Whisky Buzz

Irish whiskey is triple distilled, smooth, and made of malted and unmalted barley. Or at least, that’s what we’ve been led to believe. Fionnán O'Connor, author of A Glass Apart: Irish Single Pot Still Whiskey, takes us through the diverse Irish whiskey history, and we get a peek into an exciting future for the industry.

Mark and Jamie plow their way through Mark’s cask strength whisky while giving out “meaningful” awards.

Food Lawyer Glenford Jameson joins Mark and Jamie. This week, they discuss the blind whisky tasting hosted by Mark, winter in Canada, cocktail competitions, and dusties.

Joined by drinks writer Sarah Parniak, Mark and Jamie explore the world of mezcals and tequilas. Also mentioned, weird drinking traditions that include eating tequila worms, kissing dead fermented human toes, and cod lips, and was Mark’s Don Julio Reposado actually a Reposado?

Mark and Jamie are joined by Josh of The Whisky Jug. Elijah Craig falls under the hammer for removing their age statement, and we talk about Diageo’s latest Orphan Barrel releases that has questionable roots.

This week Mark and Jamie are joined by Stuart MacPherson, the Master of Wood for The Macallan Distillery. Stuart is involved in every step of the preparation process of the barrels from the trees being grown, to them being shipped off to Scotland for barrel maturation. We manage to stay somewhat on topic!

This week, Mark and Jamie talk about their experiences with DryJanuary where Jamie succeeds, and Mark mostly failed. We inspect Instagram advertising, talk about Grease, Little Shop of Horrors, and mention whisky a little more. The podcast goes off-topic rapidly.

Davin (author of Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert) joins Mark and Jamie to talk Canadian whisky! What makes Canadian whisky different from bourbon? We have predictions for the future of the industry. Also, after-parties?

Blake from bourbonr.com joins Jamie and Mark to talk about trends in 2015, and we offer predictions for 2016. Also discussed, rare whiskies, best whiskies of 2015, and fancy carbonated waters.

Mark and Jamie are joined by Glenford Jameson. They review the whisky heel party hosted in December where guests brought their nearly finished whisky bottles. We have some lessons learned! We review tips for going to whisky events, and also talk about Dry January and Octsober and what it means to us.

Jamie and Mark celebrate Festivus on this week’s podcast. They pick their Festivus dinner whisky, their grievance whiskies (there are many), perform a feat of strength (cask whisky), and the festivus miracle distillery! Also, your holiday taking selfies tips. 

Mark and Jamie are joined by Nicolas Villalon (@nick_villalon), micro-biologist and brand ambassador for Highland Park and The Macallan. We chat age statement, rare releases, barrel selection, SWA and openness, and sober November.

Jamie and Mark bring back Matt Jones on the show. Matt is the Canadian Brand Ambassador for Beam Suntory. Discussion includes yeast strains, how distilleries provide unique products, making craft whisky, and pizza parties. Mostly, they chat about stories of Kentucky. Also, this is the absolute last chance to get the Small Batch Hand Crafted “The Whisky Topic” t-shirt. Check it out at teespring.com...

Justin and Giovanni from Frape & Sons join Mark and Jamie to talk about bitters. They ferment and distill their own spirit as the base for all their bitters, and have experimented creatively with the flavouring agents. We talk about bitters used creatively in cocktails and in cooking. Also, hemp bitters & foam parties. Note: This Podcast was Recorded in mid-November.

Mark and Jamie investigate Jim Murray’s claim that Crown Royal North Harvest Rye is the best whisky in the world. Naturally, a blind tasting ensues between three top Canadian whiskies. Also, we report in from the New Brunswick Spirits Show.

Jennifer Chen, a food and whisky enthusiast, joins Mark and Jamie this week to review the whisky tasting at Mark’s place. It includes a battle of single malts, peated whiskies from around the world, and the battle of big cask strength whiskies.

This week, Jamie and Mark talk about Norlan whisky glass, whisky hysteria, hotel bars, boy bands, bad TV, lining up for whisky, vodka martinis, and old fashions vs manhattans. There might yet another discussion about ice.

This week, Sarah Parniak joins Jamie and Mark to discuss whisky events from various perspectives, women and whisky, sherry finishes, and pizza!

This week, Mark and Jamie speak with Jane Conner from Maker’s Mark. Jane oversees barrel maturation and new product development at the distillery. We speak about the Maker’s Mark Private Select Program, whisky terroir, and barrel maturation!

Mark & Jamie provide updates on their whisky collections, and follow-up on Pappy shortage, and whisky history vs reality. The podcast finishes with an interview of Hamish Torrie (Global Brand Ambassador of Ardbeg).

This week on The Whisky Topic, Blake of bourbonr.com comes on the show to discuss the success of his website, and some of his more controversial posts.

The Buffalo Trace 26 Year Old Bourbon Failed Experiment never made it to market, but Jamie and Mark got a sample. Hear their tasting notes. Also, Jamie and Mark review Non-Distiller Producers (NDP). Are they over-inflated on price? Finally, is Jamie in a music video? (Hint: She is) Check out Alan Doyle’s 1, 2, 3, 4 whisky music video. Plus, the Ontario bourbon shortage is here!

Glenford Jameson joins Jamie and Mark to discuss their findings in Kentucky. Particularly, we compare and contrast Buffalo Trace, Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Willet, and Wild Turkey. We talk about the new Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength, Kentucky Cereal, and our Bourbon Festival.

This week on podcast, Jamie and Mark interview Drew Mayville. We talk about the push to make better whisky, Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, the whisky making process, Buffalo Trace’s constant push for experimentation, and the role of the Master Blender.

Mark and Jamie review their bet on Ardbeg going to space—did aging whisky in zero-gravity change the flavour of it? Who won the bet? Also covered, whsky.buzz, Glenlivet making it to number one single malt, the Orphan Barrel controversy, and haunted houses!