Join tea expert So-Han from West China Tea, distiller C.J. from Still Austin Whiskey Co., and host Richard for an in-depth exploration of rye whiskey and rare Chinese tea. So-Han introduces a unique red tea called Hong Ho Kuei (Red Monkey Chief), a variant of the famous Taiping Houkui green tea from Anhui province. He explains the tea's origins, processing methods, and how different mountain sides affect tea flavor. C.J. shares his journey into distilling, inspired by YouTube videos and homebrewing experiments. He discusses Still Austin's grain-to-glass philosophy and their use of the distinctive Brasetto rye varietal. The group samples and compares Still Austin's regular rye, cask strength rye, and a special single barrel release. They explore how proof levels, blending techniques, and barrel selection impact flavor profiles. Throughout the tasting, So-Han and C.J. draw parallels between tea and whiskey production, discussing topics like water quality, terroir, and the art of blending. They also touch on the growing Texas whiskey industry and Still Austin's innovative approaches. The episode highlights the exceptional pairing of Hong Ho Kuei tea with Still Austin's ryes, revealing new flavor dimensions when combined. It concludes with reflections on the craft spirits movement and the importance of exploring diverse rye whiskey expressions. Whether you're a whiskey enthusiast, tea lover, or curious about craft beverages, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and tasting insights from passionate experts. @TeaHouseGhost @stillatx ⸺ credits ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺ Richard Amiro - host http://richardamiro.com So-Han Fan - guest https://www.youtube.com/@TeaHouseGhost - https://westchinatea.com/ Cory Cranfill - a really helpful guy  https://youtube.com/@shedlogic - https://www.righttoolmedia.com C.J. Helms- guest https://www.stillaustin.com/ https://www.instagram.com/stillatx/ https://www.instagram.com/cjhh521 ⸺ socials ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺ Website: https://whiskeyprovisioner.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/WhiskeyProvis TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@whiskeyprovisioner Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhiskeyProvisioner Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whiskey_provisioner

Join tea expert So-Han from West China Tea, distiller C.J. from Still Austin Whiskey Co., and Richard from Whiskey Provisioner for an in-depth discussion about the art and science of craft distilling and a tasting of their innovative rye whiskeys. C.J. shares fascinating details about Still Austin's grain-to-glass philosophy, working with Texas-grown grains and local artists to create truly unique expressions. He explains how their towering 50-foot column still, affectionately named "Nancy" after the '50s sci-fi character, is specifically designed to retain flavorful oils during distillation. So-Han introduces a rare Chinese green tea called Guanduancha from Guizhou province, which is processed similarly to Sheng Pu-erh. The tea's bold, smoky character and notes of chocolate pair beautifully with Still Austin's 100% Rye, made from the distinctive Brasetto rye varietal. The group then samples an upcoming release from Still Austin's Distillery Reserve Series, a Madeira cask-finished rye. They compare tasting notes, finding the wine cask imparts additional layers of fruit, honey, and a subtle flintiness. C.J. delves into the art of whiskey blending, highlighting the crucial role of Master Blender Nancy Fraley. He discusses the slow water reduction technique used to create a more balanced, less tannic profile in the Texas climate. So-Han reflects on Still Austin's impressive evolution, from selling new make spirit to now offering a diverse range of aged expressions. The group muses on the importance of women in the whiskey industry, given their often superior sense of smell. The episode concludes with an invitation to visit Still Austin's distillery in South Austin and West China Tea at their current location before they relocate in August. Whether you're a whiskey connoisseur, tea enthusiast, or simply appreciate the passion and innovation of local artisans, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. Cheers! @TeaHouseGhost @stillatx

⸺ credits ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺

Richard Amiro - host http://richardamiro.com

So-Han Fan - guest https://www.youtube.com/@TeaHouseGhost - https://westchinatea.com/

Cory Cranfill - a really helpful guy  https://youtube.com/@shedlogic - https://www.righttoolmedia.com

C.J. Helms- guest https://www.stillaustin.com/ https://www.instagram.com/stillatx/

https://www.instagram.com/cjhh521

⸺ socials ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺

Website: https://whiskeyprovisioner.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WhiskeyProvis

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@whiskeyprovisioner

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhiskeyProvisioner

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whiskey_provisioner

Join tea expert So-Han from West China Tea, Richard of Whiskey Provisioner, and distiller Moose Allen from Andalusia Distilling for an engaging discussion about Moose's journey into the world of craft distilling and a tasting of their special heavily peated single malt whiskey finished in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. Moose shares his fascinating story of transitioning from a career in paint equipment repair to volunteering at Andalusia Distilling, where he quickly became an indispensable part of the team. He discusses the challenges and joys of working at a small craft distillery, from jury-rigging equipment to experimenting with unique cask finishes.So-Han introduces a special fermented "shou" Pu-erh tea cake, explaining how these teas are pressed and aged to develop rich, complex flavors that pair exceptionally well with whiskey. He demonstrates how to break apart the tea cake using a special knife, preparing it for brewing. The group then samples Andalusia's heavily peated single malt, comparing it to their regular peated expression. Moose explains how the sherry cask finishing rounds out the smoky flavors, creating a beautifully balanced and complex whiskey. They discuss the importance of exploring different flavor profiles and the joy of sharing unique expressions with friends in the whiskey and tea communities. Moose emphasizes the value of keeping an open mind and being willing to experiment with new techniques and ingredients.The episode concludes with a special tea and whiskey pairing, affectionately dubbed "Pusky," and an invitation to visit West China Tea at their new location in East Austin. Whether you're a fan of single malt whiskey, fermented teas, or the passionate people who craft them, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. Cheers!@TeaHouseGhost ⸺ credits ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺ Richard Amiro - host http://richardamiro.com So-Han Fan - guest https://www.youtube.com/@TeaHouseGhost - https://westchinatea.com/ Cory Cranfill - a really helpful guy  https://youtube.com/@shedlogic - https://www.righttoolmedia.com Moose- guest https://www.andalusiawhiskey.com/ https://www.instagram.com/andalusiawhiskey/ ⸺ socials ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺ Website: https://whiskeyprovisioner.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/WhiskeyProvis TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@whiskeyprovisioner Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhiskeyProvisioner Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whiskey_provisioner