HAPPY FIRST ANNIVERSARY
WHISKEY NETWORK
A magazine by and for Whisk(e)y Enthusiasts
March 2021
A word from the Founders
Greetings “Whiskey Network” fans. On this day one year ago, an idea was born. I had an idea for a free full featured whiskey lifestyle magazine. Chad and I started kicking that idea around starting in January. By February, we had developed an outline of features and put them in a storyboard. As you can see by the picture, some titles were changed and new features were added.
Chad and I met with the web designer (Alice Blain Allard) at Old Line Spirits in Baltimore on February 22, 2020 to approve the design. While setting up, we met Arch Watkins, co-owner/Distiller at Old Line Spirits. Arch gave Chad and I a private tour of the distillery and a pour. We eventually settled at the laptop with a pour of their Cask Strength single Malt Whiskey and got down to business. Our intention was to launch the new monthly digital magazine by March 1st. We had our work cut out for us. We still had to gather our preselected staff writers together and get content to fit the layout. Not to mention promoting the launch in our ever growing Facebook group, Whiskey Bourbon and Scotch Enthusiasts tm. Mission accomplished and Whiskey Network’s debut was launched as planned 03/01/2020.
A word from the Founders
Greetings “Whiskey Network” fans. On this day one year ago, an idea was born. I had an idea for a free, full featured whiskey lifestyle magazine. Chad and I started kicking that idea around starting in January. By February, we had developed an outline of features and put them in a storyboard. As you can see by the picture, some titles were changed and new features were added.
Chad and I met with the web designer (Alice Blain Allard) at Old Line Spirits in Baltimore on February 22, 2020 to approve the design. While setting up, we met Arch Watkins, co-owner/Distiller at Old Line Spirits. Arch gave Chad and I a private tour of the distillery and a pour. We eventually settled at the laptop with a pour of their Cask Strength Single Malt Whiskey and got down to business. Our intention was to launch the new monthly digital magazine by March 1st. We had our work cut out for us. We still had to gather our preselected staff writers together and get content to fit the layout. Not to mention promoting the launch in our ever growing Facebook group, Whiskey Bourbon and Scotch Enthusiasts (TM). Mission accomplished, and Whiskey Network’s debut was launched as planned 03/01/2020.
To date, we have several thousand subscribers and growing. Over the last year, we have featured lots of great content, including cocktail recipes, food recipes, cigar and whiskey reviews, along with some exciting interviews. I personally enjoyed interviewing Stewart Buchanan, Global Brand Ambassador for GlenDronach in a previous issue. Last month we had Willie Nile, legendary singer/songwriter. In this issue we interview Scott Ian, guitarist from ANTHRAX. We also have a fantastic lineup of celebrity interviews being setup for upcoming issues. Whiskey Network is a “Premiere Whiskey Lifestyle” magazine, with a cadre of phenomenal editors and writers. Our staff has a passion for bringing you the best content to enhance your whiskey lifestyle, direct from the “Spirit World!"
In closing, Chad and I would like to wish our hard working staff and dedicated readers a very HAPPY 1ST ANNIVERSARY!
Cheers to all,
Bill Varnell and Chad Cadden
A word from the Editors
When hitting the publish button this morning, The Whiskey Network turned one! We have now completed a full rotation around the sun since our first publication and WOW… what a ride it has been! We have been gaining speed these past few months, locking down amazing interviews and articles, and we just launched our new Virtual Tasting Series in the newsletter last week (sign up on the bottom of the page if you haven’t already for a chance to partake in a FREE whisk(e)y tasting online with us). And we aren’t slowing down - we have so many great things in the works and behind-the-scenes it’s truly mind-boggling.
This magazine, when we say that it’s by and for enthusiasts, we mean it. All of our staff, spread across the world, are insanely dedicated, and while some months (ok, most months) it’s a little like herding wet cats, they are some of the best people we’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. It’s not all work; a lot of bullshitting goes on in the messaging threads, razzing new writers, teaser photos of beautiful vacations or meals, and funny photos of pets, but it’s all part of what makes our group of editors, managers, and contributors so very much a family. A wild, weird, quirky, wonderful family.
When I (Julia) had just moved to a new state and new apartment, alone, in the middle of a growing pandemic, finding this zany group of vibrant, enthusiastic souls was nothing short of a miracle sent by the Whisky Gods. Getting to throw my lot in whole-heartedly as a contributor and then as Assistant Editor has brought such joy to my life, and the conversations we have, the zoom meetings and interviews, never fail to bring a smile to my face and a laugh to my lips. I appreciate each and every one of the WBSE staff, and you, our wonderful readers, without whom this magazine would serve no purpose. Thank you for your support, and we greatly look forward to what’s coming in our second year!
So, here’s a toast to all the guys and gals who make this magazine what it is. Most days, I (Mindy) get to blame my lack of sleep on y’all with the never-ending dinging of my phone at all hours of the night; the stress, the late-night talks, the brainstorming, the “Where the heck is your article? You missed the deadline!” messages, and more coffee consumption than should be humanly possible. Here’s to y’all for all the wonderful work you put in, it’s deeply appreciated and beyond anything I could have hoped for jumping into this position.
​
Mindy Schwartz
Editor in Chief
The Whiskey Network
“May your desk be messy and your whisk(e)y be neat”
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Julia Menn
Assistant Editor
The Whiskey Network
"If you drink, may you drink with me."
Here are some great photo memories from the crew from the past year. Enjoy!
Chad and his replacement horns as his continue to tour WBSE nation. I think they may be visiting Canada right now!
My mom died on March 30th, 2020. I posted her story to the group and it received tremendous response. It helped me cope during a difficult time. She always gave me $2 bills for luck, so I posted this in her honor. Mark Pruett
My favorite photo: Even the buffalo at Buffalo Trace has to submit to cleaning and safety protocols during the pandemic.
Col. Brian G Miller
Friday night happy hour a year ago when a few of us met up in NYC, my fave pic is of Patrick Marran and Michael Gaughan as they chat in person at his bar, On the Rocks (both WBSE members)
Hazel Alvarado
Annual WBSE BBQ
The sample bottles are the collection of Ardbeg samples I am sending out in a day or two (with a glass of Bookers in the middle). The Riesen photo is from Tashia, she sent me the bag of candy after my epic drunken zoom rambling where I must have vehemently described part of Balcones as tasting like Riesen candies.
Both pictures feel like WBSE to me, sharing and caring because whiskey people are awesome.
To me, it just doesn’t get better than this. Sláinte!- Sean Mullen
Michael Toron with Al Young
Cheers to a great year and more to come! Thank you everyone.