Chris Perugini | Whiskey Educator

Glenfiddich has a new look and gift pack just in time for Father’s Day⁣ ⁣ The distillery that introduced the concept of single malt scotch to the world is still evolving. Glenfiddich has updated its branding with a modern look that balances forward progress with maintaining the heritage the distillery is known for.⁣ ⁣ Glenfiddich has also released a new gift pack in the U.S., centered around a full-size bottle of Glenfiddich’s 14 Year Bourbon Barrel Reserve, along with 50 ml bottles of the 15 Year Solera Reserve and the 18 Year Small Batch.⁣ ⁣ I learned more about the brand’s latest strategic initiatives and the new gift pack from Will Peacock, Glenfiddich Global Brand Managing Director, and longtime Glenfiddich Malt Master Brian Kinsman.⁣ ⁣ Check out the full story at Forbes.com. The link, as always, is in my bio and in my stories.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Photos courtesy of @glenfiddichwhisky ⁣ ⁣⁣ #glenfiddich #fathersday #singlemalt #scotch #whisky

Nashville Barrel Co is a MUST STOP location.⁣ ⁣ I walked into Nashville Barrel Company’s tasting room having heard two things about this whiskey hotspot:⁣ ⁣ 1. They have an insane selection of single barrels available by the pour (and many by the bottle).⁣ 2. The entire staff is friendly and extremely knowledgeable.⁣ ⁣ Both were true.⁣ ⁣ I spent my visit with Justin Wilson, who set me up with a blind flight (my favorite way to try new whiskey). I started the experience writing down a few tasting notes, but gave up after a few minutes. I was off the proverbial clock and wanted to enjoy my whiskey in a more relaxed way. Wouldn’t you know it, that’s when the whiskey in front of me really started to vibe.⁣ ⁣ The last pour in the flight—a rye whiskey—was my favorite of the bunch.⁣ ⁣ While I was there, I also observed a diverse cross-section of patrons walk in, receive the personalized guidance they needed to make their purchasing decisions, and leave happier than when they arrived. Every person who sat down was met where they were on their whiskey journey, and many of the phrases I overheard are talking points I use myself when educating others.⁣ ⁣ In other words, these folks really get it.⁣ ⁣ Hats off to @mhindstn and the entire NBC crew for running a great operation. If you’re ever in downtown Nashville, I highly recommend stopping in.⁣ ⁣ @nashvillebarrelco ⁣ ⁣ #nashvillebarrelco #bourbon #rye #tennesseewhiskey #whiskey

Foil capping a bottle isn’t as easy as it looks 👀⁣ ⁣ During my recent visit to Nelson’s Green Brier distillery, I had the opportunity to bottle my own whiskey. I was so torn between two of the options that I decided to bottle one of each. The final step of the process was to add the foil cap to my hand-filled bottles.⁣ ⁣ Let’s just say that the capping machine takes some real elbow grease. Luckily, I figured it out the second time around.⁣ ⁣ More to come!⁣ ⁣ @nelsonsgreenbrier ⁣ ⁣ #nelsonsgreenbrier #tenneesseewhiskey #whiskey #nelsonbros #bourbon

The Whiskey Mailbag Episode 2 📩📬⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ @davidthomastao and I recently opened up The Whiskey Mailbag for a brief second episode. ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ As always, you asked some great questions that led to a really fun conversation.⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ Timestamped highlights include:⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ 1:50 - Recognizing our friend @whiskey_with_maks ⁣⁣⁣ 4:55 - Does Eagle Rare 30 Year elevate American Whiskey?⁣⁣⁣ 16:20 - Staying objective when doing reviews/writing articles?⁣⁣⁣ 26:54 - What’s a bottle or brand that we wish were on more people’s radars?⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ We sure had a blast and hope you enjoyed as well.⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Comment or DM ⁣me your questions to be used in future episodes.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Until next time, cheers!⁣⁣ ⁣ #whiskey #bourbon #scotch #whisky

Trying Glenrothes 32 Year was a real treat.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I recently stopped by the Edrington office in New York for a visit with the Glenrothes team. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Glenrothes has undergone a complete revamp over the last several years. The distillery was one of two (the other being Balblair) in Scotland that would release their products as vintages rather than with consistent age statements. Both distilleries have since switched over.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Glenrothes changed owners a few times before coming back to Edrington. Over the last year or so, the brand has undergone a packaging and branding update, while maintaing it’s classic bottle shape an label. For $99, the 15-Year has packaging that one might expect from a bottle that’s double the price tag.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ During my visit, I got a chance to try their 32 Year Old expression, sold on site in New York and at the distillery. This release celebrates the legacy of John Smith, who served as Glenrothes distillery manager for 32 years.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Glenrothes is typically a sherry-forward whisky, and this expression was no exception. I also happen to be a particular fan of 1990s-distilled Glenrothes (shout out to 1998), so this was right up my alley.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ If Glenrothes hasn’t been on your radar in a while, it’s worth rediscovering.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ @theglenrothes ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ #glenrothes #glenrothes32 #whisky #scotch #singlemalt

Angel’s Envy 2026 Cask Strength Is A Blending Masterclass 🤌🏻🤌🏻⁣ ⁣ The latest edition of Angel’s Envy Cask Strength is a dual release, featuring a bourbon and a 10-Year rye.⁣ ⁣ The effects of careful, iterative blending are on full display this year, with holdback whiskey from previous years being used for the 2026 edition.⁣ ⁣ I joined Master Distiller Owen Martin at the Angel’s Envy Cask Strength release event in New York City to learn more about these two new expressions and the story behind their creation.⁣ ⁣⁣ If you want to learn all the nerdy details about what went into these fabulous expressions, check out the full story at Forbes.com. The link, as always, is in my bio and in my stories.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Photos courtesy of @angelsenvy ⁣ ⁣⁣ #angelsenvy #angelsenvycaskstrength #bourbon #rye #whiskey

Peaky Blinders now has an officially licensed bourbon.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ The hit British crime drama Peaky Blinders has launched an officially licensed bourbon. The new expression, created in partnership with Barrel Global, was distilled at Green River Distilling Co. and finished with Irish whiskey-soaked staves. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ This release reflects a shift in IP-driven spirits, promoting liquid-driven storytelling alongside its packaging.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I chatted with George Koutsakis, Founder of Barrel Global, to learn more about this partnership and the vision behind it.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ Check out the full story at Forbes.com. The link, as always, is in my bio and in my stories.⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ Photos courtesy of @bybarrelglobal ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ #peakyblinders #barrelglobal #bourbon #whiskey #whisky

THH 2014 FRESH POP! 🍾⁣ ⁣ I was going through some old media, and this clip from a few years back never saw the light of day…until now.⁣ ⁣ When we do bottle shares, they are usually small, intimate gatherings with no format or theme. My good friend Sean at @villagecorkandkeg brought some heavy hitters, including Thomas H. Handy 2014.⁣ ⁣ I first tasted this shortly after its release and have been chasing that specific flavor profile ever since. The balance of fruit, spice, and oak was impeccable.⁣ ⁣ To be able to taste it again almost a decade later was an absolute treat and even through the clarifying lens of hindsight, it’s still easily my favorite THH of all time.⁣ ⁣ Happy Friday!⁣ ⁣ #btac #ryewhiskey #fryeday #bourbon #whiskey

The Whiskey Mailbag is OPEN 📩📬⁣ ⁣ @davidthomastao and I opened up The Whiskey Mailbag for the first time yesterday. ⁣ ⁣ You asked fantastic questions, and it made for a great conversation.⁣ ⁣ From water to glassware to the finer points of doing a whiskey review, we covered a wide range of topics. Timestamped highlights include:⁣ ⁣ 5:35 - How did Chris and David meet?⁣ 8:50 - American whiskey brands we’re excited about right now.⁣ 17:15 - Does water source matter?⁣ 30:08 - Roadblocks when reviewing whiskey.⁣ 39:30 - Great whisky package redesigns.⁣ 45:10 - How important is the right glassware?⁣ ⁣ To improve the experience for next time, what day of the week and time are you most likely to catch a livestream? Drop your preferred times below!⁣ ⁣ Until the next edition, cheers!

Throwing it back to the most ironic of events…⁣ ⁣ One of my favorite things about hosting whisky tastings is introducing people to brands that they haven’t tried before. I’ll never forget this 2023 event because of the delicious irony behind it.⁣ ⁣ I, a born-and-bred American, was tasked with curating a Scotch tasting for a Scottish corporate client who flew over FROM SCOTLAND for a few days of meetings in Boston. The event kicked off their final evening before heading back across the pond.⁣ ⁣ Most of the people there told me they were primarily beer drinkers who wanted to learn more about their famous export. The group was engaging, curious, and eager: a winning combo at a whisky tasting.⁣ ⁣ Most importantly, it was a gentle reminder that even for people living at the source of Scotch production, there’s a lot more whisky education to be done.⁣ ⁣ Luckily, I’m up for the challenge.⁣ ⁣ #whiskytasting #scotch #singlemalt #whisky #scotchtasting

Bourbon, Sports And The Ties That Bind With ESPN’s Molly McGrath⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ ESPN sportscaster and Evan Williams Brand Ambassador Molly McGrath knows a thing or two about college sports and bourbon fans. As it turns out, they’re a lot more similar than you think.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I recently caught up with McGrath to talk about college sports, bourbon and the intersection of ritual and fandom that binds them together. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ We also discussed the first release of Evan Williams new Bourbon Nation Collegiate Edition bottles, launching just ahead of the end of the March Madness tournament.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ If you love March Madness, college sports in general, or bourbon, check out the full story at Forbes.com. The link, as always, is in my bio and in my stories.⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ Photos courtesy of @heavenhillbrands ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ #evanwilliams #mollymcgrath #marchmadness #bourbon #bourbonnation

🪻 Milam & Greene Bluebonnet is my favorite whiskey of 2026 so far 🪻⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ The latest edition of Milam & Greene’s Wildlife Collection is called Bluebonnet, with proceeds from this release benefiting the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Much of Milam & Greene’s whiskey undergoes what they call the “Texification” process. With distilling operations in both Blanco, TX and Bardstown, KY, M&G often takes its KY-distilled new-make distillate and ages it in its Texas warehouse.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I’ve been to both locations in the heart of summer, and trust me when I say the difference in aging climates is SIGNIFICANT. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ In the case of Bluebonnet, this 5+ year old expression came from just four “Texified” barrels. Bottled at 113.5 proof, this whiskey is unlike anything I’ve tried from Milam & Greene before.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ ✅ Nose: Rich caramel, redcurrant, butterscotch, toasted wood chips, burnt marshmallow, lavender, jasmine, and sugar cookie.⁣⁣ ✅ Palate: Lots of nuttiness (peanut and cashew), strawberry, sweet oak, coffee cake, vanilla, key lime, and a bit of rye spice.⁣⁣ ✅ Finish: Raspberry torte, wood char, caramel, praline, black tea, anise, hint of raisin, mint, toffee, and chocolate.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ This release is exactly what “Texification” is all about. It was born in Bardstown, but drinks like Texas whiskey through and through. The interplay between the bold oak, layers of sweetness, floral notes, and hints of citrus was a real treat to uncover, and I’m pretty confident that this will be in my top 5 favorite pours of 2026.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ @milamandgreenewhiskey ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ #miliamandgreene #texaswhiskey #bourbon #whiskey #bluebonnet