The Rolex Whisky Passion Project

In today's episode, Gavin shares the significance of building relationships and trust in the whiskey industry. Gavin emphasizes the challenges of maintaining these relationships and the fluctuating nature of bottle availability. He also shared his personal experiences buying whiskey, starting with Japanese whiskey due to its limited availability and how his Instagram account, Rolex Whiskey, grew as he shared proof of his authentic whiskey purchases. He also detailed his whiskey business journey, which began with buying from liquor stores and evolved into building relationships with Costco and Bevmo, which he attributes as the key to his success.

Gavin talks with Peter Nevenglosky, a co-founder of Rare Character Whiskey and other spirits brands, discussed their shared love for food and drink, particularly whiskey.  They discussed the evolution of the cocktail culture in America, reflecting on how it shifted from a focus on showmanship and quality to a broader, more inclusive landscape. They also talked about their experiences with different types of whiskey and spirits, highlighting the evolution of cocktail menus and the challenges of introducing new drinks. Peter shared his journey of exploring independent bottling for American whiskeys and how it led to the launch of the Rare Character brand. They discussed the rapid success and passionate community that formed around the brand, as well as the brand's pricing strategy and its various releases.

Gavin and Liquid Scorsese had a casual conversation where they discussed personal life, work challenges, and their shared passion for whiskey. Gavin opened up about the difficulties he faces balancing work and personal life, especially while traveling. Liquid Scorsese, on the other hand, shared his plans for the upcoming year, including the exciting news of expecting a baby. They also reminisced about their youthful escapades, particularly Liquid Scorsese's memorable trip to Dublin at 15, and the duo’s adventures using fake IDs to explore bars and clubs. The conversation naturally shifted to whiskey, a topic both hold dear, with Liquid Scorsese's moniker hinting at his deep connection with the spirit.

Gavin and Torsten explored the complexities of whiskey production, particularly focusing on the influence of wood and climate on the aging process. They discussed how different environments, like the hot and humid conditions at Kavalan in Taiwan and the cold, isolated setting of Islay in Scotland, impart unique characteristics to the whiskey. They underscored the importance of the relationship between the whiskey and the wood, noting that not every barrel is suitable for every whiskey. Their conversation highlighted the intricate factors that contribute to each whiskey's distinct flavor. They also compared an older Highland Park 15 with a newer one, noting significant differences in flavor profiles, with Torsten pointing out variations due to production speed and demand.

Providing a boutique whiskey shopping experience. The conversation explores the evolving landscape of American whiskey in Alaska, the rise of new distilleries, and the shifts in pricing and consumer preferences in the whiskey market. Key themes include the impact of COVID on the liquor business, the distinction between American bourbon and Scotch whiskey, the importance of transparent barrel picks, and the personalized customer experience Allocated offers. The episode sheds light on the changing dynamics of the whiskey industry and the value of passion and relationships in curating exceptional whiskey selections.

In this engaging episode of the Rolex Whiskey Passion project, Dan Kidd, popularly known as Heavy Bourbon, shares his journey from college whiskey enthusiast to becoming a revered figure in the online whiskey community. With a focus on his creative content creation during quarantine and his unique approach to whiskey tasting, Dan provides a lighthearted and humorous perspective on exploring the world of bourbon. From his early experiences with Evan Williams to discovering rare bottle picks, Dan's story is a testament to the passion and dedication required to navigate the intricate world of whiskey.

Join the Rolex Whiskey Passion Project as Gavin chats with Dr. Matt Lurin, a Long Island physician and whiskey enthusiast. Together, they explore Dr. Lurin's whiskey journey, from his early love of Laphroaig to organizing the acclaimed charity event, Water of Life. Discover his memorable experiences, insights into the evolution of whiskey events, and the camaraderie within the industry. This episode offers a deep dive into the world of whiskey collecting and the genuine connections it fosters.

Join us as we chat with Struan Ralph, aka "The Whisky Beard," from the William Grant family. We dive into Struan's early whiskey memories, the transformative journey of single malt whiskies, and their rise in global markets. Listen in for anecdotes from New York's social scene, industry insights, and discussions on whisky trends, finishes, and pricing. Discover how the whisky industry is evolving and what makes these spirits so special. Tune in for a captivating conversation about the world of whisky and its enduring allure.

Ryan Mills and Gavin engage in a detailed discussion about their whiskey passion, exploring various types of whiskeys and the whiskey-making process. They emphasize authenticity in social media, focusing on genuine enjoyment over popularity. Ryan shares his whiskey tasting events and collaborations within the whiskey community, highlighting the educational and enjoyable aspects of whiskey exploration. Personal Spirits Collections and Rolex Whisky Passion Project gavin and Ryan engaged in a light-hearted discussion about their personal collections of opened and unopened bottles of spirits, with Ryan estimating he had around 350 bottles. They shared their drinking habits and strategies for managing their collections. The conversation then transitioned to the introduction of Ryan to the Rolex Whisky Passion Project, a platform for passionate whisky enthusiasts. gavin expressed his interest in helping more people get to know Ryan through this platform. Whiskey and Cigar Preferences Discussed Ryan and gavin shared their early experiences and preferences regarding whiskey and other alcoholic beverages. They both recalled their initial introductions to whiskey, which were not typically consumed neat, and often accompanied by cigars. Ryan's family had a significant influence on his love for cigars, while gavin found cigars to be a way to control his environment. They also delved into their cultural backgrounds and how it influenced their drinking preferences, with gavin's Italian heritage leading him to appreciate digestifs like Sambuco, and Ryan's exploration of different types of whiskey gravitating towards smoky, peaty Scotch. They also shared their past drinking habits, with Ryan admitting to a fondness for Long Island Iced Teas and gavin revealing his late introduction to Bourbon. Whisky Appreciation and Isle of Skye Experiences gavin and Ryan shared their experiences and appreciation for different types of whiskies, particularly the Isla Scotch. gavin, who had recently visited the Isle of Skye, described it as a "happy place" with a unique atmosphere, where the pace of life seemed to slow down and the distilleries provided employment for the local community. They both agreed on the importance of slowing down to appreciate the different flavors and notes in whiskies. The conversation also touched on the history and production of whiskies, from ancient Mesopotamia to modern times, and the influence of peating and other processes on the finished product. Developing Authentic Social Media Presence gavin and Ryan discussed the development of Ryan's social media presence, particularly on Instagram and TikTok. Ryan shared that his authentic and relatable approach to content creation, centered around his passion for luxury items like cigars and whisky, has attracted a dedicated following. Both gavin and Ryan emphasized the importance of realness in their content creation, describing their social media platforms as a form of education and a way to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with others. They both agreed that the journey and process of creating content was more important than the end result, and that a genuine and authentic approach was key to building a loyal audience. Food and Drink Pairings, Whiskies, and Community gavin and Ryan discussed their love for experimenting with food and drink pairings, particularly the combination of Glendronic 18 sherry and mac and cheese. They also shared their experiences with promoting and enjoying whiskies, with gavin sharing his encounter with a couple who had been drinking Mcallen for 50 years, inspiring him to try new spirits. Ryan highlighted the importance of helping people experience different types of whiskies and the joy of discovering new favorite drinks. He also spoke about the unique experiences that come with being in the whisky industry and the importance of the community they've built through various platforms. Whiskey Passion and Community Bonding Ryan and gavin shared their love for whiskey and how it led them to become part of a wider community. Ryan revealed how his passion began as a challenge to his wife's lack of interest, but quickly developed into a source of friendship and enjoyment. gavin jokingly mentioned his wife's watchful eye over his involvement, but also acknowledged the depth of his own commitment. Both expressed appreciation for the connections made and the excitement of discovering and appreciating fine spirits. Ryan's partner's discerning palate and ability to spot rare bottles was admired, and gavin showed interest in involving his own wife in this hobby as a bonding activity for their families.

Jordan Felix engages in a deep dive into premium whiskies at Clyde Common, exploring a diverse selection of single malts and bourbons.Gavin and Jordan engaged in a wide-ranging conversation about their experiences with alcohol and whiskey, starting with their early introduction to alcohol and their favorite drinks during their youth. They reflected on the lack of customer care in some establishments and reminisced about various spirits like Anniversary Port, Sambuka, and Ouzo. Their discussion then focused on their experiences with whisky, particularly Johnnie Walker Black, and their growing appreciation for different types of whisky, especially after their time at Clyde Common. They reviewed various single malt whiskies, sharing their favorites and discussing the challenges of supply and demand in the industry. Finally, they reminisced about their fond memories of whiskey, their preferences for aged whiskies, and the importance of distillery management in maintaining quality.