Armchair Explorer: Travel and Adventure Inspiration

Moonshine, Mad Scientists and The Scariest Distillery in the World: On Location on the Tennessee Whiskey Trail


Listen Later

Armchair Explorer goes on-location!

"Whiskey is a combination of fire, water, wood, time - and feelings."

Join host Aaron Millar as he samples a recipe as old as the Revolutionary War; visits a haunted prison that distills one-of-a-kind moonshine; meets a mad scientist blending chemistry and artistry in the glass; and learns the untold tale of the legendary whiskey maker that the world never got to meet.

Spanning 600 miles across the state of Tennessee, the Tennessee Whiskey Trail takes visitors through dozens of craft distilleries where no sip is like the last. Along the way, distillers share the inspiring - and often grisly - stories behind whiskey production in Tennessee, illustrate the process of creating a unique flavor, and of course, offer some delicious pours. Whether or not you're already a whiskey drinker, this episode will have you ready to pour a glass!

How about a musical chaser with that glass?

The Whiskey Trail has a sister series exploring the soundtrack of America, made in Tennessee! Produced in a documentary style, the Tennessee Music Pathways series takes listeners on a more than 1,000-mile road trip, from Bristol and the birth of country music to Memphis and the start of rock n’ roll. Along the way, listeners will hear bluegrass played fast as lightning and traditional Appalachian music performed live in the Great Smoky Mountains. Follow along as host Aaron Millar shops in Elvis’ favorite clothing store, bangs drums in the studio that made Uptown Funk, learns to play the spoons and drinks whiskey in a distillery housed in a more than 100-year-old former prison.

The Tennessee Whiskey Trail knits together 25 distilleries across the state, offering visitors an immersive experience rich with history, culture, and taste. Learn more and plan your visit at TNWhiskeyTrail.com.

The Tennessee Music Pathways is a guide that connects visitors to the rich musical heritage of our state. Visitors can curate their own path based on interests using an interactive guide at TNmusicpathways.com. Follow the conversation on social media using or searching hashtag #tnmusicpathways.

TNvacation.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Thank you to our guests:

  • Heath Clark, Company Distilling companydistilling.com
  • Alex Castle, Old Dominick Distilling olddominick.com
  • Bill Lee, Gate 11 Distillery gate11distillery.com
  • Stanton Webster, PostModern Spirits postmodernspirits.com
  • Nick Bianchi, Lost State Distilling loststatedistilling.com
  • Canaan Brock, Brushy Mountain Distillery brushymtndistillery.com
  • Fawn Weaver, Uncle Nearest Distillery unclenearest.com/distillery
  • Visit Memphis memphistravel.com
  • Visit Chattanooga visitchattanooga.com
  • Visit Knoxville visitknoxville.com
  • Discover Bristol discoverbristol.org

  • Share the show with your friends! Subscribe to the podcast wherever you're listening, follow @armchairexplorerpodcast on Instagram and Facebook, check out Armchair Explorer's website, and learn more about APT Podcast Studios on their website.


    This series was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Aaron Millar wrote and presented it, Jason Paton did the field recording and production. Theme music by the artist Sweet Chap

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Armchair Explorer: Travel and Adventure InspirationBy Armchair Productions

    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8

    4.8

    205 ratings


    More shows like Armchair Explorer: Travel and Adventure Inspiration

    View all
    The Dirtbag Diaries by Duct Tape Then Beer

    The Dirtbag Diaries

    2,597 Listeners

    Outside/In by NHPR

    Outside/In

    1,489 Listeners

    Adventure Sports Podcast by Curt Linville

    Adventure Sports Podcast

    515 Listeners

    Travel with Rick Steves by Rick Steves

    Travel with Rick Steves

    168 Listeners

    Travel with Amateur Traveler Podcast by Chris Christensen

    Travel with Amateur Traveler Podcast

    38 Listeners

    Zero To Travel Podcast by Jason Moore

    Zero To Travel Podcast

    831 Listeners

    Outside Podcast by Outside

    Outside Podcast

    2,124 Listeners

    Wild Ideas Worth Living by REI Co-op

    Wild Ideas Worth Living

    1,258 Listeners

    The Frommer's Travel Show by Pauline Frommer

    The Frommer's Travel Show

    148 Listeners

    Women Who Travel | Condé Nast Traveler by Condé Nast Traveler

    Women Who Travel | Condé Nast Traveler

    616 Listeners

    Points North by Interlochen Public Radio

    Points North

    281 Listeners

    The Wild with Chris Morgan by KUOW News and Information

    The Wild with Chris Morgan

    3,383 Listeners

    Where to Go by DK Travel

    Where to Go

    27 Listeners

    The Atlas Obscura Podcast by SiriusXM and Atlas Obscura

    The Atlas Obscura Podcast

    1,715 Listeners

    There's More to That by Smithsonian Magazine

    There's More to That

    129 Listeners