142: We celebrate Frank Sinatra’s birthday. Jack Daniels is involved.

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Frank Sinatra would call Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey the “Nectar of the Gods.” We speak with JD’s official historian, Nelson Eddy, on how closely Frank Sinatra and Jack Daniel’s are intertwined. Nelson shares some of his favourite Sinatra stories, we talk about how Sinatra liked to have his whisky, and the people around Sinatra that drank Jack Daniel’s. 

Get Mark’s book: The Whisky Cabinet

Support the podcast (and get great perks) on Patreon. Get your latest whisky reviews on whisky.buzz! You can find this week’s Patreon exclusive content here. 

Follow Jamie on Twitter and Instagram

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This podcast was edited and mixed by Bryan Goman.

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

141: The Fun Weirdo Whiskies Coming out of Teeling Whiskey

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Rob Caldwell of Teeling Distillery joins us to talk about the extensive history of the Teeling family, the distillery, and the whiskies coming out of the distillery. We talk about “core DNA” of a distillery, and how Teeling’s DNA is all about innovation. 

Patron exclusive content to this podcast is over on Patreon. 

Get Mark’s book: The Whisky Cabinet

Support the podcast (and get great perks) on Patreon. Get your latest whisky reviews on whisky.buzz! You can find this week’s Patreon exclusive content here.

Follow Jamie on Twitter and Instagram
Follow Mark on Twitter and Instagram

This podcast was edited and mixed by Bryan Goman.

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

140: Sam Simmons of Atom Brands swears. Jamie started it the cursing.

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It’s a classic Whisky Topic Podcast! And this is the only podcast you’ll ever hear where Jamie and Mark both do terribly in a quiz game (usually that’s reserved for Mark doing poorly). Sam Simmons of Atom Brands joins us! He’s behind the Boutique-y whisky company, advent calendars, rum, bathtub gin, and plenty of mistakes. There are some swears. It’s a frank discussion. Other notes of relevance: Sam respects Jamie. Jamie is missed. Sam administers Balvenie’s Facebook group. 

You can listen to more of Sam’s games on the Uncorked Whisky Sessions Boutiqe-y Podcast

Follow Sam on Twitter 

Buy Mark’s book The Whisky Cabinet

Support the podcast (and get great perks) on Patreon. Get your latest whisky reviews on whisky.buzz! You can find this week’s Patreon exclusive content here. 

Follow Jamie on Twitter and Instagram

Follow Mark on Twitter and Instagram

This podcast was edited and mixed by Bryan Goman.

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

139: Two Whisky Authors Drink Rum

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Davin De Kergommeaux and Mark Bylok sit down to talk about writing books, drinking rum, and their careers. Thank you to NB Spirits Festival for hosting! Support the podcast (and get great perks) on Patreon. Get your latest whisky reviews on whisky.buzz!

For your holiday gift buying: Canadian Whisky, Second Edition: The New Portable Expert

Pre-order Davin’s next book: The Definitive Guide to Canadian Distilleries

Mark’s Book The Whisky Cabinet

Also mentioned: 

Suresh Doss on CBC
Bookstock: Meet The World's Finest Spirits Writers
Thanks to Josh for the call-out at the start of the show! 

Support the podcast (and get great perks) on Patreon. Get your latest whisky reviews on whisky.buzz! You can find this week’s Patreon exclusive content here. 

Follow Davin on Twitter and Instagram
Follow Jamie on Twitter and Instagram
Follow Mark on Twitter and Instagram

We were drinking El Dorado Versailles, Enmore, and Port Mourant. 

This podcast was edited and mixed by Bryan Goman.

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



138: The Topic is Mezcal, with Josh of Bartender Atlas!

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Photo by: Jessica Blaine Smith

Photo by: Jessica Blaine Smith

Josh Lindley of Bartender Atlas joins the podcast to talk about bartending, cocktails, and we learn plenty about Mezcal! We focus on the intersection between bartending, cocktail culture, and the type of whiskies (and other spirits) we drink today. But, mostly, we talk about Mezcal. Support the podcast and get exclusive content on Patreon. Get your latest whisky reviews on whisky.buzz! 

Follow Josh on Instagram 

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Buy Mark’s book - The Whisky Cabinet
This podcast was edited and mixed by Bryan Goman.

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

Note: We mention Chantecler on the podcast. After recording this podcast, the building housing the restaurant had a fire which resulted in damage to the restaurant. It was devastating news and we hope they’re back up as quick as possible.


137: NHL Alumni Series - We taste all NINE whiskies!

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NHL Alumni Associate dedicates itself to the less-fortunate former NHL players, and together with Pernot Ricard, they’ve released nine NHL Alumni Series whiskies with proceeds going to the NHLAA. We drink through all of them (so far)! Plus, we talk about the status of the whisky community, and we launch our Patreon website so you can get more involved in the podcast (and website) and help the podcast grow!

Support the podcast and get exclusive content on Patreon.

Bryan Goman is our guest and podcast producer!

Follow Jamie on Twitter and Instagram
Follow Mark on Twitter and Instagram
Buy Mark’s book - The Whisky Cabinet

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

Post-production NHL fact checking:

It was said the Oilers scored 500+ goals as a team and had top 5 team goal scoring records. They do have the top 5 but the highest number is 446. They are the only team to score 400+ goals in a season, which they did 5 times. 

It was said thatLanny MacDonald scored the cup-winning goal in 1989 but it was actually Doug Gilmour who scored the winner. MacDonald scored the go-ahead goal to make it 2-1 Flames en route to a 4-2 Flames victory. 

We mention Don Cherry, who (after this recording) said racist comments and was fired from SportsNet as an NHL Commentator.

136: The Dirty Underground World of Bourbon Flipping

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Peter drinks, trades, and collects high-end rare bourbons by the hundred. Pappies, Staggs, rare distillery releases, he has them all. He also writes for his blog, New Bourbon Drinker. Peter joins us to talk about some of his latest purchases from the dark underground world of whisky trading. Learn which whiskies are overpriced, big prizes, those that undervalued, and those he’s keeping stashed away until they get discovered.

Read Peter’s review on New Bourbon Drinker.
Follow Mark on Twitter and Instagram
Buy Mark’s book - The Whisky Cabinet
This podcast was edited and mixed by Bryan Goman

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

135: Tasting Terroir from Within Waterford’s Whisky Library

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Ned Gahan, Head Distill at Waterford Distillery, takes us through several samples of whisky in the search of whisky terroir. Ned worked at the old Guinness brewery at Waterford, and takes us through the history of on the site that once exclusively produced beer, and now makes whisky. As usual, Mark gets carried away and starts picking out random samples during the podcast. 

Follow Ned Gahan on Twitter
Follow Waterford Distillery on Twitter and Instagram 

Follow Mark on Twitter and Instagram
Buy Mark’s book - The Whisky Cabinet
This podcast was edited and mixed by Bryan Goman

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

134: Whisky Terroir with Mark Reynier of Waterford Distillery

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Mark Reynier, of Bruichladdich fame, is on the precipice of releasing the first set of whiskies that are entirely terroir focused. Waterford Distillery is entirely purpose built for the production of vintage whiskies that can be traced down right down to the field the barley was grown. We talk about some of Mark Reynier’s history in Bruichladdich, the emotional attachment to farming, terroir, and the whisky that’ll be coming out from Waterford Distillery!

Follow Mark Reynier on Twitter
Follow Mark on Twitter and Instagram
Buy Mark’s book - The Whisky Cabinet
This podcast was edited and mixed by Bryan Goman
The theme song is licensed in thanks to Alan Doyle! It's available on iTunes.

133: Irish Whiskey with Louise McGuane of J.J. Corry

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“The Irish have a particular connection to the land and I felt a duty to secure the future of the family farm.” Luise McGuane planned to setup a grain to glass distillery on her farm, but instead was fortunate enough to be given access to old stock of Irish Whiskey. She now produces the J.J. Corry brand of Irish Whiskey blending and selling awarding winning styles of Irish Whiskey.

Follow Mark on Twitter and Instagram

Buy Mark’s book - The Whisky Cabinet

This podcast was edited and mixed by Bryan Goman

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

132: “What’s a Cask Strength Blend?” With Dr. Don Livermore!

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In Mark’s annual pilgrimage to Hiram-Walker Distillery, we hear from Dr. Don Livermore, the Master Blender for the distillery. This will be a preview of the Northern Border Collection Rare Releases, and the NHL Alumni series! As usual, we geek out about flavour molecules and what goes into blending whisky.

Follow Dr. Don Livermore
Follow Mark on Twitter and Instagram
Buy Mark’s book - The Whisky Cabinet
This podcast was edited and mixed by Bryan Goman.

131: Tasting Whisky Dusties from the 60s

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Glenford Jameson and Mark Bylok sit down to drink old whisky dusties from the 60s. What to look for when you're acquiring old whiskies? What can you expect? Two of the three whiskies will be a complete surprise!

You can find Glen at G.S. Jameson & Company 

Follow Jamie on Twitter and Instagram

Follow Mark on Twitter and Instagram

Buy Mark’s book - The Whisky Cabinet

This podcast was edited and mixed by Bryan Goman

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

130: The Gordons Join the Podcast!

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Distillery Manager Gordon Bruce and Brand Ambassador Gordon Stevenson. We talk about anCnoc, Balblair and Old Pulteney, whisky making culture, and there are some swears!

Follow Jamie on Twitter and Instagram

Follow Mark on Twitter and Instagram

Buy Mark’s book - The Whisky Cabinet

This podcast was edited and mixed by Bryan Goman

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

129: The Evolving Story of Beam Suntory

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Between Legent and Suntory Ao, Beam Suntory is releasing products not seen before from the company. Ray Daniel, brand ambassador, joins us to talk about the whisky coming out, and the life of a brand ambassador! We also talk about the Wonderful World of Whisky Show.

Thank you to the Wonderful World of Whisky Show for providing accommodations. Check out the show in 2020 coming in March 28th.

Follow Ray on Instagram

Follow Jamie on Twitter and Instagram

Follow Mark on Twitter and Instagram

Buy Mark’s book - The Whisky Cabinet

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

128: Toasting Memories with $30k Worth of Whiskies!

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Mark & Jamie taste through The Balvenie DCS Compendium Chapter Four for the first time. This collection typically retails for $30k US, and this year’s theme is “Expecting the Unexpected.” While enjoying a few drinks, Mark and Jamie review 2018, Jamie’s work as Brand Ambassador, and we look back over the years of the podcast.

Follow Jamie on Twitter and Instagram

Follow Mark on Twitter and Instagram

Buy Mark’s book - The Whisky Cabinet

This podcast was edited and mixed by Bryan Goman

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

127: Master Blender Andres Faustinelli breaks down Bearface Whisky

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Master Blender, Andres Faustinelli, tells us how he uses a wine-like finishing process to blend Bearface whisky. That process includes short finishing using French oak ex-wine barrels, and new Hungarian oak barrels. Andres deconstructs Bearface from start to finish, and tells us how he succeeds by asking the wrong people the right question.

Follow Master Blender Andres on Instagram

Follow Brand Ambassador Alexander Bohman on Instagram

Follow Jamie on Twitter and Instagram

Follow Mark on Twitter and Instagram

Buy Mark’s book - The Whisky Cabinet

This podcast was edited and mixed by Bryan Goman

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

126: “It’s the only word that rhymes with orangie,” says Bry Simpson of Ardbeg and Glenmorangie

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Bry Simpson, the Brand Ambassador for Ardbeg and Glenmorangie, joins Jame and Mark on the podcast. We talk about Bry’s origin story, we debate which distillery released double cask maturation first, and drink plenty of delicious whiskies!


Follow Bry on Instagram

Follow Jamie on Twitter and Instagram

Follow Mark on Twitter and Instagram

Buy Mark’s book - The Whisky Cabinet

Special thanks to our sponsor: The State of Logic Podcast

This podcast was edited and mixed by Bryan Goman

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

125: “Lignin, the most unappreciated flavour molecule in the world.” - Dr. Don Livermore

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Mark Bylok interviews Dr. Don Livermore, Master Blender of Hiram-Walker Distillery. We introduce the Northern Border Collection Rare Release of 2018, including Lot No. 40 Cask Strength, Gooderham & Worts Eleven Souls, J.P. Wiser’s 35, and Pikes Creek 21 Year Old! We geek out over the Canadian flavour wheel, and how Dr. Don is using the flavour wheel to tailor blends of whisky.

Follow Jamie on Twitter and Instagram

Follow Mark on Twitter and Instagram

Buy Mark’s book - The Whisky Cabinet

Special thanks to our sponsor: The State of Logic Podcast

This podcast was edited and mixed by Bryan Goman.

124: Whisky Glassware Matters with Raymond Davidson of Glencairn

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In the early days, Raymond Davidson ordered his whisky in a wine glass when drinking at the bar. Already being in the crystal business, he had enough of this, and created what we now know as the iconic Glencairn Glass. It wasn’t until his son Paul found the glass, that this was turned into a product primarily intended for whisky trades-people. While when originally released (back in 2001), it was intended for trades people, it’s the glass many consumers use to enjoy their whisky. Raymond Davidson joins us on the podcast. We speak about the Keepers of the Quaich, the importance of glassware, and how to win your very own Glencairn with the whisky.buzz logo!

To have an opportunity to receive one of three pairs of Glencairn glasses, do one (or both for twice the odds) of these:

On Twitter, RT this tweet:

On Instagram, post a photo with your favourite bottle of whisky and (if you have one) a Glencairn glass, with the hashtag #thewhiskytopic #whiskybuzz #glencairn!

Follow Jamie on Twitter and Instagram

Follow Mark on Twitter and Instagram

Buy Mark’s book - The Whisky Cabinet

Special thanks to our sponsor: The State of Logic Podcast

This podcast was edited and mixed by Bryan Goman.

123: Just a FEW drinks with the founder of FEW Spirits

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FEW Spirits is a grain to grass distillery founded by Paul Hletko located in Evanston Illinois, the birthplace of prohibition. Located just outside of Chicago, FEW produces ryes, bourbons, and gin! Paul Hletko takes us through the history of the distillery, the town, and the range of the whisky. Recorded in New Orleans, during Tales of the Cocktail! 

Special thanks to our sponsor: The State of Logic Podcast

Follow Jamie on
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bourbonthing
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bourbonthing

Follow Mark on
Twitter: https://twitter.com/markbylok
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markbylok

This podcast was edited and mixed by Bryan Goman.

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