The Art of Whiskey Blending with Doc Swinson's Jesse Parker

EmbellishPod

In this episode of the Embellish podcast, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Jesse Parker, the master blender and one of the founders of Doc Swinson's. Jesse shared his journey into the world of whiskey blending, the challenges of creating unique flavor profiles, and the philosophy behind Doc Swinson's approach to whiskey.

Jesse recounted the origins of Doc Swinson's, which started as a pet project within Distillers Way. The team's passion for brown spirits and their encounters with various distilleries led them to buy older stocks of whiskey and experiment with their own brand. Doc Swinson's was born out of a desire to create a signature whiskey that was both entertaining and reflective of their love for the craft.

Jesse delved into the intricacies of blending and maturation, emphasizing that their focus is not on distillation but on creating unique blends and finishes. He explained that a significant portion of their production is sourced from M.G.P.I., with whom they've had a symbiotic relationship since 2015. Jesse's passion for barrels and his extensive collection from around the world play a crucial role in the finishing process, which sets Doc Swinson's apart in the market.

We discussed the difficulties of naming whiskey releases, a task Jesse finds particularly challenging. He also touched on the importance of transparency in their brand, sharing as much information as possible about their blending and processing methods.

Looking ahead, Jesse teased some of the exciting new releases planned for the year, including multi-cask finishes and unique expressions like a rye whiskey finished in rum and tawny port casks. He also mentioned the arrival of rare casks, such as 23-plus-year-old Pinot de Charente casks, which promise to bring new dimensions to their future blends.
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