Richard and So-Han welcome special guest Irene Tan to the West China Tea House and Whiskey Provisioner. Irene, a distinguished figure in the whiskey world from Connecticut, shares her journey from being a software engineer to becoming a Level 4 whiskey sommelier. We dive into her experiences in blending whiskey, her move from wine to whiskey, and her connections with notable distilleries like Whistle Pig and Kings County.

Irene also offers insights into her whiskey collaborations, such as the cigar blend project with Andalusia. As the conversation flows, so does the tea, with discussions on the similarities and differences between blending tea and whiskey, and the traditional methods of tea preparation. This episode offers a blend of personal stories, professional insights, and cross-culture beverage appreciation. ⸺ credits ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺Richard Amiro - host http://richardamiro.comSo-Han Fan - guest https://www.youtube.com/@TeaHouseGhost - https://westchinatea.com/Cory Cranfill - a really helpful guy https://youtube.com/@shedlogic - https://www.righttoolmedia.comGuest - Irene Tan https://whiskymentors.com/ - https://www.instagram.com/whiskymentors/

Ever wondered what makes a truly Texan gin? Or how ancient wild teas connect with modern craft spirits? Get ready for a fascinating journey into the heart of Texas botanicals and rare tea traditions! In this episode of the Whiskey Provisioner, hosts Richard and So-Han are joined by the remarkable Molly Cummings, biology professor and the entrepreneurial spirit behind WildGins Co. Dive deep into the world of gin as Molly shares her passion for foraging unique Texas juniper species – a biodiversity hotspot with more varieties than any other US state! Learn how she transforms these native treasures, like the Alligator Juniper and the rare Red Berry Juniper, into award-winning gins with distinct personalities. Meanwhile, So-Han of West China Tea expertly pairs these exceptional spirits with equally unique and wild-harvested teas, including a "Wild Sparrow" purple green tea and a complex "Needle on the Sea Floor" Oolong. Discover the surprising parallels between tea and gin production, the importance of "Qi" and terroir, and the beautiful synergy when these two worlds collide.

Richard and So-Han host Amanda Beckwith from Virginia Distillery on this episode of Whiskey Provisioner. They dive into the intriguing intersections of whiskey production and tea blending, sharing stories about their first experiences with various spirits and the innovation behind Fireball and Four Loko. So-Han introduces a unique purple tea from Ngunnaw Mountain, detailing its rare pigmentation and health benefits. Amanda discusses her ventures in whiskey reduction with Lapsang Souchong tea and the rich community of women in whiskey production. Their conversation also covers the importance of nuanced education in tea and whiskey, highlighting collaborative efforts within the industry. They end with a tasting of Starward Australian whiskey, exploring its unique flavor profile aged in red wine barrels and finished in Lagavulin casks. Perfect for whiskey aficionados and tea lovers alike!

Richard and So-Han from Whiskey Provisioner welcome Amanda Beckwith from Virginia Distillery to discuss the intersection of whiskey and tea. Filmed at Still Austin, this episode delves into the art of blending whiskey, the impact of terroir, and the growing American Single Malt category. Amanda shares her background, blending techniques, and the newly ratified standards for American Single Malts. The conversation also explores palate sensitivity, the nuances of tasting, and the importance of transparency in the whiskey industry. Experience the unique pairing of whiskey and tea, and discover the intricacies behind each sip.

⸺ 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 Guest - Amanda Beckwith https://vadistillery.com/ ⸺ socials ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺ Website: https://whiskeyprovisioner.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@whiskeyprovisioner Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhiskeyProvisioner Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whiskey_provisioner Twitter: https://twitter.com/WhiskeyProvis

Whiskey Provisioner: Catching Up Over Tennessee Whiskeys at Wizard Academy

In this episode of Whiskey Provisioner, Richard welcomes guest Madison for a day at the Wizard Academy. They explore Tennessee whiskeys, including Davidson's Reserve and S.E. Callahan's Bourbon, sharing tasting notes and personal stories about the whiskey community. They discuss their experiences with the Whiskey sommelier levels, the close-knit nature of small-town bars, and the heartwarming connections formed through shared whiskey adventures.

00:00 Introduction and Setup 00:33 Welcome to Whiskey Provisioner 00:43 Whiskey Sommelier Levels and Friends 01:20 Catching Up with Madison 02:15 Madison's New Bar Adventures 07:00 Exploring Tennessee Whiskeys 09:22 Whiskey Marketing School Experience 22:28 Memories and Reflections 25:01 Conclusion and Cheers

Richard hosts another episode of Whiskey Provisioner with Jason Sowder and Theresa Smith, featuring a side-by-side tasting of two distinctive rye whiskeys. They explore Stauning Danish Rye, a unique double-oaked expression from the Drammers Club single barrel program, alongside Wilson Valley Mercantile's Texas-made "seed to sip" rye whiskey. The trio dives deep into the complexities of rye whiskey production, from floor malting techniques to direct-fire distillation. They discuss how Stauning's innovative approach using malted rye and small pot stills creates rich chocolate and marshmallow notes, while Wilson Valley's farm-to-glass approach yields a clean, grassy expression that captures the essence of their Texas farm distillery. The conversation extends beyond tasting notes to explore the broader whiskey education landscape, touching on programs like the Whiskey Sommelier certification, Bonafide Whiskey Enthusiast program, and various international whiskey academies. A perfect watch for anyone interested in craft distilling, rye whiskey variations, and the growing world of whiskey education. ⸺ credits ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺

Richard Amiro - host http://richardamiro.com

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

Guest - Theresa Smith https://www.canadianwhiskysmith.com/ https://www.instagram.com/canadianwhiskysmith/

Guest - Jason Sowder https://www.instagram.com/theproofllc/ https://theproofllc.com/ ⸺ socials ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺ Website: https://whiskeyprovisioner.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@whiskeyprovisioner Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhiskeyProvisioner Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whiskey_provisioner Twitter: https://twitter.com/WhiskeyProvis

Richard hosts another episode of Whiskey Provisioner featuring two Whiskey Sommelier Level 4 instructors at the Wizard Academy - Jason Sowder from Detroit, founder of the Proof LLC, and Theresa Smith, known as the Canadian Whiskey Smith from Alberta. In this episode, they explore and taste Pocono New Zealand Single Malt from their Winter Malt experimental series, featuring unique ingredients like Manuka honey smoked malt and chocolate malt. The trio discusses the emerging whiskey scene in New Zealand and Australia, diving deep into tasting notes that reveal layers of complexity - from light fruity notes to dark chocolate and subtle smoke. They share insights about international whiskey distribution, proofing standards across different markets, and how craft distilleries like Pocono are carving their own identity while respecting traditional whiskey-making techniques. Whether you're a whiskey enthusiast or just getting started, this conversation offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of craft whiskey from down under, complete with expert tasting analysis and industry insights. ⸺ credits ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺ Richard Amiro - host http://richardamiro.com Cory Cranfill - a really helpful guy https://youtube.com/@shedlogic - https://www.righttoolmedia.com Guest - Theresa Smith https://www.canadianwhiskysmith.com/ https://www.instagram.com/canadianwhiskysmith/Guest - Jason Sowder https://www.instagram.com/theproofllc/ https://theproofllc.com/ ⸺ socials ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺ Website: https://whiskeyprovisioner.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@whiskeyprovisioner Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhiskeyProvisioner Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whiskey_provisioner Twitter: https://twitter.com/WhiskeyProvis

Join host Richard at the Wizard Academy as he sits down with Jason Sowder, a Level 4 Sommelier and educator, to explore Norton Aquavit, a unique Detroit-made spirit crafted in the Scandinavian tradition. Jason shares his fascinating journey into the world of spirits, starting with a whiskey club experience in Boston that sparked his passion for exploration. In this episode, they dive deep into the world of Aquavit, discussing its botanical composition including dill, caraway, sumac, and various citrus notes. Jason explains how Norton Aquavit is produced using Michigan corn and a botanical basket distillation process, creating a smooth 90-proof spirit that drinks surprisingly mild .The conversation covers the challenges of craft spirit marketing, the importance of storytelling in the industry, and how smaller producers can find their place in a market dominated by big brands. Jason also shares insights about Norton Aquavit's creative marketing strategies, including their memorable Scandinavian crawfish boil events.Whether you're a spirits enthusiast or simply curious about craft distilling, this episode offers an engaging look into the world of alternative spirits and the people passionate about sharing them. Find out more about Norton Aquavit at NortonAquavit.com and follow Jason's work at TheProofLLC.com.

⸺ credits ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺ Richard Amiro - host http://richardamiro.com Cory Cranfill - a really helpful guy https://youtube.com/@shedlogic - https://www.righttoolmedia.com Guest - Jason Sowder@theproofllctheproofllc.com ⸺ socials ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺ Website: https://whiskeyprovisioner.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@whiskeyprovisioner Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhiskeyProvisioner Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whiskey_provisioner Twitter: https://twitter.com/WhiskeyProvis