#1 - An Introduction: What Whiskey is What?

#1 - An Introduction: What Whiskey is What?

Author: Allan Cogan June 10, 2023 Duration: 14:40

Episode 1 is here!

The question I hear most often is “How do I know what to buy, and if I’ll like it?”  - It’s a fair question, and if I’m being honest, I learned by buying bottles of whiskey that looked interesting and trying them myself or with a group of close friends. I developed my palate and know what I like and dislike. However, I recognize that this isn’t the most cost-effective way to go about it!

One of our inspirations is the format of Hot Ones with Sean Evans – where he interviews celebrities while they partake in different hot sauces. While we aren’t aiming for celebrities, we are interested in getting to know people as they get to know whiskey. Fun and introspective questions designed to get to know someone in the same fashion as Inside the Actors Studio with James Lipton. Whiskey only helps to make the answers more honest!

The goal is to keep each of these episodes to 45 mins or less and edit in a way that is interesting and engaging. But we can’t improve without feedback- so please, I encourage your thoughts and opinions on how to improve the show!

These first 2 episodes are intended to build a brief foundation for you to understand what whiskey is and what makes it tick. In Episode 2 I’ll dive further and discuss the difference between small batch, single barrel, single malt, bottled in bond, barrel proof, cask strength, and all the other fancy words you often find on a bottle – and I’ll do my best to save you from silly marketing buzz words on bottles and bust some myths about price points and age.

Be sure to follow us! @TheCogan_Conversation

Visit www.thecoganconvo.com


There's a story in every bottle, a history in every glass, and a person behind every label. Crafted Conversations is a journey into the world of whiskey that goes far beyond tasting notes. Host Allan Cogan travels from historic Scottish distilleries to innovative urban bars, sitting down with the individuals whose lives are intertwined with this craft. You'll hear directly from Master Distillers about the alchemy of aging, from distillery owners about the risks and rewards of a family legacy, and from mixologists who treat whiskey as a living ingredient. This podcast digs into the personal journals of its guests, uncovering the passion, tradition, and sometimes sheer stubbornness that defines their work. It’s less about the technical specs and more about the human spirit-the late nights, the failed experiments, and the moments of triumph. Each episode feels like pulling up a stool for a deep, meandering talk with someone who has dedicated their life to their art. Through these genuine dialogues, the culture and society surrounding whiskey come into sharp focus, revealing how a simple spirit can connect people across continents. Tune in for a series of intimate portraits that just happen to be set against a backdrop of oak barrels and copper stills.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 77

Crafted Conversations
Podcast Episodes
#6 - Bonded Bourbon w/ Nathan Haug [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Nathan Haug, a longtime friend since their college bowling days, joins Allan to sample 3 bottled-in-bond bourbons. Featured is Heaven HIll 7yr old Bonded, Old Grand Dad bonded, and Fainting Goat's C.B. Fishers Bottled-in…
#5 - Sampling Single Malts w/ Philip Dannelly [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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#3 - Balvenie Scotch w/ Grant Brown [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Recorded back in the beginning of the year as a proof of concept for the new iteration of The Cogan Conversation, Grant Brown sits down with Allan to sample 3 offerings from The Balvenie Distillery in Scotland. While lea…
#2 - Mythbusting Whiskey w/ Allan Cogan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:16
In this episode, I debunk some of the myths and misconceptions surrounding whiskey as well as defining certain terms and buzzwords often found on the bottle. Understanding what is what can help you confidently purchase a…
Welcome to Crafted Conversations! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:59
Crafted Conversations is a podcast dedicated to showcasing the craft of small businesses within the alcohol industry!In 2024, we plan to visit distilleries, breweries, wineries, and more and discuss their awesome product…