WhiskyCast

Jim Cryle "retired" this year as Master Distiller at The Glenlivet, but somehow he seems just as busy as ever after 40 years of making Scotch. My conversation with Jim includes everything from his early days in distilling to what it's like to walk into a warehouse first thing in the morning, as well as his choice for that final dram. In the news, Bruichladdich's bottling Port Charlotte PC5, the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre gets a new name, and new whiskies are on tap -- so to speak -- for WhiskyFest in New York next week.

Most of us will never be able to produce our own whisky, but admit it, you'd probably love to be able to bottle your own whisky as an independent bottler. Barry Stein and Barry Bernstein are doing just that, and they're the first independent bottlers in Canada. They'll tell us about negotiating the bureaucratic maze, getting their first bottles into liquor stores in Alberta, and just how much fun it is to have a bottle of Scotch on your desk for dramming at desire! In the news, Buffalo Trace Distillery hits the Triple Crown with another Distiller of the Year Award, Woodford Reserve marks an anniversary, Dewar's decides to give the U.S. a taste of Aberfeldy, and will there ever be a deal at Whyte and MacKay?

WhiskyCast hits the road again...this time around, to Toronto for the first Whisky Live Toronto festival! We'll hear from William Grant and Sons' Ian Millar about a new Grant's blend that combines the best of beer and the best of whisky in one...along with the competition for Toronto's best whisky chef/bartender, and a peek into a special Crown Royal whisky that will only be around for a short while. Finally...there's a blessed event in the WhiskyCast family! Put on your hockey jersey, crank up a rousing chorus of "O Canada", and join us for this special edition of WhiskyCast!

Last time, Sweden...this time, Australia. They're about as far apart as you can get physically, but both countries share a love of whisky. There are a handful of Australian distilleries, and we'll hear from Patrick Maguire, who manages the Tasmania Distillery and makes Sullivan's Cove Single Malt. In the news, the saga of Whyte and MacKay continues, and there are a bunch of new whiskies from Buffalo Trace, Gordon and MacPhail, and Diageo's Classic Malts series.

Sweden is a nation of whisky lovers, with more than 200 whisky clubs. In fact, three of the year's best whisky books have been produced by Swedish whisky lovers. We'll hear from Ingvar Ronde, the editor of the 2007 Malt Whisky Yearbook, which is being published this week. We'll also talk with Ulf Buxrud, Keeper of the Quaich, Malt Maniac, and author of the upcoming book "Rare Malts" on the 36 distilleries that make up the Rare Malts series. Finally, Par Caldenby, author of "The Enthusiast's Guide to Enjoying Malt Whisky" gives us his reasons why Sweden's state monopoly on alcohol sales actually makes it easier to find rare whiskies. In the news, William Grant and Sons takes control of its UK distribution rights, Duncan Taylor and Co. puts some rare single malts on the auction block, the US chapter of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society goes on the road, and Malt Advocate Editor and Publisher John Hansell gives us a preview of the fall issue.

Whisky lovers generally love to collect more than just bottles of their favorite drams, and those who collect whisky books are among the most avid collectors. Earlier this year, Ian Buxton produced a new edition of the 1930 Aeneas MacDonald classic, "Whisky". Now, he and fellow whisky book lover Neil Wilson have teamed up to launch Classic Expressions, a new series of historical whisky books rarely seen today. We'll get the details from Ian, and in the news, the Bourbon Hall of Fame inducts three new members, Bowmore gives travelers a 30-year-old Islay malt to collect, and on the business front, Pernod Ricard has a record sales year, while Glenmorangie's hoping to get back into the black.

There are distillery bottlings, independent bottlings...and then, there are bottlings that you'll only find at one retailer. Whisky specialist retailers are buying casks and having their own exclusive single-cask bottlings produced. In this episode, we'll hear from two spirits specialists on why these bottlings are in so much in demand. In the news, a Dutchman wins the Cadenhead's Malt Whisky Nosing Challenge, Whisky Magazine hands out its annual awards for independent bottlers, and whisky TV comes to the Web!

In the last episode, I had hints about changes at Highland Park. Now, we get the complete details, courtesy of Highland Park global controller Jason Craig. Craig's had the bottle and label redesigned, changed the marketing and branding, but is going by one philosophy: "Thou shalt not touch the whisky...the whisky is good." In the news, will whisky lovers pay $150 for a very special American rye whiskey, Springbank gets a new distillery manager, and Whyte and MacKay makes more changes at Isle of Jura. Again, the whisky itself is sacred, but the additions are a new lodge at the distillery, a whisky school, and a redesigned website. I'll also answer a listener question about whether crystal decanters are safe to use.

Five years ago, the stills at Islay's Bruichladdich Distillery roared back to life. The spirit produced on May 29, 2001 is now making its way into the market, and Bruichladdich's Mark Reynier will give us the story behind the new Port Charlotte single malt. In the news, Ardbeg's husband-and-wife team of Stuart and Jackie Thomson are leaving the distillery after bringing it back from the brink of oblivion, construction has started at Ladybank Distillery near Fife, Old Forester Bourbon celebrates a birthday, the latest earnings reports from Diageo and Brown-Forman, along with a busy calendar of September events. Pour a dram, sit back, and turn up the volume for Episode 56 of WhiskyCast!

It's not often that The Glenlivet introduces a new single malt, but that's what's happening this week! We'll get an update from The Glenlivet's Andy Nash on the new 16-year-old Nadurra, the first cask-strength bottling available to most whisky drinkers. In the news, Robbo lands at Whyte and MacKay, Diageo releases another entry-level single malt for the duty-free market, and on the festival front...there will be one in Louisiana this October, but will there be two in Toronto? Also, it's time for you to become a part of WhiskyCast...all you need to do is record a whisky joke or drinking song, and you could be featured in an upcoming episode!

More from the WhiskyCast Book Club in this episode...Misako Udo's passion for whisky has landed her a publishing deal for "The Scottish Whisky Distilleries." Back in February, we talked with Misako, and we'll get an update in this episode. In the news...is Whyte & MacKay up for sale, or is it? Also, a whisky festival planned for this fall in Louisiana has been cancelled, and writer Ian Buxton has plans to give new life to more classic whisky books.

Every whisky lover has a special preference...water or no water...ice or no ice...and then there's the glass. We'll look at the choices whisky lovers face in selecting a glass for that special dram. In the news, the trade war between India and the Europeans over whisky tariffs is heating up, this past week's terrorist scare means we'll have to leave our flasks at home, and Whisky Magazine editor Dominic Roskrow is leaving for a new challenge.

Last year, 250,000 people visited the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre on Edinburgh's Royal Mile. The tour includes a free dram of Scotch, and that's a lot of drams to pour! We'll hear more about the Centre from its founder and managing director, Alastair McIntosh. In the news, Dave "Robbo" Robertson leaves Jon, Mark, and Robbo's -- and perhaps Edrington Group -- for parts unknown (perhaps Whyte & MacKay?), there's a new vintage from The Glenrothes, Maker's Mark is shutting down the stills for summer maintenance, and more whisky events to plan your next vacation around...

In part two of our series on whisky tasting for beginners, award-winning whisky writer Dave Broom offers his advice for beginners, as well as some criticism of the whisky industry for failing to better educate newcomers. In the news, Russian red tape is holding thousands of bottles of whisky hostage, Pernod Ricard sales worldwide are on the rise, phase one of the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre's remodeling is complete, and we'll have the winners of Scottish Field Magazine's latest whisky merchants' challenge.

It's a milestone for WhiskyCast, and we'll mark the occasion by going back to basics with a lesson on whisky tasting and nosing for beginners. Our guide: whisky writer and Keeper of the Quaich Martine Nouet. In the news...an update on Ardbeg's rare -- and expensive -- 1965 single malt release, the Scotch Whisky Review gets new ownership, and while distilleries have been adding hotel rooms to attract visitors, a hotel in the Highlands is adding a distillery...the details on Episode 50 of WhiskyCast!

I'll admit to skipping a few classes now and then in college, but then, none of my classes were held in a distillery! Jeff Topping of Wild Scotsman has two classes this fall no whisky lover would want to skip...and we'll get the details on this episode of WhiskyCast. In the news, the winners of this year's International Spirits Challenge have been announced, Old Forester bourbon gets a new look with a classic touch, the Classic Malts Cruise gets underway on the Scottish coast, and word of a raid on the liquor cabinet on board India's equivalent of Air Force One.

There's no arguing that John Glaser of Compass Box is one of the whisky industry's leading innovators, but John's latest creation has been pulled off the market after a conflict with the Scotch Whisky Association over traditional practices. We'll hear from both sides, and there's a lot of news as well in this episode. Ardbeg's turning out a 40-year-old, the Famous Grouse has a new nest online, there's another addition to the WhiskyCast book club, and if you've ever wondered what working in a distillery would be like, a Wild Scotsman wants to give you the chance to find out.

WhiskyCast hits the road again, this time to the luxurious New York Yacht Club. Glasgow is sponsoring one of the ships sailing in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, which reached New York City on Friday, and the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau sponsored a reception to celebate. Glengoyne Distillery's table was the highlight, with a whisky blending competition for guests to try their hand at nosing and blending their own whisky. We'll follow one amateur blender through his turn at the table, and it's a perfect time for us to look at a "conventional wisdom" of the whisky world -- that there are 32 primary aromas the human nose can detect. As Kevin Erskine and Charles MacLean tell us, science has rendered that theory obsolete. In the news, Glasgow's controversial proposal to ban glasses from the city's pubs has been shattered...and we'll have the details on Episode 47 of WhiskyCast!

Time for a chapter from the WhiskyCast Book Club...back in 1930, a Scotsman going by the name of Aeneas MacDonald wrote the first book on whisky aimed at whisky drinkers. "Whisky" was a groundbreaking book for its time, and many of MacDonald's comments are still true today. Now, Ian Buxton has solved the mystery of Aeneas MacDonald, and Canongate Books has released a new edition of "Whisky" for a new generation of whisky lovers. Ian gives us the details, along with readings from the book on this episode of WhiskyCast!

It's the first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and many whisky lovers are thinking of their summer vacations. More Scotch distilleries are taking the tourism business seriously, with at least half a dozen distilleries upgrading or opening new visitors centers this year. We'll hear from Sarah Bottomley at Glengoyne and Ian Millar of Glenfiddich about their new centers and tours, including a new tour at The Balvenie. In the news, Scotch Whisky Association leaders are touting their new code of practices, Highland Park prepares to release a new Ambassador's Cask, and a new whisky festival is in the works to celebrate Celtic and Cajun heritage in Louisiana.

Whisky and charity often go hand in hand, as whisky lovers raise thousands of dollars for those in need every year. In this episode, we'll hear from Inver House's Nial Mackinlay, who led a team of his colleagues on the UK's Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for Children First, the Royal Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. What is the Three Peaks Challenge? Climb the highest peaks in England, Scotland, and Wales...and do all three in under 24 hours. In the news, Cooley Distillery releases a new single grain Irish whiskey, and blogger/author Kevin Erskine's new edition of "The Instant Expert's Guide to Single Malt Scotch" has just been published...

It's easy to stick to the official distillery bottlings of whiskies, but a visit to specialty shops may pique your curiosity with independent bottlings. Many come from very familiar distilleries, but some bottlings are so rare that they may be the only way to find out what a distillery's single malt whisky tastes like. We'll hear from Euan Shand of Duncan Taylor & Company, Lorne Mackillop of Mackillop's Choice, and Malt Advocate's John Hansell plays devil's advocate for us. In the news, Pot Still owner Ken Storrie is standing up to Glasgow regulators, Chivas Brothers takes on a Chinese newspaper, and another woman cracks the whisky world's glass ceiling...it's a new month, and time for another new episode of WhiskyCast!

It's time for the annual Islay Festival of Malt and Music, and that also means a bit of madness on the island...everything from sheepdog trials to a visit from the Mayor of Islay...the Islay in Peru. We'll get a preview from Festival Chairperson Angus Rice on the festivities, while Laphroaig's John Campbell, Ardbeg's Stuart Thomson, and Bruichladdich's Mark Reynier tell us about some of the distillery events -- some traditional and others quite unusual -- that make Feis Ile unique. In the news section, distiller Jim Cryle is bringing back a touch of Scotland's rebellious days, and there's a major auction of whiskies on the block in Keith...

New York's a city full of whisky drinkers, but most of them only think of Scotch Whisky. LeNell Smothers is on a one-woman mission to change all that...from a tiny storefront in Brooklyn's Red Hook neighborhood. LeNell's stocks more than 100 different types of bourbon and other American whiskies, and many of them are available for tasting at a store that's been honored as the best in New York and one of the world's best retailers by Whisky Magazine. Plus...Seagram pensioners get the shaft, Diageo gets new leadership in Scotland, another native Ileach comes home to take over Lagavulin...Bunnahabhain gets a new website, and it's festival time on Islay...all on this episode of WhiskyCast!

Japanese whiskies are a mystery to many whisky lovers, and we'll get some insight to these special malts from Suntory consultant Lincoln Henderson, who spent most of his career making bourbons for Brown-Forman. In the news, Whisky Magazine's Dave Broom is honored, Penderyn finally makes it to U.S. stores, and profits flow at Pernod Ricard. Pour yourself a dram, and relax with Episode 40 of WhiskyCast!

Whisky is a passion for distillers, but it's also a science...and good scientists experiment to see what might make a good whisky and what won't. Harlen Wheatley of Kentucky's Buffalo Trace Distillery is a chemical engineer by trade and a distiller by choice, and a new collection of his experiments are being released for whisky lovers to sample. We'll hear from Harlen about his experiments, along with a contest to challenge your whisky nosing skills, and Suntory's Lincoln Henderson helps answer a listener question...all on this episode of WhiskyCast!

Laphroaig has been making whisky for nearly 200 years, but until now, no native of Islay has ever served as the distillery manager there. John Campbell grew up in the shadow of Laphroaig, and now, he's running the place. We'll hear from John, and get the latest news...and if you're a daily drammer, you'll be glad to hear that one drink a day may help you avoid obesity. We'll also get some tips from Malt Advocate publisher John Hansell on how to host your own whisky tasting for friends.

Canadians take pride in their whisky, but one very special whisky often goes overlooked on store shelves. That's a mistake, though...Alberta Premium was chosen by Jim Murray as his Canadian Whisky of the Year in his 2006 Whisky Bible, and we'll hear from the man who makes it, Master Distiller Jim Rogerson. Also, the recipe for the perfect Mint Julep in time for the Kentucky Derby, honors for two whisky writers and the release of the second edition of Dr. David Wishart's "Whisky Classified", a retirement at The Dalmore, and John Hansell updates us on the spring edition of Malt Advocate magazine.

Jeff Topping traveled from Ohio to Scotland to explore his family's heritage, and wound up as the "Wild Scotsman", producing his own line of independent bottlings. We'll have his story on this episode, along with Jim Cryle on the special vatting he and fellow retired distiller Ed Dodson put together for this weekend's Spirit of Speyside Festival...a $1000 Kentucky Derby cocktail, and news of layoffs at the Seagram distillery in Indiana...all on this episode of WhiskyCast.

There's only one man living who can claim to have managed distilleries in all five of Scotland's whisky-producing regions, and you'll hear his story on this episode of WhiskyCast. Also, Scottish First Minister Jack McConnell weighs in on the dispute over Indian whisky import tariffs, news of a new web site for whisky beginners, Buffalo Trace turns its experiments in bourbon loose on the world, and a gardening tip you'll enjoy...all on this episode of WhiskyCast!

It's a big weekend in Kentucky, as Maker's Mark celebrates Thoroughbreds & Redheads Weekend. We'll get the details from Master Distiller Dave Pickerell, along with updates on George Dickel and Bulleit whiskies, the events calendar, and the final installment of my interview with whisky writer Jim Murray. In this chapter, Jim talks about maintaining his independence as a journalist, problems with the Whisky Bible web site, and his choice for that one final dram...

The biggest WhiskyCast yet! Part two of the Jim Murray interview, along with a roundup of new whiskies from the recent Whisky Live New York. We'll have details of the new Balvenie 17-year-old single malt, new Bunnahabhains, and the first kosher single malt, along with two new amazing blends.

You may love him...you may hate him...but you've probably got a copy of his Whisky Bible on the shelf. Jim Murray talks about he became the first full-time whisky journalist, as well as how one man can taste thousands of whiskies a year and survive. Also...a Wild Scotsman is a Mad Scotsman these days...and in this special episode on location at New York's Grand Central Station, details on the auction of a Glenfiddich Rare Edition 1937 single malt.

No April Fool's Day jokes in this episode...just cask-strength whisky news! The winners of the annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition have been announced, and we have the details. Also, Whisky Magazine's editors are training for the "Islay Triathlon", and we'll find out more from Glenfiddich's Ian Millar about the world's oldest whisky to be auctioned off in New York Tuesday night. Plus...one Glenfiddich single malt is "forbidden fruit" for American whisky drinkers, but that's about to change...

The numbers are in for 2005, and Scotch distillers had one of the best years on record -- despite sales declines in Europe. We'll get the details, along with a charity auction of what may be the world's oldest whisky, new Kentucky Derby releases, and a newcomer to the world of whisky...with a Swedish accent and rave initial reviews for Mackmyra Reserve.

Tullibardine Distillery in the Scottish Highlands is making up for lost time after reopening in 2003, and we'll get an update from veteran distillery manager John Black. In the news, a new "pillaged malt" is being sold for charity, along with a rare whisky that raised $30,000 for the Himalayan Trust, and master blender Richard Paterson heads off on a worldwide mission to promote Glasgow's 2014 Commonwealth Games bid.

WhiskyCast goes on location to Fitzer's Bar at the Fitzpatrick Hotel on Madison Avenue in New York City...right along the parade route for New York's St. Patrick's Day Parade. We'll look at Irish whiskeys in this episode, featuring interviews with Bushmills Master Distiller Colum Egan and Cooley Distillery's John Teeling and Willie McCarter on the new whiskey named after Irish revolutionary hero Michael Collins.

The title "Best Whisky Bar in the World" is sought by many, earned by few. This year, Whisky Magazine's Icons of Whisky award went to The Pot Still in Glasgow, and that prompted owner Ken Storrie to buy a round for the house! We'll hear from Ken, and in the news, we'll have word of a new Balvenie single malt release, a brewing trade war between Europe and India over whisky, and why China matters so much to whisky producers.

Time for an update on new whiskies heading for your local bar or retailer, including the 2006 lineup for Diageo's Classic Malts and Rare Malts series and new releases from Bunnahabhain and Compass Box. We'll hear from the folks at Glenfarclas, just named Whisky Magazine's Distiller of the Year, Also, an update on next month's Spirit of Speyside Festival and more on the "weapons-grade whisky" controversy.

It's a milestone of sorts for WhiskyCast, with 25 episodes now on the web! We'll celebrate independent spirit in this episode. Bruichladdich's Mark Reynier explains just what he and his mates were thinking when they distilled a weapons-grade whisky from a 300-year-old recipe last week. We'll hear from Penderyn co-founder Brian Morgan on his distillery's delays in getting the first Welsh whisky in a century into the United States, and news of a new distribution deal for one of Canada's most underrated whiskies...all on this special edition of WhiskyCast!

This cask-strength episode spans the globe, from controversies in India to whiskies that are fiery and smoky in Islay. We'll also re-visit an old friend of WhiskyCast, as Dawn Callan's group "Gopher Baroque" debuts their new song "Shipwrecked Whisky"!

What's a whisky lover to do when tasting and collecting just aren't enough? How about taking the ultimate distillery tour...where you actually work at the distillery for a few days. We'll learn about getting a graduate degree in "whisky science" from Bladnoch Distillery owner Raymond Armstrong. In the news, registration is open for a new conference bringing together whisky industry leaders, plus honors for The Whisky Shop, a new release from Ian Macleod, new developments at Glengoyne, and much more...all on this episode of WhiskyCast!

In the last episode, we discussed the controversy in Greece and India over an Athens bar display featuring a Hindu goddess carrying bottles of Southern Comfort. The display infuriated members of the Hindu faith, and Brown-Forman executive Phil Lynch explains how the company is trying to resolve the situation. On a happier note, we have news of new releases from Arran and The Glenlivet, along with the one place whisky and cars do go together -- on the race track!

Whisky inspires passion, and we'll get the proof on this episode of WhiskyCast. Why else would a man release a special single malt to honor his great-great-great grandfather's 200th birthday? Why else would Misako Udo travel from Japan to Scotland to make her home and her career helping others discover whisky, then self-publish one of the best books ever written on Scotch Whisky history? And unfortunately, why would Hindus be upset over what they see as blasphemy when a bar portrays one of their goddesses toting a bottle of whisky? All that...and more on this episode of WhiskyCast.

The next few weeks will be full of whisky events around the world, and we'll find out more about Whisky Live, the Whiskies of the World Expo, and WhiskyFest Chicago. In the news, bidding continues in Whisky Magazine's charity auction, the Spirit of Speyside Festival is looking for Moray's best photos, and one man has found a new way to mix whisky with computers.

It's Super Bowl weekend in the US, and we'll get some tips for planning the big event from Brown-Forman's CEO -- "Chief Entertaining Officer" Tim Laird. In the news, Heaven Hill reaches a milestone, a Penderyn co-founder is honored, and new data shows the extent of binge drinking in Great Britain.

Internet whisky forums are buzzing with rumors about the fate of The Balvenie Founder's Reserve, and we'll have the answer to those rumors directly from The Balvenie's global brand manager, Jens Tholstrup! Also, a facelift and new name for Jim Beam Brands, a top Diageo executive announces his plans to leave the company, and the answer to a whisky newcomer's question about Johnnie Walker Swing...all on this episode of WhiskyCast!

Plenty of new developments to talk about in this episode...new leadership in place at the Scotch Whisky Association, Johnnie Walker honored in an unusual way, Sazerac Rye Whisky returns to New Orleans just in time for Mardi Gras, and Bruichladdich's Mark Reynier gives us an in-depth look at the Burns Night distillation of an unusually rare whisky. Plus...is that Bruichladdich 10-year-old whisky really 10 years old? Yes...and then some!

It's time to celebrate one of Scotland's legends...the poet Robert Burns. While Burns Night is associated with Scotch Whisky, only one distillery is allowed to use Burns' name and image on its whiskies. We'll talk about the Robert Burns whiskies with Douglas Davidson of Arran Distillery in Ayrshire. Also, an update from Whisky Magazine's Dominic Roskrow on the new issue of Whisky Magazine, new releases from Kentucky and Scotland, and the events calendar.

We'll span the world in this episode, and hear the story of a Kentucky lawyer who took his great-great-grandfather's whiskey formula and turned it into a modern classic. Tom Bulleit explains the legend behind his Bulleit Frontier Bourbon Whiskey. In the news, bidding has opened for one of two special bottles of Whisky Magazine's Speyside vatting to combat hunger and poverty, Bruichladdich brings back an ancient classic for Burns Night, and another pronunciation lesson...all on this episode of WhiskyCast!