Whisky's Man in the Middle (WhiskyCast Episode 777: July 21, 2019)

Raj Sabharwal doesn't make whiskies, but his role is critical in
making sure you get to drink them. He's one of the band of
independent importers - the middlemen (and women) who secure the
rights from a whisky brand to import their whiskies into the U.S.
market. Importers put up their own money to pay for those
whiskies and the shipping costs, deal with the government red
tape, and then find regional distributors willing to take a
chance on getting them into retailers, bars, and restaurants.
Sabharwal's Glass Revolution Imports is the single largest
customer for Amrut's single malts from India, and he also works
with Blackadder, Hammer Head, and other brands to get not only
their regular offerings, but exclusive single casks for the U.S.
market. We'll talk with him on WhiskyCast In-Depth and find out
how proposed changes in federal regulations and the trade war
could affect the import business. In the news, Diageo is facing a
possible strike in Scotland after two unions rejected the
company's latest contract offer. Edinburgh is about to get its
first malt whisky distillery in nearly a century, while Bladnoch
Distillery will open its new visitors center this week and
Glenfiddich unveils a rare bottling to celebrate the 50th
anniversary of its visitors center.