HAMMER’S LIST

My whiskey journey began in the last couple of years, when after many years of either not drinking at all, or only drinking beer and wine, I was offered a taste of Laphroaig 10-Year at a family Thanksgiving gathering. Like a song that I’ve loved all my life, it hit me in an oddly nostalgic way. Just like there are songs that still hit me every time I hear them, I could tell I would be moved by this whiskey every time I would drink it in the future. It reminded me of my favorite classical work, Vivaldi’s “Winter,” in that it had so many different parts, and I was trying to pick out what each part was doing just like in the song. The parallel was fascinating to me.

From there an exploration began. Much like learning about instruments and composition in music, I wanted to understand how whiskey is made. I wanted to know what makes it so complex and interesting. Through a combination of tastings and research, I started to learn what I liked in a whiskey, as well as what I didn’t. I became familiar with mash bills, and the impact that different ingredients and processes have on the flavor. I became versed in what sets Irish Whiskey, Scotch, and Bourbons apart.

It’s an ongoing process. As there is always new music to discover, so is there new whiskey to discover. I hope this podcast appeals to everyone who has an appreciation for either music or whiskey, and especially to those with a passion for both.

Hammer's List

Let the Spirits Move You

A Few of My Personal Favorites