In the debut episode of Double Bitter, co-hosts Ryan and Kim crack open the mic, the bitters, and the whiskey to kick off a brand-new podcast that pairs the grit of timber sports with the smooth finish of handcrafted cocktails.
For their first pour, Kim mixes a smoked applewood old fashioned featuring Caldera Whiskey and Ironworks spiced apple bitters—a drink tailored for their inaugural guest: Tyler Wentzell.
If you’ve followed competitive timber sports, you’ll know Tyler’s name. A proud Nova Scotian from Berwick and breakout star of TSN’s Wild Axe Championships, Tyler has led his East Coast team to victory and claimed individual titles along the way. He joins Ryan and Kim to talk about his rise in the world of axe throwing—from local leagues at Halifax’s Timber Lounge to representing Canada on the world stage.
Over the clink of glasses and the haze of applewood smoke, the conversation covers:
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Tyler’s championship run on Wild Axe and what it felt like to land a bull’s-eye under intense pressure.
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The difference between throwing solo and competing as part of a team—and why the latter can be even more rewarding.
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His journey from backyard practices in 2017 to placing among the top throwers in the world.
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The international axe throwing community, where camaraderie, mentorship, and encouragement are as strong as the competition itself.
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How he builds mental focus at the line—comparing the discipline to a golfer’s pre-shot routine.
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Battling the elements in outdoor competitions, from wind gusts to rain, and learning how to adapt.
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The importance of stepping into competitions big and small to grow as an athlete.
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His other passions, including music, and how playing with more skilled musicians mirrors the way he hones his skills in axe throwing.
Listeners also get a taste of Kim’s mixology expertise as she explains why certain whiskeys shine in cocktails while others are best left neat.
Part sports talk, part storytelling, part cocktail education, Episode 1 sets the tone for Double Bitter: a spirited space where culture, competition, and craft drinks collide.
Raise a glass with Ryan, Kim, and Tyler, and join the conversation where sharp steel meets smooth whiskey
The recipe you've been waiting for:
2 oz. Caldera Whiskey
2 dashes of Ironworks Distillery Apple
Bitters
1/4 oz of simple syrup
1 maraschino cherry•
Applewood chips (for smoke)
Add all liquid ingredients into a lowball glass with ice. Using a smoking kit, add your wood chips and torch them. Add cherry garnish. Let the smoke dissipate, and enjoy!
"Refined by fire, forged by the coast — a slow ember with the strength of a champion"
