Drinks Adventures - Wine, beer, whisky, gin & more with James Atkinson
Wine lover? Craft beer fan? Drink whisky, bourbon, cognac or rum? Or maybe it's gin or vodka or mezcal you're into? Based in Australia, but globally minded, Drinks Adventures covers all these drinks and more: Japanese sake, cider, tequila, champagne, cocktails... we could go on! Listen in as award-winning drinks writer James Atkinson interviews the world's biggest names in craft brewing, winemaking, distilling and mixology, along with sommeliers, mixologists, sake samurais, masters of wine and certified cicerones.Tags: wine, beer, brewing, gin, whisky, whiskey. bourbon, cognac, rum, tequila, mezcal, champagne, cocktails, cider, Japanese sake
S20 E5 · Thu, March 27, 2025
Sydney Rum Distillery outlines global ambitions
We’re joined this episode by Steve Magarry and Jonny Croft of Sydney Rum Distillery, which has just unveiled its new home in the former Oak milk factory in Muswellbrook. Now, that is of course a few hours north of Sydney, in the Upper Hunter Valley to be precise. In fact, the historic Oak site was most recently utilised as a winery. But the selection of the Oak factory follows an exhaustive search across Sydney for a site that could accommodate the company’s ambitious plans to create a globally scaled rum and brandy business. As you’ll hear in a moment, Sydney Rum Distillery is a holding company that in the first instance will produce bulk cane spirit and rum for export markets. But there are also plans to create its own brand portfolio in addition to Cargo Cult, the south pacific rum brand that Johnny founded in 2014. I caught up with Steve and Jonny at the distillery in Muswellbrook following a briefing and tour the company held for the local community, media and potential investors in March 2025.
S20 E4 · Fri, March 21, 2025
Fred Siggins' expert buying advice for Australian spirits
Fred Siggins is a Melbourne-based spirits writer with more than 20 years of experience in the drinks and hospitality industries. He joins us to discuss what I think is a fairly momentous development. Halliday Wine Companion, the definitive guide to Australian wine for almost 40 years, is expanding its remit to include spirits. Launching in April 2025, Halliday Spirits offers comprehensive reviews and ratings of Australian-made and international spirits, aiming to elevate the industry with the same dedication to quality and insight that has defined Halliday's legacy in wine. Distillers will be assigned annual star ratings, based on scores achieved throughout the year, and the Halliday website, winecompanion.com.au, will host a directory of distillery profiles. Fred will be acting as lead taster, and joining him is gin expert Jess Clayfield, who has a profound understanding of Australian botanicals. Coming up, Fred explains why he thinks consumers are crying out for expert buying advice on spirits. You’ll hear which Australian spirits categories he’s most excited about, and he shares a few specific recommendations on the best value spirits currently on the market. Interested distillers can find out how to get involved here: https://winecompanion.com.au/spirits-submission-process
S20 E3 · Fri, March 14, 2025
Lark Whisky unveils Kurio blend; signals major brand overhaul
Welcome to a special news edition of Drinks Adventures as we unpack Lark Distilling’s half yearly results. This time last year, Lark Distilling CEO Satya Sharma joined us on the podcast for a full-length interview , which I strongly recommend you listen to if you haven’t already. Twelve months on and Lark appears to making strong progress against the priorities and objectives that Sash outlined in that episode. The ASX-listed company recently announced net sales of $7.2 million for the half year ended December 31, which was a 7% increase on the same time last year. The company reported an operating EBITDA loss of $1.2 million, but Sash – speaking in an investor webinar – said this was the result of an ongoing increase in marketing spend. The webinar also featured the unveiling of Lark's new Kurio Blended Malt Whisky and an update on its rebrand, which Sash signalled will be significant.
S20 E2 · Fri, March 07, 2025
Craft beer's boom and bust, with veteran journalist Matt Kirkegaard
In this episode, veteran beer journalist Matt Kirkegaard returns to the Drinks Adventures podcast. Early in 2024, Matt surprised many people in the brewing industry when he announced a career change, having spent more than two decades as a beer writer and educator. This also meant the closure of Brews News, the beer industry publication and podcast that I edited between 2015 and 2018, prior to starting Drinks Adventures. And not only that, but Matt made a somewhat unusual tree change, taking a job in Roma, 500kms inland from Brisbane, where the country meets the outback. Twelve months on from this move, I wanted to check in on Matt, who was honoured – very appropriately I think – with the lifetime achievement award at The Indies beer awards last year. We talk about some of the ongoing challenges facing independent brewing, and why Matt remains optimistic that the sector’s best days are still ahead of it, if brewers can survive the current economic headwinds.
Thu, February 27, 2025
The Champagne Guide with Tyson Stelzer
Renowned wine writer and champagne specialist Tyson Stelzer joins us in this opening episode of Season 20. Late in 2024, Tyson released the seventh edition of The Champagne Guide , which is 50 per cent bigger than the previous edition, featuring a record 1260 reviews spread across 880 pages adorned with Tyson’s beautiful photographs. The guide features a Hall of Honour ranking the best producers and the best champagnes of the year in all price points, as well as the best blanc de blancs, blanc de noirs and rosé champagnes. It's the world's most comprehensive and up-to-date guide to champagne, featuring the latest, freshest releases, all tasted recently by Tyson. And while champagne prices have really shot up in recent years, you’ll hear why Tyson believes champagne still offers far superior value when considered alongside the world’s other leading fine wine appellations. This interview was recorded late last year, so apologies for the delay in sharing it with you, but I think it’s a very worthy episode to officially kick off the podcast for 2025.
S19 E16 · Tue, December 17, 2024
Veteran winemaker Chris Hatcher on going solo
We last spoke with Chris Hatcher in May 2021, at which time he was still chief winemaker of the legendary Wolf Blass brand. Chris has since retired from Wolf Blass, but it’s not retirement as you or I would know it, because Chris has thrown himself into his own venture, Hatch Wines , which is what we’ll be discussing today. Chris has relished the opportunity to build his small, family-run brand from scratch. And unlike his corporate winemaking days, he is hands on at every stage of the process, from winemaking and blending, to marketing, showcasing and most importantly, selling the wines. The result is a portfolio of premium shiraz and Riesling from some of South Australia’s most esteemed vineyards, and the wines have generated rave reviews from some of the country’s top critics.
S19 E15 · Mon, December 09, 2024
Woodford Reserve bourbon master distiller, Elizabeth McCall
We're joined this episode by Elizabeth McCall, master distiller of Woodford Reserve in Kentucky. Elizabeth was not really a whiskey enthusiast when she first joined parent company Brown-Forman in 2009 as a member of the research and development department. But she soon developed a taste for it, becoming a master taster in 2015, before being effectively anointed as successor to the legendary Chris Morris when she was appointed assistant master distiller in 2018. When Elizabeth took the reigns in early 2023, she became only the third master distiller in Woodford Reserve’s 28-year history. In this special episode of Drinks Adventures – produced in partnership with Woodford Reserve – we’ll hear about Elizabeth’s unique career pathway into whiskey, before getting in to the DNA of the Woodford Reserve brand. Woodford Reserve is the only distillery that makes all four types of American whiskey – bourbon, rye, malt and wheat – under the same brand name. We’ll explore those core range products, as well as the groundbreaking whiskies released as part of the Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection, in this brilliant conversation with Elizabeth.
S19 E14 · Thu, November 21, 2024
Gun duo launch First Light Brewing, Wollongong NSW
Haydon Morgan and Damien Ryan are the founders of First Light Brewing Co, a start-up in Wollongong, NSW. You may recall Haydon’s voice from the special documentary episode we did on Australian brewing legend Chuck Hahn a few years ago now. Haydon and Damien are both longstanding residents of the Illawarra region and they met each other while working at Lion, where they realised they had complementary skillsets for setting up a brewery of their own. Haydon finished up with Lion in 2023 as brewery manager for the craft beer division, and Damien, a drinks industry sales veteran, exited the business this year. With such an accomplished brewer at the helm, I had no doubt whatsoever that First Light will be putting out some superb beers. But I was interested to hear a bit more about their business model, given some of the challenges the beer industry is currently facing, as previously explored on the Drinks Adventures podcast throughout 2024.
S19 E13 · Thu, November 07, 2024
Tin Shed Distilling hoists its flag in the Adelaide Hills
In this episode we meet Ian Schmidt and Vic Orlow, founders of South Australia’s Tin Shed Distilling, the company behind Iniquity Whisky and other brands. The original tin shed was in Adelaide’s inner west, adjacent to Ian’s other business manufacturing flagpoles, of all things. Ian has since exited the flagpole game to focus on whisky, and he and Vic have relocated their distillery to a different tin shed in the Adelaide Hills. There, they will soon be able to open their doors to the public for the very first time in the company’s history.
S19 E12 · Wed, October 30, 2024
Queensland Rum Day with Bundy and Nil Desperandum
In this episode we meet two of the founders of Queensland Rum Day , Matt Hobson of Cavu Distilling and Nil Desperandum Rum, and Duncan Littler of Bundaberg Rum. The second ever Queensland Rum Day is coming up this Saturday 2 November 2024, and this year brings with it a special collaborative rum showcasing liquid from four distilleries, two of which I’ve already mentioned – the others being Beenleigh and Kalki Moon. They’re calling themselves The Rum Consortium, and there are just 1920 bottles available of their 2024 Limited Edition Blend, which is the first ever time that stalwarts Bundaberg and Beenleigh have ever combined their spirits in the same bottle. I caught up with Matt and Duncan to find out about this historic rum release, the evolving rum industry in Queensland, and the significance of this new event that I expect we will be hearing much more about in years to come.
S19 E11 · Mon, October 28, 2024
Meet the mavericks tackling wine's generational problem
This is a special episode of the show looking at the future of Australian wine, produced in partnership with Endeavour Drinks . First up, we meet Endeavour’s head of fine wine, Andrew Shedden, who sets out the challenges that the category is currently facing. In short, those of us who love wine are getting older, and we’re not buying as much as we did in the past. And younger consumers are choosing to drink beverages other than wine, which is facing tougher than ever competition from beer, spirits and premix. Andrew says it is incumbent on the wine industry to rethink its approach if it is to appeal to these younger consumers, and that means challenging the accepted conventions: everything from the liquid itself to packaging formats, labelling, branding, marketing and how we talk about wine. Also this episode I speak with a couple of producers who have done just that; Cam Marshall of Range Life Wines in Victoria, and Rod Micallef of Zonzo Estate in the Yarra Valley.
S19 E10 · Wed, October 16, 2024
Seven Seasons Spirits back in family hands
We welcome back to the show Daniel Motlop of Seven Seasons Spirits, who we previously met back in May 2021 . Coming up, Daniel reveals that Seven Seasons has returned to majority family ownership following the demise of his former business partner and distributor, Mighty Craft. Mighty Craft backer Pure Asset Management has emerged as Daniel’s new business partner and together they have big ambitions for the brand that has showed so much promise with its innovative products showcasing Australian native ingredients, led of course by Green Ant Gin. We get an update on the Seven Seasons whisky that was developed by Daniel in collaboration with another previous podcast guest, Mighty Craft head distiller George Campbell , who has since returned to Islay to take up the job as distillery manager at Laphroaig. Seven Seasons has also announced a new distribution agreement with Amber Beverage Australia, so first up in this episode I spoke briefly with founder and CEO Patrick Borg about the latest addition to his portfolio.
S19 E9 · Tue, October 01, 2024
Diplomatico's super premium rums, with master distiller Nelson Hernandez
Nelson Hernandez is master distiller at Venezuela’s Diplomatico Rum, where he has worked for an incredible 38 years. After studying mechanical engineering, Nelson initially worked in the oil industry before taking a job in 1986 as Maintenance and Project Manager at the Diplomatico distillery. Working alongside rum master Tito Cordero, Nelson learnt the craft of rum production the Diplomatico way, which means applying the highest quality standards at every step of the rum-making process from the sourcing of raw materials to the bottling. As you heard at the top of the show, Nelson relishes the opportunity to convert whisky and cognac enthusiasts over to Diplomatico’s super premium rums led by its flagship Reserva Exclusiva blend, the perfect rum for sipping and elevating classic cocktails such as the Old Fashioned. The Diplomatico brand is ranked number one globally in the super premium rum segment and Reserva Exclusiva is currently having a bit of a moment here in Australia, growing 22 per cent year-on-year. So in this special episode of Drinks Adventures – produced with the support of Diplomatico – I sat down with Nelson to find out a little bit more about the brand’s Venezuelan provenance, and the production methodologies that set Diplomatico Rum apart from its peers.
S19 E8 · Mon, September 23, 2024
Soda company StrangeLove's unlikely origin story
We're joined this episode by James Bruce, who together with school friend Stafford Fox founded StrangeLove Beverage Co in Byron Bay, Australia, in 2012. StrangeLove is an unlikely story of entrepreneurialism that began with a single product –StrangeLove Organic Ginger Beer Energy Elixir – ‘a ginger beer so hot it was almost undrinkable’ that also contained functional ingredients like green tea and yerba mate. Over an at times tumultuous decade in which James and Stafford were continually running out of money, the StrangeLove offering evolved into a portfolio of adult soft drinks, mixers and mineral waters that proved so popular the business was ultimately acquired in 2022 by Asahi Beverages. This episode of Drinks Adventures was produced in partnership with StrangeLove, which has this year come on board as a sponsor of the show. So, I’m excited to share with you the StrangeLove origin story in this conversation with James, who reveals there is a new chapter on the horizon for the company involving its first ever foray into the arena of alcohol beverages.
S19 E8 · Mon, September 16, 2024
McLaren Vale's Chapel Hill Winery celebrates its 50th vintage
Michael Fragos is chief winemaker and general manager at McLaren Vale winery Chapel Hill, which this year celebrated its 50th vintage. Michael has been with the company for the last 21 of those vintages. So, in this special episode of Drinks Adventures – produced in partnership with Chapel Hill – he shares his insights on the winery’s evolution and the attention to detail that defines its winemaking process. This meticulous approach has this year inspired the release of a new flagship wine, The Devil Shiraz 2020, which plays on the saying, ‘the devil’s in the detail’. We’ll explore that new release in this interview with Michael, along with some of the experiments and tweaks he’s made in the winery over the last couple of decades to take the Chapel Hill wines to even greater heights.
S19 E7 · Mon, September 02, 2024
Australian spirits targets $1 billion export opportunity
This is a special episode of the show reporting on Australian spirits’ ambitions of becoming a $1 billion export industry by 2035 . We all know the quality is there, and that $1 billion objective is what economics firm Mandala Partners believes is achievable if the Federal Government gets behind the Australian spirits industry, just as it has done for wine over several decades now. The spirits industry tabled its ambitions in the Federal Inquiry into Food and Beverage Manufacturing in Australia, which is currently being conducted by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Resources. I’ve been involved in the inquiry process through my day job as Media & Communications Manager for industry body Spirits & Cocktails Australia. This episode presents audio from four separate hearings held in Sydney, Canberra, Hobart and Melbourne between June and August, which I’ve edited together for narrative purposes. If this is the first time you’ve listened to Drinks Adventures , nearly all of the people and brands featured in this episode have appeared previously on the show: Lark Whisky spreads its wings under new CEO Satya Sharma Dr Rachel Barrie, First Lady of Scotch whisky Holly Klintworth on her cognac recon mission, plus Australian Distillers news Sam Slaney of Starward on small batch whisky trials Laphroaig distillery manager Barry McAffer World Martini Day, with Archie Rose Bone Dry Gin Hickson House Distilling Co trio unveil further plans Dr Emma Walker, Johnnie Walker’s new master blender
S19 E5 · Tue, August 27, 2024
Keg thieves meet their match with Konvoy
We're joined this episode by Wade Rushton-Clarke, chief executive officer, Australia and New Zealand at keg rental company Konvoy Kegs . The issue of lost and stolen kegs has long plagued brewers in Australia. But you may have seen earlier this year, a spike in instances of large-scale keg theft by opportunists who were then flogging the empty kegs off as scrap metal. This unscrupulous practice is very financially damaging for brewers who have a lot of money tied up in kegs, which they must be able to access in a timely fashion to supply their customers. Clearly, it's the last thing that the brewing industry needs right at the moment. The extent of the problem has been uncovered by Konvoy's technology that tracked the missing kegs to a handful of scrapyards, giving police the evidence they needed to bring the offenders to justice. And as a result, Konvoy has been able to reduce the incidence of missing kegs in its fleet to less than one per cent. Wade and I discussed these and other benefits of Konvoy's tracking technology in this special episode of Drinks Adventures , produced in partnership with Konvoy Kegs. You'll hear how the tracking beacons can inform brewers how quickly their products are turning around in venues, so they can be confident that we consumers, are enjoying their beers in the best possible condition.
S19 E5 · Mon, August 12, 2024
From beer to seaweed: Mountain Goat founder Cam Hines
We're joined this episode by Cam Hines, co-founder of pioneering Australian craft brewer Mountain Goat. Cam exited the beer industry after the sale of Mountain Goat in 2015 to Asahi, which was one of the first in a series of craft beer acquisitions by the major brewers over the last decade. I was pretty intrigued when I learned that Cam had returned to entrepreneurship as founder of Southern Seagreens , a business farming seaweed on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. So, as we take a little bit of a tangent from our usual programming, Cam shares how he transitioned from brewing to aquaculture, initially inspired by a Tim Flannery documentary on the environmental benefits of seaweed. First up though, Cam reflects on his 18 years building the Mountain Goat Beer brand and shares his thoughts on the current state of the Australian beer industry. For more on Mountain Goat Beer as it is today, make sure you check out the episode I recorded in 2022 with current head brewer Alana Rees.
S19 E4 · Thu, August 08, 2024
Kristy Lark-Booth's eclectic Tasmanian spirits
We’re joined this episode by Kristy Lark-Booth, founder of Killara Distillery in Tasmania. Kristy is a second-generation distiller, following in the footsteps of her parents Bill and Lyn Lark, who of course pioneered the modern Australian craft spirits industry when they opened Lark Distillery in 1992. Kristy founded Killara Distillery in 2016 and is now making an eclectic line-up of quality spirits at a 26-acre property in the Coal River Valley. She’s established her own gin garden where she is growing her own juniper and other botanicals; recently planted a trial crop of barley that would enable a grain-to-glass whisky; and has ambitions of planting a vineyard for an estate brandy. Those are just a few of the projects currently underway for Kristy, who is also the new president of the Tasmanian Whisky & Spirits Association. So, coming up later in the interview we get a general update on Tasmanian industry is faring, and we get an update on the TWSA’s quest for technical standards that will properly define and protect the different categories of spirits produced in Tasmania.
S19 E3 · Mon, July 29, 2024
Mumm Terroirs sparkling wine with chief winemaker Trina Smith
We’re joined this episode by Trina Smith, chief winemaker of white wine and sparkling wine for Pernod Ricard Winemakers. Sparkling is one of the top performing wine styles in Australia, with current economic conditions driving many of us to choose more affordable wine alternatives to champagne. This scenario has been a boon for Mumm Terroirs, the range of sparkling wines produced in collaboration with the renowned champagne house G.H.Mumm. Comprising cuvees from Tasmania here in Australia, Marlborough and Central Otago in New Zealand and Napa in the United States, the Mumm Terroirs range is growing strongly, with plans afoot to continue its expansion. This is a special episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast, produced in partnership with Mumm Terroirs. Coming up, we discuss the philosophy behind the Terroirs range; the unique characteristics of each region; and the evolving preferences for drier sparkling wines in Australia. That’s after we find out a little bit more about how Trina found her way to Pernod Ricard and the additional role of committee chair for the Australian Sparkling Wine Show.
S19 E2 · Wed, July 17, 2024
Black Hops Brewing rebooted: New CEO speaks
Veteran drinks industry executive Nick Boots returns to the Drinks Adventures podcast, having just taken on a new challenge as CEO of Gold Coast, Queensland-based brewery Black Hops Brewing. This follows a 12-month stint consulting with craft breweries in Australia and New Zealand under the company name The Business Of Beer, prior to which he was general manager of Stone & Wood Brewing Company. Nick took the reigns at Black Hops shortly after the company emerged from voluntary administration with a new ownership structure. It seemed timely to catch up for a chat about recent challenges in the brewing industry, and his plans to rebuild the Black Hops business.
S19 E1 · Wed, July 10, 2024
Danish whisky pioneer Stauning is going global
In this opening episode of Season 19 we meet Alex Munch, co-founder of Denmark’s Stauning Whisky. Stauning was founded in 2005 by nine friends with diverse career backgrounds, none of them related to the drinks industry. But what they didn’t know ultimately took them down a path of craft whisky production that was quite distinctive and on trend; showcasing locally grown barley and rye that they floor malt in-house at the distillery. Coming up, Alex explains how the endorsement of Denmark’s famed Noma restaurant helped catapult the brand onto the international stage. And we discuss the landmark investment from Diageo-backed Distill Ventures, which enabled Stauning to scale up operations while steadfastly maintaining the traditional production methods that have come to define its house style.
S18 E12 · Mon, May 20, 2024
Tasmanian whisky stalwart Hellyers Road crowfunds new chapter
In this episode we meet Derek Charge, who is CEO of Hellyers Road Distillery in Tasmania. Hellyers Road was founded in 1997 by a group of dairy farmers who decided to diversify their business into the production of whisky. At the time of this episode going to air, the company is in the final stages of an equity crowdfunding campaign that has already generated almost $3.5 million worth of investment. I've never known much about Hellyers Road beyond what I've heard anecdotally from people. So, this juncture seemed like the perfect opportunity to catch up with Derek and satisfy my curiosity about a significant player in Australian whisky that up until now, has flown a little bit under the radar.
S18 E11 · Tue, May 14, 2024
World champion gluten-free beer: Two Bays Brewing
In this episode, we meet Richard Jeffares, founder of the gluten-free brewery Two Bays, which recently won a gold medal for its Session Ale at the World Beer Cup. The World Beer Cup is often referred to as ‘The Olympics Of Beer’. It's held in America every two years and unlike most of the other drinks competitions around, there is only one gold, silver and bronze medal awarded in each beer category. It's frightfully difficult to win a medal, especially for breweries on the other side of the world, which naturally face logistical challenges getting their beer in front of the judges in peak condition. As such, there's only been a handful of Australian breweries that have ever won medals in the World Beer Cup, with 9300 beers entered this year from 2060 breweries in 50 countries. Two Bays founder Richard Jeffares and head brewer Kristian Martin were in Las Vegas to collect the award. And when I caught up with Richard on his return to Australia, it was also a chance to hear about other developments at the company, which continues to impress with its mastery of beers made from a base of millet, buckwheat and rice.
S18 E10 · Mon, May 06, 2024
A whisky nerd turns pro: Rod Berry of Amber Lane Distillery
We're joined this episode by Rod Berry of Amber Lane, a whisky distillery based in the Yarramalong Valley, north of Sydney. Rod’s longstanding enthusiasm for whisky gradually evolved into an obsession while working in his previous career as a lawyer. Ultimately, Rod joined forces with friend and fellow whisky enthusiast Phil Townsend to set up the Amber Lane distillery on Phil’s property in the Central Coast hinterland. Since leaving the legal pro behind, Rod has been fine-tuning his craft, inspired by his passion for sherried Scotch whiskies, and applying some maturation techniques that are more commonly utilised in the production of cognac. Already with an impressive array of gold medals to its name, Amber Lane has developed a reputation for quality, which Rod believes is crucial for craft spirits producers to be able to prosper in the current competitive and economic landscape.
S18 E9 · Mon, April 29, 2024
Chef Michael Ryan's spirits venture, Beechworth Bitters
In this episode we return to Beechworth in High Country Victoria, after having Ben Kraus from Bridge Road Brewers on the show last year . This time we’re joined by chef Michael Ryan from the highly acclaimed Beechworth restaurant, Provenance, to discuss Beechworth Bitters Company , his side project dedicated to amaro and cocktail bitters. A few years ago I brought you an episode about Italian amari , produced in partnership with The Italian Cultural Institute. This episode puts an Australian angle on this lesser known spirits category, as Michael explains how he created his own library of extracts from roots, leaves, flowers and bark, and blended them into this distinctive range of bitters that speak clearly of their Beechworth provenance.
S18 E8 · Mon, April 22, 2024
F1 star Valtteri Bottas and Corrina Wright of Ihana Wine
Ihana Wine is a boutique wine brand launched by Finnish Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas in partnership with sixth generation McLaren Vale wine company Oliver’s Taranga. A ten-time race winner currently driving for the Kick Sauber F1 team, Valtteri shares with us his longstanding passion for wine, and specifically South Australian shiraz, which has been crystallised through his relationship with South Australian Tiffany Cromwell, the professional cyclist. Listen in as Valtteri opens up about the blending process, collaborating with Oliver’s Taranga winemaker Corrina Wright, and how he balances his interests in wine, coffee and gin with the demands of the F1 season. We find out what he thinks of the DR3 wines created by Australian F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo, who we had on the show in early 2023 . Later on this episode I talk again with Corrina who gives her perspective on one of the more unlikely celebrity wine partnerships that I’ve been able to share with you on the Drinks Adventures podcast.
S18 E7 · Mon, April 15, 2024
Chuck Hahn returns with Chuck & Son's Brewing Co
We're joined this episode by the founders of Sydney’s newest craft brewery, Chuck & Son’s Brewing Company. And yes, we’re talking about Chuck Hahn, who is sensationally making a return to the brewing industry in partnership with his son Scott. Chuck notched up 50 years in the brewing industry in 2021, which we celebrated on this podcast with this special documentary episode . I naively thought that would be a footnote to his incredible brewing career. But it turns out Chuck has unfinished business. Together with Scott, the next chapter begins May 2024 at a new brewery in St Peters in the inner west. However, it is of course an exceedingly difficult market to launch a new brewery, even if you’re Chuck Hahn. We’ll address some of those challenges later on in this interview with Chuck and Scott.
S18 E6 · Mon, April 08, 2024
Stupendous Savagnin with Crittenden Wines
Rollo Crittenden is general manager, winemaker and vineyard manager of Crittenden Wines in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula region. Mornington Peninsula is synonymous with premium quality pinot noir and chardonnay, and Crittenden certainly excels at making wine from those varieties. But when it comes to differentiating the winery from its peers, Rollo has an ace up his sleeve. Since 2011, Crittenden has been making a rare Australian example of the white wines made from savagnin grapes that are unique to the Jura region of France. Known as ‘vin jaune’ wines in Jura, they’re aged for years in barrel under a layer of flor yeast, similar to how fino sherry wines are made in Spain. And the results are quite extraordinary, as I experienced myself late last year when Rollo presented a retrospective comprising six vintages of Crittenden’s Cri De Couer savagnin wines. Coming up, you’ll hear how this project has evolved from an accident into one of the most celebrated wines on the contemporary Australian scene. NB: This interview was recorded following the event late in 2023, right before I took an extended break from the podcast. Keep that in mind when we reference the upcoming pipeline of releases during this interview.
Bonus · Thu, March 28, 2024
Distillers toast 20 years at April conference
The Australian Distillers Association is the peak body for the 700 craft distillers that are now spread across the country, up from just 40 a decade ago. I work pretty closely with the ADA and its chief executive Paul McLeay in my day job as media & communications manager of Spirits & Cocktails Australia. In this bonus episode, Paul and I catch up for a quick chat about the ADA Conference coming up in Brisbane on April 28 to 30, 2024, which is the association’s 20th anniversary year. I know quite a few of you are in the distilling industry, so Paul and I will hope to see you there. Since we were already sitting down for a chat, I took the opportunity to ask Paul about the latest global accolades for Australian distillers at the World Whiskies Awards, and how his members are coping in the challenging economic environment. Register for the ADA Conference here .
S18 E4 · Wed, March 27, 2024
How craft beer turmoil is impacting supplier Bintani
Last year I reported on the worrying spate of insolvencies in the drinks industry , particularly among craft brewers. And things have gotten even worse so far in 2024. Dave Padden of Sydney’s Akasha Brewing was pretty open with us last year on the show about the difficulties his business was confronting. Sadly, Akasha last week became the latest brewery to enter voluntary administration. In this episode I’m joined by Dale Meddings, joint CEO of Bintani, Australia’s leading supplier of ingredients to the brewing and distilling industries, and a long-term sponsor of the podcast. Coming up, Dale shares with us the impact this brewing industry turmoil has been having on his business, and we get a health check on the emerging craft spirits sector. Dale reveals what are some of the hottest ingredients currently on the market that will shape the drinks of the future. And you’ll hear why, in spite of everything that’s going on, he is still optimistic about the future of independent brewing in Australia. Where to here for local beer? ( Crafty Pint article)
S18 E3 · Wed, March 20, 2024
Tarac unveils debut whiskies made for blending
Back in early 2023 we met Jeremy Blanks and Greg Jackson of Tarac, the largest distiller of grape spirit in Australia, which is diversifying into the contract production of whisky. Twelve months on, Jeremy and Greg return to the show having recently had their first trial whiskies come of age. I’ve had a chance to taste these whiskies that have been column distilled from malted barley, and was really impressed with them. Don’t take my word for it though, if you’re a distiller and heading to the Australian Distillers Association Conference in Brisbane at the end of April, you can try these whiskies for yourself at the trade show. See you there! In this special episode of Drinks Adventures – produced in partnership with Tarac – Greg and Jeremy update us on all the developments in their whisky program since we last spoke. The company’s first commercial batch of whisky will reach maturity in August 2024. And based on the level of interest from distillers thus far, this milestone should mean we start to see some more blended whiskies coming on to the market in Australia. Does Australian whisky have the appropriate regulations to accommodate these products? That’s something Jeremy, Greg and I explore a bit later on in today’s conversation. Click here for more information on Tarac's Australian single malt whisky offering.
S18 E2 · Mon, March 18, 2024
Andrew Caillard MW on his wine opus, The Australian Ark
We’re joined again this episode by Andrew Caillard MW, one of Australia’s leading authorities on wine. Andrew was last on the show in November 2020 discussing the debut of two Australian wines on the prestigious international wine marketplace, La Place de Bordeaux. This time Andrew joins us to discuss his magnum opus, The Australian Ark , the most extensive history of the Australian wine industry ever written. First up, Andrew and I discuss the challenges involved with getting a book of this scale and ambition off the ground. We then explore just a handful of the individuals and events that have shaped the wine industry as told by Andrew in The Australian Ark, such as: Who was the real father of Australian wine – it’s not James Busby as I previously thought; How colonial wine evolved from a cottage industry into a booming export industry spearheaded by the Emu brand of Australian burgundy in the late 1800s; and The Australian Wine Canon – Andrew’s list of the most influential Australian wines of all time, starting with the Rosehill Red Wine produced in Parramatta in 1792. Trigger warning: This episode which includes some pretty confronting discussion about the displacement of First Nations people that sadly occurred as part of this story, and which Andrew doesn’t shy away from in his book. I'd like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this podcast is produced – the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation – and pay my respects to their Elders past and present.
S18 E1 · Mon, March 11, 2024
My whisky ethos: Lark Distilling CEO Satya Sharma
Satya Sharma is the new CEO of Australia’s pioneering whisky company, Lark Distilling. Sash – as he prefers to be called – has only been on deck since May 2023. But already, he has put his stamp on the Lark business. The frenzy of special releases has been dialled back in favour of a clearly defined core range. Export deals have been announced for several markets in South East Asia. 700ml bottles are on the cards, and as you just heard, the business has committed to greater transparency about the provenance of whiskies that carry the Lark name. Sash joined Lark following ten years with William Grant & Sons, most recently in Singapore, where he played an integral role establishing export markets for its iconic brands including Glenfiddich and The Balvenie. We’ll explore that career background and Sash’s vision for Lark coming up in this extended interview that gets the Drinks Adventures podcast underway for 2024. If you haven’t already, make sure you listen to the special episode I did for the 30th anniversary of Lark Distillery in 2022. I’ve linked to it from the show notes. First up this episode, I asked Bill Lark his thoughts on the new leadership, which signals the beginnings of another chapter for the business he founded back in 1992.
S17 E11 · Wed, December 06, 2023
Sparkling shiraz, Australia's own wine style
Victorian winery Seppelt today is probably best known for its exquisite table wines. I’m talking about St Peters Shiraz from its home region of the Grampians, and chardonnay, riesling and pinot noir from the esteemed Drumborg Vineyard in the cooler climes of Henty. Perhaps lesser known to some of us is Seppelt’s rich heritage in sparkling wines. In 2022, the company highlighted that pedigree with two new cuvees named in honour of Charles Pierlot, the Frenchman who in 1890 made Australia’s first traditional method sparkling wines at Seppelt’s Great Western winery. Pierlot also pioneered one of Australia’s most unique wine styles, sparkling shiraz. Seppelt Show Sparkling remains the benchmark for this style today. And Seppelt winemaker Clare Dry argues it deserves to be consumed more broadly than the traditional occasion of Christmas time. In this special episode of Drinks Adventures , produced in partnership with Seppelt, I started by asking Clare about the story behind this unique wine. Later in this interview, you’ll find out a little bit more about how sparkling shiraz is made, and we’ll explore the new vintage, 2012 Show Sparkling, released this year. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S17 E10 · Mon, November 27, 2023
Champion cider maker Tim Jones turns hand to vinegar
Dr Tim Jones is undoubtedly one of Australia’s top cider makers. After starting his drinks production career making industrial cider in Cascade Brewery, Tim joined Willie Smith’s as head cider maker in 2014. He stayed in that role until 2020 and during that period of almost six years, Willie Smith’s won a stack of trophies for its ciders showcasing the complexity offered by heirloom English and French cider apple varieties. Tim’s new venture is Wild Mother Tasmania, a vinegar company that like Willie Smiths is based in the Huon Valley, Tasmania. Wild Mother is dedicated to minimal intervention, unfiltered and unpasteurised vinegars from apples and cherries, some of which have been aged in casks that have previously held bourbon, port and Tasmanian whisky. And more relevantly to this podcast, there are also some liqueurs and apple brandies in the pipeline that you’ll hear about, right after Tim explains how he first became interested in exploring the world of craft vinegar. Click here to open episode in your podcast player
S17 E9 · Wed, November 22, 2023
Drinks trends with Lion innovation director, Chris Moschos
Five years ago when I started this podcast I never thought I’d see small craft brewers making products like hard seltzers, low carb and non-alcoholic beers, or “cervezas” that to me look very much like the macro lagers they originally railed against. But these are interesting and challenging times in the drinks industry. All producers are currently grappling with a plethora of economic headwinds and the need to cater for increasingly health conscious consumers. Chris Moschos, who is innovation director at Lion, is better placed than most to speak about these trends. Prior to joining Lion – Australia’s second biggest brewer – in February 2022, Chris worked for almost 14 years at spirits company Diageo Australia. In this interview, Chris and I speak about a couple of Lion’s big bets in 2023. James Squire Stride , the first low carb beer released by the pioneering craft beer brand in its 25-year history. And Kirin Hyoketsu , a premix vodka lemon sour that’s been phenomenally successful in Japan, where it’s been available since 2001. This is a special episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast, produced in partnership with Lion. And given Chris’s job title, I started this interview by asking what the word ‘innovation’ means to him. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S17 E8 · Mon, November 13, 2023
Foraging botanicals with Darwin Distilling Co
Darwin Distilling Co is a Northern Territory distillery founded by our guest this episode of the podcast, hospitality entrepreneur Rebecca Bullen. Originally from Victoria, Bec was lured to Darwin by the opportunity to open the city’s first wine bar, Stone House, which launched in 2016 and is still going strong today. She subsequently opened the gin bar and restaurant Charlie’s of Darwin in January 2020, with the distillery as its centrepiece. Carefully avoiding encounters with snakes and crocodiles, Bec forages local botanicals to create a uniquely Territorian range of gins and vodkas, with cane spirits also in the pipeline. I’m somewhat ashamed to say that I’ve never been Darwin, or the NT for that matter, so started by asking Bec about the appeal of living and working in this unique city. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S17 E7 · Tue, November 07, 2023
Dr Rachel Barrie, legendary Scotch whisky master blender
With more than 30 years’ experience in the whisky industry, Dr Rachel Barrie was the first female Scotch whisky Master Blender inducted into Whisky Magazine’s illustrious ‘Hall of Fame’. Also known as the 'First Lady of Scotch', Rachel studied chemistry before landing a job as research scientist at the Scotch Whisky Research Institute. She then moved into production at The Glenmorangie Company, becoming Master Blender in 2003. During that time Rachel also managed the stocks for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, before moving to Morrison Bowmore Distillers with Bowmore, Auchentoshan and Glen Garioch, and subsequently working with Laphroaig and Ardmore. Since 2017, Rachel has been Master Blender for Brown Forman’s Single Malt portfolio, comprising Glendronach, Benriach and Glenglassaugh – distilleries we previously explored on this podcast with global brand ambassador Stewart Buchanan in 2022. I’m excited to share this fascinating interview with Rachel that I recorded when she was in Sydney recently. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S17 E6 · Mon, October 30, 2023
Rise of Grenache, with Jimmy Watson winner Hentley Farm
Established in 1884, the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards annually attracts around 2,500 entries from over 400 wineries from across the country. The Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy is the pinnacle of the competition. It’s awarded to the best one or two year old red wine as blind tasted by the judges. Last year, the winner was the 2021 Old Legend Grenache from Hentley Farm in the Barossa Valley. It was another milestone in the ascendancy of Australian grenache, which is something I’ve discussed recently on the podcast with both with Max Allen and Jane Lopes. Hentley Farm chief winemaker Andrew Quin joins us this episode with the trophy presentation for the 2023 Melbourne Royal Wine Awards coming up this Friday November 3. Wolf Blass once said the Jimmy Watson was worth a million dollars to the winning producer, so I started by asking Andrew about the significance of last year’s prize to Hentley Farm. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S17 E5 · Mon, October 23, 2023
Classifying Australia's top wines, with Huon Hooke
Renowned wine writer Huon Hooke previously appeared on the Drinks Adventures podcast way back in Season One, in an episode exploring Australians’ love affair with champagne. He’s finally back for this full-length chat about The Real Review Wine Classification , which launched in 2022 aiming to highlight the greatest wines of Australia and New Zealand that have an outstanding track record of a decade or longer. Huon and I discuss the fresh approach he’s taken to classifying wine versus other established frameworks; and how this helps bring emerging producers to the fore, as well as wine styles and regions that might be less fashionable, but are nevertheless extremely high quality. Case in point, the wineries of Langhorne Creek in South Australia; Bleasdale, Lake Breeze and Bremerton. The latter of those three wineries slipped Huon’s mind during our conversation, and he contacted me afterwards to see if this omission could be addressed. The Real Review was launched in 2016 to provide unbiased, independent reviews on wine. I started by asking Huon whether the classification has always been on the founders’ agenda. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S17 E4 · Mon, October 16, 2023
Professor John Rasko AO, founder Two Doctors Whiskey
Two Doctors is a whiskey company founded, as the name suggests, by Two Doctors; surgeon Jerry Schwartz and Professor John Rasko AO, a clinical hematologist, pathologist and scientist. Professor Rasko is with us this episode to discuss his epic side hustle, which utilises the brewing equipment at Sydney Brewery’s production facility in the Hunter Valley, NSW. The brewery and distillery are based at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, one of several hotels owned by Jerry’s other business, Schwartz Family Company, which is the largest privately owned hotel group in Australia. Jerry’s backing has empowered Two Doctors to take an uncompromising approach to whisky production focused on premium single barrel releases aged for a minimum of six years, mostly in barrels supplied by local Hunter Valley wineries. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S17 E3 · Mon, October 09, 2023
Top Shelf chasing profit; Brookie's Excise Strength Gin; Oliver's Taranga wine & Small Acres Cyder
In this edition of the news on Drinks Adventures: Top Shelf declares pathway to profitability; Cape Byron campaigns for tax relief with Excise Strength Gin; Business booming at McLaren Vale winery, Oliver’s Taranga; and New lease on life for Orange, NSW cider maker Small Acres. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S17 E2 · Mon, October 02, 2023
Waubs Harbour Maritime Tasmanian Whisky, with Tim & Bec Polmear
Few Australian distillery launches in 2023 have been greeted with the excitement surrounding Waubs Harbour in Bicheno, Tasmania. It’s easy to see why. The distillery’s striking location in a former oyster hatchery on the rugged Tassie coast promises a true maritime expression of Australian single malt whisky. The founders bring with them some pretty impressive pedigree in both distilling and business generally. Head distiller Rob Polmear was previously head of production at Lark Distillery, and head distiller at Overeem. He’s banded together with our guests this episode – his brother Tim Polmear and Tim’s wife, Bec – who in 2015 successfully exited an e-commerce business, Flat Tummy Tea. Since our conversation, Waubs Harbour has revealed the identity of its distributor, Proof & Company, which also represents brands including Never Never Gin, Ferrand Cognac, Plantation Rum and more. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S17 E1 · Mon, September 25, 2023
Australia's wine grape revolution, with Max Allen
Renowned drinks writer Max Allen returns to the Drinks Adventures podcast this episode, three years on from our interview launching his last book , Intoxicating: Ten Drinks That Shaped Australia . Max’s new book that we’ll be discussing today is called Alternative Reality: How Australian Wine Changed Course . It explores the Australian wine industry’s rapid embrace of non-mainstream grape varieties over the last two decades, which can all be traced back to 2001 in Mildura, north east Victoria, where a group of visionaries launched the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show. And it includes comprehensive information about the 150 different grape varieties currently grown in Australia: what the wines made from these grapes taste like, and who the best producers are. It’s another engaging and enlightening conversation with Max in which we also consider whether these emerging grape varieties could ultimately challenge the dominance of mainstays like shiraz, chardonnay and friends in the top echelons of Australian fine wine. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S16 E21 · Wed, September 06, 2023
Chris Malcolm slams Mighty Craft failures; Morris Tokay Barrel Whisky & New beer book
In this edition of the news on Drinks Adventures : Chris Malcolm slams Mighty Craft failures; Morris releases Tokay Barrel Whisky; and Introducing The Beer Drinker’s Toolkit , a new book by Mick Wust. And, on a personal note, announcing my new industry role as media & communications manager at Spirits & Cocktails Australia. This is the final episode of Season 16. I'm taking a short break to catch up on back of house stuff, so we can start anew in a few weeks’ time. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S16 E20 · Mon, August 28, 2023
Burch family toasts 30 years at Howard Park Wines
Western Australia’s Howard Park Wines featured on this podcast very early on when I interviewed then chef winemaker Janice McDonald, in October 2018 . Janice has since moved on to focus on the Margaret River wine company she founded with partner Stuart Pym, Flowstone Wines, which we explored on Drinks Adventures in early 2023 . In this episode we welcome Howard Park’s current chief winemaker Nic Bowen to the show, together with Natalie Burch, general manager and marketing director. Nic joined Howard Park in 2021 with strong pedigree as a sparkling winemaker, having worked alongside the legendary Ed Carr at House of Arras. Howard Park had won a major trophy for its Jete Brut NV even prior to Nic’s arrival, and in this episode he’ll share what the company is currently doing in the vineyard and winery to build on this early success. We also touch on some of the many other projects currently underway at Howard Park and sibling brands, like the recent embrace of grenache, and the low intervention wines released under the Mon Tout label. But first up, we go back to the beginning with Natalie Burch, who details how her family became involved with Howard Park 30 years ago, and the exciting evolution of its wine styles over that time. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S16 E19 · Tue, August 22, 2023
New Zealand's whisky renaissance, with Greg Ramsay
Whisky production disappeared from New Zealand in 1997 with the closure of the Willowbank Distillery in Dunedin. But in 2009 Tasmanian entrepreneur Greg Ramsay brought together a group of investors to purchase Willowbank’s remaining stocks and re-launch New Zealand whisky to the world. Greg joins us this episode as we explore some of New Zealand’s little-known whisky-making heritage, and the whisky renaissance that’s now underway. His company, dubbed The New Zealand Whisky Collection, is currently preparing to launch some modern expressions, having begun production in 2021 at its own distillery installed at Speight’s Brewery in Dunedin. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S16 E18 · Mon, August 14, 2023
Reshaping Australian rum, with Brix Rum's James Christopher
James Christopher of Sydney’s Brix Rum is with us again this episode, following his previous appearance back in Season Two . It was very early days for Brix when we last spoke in 2018, at which time the company was relying on imported spirit for the dark rums in its range. Brix has now come to market with a new core range of rums fully produced here in Australia, which have superseded the imported product, in beautiful packaging designed by podcast sponsor, Co-Partnership. It seemed a pivotal time to sit down with James for a chat about the intervening years, and some of the exciting developments at Brix – and in the Australian rum category generally – as the company enters a new phase. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S16 E17 · Mon, August 07, 2023
Bridge Road Brewers at 18, with founder Ben Kraus
Founded in 2005 in Beechworth, north east Victoria, Bridge Road Brewers is currently celebrating its 18th birthday. This is a significant milestone for any business, let alone a craft brewer. And it’s particularly momentous for Bridge Road, which is currently poised to open a brewpub venue in East Brunswick, Melbourne, following a successful $1.5 million crowdfunding campaign in 2022. Founder Ben Kraus is with us this episode for a really interesting discussion about the challenges of remaining relevant in a fiercely competitive market in which the drinker is always on the lookout for new and different. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S16 E16 · Mon, July 31, 2023
How to Drink Australian (wine), with sommelier Jane Lopes
How to drink Australian is a landmark wine book by American sommeliers Jane Lopes and Jonathan Ross. Jane and Jonathan have intimate knowledge of the wine scene in Australia, having both worked professionally here; Jane as wine director at renowned Melbourne restaurant Attica, and Jonathan as beverage director at Rockpool Dining Group. Jane and Jonathan were so blown away by the wines they experienced during their time here that upon returning to the US in 2020 they founded Legend, a wine imports company specialising in Australian wine. Incidentally, the Legend roster includes a couple of producers that have previously featured on this podcast; Sailor Seeks Horse and Stargazer out of Tasmania. With their new book, How to Drink Australian, Jane and Jonathan aim to fill the void of quality literature on Australian wine. It features exhaustive analysis of every significant region, stunning and detailed maps, producer profiles and more, all curated with a reverence for Australia's first custodians. I caught up with Jane recently for this interview that I’m excited to share with you on the Drinks Adventures podcast. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S16 E15 · Tue, July 25, 2023
Judging craft spirits with Seb Costello
When Seb Costello opened the cocktail bar Bad Frankie in Melbourne in 2014, he did something that was almost unthinkable at the time; creating a drinks menu comprised completely of Australian craft spirits. Seb understandably became known as a champion of Australian distilling. This, coupled with his sensory skills and broad appreciation for different spirits categories, saw him appointed chief judge of the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards in 2020. At the time of this episode going to air, Seb and the other judges – led by new chief judge, Shaun Byrne – are preparing to appraise this year's entries to the ADSA, the only spirits competition endorsed by the Australian Distillers Association. This seemed like the appropriate juncture to have a long overdue chat with Seb about craft spirits in Australia. First up, we get his reflections on those three years as lead official of the ADSA. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S16 E14 · Mon, July 17, 2023
Cognac recon and Australian Distillers news with Holly Klintworth
We previously met Holly Klintworth on the Drinks Adventures podcast back in March 2021. So if you’re keen to get the back story on Holly’s distillery, Bass & Flinders, head on back to that episode in Season 8 . Holly’s back with us having recently returned from a six-week internship in Cognac, supported by a Churchill Fellowship. The trip had the objective of learning the art of brandy production from leading cognac producers, so that she could share her findings with the Australian industry. I wanted to find out how Holly got on in this endeavour. And coupled with that, how she’s settling in to her dual role as president of the Australian Distillers Association. Holly has only been in the chair since November 2022 and has already had to deal with some contentious issues, like the misleading usage of the term ‘single malt’ by some distillers, which I also discussed recently on the show with Tasmanian Whisky & Spirits Association president Cam Brett . We also cover the divisive debate around base spirit in gin, fuelled by a recent article in the mainstream media, and some controversy surrounding Australian distilleries and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. That’s all coming up in this interview with Holly. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S16 E13 · Mon, July 10, 2023
Stone & Wood Cloudy Pale Ale, Hinterland Hazy & more, with Caolan Vaughan
We’re joined this episode by Stone & Wood head brewer Caolan Vaughan, to get an update on recent goings on at the company. And as always, there’s plenty happening. Like the rebranding and reformulation of Cloud Catcher, now known as Cloudy Pale Ale; and the launch of its new Australian Hop Series, starting with the Hinterland Hazy. We get the latest on the Counter Culture label, reserved for left field and inventive beers. And I ask Caolan what happened to Forest for the Trees, the saison offshoot brand championed by Stone & Wood founder Brad Rogers. We get a progress report on Green Coast Mid, the clear bottle lager introduced in 2021 that was a pretty massive change in direction for Stone & Wood. And we find out the latest on redevelopment plans for its Murwillumbah production brewery. This is a special episode of Drinks Adventures , produced in partnership with Stone & Wood. First up in the interview – recorded a few weeks ago now – I started by asking Caolan how things have been going with the integration of Stone & Wood into the Lion business, following its sale in late 2021. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S16 E12 · Mon, July 03, 2023
Protecting the Tasmanian whisky brand, with TWSA president Cam Brett
Tasmania is the birthplace of Australian whisky in the modern era, with unique positioning as the country’s only island state. For some time now its distillers have entertained the idea of protecting these attributes with a geographical indication or appellation ensuring that products labelled ‘Tasmanian whisky’ meet certain standards. Recently on the Drinks Adventures podcast we met Cam and Suzy Brett of Spring Bay Distillery in Tasmania. Cam is also president of the Tasmanian Whisky and Spirits Association (TWSA), and during that same interview Cam and I went down a bit of a rabbit hole talking about the GI for Tassie whisky, and other industry concerns. I thought that conversation deserved a separate episode, which starts with Cam updating us on how many distilleries there are today in Tasmania. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S16 E11 · Wed, June 28, 2023
Langtons auction highlights; Lark Distilling CEO speaks; Gospel Legacy Rye; & more
Welcome to another edition of the news on Drinks Adventures. Coming up this bulletin: Langtons Barossa wine auction nets $200K; Lark investors meet new CEO Satya Sharma; The Gospel unveils a tribute to Maryland-style rye whiskeys; and South Australian Parliament honours distillers on World Gin Day. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S16 E10 · Mon, June 26, 2023
Tasmanian whisky, gin and vodka with Cam & Suzy Brett of Spring Bay Distillery
Established in 2015 at Spring Beach in Tasmania, Spring Bay Distillery is the realisation of a dream for whisky-loving owners Cam and Suzy Brett. We’ve actually heard from Cam a couple of times previously on this podcast; in one of my news bulletins back in 2021, and in the special Lark 30th anniversary episode in 2022. So it’s long overdue I invited Cam and Suzy on for an in-depth chat about Spring Bay. While it’s definitely single malt whisky that inspired their distillery, Spring Bay has also enjoyed success with its gin and vodka, the latter of which was the Australian champion varietal vodka at the World Vodka Awards 2023 . Coming up, Cam and Suzy will fill you in on some of the other recent developments at the company. First up though, Suzy reflects on their pathway to owning a distillery, having shared a love of whisky for more than 20 years. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S16 E9 · Tue, June 20, 2023
Tulchan Gin, the new spirit of Speyside
Speyside is the absolute epicentre of Scotland’s distilling industry, and now there’s a Speyside gin to complement the region’s famed whiskies. Created by wine and spirits company Stoli Group, Tulchan Gin is a small batch gin with distinctly local flavours inspired by the terroir of Tulchan Estate. Surrounded by 22,000 picturesque acres of lochs and glens, Tulchan is a famous sporting estate in Speyside long frequented by European royalty, US Presidents and titans of industry. This is a special episode of Drinks Adventures, produced in partnership with Tulchan Gin. While global brand lead Kara Anderson was in Sydney recently, we sat down for this conversation about Tulchan and the Scottish gin renaissance. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S16 E8 · Wed, June 14, 2023
Chandon Etoile redefines luxury sparkling wine
Chandon Etoile is a new ultra-prestige sparkling cuvee from Chandon Australia in Victoria’s Yarra Valley. It’s a multi-vintage blend comprised of eight Chandon Vintage Brut reserves – which together represent hundreds of base wines – rounded out with extended ageing. With us this episode to discuss the groundbreaking project is Chandon Australia winemaking director Dan Buckle, who has been guiding the company’s traditional-method winemaking since 2012. Through our conversation about Etoile, Dan and I naturally explore the evolution of Chandon Australia, one of six Chandon houses globally, which was founded in 1986. This fascinating chat was made possible by the support of Chandon Australia. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S16 E7 · Tue, June 13, 2023
Allan Border talks wine and Ashes predictions
Allan Border’s Maiden Tonne is a limited edition shiraz released by the legendary cricketer in partnership with Sanguine Estate, the Heathcote, Victoria winery owned by the Hunter family. Allan is with us this episode along with Sanguine winemaker Mark Hunter. I’ll leave it to them to share the back story of this wine, which Mark hopes will elevate Heathcote’s reputation as a region synonymous with premium shiraz. Also in the interview, Allan reflects on his maiden tonne in cricket. I ask him whether drinking culture has changed in the Australian dressing room. And, with the Ashes starting on Friday, we get his thoughts on the Australians’ prospects in England. In fairness to Allan I should point out that the interview was recorded a couple of weeks ago, before Australia’s resounding victory against India in the WTC Final. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S16 E6 · Wed, June 07, 2023
Mark Bouris on whisky and the economy
The Bird is a new single malt Australian whisky created by renowned entrepreneur and media personality Mark Bouris in collaboration with Andrew Nugent and Paul Giles of Adelaide Hills winery Bird in Hand. Mark joins us this episode for what turned into quite a wide-ranging and insightful interview, starting with his personal journey of whisky appreciation that inspired The Bird. We talk about the decision to produce the whisky in partnership with South Australia’s Fleurieu Distillery, which you may recall got a massive rap from Dave Worthington of Boutique-y Whisky in my March podcast news bulletin. Mark and I also touch on his previous involvement with a pioneering but ill-fated beer company, 20-plus years ago now. We get his expert opinion on the nascent Australian craft spirits industry, and the challenges of selling luxury goods in the current economic climate. On that note, I should mention that this interview was conducted a few weeks ago now, before the RBA’s latest interest rate rise that Mark has absolutely slammed on social media. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Mark Bouris. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S16 E5 · Mon, June 05, 2023
Scotch whisky survivor Glen Scotia spreads its wings
The small Scottish coastal town of Campbeltown was once home to over 30 distilleries, and it was known as the “Victorian Whisky Capital of the World”. Today, Glen Scotia is one of three surviving distilleries in the region. And both Glen Scotia and Campbeltown are developing a strong reputation among whisky enthusiasts in spite of the region’s production output, which is tiny in the context of Scotch whisky. Today, Glen Scotia is owned by the Loch Lomond Group and a continuing program of investment has brought dividends for the distillery. In 2021, Glen Scotia 25-Year-Old was awarded ‘Best In Show’ at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Later that same year Glen Scotia named ‘Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year’ at the Scottish Whisky Awards, making it the first distillery ever to receive both accolades, let alone within the same year. Iain McAlister is at the forefront of driving this recognition. The former engineer has been at the helm of Glen Scotia for fifteen years. Born and bred in Campbeltown, he is fiercely proud of the place he calls home, especially its community and its rich whisky heritage. Drawing on his background as an engineer, Iain has developed and enhanced production at Glen Scotia, whilst making sure to preserve the craftsmanship and traditional skills it values. I really enjoyed this conversation with Iain, made possible by the support of the Loch Lomond Group. We recorded this interview during Iain’s first ever visit to Sydney in February 2023. You can find Glen Scotia Single Malt Whisky exclusively in Vintage Cellars, Liquorland and First Choice Liquor outlets across Australia. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S16 E4 · Wed, May 31, 2023
New spirits range has origins in cannabis research
Banks and Bloom Distillery + Lab is a West Australian company founded by biochemist Elaine Darby and winemaker Trent Carroll. Trent’s name might be familiar to some of you from his earlier AFL career at Fremantle and West Coast. But it was Elaine’s background that caught my eye when a media release came through recently announcing that Banks and Bloom Ice Vodka had been awarded Doubled Gold in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Between 2015 and 2018, Elaine was managing director of Auscann, an Australian pharmaceutical company focused on cannabinoid-based medicines. She’s also had careers as a winemaker and a lawyer, but it’s the medicinal cannabis that is relevant to today’s episode. Banks & Bloom owes its origins to another business founded by Elaine and Trent called Aquila Black, which has developed THC extract technology that they believe will revolutionise the cannabis drinks market overseas, where recreational cannabis is legal. To create these cannabis drinks, Aquila Black pioneered new distillation methods to extract pure clarity of flavour from classic botanicals and native Australian ingredients. And as Elaine will explain to you in a moment, this R&D turned out to be applicable to developing an innovative new range of spirits – gin, vodka and RTDs – that can be legally enjoyed today, here in Australia. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S16 E3 · Mon, May 29, 2023
Introducing The Busker Irish Whiskey
There’s been a groundswell of new Irish whiskey brands in recent years, which we explored in late 2022 in a special episode supported by the Irish Whiskey Association. Royal Oak Distillery predates many of the newcomers. It was founded in 2012 by the late Augusto Reina of Illva Saronno, the Italian company that owns renowned liqueur brands Disaronno and Tia Maria. Located on an 18th century estate in Ireland’s Ancient East barley growing region, Royal Oak is home of The Busker Irish Whiskey, which has recently arrived in Australia. In this episode, global brand ambassador Woody Kane will share with you the back story behind the distillery, and some of its signature production attributes that define The Busker. For starters, there’s the importance of local grains, and the fact that Royal Oak produces all three Irish whiskey expressions – malt, grain and pot still – under the same roof. And then there’s the marsala casks that are a fixture in its barrel store, thanks to parent company Illva’s ownership of Sicilian winery Cantine Florio. That’s all coming up in this special episode of Drinks Adventures, produced in partnership with The Busker Irish Whiskey. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S16 E2 · Wed, May 24, 2023
How Hawke's Brewing has evolved its brand, team and beers
Hawke’s Brewing was founded by advertising creatives Nathan Lennon and David Gibson, together with former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke, in 2017. Bob Hawke passed away in 2019 but his legacy lives on at Hawke’s Brewing through a unique arrangement that diverts his royalty share in the business to Landcare Australia, the environmental charity he founded in 1989. We’ll talk about that later on in this interview with Nathan and head brewer Brodie French, as well as reflecting on some key milestones for the business. Hawke’s brought production of its beers entirely in-house since commissioning its Marrickville brewery in late 2021. And soon after, the company entered the hospitality arena in spectacular fashion with the establishment of the Bob Hawke Beer and Leisure Centre, incorporating the Lucky Prawn Chinese Restaurant. We’ll find out a bit about Brodie’s brewing passions; Hawke’s evolution from a single SKU brand to a more diverse product offering; and its national expansion plans, including recent efforts to establish a beachhead in Melbourne. First up though, I asked Nathan about the significance to Hawke’s of the Marrickville venue, which just notched up 12 months of trading. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
Trailer · Tue, May 23, 2023
Season 16 Trailer
Season 16 of Drinks Adventures starts this week! Here's a sneak preview of some of the outstanding episodes coming up featuring all your favourite beverage categories: Wine, whisky, beer, gin, vodka and more.
S16 E1 · Tue, May 23, 2023
'Insolvency armageddon' hits drinks; Mighty Craft latest; Hahn's big bet; Fever-Tree & Brown Brothers
Welcome to another edition of the news on Drinks Adventures , as we get Season 16 of the show underway. Once again, we’re catching up on the news from the last couple of months. ‘Insolvency armageddon’ hits drinks industry; Mighty Craft acknowledges difficult market; Hahn bets big on Ultra Low Carb beer; Fever-Tree overhauls Australian operations; and Brown Brothers launches Extended Lees Patricia Sparkling Wine. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S15 E17 · Mon, April 17, 2023
Akasha expanding despite brewing industry challenges
Sydney’s Akasha Brewing Company was founded by former IT professional and passionate homebrewer Dave Padden in 2015. It has quietly grown into one of the inner west’s larger independent breweries, having quickly developed a reputation for high quality, hop-driven beer styles. The year 2022 was pivotal for Akasha. The company undertook a $1.7 million equity crowdfunding raise that supported its diversification into barrel-aged beers, as well as funding the addition of two hospitality venues; The Barrel Room in Leichhardt and The Edwards in Newcastle. It’s also ramped up its sports sponsorship program, becoming official beer partner of the Sydney Kings and Sydney Flames professional basketball teams. Exciting times all round then, for Akasha. But as Dave acknowledges in this episode, it’s against the backdrop of some very difficult trading conditions for small independent breweries. There’s been multiple casualties in this sector already in 2023. So later on in this interview, Dave and I reflect on some of that unfortunate news, and discuss some of the steps Akasha is taking to ensure its financial sustainability as a business. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S15 E16 · Mon, April 03, 2023
How this podcast was born! And where it's going...
After almost five years and coming up to 200 episodes, perhaps it’s time for you to hear a little bit more about me, how I started Drinks Adventures , and where it might be headed. Recently Andrew Graham from Kaddy – the wholesale beverage marketplace – asked to interview me for its industry news pages, Kaddy Community. To which I said, ‘sure! But if we’re going to do it, we may as well record the interview properly so I can share it with my listeners’. So here it is, an edited version of that interview, with Andrew asking me the questions for a change. I hope you enjoy the chat! Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S15 E15 · Wed, March 29, 2023
Michter’s rise to most admired American whiskey
Kentucky-based Michter’s Distillery was named World's Most Admired American Whiskey and second Most Admired Whisky overall by Drinks International in 2022. We'll find out the story behind its incredible trajectory from master distiller, Dan McKee, in this interview produced in partnership with Michter's. Born and raised in Indiana, Dan McKee moved to Kentucky to pursue his dream of making whiskey, beginning his career as a distillery operator at Jim Beam. Two years later, he was promoted to distillery supervisor at the affiliated Booker Noe Distillery, where he worked for seven years, before following his boss Pam Heilmann to Michter’s. Dan succeeded Pam as master distiller of Michter’s in 2019. He’s played an integral role in assisting with the construction of the company’s Shively Distillery, and also its Fort Nelson distillery with the legendary pot stills and cypress wood fermenters from the original Michter’s Pennsylvania operation. I’ll leave it to him to explain the brand’s somewhat unconventional history, and its dedication to five key production values that he believes sets Michter’s apart from other American whiskies. We caught up while Dan was in Sydney recently, preparing to launch the 2022 edition of Michter’s groundbreaking Celebration Sour Mash Whiskey, which we also discuss in this interview. Australian listeners can find Michter’s in selected Dan Murphy’s, First Choice and independent retail outlets nationally. Look out for Celebration Sour Mash Whiskey in leading whisky bars in your capital city. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S15 E14 · Wed, March 22, 2023
Japanese whisky is back: Fuji master blender Jota Tanaka
Jota Tanaka has worked for Kirin Brewery Company for 34 years, leading its whisky business as master blender since 2017. He’s had a really interesting career path through the Kirin business to arrive at his current role, including stints in winemaking, wine marketing and leading product development for Four Roses Distillery in Kentucky. We’ll get into some of that in this interview with Jota, who was inducted into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame in 2022, one of many career accolades he’s received in recent years. Today, Jota is pouring his passion, skills and experience into Kirin’s flagship whisky brand Fuji, which is produced at the Fuji-Gotemba distillery at the foot of Mount Fuji. Established in 1973, Fuji-Gotemba is one of very few distilleries producing both malt and grain whisky at the same site, which explains the unusual labelling – Single Blended – on the newest Fuji Whisky expression. This is a special episode of Drinks Adventures , produced in partnership with Fuji Whisky. Coming up, Jota and I explore the many different facets that make Fuji unique, including its unwavering commitment to releasing whisky when all the component parts have reached peak maturity, rather than at a certain age. He shares his experience working at the distillery when Japanese whisky was at its lowest ebb, versus the boom times of today. As Jota explains, it’s quite remarkable that Fuji-Gotemba survived the downturn at all, with another distillery, Karuizawa, famously shuttered during this period. Jota has also been actively involved in Japanese whisky industry activities to protect the integrity and reputation of Japanese whisky by assisting in the setting of labelling standards. We talked about those issues extensively with Dave Broom on the podcast in 2020 . Now, Jota will update you on the current state of play, and I ask him whether the standards may have come too late for Japanese whisky, given the reputational damage that has already occurred. I’m really excited to present this interview that I recorded with Jota on his first visit to Sydney in March 2023. And if you’re listening in Australia, Fuji Whisky Single Blended is exclusive to The Whisky Club as its whisky of the month for April 2023. Fuji Single Grain is available in select Dan Murphy’s and First Choice Liquor stores nationally. There’s only 300 bottles coming into Australia of Fuji Masterpiece 2022. Look out for that one in leading whisky bars near you. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S15 E13 · Mon, March 20, 2023
Spirits veteran James France, founder Vanguard Luxury Brands
James France is a 30-year veteran of the spirits industry in both Australia and abroad. In 2008 he founded the Sydney-based distribution business Vanguard Luxury Brands with the objective of bringing the best brands to the best bars, liquor stores, restaurants and hotels across Australia. He ultimately sold Vanguard in 2019 to Lion, which simultaneously acquired the biggest brand on Vanguard’s roster, Four Pillars Gin, as we previously explored with Four Pillars co-founder Cam Mackenzie on the show a few years ago now. After successfully managing that integration, James recently announced his departure from Vanguard. So I figured this was an appropriate juncture to invite him in for a chat about his experience distributing spirits over the last couple of decades, while the Australian industry was undergoing some massive changes. As you’ll soon hear… while the Vanguard story had the happy outcome of a successful exit for James, as is invariably the case, there were plenty of challenges and costly failures along the way. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S15 E12 · Wed, March 15, 2023
Lark dismisses buyout talk; Pernod's new whisky; Boutique-y returns to Oz; Advanced Cicerone Paul Daley & Bentspoke X Teeling collab
The news returns to the Drinks Adventures podcast for the first time since 2021! This first edition for 2023 is using the term ‘news’ a little loosely, as I’m catching you up on some of the stories that have been on my radar since the beginning of the year: Lark dismisses buyout talk; and Sullivans Cove speculation; Pernod Ricard's first new brand in 20+ years; Indie bottler Boutique-y returns to Oz; Australia gets its second Advanced Cicerone; and Bentspoke collaborates with Teeling Whiskey for St Patrick’s Day. Exclusive Drinks Adventures stories mentioned in the bulletin: Court lifts lid on Pirate Life distribution bust-up Lark launches IPA whisky, but ‘core range is king’ Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S15 E11 · Mon, March 13, 2023
Steve The Bartender: YouTube star, author & distiller
Steve Roennfeldt, better known as Steve the Bartender , has been sharing easy-to-follow cocktail videos on YouTube since 2017. He’s based in Adelaide, South Australia, but he’s built a global community of cocktail enthusiasts. As at the present moment Steve has nearly 700,000 subscribers, which means he’s the country’s leading cocktail Youtuber and one of the top cocktail-related accounts globally. His debut book, Steve the Bartender's Cocktail Guide , was released in 2022. And he also co-owns Threefold Distilling , a Adelaide craft gin company that he founded in 2019 with two bartending mates. I was introduced to Steve recently by a mutual friend and have been seriously impressed by everything he’s achieved. First up in this interview, I asked him about career background prior to becoming a professional YouTuber. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S15 E10 · Mon, March 06, 2023
Starward's Sam Slaney on small batch trials, debut white wine cask
Melbourne’s Starward Whisky has released smaller batch experimental products ever since the very early days. And some of these, like the Ginger Beer Cask that we explored in depth with founder David Vitale in Season 13 , have gone onto bigger things. In 2020, the company created the Small Batch Experimental Series as a home for its smaller one-off releases that haven’t reached the scale required for wider distribution; showcasing new flavours, specialty ingredients and unique barrels or distilling processes. In this special episode of Drinks Adventures – produced with the support of Starward – head distiller Sam Slaney will take you through some of the most recent Small Batch releases including Chardonnay Cask, Starward’s first whisky matured completely in white wine casks. It was also an opportunity for me to ask Sam some more general questions about the barrel program at Starward, which has mastered red wine cask maturation to great success, claiming the title of Most Awarded Distillery at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2022. I should point out that the Small Batch series discussed in this episode is currently available to Australian listeners only. If you are listening locally, the three most recent releases – Chardonnay Cask, Munich Malt and Toffee Apple – are all available to purchase direct from the distillery at starward.com.au . Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S15 E9 · Wed, March 01, 2023
How Clare Valley drove screwcap revolution for wine
Can you imagine buying what was supposed to be the exact same product – any product – and having it be different every time? And in some cases, that the product you purchased was outright faulty. It wasn’t fit for purpose. This is not an acceptable scenario in any category of consumer goods. But it’s exactly what was happening in the Australian wine industry 20 years ago, and through no fault of our winemakers. The culprit was dodgy corks, which were causing widespread issues with TCA – commonly known as cork taint – as well as sporadic oxidation, and even leaking. The inconsistency was a nightmare not just for consumers, but everyone involved in the wine trade. Twenty years ago, 14 Clare Valley winemakers had had enough. They joined forces, packaging their rieslings from the 2002 vintage under screwcap, and set about educating the trade and consumers about the benefits of using this closure. And in this special episode of Drinks Adventures – made possible by the support of Taylors Wines – you’re going to hear how it all happened, and what was the wider significance of the initiative, which drove widespread adoption of screwcap across Australia and beyond. Founded in 1969, Taylors was one of the 14 Clare Valley wineries that drove the screwcap initiative from the very beginning. Look out for the new vintages of Taylors St Andrews collection with the upcoming Family Flagship Release in July 2023. You can buy Taylors St Andrews wines direct from the company’s Clare Valley cellar door or online . Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S15 E8 · Mon, February 27, 2023
Maximilian Riedel: Glassware CEO and wine influencer
Maximilian Riedel is the 11th generation CEO of Austrian glassware company Riedel. The company was founded in 1756 and according to Maximilian it is currently facing some of the biggest challenges in its 267-year history. There’s been the covid pandemic obviously, but more recently, the war in Ukraine, which is hugely concerning for an energy intensive manufacturing business such as Riedel, given its reliance on Russian gas. In spite of these headwinds, Riedel recorded its most successful year of sales ever in 2022, and Australia was one of the top performing markets. With Maximilian at the helm over the last decade, Riedel has continued its innovations with glassware for specific grape varieties and occasions, and trending drinks categories like Japanese sake. Its new range Riedel Veloce has been made using a specially developed machine to create glassware that looks and feels as though it was made by hand, by a master glassmaker. I sat down with Maximilian while he was in Sydney recently for his first visit in many years. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S15 E7 · Thu, February 23, 2023
Tarac unlocks blended whisky opportunity for Australia
Tarac is the largest distiller of grape spirit in Australia, supplying high quality neutral alcohol and brandy spirit for use in fortified wines since 1930. And, as the craft spirits industry has taken off over the last decade, Tarac has increasingly been supplying distillers with the base alcohol to create products including gin and vodka. Now, in a milestone move for the company, it has turned its hand to the production of new make whisky. Using existing infrastructure and technology, Tarac has the capability to produce new make single malt spirit in large production volumes, helping distillers supplement their existing whisky stocks and supporting the establishment of a blended whisky category in Australia. In this special episode of Drinks Adventures – produced with the support of Tarac – you’re going to meet chief executive officer Jeremy Blanks, and sales manager and project lead, Greg Jackson. You’ll get some insight into Tarac’s 90-plus year history of distillation in Australia and why Jeremy and Greg believe it can help the fledgling Australian whisky industry unlock its full potential. And in a fascinating aside, Jeremy tells us about the historic timber coffey stills that fell into Tarac’s possession some years ago, which could one day inspire the company to create a whisky brand of its own. Just to clarify, this interview was recorded in December 2022. So when Jeremy and Greg are referring throughout our conversation to things happening ‘next year’, they’re actually talking about 2023. At the time of this episode going to air, they have received and are currently installing their brew kit, as the whisky project continues apace. Click here to open episode in your preferred podcast player.
Bonus · Mon, February 20, 2023
Daniel Ricciardo postscript, with Lakeside Drive F1 podcast
F1 questions were strictly off limits in this week's interview with Daniel Ricciardo about his DR3 collaboration with St Hugo Wines. Instead, I put some of those questions to James Baldwin from leading Australian F1 podcast, Lakeside Drive . James is a wine guy himself, so he gives me his thoughts on the DR3 partnership and Daniel’s F1 prospects in this bonus episode of Drinks Adventures . You can also catch me on the Lakeside Drive podcast speaking with James about my interview with Daniel and the DR3 wines.
S15 E6 · Mon, February 20, 2023
F1 star Daniel Ricciardo on his DR3 wine project
He’s best known as an eight-time Formula 1 Grand Prix winner, but Daniel Ricciardo is now forging a reputation for his DR3 wines, produced in partnership with Australia’s St Hugo. After a strong critical reception and encouraging sales for the debut vintages, the project continues to evolve with the third consecutive release of Barossa Shiraz and Coonawarra Cabernet, this time from the celebrated 2021 vintage. The DR3 wines come in an eye-catching packaging created by specialist drinks design agency Co-Partnership that repositions the St Hugo brand for a new audience. And there’s new products coming into the range with more accessible pricing, like the Ric Red comprised of Daniel’s quote unquote – “Secret Sauce” – a mystery blend of grape varieties known only to him and St Hugo chief winemaker, Peter Munro. I got the opportunity to sit down with both Peter and Daniel at St Hugo in the Barossa recently, along with Eric Thomson, global marketing director at St Hugo’s parent company, Pernod Ricard. For the F1 fans among you, I did want to ask Daniel some questions about his future in the sport following the early termination of his contract with McLaren last year, but his management said F1 questions were strictly off limits in this interview. So instead, I put some of those questions to James Baldwin from the F1 podcast Lakeside Drive . James is a wine guy himself, so he gives me his thoughts on the DR3 partnership and Daniel’s F1 prospects in a bonus episode of Drinks Adventures coming out this week. Watch the podcast feed for that one, and you can also catch me on the Lakeside Drive podcast speaking with James about my interview with Daniel and the DR3 wines. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S15 E5 · Wed, February 15, 2023
How Lark & Garage Project made Fresh IPA Cask
Collaboration between different drinks producers is vast these days, and in this episode you’re going to hear about one of the more interesting projects. Lark Distillery has just released Fresh IPA Cask, a single malt Tasmanian whisky finished in casks that have previously held Fresh IPA brewed by New Zealand’s Garage Project. How do you maintain the freshness and vibrancy of the Fresh IPA beers after filling them into a barrel, and then impart that into a whisky? That’s what I was trying to get my head around in this episode, produced in partnership with Lark. Head distiller Chris Thomson and assistant blender Josh Wilson will explain how they achieved this sorcery in just a moment. And you’re hear also from Pete Gillespie, co-founder of Garage Project, who gives us some background on the Fresh IPA series and explains why he’s so fond of collaborations such as this one. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S15 E4 · Mon, February 13, 2023
Exploring the Asian drinks craze with retailer Endeavour
We’ve talked a lot on this podcast about how peoples’ drinking repertoires are expanding. We’re much more open to experiencing a wider range of quality beverages from different cultures that suit different occasions. This is something that Australia’s largest drinks retailer, Endeavour Group, is keenly aware of. The company has recently doubled the range of Asian beverages in its Dan Murphy’s and BWS stores as people seek out products they’ve sampled on their travels, or dining out, or perhaps in movies or TV series they’ve enjoyed. This is a special episode of Drinks Adventures , produced in partnership with Endeavour. Coming up, you’re going to hear about this trend from spirits category manager James Duvnjak and Asian Beverages sourcing manager Samuel Lam. They will enlighten us on beverages including Japanese sake, shochu and gin, and Korean favourites like soju and makgeolli. Click here to open this episode in your podcast player.
S15 E3 · Wed, February 08, 2023
Whisky legend Dr Bill Lumsden of Glenmorangie and Ardbeg
Dr Bill Lumsden is the head of distilling, whisky creation and whisky stocks at Glenmorangie and Ardbeg distilleries. The always entertaining Bill joins us this episode as we delve into some of his recent innovations with distilling and maturation in a rapid fire chat recorded while he was in Sydney, late in 2022. You’ll hear about his experiments with a raft of different wood types; a whisky made from barley kilned with woodland botanicals, and how he was inspired by Belgian lambic brewers on a recent Ardbeg release. Also on the agenda is Glenmorangie’s recent packaging overhaul; the launch of Glenmorangie X – a whisky specifically made for mixing, or so I thought – and the controversial, record-breaking sale of a single cask of Ardbeg whisky for 16 million pounds. And finally, we get Bill’s thoughts on the emergence of whisky production in new frontiers, such as Australia. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S15 E2 · Mon, February 06, 2023
Gun winemaking duo Janice McDonald and Stuart Pym
Welcome back to the Drinks Adventures podcast for 2023. If you’ve been with me on the show since the beginning you’ll recall a brilliant chat back in Season One with winemaker and brewer, Janice McDonald, who at that time was chief winemaker at Howard Park in Margaret River. Janice recently joined her partner Stuart Pym at his boutique winery Flowstone, and they’re with us this episode as we hear all about the rekindling of their exciting winemaking partnership. Janice and Stuart previously worked together in establishing the quirky Suckfizzle brand and Stella Bella Wines in 1999. They were both key players in the establishment of Matilda Bay Brewing Co in the late 1980s before taking up winemaking roles at Voyager Estate and Devil’s Lair, respectively. At Flowstone, their proven partnership will continue to focus on small parcels from vineyards they manage and own. The lead varieties are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon, supplemented by unexpected and experimental wines including Gewürtztraminer, Touriga and a Shiraz Grenache blend. Click here to open this episode in your preferred podcast player.
Trailer · Mon, February 06, 2023
Season 15 Trailer
Coming up in the new season of Drinks Adventures , we'll meet Formula 1 star turned wine entrepreneur Daniel Ricciardo. Listen in for some of the other highlights you can expect as the show returns for another massive year in 2023.
S14 E22 · Thu, December 08, 2022
Laphroaig distillery manager Barry MacAffer
Islay’s famous Laphroaig single malt Scotch whisky distillery has featured prominently already in this season of Drinks Adventures . Last episode , we heard how Mighty Craft’s head of distilling operations, George Campbell, got his start in the Scotch whisky industry as a tour guide at Laphroaig. And a few more episodes back we met veteran Scotch distiller John McDougall , who was Laphroaig’s distillery manager between 1970 and 1974. Following the departure of John Campbell in 2021 after 25 years at the company, Barry MacAffer was recently confirmed as the distillery manager who will take Laphroaig into a new era. He joins us this episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast, produced in partnership with Laphroaig. You’ll hear a bit about growing up on Islay and how Barry worked his way up to the top job at Laphroaig, where he started on the malt floors in 2011. We explore what makes Laphroaig unique from other distilleries on Islay; how its production has evolved over time; and some of the whiskies that are currently exciting Barry, like the limited release 10YO Cask Strength that I’ve since confirmed will be making its way to Australia in 2023. And then we get on to Laphroaig’s new Taste Trailblazers program, a global celebration of culinary pioneers pushing the boundaries of flavour. Inspired by Islay, Taste Trailblazers captures the stories of global pioneers who take their passion for taste into areas of salt, fire and peat, the elements that underpin Laphroaig’s singular flavour profile. Francis Mallmann – the world-famous Argentinian chef known for his Patagonian open-fire cooking – has been appointed Laphroaig’s Global Taste Trailblazer. You can watch a really cool documentary on the Drinks Adventures website capturing Francis's journey to Islay as he meets the Laphroaig distillery team and other Islay locals, learning about what makes Laphroaig unique and preparing a meal inspired by his experience. The Taste Trailblazers program is coming to Australia in 2023, and this documentary and podcast interview with Barry MacAffer will give you a little preview of what you can expect from these exciting culinary events. First up though, I asked Barry how it felt to join the distinguished line of distillery managers who have passed down Laphroaig’s whisky-making tradition since its beginnings in 1815.
S14 E21 · Wed, November 30, 2022
From Islay to Kangaroo Island: Mighty Craft distiller George Campbell
Mighty Craft is an ASX-listed craft drinks company with investments in several distilling brands that have featured previously on this podcast: Hidden Lake Whisky , 78 Degrees and Seven Seasons Spirits . In this episode, we meet Mighty Craft’s head of distilling operations, George Campbell, who joined the business in mid-2021, bringing with him a strong pedigree from the Scotch whisky industry. George started his whisky career as a Trainee Site Operations Manager for Diageo, which comprised multiple leadership roles at distilleries including Talisker, Cardhu and Mannochmore. Most recently, he spent five years at William Grant and Sons, where he led the operations of the Balvenie and Kininvie distilleries for 18 months before moving to the flagship Glenfiddich Distillery. But whisky was kind of in George’s blood from the very beginning. He’s from Islay, for starters. And his first project for Mighty Craft led him to experience a very different kind of island life, leading the expansion of the Kangaroo Island Spirits distillery and helping establish its whisky program. You’re going to hear all about George’s adventures downunder in this episode, which was produced in partnership with Mighty Craft. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S14 E20 · Mon, November 28, 2022
Jim McEwan & Eddie Brook of Cape Byron Whisky
Cape Byron Single Malt Whisky is undoubtedly one of the highest profile Australian whisky launches of 2022. This is in no small part due to the involvement of an absolute legend of Scotch whisky, Jim McEwan, previously of the Bowmore, Bruichladdich and Ardnahoe distilleries on Islay. Coming up, you’re going to hear how Jim connected with Australian Eddie Brook, who founded Cape Byron Distillery on his family’s farm in the Byron Bay hinterland in 2016. You might have already come across the Brookie’s Byron Dry Gin that’s been on the market a few years now. And you’re about to be hearing a lot more about its whiskies. Distilled by Eddie with oversight from Jim, the first batch was released in September, and the duo have big plans for their unique expression of Australian single malt. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S14 E19 · Mon, November 21, 2022
Chardonnay stalwart Scarborough Wines begins new chapter
Scarborough Wines was founded by Ian and Merralea Scarborough in the Hunter Valley in 1987. While the Hunter’s regional flagships are clearly semillon and shiraz, Scarborough made its name on chardonnay. Chardonnay is at the fore one again for Scarborough, as the next generation of the family launch a new wine range called Keepers of the Flame. Winemaker Jerome Scarborough and his wife, the renowned viticulturist Liz Riley, are with us this episode of Drinks Adventures . Together with Jerome’s sister, Sally Scarborough – the company’s national sales and marketing manager – they have simultaneously released three chardonnays under the new label from the 2019, 2020 and 2021 vintages. Small parcel releases commanding a price point of $100 a bottle, these wines are a pretty major departure from how the family has done things in the past. The range will showcase distinctive vineyards, different clones, oak treatment, giving the trio freedom to experiment and create something outside of Scarborough house style. I asked Jerome first up how the project was conceived. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S14 E18 · Mon, November 14, 2022
Brandy icon St Agnes unveils debut whiskies
Earlier this year I had whisky expert Luke McCarthy on the show, to talk about Oz Whisky Review‘s Top Ten Whiskies of the year. Also in that episode , we discussed some exciting news at St Agnes Distillery. We’d both heard that the celebrated producer of fine Australian brandy had some single malt whiskies in the pipeline. Camborne Single Malt Whisky has since been revealed as the brand identity, and the debut releases have quietly been launched on the St Agnes website. There’s four single cask expressions that celebrate the Angove family’s rich heritage in wine and spirits: Brandy Cask, Sherry Cask, Tawny Cask and Shiraz Cask. Stay with me this episode as we meet St Agnes managing director Richard Angove. It’s a brilliant discussion about the latest chapter for St Agnes, a true icon of Australian spirits. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S14 E17 · Wed, November 09, 2022
Balter Brewing takes hoppy beers to new frontiers
It’s been almost exactly three years since Balter Brewing announced its sale to Carlton & United Breweries. What happens after a buyout like this is always a bit of an unknown. But by all accounts, Balter has been going gangbusters under the new regime. Stirling Howland and Scott Hargrave of Balter are with us this episode of Drinks Adventures . You’re going to hear how CUB’s ownership has introduced Balter’s hop-forward beers to some unlikely venues, with surprising results. But we also explore some of the other contributors to its success. Like the ‘measure twice, cut once’ philosophy that underpins its approach to packaged beer. I'll weigh in with some opinions of my own on that topic, too. And Scott tells us why the ‘haze craze’ is not really a craze, but the latest evolution of the India Pale Ale style. And speaking of style evolutions, I get their thoughts on the Aussie Wheat Ale initiative, which we explored a few episodes ago on this podcast with the participating CUB craft breweries. First up, I asked Stirling whether we’d heard correctly in that episode , that Balter’s Currumbin brewery is struggling to keep up with the popularity of its beers.
S14 E16 · Wed, November 02, 2022
Johnnie Walker's new master blender, Dr Emma Walker
You couldn’t find bigger shoes to fill in the Scotch whisky industry than those of Dr Jim Beveridge OBE. Jim retired at the end of 2021 after more than 40 years at Diageo, 20 of which he spent as Master Blender of the world's best-selling Scotch whisky, Johnnie Walker. As previously reported on Drinks Adventures , Jim’s successor is Dr Emma Walker – no relation to Johnnie Walker – who is the first female master blender in the brand’s history. Emma joined Diageo 13 years ago and has worked extensively on Johnnie Walker for the last six years on projects such as the Blue Label Ghost and Rare series and Jane Walker by Johnnie Walker. I’m excited to share this interview with you that I recorded with Emma while she was in Sydney recently. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S14 E15 · Mon, October 31, 2022
A new era for Yarra Valley wine pioneer St Huberts
Historic Yarra Valley winery St Huberts has recently had a relaunch. There’s some exciting new wine styles, and a long overdue packaging overhaul. And what was previously a very basic cellar door – in a building affectionately known as ‘the toilet block’ – has been completely redeveloped. St Huberts’ owner Treasury Wine Estates partnered with Ryan Hospitality Group to create its new home comprising a Modern Australian and European-inspired restaurant called Quarters, the Hubert Gallery of Art – which showcases works by Indigenous artists – and of course the revamped St Hubert’s Cellar Door. St Huberts chief winemaker Greg Jarratt joins us on the Drinks Adventures podcast to discuss these exciting changes, and its latest crop of wines including some serious expressions of the regional flagships, pinot noir and chardonnay. There’s also some lesser seen varieties – pinot blanc and pinot meunier – and a stellar blanc de noirs sparkling rose from the 2015 vintage. This is a special episode of Drinks Adventures , produced in partnership with St Huberts. I must confess to not knowing a huge amount about the winery’s back story. So first up, I asked Greg for a potted history, and some insight on what makes St Huberts’ wine style unique. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S14 E14 · Wed, October 26, 2022
Archie Rose shakes up mainstream spirits
Sydney’s Archie Rose Distilling Company has launched an entirely new range of spirits that aims to offer a more accessible alternative to the mainstream brands that dominate the Australian market. Head distiller Dave Withers returns to the Drinks Adventures podcast to tell us about the new Fundamental Spirits offering. It includes True Cut Vodka, Straight Dry Gin and Double Malt Whisky. They’re designed to be a spirits base for your favourite mixed drinks, and they’re priced at between $55 and $85 each for a 700ml bottle. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that this is pretty sharp pricing for Aussie spirits. This is a special episode of Drinks Adventures , produced in partnership with Archie Rose. First up, Dave explains what inspired the company’s ambitious move to take on the imported products that still account for more than 90 per cent of these spirit categories in Australia. Click here to open episode in your preferred podcast player.
S14 E13 · Mon, October 24, 2022
Indian single malt whisky comes of age
Did you know that India is the largest consumer of whisky in the world? There is a caveat on that though. It’s not all whisky as you know it. Mostly it’s what is known as IMFL, or Indian Made Foreign Liquor. In India, there’s very little regulation about what can be put in a bottle and labelled ‘whisky’, particularly for blended whiskies. IMFL is essentially a neutral spirit tinted with caramel colouring and supplemented with something like two to 40 per cent single malt, depending on the price tag. Unsurprisingly, Indian whisky hasn’t been held in the highest regard. But that’s starting to change, thanks two distilleries in particular: Amrut, and Goa-based Paul John. Launched in 2012, Paul John produces close to 1.2 million litres a year of single malt whisky, which would place it comfortably in Australia’s top five producers in volume terms. Paul John master distiller Michael D’Souza was in Sydney recently. We sat down for this interview about the exciting evolution of Indian whisky. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S14 E12 · Wed, October 19, 2022
Australia's fourth Sake Samurai, Simone Maynard
Melburnian Simone Maynard, aka the Sake Mistress, is the fourth Australian to be awarded the prestigious title of Sake Samurai. Just 70 Sake Samurais worldwide have been inducted by the Japan Sake Brewers Association since the program was introduced in 2005. There are no classes or exams. The award is given to people who champion the culture and identity of sake in Japan and global markets. Simone’s passion for Japanese culture grew from an early love of art and anime, but it was another Australian sake samurai, restaurateur Andre Bishop, who ignited her sake journey at his Melbourne venue Nihonshu in the mid-2000s. Before COVID hit, Simone had made sake a full-time job running events and training sessions for consumers and hospitality staff. In a pandemic pivot, she launched Taste With The Toji, a hugely successful series of online events that connected folks in lockdown with brewers overseas. Soon, drinkers were logging in from Australia, Europe, the United States and other parts of Asia to bond with brewers and learn more about sake. She joins us now to share some unique insights on the Japanese sake industry. You’ll also hear about Simone’s own sake preferences, and get a run down on the Australian sake scene, including some of the top quality examples available locally, and where to find them.
S14 E11 · Mon, October 17, 2022
Can brewers overcome wheat beer stigma?
Have you had a chance to try an Aussie Wheat Ale yet? It's going to be the hottest new beer style in Australia this summer – that's if Carlton & United Breweries and retailer Endeavour Group have anything to do with it. Five breweries owned by CUB's craft beer division – Fire & Earth Ventures – have created their own version of what an Australian wheat beer could look like. When I say wheat beer, more than likely you're thinking of a Belgian witbier like Hoegaarden, or a German hefeweizen like Weihenstephaner. And that's part of the problem. By and large, Australians have had an uneasy relationship with these European wheat beer styles that owe much of their flavour and aroma to particular yeasts that produce phenolic characters, which can be quite polarising. Aussie Wheat Ale promises to be something different. The parameters are still very broad, but the crux of it is a new beer style celebrating Australian-grown wheat as its core ingredient, and a more neutral yeast that doesn't get in the way of the hop aromas and flavours that we're more accustomed to. This is a special episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast, produced in partnership with Fire & Earth Ventures. We're joined by Fire & Earth's head of marketing, Andy Vance, and Tina Panoutsos, who is CUB's senior manager of beer knowledge. You might remember I interviewed Tina back in season five of the show. You're also going to hear from all five breweries involved in the project: Matilda Bay, Mountain Goat, Pirate Life, Green Beacon and 4 Pines. First up though, I asked Andy how the project was originally conceived.
S14 E10 · Thu, October 13, 2022
Gin disruptor Simon Ford's wild ride as entrepreneur
Fords Gin was founded in 2012 by drinks industry veteran Simon Ford, on the premise of creating the ultimate gin for use in cocktails. Now when I initially heard about that concept, my reaction was, how is that different to other gins already on the market? Aren’t they all designed for mixing? It felt like saying you’ve created the ultimate frankfurt for use in hot dogs. Simon sets me straight this episode as he explains the serious R&D that went into Fords Gin using 150 bartender mates as a consultation panel. Working with 11th-generation distiller Charles Maxwell to balance the botanical recipe, Simon had the bartenders involved in every step, from the liquid to the shape of the bottle. In doing so, they sought to reverse engineer the most practical and versatile cocktail gin in the business. Many of those same bartenders – including King Cocktail himself, the legendary Dale DeGroff – effectively became ambassadors for Fords when they invested their life savings into the company to get it off the ground. Fords Gin was sold to Jack Daniel’s owner Brown-Forman in 2019, but there were plenty of moments where Simon questioned his decision to leave a cushy job at Pernod Ricard for the risky pursuit of spirits entrepreneur. It’s an unglamorous tale of sleeping on couches, indirect budget flights, constantly running out of money and – at one stage – almost losing the business altogether. This is a special episode of Drinks Adventures , created in partnership with Fords Gin. Settle in as we hear about Simon’s exhilarating and exhausting journey, plus his insights on the cocktail renaissance and gin’s crazy evolution over the last decade. Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
S14 E9 · Mon, October 10, 2022
John McDougall ex-Balvenie, Laphroaig, Springbank & more
Master distiller John McDougall is one of very few people who has made whisky in every one of Scotland’s distilling regions – that’s Campbeltown, Islay, Highland, Speyside and Lowland — for iconic brands like Laphroaig, Balvenie and Springbank. More recently, he’s had a hand in the Australian whisky industry, helping winemaker John Casella set up the production of Morris Whisky in Victoria, which we talked about on the podcast in 2021 with John Casella, Michael Sergeant and Darren Peck of Morris. The Morris project brought John McDougall back to Australia recently and I managed to get some time with him to record this interview about his distinguished 60-year career. This episode coincides with the launch of a third whisky in Morris’s core range, Morris Sherry Cask. I conducted a separate interview with Michael Sergeant about the new product, and I’ve linked to that article from the show notes. We’ll come to Morris a bit later on in this interview, a front-row account of the renaissance of single malt, as seen by one man from literally every corner of Scotland.
S14 E8 · Wed, October 05, 2022
Wine icon Mount Pleasant gets new lease on life
2020 was a vintage from hell for Mount Pleasant chief winemaker, Adrian Sparks. On January 7 he made the tough decision not to make any wine from that year’s crop, due to widespread smoke taint. The next day, he found out parent company McWilliam’s was going into administration. Going on three years later, Adrian joins us on the Drinks Adventures podcast with nothing but good news from Mount Pleasant. You heard from the Calabria family last season why they didn’t want to take on Mount Pleasant as part of their acquisition of McWilliam’s Wines. The companies went separate ways after 80 years, and the Hunter Valley winery now has a new lease of life under the ownership of investment group Medich Family Office. The Mediches have gone all in to revitalise the brand, funding a renovation for the cellar door, new viticulture equipment and an optical berry sorter that most winemakers can only dream of. Even the labels have had a revamp, with founder Maurice O’Shea’s family crest back on the bottle. I started by asking Adrian to fill in the gaps since I last reported on Mount Pleasant in my 2020 podcast documentary on The Rise and Fall of McWilliam’s Wines.
S14 E7 · Mon, October 03, 2022
Mountain Goat Beer turns 25, with head brewer Alana Rees
Melbourne brewery Mountain Goat sold its first bottle of beer on October 4, 1997, which means the company is currently celebrating its 25th birthday. That first beer was Hightail Ale. And a few years back, when I put together a list of the most formative beers in modern Australian brewing history, it was right at the top of my ten selections. I’ve republished that article on the Drinks Adventures website here . A hell of a lot has changed in the last 25 years since Dave Bonighton and Cam Hines made what was – at the time – a pretty crazy move: Launching full-flavoured craft beers for an Australian public that weren’t really ready for them yet. This is a special episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast, produced in partnership with Mountain Goat. In 2015, the company has acquired by Asahi, which today trades locally as Carlton & United Breweries. Dave and Cam are no longer in the picture so our guest this episode is Alana Rees, head brewer, who is a veteran of the company – she’s been there since before the sale. Much of our discussion surrounds the evolution of craft beer in Australia, and of the product mix at Mountain Goat. Hightail Ale is no longer in its core range, having made way for some beers that are a little more in keeping with current trends. But I asked Alana first up what Goat has planned to mark its 25th anniversary.
S14 E6 · Wed, September 28, 2022
Adam Wadewitz's cool climate wine safari
Adam Wadewitz joined Shaw + Smith as senior winemaker in 2013, with a strong pedigree that included stints at Seppelt and Best’s Great Western. Coming up to his 10th anniversary, Adam is now a partner and joint CEO, a role he shares with David LeMire, and he’s helped drive Shaw + Smith’s evolution into one of Australia’s most exciting wine companies. Shortly before Adam joined, Shaw + Smith founders Martin Shaw and Michael Hill-Smith purchased one of Tasmania’s top sites for chardonnay and pinot noir, the Tolpuddle Vineyard. And in 2015, the group started The Other Wine Co. as a vehicle for experimenting with some different varieties and wine styles. Shaw + Smith is currently celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Tolpuddle wines, and its expansion into the McLaren Vale region, with the acquisition of an esteemed vineyard in the Blewitt Springs sub-region. They’ve titled it MMAD – that’s M-M-A-D – an acronym of Martin, Michael, Adam and David. It’s planted to grenache, shiraz and chenin, and the debut wines have just hit the market. That’s coming up later in the interview. But given Adam is originally from McLaren Vale, I asked him how he came to spend most of his winemaking career working in cooler climate regions.
S14 E5 · Mon, September 26, 2022
Trading tequila for Aussie agave: Trent Fraser of Top Shelf
Our guest this episode is Trent Fraser, who is heading up the groundbreaking Australian Agave Project for Top Shelf International. When we spoke in early September, Trent was getting ready to unveil the brand identity for the project, which has since been revealed as Act of Treason Australian Agave Spirit . It’s the first agave spirit produced at scale in Australia, and the largest agave spirit project outside Mexico. Top Shelf — the ASX-listed company behind Ned Whisky and Grainshaker Vodka — has planted more than 500,000 blue weber agaves at its Eden Lassie farm in Far North Queensland, with one million to be planted by the end of 2024. It was the project that lured Trent home after 20-plus years in New York, where he worked for LVMH — Moét Hennessy Louis Vuitton — first on Dom Perignon Champagne, and then the Volcan Tequila brand, which he helped build from scratch. So this isn’t Trent’s first rodeo. And coming up, you'll hear why he’s so confident about the prospects for an Australian product that isn’t trying to be tequila or mezcal, but rather our own regional expression of agave, a spirit category that is currently booming worldwide.
S14 E4 · Tue, September 20, 2022
How Fever-Tree created the ultimate cola for dark spirits
You probably know by now that Fever-Tree are big supporters of Drinks Adventures . In fact I can say without any exaggeration that I would not be sitting here talking to you if it hadn’t been for their support over the last few years, so thanks very much to Andy and Caroline at Fever-Tree Australia. Given this relationship I reckon it’s overdue that we get Fever-Tree ambassador Trish Brew on for a short chat about one of their new mixers. And this is a product I’m personally excited about, Fever-Tree Distillers Cola. I do enjoy my dark spirits and it’s surely time we had a cola that was purpose built for mixing with the premium products we’re drinking these days. Fever-Tree Distillers Cola is made up of Caribbean Kola Nuts, Tahitian Limes, and a selection of distilled botanicals and spices, resulting in a deliciously rich and balanced mixer for your favourite dark spirits. With no artificial sweeteners or colours, Distillers Cola allows the ingredients to speak for themselves with top notes of refreshing lime, complex spices and a hint of vanilla to finish. Where leading cola brands use their strong flavour profiles to mask the flavour of spirits, Distillers Cola has been designed to complement and elevate the flavour of whiskies from the finest distilleries around the world. With whisky and cola making up 28 per cent of all mixed drinks, Distillers Cola fits perfectly into the Fever-Tree range to accommodate dark spirits drinkers who want to mix with the best.
S14 E3 · Mon, September 19, 2022
Penfolds Wines' global ambitions & China drinks report
China drinks expert Ian Ford previously joined us on Drinks Adventures in June 2020 . The plan was to get his insights about the pandemic’s likely impact on the drinks industry, but it turned into a really interesting discussion about wine, spirits and beer consumption trends in China, more generally. This is another update on the dynamic Chinese drinks market, including moves by spirits giants Diageo and Pernod Ricard to establish single malt distilleries there, and the opportunities Ian can see for Australian distillers. First off though, we get Ian’s thoughts on the news that Australian icon Penfolds is set to make wine in China. It’s a bid to circumvent the punitive Chinese tariffs implemented on Australian wine imports in August 2021. I started by asking Ian whether he was surprised at the severity of those tariffs, and the ripple effect for the global wine market.
S14 E2 · Thu, September 15, 2022
Dan Aykroyd, vodka advocate and entertainer
It’s not every day one of the Blues Brothers serenades you down the phone line. But that’s how things play out in the opening episode of Season 14 of Drinks Adventures , as we head to Ontario, Canada, to talk with actor, musician and comedian Dan Aykroyd. Dan is on the show primarily to talk about vodka, specifically Crystal Head Vodka, the brand he founded in 2008, long before the recent groundswell of Hollywood actors getting into the distilling business. We also get an update on his business interests in Canadian wine, and the challenges of launching the new Ghostbusters film during the pandemic. And I took the opportunity to ask Dan his thoughts on Belushi, the documentary on his late friend and collaborator, John Belushi, released in 2020.
Trailer · Mon, September 12, 2022
Season 14 Trailer
Season 14 of Drinks Adventures is coming soon, and it promises to be absolutely massive. Here's a small taste of what I have coming up for you in the next few weeks. Join my mailing list here for more updates on the podcast.
S13 E16 · Mon, August 22, 2022
Irish whiskey thriving with new distilleries, big and small
Irish whiskey is the fastest-growing spirit category in the world, with sales to the US predicted to overtake Scotch whisky by 2030. It’s a remarkable turnaround for an industry that went through decades of decline. In 2010 there were only four operational Irish whiskey distilleries on the island of Ireland, north and south. Today there are more than 40, producing a much wider array of whiskey styles than the lighter, sweeter taste profile the country is known for. We’ll explore some of the heritage and production quirks that make Irish whiskey unique in this special episode of Drinks Adventures , made possible by the support of the Irish Whiskey Association . You’ll meet its chief executive, William Lavelle, along with representatives from some emerging Irish whiskey brands: Teeling, Slane, Boann and The Dubliner. William gets us underway with an overview of the association and its remit.
S13 E15 · Mon, August 15, 2022
The unrivalled value of rare fortified wines
If you caught the doco-style episode I did on McWilliam’s Wines in 2020, you’ll know the company has been a market leader in fortified wines pretty much since forever. McWilliam’s is now owned by Calabria Family Wines. And far from seeing fortifieds as a dying part of the industry, you would have heard last episode that Bill, Michael and Andrew Calabria actually see a lot of potential in them. They recognise that a new generation of drinkers are now getting introduced to fortifieds via Australian whiskies that have been finished in tawny, apera, topaque and muscat casks. Thanks to Calabria’s investment, McWilliam’s has relaunched its Hanwood Estate range of tawny fortifieds with refreshed branding that takes some cues from whisky, with age statements front and centre. McWilliam’s senior winemaker Russell Cody and assistant winemaker Mel McWilliam are ‘custodians’ of the fortified barrel collection at the Hanwood Winery, including the 30-Year Old material that is considered Very Rare. In this special episode, produced in partnership with McWilliams , Russell and Mel talk about the resurgence of these historic wines, and the evolution at Hanwood to making Tawny fortified in a slightly drier style. You’ll learn how tawny is best consumed, and why you shouldn’t call it ‘port’ – which Russell himself is still wrestling with. And you'll hopefully come to understand that the rarest fortifieds present incredible value, when considered against the sky-high prices of extra mature whiskies, for example. The McWilliams Hanwood Estate Tawny Collection includes the following: McWilliam’s Classic 5-Year Aged Tawny (RRP $20.00) McWilliam’s Grand 10-Year Aged Tawny (RRP $28.00) McWilliam’s Rare 20-Year Aged Tawny (RRP $80.00) McWilliam’s Very Rare 30-Year Aged Tawny (RRP $175.00) Click here for further information.
S13 E14 · Thu, August 11, 2022
McWilliam's Wines aftermath: Introducing the new owners
Season 6 of the Drinks Adventures podcast featured a documentary episode on The Rise and Fall of McWilliam's Wines . There are some loose ends for us to tie up, as the 143-year-old company's anticipated sale to Prcstnt Asset Management ultimately fell over . In this episode, you’ll meet the winery’s new owner, Calabria Family Wines, which was established in the Riverina in 1945 by Italian immigrants Francesco and Elisabeth Calabria, and is today led by second generation family member, Bill Calabria AM. Bill is still on the winemaking team today, and he joins us this episode along with his sons Andrew Calabria, the company’s sales and marketing manager, and Michael Calabria, general manager. The year 2022 was pivotal for Calabria, as the company acquired the McWilliam’s Wines brand and Hanwood Winery along with Deakin Estate and La La Land Wines, cementing it among the largest family-owned wine groups in Australia. Vintners & Co. Merchants is the new distribution arm of the company representing Calabria Family Wines’ international distribution partnerships and includes the Italian brands Fontanafredda , Canti and Librandi, prestigious Portugal port house Dow’s, Argentinian winery Dona Paula, and renowned French champagne producer Champagne Deutz. “We have rapidly expanded from a single producer-owned and operated wine company to a wine group housing some of Australia’s best-loved wine brands and a selection of diverse international wine distribution partnerships," Andrew Calabria said in a statement. The new brands and products will be serviced by the Calabria Family Wine Group sales team, which has added seven new members, mainly from McWilliam’s Wines. Calabria also appointed sixth generation family member, Scott McWilliam, as global brand ambassador for the McWilliam's brand. And first up this episode, I asked Scott what had happened since that supposed 2020 sale of McWilliam's, which seemed like a done deal.
S13 E13 · Thu, August 04, 2022
Beer style trends, with Zytho Brewing and Kirrily Waldhorn
Every day is International Beer Day, here at Drinks Adventures. But in case you needed another reason to celebrate the delights of beer in all its forms, this episode is going to air on the first Friday in August. And that means it’s the 16th annual International Beer Day. Kirrily Waldhorn, AKA Beer Diva, has been working in the beer industry for 23 years. A beer educator, writer and judge, Kirrily matches beer with food for a living. So you’re in good hands as we sit down for a discussion about some of the hottest beer style trends of the moment in Australia. This is a special episode produced in partnership with Zytho Brewing, which you’ll find exclusively in Dan Murphy’s and BWS stores. Created for Zythophiles – that’s another name for beer lovers – the Zytho range includes three hop-driven ales: Tropical Haze; Zesty Pale Ale and an IPA. There’s also the Velvet Luxe Stout, and winter recently brought the seasonal return of a White Stout. We’ll get Kirrily’s thoughts on this oxymoron of a beer style; along with the haze craze; the lager resurgence; and the boom in low and no alcohol craft beers; among other topics. Kirrily shares some beer and food matching tips along the way; and reveals the beer style she wishes was more popular among Australian drinkers. We started by talking about the recent news that Stout is having a re-birth in Dan Murphy’s and BWS stores, with sales up 8% on last winter. I asked Kirrily what she thinks might be driving the mainstream resurgence of one of our favourite beer styles.
S13 E12 · Wed, July 27, 2022
Chris Malcolm, founder Hidden Lake Whisky
We’re joined this episode by Chris Malcolm from recently launched Tasmanian whisky brand, Hidden Lake. If Chris’s name sounds familiar to you, that’s because he’s had a hand in several of the most significant Australian whisky ventures of the last decade. Chris was an early investor in Lark Distillery — going on to become its executive chairman and then CEO of the related entity, Australian Whisky Holdings. He was an early investor in, and director of, Top Shelf International, and he’s currently a director of leading oak barrel supplier, Master Cask, whose founder Darren Langhe we met back in March 2020 . Today, Chris is director of group whisky production for ASX-listed craft beverages accelerator Mighty Craft, a role that gives him oversight of distilleries including Kangaroo Island Spirits, 78 Degrees – formerly known as Adelaide Hills Distillery – and Seven Seasons. Joining that portfolio is Hidden Lake, Chris’s personal project launched in partnership with Mighty Craft . And there’s a rather colourful backstory here, as Hidden Lake’s first whiskies were originally distilled at Tasmania’s controversial Nant Distillery. To recap, Nant collapsed in 2017 in a cloud of fraudulent activity that cost small investors upwards of $20 million. We had Lark’s former managing director Geoff Bainbridge on the podcast to talk about untangling the Lark brand from Nant in November 2020 . Now it’s time for Chris to tell his side of that story. He says it was Lark’s “lowball” offer to investors – those are definitely his words, not mine – that enabled him to get his hands on some of Nant’s best barrels. Some of those have begun hitting the market under the Hidden Lake name. And meanwhile, he’s laying down more whisky, while looking to acquire a distillery that will be the production home of Hidden Lake. That’s just some of what’s coming up in this wide-ranging interview with Chris.
S13 E11 · Mon, July 18, 2022
Investing in drinks companies, with Equity Mates Podcast
Most of us don’t think twice about going to a brewery to buy a beer, but have you ever thought about buying into the business? This episode, it’s podcast host versus podcast hosts as I chat to Bryce Leske and Alec Renehan from investing podcast Equity Mates about putting your money where your mouth is. Equity Mates has been educating Australians about investing in a jargon-free, informal style since 2017. Five hundred episodes later, they run a network of nine money-related podcasts, and will host FinFest , Australia’s biggest investing festival, in Sydney this October. This interview was a chance to get Bryce and Alec’s insights on some of the recent developments at ASX-listed companies like Treasury Wine Estates, Lark Distilling, Top Shelf International, Good Drinks and Mighty Craft, all of whom have previously featured on Drinks Adventures in one way or another. It’s not all about the share market, though. Bryce and Alec had a lot of say about the psychology behind investing, and whether equity crowdfunding is good for drinks companies (or your bank balance). Australian producers are increasingly turning to equity crowdfunding to raise capital. Just in the last couple of months, there’s been successful campaigns from Bridge Road Brewers, Akasha Brewing, Bakery Hill Distillery and Republic of Fremantle Distilling. There’s more opportunities than ever before for drinks enthusiasts like you and I to get some skin in the game. So, if you’ve ever wanted to learn the difference between an IPO and an IPA, here’s your chance.
S13 E10 · Thu, July 14, 2022
Lark Whisky 30th Anniversary Special
2022 is certainly turning out to be a landmark year for Australian distilling, in many respects. In June, Starward Whisky was named the Most Awarded Distillery of the Year at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the first time an Australian distiller has taken out this title. Then came the news that the news that three out of four nominees for the International Wine & Spirit Competition - IWSC International Gin Producer of the Year are Australian: Kalkimoon and Granddad Jack’s, from Queensland, and from Victoria, Naught Gin. And you heard just recently on the podcast from Philip Moore , the first Australian inducted into the Gin Magazine Hall Of Fame. It all coincides with the 30th anniversary of Lark Distillery , the whisky company founded by Bill Lark in 1992, which effectively started the modern era of Australian distilling. I sat down with Bill Lark for a chat reflecting on the milestone in this special episode of Drinks Adventures, produced in partnership with Lark. I learned how John Grant, fifth generation owner of Scotland’s famous Glenfarclas distillery, helped Bill set up his distillery in the very early days. And I asked Bill his thoughts on Lark as it is today, a very different enterprise to what he had originally envisioned. First up though, I’m excited to share some highlights from Lark Distillery’s 30th anniversary gala event held on May 26, 2022 at Lark’s new site in Pontville, Tasmania. It was MCed by Bill’s son Jack and attended by 200 guests from across Australia. The celebrations started by honouring the Mumurimina (Mu mee ree mee nah) Country that the Pontville site resides on, with a Welcome to Country and traditional smoking ceremony. You can get your hands on a variety of Lark’s exciting limited release whiskies now at larkdistillery.com . Whiskies like Lark Origins Single Malt Whisky, a special release crafted with water from Lake Sorell, where Bill Lark had that fateful discussion with his father-in-law that led to his founding Lark Distillery. This special release celebrating 30 years of Tasmanian whisky is available now at larkdistillery.com .
S13 E9 · Tue, July 05, 2022
Essential Scotch whiskies: Glendronach, Benriach & Glenglassaugh
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Brown-Forman is an American distilling company, best known as owner of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, and bourbon brands Old Forester and Woodford Reserve. But in 2016, it got into Scotch whisky in a big way, buying The BenRiach Distillery Company, which included three distilleries: Benriach in Speyside; the famous Highlands distillery Glendronach; and also in the Highlands, but somewhat lesser known, Glenglassaugh. In this special episode – produced in partnership with Brown Forman – you’ll get an introduction to these unique Scotch whisky distilleries from global brand ambassador Stewart Buchanan. Stewart’s held that role since 2012, prior to which he was Benriach’s production manager, so he has tremendous insight into these distilleries and the Scotch whisky industry generally. He was in Australia for the launch of Glendronach 50 Year Old, the oldest expression it’s ever released. We’ll cover that and much more in this interview with Stewart. And you can find the new Benriach core range in both Dan Murphy’s and First Choice Liquor stores nationally. Dan Murphy’s will also be carrying the new 21, 25 and 30 year old Benriach expressions, as well as the new Glendronach Peated and Portwood that I discussed with Stewart in this episode. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, cognac, bourbon, vodka, vineyard, mixology
S13 E8 · Wed, June 29, 2022
Philip Moore, Gin Magazine Hall of Fame Inductee
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Our guest this episode is Philip Moore, who in February 2022 became the first Australian inducted into the Gin Magazine’s Hall of Fame. Now you might well ask, who is Philip Moore? He’s certainly not one of our highest profile gin distillers. But he was actually the first Australian gin distiller to win a gold at the International Wine and Spirits Competition, and his distilling career stretches back to the very early days of contemporary Australian gin. Prior to that, Philip studied and trained as a horticulturist and medical herbalist. In the mid 1980s he started a specialist culinary herb nursery, Renaissance Herbs, which grew from a single greenhouse into the largest wholesale herb nursery in Australia, cultivating close to a million plants a year. Meanwhile, Philip had developed a passion for wine and subsequently, distilled spirits including gin. He exited the herbs business in 2005 and purchased a nursery site on the NSW Central Coast, where he subsequently founded Distillery Botanica and the Moore’s Dry Gin brand. And together with Tom Baker, he co-founded the hugely successful Mr Black Coffee Liqueur, which we explored with Tom back in Season 8 . This is a wide-ranging interview with Philip about his career and the evolution of Australian gin. He certainly doesn’t hold back with his opinions on the use of Australian natives by distillers. He shares some tips on how to taste spirits more effectively, and you’ll also hear about Philip’s new venture, Terrigal Rum Company. That’s all coming up in this interview with Distillery Botanica founder Philip Moore. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 <b
S13 E7 · Wed, June 22, 2022
Heritage Drinks of Myanmar, with brewer & author Luke Corbin
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Heritage Drinks of Myanmar is a beautiful new coffee table book by Australian brewer, academic and writer Luke Corbin, who lived in Myanmar from 2016 to 2021. It takes the reader on an anthropological journey showcasing 14 different alcoholic drinks unique to Myanmar, comprising beers, wines and spirits that are integral parts of village economies. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 While working on this book, Luke was employed as a brewer at Burbrit Brewery in the capital, Yangon. Luke talked extensively about that experience on the Radio Brews News podcast in 2019, which you can listen to here . Drinks Adventures picks up the story in 2020, as Luke shares some of the setbacks he faced while trying to complete his book, as Myanmar grappled with COVID-19 and then in February 2021, a military coup. He joins us from Chang Mai in Thailand, where he’s now based. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier,
S13 E6 · Fri, June 17, 2022
World Martini Day, with Archie Rose Bone Dry Gin
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. World Martini Day is celebrated every year on the third Saturday in June. That’s today, Saturday June 18, if you’re listening to this episode in real time. And with us to talk martinis is Archie Rose master distiller Dave Withers, who you previously met in season 3 of Drinks Adventures. This particular episode was produced with the support of Archie Rose, or more specifically Archie Rose Bone Dry Gin. Bone Dry was the first gin produced by Archie Rose using the copper vacuum stills at its new Banksmeadow production site , opened in 2021. Coming up today, Dave will explain why it’s the perfect gin for a martini, which he says is an important cocktail for the team at Archie Rose. You can buy Bone Dry Gin direct from the company at archierose.com.au , and retailers like Dan Murphy’s, First Choice and good independent bottleshops, too. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, cognac, bourbon, vodka, vineyard, mixology
S13 E5 · Wed, June 15, 2022
Wynns Reframed, with senior winemaker Sarah Pidgeon
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Wynns Coonawarra Estate has featured fairly prominently on this podcast. We’ve met chief winemaker Sue Hodder, as well as viticulturist Allen Jenkins, who’s since departed the business. You’ve also heard about Wynns from Andrew Caillard MW, back in season 7, and Matthew Jukes in his masterclass on cabernet shiraz blends. This time though, we’re not talking about Wynns Cabernet. At least, not as you know it. Wynns senior winemaker Sarah Pidgeon is with us this episode to talk about Wynns Reframed, a completely new range of wines that are picked earlier, with little or no oak influence to maintain freshness and aromatics. There’s a Cabernet Rose, and a white blend of three Italian varieties. The reds meanwhile include a shiraz Riesling blend, which might sound weird, but there’s a story behind it, and a cabernet franc cab sav blend. It seems like a major departure from Wynns’ core business. So in this special podcast episode – produced with Wynns’ support – I started by asking Sarah about the origins of the Wynns Reframed concept. Wynns Reframed wines are now available nationally from select fine wine retailers (RRP $26). More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, cognac, bourbon, vodka, vineyard, mixology
S13 E4 · Mon, June 06, 2022
Brewer turned distiller Ben Stevens of Bondi Liquor Co
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Founded by three friends with background in drinks and hospitality, Bondi Liquor Co is the first operating distillery in Sydney's eastern suburbs. Co-founder and distiller Ben Stevens has experience in both sales and production, having previously worked at Young Henrys, Clare Valley Brewing and Carlton & United Breweries. He joins us this episode for a chat about the challenges of being the first in a new area, where the authorities are unaccustomed to alcohol production. We'll explore the Bondi Liquor gin range, and the pros and cons of tying your brand name to a globally recognised place, like Bondi Beach. First up though, I asked Ben about the Bondi Liquor Co origin story. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, cognac, bourbon, vodka, vineyard, mixology
S13 E3 · Mon, May 30, 2022
Westward Cask Strength rides American single malt whiskey boom
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Back in Season Four of the show, we met Thomas Mooney, co-founder and CEO of Westward American Single Malt Whiskey. Westward is brewed like a pale ale, distilled like a traditional single malt and aged in new American oak, like a bourbon. The emphasis on the brewing stage of the process came naturally for Westward’s other founder, Cristian Krogstad, and head blender and distiller, Miles Munroe, both of whom come from a brewing background. I caught up with Miles while he was in Sydney recently to launch Westward’s new cask strength expression, which follows a series of releases that have proven very popular in Australia, Westward’s biggest market outside the US. This is a special episode of Drinks Adventures, produced with the support of Westward Whiskey, which is made in Oregon, USA. And I started this conversation by asking Miles whether the American single malt whiskey scene had progressed since we met Thomas in 2019. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, cognac, bourbon, vodka, vineyard, mixology
S13 E2 · Wed, May 25, 2022
Starward's cult whisky, Ginger Beer Cask, with founder David Vitale
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Starward Ginger Beer Cask began almost by accident, when the distilling team took a bit of whisky and filled it into a barrel that had previously contained their house made ginger beer. Just 85 bottles were released in 2014 of the first ever ginger beer cask, and the following few editions weren’t much easier to get hold of. It’s only now with the release of Ginger Beer Cask #7 that Starward has been able to make this whisky in substantial enough quantities that it will be more widely available, including in the American market, where Starward founder David Vitale is now based. David rejoins us this in this special episode of Drinks Adventures, produced with the support of Starward Australian Whisky. He’ll share with you the story of Ginger Beer Cask and what you can expect from the new edition. We’ll also get a long overdue update on what’s been happening at Starward since David was last on the show, which is nearly four years ago. Starward’s entry level blend, Two Fold, didn’t even exist at that stage, so there’s plenty to talk about. Not least Starward’s incredible haul of 12 Double Golds and 3 Gold Medals at the recent San Francisco World Spirits Competition, including double gold for last year’s edition of the whisky we’ll be discussing at length today, Ginger Beer Cask. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, cognac, bourbon, vodka, vineyard, mixology
S13 E1 · Tue, May 17, 2022
Aussie rye whiskey Gospel spreads to USA
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. The Gospel Distillers is a dedicated rye whiskey distillery based in Melbourne, Australia. We first met co-founder Andrew Fitzgerald in April 2020 for a chat primarily about the impact of COVID-19 on his business. Andrew returns for this opening episode of Season 13, so you’re going to find out what’s been happening at The Gospel since then. And we’ll be talking purely about rye whiskey, rather than hand sanitiser; more specifically, The Gospel’s recent entry into the US market. It seems a bold move, taking Australian rye over to the home of rye whiskey. So I asked Andrew first up how he and his business partner, Ben Bowles, came to this decision. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, cognac, bourbon, vodka, vineyard, mixology
S12 E14 · Wed, May 11, 2022
B Corp bourbon: Maker's Mark MD Rob Samuels on whiskey sustainability & more
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. B Corp is a certification program that measures a company’s entire social and environmental impact. There are now more than 4000 Certified B Corporations around the world, several of which we’ve featured on this podcast: Sipsmith Gin, Stone & Wood Brewing Company, and South Australian winery Unico Zelo. In February, Maker’s Mark joined this elite group of businesses. It’s the first distillery in Kentucky and the largest distillery in the world to achieve B Corp certification. And in this special episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast – produced with the support of Maker’s Mark – you’re going to hear about some of the environmental initiatives it’s undertaken to safeguard the future of bourbon, which of course is ultimately an agricultural product. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 We’re joined this episode by Rob Samuels, an eighth generation whiskey maker and the grandson of Maker’s Mark founder, Bill Samuels Senior. And also with us is Trent Chapman, marketing director Oceania for Beam Suntory, Maker’s Mark’s parent company. Later on in the interview, we cover the ingredients and production practices that underpin the Maker’s Mark style, and the evolution of the bourbon industry in Kentucky, where ten new distilleries opened in 2021. The B-Corp milestone comes as Maker’s Mark continues its rapid growth in markets such as Australia. The distillery released a new expression, Maker’s 46, in 2010. But the international growth has largely been driven by classic Maker’s, which for almost 60 years was the only whiskey it produced. I asked Rob first up about the significance of this singular focus by Maker’s, at a time when many of its peers are seemingly bringing out new whiskies every other week. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 <a href="https://drinksadventures.com.au/2019/12/09/jancis-robinson-on-the-changing-world-of-wine-
Bonus · Tue, March 29, 2022
Highlights from episodes 1-100: Wine, beer, whisky, bourbon, mezcal & more
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Featuring wine makers Sam Neill, Maynard James Keenan and Sir Ian Botham, legendary wine critic Jancis Robinson and many more, new listeners may be interested to check out these highlights from the Drinks Adventures archive. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Tags:gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, cognac, bourbon, vodka, vineyard, mixology, bars, pubs, restaurants, hospitality
S12 E13 · Mon, March 28, 2022
Australia's first Master Cicerone, Shane McNamara
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Launched in 2008 by American brewer, author, and beer educator Ray Daniels, the Cicerone® Certification Program is like beer's equivalent of the Court of Master Sommeliers for wine. Following last week's wine episode, we meet Shane McNamara, who in 2022 became the first Australian to reach the pinnacle of the program, Master Cicerone. He joins a group of just 19 other individuals worldwide who have this title. The Master Cicerone exam challenges individuals to master every technical and aesthetic aspect of beer. It requires an exceptional understanding of brewing, beer, and food pairing — combining outstanding tasting abilities with an encyclopaedic knowledge of commercial beers. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 If Shane’s name is new to you, it was to me too. He’s based over in London where he currently works for the world’s biggest brewer, AB InBev, in a global role overseeing the innovation, development and quality of some beer brands you might have heard of like Stella Artois, Budweiser and Corona. When I spoke to Shane he’d just gotten back from the Czech Republic, which you’d know is the home of pilsner beer, as explored with writer Tom Acitelli back in Season 8 of the podcast. So I took the opportunity to ask Shane about the Czech beer scene today. And, later on, whether he plans on returning to Australia with his new qualifications, which he says are the payoff for thousands of hours spent studying and tasting beer. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 <a href="https://drinksadventures.com.au/2021/12/02/tara-nurin-historian-o
S12 E12 · Mon, March 21, 2022
Canada's burgeoning cool climate wines, with podcaster Natalie MacLean
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Canada might be best known for its ice wine, a type of dessert wine produced from frozen grapes. But it’s increasingly getting global recognition for the quality of its dry table wines. Following last week's exploration of the Irish coffee cocktail, our guest today is Canadian wine writer, educator, judge and podcaster, Natalie MacLean, who can fill you in on some of Canada's wine regions and styles to look out for. You may also like: Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 And here, we’re doing a bit of a podcast exchange. You can catch me on Natalie’s show Unreserved Wine Talk sometime around this episode going to air. After we explore Canadian wine, we’ll find out a bit more about Natalie’s podcast and her upcoming third book. It’s a memoir that she says will explore the darker side of the wine industry. Sounds very intriguing, doesn’t it? And that’s coming up later in this interview with Natalie. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, c
S12 E10 · Mon, March 14, 2022
Iconic cocktails: How Irish coffee was born, and Dead Rabbit perfected it
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Opened in 2013 by Northern Irishmen Sean Muldoon and Jack McGarry, New York City’s The Dead Rabbit is surely one of the world’s most awarded bars. I can’t possibly list all the accolades they’ve picked up over the years, but they include multiple prizes for World’s Best Bar at both the prestigious Spirited Awards and the World’s 50 Best Bars. The Dead Rabbit is world famous for its Irish coffee cocktail. And this episode, following last week's wine you’ll hear Sean recount the messy incident that put them on the path to perfecting this somewhat neglected cocktail, further inspired by the legendary bartender Dale DeGroff. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Also with us this episode is The Dead Rabbit beverage director Jillian Vose, who explains how the sous vide cooking technique enables the team to serve the Irish cocktail perfectly and consistently every time. And if like me you’re based in Sydney, here’s a tip. You can try an Irish coffee that’s very similar to the Dead Rabbit’s at a bar in the city. Jillian visited the Duke of Clarence a few years ago to show them how it’s done, and they’ve since kept up the tradition. Sean, Jack and Jillian have now published the definitive story of the Irish coffee in a new book titled When Whiskey Met Its Match, which sets the record straight that the cocktail was invented by a Northern Irishman, Joe Sheridan. I hope you enjoy about this chat about one of my favourite cocktails. We also talk a bit about Irish whiskey, and the second Dead Rabbit book launching on February 22, called Paddy Drinks . It’s a collection of cocktail recipes that Sean hopes will help fuel Irish whiskey’s ascendancy in cocktail bars across the world. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 <a href="https://drinksadventures.com.au/2019/12/09/jancis-rob
S12 E9 · Mon, March 07, 2022
Wine doco Blind Ambition, with filmmakers Warwick Ross and Rob Coe
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Blind Ambition is a new film about four Zimbabwean sommeliers who form a team and compete in the World Blind Wine Tasting Championships in Burgundy. It's like a wine equivalent of the ultimate sports underdog tale, Cool Runnings, the 1993 film inspired by the true story of the first Jamaican national bobsled team. But unlike Cool Runnings, Blind Ambition is all true. It’s a documentary directed by Australian filmmakers Warwick Ross and Rob Coe, who are with us this episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast. You may also like: Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Warwick and Rob were behind the 2013 film Red Obsession, which explored how France’s finest wines have skyrocketed in price having become a status symbol in China. As you’ll hear from Warwick, the film was made possible by two of our previous guests, Jancis Robinson ( S4E4 ) and Andrew Caillard ( S7E4 ). When Jancis heard the story of these four Zimbabwean sommeliers who had fled Robert Mugabe’s regime, she set up a crowdfunding campaign to get them to France where they would test their skills against expert tasters from 26 other countries. The first black team ever to do so. Make sure you see the film as it’s brilliant and very moving. You don’t need to be interested in wine to enjoy it, in fact it recently won the audience award at both Tribeca (New York) and Sydney Film Festivals. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 <a href="https://drinksadventures.com.au/2021/12
S12 E8 · Mon, February 28, 2022
Pizzini Wines: Trailblazing Sangiovese & Nebbiolo
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Pizzini Wines in King Valley, Victoria, is one of Australia’s leading proponents of Italian grape varieties such as Sangiovese, Nebbiolo and Pinot Grigio. As you’ll hear today from winemaker Joel Pizzini, it was extremely difficult convincing people to taste what were then exotic varieties back in the 90s and early 2000s. But now, Pizzini has all but phased out traditional Australian varieties like shiraz from its range. You may also like: Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Meanwhile it has expanded its Sangiovese offering to encompass premium wines at all price points, all the way up to the Rubacuori, priced at $140 a bottle and built for long-term cellaring. Pizzini has done this by continually refining its approach to growing and making these wines, taking advice from internationally renowned experts. It’s a really exciting project, and I began this interview by asking Joel where it all began. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, cognac, bourbon, vodka, vineyard, mixology, bars, pubs, restau
S12 E7 · Mon, February 21, 2022
The hottest Australian whiskies, with Luke McCarthy
A podcast for lovers of wine, craft beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Australian whisky is set for another massive year in 2022. And I’m sure that just like me, you want to know which are the hottest distilleries we should be looking out for, and insights into trends such as wine vs bourbon cask maturation. Luke McCarthy is founder of Oz Whisky Review , an independent online magazine comprising Australian whisky reviews, news and features. He’s with us this episode to reflect on Oz Whisky Review’s Top Ten Australian whiskies of last year, and the biggest debut releases expected in the coming months. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 If you’re new round these parts, most of the brands we discuss this episode have previously appeared on the show: Bakery Hill , Heartwood / TIB , The Gospel , Starward , Morris , Overeem and Backwoods . Clearly the Oz Whiskey Review team have impeccable taste, so first up I asked Luke about the criteria they follow in putting their list together. More must-listen episodes: <a href="https://drinksadventures.com.au/2020/08/20/two-paddocks-
Bonus · Thu, February 17, 2022
Why Old Pulteney Scotch Whisky is 'The Maritime Malt'
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Few Scotch whiskies are distilled and matured by the sea, like Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Old Pulteney is located in the town of Wick in far north Scotland, a drive of just 20 minutes or so from John O’Groats, the northeastern tip of Great Britain. Its spirit matures in warehouses located just 300m from the North Sea. And according to our guest this episode, global brand ambassador Lukasz Dynowiak, there is no mistaking the distinct salty note in the Old Pulteney whiskies that is a direct result of this coastal aspect. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 It’s the reason why Old Pulteney is known not just as a maritime malt, but The Maritime Malt. And it has some pretty unique distilling equipment and production techniques that also contribute to its house style. Lukasz will tell you some more about those in just a moment, but suffice to say the Old Pulteney approach has been extremely successful. Led by its flagship 12-year-old expression, the Old Pulteney range has won many accolades over the years. In fact, one of its limited edition whiskies was named World’s Best Single Malt at the prestigious World Whiskies Awards just a few years ago, in 2016. This is a special episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast, produced with the support of Old Pulteney. And I asked Lukasz first up, to describe for us in a little more detail the Northern Highlands area where Old Pulteney is based. You can follow Old Pulteney on Instagram and Twitter @oldpulteneymalt, and on Facebook at @oldpulteney. The Old Pulteney range is available nationally in Australia through retailers including Dan Murphy’s. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 <a href="https
S12 E5 · Mon, February 14, 2022
Brewing news with beer guru Matt Kirkegaard
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Veteran beer writer Matt Kirkegaard probably doesn’t require an introduction for many of you. But just in case, Matt is founder of the beer industry publication Brews News , which I edited for a few years prior to starting Drinks Adventures. His podcast Radio Brews News is Australia’s longest running beer podcast, with an archive of 644 episodes at the time of writing. Matt’s never short of an opinion. So, following a particularly eventful year in the beer industry, I figured I was long overdue to invite him on for a chat. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Coming up for you in this episode, Matt and I discuss the booming non-alcoholic beer segment – is it really booming? We cover the recent trend of breweries raising capital by way equity crowdfunding, with mixed results. And in fact, since we recorded this conversation, Gold Coast outfit Black Hops has completed their latest raise, which at $2.2 million is the largest ever campaign by an Australian brewery. Also on the agenda is the latest IP dispute between Australian breweries, and whether the legendary West Australian company, Feral Brewing, is damaged goods after being listed for sale by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners. And in a related discussion, we consider in retrospect the wisdom of Coke naming a craft beer brand after an obscure country town that no-one visits. Matt also fills us in on recent projects at Brews News, including its efforts to find out, how many breweries are there really in Australia? More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 <a href="https://drinksadventures.com.au
S12 E4 · Mon, February 07, 2022
The Gin Queen's Top 10 Australian gins
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. How many Australian gins would you guess are currently on the market? In early 2021 , The Gin Queen, Caroline Ashford, counted 600 of them, not even including limited editions and seasonal releases. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Caroline is back with us again on the Drinks Adventures podcast, to share with you her Top Ten Australian Gins of the year. First up though, Caroline reveals her tally of Australian gins available year-round as at January 2022 – and it’s a pretty crazy number once again. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5
S12 E3 · Wed, February 02, 2022
Italy's digestif amaro liqueurs, with bartender Federico Malavenda
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Italy’s wonderful array of digestif amari demands exploration. Amari is the plural of amaro, which means ‘bitter’ in Italian. It’s also the name given the country’s unique liqueurs that are intensely bitter and often very sweet too, flavoured by infusing herbs, spices and other botanicals in a distilled wine or neutral spirit base. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 The theme of this episode has been inspired by the amari degustation event organised by the Italian Cultural institute, Sydney at its premises in December 2021, during the World Week of Italian Cuisine. Presented by today’s expert bartender, Federico Malavenda, the degustation featured a tasting of seven Italian amari: Braulio; Cynar; Poli Vaca Mora; Cappelletti Sfumato; Amara Blood Orange; Toro Centerba; and Averna. The Italian Cultural Institute is an official branch of the Italian government, dedicated to the promotion of the Italian culture in Australia through the organisation and support of events, exhibitions and festivals, in collaboration with major local institutions. This episode has been produced with their support. Federico Malavenda is bar manager at Bistecca Restaurant in Sydney, which has a menu of no less than 85 different amari. This was recognised at the Wine List of the Year Awards in late 2021, when Bistecca picked up the gong for Best Digestif List. Stay with me as Federico gives you an overview of amaro and shares what he’s doing with digestif amari at Bistecca. First up, a little history. Federico says these unique and storied liqueurs have been an integral part of Italian culture for generations. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Ro
S12 E2 · Mon, January 31, 2022
Wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alcoholic drinks & Aussie wine upheaval
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. British wine writer Matthew Jukes should already be familiar to you, as a Drinks Adventures listener. But if you missed his brilliant masterclass on Australian shiraz cabernet blends, stop what you’re doing and go back to Season Three of the show. Matthew’s back with us to share with you his new non-alcoholic drink brand, Jukes Cordialities, which he’s recently launched into Australia. More must-listen episodes: Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 The market has been inundated with non-alcoholic wines in recent years, but Matthew says he’s yet to find one that’s drinkable, and I’d have to concur with him on that assessment. With Jukes, he set about mimicking the experience of drinking a fine wine in the form of what are essentially deluxe adult cordials designed for mixing with still or sparkling water. Matthew sent me some to try and I have to say, they are astonishingly good. I’m currently having a little break from alcohol and this is by far the best alternative I’ve found to glass of wine at the end of the day. In fact, I’ve already been out and purchased a box of Jukes 6, my favourite of the collection. They’re not cheap, but neither is a decent bottle of wine. And when Matthew explains the ingredients and craftsmanship involved the premium pricing is understandable. Located in Australia? You can purchase Jukes Cordialities online here if you’re interested in trying them for yourself. Later on in this interview, Matthew reveals the pandemic upheaval currently affecting Australian winemakers in the UK. This latest misfortune comes after the Chinese tariffs on Australian wine. The industry can’t catch a break at the moment! Wherever you are, I hope 2022 is treating you well. Welcome to Season 12 of the Drinks Adventures podcast. New episodes should be dropping every Tuesday and hopefully also Thursday some weeks too. More must
S12 E1 · Thu, January 27, 2022
Season 12 Trailer: Wine, beer, whisky, gin & more!
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Happy New Year from Drinks Adventures. Here's a sneak peek at some of the beer, wine and spirits content you can expect when the show returns for 2022. We'll be speaking to brewing expert Matt Kirkegaard, wine writer Matthew Jukes and Canadian wine expert Natalie Maclean, and exploring one of the world's most iconic cocktails, the Irish coffee. In the meantime, join my mailing list for semi-regular updates from the Drinks Adventures Podcast, and other articles and reviews by me. I’ll draw some names every month to win a set of drink coasters, featuring custom designs by artist Barry Patenaude. Cheers! James Atkinson More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, cognac, bourbon, vodka, vineyard, mixology, bars, pubs, restaurants
Bonus · Wed, December 15, 2021
Spearhead Whisky shakes up single grain Scotch
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Spearhead is a new whisky from the renowned Highlands Single Malt distillery, Loch Lomond, that shakes up Scotch whisky in numerous respects. For starters, it’s a single grain whisky. But in this case, that doesn’t mean it’s been distilled from wheat or corn or rye, Spearhead is made from malted barley using a continuous, Coffey style still, also known as a column still. That’s what makes it a single grain Scotch whisky. And the process enabled Loch Lomond to create a lighter style of spirit that would then undergo a unique maturation process that includes finishing in infrared toasted virgin American oak barrels. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Loch Lomond is currently the only distillery in Scotland to use infrared barrels to finish whisky. And there’s a raft of other innovative production tweaks that all combine to give Spearhead a sweeter taste profile, albeit with depth and complexity, that is designed to appeal to newer whisky drinkers or people who enjoy long drinks like highballs. This is a special episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast, produced with the support of Spearhead Whisky. You'll meet Loch Lomond master blender Michael Henry and head of innovation, Calum Leslie, who are going to tell you all about this exciting and unique project. And I started this interview by asking Calum why Loch Lomond had embarked on this project that resulted in the creation of an entirely new brand. Spearhead Whisky is out now at First Choice Liquor, Liquorland and Vintage Cellars stores across Australia, priced very competitively at $62 for a 700ml bottle. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 <a href="https://drinksadventures.com.au/2021/12/02/tara
Bonus · Tue, December 14, 2021
Penfolds Wines x Thiénot Champagne, with chief winemaker Peter Gago
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Australian winemaker Penfolds Wines has made huge strides internationally in recent years. The company launched its debut California Collection earlier this year, and there’s a set of Bordeaux wines to come in 2022. And in 2019, Penfolds released three champagnes in collaboration with the Champagne House Thiénot; A Chardonnay Pinot Noir Cuvée, Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru and Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru, all from the 2012 vintage and priced at $280 each. You may also like: Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 In this special episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast, produced with the support of Penfolds, Chief Winemaker Peter Gago gives you the lowdown on the project and the new addition to the range. It’s a champagne that’s a little more within reach for many of us: A non-vintage Brut Rosé priced at $90. But I asked Peter first up about his personal affinity with champagne, a wine style that he’s clearly very passionate about. The Thiénot x Penfolds Champagne Brut Rosé is comprised of 30 per cent Chardonnay (Nogent, Sézanne and Côte des Blancs), 20 per cent Pinot Noir (Vallée de l’Ardre (8%), Epernay and Côte des Bar), and 50 per cent Pinot Meunier (Épernay, Vallée de la Marne and Saint-Thierry). Visit penfolds.com for stockist information. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee
Bonus · Thu, December 09, 2021
Brewing legend Chuck Hahn 'worth billions'; Organic wine; Voyager Estate X Mars Whisky & Australian Agave NFT
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. In this edition of the news: Brewing industry toasts Chuck Hahn's 50 years of brewing; Margaret River winery Voyager Estate very nearly fully organic; Japan's Mars Whisky releases Voyager collaboration; and Top Shelf International launches the Australian Agave NFT. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8
S11 E13 · Mon, December 06, 2021
Champion gin distiller, Never Never Distilling, with co-founder Sean Baxter
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Founded in 2017 by Sean Baxter, George Georgiadis and Tim Boast, Never Never is undoubtedly one of the hottest distilleries in Australia at the moment. The company was recently named Champion Australian Distiller for the second year running at the 2021 Australian Distilled Spirits Awards, as well as being a finalist alongside Four Pillars for the IWSC’s International Gin Producer Trophy. And there’s been yet more accolades that you’ll hear about in today’s episode, as we meet co-founder Sean Baxter. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Unlike other Australian gin distillers that have defined themselves based on our native botanicals, Never Never has made its name on excelling at gins that are very classically styled. Today, Sean shares with you the benefits and challenges of this approach. We also discuss the thorny issue of base spirit, and some of Never Never’s innovative products like Ginache – made using Grenache grapes from its home of McLaren Vale in South Australia – and its new Oyster Shell Gin. And we revisit the April Fools' Day prank that got Sean into some hot water with his fellow distillers earlier this year , stoking industry fears about a potential juniper shortage. That’s all coming up after I ask Sean about the significance of the Champion Distiller gong that Never Never took home for a second time on Wednesday December 1, 2021. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 <a href="https://drinksadventures.com.au/2021/12/02/tara-nurin-historian-on-w
Bonus · Wed, December 01, 2021
Lyre's Non-Alcoholic Spirits skyrockets to $500M valuation
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Just one story again in this week’s edition of the news. There's been a huge amount of noise around non-alcoholic wine, beer and spirits in recent years. And now, Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Spirits has completed a capital raising that values the business at $500 million AUD. This valuation has been achieved in less than two and a half years of trading for the Australian company founded in Sydney in 2019. It’s now on track to become the fastest independent beverage brand to reach Unicorn status, meaning a valuation in excess of $1 billion US. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 There’s been no shortage of naysayers about the concept of non-alcoholic spirits and I’ll admit to being a little sceptical when Lyre’s founder Mark Livings first told me what he had planned. He says this latest funding milestone is clear evidence that non-alcoholic spirits are here to stay. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, cognac, bourbon, rum, vodka, vineyard, mixology, bars, pubs, restaurants
S11 E6 · Mon, November 29, 2021
Brewing historian Tara Nurin; & beer sensory expert Briony Liebich
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Beer and brewing writer Tara Nurin is the official historian of the Pink Boots Society, an organisation created in 2008 to assist, inspire and encourage women working in the beer industry. Tara’s new book – A Woman's Place Is in the Brewhouse – celebrates the contributions and influence of female brewers and explores the forces that have erased them from the brewing world. Its publication is very timely with the beer industry having had its #metoo moment in recent months, led by Brienne Allan, a brewer based in Massachusetts who encouraged other women to share the stories of sexism and abuse they’ve suffered in the craft beer and brewing industry. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 This is certainly not an American problem. We’ve recently seen a survey conducted by a group of Australian women calling themselves the Beer Agents for Change, which found that 38% of people who work in the beer industry have been abused or harassed, and 90% of the people who reported that type of conduct were female. So it’s in that context today that we hear from Tara about her new book. And coming up after that, you’ll meet Briony Leibich, an Australian specialising in sensory analysis and expert tasting for beer, wine and food. Briony has worked as a sensory specialist for some time now, most recently at the West End Brewery in Adelaide. Since West End shut down earlier this year, Briony has focused on her own sensory consultancy called Flavour Logic. I asked Briony how she found her way into this profession. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 <a href="https://drinksadventures.com.au/2021/12/02/tara-nurin-historian-on-women-in-beer-sensory-expert-briony-liebich-s1
S11 E11 · Thu, November 25, 2021
Mystery wine brand wins Pinot Noir Challenge
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. A new and unknown Tasmanian wine brand has come out on top at the Australian Pinot Noir Challenge. The 2020 Ossa Pinot Noir scored 96 points out of 100, winning the Best of Region Trophy for Tasmania and the top wine of the show, judged against Victorian stalwarts like the Yarra Valley’s Giant Steps and Paringa Estate in Mornington Peninsula. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 The wine was made by Liam McElhinney, chief winemaker at Tasmanian Vintners, for Rod and Cecile Roberts. They created the Ossa Wines label this year having purchased the Belbrook Vineyard in Cranbrook on Tasmania’s east coast in 2017. I asked Chief Judge of the Australian Pinot Noir Challenge, David Bicknell, whether the company or vineyard were on his radar. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, cognac, bourbon, rum, vodka, vineyard, mixology, bars, pubs, restaurants
S11 E10 · Mon, November 22, 2021
Whisky writer and Diageo veteran Dr Nicholas Morgan
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Whisky writer Dr Nicholas Morgan is a 30-year veteran of spirits giant Diageo, with a background in history and academia. He joined Diageo's predecessor, United Distillers, in 1990, creating what is now considered the world’s most comprehensive spirits archive, before making a somewhat unlikely transition to leader of Diageo’s global malt whisky marketing team. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Nicholas retired from Diageo in December 2020 following the publication of his acclaimed book, A Long Stride, the Story of the World’s No 1 Scotch Whisky, written as part of the bicentennial celebrations of John Walker & Sons. His latest book is Everything You Need to Know About Whisky (But are too afraid to ask). It’s a great read, and we discuss both it and the Johnnie Walker book later on in this interview with Nicholas, who is a Master of the Quaich – that’s one of the highest honours in Scotch whisky – and a member of the Whisky Magazine Hall Of Fame. But I started by asking Nick about the challenges he faced marketing single malt whisky at Diageo in the 1990s. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequil
Bonus · Thu, November 18, 2021
Viticulturist Allen Jenkins farewelled; Starward Whisky X Yalumba Wine; and Modus Operandi's Newcastle brewery
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Wine, whisky & brewery news from Drinks Adventures: Wynns Coonawarra farewells viticulturist Allen Jenkins; Starward Whisky and Yalumba Wines collaborate on a new single malt whisky; and Modus Operandi Brewing launches green energy brewery in Newcastle. A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Founded in 2017 by Sean Baxter, George Georgiadis and Tim Boast, Never Never is undoubtedly one of the hottest distilleries in Australia at the moment. The company was recently named Champion Australian Distiller for the second year running at the 2021 Australian Distilled Spirits Awards, as well as being a finalist alongside Four Pillars for the IWSC’s International Gin Producer Trophy. And there’s been yet more accolades that you’ll hear about in today’s episode, as we meet co-founder Sean Baxter. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Unlike other Australian gin distillers that have defined themselves based on our native botanicals, Never Never has made its name on excelling at gins that are very classically styled. Today, Sean shares with you the benefits and challenges of this approach. We also discuss the thorny issue of base spirit, and some of Never Never’s innovative products like Ginache – made using Grenache grapes from its home of McLaren Vale in South Australia – and its new Oyster Shell Gin. And we revisit the April Fools' Day prank that got Sean into some hot water with his fellow distillers earlier this year , stoking industry fears about a potential juniper shortage. That’s all coming up after I ask Sean about the significance of the Champion Distiller gong that Never Never took home for a seco
S11 E8 · Mon, November 15, 2021
Lark Distilling MD Geoff Bainbridge on Shene deal, labelling controversy & more
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. It’s been a massive year for Lark Distilling Company, which recently announced the $40 million acquisition of fellow Tasmanian distillery Shene Estate, and has released a raft of new whiskies finished in fortified wine casks. Managing director Geoff Bainbridge joins us this episode, about 18 months after he last spoke with Drinks Adventures for a two-part story on the podcast website. Remember you can visit DrinksAdventures.com.au and sign up to the newsletter so you don’t miss stories like that one. At the time, Geoff and I discussed the rebadging and relaunch of Lark Distilling , formerly known as Australian Whisky Holdings, and the process the company went through to exit the Nant barrel investment scheme, and sell Overeem Whisky back to the Overeem family. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Lark’s share price has been on an absolute flyer ever since, with the company reporting strong sales results having refocused itself on a single whisky brand, and continued to build its whisky inventory. There’s been some criticism however about an alleged lack of transparency surrounding the provenance of whisky released under the Lark name. I addressed those issues with Geoff in this follow-up interview for the podcast. We also discuss some of the recent developments of late in Australian whisky generally, like the discussions around a potential Tasmanian Whisky appellation, and the controversial <a href="https://drinksadventures.com.au/2020/12/09/archie-rose-whisky-pate
Bonus · Sat, November 13, 2021
Champion bartender Evan Stroeve on the Principle of Hospitality podcast
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. The Principle of Hospitality podcast is produced by Melburnian hospitality veterans, Shaun de Vries and Sasha Fernando. In this episode exchange, we hear Shaun interview champion bartender Evan Stroeve of Sydney bar Re. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, cognac, bourbon, rum, vodka, vineyard, mixology, bars, pubs, restaurants
S11 E6 · Wed, November 10, 2021
Winemaker Nick Glaetzer reflects on landmark Jimmy Watson wine trophy win
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Glaetzer-Dixon Family Wines made history in 2011 when it became the first Tasmanian winery to win the Jimmy Watson – Australia’s most prestigious wine prize – at the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards. Winemaker Nick Glaetzer has been celebrating the milestone with a highly limited museum release of his winning wine, the 2010 Mon Pere Shiraz, and he joins us today on the Drinks Adventures podcast. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 He’ll update you on other recent happenings at Glaetzer-Dixon, which planted a new 12-hectare vineyard in the Coal River Valley in 2018, and is currently preparing to release new vintages of La Judith Pinot Noir, named for Nick’s mother who sadly passed away in 2014. First up though, I asked Nick about the significance of that Jimmy Watson award, both for him and the Tasmanian wine industry generally. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, cognac, bourbon, rum, vodka, vineyard, mixology, bars, pubs, restaurants
Bonus · Tue, November 09, 2021
Bourbon expert Eric Zandona on The Modern Bar Cart Podcast
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. I’ll have another regular episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast to share with you very soon. Right now though I’m stoked to share an interview from another one of my favourite drinks podcasts, The Modern Bar Cart out of the US. The host is a gentleman by the name of Eric Kozlik, who describes his show as a cocktail podcast for home bartenders and industry pros alike. But in spite of that, The Modern Bar Cart really does cover the full gamut of drinks and Eric really has had some amazing guests. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 This year they’ve included Sam Calagione, founder of one of America’s top craft breweries, Dogfish Head; global rum ambassador, Ian Burrell; and the renowned spirit and cocktail writers David Wondrich and Noah Rothbaum. And today on the Drinks Adventures podcast, I’m sharing Eric’s interview with another Eric, the spirits judge and author Eric Zandona, whose new book, "The Atlas of Bourbon & American Whiskey” is out now. I learnt so much about the different regional styles of American whiskey from this interview – Eric’s depth of knowledge on the topic is unparalleled. So I’ll leave you to the Erics and after you enjoy this interview, go and subscribe to The Modern Bar Cart Podcast. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits:
S11 E4 · Wed, November 03, 2021
Wine cellaring tips with St Hugo's Peter Munro
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Cellaring wine and seeing for yourself how its flavours evolve is one of the most exciting aspects of wine appreciation. But it can be intimidating, and there’s some fundamentals you need to know to ensure you get the best results. In this episode of the show, St Hugo chief winemaker Peter Munro gives you some of those pointers, like how to choose age-worthy wines, store them correctly, and identify drinking windows for optimal consumption. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 With more than 20 years of winemaking experience, Peter’s career has spanned some of the world’s most prominent wine regions. Coonawarra and the Barossa obviously, but also Tasmania, Hawke’s Bay in NZ, and the Napa Valley in California. St Hugo Cabernet is a mainstay of many Australian cellars. A longstanding fixture in the Langton's Classification of Australian Fine Wine, it is built to age for a minimum of ten to 15 years, and the better vintages will last considerably longer. And now, perfectly timed for Christmas gifting and festivities – you can get your hands on some of the most outstanding back vintages of St Hugo Cabernet, which have been hand selected after rigorous tasting and review by Peter. Currently available in St Hugo’s Fine and Rare Collection are St Hugo Cabernet 1998, 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2012. There’s also some magnums, double magnums and six litre imperials available of some of these wines. You can purchase them direct from St Hugo’s online cellar door at sthugo.com . This is a special episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast, produced with the support of St Hugo. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 <a href="https://drinksadvent
S11 E3 · Mon, November 01, 2021
Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global beer odyssey
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Brewing legend Chuck Hahn is among only a handful of brewers to have become a household name among beer-loving Australians. But in contrast to other names like Cooper or Foster or Toohey – which have been associated with brewing since the 19th century – the Hahn phenomenon is relatively recent. It’s still playing out today. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 That said, few of us fully understand how an American with a PHD in chemical engineering came to be one of the most influential figures in the Australian beer industry. So when I learned that Chuck was celebrating 50 years of brewing in 2021, I was inspired to take a closer look at some of the events that have defined his remarkable career, and become part of brewing folklore in Australia. I visited Chuck at the Malt Shovel Brewery in Sydney. And I spoke to many of the people he’s worked with and influenced over the years. And slowly came together this documentary that I’m delighted to share with you on the Drinks Adventures podcast. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whis
Bonus · Wed, October 27, 2021
Brewing innovator Little Creatures launches Pacific Ale, Hazy IPA
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. No craft beer style has captured the imagination of Australian drinkers in recent years like Pacific Ale. Or is it a style? Well, we’ll get onto that a bit later on in this episode. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Either way, there’s been a raft of beers hitting the market bearing the ‘pacific ale’ moniker since 2018, when a court effectively ruled the title was fair game for other brewers to use. The latest entrant to this emerging sub-genre of beers is Little Creatures Pacific Ale, coinciding with the pioneering brewer’s 21st anniversary this year. There’s also a new Hazy IPA, and the entire range has had a bit of a facelift, with eye-catching new branding that puts the iconic Little Creatures cherub front and centre on the cans. This is a special episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast, produced with the support of Little Creatures. You’ll meet head brewer Russ Gosling and ambassador Paul Daley, who discuss the intent behind Little Creatures Pacific Ale, and the process that went into creating the beer. You can find both Little Creatures Pacific Ale and Hazy IPA nationwide in both independents and national retailers. Visit littlecreatures.com.au for further information. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, cr
S11 E1 · Mon, October 25, 2021
Brewing trends with The Beer Bible author Jeff Alworth
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Beer writer Jeff Alworth joins us in this opening episode of Season 11, hot on the promotional trail for his latest book. First published in 2015, The Beer Bible is billed as the most comprehensive guide to the world of beer, with everything you need to know about what to drink, where, when and why. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 The Beer Bible first edition was named best drinks book by the International Association of Culinary Professionals in 2016. The second edition was published in September 2021, so I was keen to ask Jeff what were the biggest changes in brewing in the intervening years. Hailing from one of my favourite cities; Portland, Oregon, Jeff is also founder of the Beervana blog and podcast, where he and Oregon State University economics professor Patrick Emerson discuss beer and the economics of beer. Now I figure some of you may be unfamiliar with Jeff’s previous work. So I started by asking him, what is The Beer Bible? More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, cognac, bourbon, rum, vodka, vineyar
Bonus · Thu, September 23, 2021
Mezcal boom threatens agave sustainability; Whisky milestone for Australia, and brewer Sobah's crowdfunding campaign
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. In this final edition of the news for Season Ten: Mezcal boom raises ethical issues; A landmark moment for Australian whisky; and Non-alcoholic beer brand Sobah launches crowdfunding campaign. Theme music 'Devotion' by Silverlining. Purchase here . Follow Drinks Adventures at @drinksadventures_au and James Atkinson at @byjamesatkinson on Instagram. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, cognac, bourbon, rum, vodka, vineyard, mixology, bars, pubs, restaurants
S10 E17 · Mon, September 13, 2021
Whisky fiend Dan Woolley on his distillery startup, Highwayman Whisky
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Whisky in Australia has been destined for a shake-up as larger players enter the market with products designed to compete on price with some of the big international whisky brands. But of course, there will always be a place for smaller artisan distillers like Highwayman Whisky, the Byron Bay company that released its first spirit in 2020. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Highwayman Whisky was founded by Dan Woolley, a longtime whisky industry professional. Most recently he was ambassador for the Beam Suntory portfolio of brands, which gave him a backstage pass to globally renowned distilleries throughout Scotland, Kentucky and Japan. Dan started to lay down his own spirit in his chosen casks back home in Australia starting in 2016, and the first Highwayman bottlings released last year sold out in minutes. Whisky is a hugely capital intensive spirit to make, so I asked Dan how he went about establishing his own brand despite having very limited resources at his disposal. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, cogna
Bonus · Sun, September 12, 2021
Craft beer shakeup: Why Stone & Wood Brewing sold to Lion
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Brewing company Fermentum Group – parent company of craft beer heavyweights Stone & Wood – has announced its shock sale to Japanese-owned brewer Lion Australia. You are likely as shocked by this as I was. You know how committed Stone & Wood seemed to their independence back when we met the founders in this 2019 documentary . You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Soon after the news broke I published an opinion piece that expressed pretty clearly how I felt about their backflip, and the unfortunate knock-on effect for the independence movement: Stone & Wood’s multinational backflip costly for indie beer On Friday I got hold of co-founder Ross Jurisich to try and make sense of the decision. Theme music 'Devotion' by Silverlining. Purchase here . Follow me on Instagram @drinksadventures_au and @byjamesatkinson . Sign up free of charge for my newsletter here . More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 <a href="https
S10 E15 · Mon, September 06, 2021
Mezcal brand Quiquiriqui's unusual origin story
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Mezcal featured in Season 9 of the podcast when we met Grant Collins , who had recently opened the mezcal-focused bar and restaurant Cartel in Sydney. One of the mezcals I tasted with Grant during that interview was Quiquiriqi. And the more I read about Quiquiriqui, the more I thought it would be a grand idea to invite its London-based founder, Melanie Symonds, onto the show. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 With no background whatsoever in drinks or hospitality, Melanie's path to being a mezcal brand owner was unconventional, to say the least. She fell in love with the spirit on visiting Mexico in 2011 and returned to London with the pretty half-baked plan – I don’t think Melanie would mind me saying that – of opening a mezcal bar underneath a kebab shop in East London. Soon after came the Quiquiriqui Mezcal brand, which Melanie makes in direct partnership with families who have been producing mezcal traditionally in their communities for generations. But I’ll leave it to Melanie to tell you in her own words how Quiquiriqui came to be. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cockt
Bonus · Fri, September 03, 2021
Agave spirits Australian-style, Whisky stocks building at Mighty Craft, James Squire Zero & more
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. • Agave spirits potential huge in Australia, says ASX-listed Top Shelf;• Mighty Craft invests heavily in whisky; and• James Squire puts a new spin on zero alcohol beer. Theme music 'Devotion' by Silverlining. Purchase here . Follow Drinks Adventures at @drinksadventures_au and James Atkinson at @byjamesatkinson on Instagram. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, cognac, bourbon, rum, vodka, vineyard, mixology, bars, pubs, restaurants
S10 E13 · Tue, August 31, 2021
Charles Maclean MBE on whisky 'flippers', Port Ellen rebirth, blends, Tasmanian whisky & more
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. In more than 40 years of writing about whisky, Charles Maclean has achieved global recognition and no shortage of accolades for his work. He’s a Master of the Quaich – the highest honour in the Scotch whisky industry – and a member of the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame. In fact, he was also its founding editor. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Charles has written 18 books and counting on whisky. His magnum opus, Malt Whisky, was first published in 1997. It’s been translated into nine languages and was the recipient of a prestigious Glenfiddich award, and his 2003 book Scotch Whisky: A Liquid History won the James Beard Award for ‘Best Wine and Spirits Book.’ And in June 2021 his services to Scotch whisky were further recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Charles was appointed as an MBE – a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. So, stay with me this episode as Charles and I discuss some of his career highlights, his love/hate relationship with writing, and what it’s like to taste ultra-aged whiskies retailing at more than $100,000 a bottle. He shares his insights on the age-old debate of blends vs single malts, the resurrection of the legendary Brora and Port Ellen Scotch whisky distilleries, and his opinion on Tasmanian whisky, after visiting in 2019. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee wi
Bonus · Thu, August 26, 2021
Brewing giants get lager challenger, Seppelt Wines' 170th, Nusa Cana Rum & Moo Brew's Sydney venue
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. - Brewer Stone & Wood enters the burgeoning contemporary beer space;- Victorian wine pioneer Seppelt celebrates its 170th anniversary;- Nusa Cana Rum launches a Batavia Arrack; and- Ambitious craft beer venue Urban House of Brews on track for 2022 launch in Sydney. Theme music 'Devotion' by Silverlining. Purchase here . Follow Drinks Adventures at @drinksadventures_au and James Atkinson at @byjamesatkinson on Instagram. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, cognac, bourbon, rum, vodka, vineyard, mixology, bars, pubs, restaurants
S10 E11 · Mon, August 23, 2021
Gin distillers should make their own base spirit: Simon Brooke-Taylor
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Gin distiller Simon Brooke-Taylor (and yes, he is related to the late Tim Brooke-Taylor from 'The Goodies') founded Hurdle Creek Still in Milawa, North East Victoria, with his partner Wendy Williams in 2014. Hurdle Creek produces gin, genever, liqueurs and aperitifs that champion locally sourced ingredients. And it’s one of a handful of Australian distilleries that produces its own base spirit from scratch, in this case using locally sourced grain. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Coming from a brewing background, Simon considers base spirit somewhat similarly to role malt plays in beer. In contrast to some of the distillers we’ve heard from previously on this podcast who say they need a completely neutral base spirit to show off the botanicals in their gin, Simon likes having a base with character that adds layers and texture to the flavour of his gin. He wants to educate drinkers that there is much more to gin than just the dry styles that currently dominate the market. First up though, Simon recounts his path from studying biochemistry and toxicology at university to becoming a master brewer, and the evolution of his distilling hobby into a professional career. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cock
Bonus · Thu, August 19, 2021
Winemaker Treasury Wine reports strong results, Craft brewer Mountain Culture's Untappd beer coup, Four Pillars Gin x Yarra Yering Wines and more
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Winemaker Treasury Wine reports strong results; Craft brewer Mountain Culture's beer named among world’s best; Four Pillars Gin launches a single vineyard Bloody Shiraz in collaboration with neighbours Yarra Yering; and Morris Whisky’s John Casella reveals a premium brandy is on the cards. Theme music 'Devotion' by Silverlining. Available to purchase here . Follow Drinks Adventures at @drinksadventures_au and James Atkinson at @byjamesatkinson on Instagram. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, cognac, bourbon, rum, vodka, vineyard, mixology, bars, pubs, restaurants
S10 E9 · Mon, August 16, 2021
Craft beer trailblazer Moo Brew reshapes its approach
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Founded in 2005 by David Walsh, the rather infamous owner of Tasmania’s Mona Museum, Moo Brew is a highly respected brewery that has been somewhat uncompromising in its approach. From the outset, David insisted on packaging the Moo Brew beers in rather ornate, expensive bottles. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Its early marketing declared the beers were, ‘not suitable for bogans’. (Otherwise known as rednecks or chavs for our international listeners). And the company maintained an allegiance to classic beer styles that were otherwise out of fashion in Australia, generally speaking. So I’ve watched with interest in recent years as different kind of Moo Brew has emerged. Packaging its beers in cans. Releasing an IPA. Creating a new label, Brew By Moo Brew, focused on unfussy, easy drinking beers that seemed to appeal to all beer drinkers. Even bogans. Lauren Sheppard joined Moo Brew as general manager in July 2020, prior to which she worked for the Domaine A and Moorilla Estate wine brands that are also part of the Mona family. I asked Lauren whether it was a difficult decision to move from wine into beer. And what was the remit she was given when she was offered the role at Moo Brew. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5
S10 E8 · Thu, August 12, 2021
Wine exports post-China; Japan wine market insights; New craft spirits wholesaler; & Brick Lane Brewing's Trilogy of Fear
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Wine Australia is now focusing its efforts on other emerging markets in Asia, where Australian wine has a small share of the total wine market. That's according to general manager of marketing, Stuart Barclay, who addressed last week's Wine Export Diversification Webinar . In other news: · Australian winemakers confronting challenges in Japan· Australian craft spirits distributor Nip of Courage launches new wholesale and retail offerings; and· Melbourne’s Brick Lane Brewing creates amburana-aged beer Follow @drinksadventures_au and @byjamesatkinson on Instagram. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, cognac, bourbon, rum, vodka, vineyard, mixology, bars, pubs, restaurants
S10 E5 · Mon, August 09, 2021
Whisky at scale: Morris Whisky shakes up Australian single malt
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Whisky in Australia is highly fragmented, characterised by many small craft distilleries. Launched in 2021, Morris Whisky is one of few distilleries operating at a decent scale. When winemaker John Casella acquired Morris of Rutherglen in 2016, his sole aim was to save an Australian icon from liquidation. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 But then he saw the original hybrid copper still and the many barrels maturing Morris’s renowned fortified wines and saw an opportunity to make a uniquely Australian single malt whisky. Casella Family Brands set up a dedicated company, Copper and Grain Distilling, and lured Scotch whisky experts John McDougall and Dr. Jim Swan, to advise the business. Darren Peck, formerly of Diageo, was appointed head distiller. From the start, John was determined to compete with foreign imports, by creating the best possible whisky at an accessible price tag. In June 2021, Copper and Grain released two debut whiskies under the Morris label that have been extremely well-received, being awarded gold medals pre-release at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. You’ll hear two interviews within in this episode. The first is with John Casella and Michael Sergeant, who is head of strategy and innovation at Copper & Grain. I spoke separately to head distiller Darren Peck. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5
Bonus · Thu, August 05, 2021
Wine's diversity problem, Tasmania whisky innovation, Good Drinks ASX results; Bentspoke brewing sour beer; and Japanese sake update
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Wine, beer, whisky and sake news from Drinks Adventures: Wine's diversity problem, Tasmania whisky innovation, Craft brewer Good Drinks' ASX results New Bentspoke Brewing label; and Japanese sake update. Theme music 'Devotion' by Silverlining. Purchase here . Follow Drinks Adventures at @drinksadventures_au and James Atkinson at @byjamesatkinson on Instagram. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8
S10 E3 · Mon, August 02, 2021
Sommelier insights: Wine and sake with Tokyo-based Wayne Shennen
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Sommelier Wayne Shennen is a Certified Sommelier and the first New Zealander to achieve certification as an Advanced Sake Professional. Wayne has worked in hospitality in Australia and New Zealand since 2002. And in 2019, Wayne and his Japanese wife, Makie, relocated to Japan to open a sake and wine bar, Rangitoto Tokyo. The venture seemed well timed to capitalise on the Rugby World Cup and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, but Wayne and Makie could never have predicted that ‘other’ global event. Wayne is also the author of the e-book, Demystifying Sake , which you can find on Amazon, and he has worked in sake breweries in Ishikawa, Saga, and Gifu prefectures. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 On a mission to get more New Zealand and Australian wines into the hands of Japanese wine buffs, Wayne is also passionate about raising sake’s undervalued reputation as the stuff of dodgy Hollywood binges (Tom Cruise has a lot to answer for). I asked him how Japanese sake piqued his interest such that he came to devote his career to the beverage. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5
S10 E2 · Thu, July 29, 2021
Winemaker Samantha Connew of Stargazer Wines, Tasmania
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Winemaker Samantha Connew launched her own label Stargazer Wines in 2013 by purchasing a parcel of grapes on her credit card. The bootstrapped operation has since grown into one of Tasmania’s most exciting boutique wineries. In 2016, Sam purchased a small riesling and pinot noir vineyard in the Coal River Valley that she has supplemented by planting new clones of pinot noir and chardonnay, along with some more Riesling, and gamay soon to come. In this episode of Drinks Adventures, Sam shares her somewhat unusual path into winemaking that began with a student job in a Christchurch wine bar. You may also like: Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Seizing an opportunity to work her first vintage in Oregon, USA, Sam was hooked immediately. Her wine career since has included additional overseas vintages in Italy and Spain, and back in Australia, lengthy stints in McLaren Vale and the Hunter Valley. A highly respected wine judge who has been a panel chair at many regional and capital city wine shows, Sam was appointed Chair of Judges at the Sydney Royal Wine Show in 2014. She was the first female and the youngest judge to achieve that position, but it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. In fact, Sam says her decision to launch Stargazer was due in part to the blatant sexism she’s dealt with throughout her career. First up though, Sam recounts how she transitioned from law student to winemaker.
S10 E1 · Wed, July 21, 2021
Wine obsession in the NBA, with ESPN's Baxter Holmes
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Wine appreciation has taken hold in the NBA. Basketball writer Baxter Holmes joins us this episode to discuss this surprising trend. Sportswriters don’t generally win a James Beard culinary award. It’s like Lionel Messi winning an Oscar. But that’s exactly what Baxter Holmes has done. In fact, he’s the only sportswriter, thus far, to have achieved this singular honour, for his article about the humble peanut butter & jelly sandwich and its unlikely rise to pre-match secret weapon for the NBA. You may also like: Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Baxter is the senior national NBA writer for ESPN, focusing on features, projects and anything else of interest in the world of basketball. Recently, he has found himself becoming increasingly fascinated with what the players do away from the court. In the process, he unearthed a fantastic story about the NBA’s growing obsession with wine. Players, it seems, have moved beyond the usual trappings of wealth – houses, cars, bling etcetera – and are instead turning their attention (and sizeable incomes) to a more unusual pursuit. Wine. Surprisingly, this is not merely a story of bragging rights over who can buy the most expensive bottle. These NBA stars, including LeBron James, have developed a genuine interest in wine. They want to know about it intimately, develop their palates and be able to speak knowledgeably about wine. Some have even taken a giant leap and purchased their own vineyards. So, stay with me on Drinks Adventures as Baxter reveals how he embarked on his investigation into the NBA’s burgeoning wine obsession.
Bonus · Wed, June 09, 2021
Cider's pagan rituals return to Tasmania
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Back in Season One of this podcast I took you to Tasmania for the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival, an event quite like anything else I’ve ever attended. Organiser Willie Smith’s Cider recently announced the festival is returning on July 16 & 17, 2021. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 I figured this would be a great opportunity to re-introduce the documentary we produced on the festival back in 2018 as we have a lot of new listeners who may not have taken the time to go back and listen to every episode from the very beginning. First up though, we meet Willie Smith’s general manager Tim Hodgkinson, who is in the middle of planning the 2021 edition of this exciting event. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8
S9 E11 · Thu, June 03, 2021
Craft beer, wine, seltzer & spirits with Hop Nation Brewing's Sam Hambour
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Craft beer company Hop Nation Brewing was founded in Footscray, Melbourne in 2014 by winemaking friends Sam Hambour and Duncan Gibson. While the brewery started out making hoppy beers, Sam and Duncan have continued to expand into new and intriguing territories. They have a side label for sour beers, Site Fermentation Project; and they’ve returned to winemaking with an affiliated brand, Site Wine. Hop Nation is also one of many craft breweries to have diversified into alcoholic seltzer, with the creation of another new brand, Ray, in 2020. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 While in Melbourne for Good Beer Week a few weeks ago I dropped by Hop Nation’s original site in Footscray for a long overdue interview with Sam. Our catch-up turned out to be well-timed, as Hop Nation dominated proceedings at the Australian International Beer Awards the following night. The company picked up a remarkable four trophies including one of the major awards, Champion Medium Australian Brewery, and Best Pilsner for Rattenhund, which you’ll hear me discuss with Sam in this interview. These achievements follow Hop Nation’s recent expansion into a new production brewery in Mornington, which has enabled the company to fine tune its beers. So there was plenty to talk about with Sam, and that’s without even mentioning the 2021 release of The Kalash, their bourbon barrel aged imperial stout that drops on June 3, around the time this episode goes to air. Same as in 2020, there’s a second version of The Kalash coming out this year, which you heard foreshadowed by David Baker of Victoria’s Bakery Hill Distillery, back in Season Three of this podcast. And perhaps you can expect even more barrel-aged beers from Hop Nation, which Sam reveals will soon begin distilling whisky, gin and brandy as the latest additions to its impressive beverage portfolio. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 <a href="https://drinksadventures.com
S9 E10 · Wed, May 26, 2021
Mezcal primer and pandemic recovery with bar veteran Grant Collins
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Grant Collins is an award-winning mixologist who has collaborated and consulted with leading bars and hotels across the world. Since 2017 he’s been working with the Kensington Street hospitality precinct in Chippendale, Sydney, where he founded Gin Lane, Blossom Bar and in 2021, a third venue, Cartel. Cartel is a modern Aztec & Latin restaurant with a drinks offering that is heavily focused on agave spirits. You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 You’ve heard a bit about tequila previously on this podcast with none other than Julio Bermejo, the man who invented the Tommy’s Margarita cocktail, back in Season 4. This time, Grant shares with you his recent experience introducing Cartel’s patrons to mezcal, a lesser known relative of tequila. Grant introduced me to some pretty delicious and interesting mezcals during our chat, which I've listed here for interested parties: Quiquriqui Artisenal Quiquriqui Pechuga El Jorigio Tobala El Jorigio Aroquena This interview was originally scheduled for March 2020. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you how that panned out. So when we finally caught up over a year later, I asked Grant first up how he’s been coping in recent times, running a hospitality business during a global pandemic. More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5
S9 E9 · Thu, May 20, 2021
Wine icon Henschke Wines with viticulturist Prue Henschke
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Australian wine has few companies as revered as Henschke Wines, best known for single vineyard shiraz wines Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone. Henschke produces these iconic red wines from some of the world's oldest vines at its estate in Eden Valley, South Australia. We're joined this episode by viticulturist Prue Henschke, who has worked with her husband Stephen in the family wine business since 1980. You may also like: Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 The occasion is the recent launch of the 2016 Henschke single vineyard shirazes, an appropriate juncture to discuss the evolution of these wines under Prue and Stephen's stewardship. Most Australian wine drinkers are likely familiar with the style of Barossa Valley shiraz, but I think Eden Valley is possibly less well understood. I started the episode by asking Prue about the fundamental differences between the wines from these two neighbouring regions.
S9 E8 · Wed, May 12, 2021
Daniel Motlop: AFL star turns craft spirits entrepreneur
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Daniel Motlop played a total of 130 senior AFL games for the North Melbourne and Port Adelaide football clubs. A three-time Indigenous All-Star, Daniel is a proud Larrakia man. The Larrakia people are the traditional owners of the Darwin region in Australia's Northern Territory. And since finishing playing footy, Daniel has embarked on a new career as an indigenous food and beverage entrepreneur. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures You may have heard previously on this podcast how Daniel – through his food business Something Wild – created his first spirit, Green Ant Gin, in partnership with Adelaide Hills Distillery's Sacha La Forgia. Green Ant Gin has been hugely successful. And in April 2020, the ASX-listed company now known as Mighty Craft purchased a controlling interest in the brand to work with Daniel in accelerating its growth. They've recently announced that Green Ant Gin is just the first in a range of products they'll be releasing under a new banner, Seven Seasons Spirits. I caught up with Daniel to find out some more about the origins of Something Wild, and his exciting plans to take Seven Seasons Spirits to the world. And I took the opportunity to ask his opinion on some of the ethical considerations involved with using native ingredients in drinks, as many Australian producers rush to embrace these incredibly unique flavours.
Bonus · Thu, May 06, 2021
Cocktail festival champions pandemic recovery for bars
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Cocktail festival Australian Cocktail Month was founded by influential industry figure Penny Sippe. The event runs from May 1-31 in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide with the objective of supporting the cocktail and broader hospitality industry. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures Drinkers can unlock unique bar experiences, escape the day to day and enjoy delicious cocktails with the Australian Cocktail Month ticket. The $20 ticket, which is available online HERE , allows guests access to a special menu of cocktails created exclusively for the month. The menu will be available at participating venues, with cocktails priced at $14, and non-alcoholic options at $10.
S9 E5 · Thu, May 06, 2021
Distillery founder and former fashion CEO, Julie Otter
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Sydney distillery Otter Craft Distilling was founded by Julie Otter and her brother Eduard in 2019. While Eduard has extensive drinks industry experience, Julie's background is as an executive in the fashion and beauty sectors. Most recently, she was CEO of Australian fashion label Sass & Bide, and she's done stints at MAC Cosmetics, Jeanswest and sleepwear brand Peter Alexander. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures There's a lot of 'lifers' in the drinks industry – people who get into it early on in their careers and never leave. As such I always find it interesting to speak with people with different career backgrounds who bring a new perspective on things, which is exactly what we get from Julie in this episode. I started by asking Julie how she came to the decision to leave a successful career and take the plunge into launching a start-up in the distilling industry.
Bonus · Tue, May 04, 2021
Wolf Blass Wines: Evolution of an Australian icon
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Wolf Blass is undoubtedly one of Australia's most iconic and acclaimed wine brands. The company conceived by German immigrant Wolfgang Blass in 1966 has received more than 10,000 medals and trophies globally for its wines. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures We're joined this episode by chief winemaker Chris Hatcher, who has been with Wolf Blass since 1987 and has played an integral role in the continued evolution of its wines. This is a special episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast, produced with the support of Wolf Blass. The occasion is the launch of the 2021 Wolf Blass Luxury Collection comprising five reds and one white, showcasing South Australia's premier wine regions: Grey Label Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2019 – RRP $45 Grey Label McLaren Vale Shiraz 2019 – RRP $45 Grey Label Langhorne Creek Cabernet Shiraz 2019 – RRP $45 Black Label Barossa, Langhorne Creek, McLaren Vale Cabernet Shiraz 2018 – RRP $130 Platinum Label Medlands Vineyard, Barossa Valley Shiraz 2018 – RRP $200 Platinum Label Medlands Vineyard, Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 – RRP $200 The wines are available now, direct from wolfblass.com . I started this interview by asking Chris how these new release wines would compare stylistically to those Wolf Blass was making when Chris joined the business 34 years ago.
S9 E3 · Wed, April 28, 2021
Craft beer pioneer and winemaker Phil Sexton
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Craft beer pioneer and winemaker Phil Sexton is a legendary figure in the Australian drinks industry. He founded Matilda Bay Brewing Company, Australia's first craft brewery, in 1983. After Foster's acquired Matilda Bay, Phil went on to co-found arguably the country's most influential craft brewery, Little Creatures. He established Margaret River wine company Devil's Lair in 1981, and in 1997 came his foray into cooler climate wines in the Yarra Valley, where he created the Innocent Bystander and Giant Steps wine brands. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures Phil has had a very eventful 18 months. In October 2019 he shocked the brewing world when he announced he would relaunch craft beer company Matilda Bay Brewing from his base in Healesville, partnering with the brand's current owner, Carlton & United Breweries. And in August 2019, he announced the sale of Giant Steps to US company Jackson Family Wines. The deal follows his successful exits from Devil's Lair, sold to Southcorp – now known as Treasury Wine Estates – in 1996; Little Creatures, which floated on the stock exchange in 2005 before being wholly acquired by Lion; and Innocent Bystander, which he sold to Brown Brothers in 2016. In a long overdue interview on the Drinks Adventures podcast, Phil updates us on the goings on at the reborn Matilda Bay, as well as Giant Steps, post the sale. We touch on some of the earlier chapters in his career and get his thoughts on recent industry developments such as the sale of fellow Yarra winery Oakridge to Woolworths subsidiary Endeavour Group, plus the demise of his former employer in the US, the pioneering Portland brewery Bridgeport. And the conversation goes down a few other rabbit holes that I hope you enjoy exploring as much as I did. There's a few earlier episodes of Drinks Adventures that I recommend you listen to after today's episode, if you haven't already. In Season 1, we met Janice McDonald, who worked alongside Phil at Matilda Bay, Devil's Lair and Little Creatures, so that's essential listening for another perspective on those early years. And in Season 2, our documentary on Stone & Wood Brewing Company, whose co-founders Brad Rogers, Jamie Cook and Ross Jurisich were previously involved with Matilda Bay. First off in today's episode, I asked Phil how he came to the decision to sell Giant Steps, a company revered for its single vineyard expressions of pinot noir and chardonnay.
S9 E2 · Fri, April 23, 2021
Gin distilled by an Australian in Cognac?
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Gin distiller Audemus Spirits was founded by Australian Miko Abouaf in 2013. Despite its location in Cognac, France, Audemus has made its name on other spirits. These incude its flagship Pink Pepper Gin, plus liqueurs, bitters and offbeat experiments like Umami Spirit, created from ingredients including Italian capers and parmesan cheese. Audemus's creativity and distilling prowess was recognised in 2020 at the Icons of Gin Awards, when it was named Craft Producer of the Year. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures Full disclosure, it was Andrew Burge from our partner The Gin Society who suggested that Miko his business partner Ian Spink would be great talent for the podcast. Andrew sold me pretty quickly on this interview as I was pretty intrigued by the Audemus story. I wanted to ask Miko how it was that an Australian could find himself distilling gin in Cognac.
S9 E1 · Wed, April 14, 2021
Whisky brand Boutique-y Whisky's groundbreaking Australia Series
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Whisky brand That Boutique-y Whisky Company bottles single malts, blends, grain whiskies, bourbons and more from right across the globe. Each whisky release is distinctively packaged with eye-catching illustrations that are inspired in some way by the story behind the liquid. In this opening episode of Season Nine of the Drinks Adventures podcast, we introduce you to Boutique-y Head of Whisky Sam Simmons and global brand ambassador Dave Worthington. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures The occasion? Well, their first ever Australia Series is launching globally on April 23, 2021. It features eight whiskies sourced from across the country, starting with Victorian distillery Starward, the champion of red wine cask maturation. Also featured is fellow Drinks Adventures alumni Bakery Hill; Killara and Belgrove in Tasmania, Black Gate and Riverbourne in NSW and Tin Shed and Fleurieu in South Australia. You can find everything else you need to know about the whiskies on the Drinks Adventures website, drinksadventures.com.au , and I'll link directly to the article in the show notes. This interview is the second half of a podcast exchange with Dave and Sam. I chatted with them a few weeks ago on their show, Uncorked Whisky Sessions , which you should definitely check out and subscribe to.
S8 E12 · Thu, March 25, 2021
Distillery for Sydney CBD? Meet Hickson House Distilling
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Distillery Hickson House is scheduled to open to the public before 2021 is out. Normally on this podcast, you're hearing from companies that have already been in operation for at least a few years or possibly much longer. In this case I'm making an exception to speak with the founders of a business that is still in planning. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures Hickson House Distilling is scheduled to open to the public in June 2021, and it's a significant project on a number of levels. It's a full-scale production distillery located in the historic Rocks precinct in the centre of Sydney. And then there's the profiles of its founders. Drinks industry veterans Mikey Enright and Julian Train are the team behind some Sydney's best small bars. They have The Barber Shop – renowned for its selection of more than 700 gins – and The Duke of Clarence, their incredibly authentic homage to an English pub. So it's safe to assume that the hospitality side of the project will be second to none. Mikey and Julian are joined on this project by distiller Tim Stones, most recently of Manly Spirits in Sydney. Tim learnt his craft alongside master distiller Desmond Payne at Beefeater Gin in London, who we met in season two of this podcast. Hickson House will be producing gins, aperitifs, whiskies and specialist spirits. But as you'll hear in this episode, some of the other details are still under wraps. I did what I could to get as much info as possible for you. Now, as there are more voices in this episode than we're accustomed to, it probably helps to tell you that Julian is the one with the Australian accent. But it's Mikey you'll hear from first up, giving you the background on how the project was first conceived.
S8 E11 · Wed, March 17, 2021
From Michigan to Marrickville: The Grifter head brewer Karli Small
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Formerly of Bell's Brewing in Michigan, USA, and West End Brewery in Adelaide, Karli Small has a background in sensory science. Karli began her brewing career as a lab technician at West End. She held a series of brewing roles there before relocating to the US to join Bell's, the company behind Two Hearted IPA, which was voted the best beer in America four years running. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures Finishing as brewing manager at Bell's in September 2019, Karli returned to Australia and ultimately took a job in Sydney as head brewer & production manager at one of my locals, The Grifter Brewing Company. I started by asking Karli how it was that she found her way from Michigan to Marrickville.
S8 E10 · Tue, March 09, 2021
Wine, beer and cat pee: Harold McGee on 'smell echoes'
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. People often scoff at wine being described as having notes of blackberry and sandalwood, or beers that smell of citrus and fresh herbs. But there is actually science underpinning some of these associations. Harold McGee is a world renowned expert on the chemistry of food and drink. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures His latest book, Nose Dive , is a field guide to the entire world of smell. It doesn't matter how weird or offensive a smell is. If you can name it, Harold's smelt it. And he explains the science behind every imaginable smell in this accessible and entertaining guide. Harold joins us for this must-listen interview on the Drinks Adventures podcast.
S8 E9 · Wed, March 03, 2021
Cognac enthusiast Holly Klintworth of Bass & Flinders Distillery
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Cognac enthusiast Holly Klintworth is head distiller at Bass and Flinders Distillery on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula. The business was founded by Holly's father Wayne Klintworth in 2009 with a desire to make high quality gins, brandies, and liqueurs. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures It's brandy that you'll be hearing the most about in this episode, as Holly tells us why her family chose a path that is currently less travelled in Australian distilling. Brandy has an incredibly rich history in Australia but it has a little bit of an image problem, which funnily enough, is fairly similar to what gin was confronting little more than a decade ago. In this episode, Holly will tell you about her passion for brandy and why you should be including it as part of your spirits repertoire. We also discuss her gins distilled from a wine base, including the Heartbreak Pinot Noir Gin. But first, Holly will tell you a little bit more about her background and how she came to succeed her father Wayne in the family business.
S8 E8 · Thu, February 25, 2021
Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Coffee cocktails are on the rise thanks to Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, now ranged by many of the world’s best bars, restaurants and retailers. Parent company Mr Black Spirits was founded by distiller Philip Moore and coffee lover Tom Baker in 2013. The duo had the mission of taking Australian coffee culture into the night with a high quality coffee liqueur. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures Mr Black is the highest selling Australian spirit in the USA, and in 2021 was ranked as the #4 top trending liqueur in the world by Drinks International magazine. The company has a brilliant story and some exciting developments on the horizon that co-founder Tom Baker will share with you in this exciting episode.
Bonus · Tue, February 23, 2021
Gin distillery Four Pillars breaks ground on $6 million expansion
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Gin distillery Four Pillars is based in Victoria's Yarra Valley wine region. It finally broke ground on the $6 million redevelopment of its Healesville distillery and cellar door in early February 2021. You might remember that Cameron Mackenzie of Four Pillars Gin foreshadowed this major project back in Season Three . You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures If you haven't heard that episode yet I really encourage you to go back and listen to Cam tell the back story of Four Pillars Gin – it's definitely one of the best interviews we've brought you so far on the show. Now, Cam returns to discuss the redevelopment in this bonus episode of the podcast.
Bonus · Mon, February 22, 2021
Listener survey and prize draw
You could win a Gin Society membership worth $570 if you take a moment to complete the Drinks Adventures Listener Survey. It doesn't matter who you are – whether you're just a lover of beer or wine or spirits, or whether you actually work in the drinks industry – we really want your input in this survey. Those of you who who help us out by doing it will go into the draw to win some awesome prizes: a major prize of a 12-month Gin Society membership valued at $570 and one of three current Gin Society members boxes valued at $95. And of course, a reminder that as a Drinks Adventures listener, you are already entitled to a discount on your first purchase from The Gin Society – details are on our website . We also have a special prize from our major partner Bintani , which you should know by now is Australia's leading supplier of ingredients to the brewing and distilling industry. Brewers and distillers who take the time to complete the survey will go into the draw to receive a $200 voucher from Bintani that you can spend on whatever you like; malt, yeast, hops and many other wonderful ingredients. If you're already on our mailing list you will have received the survey, so this is a reminder to please take a moment to complete it, which will take no longer than five minutes. If you're not yet on the mailing list, sign up now by clicking subscribe and you'll receive the survey in the next weekly newsletter. You'll then be among the first people to take the survey and enter the competition, which I must stress is open to Australian residents only who are aged 18 and over.
S8 E5 · Wed, February 17, 2021
Maynard James Keenan, winemaker and musician
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer frontman Maynard James Keenan joins us to discuss the winemaking career he's had in parallel over the last 17 years. Maynard founded Arizona, USA wine company Caduceus Cellars and its affiliated label Merkin Vineyards in 2004. We spoke a little while ago now – on the eve of Joe Biden's inauguration as President. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures It's a wide-ranging interview in which Maynard shares with you some of the winemaking projects currently exciting him at Caduceus, as well as his recent forays into making mead and cider. He gives you an overview of wine in Arizona, where the industry is still in its infancy but showing a lot of potential with its expressions of Mediterranean grape varieties. Maynard reveals how he cut his teeth on Australian wine and became a huge fan of Penfolds, which you previously heard featured on this show back in Season One . We talk about the untimely passing last year of Maynard's close friend, the hugely respected Adelaide Hills winemaker, Taras Ochota, who Maynard cites as his biggest influence in recent years. And, if you stick around to the end, Maynard updates you on Puscifer and how he's has been coping during these strange times of the COVID-19 pandemic. All tracks used in this episode are from the brilliant new Puscifer album, Existential Reckoning, released in October 2020. Thanks to Maynard for giving us the nod to use them in this episode. Oh, and beware, there is a language warning on some of these tunes.
S8 E4 · Wed, February 10, 2021
Gin Queen reveals the hottest Australian gins
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Gin lover Caroline Childerley launched The Gin Queen in December 2013 to share her enthusiasm for gin and the people who make it. The website has since expanded to include cocktail recipes, interviews with distillers and distillery guides. It is now Australia's most influential website dedicated to all things gin. And last year, Caroline's efforts were recognised at the Icons of Gin Awards in London, where she was named communicator of the year. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures In this episode, Caroline shares with you her insights on the evolution of gin in Australia, and her Top Ten Australian gins of 2020. But first, you'll hear how Caroline turned her passion for gin into a career.
S8 E3 · Thu, February 04, 2021
Pilsner: How the Beer of Kings Changed the World
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. American beer writer Tom Acitelli is with us this episode to tell you all about his latest book. It's called Pilsner: How the Beer of Kings Changed the World and it's a character-driven narrative that shows how this one beer style influenced everything from modern-day advertising and marketing to the craft beer movement of recent decades. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures The book shatters myths about the birth of pilsner, demonstrating that it's largely a German invention rather than a Czech one. Pilsner is something of a prequel to Tom's brilliant history of the American craft beer movement, The Audacity of Hops. So I took the opportunity to ask Tom about the current outlook for this industry sector in America, where conditions have gotten very difficult for the more than 8000 craft breweries that were operational when the pandemic hit in 2020.
Bonus · Wed, February 03, 2021
How Orlando Wines revolutionised Australian table wine
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Orlando Wines returned in October 2020 with icons such as Steingarten Riesling, Jacaranda Ridge Cabernet and Lawson’s Shiraz joined by some new wines that are fresh and on-trend, such as a Barossa Grenache and some contemporary-style chardonnays. Orlando chief winemaker Ben Thoman is with you on the Drinks Adventures podcast to tell you everything you need to know about the iconic brand's return. Founded by the Gramp family in 1847, Orlando was considered one of Australia's top producers of quality wine, winning more than 1000 awards and accolades since records began in the 1980s. In this special episode, Ben Thoman tells you all about the exciting new Orlando wines, which excel across the board in showcasing some of South Australia's leading wine regions. You'll also also hear some brilliant archive audio we managed to access that helps tell the story of Orlando; including excerpts from an interview with the late Colin Gramp, a hugely important figure in the Australian wine industry who passed away last year. I hope you enjoy this episode that we've been able to produce with the support of Orlando Wines. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures
S8 E1 · Thu, January 28, 2021
McLaren Vale Distillery's Jock Harvey on new beginnings
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Following a controversial ownership change , McLaren Vale Distillery launched its debut single malt whiskies in late 2020. Jock Harvey of McLaren Vale winery Chalk Hill last year revealed he had taken full control of the distillery he co-founded in 2014 with John Rochfort. The split followed John's departure to set up another brand – Rochfort Distillery – which has since entered liquidation and become the subject of a legal dispute. You can read all about that on the website too. Jock is with us in this episode to tell you everything you need to know about the McLaren Vale whiskies, which will largely be matured in locally sourced red wine and fortified wine casks.
S7 E10 · Thu, December 10, 2020
Ricky Ponting and Ben Riggs of Ponting Wines
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Cricket legend Ricky Ponting's new wine venture was understandably met with some scepticism when it was first announced. I'll admit that my initial reaction was, 'not another celebrity wine brand'. But I subsequently learnt that there was much more to Ponting Wines than one of those, shall we say cynical agreements where a famous person licenses their name and image in exchange for royalties on the resulting sales. On his retirement from test cricket in 2012, Ricky was gifted 41 bottles of Penfolds Grange by Cricket Australia – one for every test century he scored in his remarkable career. This certainly helped crystallise an interest in wine that Ricky and his wife Rhianna have since continued to explore in his retirement. Ricky and Rhianna are partners in Ponting Wines and they see it as a long-term venture that they can maybe one day pass on to their children. And they are working on this project with a very reputable winemaker. Ben Riggs has been in the winemaking game both in Australia and internationally for more than 35 years, initially at renowned McLaren Vale winery Wirra Wirra. And then later at his own company, Mr Riggs Wine Co., which he founded in 2001. Ben and the Pontings are working on the project with drinks industry veteran David Krenich, who spent 17 years in commercial and marketing roles at Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy.
S7 E9 · Wed, December 02, 2020
Wine in China, with podcaster Emilie Steckenborn
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Wine expert Emilie Steckenborn founded the Bottled In China Podcast in 2016, to share the stories and adventures of passionate individuals in the Asian food and beverage scene. Emilie has lived in Shanghai, China for more than nine years. She previously worked at Summergate Fine Wines & Spirits, the Chinese importer founded by Ian Ford, with whom we discussed the China drinks industry more broadly in Season Five of the Drinks Adventures Podcast. Emilie oversees wine programs for top-tier businesses in Asia, including serving as the wine consultant for China Eastern Airlines. And she's also very knowledgeable about Chinese wine and the culture of wine appreciation in China. Emilie joins us to share this knowledge, and also tell us a bit more about Bottled In China. The show is already on my regular rotation, and in fact I'll be making an appearance in the coming weeks, so be sure to tune in and subscribe to Bottled In China, wherever you listen to podcasts. First up in this episode, I asked Emilie how she found her way from Canada to work in the wine industry in China.
S7 E8 · Wed, November 25, 2020
Veteran beer and cricket writer, Peter Lalor
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Peter Lalor is chief cricket writer and beer editor at The Australian newspaper and has been a reporter for over 30 years. In recent weeks, The Australian published Peter's Top 20 Beers for 2020. It's the 17th consecutive year that he's had this honour, so I invited him onto the Drinks Adventures podcast for a chat about this impressive knock, and some of the beers that made this year's list. I couldn't talk to Peter with mentioning the somewhat unusual item on his CV: Purchaser of the most expensive beer in history. And we also touch on his podcasting debut as co-host of the Cricket, Et Cetera program with fellow cricket scribe, Gideon Haigh, and get his thoughts on Australia's upcoming test series against India. Subscribers to The Australian can access Peter's list by clicking here .
S7 E7 · Wed, November 18, 2020
The rebirth of Young Henrys gin, with head distiller Carla Daunton
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Best known for craft beers including Newtowner Australian Pale Ale, Young Henrys has been operating a distillery in parallel since 2015. However, likely because of the scale of Young Henrys brewing operation, its flagship Noble Cut Gin has flown somewhat under the radar. The company hopes that will change with an improved recipe for Noble Cut that was awarded a Gold Medal at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition earlier this year. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures Also in 2020, Young Henrys launched the second iteration of its Barrel-Aged Gin along with another expression that looks set to become a permanent fixture in the range, Newtown Strength Gin. The company's new head distiller is Carla Daunton, who started at Young Henrys after previously learning distillation in her previous role at an ethanol facility. First up, you'll hear from Carla how she found her way into brewing and then distilling at Young Henrys.
Bonus · Mon, November 16, 2020
NSW wine appreciation, with chief judge Dave Brookes
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. The NSW Wine Awards were created in 1996 to build awareness about the quality of the state's wines. Dave Brookes has been chief judge for the last four years and he joins us in this episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures A highly accomplished wine writer and wine judge, Dave was Dux of the Len Evans Tutorial in 2011 and has judged at more than 70 shows globally. The 2020 edition of New South Wales Wine Awards took place in recent weeks and it was Dave's final year at the helm. As such, it's an appropriate juncture to meet Dave and find out what he reckons are some the most exciting wines coming out of NSW today, and other interesting trends and developments in NSW wine. Home to Australia’s oldest continuously operating wine region – the famous Hunter Valley – and exciting new cool climate regions such as Orange, the Southern Highlands and Tumbarumba, NSW produces a hugely diverse array of different wine styles. This is a special episode of Drinks Adventures, produced with the support of the NSW Wine Industry Association. I started by asking Dave how NSW wine has evolved during his tenure.
S7 E5 · Thu, November 12, 2020
Wine expert Andrew Caillard MW on ultra-fine Australian wine
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Wine expert Andrew Caillard MW has been a key figure in shaping Australia's fine wine agenda for over 25 years. Andrew is a wine marketing graduate of Roseworthy Agricultural College in South Australia and he passed the Master of Wine examination in 1993. He founded Langton's, Australia's leading wine auction house, which was acquired by Woolworths in 2009. Since then, Andrew has worked with Pinnacle Drinks, a division of Endeavour Drinks Australia – the Woolworths subsidiary behind retailers such as Dan Murphy's and BWS – as Fine Wine Principal. This year, Andrew published a new book called ‘Imagining Coonawarra’, which tells the story of how Wynns founder John Riddoch pioneered the Coonawarra wine region. I could go on about Andrew's highly decorated career. But today, he's here to talk about the debut of two Australian wines – Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon and Jim Barry The Armagh Shiraz – on the prestigious international wine marketplace, La Place de Bordeaux. I started by asking Andrew why this milestone is so important for Australian wine. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures
Bonus · Wed, November 04, 2020
Bartender veteran Jason Crawley on Squealing Pig's wine and gin hybrids
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Bartender veteran Jason Crawley has been working with Squealing Pig on the launch of several new gin and wine hybrid products. When I launched this podcast back in 2018 , I spoke about the fact that the drinks industry was in a state of flux. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures Drinkers are increasingly enjoying a wider repertoire of different beverages than ever before. And producers are responding with new and innovative products that increasingly blur the lines between beer, wine and spirits. Marlborough, NZ-based winery is owned by Treasury Wine Estates, the company behind Penfolds and Wynns, which have previously featured on this podcast. Squealing Pig Rose is the number one selling rose wine in the Australian market, and the Squealing Pig Pinot Noir is also a strong performer. The company has built on this success with the launch of several new hybrid products in the space of a year; a Rose Gin, a Pinot Noir Gin and now, the ginsecco premixes, which combine the same base gin with Squealing Pig Prosecco and soda in a 250ml slimline can. Jason has an unrivalled perspective on some of these exciting trends we've been speaking about on the Drinks Adventures podcast. He joins us in this bonus episode sponsored by Squealing Pig.
S7 E3 · Thu, October 29, 2020
Distilling boom in High Country Victoria: Meet Backwoods whisky company
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Renowned for its fine wine and craft beer, Victoria's High Country region can now claim whisky among its regional specialties. Backwoods Distilling was founded in 2017 by husband-and-wife team Leigh and Bree Attwood in the small town of Yackandandah. Backwoods' whiskies are produced using 100% Australian farmed and malted grains from Voyager Craft Malt, located across the border in the Riverina region of NSW. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures They mature their whisky exclusively in barrels that have previously held Australian wine and whisky, where possible using ex-wine casks from local wineries such as Sorrenberg in Beechworth and Scion in Rutherglen. Backwoods' first whiskies – a Rye and a Single Malt – were released in August 2020, with both selling out in less than 24 hours. We meet the Attwoods with Leigh currently preparing to finish up his full-time teaching job in order to focus purely on the Backwoods Distilling business.
S7 E2 · Wed, October 21, 2020
Distilling a mixer revolution: Fever-Tree CEO Tim Warrillow
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Distilled craft spirits have taken hold in recent decades, followed by a corresponding boom in premium mixers. Founded in 2004, UK company Fever-Tree was undoubtedly the company that started the latter trend. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures Fever-Tree mixers are now sold in over 75 countries globally and the company is listed on the London Stock Exchange with a market cap of 2.46 billion pounds. In this episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast, we're joined by Fever-Tree co-founder and CEO, Tim Warrillow. Tim shares with us the story of Fever-Tree's journey from start-up phase with just a single tonic water to something of a global phenomenon.
S7 E1 · Wed, October 14, 2020
Oktoberfest: Beer & Blood director Hannu Salonen
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Out now on Netflix, the TV series Oktoberfest: Beer & Blood is the closest you can get to the Oktoberfest in 2020. Six million visitors were expected to descend upon on Munich this year for the festival, originally scheduled to run between September 19 and October 4. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures But the coronavirus pandemic has meant this is the first year since World War 2 that Oktoberfest – the world's biggest beer festival – has not gone ahead. Oktoberfest: Beer & Blood was a smash hit in Germany, where it was created, and it is now being shown globally by Netflix. The lead character in the series is Curt Prank, whose story is loosely based on the life of a man named Georg Lang, who had an important role in shaping the Oktoberfest as we know it today. Finland-born Hannu Salonen is the director of the series, and he joins us in this opening episode of Season 7 of the Drinks Adventures podcast. I started this episode by asking Hannu how the series was conceived.
S6 E9 · Wed, September 09, 2020
Winemaker Louisa Rose on becoming Yalumba Wines' 47th signatory
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Winemaker Louisa Rose is the signatory on Yalumba Wines The Signature 2016, released on October 1, 2020. Since 1966, The Signature Cabernet & Shiraz has honoured individuals who have made a significant contribution to the culture and traditions of Yalumba, one of Australia's most important family-owned wineries. Previously honoured as winemaker of the year by multiple organisations, Louisa joined Yalumba in 1992. She is the current chair of the Australian Wine Research Institute and a Grand Master of the Barossa Valley fraternity, Barons of Barossa. In this episode, you'll hear from Louisa how The Signature ritual began at Yalumba, and the significance of this wine; a Great Australian Red as previously explored with Matthew Jukes on this podcast.
S6 E8 · Wed, September 02, 2020
Whisky paddock-to-bottle with Joadja Distillery
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Whisky distillery Joadja draws upon the Spanish backgrounds of its founders, Valero and Elisa Jimenez, maturing its spirit exclusively in ex-sherry wine casks. Their whisky distillery is unique in many respects, not least its location among the ruins of a fairly isolated heritage-listed 1870s mining town in the NSW Southern Highlands. First up in this episode, you'll hear from Valero how it was that he and Elisa found themselves purchasing the 1000-acre property in 2011, and ultimately running a paddock-to-bottle whisky operation on the site. As is the case for many Australian whisky start-ups over recent decades – Joadja Distillery may not have gotten off the ground were it not for the encouragement of industry legend, Bill Lark. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures
S6 E7 · Thu, August 27, 2020
IPA's evolution with Richard Watkins of Bentspoke Brewing
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. The craft beer movement that has taken hold globally over recent decades has been spearheaded by a single beer style – India Pale Ale. IPA absolutely dominates craft beer in North America, where the movement started, and it has become increasingly popular here in Australia over recent years. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures One of the brewers who has been in the box seat to witness and help drive that evolution is Richard Watkins founder of Bentspoke Brewing Company in Canberra. Richard has been brewing continuously since 1994. By that I mean he still actively involved in the day-to-day process of making the beer, rather than delegating that to someone else. By his reckoning, that potentially makes him Australia's longest serving brewer. Bentspoke produces a whole host of different IPAs, led by its flagship beer Crankshaft IPA. But this interview coincides with the latest release of Cluster 8, Bentspoke's big, bold Double IPAthat is part of its ‘Drifter’ series of beers that drift in and out of availability each year. A quick note: As regular listeners would well know, Bintani – the brewing and distilling ingredients supplier – is a major sponsor of the Drinks Adventures Podcast. Bintani is also a shareholder in Bentspoke Brewing Company so I just want to disclose that conflict of interest so you don't find out later and think there was anything cynical about this episode, which really isn't the case. Bentspoke is one of Australia's largest independent craft breweries and Richard Watkins was bound to come up as a guest one way or an other. And as someone who has been brewing for as long as he has, I thought Richard was about the best person to answer some questions about the evolution of IPA in Australia: How it's brewed; the different styles of IPA in Bentspoke's range, the continued splintering of this style into many sub-genres; and whether it is always best to drink IPAs as fresh as possible – as we're always told by brewers. Our conversation started with Richard recalling his earliest memories of IPAs in Australia.
S6 E6 · Wed, August 19, 2020
Actor Sam Neill on his wine obsession
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. NZ wine company Two Paddocks was founded 27 years ago by Sam Neill in the emerging pinot noir hotspot of Central Otago. Better known for his acting, Sam has been a lover of pinot noir ever since he first tasted Burgundy in Europe in the 1970s. He spoke to Drinks Adventures from Sydney prior to setting off for London to reprise his role as Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic World: Dominion, the sixth film in the Jurassic Park franchise. It's been a pivotal few years for Two Paddocks, which Sam tells us is now making the best wines it ever has, and is finally getting the respect it deserves from critics. Settle in and enjoy our wide-ranging interview with Sam Neill. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures
S6 E5 · Thu, August 13, 2020
FogHorn Brewery's Hunter Valley expansion, with Shawn Sherlock
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Newcastle, 2014: Shawn Sherlock founds FogHorn Brewery. Hunter Valley, 2020: Foghorn takes over the brewery formerly known as Hunter Beer Co at Potters Hotel, in the region better known for its wine. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures The expansion has been made possible by FogHorn's partnership with Founders First, the craft beverages-focused investment vehicle that listed on the ASX in 2019 and now has stakes in six breweries and three distilleries. This is not the first time FogHorn has opened a second venue. Shawn and I discuss what he learnt from its previous expansion to open a taproom in Erina on New South Wales' Central Coast. And as a veteran brewer with more than 20 years' of industry experience, Shawn reveals some of the beer styles he hopes to champion together with the expert brewers at Hunter Beer Co that have now become part of the FogHorn team. First up though, we got talking about the dreaded C-Word. It wasn't too long before the onset of the pandemic that FogHorn launched its first beers in cans. I asked Shawn whether that had helped FogHorn through this difficult period.
S6 E4 · Fri, August 07, 2020
McWilliam's Wines: The rise and fall
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. The sale of McWilliam's Wines following some well publicised financial struggles has sparked debate about private equity's involvement in the wine industry. With a rich history of 143 years, McWilliam's is one of Australia's best known family wine companies. It has operations encompassing a huge variety of different wine styles and wine regions stretching the entire breadth of the country. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures You've previously met Scott McWilliam on this podcast back in Season Two when we discussed his unique beer/wine hybrid, the Chardonnay IPA. Scott joins me again this episode, together with his relatives Stephen and Chris McWilliam. All three family members were still working in the business at the time of its recent sale. And Stephen gave me access to some really cool archive material that was enough to tempt me to turn this into a documentary-style episode. If you've been listening to this podcast from the very beginning, you'll know that I've previously experimented with the documentary format, most notably with a really popular episode on the history-making feats of Stone & Wood Brewing Company. That was nearly 18 months ago now, so I've sufficiently recovered to attempt another one. Thanks to the McWilliam family for their candid conversation during what has been a pretty tumultuous time.
S6 E3 · Thu, July 30, 2020
Bourbon master distiller, Marianne Eaves, on her trailblazing career
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Bourbon master distiller Marianne Eaves is the first female to achieve that title in Kentucky since Prohibition. With a background in chemical engineering, Marianne found her way into the bourbon industry via an internship at Brown-Forman, the company behind whiskey brands such as Jack Daniel's, Woodford Reserve and Old Forrester. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures She ultimately became master taster at the company and was on track to succeed Chris Morris as Woodford's master distiller. But 28-year-old Marianne fast-tracked her progress to the title of bourbon master distiller when she accepted a unique offer in 2015 to work on the resurrection of the Old Taylor Distillery – an incredibly ambitious project. The historic distillery, which is now known as Castle & Key, had fallen into disrepair since it was shuttered in 1972. Marianne has since moved on from Castle & Key and is now consulting on a host of interesting distilling projects right across the US, including a collaboration with California winery Hoopes Vineyard turning smoke-damaged wine into high-end brandy. It was a pleasure to have Marianne join us from Texas for this interview.
S6 E2 · Wed, July 22, 2020
Drinks that shaped Australia: Max Allen on his new book
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Melbourne-based wine and drinks journalist Max Allen has been writing about drinks for more than 25 years. Max is the wine and drinks columnist for the Australian Financial Review, a longtime contributor to Gourmet Traveller Magazine and the Australian correspondent for jancisrobinson.com . (As discussed with Jancis herself, when she joined us on the podcast back in Season Four). I've long been a fan of Max's writing so I was excited to learn about his latest book, Intoxicating: Ten Drinks That Shaped Australia. Max joined me on the show to discuss this personal journey through Australia's colourful and complex drinking history. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures
S6 E1 · Thu, July 16, 2020
Overeem Single Malt Whisky is back in family hands
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Respected Tasmanian distiller, Overeem, has recently returned to family ownership. You may have read on the Drinks Adventures website my interview with Geoff Bainbridge , the CEO of Lark Distilling Company – formerly Australian Whisky Holdings – in which he explained the company's reasons for selling the Overeem brand to founder Casey Overeem’s daughter Jane Overeem and her husband Mark Sawford. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures That sale of the Overeem brand and inventory has now settled, which is exciting news for all concerned. So this episode, we catch up with Jane Overeem for a chat about this development and what the future holds for the Overeem Whisky brand. Join the Drinks Adventures mailing list by clicking here .
Bonus · Mon, July 13, 2020
S5 postscript & wine expert Angus Hughson
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Wine expert Angus Hughson from Winepilot.com joins me to answer a listener question about purchasing back vintage Aussie red wines. Season Six of Drinks Adventures is coming soon. Join our mailing list for updates on the podcast. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures
S5 E8 · Fri, June 26, 2020
Wine and spirits in China with market expert Ian Ford
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Wine and spirits entrepreneur Ian Ford found himself navigating the second disease outbreak of his career in the China drinks industry, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. SARS had very similar impacts on the Chinese economy to those of COVID-19. As such, Ian has a unique perspective on recent events, and what the next few months could look like for those of us who are in the process of emerging from lockdown. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures But this interview was also an opportunity to find out a bit more about the Chinese wine, beer and spirits market from Ian, a co-founder of Summergate Fine Wines & Spirits, who has an intimate understanding of the local consumption trends. Since selling Summergate to Australian retailer Woolworths in 2014, he founded a new company called Nimbility, which provides expertise to wine, spirits and beer producers seeking to export their products to Asia. And in fact, I know of at least one company previously featured on Drinks Adventures that has used Nimbility's services. First up though, you'll hear from Ian how he originally came to relocate from New York City to begin a career in the Chinese drinks industry in 1995.
S5 E7 · Wed, June 17, 2020
Irish whiskey's comeback with Stephen Teeling of Teeling Irish Whiskey
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. In 2015, Teeling Irish Whiskey opened Dublin's first new distillery in 125 years. Brothers Jack and Stephen Teeling have recently achieved another significant milestone with the launch of Teeling Single Pot Still, the company's interpretation of this classic whiskey style that is unique to Ireland. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures In this interview recorded on May 29, 2020, Stephen and I discuss the origins of single pot still. He explains the significance this new product has to the Teeling family, which has an association with Irish whiskey dating back to 1782. Also on the agenda is the company's launch of a 28-year-old single malt whiskey, following on from the 24-year-old – finished in sauternes wine casks – that was named world's best single malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2019. And we take a look at the evolution of Irish whiskey more broadly, and the reasons behind the Teelings' decision to sell a minority share of their business to Bacardi Limited in 2017. But first, you'll hear from Stephen how Teeling Whiskey has been handling the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bonus · Wed, May 20, 2020
Firestone Walker brewmaster Matt Brynildson: Introducing Drink Beer, Think Beer with John Holl
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. One of America's most respected breweries, Firestone Walker is based in Paso Robles Wine Country, California. The company excels in the production of beers that run the full gamut of styles. Brewmaster Matt Brynildson joined the company in 2001. He has since been named Champion Brewmaster four times at the World Beer Cup and Brewer of the Year four times at the Great American Beer Festival. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures This interview comes courtesy of the Drink Beer, Think Beer podcast presented by John Holl, one of America's leading beer writers and commentators, who also co-hosts the popular Steal This Beer podcast, among other beer programs. Drink Beer, Think Beer is a weekly conversation with brewers, growers, and other brewing industry professionals that explores the art, culture, and business of beer. Hosted by John Holl and recorded on location, this podcast gets to the bottom of every pint and offers insight into the dynamic world of beer. This interview was recorded in the incredible surrounds of the De Koninck Brewery in Antwerp, a sibling brewer of Firestone Walker in that both are owned by the Belgian brewing company Duvel Moortgat.
S5 E6 · Wed, May 13, 2020
Whisky expert Dave Broom talks filmmaking, world whisky, genever and more
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Whisky writer since 1988, Dave Broom, is undoubtedly one of the world's leading commentators on spirits. Dave was in Australia recently for the film premiere of The Amber Light, a documentary that follows Dave on a tour around Scotland where he explores the history of whisky as a cultural product. Production of the film was partly funded by Fever-Tree, a valued sponsor of this podcast, so it's thanks to Fever-Tree that I had the opportunity to sit down with Dave. Prior to enjoying some Fever-Tree whisky highballs at the premiere, Dave and I discussed the film, his career to date, and some of the most important recent developments – good and bad – in the world of whisky. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures
S5 E5 · Wed, May 06, 2020
Sparkling wine with House of Arras winemaker Ed Carr
Ed Carr is the only non-champagne winemaker to have won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships. As group sparkling winemaker at Australia's Accolade Wines, he oversees production of brands including House of Arras. Join the Drinks Adventures mailing list here Arras wines have won more than 100 trophies in Australian wine shows since the 1990s, when Ed saw the potential in Tasmanian grapes to produce world class sparkling wine. In this episode, Ed shares some fascinating insights to share about his own career over the last four decades. But he also has a unique perspective on the Australian wine industry's drive towards more elegant, colder climate wine styles. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures
S5 E4 · Wed, April 29, 2020
Professional beer taster Tina Panoutsos on her 30-year career
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Sensory expert Tina Panoutsos joins us this episode, having last year celebrated her 30th anniversary at Australia's largest brewer, Carlton & United Breweries. Tina is associate director of beer knowledge at CUB, where she started out as a quality assurance chemist in 1989. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures She is undoubtedly one of Australia's leading beer judges, having officiated at just about every major beer competition in the world over the last 20 years including the World Beer Cup and the Australian International Beer Awards, for which she is currently on the advisory panel. We caught up with Tina for a chat about her own career evolution, the state of beer quality in Australia, and how we can all develop our sensory skills.
S5 E3 · Thu, April 23, 2020
Richie Hawtin, Japanese sake enthusiast and techno legend
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. ENTER.Sake is a boutique Japanese sake collection curated by renowned techno artist Richie Hawtin, who joins us this episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast. Richie aka Plastikman has been drinking sake while touring Japan on a regular basis since 1994. But he very quickly became obsessed with it on a much deeper level, so much so that he enrolled in the Japanese sake course taught by the legendary John Gauntner, a previous guest on the show. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures In this episode, Richie discusses his evolution from Japanese sake drinker to aficionado, then founder of the ENTER.Sake brand. In 2014, he was recognised for his efforts in promoting Japanese sake around the world, when he was awarded the prestigious title of Sake Samurai. In Australia, you can find Richie's brand ENTER.Sake in retailers stocking from distributor De Ja Vu Sake , whose founder Yukino Ochiai – a fellow Sake Samurai – we met in the very first episode of the podcast.
S5 E2 · Wed, April 15, 2020
Vegan beer, sake and wine hybrids with Yulli's Brews
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. When is beer vegan? These days, the vast majority of beers on the market would qualify, but there a few exceptions. We're joined this episode by James Harvey and Tom Davies of Yulli's Brews, which has its vegan brewery and restaurant in Alexandria, Sydney. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures Leading our discussion is Yulli's commitment to producing 100 per cent vegan beer; what this means, and which animal-derived products have historically been used in brewing. Yulli's was founded by James and Karl Cooney in 2014. We discuss the company's journey to date, its expansion into making sake, and an interesting beer and wine hybrid they have in the pipeline. Since recording this interview, Yulli's like many other breweries has been forced to close its Alexandria taproom due to COVID-19. You can support them during this difficult time by seeking out their beers from bottleshops near you.
S5 E1 · Wed, April 08, 2020
Distillers switch to making sanitiser as COVID-19 shatters drinks industry
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Rye whiskey company The Gospel Distillers is one of many Australian distilleries that has adapted extremely quickly into producing sanitiser in the face of the COVID-19 crisis. The virus has wreaked havoc on the drinks industry, and The Gospel co-founder Andrew Fitzgerald joins me to discuss the impacts on his business. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures We discuss how the Melbourne distillery got the sanitiser project off the ground in a matter of days, and Andrew's concerns about the profiteering he believes is occurring with the supply of sanitiser to essential services providers. Andrew also tells us a bit about The Gospel's original reason for being, which is not sanitiser but whiskey, made using rye sourced from the renowned South Australian grain growing region of Murray Mallee. Our thoughts are with the hospitality industry and all its suppliers as they navigate through these trying times. Shout out to Matt and Pete at my old stomping ground, Radio Brews News. They've launched a new daily podcast show called The Antidote where each day they have different guests from the beer industry talking about some of the challenges they are facing due to the coronavirus. I joined Matt & Pete on The Antidote earlier this week, so you can hear that and other episodes by finding and subscribing to Radio Brews News wherever you listen to your podcasts. A massive thank you to our partners Bintani and Fever-Tree for sticking by the show during this uncertain period. It literally would not happen without their support. A reminder to visit the podcast website, drinksadventures.com.au and sign up to the Drinks Adventures newsletter.
Bonus · Wed, March 04, 2020
Oak maturation trends in wine and spirits, with Master Cask's Darren Lange
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. If you're a regular listener to the show, you'd recognise that we spend a lot of time talking about oak. Oak plays a vital role in the production of wine and spirits, and increasingly in beer. In this special episode, we're going to delve into it more deeply with Darren Lange, founder of leading oak supplier Master Cask. Growing up in the Barossa Valley, Darren has spent his life in and around the wine industry. He has a technical winemaking background and the last 20 years of his career have been focused specifically on oak, initially as an employee of a leading importer and distributor of French and American oak wine barrels. Darren founded Master Cask in 2010, realising a vision to assemble his own portfolio of cooperages. He was instrumental in establishing the Tasmanian Cask Company in 2014 and purchasing SA Cooperage in 2017. These cooperages are producing increasingly specialised barrels for the emerging Australian spirits industry, and it's that area of Darren's expertise that we spend most of our time discussing today. Drinks Adventures will be returning properly for 2020 in the next few weeks, so stay tuned for what promises to be a ripper season five. In the meantime, this is a special episode of the podcast made possible by the support of Master Cask.
S4 E8 · Sun, December 08, 2019
Julio Bermejo, tequila pioneer and creator of the Tommy's Margarita cocktail
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. The Tommy's Margarita is one of only 16 cocktails that have been officially recognised as 'New Era Drinks' by the International Bartenders Association. It was created by Julio Bermejo in 1990 at the restaurant founded by his parents in San Francisco, USA. Under Julio's influence, Tommy's Mexican Restaurant moved towards a singular focus on 100% agave tequilas, as opposed to what are known as mixto tequilas, in which distillers supplement the agave with cheaper sugars. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures This crusade brought global recognition for Tommy's as the world's leading tequila bar, honoured six times in The World's 50 Best Bars list since 2000. Julio was in Australia recently to judge the Patron Perfectionists cocktail competition, and thanks to Patron Tequila, I was able to catch up with him to record this interview that I'm delighted to share with Drinks Adventures listeners.
S4 E7 · Sun, December 08, 2019
Sustainable wine and spirits with Laura Carter of Unico Zelo and Applewood
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Based in Adelaide Hills, SA, Laura and husband Brendan Carter have long championed sustainable practices across their business, such as actively selecting grape varieties that best suit the Australian climate in order to minimise water use. In August 2019 – just like Stone & Wood Brewing Company, who we featured in that documentary back in season two – their wine company Unico was recognised more broadly for its social and environmental performance, becoming the first Australian distiller to be certified as a B Corporation. I started this interview by asking Laura how Team Unico got inspired to follow this particular path of wines and spirits production. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures
S4 E6 · Sun, December 08, 2019
NZ Wine's low alcohol project, with viticulturist Dr David Jordan
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. The NZ Lighter Wines initiative has 18 participating wineries. Their mission is to produce naturally low in alcohol wines that offer the same great drinking experience you can expect from their full-strength counterparts. The innovative project is being led by Dr David Jordan, known to his industry peers as DJ, a renowned viticulturalist who consults to many leading wineries in Australia and New Zealand. I'm excited to share with you this interview with DJ recorded recently in Marlborough, New Zealand, where I was a guest of New Zealand Lighter Wines.
S4 E5 · Sun, December 08, 2019
American single malt whiskey with Westward co-founder Thomas Mooney
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Mention American whiskey to someone and they will likely think you are talking about bourbon and rye. But there's a new category of American whiskey that is on the rise, that of American single malt. Located in Portland, Oregon, Westward whiskey is the largest craft distiller on America's West Coast. In 2018 it received a minority investment from Distill Ventures, the same accelerator fund that has a stake in Australia's own Starward Whisky, as featured in season one of this podcast. In this episode, I speak with Westward CEO and co-founder Thomas Mooney about the company's journey to date taking American single malt whisky to the world. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures
S4 E4 · Sun, December 08, 2019
Jancis Robinson, wine legend, on her amazing 30-year career
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Wine critic Jancis Robinson MW joins us on this episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast. In 1984, Jancis became the first person outside the wine trade to qualify as a Master of Wine. She was awarded an OBE in 2003 by Her Majesty the Queen, on whose cellar she now advises. But Jancis may be best known for her hugely admired reference books. She is co-author of The World Atlas of Wine, editor of The Oxford Companion to Wine and co-author of Wine Grapes. Jancis was in Australia recently to launch the eighth edition of The World Atlas of Wine, recognised as the essential and most authoritative wine reference book available. It was a privilege to sit down with Jancis for this extended interview.
S4 E3 · Sun, December 08, 2019
UK wine critic Matthew Jukes on The Great Australian Red
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Cabernet/Shiraz is the definitive Australian red blend, according to British wine writer Matthew Jukes. Together with Australia's Tyson Stelzer, he founded The Great Australian Red wine competition to recognise and celebrate this unique wine style. While in Australia recently for the 2019 competition, Matthew visited Coonawarra for the annual Cabernet Celebrations festival, where he presented a Great Australian Red masterclass at Wynns Coonawarra Estate – and of course, don't forget to check out my interview with Wynns senior winemaker Sue Hodder in season three of this podcast. I was at Wynns for Matthew's masterclass, and thanks to Coonawarra Vignerons and the digital agency Made With Moxie, I've been able to edit together a highlights package from the masterclass to share with Drinks Adventures listeners.
S4 E2 · Sun, December 08, 2019
Brewdog brewery co-founder Martin Dickie on DogTap Brisbane & more
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Scottish craft beer company, Brewdog, is now a multinational business with 95 Brewdog bars globally. Its co-founder, Martin Dickie, joins us in this episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures BrewDog's phenomenal growth has been fuelled by its record-breaking Equity for Punks crowdfunding initiative, which has seen the brewery raise more than $137 million by selling shares to more than 123,000 beer enthusiasts around the world. BrewDog has never been far from controversy, creating outrageous beers such as The End Of History, which at the time the world's strongest and most expensive beer. Just 12 bottles of it were released, packaged inside taxidermied animals. And in 2017, the company received a 213 million pound investment from American private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners, in a deal valuing it at one billion pounds. I was invited up to Brisbane by Brewdog to check out their impressive new DogTap bar and brewery in planning, where I sat down with Martin to record this interview.
S4 E1 · Sun, December 08, 2019
Champion brewer DJ McCready of Mountain Culture Brewing Company
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Katoomba, NSW brewpub Mountain Culture Brewing Company was founded in 2019 by husband and wife team DJ and Harriet McCready. American-born DJ McCready exploded onto the Australian brewing scene at the inaugural Craft Beer Awards, now known as The Indies, in 2014. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures At the time DJ was brewing with a little known start-up from Sydney's northern beaches, Modus Operandi Brewing Company, where he created beers such as Former Tenant Red IPA, which won Champion Australian Beer at the awards that year and is still picking up gongs today. In fact, it was named Champion IPA at The Indies earlier in 2019. Now with their new brewing company Mountain Culture in a heritage building in the centre of Katoomba, DJ and Harriet have built a fantastic brewpub that is already being embraced by the locals. And as you would expect from a brewer of his calibre, the beers DJ is making up there are outstanding. We began our chat by returning to that night in 2014 when the Australian brewing industry fast became very familiar with the name DJ McCready. Help us fund Season Four by purchasing your limited edition podcoasters here . Follow James Atkinson on Facebook here , Instagram here and Twitter here . Theme music ‘Sandbox’ by Rudists .
S3 E9 · Wed, November 13, 2019
Marrickville breweries multiplying as Philter Brewing joins in
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Is it Australia's craft beer capital? The Sydney suburb of Marrickville almost certainly has the highest concentration of breweries of any suburb in Australia. I'm happy to be corrected on that if anyone has information to the contrary. There's yet another brewery soon to join their ranks by the end of 2019, with the news that Philter Brewing is poised to set up shop just down the road from the original Batch Brewing facility. Co-founder Sam Fuss joined me for a chat about this momentous development for Philter, which has fast become one of Australia's larger independent beer brands without having a brewery of its own. And meanwhile, the company has picked up a slew of trophies for its flagship XPA. Sam and I chat about the Marrickville brewing scene, and whether the emergence of so many breweries in one suburb is a good thing. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures But also, we find out a bit more about Sam's brewing career, which began at Little Creatures in 2000. There, Sam worked alongside Creatures' first ever brewer, Janice McDonald, who was one of the first guests on the Drinks Adventures podcast, back in Season One . A special thanks to Chris Lukianenko AKA The Beer Healer for recently having me on his podcast, The Beer Healer Interviews. It was something of a new experience for me, having Chris ask the questions for a change. If you want a little more insight into my background and how Drinks Adventures was conceived, please head on over to The Beer Healer Interviews . Follow James Atkinson on Facebook here , Instagram here and Twitter here . Theme music ‘Sandbox’ by Rudists .
S3 E8 · Wed, October 16, 2019
Cult Aussie whisky maker Tim Duckett, of Heartwood Malt Whisky
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Tasmanian Independent Bottlers and Heartwood Malt Whisky were founded by Tim Duckett, and both have developed a cult following. In this episode, Tim and I discuss his journey to date and the role that independent bottlers play in the whisky industry more generally. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures And as someone who has been closely involved with Australian whisky since the early years, Tim has some interesting views to share on its recent trajectory and future prospects. Follow James Atkinson on Facebook here , Instagram here and Twitter here . Theme music ‘Sandbox’ by Rudists .
S3 E7 · Thu, September 19, 2019
Distillery driving whisky innovation: Dave Withers of Archie Rose Distilling
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Distillery Archie Rose may be best known for gin, vodka and other weird and wonderful products, none moreso than ArchieMite, its buttered toast spirit. But in this episode, master distiller Dave Withers joins me predominately to discuss their ambitious plans for whisky. Australian whisky to date has been dominated by single barrel, single malt releases aged in ex-wine casks. With its first two whisky releases, Chocolate Rye Malt Whisky and Rye Malt Whisky, Archie Rose has made it abundantly clear that it won't be following these conventions. Follow James Atkinson on Facebook here , Instagram here and Twitter here . Theme music ‘Sandbox’ by Rudists .
S3 E6 · Wed, September 11, 2019
Green Ant Gin and Native Grain Whiskey with Adelaide Hills Distillery
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Distilling spirits from native Australian foods excites Sacha La Forgia, whose company Adelaide Hills Distillery has released a raft of innovative products. These include Green Ant Gin and more recently, Native Grain Whiskey, which explores the potential of making truly Australian whisky using the native cereal grain wattleseed. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures I'm joined this episode by Sacha, a winemaker who travelled the world for over six years working wine vintages and exploring the world of distilling. His travels inspired him to launch a distillery of his own on his return to Australia. Follow James Atkinson on Facebook here , Instagram here and Twitter here . Theme music ‘Sandbox’ by Rudists .
S3 E5 · Wed, September 04, 2019
Wine in cans will take off in Australia: Riot Wine Co
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Wine packaging is getting a revamp, thanks to winemaker Tom O'Donnell of Riot Wine Co. In 2016, O'Donnell co-founded the Adelaide, Australia-based company Riot, which releases its wines exclusively in cans and in kegs. Riot wines have been pouring on tap at bars and restaurants across Australia since 2017, which the Riot founders claim has a range of benefits, starting with the environmental impact – the lifetime of just one keg can replace 23,000 bottles. Riot also hopes to educate Australians on the benefits of canned wine, which is a rapidly growing market segment overseas. I caught up with Tom at The Cannery, Riot's new Adelaide tasting room. Follow James Atkinson on Facebook here , Instagram here and Twitter here . Theme music ‘Sandbox’ by Rudists .
S3 E4 · Wed, August 28, 2019
Boatrocker Brewers & Distillers' Matt Houghton on making eclectic drinks
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Sour and strong ales are the mainstay of Boatrocker Brewing. The company is home to one of the largest barrel ageing facilities in Australian brewing, which you can visit at Braeside in Melbourne's south east. Founded in 2009 by Matt and Andrea Howton, the brewery is also excelling at the more commonly available lagers, pale ales and IPAs. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures And in 2017, the Boatrocker Brewing became Boatrocker Brewers & Distillers, as the Perth-based distillery Hippocampus was merged into the Boatrocker business, opening up a whole new array of experimentation. I caught up with Matt at Boatrocker HQ in Braeside. Follow James Atkinson on Facebook here , Instagram here and Twitter here . Theme music ‘Sandbox’ by Rudists .
S3 E3 · Wed, August 21, 2019
Wine mainstay Wynns Coonawarra Estate with winemaker Sue Hodder
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. One of Australia's best known winemakers, Sue Hodder of Wynns Coonawarra Estate, joins us this episode. Sue has just completed her 27th wine vintage at Wynns, where she oversees production of some of Australia's most cellared wines, including Black Label Cabernet. Together with Wynns' renowned viticulturist, Allen Jenkins, Sue has transformed the quality, and subtly redefined the style of the company's flagship Coonawarra reds. Sue and Allen were joint winners of the 2010 Gourmet Traveller WINE Winemaker of the Year Award, among many other accolades Sue has picked up in her esteemed wine career. Follow James Atkinson on Facebook here , Instagram here and Twitter here . Theme music ‘Sandbox’ by Rudists . You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures
S3 E2 · Thu, August 15, 2019
Whisky pioneer Bakery Hill Distillery celebrates 20 years
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Whisky distilleries Lark and Sullivans Cove are likely the best known pioneers of Australian whisky. Founded in 1999, Bakery Hill came soon after. It was the first whisky distillery on the mainland, and the third to open in the modern era after those two celebrated Tasmanian brands. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures Located in Melbourne's north east, Bakery Hill might be lesser known today, but that's certainly not down to the quality of its whiskies, which have received consistent acclaim from critics across the globe. I visited David for a chat about their journey to date, and to hear some exciting news about their expansion plans, coinciding with their 20th birthday this year. Follow James Atkinson on Facebook here , Instagram here and Twitter here . Theme music ‘Sandbox’ by Rudists .
S3 E1 · Thu, August 08, 2019
Four Pillars Gin's Cam Mackenzie on creating a global gin brand
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Gin powerhouse Four Pillars expects to sell 500,000 bottles of its gin in 2019. The Australian distillery founded in in 2013 by Cameron Mackenzie, Matt Jones and Stuart Gregor has doubled its sales year on year and its gin is now available in 30 different markets globally. This rapid growth did not go unnoticed by some of the drinks industry's larger players. In early 2019, Four Pillars Gin sold a 50 per cent stake in its business to brewer Lion, the company behind XXXX, Tooheys, Little Creatures and myriad other Australian beer brands. For this opening episode of Season Three, I caught up with co-founder and head distiller Cameron Mackenzie at Four Pillars' distillery in Healesville, Victoria. Follow James Atkinson on Facebook here , Instagram here and Twitter here . Theme music ‘Sandbox’ by Rudists .
S2 E10 · Thu, June 27, 2019
'Vermouth is a wine!' Cocktail historian and master distiller Jared Brown
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Gin master distiller and cocktail historian Jared Brown joins me in this Season Two finale episode. But we're not talking about Sipsmith Gin this time ( see S1E2 for that!) , because Jared has another, far more interesting title, that of cocktail historian. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures With his wife Anistatia Miller, Jared has written more than 30 books on drinks, bars and cocktails. He's an absolute encyclopaedia on these topics and a fascinating fellow to chat to, so settle in for a great interview. Thank you to our major partner Bintani, Australia’s leading supplier in ingredients for the brewing and distilling industries. And thanks also to Fever-Tree Premium Mixers for their support of the spirits episodes in this season. Follow James Atkinson on Facebook here , Instagram here and Twitter here . Theme music ‘Sandbox’ by Rudists .
S2 E8 · Wed, June 19, 2019
Whisky expert Andrew Derbidge on Australian whisky's growing pains
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Whisky expert Andrew Derbidge is director and cellarmaster for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Australia and has been heavily involved with the whisky industry for many years as an educator, presenter and writer. Some of his excellent writing is on his own website Whisky & Wisdom, which is where I happened across a really insightful article by Andrew about the evolution of Australian whisky and some of the growing pains the local industry is currently facing. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures It was that article that inspired me to get Andrew on the show for an in-depth conversation about Australian whisky. Follow James Atkinson on Facebook here , Instagram here and Twitter here . Theme music ‘Sandbox’ by Rudists .
S2 E7 · Wed, June 12, 2019
Brewers, winemakers and distillers' weirdest drinks collaborations
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. The Chardonnay IPA, and rum aged in wine barrels are some of the exciting collaborations happening on the fringes of beer, wine and spirits. Brix Distillers is a rum distillery that opened in Sydney in 2018. And they are trying to re-educate Australians about the potential of rum, which – as I discussed with Kathleen Davies two episodes ago – is somewhat misunderstood in this country. They're also trying to make uniquely Australian rums aged in barrels supplied by leading winemakers such as Thomas Wines in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales. Turns out founder Andrew Thomas is a huge enthusiast for premium rum, so it's a collaboration that's close to his heart. I spoke with Andrew and Brix co-founder James Christopher recently to find out more about the project. But first, I caught up with Luke Scott, head brewer at Prickly Moses Brewery in Victoria's Otway Ranges, and McWilliam's Wines' global ambassador and sixth generation winemaker Scott McWilliam. For several years now they've been collaborating on an unlikely but very successful beer/wine hybrid, the Chardonnay IPA. The latest batch is out now so Luke and Scott joined me for a sample and an interview. Follow James Atkinson on Facebook here , Instagram here and Twitter here . Theme music ‘Sandbox’ by Rudists .
S2 E6 · Wed, June 05, 2019
Gin distiller for 50 years: Beefeater Gin's Desmond Payne MBE
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Gin industry legend Desmond Payne MBE has probably been distilling gin since before you were born. In 2017, the Beefeater Gin master distiller celebrated his 50th year as a gin distiller and he's still going strong today. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures I caught up with Desmond while he was in Australia recently to have a chat about his career to date and the many changes he's seen in the gin category over that time. Desmond truly is a legend of the gin industry and I hope you enjoy our conversation. Follow James Atkinson on Facebook here , Instagram here and Twitter here . Theme music ‘Sandbox’ by Rudists .
S2 E5 · Wed, May 29, 2019
Gin, whisky, rum & more with Nip of Courage founder Kathleen Davies
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Gin, whisky and rum are among the craft spirits categories that are currently on fire in Australia. Australian craft spirits champion Kathleen Davies joins us this episode to discuss these market trends and the evolution of her business Nip of Courage. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures Founded in 2014, Nip of Courage is the first ever distributor to represent exclusively Australian craft spirits, and the country's first spirits distribution company that is female-owned. Today the company represents four distilleries: Belgrove in Tasmania, Stone Pine in NSW, and two distilleries in Victoria; Reed & Co and Timboon Railway Shed Distillery. Kathleen also founded and distributes the Australian Tipple Company range of bottled cocktails, which includes a Negroni, a Dry Martini and an Espresso Martini, all made exclusively with ingredients sourced from Australian artisan producers. So as long as you're listening at an appropriate time, settle in with a nip of a fine Australian spirit and enjoy this chat with Kathleen. Follow James Atkinson on Facebook here , Instagram here and Twitter here . Theme music ‘Sandbox’ by Rudists .
S2 E4 · Wed, May 22, 2019
Wine and beer in Tasmania with Bruny Island Beer and Sailor Seeks Horse Pinot Noir
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Wine, beer, cider and whisky, Tasmania has it all in spades. In season one I talked Tasmanian whisky with Sullivans Cove Distillery, and cider with Willie Smith's Cider. This time I explore the unique brewing operation of Bruny Island Beer and Cheese with head brewer Evan Hunter. I also catch up with Paul Lipscombe of Sailor Seeks Horse, an exciting new wine company located in Huon Valley, Tasmania. Paul and his wife Gilli also make the highly acclaimed pinot noirs for Home Hill Winery in the Huon. This is a chat exploring the evolution of Australian pinot noir, which has made leaps and bounds in recent years and is just starting to get the respect it deserves on the world stage. Follow James Atkinson on Facebook here , Instagram here and Twitter here . Theme music ‘Sandbox’ by Rudists .
S2 E3 · Wed, May 15, 2019
Sake in Japan with experts John Gauntner and Shuso Imada
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Sake and its rising popularity outside Japan was explored in the very first episode of Season One of Drinks Adventures. My recent sake press tour with the Japanese Sake & Shochu Makers Association brought the opportunity to interview John Gauntner, who is recognised as the world's leading non-Japanese sake expert. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures A resident of Japan since 1988, he has been writing and lecturing about sake since 1994 and has published six books on the topic. Next up, I visited the Japanese Sake & Shochu Makers Association Information Centre in Tokyo where I sat down for a chat with the centre manager, Shuso Imada. Shuso has spent almost his entire life in the sake industry - he was born into a family that owns a sake brewery. At first he had little interest in following in his family's footsteps, so much so that he did the unthinkable and study a sommelier equivalent qualification in wine. But little by little, sake drew him back in. And as you would expect for someone of his experience, he has some really interesting insights into Japanese sake industry. And if you're heading to Tokyo, I highly recommend you visit the JSS Information Centre , it really is one of the best places you can taste a lot of sake and learn about it. I also want to recommend John Gauntner's excellent book, Sake Confidential - I bought a copy last year and it's a fantastic introductory resource for sake beginners. And finally, also for people visiting Japan, look out for Rangitoto Tokyo . It's a brand new wine and sake bar in Tokyo opened by Wayne Shennen, a sommelier from New Zealand who also has a passion for sake. Follow James Atkinson on Facebook here , Instagram here and Twitter here . Theme music ‘Sandbox’ by Rudists .
S2 E2 · Wed, May 08, 2019
Stone & Wood Brewing leads third wave of independent craft beer
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. We kick off season two of the Drinks Adventures podcast with a in-depth look at the brewery founded in Byron Bay, Australia in 2008, Stone & Wood Brewing Company . Stone and Wood celebrated its tenth anniversary last year and I started covering drinks as a journalist not long after Stone & Wood started brewing. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures As such, I've followed their evolution very closely over the years, reporting on their key milestones along the way, which has given me a lot of insight into their business and some excellent resources to draw upon in putting this story together. But in fact, this story isn't only about Stone & Wood, it's also a bit of a look at the current state of play in Australian independent brewing, an industry sector that is in the midst of an unprecedented boom that is not without its challenges. The Drinks Adventures podcast is proudly supported by our friends at Bintani , Australia’s leading supplier of ingredients for the brewing and distilling industries. Bintani has all the ingredients you need, and they have experts in all categories on the team, so they understand how ingredients work together like no one else in Australia. NB: Since recording this documentary earlier this year, Alexis Roitman has departed her role as CEO of the Independent Brewers Association. We wish her the best of luck. This episode would not have been possible without the generosity of the organisations that gave me permission to use their audio. Thank you to the Telstra Business Awards , Finance News Network and Matt Kirkegaard at Australian Brews News . Thanks also to the wonderful music acts that cleared their tracks for use on the show: From London, Asad Rizvi AKA Silverlining; From New York City, No Regular Play and from my home town of Sydney, We Lost The Sea . If you watched the recent Ricky Gervais series After Life on Netflix, you may have heard We Lost The Sea's tune A Gallant Gentleman feature on the soundtrack. Ricky is a big We Lost The Sea fan and I'm privileged to be able to use that same track on this episode of the podcast. And thank you to Dave Robertson for his massive efforts in mixing and editing this episode and all episodes in Season Two. If you enjoyed this episode
Trailer · Tue, March 26, 2019
Wine, beer, whisky and gin: Season Two Trailer
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Beer brand Stone & Wood Brewing Company will be the subject of a special report in the opening episode of Drinks Adventures Season Two. Beefeater Gin master distiller Desmond Payne MBE will also join us as he notches up his 52nd year as a gin distiller in 2019. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures We'll take at look at farm-based brewing, Tasmanian pinot noir and Australian craft spirits in various guises. And in Tokyo, we catch up with sake expert John Gauntner, the only non-Japanese certified Master of Sake Tasting in the world. Season Two will be bigger and better than last year's debut. We look forward to your company in a few weeks' time. Theme music by The Rudists. Mixing and mastering by Dave Robertson. You can follow James Atkinson and Drinks Adventures at @byjamesatkinson on all social media platforms.
Bonus · Thu, December 20, 2018
Sir Ian Botham, cricket legend turned winemaker, on his venture Botham Wines
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Sir Ian Botham is deadly serious about his new winemaking venture, Botham Wines. Celebrity-branded drinks have had a chequered history, to say the least. Look no further than Shane Warne's ill-fated forays into wine (Shane Warne Collection) and craft beer (99 Not Out). It was for this reason that I approached the launch of Botham Wines with a healthy scepticism. But Sir Ian is deadly serious about his new career, as he was at pains to stress when we caught up the SCG for a quick interview. He has spent over 40 years playing and commentating on international cricket. During this time, he has travelled the world and off the field, spent time nurturing his other passion; wine. The new range of Sir Ian Botham Wines were made working closely with Australian winemakers, including Nick Badrice, Chief Winemaker at Dorrien Estate in the Barossa, Marty Edwards, Head Vigneron at The Lane in Adelaide Hills and his old friend, Geoff Merrill of Geoff Merrill wines. The wines also bear homage to Sir Ian’s legendary sporting career, from design – stumps and cricket balls feature on the labels – to the names of the individual wines. I hope you enjoy this short chat with Sir Ian ahead of Drinks Adventures' return to normal programming in 2019. All other Drinks Adventures episodes, show notes, transcripts and many helpful links are available on the podcast website, DrinksAdventures.com.au , and you can contact me here . Follow James Atkinson on Facebook here , Instagram here and Twitter here . Theme music ‘Sandbox’ by Cameo Culture. You can listen to more from Cameo Culture at https://soundcloud.com/cameoculture .
S1 E9 · Thu, November 08, 2018
Wine and champagne experts Huon Hooke & Leanne Altman, plus Lanson chef de cave Hervé Dantan
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Champagne is a beloved wine style in Australia, the world’s sixth largest champagne market with the biggest per capita consumption per head of population outside Europe. First up this episode, I take a look at the Vin de Champagne Awards , a uniquely Australian award organised on behalf of the Comité Champagne , which represents champagne houses, growers and co-operatives of the Champagne region in France. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures This year was the 43rd edition of these awards and in a short documentary, I speak to several personalities involved in these awards, which seek to discover Australians who are truly passionate about champagne, so much so that they are prepared to put their knowledge about champagne to the test. Next up is a short stand alone interview with renowned wine writer and champagne expert Huon Hooke of The Real Review , who's been somewhat outspoken about what is, in his words, Australia's boring taste in champagne . He talks about how you can spend just a little bit more to get your hands on some champagne that is a bit more complex and interesting. And we also discuss the rise of Australian sparkling wine, which continues to win global recognition for its quality. Last up is an interview with Hervé Dantan, who is chef de cave at Champagne Lanson, one of the largest champagne houses. We talk about what makes champagne unique, what makes Lanson unique and the upcoming launch in Australia of Clos Lanson, a single vineyard champagne. Thanks for your support during Season One of the podcast. I hope you'll join me again in the new year when I embark on Season Two. I'd also like to thank Dave Robertson and Matt Brown, who have each assisted with mixing some of the episodes in this season. And thanks to Asad Rizvi AKA Silverlining for the use of some of his awesome music in the documentary section of this champagne episode, as listed below. Tracklisting:Doodlebug - Loose in your mind (Silverlining Remix)Silverlining - DevotionSilverlining - Ni-Cd Deluxe You can listen and purchase Asad's tunes on the Silverlining Dubs bandcamp page . All other Drinks Adventures episodes, show notes, transcripts and many helpful links are available on the podcast website, <a href="http://DrinksAdventur
S1 E8 · Wed, October 31, 2018
Whisky in Tasmania with Sullivans Cove Whisky head distiller Heather Tillott
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Whisky upstart Sullivans Cove won World's Best Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards three out of four years running. Sullivans Cove Whisky head distiller Heather Tillott reveals the secrets to its success in this episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures But we also hear from Heather about her career background starting in wine production in the New South Wales Shoalhaven region. She moved to Tasmania after a life change, thinking she would continue in wine. But a chance visit to Sullivans Cove put her on course to become a distiller. I caught up with Heather at Sullivans Cove earlier this year. You can find all other shows, show notes, transcripts and many helpful links on the podcast website, DrinksAdventures.com.au , and you can email me at hello@drinksadventures.com.au. Follow James Atkinson on Facebook here , Instagram here and Twitter here .
Bonus · Mon, October 29, 2018
Cider advocate Sam Reid of Willie Smith's Cider in Tasmania
Some further excerpts from my interview with Sam Reid, co-founder of Willie Smith's Cider. Topics include the importance of real cider apple varieties to Australia's emerging cider category. We also discuss what you'll find at the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival in the way of food, cider, wine, beer and music, and the planning that goes into it. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures
S1 E6 · Thu, October 25, 2018
Cider's pagan rituals at Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. William Smith & Sons is one of the oldest family businesses in Tasmania's Huon Valley wine region. Founder Willie Smith planted the first tree in their apple orchard in 1888 and fourth generation family member Andrew Smith is the current orchardist, responsible for taking the farm organic in the late 90s. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures And in 2012, drinks marketer Sam Reid partnered with Smithy to launch Willie Smith's Cider , putting apples that are not good enough to sell to very good use. They've continued to evolve Willie Smith's over the last few years with the introduction of heritage apple varieties to their orchard. Most of the ciders made in Australia that are actually made from real apples are made using the same varieties of apple you would find in your local supermarket, which is the equivalent of making wine from table grapes. There's been a few cider makers that have pioneered the use of proper cider apples in Australia but arguably it's been Willie Smith's that's brought this evolution of cider to the fore, with its multiple wins of Best In Show at the Australian Cider Awards, most recently in the last few weeks with the single variety Kingston Black Cider. Willie Smith's has also introduced to Australia the ancient ceremony known as 'wassailing' at its Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival held annually in July. I went down this year to find out what it's all about. Thank you to all the bands who performed at the festival and gave me permission to use their music in this episode: 8Foot Felix , The Dead Maggies and Vulgargrad . Congratulations to Jeni Port who I spoke with last week and was subsequently awarded the Wine Communicators of Australia 2018 Legend of the Vine Award for Victoria, recognising her contribution to the wine industry as a journalist and a critic over many years. Look out for some bonus content in the podcast feed over the next few days featuring Sam Reid of Willie Smith's. You can find all previous shows, show notes, transcripts and links to lots of related information on the podcast website drinksadventures.com.au . Follow James Atkinson on Facebook here , Instagram here and Twitter here . Music tracklisting for this
S1 E5 · Wed, October 17, 2018
Wine writer Jeni Port on the evolution of Australian wine icon, Penfolds Wines
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Wine writer Jeni Port has been tasting and critiquing Penfolds Wines for many years. In this episode, she discusses the Penfolds Collection 2018 and the changing face of Penfolds Wines, Australia's most iconic winery. It's been a massive few months for Penfolds, which in July announced the somewhat surprising plans to begin making wine offshore, being Penfolds-branded champagne in France and also wines in California's Napa Valley region. The other big announcement on the same day was the launch of Penfolds Special Bottlings, a new series of limited edition, unique products inspired by the pioneering nature of founders Dr. Christopher and Mary Penfold. Now the first two releases are not table wine, or even wine – at least as you or I know it. They are Lot 1990 - a single batch brandy that was distilled and put into barrels in 1990, and Lot 518 – a Shiraz-based wine fortified with the Chinese spirit baiju. These special bottlings have ushered into the limelight veteran fortified winemaker at Penfolds, James Godfrey, who I spoke with in the Barossa Valley earlier this year. It's a fascinating chat about fortifieds, which accounted for the vast majority of wine produced in Australia up until the 1960s. While they may be somewhat out of fashion, they remain among the greatest wines produced in Australia today. But first, we're talking table wine, and not just any table wine. That's a very common and offhand way to refer to The Penfolds Collection – 21 extremely high quality wines that start at $40 and range up to the 2014 Grange, which is now an incredible $900 on release. All other Drinks Adventures episodes, show notes, transcripts and many helpful links are available on the podcast website, DrinksAdventures.com.au , and you can email me at hello@drinksadventures.com.au. Follow James Atkinson on Facebook here , Instagram here and Twitter here . Theme music ‘Sandbox’ by Rudists.
S1 E4 · Wed, October 10, 2018
Whisky entrepreneur David Vitale of Starward Australian Whisky
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Whisky company Starward is Australia's market leader, thanks to founder David Vitale's ambitious strategy of pursuing larger scale whisky production from the very beginning. This has meant that Starward Whisky has been able to offer its range of high quality, red wine cask-matured whiskies at pretty affordable price points. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures They commonly sit under the $100 mark in contrast to the routine pricing upwards of $200 a bottle that you see from most other Australian distillers. With David, I discuss this pricing differential and other challenges for Australian whisky, as well as his decision to relocate to North America to develop it as an export market. We also touch on Starward Whisky's recent expansion into distilling gin, which I remind David is something he said they would never do. And lastly, the company's entry into bottled whisky cocktails with the launch of the Starward New Old Fashioned. All other Drinks Adventures episodes, show notes, transcripts and many helpful links are available on the podcast website, DrinksAdventures.com.au , and you can email me at hello@drinksadventures.com.au. Follow James Atkinson on Facebook here , Instagram here and Twitter here . Theme music ‘Sandbox’ by Rudists.
S1 E3 · Wed, October 03, 2018
Winemaker and craft beer pioneer Janice McDonald of Howard Park Wines in Margaret River
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Winemaker at Burch Family Wines in Western Australia, Janice McDonald oversees the Howard Park and Mad Fish wine brands using grapes sourced from vineyards in the Margaret River and Great Southern regions. Named Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine's Winemaker of the Year in 2018, Janice previously ran her own Margaret River wine label Stella Bella Wines to great acclaim, together with her partner Stuart Pym. But we're not just talking about wine today, because Janice has been making beer for just as long as she's been making wine. She worked as a brewer at Australia's original craft brewing company, Matilda Bay, in the 1980s, and then at Little Creatures in 2000, its first year of operation. And she still brews today - if you've ever visited the Settlers Tavern in Margaret River Town and had one of the beers under the Margaret River Ale Company label, that's Janice's handiwork too. All other Drinks Adventures episodes, show notes, transcripts and many helpful links are available on the podcast website, DrinksAdventures.com.au , and you can email me at hello@drinksadventures.com.au. Follow James Atkinson on Facebook here , Instagram here and Twitter here . Theme music ‘Sandbox’ by Rudists.
S1 E2 · Wed, September 26, 2018
Gin without juniper is flavoured vodka: Sipsmith Gin's Fairfax Hall
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. What is the difference between gin and flavoured vodka? That should be an easy question to answer. But some of the drinks industry's older heads have voiced concern that gin without juniper berries, or lacking in juniper character, is on the rise. Among them is Hayman's Gin , which recently launched the Call Time On Fake Gin campaign. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures Says the distiller: "Recently we have started to see some producers marketing gins that have little or no evident connection to juniper. While botanical innovation and experimentation has long been linked to gin’s success, we believe that a small number of producers are today creating spirits that have strayed too far from what makes gin 'gin'." Sipsmith Gin co-founder Fairfax Hall is another distiller who has taken up the fight against gin without juniper. Drinks Adventures caught up with Fairfax for a chat about all things gin in Sydney earlier this year. All other Drinks Adventures episodes, show notes, transcripts and many helpful links are available on the podcast website, DrinksAdventures.com.au , and you can email me at hello@drinksadventures.com.au. Follow James Atkinson on Facebook here , Instagram here and Twitter here . Theme music ‘Sandbox’ by Rudists. You can listen to more from Cameo Culture at https://soundcloud.com/cameoculture .
S1 E1 · Wed, September 19, 2018
Sake goes global: Japan's national drink finds new audience
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Sake is Japan's iconic national beverage and it can be every bit as rich in heritage, sophistication and complexity as fine wine. It is a superior match for many cuisines. Cast aside any preconceptions you may have of that cheap and nasty stuff served scalding hot in Aussie-Japanese restaurants. You may also like: Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures If you haven't yet discovered the delights of Japanese sake, now is the time to add it to your drinking repertoire. Australian visitation to Japan continues to increase and with that, growing numbers of us are looking to enjoy fine Japanese food and drink on our return. The increased interest in Japanese sake has driven the growth of exports to Australia, which is now the second fastest growing market for Japanese sake worldwide. Eighteen sake breweries recently participated in a sake showcase and masterclass in Sydney organised by Japanese trade authorities, attended by the local restaurant trade. Drinks Adventures attended to find out a bit more about what makes sake unique. We spoke with leading sake brewers and local champions of Japanese sake including Yukino Ochiai of De Ja Vu Sake, Melbourne restaurateur Andre Bishop and Sakeshop founder Leigh Hudson. Music credits:Rudists - SandboxCameo Culture - FrancoisHigh Highs - Glamorous Party (Cameo Culture Remix)Bad Snacks - Mizuki All other Drinks Adventures episodes, show notes, transcripts and many helpful links are available on the podcast website, DrinksAdventures.com.au , and you can email me at hello@drinksadventures.com.au. Follow James Atkinson on Facebook here , Instagram here and Twitter here . Theme music ‘Sandbox’ by Cameo Culture. You can listen to more from Cameo Culture at https://soundcloud.com/cameoculture .
Trailer · Thu, August 09, 2018
Wine, Beer, Whisky & Gin: Drinks Adventures launching soon
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. A wine, beer, whisky and gin podcast launching September 2018. Theme music by Cameo Culture.
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