We are pleased to kick off the ‘Muse of the Month’ feature here at Whiskey Muse! This series is celebrating women in the industry who are changing the conversation around Whisk(e)y. From Master Distillers to Podcasters to Brand Ambassadors stay tuned as we feature the best and brightest females.
For our inaugural feature, we are pleased to present Renée Howe, Co-host of The Bourbon Show on the ABV Network. Renée is a Kitchener, Ontario native with a background in Marketing and Hospitality. As a foodie, she is an expert in donut and whisk(e)y pairings and is always on the hunt for the world’s best fried chicken (which she’s claims she has already found).
We sat down with Renée to get advice on what it takes to become a pro-podcaster, trends in the industry, and how to become a better whisk(e)y taster.
Quick Fire Questions
Early Bird or Night Owl: Early bird
Pro-Peat or Anti-Peat: Pro-peat
The Best Whisk(e)y + Snack Combination: Wild Turkey Rare Breed and Peanut Butter M&Ms
Favourite Cocktail: Coffee&Cigarettes from Grand Trunk Saloon
Worst shooter you’ve ever had: That one that tastes like chocolate mint
Never Have I Ever:Watched Breaking Bad
Drinking Song of Choice: Patio Lanterns by Kim Mitchell
What mantra do you live by/drink by: Try it neat, then go from there
Describe yourself in the form of a haiku.
A Lazy Perfectionist
Always Thirsty for Knowledge
Socially Private
Tell us about your first (memorable) experience with whisk(e)y?
My first memorable experience with whiskey would have been the first bottle of bourbon I bought. It was a bottle of Bulleit and I bought it to make whiskey sours. I started out making sours and then decided to just try the damn whiskey. I fell in love from that moment on. I always say my whiskey journey started with a sour.
What has been your biggest career highlight to date?
My biggest career highlights so far have been interviewing some of the most amazing people in the Bourbon industry. We interviewed the late Dave Pickerell on The Bourbon Show and that interview inspired me beyond belief. My cohost Steve and I actually started a podcast called Bourbon History all because of that one show. Dave was just an amazing storyteller and so captivating. I also had the privilege to interview the late Al Young. He was hilarious. He had us laughing the whole time. He was just one of the best in the bourbon biz. These are larger than life figures. These are our Rock Stars. So to actually have conversations with them like you’ve been friends forever is something that I can never top.
What personal rules do you abide by that have lead you to success?
Never stop learning and exploring. It pertains to everything in life.
In your opinion, what makes the perfect whisk(e)y?
What makes a perfect whiskey…It really depends on my mood. I will say this, Michter’s has a toasted barrel bourbon. That process of aging your bourbon and then finishing it a lightly charred barrel is something my tastebuds can’t get enough of. I do like my whiskey to be 95 or higher proof. I just like the heat some of these higher proofed whiskies throw off.
What’s the latest trend you’re excited about the industry at the moment?
I’m really crazy about store picks (a store pick is when a liquor store will privately select a barrel with and sell it at their store). I think they are some the best tasting whiskey out there. We don’t have those in Ontario, but the LCBO did one with Maker’s Mark and it was fantastic.
What is your advice for someone who is just starting to get in to drinking whisk(e)y?
The best advice I could give is trust your own palate. You know what tastes good to you. Try everything! It’s easy to get caught up in what you need to have. I’ve always just gotten what I liked.
What are you doing to ensure you’re continuing to grow and develop your palate?
The podcast helps keep me update on what’s coming out in terms of bourbon. I also haven’t limited my whiskey experiences to just bourbon. I try all whiskies and love the differences in each one.
What would be your top 3 tips for people looking to get into podcasting?
- Fall in love with what you’re passionate about find anyway to talk about it.
- Just do it already!
- Stay authentic.
What’s next for you?
I will continue on my whiskey journey. There’s still so much to learn. Hopefully I’ll get to travel to Kentucky this year. I will in the meantime chat about whiskey on my podcast The Bourbon Show.
