Episode 455: December 8, 2013

The Malt Maniacs announced the results of the 11th annual Malt Maniacs Whisky Awards this week, and a 1973 Karuizawa single cask from Japan ended GlenDronach’s three-year reign as the overall champion. This year’s competition was one of the toughest ever, with only four gold medals out of nearly 200 entries. Maniacs Oliver Klimek and Keith Wood join us to discuss this year’s competition on WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, there’s a $10,000 reward being offered in the Pappy Van Winkle thefts, The Macallan’s David Cox updates us on the US launch of M and the distillery’s £100 million expansion project, and Glenmorangie’s David Blackmore explains how 50 bottles of the Glenmorangie 1963 were discovered in a warehouse. This week’s tasting notes include the latest batch of Aberlour A’Bunadh and the Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select.

Links: Malt Maniacs | Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery | Franklin County Sheriff’s Department | Whisky Magazine | Glenmorangie | Ballantine’s | George Dickel | Rock Town Distillery | Glenglassaugh | GlenDronach | The Macallan | Ron Burgundy Whisky | Aberlour | Jack Daniel’s