Welcome back to Abov the Noise! We’re back and better than ever after a 1-month hiatus due to, uhh…tariffs? Either way we’ve got some great stories to get you ready for spring! We’re diving into the impact of aforementioned tariffs (and how whiskey is avoiding them), learning about cask purchases as an investment, and watching a very cool video about barrels! By the time the next ATN comes out we’ll be past the Kentucky Derby and fully into outdoor sipping mode. So grab your favorite springtime sipper and pour a glass, it’s time to go Abov the Noise!

Since our last edition, America decided to pick fights with literally everyone and kicked off a trade war that doesn’t seem to have many winners. Fortunately, there are some “non-losers” and, for the time being, the EU and US have mutually agreed to leave spirits off the table for retaliation. While this doesn’t apply to every country (stay strong Canadians!) it’s certainly a relief that Scotch, Irish Whiskey, and Bourbon have escaped the battle.

This news comes as a welcome relief to the whiskey industry here in the US which has been sliding for some time (see our newsletter from February if you missed it), and enables those of us who enjoy the wide world of whiskey to access all of it!

Our friend Jay Roberts at The Whiskey Lab always offers some of the most interesting products available in the US market. If you’re a lover of single malt scotches, get yourself acquainted with their products. Their Ferg & Harris labels are especially delicious!

On top of a unique array of delicious whiskies, Jay also offers a unique perspective on the industry as a whole. He’s currently in the middle of a deep dive on cask investments, which seems timely given what’s happening to every other investment portfolio across the globe. He doesn’t have a dog in the fight, so he’s bringing an impartial perspective to a very murky industry. If you’ve ever considered purchasing a cask, or already have made the purchase, it’s worth your time to check out Jay’s blog!

2025 is the year that we get through the submission queue. I’ve gone through nearly 1,000 submissions so far this year and added over 650 new whiskies! While this task has been arduous, I know you’ve been seeing the fruits and adding the new whiskies to your collections and tasting notes.

If you’re loving Abov and appreciate the work that goes into it, I would really appreciate it if you are able to support us via Patreon! While the Abov app doesn’t cost anything to use, it does cost something to maintain, and every dollar that goes into the Patreon goes to our ongoing hosting and maintenance costs. By showing your support on as a Patron, we’ll upgrade your profile so that every post in the app identifies you as a supporter!

And with that, I want to give a big shout out to all of our Patrons, you’re helping to support Abov for everyone!

If nothing else, leaving a 5-star rating really does help us out. If you like the app and want it to be around for the long haul, your support is essential!

Barrels are obviously essential to the whiskeymaking process, but they tend to get overlooked by all but the most studious drinkers. Typically, marketing focuses more on the finishing than it does on the barrel that the whiskey spends most of its life resting in. At Abov we typically prefer long-format articles to videos or twitter snips, but this is an exception as US-based 60 Minutes took the time to dive into the life of a barrel, from humble roots (literally!) in the Midwest to storehouses across the world.

If you’re interested in more 60 minutes, they have another great piece on Islay and how the island became known worldwide for peaty, smoky Scotch.