Whiskey wonders

In a geeky new podcast, learn how to buy and drink better whiskey with a side of trivia, thanks to an expert

Did you know that the word "whiskey" has Gaelic origins? That the first records of whiskey go back to an unfortunate story of an overdose in Ireland in the 1930s? Or that Japanese whiskey gained popularity the world over after the film Lost in Translation hit screens? If you can't get enough of whiskey or are simply a geek for trivia, a podcast called The Whisky Advisor is for you.

Hosted by Audiohop Podcasts and conceptualised by hotelier Uday Balaji (of Pune's famed Savya Rasa), this weekly series (with an episode every Tuesday) will more than just answer your everyday questions about the tipple. Two episodes in, Balaji and co-host Piyush Shinde, founder, Audiohop, have already traced the history of the drink, important historic events that led to the proliferation of distillers, and the colour, storage and quintessential smoky flavour that dominates some coveted brands.

Balaji, a whiskey enthusiast from an early age, is a certified trainer for the Whiskey Ambassador certification in India and is also a certified Executive Bourbon Steward. He says that he has visited over 100 distilleries in India, Ireland, Scotland and the US. Besides tasting sessions, he also organises distillery visits and whiskey-themed trips around the world.

An extension of these activities, The Whiskey Advisor will feature 24 episodes in the first season. Following production, history and appreciation, the podcast will delve into individual brands like Glenfiddich, Lagavulin, Amrut and more.

Listing to the two released episodes is an experience that left us amazed and informed, without being entertained. The claim of it being a "geeky podcast" is quite honest, and the tone is rehearsed and bland at best. The format switches between narrative and Q&A, and yet the lack of an engaging voice leaves you wanting more. The show has short episodes (16 minutes and 25 minutes for episodes one and two) loaded with nuggets of information dispersed without appropriate lead-ins. Sticking to the script, in this case, seems to have gone too far.

Log on to audiohoppodcasts.com

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