The Whisky Topic Podcast
"A casual conversation with whisky."

The Whisky Topic is a weekly podcast hosted by Mark Bylok, author of The Whisky Cabinet, and Jamie Johnson, who runs private (but approachable!) bourbon club. We cover topics for the whisky curious and the whisky enthusiast.

The theme song is licensed in thanks to Alan Doyle! It's available on iTunes.

Thank you for listening!

May 19, 2016

60: Deconstructing Single Malt Scotch with Beth Havers

May 19, 2016/ Mark Bylok

Deconstructing whisky is the process by which we take the blends of barrels that go into the final product, and taste each individually. Each barrel adds its own character to the final product. This week, Mark and Jamie have Beth Havers of Glenfiddich on the podcast to deconstruct Glenfiddich 15 Solera Edition.

@whiskybeth
Jamie in Alan Doyle's 1, 2, 3, 4 video
Chef’s Congress Dinner in Scotland
Solera process
Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Solera
Glenfiddich Distillery Edition
Wounded Warriors Project
Glenfiddich Presents Wounded Warriors with $123,000

The theme song is licensed in thanks to Alan Doyle! It's available on iTunes.

March 09, 2016

49: Comparing Crowns and Dragons

March 09, 2016/ Mark Bylok

Food Lawyer Glenford Jameson joins Mark and Jamie. This week, they discuss the blind whisky tasting hosted by Mark, winter in Canada, cocktail competitions, and dusties.

Welcome to the Food Court: Episode 5

Beam Suntory

Linwood Essentials

Dale DeGroff, King Cocktail.

The theme song is licensed in thanks to Alan Doyle! It's available on iTunes.

February 17, 2016

47: NAS Bourbon, Orphaned Accidents, and Rare Wild Turkeys

February 17, 2016/ Mark Bylok

Mark and Jamie are joined by Josh of The Whisky Jug. Elijah Craig falls under the hammer for removing their age statement, and we talk about Diageo’s latest Orphan Barrel releases that has questionable roots.

Mentioned on the podcast:

Orphan Barrel Gifted Horse Review

Elijah Craig 12 Year Old Review

Epic Tasting: Wild Turkey Rare Breed Vertical

The theme song is licensed in thanks to Alan Doyle! It's available on iTunes.

February 12, 2016

46: Interview with The Master Of Wood, Stuart MacPherson

February 12, 2016/ Mark Bylok

This week Mark and Jamie are joined by Stuart MacPherson, the Master of Wood for The Macallan Distillery. Stuart is involved in every step of the preparation process of the barrels from the trees being grown, to them being shipped off to Scotland for barrel maturation. We manage to stay somewhat on topic!

The theme song is licensed in thanks to Alan Doyle! It's available on iTunes.

February 01, 2016

45: January is Over!

February 01, 2016/ Mark Bylok

This week, Mark and Jamie talk about their experiences with DryJanuary where Jamie succeeds, and Mark mostly failed. We inspect Instagram advertising, talk about Grease, Little Shop of Horrors, and mention whisky a little more. The podcast goes off-topic rapidly.

Jamie drank: Wild Turkey Rare Bread

Mark Drank: Elmer T. Lee and Masterson’s Rye

Also mentioned:
Prohibition by Ken Burns
Grease: Live

The theme song is licensed in thanks to Alan Doyle! It's available on iTunes.

January 20, 2016

44: Davin de Kergommeaux talks Canadian Whisky

January 20, 2016/ Mark Bylok

Davin (author of Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert) joins Mark and Jamie to talk Canadian whisky! What makes Canadian whisky different from bourbon? We have predictions for the future of the industry. Also, after-parties?

Also mentioned:
Writer’s Tears
Victoria Whisky Festival
David Bloom
Gooderham’s & Worts 4 Grain
Wiser’s Hop
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old
Crown Royal 75 Anniversary Blend
Forty Creek Copper Pot
Crown Royal North Harvest Rye

The theme song is licensed in thanks to Alan Doyle! It's available on iTunes.

January 07, 2016

42: Whisky Heel Parties, Dry January, and Whisky Events

January 07, 2016/ Mark Bylok

Mark and Jamie are joined by Glenford Jameson. They review the whisky heel party hosted in December where guests brought their nearly finished whisky bottles. We have some lessons learned! We review tips for going to whisky events, and also talk about Dry January and Octsober and what it means to us.

Octsober
Environmental Conditions & Tolerance
Frape & Sons
whiskyheelparty
@twisecu
Master of The Wood
Russian Dashcam Videos

The theme song is licensed in thanks to Alan Doyle! It's available on iTunes.

December 23, 2015

41: Celebrating Festivus with Whisky - We are Grievances

December 23, 2015/ Mark Bylok

Jamie and Mark celebrate Festivus on this week’s podcast. They pick their Festivus dinner whisky, their grievance whiskies (there are many), perform a feat of strength (cask whisky), and the festivus miracle distillery! Also, your holiday taking selfies tips.

Whiskies mentioned on the podcast:
Old Grand Dad 114
Crown Royal 75h Monarch Edition
Van Winkle 12 Year Old

Also mentioned:
Dirty Dancing
Over the Top
Whisky Advocate’s Distillery of the Year - MGP Ingredients

The theme song is licensed in thanks to Alan Doyle! It's available on iTunes.

December 16, 2015

40: Highland Park & The Macallan with Nicolas Villalon - “To add insult to injury, my boss was paying for them!”

December 16, 2015/ Mark Bylok

Mark and Jamie are joined by Nicolas Villalon (@nick_villalon), micro-biologist and brand ambassador for Highland Park and The Macallan. We chat age statement, rare releases, barrel selection, SWA and openness, and sober November.

We were drinking:
The Macallan Rare Cask
The Macallan M
Highland Park 15 Year Old
Highland Park Saint Magnus

You can follow Nicolas on twitter @Nick_Villalon
You can follow Matt Jones on twitter @whisky_chef

The theme song is licensed in thanks to Alan Doyle! It's available on iTunes.

December 09, 2015

39: Chatting Jim Beam & Stories of Kentucky

December 09, 2015/ Mark Bylok

Jamie and Mark bring back Matt Jones on the show. Matt is the Canadian Brand Ambassador for Beam Suntory. Discussion includes yeast strains, how distilleries provide unique products, making craft whisky, and pizza parties. Mostly, they chat about stories of Kentucky. Also, this is the absolute last chance to get the Small Batch Hand Crafted “The Whisky Topic” t-shirt. Check it out at teespring.com!

Jamie, Matt, and Mark are drinking:

Jim Beam Signature 12
Jim Beam Distiller’s Masterpiece
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength

The theme song is licensed in thanks to Alan Doyle! It's available on iTunes.

December 03, 2015

38: The Bitter Truth About Bitters with Frape & Sons

December 03, 2015/ Mark Bylok

Justin and Giovanni from Frape & Sons join Mark and Jamie to talk about bitters. They ferment and distill their own spirit as the base for all their bitters, and have experimented creatively with the flavouring agents. We talk about bitters used creatively in cocktails and in cooking. Also, hemp bitters & foam parties. Note: This Podcast was Recorded in mid-November.

Jamie is drinking: Basil Hayden
Mark is drinking: Gooderham & Warts 4 Grain Whisky
Justin is drinking: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
Giovanni is drinking: Masterson’s 10 Year Old Straight Rye

To enjoy Frape & Sons bitters, head to their website.

Also mentioned:

Taylor Swift
Corsair Quinoa Whiskey
Koval Distillery
Bittercude Bitters
Carol & Company
Dillon’s Distillers

November 25, 2015

37: Does One Critic Get to Name The Best Whisky In the World?

November 25, 2015/ Mark Bylok

Mark and Jamie investigate Jim Murray’s claim that Crown Royal North Harvest Rye is the best whisky in the world. Naturally, a blind tasting ensues between three top Canadian whiskies. Also, we report in from the New Brunswick Spirits Show. Special thanks to Mark's dogs for making this episode especially difficult to edit!

Support the show and have an awesome t-shirt. Order The Whisky Topic - “A casual conversation with whisky” t-shirt!

Mark & Jamie blind-tasted Lot No 40, Gooderham & Warts, and Crown Royal North Harvest Rye.

Also mentioned:
Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert
Davin’s Crown Royal Single Barrel
The Lunar Rogue Bar
NB Spirits Festival
Alcool NB Liquor
WhiskyCast
Willet 22 Year Old Wheated Bourbon
Highland Park Odin
@beardedsipper1976

The theme song is licensed in thanks to Alan Doyle! It's available on iTunes.

November 18, 2015

36: The Battle of Cask Strength - “I was so furious!”

November 18, 2015/ Mark Bylok

Jennifer Chan, a food and whisky enthusiast, joins Mark and Jamie this week to review the whisky tasting at Mark’s place. It includes a battle of single malts, peated whiskies from around the world, and the battle of big cask strength whiskies. Jen, Jamie and Mark review the results. Plus, Diageo’s new products and transparency statement is discussed. And Justin Bieber?

November 11, 2015

35: Hotel Bars, Glassware, and Cocktails - “You shouldn’t be putting crush ice in it.. it’s not a slurpy.”

November 11, 2015/ Mark Bylok

This week, Jamie and Mark talk about Norlan whisky glass, whisky hysteria, hotel bars, boy bands, bad TV, lining up for whisky, vodka martinis, and old fashions vs manhattans. There might yet another discussion about ice.

Reach out to @bourbonthing with your favourite bars that serve old fashions!

Jamie is drinking: Highland Park 12
Mark is drinking: Bowmore Tempest

John Gruber’s Daring Fireball
Jim Coudal’s martini recipe
Souther Charm TV Show
Every onscreen drink on Mad Men Supercut
Wiki page dedicated to ice cubes
Speaker’s Corner
Wholesalers, Retailers, and The Aftermark - Who's profiting from skyrocketing whisky prices?
First Impressions on the Norlan Glass

The theme song is licensed in thanks to Alan Doyle! It's available on iTunes.

November 04, 2015

34: Whisky events, whisky, and pizza with Sarah Parniak

November 04, 2015/ Mark Bylok

This week, Sarah Parniak joins Jamie and Mark to discuss whisky events from various perspectives, women and whisky, sherry finishes, and pizza!

Jamie is drinking: Woodford Reserve Four Wood
Mark is drinking: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
Sarah is drinking: JP Wiser’s Double Still Rye

Also mentioned:

Globe & Mail Alo Restaurant Review
North of Brooklyn Pizza
BenRiach
Jim Beam Master Craft
JP Wiser’s Hopped
Fireball Whisky
Recall of Fireball Whisky
Laphroaig 25
Glengoyne 21

October 28, 2015

33: Chat with Maker’s Mark's Jane Conner - “I’m probably not allowed to say that, but…”

October 28, 2015/ Mark Bylok

This week, Mark and Jamie speak with Jane Conner from Maker’s Mark. Jane oversees barrel maturation and new product development at the distillery. We speak about the Maker’s Mark Private Select Program, whisky terroir, and barrel maturation!

October 21, 2015

32: Interview with Hamish Torrie of Ardbeg - “But even an hour, that’s not very long.”

October 21, 2015/ Mark Bylok

Mark & Jamie provide updates on their whisky collections, and follow-up on Pappy shortage, and whisky history vs reality. The podcast finishes with an interview of Hamish Torrie (Global Brand Ambassador of Ardbeg).

Mentioned on the podcast:

Ardbeg
Jim Beam Double Age
Bulleit Bourbon
Bourbon Curious by Fred Minnick
Motorhead
The Pogues
@newbourbondrink
Franklin’s BBQ
Ontario’s Flying Squirrel

October 14, 2015

31: Whisky “Puffery!” with Blake from bourbonr.com

October 14, 2015/ Mark Bylok

This week on The Whisky Topic, Blake of bourbonr.com comes on the show to discuss the success of his website, and some of his more controversial posts.

Jamie is drinking: Four Roses Single Barrel
Mark is drinking: Lavagulin Double Matured
Blake is (almost) drinking: Smooth Ambler Rye Cask Strength

Also mentioned:

Bourbon “Puffery”
Kentucky Owl Bourbon
Blake’s Kentucky Owl Batch #2 Review
Germany Shorthaired Pointer
Buffalo Trace Antique Collection Release Map
Buying Pappy From The Government
The Boubonr app

October 06, 2015

30: Whisky Music Videos, Failed Experiments, and NDPs

October 06, 2015/ Mark Bylok

The Buffalo Trace 26 Year Old Bourbon Failed Experiment never made it to market, but Jamie and Mark got a sample. Hear their tasting notes. Also, Jamie and Mark review Non-Distiller Producers (NDP). Are they over-inflated on price? Finally, is Jamie in a music video? (Hint: She is) Check out Alan Doyle’s 1, 2, 3, 4 whisky music video. Plus, the Ontario bourbon shortage is here!

Jamie is drinking: Buffalo Trace Experimental
Mark is drinking: Laphroaig Quarter Cask

Also mentioned:
Panic Ontario, The Bourbon Shortage is Here
Instagram photo of Buffalo Trace Failed
Dixon Kentucky Owl
Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength Review
Alan Doyle’s Video

The theme song is licensed in thanks to Alan Doyle! It's available on iTunes.

September 30, 2015

29: Kentucky Cereal - “It’s 22 year old wheated bourbon. You do the math.”

September 30, 2015/ Mark Bylok

Glenford Jameson joins Jamie and Mark to discuss their findings in Kentucky. Particularly, we compare and contrast Buffalo Trace, Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Willet, and Wild Turkey. We talk about the new Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength, Kentucky Cereal, and our Bourbon Festival.

Jamie is drinking: Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength
Mark is drinking: Elmer T. Lee

Mentioned on the show:

NEAT Ice Kit for Clear Ice (whsky.buzz sponsor)
@whisky_chef, our host in Kentucky
@kentuckyspirits
Drew’s Instagram (of Willet)
Terry’s Instagram (of Willet)
Bourbonguy.com

The theme song is licensed in thanks to Alan Doyle! It's available on iTunes.

The Whisky Topic Podcast

The Whisky Topic Podcast"A casual conversation with whisky."

Whisky Buzz

The Whisky Topic Podcast
"A casual conversation with whisky."