Whisky & Smoke News Network

In Episode 33 of Whisky & Smoke News Network, host Chris Kumnick brings you the latest whisky, whiskey, bourbon, Scotch, premium cigar, pipe, and pipe tobacco news, plus this week’s “Torch the Vitola” interview with Michael Knowles of Mayflower Cigars. Chris and Michael discuss Michael’s journey into the cigar industry, how premium cigars have helped shape who he is, a little good Scotch whisk...

In Episode 32 of Whisky & Smoke News Network, host Chris Kumnick brings you the latest whisky, whiskey, bourbon, Scotch, premium cigar, pipe, and pipe tobacco news, plus an in-depth “Pop the Cork” interview with Robbie Hughes, Senior Distillery Manager at Ian Macleod Distillers, recorded at the beautiful Glengoyne Distillery in Scotland. This episode explores Robbie’s more than two decades at...

🥃 **Whisky & Smoke News Network — Episode 31**In this episode, host Chris Kumnick brings you the latest whisky, whiskey, bourbon, Scotch, cigar, pipe, and pipe tobacco news, plus an in-depth “Pop the Cork” interview with **Neil Bulloch, Distillery Manager at Rosebank Distillery in Falkirk, Scotland**.🎙️ **Featured Interview: Neil Bulloch of Rosebank Distillery**This week’s conversation explor...

In Episode 30 of Whisky & Smoke News Network, host Chris Kumnick brings you the latest whisky, whiskey, bourbon, Scotch, cigar, pipe, and pipe tobacco news, plus an in-depth “Pop the Cork” interview with Paul Storrie of Lowland Cooperage in the Falkirk area of Scotland. This episode explores the cooper’s trade, cask repair, cask rejuvenation, whisky maturation, the importance of oak in Scotch...

In Episode 29 of Whisky & Smoke News Network, host Chris Kumnick delivers the latest whisky, bourbon, Scotch, Irish whiskey, cigar, pipe, and pipe tobacco news, plus an in-depth “Pop the Cork” interview with Alistair Walker of the Alistair Walker Whisky Company and the Infrequent Flyers independent bottling brand. Recorded during Chris’ March trip to Scotland, this conversation explores Alista...

In Episode 28 of Whisky & Smoke News Network, host Chris Kumnick brings you the latest whisky, bourbon, Scotch, cigar, pipe, and pipe tobacco news, plus an in-depth “Torch the Vitola” interview with Steve Saka, founder of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust and one of the premium cigar industry’s most respected and outspoken cigar makers. This episode covers major whisky and bourbon headlines includ...

In Episode 27 of Whisky & Smoke News Network, host Chris Kumnick delivers the latest whisky, bourbon, cigar, pipe, and pipe tobacco news, plus an in-depth “Pop the Cork” interview with Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski, founders of Lost Lantern, America’s first independent bottler. This episode covers major whisky and bourbon headlines including Kilchoman Rockside 11-Year-Old, Port of Leith...

Discover one of America's most unique farm-to-glass bourbon distilleries! In this episode of Whisky & Smoke News Network, I review Doc Brown Farm & Distillers from Senoia, Georgia, and explore what makes their estate-grown, heirloom-grain bourbon so special. I'll take you inside the story behind their "Seed to Still" philosophy, the revival of Jimmy Red Corn, and the Brow...

Join Chris as he reviews and tastes three bourbon samples from Starlight Distillery, including their 10-year vintage. Discover detailed tasting notes, packaging insights, and recommendations for bourbon enthusiasts.

In Episode 26 of Whisky & Smoke News Network, host Chris Kumnick delivers the latest whisky, bourbon, cigar, pipe, and pipe tobacco news, plus an in-depth “Pop the Cork” interview with Allisa Henley, Master Distiller at AJ Bond Tennessee Distillery in La Vergne, Tennessee. This episode covers major whiskey and spirits headlines including Sazerac’s $20 million purchase of the former Garrard Cou...

In Episode 25 of Whisky & Smoke News Network, host Chris Kumnick delivers the latest whisky, bourbon, cigar, pipe, and tobacco news from around the world before sitting down with Christian Huber, 7th-generation distiller at Starlight Distillery, for an in-depth interview about the highly anticipated 2026 Starlight 10-Year Reserve Bourbon. This episode covers major industry developments includi...

Welcome to Episode 24 of Whisky & Smoke News Network! This week, host Chris Kumnick brings you the latest whisky, whiskey, bourbon, and premium cigar news from around the globe, including major releases from Frey Ranch, Green River, Garrison Brothers, Elijah Craig, Old Forester, Penelope Bourbon, Tormore, Kavalan, and The Macallan. We also cover the biggest stories in the cigar world from Joya...

Whisky & Smoke News Network Episode 23 | June 7, 2026 — Join host Chris Kumnick for another packed episode covering the latest news from the worlds of whisky, bourbon, cigars, pipes, and pipe tobacco. This week features breaking industry updates from Brown-Forman, Slane Distillery, Bruichladdich's Yellow Submarine III, Bardstown Bourbon Company, Mars Whisky, Uncle Nearest, Buffalo Trace, E...

In this episode of Whisky & Smoke News Network, host Chris Kumnick delivers a deep dive into the latest whisky, cigar, pipe, and pipe tobacco news, new releases, and industry events, highlighted by an exclusive “Torch the Vitola” interview with Luciano Meirelles of Luciano Cigars recorded at the Premium Cigar Association trade show. Episode 21 (May 17, 2026) explores Luciano’s journey into the...

In this engaging conversation, Chris Kumnick interviews Mitch Bichard, a prominent figure in the whiskey industry. They discuss Mitch's journey from being a brand ambassador to launching his own whiskey, Tourist More. Mitch shares insights from his book, 'Not Another F-ing Whiskey Book,' which offers a humorous and candid look at the whiskey world. The conversation touches on the evolu...

Welcome to Episode 20 of the Whisky & Smoke News Network, your premier weekly source for the latest in whisky, cigars, and pipe tobacco. In this episode, host Chris Kumnick presents a special "Torch the Vitola" in-depth interview with industry legend David Garofalo, owner of Two Guys Smoke Shop, renowned author, and veteran podcaster. We dive deep into David’s pre-cigar career, his i...

Join host Chris Kumnick on the Whisky & Smoke News Network (Episode 19) for an essential weekly briefing on the whisky and premium cigar industry. This episode features an exclusive "Pop the Cork" interview with Gordon Dallas of Ian Macleod Distillers, diving into the life of a global brand ambassador. We break down massive industry headlines, including the removal of US tariffs on S...

Join host Chris Kumnick on Whisky & Smoke News Network Episode 18 (April 12, 2026) for your weekly deep dive into the worlds of whisky, cigars, pipes, and pipe tobacco. In this packed episode, we deliver the latest whisky news including MGP Ingredients temporarily idling two Kentucky distilleries amid the American whiskey oversupply, Sazerac naming its new AJ Bond Distillery and entering Tenne...

Join host Chris Kumnick on Whisky & Smoke News Network Episode 17 (April 5, 2026) for your weekly deep dive into the latest whisky, cigar, pipe, and pipe tobacco news! In this jam-packed episode, we break down the massive potential Pernod Ricard and Brown-Forman (Jack Daniel’s) “merger of equals,” plus exciting new releases including Ardbeg Dolce, Knob Creek Blender’s Edition, Nikka Miyagikyo...

In this episode 16 of Whisky & Smoke News Network (March 15, 2026), host Chris Kumnick delivers the latest whisky and cigar news, new releases, and upcoming events, plus an in-depth “Pop the Cork” interview with Rifino Valentine of Valentine Distilling in Ferndale, Michigan. This week’s whisky news covers major industry moves including Reyes Beverage Group’s expansion with RNDC territories, th...

Welcome to Episode 15 of the Whisky & Smoke News Network, your premier weekly guide to the latest in whisky news, premium cigars, and pipe tobacco. Hosted by Chris Kumnick, this jam-packed episode features an exclusive "Pop the Cork" interview with Tim Huels of The Whiskey Blendery in Oak Point, Texas, diving deep into the craft of spirits blending and the trials of starting a distil...

Whisky & Smoke News Network Episode 14 (March 1, 2026) delivers a packed hour of whisky, cigar, pipe, and tobacco updates hosted by Chris Kumnick. This week's show features in-depth whisky and cigar industry news, including Trump’s new 15% tariffs impacting Scotch imports, Suntory combining Bowmore and Laphroaig operations, Virginia Distillery’s cigar-pairing single malts, That Boutique-y...

Episode 13 of Whisky & Smoke News Network, hosted by Chris Kumnick and released on February 22, 2026, delivers the latest whisky, premium cigar, and pipe tobacco news, new releases, upcoming events, and a remote interview with Drew Newman, co-owner and General Counsel of JC Newman Cigar Company in Tampa, FL—covering his background, the new book Cigar City, core cigar lines, and more. This week...

Episode 12 of Whisky & Smoke News Network, hosted by Chris Kumnick and released on February 15, 2026, delivers the latest whisky, premium cigar, and pipe tobacco news, new releases, upcoming events, and an exclusive in-person interview with Jack Breslin, co-founder and CEO of Uncharted Whisky Company from Scotland—covering his background, the brand’s core lines, and more (with a note on audio...

Episode 11 of Whisky & Smoke News Network, hosted by Chris Kumnick and released on February 1, 2026, is your ultimate weekly roundup of the latest news, new releases, upcoming events, and exclusive interviews in the worlds of whisky, premium cigars, pipes, and pipe tobacco. This entertaining and sometimes irreverent show delivers in-depth coverage of major industry developments—including the K...