The first Beast Masters Club Armagnac barrel was a 1988 Domaine de Léberon, which we released in 2018 at 30 years old. It was a game-changer for us and many other folks in the whiskey game, showing how Armagnac could compete in terms of flavor with our favorite bourbons and ryes. Right now in our shop (www.beastmastersclub.com/shop), you can pick up a 1994 Léberon single cask that mirrors much of what we loved about that original 30-year. When we heard that the latest generation of Armagnac-makers Caroline Rozes and her husband Roman were in New York, we were lucky enough to persuade them to join us at the Beast Lair for a super informative and fun podcast. We talk about the Armagnac region, the multi-generational family estates of Léberon and Aurensan, their completely traditional and organic techniques of farming and distilling that create these brilliant spirits, and even an old-fashioned French country romance!
Steve the SmokyBeast is joined in his dining room by friends new and old - L’Encantada Armagnac aficionados Vincent Cornu and Frédéric Chappe, and self-proclaimed spirit nerd Nicolas Palazzi of PM Spirits.
Calling all beastly francophiles - this episode is for you.
Steve the Smoky Beast (and self-proclaimed CEO of Beast Masters Club) is joined at home by Eric Kaye and Maura Gedid, spirit experts at the hilt of Holmes Cay Single Cask Rum. They sample their way around the world with a vast array of easy sippers and beasts.
Clinking and slurping sounds abound - the sure sign of a good time, if you ask us.
Watch out for this drop on Friday, beasts and beavers. You don’t wanna miss it.
Steve the SmokyBeast and Ben welcome Nick Taylor to the podcast, armagnac extraordinaire and founder of Taylor & Taylor Whiskey. He tells the Beasts (boys) lore about a little single estate producer of Bas Armagnac, Domaine de Charron, that produces the robust, crisp Baco grape. Fewer than a thousand bottles of this stuff are made available in the United States every year, and you Beasts in the audience may be lucky enough to score a bottle.
Most importantly, though, Ben, formerly known as JewDunDrankMyWhiskey, changes his moniker. Care to wager a guess on what he chose?
Hint: don’t get sniped by the laser.
These are the definition of dark days. As SmokyBeast puts it, “it’s dark at, like, 4:30, everyone in the world has the VID, and we’re all hiding under our beds again.” Not to fear. The Beast Masters have the antidote, and no more will they deny the world.
SmokyBeast is joined today by the inimitable Will Schragis of Barrell Bourbon whose storied whiskey career speaks for itself (and whose voice may sound familiar to the lifers in the audience).
They taste five new samples and discuss everything from the spectacular Seagrass whiskey that you’ll have the chance to taste, to the secrets of frozen drinks. They may also fluff you a bit for being the adventurous beasts that you are, so if you’re in need of a bit of encouragement today, take a listen.