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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: @hoodsommelier Unpoured Perspectives: Your Mind on Whisky.Bobby | @dramsanddripsJoel | @scratchnscotchKevin | @spiritforus Music credit to BoDleasons for Alone#whisky #canadianwhisky #hoodsommelier #unpouredperspectives CHATPERS00:00:00 - 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 | @scratchnscotch 00:00:00 - 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 | @scratchnscotch 00:00:00 - 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

On this very special St. Patricks day episode we hang out with Cooper Sleeman and talk everything Spring Mill distillery, John Sleeman & Sons whisky and the 200 year legacy and all the stories that come with that. We were also the first to try the new Single Cask Aeneas Coffey Whisky released for St Patricks day.  https://johnsleemanandsons.com/ | @wardbar1836 | @johnsleemanandsonshttps://spiritforus.ca | Kevin Donde | @spiritforusBobby Laevens | @dramsanddripsJoel Baachus | @scratchnscotch

Just a short one for today. We are on a bit of a hiatus until our one, but we felt we had to address our recent success at the Canadian Whisky Awards.  00:00 - Start00:09 - How do we do this again?00:23 - Spirit For Us Awards00:57 - Best Podcast Award02:19 - UP Album Features03:21 - Cheque's in the mail03:49 - Amber Whisky05:13 - Thanks all round06:00 - New name?

Unpoured Perspectives : Your mind on whisky!We find out more about the newly redesigned Taste Experience: The London Food and Drink Experience from Stephen Rich. A fresh new chapter celebrating the incredible flavours of Canada with a 250 ft bar, aiming to have 1000 beverage/alcohol products and many other attractions. Even if you can't attend the show directly, we had a wonderful conversation, finding out about the goals and design of the show. I'm looking forward to January 9th & 10th 2026. ‪@definitionale | https://definitionale.com/ @scotchponder | https://www.scotchandponder.com/@tastewfd | https://www.tastewfd.com/ @spiritforus | https://spiritforus.ca/ @southernontariosippers  @scratchnscotch 00:00:00 - Start00:00:30 - Intro00:01:02 - London Food & Wine rebranded00:01:28 - Show guest experience00:04:42 - Growth00:06:11 - Spirits & Cocktails guest experience00:10:20 - What's on the table?00:13:15 - Gotta get the experts00:16:40 - Shift in philosophy00:22:11 - North West Territories beer00:23:40 - Bar geography00:28:37 - What else will be there?00:31:44 - The Stage00:33:24 - What about future years?00:37:39 - Keepsake00:40:01 - Make up of the bar00:42:16 - Exciting samples00:43:11 - Tormore Remembered00:43:43 - Curators00:44:53 - It's worth it!00:47:03 - Pushback at first.00:47:59 - Answer one leave one00:58:09 - Outro

Your mind on whisky!The guys do a ‘state of the union’ type podcast where we explore past, future and present endeavours from both Spirit for Us, Southern Ontario Sippers and Unpoured Perspectives. Kevin gets hyped up for the evolving London social scene, Joel gets nostalgic and Bobby fends off a whisky thief-live!  @shortpours @logans_libations@scotchponder | https://www.scotchandponder.com/ @MsLaurynHill   Dram Mor | https://drammorgroup.com/El Tequileno | https://www.tequileno.com/London Taste Experience | https://www.tastewfd.com/Gretzky Estates | https://shop.waynegretzkyestates.com/wayne-gretzky-craftmanship-series-ginger-beer-ryeBridgeland | https://bridgelanddistillery.com/Denver and Liely | https://us.denverandliely.com/products/whisky-glass-1L'Encatada | https://lencantada.fr/en/Denningers | https://denningers.com/Supply and Demand | https://www.beerlab.com/https://singlecasknation.com/ | https://singlecasknation.com/pages/podcast@LastCallWhiskyPodcastLast | Call Whisky Podcast 00:00:00 - Intro00:00:30 - What's in our glasses?00:01:35 - Dram Mor event00:04:16 - El Tequileno00:09:34 - What's happening with SFU?00:16:53 - Next episode00:20:34 - Revisiting our last episode00:24:53 - Canada Corner00:35:03 - Innisfail00:40:51 - Glenbow Single Blend00:48:33 - Disclaimer00:50:55 - L'Encatada00:56:06 - Next SOS event00:58:57 - Next podcast01:03:33 - Joel's address.01:03:59 - Denver's leave one01:09:17 - Lauryn Hill01:13:01 - Last Call Whisky Podcast01:13:45 - Outro

Your brain on whisky! Unpoured Perspectives was lucky enough to visit Gretzky Estates for the release of their new Ginger Beer Cask Rye. We were lucky enough to get a tour of the facilities from Mark Evangelista (Blending & Maturation Lead), and then, we got to interview Mark and the new head of both Spirits and Wine, Jason Roller. The tour will be part 2, even though we technically did the tour first. And of course for Canada Corner we have the Ginger Beer Cask Rye. There are lots of exciting things planned at Gretzky Estates, including a couple that we got to try on the tour.  @gretzkyestates | https://waynegretzkyestates.com Bobby Laevons | @dramsanddripsJoel Bacchus | @scratchnscotchKevin Donde |  @spiritforus  | https://spiritforus.ca 00:00 - Intro00:12 - Recooping barrels03:16 - Blending Room04:25 - Blending in progress05:22 - 8 year-old Rye Toasted Barrel09:04 - 7 year old Barley Virgin Oak13:31 - Outro

Your brain on whisky! Unpoured Perspectives was lucky enough to visit Gretzky Estates for the release of their new Ginger Beer Cask Rye. We were lucky enough to get a tour of the facilities from Mark Evangelista (Blending & Maturation Lead), and then, we got to interview Mark and the new head of both Spirits and Wine, Jason Roller. The tour will be part 2, even though we technically did the tour first. And of course for Canada Corner we have the Ginger Beer Cask Rye. There are lots of exciting things planned at Gretzky Estates, including a couple that we got to try on the tour. @gretzkyestates | https://waynegretzkyestates.com |Bobby Laevons | @dramsanddripsJoel Bacchus | @scratchnscotchKevin Donde |  @spiritforus | https://spiritforus.ca 00:00 - Your mind on whisky00:27 - What are we drinking00:49 - How have things changed for you?01:34 - Sweet/Fire water02:20 - Easter Eggs03:06 - Good whisky?03:47 - Signature/Craftsmanship series continuation04:27 - Canada Corner06:15 - From wine to whisky08:13 - Favourite child?10:07 - What are you drinking at home?11:32 - Ian Buxton quote14:09 - Craft or Commercial?16:37 - Recipe17:51 - One question each?21:04 - Favourite Beverage22:04 - Beer Program?22:49 - Answer one, leave one28:04 - Where can we find you?

Welcome to Unpoured Perspectives. In this episode, we interview Denver Cramer from Denver and Liely. "For Love Not Money" does have a bit of a James Bond ring to it. Intentional, I promise. Glassware is a favourite topic for spirits enthusiasts, and talking to Denver about his whisky/bourbon/mezcal/beer and wine glasses was a real treat. It was also fun to see everyone one-up each other with the whisky, rum, and tequila they were drinking. We get into his history, current easter eggs and future plans that spirit enthusiasts have to look forward to, as well as a sort of surprise announcement for one lucky contractor.  https://denverandliely.com | Denver & Liely | @denverandliely Denver Cramer: @denvercramerJoel: @scratchnscotchBobby: @dramsanddripsKevin: @spriritforus http://spiritforus.cahttps://eauclairedistillery.ca/ | Eauclaire Cask Series Moscatel Music credit to BoDleasons for Alone The fate of all glass is to one day break.00:00:00 - Intro00:01:15 - What's in the glass?00:04:37 - Whisky Glass00:05:34 - Denver & Liely00:13:21 - Performance over aesthetics & style00:17:33 - Easter Eggs00:20:55 - Then vs Now00:25:54 - The Gospel00:29:34 - Time for a little one up-manship00:32:50 - High ABV?00:36:00 - Los Frontieres00:39:12 - Next dram00:47:27 - Wine Glass00:53:04 - Quench Journal00:57:42 - Drinking environment01:00:58 - Quote of the Day01:02:36 - Closing questions01:14:11 - Canada Corner

In episode 8 we talk with Two-sips Romano the Consigliere of spirits at Baytowne Wine and all the fun they get up to at Baytowne Wine and how they serve Canadians from Rochester New York and more. Baytowne Skitshttps://www.instagram.com/baytownewine/reel/DJ7xhVBuXN4/https://www.instagram.com/baytownewine/reel/C1heI6SuEhM/https://www.instagram.com/baytownewine/reel/DFgRg1UhU7n/ Baytowne Skitshttps://www.instagram.com/baytownewine/reel/DJ7xhVBuXN4/https://www.instagram.com/baytownewine/reel/C1heI6SuEhM/https://www.instagram.com/baytownewine/reel/DFgRg1UhU7n/ Lucas : @lstasting | @baytownewine | https://baytownewine.com/White Water Distilling Co : @whitewaterdistillingco | https://www.whitewaterspirits.ca/ Joel : @scratchnscotchBobby : @dramsanddripsKevin : @spriritforus 00:00:00 - Start00:07:34 - History00:10:41 - Cocktails00:14:49 - Ravens vs Bills00:16:16 - Canadian Connections00:20:37 - What's a Tom Collins Seminar?00:25:00 - Tea-na-colada00:27:14 - American market structure00:38:32 - Raising Glasses00:40:02 - Renaissance Rum00:42:41 - New & Exciting00:48:35 - Balancing popularity vs personal preference00:57:23 - Label Game01:05:27 - Last Question01:09:52 - Canada Corner01:18:43 - Recent SOS / SFU goings on

This episode of Unpoured Perspectives was recorded on July 23rd 2025. Today, we talk with the man, the myth, the legend... Don Dimonte from Last Straw Distillery. We've spoken about Don and Last Straw many times over our inaugural season so far. In that way, he is somewhat of a legend. Don has helped numerous other distillers and distilleries get started. This week, he released his Southern Ontario Sippers barrel pick of Amber Whisky ($75 - great value for money). While you're there, consider his Stout whisky as another incredible alternative. In a few weeks, for those who have been paying attention, we'll be releasing 4 new products. Head to spiritforus.ca and sign up to stay informed. We also sample his Blended Rye ($32.95) and others.  While we meander along the palates of several whiskies, we also talk through the excellent news for Ontario distillers. Great outlook for the future of distilling in Ontario!  https://laststrawdistillery.com | Last Straw Distillery Last Straw Distillery: @laststrawdistillJoel: @scratchnscotchBobby: @dramsanddripsKevin: @spriritforus http://spiritforus.ca

Welcome to Unpoured Perspectives. We have "The Instructor of Alcohol", "The Teacher of Tipples", "The Professor of Canadian Liquid Courage" ... Andrea Fujarczuk. We had so much to talk about that we had to break it up into two episodes. In part two, we start with Canada Corner and talk John Sleeman & Sons/Springmill distillery and so much more ... https://www.niagaracollege.ca/winebeerspirits/program/artisan-distilling/ | @niagaracollege Andrea: @cdnwhiskyprofJoel: @scratchnscotchBobby: @dramsanddripsKevin: @spriritforus http://spiritforus.ca