Dec 21 2021 25 mins
In this bumper festive edition, Gordon takes a look back at some of his favourite bits from Knock Tales 2021: the life lessons and laughs, the stories of creativity, community and daily passion that our craft obsessed guests from around the world put into their products, whether they’re in South America, Sweden, Tasmania or Texas.
We have American craft distiller Jared Himstedt sharing secrets from behind the scenes of building Balcones Distillery from scratch; Sweden’s Henric Molin on the joys of his beloved wooden Coffey still; Heather Tillott from Sullivan’s Cove on how it feels to make stock today that will be bottled and sold by the next generation of whisky makers; legendary ‘podmaster’ Mark Gillespie on defining 'craft' and the eternal importance of people in production; Patagonia’s Last Hope Distillery team on their next level foraging for roadside peat; the power of a ‘good nose’ with Hattingley Valley winemaker Emma Rice; whisky photographer Erik McRitchie’s on why whisky is always meant to be shared; Steven Anderson from East Coast Cured on experiments in charcuterie; and finally Rory Stone from Highland Fine Cheeses on why life for craft producers is all about the quest for perfection, not happiness…and to never stop trying to get better. So sit back, make sure you have a dram in hand, and enjoy!