House of Suntory global brand ambassador James Bowker traces his remarkable journey from early bartending in English pubs and studying cocktail history to working alongside legendary mixologists in Ginza, Tokyo.

Bowker shares expert perspectives on the art of Japanese whisky blending, exploring iconic expressions like Yamazaki and Hibiki, the evolution of the whisky market from an asset-flipping craze to a connoisseur's appreciation, and the importance of experiential deconstruction tastings.

In this episode of The Rolex Whiskey Passion Project, host and guest Teddy Joseph, Global Brand Ambassador for Suntory’s Scotch and Irish whiskies, take a nostalgic, high-spirited dive into the world of fine spirits.

Teddy traces his 25-year journey from managing nightclubs and running craft cocktail programs in Edinburgh to championing iconic single malts across the globe.

Together, they reflect on the massive cultural shift in whisky—from the days when blends and bourbons ruled dive bars to the modern era of single malt luxury and global distillery pilgrimages.

Gavin welcomes back Erick Ostrander, owner of the Bourbon Club in Lexington, Kentucky, to discuss a major shift in the whiskey world: the correction of the bourbon market.

After years of post-COVID scarcity, grocery store shelves are suddenly overflowing with highly sought-after Buffalo Trace products like Blanton's, Stagg Jr., and E.H. Taylor.

The duo rejoices over the decline of the predatory secondary flipping market, arguing that bourbon was always meant to be opened and shared socially, not hoarded in a closet like an investment asset. 

Gavin engages with Sagar Vashishta, a veteran collector and author of the coffee table book The Art of Japanese Whisky to examine the structural shifts defining the spirits industry over the past decade. T

he discussion traces the market's trajectory from an era of accessible, high-quality age-statement expressions to the current post-COVID climate characterized by aggressive corporate price increases, inventory saturation, and a proliferation of non-traditional distilleries looking to capitalize on the category's prestige. 

Gavin catches up with long-time friend and whiskey expert Raven Fuller to trace her remarkable journey through the evolving spirits industry.

Moving from central Illinois to the heart of bourbon country in Louisville, Kentucky, in 2017, Raven shares her transition from casual cocktail drinker to industry insider at Michter's, detailing the explosive growth of whiskey tourism over the past decade. 

Gavin Linde is joined by with John Drummond, the General Manager of the Intercontinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong and a true heavyweight in the global whisky scene.

John shares his evolution from sneaking sips of blended whiskies as a teenager in Scotland to curating one of the world’s most elite collections at the hotel’s famed Tiffany’s New York Bar.

They also talk about their unique "shared wealth" whisky culture of Hong Kong, the rise of independent bottlings, and the rare "pinch me" moment of tasting a 78-year-old Glenlivet from Gordon & MacPhail.

We also get an insider’s look at why Hong Kong has become the ultimate bucket-list destination for spirits lovers and what to expect at the upcoming Hong Kong Whisky Festival.

In a captivating transition, Howard Sacks traded international tax consulting for the spirits industry, founding Saxs Dynamic Operations to bring elite Scotch whiskey to the U.S. market.

Specializing in "the good stuff," Sacks acts as a national importer for niche distilleries like Holly and Addendale, alongside high-end Independent Bottlers such as Lady of the Glenn.

His business strategy leverages automation and industry expertise to navigate and solve the complexities of the American three-tier system, ensuring rare single-cask expressions reach enthusiasts.

Highlighting the company's rapid growth, Sacks recently secured a significant distribution agreement with Total Wine, poised to bring his curated selection of Holly and Dale products to a national audience.

In this lively episode of the Rolex Whiskey Passion Project, host Gavin Linde and guest Matt Lurin dive deep into the evolving landscape of the spirits industry.

They explore the rising popularity of independent bottling and the "out of control" trend of high-ABV cask strength whiskies, contrasting modern preferences with the classic, lower-proof vintages of the past.

They also take a candid look at shifting cultural norms—from the "shame" of being a lone cigar smoker at a family pool party to the challenge of engaging a younger, more distracted generation with traditional liquor culture.

They also highlight the upcoming Water of Life NYC charity event in June, featuring a unique "whiskey speed dating" format where every pour supports a good cause.

In this episode of the Rolex Whiskey Passion Project, co-founders Marcelo Grande and Roland Ng pull back the curtain on Fog City Social, a San Francisco-based event designed to fix the "broken" spirit of corporate whiskey festivals.

Moving away from crowded ballrooms and frantic VIP lines, they explain their "everyone is a VIP" philosophy, where every ticket includes a high-end festival bottle and access to rare vintage libraries—like the entire Glendronach lineup—poured generously without red tape.

The duo discusses their transition from a humble 240-person gathering to a massive "Whiskey Week" featuring fourteen masterclasses, a charity gala, and unique retail partnerships that allow guests to purchase the rare spirits they taste. 

In this engaging episode of the Rolex Whiskey Passion Project, Gavin Linde welcomes Kurt Maitland (author and founder of the Manhattan Whiskey Club) dive deep into the evolving landscape of whiskey over the last thirty years.

Maitland shares nostalgic stories of his "whiskey journey," from discovering Jameson in college to hunting for "dusty" rare bottles in overlooked corner liquor stores—what he affectionately calls whiskey bodegas.

They also discuss the technical shifts in the industry, such as how cost-cutting and efficiency measures at major distilleries like Macallan have altered the flavor profiles of modern spirits compared to their "heavier," unhurried vintage counterparts.

Joel Harrison, a veteran whiskey writer, joined the "Rolex Whiskey Passion Project" to discuss the dramatic changes in the whiskey industry over his nearly 20-year career.

They centered on the evolution of whiskey pricing, with Harrison and host Gavin Linde recalling a time two decades ago when quality, mature whiskies, including rare bottles from now-closed distilleries like Port Ellen, were abundant and significantly cheaper.

Harrison shares his "aha" moment with Balvenie Doublewood and his eventual transition from the music industry to full-time whiskey writing, highlighting the global, passionate nature of the whiskey community. 

Davide Ansalone, known as "Whiskey Munich," joined Gavin Linde on the Rolex Whiskey Passion Project podcast to share his unique journey into the whiskey world.

He discussed how he went from discovering smoky Scotch to becoming an influential blogger and photographer who collaborates with the whiskey industry.

Highlights of his story include an impulsive, yet valuable, purchase of a 30-year-old Lagavulin and a deep dive into the historical importance of the Italian whiskey market, which set the stage for "pinch me" moments involving rare whiskies such as a 21-year-old Brora.

Kashish Shrestha, founder and CEO of the Nepali Spirit Company, joins the show to share the journey of bringing Nepal’s ancient distilling traditions to the global stage. Shrestha discusses his transition from a high-end whiskey collector and auction regular to a craft distiller based in California, producing traditional rice spirits out of Florida.

He provides a deep dive into the cultural history of Aila—a spirit used in Nepali rituals for centuries—and explains how he is evolving the craft by introducing wood-aging through Amburana, Mizunara, and Sherry casks. From the fire-like profile of traditional rice whiskey to his upcoming Himalayan espresso liqueur, Shrestha highlights the bold future of the first international Nepali rice whiskey brand.

In this engaging discussion, Stephen Martin, The Dalmore’s Global Brand Ambassador, joins Sam Rothschild of BlockBar and Gavin to unveil an exclusive 33-year-old single cask release.

The conversation highlights a landmark collaboration that merges traditional Scottish craftsmanship with modern NFT technology, allowing enthusiasts to purchase high-end spirits directly from the distillery without the logistical burdens of storage or authenticity concerns.

This particular expression, finished in Premier Grand Cru Classé Barriques, is described as a "no-brainer" for collectors, featuring the classic Dalmore profile of chocolate and orange bolstered by complex notes of cassis and antique wood. Beyond the bottle, the drop offers a unique VIP experience for the first ten purchasers, including a curated trip to the distillery in the North Highlands.

Gavin traces Brian Evans' journey in spirits, beginning with early experiences with Jameson to a deep appreciation for high-value spirits like rum and Armagnac, culminating in an obsession with Japanese whiskey.

Evans details his "aha" moment with Chichibu, a distillery praised for its experimental use of unconventional casks, and the massive undertaking of curating the Hotel Chelsea's extensive Japanese whiskey program.

They also touch on current consumer trends, noting the market impact of GLP-1 drugs on alcohol consumption and the resulting shift towards more selective, preimmunized drinking experiences, with Mars Whiskey highlighted as a strong value option for new explorers.

Suntory Global Scotch Senior Scotch Ambassador, Simon Brooking, was interviewed for the "Rolex Whiskey Passion Project" to discuss his nearly 30-year career.

Brooking detailed his 19 years with Laphroaig, emphasizing the brand's unique culture, the enduring legacy established by figures like Ian Hunter and Bessie Williamson, and the 30th anniversary of the highly personal "Friends of Laphroaig" program.

They touched upon the ambassador's mission to dispel negative myths about Scotch by stressing the importance of patience, the growth of whiskey clubs in the US, and new developments within the Suntory Global Scotch portfolio, such as the reintroduction of traditional methods at the historic Glengarioch distillery.

Gavin Linde welcomed Peter Jnr. of Luchi's Whiskey Bar to the Rolex Whiskey Passion Project. Peter Jr. detailed the bar's transformation into a specialist for Islay and Jura malt whiskies, a shift that was inspired by an American VIP's observation of the jarring contrast between the luxury whiskey lounge and the public bar's Jäger bomb clientele.

This led to the decision to focus on opening rare bottles for drinking. The bar now boasts an inventory of between 1,800 and 1,900 exclusive Islay and Jura bottlings, having removed all non-Islay whiskies to focus on island exclusives, driven by a rising international customer demand over the past 7 to 10 years.

Gavin welcomes Jessica Ann Zimlich and Zach Zimlich of ZAK Cooperage, discussing their family business history, which started in 1990.

Zach's upbringing in the cooperage provided him with creative control over whiskey flavor profiles. The conversation covered the enduring consistency of cooperage techniques despite automation and the critical importance of responsibly sourcing white oak due to increased whiskey demand.

They both shared observations from a trip to Scottish cooperages, where used barrels are the norm, contrasting with the US focus on new oak. 

Dawn Davies, the buying director for The Whiskey Exchange, talks to Gavin about the modern whiskey market and raises issues such as overcharging customers, releasing substandard, non-age statement liquid, and using excessive packaging that shifts focus from the product to "pomp and ceremony."

She also highlighted a concern that the market prioritizes "flippers" over long-term customer loyalty. Despite the need for an industry "reset," both speakers agreed that its core strength remains the value of people and unique experiences, which Dawn exemplified by sharing memorable "pinch me moments," including attending the Cannes Film Festival.

Gavin Linde welcomed Brandon Smith, the National Brand Activation Manager for Lofted Spirits, shared their professional background and their introduction to whiskey, emphasizing the importance of memories and friendships in whiskey appreciation.

They discussed the evolution of the whiskey industry, Bardstown Bourbon Company's unique approach, and the collaborative and innovative culture within the company, culminating in a discussion of the current state and future of the whiskey industry, including the Kentucky Bourbon Festival and specific Bardstown releases.