Whisky lovers everywhere have a great source of information in Mark Gillespie's WhiskyCast.  Now two years old, this brief weekly podcast delivers a mix of news reporting, interviews, and features on one of the world's favorite brown spirits.  Mark was kind enough to grant Cork & Knife a brief interview to help readers learn about his appreciation for, and understanding of, whisky.

Where did your love affair with whisky begin?

I didn’t try my first single malt until about 10 years ago. Like many of us, I had a bad experience or two with “shots” during college and stayed away from whisky for many years. One night in Sarasota, Florida, I was at a gourmet wine bar that offered Scotch tasting flights, and I decided that maybe I should give it another try. I asked the bartender to “teach me”, and that was the start…

What compelled you to start the WhiskyCast?

I was working on developing podcast content for the company I was working for at the time and thought “what’s out there that I have an interest in, some knowledge of, and that people might be interested in listening to?” Whisky was the only thing that dozens of others weren’t already doing shows on…and I actually thought about it for a few months before deciding to produce the first episode. 

What is your most interesting experience with whisky?

Earlier this year, I had the chance to sit down with the guys who pick barrels for Bayway’s World of Liquors in Elizabeth, NJ to be bottled as store exclusives. We spent the evening going through several different barrel samples to find the best of the bunch. It’s always interesting to see that not only are whiskies from two distilleries different, but even batches produced at the same distillery under the same conditions can have their own unique character.

Your podcast is very polished.  Surely you must have radio experience?

Yes. I’ve worked in radio and television news as an anchor, reporter, and producer for nearly 28 years now. 

You had the chance to meet Michael Jackson earlier this year (the whisky writer, not the rock star).  In the wake of his passing last week, do you have any observations?

Michael was the man who gave us a vocabulary for tasting whisky, and helped legitimize the idea that people could be connoisseurs of whisky. Before Michael started writing about whisky, one could be a “wine snob” and be respected, but whisky was just another drink. I’ll always regret that I only had a few minutes to talk with him, because there are so many questions I never had the chance to ask.   

What are your favorite sources for whisky news and information?

I’m a proud member of the Malt Maniacs, and the MM web site is a great place to look for reviews, tasting notes and ratings. I also hang out online in the forums on the Whisky Magazine web site, because someone always has something new to contribute and there’s plenty of good conversation. You’ll also find good information at The Whisky Portal, the Scotch Whisky Review, and The Scotch Blog, as well as the Bourbon Enthusiast and Straight Bourbon web sites.   

What advice do you have for whisky lovers, whether they are new to the spirit or have had a long-term relationship with the drink?

Try something new. For example, if you’re a Scotch drinker, try a single-barrel bourbon or a single malt from Japan or Australia. Challenge your taste buds and your perceptions of what a whisky should taste like. Become more sensitive to the smells around you. Walk through the produce section at your supermarket and notice the smells of the various fruits, vegetables, and herbs…do the same at the garden center, or after you’ve cut the grass. Learn to recognize the smells and tastes that exist all around you, and it’ll help you enjoy your whisky much more. 

Apart from whisky, are there other spirits you enjoy?

Primarily, I’m a beer and wine drinker when I’m not drinking whisky. I spend too much time exploring whisky to have the time to explore other spirits. 

Since you live in the (regrettably dry) town of Haddonfield, NJ, what’s your favorite place to share a dram with fellow whisky lovers?

Fortunately, it’s a small town, and there are a couple of good bars within walking distance. However, Haddonfield is just a subway ride away from one of my favorite bars, Monk’s Café in Philadelphia. I work in New York City, and my favorite there is the Brandy Library in the Tribeca neighborhood.

It’s unfair, but since you like asking the question: if you could choose your last drink, what would it be?

I haven’t found it yet…check back with me in 10 years or so…