Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

We had a chance to hear Chip speak earlier this year at DSTILL event and we found his talk to be gripping. He is a man of passion and he is clearly one of the best distillers in the industry. Balcones has slowly been building a reputation of excellence and we hope that both sides can work things out.

We tasted the 2014 LESB during the VIP hour of WhiskyFest Chicago and it was delicious. As is typical with the single barrel, there was a strong flavor of oak. We didn't like it as much as the 2012 or 2013 Limited Edition Small Batches but it was still quite good. Expect to see scores of 92-95 from most critics but we would be shocked if they went higher.

Here's how to enter: If you're on Twitter, you must be following @whiskycast and @LaphroaigWhisky, and re-tweet this in its entirety:  "I want to win a @LaphroaigWhisky golf bag. Contest ends 6/30 athttp://ht.ly/bCZV8. Please RT!" If you're not on Twitter, just email [email protected] with your name, address, phone number, and age. One winner will be picked at random from all entries received by midnight New York time on June 30, 2012. You must be of legal drinking age to enter.  Slainte! Mark

The latest WhiskyCast HD episode is now available, and features a look at the Bonhams whisky auction in New York that's the focus of this week's episode. If you've never been to a whisky auction, keep in mind that it's not just for wealthy collectors. It's not hard to find older whiskies selling for not much more than their original retail prices, too. You'll find the major auctions in the Calendar of Events on the WhiskyCast home page. With the end of the year approaching, I'd like to thank you for being part of the WhiskyCast community this year. It's been our most successful year yet, with the launch of WhiskyCast HD, our WhiskyCast Virtual Tastings podcast, the photo gallery, and more whisky news from more places than ever before. I'd also like to thank our brand partners for their support, since WhiskyCast would not be possible without advertising. We'll be welcoming some new partners on board in 2012, and I'm proud to day that almost all of our current partners will be back with us for another year! Please join me in thanking them, and when you see brand ambassadors from our partners at a whisky event, please let them know that you're part of the WhiskyCast community and appreciate their support. Who knows...they might even have something special under the table for true connoisseurs like you! ;) Have a great (and safe) holiday season, no matter which of the many holidays you celebrate. Let's make it a joyous time for all! Slainte! Mark 

http://www.skynews.com.au/showbiz/article.aspx?id=685641&vId=  By the way, Johnny...if you see this, there's a standing invitation to be on the show any time you'd like! Thanks for your help! Slainte! Mark Gillespie

This week marks another milestone...the end of WhiskyCast's 6th year and the start of year number 7! The first episode hit the web on November 12, 2005 with little fanfare, but since then, whisky lovers around the world have helped make WhiskyCast the world's most popular (and longest-running) whisky podcast and radio show. That's right...radio show. The folks in Wellington, New Zealand get to listen to WhiskyCast each week on World FM 88.2. Shortly after the first episode, the station manager asked if it would be all right for them to re-broadcast each week's show. Of course, I said yes, and they're still airing the show each week six years later. I'd also like to welcome two new sponsors...actually, one new sponsor and one longtime supporter in a new role. The Glenrothes has sponsored our iPhone and iPad app for the last couple of years, and has added support for the "What I'm Tasting This Week Department" tasting notes segment in each week's episode for the rest of this year and all of 2012!   In addition, Villeroy & Boch will share the tasting notes segment with The Glenrothes for the next couple of months. Villeroy & Boch's Fine Flavour whisky glassware was featured last year in our holiday gift guide, and they were so pleased with the response that they've decided to become a sponsor of WhiskyCast.  WhiskyCast wouldn't exist without the support of our sponsors, and I hope you'll join me in thanking all of them as we mark the end of our 6th year! Slainte! Mark