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

Cooperstown Distillery (Cooperstown, NY) WF084

Time to take a journey to a town filled with baseball lore and memories---and some great whiskey tasting experiences.

Join me as I chat with Gene Marra, a native New Yorker who worked in the culinary arts and wine world before opening a distillery in the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

We'll have some interesting things to chat about. Gene will reveal why he thinks New York Bourbon is superior, we'll taste a Bourbon, rye, and single malt, and we'll find out how he prepared London judges before tasting his single malt. Plus, we'll talk about the cool signature baseball decanters they produce.

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.

Vermont Spirits (Quechee, VT) WF083

While reaching out to distilleries across the country for my new book Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing American Whiskey, quite a few caught my ear in terms of the techniques they were using to make spirits.

Vermont Spirits was one of the few that caught my ear because of something other than whiskey. Yes, they make a Maple-infused Bourbon, but it was their distillation of maple syrup for their vodka and gin that fascinated me. The natural inclination would be to make rum. So, what is it that pushed Vermont Spirits to construct a distillery to focus on distilling vodka?

We'll also dive into their Bourbon and barrel-aged gin that could easily pass for a rye whiskey.

Join me as we visit the last of our New England distilleries on this amazing Great 48 Tour.

Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew

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

WARNING: DJ Voice Enabled

Welcome to a year end countdown of the Top 40 independent craft distilleries as voted on by you. We'll count down from #40 to #1 and I'll share bits of interviews, personal notes, distillery insights from the new book Experiencing American Whiskey, and a few interesting side-bits, like what are the top 10 states for whiskey distillery experiences.

It's a fun hour to round up an amazing year and to reward these great distilleries with some extra coverage on the Whiskey Lore Podcast.

Enjoy and happy holidays to you all! Drew

For pre-orders of Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing American Whiskey whiskeylore.org/shop (US only)

Boston Harbor Distillery (Dorchester, MA) WF081

Meet the co-founder of Samuel Adams, whose real passion was whiskey. Rhonda Kallman helped craft beer get on its feet, so why not craft whiskey? We'll talk about her background, the historic building she found to house the distillery, the legend who helped get her on the right foot with distilling, and we'll taste rye, single malt, and something called Demon Seed.

It's a fun conversation and (if you haven't noticed) I've been putting out longer versions of the podcast for free members on Patreon. It's kind of a holiday thing, but I am also excited about the release of my new book Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing American Whiskey. If you're in the U.S. you can pre-order your copy at whiskeylore.org/shop I'll be putting an order in for them in the next few days and hope to have them by the end of December (although the holidays have a way of stalling things). I'll send them out with free shipping and a signature, if you order now and you should receive it before the January 13th release date.

Thanks for listening and hope you enjoy this fun conversation.

Cheers and slainte mhath,

Drew

Working Man Distillers (Pawtucket, RI) WF080

Quite a day in New England, I'll be conquering five states! Leaving Connecticut, I head to Pawtucket, Rhode Island to meet John and Kelly Lendall, the owners of Working Man Distillery. I sit down with John to discuss the evolution of the distillery, the move from Massachusetts, and the marriage proposal that hinged on distilling.

I wish I had some time to hang around, John tells me about a Family Guy experience in Providence. Enjoy our conversation and if you want to add this distillery to your Whiskey Lore Wish List, head to whiskeylore.org/rhodeisland and add some other distilleries to your list. This is a small state just itching for a trail. Also, this is the last week to get a discount and signed Whiskey Lore books (US only) for your favorite whiskey fan. whiskeylore.org/shop

Litchfield Distillery (Litchfield, CT) WF078

Join me as I enter New England as part of the Great 48 Tour. Today I chat with Peter Baker, a co-founder of Litchfield Distillery in Connecticut. Along with his two brothers they made a decision to expand beyond their three-generation family bottled water business and get into the world of whiskey.

We'll talk talk about their development of an American single malt, their use of Connecticut grain, taste a couple of whiskeys including their oldest release to date. And we'll dig a little into the history of bottled water (no, it isn't a recent phenomena). We'll also hear the story behind their logo and tagline, and the importance of legislative changes that allowed them to offer tastings and on-site sales.

And, if you'd like to gift a signed copy of Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing Kentucky, The Lost History of Tennessee Whiskey, or Experiencing Irish Whiskey for Christmas, make sure to order at whiskeylore.org/shop before December 12th to get them for a great low price and free shipping.

Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew

Milk Street Distillery (Branchville, NJ) WF0078

On the way to New England for the Great 48 Tour and I took a few backroads through northern New Jersey to discover unexpected scenery, the influence of unmalted barley, and two brothers who left construction jobs to take advantage of New Jersey's evolving laws on distilling.

Join me for a laid back conversation with Mike and Gordon Geerhart, founders of Milk Street Distillery. We'll find out the story behind the names Murder Bourbon and War Penny, I'll test my palate on rum, and we'll find out what wild and crazy things happen here on Saturday nights.

Don't forget, there are 20 more minutes available in this interview to members of the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy. Try a 7-day free trial at Patreon.com/WhiskeyLore and find the perfect book for the whiskey lover on your holiday list at whiskeylore.org/shop (discounts and free U.S. shipping).