Davin Topel: From Scottish Gin to Jenever?

Whiskey and gin meet fine aged tea in this episode of Whiskey Provisioner! Join hosts Richard and So-Han as they welcome back their very first guest, Davin Topel, for a lively discussion and tasting at the new West China Tea house.From Scotland's Highlands to Texas Hill Country Davin, fresh off a trip to Scotland, shares a rare gin from the Gordon Castle Walled Garden. He dives into the history of the castle, its sprawling botanical garden, and the unique Highland Games that have been a tradition for centuries. The conversation naturally meanders to the surprising similarities between the spirits and tea industries, including the importance of heritage, the role of terroir, and the art of single distillation.The Art of the Perfect Brew So-Han introduces a special cave-dried white tea called "Unfolding Path." He explains the intricate world of tea processing, detailing how white tea is dried rather than cooked, allowing it to slowly oxidize and develop complex, earthy notes. He also explains the concept of "tea masters" in China and the intensive process of tasting and sourcing tea.Juniper, Scotch, and History Richard, So-Han, and Davin explore the flavor profiles of the Scottish gin and an aged Jenever—the Dutch precursor to modern gin. Davin breaks down the botanicals in each spirit, while So-Han and Richard draw parallels between the malting of barley for whiskey and the processing of tea.They wrap up the episode with a tasting of a 5-year-old aged white tea, proving that a high-quality tea can stand toe-to-toe with a fine spirit.