Episode 574: January 30, 2016

The debate over age statements on whiskies shows no sign of going away, but how does a brand decide to remove the age statement from its whiskey? Earlier this month, Heaven Hill announced that it would remove the 12-year-old age statement from its Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon and start making the whiskey with casks 8 to 12 years old. We’ll discuss the reasons behind that move with Heaven Hill co-master distiller Denny Potter and longtime Heaven Hill executive Larry Kass on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth, along with the company’s latest plans for expanding its Bernheim Distillery in Louisville to meet demand. In the news, Diageo plans to start focusing on more affordable whiskies in emerging markets because of currency exchange rates, Scotland’s government is giving a boost to two distillery projects, and Whisky Magazine announces its Icons of Whisky Awards world whisky winners.

Links: Heaven Hill | Diageo | Glencadam | Drimnin Distillery | Morrison & Mackay | Bruichladdich | Springbank | The Last Drop | Johnnie Walker | Booker’s | Woodford Reserve | Icons of Whisky Awards | Jack Daniel’s | Oxford Today | Compass Box | Bern’s Steak House