It's a big show this week during one of the busiest times of year in sports. Matt and Hank start off with their thoughts on the Final Four, both on the men's and women's side. Who do they think will cut down the nets?
After that we talk to Steve Beam of Limestone Branch Distillery to talk about our spirit of the week, Minor Case Rye. This stuff is fantastic, and Steve joins us for his second appearance on the show with a great expression from his distillery.
Then it's on to the NBA where we talk about Cleveland and whether they can get right for the playoffs. After that we give you our MLB season preview with who we expect to win the divisions and play for the Fall Classic.
Finally we wrap it up with our Jump Ball segment and a couple hot topics in sports. Thanks for listening!
Big show this week as we are in the heart of spring sports season. Matt, Hank, and Nathan all kick off the show to talk about their busted brackets and look ahead to the rest of the NCAA tournament.
After that we bring in our featured spirit of the week- Bluecoat Gin. Listen to a great interview with President and Co-Founder of Philadelphia Distilling Andrew Auwerda.
Matt and Hank then cover some NFL news. Get our thoughts on the Cam Newton shoulder surgery and the Raiders possibly moving to Vegas.
In NBA news we take on the topic of teams resting their star players, then wrap up the show with our Jump Ball segment.
This week's guest:
Andrew Auwerda with Bluecoat Gin
President/Co-Founder Philadelphia Distilling
http://www.bluecoatgin.com/
New Orleans' first ever Bourbon Festival is coming up this weekend! Most of the events will be on Friday and Saturday March 24th and 25th. Each day will culminate with a grand tasting featuring close to 90 different offerings from the top names in whiskey. Saturday will feature seminars from the top names in the industry discussing all sorts of topics.
There will also be dinners sponsored by these companies at various restaurants around the city on Thursday night. And the weekend concludes with an awards brunch on Sunday. For all the information on the festival check out http://www.neworleansbourbonfestival.com/main.html
And for a list of bourbons in the tastings go to http://www.neworleansbourbonfestival.com/bourbonlist.html
Plus check out our interview with the founder of New Orleans Bourbon Festival Tracy Napolitano!
All three guys are on the show this week to break down the NCAA men's tournament. March Madness is in full swing and that will be the topic for most of the show. Matt East and Hank Allen are joined by Nathan Moore as the guys make their picks starting with the Sweet 16 in each region.
We've got some upsets for you along with our Final Four and Championship Picks.
Before that Raphael Esparza joins us to give analysis and insight to the bracket from a Vegas point of view. Esparza works with numerous sports books in the U.S. and abroad.
We'll wrap up the show talking about the first ever New Orleans Bourbon Festival. If you're a bourbon fan you need to be there!
Our interviews this week are:
Raphael Esparza
Doc's Sports Vegas Insider
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VSIdocsports
Tracy Napolitano
Founder - New Orleans Bourbon Fest
www.nobourbonfest.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NOBourbonFest
Hosts Matt East and Hank Allen talk about the latest news in the world of sports, including thoughts NCAA basketball as power conference tourneys come to a completion this week, NBA thoughts regarding the MVP race, Bogut injury and more, your NASCAR update, and some NFL thoughts as free agency season heats up.
We also play another round of 'Jump Ball' and debate the landing spot for Tony Romo, discuss whether or not the Warriors are still the favorite following the Durant injury, and who we think is leading the NBA MVP race at this point in the year.
We also have two fantastic interviews for you this week.
Nate Scott
Deputy Director FoxSports.com
@aNateScott
Steve Wilshire
Louisiana Sales Manager
Heaven Hill Brands
https://www.heavenhill.com/
This week's exit music is 'Where is my Mind' by the Pixies. It is the seventh track on their 1988 debut album Surfer Rosa.
http://www.pixiesmusic.com/
The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey pair of the blended expression as well as the 8 year old single malt come from the Ireland town of Derry. Known for a rather sordid and at times violent history, the town now boasts the first whiskey there in more than 100 years. Quiet Man is currently in the process of building their own distillery in the town as well.
We enjoyed both of these pours. As you might expect, the blend is mild and smooth and while good, does not possess a ton of depth on the palate.
The 8 year on the other hand is complex enough to make you feel the age behind it, but still smooth enough to not be turned away. Really nice single malt flavor, with hints of fruit midway through and then a fading spice at the end.
Overall these are two really nice expressions for anybody wanting to venture into the Irish Whiskey realm that may not have much experience. Our official rating is:
Quiet Man Blend - 7.5/10
Quiet Man 8 Year Single Malt - 8/10
Check out our entertaining interview with Master Distiller Ciaran Mulgrew.
Hosts Matt East and Hank Allen talk about the latest news in the world of sports, including thoughts on some big cuts and usage of the franchise tag in the NFL, Kevin Durant's injury, Cleveland's renewed Eastern Conference Outlook, some huge NCAA basketball games as we approach tourney time, and NASCAR Daytona 500 wrap-up and thoughts on the new system.
We also play another round of 'Jump Ball' and discuss the Redskins' use of the franchise tag for Kirk Cousins, Jamaal Charles vs Adrian Peterson, and is Kansas basketball underrated?
We also have an awesome interview for you this week.
Scott Maitland
Owner and Founder, Top of the Hill Restaurant, Brewery, and Distillery
Chapel Hill, NC
http://www.thetopofthehill.com/
This week's exit music is 'Where is my Mind' by the Pixies. It is the seventh track on their 1988 debut album Surfer Rosa.
http://www.pixiesmusic.com/
Read more at http://sportspiritshow.com/#A8bqLSKQ6A76Oi53.99