The Whiskey Ring Podcast

Ep. 60: Your Primer on Sherry with Monique Huston of Winebow

How many times have you tried a sherry-finished whiskey? 
How many times have you tried the sherry it was finished in? 
This week, I brought in sherry expert Monique Huston to talk about this fascinating fortified wine from Jerez, Spain. From Fino and Amontillado to Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez, sherry and wine-finishing has played an outsized role in whiskey maturation in the last century-plus. 
In this episode, Monique and I talk through the history of Sherry (itself an Anglicization of Jerez) and how sherry came to be, how it became useful in European whisky-making, and why it deserves much more attention and appreciation. 
Oh - Monique will also be back in the future. She's a multi-time panelist for tasting competition and an agave-spirit lover who has taken on the challenge of making me one too. 
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Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so!
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, including one coming up in partnership with the This is my Bourbon Podcast. 
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. The first three boxes of samples have already been sent and only 6 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 Monique Huston of Winebow Fine Wine and Spirits.
Thanks to our Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
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Thanks to our Sponsor, Scotch Malt Whisky Society
SMWS Website
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Ep. 59: Ironclad Distillery with Owen King

This week we're visiting a new state for the podcast - Virginia. When it comes to Virginia distilleries, you'll probably think of A. Smith Bowman or Mount Vernon first, but Ironclad should be your next visit. 
Owen King, distiller and son of the distillery's founder, is playing with corn and mashbills the same way Middle West, Mammoth, and other innovators are exploring. Some of it isn't ready for market - he's dedicated to at least four years in the barrel, then however long is needed afterwards - but some of it is, like the Monitor Blend and Old Kernel. 
Then there's the finishes - if you find a Petit Verdot, shout me out immediately - and the story itself. Newport News, VA is home to aircraft carriers and a huge US Navy presence, plus the story of the Monitor itself. 
Owen is passionate about making the best and most creative whiskey in Virginia - and he just might be succeeding. 
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Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so!
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, including one coming up in partnership with the This is my Bourbon Podcast. 
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. The first three boxes of samples have already been sent! 
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 Owen King of Ironclad Distillery.
Ironclad Distillery
Ironclad Distillery Website
Ironclad Distillery Twitter
Ironclad Distillery Instagram
Ironclad Distillery Facebook
Ironclad Distillery Reviews
Ironclad Flying Fox Winery Cask-Finished Bourbon Whiskey Review
Ironclad Distillery The Monitor Blend High Wheat Bourbon Whiskey Review
Ironclad Distillery The Old Kernel Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Thanks to our Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
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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
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SMWS/A YouTube

Bonus Ep. 2 | Jesse Parker, Doc Swinson’s

BONUS EPISODE TIME! Jesse Parker reenters the Whiskey Ring to talk the new suite of Doc Swinson's finishes and what he's been up to in the last year (hint: lots of experiments and lots of well-deserved awards/nominations!)
Just for Whiskey Ring Podcast listeners, Doc Swinson's is providing a discount code through October 3rd. Visit Docswhiskey.com and use code WEDDINGRING10 for 10% off your order, only through October 3rd! 
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Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so!
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.
early access to bonus episodes like this one!
priority access to upcoming barrel picks, including one coming up in partnership with the This is my Bourbon Podcast. 
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. The first three boxes of samples have already been sent! 
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 Jesse Parker of Doc Swinson's.
Doc Swinson's
Doc Swinson's Website
Doc Swinson's Twitter
Doc Swinson's Instagram
Doc Swinson's Facebook
Doc Swinson's Reviews
Doc Swinson’s “Funky Drummer” Rye Whiskey Finished In Jamaican Rum Casks
Doc Swinson’s “Tres Amigos” Rye Whiskey Finished In Rum And Anejo Tequila Casks Review
Doc Swinson’s “Smoke on the Water” Rye Whiskey Finished In Islay Quarter Casks Review
Doc Swinson's Bourbon Finished in Pineau De Charentes Casks Review
Doc Swinson's Bourbon Finished in Moscatel Casks Review
Doc Swinson's Bourbon Finished in Tawny Port Casks Review
Thanks to our 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
 

Ep. 58: RD1 Spirits with Barry Brinegar

RD1 Spirits (you might know them as W. M. Tarr) has officially launched their new brand as of September 10th. W. M. Tarr was an excellent blended whiskey, but was always meant as a limited edition while the RD1 bourbons became ready. 
Now, they are. 
I talk with Barry Brinegar, National Brand Ambassador, face of the brand, and now a friend, all about the origins of Registered Distillery 1, Ashland, the brands that have come and gone from the label, what they're experimenting with next, and more. At time of publication, there might be some W. M. Tarr bottles still available, but your best bet is to visit the brand's center at Lexington's Distillery District. 
One other note: Barry is one of the hardest working people in the industry, and that's really saying something. In my mind, only Alex Clark at Fort Hamilton is at the same level in terms of pounding the pavement for his product. And that passion shows. 
W. M. Tarr was excellent. The RD1 Bourbons are excellent. Go visit and give them a try!
_________________
Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so!
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, including one coming up in partnership with the This is my Bourbon Podcast. 
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. The first three boxes of samples have already been sent! 
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 Barry Brinegar of RD1 Spirits.
RD1 Spirits
RD1 Spirits Website
RD1 Spirits Twitter
RD1 Spirits Instagram
RD1 Spirits Facebook
Thanks to our 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

Ep. 57: The Flatiron Room and Fine & Rare

This week we're celebrating the people who make your night better - the bar managers and whiskey/spirits guides who help you choose that next drink or the next thing to explore. 
Joining me are Darron Foy of The Flatiron Room and Jose Guzman of Fine & Rare, both part of The Goodnight Group in New York City. These are whiskey paradises, high-end speakeasies with whiskey literally lining the walls. 
My favorite part of this interview is learning about how they learn and how the establishments teach their staff. We've all been to liquor stores, bars, retail establishments, where the staff are undertrained on the range of whiskies/liquors available. That's not to disparage, it's just a fact, and it's a recognition that not every place has the resources, time, and interest in investing in their staff like that. 
Goodnight Group puts more into training their staff on what's behind the bar than any place I've heard of or been to. It's insane. They travel to distilleries, to different countries, to experience what they'll be serving. 
These are two of the finest whiskey houses in New York, and two of the best nights out you can have. Make sure to stop by!
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Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so!
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, including one coming up in partnership with the This is my Bourbon Podcast. 
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. The first and second boxes of samples have already been sent! 
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 Darron Foy and Jose Guzman of The Goodnight Group, The Flatiron Room, and Fine & Rare. 
The Flatiron Room
The Flatiron Room Website
The Flatiron Room Twitter
The Flatiron Room Instagram
The Flatiron Room Facebook
Fine & Rare
Fine & Rare Website
Fine & Rare Twitter
Fine & Rare Instagram
Fine & Rare Facebook
Thanks to our 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

Ep. 56: Van Brunt Stillhouse with Founder Daric Schlesselman

Episode 56 brings us back home to Brooklyn's Red Hook neighborhood, an industrial zone close to the Gowanus canal, to Van Brunt Stillhouse. 
I'm joined by founder and distiller Daric Schlesselman, whose vision for a distillery in Red Hook spans a decade and who has, over that decade, remained true to the small-scale distilling model. Daric is someone driven to experiment - look no further than the White Rye, a reposado-style rye made from 100% New York-grown Danko rye. 
Over all of Van Brunt's product portfolio, Daric uses a dozen different malt styles, multiple mashbills, and varied cask sizes to achieve a uniquely creamy, vanilla-forward flavor profile that I loved. That 10th Anniversary Bourbon linked below is like a cream soda float - heavily spiked, of course!
Check out my tasting notes on some of Van Brunt's products below.
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Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so!
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, including one coming up in partnership with the This is my Bourbon Podcast. 
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. The first and second boxes of samples have already been sent! 
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 Daric Schlesselman, Founder of Van Brunt Distillery.
Van Brunt Stillhouse
Van Brunt Stillhouse Website
Van Brunt Stillhouse Facebook
Van Brunt Stillhouse Instagram
Van Brunt Stillhouse Twitter
Van Brunt Stillhouse Reviews
Van Brunt Stillhouse White Rye Whiskey Review
Van Brunt Stillhouse 10th Anniversary Bourbon Review
Thanks to our 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

Ep. 55: Raj Sabharwal brings Bimber, Amrut, Waterford, Mr. Peat, and Blackadder

Episode 55 is a round-the-world journey with the one and only @whiskyraj, Raj Sabharwal. (It's also the first with our new sponsor, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society!) 
Raj is one of the nicest, most personable guys you'll ever meet in whisky. I met him at - you guessed it - Travel Bar in Brooklyn, NY, where we tasted through a set of Bimber Whiskies, Rest and Be Thankful Rums, and a pair of Japanese whiskies that had me begging for another ounce. 
For this podcast, Raj brought four countries' worth of whiskies - two Amruts from India, Waterford from Ireland, Bimber from England, and Mr. Peat and Blackadder Peat Reek from Scotland. Don't be afraid of those last two - peat can be friendly! Waterford shows off local Irish barley in ways not seen before, and Amrut is what I think of as the classic Indian Single Malt flavor profile. It's a thrilling journey and I know you'll enjoy listening along with us as we taste through. 
Check out my tasting notes on all six pours from Raj below and follow him everywhere @whiskyraj. 
A quick reminder - no episode next week! I'm traveling to Kentucky and Tennessee and will have lots of content (and samples!) to bring back to you the following week. 
_________________
Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so!
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, including one coming up in partnership with the This is my Bourbon Podcast. 
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. The first and second boxes of samples have already been sent! 
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 the one and only Raj Sabharwal.
Glass Rev Imports and their Imported Brands
Glass Revolution Imports 
Amrut Distillery
Blackadder Independent Bottlers
Waterford Whisky
Mr. Peat
Episode 55 (Raj Sabharwal) Reviews
Amrut Indian Single Malt Review
Amrut Fusion Indian Single Malt Review
Waterford Whisky Organic Gaia 2.1 Review
Bimber London Single Malt Whisky Finished in Ex-Bourbon Casks Review (Coming soon!)
Mr. Peat Whisky Review (Coming soon!)
Blackadder Single Barrel Peat Reek Review (Coming soon!)
Thanks to our 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

Ep. 54: Old Line Spirits with Founder Mark McLaughlin

Episode 54 is a trip to Baltimore! Old Line Spirits sits in Highlandtown, Baltimore, producing some of the best American single malt I've had yet. They're not afraid of both using friends to make their whiskey better - distilling the majority of their spirit at Middle West Spirits, where they operated out of for a time during their learning - and exploring new finishes that are familiar yet made new. 
Thank you to Mark McLaughlin and Arch Watkins, co-founders, for their hospitality during my visit and for providing their products for me to try. 
Check out my tasting notes on their Single Malt, Cask Strength Single Malt, and Sauternes-Finish Double Cask Single Malt below.
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Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so. It's Episode 54! 
The $5 tier will have access to the new, Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk about a topic that’s under their skin in whiskey. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks, including one coming up in partnership with the This is my Bourbon Podcast. 
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. The first box of samples has already been sent! 
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 Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski, co-founders of Lost Lantern Whiskey.
Old Line Spirits
Old Line Spirits Website
Old Line Spirits Instagram
Old Line Spirits Facebook
Old Line Spirits Twitter
Old Line Spirits Reviews
Old Line Spirits American Single Malt Whiskey
Old Line Spirits Cask Strength American Single Malt Whiskey
Old Line Spirits American Single Malt Whiskey Sauternes Finish
Thanks to our Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
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