Whiskey Lore: Stories: Recent Episodes
Drew Hannush
Join Best Selling Author Drew Hannush as he explores the rich stories, myths, and legends that surround a world of whisky. From the origins of Bottled-in-Bond, to finding the real Whisky Capital of the World, to dispelling myths about how we smell, taste, and enjoy whisky. Bourbon, scotch, rye, Irish, etc - no matter your favorite, Drew is telling the stories that will enrich your experience.
Welcome to the second half of Chapter 1 of The Lost History of Bourbon.
Here is your chance to hear the writing of a book - as it happens. That means sometimes changes come about and this episode contains a refreshed middle section to the chapter as well as its conclusion.
Enjoy more of the set up for the arrival of Bourbon County and the spirit that took on its name.
Cheers, Drew
GUEST: Jeremy Buchanan (Owner & Distiller, Hartfield & Co.) What does it mean to make Bourbon in Bourbon County? For Jeremy Buchanan, it means more than putting whiskey in a bottle, it means reconnecting with a forgotten distilling tradition that helped give Bourbon its name. In this episode, Drew Hannush sits down with the owner of Hartfield & Co. Distillery to explore the county's lost whiskey legacy, the philosophy behind Hartfield's pre-Prohibition approach to distilling, and why local grain may be just as important as the limestone beneath it.
In This Episode
- Bringing bourbon back to Bourbon County
- Why the county forgot its own whiskey history
- The story behind Hartfield's "pre-Prohibition" bourbon
- Does grain matter more than the barrel?
- Sourcing every grain close to home
- Why six-gallon barrels became an advantage
- Rethinking modern distilling techniques
- Gravity-fed whiskey making in a historic building
- How small distilleries preserve big ideas
- Reclaiming Bourbon County's forgotten legacy
JOIN THE SPEAKEASY: patreon.com/whiskeylore
Enjoy a unique experience as I write a whiskey history book and give you a sneak preview of the rough draft.
The Lost History of Bourbon takes you back to the origins of the spirit and reveals the forgotten history that gave Bourbon its good name.
Enjoy the stories and the grand reveal - and tell a friend.
Cheers, Drew
GUESTS: John Kelly (CEO) & Graeme Millar (Master Distiller), Belfast Distillery Company Belfast was once one of the world's great whiskey capitals, but for decades its distilling heritage lay dormant. In this episode, Drew Hannush reunites with Belfast Distillery Company CEO John Kelly and Master Distiller Graeme Millar to explore the rebirth of McConnell's Irish Whiskey, the remarkable transformation of Belfast's historic Crumlin Road Jail into a working distillery, and the philosophy guiding one of Northern Ireland's most ambitious whiskey projects. Along the way, they discuss McConnell's rich past, the future of Irish single malt, and why Belfast is once again becoming a destination for whiskey lovers.
In This Episode * The revival of Belfast's legendary McConnell's brand * Why Crumlin Road Jail became a distillery * Restoring a prison while preserving its history * Belfast's forgotten role in Irish whiskey * The rise and fall of McConnell's in the 1800s * Graeme Millar's vision for triple-distilled single malt * Creating a distinctive Northern Irish whiskey style * Building flavor through careful distillation and maturation * Behind the scenes of McConnell's visitor experience * Belfast's growing reputation as a whiskey destination
SHOW NOTES: whiskeylore.org/interviews
JOIN THE SPEAKEASY (AND GET THE COUPON CODE): https://www.patreon.com/whiskeylore/posts/ep-141-irish-new-164366456
GUEST: Jason Fruits (Old 55 Distillery CEO & Co-Founder) Some distillers inherit tradition. Others build their own path from the ground up. In this episode, Drew Hannush sits down with Old 55 Distillery co-founder and distiller Jason Fruits to explore how a family grain business became one of America's most distinctive estate distilleries. From growing the grain to questioning nearly every accepted practice in whiskey making, Jason shares why he believes there are better ways to craft exceptional bourbon—and why being in the middle of Indiana corn country may be his greatest advantage.
In This Episode * Why "farm-to-glass" changes everything * The business behind an estate distillery * Choosing a hybrid still over convention * Distilling on grain instead of beer * Why Jason takes such a narrow hearts cut * Can cool aging outperform Kentucky heat? * The surprising role of enzymes * Building a 100% sweet corn bourbon * Why he calls his whiskey "Ferraris, not Fords" * How family legacy shaped Old 55
SHOW NOTES: whiskeylore.org/interviews
JOIN THE SPEAKEASY: patreon.com/whiskeylore
It's time to get past the marketing and historical redirects and get down to the business of discovering the true origins Bourbon. It's a story you might think you know. But do you really?
It's time to toss out 90% of the myths and lore and starting fresh, looking for the people who made America notice this thing we call Bourbon.
And like the story of Tennessee whiskey, this reveal of the story will be part of a book.
That book is not yet written, but you have the unique opportunity to hear it AS it is being written. I've outlined the chapters, completed most of the research, and all that's left are a few interviews and the crafting of the prose.
What you're going to hear over the next few months is a rough draft of the book. Items may be added and subtracted. But doing this as a release to you, my podcast family, helps me keep you satisfied with new historical content, while it keeps me motivated to provide the next chapter.
This preface will explain the scope and why I think this book is so important in correcting our understanding of the origins of Bourbon. Enjoy listening and return for our next Monday episode, when you'll hear Chapter 1 of The Lost History of Bourbon.
And to catch any bonus content and supplemental information, become a member of the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy or Club 1897. https://patreon.com/whiskeylore
Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew
© 2026 Travel Fuels Life, LLC
GUEST: Nora Ganley-Roper & Adam Polonski (Lost Lantern Founders) Independent bottlers have long helped whiskey lovers discover hidden gems in Scotland, but the concept is only beginning to take hold in America. In this episode, Drew Hannush sits down with Lost Lantern founders Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski to explore how they're introducing craft distilleries from across the country to new audiences—and we'll go behind the scenes to find out why blending Bourbon from all 50 states was such an ambitious project.
In This Episode * The weakness of warehouse tasting * Does a whiskey change during shipping? * Building a blend that doesn't become a muddle * The challenge of finding Bourbon in every state * Why some barrels have "sharp elbows" * How they map flavor before blending * Which is harder, 13 states or 50 * The hidden psychology of tasting whiskey * What makes a whiskey worth bottling
SHOW NOTES: whiskeylore.org/interviews
JOIN THE SPEAKEASY: patreon.com/whiskeylore
GUEST: John Pawluk (Twisted Cow Distillery Founder and Distiller)
Some distillers master tradition. Others ask why the tradition exists in the first place. In this episode, Drew Hannush sits down with Twisted Cow founder and distiller John Pawluk, whose gift of curiosity has led him to challenge long-held assumptions about fermentation, copper, grain, barrel aging, and flavor development. There is plenty of discussion around one of John's favorite tools for stretching his abilities-the iStill. Enjoy this return to long-form discussions about why and how whiskey is made. It's a fascinating look inside the mind of a whiskey maker who refuses to accept "because that's how it's always been done."
In This Episode
- Why curiosity drives better whiskey
- Building flavor before the barrel
- Rethinking copper's role
- The science of fermentation
- Why grain origin matters
- Stone mills versus hammer mills
- Barrel proof and flavor evolution
- Learning from tradition, not following it
- Experimenting with blue corn and heirloom grains
- Creating a distillery built for discovery
TRANSCRIPTS: whiskeylore.org/interviews JOIN THE SPEAKEASY: patreon.com/whiskeylore
Long before Bourbon became synonymous with Bardstown and Frankfort, Lawrenceburg was home to a network of distillers whose names helped shape the industry itself. Families like the Ripys, Hawkins, Bonds, McBrayers, and Dowlings built businesses, mentored one another, and left a legacy that still echoes across Kentucky whiskey today. In this episode, Drew Hannush talks with filmmaker Bo Cumberland and Stone Fences Tours co-founder Jerry Daniels about their new documentary, Spirits of Lawrenceburg: A Bourbon Legacy Forged Through Time, and why one of Bourbon's most influential communities deserves to be remembered.
In This Episode • Why Lawrenceburg became one of the cradles of Bourbon • The forgotten names behind familiar brands • Old Joe Peyton and the rise of Old Joe Distillery • How distilling families became intertwined • Why the Ripys reached far beyond Wild Turkey • Lost distilleries hidden beneath modern landscapes • Oral tradition and the challenge of preserving history • How a documentary brings vanished places back to life • Why Lawrenceburg still matters to Bourbon today
Find show notes and transcripts at whiskeylore.org/interviews
Drew Hannush heads to Florida's Treasure Coast for a virtual visit to Indian River Distillery in Vero Beach. Founded by Ray Hooker and his family, the distillery combines Florida history with a passion for rum, bourbon, gin, and American single malt. Along the way, Ray shares stories of pirates, the infamous Ashley Gang, and the unique challenges of making whiskey in a subtropical climate.
In This Episode • Visiting Indian River Distillery in Vero Beach, Florida • The Treasure Coast Spirits Festival • Building a family-owned distillery from the ground up • Florida whiskey and tropical maturation • Malted wheat bourbon and American single malt production • The story of the Ashley Gang and Florida's outlaw history • Pirates, treasure ships, and legends of the Treasure Coast • Things to see and experience around Vero Beach
My three reasons to visit
📍 Indian River Distillery Vero Beach, Florida
Travel maps, distillery information, and trip-planning tools for more than 1,000 whiskey destinations can be found at WhiskeyLore.org/flights.
When you talk about a roller-coaster history, Four Roses is the poster child brand. In today's episode, we'll relive the glory years of Four Roses in the post-World War II era, when Madison Avenue carved out a Four Roses lifestyle. Then, I'll dig into how Seagram's took the brand from straight Bourbon blend to "Premium Light Whiskey." Then, I'll be joined by Four Roses legendary Brand Ambassador Al Young, as we watch the grand return of the brand, with a few surprises along the way.
Enjoy this fascinating conclusion to this three-part series covering the history of Four Roses.
Southern Georgia isn't the first place most whiskey travelers think of, which makes 13th Colony Distillery one of those discoveries that feels like you've stumbled onto something special. In this episode, Drew Hannush heads to Americus, Georgia, to visit one of the state's oldest operating whiskey distilleries and sit down with president Maxwell Darby. Along the way, they explore how a hobby project turned into one of Georgia's most respected whiskey brands, why heat changes the aging process, and how a forgotten experiment led to one of the distillery's most sought-after releases.
In This Episode • The unlikely beginnings of 13th Colony Distillery • How a family hobby became one of Georgia's oldest whiskey distilleries • Aging whiskey in the South and managing Georgia's climate • The story behind the iconic 13th Colony bottle • Double Oak bourbon and the accidental discovery that created it • Why 13th Colony moves barrels around the warehouse • In-house distillation and experimenting with barrel entry proof • The Southern Rye and using French oak spirals • The connection between 13th Colony and Georgia history • Things to see around Americus, Plains, and Andersonville • Plus, Drew shares his three reasons why 13th Colony deserves a spot on your Whiskey Lore Wish List
📍 13th Colony Distillery Americus, Georgia
Travel maps, distillery information, and trip-planning tools for more than 1,000 whiskey destinations can be found at WhiskeyLore.org/flights.
🌟Enjoy a deep dive into the what the tree in 13th Colony's logo represents, how to taste their white whiskey, places to eat in Americus and more in this episode as a member of Whiskey Lore's Patreon (a 7-day free trial is available for new listeners).
When it comes to the stories of whiskey brands, the tale is often told of passionate distillers, willing markets, and a quick and easy rise built off of a quality product and reputation. But foundation stories are rarely that simple.
In the case of Four Roses, an American brand with some mythic qualities, a deeper investigation shows a brand that wasn't entirely embraced by the family that originated it. At times it was the odd man out. But eventually it became one of the most popular whiskies in America.
Join me as we travel through the years after the founders passed, to see how the next generation handled the family's legacy. Along the way, we'll hear of struggles with overproduction, a fist thrown when the company's integrity was challenged, the creative ways the brand survived Prohibition, and the company executive that may have set the table for the way whiskey was made for the next 80 years.
Enjoy this second episode in a series of three on the history of Four Roses.
For decades, the name Clyde May has been synonymous with Alabama whiskey, even though the brand hasn't had an Alabama home. In this episode, Drew Hannush travels to Troy, Alabama, to visit Conecuh Ridge Distillery and sit down with Clyde May's grandson, L.C. May. Together, they explore the story of a World War II veteran turned moonshiner, the family's decades-long journey to bring the brand back home, and what visitors can expect from one of the South's newest whiskey destinations.
In This Episode • Meeting L.C. May, grandson of legendary moonshiner Clyde May • Clyde May's service during World War II and his Purple Heart legacy • Moonshining in rural Alabama and life on the run from revenuers • The original still that survived and found its way back to the May family • Growing up around a moonshine tradition that remained alive into the 21st century • Why the brand spent decades producing whiskey outside Alabama • Bringing Clyde May's legacy home to the new Conecuh Ridge Distillery • The meaning behind the Conecuh name and the waters that shaped the region • Things to do around Troy, Alabama, from golf and hunting to Southern cooking and Gulf Coast road trips • Plus, Drew shares his three reasons why Conecuh Ridge Distillery deserves a spot on your Whiskey Lore Wish List
📍 Conecuh Ridge Distillery Troy, Alabama
Travel maps, distillery information, and trip-planning tools for more than 1,000 whiskey destinations can be found at WhiskeyLore.org/flights.
🌟Enjoy an extended premium dive into the Alabama "style" of whiskey, how Clyde May's became the state spirit and more in this episode as a member of Whiskey Lore's Patreon (a 7-day free trial is available for new listeners) patreon.com/whiskeylore
In 1864, a family of Virginians found themselves in war torn Atlanta with a decision to make - head home or plant roots. This was the birth of what would become known as Paul Jones & Company.
Over the years, there have been several stories floating around about how the flagship whiskey they later established in Louisville got its name. Was it because of a dance and proposal to a Southern Belle? Was it lifted from an Atlanta competitor's name? Or was it simply a name that came from the imagination of Paul Jones?
Today, I'll look to answer that question while taking you beyond the Season One episode to the very origins of Four Roses Bourbon.
What began with a desire to spend more time with family led Jimmy Sharp and his father to transform an old cotton warehouse beside the railroad tracks in Opelika, Alabama, into one of the state's most distinctive distilleries. In this episode, Drew Hannush visits John Emerald Distilling Company to explore the Scottish roots behind Alabama's first post-Prohibition whiskey, the challenges of making spirits in Southern heat, and why rum, brandy, and American single malt all have a place under one roof.
In This Episode • How a family dream became one of Alabama's pioneering craft distilleries • Why an old cotton warehouse in Opelika became the perfect home for John Emerald • Jimmy Sharp's apprenticeship at Springbank Distillery in Scotland • Alabama's first post-Prohibition whiskey and the rise of American single malt • Smoking malt with peach and pecan wood • The influence of barrel size and char levels in Southern aging conditions • Making rum from local sugar cane syrup and harvesting cane for rum agricole • Muscadine brandy and spirits inspired by family history • Grain-to-glass production and sourcing ingredients from Alabama farmers • The stories behind the names and animals found on every bottle • Cocktails, tours, and things to do around Opelika and Auburn • Plus, Drew shares his three reasons why John Emerald Distilling Company deserves a spot on your Whiskey Lore Wish List
📍 John Emerald Distilling Company Opelika, Alabama
Travel maps, distillery information, and trip-planning tools for more than 1,000 whiskey destinations can be found at WhiskeyLore.org/flights.
🌟Enjoy a few more minutes of in-depth conversation as a member of Whiskey Lore's Patreon (a 7-day free trial is available for new listeners)
Chattanooga Whiskey helped bring legal distilling back to Chattanooga, but the Experimental Distillery is where the real magic happens. In this episode, Drew Hannush returns to downtown Chattanooga to reconnect with co-founder Tim Piersant and explore the small-scale distillery where Tennessee High Malt was born. From pot still whiskey and peated experiments to custom barrel finishes and an ever-growing library of recipes, this is a look inside one of American whiskey's most creative laboratories.
In This Episode • The fight to bring distilling back to Chattanooga • How Chattanooga Whiskey abandoned sourced bourbon for its own recipes • Creating Tennessee High Malt and exploring specialty malts • The role great beer plays in making great whiskey • More than 500 experimental barrels and counting • How Chattanooga's two distilleries work together • Transparency, recipe codes, and tracking every release • Single Pot Still Whiskey and inspiration from Ireland • Triple Islay and combining peated malts with Scotch cask finishes • Why flavor starts long before the barrel • New experiments, collaborations, and botanical infusions • Exploring downtown Chattanooga and the Experimental Distillery experience • Plus, Drew shares his three reasons why Chattanooga Whiskey deserves a spot on your Whiskey Lore Wish List
📍 Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery Chattanooga, Tennessee
Travel maps, distillery information, and trip-planning tools for more than 1,000 whiskey destinations can be found at WhiskeyLore.org/flights.
🌟Enjoy 25 more minutes of in-depth conversation as a member of Whiskey Lore's Patreon (a 7-day free trial is available for new listeners)
When it comes to Scottish distilleries with whiskies that match the landscape, Talisker is one of my favorite examples: sea and smoke. For the longest time, as the sole distillery on the Isle of Skye, it served as the perfect punctuation mark on any trip to the island. Seemingly isolated along the shore of Loch Harport in the small village of Carbost, it built quite a reputation around the world as early as the 1800s.
Today, I'll dive into Talisker's history with Diageo's Head of Rare & Luxury Whisky, Ewan Morgan. We'll start at the distillery's origins, and you'll be among the first to hear about a distilling technique once used at the distillery, but forgotten by time. We'll talk about the influence of the distillery's worm tubs on the whisky and find out what special ingredient they use inside those worm tubs.
Then I get a special treat. We'll dive into the world of long-aged whisky and discuss how to nose, taste, collect, and preserve rare bottles. Along the way, we taste Talisker's remarkable 30-year-old, 45-year-old, and 47-year-old whiskies and talk about what happens to a spirit after decades inside a cask.
If you're a fan of Scotch, this is a deep dive you won't want to miss. Catch an extended version of the episode as a member of the Whiskey Lore family at patreon.com/whiskeylore
Scotland has long been one of the great whiskey pilgrimage destinations, but planning the perfect whisky journey across the Highlands, Islands, Speyside, Campbeltown, and beyond can feel overwhelming. In this bonus episode of Whiskey Lore's Whiskey Flights, I sit down with travel writer and author Angela Youngman to explore the people, places, legends, and distilleries that make Scotland such a magical destination for whiskey lovers.
Angela's new book, The Whiskey and Gin Lover's Guide to Scotland, inspired a conversation that ranges from iconic experiences like The Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh to hidden gems, Scotland's growing gin scene, whisky festivals, island travel, and the realities of navigating Scotland's winding roads, ferries, and remote distillery regions.
If Scotland has been sitting on your whiskey travel bucket list, this episode is the ticket to inspiration and practical advice that will help you start planning your own adventure.
And for members of the Whiskey Lore family, the extended episode includes deeper discussions on whisky history, ghost distilleries, movie connections like The Angels' Share, travel recommendations, and more Scotch whisky lore. Find it at patreon.com/whiskeylore and ride along for the full experience.
For generations, whiskey fans have repeated one simple rule: Ireland and America spell whiskey with an "e," while Scotland, Canada, and Japan spell whisky without one. But where did that rule actually come from—and does this formula hold up historically?
Today I'll revisit one of the show's earliest topics to dive deeper, separate fact from fiction and uncover the surprising history behind one of whiskey's most debated letters. Along the way, we'll see what the government and the Father of American English, Noah Webster, has to say. I'll look at the cultural confusion of regional language differences, and the myths that have grown around the spelling of whiskey itself.
Was the "e" really invented by Irish distillers in the 1800s to distinguish their spirit from Scotch blends? Did Scotland always reject the spelling whiskey? And have Americans always embraced whiskey with an e?
Using newspaper archives spanning England, Scotland, Ireland, and the United States, I'll traces how the spellings evolved from the early 1700s through Prohibition and into the modern craft whiskey era. The results challenge many of the stories commonly repeated in whiskey circles today.
This is a thoroughly researched, updated, and expanded version of Season 2 Episode 8.
Welcome back to a former guest, John Campbell, who we met back in Interview 63 when we chronicled his 27 years at the legendary Laphroaig Distillery on Islay. Back then, he was taking on the challenge of making Lowland Scotch at Lochlea. Today, he's making an even bigger jump, leaving the island of malt whisky for a chance to make California Bourbon.
There are few who have made the modern journey from Scotland to America, so today's interview affords me the great opportunity to pepper John with questions about the move to Sespe Creek in Oxnard, California.
John will discuss the personal and professional changes involved in moving from Laphroaig to a distillery making mesquite-smoked Bourbon, vodka, and rum. He'll reveal the reason he was approached for the COO and Master Distiller position, and we'll talk about making Bourbon in pot stills, his five-year plan, and capturing the brand's "Southwest" identity in a spirit.
Enjoy the episode and if you'd like a deeper dive, catch a longer episode in the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy with a 7-day free trial at patreon.com/whiskeylore
Join me as I welcome back Jerry Daniels of Stone Fences Tours for a step beyond distillery visits and into the heart of Bourbon history. We'll tackle the question who truly belongs in the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame that has been left behind?
We go back and forth in a snake draft, each bringing our own list of seven candidates, building a case for the overlooked figures who shaped the industry. From early pioneers and 19th-century power players to scientific minds and modern innovators, this discussion uncovers the foundations of Bourbon that often get overshadowed. If you think you know the names that define the industry, this episode might make you rethink the list, and have you guessing who we believe deserves a place among the greats.
Want to offer your own suggestions of who is missing? Post your choices on my Instagram feed at instagram.com/whiskeylore or on the episode post at patreon.com/whiskeylore
Join me as I sit down with Brent Manning, co-founder of Riverbend Malt House, to uncover how two self-described "sustainability geeks" learned the science of malting, helped support the rise of "Beer City U.S.A.," while starting humbly with a one-ton floor malting setup in Asheville.
We'll dive deep into the mechanics of malting, from steeping and germination to kilning, and explore how subtle adjustments at each stage can dramatically shape flavor. Brent also breaks down the divide between brewers' and distillers' malts, and how Riverbend is working to close that gap by developing grains that deliver both high enzyme potential and rich, distinctive character.
In the 1890s, South Carolina became the center of one of the most controversial experiments in American whiskey history—a state-controlled liquor system that promised reform but delivered conflict, corruption, and bloodshed.
In this episode, I dig into the rise of Governor Benjamin "Pitchfork Ben" Tillman, his political machine, and the dispensary system that turned whiskey into a battleground between state authority and personal liberty. We'll follow the Tillmanites and Bourbonites all the way to the 1894 Darlington Riot, in a story that shows how quickly reform can spiral into unrest when power, profit, and principle collide.
It's a chapter of whiskey history rarely told, but one that speaks to the development of the alcohol control systems we live with today. Enjoy a fascinating episode of forgotten whiskey history.
Not too long ago, I was on my way up to Kentucky to check out the Beam Conference and when I contacted my friend Todd Ritter to see if we could sync up, he offered me a guest spot on the Bourbon Road Podcast. Enjoy this simulcasted edition of The Bourbon Road, hosted by my friends Todd and Jim. If you haven't heard the show before, beyond having great guests on, they also do tasting episodes. And here we try four craft whiskeys including selections from Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Missouri. Hear what we taste and find out how we rank them.
Find the Bourbon Road on your favorite podcast app.
Cheers! Drew
Join me as I chat with Gary Mills, the Award-winning Brand Ambassador and Visitor's Experience Manager for Loch Lomond Distillery - a whisky that is making its way across the U.S. thanks to the Foley Family's distribution. We'll dive into the unique history of the distillery, the stills that set it apart from the rest of Scotland, and I'll ask about how the Scotch Whisky Association put the breaks on how they labeled one of their whiskies. We'll also learn the origins of the Lomond still and find out what the difference is between that and the unique column still at Loch Lomond distillery.
We'll finish with a tasting of the 12 year and 18 year expressions and chat about the uniqueness of having a cooperage on site.
🌟 If you want bonus content, make sure you're a member of the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy, where this interview contains 20 more minutes that goes into the devil's cut, more details about the historic Littlemill Distillery, and the distillery's yeast focus.
When was Jack Daniel's registered as a distillery? According to legend, it was 1866.
But I have questions.
When were Jack and Nearest working on the Dan Call Farm and when did Jack come over to the Cave Spring Hollow (the distillery's present location) to start distilling? None of the stories about this distillery match. Some sources say Jack Daniel took over as distiller from Nearest when he moved to the Cave Spring Hollow. But the Jack Daniel distillery supposedly started on Dan Call's farm. So was that 1866 or before, or after? And when was it the Daniel & Call Distillery.
Now I have answers. And the story is not what you've been told. What is listed as the "oldest registered distillery in the United States" according to the National Register of Historic Places wasn't the location of Jack's distillery in 1866.
So where did this story come from? Why has this myth held on so long? How did the National Register get this bit of information wrong?
Join me as I dig into what might have been a true story that was shifted over time into what is now the oldest registered distillery claim. It's a fascinating evolution and one that will lead us to answer another long asked question - where did this name Old Number 7 come from.
Enjoy a romp through the history of Jack Daniel's, using historical evidence to recreate the creation of an origin myth.
And check out Behind the Lore: Jack and Nearest on patreon.com/whiskeylore for a deeper look at the story of these two historic whiskey makers.
Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew
Let's mix two of my favorite subjects today - music and whiskey - as I stop by Tommy Townsend's North Georgia distillery Grandaddy Mimms. As a musician, Tommy has many ties to Waylon Jennings, we'll chat about that (and there is a bonus episode with even more conversation around music, free for Patreon subscribers at patreon.com/whiskeylore ), and we'll talk about the development of the distillery, the use of two thumpers, the problem with high proof flavored moonshine, how moonshine and city hall got together, and Tommy with tap into plenty of stories.
Enjoy this episode, that started out to be a Whiskey Flights episode, but we just had so much to talk about. Cheers! Drew
Back in 2020, I became fascinated with the story of the relationship between Jack Daniel and Nathan "Uncle Nearest" Green. I read Jack Daniel's Legacy by Ben A. Green (1967) and interviewed Jack Daniel's Historian Nelson Eddy and Uncle Nearest's Founder Fawn Weaver and then weaved the common tale surrounding these two Tennessee whiskey legends in Season 3 of Whiskey Lore.
Then, in 2023, I began digging through archives in Georgia and Tennessee for my book The Lost History of Tennessee Whiskey and to my surprise, a very different picture of Jack and Nearest began to evolve.
In an effort to clean up some of my episodes that fell victim to marketing lore and oral tradition, it is time to reexamine the story of Jack and Nearest, to build a framework based on real documented history.
And Whiskey Lore Speakeasy and Club 1897 members, make sure to check out Behind the Lore later this week to go even deeper in the myths and reality surrounding Jack and Nearest - exclusively on Patreon.com/whiskeylore.
Last week, I hit the road and headed up to Lexington, KY and attended my first James B. Beam Institute Industry Conference. It was a fantastic opportunity to shake the hands of some great people who I've either met through visits to their distilleries or by zoom interviews. During the event, I sat down with Landon Borders and Alexa Narel of the Estate Whiskey Alliance to talk about this new certification. On today's podcast, we'll chat about the origins of the alliance, how it builds transparency for whiskey drinkers, what it takes for distilleries or products to qualify for the Estate whiskey designation, and we'll drop some names of current members. Make sure you're subscribed to the Whiskey Lore Podcast so you don't miss any great stories, interviews, or flights. It's available on your favorite podcast app. Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew
In September 1692, one of the darkest moments in colonial American history came to a close as eight final victims lost their lives on the hanging rope on Gallows Hill, thanks to accusations of witchcraft.
It's a subject that has been covered historically, scientifically, and mostly as spooky entertainment. There are several theories as to why Salem descended into madness during the year 1692.
In this episode, we'll look into a study that appeared in Science Magazine fifty years ago this week, that examined the evidence and hypothesized that the madness around the village may have been due to a popular grain and a parasitic fungus called Claviceps purpurea or Ergot. It's a theory that made headlines throughout the country back in 1976. But is there any validity to the argument? It's time to dive into what some call ergot poisoning and others call rye madness.
Join me for a conversation with whiskey maker Ari Sussman as we dive into the story behind Whiskey JYPSI, co-founded by Raj Alva and singer-songwriter Eric Church, learn about Ari's path into the industry, from politics to winemaking in France, international bartending, and eventually studying at Michigan State University's pioneering distilling program under the late Dr. Kris Berglund.
We'll talk about Berglund's quiet influence over the modern craft distilling industry, the Rosen rye project (a historic grain varietal with deep ties to Michigan and MSU), and the philosophy behind Whiskey JYPSI's products, using their Tribute, Explorer, and Legacy whiskeys as examples to illustrate the brand's focus on storytelling through grain, wood augmentation, and innovative blending.
Enjoy the return of the long-form interview on Whiskey Lore.
On this anniversary of the signing of the Bottled-in-Bond Act, it is time to dig in deep, and focus research on the man behind the Bottled-in-Bond Act, learn the real reason the bill was created, hear the 1897 arguments for and against it, and ride the rollercoaster of American legislation at the tail end of the Gilded Age. I'll also reveal why we should never refer to the modern regulations as The Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897.
If you heard my first Bottled-in-Bond episode when it was released in 2019, I'm sorry for leading you astray. I was prone to marketing lore and there is a lot of it around this Act. When you hear today's episode, you'll realize how easy it is to get lore that seems confirmed by fact. If you heard my update just over a year ago, gone is the long drawn out story about adulteration. Today, we're going to dig in deep and focus on the goal of filling in the gaps of our knowledge about the real Bottled-in-Bond Act through contemporary accounts.
And, it's time we honor the man who brought the bill through committee to the floor and who hand delivered it to President Cleveland.
Happy Bottled-in-Bond Day! Drew
Read the original bill here:
whiskeylore.org/episodes/season-seven/the-hero-of-the-bottled-in-bond-act-of-1897
Open a whiskey magazine, newspaper, or check out your social media feed and you're sure to hear plenty of doom and gloom around the current whiskey market. There seem to be demons hiding in the bushes everywhere. Scapegoats include over-supply, over-confidence, speculation, poor management, inflation, capital constraints, tariffs, changing tastes like shifts to RTDs, hemp drinks, a rise in tequila popularity, or the younger generations seeming disinterested in drinking alcohol. And these are just the most popular.
I've heard it over and over, we're heading for another whiskey depression (comparing this time to the 80s and 90s when whiskey fell out of favor). For some, it is just a matter of time, after all, history repeats, doesn't it?
Join me as we take a look back on the trials and tribulations of the 20th century post-Prohibition whiskey industry, to see if there are any clues as to where our current industry is heading.
WHISKEY STORIES ARE BACK!
Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew
The first time I picked up a whiskey history book, I was introduced to the story of George Thorpe, an Englishman who came to Berkeley Plantation in 1620, to make "hooch," as the book stated. He was credited with making America's first corn whiskey and starting an industry.
As I dove more and more into research on whiskey history and the evolution of distilling techniques, this American origin story seemed less and less likely. Still, I had to admit, I didn't know enough of the story to do any more than suggest, it was possibly lore.
After diving deep into the historical record, I'll take a look at three popular theories as to why George is considered America's first distiller of corn whiskey. By the end, I'll give you my thoughts, but you too will be well versed enough in the story to make your own educated guess.
Enjoy this dive into early American distilling and watch for bonus coverage in Behind the Lore at patreon.com/whiskeylore .
Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew
Florida's Emerald Coast may be known for beaches and sunshine, but just north of Destin, two neighbors turned an engineering mindset and a love of brewing into one of the state's most inventive distilleries. In this episode, Drew Hannush heads to Timber Creek Distillery to meet co-founders Cam Ford and Aaron Barnes and discover why they chose to distill grains separately, embrace Florida-grown ingredients, and invite visitors to become blenders themselves.
In This Episode • How a Silicon Valley engineer and a homebrewer became distillers • Why Timber Creek borrowed ideas from Scotland instead of Kentucky • Building a distillery around brewing equipment and a traditional worm condenser • Florida-grown rye and discovering the Sunshine State's terroir • Distilling grains separately and blending whiskey after aging • The story behind Florida Whiskey and Southern Reserve • Creating a 100% Florida rye whiskey • How their bourbon blending kits became a hit during the pandemic • Bourbon blending experiences and creating your own whiskey profile • Wine and chocolate pairings, cigar rolling, and axe throwing • Exploring Florida's Emerald Coast and the Panhandle whiskey scene • Plus, Drew shares his three reasons why Timber Creek Distillery deserves a spot on your Whiskey Lore Wish List
📍 Timber Creek Distillery Crestview, Florida
Travel maps, distillery information, and trip-planning tools for more than 1,000 whiskey destinations can be found at WhiskeyLore.org/flights.
What started with two Columbus entrepreneurs and a vision for building something local has grown into one of Ohio's largest and most influential distilleries. In this episode, Drew Hannush visits Watershed Distillery to meet cask manager Ryan Venrick and brand ambassador Tommy Householder and discover how a community-driven startup became a destination for bourbon, gin, apple brandy, and one of the most unusual liqueurs you'll find anywhere.
In This Episode • How Watershed helped launch Columbus's modern distilling scene • Why community and local ingredients are at the heart of the distillery • The story behind Watershed's name and Ohio roots • From vodka and gin to one of Ohio's leading bourbon producers • Sweet mash bourbon and evolving mash bills • Exploring the rickhouse and the science behind maturation • Apple brandy made from Ohio apples and finished with American oak • Supporting Ohio cooperages and keeping production close to home • The story behind Nocino, a black walnut liqueur inspired by an Italian family recipe • Tasting whiskey surrounded by thousands of barrels in the "barrel fort" • Exploring Columbus and the growing Central Ohio distilling scene • Plus, Drew shares his three reasons why Watershed Distillery deserves a spot on your Whiskey Lore Wish List
📍 Watershed Distillery Columbus, Ohio
Travel maps, distillery information, and trip-planning tools for more than 1,000 whiskey destinations can be found at WhiskeyLore.org/flights.
Enjoy this entertaining discussion or take the FULL TOUR and hear us taste each of their Bourbon expressions, gin, and apple brandy, plus get deeper stories with a 7-day free trail of the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy at patreon.com/whiskeylore
Most people come to Cooperstown for baseball, but they may leave talking about whiskey. In this episode, Drew Hannush strolls through the village that gave rise to America's pastime before heading to Cooperstown Distillery to meet founder Gene Marra. Together, they explore the marriage of baseball and spirits, the philosophy behind New York whiskey, and why one chef-turned-distiller believes cold-weather maturation creates flavors you won't find anywhere else.
In This Episode • How a restaurateur and chef found his way into distilling • Why Cooperstown became the perfect home for a baseball-inspired distillery • The story behind the famous baseball decanters and sports-themed bottles • New York grain and Gene Marra's vision for distinctive bourbon • Using three barrel sizes to shape flavor and maturation • Four-grain bourbon and the role of oats in creating a creamy mouthfeel • New York rye whiskey and balancing spice with corn sweetness • Touring the cellar and tasting whiskey straight from the barrel • An award-winning American single malt and the Solera sherry finishing system • Why Gene believes New York whiskey offers something different from Kentucky bourbon • Baseball memories, Yogi Berra, and growing up near Yankee Stadium • Exploring Cooperstown, Main Street, memorabilia shops, and the National Baseball Hall of Fame • Plus, Drew shares his three reasons why Cooperstown Distillery deserves a spot on your Whiskey Lore Wish List
📍 Cooperstown Distillery Cooperstown, New York
Travel maps, distillery information, and trip-planning tools for more than 1,000 whiskey destinations can be found at WhiskeyLore.org/flights.
Members of the Speakeasy can hear an extra 20 minutes of interview time, including a dive into New York's cooper who is gaining a great reputation, and we'll taste an Apple Brandy and see what the Europeans thought of that. Check it out at patreon.com/whiskeylore. Sign up for a 7-Day Free Trial.
TRUTH OR LORE: Did James "Cobbie" Allardes enlist the help of Edinburgh's ladies of the night to sell his "guid Glendronach whisky?"
It's a story I used to kick off the Whiskey Lore podcast back in 2019, but a lot has happened since then—especially when it comes to the way I conduct research.
Join me as I take a second look at the life of James Allardes and the creation of Glendronach Distillery. The real story is fascinating and once you hear it, it will beg the question: Was the story of the Cannongate ladies of the night truth or lore?
Along the way, we'll learn just how successful the distillery was under Cobbie's ownership and the style of whisky he was making. For lovers of the modern sherry bomb Glendronach, you might be in for a shock.
And join me later this week for a deeper dive into the history of Glendronach on Behind The Lore, available to members of the Speakeasy at patreon.com/whiskeylore
Vermont is famous for maple syrup, but in Quechee, one distillery found a different way to put the state's signature ingredient to work. In this episode, Drew Hannush visits Vermont Spirits Distilling Company to meet head distiller and COO Don Kolp and explore a world where maple becomes vodka, gin spends years in bourbon barrels, and bourbon gets just enough maple to remind you where it came from. Along the way, you'll discover one of New England's most distinctive distilling experiences.
In This Episode • How Vermont Spirits became the state's oldest craft distillery • The origins of maple vodka and turning sap into spirits • The legacy of Harry Gorman and the creation of Harry's Cocktail Lounge • Inside the unique glass column still and custom-built distillery • Why maple vodka delivers vanilla and butterscotch instead of maple syrup flavors • Barrel-aged gin and why whiskey drinkers may find themselves converted • The story behind Number 14 Bourbon and Vermont's place in American history • Adding maple to bourbon without overwhelming the whiskey • Barrel-aged vodka and other experimental spirits on the horizon • Upcoming barrel tastings and fill-your-own-bottle experiences • Exploring Quechee, the Connecticut River Valley, and New England distillery country • Plus, Drew shares his three reasons why Vermont Spirits Distilling Company deserves a spot on your Whiskey Lore Wish List
📍 Vermont Spirits Distilling Company Quechee, Vermont
Travel maps, distillery information, and trip-planning tools for more than 1,000 whiskey destinations can be found at WhiskeyLore.org/flights.
Flag Hill Distillery and Winery (Lee, NH) WF082
Join me as I continue the Great 48 Tour across New England, with a scenic stop at the Flag Hill Distillery and Winery.
Originally hired as a distiller, Brian Ferguson had thoughts of going back to his native Pennsylvania to make whiskey. Then the owner made him an excellent offer to stay and take over Flag Hill. It's a unique story and we'll dive into it.
We'll also talk about some of the projects he's got going on. We'll learn what Heavy Rum and Breakfast Bourbon are, learn about the distillery's grain growing practices, and how the winery fits into whiskey tastings.
There will be a photo from my visit to Flag Hill in my upcoming book Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing American Whiskey. It's quintessential New England.
Are you ready to find out who number one is? I've gathered conversations from the distilleries I've talked with and pieced together the 24 biggest fan favorite distilleries as voted by Instagram and Patreon followers of Whiskey Lore.
Thanks to everyone who voted this year. Friday, we will be starting all over again, but with some changed, which I describe in the podcast. In 2026, we are going to engage every distillery in the upcoming book Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing American Whiskey.
Time to stir the pot and get these distilleries noticed. Medal winners will first dibs on having profiles written about them in Experiencing American Whiskey: 2027 Edition - so this vote will matter!
Happy New Year to all, be safe and have fun. Cheers and slainte mhath in 2026. Drew
If you've been to their distillery in Louisville or read one of their bottles you have probably encountered the claim that that Old Forester was "the first bottled Bourbon." The story suggests that in 1870, a former pharmaceutical rep George Garvin Brown began placing whiskey in sealed bottles and putting his signature on them to show he stood behind the safety and quality of the whiskey.
It's a great story. But is it true?
Join me in this pilot episode of a potential new Whiskey Lore series, as I dig through old newspapers and archives to seek out the deeper story of who George Garvin Brown was, more about this fine spirit known as Old Forester, and how much of the story is truth and how much of it is lore.
And if you enjoy this kind of deep-dive whiskey investigation and want to help this independent podcaster bring more episodes like it to life, join the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy at patreon.com/whiskeylore It is time to disrupt some whiskey history!
Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew
Hinterhaus Distillery (Arnold, CA) WF072
Today the Great 48 Tour climbs over the Sierra-Nevadas into the great state of California. The drive in featured mountains, huge Sequoias, and some hairpin turns. The first signs of life (beyond some bikers and travelers at overlooks) occurs when you see the sign for Hinterhaus Distillery.
This is a distillery I've long wanted to visit, thanks to the great support it got in my Instagram Fan Favorite Craft Distillery competition last year. The trip didn't disappoint. The Randalls are making some amazing whiskey without a lot of background. Quality ingredients, trying to stay as California as possible for terroir, and a love for experimentation. I've been enjoying the flavors I've discovered on this trip and Hinterhaus is a big part of that flavor story.
If you're a member of the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy at patreon.com/whiskeylore then you've got a full hour of conversation to listen to. We'll dive deeper into the pros and cons of wild yeast, dealing with grains in drought conditions, and how Nate Randall set up a distillery without a single consultant. We'll also go through several whiskies and even a brandy on top of the 2 we taste for the podcast feed.
Enjoy this trip to the edge of the wilderness.
Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew
Frey Ranch Distillery (Fallon, NV) WF071
Four years ago, I had the pleasure of chatting with Colby and Ashley Frey of Frey Ranch Distillery. They had just released their first batch of Bourbon and so we discussed that, but also took a deep dive into farming and how having direct control over the grain is such an advantage.
Well, the Great 48 Tour was heading through Nevada and so where better to stop in officially (since that first visit was a Zoom call) than on the farm that houses both grain and distillery. And what I visit it was. I got to walk through the malt house, see the distillery, and then get a fascinating tour of the distillery, complete with a fly over (you'll have to listen to find out what that was all about).
This is definitely a deep dive episode and no worries if you heard the original interview, we're covering all new ground here, including some tastings of the great experimental whiskies that were just starting to age the last time I talked to the Freys. I will tell you though, you're going to miss a lot if you just listen to the 35 minute episode that is on the Whiskey Lore Podcast feed. On Patreon, I chat for an addition 25 minutes with dives into some of the on-going experiments at the distillery as well as some insider info and details about how Colby is making his own peat like substance. Find it at patreon.com/whiskeylore
Sugar House Distillery (South Salt Lake, UT) WF0040
After an incredible drive up through one of (if not) the most beautiful states in the country, I made my way to South Salt Lake in Utah for my third stop on this western swing of the Great 48 Tour. My host is James Fowler of Sugar House Distillery. If you thought High West was the only name in Utah spirits, you're in for a surprise.
James took me on a tour of the distillery, the barrel room, and then rolled over a cart filled with whiskey bottles, where we taste through Utah Bourbon, rye, and single malts. While sipping, we'll talk about how customers react to single malt, James' evolution from beer to distilling, and the special conditions James deals with in Utah.
For fans wanting an even deeper dive into the tastings including their vodka and beer inspired Bourbon, become a member of the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy at patreon.com/whiskeylore and get an extra 30 minutes of this interview, plus additional travel information. At the same time you'll be supporting this independent podcast.
As Above So Below Distillery (Santa Fe, NM) WF0069
Today we're going to visit the beautiful town of Santa Fe and one of the most unique philosophies in terms of making spirits that I've come across.
A primary goal for founder and distiller Caley Shoemaker and her spirits, particularly her gin, is to create a "sense of place" that evokes the unique aromas of Northern New Mexico, using local botanicals like piñon sap. Meanwhile, the distillery's experimental whiskey line, "The Astrologist," was designed to be a series of unique, one-time releases tied to the astrological conditions present at the time of bottling. This approach may seem unconventional, but we'll learn why Caley feels this is a fun way to expand our understanding of how spirits develop.
We'll taste several spirits (more so on the extended version of the podcast, that also includes bonus coverage at patreon.com/whiskey) and talk about Caley's move from Stranahans to owning her own distillery and taking her talents as far away as Rwanda. It's a fascinating episode you won't want to miss.
Find more whiskey flights at whiskeylore.org/flights
Boulder Spirits (Vapor Distillery in Boulder CO) WF0068
The state of Colorado has no shortage of amazing distilleries, so I had a tough choice when kicking the "Great 48 Tour" back into gear.
One of my favorite visits when I made my way here two years ago was Boulder Spirits. Founder Alastair Brogan walked me all around the place and we have a great conversation about all things single malt, Bourbon, Scotland, and making whiskey in the Rockies.
Since we haven't featured him on the podcast, today is the day. Join me as we chat about what drew him to America, having a still and needing a distillery, starting with Bourbon, getting the first 10 year whiskey ready, and the new experience Boulder Spirits brought to the center of town.
Members of the Speakeasy and Club 1897 will also hear extended conversations about how Forsyths in Scotland leaned on their experience with Balcones in designing the still, and aging whiskey in the high pressure of a mile high zone. Join at patreon.com/whiskeylore and get a bonus of helping to support this independent podcast.
As a historical researcher, one of the time periods I seem to have the least knowledge of is the history of this latest whiskey boom. As luck would have it, today I get a chance to dive into that history with someone who lived it.
Meet Noah Rothbaum, the author of the upcoming book The Whiskey Bible: The Complete Guide to the World's Greatest Spirit. For 25 years, he's seen whiskey go from inconsequential in an era where whiskey trails were non-existent, to today's whiskey boom.
- Motivation that led to Noah getting into whiskey writing
- The landscape of whiskey at the turn of this century
- Mad Man myth or truth?
- Bourbon's domination of the American story, yet limited brands
- The rise of rye and craft
- The trip to St. Andrews and where Scotch whisky interest was at the time
- The first distillery visit
- Canadian, Irish, Japanese, and the development of World whiskies.
Oaklore Distillery (Matthews, NC) WF067
Charlotte. Where is that? North Carolina? South Carolina? You'd be surprised at how many people get tripped up by that. Today though, let it be known we're going to explore the whiskeys of Oaklore Distillery in Matthews a town that is definitely North Carolina.
Join me as I chat with Tom and Matt, the founders of Oaklore who share their passion for whiskey and the process of creating their unique products. They discuss their learning experiences, the importance of quality, and the rich history of whiskey in North Carolina. The conversation also delves into how the unique way the produce their spirits, the significance of barrel aging, and the visitor experience at their distillery.
The flow goes like this:
- The Birth of Oaklore Distillery
- The Journey of Learning and Experimentation
- North Carolina's Whiskey Landscape
- Quality and Craftsmanship in Whiskey
- The Power of the Stave
- Sourcing and Distillation Process
- Creating Flagship Products
- Visitor Experience at Oaklore Distillery
Company Distilling (Lynchburg, Thompson Station, Townsend, TN) WF0066
Way back in December 2021, I sat down with former Jack Daniel's Master Distiller Jeff Arnett in episode 45 to talk about his new venture - Company Distilling. We talked about how he fell into a job at the company, his rise, and the impact he had on that brand. Then we dug into his decision to join with other Tennessee entrepreneurs to create Company Distilling. It's a great episode and it really gets you a feel for where this all started.
Now, Company has just introduced a new location, interestingly enough, in the shadow of Jack Daniel's in Lynchburg. Today, we will pick up the story of Company from where we left off three and a half years ago. It's been an interesting ride for Jeff and the team. And we'll find out more about how Company fits into a Lynchburg visit.
Here is what we'll discuss:
- The Recent Journey of Company Distilling
- Innovations in Whiskey Production
- Maple Influence and the Barrel
- The Role of Team and Expertise
- Navigating Legal and Market Challenges
- Building a Distillery Network
- The Personalities of Distilleries
- Townsend: Grains and Grits
- Thompson Station: The fired still
- Lynchburg: Fitting in Next to Jack Daniels
- The Original Lynchburg Lemonade
Enjoy 20 extra minutes of this conversation as a member of the Speakeasy at patreon.com/whiskeylore where we talk about future plans, approachable complexity, Jeff's right hand man, the hazmat trend, and some more details from his Jack Daniel's days.
Back in the 19th century, when Ireland ruled the whiskey world, distilleries didn't bottle their own whiskeys. Instead this was left to whiskey bonders who took barrels of aged spirit and blended, distributed, and marketed them to the world as Irish Whiskey. As the industry consolidated during the 20th century, the roll of the bonder all but disappeared. But today, this Irish legacy has come alive once again with Shane McCarthy and his fellow founders telling that story through their Two Stacks Irish Whiskeys.
Join us as Shane and I chat about the history of bonding, the misconception about peated Irish whiskey, putting whiskey in a mini-can, and why single grain may be the perfect gateway for Bourbon drinkers trying to find an Irish whiskey to embrace.
We'll talk about:
- The origins of Two Stacks Irish Whiskey
- The Art of Irish Whiskey Bonding
- Reviving the Bonding Tradition
- John Teeling's Influence on Irish Whiskey
- Building Relationships with Distilleries
- Innovative Whiskey Production Techniques
- Signature Blends and Experimentation
- The Unique Concept of Whiskey in a Can
- Exploring the Single Grain Category
- Corn whiskey vs single grain
- Access beyond Two Stacks signature series
And for those longing for a commercial-free episode with bonus interview time, try out the 7 day free trial of the Whiskey Lore Patreon Speakeasy at patreon.com/whiskeylore
Isle of Raasay Distillery (Isle of Raasay, Scotland) WF0065
Returning to Scotland to visit one of my favorite young distilleries. Join me as I take you to the little island off the coast of the Isle of Skye and the distillery that was built by a blender with the idea of creating the perfect components for crafting a flavorful young whisky. Alasdair Day, co-founder of the distillery, joins me to explore the unique aspects of Raasay Distillery, from its historical significance as the first legal distillery on the island to the innovative techniques used in whisky production. Alasdair shares insights into the distilling process, the importance of water sources, and the unique characteristics of their peat. We also dive into the experiences you can have while visiting the island.
Subjects we touch on:
- Exploring Raasay: A Hidden Gem in Scotland
- The History of Distilling on Rassay
- Navigating Life on Raasay Island
- Alasdair's Journey to Raasay Distillery
- Creating a Distillery from Scratch
- The Art of Blending and Fermentation
- Innovative Oak Types in Whisky Production
- The Role of Rye in Whisky Complexity
- The Unique Peat Story of Raasay
- Protecting the Gin
- Experiencing Rassay: A Visitor's Guide
For those who want more, check out the extra 10 minutes, commercial free as a member of the Speakeasy or Club 1897 at patreon.com/whiskeylore. We'll discuss the Distillery's Unique Highland Designation, Crafting the Perfect Water Source from a Pale Cow, and Future Plans: The Campbeltown Distillery Project.
Copper Mule Distillery (Hermann, MO) WF0064
Back in 2001, I stumbled upon a beautiful section of Missouri, just west of St. Louis known as Missouri Wine Country. That trip saw me stopping off at my first ever tasting experience - at the Stone Hill Winery. A couple trips later, I discovered there was whiskey to be had in the German community of Hermann. Now, there are several distilleries and I bumped into one of them while doing research for my next book.
Join me as I chat with Don Gosen, founder of Copper Mule Distillery, we've got insider info on the Missouri Expedition Trail, insights into Missouri's distilling legacy, and the surprise legacy Don and his wife discovered in their own family.
Here are some of the things we chat about:
- Exploring Hermann: A Historical Overview
- The Rise of Distilling in Hermann
- From Brewing to Distilling: A Personal Journey
- Uncovering Family History and Distilling Heritage
- The Significance of the Century Farm
- The Legacy of Bourbon and Brandy Production
- Bartering and Historical Practices in Distilling
- The Appeal of Wheated Bourbons
- Missouri's Whiskey Heritage and Distilling History
- The Role of Local Ingredients in Distilling
- Moonshine Stills: A Unique Collection
- The Importance of Quality Barrels in Bourbon
- Exploring the Missouri Spirits Expedition
- The Distillery Tour Experience
- Collaboration in the Distilling Community
The extended version of this interview found at patreon.com/whiskeylore has 15 more minutes of extra interview time with some fun extras.
Originally meant to be my 63rd Whiskey Flight podcast, I had no idea what a historical goldmine I was stumbling into when I reached out to Cindy and Andy Sudderth of R.M. Rose Co Distillery.
In this conversation, Andy Sudderth shares not only his own family's legacy in distilling, but also what he's learned about the historic RM Rose Distillery. We'll learn about Rufus Rose, a Connecticut Yankee who joined the fight with the Confederacy, the techniques used his in whiskey production, and the challenges faced the company faced with Prohibition. It's a rich history that not only covers Georgia, it seeps into my Lost History of Tennessee Whiskey book's history, as well as the history of a modern Kentucky distillery.
Andy's passion for history and distilling shines through as he recounts the rich narrative behind RM Rose and its revival. We'll delve into the intricate world of distillation, exploring various techniques, the historical significance of the RM Rose distillery, and the impact of Prohibition on the whiskey industry. We also discuss the legacy of moonshine in Dawsonville, Georgia, and the cultural connections tied to one of their moonshines inspired by a classic 1970s film. We'll also cover details about the modern distillery and the new satellite locations coming online.
And catch an extra 10 minutes of interview, commercial-free as a member of patreon.com/whiskeylore.
How many times have you driven down I-75 through South Georgia, not knowing there were quality distilleries to be explore just miles off each exit? Join me as I chat with the owner of one of these distilleries, Brian Higgins of 1861. We'll explore the distillery's history, the quirky customs associated with whiskey, the myth about limestone water in Kentucky, and the specialty grains he's using in his six-grain Bourbon.
Brian shares insights into the distillery's award-winning spirits and the unique experience offered to visitors, including the opportunity to create custom whiskeys. We'll also give some travel planning advice.
Find all of Georgia's whiskey distilleries here: whiskey-lore.com/georgia
In today's conversation, I'm joined by Joe Beatrice and Tripp Stimson from Barrell Craft Spirits. We're going to dig into the art of whiskey blending, the unique characteristics of their products, and the intricacies of whiskey tasting. We'll explore the artistic differences between blending and distilling, the importance of maturation, and the flavor profiles of Barrell's whiskeys, including Seagrass and Foundation Single Barrel.
Here are the main topics:
- Introduction to Barrel Craft Spirits
- The Art of Blending Whiskey
- Understanding Distillation and Maturation
- Tasting Seagrass Rye Whiskey
- Exploring Flavor Profiles and Tasting Notes
- Foundation Single Barrel and Its Characteristics
- Batch 37: Annual Release Insights
- The Role of Oak in Whiskey
- Marketing and Branding of Barrel Craft Spirits
For an extended version of this episode, join the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy (7 day free trial available) at Patreon.com/whiskeylore .
Stone Fences Tours (Versailles, KY) WF0062
Listeners of Whiskey Lore know I have a passion for do-it-yourself travel. Still, not everyone is like me and maybe for your first trip to Kentucky, you'd prefer to have someone take you to the state's amazing distilleries. Or maybe you want the advantage of not having to measure your fun against your ability to drive afterwards.
Leaving the experience in a tour company's hands has several advantages. Join me as I chat with my friend Jerry Daniels of Stone Fences Tours about what you can expect and what to anticipate when it comes to working with a tour company.
If you'd like access to the best and most up-to-date Kentucky distillery planning advice, even if you choose to go by tour company, grab a copy of Experiencing Kentucky Bourbon: Second Edition. Here is a shortcut link to the book on Amazon: whiskey-lore.com/kentuckybook
In this conversation, Drew Hannush interviews Dr. Pat Heist, co-founder of Wilderness Trail Distillery, exploring the journey from a small farmhouse distillery to a significant player in the whiskey industry. They discuss the scientific approach to distilling, the impact of the Renewable Fuels Act, the evolution of fermentation practices, and the importance of data collection in whiskey production. Dr. Heist shares insights on the sweet mash process, the challenges of scaling operations, and the future of whiskey innovation.
TAKEAWAYS
- Wilderness Trail Distillery started as a small farmhouse distillery.
- Dr. Pat Heist and Shane Baker's partnership began in rock and roll.
- Firm Solutions was established during the 2006 economic crisis.
- The Renewable Fuels Act significantly impacted the distilling industry.
- Fuel ethanol production shares similarities with whiskey production.
- The distillery focuses on scientific methods in fermentation.
- Wilderness Trail has expanded its operations significantly since inception.
- Data collection is crucial for understanding whiskey production variations.
- Sweet mash production is a key focus for Wilderness Trail.
- The distillery aims to innovate and improve whiskey quality.
Hear an extended version at whiskey-lore.com/patreon
New Riff Distillery (Newport, KY) WF061
As we continue to celebrate the release of Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing Kentucky Bourbon: Second Edition, time to visit one of the new breed of distilleries in Kentucky. As one of the few independent distilleries of size in the state, still family-owned, New Riff has found a way to spread their whiskey nearly coast-to-coast.
As those beautiful and uniquely colored bottles make their way across the country, it is time to introduce you to the brand, its history, and the story behind this name - New Riff - with Mollie Lewis, President of the company.
And if you'd like to learn more about New Riff and all the other Kentucky distilleries, make sure to pick up a copy of Experiencing Kentucky Bourbon on Amazon, using this shortcut link whiskey-lore.com/kentuckybook or if you have the book already log-in to see the full preview of the distillery at whiskey-lore.com/newriff
Whiskey Thief (Franklin Co and Louisville, KY) WF0060
Surprise, surprise, we're going to have a repeat guest to the show today. Distilling director Lisa Wicker (formerly of Limestone Branch, Huber's Starlight, and Widow Jane) joins us along with Walter Zausch, owner of the Whiskey Thief Distillery. If you've never been, you're missing one of Kentucky's most unique distillery experiences. From the barn and farm, to the goats, food trucks, and barrel thieving - there may not be a better distillery to get a feel for Kentucky Bourbon hospitality in a relaxed atmosphere.
We'll talk about how Walter came to own this farm, the philosophy change since he arrived, the person who inspired him, the distillery's new space in NULU, and we'll find out from Lisa, who is just settling in, her first impressions and what brought her to Whiskey Thief.
It's all in celebration of the release of Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing Kentucky Bourbon: Second Edition. Catch the extended version at patreon.com/whiskeylore as a member of the Speakeasy.
Augusta Distillery (Augusta, KY) WF0059
The month-long celebration of the release of Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing Kentucky Bourbon: Second Edition continues with a journey to the Northern Kentucky region that is home to New Riff, Neeley Family, Boone County and others. But did you know, along the Ohio River, below Cincinnati and northwest of Lexington there are three distilleries just waiting to be explored?
Today, we're going to visit with Ryan Edwards, co-founder of Augusta Distillery, a facility I've had the privilege of seeing evolve from the bones of an old manufacturing building into an experiential distillery that blends town charm, the building that employed so many, and a modern distillery that stretches the concept of what you can do in a distillery. It's also the home of a distiller you should know - Alex Castle.
Join me as we go through the evolution of the distillery and find out what things you can do here that you've likely never done at any other distillery. We'll make you put Northeast Kentucky into your travel plans.
And for Patreon.com/whiskeylore members, get an extra ten minutes to this episode with some insider information on some of the features of this distillery.
Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew
RD1 Spirits Distillery (Lexington, KY) WF0058
Today, we start a journey through Kentucky, visiting some of the great distillery experiences that have arrived since the release of my first edition of Experiencing Kentucky Bourbon in 2020 - as I celebrate the launch of the expanded Second Edition this week.
Our first guest is Barry Brinegar of RD1 Spirits of Lexington. His new distillery experience is a perfect example of how distilleries are expanding the story and process of whiskey making in new creative ways. This isn't your normal "51% corn" Bourbon lesson, it is a dive into the influence of the barrel on whiskey. The distillery is also in an entertainment district that makes it the perfect spot for a day of diverse fun while you're exploring the Bourbon trail.
Enjoy a little extra history in the Patreon.com/whiskeylore version and some insider information into what is coming next from RD1 Spirits. Get a free-7 day free trial as well as a bonus limited time offer for a discount off my new book for Father's Day.
Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew
Iron City Distilling (Creighton, PA) WF0057
It's time to head back to Pennsylvania, to visit one of the only three chamber stills in America and experience another side of Monongahela Rye. Join me as I chat with master distiller Matt Strickland and company president Peter Katz about how Iron City Beer got into the distilling world, discuss my experience at the distillery, and find out how you learn to distill on a piece of equipment that had gone extinct. Plus we'll learn a bit about the tours at this old PPG factory and how the beer interacts with the whiskey side.
Plus, Experiencing Kentucky Bourbon second edition is out on Amazon (and next week it will be available everywhere else). Some details to come. You can learn more at whiskey-lore.com/books
Minden Mill Distillery (Minden, NV) WF0056
Taking a short break from the Great 48 on-site visits for a virtual visit to a location I visited when it lived under a different name - Bently Heritage. When they reached out to me about potentially doing an interview - I jumped at the chance.
First, if you don't know about this distillery, you should. It is one of the coolest distilleries in the world. Today, it is known as Minden Mill. New owners, yet, still an amazing distillery and now it has one of my favorite American distillers at the helm, Joe O'Sullivan (formerly of Clear Creek/Hood River).
Join me as I flash back to my first visit to Tahoe, Carson Valley, and the Bently Ranch. And hear how Joe is taking on the challenge of Estate distilling.
After listening, if you'd like to add this distillery to your Whiskey Lore wish list, find it at whiskey-lore.com/flights
Painted Stave Distillery (Smyrna, DE) WF0055
For our 17th of the Great 48, I thought I was going to have some trouble tracking down a whiskey distillery in Delaware, but low and behold I found a fun one in the Painted Stave. Ron and Mike had a particular vision (and name) for this distillery, but sometimes plans change. In this case, rather than a distillery that distributes across the states, they've honed in on their community and it is a fun place to hang out with friends. From the food trucks to the cocktails and spirits served neat, there is a lot to like here.
I will say though, there is one spirit they made that might turn your head and make you wonder what they were thinking. Again, a surprise success. Find out what foreign object they put in their still and the fascinating spirit it produced.
Follow the Great 48 at whiskey-lore.com/flights
And a big announcement this week about a certain book release that is coming this month!
For an extended and commercial free version, head to patreon.com/whiskeylore and try the 7-day free trial.
Dad's Hat Distillery (Bristol, PA) WF0054
Been a long time since I've been in eastern Pennsylvania and I have good reason to be here now. I'm taking part in a Pennsylvania whiskey documentary AND I'm getting to enjoy some fantastic distillery visits. This week, it is the place where the Pennsylvania rye revival took off...thanks to a magazine article and a wonderful wife who supplied her husband with the best rye whiskies available at that time.
We'll hear the story of Herman Mihalich, co-founder of Dad's Hat Distillery, find out what got him interested in making rye whiskey in a world where it was barely breathing, and the legendary farm that helps him grow his grain. And patreon.com/whiskeylore fans will get an extra segment as we chat about Rosen Rye (get a free 7-day trial to the Speakeasy to check it out)
It's a fun conversation with a little reminiscing on my part as I make my way to the distillery.
Cheers and slainte mhath! Drew
Meinelschmidt Distillery (Hagarstown, MD) WF0053
Time for another Mid-Atlantic stop, this one not far off the I-81 exit. We're stopping in to visit a military veteran who, along with his wife, decided to take their enjoyment of craft distillery travel and turn it into their own distillery.
We'll learn Cort and Chelsea's inspirations for their Hagarstown distillery, hear about the growth of the town, their interest in wheated whiskeys, and hear the story of how the two met.
And, now Whiskey Lore's travel guide features over 900 distilleries worldwide, so if you're thinking about traveling this summer, make sure to put a craft distillery or two on your agenda. You can find it at whiskey-lore.com/travel
Copper Fox Distillery (Sperryville, VA) WF0052
You've heard of peat smoked Scotch...well, that's not what you're going to get at Copper Fox. Instead, the grains from the distillery's malting floor get their smoke infused with smoke from cherrywood, peachwood, and applewood.
It's a unique take on smoke and it comes from distiller and founder Rick Wasmund's fascination with the wonderful scents these woods produce when burned.
Join me as I visit one of the few malting floors in the country and learn which legendary Scotch distiller taught Rick the art of malting.
And make sure to check out this and other distilleries in Virginia by heading to whiskey-lore.com/virginia. Make sure to put your favorites on your Whiskey Lore Wish List - for members only - but membership is free.
And for an extended version of this episode, become a member of the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy at patreon.com/whiskeylore
Black Draft Distillery (Martinsburg, WV) WF0051
What started as a horse farm is now the home of whiskey, fascinating flavors of vodka, and barns and a patio filled with music, cocktails, and a good number of soon-to-be friends.
Join me in the smoking room of the Black Draft Distillery as I chat with founder Glen Price about the evolution of his horse farm into an agritourism site and the home of fun weekend parties targeted to empty-nesters. I also find myself face to face with my own family's potential whiskey legacy, and we chat about the unique angle Glen takes on his tours of the distillery. Plus, we'll hear an ingenious spiritous ingredient Black Draft is making for your iced tea.
Enjoy this drive down I-81, but don't blink. There isn't a lot of West Virginia here in the eastern panhandle. You don't want to miss it.
Find this and other West Virginia distillery profiles at whiskey-lore.com/westvirginia and find an extended version of this episode with an extra 15 minutes of interview time at patreon.com/whiskeylore - available to Speakeasy and Club members.
Oak & Grist Distillery (Black Mountain, NC) WF0050
Just a few miles east of Asheville, North Carolina (which has held the honor as Beer City USA several times) is a somewhat sleepy community on the edge of the mountains, where Will Goldberg and Charlie Stanley are focused on distilling up two amazing spirits - an American Single Malt and a Dutch-style Jenever.
Their stories start with both wine and cheese - backgrounds that center them in agriculture, flavor, experience, and terrior. Their pot still distilled American single malt was developed thanks to some help from a long-time Speyside distillery manager. The results speak for themselves. Join me as I chat about the flavor experience, how art translates into the spirits world, and why people should make the effort to drive a few miles east when visiting Asheville.
Find more information about this and all the distilleries we feature on the show at whiskey-lore.com/flights
Today I braved Atlanta traffic for one of my favorite recorded interviews of the year. Join me as I chat with ASW's head distiller Justin Manglitz. A distiller, a fiddler. Somehow, without ever traveling to Scotland or Ireland, he pulled in the art of distilling from those storied whisky making areas, saw what was happening in America, and developed his own hybrid techniques from the two disparate philosophies.
Learning my lesson after not carrying a microphone around during my interview with Richard at St. Augustine, this time Justin and I walked through the distillery and had a deep chat about the process of making whiskey. Editing this episode was tough because we covered so much ground that I had to mine for the bits that will help you get an overall sense of the focus of this distillery without turning it into an hour and a half episode.
That said, if you want the full 90+ minutes of this interview, it is available at whiskey-lore.com/patreon If you're not a member of the Whiskey Lore Patreon family, you can get a free 7 day trial to check out the episode and all of the other exclusive content on the site.
St. Augustine Distillery (St. Augustine, FL) WF0048
Heading down to a beautiful distillery in a historic building in a town filled with its own history. Join me as I travel to the oldest continuously occupied town in the United States (did I get that right?) as we meet with Richard DeMontmollin, head distiller, and chat about the origins of the distillery, his family name, the wonders of the pot still, and free tours.
If you've been curious about that fountain of youth or have been hearing about the special whiskeys coming out of Florida, check out this episode.
And for travel information and more, head to whiskey-lore.com/flights and for an extended version of this interview become a member of the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy at whiskey-lore.com/patreon
Seven Three Distillery (New Orleans, LA) WF0047
Time to head down to the Big Easy to a distillery experience with a little swamp magic and a whiskey tree. In a town with so many cool things to experience, its time to get a feel for the hospitality and spirits produced by Luka Cutura and his team at Seven Three Distillery, just across the bridge from the Louisiana Superdome and a few blocks from Bourbon Street.
And check out an extra eight minutes of interview time with a free-trial of Whiskey Lore's Patreon patreon.com/whiskeylore
Crittenden Distillery (Kiln, MS) WF0046
Head to the deep, Deep South, down to the self-proclaimed moonshine capital of the United States, Kiln, MS. While it did snow here a couple weeks ago, this area is much more known for its heat and we're going to go step by step with Matt Crittenden through the distilling process and chat about various considerations along the way.
Patreon members are getting a rare treat - experiencing what it is like to walk through a distillery with me. Matt and I carry our mics around while he shows off his distillery processes and after a while, we forget the mics are in our hands. We talk sonic booms, evaporation, moonshine, cats, Vendome stills, and stogie batches. This is a 40 minute edit from an almost 2 hour long interview.
Join me for a fun look at a distillery that only runs tours about once a month. A distillery where whiskey clubs come to pick through some amazing barrel to whiskey combinations. And a family run distillery that evolved out of a need to step away from the long drawn out processes of litigation.
Find this and all of the other flights at whiskey-lore.com/flights
Dread River Distillery (Birmingham, AL) WF0045
The Deep South tour continues as I move through 48 great states and craft distilleries. Today I'm at Birmingham's Dread River Distillery meeting with their head distiller Joshua. We're going to dive into his experience moving from a Pennsylvania distillery into the heat of the South. We'll also learn about an American Single Malt experiment that took a unique turn, learn how Dread River fits into the Birmingham nightlife, and we'll attempt to meet Patty, the stray turned distillery cat. And what does Kudzu have to do with whiskey? We'll find out.
Join me and make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode of the Great 48 Tour of American Craft Distilleries. Find all of the flights at whiskey-lore.com/flights
Time to take a trek off the beaten path to a family run distillery that defines what it means to run a craft distillery business. For 10 years, Craig and Meredith Amick have grown the business from moonshine made on a flame fed pot still to a line of Bourbon's that are showing, even in South Carolina heat, the right craftsman can make a unique Bourbon filled with complexity.
Join me as we chat about Craig's family's 9 generations in South Carolina and how they've incorporated that history into their spirits. We'll also tackle the idea of making things you might not initially have excitement about and then excelling at them. And I'll reveal the first flavored vodka I ever fell in love with and on the extended Patreon version of this interview, I'll give my impressions of Hollow Creek's 8 1/2 year Bourbon that is still aging in its cask.
Find this distillery and more at whiskey-lore.com/flights
Rock Town Distillery (Little Rock, AR) WF0043
Today, I'm off on the last stop of my first swing through the country. The destination is Rock Town Distillery, where cocktails have become a specialty, and where you can taste the difference between column still and pot still whiskey - and maybe even taste some peated Bourbon and single malt.
Join me today as I chat with Phil Brandon, founder of Rock Town, as we talk about the distillery's 15th anniversary, getting started in non-traditional places, and some of the things people can experience at the distillery and around Little Rock.
Want no commercial interruptions, 10 extra minutes to this interview, and a higher quality file, become a Whiskey Lore Patreon member, get access to exclusive video interview archives, Bracketology voting, and more. Join the Speakeasy for as little as $5 per month and support whiskey history and the promotion of great craft distilleries. I look forward to seeing you.
patreon.com/whiskeylore
Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew
Hochatown Distilling Co (Broken Bow, OK) WF0042
What do you think of when you think of Oklahoma? Probably not beautiful green hills and Bourbon whiskey. Well, it is time to discover, along with me, one of the most beautiful parts of the state of Oklahoma, near the tourist town of Broken Bow, to learn about a distillery built on science.
Meet Blue McDaniel, co-founder of the Hochatown Distilling Company, a distillery that embraces the unique weather, local grains and lumber, and started with a scientific approach. It's a distillery that will help get you into the concept of distilling in a state long associated with temperance.
And to learn more about this and other distilleries featured on the show, check out the nearly 600 distillery profiles at whiskey-lore.com/travel
Ironroot Republic Distillery (Denison, TX) WF0041
The Great 48 Tour heads to a family run distillery that is celebrating 10 years of mixing French distilling techniques with Bourbon and other spirits. Join me as I chat with Robert Likarish, co-founder of Ironroot. We'll talk about the distillery's origins, working with barrels in Texas heat, and how they set their distillery experience apart from the rest.
Find details about Ironroot and all of the other distilleries we profile on the show at whiskey-lore.com/flights (and make sure to sign up for the free wish list feature, to keep track of your favorites).
Old Dominick Distillery (Memphis, TN) WF0040
Welcome to Memphis, the second stop on my Great 48 Tour of the United States and its amazingly creative craft distilleries. Today, we're skipping Graceland and heading straight downtown to Front Street, a couple stops from Beale, to enjoy some whiskey and Memphis history through the eyes of the Old Dominick Distillery.
Join me as I visit one of my favorite distilleries in the state, talk about the tour experience, the legends of Boss Crump and Prohibition, the grocer turned whiskey producer from Italy, and all the things you could pair with a trip to this very engaging distillery. It's time to get a taste of Memphis while I share plenty of travel tips for a Bluff City visit.
Find this and all past episodes and distillery profiles at: https://whiskey-lore.com/flights
Bard Distillery (Graham, KY) WF0038
It's time for the "Great 48 Tour" as I make my way across the country, visiting a craft distillery in each of the 48 contiguous states.
It seems appropriate to start this kind of journey in Kentucky, the state that helped bring whiskey back after Prohibition. But so many distilleries in east and central Kentucky are well established. Heading to Western Kentucky is like seeing the rebirth of distilling all over again.
Today's stop is the Bard Distillery (Stop #1), where Tom and Kim Bard established a distillery in the very schoolhouse where Tom got his education. During this visit, he gives us an education about the founding of Bardstown, how the couple met on the racing circuit, and how they are looking to evolve their distillery with the recent addition of a column still and development of a full-fledged visitor's center. All sorts of travel advice and This Week In Whiskey Lore in this episode.
Find this and past Whiskey Flights at whiskey-lore.com/flights
The unedited interview (with 11 extra minutes) available to members at patreon.com/whiskeylore
Kiwi Spirit (Golden Bay, New Zealand) WF0038
(A special extended version is available at whiskey-lore.com/patreon - available with the 7-day free trial)
It's time to head to the land of the Kiwi's - New Zealander's fun nickname. A few weeks ago, Kiwi Spirit was flying in the Whiskey Lore "Craft Distillery Fan Favorite" competition and reached the Sweet 16. I felt it was time to get to know them and their spirits better.
What I found out is that the distillery is on the edge of one of the most beautiful places in the world and is crafting some really fun and unique spirits. Their whiskey spends time barrels that once housed their honey mead - and if you heard our Ethanology episode, you'll know that doesn't necessarily mean you're going to be tasting honey from these barrels. We'll learn about that, get travel advice and more.
Plus, on The Week In Whiskey Lore, I'll talk about a major historical accomplishment that Rev. Elijah Craig may be closer to than being the Father of Bourbon.
Make sure to check out this and our past flights all around the world at whiskey-lore.com/flights
Hellyers Road Distillery (WF0037) Burnie, Tasmania
How many distilleries are there on the island of Tasmania? Wow, really?
It is time to take our first steps onto whisky island. So you thought that was Islay, right? Well, maybe by volume, but for the sheer number of distilleries, Tasmania has them by a mile.
Today, let's get a sense of what is going on in Tasmania, the flavors, the styles, the experiences, and the people. Join me as I chat with CEO Derek Charge or our Head Distiller Fiona Coutts of Hellyers Road Distillery to learn how a milk farm turned into a distillery and dive into details about the distillery fans drove up into our Sweet 16 Fan Favorite Craft Distilleries competition.
Plus, on This Week in Whiskey Lore, we'll see why whisky advertising in the US was non-existent for multiple generations. Plus, I'll give away what next year's Great 48 Tour will encompass.
Cheers! Drew
Hard Truth Spirits (Nashville, Indiana) WF0036
Over the years, I've been to a few distilleries that consider themselves "destination distilleries." On the way up through Indiana, I saw Hard Truth suggesting they were a "Top" destination distillery. In this episode, Gerry, Bryan, and Travis are out to convince me of it.
Join me on my last stop along the Midwest Great Lakes Tour 2024 as I visit the hill country of Indiana. And also find out about one of Canada's legendary distillers that time forgot - on This Week In Whiskey Lore.
And make sure to check out other great distillery locations at whiskey-lore.com/travel - I now have almost 600 featured.
O'Shaughnessy Distilling Co. (Minneapolis, MN) WF0035
The Midwest Great Lakes Tour 2024 is winding down, but not before we hit a jewel of the Midwest, Minneapolis and the distillery that is bringing together Irish and American spirit traditions. The distillery is O'Shaughnessy the home of Keeper's Heart. I'll chat with former brewer, now lead distiller Chris Sliber about how he and Irish distiller Brian Nation are building the perfect infusion of Irish Pot Still, grain, and American Bourbon and rye. We'll talk about pot stills, deconstructing whiskey, and what to expect while on tour.
Plus, fans of Prince will get a chance to be Prince for a Day and the latest edition of This Week In Whiskey Lore will go back 139 years to one of the ties to Tennessee's distilling history. We'll do it in honor of my Lost History of Tennessee Whiskey audiobook making it to Audible, iTunes, and Amazon.
Find this and 600 other distilleries on the Whiskey Lore Distillery Travel Guide
whiskey-lore.com/travelguide
45th Parallel Distillery (New Richmond, WI) WF0034
After a short (recording) layoff, thanks a a hurricane power outage, I'm back to finish off the last three visits on my Midwest Great Lakes Tour 2024. Today, we're off to a distillery with great fan support in an area just a little off the beaten path. It's 45th Parallel, just about 50 minutes east of Minneapolis. It's a distillery focused on grain-to-glass, getting most of their grains from the local community and they're working on a variety of spirits beyond Bourbon and Rye. We'll talk about one of them - aquavit. We'll also dive into their wheat whiskeys and how the distillery came about.
Also, on This Week In Whiskey Lore, we will celebrate the return of a Tennessee whiskey and I'll give some hints as to who my guest will be on the Whiskey Lore: The Interviews podcast when it returns this week.
Want to build a wishlist of your favorite distilleries? Whiskey-Lore.com/travelguide now features over 600 distilleries that you can bookmark and track with a free membership.
Lucky Guys Distillery (Hudson, WI) Whisky Flight 33
The sign says it all "mad scientist at work." Join me as I arrive on the border of Wisconsin and Minnesota and chat about all things bitters (including how they're made), cocktails, white whiskey, and what charcoal filtering really does. I'll be chatting with Lucky Guys founder Guy Whitehead.
And check out the growing list of distilleries available for you to plan trips to at whiskey-lore.com/flights
Great Northern Distilling (Stevens Point, WI) WF0032
Thanks to everyone taking part in our Instagram Craft Distillery Bracketology. Without you, I wouldn't have discovered so many great Wisconsin distilleries, including the one I'm visiting today in the heart of America's Dairyland, beer land, and now whiskey land.
During our visit, we'll learn about what potatoes bring to vodka, the special ingredients that make a Wisconsin Old Fashioned unique, and dive into the concept of the Wisconsin supper club with Brian Cummings, Great Northern's founder.
Plus on This Week in Whiskey Lore, we'll go back 130 years to the day Chicago went dry...at least in terms of distilling.
To see Whiskey Lore's online distillery travel guide, head to whiskey-lore.com/travelguide and look for distilleries with headphone icons to find episodes of our Whiskey Flights.
Ethanology Distillation (Elk Rapids, MI) WF0031
If you're into creativity and you love distilleries that push the boundaries, today's distillery has you covered. Nick and Geri Lefebre made gin and Bourbon, but they also make a pretty amazing spirit (2 ways) out of honey. Single malt and brandy fans might find this episode fascinating.
Nick and I sit outside, enjoying samples and talking about creative distilling, Michigan grain, B Corp Certification, and the search for flavor. The conversation was so fascinating, time flew by - so enjoy this extended interview as we say goodbye to Michigan with a special visit.
whiskey-lore.com/flights
Mammoth Distilling Co (Bellaire, MI) WF0030
A big thank you to Mammoth for inviting me to South Manitou Island for the Rosen Rye project. What an amazing experience. You'll hear about some of it in this episode with my guest, farmer, brewer, and distiller Collin Gaudard. He'll talk about how Rosen Rye got to America, how popular it was, how it went away, and how we got it back.
Also during this episode, we'll go back to the gangster era and hear how a little Tennessee town earned a nickname worthy of the most famous gangster.
And don't forget to add your favorite distilleries from the show to your Whiskey Lore distillery wish list. https://www.whiskey-lore.com/travelguide
Traverse City Whiskey Co (Traverse City, Michigan) WF0029
Way back in 2019 I was in my favorite Tennessee whiskey shop when I saw a bottle I'd heard about but hadn't seen in the wild. It was a bottle of XXX Traverse City Straight Bourbon Whiskey. I bought it and really enjoyed the flavor and the idea I was sipping something from the state I was born in.
Today, Traverse City is growing the spirits its making and focusing on the local cherry scene. Join me as I chat with Chris Fredrickson, co-founder of Traverse City Whiskey Company, meet the company dog, and get a sense of what's to come.
Extended tasting audio available on Patreon version at patreon.com/whiskeylore
Grand Traverse Distillery (Traverse City, MI) WF0028
When I started this journey to Michigan, I have to say, I knew very little about the distilling history of my birth state. Come to find out, this modern craft boom might just be the very start of its reputation in the world of fine spirits. And one of the first to fire up a still was Kent Rabish. Inspired by a trip to Oregon and his grandfather's still, hear the story of the early days of Michigan distilling, the thought process that goes into building a distillery, and why Grand Traverse is big in Michigan, but not really too far outside of it.
Plus, on The Week In Whiskey Lore, we will look back 150 years to learn how Cincinnati found itself taking the blame for flames in a pair of New Orleans distilleries.
And if you're interested in planning a trip to Michigan to visit distilleries and you want to get a wish list together, visit whiskey-lore.com/michigan and sign up for a free account. Then create the ultimate wish list.
Iron Fish Distillery (Thompsonville, MI) WF0027
It's time to visit distillery 2 on my journey through the great distilleries of the Midwest. The one stands as Michigan's first post-Prohibition farm distillery. Here grain-to-glass can be seen first hand, after a drive down one of Michigan's patented easy driving dirt roads.
Find out what makes this particular distillery tick, how they are handling sustainability, and what inspired these owners to attempt both farming and distilling - something they had zero experience with when they started.
And This Week In Whiskey Lore will focus on a battle between moonshiners and revenuers that locals went to calling a war.
And if you're interested in planning a trip to Michigan to visit distilleries and you want to get a wish list together, visit whiskey-lore.com/michigan and sign up for a free account. Then create the ultimate wish list.
Journeyman Distillery (Three Oaks, MI) WF0026
Welcome to the first episode of The Midwest Great Lakes Tour 2024! After a 692 mile drive from Greenville, SC, I arrived in Southwest Michigan ready to start a great 10+ distillery adventure through the Midwest.
My first stop was perfect. After an extremely long drive, I felt right at home with the Midwestern hospitality provided by Bill and Johanna Welter, the founders of the Journeyman Distillery. I have to say, I've seen their whiskey on the shelf, but hadn't given it a try. After my 4 hours at the distillery, I was enamored with the story, the building, the founders, and the experience. I captured an hour of that meeting here and an excited to share it with you.
Enjoy my return to the state of my birth and hear the story that starts in Scotland and ends with not one, but two distilleries between Michigan and Indiana.
And if you're interested in planning a trip to Michigan to visit distilleries and you want to get a wish list together, visit whiskey-lore.com/michigan and sign up for a free account. Then create the ultimate wish list.
Liberty Pole Spirits (Washington County, PA) WF0025
A historical rye, peated Bourbon, and tons of history - you know I'm there. Join me this week as I stop off at a distillery where turning your Alexander Hamilton painting upside down is considered the appropriate way to display it.
It's time to meet Jim Hough and learn about his family based distillery, focused on bringing back Monongahela Rye. We'll chat about this historic spirit and dive into some Whiskey Rebellion history. And, I'll give you tips on some cool things to pair with a visit to the distillery, including a sandwich topped with something quite unexpected.
Plus, on The Week in Whiskey Lore, I'll look at a famous single malt first and see if it holds up.
And if you're interested in planning a trip to Pennsylvania to visit distilleries and you want to get a wish list together, visit whiskey-lore.com/pennsylvania and sign up for a free account. Then create the ultimate wish list.
Stoll & Wolfe Distillery (Lancaster County, PA) WF0024
Since I first heard the story of how Dick Stoll, formerly of Michters, and Erik Wolfe partnered to keep alive a Pennsylvania rye distilling tradition, I've wanted to have him on the show. Today it happens.
We'll dig into the history of a local distillery with roots back to when the British and French were fighting over the Colonies. Then we'll look at how a legendary distillers, who began his distilling career with Michter's when it was in Pennsylvania, joined with a passionate whiskey enthusiast, to carry these stories and spirits into the future.
We'll also revisit a sad day in Bourbon County history, on This Week in Whiskey Lore. And we'll mix in some great side trips with our travels, including pretzels and chocolate. Check it out.
And if you're inspired to visit Stoll & Wolfe and other Pennsylvania distilleries, there are now 23 listed at whiskey-lore.com/pennsylvania in the Whiskey Lore Travel Guide.
Laws Whiskey House (Denver, Colorado) WF0023
Welcome to a special edition of Whiskey Lore's Whisky Flights. This is the "pilot" episode (no pun intended) that I recorded as a proof of concept back in the early summer, for this theater of the mind program surrounding trips to distilleries around the globe.
This is a chance to hear my original ideas for the structure of the show, while also hearing parts of the interview I did with Al Laws, founder of Laws Whiskey House.
See if you can spot the differences from the more recent episodes. And listen up, because I've got a couple of big announces in the intro of the show.
And watch for a Colorado series coming up later this fall.
Ahascragh Distillery (Ahascragh, Ireland) WF0022
From the day I first saw them post on Instagram about their conversion of a 19th Century corn mill into a distillery, I've been waiting for a chance to see it and hear the story behind it. Well, in 2022, I stopped by, but the construction was still underway and the stills had not yet arrived.
Today, you'll get to meet Gareth McAllister, one part of a husband/wife team that has taken a derelict mill, abandoned for 70 years, and turned it into the first fully sustainable distillery in Ireland's 700 known years of distilling. Join me as we learn how this modern facility is helping to bring a small village in East Galway back to life.
Plus, it's the 230th anniversary of George Washington's proclamation to the rebels of Western Pennsylvania. We'll celebrate with the details on This Week In Whiskey Lore. Plus all the travel tips you need to plan out a great Irish adventure.
See all the great craft distilleries we've visited so far: whiskey-lore.com/flights
Powerscourt Distillery (Wicklow, Ireland) WF0021
It's time to jump across the Irish Sea to check out one of the most magnificent settings for a whiskey distillery. Join me as we head to the home of Fercullen Irish Whiskey at the Powerscourt Distillery on the edge of the Wicklow Mountains.
We'll hear the origin story of the distillery, the history of the estate and mill, and hear how the distillery got its start under legendary Cooley distiller Noel Sweeney. Plus, This Week In Whiskey Lore will look back on a 135 year old ad for Dunville's Irish Whiskey that was sold as a cure for what ails you.
And if pique your interest in traveling to Ireland to do a distillery trip, make sure to pick up a copy of Experiencing Irish Whiskey (available on Amazon) or head to whiskey-lore.com/ireland to see a list of current distilleries you can add to your Whiskey Lore Wish List.
The Cotswolds Distillery (The Cotswolds, England) WF0020
Today, we head to the largest distillery in England by volume. A distillery you may or may not have heard of - but you soon will (especially since you're listening to this show). I sit down with the brand's Whisky Brand Ambassador Rob Patchett to talk about the evolution of the distillery, its New Yorker founder, the development of a world class tourist experience, and the spirits they are creating.
Plus, on This Week in Whiskey Lore, we'll revisit an event that happened 4 years ago, that brought a historic brand to a new home. And we'll trace the history of that brand back to just after the Civil War.
And if I pique your interest in visiting distilleries in this region, make sure to check out the 20+ English whisky distillery profiles at whiskey-lore.com/england.
White Peak Distillery (Ambergate, England) WF0019
Today, I head to the southern region of the Peaks District of England to enjoy some beer and whisky made from the same brewer's yeast - thanks to a partnership between White Peak Distillery and a local brewing neighbor.
White Peak has a fascinating story (and they make a lightly peated whisky, which drew my attention). We'll find out about their very unique building from their co-founder Max Vaughan, plus how they are managing casks, their unique warehouse, and what the tasting experience is like.
Plus, This Week In Whiskey Lore will dive into a forgotten community, started on the back of a distiller, and one connected to one of the most historic moments in technological history. Plus, since we are exploring the modern world of English whisky, we'll take a step back into England's relationship with whisky distilling.
It's a power packed episode! Perfect for a weekend listen.
And if I pique your interest in visiting distilleries in this region, make sure to check out the 20+ English whisky distillery profiles at whiskey-lore.com/england.
The Forest Distillery (Cheshire, England) WF0018
Join me for a visit to a distillery rich with stories, a high elevation, and a fun story of distilling on the stove to finding markets around the world. I'll chat with co-founder Karl Bond about how he and his wife Lindsay got into the spirits making business, find out about their unique location on the Cheshire/Derbyshire border, and the historic 19th century inn with the curious name that is now the home of their distillery.
And if I pique your interest in visiting distilleries in this region, make sure to check out the 20+ English whisky distillery profiles at whiskey-lore.com/england.
The Borders Distillery (Hawick, Scotland) WF0017
Today's Whisky Flight adventure takes me back to the Borderland region of Scotland and England, where we meet John Fordyce, one of the founders of The Borders Distillery.
Every distillery has a story and John relates how a town built on the textile industry became the perfect spot for making whisky in a sustainable environment. He'll tell us about the historic building they renovated, the unique way his distillers work, and what you can expect from a visit to The Borders Distillery.
And if I pique your interest in visiting distilleries in this region, make sure to check out the 20+ English whisky distillery profiles at whiskey-lore.com/england and the 75+ Scotch whisky distilleries at whiskey-lore.com/scotland
Cooper King Distillery (North Yorkshire, England) WF0016
Join me today as I chat with Chris Jaume of Cooper King Distillery. Of all of the different ways you can get interested in building a distillery, Chris and his wife Abbie found one of the most unusual paths. They were inspired to make English whisky, not by traveling north to Scotland, but instead by heading far to the South, to one of the world's growing whisky centers - Tasmania.
Hear their story and learn what inspired them about Tasmanian distillers and what processes and tools they brought back to the burgeoning English whisky scene.
And if I pique your interest in visiting England's distilleries, make sure to check out the 20+ English whisky distillery profiles at whiskey-lore.com/england
Ad Gefrin Distillery and Museum (Wooler, England) WF0015
If you know me, you know I love history. And when I can find some history I know little about, I want to immerse myself in it. Well, on my virtual trip to England, I'm about to take you to a place that is very easy to get lost in. It's a distillery that is combined with a museum and an archeological site. It's a chance to dive back into the days before the Vikings to learn about the lives of the Anglo-Saxon, while also enjoying a distillery visit and some nice drams in a beautiful setting.
Join me today as I enter The Borderlands of Scotland and England with a visit to Ad Gefrin Distillery and talk with our host Dr. Chris Ferguson.
And if I pique your interest in visiting England's distilleries, make sure to check out the 20+ English whisky distillery profiles at whiskey-lore.com/england
Tenth Ward Spirits (Frederick, MD) WF0014
To say Maryland and Frederick in particular have been an eye-opener is an understatement. There is quite a vibrant distilling scene in the state and it's more than just a revival of the state's historic rye whiskey heritage.
Today, I walk a few steps over from our last distillery experience to visit Monica "The Boss Lady" Pearce, as she talks about her journey from bartending to environmental science and then into the world of distillery ownership. We'll learn about her love for whiskey, her travels, and her secrets to making a unique distillery experience at Tenth Ward Distilling.
And if I've piqued your interest in visiting Maryland's distilleries, make sure to check out the 21 Maryland whiskey distillery profiles at whiskey-lore.com/maryland
McClintock Distilling (Frederick, MD) WF0013
Back during the early days of Maryland's distilling revival, Braeden Bumpers, co-founder of McClintock Distilling in Frederick, Maryland, and his business partner Tyler decided it was time to move out of the world of brewing and pursue their passion for whiskey. During my visit, Braeden will give us a sense of the challenges the duo faced in the early days as laws and regulations were fine tuned. Then we'll talk about their passion for using high-quality, organic, non-GMO, heirloom grains in their spirits. Plus, we'll learn the origins of their name, find out what unique piece of historic equipment they brought back to the distilling process, and find out how they are embracing local history through their choice of name. Let's explore small town America through the eyes of Marylanders.
Enjoy this episode and make sure to add this and any of the other Maryland distilleries to your Wish List. Find details, maps, and tour booking links at whiskey-lore.com/maryland
Sponsored by: Burnt Church Distillery (Bluffton, SC)
Sagamore Spirit Distillery (Baltimore, MD) WF0012
It's time to head north (just short of the Mason Dixon Line) to Baltimore, Maryland, where we're about to explore a distillery that shows is pride in Maryland Rye by only producing that one spirit. Join me as we talk with Ryan Norwood, the Director of Operations at Sagamore Spirit Distillery and learn what makes their spirits and a visit to their distillery special. I'll also give you a bunch of different activities you can take part in while in Baltimore.
And on This Week in Whiskey Lore, we'll take a look at Chattanooga distilling's past, present, and future.
Enjoy this episode and make sure to add this and any of the other 22 Maryland distilleries to your Wish List. Find details, maps, and tour booking links at whiskey-lore.com/maryland
Sponsored by: Burnt Church Distillery (Bluffton, SC)
Burnt Church Distillery (Bluffton, SC) WF0011
Time to head to the land of golf and beaches, right on the edge of Hilton Head Island. Let's explore the unique spirits being made at Burnt Church Distillery, learn about their mission to give back to their community, and get a feel for this beautiful facility and all it has to offer visitors. Plus I'll give you my three reasons to add Burnt Church to you Whiskey Lore distillery wish list.
And in This Week In Whiskey Lore, we'll look back on a time when an Islay classic made rose quickly from the ashes.
Enjoy this episode and make sure to add this and any of the other 11 South Carolina distilleries to your Wish List. Find details, maps, and tour booking links at whiskey-lore.com/southcarolina
The Striped Pig Distillery (Charleston, SC) WF0010
Time to visit my second distillery in Charleston on this trip - The Striped Pig. Winning honors as South Carolina Distillery of the Year, this woman-owned, family run distillery shows the power of having the employees being invested in the company's future. From distilling to the tour experience, to the mixture of tastes available, you may not have heard of The Striped Pig, but now you'll get a chance to learn about it from one of the family members Remy Exvall.
We'll find out about the history behind their fascinating name, Remy will tell you about some activities in the area, and I will give you my three reasons to visit, plus clue you in-to some of the things I like to do in Charleston. Plus, we'll have an Irish "This Week in Whiskey Lore."
Enjoy this episode and make sure to add this and any of the other 11 South Carolina distilleries to your Wish List. Find details, maps, and tour booking links at whiskey-lore.com/southcarolina
Sponsored by: Burnt Church Distillery (Bluffton, SC)
High Wire Distillery (Charleston, SC) WF0009
This week, I'm back in my home state and taking a drive through Revolutionary War country on my way to one of my favorite U.S. cities, Charleston, SC. Not only is there a ton of history, but you'll also fine amazing food, music, and of course beaches.
My host is High Wire Distilling's co-founder Scott Blackwell and he's going to tell us how he moved from bread and beer (liquid bread) into the distilling industry. Plus we'll hear of how he found the Jimmy Red Corn his distillery is known for. Plus, I'll have travel tips for getting around Charleston, a tip to help you impress your tour guide at the distillery, and my three reasons to put High Wire on your Whiskey Lore distillery Wish List.
Enjoy this episode and make sure to add this and any of the other 11 South Carolina distilleries to your Wish List. Find details, maps, and tour booking links at whiskey-lore.com/southcarolina
Sponsored by: Burnt Church Distillery (Bluffton, SC)
Leiper's Fork Distillery (Leiper's Fork, TN) WF0008
Today, let's dig into some history, as we travel to Leiper's Fork Distillery, just south of Nashville, and meet with founder Lee Kennedy. Lee is a fellow lover of history and he's done all he can to help bring some of Tennessee's heritage to his distillery - from the beautiful swan neck pot still to the 200 year old cabin the tasting room and gift shop sit in, to the stories told on the tours.
Sit back and relax and let me take you, through the theatre of the mind, to this wonderful distillery. And also enjoy This Week in Whiskey Lore, with an Irish focus, and stay tuned for my three reasons to visit Leiper's Fork.
Enjoy this episode and make sure to add this and any of the other 40 Tennessee distilleries to your Wish List. Find details, maps, and tour booking links at whiskey-lore.com/tennessee
Sponsored by: Burnt Church Distillery (Bluffton, SC)
Short Mountain Distillery (Cannon County, TN) WF0007
Imagine heading into the hills and taking in a 400-acre distillery property filled with relaxing activities, a restaurant, and of course a fun and informative distillery tour. That is the experience I had when I visited Short Mountain Distillery just over an hour east of Nashville.
Let me introduce you to Billy Kaufman, the distillery founder, who is looking to create one of the most unique experiences in Tennessee - or anywhere for that matter. Welcome to this week's Whisky Flight.
Enjoy this episode and make sure to add it to your Whiskey Lore distillery wish list at whiskey-lore.com/flights
Sponsored by: Burnt Church Distillery (Bluffton, SC)
PostModern Spirits (Knoxville, TN) WF0006
Welcome to the reason I'm doing these whisky flights. Yes, I love history, but I also love seeing what craft distillers are doing around the globe. And one of the distilleries that made a big impression on me when I traveled through Tennessee was PostModern, thanks to a nice 3 hour chat with one of its founders Ron Grazioso.
Ron has a unique way of looking at spirits, but he also has a respect for history. Yet, in PostModern, he is stretching the boundaries of whisky making, and I can't wait to share with you what you can expect at PostModern.
Enjoy this episode and make sure to add it to your Whiskey Lore distillery wish list at whiskey-lore.com/flights
Sponsored by: Burnt Church Distillery (Bluffton, SC)
Our Whisky Flight this week takes us back across the Atlantic and down to Kentucky, the home of bluegrass, horses, Bourbon, and a unique castle shaped distillery that was the vision of a legendary Bourbon marketer and whiskey producer.
Join me as I chat with Brett Connors of Castle & Key about the distillery's amazing history, the spirits they're producing, and the experiences you'll find there. I'll also give you travel tips, things to do in the area, and my top 3 reasons you should put this distillery on your Whiskey Lore Wish List at whiskey-lore.com/travelguide
Find details about this and past flights at whiskey-lore.com/flights
Sponsored by: Burnt Church Distillery (Bluffton, SC)
Way back in 2019, when I was traveling Scotland for the first time, I kept hearing the name Rosebank. For some reason, it didn't up my curiosity. But as 2021 turned to 2022, I found myself hearing the name more and more.
So, when it came time to choose a distillery to focus on as I virtually take us around the globe to different distilleries, Rosebank seemed like the perfect place to start.
But to be honest, I thought it was already open, because they had tours listed on their site. When I reached out to them, they let me know that was just pre-booking.
The distillery opens officially on June 7th, but my guest Stuart Hendry, Brand Home Manager of Rosebank is about to give us a behind the scenes sneak peek. Prepare yourself for a combination of history, architecture, and historic spirits recreated on this week's second Whiskey Flight.
Join me as I fly into Edinburgh and make my way north to the Spiritual Home of Scotch Whisky - Lindores Abbey. It's been a few years since I visited the distillery and back then, their spirits were still new to the world and had not aged the required 3 years to be considered whisky. But we took time to chat about their recreation of Friar John Corr's Aqua Vitae.
Now the whisky is here and the distillery is maturing into a nice profile of tours and experiences. We'll learn what has been going on with Lindores Abbey, get to know what the tours are like, how you can enhance your experience at the distillery, and find some cool side trips. Plus, we'll have another installment of This Week in Whiskey Lore.
Enjoy and if you find Lindores Abbey is a distillery you want to visit, head to whiskey-lore.com/flights and go to the profile to add it to your free wish list in the Whiskey Lore Travel Guide.
Cheers and sláinte mhath! Drew
Wow, two completely different countries here on the first day of Whisky Flights - neither known for whisky - but both with craft distilleries that are working to define the flavors of their countries.
As we began taking nominations for our Craft Distillery Bracketology on Whiskey Lore's Instagram, I put a call out for "world" craft distilleries. When Riachi was nominated by a Whiskey Lore fan, it piqued my curiosity about what a Lebanese whisky would taste like. Then Roy, the 8th generation winemaker and distiller sent me a DM and I instantly knew, I wanted him on the podcast.
It's time to stretch ourselves beyond the traditional distilling regions to kick this show off. Join me as I take you virtually into the mountains of Lebanon to discover Riachi's spirits.
Happy World Whisky Day 2024!
Today is the perfect day to release a brand new Whiskey Lore series called "Whiskey Lore's Whisky Flights."
As usual, I, Drew Hannush, am expanding the boundaries of what a whisky podcast can be.
For years I have traveled to distilleries in Scotland, Ireland, and the United States, talking to founders, distillers, and tour guides. This led to two best selling travel books (Experiencing Irish Whiskey and Experiencing Kentucky Bourbon) where I revealed the secrets of planning the perfect distillery get away. But books take a long time to write and publish and I have so many experiences I want to share.
So now, through "Whiskey Lore's Whisky Flights" you can pack yourself away in my virtual suitcase, as we travel together and learn about great craft distilleries all over this planet. It's something that is made possible, thanks to the power of podcasting, my storytelling, and a bit of imagination.
Join me on my first stop today, in a non-traditional whisky distilling region, South Africa, as we meet Pieter Van Helden and find out why knowing science is an important element in making whisky, and we'll find out more about the town of Parys, where the distillery is located, and maybe inspire you to visit.
As a companion to this podcast, check out the brand new distillery guide that is rapidly being built at whiskey-lore.com/travelguide. Here, you can build wish lists of your favorite distilleries and build your own whisky trail. And if you own a craft distillery, reach out to me at whiskey-lore.com/contact to see how we can feature your distillery.
Enjoy our first flight! It's going to be a wild and fun journey of discovery.
Cheers and sláinte mhath Drew
In a rugged corner of Northern Ireland, the hills of Inishowen whisper tales of rebellion and moonlit mischief. We'll meet Patrick, a humble tailor thrust into a high-stakes game of cat and mouse with excise officers. Then learn about the defiant distillers of Inishowen use any means at their disposal to preserve their livelihood. Join me on a journey back to the 19th century, where secret stills and hidden valleys echo with the spirit of rebellion.
And after a day off on my own historic journey around Ireland, I set out for Baoilleach Distillery in Donegal. I'll meet with Michael O'Boyle, the proprietor and see first hand, his commitment to using local grains and peat, along with his unique approach to distilling.
Welcome back to the countinued journey through Ireland's storied whiskey past, present, and future.
It's hard to imagine what the whiskey industry would look like today, if a certain excise man had succumbed to the wounds he received in Donegal in 1810. The early 19th century was a critical time for Irish whiskey. The Acts of Union had united the country with an empire and new markets were open for spirits.
But growing pains were the rule of the day. Large distillers and the Parliament were crushing small distillers and becoming jealous of those who were making higher profits off of their illicit poitín. A war was brewing out west and something was going to give.
Also in this episode, we'll rejoin Alfred Barnard as he travels from Galway to Limerick and I'll be stopping off at the Old Bushmills Distillery in Northern Ireland.
It seems appropriate that an episode featuring me taking a walking tour of Belfast with McConnell's Sarah Kennedy would sync up with the story of the Irish Rebellion of 1798. It was a pivital time in Irish history, when a last ditch effort was made to separate from the control of Great Britain. Its an event that would echo down through Irish history - especially in Belfast and Northern Ireland.
Hear the story of one of the rebellion's central figures and how one of the United Irishmen's own came to haunt one of Ireland's most historic distilleries.
And enjoy a cruise around Belfast, where - dare I say, I tasted the greatest beer I've ever tasted.
Cheers and Slainte mhaith!
The names of Jameson, Roe, and Powers all have a special place in the history of the success of the Irish whiskey industry. But none of them had the power and influence in the 18th century to take their whiskey around the world. This week, we'll meet that man who almost ruined Irish whiskey's reputation, while also setting it on a path to the massive success it would enjoy in the 19th century. Plus, I'll share my experience on my first day in Belfast at the McConnell's Sherry Cask whiskey launch.
For distillers in the 18th Century, the challenge was not getting crushed by tax revenuers because of a lack of quality devices or understanding of what makes a gallon, something that changed often over the centuries.
Listen as I dig into the history of proof and measuring volume, while we get visits from Alfred Barnard, John Quincy Adams, and I continue my historic journey to all of Ireland and Northern Ireland's active distilleries (save Cooley) and reach the home of Shortcross Gin and Irish Whiskey.
When it comes to firsts and oldests in whiskey, finding a clear answer is a challenge. This week, I'll take a look at some of the criteria around determining the oldest distillery and we'll see why finding an answer is so tough. Plus, I'll continue my journey around Northern Ireland with a visit to Hinch Distillery and Alfred Barnard and his mates will visit one of the challengers for the title oldest distillery in Ireland.
No one likes to pay taxes, especially distillers. And in the early days, when the government first started reaching into the pockets of farmer-distillers in Ireland, they put a serious face on tax avoidance. Yet distillers found creative ways to avoid these taxes.
It's time to take a deep dive into how Ireland ended up with whiskey taxes and the growing pains and wars that led to more and more government intrusion into the still house.
History is fascinating. It becomes even more interesting when you look at it through more than one lens. That is what I'll be doing this week - as I look at a complicated man whose first two potential victories in the North Channel were apparently snatched away by drink. His reputation on one side was as a pirate and the other as a patriot. We'll jump into that story.
And then I'll do a tasting of a gin named in his honor at Copeland Distillery. I hear what you're saying "Drew drinking gin?" Well, let's just say, this one has a nice whiskey twist.
History is fascinating. It becomes even more interesting when you look at it through more than one lens. That is what I'll be doing this week - as I look at a complicated man whose first two potential victories in the North Channel were apparently snatched away by drink. His reputation on one side was as a pirate and the other as a patriot. We'll jump into that story.
And then I'll do a tasting of a gin named in his honor at Copeland Distillery. I hear what you're saying "Drew drinking gin?" Well, let's just say, this one has a nice whiskey twist.
First, thank you for helping Whiskey Lore Stories reach 100k downloads and helping this show reach the Top 5 percent of podcasts worldwide!
This week, I'm going to go deeper into the background of the Scots-Irish. They are often credited with being the foundation of the Kentucky bourbon and Tennessee whiskey industries. It is something I've heard over and over at American distilleries - it is time to see if this statement holds water.
Plus, I'm on my way to Echlinville Distillery and will share my tasting adventure there as I continue my way through Northern Ireland and visit my 7th distillery on this epic journey.
First, thank you for helping Whiskey Lore Stories reach 100k downloads and helping this show reach the Top 5 percent of podcasts worldwide!
This week, I'm going to go deeper into the background of the Scots-Irish. They are often credited with being the foundation of the Kentucky bourbon and Tennessee whiskey industries. It is something I've heard over and over at American distilleries - it is time to see if this statement holds water.
Plus, I'm on my way to Echlinville Distillery and will share my tasting adventure there as I continue my way through Northern Ireland and visit my 7th distillery on this epic journey.
Join me as I leave Ireland for my first trip to Northern Ireland and go from one of the largest distilleries to one of the smallest. Yet, even though it is small, its head distiller Brendan Carty is earning a stellar reputation as the leader of what he calls Ireland's protest distillery...Killowen. And meanwhile, Alfred Barnard leaves Dublin and heads west across 19th century Ireland.
Join me as I leave Ireland for my first trip to Northern Ireland and go from one of the largest distilleries to one of the smallest. Yet, even though it is small, its head distiller Brendan Carty is earning a stellar reputation as the leader of what he calls Ireland's protest distillery...Killowen. And meanwhile, Alfred Barnard leaves Dublin and heads west across 19th century Ireland.
Why is there an "e" in Irish Whiskey? The popular belief is that four Dublin distillers, fed up with "silent spirit" made from column stills added the "e" to the word whiskey to separate their spirit from lesser quality spirits.
Say something enough times and it becomes everyone's truth. But is this really how whiskey got an "e?"
I decided to dig through some 18th and 19th century newspapers to get the answer. I also stopped off to visit John Teeling's Great Northern Distillery and had 2 amazing sips of whiskey - one from the 20th century, the other from the 19th! Join me for the experience.
Why is there an "e" in Irish Whiskey? The popular belief is that four Dublin distillers, fed up with "silent spirit" made from column stills added the "e" to the word whiskey to separate their spirit from lesser quality spirits.
Say something enough times and it becomes everyone's truth. But is this really how whiskey got an "e?"
I decided to dig through some 18th and 19th century newspapers to get the answer. I also stopped off to visit John Teeling's Great Northern Distillery and had 2 amazing sips of whiskey - one from the 20th century, the other from the 19th! Join me for the experience.
While traveling to over 40 distilleries in Ireland, there was one story I heard more than any other - about how a malt tax in 1785 created a tax avoidance scheme that resulted in the creation of Old Irish Pure Pot Still whiskey as a style. Is it true?
Well, what I find is quite unexpected. Apparently there was a malt tax that led to two great whisky empires. I'll tell the full story as well as share Alfred Barnard's 1886 trip to John's Road Distillery in Dublin and my trip to Boann Distillery and encounter with a 140 year old bottle of whisky.
In my quest to dig into Irish whiskey history, this may be one of my favorite episodes yet. We start off with one of the great legends of Ireland - a legend tied to the area I was traveling through, the Boyne River Valley. I get to visit Slane Distillery, taste their whiskey and head over to Boann to learn the experimental side of that distillery and more legends. Meanwhile, I dig deep into the 17th century, when Irish uisce beatha was gaining a great reputation in London, until a Dutch upstart stole the show. All this and a beheading and rebellion - this week on Whiskey Lore.
For centuries, the British royal crown and parliament have had a say over the distilling habits of the Irish. Where did it all start? I'll dive deep into the history to find an inception point for the control over distilling in Ireland. Meanwhile, Alfred Barnard will find his way to the largest distillery in the world and I'll make two stops on my visit, including one involving two kinds of unforgettable fires. Enjoy episode 4 of this Irish Whiskey journey.
As Sinatra said, "come fly with me" as we head to Foynes Airport in Ireland and learn how a stormy night and cold wet passengers led to one of the most iconic drinks in Irish Whiskey. We'll also follow along with Alfred Barnard and join him at the home of Powers Whiskey. And I'll continue my journey through the modern distilleries of Ireland with a trip to Tullamore DEW.
Time for episode 2 of my journey through Ireland, along with Alfred Barnard's historic trip to John Jameson & Son's famous Bow Street Distillery, and the story of a man who will turn your impression of the Irish and their love affair with drink on its head.
Welcome to Season 6! Join me for three amazing journeys into Irish whiskey.
We'll go back to the very origins of the spirit, see it rise to become the most popular whiskey in the world, and trace its from its fall to rebirth.
We'll also follow a 19th century writer on his historic journey to the Irish distilleries of the first boom. And I'll share my own historic journey, as the first person to travel to over 40 modern Irish distilleries as I give you a window into the industries rebirth.
We’ll meet rebellions, kings, inventors, drinks, distillers, heroes and villains, and we’ll dispel a few myths along the way.
Welcome to Season 6 of Whiskey Lore Stories!
When it comes to whiskey history in the United States, bourbon seems to get all of the accolades. But before there was bourbon, there was Pennsylvania rye.
Yet the most we hear about it, usually, is in association with the Whiskey Rebellion. Well, today we're going to change that, as I dive into the early history and development of Pennsylvania rye, dispel some myths, and find out what old Monongahela rye really is.
Today, we demand a certain amount of transparency with our food stuffs. But in the 19th Century when it pertained to patent medicines, everything was a cure-all! Even whiskey!
Hear the story of an enterprising distiller who decided his product was so good, it could cure just about anything. And he even got the government believing his marketing. This is the story of Walter Duffy and his miracle cure - Duffy's Pure Malt Whiskey.
And here more about it in my interview with Clay Risen of the NY Times on Whiskey Lore: The Interviews (available wherever you download your podcasts).
Who was William Johnson? The high sheriff of the Oregon provincial government seemed to be living a double life. And his moonlighting appeared to be as a trader, using a colorful potion to subdue his trading partners, the local tribes. Is the legend of Blue Ruin true? And what can it teach us about life on the frontier, the fur trade, and our history?
The question remains, who is the real whisky capital of the world? Was it Peoria, Illinois or Campbeltown, Scotland. Well, in this episode, I will draw a conclusion, but before I do that - I'll give you a better understand of just how big the "wee toon" as it was known, got to be.
I'll also talk about the ghost that haunts Glen Scotia, the mysterious painting that appeared on Davaar Island, and find out what remains of Campbeltown's old distilling days with Iain McAlister of Glen Scotia.
And beyond all the rumors and speculation, I'll reveal the forces that really brought this whisky behemoth to an end.
Step back to the very origins of scotch whisky, to an area that was once hailed as the Whisky Capital of the World.
We'll track the first Gaels from Ireland, meet the Lord of the Isles, and learn about a town that was one an ancient capital of Scotland called Dalruadhain, evolved into Lochend, and then boasted the largest collection of distilleries featured in one town, in the history of the British Isles. It's a lot of whisky and a lot of history in this two part journey.
In the powerful conclusion to this story about Joseph Greenhut's Whisky Trust, an infernal instrument of death is set to be deployed at one of the Distillers and Cattle Feeders Company's greatest rival distilleries and the conspirators are brought before the court.
And we find out why the Whisky Trust wasn't really a whisky trust after all. And later, we discover what happened to this powerful combination. Enjoy an extended part 3 of Whiskey Lore.
The quest for a solution to overproduction of whisky soon turns into a vehicle bent on total domination of America's alcohol industry.
At the center of this quest is the president of the infamous Whisky Trust, Joseph Greenhut. His success is so great during the first year, that he soon becomes emboldened to ratchet up the pressure on his biggest rival. And his methods soon cross the line.
And as Standard Oil and other trusts draw the attention of lawmakers, Greenhut makes a shift to keep the eyes of the law off of his business.
Join me for an epic mini-series as we investigate one of the darkest chapters in the history of whisky - the age of the Whisky Trust.
Built to help control and out of control industry, the Distillers and Cattle Feeder Trust started simply enough, with a goal of stopping the mass overproduction of alcohol.
But soon greed took hold of its founders and soon, any device necessary was used to bring the industry under their thumb. Even going as far as Japan to find resources to help them dominate their competitors.
Is it just clever marketing or is ocean aged whisky really something to behold?
Well, aging at sea is actually nothing new. In fact, the history of sea aging goes back centuries. Hear the story of these nautical spirits through the ages and climb aboard a ship may very well have sparked the move to American independence.
Hear more of Season 5 as a member of the Whiskey Lore Society. Your support will help in the creation of future episodes and seasons. https://www.patreon.com/whiskeylore
What is a "dusty hunter?" Find out in this week's episode and join me as we talk about the largest collection of Pre-Prohibition whiskey sold at a Christie's auction. Whiskey that sat for a century in two vaults owned by a man who helped put Los Angeles on the map and also brought its citizens plenty of whiskey.
And find out where I take 2 bottles of this Pre-Prohibition whiskey during my 6000 mile journey across the country. And find out how to see pictures of these old bottles and get tasting notes from those 2 century old bottles as a Whiskey Lore Society member.
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One morning, I opened my email and read about one of the most fascinating finds any whiskey fan could hope for. A paralegal from Los Angeles who is also a fan of the show, had a client who recently passed away, and within their house was a store of whiskey filled with the most fascinating history imaginable.
Not only from the dusty bottles themselves, but also the story of how they got there - a magical gift from the man who created what the Los Angeles Times called in 1919, "the wettest spot in America."
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Continuing my journey through the Mississippi Delta, I made a couple of stops including Rosedale, mentioned in Robert Johnson's Traveling Riverside Blues, and Dockery's Plantation.
My final stop was to be the final resting spot of Robert Johnson, but a surprise awaited me - and it would lead to a voice with first hand experience at partying at the juke joints - Poe of WABG-AM in Greenwood, MS.
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Join me as I go on a hunt for juke joints in the Mississippi Delta. Along the way I'll taste a hamburger fried in 100 year old grease. I'll talk about the Father of the Blues and the Home of the Blues. I'll search for Robert Johnson's home in the Delta. I'll spend some time relating some of the great information I learned from Roger Stolle and his book Juke Joint Confidential and I'll have someone offer me a building Ike Turner worked in.
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What a fascinating human being. Robert Johnson didn't live a long life, but he lived a full one for his years. Amazingly, researchers have retraced a large portion of his life and books released in the last 2 years have shown a bright light on who Robert the man was, rather than the legend.
In this episode, I will tell the story of that man. From the day he went searching for his father, to the uncovering of myths, and his families quest to bring him peace.
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"Waiting For a Train" by Jimmie Rodgers is in the public domain.
A lot has been written about Robert Johnson, the legendary blues guitarist of the 1920's and 30's - much of it is based on half truths and legends.
One of his most known legends is based in the story of the crossroads when he was said to have sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his guitar genius. But Robert faced more than one crossroad in his life. We'll look at the fact and fiction of Robert Johnson and see if we can find the real man behind the legends.
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The story of James Anderson and his journey to becoming George Washington's distiller is a fascinating one. It starts simply enough on a farm in Inverkeithing, Scotland. But circumstances around him dictate his future and he suddenly finds himself bringing his wife and seven children to a new world.
Listen to the story of a Scottish farmers journey to Mount Vernon and how he convinced a retiring president the benefits of the whiskey trade.
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The Battle of Bower Hill woke up Philadelphia and created quite a stir in President Washington's cabinet. It would result in George Washington and Alexander Hamilton taking a trip towards Western Pennsylvania and militia men being summons across four states. So what happened to David Bradford and the rebels? And what happened with the dreaded whiskey tax? Find out in this episode as we close out the Whiskey Rebellion.
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If you thought it was odd for Robert Wilson to go through torture to live out life as a spy, wait until you hear the comedy of errors that is George Clymer. If Hamilton wanted a war, he was making a pretty good show of it. And the episode ends with an epic battle that would forever be a symbol for the violence that took place in Western Pennsylvania.
Enjoy the prelude to the finale. The rebellion is on.
So what had the farmers of Western Pennsylvania all up in arms? In this episode, I'll take a look at the law that fired up the insurrectionists and I'll give you a view of what 1791 Pittsburgh looked like and talk about one of it's most respected citizens - General John Neville.
It wouldn't take long from Neville to go from hero to the object of scorn as men like Daniel and John Hamilton started planning meetings in Pittsburgh and Mingo Creek, discussing how to send the government a message.
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When you think of the Whiskey Rebellion, what comes to mind? Farmers not wanting to pay taxes? Alexander Hamilton goading President Washington into putting down an insurrection? Washington on horseback leading an army into Western Pennsylvania.
What if I told you that most of these assumptions are wrong? In part one of a series on the Whiskey Rebellion, I'll tell the story of the first victim of the rebellion, the events set up the rebellion, and how what many characterize as a fight for liberty - was actually a fight for survival.
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Mark Twain moves on and an initial silver rush in Virginia City fades. Frustrated financiers look for a way to off-load their investments just before the Comstock yield's its greatest bounty.
Meanwhile, two men - John Piper and William Brown find their own fortunes by serving up drinks, food, and entertainment to miners and money men alike.
Join Drew Hannush of Whiskey Lore and Chris Wimmer of Legends of the Old West and hear the fate of Virginia City, Nevada.
This bonus episode is the first of a series of podcasts hosted by Drew Hannush of Whiskey Lore and Chris Wimmer of Black Barrel Media and the Legends of the Old West podcast.
In part one, we look at the history of Virginia City and the Comstock Lode, including the namesakes for both. Chris also tells the story of a young writer named Samuel Clemens and Drew gives you a foundation's worth of knowledge about whisky in the Old West. The next episode will move onto a deeper history of the Big Bonanza and the saloons of Virginia City.
The story of Jack Daniel and Nathan "Uncle Nearest" Green could have been something much different - but in the hands of Fawn Weaver, she looked past headlines and social media to find the story behind the story.
And her findings have led her to build a foundation in Nearest's name, a distillery in his honor, and it also brought her and the Jack Daniel's Distillery together to create an initiative that will help change the whiskey industry going forward.
In 2016, Best Selling Author Fawn Weaver was in Singapore with her movie executive husband, when a New York Times International article caught her attention. Was it possible that in an industry known for its Scots-Irish roots, actually had its biggest selling whisky taught to its founder by a slave? But the accompanying photo told a different story. And what Fawn uncovered, changed her life.
What does a microscopic North American aphid have to do with scotch and Texas whisk(e)y? Quite it bit it seems. And a man name T.V. Munson is the common denominator.
From his home in Denison, Texas, Thomas Volney Munson was summoned to save the Cognac region of France from a vine damaging insect called Phylloxera.
And his work would inspire two brothers who would build their distillery and name it in honor of their local hero - a hero that the Cognac region still reveres today.
Take a journey on the Helena Sloman, a ship en-route from Hamburg, Germany to New York City, carrying the hopes and dreams of John Phillip Nelson, a candle and soap maker who sold everything to give his family a wonderful new life in America.
Join me to hear an immigrant's story and how it lead to the most successful Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey of the 19th Century. I'm joined by John Phillip's 4 times great grandson Andy Nelson, of Nelson's Green Brier Distillery and producer of Belle Meade.
It is amazing how much the real estate market of 2008 and the scotch whisky industry of the 1890s have in common. Rampant speculation, inflated prices, and so many people caught up in the action that they couldn't see the coming disaster.
And at the center of the whole affair were two brothers who had taken over their father's dairy business, turning it into a whisky blending house and then getting caught up in greed, success, and incredibly bad business practices. This is the story of the great Pattison Crash.
Whiskey loves its firsts. From the first person to char a barrel for aging, to the first mention of whisky in the exchequer rolls, there seems an obsession with finding out where things started. And they are usually positive subjects.
But what about something like Prohibition? Which was the first state to go dry? That question raised its head when I heard about a famous shootout that led one state to jump to prohibition a full eleven years before the Volstead Act. Were they the first?
I'll investigate, in this week's episode.
Have you ever had an occasion not to order or talk about a particular whisky, simply because you were a little concerned about your ability to pronounce it?
In this episode, I'll help you get over your fear of mispronouncing scotch whisky names by showing you some simple examples and helping you understand the origins of these names.
It will all lead to a fable about a whirlpool, a knight and a maiden performed by actor Tom Wylde. Charles MacKay's "The Kelpie of Corryvreckan."
During my interview with Lori Carcich, the founder of Country Smooth whiskey, she brought to my attention a detail about women in the whiskey industry that took me totally by surprise.
In this episode, I'll look at some of the pioneering women of whiskey like Helen and Elisabeth Cumming, Catherine Carpenter, Dr. Rachel Barrie, and I'll begin my search for the first female whiskey founders.
After Dr. Crow and Oscar Pepper passed away, the history of Old Crow would take a dramatic turn. James E. Pepper would be the new generation taking over the old distillery, but Old Crow would move on, with a little help from Colonel E.H. Taylor.
In this episode, I'll take a look at 130 legendary years that followed this tumultuous period. And I'll talk with David Meier of Glenn's Creek Distilling, the current owner of the Old Crow Distillery ruins, about what he is doing to preserve the legacy of Dr. James C. Crow.
Amazing, for all of the people who talk about him in the bourbon industry, Dr. James C. Crow's life is somewhat of a mystery. Born in Inverness, Scotland in 1789, he moved to America and landed in Kentucky. When people say his name, they usually talk about two things, his work with the sour mash process and his Old Crow whiskey. But his influence on the bourbon industry can't be understated.
Yet there are no biographies about his life. In fact, there is little written about him at all.
In the season 3 premiere episode, I'll talk about how Dr. Crow made his way to Kentucky and what happened when he got here. I'll also set up a discussion about the brand and whiskey he was instrumental in creating - a whisky that was considered one of the greatest and then suddenly lost its place among America's great bourbons. Find out on this week's episode.
Last week we looked at the growth of one of the biggest bourbon making areas in Kentucky - an area that at its peak had nine distilleries, but at the turn of the century had just about forgotten its whiskey past.
Join me this week as we examine the area's downfall, the Kentucky Whiskey Trust, the families as they faded away, and the future of New Hope. My special guests are Wally and Charles Dant of Log Still Distillery. Listen to what they have in store for this once great whiskey area.
One of the great centers of the bourbon industry in the late 1800's started with humble beginnings in the deep woods of Kentucky near present day Pottinger's Creek. But drive around the area today and you would hardly know that this place was once the home of upwards of nine distilleries - selling whiskey from Boston, Massachusetts to San Francisco, California.
This is the origin story of New Hope, Kentucky and the surrounding area. It features the names Basil Hayden, J.W. Dant, George Willett, and other bourbon whiskey legends.
Featuring special guest J.W. "Wally" Dant of Log Still Distillery in New Hope.
I've heard people defending why you should spell whisk[e]y with an "e" and without an "e" - but I haven't heard anyone give me a good explanation of where these two spellings originated or why each has found its own hooks in certain countries.
So in this episode, I'll take a look at the origins of the word and see if we can determine the best way to navigate this spelling minefield.
This week I look at two mysterious tragedies in the history of scotch whisky. One takes place at the Laphroaig Distillery on Islay and the other at Glenturret Distillery.
I also provide details about several steps in the process of making scotch whisky.
Join me and Lucy Armstrong, Development Manager and unofficial historian for Glenturret Distillery and we learn of the tragic story of Grace Gow and find a silver lining in an otherwise sad tale.
What is the source of this "father of" obsession we have? Who was the Father of Baseball; who was the "Father of the Internet;" who was the "Father of Radio;" and who was the "Father of Bourbon?"
There is a highly publicized answer that graces a bourbon bottles and historic signs around Kentucky, the Reverend Elijah Craig. I'll take a look at his life and see if we can spot his relationship to the origins of "America's Native Spirit."
In this week's episode, I investigate a couple of legends built around whiskey barrels, distillery cats, bourbon, and scotch whisky. I also head to Glenturret Distillery in Perthshire, Scotland to ask questions about the most famous and prolific distillery cat of them all, Towser.
I'll also unveil the background on the name of the whisky Monkey Shoulder.
This week, we look at New Orleans and Bourbon Street as a potential source for the name of "bourbon" whiskey. We'll cover the theories that suggest this famous street's influence on bourbon's name and unveil a secret about Bourbon Street that most people are not aware of.
Elizabeth Pearce of the Drink and Learn podcast joins me as we dig into the origins of the name of bourbon whiskey.
In this modern world of brands and brand names, it is hard to fathom that no one seems to know the story behind bourbon whiskey and how it got that name.
In this episode, we'll dive deeper into names and the history surrounding the name "Bourbon" in America - and we'll look at two sources that could lead us learning how bourbon got its name.
False facts are all around us. And one that has been with us for almost 80 years is the "tongue map." That little visual we were shown in our textbooks as children is not quite as true as we've been led to believe.
Join me as we talk tasting history, learn how to we taste, and apply that to how we approach experiencing whisky and writing our tasting notes. Cheers!
An entry in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland in 1494 points to Friar John Cor and a group of Tironensian monks as the likely source of the first aqua vitae provided to the king. This record has brought the home of these monks, Lindores Abbey, fame as the spiritual home of scotch whisky. But is it?
Join me and Drew McKenzie-Smith, founder of Lindores Abbey Distillery, as we look further into the history of distillation on this historic property.
There has long been a quote attributed to President Lincoln, when he was pressed about his decision to put a potential drunkard in charge of the Union Army. Is this legend true?
We'll look at the origins of the quote, the drinking history of Ulysses S. Grant, the quandary that Lincoln found himself in, and see if we can make a connection to Old Crow whiskey. (Be 21+)
The Four Roses brand you know and respect today, may have literally been your grandfather's and great-grandfather's favorite whiskey. But at the peak of its popularity in 1958, it was inexplicably removed from American shelves and remained a distant memory for almost 50 years.
Join me as I invite Four Roses Brand Ambassador Al Young to help me tell the story of the rise and fall and rising again of Four Roses.
In Part 1, Ernest Shackleton is knighted for his attempt at the South Pole. Carelessly he leaves some whisky behind that is discovered and recreated by Richard Paterson. In Part 2, Sir Ernest Shackleton attempts to trans-navigate the continent of Antarctica, only to lead his men through one of the most incredible (if not THE most incredible) survival adventures in mankind's history.
This is the story of two men. One, a Polar explorer affectionately and respectfully referred to as “The Boss;” and the other, a master showman and master distiller whose uncanny ability to blend and analyze scotch whisky earned him the nickname “The Nose.” And at the beginning of this decade, these two would have their paths cross in a most unusual way - over three bottles of scotch whisky, a set of handcuffs, and a century of patient waiting.
As we come up on the 100th anniversary of the enforcement of the Volstead Act, it's time to look at some of the weird and diverse laws that govern spirits across the United States. With a 10th Amendment that allows each state to create its own laws, there is no wonder figuring out where to buy your bottle in each state can become quite the mystery.
When you see a bottle of Cù Bòcan Single Malt Whisky know that the name was inspired by a spectral beast that roams the Highlands of Scotland. Is it wolf? Is it a ghost dog? Hear the legends that compel villagers to take extra precautions when driving the hills of this beautiful Scottish town.
007 James Bond often takes the blame for the decline of whisky sales in the 70's and 80's. But is he really to blame? We'll take a look at the man who defines cool for many and see how much influence he really wielded. And we'll look at the man who personified cool before Bond, James Bond. A fun story looking back Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack in Las Vegas.
Food fraud was a rampant in the 18th and 19th Centuries. The Industrial Revolution had taken food quality out of the hands of the individual and on to business owners. Adulteration and food fraud would find its way into whiskey and one Kentucky distiller decided to fight back.
Why do a podcast around whisky history? There are so many great stories to tell. And it's not just what is in the bottle, it's what happened to help create that bottle, or bring that bottle to you. It's about the mysteries and lore that has been built up around brands, distilleries, and the whiskies themselves. And in this episode, you'll see how these stories can touch you in ways you'd never imagine.
The story of two very different individuals and ways to market their whisky. First James "Cobbie" Allardice, who when having trouble getting sales started, stumbled into a very unconventional way of promoting his guid GlenDronach whisky. And second a whisky maverick named Tommy Dewar who would revolutionize the way Scotch whisky was marketed with his creative flair for grabbing attention.
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