We welcome whiskey expert Cliff Smith, a respected instructor and mentor in the whiskey community, for a special tasting at West China Tea. Today we're exploring the pairing of Malac Phoenix, a luxurious "cashmere of red teas," with Highland Park 12, discussing how this approachable peated scotch serves as a perfect gateway into smoky whiskies. Cliff shares engaging stories from his experiences teaching whiskey appreciation, including how he helped change one colleague's perception of peated scotch. Meanwhile, So-Han guides us through the complexities of this premium red tea, made from special fragrant cultivars typically reserved for Phoenix Oolongs. Together, we discover how the tea's fruity notes and tannins interact with Highland Park's gentle smoke and honey characteristics. The conversation weaves through whiskey education, regional influences, and the fascinating parallels between tea and whiskey appreciation. We also discuss Cliff's work with Whiskey Mentors and their charitable initiatives, offering insights into the northeastern U.S. whiskey scene. @HighlandParkWhisky ⸺ credits ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺ Richard Amiro - host http://richardamiro.com So-Han Fan - guest https://www.youtube.com/@TeaHouseGhost - https://westchinatea.com/ Cory Cranfill - a really helpful guy https://youtube.com/@shedlogic - https://www.righttoolmedia.com Cliff Smith - guest https://www.instagram.com/whiskymentors/ https://whiskymarketing.org/ ⸺ socials ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺ Website: https://whiskeyprovisioner.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@whiskeyprovisioner Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhiskeyProvisioner Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whiskey_provisioner Twitter: https://twitter.com/WhiskeyProvis

We welcome back our first repeat guest, Stephen Caronna from Compass Box Whiskymaker, for a special tasting at West China Tea. Today we're exploring the perfect pairing of a rare aged Phoenix Mountain green tea with two exciting new releases from Compass Box's revamped core lineup: Nectarosity and Crimson Cask.

Our conversation weaves between whisky and tea expertise, with Stephen sharing fascinating insights into Compass Box's innovative barrel-making process and their commitment to natural coloring. So-Han introduces us to an unusual aged green tea that surprises everyone with its unique characteristics. Together, we discover delightful flavor connections between the drinks, particularly noting how well the aged tea complements Crimson Cask's wine-influenced profile.

Fresh from the Bastards Ball festival, we share entertaining festival stories and dive into broader discussions about spirits packaging, marketing, and the art of blending. Whether you're a whisky enthusiast, tea lover, or both, this episode offers an engaging exploration of craft beverages and the stories behind them. @TeaHouseGhost

⸺ credits ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺

Richard Amiro - host http://richardamiro.com

So-Han Fan - guest https://www.youtube.com/@TeaHouseGhost - https://westchinatea.com/

Cory Cranfill - a really helpful guy  https://youtube.com/@shedlogic - https://www.righttoolmedia.com

Stephen Caronna - guest

Compass Box Scotch Whiskymaker https://www.compassboxwhisky.com/ - https://www.instagram.com/stephen.caronna/

⸺ socials ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺

Website: https://whiskeyprovisioner.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/WhiskeyProvisTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@whiskeyprovisioner

Ever wondered how sotol is made? Dive into the world of Desert Door Distilling with Brent Looby as he shares insights into their unique distillation techniques, innovative aging process, and the aromatic profiles of their distinctive spirits. Plus, learn about the challenges of building a craft spirits brand and the importance of environmental stewardship. ⸺ credits ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺

Richard Amiro - host http://richardamiro.com

So-Han Fan - guest https://www.youtube.com/@TeaHouseGhost - https://westchinatea.com/

Cory Cranfill - a really helpful guy https://youtube.com/@shedlogic - https://www.righttoolmedia.com

Guest - Brent Looby from Desert Door Distilling https://www.desertdoor.com/ https://www.instagram.com/desertdoor/ https://www.youtube.com/@UCZE2NSMUKwG0GQl0G7ZMp5Q

⸺ socials ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺

Website: https://whiskeyprovisioner.com

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@whiskeyprovisioner

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhiskeyProvisioner

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whiskey_provisioner

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WhiskeyProvis