Banter Over Whisky

This episode came together at the last minute... and it turned into one of our most entertaining chats yet! We're joined by long-time friend of the show Ray Daniel from Whisky Wayfarers for an honest, hilarious conversation covering everything from favourite pours and bourbon obsession to whisky clubs, bottle allocations, travel, and the community that makes whisky so much more than what's in the glass. Expect plenty of laughs, stories from the road, behind-the-scenes insights into Whisky Wayfarers, and some passionate discussion about iconic drams like Eagle Rare and the legendary Buffalo Trace Distillery. If you enjoy good whisky, great conversations, and a bit of banter between mates, this one's for you. Now Live! Grab your favourite dram, jump into the chat, and let us know: What's the one bottle you'd want to be remembered for?

This week on Banter Over Whisky, we're joined by Tim Freeman from Western Tiers Distillery to uncover one of the most unique origin stories in Australian whisky. What started as a way to showcase distillery engineering capabilities quickly became a passion project that evolved into one of Tasmania's exciting whisky producers. Tim takes us behind the scenes of building a distillery, crafting triple-distilled single malts, and why Western Tiers has chosen to do things a little differently. 🎙️ In this episode: How Western Tiers was originally built to sell distilleries—not whisky! The journey from engineering and fabrication to award-winning spirits. Why every Western Tiers whisky is triple distilled. The story behind bottling their signature range at 49% ABV. A guided tasting through their Highland Lakes, Port, and Sherry expressions. The challenges and rewards of building a whisky business in Tasmania. Plenty of laughs, whisky banter, and a healthy dose of Tasmanian rivalry. 💬 Memorable quote: "Anybody can make a brochure. Not everybody can build a distillery." – Tim Freeman From bourbon casks to bold decisions, this episode is packed with great stories and insight into one of Australia's most interesting distilleries. 🎧 Tune in now and pour yourself a dram as we chat all things whisky with Tim Freeman and the team at Western Tiers Distillery.

This week we're joined by whisky industry favourite Andy Tsai from Brown–Forman, known to many as "the Jack Daniel’s guy", for a fascinating deep dive into the world of Jack Daniel's. From his journey into brand advocacy to the stories behind some of Jack Daniel's most sought-after releases, Andy shares what goes on behind the scenes at one of the world's most iconic distilleries. 🎙️ In this episode: • Andy's path from sales into whisky advocacy • The evolution of the Jack Daniel's portfolio beyond Old No. 7 • The rise of Single Barrel expressions and why they changed the whisky landscape • The incredible connection between Jack Daniel's and Frank Sinatra • The story behind Sinatra Select and the famous grooved barrels • Why whisky is ultimately about people, stories, and shared experiences 💬 Memorable quote: "If you're going to be busy, be busy with projects that you really care about." – Andy Tsai 🥃 Plus plenty of whisky banter as all three Banter Over Whisky hosts get together with Andy to chat drams, collectability, opening special bottles, and the importance of enjoying whisky with the right people. 🎧 Tune in now and discover why there's so much more to Jack Daniel's than meets the eye.

What does it take to recognise and celebrate the very bestspirits being produced in Australia? This week we're joined by the man behind Whisky Is My Jam, Mark Teagues , who takes us behind the scenes of the TasmanianWhisky and Spirits Awards and discusses the growing influence of Tasmaniaon the Australian whisky landscape. From the rigorous judging process and the importance ofindependent awards to the continued growth of Tasmanian Whisky Week ,Mark shares why celebrating excellence and bringing whisky lovers together ishelping drive the industry forward. 🔥 In this episode: • The story behind the Tasmanian Whisky and Spirits Awards • How Australia's best whiskies and spirits are judged • What judges look for in award-winning drams • The growth and impact of Tasmanian Whisky Week • Why whisky festivals are vital for distillers and consumers alike • Tasmania's place on the world whisky stage • Plenty of whisky banter and industry insights 💬 Highlights from theconversation: "Awards are about recognising excellence and helpingconsumers discover quality." "Tasmanian Whisky Week has become a celebration of theentire whisky community." "The quality coming out of Australian distilleriescontinues to reach new heights." Whether you're planning a whisky trip to Tasmania, followingthe latest award winners, or simply enjoy a great whisky conversation, thisepisode is packed with insights from one of the industry's most passionateadvocates.

After a year off, one of Australia's most loved whisky events is back—and bigger than ever. This week on Banter Over Whisky , the crew sits down with Shaun Restorick-Barton , founder of Whisky Whisky , to talk about the highly anticipated return of the Brisbane whisky festival for its 5th anniversary celebration . Expect plenty of laughs, whisky banter, and insider tips as Shaun reveals: 🥃 The biggest lineup of distilleries in Whisky Whisky history 🥃 New and exciting independent Australian distilleries joining the event 🥃 Why the unique "block party" atmosphere makes Whisky Whisky different from every other whisky show 🥃 Dream Drams, claw machines, rare bottlings and festival exclusives 🥃 The best strategy for tackling 26+ whisky tables without missing the hidden gems 🥃 Why small independent distilleries are the real treasures of the festival Along the way, the crew share what they're drinking, swap stories from whisky events past, and discuss the growing strength of Australia's craft whisky scene. 💬 Quote of the Episode: "Christmas in July for people who like whisky." – Shaun Restorick-Barton 💬 Another Favourite: "The small distilleries are where I'd be spending most of my time." Whether you're a seasoned whisky enthusiast or just looking for your next great dram, this episode is packed with everything you need to know before Whisky Whisky returns to Brisbane. 🎧 Tune in now and discover why this event has become a must-attend date on the Australian whisky calendar.

🥃 OLD & RARE IS COMING TO THE QMWS WHISKY EXPO 🥃 Get ready Queensland… the Old & Rare stand at the upcoming Queensland Malt Whisky Society Whisky Expo is shaping up to be something seriously special. In this episode, the boys sit down for a preview of some of the incredible drams heading to the expo — from legendary old-school bottlings and independent releases to rare pours whisky lovers almost never get the chance to try. Expect stories behind the bottles, deep whisky geekery, tasting notes that’ll have your mouth watering, and plenty of banter along the way. Whether you’re chasing big sherry bombs, elegant old malts, peated monsters, or unicorn bottles, the Old & Rare stand is going to be a must-visit destination at the expo. 🔥🥃 💬 “These are the bottles people talk about for years after they try them.” 💬 “Old & Rare is where whisky history ends up in your glass.” 💬 “This lineup is ridiculous… in the best possible way.” If you’re heading to the expo, make sure the Old & Rare stand is high on your hit list. Some of these pours don’t come around twice. 🎧 Full episode out now — perfect listening before the big event.

This week on Banter Over Whisky, the boys are joined by the legends from Whisky Flight Club for an episode packed with whisky chat, absolute chaos, and plenty of laughs. From tech failures and early swearing records to deep dives into flavour profiles, peated whisky debates, and hidden gem bottles — this one is pure whisky nerd heaven. The crew talks about how Whisky Flight Club started during COVID, building a community around sharing drams, and why great whisky doesn’t need hype or ridiculous price tags. Expect conversations around gateway peated whiskies, underrated blends, independent bottlers, Aussie whisky terroir, and some seriously tasty pours along the way. 🥃🔥 💬 “You don’t have to buy into the hype to get good whisky.” 💬 “Get more whisky into people’s hands — like it or don’t like it, at least try something new.” 💬 “We do whisky… we don’t do tech.” Featuring pours from independent bottlers, sherry bombs, smoky drams, and a few bottles that completely surprised the panel. If you love whisky banter with mates, this episode is for you. 🎧 Full episode out now — grab a dram and join us.

Featuring Nullaki Distillery This episode brings on the crew behind one of WA’s most exciting boutique whisky brands, crafting small-batch single malts out of the Great Southern. Based down in Denmark, their whole approach is about capturing a true sense of place—using locally sourced barley, wine casks from regions like Margaret River and Pemberton, and even their own spring water to shape the spirit. They dive into: Building a whisky brand from the ground up in Western Australia. Why they stick to traditional Scottish methods but give it a local twist The role of unique cask ageing (think Tawny and Pinot casks ) in creating bold flavours like caramel, spice, and rich red fruit What it takes to produce a premium, small-batch Australian single malt Their whiskies lean into being approachable but complex —lighter in style thanks to their custom copper still, but layered with distinctly WA character. Guest vibe: passionate, detail-driven, and seriously proud of what Aussie whisky is becoming.

This week on Banter Over Whisky , the boys sit down with Yumi Yoshikawa, Global Brand Ambassador for Chichibu Distillery — one of the most respected names in Japanese whisky right now. From her recent visit to Melbourne’s whisky scene to an inside look at Chichibu’s incredible rise, Yumi shares the story behind the distillery, what makes their whisky so unique, and why it’s captured the attention of collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. Expect: 🔥 Behind-the-scenes insights into Chichibu’s production and philosophy 🥃 Stories from whisky festivals and global tastings 😂 Plenty of classic banter from the crew 👀 A deeper appreciation for Japanese whisky craftsmanship If you’re a fan of world whisky — this one’s a must-listen. 🎧 Listen now and pour yourself something special.

🥃 New Episode: Banter Over Whisky – Big Industry Moves & Starward UpdateThe crew is back together with a returning guest, Carmen Hartwich from Starward Whisky—and this time, there’s huge news to unpack.After a bit of classic podcast chaos (including a lost recording 👀), the team dives into major developments shaking up the Australian whisky world. The spotlight was on Diageo and its recent move to step back from its Distilled Spirits Ventures portfolio—impacting a number of emerging distilleries, including Starward.Carmen shares insight into what this means for the brand, the challenges behind global investment shifts, and why it’s still an exciting time for Australian whisky.Expect:🔥 Big industry news explained🥃 Behind-the-scenes insight from Starward😂 Plenty of banter and self-roasting from the hosts

New Episode – Banter Over Whisky This week the banter crew sit down with Seamus and Craig from The Whisky Club — the largest whisky club in the world . From humble beginnings in 2014 with just 120 members , to a global community of 38,000+ whisky lovers , we dive into how the club finds, creates, and releases exclusive whiskies for its members. We talk: 🥃 How The Whisky Club started 🥃 Creating exclusive whisky releases 🥃 Working with distilleries around the world 🥃 The growth of whisky culture in Australia Plus plenty of stories, laughs and whisky nerd chat along the way. 🎧 Listen now – link in bio #whiskypodcast #banteroverwhisky #thewhiskyclub #australianwhisky #whiskycommunity #whiskylovers #singlemalt #whiskygram #whiskytasting #whiskyculture #podcastlife #dram #whiskycollector #whiskyfans #craftwhisky

Whisky podcast… with a twistOn this episode of Banter Over Whisky, the crew shakes things up by welcoming a Sydney-based rum distillery to the mic.From a chance meeting at the Easter Show to surprise samples landing on the hosts’ desks, this one is all about discovering something unexpected.Rum, coffee liqueur, citrus cellos—and plenty of banter.Trust us, this episode is different… in the best way. Listen now and find out why no one was told what they were tasting before hitting record.

Season 5 kicks off + our 101st episode… and we’re starting strong. The full crew is back — Adrian, Vic, Brad and fan-favourite Whisky Pete — for a proper, no-BS whisky session to open the new season. In this episode we get into: • Drinking vs collecting (open the bottle already 😅) • Hype, pricing & today’s whisky market • The state of the Australian whisky scene • Choosing flavour over flex Plus… Pete drops some big news 👀 He shares the first public details of his new whisky venture — sourcing standout casks, curating flavour-driven picks, and creating bespoke, custom-labelled bottles for corporate clients, events and collectors . Personal casks, tailored selections, whisky that tells your story. 🥃 “If you’re not opening it, are you really enjoying it?” 🥃 “Whisky is meant to be shared — not locked away.” Big laughs. Strong opinions. Plenty of drams. The perfect way to kick off Season 5.

On this milestone episode the crew needed some long termfriends on the show, Brad, Adrian and Vic couldn’t think of anyone better than Ray Daniel and John Jarvis, we have quite a bit of fun but also it was an opportunity for an honest, behind-the-scenes chat about collaboration, leadership, andbuilding something that actually matters. They get into how Oak and Origin and Whisky Wayfarers came together, the reality of creative partnerships, and why experience beats theory every time. 💬 Quote highlights: “ Some experiences you only get once — and they change how you see the work. ” — Jarvis “ We didn’t oversell it. We just did the work. ” — Ray “ That’s how you really learn — by being in it, not talking about it. ” — Brad Relaxed, real, and grounded in lived experience — this one’sfor anyone building, leading, or figuring it out as they go. Or maybe you’rejust into Whisky like us!

Dog Tag Whisky: Service, Mateship & Small‑Batch Spirit In this episode of Banter Over Whisky , Brad, Vic, and Adrian sit down with Mark Direen from Dog Tag Whisky . Mark shares how the brand was born from military camaraderie, honouring fallen mates, and celebrating service over a glass of whisky. ✨ Highlights: Origins in the military: Mark and fellow veterans turned long‑talked dreams into a whisky label. Art on the bottles: Labels feature veteran and military‑connected artists, commemorating service through creative design. Rum ration tribute: A special rum release dedicated to WWI diggers and their trench traditions. Small‑batch releases: Every cask is unique, with only a couple hundred bottles each. Community spirit: Tassie distillers welcomed Dog Tag with open arms, fostering collaboration instead of competition. Shareholder mateship: Ten ex‑Army mates backing the brand, many from SAS backgrounds. 📌 Dog Tag Whisky isn’t just about spirits—it’s about remembrance, mateship, and storytelling in every bottle.

This episode we are joined by David and Scott from Gippsland Distilling Company , home of Westernport Single Malt Whisky. We have a great chat about their journey so far and the past current and even future releases. We even taste some of them and had a great time finding out all about them and their products. hope you can have a listen. Cheers!

🎙️ Banter Over Whisky — The Battery Point Boys Are Back! 🥃 Tonight we sat down with two legends of the Tassie whisky scene — John Jarvis and Luke Lawrence — for a chat that’s equal parts banter, insight, and pure whisky love. From career pivots to passion projects, these guys prove that when you mix friendship, craftsmanship, and a splash of whisky, the conversation flows just right. 🍀 No scripts. No plans. Just stories from the heart — about chasing change, finding the right fit, and what’s brewing next at Battery Point Distillery . 🔥 Tune in, pour a dram, and join the chat.

🥃 Banter Over Whisky x Bellarine Distillery This week, Brad, Adrian, and Vic sit down with Russ & Craig from Bellarine Distillery — the creative minds behind one of Victoria’s most distinctive coastal whiskies. The crew dives into the story of Bellarine’s origins, how their seaside environment shapes each release, and what goes into crafting small-batch spirits that reflect their local community. They chat about upcoming tastings in Brisbane, the art of building a distillery from scratch, and the passion (and chaos) that goes into every bottle. Expect laughs, whisky wisdom, and a genuine look at what makes Bellarine’s drams so special. 🎧 Tune in, grab a glass, and get ready for a warm and witty pour of banter and whisky! #BanterOverWhisky #WhiskyPodcast #BellarineDistillery #AustralianWhisky #CraftSpirits #WhiskyLovers #WhiskyTalk #DistillersStory #WhiskyCommunity #CoastalWhisky

The banter is back! This week, Brad, Adrian, and Vic are joined by the one and only Matt Bailey from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society — and it’s a cracker of an episode. From life in the whisky scene to stories from behind the SMWS casks, the chat dives deep into how the Society continues to champion unique, single-cask expressions and bring whisky lovers together. Matt shares how the world of whisky has shifted, what makes SMWS bottlings so special, and why community and storytelling are still at the heart of great drams. Expect plenty of laughs, a few cheeky digs, and the kind of whisky talk that reminds us why we all fell in love with the spirit in the first place. 🎧 Tune in, pour yourself a dram, and join the conversation.

This week Brad, Adrian & Vic sit down with Gareth & Angela from Fleurieu Distillery — one of South Australia’s most exciting whisky makers. 🥃 Adrian shares how visiting the distillery was a bucket-list moment, describing it as an unforgettable experience that every whisky lover should have. From the warm hospitality to the passion in every bottle, Gareth & Angela are the true heart and soul of their craft. In this episode, we dive into: ✨ The story of how Fleurieu Distillery came to life ✨ Their philosophy on making whisky with character ✨ The community and friendships built around whisky ✨ Why this couple are considered legends in the scene Whether you’re into whisky for the flavour, the people, or the stories behind the dram — this episode has it all. Grab a glass, settle in, and enjoy the banter! 🥂