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What's a whisky lover to do when tasting and collecting just aren't enough? How about taking the ultimate distillery tour...where you actually work at the distillery for a few days. We'll learn about getting a graduate degree in "whisky science" from Bladnoch Distillery owner Raymond Armstrong. In the news, registration is open for a new conference bringing together whisky industry leaders, plus honors for The Whisky Shop, a new release from Ian Macleod, new developments at Glengoyne, and much more...all on this episode of WhiskyCast!

In the last episode, we discussed the controversy in Greece and India over an Athens bar display featuring a Hindu goddess carrying bottles of Southern Comfort. The display infuriated members of the Hindu faith, and Brown-Forman executive Phil Lynch explains how the company is trying to resolve the situation. On a happier note, we have news of new releases from Arran and The Glenlivet, along with the one place whisky and cars do go together -- on the race track!

Whisky inspires passion, and we'll get the proof on this episode of WhiskyCast. Why else would a man release a special single malt to honor his great-great-great grandfather's 200th birthday? Why else would Misako Udo travel from Japan to Scotland to make her home and her career helping others discover whisky, then self-publish one of the best books ever written on Scotch Whisky history? And unfortunately, why would Hindus be upset over what they see as blasphemy when a bar portrays one of their goddesses toting a bottle of whisky? All that...and more on this episode of WhiskyCast.

The next few weeks will be full of whisky events around the world, and we'll find out more about Whisky Live, the Whiskies of the World Expo, and WhiskyFest Chicago. In the news, bidding continues in Whisky Magazine's charity auction, the Spirit of Speyside Festival is looking for Moray's best photos, and one man has found a new way to mix whisky with computers.

It's Super Bowl weekend in the US, and we'll get some tips for planning the big event from Brown-Forman's CEO -- "Chief Entertaining Officer" Tim Laird. In the news, Heaven Hill reaches a milestone, a Penderyn co-founder is honored, and new data shows the extent of binge drinking in Great Britain.

Internet whisky forums are buzzing with rumors about the fate of The Balvenie Founder's Reserve, and we'll have the answer to those rumors directly from The Balvenie's global brand manager, Jens Tholstrup! Also, a facelift and new name for Jim Beam Brands, a top Diageo executive announces his plans to leave the company, and the answer to a whisky newcomer's question about Johnnie Walker Swing...all on this episode of WhiskyCast!

Plenty of new developments to talk about in this episode...new leadership in place at the Scotch Whisky Association, Johnnie Walker honored in an unusual way, Sazerac Rye Whisky returns to New Orleans just in time for Mardi Gras, and Bruichladdich's Mark Reynier gives us an in-depth look at the Burns Night distillation of an unusually rare whisky. Plus...is that Bruichladdich 10-year-old whisky really 10 years old? Yes...and then some!

It's time to celebrate one of Scotland's legends...the poet Robert Burns. While Burns Night is associated with Scotch Whisky, only one distillery is allowed to use Burns' name and image on its whiskies. We'll talk about the Robert Burns whiskies with Douglas Davidson of Arran Distillery in Ayrshire. Also, an update from Whisky Magazine's Dominic Roskrow on the new issue of Whisky Magazine, new releases from Kentucky and Scotland, and the events calendar.

We'll span the world in this episode, and hear the story of a Kentucky lawyer who took his great-great-grandfather's whiskey formula and turned it into a modern classic. Tom Bulleit explains the legend behind his Bulleit Frontier Bourbon Whiskey. In the news, bidding has opened for one of two special bottles of Whisky Magazine's Speyside vatting to combat hunger and poverty, Bruichladdich brings back an ancient classic for Burns Night, and another pronunciation lesson...all on this episode of WhiskyCast!

Bowmore's new visitors center will open later this year, and one of the key exhibits will be something most distilleries can only dream of: a nearly-complete collection of every Bowmore expression ever produced! We'll get the details from Bowmore's Glen Moore, along with a bad break for frequent fliers, a new whisky forum on the Web, and classes open soon at the Woodford Reserve Bourbon Academy. Oh, and we finally have the correct pronunciation of "Groningen" once and for all!

Everyone makes mistakes, and on this episode, we'll look back at the controversy over how I botched the pronounciation of a certain city in the Netherlands, as well as a tongue-in-cheek look at the unique pronunciations you'll find in Scotland. There's also a news update and a complete events calendar. Also, thanks to WhiskyCast listener Jeof Vita for creating a new logo for the show!

Feel like a vacation? We'll take a look at planning the perfect whisky vacation with Caroline Dewar of Distillery Destinations. In the news update, Glen Garioch's preparing to welcome guests to its new vistors center, Glasgow is gearing up for the Festival of Whisky later this month, and John Hansell's putting the final touches on the new edition of Malt Advocate Magazine. Finally, how would you pronounce "Groningen" on your first try. Apparently, I didn't get it quite right in the last episode.

It's a new year, and WhiskyCast is back at the bar with a complete roundup of whisky news and a packed event calendar for the first three months of the year. Whisky Magazine editor Dominic Roskrow unveils a big surprise for Whisky Live New York in April, and we'll swing on the Spice Tree with John Glaser of Compass Box.

It's the holiday season, and the final WhiskyCast episode for 2005 focuses on the marriage between whisky and food. Forget about wine and cheese...John Glaser of Compass Box says whisky and cheese makes a better combination. Woodford Reserve executive chef David Larson treats fine whiskies like varietal wines, and uses bourbon in almost everything he cooks. There are also a couple of whisky recipes available at the WhiskyCast web site -- www.whiskycast.com! Happy Holidays!

Issue #52 of Whisky Magazine is out, and we'll get an update from editor Dominic Roskrow on what you'll find inside. Also, it's not too soon to make your travel plans for the spring. Riannon Walsh gives us a preview of the Whiskies of the World Expo coming up in San Francisco in late March. She's also been busy working on a new project...a nosing glass that could put Riedels to shame!

On December 10th, the Wall Street Journal looked at the controversy over "finishing" whisky, with this question in the headline: "What's in that bottle?" In this episode, we'll look at the debate over finishing whiskies with Jim McEwan of Bruichladdich, Simon Brooking of The Dalmore, and Malt Advocate Magazine editor and publisher John Hansell.

Award-winning whiskies dominate this edition of WhiskyCast! We'll hear from Graham Coull of Glen Moray, the home of Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2006 Single Malt Scotch of the Year. Also, award-winners from the Malt Maniacs and The Spirit Journal's F. Paul Pacult -- and a childhood memory from Bill Samuels Jr. of Maker's Mark.

Want to invest in a distillery? Would you rather drink a truly Scotch whisky instead...or are you looking for a "best buy". All that, and more...on this edition of WhiskyCast.

In this episode, Lawrence Graham gives us an update on January's Victoria Whisky Festival. Our news update reports Scottish politicians and the whisky industry have come to terms on formal designations for Scotch whiskies, and we'll have an update on the North American release of Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2006, along with kudos for WhiskyCast.

A special episode recorded on location at Monk's Cafe in Philadelphia, as Malt Advocate publisher John Hansell discusses the winners of this year's Malt Advocate Whisky Awards. In the news, the owner of Glenfiddich and The Balvenie expands to China, where whisky sales are booming. Pernod Ricard is considering cuts at its distilleries and bottling plants in Scotland, and a list of upcoming whisky events around the world