Ep. 95: Angus MacRaild of Decadent Drinks, WhiskySponge, and WhiskyFun

Angus MacRaild and I get together to talk about his independent bottling venture - Decadent Drinks - and the blog that he started nearly 10 years ago, WhiskySponge. 

Decadent Drinks was virtually unknown to me a few months ago. Since then, I've gotten a number of bottles. Why? Because they're fantastic, each a true showcase of their home distillery in the way an independent bottling should be. And, when a stupendous bottle comes along - like the 29 year old Rhosdhu he had - I had to have it. 

Then there's WhiskySponge. One of the OG non-Reddit blogs and, in Angus' own words, "one started to take the piss out of people who take whisky too seriously." By his own admission, it may not be getting the attention it once did, but that's what happens when you find success. 

Hell, I have trouble catching up with my own writing - I feel it. 

But here's the thing - the Sponge (and WhiskyFun, which he also writes for) are just damn good reading. It's the kind of writing I want to write, and the kind I want to emulate with my own touches. 

We talk about finding your place in the hobby you love most, and if that's not something to aspire to, I don't know what is. 

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Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:

The first WRP barrel pick is coming! I'm heading to Tennessee to pick two barrels - that's right, two! - of Jack Daniel's Barrel Proof Rye. There are also upcoming picks of KO Distilling and Spirits of French Lick (trust me - Alan has picked out some funky things for us to try!). $25 members get the chance to join me on picks, and one of your fellow Patreon members is joining me in Lynchburg!

Join the Patreon now for early access to the barrels!

If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so! Only 2 Spots Remain in the Barrel Club.

• The $5 tier has access to the Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk whiskey, life, and influencing. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks.
• The $25 tier - for people who really want to propel the pod and website forward - will have the same benefits as the $5 tier plus right of first refusal to join me on future barrel picks, access to bottles I'm sent to taste and review, and more. Only 2 spots remain! 

You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up. 

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Angus MacRaild 

• Decadent Drinks
• WhiskySponge
• WhiskyFun

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