Cask Chasers Podcast: Conversations about Whiskey

An Evening With Russ Kempton

For those of you that know Russ Kempton from Speaking of Grapes and Grains, you understand the amount of knowledge he brings to the table every time he sits down to discuss whisky, food pairings, flavor profiles or anything else he can share from his over 35 years of experience. If you don't know who Russ Kempton is, then you are in for quite the lesson on this all new episode of the Cask Chasers Podcast. Russ has traveled and lectured all around the world about wines, spirits and food pairings. This week, he makes a stop here to tell us a little bit about the man himself, provide some insight on dissecting the flavor profile of any fine whisky, and how to properly pair your favorite dram with that perfect dish. He even provides some sound advice for anyone that is new to the game.

Twice Distilled

Alright Cask Chasers...for all you bourbon lovers out there, we have a special episode for you this week. Calling in from Louisville, Kentucky, our guest this week, Beth Burrows has many years of experience in the whisky game and most recently has spent the last four years as American Whiskey Ambassador for Beam Suntory. In addition to her wealth of knowledge, Beth tells us about the challenges of being the General Manager of a bourbon bar, her stint as a competition mixologist and how she and the group, Whiskey Chicks, are working to break the perception that whiskey is a male only industry.

A Time To Reflect

This week we are taking some time to reflect on the events of the past few weeks with the pandemic and to shine a spotlight on some of the great things being done in the whisky community as a result. We also discuss how groups, just like ours, have adjusted to the virtual way of life including some of the creative ways everyone is keeping their routines going. With none of the guys together in the studio, it is also just a great time to kick back and catch up with each other.

From Stone Balloon to BBQ

Hey there Cask Chasers, this week we have a great interview for you as we continue our At Home edition of the Cask Chasers Podcast. This week we have reknowned local chef Robbie Jester calling in to the show. If you are local to Delaware, you may know Robbie's amazing restaurants: The Stone Balloon Ale House and Limestone BBQ or you may have seen him compete on Guy's Grocery Games or his victory on Beat Bobby Flay. Chef Robbie Jester has so many great stroies to share including his road into the restaurant business, the challenges of opening a whisky bar and just how intense it was to go 1-on-1 with one of the best chefs in the world.

A Dram Across the Distance

Alright Cask Chasers...prepare yourselves for something a little different. We here at the Cask Chasers Podcast, like so many, had to make the decision on what to do with our show during this pandemic. With all three of us under quarantine, it made getting into the studio impossible, but we did not want that to stop us from bringing you all new episodes. So we are recording the show from three different locations: our own homes! Bobby and Aaron will be calling into the show while I man the studio. This was our first all remote show so we have some kinks to work out, but its all about talking whisky no matter what the obstacle is. We hope you enjoy this all new episode, and also some of the things we have lined up in the coming weeks for our Cask Chasers From Home Edition including some all new interviews. This week, it is all about making it work and how we are getting by, both in life and on the show.

Whisky With A View

We have a very exciting episode for you this week. If you have been listening to our last few episodes, chances are you have heard the commercial for our friend Nate Woodruff who has embarked on a national tour to find breath taking views and hidden whisky gems. Nate has combined two of his passions in photography and whisky to form Whisky With A View that allows everyone to follow along as Nate, and his dog Skye - who makes a special appearance, travel the country. Nate also brings a significant amount of exeperience in the whisky business, serving as a brand ambassador for such brands as WhistlePig and Glenfiddich. It is an interview that is both interesting and inspiring.

A Little Flavor to Pass the Time

This week on the Cask Chasers Podcast, we are dipping into the flavored whiskies to give some of the most noteables, their due. From tailgating it with some Fireball to spicing it up with Dickel Tobasco, these flavored whiskies serve a purpose in the grand scheme. Usually, distilleries will put out some of these whiskies as a revenue source during maturation times, other times, they are simply a novelty. Join us as we muscle our way through this episode and finish it off with a pleasant surprise!

Whisky Crystal

If you drink your whisky out of a Glencairn glass, chances are you have one person in this country to thank, and that is our guest this week on the Cask Chasers Podcast. Martin Duffy has been around the Whisky industry for a long time and he calls in this week to share his experiences and stories. From Senior Master of Whisky at Diageo to National Rep for those iconic crystal glasses and much more, Martin's journey is quite the story to tell so grab your favorite Glencairn and settle in for an all new Cask Chasers Podcast!

All About the Alba

We have an interesting twist this week, Cask Chasers! Aberlour is one of our favorite distilleries. Did you know that A'bunadh is Gaelic for "The Original"? Known for its distinct Sherry finishes, Aberlour is a Speyside that does not disappoint. The A'bunadh Alba is the newest release from the Aberlour Distillery but it is not what you would typically expect from them. Alba being the Gaelic word for "White" gets its name from the American White Oak used during matruation and absent of any finish. Its a twist on the norm and, as we discuss, may also put a twist on the price points. Plus, have you ever wanted an easier way to keep track of all of your whisky adventures? If a pad and a pen just aren't going to work for you, we discuss some of our favorite whisky apps to help you keep track of all of those tasting notes.

The Water of Life

We have an exciting special for you this week, Cask Chasers. We discussed in last week's episode what an exciting time it is to be a whisky fan as we witness the progression of a revolution that is occurring in the industry. At the forefront, we see a growing number of tv shows, short films and documentaries capturing the essence of what goes into your favorite glass of scotch or bottle of bourbon. One film, The Water of Life, takes us into some of Scotland's best known distilleries and more than a few hidden gems to explore each distiller's quest to create the world's best whisky. On this week's episode, we have the Producer and Cinematographer of the Water of Life film, Brad Kenyon, to discuss filming the movie, their experiences traveling around Scotland and how taking a love for whisky and turning that into beatiful art is not only for the distillery, but also for the big screen.