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!
This week on podcast, Jamie and Mark interview Drew Mayville. We talk about the push to make better whisky, Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, the whisky making process, Buffalo Trace’s constant push for experimentation, and the role of the Master Blender.
The theme song is licensed in thanks to Alan Doyle! It's available on iTunes.
Jamie and Mark are joined by Glenford Jameson to review the chaos of Mark’s “Low Proof vs High Proof” whisky tasting. The podcast kicks off celebrating episode 25, highs and lows, as we pick our favourite moments and provide some backstory to previous episodes. Also covered, chocolate and whisky pairing, discussions on proof levels and whisky, and general whisky news.
Jamie is drinking: Rittenhouse Rye
Glenford is drinking: Amrut Peated Cask Strength Single Malt
Mark is drinking: Old Grand Dad 114
Also mentioned:
The Food Court Podcast by Glenford Jameson
bourbonguy.com on Rittenhouse Old vs New
Martini FAQ
Proof Obsessed
The theme song is licensed in thanks to Alan Doyle! It's available on iTunes.
Bartender and drinks writer, Sarah Parniak (@S_Parns), joins Mark and Jamie to discuss cocktail culture, whisky alternatives, the life of a bartender, and bar etiquette!
Sarah is drinking: Laphroaig 18
Jamie is drinking: Old Grand Dad 114
Mark is drinking: Four Roses Single Barrel (LCBO Edition)
Also mentioned:
Alo Restaurant in Toronto
Brandy Wiki Page
Rum Reaches for New Cred by Sarah Parniak
Adam McDowell National Post Column
BYOB Cocktail Emporium in Toronto
Martini Pitcher
Rhum Corner
Judy Blume, author
John Bunner, bar manager at Alo
Tiki Bar wiki page
Brad Gadberry’s The Martini FAQ
Nikki From the Barrel
Willet Rye
Writer’s Tears
The theme song is licensed in thanks to Alan Doyle! It's available on iTunes.
Mark and Jamie discuss craft whisky, marketing, gimmicks like shooting whisky into space, the bottled-in-bond act, and lawsuits!
Jamie is drinking: Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select
Mark is drinking: Colonel E.H. Taylor Straight Rye
Japan sends whisky to space
Ardbeg sends whisky to space
A Musical Lesson for Investors and Advisors
Bottled in Bond Act of 1897
The theme song is licensed in thanks to Alan Doyle! It's available on iTunes.
Mark Reynier is the owner of Waterford Distillery, and former managing director and part-owner of Bruichladdich distillery. The discussion focuses on the future of Irish whiskey, trends in the industry, the importance of credibility, whisky terroir, no-age statement whisky, and lessons learned from Bruichladdich that’ll be applied to Waterford Distillery. For the latest Waterford Distillery information, follow them on twitter @waterforddram.
Show notes:
The Whisky Dream - Bruichladdich Distillery
The theme song is licensed in thanks to Alan Doyle! It's available on iTunes.
Jamie and Mark are joined by Eric Burke of www.bourbonguy.com. The topic of discussion includes the Templeton Rye class-action lawsuit settlement, Eric’s picks of cheap whiskies, (bad) tips on talking to your doctor, and cross-boarder shopping.
Apologies for the occasional audio issue. We had a echo for part of the podcast that made editing a challenge.
Jamie is drinking: Dry Fly Washington Whisky
Mark is drinking: Bulleit Rye
Eric is drinking: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond
Also mentioned:
Forty Creek Copper Pot
Star Trek: Synthehol
WhiskyCast’s interview with Templeton Rye
High West
Smooth Ambler
Old Grand-Dad
Four Roses
Two Star Whiskey
The theme song is licensed in thanks to Alan Doyle! It's available on iTunes.
Jamie and Mark are joined by Reid Mitenbuler, the author of The Bourbon Empire: The Past and Future of America’s Whisky. We talk about about the link between American’s history and whisky, the craft whisky movement, dirty dancing references, twittersphere, and writing books.
Jamie is drinking: Hudson Baby Bourbon
Mark is drinking: Glenmorangie 18
The theme song is licensed in thanks to Alan Doyle! It's available on iTunes.
Mark Bylok recently wrote about how he’s rebooting his whisky review writing process. Jamie and Mark discuss whisky reviews, and finding that reviewer that your tastes sync up with. Also discussed, napping, Annie the musical, throwing sleep-over parties, and Trent’s big head.
Jamie is drinking: Wiser’s Legacy
Mark is drinking: Grant’s Family Reserve
Also mentioned:
Tweet @bourbonthing for whisky music recommendations
Do’s and Don’t For Napping
Women Who Whisky
Mark Updates The Review Process
Chris Nuttall-Smith
Matt Mark
Canadian Club Sherry Finished
The theme song is licensed in thanks to Alan Doyle! It's available on iTunes.
This week, Jamie and Mark have Matt Jones on the podcast. Matt is the Canada’s brand ambassador for Beam Suntory specializing in bourbon with over 16 years of bartending experience. Topics include craft whisky, flavoured whisky, cooking with whisky, whisky pairings, and summer cocktails! We also talk about whisky tours in the Beam Suntory portfolio, and restaurant recommendations for Louisville. Special thanks to Matt Mark, who provided the equipment.
Jamie is drinking: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
Mark is drinking: Highland Park Thor
Matt Jones is drinking: Knob Creek Small Batch
Other mentions on the show:
Geraldine Resetaurant in Toronto
Basil Hayden
Knob Creek Smoked Maple
Maker’s Mark Ambassador Program
Kentucky Recommendations:
Third Street Dive
Fourth Street Live
The Silver Dollar
Bourbon’s Bistro
Garage Bar
Proof on Main
The theme song is licensed in thanks to Alan Doyle! It's available on iTunes.
Jamie and Mark are joined by Josh Peters of The Whiskey Jug, to discuss whisky reviews, whisky clubs, blind tastings, favourite whiskies, and washroom habits.
Jamie is drinking: Stagg Jr
Mark is drinking: Duncan Taylor Cragganmore Single Barrel
Wild Turkey Forgiven
Why LA Is Maybe the Worst Place to Make Whisky
Special thanks to Alan Doyle for the theme song!
This week on The Whisky Topic, Glenford Jameson joins Jamie and Mark to discuss the tricky blind tasting that included variations of Eagle Rare, Weller 12 vs Van Winkle 12, and tasting oxidized whisky. Speculation went rampant on whether or not Eagle Rare is going to go NAS. The podcast takes an eerie turn when Woodford Reserve’s dried banana candy flavour is discussed.
Jamie is drinking: W.L. Weller 12
Mark is drinking: Teeling Whiskey
Death & Co: Modern Classic Cocktails
Buying Pappy from the Government
Special thanks to Alan Doyle for the theme song!
This week Jamie and Mark tackle to the topic of craft whisky and hand made whisky. Do hands touching your whisky make it taste better?
Jamie is drinking: Wild Turkey Forgiven
Mark is drinking: Willett Rye
Your ‘Craft’ Rye Whiskey Is Probably From a Factory Distillery in Indiana
Mark and Jamie make suggestions for bourbon and single malt drinkers to cross over to other types of whiskies, including hot climate whiskies!
Jamie is drinking: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select
Mark is drinking: Crown Royal Hand Selected Barrel
Also mentioned on the show:
Mark’s Eater Article on Hot Climate Whiskies
Mark and Jamie return back to single malt scotch, with special guest Sam Simmons, known as Dr. Whisky in the scotch community, and more currently, brand ambassador for Balvenie. We talk about his article from last year on Jim Murray, 2015 Whisky Bible, and Why Scotch Whisky Sucks. Other topics include the truth behind sherry casks, single barrel whisky, cask strength whisky, and troubles with recording in Paris!
Jamie is drinking: Society Single Malt No. 73.57
Mark is drinking: Balvenie 14 Year Old Caribbean Cask
Other whiskies mentioned:
This week, Mark and Jamie discuss the context around enjoying whisky. Do the circumstances we have the whisky under affect the enjoyment of the whisky? Also discussed, hangover cures, tips for managing your drinking, apps that help you avoid dry counties, Mad Men, land-lines, and cutting the cable cord!
Jamie is drinking: Knob Creek Single Barrel
Make is drinking: Dalwhinnie 15
Also mentioned:
Heather Greene’s Whisky Women Get Stereotype
Bourbon Empire: The Past and Future of America’s Whiskey
Beaumont Inn wins a James Beard Award
Bottled in Bond is an early example of a consumer protection laws passed to the benefit of the whisky buyer. That law was more about health and authenticity. Food lawyer, Glenford Jameson, talks about consumer protection laws as it relates to whisky. Plus, what’s whisky supposed to taste like? And we touch on that phrase, craft whisky.
Glenford is drinking: Bulleit 10
Mark is drinking: BenDriach 12
Mark also has: Stranahan’s
Also mentioned on the show:
Canadian whisky offers a unique voice in the whisky world. Davin de Kergommeaux, author of Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert, joins Jamie and Mark this week. The discussion goes deep into authenticity of whisky, additives, and comparisons between Canadian whisky and the rest of the world. Plus, Davin and Mark get dramatic about swirling and warming whisky, and Jamie seeks out whisky gossip!
Jamie is drinking: Canadian Club 100% Rye
Mark is drinking: Masterson’s 10 Year Old Rye
Davin is drinking: Forty Creek Three Grains
Davin is also drinking: Thunder Bolt Rye
Mentioned on the show:
Glassware, Swirling Whisky, and Winning Whisky Competitions
Canadian Whisky: The Comeback Story
Dave Broom’s The World Atlas of Whisky
Jamie Johnson and Mark Bylok discuss whisky events—what to do, and what not to do. They review Spirit of Toronto, and highlight rare whiskies they enjoyed at the event including Jim Murray’s 2015 winner, the Yamakazi 2013 Sherry Cask. Finally, Jamie and Mark touch upon rugby, the Apple Watch, and Jamie’s Bad Day Box kickstarter idea.
Jamie is drinking Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old
Mark is drinking Nikka Single Cask Coffey Whisky 1998
People storming the Yamakazi 2013 Sherry Cask
Union Local - Ottawa Restaurant
Whisky Exchange Whisky Show in London
Host a whisky party! Jamie Johnson and Mark Bylok discuss their tips and tricks for throwing your own whisky party. Topics include considerations for glassware, food pairings, setting up the order of the whisky, and the types of party you might want to throw. Plus, Jamie shares how you should leave a party early (unless they're serving cake). Links from the show:
Mark Bylok and Jamie Johnson review whisky from Scotland. Is scotch on its way down? What makes a good single malt scotch? Mark manages to rant on about no-age statements whisky. Lots of quick-tips on how to start with scotch. Plus, TV make-up. What’s up with that?
The Whisky Cabinet Book by Mark Bylok
Glenfiddich 15 Distillery Edition
No-Age Statement Whisky, Mark’s comments
