Ian Hosack of Uncle Nearest joins us to announce our World Whisk(e)y Day event with Aberlour, Dancing Goat, J. Henry & Sons, Redbreast, Starward and Uncle Nearest. We discuss the rollout of the May 15th event, along with how we plan on adapting our online experiences of the past year to future in-person whiskey events/tastings.
Read MoreOur dearest Matthew Brown of Blaum Bros returns. We discuss how their craft distillery is building their brand after being praised for their allocated whiskeys—that were originally sourced—and how they assemble/sustain integrity through barrel finishes, vatting and handling allocated expressions with care and precision. We also chat about the subsequent rise of craft distilleries and knowledge base of consumers; the secondary market losing their gusto of being the whiskey tastemakers; and how we the consumers are being priced out of own collections as everything is becoming a commodity these days.
Read MoreChris Blatner returns to the show to chat about the beginning of 2021. We discuss the blurred lines of being an online whiskey personality while representing a distillery, hate mail online from whiskey community and the rampant hostility that’s developed over the past year. We also enjoy the finer things in life by sipping on pours of Nulu, Kooper Family and Barrel Craft Spirits while discussing transparency of distilleries.
Read MoreAfter an epic @SundayNightFights between Sagamore Spirit and Union Horse Distilling Co., we jumped on Instagram Live with Chris and Mikey to record an After Dark edition. Yes, Mikey Pinstripes finally makes his debut to the podcast. This wide-ranging conversation includes; building a brand on the virtual platform, the advantages of relying on whiskey influencers versus retailers, and how sustainable single barrel programs can be to build a brand.
Read MoreDudes and babes, please buckle up for this one. Dancing Goat Distillery founder Nick Brady Maas brings humor, education and so much energy to this magnetic conversation. Nick comes from a whiskey pedigree, and breathes life into the titans of the past by running his distillery and sharing his knowledge and love for whiskey.
Read MoreJake, Wilson and Callum look back on one full year of pandemic and how it affected the whiskey industry. A positive conversation includes; the development of cocktails-to-go, how brands financially supported their accounts and the discovery of the virtual experience—and its capability of allowing brands to stay in touch with friends and to grow brands beyond borders.
Read MoreJake and Callum discuss the how to build virtual whiskey tasting etiquette from the brand and consumer perspective. We share personal stories of hosting virtual tastings and provide feedback and ideas on how to build a pleasurable, entertaining and educational experience for all.
Read MoreIn the second part of our Two-Year Anniversary Special, the guys play host to frequent guests and friends Brett Bauer, Jamie Duffy, Ian Stewart and Bob Zacharias. The conversation is driven by stories of favorite bars, cocktails and the places we’ve missed over the last year. Then we dive deep into industry discussions around the adaption of moving all whiskey forums to online, the sustainability of single barrel programs, world single malts and how we’d invidiualy invest $10 million to start a brand. Oh, we also drink… a lot.
Read MoreJake, Wilson and Callum reflect on the last two years by sharing the story how the podcast began and to where they plan on guiding the conversations over the next year.
Read MoreIan Hosack of Uncle Nearest returns to have a few laughs with Wilson and Jake about working together and growing into their individual roles in the industry. We also discuss Ian’s personal experience with contracting Covid-19, how Uncle Nearest has implemented new online/virtual strategies, and how they’ve created an entirely new businesses structure to adapt to the new online premise.
Read MoreIan Stewart an experienced enthusiast turned purveyor of The Beer Cellar’s whiskey curation takes us through his personal journey and love for whiskey and single malts across the world. We also discuss how the last year has impacted retailers from hand selling to customers and why virtual events are supplanting the personal interaction they’ve somewhat lost. Ian, too, shares his passion to build relationships with distilleries to continue his education of whiskey—that can be relayed to the customers of their stores.
Read MoreJake is joined by Callum O’Donnell to celebrate the life of Kobe Bryant by discussing their favorite memories of the Black Mamba and how the legend influenced their own lives.
Read MoreOn location at Gold Eagle Wine & Spirits, Jake and Wilson sit down with purveyor Jake Cigelnik to discuss the evolution of Gold Eagle and the whiskey industry. The store began in downtown Chicago immediately following Prohibition, and is now recognized as one of the best whiskey selections in Chicagoland.
Read MoreJourneyman Distillery founder Bill Welter and Glencairn US Representative Marty Duffy join Jake for a conversation on the current state of the craft whiskey industry. After nearly of year of distilleries pivoting one month to the next, Bill explains how Journeyman has survived during the covid.
Read MoreOn last day of The 12 Days of Barrel Picks, we stop by Leo's Liquor Mayfair to chat with store owner Kush about his first two barrel picks of 2020: Woodinville Stright Kentucky Bourbon. We also discuss the importance of barrel picks to craft brands, and how to build a store accessible for smaller distilleries to grow their brands.
Read MoreOn Day 11, we feature one of our one. Jake, a Starward Whisky Brand Ambassador, is joined by Kelli Nakagama, Women Who Whiskey Chicago Chapter President, and Bob Zacharias to discuss WWW’s inaugural barrel pick. This Australian single malt is available at Fountainhead Market.
Read MoreA preview of our conversation with Journeyman Distillery founder Bill Welter and Glencairn representative Marty Duffy on the state of the craft distilling industry. The full episode will be available on Monday, January 11.
Read MoreHarrison Pious of MGP joins us to discuss Remus Single Barrel Bourbon and how the conglomerate distillery selects and crafts their small batch whiskeys. We also sing the praises of private whiskey groups and how they've tremendously helped brands grow through 2020.
Read MoreOn Day 8 of The 12 Days of Barrel Picks, we sit down in The Stockroom at GNS Market to highlight a 13-year-old American Whiskey from Bull Run. This Portland based whiskey is finished in Balboa Winery Cabernet casks for an additional 5 months.
Read MoreOn Day 7 of The 12 Days of Barrel Picks, Smooth Ambler's Old Scout single barrel from Liquor Barn is featured, as we have a detailed conversation about craft distilling.
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