The Whiskey Lore® Podcast

By Drew HannushSociety & Culture Arts Places & Travel Food

The Whiskey Lore® Podcast episodes

April 05, 2021 Colin Spoelman (Distiller and Author of Dead Distillers)
Join me as I chat with Kings County Distillery co-founder Colin Spoelman, the author of a curious and entertaining whiskey history book called Dead Distillers.
We'll talk about the origins of New York distilling, how Colin started his journey by moonshining in Brooklyn, we'll discuss the "who was the first to make bourbon" question, and discover a history of New York distilling that goes back to the Dutch West India Company.
1 hr 30 min
March 29, 2021 Interview: Royce Neeley of Neeley Family Distillery
When you start planning your trip to bourbon country, you will have a lot of unique choices of distillery experiences. One of the most unique is Neeley Family Distillery.
Distillery Royce Neeley will tell us his family's journey to the new world, how it got to Kentucky, and some of the dangers the family faced. We'll also discuss some of the very unique processes they use in making their award winning whiskey and moonshine.
41 min
March 15, 2021 Juke Joints, Whiskey, and the Blues - Part 2 (Featuring Poe of WABG-AM)
Continuing my journey through the Mississippi Delta, I made a couple of stops including Rosedale, mentioned in Robert Johnson's Traveling Riverside Blues, and Dockery's Plantation.

My final stop was to be the final resting spot of Robert Johnson, but a surprise awaited me - and it would lead to a voice with first hand experience at partying at the juke joints - Poe of WABG-AM in Greenwood, MS.

Support production of future seasons of Whiskey Lore at patreon.com/whiskeylore
21 min
March 08, 2021 Juke Joints, Whiskey, and the Blues: Memphis to Clarksdale
Join me as I go on a hunt for juke joints in the Mississippi Delta. Along the way I'll taste a hamburger fried in 100 year old grease. I'll talk about the Father of the Blues and the Home of the Blues. I'll search for Robert Johnson's home in the Delta. I'll spend some time relating some of the great information I learned from Roger Stolle and his book Juke Joint Confidential and I'll have someone offer me a building Ike Turner worked in.

Support production of future seasons of Whiskey Lore at patreon.com/whiskeylore
23 min
March 01, 2021 The Fight Inside: The Crossroads of Robert Johnson (Part 2)
What a fascinating human being. Robert Johnson didn't live a long life, but he lived a full one for his years. Amazingly, researchers have retraced a large portion of his life and books released in the last 2 years have shown a bright light on who Robert the man was, rather than the legend.

In this episode, I will tell the story of that man. From the day he went searching for his father, to the uncovering of myths, and his families quest to bring him peace.

Support production of future seasons of Whiskey Lore at patreon.com/whiskeylore

"Waiting For a Train" by Jimmie Rodgers is in the public domain.
37 min
February 22, 2021 Whiskey, Death, and the Devil: The Crossroads of Robert Johnson
A lot has been written about Robert Johnson, the legendary blues guitarist of the 1920's and 30's - much of it is based on half truths and legends.

One of his most known legends is based in the story of the crossroads when he was said to have sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his guitar genius. But Robert faced more than one crossroad in his life. We'll look at the fact and fiction of Robert Johnson and see if we can find the real man behind the legends.

Support production of future seasons of Whiskey Lore at patreon.com/whiskeylore
27 min
February 18, 2021 Jimmy Rout all about Memphis, Blues, and Juke Joints
It's always great to chat with someone who love to share information about their town. Jimmy Rout (Shelby County Historian) had a chance to see the rebirth of Beale Street in Memphis and he is going to take us around the town that was and the town that now is. We'll hear about W.C. Handy, Boss Crump, and even Old Hickory makes an appearance in a tavern in Memphis...or did he?
32 min
February 15, 2021 McCauley Williams of Blue Note Bourbon
Back in October, Lindsay reached out to me on behalf of B.R. Distilling Company. She mentioned that they had just won 5 gold medals at the 2020 MicroLiquor Spirit Awards and wondered if I wanted to chat with their CEO McCauley Williams about their Blue Note Juke Joint Bourbon and Riverset Rye.
Always looking for a tie into history and being a music fan, I found it the perfect opportunity to learn about this new entry into the whiskey market, blue notes, and juke joints.
40 min
February 13, 2021 Steve Bashore of George Washington's Distillery (Upstairs)
Steve and I continue our discussion of George Washington's distiller James Anderson and I get a chance to taste two of the rye whiskies made on-site using 18th century methods. We also talk about researching whiskey history and whether it is better to stick to traditions or evolve. And I'll also tell you how, as a Whiskey Lore Society member, you can hear more with Steve, including tips on when to visit.
43 min
February 11, 2021 Steve Bashore of George Washington's Distillery (Downstairs)
Enjoy my conversation with Steve Bashore, Director of Historic Trades at George Washington's Mount Vernon, Distillery and Gristmill.
In this interview, we walk around the distillery and Steve talks about recreating an 18th century distillery, George Washington and James Anderson, and the use of Mount Vernon's crops.
He also walks me through the process of making George Washington's rye and brandy.
46 min

About The Whiskey Lore® Podcast

From the publisher's feed

The Whiskey Lore Podcast, hosted by best-selling travel author Drew Hannush, is a captivating exploration of whiskey's rich history, myths, and modern craft distilling culture, appealing to both enthusiasts and curious newcomers.