In Part 2 of our conversation with The Hood Sommelier, Jack shares the story behind his Wisdom from Africa series: the friend who jumps into the hole to show you the way out, and why the person in the water never makes fun of the crocodile. He talks about the gap between an online persona and real life, and tells us some stories.

We also get into his grandmother's favourite piece of wisdom, the best way to drink whisky, and the question Jack leaves for our next guest. To finish, we pour some Canadian picks for Jack and he explains Afro Fusion, his dinners that pair whisky and cocktails with African cuisine.

Missed Part 1? Start there for conversation you won't want to miss with The Hood Sommelier

FIND JACK
Instagram: @hood_sommelier
YouTube, TikTok and Facebook: hoodsommelier

Unpoured Perspectives: Your Mind on Whisky.
Bobby | @dramsanddrips
Joel | @scratchnscotch
Kevin | @spiritforus

Music credit to BoDleasons for Alone

#whisky #hoodsommelier #wisdomfromafrica #unpouredperspectives

CHAPTERS
00:00 - Wisdom from Africa
08:01 - Real Friends and the Owen Martin Bet
13:21 - Grandma's Favourite Wisdom
20:52 - The Best Way to Drink Whisky
25:59 - Three Bottles on a Desert Island
38:44 - Pouring Canadian Picks for Jack
48:20 - Afro Fusion: Whisky Meets African Food
57:14 - Wrap-Up and Where to Find Jack

We are joined by Jack Begedou, the Hood Sommelier, to break down the complexities of the spirits world. Jack pours a glass and tells us exactly what he thinks of Canadian whisky. Then he dares us to change his mind.

In Part 1 of our conversation, Joel, Kevin and Bobby sit down with Jack from Omaha, Nebraska for a no-agenda evening that goes deep fast. Jack tells his own story: the certifications he earned so he would never be a "Google whisky reviewer", the Macallan 18 that opened a door for him, the night his friends gave him the name Hood Sommelier, and how a pandemic Instagram show called Monday Sucks grew into The Truth Is Barrel Proof podcast.

Check out Part 2, that picks up with Wisdom from Africa, the best way to drink whisky, and three bottles for a desert island.

Subscribe for monthly spirit insights, and let us know in the comments what you think about current whisky labeling standards.

FIND JACK
Instagram: @hood_sommelier
YouTube, TikTok and Facebook: @hoodsommelier

Unpoured Perspectives: Your Mind on Whisky.
Bobby | @dramsanddrips
Joel | @scratchnscotch
Kevin | @spiritforus

Music credit to BoDleasons for Alone
#whisky #canadianwhisky #hoodsommelier #unpouredperspectives

CHATPERS
00:00:00 - Welcome to Unpoured Perspectives
00:02:29 - What's in Our Glasses
00:11:32 - Canadian Whisky's Identity Problem
00:24:32 - Who Makes the Rules? Whisky Designations
00:37:38 - The 9.09% Rule and Label Transparency
00:41:41 - How an Independent Bottler Labels Whisky
00:48:15 - Jack's Whisky Education
00:50:19 - How Jack Became the Hood Sommelier

Discover how whiskey awards are decided and who judges them. Alex Hamer joins us to pull back the curtain on the industry.

Join hosts Joel, Kevin, and Bobby for a candid industry discussion about the spirits world. We explore the specific criteria used in whisky judging, from scale and entry numbers to the hierarchy of medals versus awards. This is a must-watch for anyone curious about what goes on behind the scenes of major competitions.

The conversation also compares the evaluation methods for beer and whiskey, the path to becoming a professional judge, and how the category is growing. We get into the details of media awards and the challenges of evaluating spirits at a professional level. Alex Hamer shares his perspective on these vital topics.

Subscribe for weekly whiskey industry insights, and let us know in the comments if you have a favorite spirit you want us to cover next.

Alex Hamer
www.instagram.com/cdnwhiskyawards/
www.facebook.com/whiskyawards/
www.linkedin.com/company/canadian-whisky-awards
www.reddit.com/user/canadawhiskyawards/

https://spiritforus.ca | Kevin Donde | @spiritforus
Bobby Laevens | @dramsanddrips
Joel Baachus | @scratchnscotch

00:00:00 - Let's Talk Awards
00:08:04 - Favourite Whisky 2002
00:00:32 - Transitioning
00:16:51 - Growing the Whisky Category
00:20:02 - Category Rabbit Holes
00:21:16 - Number of Entries. Scale.
00:23:31 - Canada Corner
00:28:13 - History
00:37:38 - How exactly are the Whiskies selected?
00:43:12 - Number of Judges
00:44:06 - Hierarchy of Awards
00:45:25 - Medals vs Awards
00:54:02 - Refresh our glasses
00:58:07 - Judging in Beer vs Whisky
01:06:08 - Very Easy to Critique
01:09:15 - Bobby needs some Gin
01:12:01 - Waves in Whisky
01:14:40 - How does someone become a judge?
01:19:38 - Answer one leave one
01:21:49 - Media Awards
01:26:07 - Leave a question
01:28:54 - Where can we find you?