Episode 108: Woodford Reserve & The Kentucky Derby with Master Distiller Chris Morris, Assistant Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall
Bit by a Fox Podcast
And....we're BACK, talking about some of my favorite subjects: bourbon, very fancy thousand dollar mint juleps, and the Kentucky Derby! This week's guests are Chris Morris and Elizabeth McCall, the Master Distiller and Assistant Master Distiller, respectively of Woodford Reserve, the official bourbon and Presenting Sponsor of the Kentucky Derby. On the eve of “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports” I invite you to take a moment, pour out a little Woodford, and pre-game with us.
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Episode 107: Lost Lantern— A New Independent Bottler of American Whiskey
Bit by a Fox Podcast
This week's guests are Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski, the husband and wife team behind Lost Lantern, a new independent bottler of American craft whiskey modeled after the long tradition of independent bottlers in Scotland.
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Episode 106: Botanical Driven Spirits & LA Terroir with AMASS Distiller Morgan McLachlan
Bit by a Fox Podcast
This week's guest is Morgan McLachlan, co-founder and Master Distiller behind Los Angeles based distillery The Spirit Guild and AMASS. AMASS is Morgan's most recent project and it takes inspiration from the vast botanicals that grow and are indigenous to Southern California. Morgan and I discuss Los Angeles terroir, our Pacific Northwest roots, and how she likens the technique and art of distilling to her time in the film industry behind the camera.
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Episode 105: Australia's Starward Whisky with Founder David Vitale
Bit by a Fox Podcast
This week's guest is David Vitale, founder of Australian whisky brand Starward. David and I discussed the unique quality that red wine barrels bring to Starward, the fascinating history of Australian whisky, and his recent move to the states in order to help his brand thrive here.
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Episode 104: Artingstall's Gin with Paul Feig
Bit by a Fox Podcast
Award-winning director and producer Paul Feig is this week's guest, discussing his new, exciting project: Artingstall's Brilliant London Dry Gin.
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Episode 103: BHAKTA Brandy with Raj Peter Bhakta
Bit by a Fox Podcast
Raj Peter Bhakta, founder of the premium rye whiskey brand WhistlePig, has now moved on to reviving another spirits category that has long been under appreciated - Armagnac brandy. BHAKTA Brandy is a blend of 8 Armagnac vintages 50-152 years old, then finished in Islay Scotch casks. Raj and I discuss his move from whiskey to brandy, the story behind these hidden vintages, and why you should be buying these bottles of history now.
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Episode 102: Which Fork Do I Use With My Bourbon?
Bit by a Fox Podcast
In continuation of National Bourbon Heritage Month - and the last episode in our Bourbon series - this week's guests are Peggy Noe Stevens and Susan Reigler, authors of Which Fork Do I Use With My Bourbon? Setting the Table for Tastings, Food Pairings, Dinners, and Cocktail Parties.
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Episode 101: Jefferson's Bourbon with Founder Trey Zoeller
Bit by a Fox Podcast
In continuation of National Bourbon Heritage Month, this week's guest is Trey Zoeller, founder of Jefferson’s Bourbon, a collection of small batch bourbons founded in 1997, before there was a 'craft' spirits industry. Trey and I discussed his family's deep connection to Kentucky bourbon, Jefferson’s early days before the bourbon boom when he could barely give the stuff away, and his experimental approach to aging whiskey on a shark tagging vessel.
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Episode 100: Distiller Nicole Austin and George Dickel Tennessee Whisky
Bit by a Fox Podcast
September is National Bourbon Heritage Month and The Bit by a Fox Podcast will have a new bourbon focused episode every Friday.
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Episode 99: MGP Master Blender, David Whitmer & Remus Repeal Reserve
Bit by a Fox Podcast
September is National Bourbon Heritage Month and The Bit by a Fox Podcast will have a new bourbon focused episode every Friday. This week we're kicking off the festivities with an interview with MGP's David Whitmer, the master blender behind the distillery's award-winning brands, including the coveted Remus Repeal Reserve.
info_outlineIt's our 20th episode of the Bit by a Fox Podcast! And we've decided to shake it up a little....
A couple of weeks ago I visited the 75th annual Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America Convention at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. It’s the largest gathering of distributors, wholesalers and products in the wine and spirits industry. It’s where you go to see and be seen. If you’re a wholesaler or distributor, you go there to shop for new products. If you’re a new brand, this is where you go to launch, and look for distribution. It’s often a beta test for brands to see how it is reflected in the industry first before bringing it out to consumers. And it’s overwhelming. SO. MUCH. BOOZE. Over 500 exhibitors, two giant exhibit halls and massive suites turned into brand activations. It’s just a sea of products. It’s difficult to stand out amongst so much, but I found my favorites and wanted to share them with you. This is my first podcast out on the road and I had a portable mic to interview folks in their booths and it was so much fun. #FoxInTheField!
Brands featured:
Look out for these exciting new products in the coming year!
Sierra Norte Oaxaca Whiskey - with distiller Doug French
Gray Whale Gin | Golden State Distillery with owner Marsh Mokhtari
Priqly (prickly pear liqueur) with owner Jeffrey Friedman
Haikara Sake with Sales Manager Petra Stone
Bom Bom (cream liqueur) with owners Kevin and Eva
Tom’s Town Distilling Co. from Kansas City with owner Steven Revare
Ginja9, (sour cherry liqueur) from Portugal with owner Alexander Dias
Ararat Brandy with Brand Ambassador Christopher Adams
Bedlam Vodka | Graybeard Distillery from North Carolina (last year’s WSWA Brand Battle winners) with distiller Scott Russ
I was on my way to the airport when the Brand Battle - a competition towards the end of the convention where top 7 brands battle it out - was taking place, so unfortunately I missed it. But I was sure to stay glued to social media to get the word once the winners were announced. And Gray Whale Gin took home the first place award. The buzz around the convention seemed to predict this win but I was super happy for them. In honor of their win, I wanted to share a simple cocktail of theirs for our recipe this week.
The Skinny Gray Whale
1 part agave syrup
1 part lemon juice
2 parts Gray Whale Gin
Shake with ice, strain, and garnish with a spray of lime and orange