The Whiskey Ring Podcast
Join Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and my guests to talk about all things whiskey and spirits! Support this podcast: https://www.patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring
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Episodes
Wednesday May 31, 2023
Wednesday May 31, 2023
Purchase your sample kit here for the virtual private Riachi tasting by June 10th to ensure delivery!
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Colby Frey's family has been farming in Nevada for 165 years, so no opportunistic farmers here (is there such a thing?) For most of that history, the family grew grain and animals for commodity markets - the high-protein, low-starch grains desired for feed, not the kind that's good for whiskey making.
Sitting on a unique, oasis-like area by Lake Tahoe, the Frey Ranch land is magical. It truly can do whatever you want it to, if you treat it well.
So, Colby made two decisions: he and Ashley, his wife and partner in all things farm (and whiskey!), were getting into the world of bourbons, ryes, and wheat whiskey; and, to do that, all their grain production (or at least part of it at first) would have to switch to the high-starch, low-protein style needed for making good spirits.
I love these kinds of stories, the ones where the farmer is the distiller, the husband and wife are clearly co-partners, and where they have a heck of a dream that continues to build on itself. Sure, Frey Ranch might be limited in reach right now, but as long as they can grow enough grain to do so the Freys are intent on expanding.
And did I mention their whiskies are fantastic? Don't believe me? Check out their social media for the lines that await them on the morning of a release, or try to get a wheat whiskey (I waited too long, and by too long I mean 4 minutes).
I'll be rolling out reviews of their Bottled-in-Bond Rye, Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and Quad-Malt Bourbon in the next few days - keep an eye on the show notes and on socials so you don't miss them!
Finally, remember their motto: Be good to the land and the land will be good to you.
_________________
Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:
The first WRP barrel pick is coming! I'm heading to Tennessee to pick two barrels - that's right, two! - of Jack Daniel's Barrel Proof Rye. There are also upcoming picks of KO Distilling and Spirits of French Lick (trust me - Alan has picked out some funky things for us to try!). $25 members get the chance to join me on picks, and one of your fellow Patreon members is joining me in Lynchburg!
Join the Patreon now for early access to the barrels!
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so! Only 4 Spots Remain in the Barrel Club.
The $5 tier has access to the Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk whiskey, life, and influencing. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks.
The $25 tier - for people who really want to propel the pod and website forward - will have the same benefits as the $5 tier plus right of first refusal to join me on future barrel picks, access to bottles I'm sent to taste and review, and more. Only 4 spots remain!
You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up.
Finally, please do like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening - it really helps the Whiskey Ring Podcast move up the rankings.
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website.
Frey Ranch Distillery
Frey Ranch Distillery Website
Frey Ranch Distillery on Instagram
Frey Ranch Distillery on Facebook
Frey Ranch Distillery on Twitter
Frey Ranch Distillery on YouTube
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter
Thanks to our Sponsor, Scotch Malt Whisky Society
SMWS Website
SMWS of America Website (Use code WRP for 20% off your membership!)
SMWS/A Facebook
SMWS/A Instagram
SMWS/A Twitter
SMWS/A YouTube
Wednesday May 24, 2023
Wednesday May 24, 2023
Purchase your sample kit here for the virtual private Riachi tasting by June 10th to ensure delivery!
_________________
Finding Riachi was a happy accident, and boy am I happy it happened. Riachi has been making wine and spirits - mainly arak - in Lebanon for 184 years (since 1839), until they decided to enter the whisky space in 2011.
Roy Riachi, the family's current generation, found a love for whiskies around that time and put his family's unusual still to use making Lebanese whisky. A decade later, they're still the only Lebanese whisky distillery around.
They have two product lines: Levant Heights, their experimental line, and Athyr, an all-Lebanese product made from Lebanese sun-dried barley, Lebanese oak, and Lebanese cedar for the Cedarwood finish. This is some seriously good and seriously cool whisky, and you'll want to try it.
Luckily, someone just happens to be hosting a private virtual tasting on June 17 with Roy himself!
Purchase your sample kit here by June 10th to ensure delivery!
_________________
Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:
The first WRP barrel pick is coming! I'm heading to Tennessee to pick two barrels - that's right, two! - of Jack Daniel's Barrel Proof Rye. There are also upcoming picks of KO Distilling and Spirits of French Lick (trust me - Alan has picked out some funky things for us to try!). $25 members get the chance to join me on picks, and one of your fellow Patreon members is joining me in Lynchburg!
Join the Patreon now for early access to the barrels!
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so! Only 4 Spots Remain in the Barrel Club.
The $5 tier has access to the Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk whiskey, life, and influencing. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks.
The $25 tier - for people who really want to propel the pod and website forward - will have the same benefits as the $5 tier plus right of first refusal to join me on future barrel picks, access to bottles I'm sent to taste and review, and more. Only 4 spots remain!
You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up.
Finally, please do like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening - it really helps the Whiskey Ring Podcast move up the rankings.
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website.
Riachi Winery and Distillery
Riachi Winery and Distillery Website
Riachi Winery and Distillery on Instagram
Riachi Winery and Distillery on Facebook
Riachi Winery and Distillery on YouTube
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter
Thanks to our Sponsor, Scotch Malt Whisky Society
SMWS Website
SMWS of America Website (Use code WRP for 20% off your membership!)
SMWS/A Facebook
SMWS/A Instagram
SMWS/A Twitter
SMWS/A YouTube
Monday May 22, 2023
Monday May 22, 2023
Bonus episode #5! Welcome back to Devin Ershow and Chase Langdon of American Mash & Grain and Borrowed Page American Whiskey.
I loved Borrowed Page Volume 1 (2022). It blended four distilleries and four distinct styles into a one-of-a-kind American whiskey that allowed you to taste all four components without losing sight of the whole.
It was a tough act to follow, but Borrowed Page Volume 2 is at least as good, maybe even better. At minimum, it was good enough to make me eat some crow about Virginia Distilling Company (read the review to see why).
Devin and Chase join me to catch up on where Borrowed Page is going and dive into the behind-the-scenes details on how Volume 2 came to be, including their collaboration with Ryan Mills, a.k.a. @thatoneduderyan.
_________________
Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:
The first WRP barrel pick is coming! I'm heading to Tennessee to pick two barrels - that's right, two! - of Jack Daniel's Barrel Proof Rye. There are also upcoming picks of KO Distilling and Spirits of French Lick (trust me - Alan has picked out some funky things for us to try!). $25 members get the chance to join me on picks, and one of your fellow Patreon members is joining me in Lynchburg!
Join the Patreon now for early access to the barrels!
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so! Only 4 Spots Remain in the Barrel Club.
The $5 tier has access to the Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk whiskey, life, and influencing. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks.
The $25 tier - for people who really want to propel the pod and website forward - will have the same benefits as the $5 tier plus right of first refusal to join me on future barrel picks, access to bottles I'm sent to taste and review, and more. Only 4 spots remain!
You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up.
Finally, please do like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening - it really helps the Whiskey Ring Podcast move up the rankings.
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website.
Borrowed Page American Whiskey
Borrowed Page American Whiskey Website
Borrowed Page American Whiskey on Instagram
Borrowed Page American Whiskey on Facebook
Borrowed Page American Whiskey on Twitter
Buy Borrowed Page American Whiskey Volume 2
Borrowed Page American Whiskey Volume 2 Review
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter
Thanks to our Sponsor, Scotch Malt Whisky Society
SMWS Website
SMWS of America Website (Use code WRP for 20% off your membership!)
SMWS/A Facebook
SMWS/A Instagram
SMWS/A Twitter
SMWS/A YouTube
Wednesday May 17, 2023
Wednesday May 17, 2023
We're finally back to whiskey, I promise!
This is a classic episode - a distillery making single malt in the corn capital of the US. Don't worry, they make a damn good bourbon, too, but my first taste of Cedar Ridge was a single barrel of their single malt picked by Lost Lantern.
I'm joined by head distiller and Scotch-lover Murphy Quint, who has led the distillery's operations except for a stint at Stranahan's. We chatted about adding a distillery onto a winery, making their whiskey stand out, and most importantly what the Quints want their legacy to be.
_________________
Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:
The first WRP barrel pick is coming! I'm heading to Tennessee to pick two barrels - that's right, two! - of Jack Daniel's Barrel Proof Rye. Join the Patreon now for early access to the barrels!
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so! Only 4 Spots Remain in the Barrel Club.
The $5 tier has access to the Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk whiskey, life, and influencing. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks.
The $25 tier - for people who really want to propel the pod and website forward - will have the same benefits as the $5 tier plus right of first refusal to join me on future barrel picks, access to bottles I'm sent to taste and review, and more. Only 4 spots remain!
You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up.
Finally, please do like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening - it really helps the Whiskey Ring Podcast move up the rankings.
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website.
Thanks for reading! Now here’s Murphy Quint of Cedar Ridge Distillery.
Cedar Ridge Distillery
Cedar Ridge Distillery Website
Cedar Ridge Distillery on Instagram
Cedar Ridge Distillery on Facebook
Cedar Ridge Distillery on Twitter
Cedar Ridge Distillery Reviews
Cedar Ridge The Quintessential Signature Blend American Single Malt Review
Cedar Ridge Barrel Strength Bourbon Review
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter
Thanks to our Sponsor, Scotch Malt Whisky Society
SMWS Website
SMWS of America Website (Use code WRP for 20% off your membership!)
SMWS/A Facebook
SMWS/A Instagram
SMWS/A Twitter
SMWS/A YouTube
Wednesday May 10, 2023
Wednesday May 10, 2023
After a few weeks abroad, we're back in the US, in Kentucky!
But we're not back to whiskey yet. This week, it's the Brandy Ring Podcast!
Copper & Kings American Brandy Distillery sits in the heart of Louisville's Butchertown neighborhood. In a relatively small space, they manage to use shipping containers, a wide-open events space/patio, and a beautiful wall of windows that can open in good weather right in front of their copper pot stills.
Brandy just might be the oldest spirit in America, if not the world. And if you think Kentucky is just for whiskey, think again. Whether it's from grapes, apples, pears, or some other fruit they're trying for fun, C&K is pumping out world-class brandy in the left ventricle of the bourbon world.
They were doing sonic aging before Blackened (click here to subscribe to their daily playlists!). Their stills are named for women in Bob Dylan songs.
They're not afraid to play with casks (they call themselves barrel sluts) or with finishes, and the bottle-your-own experience where I got a heritage cider apple brandy is not to be missed (nor is their restaurant). Also don't sleep on a 130 proof 4YO absinthe that is *chef's kiss*.
Enjoy this episode all about brandy with distiller Brandon O'Daniel!
_________________
Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so! Only 4 Spots Remain in the Barrel Club.
The $5 tier has access to the Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk whiskey, life, and influencing. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks.
The $25 tier - for people who really want to propel the pod and website forward - will have the same benefits as the $5 tier plus right of first refusal to join me on future barrel picks, access to bottles I'm sent to taste and review, and more. Only 4 spots remain!
You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up.
Finally, please do like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening - it really helps the Whiskey Ring Podcast move up the rankings.
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website.
Thanks for reading! Now here’s Brandon O'Daniel of Copper & Kings Distillery.
Copper & Kings Distillery
Copper & Kings Distillery Website
Copper & Kings Distillery on Instagram
Copper & Kings Distillery on Facebook
Copper & Kings Distillery on Twitter
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter
Thanks to our Sponsor, Scotch Malt Whisky Society
SMWS Website
SMWS of America Website (Use code WRP for 20% off your membership!)
SMWS/A Facebook
SMWS/A Instagram
SMWS/A Twitter
SMWS/A YouTube
Wednesday May 03, 2023
Wednesday May 03, 2023
Finland, Norway, and now Iceland - we're working our way back to this side of the pond, but not before visiting one of the most unique distilleries (and products) I've ever come across.
Eimverk Distillery is also known unofficially as Floki Distillery, named for the eponymous single malts that showcase both Icelandic barley and an Icelandic smoking tradition that can sound like a gimmick until you learn more.
I'm here to tell you: yes, I tried the Floki Sheep Dung Smoked Single Malt, and no, it's not a gimmick (it also doesn't taste like dung, thankfully). There will be more in the review, but suffice to say here that it relies on a centuries-old smoking/preserving tradition in Iceland and is 100% authentic.
Eimverk prides itself on being eco-friendly, using biofuels whenever possible and harnessing the immense geothermal heat beneath the island. They also have easily one of the most intense barley flavors I've had. It forces you to recognize that this is different, that this barley has survived harsh conditions and come out stronger for it.
This is seriously good whisky, folks, and deserves your attention. Thank you to Eva-Maria for a fantastic conversation about all things Iceland.
_________________
Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so! Only 4 Spots Remain in the Barrel Club.
The $5 tier has access to the Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk whiskey, life, and influencing. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks.
The $25 tier - for people who really want to propel the pod and website forward - will have the same benefits as the $5 tier plus right of first refusal to join me on future barrel picks, access to bottles I'm sent to taste and review, and more. Only 4 spots remain!
You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up.
Finally, please do like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening - it really helps the Whiskey Ring Podcast move up the rankings.
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website.
Thanks for reading! Now here’s Eva-María Sigurbjörnsdóttir of Eimverk Distillery.
Eimverk Distillery
Eimverk Distillery Website
Eimverk Distillery on Instagram
Eimverk Distillery on Facebook
Eimverk Distillery Reviews
Eimverk Distillery Floki Single Malt Review
Eimverk Distillery Floki Sheep Dung Smoked Single Malt Review
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter
Thanks to our Sponsor, Scotch Malt Whisky Society
SMWS Website
SMWS of America Website (Use code WRP for 20% off your membership!)
SMWS/A Facebook
SMWS/A Instagram
SMWS/A Twitter
SMWS/A YouTube
Wednesday Apr 26, 2023
Wednesday Apr 26, 2023
A week after visiting Finland, we're staying in the Nordic countries - kind of.
Emily Vikre's family comes from Norway. There were always aquavit and hearty meals to be had. But when it came time to do something with that heritage - something that had nothing to do with her PhD in food policy and behavioral theory - she came home to Duluth to found Vikre Distillery.
Yes, they're making whiskey, but this episode is whiskey-lite. Instead, I wanted to take the time to delve into the Scandinavian origins of aquavit, the caraway style favored in Denmark with which I've fallen in love, and how Vikre fits in the rising wave of Nordic cuisine.
Emily, of course, has thought about all of this already. I love doing research for these episodes so I'm as prepared as possible - Emily came just as prepared as I did, armed with generations of knowledge, a 17-course feast in her rearview, and a true understanding of where Vikre is, where she wants it to be, and what its identity is. This may be a shorter episode than usual, but believe me I felt as elatedly exhausted as I do after a two-hour one. That's the sign of a great guest.
I can't wait to have her back on. Thanks Emily!
_________________
Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so! Only 5 Spots Remain in the Barrel Club.
The $5 tier has access to the Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk whiskey, life, and influencing. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks.
The $25 tier - for people who really want to propel the pod and website forward - will have the same benefits as the $5 tier plus right of first refusal to join me on future barrel picks, access to bottles I'm sent to taste and review, and more. Only 5 spots remain!
You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up.
Finally, please do like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening - it really helps the Whiskey Ring Podcast move up the rankings.
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website.
Thanks for reading! Now here’s Emily Vikre, Founder (with husband Joel!) of Vikre Distillery.
Vikre Distillery
Vikre Distillery Website
Vikre Distillery on Instagram
Vikre Distillery on Facebook
Vikre Distillery on Twitter
Vikre Distillery Reviews
Vikre Distillery Øvrevann Aquavit Review (Coming soon!)
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter
Thanks to our Sponsor, Scotch Malt Whisky Society
SMWS Website
SMWS of America Website (Use code WRP for 20% off your membership!)
SMWS/A Facebook
SMWS/A Instagram
SMWS/A Twitter
SMWS/A YouTube
Wednesday Apr 19, 2023
Wednesday Apr 19, 2023
It's a bit late - had a great event on Japanese whisky last night!
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How much do you know about Finland? Yep, probably about the same I did. Not much.
Turns out, there's a whole lot to learn. I started, oddly enough, with a well-timed episode of Timesuck learning about the sniper known as the White Death from the Winter War of WW2. Besides a fascinating story, it taught me that Finland is both Nordic and Scandinavian, yet its culture - everything from its mythology/pantheon to its drinking culture - are closer to Germany and Russia than to Sweden or Denmark.
Teerenpeli is a symbol of that identity. Fiercely independent, making whisky where few others are (they're the only active distillery making whisky in Finland!), Teerenpeli is out to prove that Finland has a lot to offer the world whisky community. I think they just might.
Thanks also to previous guest Fred Barnet of Anthem Imports for the introduction!
_________________
Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so! Only 5 Spots Remain in the Barrel Club.
The $5 tier has access to the Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk whiskey, life, and influencing. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks.
The $25 tier - for people who really want to propel the pod and website forward - will have the same benefits as the $5 tier plus right of first refusal to join me on future barrel picks, access to bottles I'm sent to taste and review, and more. Only 5 spots remain!
You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up.
Finally, please do like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening - it really helps the Whiskey Ring Podcast move up the rankings.
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website.
Thanks for reading! Now here’s Anssi Pyysing, Founder of Teerenpeli Distillery.
Teerenpeli Distillery
Teerenpeli Distillery Website
Teerenpeli Distillery on Instagram
Teerenpeli Distillery on Facebook
Teerenpeli Distillery on Twitter
Teerenpeli Distillery on YouTube
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter
Thanks to our Sponsor, Scotch Malt Whisky Society
SMWS Website
SMWS of America Website (Use code WRP for 20% off your membership!)
SMWS/A Facebook
SMWS/A Instagram
SMWS/A Twitter
SMWS/A YouTube