Unpoured Perspectives : A conversation with the Architect of Taste - Stephen Rich

In Part 2 of our conversation with The Hood Sommelier, Jack shares the story behind his Wisdom from Africa series: the friend who jumps into the hole to show you the way out, and why the person in the water never makes fun of the crocodile. He talks about the gap between an online persona and real life, and tells us some stories. We also get into his grandmother's favourite piece of wisdom, the best way to drink whisky, and the question Jack leaves for our next guest. To finish, we pour some Canadian picks for Jack and he explains Afro Fusion, his dinners that pair whisky and cocktails with African cuisine. Missed Part 1? Start there for conversation you won't want to miss with The Hood Sommelier FIND JACK Instagram: @hood_sommelier YouTube, TikTok and Facebook: hoodsommelier Unpoured Perspectives: Your Mind on Whisky. Bobby | @dramsanddrips Joel | @scratchnscotch Kevin | @spiritforus Music credit to BoDleasons for Alone #whisky #hoodsommelier #wisdomfromafrica #unpouredperspectives CHAPTERS 00:00 - Wisdom from Africa 08:01 - Real Friends and the Owen Martin Bet 13:21 - Grandma's Favourite Wisdom 20:52 - The Best Way to Drink Whisky 25:59 - Three Bottles on a Desert Island 38:44 - Pouring Canadian Picks for Jack 48:20 - Afro Fusion: Whisky Meets African Food 57:14 - Wrap-Up and Where to Find Jack

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 JACK Instagram: @hood_sommelier YouTube, TikTok and Facebook: @hoodsommelier Unpoured Perspectives: Your Mind on Whisky. Bobby | @dramsanddrips Joel | @scratchnscotch Kevin | @spiritforus Music credit to BoDleasons for Alone #whisky #canadianwhisky #hoodsommelier #unpouredperspectives CHATPERS 00:00:00 - Welcome to Unpoured Perspectives 00:02:29 - What's in Our Glasses 00:11:32 - Canadian Whisky's Identity Problem 00:24:32 - Who Makes the Rules? Whisky Designations 00:37:38 - The 9.09% Rule and Label Transparency 00:41:41 - How an Independent Bottler Labels Whisky 00:48:15 - Jack's Whisky Education 00:50:19 - 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 Hamer www.instagram.com/cdnwhiskyawards/ www.facebook.com/whiskyawards/ www.linkedin.com/company/canadian-whisky-awards www.reddit.com/user/canadawhiskyawards/ https://spiritforus.ca | Kevin Donde | @spiritforus Bobby Laevens | @dramsanddrips Joel Baachus | @scratchnscotch 00:00:00 - Let's Talk Awards 00:08:04 - Favourite Whisky 2002 00:00:32 - Transitioning 00:16:51 - Growing the Whisky Category 00:20:02 - Category Rabbit Holes 00:21:16 - Number of Entries. Scale. 00:23:31 - Canada Corner 00:28:13 - History 00:37:38 - How exactly are the Whiskies selected? 00:43:12 - Number of Judges 00:44:06 - Hierarchy of Awards 00:45:25 - Medals vs Awards 00:54:02 - Refresh our glasses 00:58:07 - Judging in Beer vs Whisky 01:06:08 - Very Easy to Critique 01:09:15 - Bobby needs some Gin 01:12:01 - Waves in Whisky 01:14:40 - How does someone become a judge? 01:19:38 - Answer one leave one 01:21:49 - Media Awards 01:26:07 - Leave a question 01:28:54 - 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.com https://www.facebook.com/Carrolls.Distillery @carrolls_distillery | [email protected] @spiritforus | https://spiritforus.ca @dramsanddrips @scratchnscotch @southernontariosippers 00:00:00 - Start 00:00:51 - Carrolls Distillery Intro 00:05:18 - FIrst Pour : Gannet 00:10:28 - Opportunity to educate 00:13:36 - Side story 00:14:50 - Yeasts & micro-climate 00:17:51 - Rum & rules 00:21:22 - Terroir or Merroir 00:23:06 - Second Pour Cormorant 00:25:22 - Coloured 00:29:09 - Getting barrels 00:35:42 - Cormorant Tasting Notes 00:40:08 - Bird Series 00:51:09 - RHE High Ester Rum 01:08:48 - Advice for young Mathieu 01:10:38 - Rum vs Rhum