Sports And Spirits

Back with a big show this week. Great interview from Tales of the Cocktail with Edoardo Branca of Fernet Branca. Then our analysis of college football conference championship weekend and playoff scenarios. Plus NFL thoughts, random Star Wars discussion, and the usual shenanigans. 

We back! After a hiatus due to various life circumstances Hank and Matt are back with a new show. After a quick re-introduction we go right to our feature spirit of the week, Knappogue Castle Irish Whiskey.  It's a brand we weren't too familiar with but it is great. We sit down with Philip Duff, Brand Ambassador, at Tales of the Cocktail to learn more.  After that we're talking NCAA and NFL football. Just a couple weeks left in college, get our thoughts on the playoff standings. 

Big show this week as we finish up our tasting and discussion with Don Q Rum Global Ambassador Alexx Mouzouris. Such a great time with him at Tales of the Cocktail.  After that we will give some early thoughts on the MLB playoffs, then the upcoming weekend of college and NFL football! 

We're back! After a brief hiatus thanks to Matt's many travels the show is back this week. We continue our Tales of the Cocktail content with some great stuff from Don Q Rum. Global Ambassador Alexx Mouzouris tells us all about the brand and walks us through the many different offerings.  Plus we'll talk about MLB and NFL as we roll to the end of September.  Thanks for listening! 

Big show this week! What happens when you combine Metallica music, whiskey, and one of the best master distillers out there? Blackened Whiskey. It's really good, and the story of how it's made is even better. We talk with Rob Dietrich about the project and what makes it special.  After that we talk about the first weekend of college football. It's so good to say that! 

Nathan joins Hank this week as Matt continues his west coast road trip. We have a great interview off the top of the show just a couple minutes in. Vance Henderson of Monkey Shoulder Whisky joins us to talk about the product and his background becoming a brand ambassador. Hank gets his first taste of the blended whisky as well. That's from Tales of the Cocktail.  After that Nathan and Hank talk some MLB standings and who we like going forward, early season college football rankings, and NFL training camp news and thoughts.  

We have a great interview for you this week! Woodford Reserve's Assistant Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall joins us to talk about their new release, Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey. This stuff tastes fantastic and we were one of the firsts to try it at Tales of the Cocktail. Get all the details about it plus hear her story of getting to where she is today.  After that we will dip in to some thoughts on the MLB trade deadline moves. The Astros seem like the winners, but who else impressed us? Plus Adam Aikens joins us and gives his playoff thoughts. Review: Woodford Wheat is a really enjoyable whiskey. At 52% wheat you still get the complexity of the other grains when you taste it. Just enough rye to add a little spice. You pick up on the fruits, but also some vanilla and caramel. The aroma is heavy with bananas. We recommend this if you come across it.  Rating: 9.5/10 

Matt and Hank are back after a bit of a summer layoff. We start our Tales of the Cocktail coverage this year talking pisco (info below). Dänny Ronen stops by for a tasting and a ton of information. After that we discuss some MLB standings and give our thoughts on the start of NFL training camp. Don't forget, use promo code NOLA at Shaker and Spoon for a $10 discount!!!  * Peru’s national spirit * It is made from only 8 grape varietals. * There are three variants of Pisco: puro (single grape expression), acholado (blend of two or more grapes), and Mosto Verde (a style in which the juice of the pressed grapes is partially fermented). * The Denomination of Origin it carries dictates that this grape-based brandy/grape-based distillate (like an unaged cognac) is distilled to proof with NOTHING added -- no water, no color, no wood aging. * Pisco doesn’t age, it rests, in non-reactive vessels. * About 8 lbs of grapes go into making a Puro or Acholado -- it takes 18 lbs of grapes to make a Mosto Verde style Pisco.  

Big show this week as we sit down with Tripp Stimson, Director of Distillery Operations, of Barrell Bourbon. Great to talk with him about why Barrell is so popular. We get his insight into the bourbon world and whether they plan to distill their own products in the future.  After that we give our thoughts on the NBA free agency situation plus the MLB standings heading into July. 

Exciting time of year in the sports world and this week we bring you a new product in the world of sports hydration. We speak with Anshuman Vohra, Founder of Halo Sport.  HALO is a premium, certified organic hydration beverage carving a completely new category within the market, no longer requiring consumers to make the adherent choice between taste, nutritional benefit, and calories. After that we discuss the NBA and NHL playoffs. 

Happy Memorial Day! Big sports weekend, especially for race fans. We'll touch on that to start. Plus some thoughts on the NBA and NHL playoffs. Then after some holiday cocktail ideas Matt gives his thoughts on the Game of Thrones finale. Spoiler: he wasn't a fan.  Smirnoff Red, White, and Berry recipes: RWB Firecracker Martini (Serves 1) 1.5 oz. Smirnoff Red, White & Berry 4.5 oz lemonade 1 oz. Blue Curacao RWB Frose (Serves 3)  Red Slush Layer 2 oz. Smirnoff Red, White & Berry 1 cup of cherries, quartered 1 cup Rose wine  White Slush Layer 2 oz. Smirnoff Red, White & Berry 2 cups of ice 1 cup lemonade  Blue Slush Layer 2 cups of ice 2 oz. Blue Curacao 1 cup raspberry lime seltzer water

It's a huge week in the entertainment world with the series finale of Game of Thrones. To celebrate we are talking about the Diageo/HBO collaboration of single malt scotch whiskies and Johnnie Walker White Walker.  A fantastic interview with Rasmus Just, the Diageo Reserve Scotch Ambassador (Instagram: @justscotch). We will break down and sample a couple of the single malts paired with Game of Thrones houses. Plus the Johnnie Walker White Walker blend.  Then Matt's analysis on how the show will end and what to expect. 

We're back! After a layoff due to the birth of Hank's twins we are back with the latest episode. Short and easy listening this week as we give you our thoughts on Tiger's win, the NBA and NHL playoffs, NFL draft, and our review of Crown Royal Peach. 

Our favorite time of year! We talk all things NCAA men's tournament in this week's episode. First we bring in our buddy Raphael Esparza (Twitter: https://twitter.com/VSIdocsports ) to break down the bracket from a Vegas insider standpoint. We also talk about some interesting prop bets and the sports betting world as a whole.  Then Matt, Nathan, and Hank will give you their picks from the Sweet 16 to the final game.  Thanks for listening! 

Huge weekend on the way and one of our favorite times of year. Matt and Hank are back with the latest episode to get you set for St. Patrick's Day!  We start with an interview with Aaron Ridgeway, beer specialist from St. James’s Gate in Ireland. A really fun time talking Guinness, the holiday, Ireland, and everything you need to know.  After that it's March Madness time! We'll give our thoughts on the latest bracket projections. And, a huge free agency period in the NFL. What we think about the biggest moves.  We wrap it up with some beer picks for you to enjoy! 

Matt and Hank are back as we head into the all-star break in the NBA. Tune in to get Matt's take on what you need to know visiting Charlotte this weekend and their thoughts on the NBA season so far.  Then a little NFL talk with some key post season moves.  Hank goes over a couple drink recipes for you plus talks about Oleo Saccharum. Oleo saccharum is simply sugar mingled with the oil that citrus peel releases. It's a great additive for your cocktail.  After that we wrap it up with some college basketball thoughts.  Recipes:  Cupid’s Crush 2 (12 oz.) bottles Smirnoff Spiked Sparkling Seltzer Rosé 16 oz. Grapefruit Juice Raspberries Orange Blossom 1 ounce orange juice 1 ounce gin 1 our sweet vermouth Served up with fine sugar on the rim     The Smirnoff Valentine’s Cosmo (Makes 1 Cocktail) Ingredients: ·         1 oz Smirnoff No. 21 ·         .5 oz Orange Liqueur ·         .5 oz Lime Juice ·         1 oz Cranberry Juice ·         Garnish with Raspberries   Directions: In a cocktail shaker, combine Smirnof

Our Super Bowl preview show is here! Hank and Matt are joined by our Vegas insider Raphael Esparza to start the show as we discuss the big game and the bets around it.  Great insights into the line movements so far as well as some really unique prop bets around the game.  After that Nathan Moore drops in as the three discuss the game and give their analysis. We also get a look at Nathan's updated craft brewery list. He just hit number 40, so what is the top 10? As always thanks for listening! 

Championship Sunday in the NFL is here! Matt and Hank are back to talk about that and whiskey! We start with a review of George Dickel Barrel Select (9.25/10) and their Tabasco finished whiskey (7/10). Get our thoughts on what we like and what we don't.  After that it's all about NFL Championship Sunday. We think these are two premier match-ups in each conference. We give you our picks and keys to each game.  Plus the usual banter and fun. As always thanks for listening! 

Happy New Year! Matt and Hank are back heading into a big weekend of football. A little spirits talk to start off. If you want a great party recipe Hank has what you need with his Brandy Milk Punch.  After that it's all football. We'll give you our thoughts on each of the 4 NFL Wild Card games this weekend. Unlike last year there is a lot of disagreement on our picks.  Then we break down the college football final on Monday between Alabama and Clemson. How do we see that one shaping up? As always thanks for listening. 

Hank starts this week's show with a discussion on the Orphan Barrel Rhetoric series. The final expression is out, the Rhetoric 25 year. We have info on that. Plus, a review and thoughts on the 23 and 24 year releases of Rhetoric from Orphan Barrel.  After that Matt joins the show as we discuss the current NFL playoff situation. A lot of great matchups the final two weeks of the season. We'll talk about how we feel about each team in the hunt.  Plus we talk a little college football and basketball to wrap up the show. Happy Holidays and as always thinks for listening!