The Whiskey Lore® Podcast

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.

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

Time to get to know Maker's Mark from its origins to today.

Beth Buckner, Senior Manager of Innovation and Blending at Maker's Mark reveals the story of Margie Samuels and her influence on the Maker's Mark bottle and brand. Then, we go step by step through all of the classic and new Maker's Mark expressions to build a complete picture of what the brand's whisky is at its core. Beth delves into the creation of Makers 46 and the use of French oak staves. She highlights the Wood Finishing Series, a storytelling series that explores different flavor profiles, and she discusses the importance of consistency in the whiskey-making process. We'll also learn about barrel entry proof and its impact on flavor, as well as the role of the Beam Suntory Blenders Committee and how Maker's has become a favored choice for Scotch distillers. Then we'll learn what's next for Maker's Mark.

In this episode, Drew Hannush and Jerry Daniels dive into their top 10 favorite historic bourbon brands, each with its own unique story and impact on the bourbon industry. They explore the rich histories behind each brand, highlighting the people like E.H. Taylor, George Garvin Brown, J.B. Dant, and Paul Jones Jr., who shaped the bourbon world. Tune in to discover the fascinating tales behind these iconic brands and why they've earned a spot on Drew and Jerry's top 10 lists.

Welcome to a history filled episode that is sure to stir up some debate. This week, I welcome back to the show Jerry Daniels of Stone Fences Tours. Last time we got together, we had a countdown of our favorite Kentucky distillery tours - this week, we're going to fill your ears with history as we compare our own Top 10's of our favorite Kentucky whiskey brands.

Join me on Patreon.com/whiskeylore to let me know your favorites.

In today's episode, Ian Weir from Ian McLeod (makers of Smokehead) and Elliot Walker from Blowfish Glass join me to talk whisky and glassware. We will delve into the traditional techniques used to create the glass, including the intricate process of hand-blowing glass. We also explore the origins of Smokehead single malt whisky, highlighting its distinctive smoky profile and tasting three expressions. We'll see how a specially designed Smokehead glass works versus my favorite Copita and the tumbler. It's a unique episode for Whiskey Lore: The Interviews, originally recorded for the YouTube channel. Hope you enjoy it.

In today's episode, I chat with Brian Haara, an attorney specializing in bourbon law, and the author of Bourbon Justice: How Whiskey Law Shaped America. We discuss Brian's interest in law and how he got involved in the bourbon industry. We also explore the challenges of researching old lawsuits and deciphering handwriting in old documents. I'll do a tasting of a surprise historic whiskey and we'll talk about those unique characteristics, including its heavy body and long-lasting flavors. Finally, we'll dive into the fascinating career of E.H. Taylor and talk about his financial troubles, his many lawsuits, as well as his shift to Bottled-in-Bond whiskey. We'll also highlight Brian's charitable work within the bourbon industry and the generosity of bourbon enthusiasts.

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

Back for 2024 with a new lineup of interviews. Kicking off talking about rye whiskey (a fascinating grain I want to spend more time with this year). We're going back Pennsylvania where rye whiskey made its presence known during and after the Revolutionary War. I'm joined by Maximilian Merrill the founder of a new distillery that is bringing back Somerset County distilled Monongahela rye and introducing a Maryland style rye.

Think you know the story behind the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897? Well, if you listened to the episode in Season 1 or have read any modern literature on it, prepare to be shocked.

During my research for my new book The Lost History of Tennessee Whiskey, I bumped into an obscure piece of information from 1895 that turns the entire narrative around Colonel E.H. Taylor and the Bottled-in-Bond Act on its head.

In this episode, things will start as they did when I created this episode in 2019, along with some subtle changes. Then, the episode will take a wild turn and you'll hear a story hasn't been told in over 125 years. Prepare to "re-learn" history.