Richard and So-Han welcome special guest Irene Tan to the West China Tea House and Whiskey Provisioner. Irene, a distinguished figure in the whiskey world from Connecticut, shares her journey from being a software engineer to becoming a Level 4 whiskey sommelier. We dive into her experiences in blending whiskey, her move from wine to whiskey, and her connections with notable distilleries like Whistle Pig and Kings County.

Irene also offers insights into her whiskey collaborations, such as the cigar blend project with Andalusia. As the conversation flows, so does the tea, with discussions on the similarities and differences between blending tea and whiskey, and the traditional methods of tea preparation. This episode offers a blend of personal stories, professional insights, and cross-culture beverage appreciation. ⸺ credits ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺Richard Amiro - host http://richardamiro.comSo-Han Fan - guest https://www.youtube.com/@TeaHouseGhost - https://westchinatea.com/Cory Cranfill - a really helpful guy https://youtube.com/@shedlogic - https://www.righttoolmedia.comGuest - Irene Tan https://whiskymentors.com/ - https://www.instagram.com/whiskymentors/

Ever wondered what makes a truly Texan gin? Or how ancient wild teas connect with modern craft spirits? Get ready for a fascinating journey into the heart of Texas botanicals and rare tea traditions! In this episode of the Whiskey Provisioner, hosts Richard and So-Han are joined by the remarkable Molly Cummings, biology professor and the entrepreneurial spirit behind WildGins Co. Dive deep into the world of gin as Molly shares her passion for foraging unique Texas juniper species – a biodiversity hotspot with more varieties than any other US state! Learn how she transforms these native treasures, like the Alligator Juniper and the rare Red Berry Juniper, into award-winning gins with distinct personalities. Meanwhile, So-Han of West China Tea expertly pairs these exceptional spirits with equally unique and wild-harvested teas, including a "Wild Sparrow" purple green tea and a complex "Needle on the Sea Floor" Oolong. Discover the surprising parallels between tea and gin production, the importance of "Qi" and terroir, and the beautiful synergy when these two worlds collide.

Richard and So-Han host Amanda Beckwith from Virginia Distillery on this episode of Whiskey Provisioner. They dive into the intriguing intersections of whiskey production and tea blending, sharing stories about their first experiences with various spirits and the innovation behind Fireball and Four Loko. So-Han introduces a unique purple tea from Ngunnaw Mountain, detailing its rare pigmentation and health benefits. Amanda discusses her ventures in whiskey reduction with Lapsang Souchong tea and the rich community of women in whiskey production. Their conversation also covers the importance of nuanced education in tea and whiskey, highlighting collaborative efforts within the industry. They end with a tasting of Starward Australian whiskey, exploring its unique flavor profile aged in red wine barrels and finished in Lagavulin casks. Perfect for whiskey aficionados and tea lovers alike!