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

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. 

41: Celebrating Festivus with Whisky - We are Grievances

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. 

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

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. 

39: Chatting Jim Beam & Stories of Kentucky

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. 

38: The Bitter Truth About Bitters with Frape & Sons

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

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

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. 

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

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? 

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

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. 

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

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

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

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! 

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

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

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

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

30: Whisky Music Videos, Failed Experiments, and NDPs

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. 

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

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. 

28: Interview with Drew Mayville, Buffalo Trace Master Blender

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. 

27: "No one is going to indulge me? I hate not being indulged."

Mark and Jamie review their bet on Ardbeg going to space—did aging whisky in zero-gravity change the flavour of it? Who won the bet? Also covered, whsky.buzz, Glenlivet making it to number one single malt, the Orphan Barrel controversy, and haunted houses!

Jamie is drinking: Barterhouse
Mark is drinking: Monkey Shoulder

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

Links from the show:

Ardbeg goes to space
Ardbeg micro-gravity report
Launch of whsky.buzz
Glenlivet becomes world’s number 1 selling single malt
Chuck Cowdery on the Orphan Barrel controversy
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Haunted Houses in Louisville
 

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

26: Talking Gin with Di Caro - “I would like a kangaroo, sir!”

Wine writer, Mike Di Caro, joins Jamie and Mark to talk about gin. We start in the early days of spirit drinking, and talk about junipers, vodka, whisky, the great lakes, and farming. Follow Mike Di Caro on twitter @mikedicaro.

We drank:
Death’s Door Gin
Plymouth Gin
Ungava Canadian Premium Gin
Sipsmith Dry Gin
The Botanist Islay Dry Gin
Aviation Gin

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

Also mentioned:

Howard Hughes Spruce Goose
And lots of history. 

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

25: Whisky and Proof Levels - “As me, I’m in favour of this approach!”

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. 

24: Cocktail Culture Talk with Sarah Parniak

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. 

23: “Yeah, Prime Whisky Time!”

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.