Episode 9 of the Whisky & Smoke News Network, hosted by Chris Kumnick and airing January 14, 2026, delivers a comprehensive and entertaining roundup of the latest whisky news, cigar news, pipe tobacco updates, new releases, auctions, and upcoming spirits events from around the world. This week’s show features an in-depth, in-person interview with Brian Smith, Master Distiller and partner at Hard Truth Distilling Company in Nashville, Indiana, covering his career, the distillery’s resort-style campus, sweet mash vs. sour mash, and the current state of the spirits industry. News highlights include major stories from Scotch whisky, American whiskey, Irish whiskey, premium cigars, and packaging innovation, alongside limited-edition releases from brands like Buffalo Trace, The Glenlivet, Knob Creek, Fuente Fuente OpusX, CAO, and more. The episode also includes Chris’s signature tasting segment, pairing RD1 Spirits Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon with a RoMa Craft Neanderthal Robusto cigar and a Mad Hatters Tobaccos Virginia pipe blend, making this a must-watch (or listen) for whisky lovers, cigar aficionados, and pipe smokers looking for expert insight, industry interviews, and weekly spirits and tobacco news.Social Media LinksWhisky & Smoke News NetworkInstagram - / whiskynsmokenn Facebook - / whiskynsmoke Please subscribe, ring the bell, like, and comment below!!