Topic: A Sip of Knowledge with Ian Chang & Eddie Ludlow of Karuizawa Distillers

Hosts: Liz Rhoades, Lew Bryson, & Martin Duffy

What You'll Learn: Join a trio of drink industry veterans in weekly conversation on whiskey, spirits, distilling, marketing, and the current state of the drink industry. This week, Ian Chang and Eddie Ludlow of Karuizawa Distillers join the group.

About Ian Chang (Master Blender, Distiller, and VP):

The first professional master distiller and master blender in the Mandarin-speaking world. Ian controlled all aspects of distillation and blending at Kavalan Distillery in Taiwan, first under the tutelage of his mentor, the late Dr. Jim Swan, for 12 years, and then on his own. He won countless individual, company and bottling awards whilst at Kavalan and hopes to do the same at the new project at Komoro Distillery in Japan.

Ian’s expertise includes distillery establishment, production process control, quality assurance, chemical analysis (both sensory and instrumental), maturation monitoring (wood policy) and the final art of blending.

About Eddie Ludlow (Chief Educator, Advisor, and Brand Consultant):

Eddie has been educating and talking to people about whisky since the 1990s. He set up The Whisky Lounge in 2008 as a ‘place’ for people to learn and evolve their interest at whisky tastings and festivals, all over the UK. He is a Keeper of the Quaich, a member of the Worshipful Company of Distillers, has been a judge for the IWSC for 12 years and had his first book, the best-selling ‘Whisky - A Tasting Course’ published by Random House in 2019.

Liz Rhoades, founder of Spirit Safe Consulting, former research scientist for DIAGEO, distilling consultant, spirits writer for The Whiskey Wash & presenter.

Lew Bryson, former managing editor for Whisky Advocate Magazine for 20 years, whiskey author, beer/whiskey writer and presenter.

Martin Duffy, former DIAGEO Master of Whisky for the Midwest, DIAGEO Reserve Brand Ambassador for The Republic of Ireland, North American Brand Representative for Glencairn Crystal.