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 01, 2024
Wednesday May 01, 2024
A Master Distiller Who's Earned His Stripes
Brian Sprance is New Riff's new master distiller! Aside from some good-natured ribbing from his colleagues, though, you would never know it.
New Riff named Brian Master Distiller after getting the blessing from Ebersold and co-founders Ken Lewis and Jay Erisman. Ten years after he started, he is now at the top.
Brian has been with New Riff since before they started producing, joining in 2013 during the final phase of installation. He's been mentored by some of the best in the industry, including Larry Ebersold of Seagram's/LDI/MGP. His story is exactly what you want in a master distiller - start at the bottom, learn every nook and cranny of the distillery, go through the expansions and changes, ultimately learning the ropes on the job at a single place.
His title is a recognition of the work he's put in - remember, this is a guy who ended up at a distillery because he had a non-compete that blocked him from joining a brewery, and had never distilled before. We as consumers are fortunate that we don't have to wait to taste his mark on the product - it's been there all along.
Whether it's playing with different grains, different malting levels, using peated casks, or sharing those whiskies with legends of the industry (Jim McEwan and John Glaser, anyone?), Brian knows how the New Riff plant will react. He shares his story, how he's grown, and - in my favorite question of the interview - whether he would accept the title of Master Distiller if he joined another distillery.
Thanks everyone for listening, and thank you to Brian for entering the Whiskey Ring!
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If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so at patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring
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New Riff Distillery
New Riff Distillery Website
New Riff Distillery on Instagram
New Riff Distillery on Facebook
New Riff Distillery on Twitter
New Riff Distillery on YouTube
Thanks to our Lead Sponsor, Black Button Distillery
Black Button Distilling Website
Black Button Distilling on Facebook
Black Button Distilling on Instagram
Monday Apr 29, 2024
Monday Apr 29, 2024
A Rooster, A Family, and Memphis Barbecue
Old Dominick isn't the oldest distillery in Tennessee, but it's no spring chicken either. The brand itself - including a stint as a whiskey blending house - goes back to 1866, the same year a Mr. Jasper "Jack" Daniel was setting up his own stillhouse a few hours east.
158 years later, D. Canale & Co. no longer has a food distribution business, but they do have a thriving distillery. Overseen by their energetic, Kentucky-born Master Distiller Alex Castle, Old Dominick has risen to quickly be one of Tennessee's premier craft distilleries.
Shortly after our interview, Alex announced that she was leaving Old Dominick for her next adventure. In the eight years she spent there, the distillery became a go-to destination in Memphis, putting out world-class Tennessee Whiskey as well as sourced products under their Huling Station line (an homage to the station near which the original D. Canale was based).
The bottom line is this: Old Dominick will of course miss Alex, and she has left her founding imprimatur on the entire portfolio. It is also in a fantastic position to go forward into its next chapter.
Congratulations to Alex on her next move, and best wishes to Old Dominick as they move forward - the great future is just beginning, and this is a distillery you need to watch and visit next time you're craving barbecue.
Thanks everyone for listening, and thank you to Alex for entering the Whiskey Ring!
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If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so at patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring
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.
Old Dominick Distillery
Old Dominick Distillery Website
Old Dominick Distillery on Instagram
Old Dominick Distillery on Facebook
Old Dominick Distillery on Twitter
Old Dominick Distillery on YouTube
Thanks to our Lead Sponsor, Black Button Distillery
Black Button Distilling Website
Black Button Distilling on Facebook
Black Button Distilling on Instagram
Wednesday Apr 24, 2024
Wednesday Apr 24, 2024
Exploring French and American Oak
Whiskey Jypsi's newest release - Explorer - seeks to show how the core identities of French and American oak species affect flavor in whiskey. They take the consumer on a world tour, stopping both in Eric Church's backyard (North Carolinian American white oak near to where Church grew up) and French oak from the Tronçais forest.
Neither wood is entirely new to American whiskey drinkers (especially white oak...it's what almost everyone uses as a new cask, right?), and French oak has been used enough to have a passing familiarity.
The difference here is how Ari and the Whiskey Jypsi team use the wood - and, most importantly, the use of new French oak rather than ex-wine casks or other used cooperage. By toasting and charring staves and inserting them to finish the whiskey - using the entirety of the stave, not just the thin layer that's been charred on the inside of a cask - much more flavor is extracted.
Note: I said flavor. Not oakiness. For all the wood exploration in this release, woodiness and tannins are not among the explorations. And thank heavens for that.
The story is intriguing - blend the influence of Tronçais forest's wood, formerly overseen by the Duke of Bourbon and the origin point for the troubadour tradition, with American oak from the home of the country artist behind the blend. As a plus, at least in media kits, we got small pieces of each wood type to smell and see, a sensory experience that greatly helped me in discerning which note was from which wood.
Ultimately, though, it comes down to the product at hand. After all, anyone can write a good story - it takes skill to translate that through the art of blending into a good whiskey. Enter: Ari Sussman, frequent friend of the podcast and all-around good source of whiskey knowledge.
Thanks everyone for listening, and thank you to Ari for returning to the Whiskey Ring!
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If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so at patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring
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.
Whiskey JYPSI
Whiskey JYPSI Website
Whiskey JYPSI on Instagram
Whiskey JYPSI on Facebook
Whiskey JYPSI on Twitter
Thanks to our Lead Sponsor, Black Button Distillery
Black Button Distilling Website
Black Button Distilling on Facebook
Black Button Distilling on Instagram
Wednesday Apr 17, 2024
Wednesday Apr 17, 2024
Pioneering Indian Single Malt
Raj's return brings news about Amrut, the king of Indian Single Malt. It is no longer the only Indian Single Malt on the market like it was in 2004, but neither has Amrut been sitting on its laurels.
With Ashok Chokalingham at the helm as head distiller - a post he gained after many years in sales and production - Amrut is promoting the idea of Indian Single Malt while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of what that can mean.
With the four expressions I tried with Raj, each were an experiment. The Single Malts of India Kurinji was distilled at a different Indian distillery but aged entirely at Amrut's warehouses in Bangalore, 3000' above sea level with relatively low humidity. What would that whisky have tasted like at sea level? At its home distillery? Who knows - all I know is that it tastes damn good.
The Triparva is a triple-distilled single malt, echoing the butteriness and spice from Irish whiskies while staying true to the core Amrut profile (probably something to do with the 6-row instead of 2-row barley). The rye is a 100% malted rye, using Scandinavian grain but otherwise running it like they would a "normal" barley-based single malt; the spicy and herbaceous rye comes out like a custard, rounded and polished while still letting you know it's a rye.
Finally, the Naarangi, a whisky that uses sherry casks that have been seasoned for multiple years with locally grown oranges that give a distinctly tart flavor to cut through the sherry sweetness.
The sad news is that for two of the Amruts - the Rye and the Triparva - this is the last time they will be produced and released. The Naarangi is up in the air, but it won't be a regular release. Ashok has created over 40 different varieties of single malt based on flavors, casks, grains, and interplays between those three - there will always be more Amrut, but not always more of those releases. So grab them before they're gone (and if you listen to the episode and still don't want them, buy one for a friend).
Thanks everyone for listening, and thank you to Raj for returning to the Whiskey Ring!
_________________________________________________________
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so at patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring
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.
Amrut Indian Single Malt
Amrut Indian Single Malt Website
Amrut Indian Single Malt on Instagram
Amrut Indian Single Malt on Facebook
Amrut Indian Single Malt on Twitter/X
Thanks to our Lead Sponsor, Black Button Distillery
Black Button Distilling Website
Black Button Distilling on Facebook
Black Button Distilling on Instagram
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter
Wednesday Apr 10, 2024
Wednesday Apr 10, 2024
The Story is the Story
I have a general rule when given the opportunity to interview NDPs on the podcast - they must do something with the whiskey other than buying stock and slapping their own label on it. Otherwise, how many times can you talk about the same MGP bourbon or rye? (Yes, I know there are other sources now, but the point remains).
With Filmland Spirits, they are doing some of their own blending, proofing, and - down the line - finishing. So right away they've cleared the first hurdle. Once you clear that, you have to be interesting - and Troy and Charlie have created that in spades.
With each release from Filmland, such as Ryes of the Robots and Moonlight Mayhem, a story is created. In classic b-movie style with horror, campiness, supernatural creatures, there are entire trailers, storyboards, posters, and more. Basically all that's missing is an actual movie being produced.
By doing this, Filmland Spirits does what we need most in bourbon right now: they have fun. These guys love what they're doing. They love their craft and how they can apply their years of screenwriting to another passion. Easter eggs are hidden in each label and poster, and samples are sent with thought-out names rather than "barrel #xxx".
Then, there's Town at the End of Tomorrow - a 9YO Kentucky Bourbon that was flat-out excellent when I tried it at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. Definitely worth checking out (if you can still find it!).
Thanks everyone for listening, and thank you to Troy and Charlie for entering the Whiskey Ring!
_________________________________________________________
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so at patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring
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.
Filmland Spirits
Filmland Spirits Website
Filmland Spirits on Instagram
Filmland Spirits on Facebook
Thanks to our Lead Sponsor, Black Button Distillery
Black Button Distilling Website
Black Button Distilling on Facebook
Black Button Distilling on Instagram
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter
Wednesday Apr 03, 2024
Wednesday Apr 03, 2024
From Great Brewing Comes Great Distilling
Copperworks Distilling is making whiskey from grain. Simple, right? I mean, from a legal sense, that's quite literally what every other whiskey-maker is doing.
That's where the similarities end. Jason Parker, co-founder and longtime brewer, is experimenting with barley in ways that are different not only from other distillers but singularly unique from release to release.
I first got to try Copperworks from our friends at Lost Lantern, who did a single malt finished in sloe gin that was just fantastic. With Jason, I tried four products - Releases 49 + 50, two variants of Fritz Malt (Pale and Vienna), a peated edition, and another barley variety that showcased the care Jeff and Jason have for the grain.
Another of my favorite distillers, Alan Bishop, says to always "respect the grain". Sometimes, people do it with the right intention but the wrong ethos. Jason and Jeff do it with every single piece thought out, every variable considered and controlled. Not every experiment works, of course, but those that do are incredible.
This is a distillery where you may not like every release (or maybe you will!), but each one is worthy of your attention. And you will, no matter what, feel the passion and intention through the grain. Respect, indeed.
Thanks everyone for listening, and thank you to Jason for entering the Whiskey Ring!
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If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so at patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring
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.
Copperworks Distilling
Copperworks Distilling Website
Copperworks Distilling on Instagram
Copperworks Distilling on Facebook
Copperworks Distilling on Twitter
Copperworks Distilling on YouTube
Thanks to our Lead Sponsor, Black Button Distillery
Black Button Distilling Website
Black Button Distilling on Facebook
Black Button Distilling on Instagram
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter
Wednesday Mar 27, 2024
Wednesday Mar 27, 2024
The Best of the (Mid)West!
The Spring 2024 Collection launches today, March 27!
We first met Lost Lantern Spirits way back in Episode 53 - they are "shining a light on the independent spirit", bringing the tradition of independent bottling (and blending!) to American whiskey.
In the two-ish years since, co-founders Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski have grown and grown, now with a physical space in Vermont and reach across the country. They've won awards, beaten distilleries at their own game (see: Balcones), and established the idea that American whiskey can be independently bottled and blended to showcase both the individual distilleries and the blending acumen of the founders.
For this episode, we explore their first-ever themed release: the Spring 2024 collection. This collection of seven spirits is all about the midwest. Starting with their Far-Flung Rye blend, incorporating ryes from Wollersheim Distillery, Middle West Spirits, Starlight Distillery, Tom's Foolery Distillery, and Cedar Ridge Distillery. All five of these distilleries - plus FEW Spirits - also have a single barrel release as part of this collection.
You can grab these at lostlanternwhiskey.com starting today! I have to say, the Far-Flung Rye, Wollersheim bourbon, Tom's Foolery rye, and Cedar Ridge Wheat Whiskey were my favorites, but I encourage you to try them all. Adam and Nora know what they're doing, and each release shows that more and more.
Thanks everyone for listening, and thank you to Adam and Nora for returning to the Whiskey Ring!
_________________________________________________________
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so at patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring
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.
Lost Lantern Whiskey
Lost Lantern Whiskey Website
Lost Lantern Whiskey on Instagram
Lost Lantern Whiskey on Facebook
Thanks to our Lead Sponsor, Black Button Distillery
Black Button Distilling Website
Black Button Distilling on Facebook
Black Button Distilling on Instagram
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
Red, Red Wine Casks
There are certain things we take for granted with whisky - American whiskey will mostly be new charred oak, Scotch will be ex-bourbon or ex-sherry, and the rest of the world will likely use ex-bourbon casks as a default for maturation. This leads to a generalization of taste, an expectation that certain flavors will always be there.
When starting Starward Whisky, one of the first Australian whisky distilleries after Lark's start in 1992, Dave Vitale wanted something different. He found a calling card in using Australian red wine barrels. Notably, these were not charred, just toasted, since they were used for wine and not spirit. The same goes for the occasional Apera (Australian sherry) cask.
The result was and is something totally new - a whisky that blended the grains of Australia with a four-seasons-per-day climate and an uncharred barrel. The results have been astounding, starting with the core Nova and Two-Fold range and continuing through single barrels and special finishes.
Starward is proud of its Australian roots, and each decision along the way has been in keeping with that at the forefront. If you get a chance to visit Melbourne, take in the incredible food scene with a glass of Starward on the side - they are truly meant to go together.
Thanks everyone for listening, and thank you to Dave for entering the Whiskey Ring!
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If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so at patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring
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.
Starward Whisky
Starward Whisky Website
Starward Whisky on Instagram
Starward Whisky on Facebook
Starward Whisky on Twitter/X
Thanks to our Lead Sponsor, Black Button Distillery
Black Button Distilling Website
Black Button Distilling on Facebook
Black Button Distilling on Instagram
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter