A bumper month for the W Club Decanted, we present you another fantastic episode - this time in collaboration with Dr. Blake Layfield, Master Distiller and Head of Innovation & Blending at Maker’s Mark.

Layfield's connection to whisky runs deep with a PhD in food science and a decade of experience in the spirits industry, he’s a man driven by flavour and science in equal measure.

He has been instrumental in the creation of Maker's latest release - Star Hill Farm. More than just the name of their release, Star Hill Farm is the 1,100-acre birthplace of Maker’s Mark - a hub of innovation in regenerative agriculture.

Star Hill Farm Whiskey marks a number of firsts: the first new mash bill from Maker’s Mark, the first whiskey from the distillery not bearing the Maker’s name, and the first without the iconic red wax seal.

Instead of corn, the mash bill is made from 70% wheat and 30% malted barley, resulting in a delicate, floral spirit quite distinct from traditional bourbon. A second mash bill of 100% malted wheat adds further complexity.

To enhance this innovation, Maker’s used five different barrel types, from classic American oak to experimental hybrids. And with cask rotation (a rare technique in bourbon production), the maturation was carefully controlled to achieve a balanced, expressive flavour.

The result? A vibrant wheat whiskey with notes of pear, apple, candied ginger, and bitter orange, layered over a rich, complex mouthfeel.

Find out more about what went into this fascinating new release by listening to the podcast now!

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Want to be first to hear about new releases like Star Hill Farm? Join the W Club for exclusive bottlings, tastings, and insider whisky content.

Following hot on the heels of a Whisky Shop distillery visit to the remarkable home of The Glenrothes, this instalment of the W Club Decanted sees Luke Crowley-Holland sit down with Guide Brand and Education Manager, Kat Robertson and Private Client Relationship Manager, Georgia Porteous from The Glenrothes to discuss all things past, present and future.
If you want to get the inside scoop on this incredible distillery, be sure to pick up a copy of the Whiskeria Summer 2025, which has just landed in stores today!

Join W Club Manager, Luke Crowley-Holland, once again in a thrilling new chapter of the W Club Decanted podcast, where we'll be talking all things Laphroaig with Distillery Manager George Campbell.

A brand whose flavour profile was once described as 'a hospital on fire' for its intensely medicinal smoke, Laphraoig is certainly something on which everyone has an opinion - and our opinion is that we love it! It is unapologetically peaty, powerful, dramatic, and rich where many drams would opt to soften their edges in a bid to appeal to all.

Laphroaig Elements 3.0: https://www.whiskyshop.com/laphroaig-elements-3-0

Shop all Laphroaig: https://www.whiskyshop.com/single-malt-scotch-whisky/distilleries/laphroaig

Hello folks,

In this episode, we are in conversation with Glen Scotia Master Blender Ashley Smith, at The Whisky Shop Princes' Square, Glasgow.

Glen Scotia is one of the smallest whisky distilleries in Scotland but one of the big names of Campbeltown. The distillery was awarded Scotland's Distillery of the Year 2021 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2021. The distillery still maintains much of its original design, including the fermenters, the stillroom, and the dunnage warehouse dating from the 1830s.

W Club Premium Members can save 10% on Glen Scotia Double Cask and Glen Scotia Victoriana between now and September 2025 as part of our celebration of the 2024 W Club Awards.

Glen Scotia Victoriana: https://www.whiskyshop.com/glen-scotia-victoriana

Glen Scotia Double Cask: https://www.whiskyshop.com/glen-scotia-double-cask

Cheers,

Luke Crowley Holland

For this episode The W Club's Luke Crowley Holland was joined by the founder of Irish Whiskey Bonder J.J. Corry, Louise McGuane.

What ensued was a wonderful conversation about Louise's career, what life is like as a female whiskey entrepreneur in today's industry and what the future might hold for Irish Whiskey.

We think you'll find this to be a highly informative chat.

W Club Premium Members can enjoy 10% off the new J.J. Corry TWS Exclusives, the 9-Year-Old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Year Old PX Sherry Cask.

All our J.J. Corry whiskies can be found here:

https://www.whiskyshop.com/world-whiskies/brand/jj-corry

Join the W Club by visiting:

https://www.whiskyshop.com/club/whisky-club

Hello Folks,

We were delighted to be joined in conversation by Lee Kennedy, founder and Master Distiller at Leiper's Fork Distillery Tennessee.

The Leiper's Fork Bourbon is reigning W Club Whisky of The Year — meaning W Club Premium Members save 10% off between now and September 2025 — which is where we begin our conversation before diving into the history of the distillery and American Whiskey more widely. I certainly enjoyed recording this episode, so we hope you enjoy listening!

You can find Leiper's Fork Bourbon here: https://www.whiskyshop.com/leiper-s-fork-bourbon-whiskey-bottled-in-bond

You can find all the W Club Award winners here: https://www.whiskyshop.com/club/members/awards

If you like the episode please give us a review or drop a comment below.

Mise,

Luke

Hello folks,

We were privileged to be joined in conversation on this episode by Jota Tanaka, Master Blender for the Fuji Gotemba Distillery. Jota has had a fascinating career — he started his career in the drinks industry through winemaking and he is a 2022 inductee into The World Drinks Awards Whiskies Hall of Fame; a recognition of his contribution to the world of whisky.

In the episode, we also take a deep dive into the history of the Fuji Distillery and its production process, among other topics.

On the podcast we sampled:

Fuji Single Grain Japanese Whisky: https://www.whiskyshop.com/fuji-single-grain-japanese-whisky

Fuji Blended Japanese Whisky: https://www.whiskyshop.com/fuji-blended-japanese-whisky

Fuji Single Malt Japanese Whisky: https://www.whiskyshop.com/fuji-single-malt-japanese-whisky

I was joined on the chat with my colleague David Miller, manager of The Whisky Shop Birmingham.

I hope you enjoy listening.

Cheers,

Luke Crowley Holland

The W Club made a trip to Nc'nean and caught up with Head of Sustainability Amy Stammers, touching on her new quiet rebels release. This episode was recorded in September 2024.

You can shop all things Nc'nean at https://www.whiskyshop.com/

Nc'nean Organic Quiet Rebels Amy is available here: https://www.whiskyshop.com/nc-nean-or...