The Whiskey Lore® Podcast

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)