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