WhiskyCast

Whiskey's first and longest-running podcast series, now in its 21st year! The original cask-strength podcast on whiskies from around the world, including Scotch, Bourbon, Irish, and Canadian whiskies. Listen for the latest whisky news, interviews, tasting notes, and much more! To find out more about WhiskyCast, visit us at WhiskyCast.com.

Glengoyne Mizunara Oak: Scotch With a Hint of Japan 07/20/2026

Glengoyne Mizunara Oak: Scotch With a Hint of Japan Glengoyne recently released a Mizunara Oak-matured single malt as part of its Oak Masters Series. We’ll taste it and talk about it with distillery manager Robbie Hughes on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Brown-Forman is looking for a new CEO after Lawson Whiting announced his retirement plans this week. Maker’s Mark is launching a new travel retail exclusive series, and we’ll have details on the week’s new whiskies. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/42153725

Torabhaig: Home on the Isle of Skye 07/12/2026

Torabhaig: Home on the Isle of Skye “Taigh” means “home” in Scots Gaelic, and it’s the name for the newest expression from Torabhaig Distillery on the Isle of Skye. It’s a precursor to the first 10-year-old Torabhaig single malt expected late next year, and we’ll learn more about Taigh and the distillery from Torabhaig’s Bruce Perry on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, the receiver in the Uncle Nearest case is blaming the bank for failing to do its own due diligence before loaning millions of dollars to Uncle Nearest, Ian Macleod Distillers cuts back on production at Glengoyne and Rosebank distilleries, and the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame announces its class of 2026. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/42051825

A Colonial-Era Whiskey for America's 250th Birthday 07/05/2026

A Colonial-Era Whiskey for America's 250th Birthday Lots of whisky makers are releasing 250th anniversary commemorative editions, but only one went back to recreate whiskey from a Colonial-era recipe using historical production methods. Distillers Erik Wolfe and Alan Bishop teamed up to create this authentic whiskey, and both join us on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. We’ll also taste their Wolfe & Wilson Straight Rye, too. In the news, Fawn Weaver is apparently out at Uncle Nearest, Edrington has reported declining sales for the year ending last March, and craft distillers are about to get a tax break. Finally, we’ll say goodbye and pay tribute to longtime whisky guru Steve Beal. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/41969130

Pennsylvania Rye and Kentucky Bourbon: A Unique Collaboration 06/29/2026

Pennsylvania Rye and Kentucky Bourbon: A Unique Collaboration Jim Hough of Pennsylvania’s Liberty Pole Spirits and Paul Tomaszewski of Kentucky’s MB Roland Distillery have joined forces on a unique collaboration. They blended each other’s whiskey with their own, pairing Kentucky Bourbon with Pennsylvania Rye. The result: Penntucky and Kentsylvania whiskies. We’ll talk with Jim and Paul about the collaboration on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Edrington is out of the Bourbon business after selling Wyoming Whiskey to an investment group led by the distillery’s co-founder, while Bacardi has taken complete control of Ireland’s Teeling Whiskey Company. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/41856880

Eddie Russell: Making Whiskey His Own Way 06/22/2026

Eddie Russell: Making Whiskey His Own Way Wild Turkey Master Distiller Eddie Russell celebrated his 45th anniversary at the distillery the other night with the premiere of a short film about his career in New York City. “Eddie Russell: His Own Way” covers Eddie’s career from pushing barrels as the new guy to the success that got him into the Bourbon Hall of Fame. The premiere came with the release of a Russell’s Reserve Bourbon created to commemorate the anniversary by Bruce Russell, Eddie’s son and Wild Turkey’s Associate Master Blender - the same way Eddie originated Russell’s Reserve to honor his father Jimmy’s 45th anniversary at Wild Turkey years ago. We’ll talk with Eddie and Bruce Russell on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, job cuts could be coming this week at Diageo, and the International Wine & Spirits Competition announces its North American winners for 2026. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/41725505

The United States of Bourbon 06/15/2026

The United States of Bourbon In a project so ambitious that it required more than five years of traveling across the entire United States, Lost Lantern Whiskey has created the United States of Bourbon series of whiskies. The 100 Proof and Cask Strength versions feature a blend of straight Bourbons from all 50 states, while the limited-edition 1776 Edition blends Bourbons from the original 13 states. We’ll discuss this ground-breaking project with Lost Lantern founders Adam Polonski and Nora Ganley-Roper on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Glenfarclas chairman John Grant is honored with an OBE for his services to the Scotch whisky industry, while police in Philadelphia are searching for clues in the theft of 1,800 cases of Noble Oak Bourbon. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/41648900

From Bloody Butcher to Bruce's Blue: Heirloom Grains at Jeptha Creed 06/07/2026

From Bloody Butcher to Bruce's Blue: Heirloom Grains at Jeptha Creed Kentucky’s Jeptha Creed Distillery grows all of its corn on the Nethery family’s farm nearby, including heirloom grains like Bloody Butcher (red corn) and Bruce’s Blue, a strain of blue corn developed on the farm by Bruce Nethery and the inspiration for the new Bruce’s Blue Bourbon. The mother and daughter team of Joyce and Autumn Nethery run the distillery, which attracts thousands of visitors every year. We’ll talk with Joyce Nethery on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, an unnamed buyer has been found for Uncle Nearest, while layoffs and lawsuits spread around Bourbon Country. We’ll have details on the week’s new whiskies, including the return of Bruichladdich’s legendary Yellow Submarine Scotch. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/41566360

Making Irish-Style Whiskey in America 05/31/2026

Making Irish-Style Whiskey in America Minnesota’s O’Shaughnessy Distilling wasn’t the first American distillery to make triple-distilled Pot Still whiskey, but the makers of Keeper’s Heart Whiskey have plenty of Irish heritage to draw on. Former Midleton master distiller Brian Nation now runs the show at O’Shaughnessy, and he’s not only making triple-distilled Pot Still whiskey…he has triple-distilled Rye and Bourbon in the works as well. We’ll tour the distillery and talk with Brian on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, we have more distillery closings to report, and the judge has ruled in the Uncle Nearest receivership case. We’ll have all the details on this week’s WhiskyCast. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/41486080

Barbecue and Bourbon Go Together 05/25/2026

Barbecue and Bourbon Go Together This week, we’re joined by Carey Bringle, the pit master and whisky maker for Peg Leg Porker. Carey owns a barbecue restaurant by the same name in Nashville, Tennessee, and says there’s a lot in common between being a pit master and a whisky maker — but he’ll never call himself a master distiller. Bringle has just released a “Spirit of America” Tennessee Bourbon to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, and we’ll have tasting notes for it, too. In the news, the American Distilling Institute has announced the winners of its 2026 spirits competition, with Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Rye taking home the title of “America’s Best Whiskey.” /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/41410645

Talisker Magma: Whisky With a Bit of Skye 05/17/2026

Talisker Magma: Whisky With a Bit of Skye The newest Talisker single malt is also the oldest Talisker ever bottled at 47 years old. It’s finished in virgin American Oak casks toasted using heated volcanic rock from the Isle of Skye, and Diageo Luxury Ambassador Ewan Morgan will explain what the process adds on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. We’ll also discuss the new Rare Series of whiskies from Diageo, too. In the news, Brown-Forman has rejected a $15 billion takeover bid from Sazerac, and Diageo’s executive corps is undergoing a shakeup. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/41325980

Certified Craft: Coming to a Store Near You 05/10/2026

Certified Craft: Coming to a Store Near You Craft distillers have been searching for years for ways to differentiate their whiskies from the large brands on the market. Now, the American Craft Spirits Association has created the “Certified Craft” program to meet the need. ACSA members will be able to use the Certified Craft logo on their products and marketing materials, and the seal gives consumers an easy way to tell what is and isn’t craft. We’ll talk with new ACSA CEO Emily Pennington and Colin Spoelman of Brooklyn’s Kings County Distillery about the program on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, another discrimination lawsuit has been filed against Bardstown Bourbon Company, while a gain in Diageo third-quarter sales beat analyst estimates. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/41241410

Single Oak Bourbon: Buffalo Trace’s Single Oak Project Realized 05/03/2026

Single Oak Bourbon: Buffalo Trace’s Single Oak Project Realized /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/41134115

Making Single Malt Whisky on Scotland's Ballindalloch Estate 04/26/2026

Making Single Malt Whisky on Scotland's Ballindalloch Estate When the Ballindalloch Estate has been in your family for more than 450 years, what’s a few years to wait to bottle your own single malt Scotch whisky. The McPherson-Grant family waited nine years to bottle their first single malt after opening their distillery in 2014, and have now entered the U.S. market with the Ballindalloch Family Heritage Selection. We’ll talk with Guy McPherson-Grant, the lord of Ballindalloch Castle, and the distillery’s international sales director, Aidan Dunn, on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. We’ll also have tasting notes for the Family Heritage Selection, along with the Ardbeg Dolce Feis Ile single malt. In the news, we have details on layoffs in the whisky industry in England and the U.S., along with the week’s new releases and much more. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/41024235

250 Years of History in One Bourbon 04/19/2026

250 Years of History in One Bourbon Horse Soldier Bourbon honors the “horse soldiers,” Green Berets who led the invasion of Afghanistan after 9/11 and fought the Taliban on horseback. Now, the brand is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States with a special 13-year-old Bourbon - representing the 13 original colonies. We’ll talk with Horse Soldier co-founder Scott Neil about the whiskey and plans to open the Horse Soldier Distillery with a massive Fourth of July party on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Sazerac is reportedly offering $15 billion for Brown-Forman, while Uncle Nearest’s receiver says the company is insolvent and on life support from its lenders. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/40929360

Up on Woody Creek... 04/12/2026

Up on Woody Creek... This week, we’re joined by Woody Creek Distillers’ “spokesdude”, William H. Macy. Known for his roles in Shameless, Fargo, and other films, the award-winning actor is about to release the third edition of his William H. Macy Reserve Rye whiskey. Woody Creek’s National Brand Ambassador, bartending guru Sean Kenyon, joins us as well to talk about the Colorado distillery and its whiskies. In the news, Sazerac has reportedly entered the bidding for Brown-Forman, while MGP is shutting down production at its two distilleries in Kentucky because of oversupply… /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/40820320

Sukhinder Singh's Worldview 04/07/2026

Sukhinder Singh's Worldview Sukhinder Singh is a legend in the whisky business…he and his brother founded The Whisky Exchange and turned it into one of the leading whisky retailers in the world. They now run Elixir Distillers, which is reviving Tormore as a single malt and building Islay’s Portintruan Distillery, which is on track to open later this year. Sukhinder is also known as one of the world’s leading whisky collectors, with a collection of thousands of bottles. We’ll get an update from him on the company’s distillery projects, as well as his view of the whisky business, on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Gallo has completed its purchase of Kentucky’s Four Roses Distillery, and U.S. spirits exports fell by nearly four percent last year. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/40765465

Cruising with Jefferson's Bourbon 03/30/2026

Cruising with Jefferson's Bourbon Jefferson’s Ocean Bourbon is known for being aged at sea, and now, a new partnership between Jefferson’s and Holland America cruises will see 11 cruise ships carrying barrels of Jefferson’s on board during their voyages around the world. After the whiskey is bottled, it’ll be sold on board each ship. We’ll talk with Jefferson’s co-founder Trey Zoeller about the partnership on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Pernod Ricard and Brown-Forman are discussing a potential merger that could see Jack Daniel’s and Jameson under the same ownership. We’ll have all of the details on this week’s WhiskyCast. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/40671390

School Time at Moonshine University 03/22/2026

School Time at Moonshine University Louisville’s Moonshine University is one of the few providers of distiller education in the United States, and many aspiring craft distillers have taken its courses over the last decade. With the downturn in whisky production, the school has changed its focus to include brand creation and sourcing for those who want to make whisky without owning a distillery. We’ll talk with general manager Jason Lawrence and operations manager Clay Smith on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Waterford Distillery has been bought out of receivership, while the twists and turns in the Uncle Nearest receivership included a two-day detour into bankruptcy court this week. We’ll have all the details and the rest of the week’s news on this episode of WhiskyCast. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/40580070

A Dream About to be Realized 03/15/2026

A Dream About to be Realized Nine years ago, John Lunn and Allisa Henley set out to make the Tennessee Whiskey of their dreams at Sazerac’s A.J. Bond Distillery. That plan was shattered when John Lunn died suddenly three years ago this month, but Allisa forged on with the backing of Sazerac. The first A.J. Bond whiskey will be released this summer, and Allisa Henley joins us with a preview on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news…a federal judge is expected to rule soon on the Uncle Nearest receivership case as the debt piles up, and a pair of rare casks of Karuizawa single malt set a new record for spirits sales at Christie’s. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/40490260

A Pair of Master Whisky Makers 03/08/2026

A Pair of Master Whisky Makers Today marks International Women’s Day, and it’s just a happy coincidence that we have two women who make great whiskies on this week’s show. Dr. Emma Walker is the master blender for Johnnie Walker, while Angela D’Orazio is the Creative Director of Whiskymaking for Compass Box. Both have new whiskies out, and we’ll hear from both of them on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Sazerac is looking at expanding in Kentucky with a distillery in default, and the Canadian boycott of American whiskies is a year old and having major impacts on whiskey makers in the U.S. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/40360145

Distilling the Artisan Way 03/01/2026

Distilling the Artisan Way Kentucky Artisan Distillery was one of the state's first distilleries to specialize in contract distilling for clients when it opened in 2012. Over the years, it’s been laying down whiskies for its own brand as well, and has now released two Bourbons in its Artisan Series: a high-rye Bourbon and a four-grain Bourbon. We’ll talk with master distiller Jade Peterson about the new whiskies and his own creation, Trackside Bourbon, which features “chocolate” malt in the mashbill, on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, distilling stocks took a tumble on Wall Street after Diageo reported disappointing sales and forecast more declines over the second half of the year. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/40273480

“Bottom Shelf:” A Book that Belongs on the Top Shelf 02/23/2026

“Bottom Shelf:” A Book that Belongs on the Top Shelf Fred Minnick’s latest book “Bottom Shelf: How a Forgotten Brand of Bourbon Saved One Man’s Life” is part memoir, part Bourbon history all wrapped up in a single narrative. The former Army photographer once tried to take his own life, but ended up becoming obsessed with the history of Old Crow Bourbon — an obsession that lasted nearly 20 years until he found out the truth about his favorite Bourbon of all time. We’ll talk with Fred Minnick on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, President Donald Trump has imposed a 15% tariff on all U.S. imports after the Supreme Court rejected his previous tariff scheme, and that will have an impact on the Scotch Whisky industry. We’ll have the details and the rest of the week’s whisky news on this week’s WhiskyCast. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/40194065

A Slumping Market for Scotch Whisky? 02/15/2026

A Slumping Market for Scotch Whisky? The Scotch Whisky Association released new export data this week showing a second straight year of global sales declines, with a softening economy and tariffs getting much of the blame. We’ll go through the numbers with SWA chief executive Mark Kent on WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, another new report this week says one in five Scotch Whisky distilleries is in financial distress. Crown Royal avoids a boycott in Ontario, and there’s no change in the receivership at Uncle Nearest. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/40118355

The Beginning of the End for Uncle Nearest? 02/08/2026

The Beginning of the End for Uncle Nearest? A critical court hearing is set for Monday in the Uncle Nearest receivership case in Tennessee. Founder Fawn Weaver wants to terminate the receivership and take back control of the company, while the receiver says Uncle Nearest is insolvent and putting it back in Weaver’s hands will lead to foreclosure on $108 million in loans. We’ll get the latest on the case from Janet Patton, who covers the whiskey industry for the Lexington Herald-Leader and has been tracking the case. In the news, Kirin has agreed to sell Four Roses Bourbon to E&J Gallo for approximately $775 million, and we’ll have details of two economic reports on the health of the whiskey business. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/40037015

Charting a New Course for Starward Whisky 02/02/2026

Charting a New Course for Starward Whisky Starward Whisky founder David Vitale stepped back from the Australian whisky maker’s day-to-day operations several years ago, but after Diageo’s Distill Ventures incubator unit pulled its support for Starward and other distillers last year, Vitale was faced with a dilemma. With his board wanting to seek a buyer for Starward, Vitale decided he was the best potential buyer for the business. Vitale has now bought out Diageo and his former partners, and is charting a new course for the distillery that involves slower, steadier growth. We’ll talk with David Vitale on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, whisky makers in the U-K have been hit with an excise tax increase that will drive up the price of a dram, while China has agreed to reduce its import tariffs on Scotch Whisky. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/39970935

The Man Behind Buffalo Trace's Whiskies 01/26/2026

The Man Behind Buffalo Trace's Whiskies Drew Mayville has been Buffalo Trace’s master blender for the last 21 years, overseeing legendary whiskies like George T. Stagg, Sazerac Rye, and the Van Winkle whiskies. He started his career at Seagram’s in his native Canada, where he spent 23 years learning the blending business from the ground up. Drew Mayville joins us on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, another government shutdown is looming, and the whisky industry could be affected. Ireland’s Powerscourt Distillery has been bought out of administration, and Diageo plans to close one of its key distillery visitors centers in Scotland. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/39886120

A Weekend to Remember 01/21/2026

A Weekend to Remember This week, we’re on location at the Victoria Whisky Festival in Victoria, British Columbia, where it was unofficially Bill Ashburn Weekend. The retired Forty Creek master blender was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Canadian Whisky Awards and guest of honor at a reception on Friday. We’ll talk with Bill on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth, and have complete coverage of the Canadian Whisky Awards. In the news, President Donald Trump is threatening a new round of tariffs over Greenland that could affect Scotch Whisky, and we’ll see how Canadian retailers are being affected by the Bourbon boycott. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/39818120

Chip Tate: Back in the Saddle Again 01/11/2026

Chip Tate: Back in the Saddle Again Maverick whiskey maker Chip Tate is back after a sabbatical following his acrimonious departure from Balcones Distilling. Now the master distiller for innovation with Foley Family Wines & Spirits, Tate has quietly been working on his first new whiskies in nearly 11 years under the company’s Ampersand Spirits label. Dubbed Malus, Vinea, and Opimus, each one is a unique blend that challenges whiskey lovers with new flavors, and they fit perfectly with Tate’s unique approach to making whiskey. Chip Tate joins us on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Ontario Premier Doug Ford is planning to make good on his threat to pull the best-selling Canadian Whisky off store shelves if Diageo closes its Crown Royal plant in his province. We’ll also have the latest on the Uncle Nearest receivership and a new report showing a decline in Irish whiskey exports in 2025. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/39690475

Celebrating Canadian Whisky Week 01/04/2026

Celebrating Canadian Whisky Week The second annual Canadian Whisky Week runs from January 11th through the 18th, with events all over Canada. We’ll talk with co-founders Reece Sims and Andrea Fujarczuk about all things Canadian Whisky on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Uncle Nearest founder Fawn Weaver says the company’s receivership is bad for business, and has asked a federal court judge to return control of Uncle Nearest back to its directors. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/39606735

The Whisky industry in Flux 12/31/2025

The Whisky industry in Flux On this year-end special episode, we'll take a look back at the events that shaped the whisky industry in 2025. Becky Harris of Virginia's Catoctin Creek Distilling will join us to discuss a troubled year for her colleagues in the craft distilling industry, and we'll offer some predictions for 2026, too. /episode/index/show/whiskycast/id/39578955

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