Ep. 26 - 7/8/26 - Allisa Henley - AJ Bond Distillery - Building the Castle / Playing the Long Game

Ep. 26 - 7/8/26 - Allisa Henley - AJ Bond Distillery - Building the Castle / Playing the Long Game

In Episode 26 of Whisky & Smoke News Network, host Chris Kumnick delivers the latest whisky, bourbon, cigar, pipe, and pipe tobacco news, plus an in-depth “Pop the Cork” interview with Allisa Henley, Master Distiller at AJ Bond Tennessee Distillery in La Vergne, Tennessee. This episode covers major whiskey and spirits headlines including Sazerac’s $20 million purchase of the former Garrard County Distilling property, proposed Irish whiskey GI rule changes, Bulleit 20-Year-Old Straight Rye, Bacardi’s full acquisition of Teeling Whiskey, Edrington’s Scotch whisky sales decline, the bipartisan SPIRIT Act for craft distillers, America’s 250th anniversary whiskey releases, Kavalan Solist Madeira Cask, Ian Macleod production cuts, The Singleton packaging redesign, and Buffalo Trace’s Prohibition Collection. In premium cigar news, Chris highlights the passing of Drew Estate CEO Glenn Wolfson, new releases from Punch Cigars, Montecristo, My Father Cigars, ADV & McKay, Micallef, Wildfire, Bunny Droppings, Ceniza Fina, Principle Cigars, RoMa Craft Tobac, AGANORSA Leaf, and Hiram & Solomon, along with upcoming whisky, cigar, and pipe events. The episode closes with a detailed WNSNN pairing review of Eagle Rare 10-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon and the Eagle Rare Special Release #5 Batch 22-E2-21F Toro, making this a must-watch for fans of bourbon news, Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey, craft distilling, premium cigars, cigar reviews, whiskey pairings, and the latest releases across the whisky and smoke industries. Social Media LinksWhisky & Smoke News NetworkInstagram - / whiskynsmokenn Facebook - / whiskynsmoke Please subscribe, ring the bell, like, and comment below!!

Ep. 25 - 6/21/26 - Christian Huber - Starlight Distillery - "True, Grain-to-Glass Greatness!!!"

In Episode 25 of Whisky & Smoke News Network, host Chris Kumnick delivers the latest whisky, bourbon, cigar, pipe, and tobacco news from around the world before sitting down with Christian Huber, 7th-generation distiller at Starlight Distillery, for an in-depth interview about the highly anticipated 2026 Starlight 10-Year Reserve Bourbon. This episode covers major industry developments including Diageo's restructuring under new CEO Dave Lewis, the UK's lowest barley acreage in 16 years, Ad Gefrin's first Northumbrian single malt in over 200 years, Coors Whiskey Company's new American Malt Whiskey, Blade and Bow's 12-Year Solera Reserve, SHĀNG's groundbreaking baijiu-whiskey fusion, The Donn Single Malt's award-winning success, DEWAR'S 19-Year Champions Edition, Barrel House Distilling's Kentucky expansion, Willett Distillery's new Springfield facility, and Cave City Distilling's grand opening. In cigar news, Chris covers the latest releases from E.P. Carrillo, Arturo Fuente, Kristoff, Crowned Heads, Powstanie, Liga Tridente, RoMa Craft Tobac, Knuckle Sandwich, Lure Cigars, and more. The episode concludes with Chris' latest whisky-and-cigar pairing featuring the E.H. Taylor Corojo Robusto and E.H. Taylor Small Batch Bourbon. Whether you're a Scotch whisky enthusiast, bourbon collector, premium cigar smoker, pipe tobacco fan, or spirits industry follower, this episode is packed with breaking news, new releases, upcoming events, expert insights, and one of the most comprehensive interviews with Christian Huber and Starlight Distillery available anywhere online.Social Media LinksWhisky & Smoke News NetworkInstagram - / whiskynsmokenn Facebook - / whiskynsmoke Please subscribe, ring the bell, like, and comment below!!

Ep. 24 - 6/14/26 - Murray Kerr - Deanston Distillery - "The Deanston Greatness Starts Here!!"

Welcome to Episode 24 of Whisky & Smoke News Network! This week, host Chris Kumnick brings you the latest whisky, whiskey, bourbon, and premium cigar news from around the globe, including major releases from Frey Ranch, Green River, Garrison Brothers, Elijah Craig, Old Forester, Penelope Bourbon, Tormore, Kavalan, and The Macallan. We also cover the biggest stories in the cigar world from Joya de Nicaragua, Arturo Fuente, CAO, and Smoke This Trust Me Cigars, along with upcoming whisky, bourbon, cigar, and pipe events across the United States and Europe. The featured "Pop the Cork" interview takes us to Scotland for an exclusive in-person conversation with Deanston Distillery Manager Murray Kerr, where we discuss his whisky journey, the future of Deanston, upcoming releases, and enjoy a special three-dram tasting. Plus, Chris continues his whisky-and-cigar pairing series with a detailed review of the Buffalo Trace Bourbon and Buffalo Trace Cigar pairing. If you love Scotch whisky, bourbon, cigars, pipe tobacco, distillery interviews, whisky reviews, and industry news, be sure to subscribe, like, and join the conversation.Social Media LinksWhisky & Smoke News NetworkInstagram - / whiskynsmokenn Facebook - / whiskynsmoke Please subscribe, ring the bell, like, and comment below!!

Ep. 23 - 6/7/26 - Greg Standard - Standard Cooperage - The Man Building Texas' Newest Cooperage

Whisky & Smoke News Network Episode 23 | June 7, 2026 — Join host Chris Kumnick for another packed episode covering the latest news from the worlds of whisky, bourbon, cigars, pipes, and pipe tobacco. This week features breaking industry updates from Brown-Forman, Slane Distillery, Bruichladdich's Yellow Submarine III, Bardstown Bourbon Company, Mars Whisky, Uncle Nearest, Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare 30, The Macallan, Four Roses, Wild Turkey, Glenmorangie, Gordon & MacPhail, and more. In cigar news, we cover major releases from Espinosa Cigars, OZ Family Cigars, Room101, J.C. Newman, United Cigars, and Don Palomón. Pipe enthusiasts won't want to miss the latest from G.L. Pease and the new Metropolis Flake. Plus, Chris sits down with Greg Standard of Standard Cooperage in Blanco, Texas, for an in-depth interview covering barrel making, cooperage craftsmanship, whiskey maturation, and the future of American coopering. Finally, Chris reviews an exclusive pairing of the Oliva-made Isle of Skye cigar and Isle of Skye PX Sherry Cigar Reserve Scotch Whisky. If you love Scotch whisky, bourbon, Irish whiskey, premium cigars, pipe tobacco, whiskey news, cigar reviews, distillery releases, and industry interviews, be sure to subscribe, like, comment, and follow Whisky & Smoke News Network on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly coverage of the whisky and cigar lifestyle.Social Media LinksWhisky & Smoke News NetworkInstagram - / whiskynsmokenn Facebook - / whiskynsmoke Please subscribe, ring the bell, like, and comment below!!#Whisky #whiskey #cigars #smoking pipes #pipe tobacco #bourbon #scotch #single malt #WhiskyAndSmokeNewsNetwork,#WhiskyNews,#BourbonNews,#ScotchWhisky,#IrishWhiskey,#CigarNews,#PremiumCigars,#WhiskeyPodcast,#WhiskyPodcast,#GregStandard,#StandardCooperage,#YellowSubmarineIII,#EagleRare30,#TheMacallan,#FourRoses,#WildTurkey,#BuffaloTrace,#BardstownBourbon,#UncleNearest,#CigarReview,#WhiskyReview,#WhiskeyTube,#CigarCommunity,#PipeSmoking,#WhiskyLife,#BourbonLife,#ScotchLovers,#CigarAficionado

Ep. 22 - 5/24/26 - Luciano Meirelles - Luciano Cigars - Serial Entrepreneur - "Seed to Smoke"

In this episode of Whisky & Smoke News Network, host Chris Kumnick delivers a deep dive into the latest whisky, cigar, pipe, and pipe tobacco news, new releases, and industry events, highlighted by an exclusive “Torch the Vitola” interview with Luciano Meirelles of Luciano Cigars recorded at the Premium Cigar Association trade show. Episode 21 (May 17, 2026) explores Luciano’s journey into the cigar industry, his blending philosophy, new product releases, and his work supporting emerging producers, offering valuable insights for enthusiasts and collectors alike. This weekly podcast is your go-to source for whisky reviews, cigar culture, premium accessories, and expert interviews, blending entertainment with education for fans of fine spirits and tobacco. Subscribe for more whisky and cigar content, industry news, and in-depth conversations with leading voices in the world of premium lifestyle experiences. Social Media LinksWhisky & Smoke News NetworkInstagram - / whiskynsmokenn Facebook - / whiskynsmoke Please subscribe, ring the bell, like, and comment below!!