Unpoured Perspectives

We are joined by Jack Begedou, the Hood Sommelier, to break down the complexities of the spirits world. Jack pours a glass and tells us exactly what he thinks of Canadian whisky. Then he dares us to change his mind.In Part 1 of our conversation, Joel, Kevin and Bobby sit down with Jack from Omaha, Nebraska for a no-agenda evening that goes deep fast. Jack tells his own story: the certifications he earned so he would never be a "Google whisky reviewer", the Macallan 18 that opened a door for him, the night his friends gave him the name Hood Sommelier, and how a pandemic Instagram show called Monday Sucks grew into The Truth Is Barrel Proof podcast.Check out Part 2, that picks up with Wisdom from Africa, the best way to drink whisky, and three bottles for a desert island.Subscribe for monthly spirit insights, and let us know in the comments what you think about current whisky labeling standards.FIND JACKInstagram: @hood_sommelierYouTube, TikTok and Facebook: @hoodsommelierUnpoured Perspectives: Your Mind on Whisky.Bobby | @dramsanddripsJoel | @scratchnscotchKevin | @spiritforusMusic credit to BoDleasons for Alone#whisky #canadianwhisky #hoodsommelier #unpouredperspectivesCHATPERS00:00:00 - Welcome to Unpoured Perspectives00:02:29 - What's in Our Glasses00:11:32 - Canadian Whisky's Identity Problem00:24:32 - Who Makes the Rules? Whisky Designations00:37:38 - The 9.09% Rule and Label Transparency00:41:41 - How an Independent Bottler Labels Whisky00:48:15 - Jack's Whisky Education00:50:19 - How Jack Became the Hood Sommelier

Discover how whiskey awards are decided and who judges them. Alex Hamer joins us to pull back the curtain on the industry.Join hosts Joel, Kevin, and Bobby for a candid industry discussion about the spirits world. We explore the specific criteria used in whisky judging, from scale and entry numbers to the hierarchy of medals versus awards. This is a must-watch for anyone curious about what goes on behind the scenes of major competitions.The conversation also compares the evaluation methods for beer and whiskey, the path to becoming a professional judge, and how the category is growing. We get into the details of media awards and the challenges of evaluating spirits at a professional level. Alex Hamer shares his perspective on these vital topics.Subscribe for weekly whiskey industry insights, and let us know in the comments if you have a favorite spirit you want us to cover next.Alex Hamerwww.instagram.com/cdnwhiskyawards/www.facebook.com/whiskyawards/www.linkedin.com/company/canadian-whisky-awardswww.reddit.com/user/canadawhiskyawards/https://spiritforus.ca | Kevin Donde | @spiritforusBobby Laevens | @dramsanddripsJoel Baachus | @scratchnscotch00:00:00 - Let's Talk Awards00:08:04 - Favourite Whisky 200200:00:32 - Transitioning00:16:51 - Growing the Whisky Category00:20:02 - Category Rabbit Holes00:21:16 - Number of Entries. Scale.00:23:31 - Canada Corner00:28:13 - History00:37:38 - How exactly are the Whiskies selected?00:43:12 - Number of Judges00:44:06 - Hierarchy of Awards00:45:25 - Medals vs Awards00:54:02 - Refresh our glasses00:58:07 - Judging in Beer vs Whisky01:06:08 - Very Easy to Critique01:09:15 - Bobby needs some Gin01:12:01 - Waves in Whisky01:14:40 - How does someone become a judge?01:19:38 - Answer one leave one01:21:49 - Media Awards01:26:07 - Leave a question01:28:54 - Where can we find you?

Join us at the Gretzky Rick House as we taste a rare eight-year-old toasted rye whiskey. See how this 100% brusetto rye stands up.We are hanging out with Mark and Jason to break down the profile of this unique release. This toasted rye whiskey spent time in used bourbon barrels before undergoing a final finishing process. We examine the nose, palate, and finish to determine if this expression from the Gretzky Estates whiskey lineup lives up to the hype surrounding older Canadian rye offerings.Whether you are a fan of 100% rye whiskey or just curious about what the team at the Rick House is bottling, this whiskey tasting review provides a detailed look at the spirit. We discuss the impact of the wood influence and how the aging process contributes to the overall character of the glass.Subscribe for weekly whiskey reviews and deep dives into Canadian spirits. Let us know in the comments if you have tried any toasted rye whiskey expressions lately.@gretzkyestates | waynegretzkyestates.com @spiritforus | spiritforus.com@scratchnscotch@dramsanddrips

We're happy to have Matthew Carroll from Carroll's Distillery join us to discuss all things rum. Matthew, a skilled distiller from New Brunswick, shares his insights into the world of Rum and Rhum Agricole. This episode explores the nuances of rum and even touches on the idea of a fun cocktail. https://carrollsdistillery.wpcomstaging.comhttps://www.facebook.com/Carrolls.Distillery@carrolls_distillery | [email protected]@spiritforus | https://spiritforus.ca@dramsanddrips @scratchnscotch@southernontariosippers  00:00:00 - Start00:00:51 - Carrolls Distillery Intro00:05:18 - FIrst Pour : Gannet00:10:28 - Opportunity to educate00:13:36 - Side story00:14:50 - Yeasts & micro-climate00:17:51 - Rum & rules00:21:22 - Terroir or Merroir00:23:06 - Second Pour Cormorant00:25:22 - Coloured00:29:09 - Getting barrels00:35:42 - Cormorant Tasting Notes00:40:08 - Bird Series00:51:09 - RHE High Ester Rum01:08:48 - Advice for young Mathieu01:10:38 - Rum vs Rhum

We have a lot going on in this one. In Canada Corner, we talk about mushroom whisky and Bearface's Elementally Aged. The Canadian Whisky Awards and Wisky Wonderland have also come and gone and Kevin and Joel chat Australia and Portugal.https://www.bearfacewhisky.com/ | @bearfacewhiskyhttps://spiritforus.ca | Kevin Donde | @spiritforusBobby Laevens | @dramsanddripsJoel Baachus | @scratchnscotch00:00:00 - Here we go!00:01:22 - Mushroom Whisky00:02:43 - Elementally Aged00:10:32 - Pricing in Australia00:15:51 - Crazy cocktail00:20:50 - Vermuth from the Barrell00:23:19 - Fun stuff from Don00:25:56 - Ballad of Michael Scorn00:28:15 - Hip Hop Scotch00:33:22 - Canadian Whisky Awards00:33:55 - Last straw awards - whiskies00:34:52 - Spirit For Us Whisky awards00:37:49 - Best vs Gold00:41:58 - Award Surprises00:46:18 - Best in Category00:54:17 - Baldurs call out00:55:49 - Coming up01:00:11 - Spirit in Niagara Release01:03:28 - Dillons Rye01:08:03 - Rum01:13:00 - Coming up01:22:21 - Whisky Wonderland