Back in 2019, while preparing for my first season of the Whiskey Lore Stories podcast, I took a trip to Scotland to learn the story of Cù Bòcan, the spectral animal that is said to haunt the village of Tomotin in the Scottish Highlands. I learned of the story while reading the back of a box of Tomatin's peated single malt Scotch and was curious to hear more. When I contacted the nearby community of Strathdearn, I was introduced to Duncan Bryden, a man knowledgable about the legends and history of the area. I met up with him and we took a walk through the woods across from the Tomatin Distillery and he helped fill me in on the history of the area, including the legends of the last wolf of Scotland, the story of the Witch of Laggan and other local tales. For the last 4 years, this interview has been tucked away, only available to my Patreon members. But since I am now putting all of my Whiskey Lore Stories episodes on YouTube, I thought I'd bring this back for all the new listeners to the podcast and the long time loyal listeners who just can't get enough history. Cheers! Drew

Talking Ghost Dogs, The Last Wolf of Scotland, and Scottish Highland Distiling with Duncan Bryden

Join Best Selling Author Drew Hannush as he talks with the founders, distillers, authors, historians, and brand ambassadors that lead us to a greater understanding of the whiskies we love - and the ones we should know more about.

Drew not only explores the history of bourbon, scotch, rye, and other world whiskies, he seeks to broaden our understanding of styles, regions, and the distiller's craft through deep dives with those in the know. Each episode is meant to be as pertinent today as it will be well into the future.

Enjoy the journey - cheers and sláinte mhath!

Bourbon, Scotch, Irish, Japanese, American Single Malt, French, Indian, no whisky category is off limits.  

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Back during the Pandemic, I was chatting with a friend of my from New Mexico about whiskey and I noticed on the Zoom call how many bottles of Laws Whiskey House spirits he had on his back shelf. He was a real fan. And that piqued my interest. So when I was traveling back from California on a major road trip, I made a quick stop into the Denver-based distillery. It didn't take me long to fall in love with their San Luis Valley Rye. I heard stories that this rye was hand picked from wild rye growing in this region. Was this some romanticized tale that was going around or was it true? Who better to ask than the man behind not only that rye, but also a four grain bourbon, wheat whiskey, and malt whiskey. Join me for my conversation with Al Laws.

Finding Colorado's Grains of Distinction with Al Laws of Laws Whiskey House

This week, I continue my conversation with Alan Bishop as I toss him one of the little gems I found in my research about Kentucky Bourbon. The question must be asked, when did Kentucky move from pot stills and log stills to the modern column and thumper/doubler combination? We might be pretty close to an answer. It is time to move on to the late 19th century and learn what distillers like James C. Crow and other legends were using in their distilleries and why. And we'll find out Col. E.H. Taylor's opinion about Kentucky's modern distilling tools.  Enjoy this week's dig into the history of distillation.

The History of the American Still (Part 2) with Alan Bishop

While digging into the history of Kentucky Bourbon, I kept hearing this nagging voice in my head saying - you need to understand stills to tell this story. Yes, I do know modern stills and have seen them used on both sides of the Atlantic. But these big column stills are not what American whisky was originated on. And, in fact, some of those old style stills have all but disappeared, such as the three-chamber still, kettle stills, and saucer stills. Knowing that Alan has dabbled in all different types of distillation using a variety of stills, I felt it was time we had a discussion about the evolution of stills and how American's have made whisky from the early days. In this first part of our conversation, we'll focus heavily on the stills and techniques of early distillers. Then next week, we'll see the evolution in distilling and see how we got to where we are today. Enjoy this fun deep dive.

The History of the American Still with Alan Bishop

In this episode, I sit down with Becky Garrison, author of 'Distilling in Washington: A History,' to explore the fascinating history of whiskey distilling in Washington state. We uncover the early days of the industry, its impact on Native American tribes, and how drinking culture evolved over time. From the origins of terms like 'hooch' and 'skid row' to the pivotal role of saloons in state development, we uncover a rich, often overlooked narrative.  Additionally, we dive into prohibition's complex history, including its intersection with women's suffrage, delayed enforcement, and the challenges faced by distilleries and breweries. From smuggling tales to the legacy of gentleman bootlegger Roy Olmsted, we journey through Washington's past, ending with a look at the vibrant culture of modern craft distilling and its unique distillery trail. Join us as we uncover the stories behind the labels and raise a glass to Washington's spirited history. 

The History and Future of Distilling in Washington State with Author Becky Garrison

Join me as we head to Western Kentucky, to meet a man who took his moonshining skills and family traditions and found a way to legalize them and give people a taste of moonshine culture and spirits distilled in one of the most unique looking stills you'll ever see - the square coffin still.  Enjoy my conversation with Arlon "AJ" Casey Jones of the Casey Jones Distillery. Lots of stories, history, and a tasting of their 7 year old barrel proof moonshine. Enjoy! Cheers! Drew

Talking Ghost Dogs, The Last Wolf of Scotland, and Scottish Highland Distiling with Duncan Bryden

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