554 - Blenders Without Borders with Justin Aden of Stranahans and Alex Tomas of Bushmills

What happens when you put a pioneer of American Single Malt in a room with a master of Irish heritage? Well we’re finding out today as we step outside the bluegrass to explore the global world of malt. We’re joined by Justin Aden from Stranahan's and Alex Thomas from Bushmills to break down the art of the blend and why local ingredients become a key competitve advantage in this market. Justin talks to us about the high-altitude of aging in Colorado and the rise of the American Single Malt category, while Alex gives us a masterclass on Bushmills' legendary triple distillation and the weight of managing a distillery with centuries of history. We dig in further in to how two completely different climates and traditions approach the task of building a consistent, world-class whiskey. We also get into the "friendly" rivalries of the whiskey world and discuss why American Single Malt is finally getting the seat at the table it deserves.

Show Notes:

• American single malt production insights
• The legacy of Bushmills and blending techniques
• The evolution of Irish whiskey and its relation to Scotch
• Tasting highlights from Stranahan’s and Bushmills
• Cultural dynamics and the rise of American single malts

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