Banter Over Whisky

This week on Banter over Whisky, we’re joined by Simon from Southern Spirit Syndicate and Vic from Vic.Whiskey to talk about their very first Australian whisky barrel pick!🔥 A 5-year-old, 58.2% ABV single malt from Corowa Distilling Co. A big, bold PX sherry cask whisky that brings plenty of flavour, a long finish and some serious Aussie whisky character.But this episode is about more than just the dram…🇦🇺 We dive into the story behind Southern Spirit Syndicate, the years of planning, the hunt for the perfect barrel and the patience it took to bring this release to life.🥃 What’s on the tasting table?• A 30-year-old PX sherry cask from Spain.• A big, rich, sherry-influenced Australian single malt.• 58.2% ABV, bottled at cask strength.• An oily texture, long finish and plenty of character.• A whisky that pairs beautifully with a cigar.We also chat about the Australian whisky industry, supporting local distilleries, future releases, and why Simon and Vic are passionate about keeping things Australian, small-batch and as natural as possible.And of course… plenty of banter, laughs and a few controversial whisky opinions along the way! 😂Is this a winter whisky? Or would you mix it with a lemon and ginger kombucha? 🤔You’ll have to listen to find out!🎧 Tune in now and join us for another cracking episode of Banter over Whisky.🥃 Cheers!

This episode came together at the last minute... and it turned into one of our most entertaining chats yet!We're joined by long-time friend of the show Ray Daniel from Whisky Wayfarers for an honest, hilarious conversation covering everything from favourite pours and bourbon obsession to whisky clubs, bottle allocations, travel, and the community that makes whisky so much more than what's in the glass.Expect plenty of laughs, stories from the road, behind-the-scenes insights into Whisky Wayfarers, and some passionate discussion about iconic drams like Eagle Rare and the legendary Buffalo Trace Distillery.If you enjoy good whisky, great conversations, and a bit of banter between mates, this one's for you.Now Live! Grab your favourite dram, jump into the chat, and let us know:What's the one bottle you'd want to be remembered for?

This week on Banter Over Whisky, we're joined by Tim Freeman from Western Tiers Distillery to uncover one of the most unique origin stories in Australian whisky.What started as a way to showcase distillery engineering capabilities quickly became a passion project that evolved into one of Tasmania's exciting whisky producers. Tim takes us behind the scenes of building a distillery, crafting triple-distilled single malts, and why Western Tiers has chosen to do things a little differently.🎙️ In this episode:How Western Tiers was originally built to sell distilleries—not whisky!The journey from engineering and fabrication to award-winning spirits.Why every Western Tiers whisky is triple distilled.The story behind bottling their signature range at 49% ABV.A guided tasting through their Highland Lakes, Port, and Sherry expressions.The challenges and rewards of building a whisky business in Tasmania.Plenty of laughs, whisky banter, and a healthy dose of Tasmanian rivalry.💬 Memorable quote:"Anybody can make a brochure. Not everybody can build a distillery." – Tim FreemanFrom bourbon casks to bold decisions, this episode is packed with great stories and insight into one of Australia's most interesting distilleries.🎧 Tune in now and pour yourself a dram as we chat all things whisky with Tim Freeman and the team at Western Tiers Distillery.

This week we're joined by whisky industry favourite Andy Tsai from Brown–Forman, known to many as "the Jack Daniel’s guy", for a fascinating deep dive into the world of Jack Daniel's.From his journey into brand advocacy to the stories behind some of Jack Daniel's most sought-after releases, Andy shares what goes on behind the scenes at one of the world's most iconic distilleries.🎙️ In this episode:• Andy's path from sales into whisky advocacy• The evolution of the Jack Daniel's portfolio beyond Old No. 7• The rise of Single Barrel expressions and why they changed the whisky landscape• The incredible connection between Jack Daniel's and Frank Sinatra• The story behind Sinatra Select and the famous grooved barrels• Why whisky is ultimately about people, stories, and shared experiences💬 Memorable quote:"If you're going to be busy, be busy with projects that you really care about." – Andy Tsai🥃 Plus plenty of whisky banter as all three Banter Over Whisky hosts get together with Andy to chat drams, collectability, opening special bottles, and the importance of enjoying whisky with the right people.🎧 Tune in now and discover why there's so much more to Jack Daniel's than meets the eye.

What does it take to recognise and celebrate the very bestspirits being produced in Australia?This week we're joined by the man behind Whisky Is My Jam,Mark Teagues, who takes us behind the scenes of the TasmanianWhisky and Spirits Awards and discusses the growing influence of Tasmaniaon the Australian whisky landscape.From the rigorous judging process and the importance ofindependent awards to the continued growth of Tasmanian Whisky Week,Mark shares why celebrating excellence and bringing whisky lovers together ishelping drive the industry forward.🔥 In this episode:• The story behind the Tasmanian Whisky and Spirits Awards• How Australia's best whiskies and spirits are judged• What judges look for in award-winning drams• The growth and impact of Tasmanian Whisky Week• Why whisky festivals are vital for distillers and consumers alike• Tasmania's place on the world whisky stage• Plenty of whisky banter and industry insights💬 Highlights from theconversation:"Awards are about recognising excellence and helpingconsumers discover quality.""Tasmanian Whisky Week has become a celebration of theentire whisky community.""The quality coming out of Australian distilleriescontinues to reach new heights."Whether you're planning a whisky trip to Tasmania, followingthe latest award winners, or simply enjoy a great whisky conversation, thisepisode is packed with insights from one of the industry's most passionateadvocates.