In this episode, Martine conducts a whisky tasting for Matt in her apartment in Queens, NY, over a wide ranging discussion about books, art, immigrant identity, world travel, food, whisky, gender, race, and genocide. Martine takes us on her journey growing up in Queens, NY in a Haitian immigrant family, being exposed to the cultures of the world in her home borough, and then becoming a remote entrepreneur and traveling to over 40 countries. She shares stories from her travels to Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Kenya, Ireland, Paris, Italy and more. Matt and Martine share their experiences in Phnom Penh and reflect on their encounters with the history and lessons of the Cambodian genocide. Martine also conducts a whisky tasting for Matt live on the podcast, and shares specific techniques for “finding your whisky door” even if you think you don’t like whisky. She talks about her experiences attending “Whisky Live” in Paris and traveling to other top Whisky destinations around the world. Matt and Martine also share their experiences wine tasting in the Burgundy region of France. Finally, Matt and Martine discuss James Baldwin and Martine reflects on American racial dynamics from the vantage point of a world traveler when outside the U.S. FULL SHOW NOTES AVAIALABLE AT: www.TheMaverickShow.com
Episode #169: Traveling the World for Whisky, Growing up in Queens, and Reflecting on Genocide with Martine Volmar
Episode Summary
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About the Guest
Martine Volmar
Martine Volmar is a writer, whisky connoisseur, location independent entrepreneur and founder of Kirani, LLC – an operational and technical consultancy that helps businesses seamlessly move from strategy to execution. Born in New York City to parents of Haitian descent, she represents Queens to the fullest. Martine has been a remote professional and world traveler since 2009, often attending the world’s top whiskey tastings, and she has now been to over 40 countries.
What You'll Learn
- How to “Find Your Whisky Door” (even if you think you don’t like whisky)
- How and Where to Travel the World for Whisky
- Lessons from Genocide and Reflections on American Racial Dynamics from Outside the U.S.
Links From the Episode
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TOP 2 BOOKS THAT MARTINE RECOMMENDS
- Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
- We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families by Philip Gourevitch
#1 PERSON WITH WHOM MARTINE MOST WANTS TO HAVE DINNER
TOP 3 FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
TOP 3 BUCKETLIST DESTINATIONS
LOCATION WHERE THE INTERVIEW TOOK PLACE
TOP 3 FAVORITE WHISKIES
- Bruichladdich Octomore 6.3
- Gordon & McPhail Caol Ila 13 Years Old Hermitage Finish
- Ardbeg Supernova 2019
TOP 3 WHISKY BARS THAT MARTINE RECOMMENDED
- Copper Dog (Craigellachie Hotel in Scotland)
- Copper & Oak (New York City)
- Jack Rose Dining Saln (Washington DC)
OTHER PLACES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- Asia
- Bulgaria
- Cambodia
- Europe
- Haiti
- Dublin/Galway, Ireland
- India
- Milan, Italy
- Japan
- Nairobi, Kenya
- Maryland
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Paris
- Pennsylvania
- Scotland
- Taiwan
- Tokyo, Japan
- Vietnam
OTHER PEOPLE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
WHISKY BRANDS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- Ballechin
- Bruichladdich
- Clonakilty
- Gordon & MacPhail
- Hermitage Whisky
- Jack Daniel’s
- Kavalan Whisky
- Mars Komagatake
WINE REGIONS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
CONNECT WITH MARTINE
Time Stamped Show Notes
**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.
[1:46] Martine Describes Her Apartment
[4:31] Martine and Matt Talk about bell hooks
[7:43] Martine Talks About the Borough of Queens, NY
[10:13] Growing up in a Haitian Immigrant Family and Becoming a Lifelong Learner
[13:11] Developing an Interest in World Travel
[17:08] Highlights from Martine’s “Remote Year” Trip
[19:49] Martine and Matt Reflect on the Cambodian Genocide
[24:27] Martine’s Experience in Kenya
[27:32] Martine’s Experience in Ireland
[36:03] Developing Her Love, Passion and Expertise in Whisky
[37:10] Martine Introduces the 5 Whiskies for the Live Tasting
[43:52] Martine Starts the Whisky Tasting With Matt (Whisky #1)
[47:11] Overview of Whisky Types and Regions
[52:54] Martine Continues the Whisky Tasting with Matt (Whisky #2)
[54:16] Martine Explains the Spelling of Whisk(e)y
[57:48] Martine and Matt Taste Whisky #3
[1:02:59] Martine and Matt Taste Whisky #4
[1:06:47] Finding Your Whisky Door If You Think You Don’t Like Whisky
[1:12:15] Martine and Matt Talk About Traveling for Wine
[1:16:07] Gender Dynamics in the Whisky Space
[1:20:01] Martine’s First Experience at “Whisky Live”
[1:25:06] Martine and Matt Taste Whisky #5
[1:26:42] Whisky Experiences in Paris and Scotland
[1:29:47] Whisky Experiences in Milan
[1:34:52] Reflecting on American Racial Dynamics from Outside the U.S.
[1:40:30] The Lightning Round
[1:52:00] Follow and Connect with Martine
