takes us to the Tarlogie Springs, the source of the distillery’s precious water supply.  In the news, Gillian Howell leaves Penderyn to join Bill Lumsden’s team, Chivas Brothers plans to reopen Glen Keith for the first time since 1999, and Campari announces plans for a new Wild Turkey bottling plant in Kentucky. 

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Craft distillers make whisky as much out of passion as a desire to make money, and that gives them the freedom to try different things…just because. Darek Bell is one of the partners in Corsair Artisan Distillery, based in Nashville, Tennessee and Bowling Green, Kentucky, and he’s written a new book for craft distillers…and those who would like to be. “Alt Whiskeys” outlines some really unusual whiskey recipes, including an 11-grain Bourbon and “Amarillo Aromatherapy Bourbon.” In the news, Adelphi has applied for permits to build Scotland’s newest distillery and Cutty Sark tries to reclaim a piece of its heritage.

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