The Chronicle
Latest dispatches
66 results across all types
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S2 EP46 Glendalough: Whiskey from Ireland's Valley of Two Lakes
This week's guest on Spirits of Whisk(e)y is Donal O'Gallachoir, Co-Owner & US National Brand Manager at Ireland's Glendalough Distillery, in County Wicklow, just south of Dublin. Founded by five friends, including Donal, with a mutual love of Irish whiskey and Irish lore, the distillery is located in a narrow glacial valley—"Glendalough" is Irish for "the valley of two lakes"—in the Wicklow Mountains, the historical and spiritual home of the legendary St. Kevin, whose image graces each and every bottle of award-winning whiskey, gin, and poitín it produces. After the interview, let your taste buds run wild as Chef Louise Leonard discusses pairing Glendalough's Seven-Year Single Malt finished in Porter casks with a whiskey- and beer-fortified Venison Hunter's Stew topped with a Sorrel Chimichurri. St. Kevin approved! Check us out on EatsDrinksTV .
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SOW S2 EP45 Breaking the Barrel: Oak Bills & Whiskey Blends
This week's guest on Spirits of Whisk(e)y is Seth Benhaim, Founder & CEO of L.A.'s Infuse Spirits, makers of Broken Barrel Whiskey. Listen and learn how this inveterate entrepreneur went from infusing premium vodka with fresh and dried whole fruit to creating a range of whiskeys that employ broken barrel staves in an oak bill unique to each expression. Plus we catch up on what's new with past guest Matt Hofmann, Master Distiller at Seattle's Westland Distillery, in the first edition of "Whiskey Whereabouts." Then savor Chef Louise Leonard's suggestions for pairing Broken Barrel's Fen Walker, a blend of American whiskeys finished in peated Islay cask and Spanish sherry staves, with Salted Dark Chocolate Bread Pudding topped with Dried Cherries and Whiskey Whipped Cream. Yum! Listen to this episode on EatsDrinksTV .
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S2 EP44: Distilling the Cotswolds—The Rebirth of English Whisky
This week's guest on Spirits of Whisk(e)y is Daniel Szor, Founder & CEO of The Cotswold Distilling Company, operators of Cotswolds Distillery in Shipston-on-Stour, a small town in Warwickshire, England. Listen and learn how this native New Yorker went from managing currency investments in Paris and London to making exceptional English single malt whiskies, as well as a range of distinctive gins, in the British Midlands. You can even read about his story in Daniel's 2020 autobiography, Spirit Guide: In Search of an Authentic Life. Then work up an appetite with Chef Louise Leonard's suggestions for pairing Cotswolds Dry Gin with Homemade Potato Chips, Lavender-Citrus Crème Fraîche, and Caviar. Enjoy! To watch this episode visit us at EatsDrinksTV .
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S2 EP43 Hiram Walker & Sons: Colossus of Canadian Whisky
This week's guest on Spirits of Whisk(e)y is Dr. Don Livermore, Master Blender at Hiram Walker & Sons Limited . Located in Windsor, Ontario, just across the Detroit River from Motor City, the historic Hiram Walker & Sons Distillery is Canada's oldest—and North America's largest!—and home to a vast range of spirits and brands, including a distinguished quartet of Canadian whiskies: J.P. Wiser's, Lot No. 40, Pike Creek, and Gooderham & Worts. Listen and learn how "Dr. Don," who this year celebrates his silver anniversary at Hiram Walker, parlayed deep agricultural roots and a knack for science into a quarter-century of innovation and dedication to advancing the craft of Canadian whisky. Then delight to Chef Louise Leonard's suggestions for pairing Hiram Walker's rum barrel-finished Pike Creek 10-Year Canadian Whisky with her take on the classic Puerto Rican Mofongo, featuring fried chicken skin, charred pineapple, and pickled habañero onions.
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S2 EP42 - The Terroir of Whiskey: A Distiller's Journey
This week's guest on Spirits of Whisk(e)y is Rob Arnold, Master Distiller at Firestone & Robertson Distilling Co., in Fort Worth, Texas, makers of TX Whiskey. Fort Worth, aka Cowtown, was at one time home to the world's largest horse and mule market. Now, however, thanks to the pioneering work of this third-generation whiskey professional and bona fide Renaissance man, it's a center of whiskey innovation. Listen and learn how the author of Shots of Knowledge: The Science of Whiskey (2016) and The Terroir of Whiskey: A Distiller's Journey into the Flavor of Place (2021) left his native Louisville to blaze his own whiskey trail, in the process earning a PhD in plant breeding and genetics at Texas A&M University. Then whet your appetite with Chef Louise Leonard's suggestions for pairing TX Pedro Ximénez sherry cask-finished Straight Bourbon with an exquisite Spanish flan, featuring flambéed apricots, cherries, and plums. This decadent dessert, which picks up the bour
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S2 EP41: The Complete Whiskey Course—Terroir, Provenance & More
This week's guest on Spirits of Whisk(e)y is Robin Robinson, author of The Complete Whiskey Course: A Comprehensive Tasting School in Ten Classes. This veteran of the spirits sector has led a full and colorful life in whiskey, traveling the globe as both brand ambassador—Compass Box, anyone?—and whiskey educator, and now he's compiled that expertise and that experience into one handy and remarkably thorough tome. Listen and learn how Robin went from trodding the boards—because he's an actor, of course!—to translating his deep whiskey knowledge for the layman in great and lively detail. Then hear the very first installment of Club Corner, a new segment that spotlights the exceptional individuals who run the world's whiskey clubs, producing events that showcase whiskey's globality and stylistic diversity. First up? David Donahue and Vadim Perlovskiy of The Los Angeles Whisk(e)y & Spirits Guild.
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EP 40: Spirits of Whisk(e)y Season 1 Finale
For our Season 1 Finale of Spirits of Whisk(e)y Chef Louise Leonard will join Kerry & Philip to talk about all the wonderful guests and whiskeys we've had on our first 40 episodes. We will talk about our favorite moments from season 1 as well as our favorite drams.
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EP 13 - David Blackmore of Glenmorangie & Ardbeg
This week's guest on Spirits of Whisk(e)y is David Blackmore, Global Master Ambassador at Glenmorangie and Ardbeg. Listen as the Edinburgh native shares his colorful whiskey journey, plus enjoy some lively cocktail talk and learn how to pair food with two of Scotland's more storied single malt whiskies.
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EP 39: Lisa Roper Wicker of Widow Jane Distillery.
This week's guest on Spirits of Whisk(e)y is Lisa Roper Wicker, President, Head Distiller, and Blender at Widow Jane Distillery. Located in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, Widow Jane, in addition to making and laying down its own distillates, affectionately named "Baby Janes," sources and blends straight bourbon and rye whiskeys from Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee, and then proofs them with limestone mineral water from New York's Hudson River Valley, home of the historic Widow Jane Mine. Listen and learn how Lisa, a former ballet dancer and native of Bloomington, Indiana, went from winemaking in America's heartland to whiskey making in the center of the hipster universe. Then here Chef Louise Leonard, for whom Brooklyn figures bigly in her whiskey journey, mix Widow Jane's American Oak-aged Straight Rye Whiskey with Pickett's Ginger Syrup, another Brooklyn product, this one made by her good friends, the Pickett Brothers. The result? A Brooklyn Mule. And yes, it's got
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St. Patrick's Day Giveaway Contest!!!
To celebrate St. Patrick’s day this year we're giving one lucky winner an Irish Coffee pack. The bundle will include a copy of the 75th anniversary edition of Mr. Boston’s Cocktail Guide edited & signed by Jonathan Pogas...
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EP 38: Woody Kane & Chris McGowan on The Busker Irish Whiskey
This week's guests on Spirits of Whisk(e)y are Woody Kane and Chris McGowan, Global Ambassador and Director of Marketing, respectively, of The Busker Irish Whiskey . The Busker is a "new to world" Irish whiskey, designed to demonstrate Ireland's three signature styles of whiskey—Single Grain, Single Malt, and Single Pot Still—and leverage its relationship with Disaronno International through its Triple Cask Triple Smooth expression, aged, in part, in Sicilian ex-Marsala casks. Listen and learn how Woody and Chris channeled a way with people and storytelling into a life of evangelizing the world's whiskey drinkers. Then hear Chef Louise Leonard's suggestions for pairing The Busker's Triple Cask Triple Smooth with Irish Soda Bread French Toast, accompanied by Fresh Fruit and Hard Cream. Sláinte! Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with us at the GRAND OPENING of our Whiskey Shop
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Tales From the Still EP 1 - St. Patrick's Day & Irish Coffee
o celebrate St. Patrick’s day this year we're giving one lucky winner an Irish Coffee pack. The bundle will include a copy of the 75th anniversary edition of Mr. Boston’s Cocktail Guide edited & signed by Jonathan Pogash, a classic Irish coffee cocktail glass, a sample of The Busker Triple Cask Irish Whiskey , and a sample of Unleashed Brazilian coffee. The lucky winner will be able to make a perfect Irish coffee at home. Enter to win by clicking on the photo above or by visiting Spiritsofwhiskey.com and click on the contest banner at the top of any page of the website. All entries must be received by midnight, Tuesday March 23rd and the winner will be notified by email on March 24th. Must be 21 or older and a US resident to apply. Good luck! ***BONUS*** Star Bartender Pamela Wiznitzer, shares her coffee cocktail, The Blind Abbot on our very first webcast premiering St. Patrick's Day. View her recipe ↑
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EP 37: David DaFazio of Wyoming Whiskey
This week's guest on Spirits of Whisk(e)y is David DeFazio, Founder of Wyoming Whiskey. Located in Kirby, a four-hour drive east of Jackson Hole, Wyoming Whiskey produces a range of outstanding whiskeys, including Double Cask—a straight bourbon finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks—and Outryder, a rye-forward, bottled-in-bond, straight American whiskey that's neither rye nor bourbon. Listen and learn how David, an attorney and native of upstate New York, turned a passion for whiskey into a life in whiskey. Then hear how Wyoming Whiskey's Private Stock Straight Bourbon got Chef Louise "Weezy" Leonard craving a bison burger smothered in a mild, gooey cheese, something like a Havarti, with caramelized onions to bring out the sweetness of the spirit, drunken sautéed mushrooms, a few sprigs of arugula for a peppery bite, and a nice grainy mustard.
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Extra Extra, Read All About It! Become a Spirits of Whisk(e)y VIP
How do you become a VIP? It's easy! Become a supporter on our Anchor page and select the right contribution level for you. Once you’ve submitted your payment information, create your VIP Access account at our VIP access...
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EP 36: Lauren Oliver, aka the 'Mash Lass' of Glengoyne Distillery
Our podcast guest is Lauren Oliver. Lauren started working at Glengoyne as a tour guide in 2016. She fell in love with the industry and started studying for her Brewing and Distilling qualifications the following year. Upon gaining her qualification, she spent a few months in the warehousing section and then moved into the still house where she became a Mash house Production Operator AKA "The Mash lass".
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EP 35: Mark Gillespie, Host of WhiskyCast
This week's guest on Spirits of Whisk(e)y is Mark Gillespie, Host & Executive Producer of WhiskyCast, the world's longest-running whiskey podcast. Listen and learn how Mark, who enjoyed a long career in radio news before blazing a podcasting trail for all who followed, went from journeyman broadcaster to the Internet's most recognizable voice of whiskey. Then hear how Seth Benhaim, Founder & CEO of Infuse Spirits and Broken Barrel Whiskey, started his own successful podcast, The Cartel Hour, with Co-Host and Producer Cameron Stephens. Together they survey the wide world of spirits from the very well-stocked comfort of The Infusery, in the Arts District of Los Angeles.
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EP 34: Patrick Fee & Kyle Merklein of McCormick Distilling Co.
This week's guests on Spirits of Whisk(e)y are Patrick Fee and Kyle Merklein of McCormick Distilling Co., home of the historic Hollady Distillery in Weston, Missouri, just outside Kansas City. Vice President of Marketing Patrick and Master Distiller Kyle are responsible for making and marketing an expansive portfolio of spirits, including gin, rum, and vodka, plus several house whiskeys, including their latest, a spicy pickle-flavored expression called Whicked Pickle. Listen and learn how Whicked Pickle went from no more than an idea to a successful market reality in just a few months. Then hear how Chef Louise Leonard, aka Weezy, incorporates Whicked Pickle into her world-famous Bloody Mary mix, garnished with home-pickled carrots, cucumbers, green beans, okra, and radishes from her own garden, plus a skewer of cheese and sausage, all chased with a beer back!
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EP 33: Sean Josephs of Pinhook Whiskey & Peter Fornatale
This week's guest on Spirits of Whisk(e)y is Sean Josephs, Founder & Master Taster at Pinhook Whiskey, a brand that blends select straight bourbon and straight rye whiskeys produced by the Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, naming each distinctive result in honor of a promising young thoroughbred racehorse. After a special at-the-races edition of "Whiskey Chronicles," featuring Brooklyn Spirits author Peter Fornatale, listen and learn how Sean, a certified sommelier and cocktail expert, went from owning and operating award-winning restaurants in New York and New Orleans to marrying two of his passions—whiskey and horseracing—to the delicious benefit of bourbon and rye drinkers everywhere. Then hear Chef Louise Leonard's suggestions for pairing Pinhook's Tiz Rye Time with pumpernickel tea sandwiches, filled with lox, cream cheese, and dill.
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SOW EP 32: Nicole Austin of Cascade Moon & George Dickel Whisky
This week's guest on Spirits of Whisk(e)y is Nicole Austin, General Manager & Distiller at Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. in Tullahoma, Tennessee, makers of George Dickel Whisky. Listen and learn how Nicole works to honor the brand's storied past—150 years and counting—with new Bottled-in-Bond and 15-Year Single Barrel releases while driving innovation with the first two editions of her hand-selected, "Mellow as Moonlight," Cascade Moon blends. Then hear Chef Louise Leonard's suggestions for pairing Cascade Moon Edition No. 2 with black-eyed peas, seasoned with smoked ham hock and accompanied by greens, cornmeal dumplings, and chile de arbol salsa, and Dickel Single Barrel with roasted game hen, miso-spiked yams, and garlicky mustard greens.
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EP 31: Michael Scully & Paul Corbett of Clonakilty Distillery
This week's guests on Spirits of Whisk(e)y are Michael Scully and Paul Corbett of Clonakilty Atlantic Distillery in County Cork, Ireland. The Scully family has farmed this windswept land on the country's southwest coast for nine generations, and in 2018, they introduced whiskey to what had been a largely milky affair. Listen and learn how Founder Michael, along with Head Distiller & Blender Paul Corbett, fired up the newly built distillery's three copper pot stills and started turning out award-winning Poitín—Irish new make grain spirit—and, in short order, released Single Grain, Double Oak, and Port Cask Irish whiskey expressions, plus Minke Gin and Minke Sloe Gin distilled from whey produced on site by the farm's herd of dairy cows. Plus hear Chef Louise Leonard's suggestions for pairing Clonakilty Single Grain with skate—one of her favorite fish—pan-fried with brown butter and accompanied by a salad of wild greens and strawberries.
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EP 26: "The Water of Life" Filmmakers
Our podcast guests are Executive Producer Brittany Curran, Producer Trevor Jones and Director Greg Swartz about their soon to be released film, The Water of Life. The Water of Life is a look at the craftsmen, chemis...
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EP 21: Chris Seals, Founder of Still Austin Whiskey Co.
Our podcast guest is Chris Seals, founder and CEO of Still Austin Whiskey Co. Seals makes it a priority to protect the environment and support local agriculture through everything he does at the distillery. To read t...
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EP 20: Joe Beatrice Founder of Barrell Craft Spirits
Our podcast guest is Joe Beatrice, Founder of Barrell Craft Spirits. Joe questioned the conventional wisdom and took a different course. He sourced and blended exceptional casks from established producers, bottled wh...
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EP 19: Gordon Dundas of Ian MacLeod Distillers Ltd.
This week's guest on Spirits of Whisk(e)y is Gordon Dundas of Scotland's Ian Macleod Distillers. In his capacity as International Brand Ambassador, this globetrotting spirits industry veteran represents the portfolio's e...