Single Malt Matters

In a bit of a branch off the traditional approach of talking with distillers and whiskey makers, Matt takes a left turn and talks with Marty Duffy, U.S. Representative for Glencairn Crystal about one of the most ubiquitous symbols of fine whiskies the world over; the Glencairn glass.

Matt wraps up his conversation with Phil Downer of Wanderback in Hood River focusing almost exclusively on arguably the most critical aspect of making whiskey; sensory evaluation. 

And of COURSE, arguably the most critical component of sensory evaluation is tasting!
So we do that, too.
With Wanderback's latest release, #5.

And it is . . . SO good!

In the first of two episodes, Matt gets together with Phil Downer, Founder and Chief Whiskey Maker of Wanderback in Hood River, Oregon.

And it's impossible to talk about his latest release (release #5) without talking about how and why Phil has chosen to take a bit of a non-traditional approach to how he's building his brand; by collaborating with other distilleries and like-minded brands focused on both quality and the exploration of flavor.

Making good on his promise from episode #34, Matt starts the deep dive down the whiskey rabbit hole to talk about milling with Matt Hofmann from Westland, and Murphy Quint from Cedar Ridge.

This is so important to talk about, in large part because most people have NO understanding of it, but before malt can be mashed, it has to be milled, and that milling process is arguably the first step of the production process that has an immense impact not only of flavor, but on general perceived quality.

Here's why . . . 

In the second episode with Adam and Nora from Lost Lantern and Stephen Paul, founder of Whiskey Del Bac, we really dig into some  interesting flavor differences between three expressions - a couple of which, though distilled at the same time and aged right next to each other in identical barrels, taste unexpectedly different!

We also talk a bit about Whiskey Del Bac's maturation program and delve a little into some really promising things to come!

In the first of two episodes with Stephen Paul of Whiskey Del Bac and Adam and Nora of Lost Lantern, we discuss the back story of Whiskey Del Bac, which was born out of a love of Scotch and a furniture business, as well as what it was that appealed to Adam and Nora. Adam and Matt also catch up about ACSA, and talk about the Good Deeds Malt Whiskey release by the Good Guy Distillers! AND be sure to listen all the way to the end to get in on the FIRST EVER Single Malt Matters single barrel release, featuring Balcones! 

The second and final episode with Caitlin and Joe starts off with a conversation around the strong sense of community in American Single Malt, as well as (to a greater degree) American craft distilling.

From there we touch on topics ranging from the trajectory of the category and where it will be in a century, to the unfortunate circumstances that led to them posting signs in the restrooms reminding patrons not to flush their undergarments.

No, for real though....

Episode 30, features Mr. Joe O’Sullivan, Master Distiller, and Ms. Caitlin Bartlemay, Head Distiller of Hood River Distillers/Clear Creek Distillery, makers of THE O.G. American Single Malt, McCarthy’s Oregon Single Malt!

This episode is the first of two with this genuinely passionate and dedicated team, and it’s non-stop fun from the very start.
Listening to these two feels like conversation with close family around the dinner table, and you can’t help but smile throughout the whole episode.

From lost posterity resulting from their founder’s terrible handwriting, to the OLDEST barrel of American Single Malt Whiskey on the planet (GIMMEE!!) to the impetus behind their origin story, this episode is a heartfelt, authentic peek behind the scenes of an inspired brand.

Episode 29 starts in Nashville with Anger Webber, CEO and co-founder of Corsair Distillery and creator of Triple Smoke. Some great ground was covered, most notably Andrew's approach to smoke and flavor exploration in a new category.

From there, we head to the midwest and catch up with Murphy Quint for the first time since BEFORE the launch of his Quintessential single malt, and get his take on how it's been received and how it's evolving.

Wrapping up my conversation with Jake Holshue, the train cars start to pile up from the very start.

And they just. Don't. Stop.

This was SO MUCH fun, with topics ranging from Whiskey Podcasts to industry awards, Jake's legendarily TERRIBLE luck traveling, distilling with fish . . . So many things.

So sit down and buckle up.
This is gonna get bumpy.

In episode 27, Matt catches up with Jared Himstedt from Balcones to cover a range of topics from the insane Texas weather's impact on maturation, to the anticipation of news coming soon from the TTB and upcoming releases and experimentation.

Then Matt Hofmann comes on to talk about some impressive hardware that just came home from the World Whiskies Awards, as well as the upcoming release of Colere - which he considers to be Westland's most important spirit to date.

In the second episode with Level 11 Spirits Wizard Jake Holshue, Jake throws a little shade, talks some more about his whiskies, celebrity partnerships, and we really dig deep into why Craft Malt is not only so important in this industry, but also why it's typically so overlooked.
Matt also starts the episode off with an update from Amanda Beckwith from Virginia Distillery Co about their THREE new expressions of Courage and Conviction.

One of the most fun interviews yet, with a sincere and down-to-Earth dude. Moose Allen from Andalusia Whiskey Co. in Blanco, TX talks about discovering the world of whiskey, finding Andalusia, and doing whatever it takes to get where you want to be.

(Photo cred: ZoomaDesign.com)

In the second and final episode with Adam Polonski and Nora Ganley-Roper of Lost Lantern Whiskey, Matt discusses the potential and current state of regional variation in American Single Malt, the challenges they encountered in bringing their first releases to the public, and get into tasting their first batted malt release as well as their single cask release of a mesquite smoked singe malt from Santa Fe Spirits. 

In the first of two episodes with Adam Polonski and Nora Ganley-Roper, Matt digs into the unique aspect of the Lost Lantern brand and its significance in terms of the future for the category, as well as why a blender and Independent Bottler is so damn cool in the first place!

In the second and final episode with Miles Munroe, much ground is covered. The big takeaway here, is that Miles is arguably one of the coolest and most genuine people in the business - and he's also making some delicious Single Malt!

In the first of two episodes featuring Miles Munroe, of Westward Whiskey in Portland, OR, Miles talks about an unlikely start, rooted in rock n' roll. Matt also talks about a bit of a shift in the direction of the podcast.

Near disaster at his family's fledgling distillery, cutting his teeth in American Single Malt at Stranahan's, what really keeps him up at night, horrible Whisky reviews and . . . Slipknot?
Matt had an awesome conversation with Murphy Quint of Iowa's Cedar Ridge Distillery.

The backstory of Balcones' entry into American Single Malt, the importance of local grain and malt, and . . . do I detect a  hint of a rivalry with Westland?
Matt wraps up the 2nd half of his conversation with Jared Himstedt of Balcones Distillery in Waco, TX.

In the first of two episodes, Matt talks with Jared Himstedt about his exploration of American Single Malt and the origins of Balcones Distilling.

In the second of two episodes, Matt concludes his conversation with Amanda Beckwith and Greg Goodson from Virginia Distillery Co.
This time, we dig a little deeper into things like grain, the importance (and hype) of water’s role in the process, transparency, maturation, Federal excise tax, and a look at what the future holds for the distillery - all while sipping on Courage and Conviction.

In the second and final episode with Johnny Jeffery, Matt talks in more depth about the unique approach and amazing design and technology that has gone into the Bently approach of making world-class, bespoke American Single Malt Whisky.

In the first of two episodes, Matt talks with good friend and Master Distiller, Johnny Jeffery, about a career trajectory that started in Chicago's music scene, and, following time spent in Eastern Europe where he fell in love with 18th century agricultural practices, eventually to Northern Nevada, where he . . . well, he basically figured out how to retrofit state-of-the art, world-class, LEED-Certified distilleries into a gorgeous, abandoned, century-old grain mill and butter factory.

In episode 12, Matt gets together with Mr. Gabe Toth, Distiller at Colorado's The Family Jones Distillery and Author of "Craft Floor Malting: A Practical Guide." They cover a LOT of ground, including the importance of (and flavor impacts of) quality grain, the impacts of COVID-19 on the craft beverage industry, Federal Excise Tax and the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act, What floor malting is all about, and why the idea of supporting local business is so important.

And please pardon the bleeps.

Things started to go off the rails there for a bit. . . 

In the final of two episodes with Matt Hofmann, we dig even deeper into how Westland Single Malts have become such an evocative expression of the Pacific Northwest, including some of the thoughts behind different expressions and the use of the rare native Garryana Oak (Quercus Garryana) Westland uses in their maturation program.

In the first of two episodes with Westland Distillery's Co-Founder and Master Distiller Matt Hofmann, Matt digs into the history of Westland and gets a better understanding of its vision, and how that's helped shaped its trajectory into the esteem of so many the world over.

Man, what a great episode!
Matt talks with Co-Founder and Owner of Wood’s High Mountain Distillery and  Salida, CO Mayor, Mr. P.T. Wood.  This was a great opportunity to talk with someone doing some really cool stuff within the existing TTB standard of identity to make a specific interpretation and expression of a single malt spirit.
That, and P.T. is just a super cool guy!

In this important episode, Matt talks with Mr. Steve Hawley from the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission about the history and mission of the Commission, as well as the trajectory of the category.

Matt travels to Boulder, CO to sit down with Graeme Wallace of Boulder Spirits/Vapor Distillery/Hogback Distillery to talk about his unique approach to American Single Malt through the eyes of a Scot.

In the second of two episodes with Michael Kirkpatrick, the topic of price vs. perceived value is discussed at length, as well as some more specific legal whisky requirements. Michael also plays a few songs, and delicious whiskies are tasted.

In this episode, Matt gets a chance to sit down with Michael Kirkpatrick, the man behind the music of the podcast, and talk about life, music, and of course, whisky.  We also talk about our tasting of Balcones Texas Single Malt!

In the final episode with Stephen Osborn, Matt digs a little deeper into his thoughts behind barrel and maturation, and then starts popping some corks and tasting some whiskies.

In episode #2 of 3 with Stephen Osborn, Matt dives a little deeper into malting, as well as the importance of barley selection and Steve's approach to fermentation and maturation. 

In the debut episode, Matt introduces the podcast and explains why it's such an important topic in the craft distilling industry.