The Rolex Whisky Passion Project

Dawn Davies, the buying director for The Whiskey Exchange, talks to Gavin about the modern whiskey market and raises issues such as overcharging customers, releasing substandard, non-age statement liquid, and using excessive packaging that shifts focus from the product to "pomp and ceremony."

She also highlighted a concern that the market prioritizes "flippers" over long-term customer loyalty. Des...

Gavin Linde welcomed Brandon Smith, the National Brand Activation Manager for Lofted Spirits, shared their professional background and their introduction to whiskey, emphasizing the importance of memories and friendships in whiskey appreciation.

They discussed the evolution of the whiskey industry, Bardstown Bourbon Company's unique approach, and the collaborative and innovative culture within the company, culminating in a disc...

Gavin Linde and Chris Blandford discussed the significant changes in the whiskey market, highlighting a new era where consumers are more educated and prioritize quality.

This shift has also brought challenges, particularly with barrel picks, where palate fatigue makes thorough assessment difficult.

Starlight Distillery was praised for its innovative and passionate approach, distinguishing it from larg...

Gavin Linde introduced Lars Rucker from Hong Kong, known for Tiffany's Bar and the Hong Kong Whiskey Festival, as a guest on the Rolex Whiskey podcast.

Lars discussed the evolution of the whiskey scene in Hong Kong and China, the growth of Tiffany's New York Bar's whiskey selection, and the significant development of the Hong Kong Whiskey Festival since its inception in 2016.

They also tal...

Gavin celebrates the milestone of 100 episodes by welcoming a special guest: Dan McKee, Master Distiller at Michter's Distillery. McKee, a longtime friend and industry peer, shares his journey into the world of whiskey, beginning with casual sips as a young man before embarking on a 13-year career in commercial roofing. His path shifted dramatically when he took a job as a distillery operator at Jim Beam, where he gained invalu...

Gavin Linde welcomed Benjamin Rosen to the Rolex Whiskey Passion Project, acknowledging their long-standing relationship and Benjamin's launch of Onyx and Amber.

Benjamin shared insights into the evolving whiskey market, detailing the shift from abundant choices to inflated prices and their personal investment in MGP barrels.

Benjamin Rosen explained that Onyx and Amber is a long-term, independen...

Gavin Linde welcomed Andreas Lykke, founder of the Daily Whisky. Andreas shared their journey into whiskey, highlighting their focus on challenging traditional perceptions and reaching a younger audience through daily content on "the Daily Whiskey" Instagram. Gavin and Andreas discussed experiences visiting distilleries, adapting to Instagram's algorithm changes, and revealed that "Daily Whisky" is a famil...

Gavin Linde and his guest Diego Lanza discuss the Hong Kong Whiskey Festival and Lanza's whiskey journey. Diego Lanza recounted their early exposure to whiskey in Italy, their move to London to specialize in whiskey, and their significant career progression at The Whiskey Exchange as an old and rare whiskey curator.

Gavin and Diego also discussed the evolution of sherry casks in whiskey production, the unique whiskey scene in H...

Gavin Linde interviews Peter Currie of Shand Import about his 25 years in the whiskey industry. Peter Currie discussed his journey, beginning with following his father into the industry, working for Line Whisies, and then spending eight years at Springbank Distillery where he was involved in all aspects of production and eventually became the sales and marketing director. He then moved to California in 2012 to work with Duncan Tayl...

Gavin Linde welcomes back Daryl Proof about his take on the whiskey market, specifically independent bottlers, and unique whisky barrels.

They shared barrel picking experiences, including an unplanned large pick with Prov, and talked about whisky consumption, high-proof whiskys, and tasting notes from picks like Locust Dream.

They also discussed barrel pricing, market hype, and future events, with Daryl aiming for three events per ye...

Gavin Linde and Mayur Bhatia, a member ambassador for the Scotch Malt Whiskey Society, discussed their early whiskey experiences, discovery of single malts and Japanese whisky, and memorable "wow" whiskies, including those from independent bottlers and the Scotch Malt Whiskey Society.

They explored the appeal of independent bottlers, the landscape of blended Scotch post-Compass Box, and the dynamics of wh...

James Walton, a passionate whiskey connoisseur and the driving force behind PureMalts, joins the conversation to share his deep-seated love for the spirit. PureMalts, as James explains, is dedicated to crafting exceptional, curated whiskey tasting experiences. His personal journey into the world of whisky began with a pivotal Forbes article highlighting the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, an inspiration that led him to a transfor...

Gavin Linde hosted Kevin C, known as "Bourbon Notes", about his early experiences to his successful social media presence. Kevin shared insights into his evolution from casual whiskey drinker to a connoisseur focused on high-quality bourbons, highlighting a pivotal moment involving a Four Roses Single Barrel that broadened his palate.

They also covered the dynamic changes within the bourbon community over the past decade, i...

Daniel Filipek and Gavin Linde discussed the evolution of the Japanese whiskey market since 2015, including their strategic inventory acquisitions, the impact of collectability, and recent market softening due to inventory dumping.

They also analyzed the high costs of new make whiskey, the depletion of old-growth American oak, and the rising value of rare American bourbons in Japan. The conversation extended to t...

Chris Perugini of Single Maltsavvy discussed the evolution of the whiskey landscape since 2008.

They highlighted the shift from limited availability and special orders to a widespread online market, including price gouging.

The conversation covered regional differences, preferences for smaller whiskey gatherings over large festivals, and the transformation of distilleries from small operations to larger, more technologically advanced...

Gavin and Boris Borissov, affectionately known as the "Whisky King," engaged in a comprehensive discussion exploring their shared passion for whisky, encompassing everything from personal collecting journeys to the intricacies of the global market. Boris, whose whisky journey began in 2013 with a pivotal tasting and a subsequent trip to Islay in 2014, detailed his evolution into an avid collector, focusing on limited releas...

Marci P. and Gavin explored the fascinating resurgence of bourbon, a spirit once languishing in dusty liquor store shelves during the 1980s. Marci, with her insider perspective from the wine and liquor trade, recounted how bourbon was far from fashionable, and she even assisted distributors in offloading surplus stock, a stark contrast to today's market where these same bottles, like Pappy Van Winkle, command astronomical price...

Gavin and Jack Taub, embarked on a conversational journey through the world of whiskey, reflecting on experiences ranging from the bustling Whiskey Live Paris festival to the quiet contemplation of rare Scotch.

Their shared passion was evident as they discussed the evolving landscape of whiskey collecting, investment strategies, and the stark differences in alcohol sales between the UK and the US. The conversation meandered through ...