Barrel Room Chronicles – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, host Kerry Moynahan takes us on a whiskey-filled journey, featuring exclusive interviews and insights from the WSWA conference (Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America) conference in Las Vegas. This episode is packed with insightful interviews, industry stories, and a special Whiskey Whereabouts discussing Clonakilty's new whiskey releases.

In this episode of Barrel Room Chronicles, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Pete Lynch, the master blender at Bhakta Spirits in Pulteney, Vermont. We delved into Pete's fascinating journey in the spirits industry, starting from his early days at Whistlepig, where he met Raj Bhakta, the current owner of Bhakta Spirits. Pete shared insights into the unique culture and ethos that both Whistlepig and Bhakta embody, emphasizing the hands-on, craft-focused approach that has driven their success.

In this episode of BRC, host Kerry Moynahan sits down with Christine Kammerer, a talented artist whose whiskey journey intertwines with her passion for music and storytelling. Christine shares insights into her unique musical whiskey experiences with Whiskey and Witches, where she pairs folklore with spirits from different regions.

From her beginnings in Denmark to her current projects in Scotland, Christine's diverse musical background and upcoming solo album showcase her symphonic fusion of Nordic and Celtic folk music. Join Kerry and Christine as they delve into the world of music, whiskey, and powerful storytelling.

This week's guest on Spirits of Whisk(e)y is Chris Seals, Co-Founder & CEO of Still Austin Whiskey Co. After a successful career in consulting on economics and sustainability for government and corporations large and small, the Kansas City native accepted his father's offer to open a distillery together. And so, after a global father-son tour of whiskey's very wide world, Still Austin, located in—yes, you guessed it—Austin, Texas, was born! Listen and learn how Chris, blending legend Nancy Fraley, and renowned Jamaican rum distiller Mike Delavante set about creating Still Austin's signature bourbon and limited release whiskeys, along with a house gin crafted from Texas rye. Plus hear Chef Louise Leonard's suggestions for pairing Still Austin bourbon with smoked beef ribs.

Please visit spiritsofwhiskey.com for show notes, past episodes, and coming attractions!

This week's guest on Spirits of Whisk(e)y is Joe Beatrice, Founder of Barrell Craft Spirits. After a successful career in advertising, founding and leading Blue Dingo Digital in the 1990s, the Boston native and New York technology and marketing entrepreneur turned his talents to whiskey and rum, launching Barrell Craft Spirits in 2013. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, Barrell Craft sources and blends exceptional whiskey and rum casks from established producers, bottles them exclusively at cask strength, and labels them with utter transparency. Listen and learn how Joe's curatorial approach has produced an ever-evolving and once-they're-gone-they're-gone series of bourbon, rye, and blended whiskeys, including the multiple-award-winning Dovetail, finished in rum, port, Cabernet, and blackstrap molasses casks. Plus hear how Chef Louise Leonard incorporates Dovetail into her duck à l'orange. 

Please visit spiritsofwhiskey.com for show notes, past episodes, and coming attractions!

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 extensive line of single malt and blended Scotch whiskies—Glengoyne, Tamdhu, Rosebank, Smokehead, Pig's Nose, Sheep Dip—as well as its Edinburgh Gin collection and more. The former Global Brand Ambassador for both Beam Suntory and Morrison Bowmore Distillers is a generous font of whiskey expertise and lore. Listen and learn how both Glengoyne—distilled in the Scottish Highlands but matured in the Scottish Lowlands—and Speyside's exclusively Sherry-casked Tamdhu distinguish themselves in an increasingly crowded field. Plus get food-pairing tips for Glengoyne 12-year and Tamdhu 15-year from Chef Louise Leonard.

Please visit spiritsofwhiskey.com for show notes, past episodes, and coming attractions!

This week's guest on Spirits of Whisk(e)y is Tracie Franklin. The former US National Ambassador for Glenfiddich single malt Scotch whisky is many things—professional thespian, master bartender, spirits expert, whiskey evangelist—but today she joins us in her newest capacity. Listen and learn how Tracie went from singing Winnie the Pooh in dozens of languages on stages all over the world to being named the very first Head Distiller Apprentice supported by the Nearest & Jack Advancement Initiative, a partnership between Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey and the Jack Daniel Distillery designed to promote diversity and further advance African-American leadership in the American whiskey industry. Plus hear how Chef Louise Leonard incorporates Tracie's very own Jamaican jerk cocktail tincture into her cooking.

Please visit spiritsofwhiskey.com for show notes, past episodes, and coming attractions!

This week's guests on Spirits of Whisk(e)y are Justin & Jennifer Stiefel, the husband-and-wife team responsible for six distilleries (and counting!) across the US states of Washington and Oregon. Majority women-owned Heritage Distilling Co., the most awarded craft distillery in North America for the past seven years, produces a wide range of bourbon, rye, and blended whiskeys, including the signature Elk Rider line and Brown Sugar Bourbon, plus numerous expressions of aquavit, brandy, gin, rum, and vodka.

Please visit spiritsofwhiskey.com for show notes, past episodes, and coming attractions!

It's Bourbon Heritage Month, and we are taking a short break from the podcast to work on our TV pilot, Whiskey: A Chef's Journey.  What better way to celebrate America's whiskey roots than by supporting our whiskey journey.   To help support this Telly Award winning show make it to a screen near you, visit www.WhiskeyAChefsJourney.com  To see some footage from the show visit https://youtu.be/fZt2ym4PvW8 

THE SERIES OVERVIEW — Whiskey: A Chef's Journey is a high-energy, pop-culture, half-hour, docu-reality show starring  Chef Louise Leonard, who's on a mission to learn more about whiskey for  her cooking. With each episode she takes off to a new place to immerse  herself in the food and whiskey culture of that city. While there,  she'll find the inspiration for what she will cook up by episode’s end. 

This show was created by a woman and stars a strong female chef who  travels the globe in search of cities with rich whiskey and food  cultures. Each location will feature the diversity of the city’s people,  history, food, and whiskey. Follow us as we take you on a culinary and spirited  journey that will inspire tasty dishes that complement the travel and  adventure each episode brings.

Music provided by:  HillbillyBed Creative Commons Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com.mp3

This week's guest on Spirits of Whisk(e)y is management consultant-turned-distiller Chris Fredrickson, Co-Founder of Traverse City Whiskey Co. Situated in Traverse City, Michigan, the "Cherry Capital of the World," the distillery produces a range of straight bourbon whiskeys, including Barrel Proof, which won "Best Small Batch Bourbon" at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and the bestselling American Cherry Edition, infused with Montmorency sour cherries, harvested from the same orchards Chris worked in his youth.

Please visit spiritsofwhiskey.com for show notes, past episodes, and coming attractions!