The Rolex Whisky Passion Project

Hosted by Gavin Linde

Business Arts Food Leisure HobbiesInterviews guests

Episodes

Language

EN-US

About the show

Sharing whiskey passion globally. Gavin Linde aka @rolexwhisky on Instagram, one of the worlds leading whisky influencers and collectors, curates a guest list of passionate whiskey-loving individuals to talk about the history, investing in, the current luxury spirits trends, and of course, drinking whiskey. Join us for each episode to hear our weekly interviews with whiskey industry professionals and lovers of great luxury spirits.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

47 min

Inside the Japanese Whisky Bubble: Market Realities, Hype, and the Authentic Core

Gavin engages with Sagar Vashishta, a veteran collector and author of the coffee table book The Art of Japanese Whisky to examine the structural shifts defining the spirits industry over the past decade. The discussion traces the market's trajectory from an era of accessible, high-quality age-statement expressions to the current post-COVID climate characterized by aggressive corporate price increases, inventory saturation, and a proliferation of non-traditional distilleries looking to capitalize on the category's prestige.

36 min

Whiskey, Passion, and a New Dawn: A Conversation with Raven Fuller

Gavin catches up with long-time friend and whiskey expert Raven Fuller to trace her remarkable journey through the evolving spirits industry. Moving from central Illinois to the heart of bourbon country in Louisville, Kentucky, in 2017, Raven shares her transition from casual cocktail drinker to industry insider at Michter's, detailing the explosive growth of whiskey tourism over the past decade.

39 min

John Drummond's Journey from Scottish Blends to Hong Kong’s Luxury Liquid Gold

Gavin Linde is joined by with John Drummond, the General Manager of the Intercontinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong and a true heavyweight in the global whisky scene.John shares his evolution from sneaking sips of blended whiskies as a teenager in Scotland to curating one of the world’s most elite collections at the hotel’s famed Tiffany’s New York Bar.They also talk about their unique "shared wealth" whisky culture of Hong Kong, the rise of independent bottlings, and the rare "pinch me" moment of tasting a 78-year-old Glenlivet from Gordon & MacPhail.We also get an insider’s look at why Hong Kong has become the ultimate bucket-list destination for spirits lovers and what to expect at the upcoming Hong Kong Whisky Festival.

38 min

From Tax Tables to Top-Shelf Scotch: The Howard Sacks Import Journey

In a captivating transition, Howard Sacks traded international tax consulting for the spirits industry, founding Saxs Dynamic Operations to bring elite Scotch whiskey to the U.S. market. Specializing in "the good stuff," Sacks acts as a national importer for niche distilleries like Holly and Addendale, alongside high-end Independent Bottlers such as Lady of the Glenn. His business strategy leverages automation and industry expertise to navigate and solve the complexities of the American three-tier system, ensuring rare single-cask expressions reach enthusiasts. Highlighting the company's rapid growth, Sacks recently secured a significant distribution agreement with Total Wine, poised to bring his curated selection of Holly and Dale products to a national audience.

32 min

The Art of the Dram: Whiskey, Charity, and the Next Generation

In this lively episode of the Rolex Whiskey Passion Project, host Gavin Linde and guest Matt Lurin dive deep into the evolving landscape of the spirits industry.They explore the rising popularity of independent bottling and the "out of control" trend of high-ABV cask strength whiskies, contrasting modern preferences with the classic, lower-proof vintages of the past.They also take a candid look at shifting cultural norms—from the "shame" of being a lone cigar smoker at a family pool party to the challenge of engaging a younger, more distracted generation with traditional liquor culture.They also highlight the upcoming Water of Life NYC charity event in June, featuring a unique "whiskey speed dating" format where every pour supports a good cause.

30 min

Beyond the Pour: How Fog City Social is Reimagining the Whiskey Festival

In this episode of the Rolex Whiskey Passion Project, co-founders Marcelo Grande and Roland Ng pull back the curtain on Fog City Social, a San Francisco-based event designed to fix the "broken" spirit of corporate whiskey festivals.Moving away from crowded ballrooms and frantic VIP lines, they explain their "everyone is a VIP" philosophy, where every ticket includes a high-end festival bottle and access to rare vintage libraries—like the entire Glendronach lineup—poured generously without red tape.The duo discusses their transition from a humble 240-person gathering to a massive "Whiskey Week" featuring fourteen masterclasses, a charity gala, and unique retail partnerships that allow guests to purchase the rare spirits they taste.

46 min

Whiskey Bodegas & The Golden Age with Kurt Maitland

In this engaging episode of the Rolex Whiskey Passion Project, Gavin Linde welcomes Kurt Maitland (author and founder of the Manhattan Whiskey Club) dive deep into the evolving landscape of whiskey over the last thirty years. Maitland shares nostalgic stories of his "whiskey journey," from discovering Jameson in college to hunting for "dusty" rare bottles in overlooked corner liquor stores—what he affectionately calls whiskey bodegas. They also discuss the technical shifts in the industry, such as how cost-cutting and efficiency measures at major distilleries like Macallan have altered the flavor profiles of modern spirits compared to their "heavier," unhurried vintage counterparts.

40 min

Whiskey Writer Joel Harrison on 20 Years of Dram, Price, and Passion

Joel Harrison, a veteran whiskey writer, joined the "Rolex Whiskey Passion Project" to discuss the dramatic changes in the whiskey industry over his nearly 20-year career. They centered on the evolution of whiskey pricing, with Harrison and host Gavin Linde recalling a time two decades ago when quality, mature whiskies, including rare bottles from now-closed distilleries like Port Ellen, were abundant and significantly cheaper. Harrison shares his "aha" moment with Balvenie Doublewood and his eventual transition from the music industry to full-time whiskey writing, highlighting the global, passionate nature of the whiskey community.

44 min

Whiskey Munich: From Impulsive Scotch Purchase to Industry Collaborator

Davide Ansalone, known as "Whiskey Munich," joined Gavin Linde on the Rolex Whiskey Passion Project podcast to share his unique journey into the whiskey world. He discussed how he went from discovering smoky Scotch to becoming an influential blogger and photographer who collaborates with the whiskey industry. Highlights of his story include an impulsive, yet valuable, purchase of a 30-year-old Lagavulin and a deep dive into the historical importance of the Italian whiskey market, which set the stage for "pinch me" moments involving rare whiskies such as a 21-year-old Brora.

26 min

The Rice Whiskey Revolution: Reviving a Thousand-Year Himalayan Heritage with Kashish Shrestha

Kashish Shrestha, founder and CEO of the Nepali Spirit Company, joins the show to share the journey of bringing Nepal’s ancient distilling traditions to the global stage. Shrestha discusses his transition from a high-end whiskey collector and auction regular to a craft distiller based in California, producing traditional rice spirits out of Florida. He provides a deep dive into the cultural history of Aila—a spirit used in Nepali rituals for centuries—and explains how he is evolving the craft by introducing wood-aging through Amburana, Mizunara, and Sherry casks. From the fire-like profile of traditional rice whiskey to his upcoming Himalayan espresso liqueur, Shrestha highlights the bold future of the first international Nepali rice whiskey brand.