The Whiskey Lore® Podcast

Today, we're taking the week off from the Great 48 Tour and giving some much needed time to Scotch whisky and history. Join me as I chat with Stewart Walker, longtime Distillery Manager of Fettercairn in the Highlands of Scotland.

We're going to dive back into the the origins of the distillery, the Prime Minister whose family owned Fettercairn at one time and his impact on Scotch whisky, the distillery's distinctive flavor profile, and how to make a 40 to 46 year old whisky wake up before it's bottled.

Enjoy this commercial-free version on both Patreon and the regular Whiskey Lore podcast feed. I'm celebrating, as I close in on the completion of my next book Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing American Whiskey. We'll get back to whiskey travel next week and I may even have the book ready for pre-orders.

Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew

Brush Creek Distillery (Saratoga, WY) WF0077

As we reach the end of the western swing of the Great 48 Tour, I reach the most sprawling and scenic distillery of the trip. Out in the wilds of Wyoming, isolated from the rest of the world stands a 30,000 acre ranch and luxury resort with a distillery, underground speakeasy, and some unique ways to reuse elements of its whiskey barrels.

Join me as I chat with the Managing Director of the distillery Andrew Wason. We'll talk about who turned him onto this job, how that same person inspired him to put whiskey on the rails, and the "blank slate" in began with, and the industry veteran he leaned on for to get things going in the right direction.

It's a fascinating conversation talking about an incredible destination. Patreon paid subscribers, get an extra 20 minutes of conversation---commercial free.

Headframe Spirits (Butte, MT) WF076

Today, a bit of a hybrid episode. As part of the Great 48 Tour, I decided to revisit a distillery in the mining town of Butte, Montana. It's a distillery that tells the story of Butte America and the town's mining legacy through its spirit names. So, not only was I fascinated by it's storytelling, I was also intrigued by the fact I've seen stills around the country with Headframe's logo.

So, I wanted to dive a little deeper with founder John McKee, who not only has a passion for making a unique (for America) style still, but also is a great ambassador for the town of Butte.

A good bit of history, some talk about whiskey, and a wee bit of a technical deep dive into what makes his stills different from the pot stills and column stills we see throughout the industry.

Enjoy this interview/flight with an additional 5 minutes of content as a member of the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy: patreon.com/whiskeylore

Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew

Up North Distillery (Post Falls, ID) WF075

Occasionally I visit a distillery that stretches the imagination of what spirits can be. Randy and Hilary Mann have just such a distillery in the upper reaches of the Idaho panhandle. Up North not only makes a delicious single malt (featuring one of my favorite tasting notes) they also make barrel aged and barrel finished honey spirits, brandies, and a fascinating spirit that was inspired by a Bavarian spirit.

Join me as we taste through some of these unique spirits and learn what it takes to distill honey, turn people on to brandy, and taste through a wide spectrum of spirits.

Whiskey Lore Speakeasy fans get an extra 12 minutes of interview time. Join on a 7 day free trail at patreon.com/whiskeylore

Browne Family Spirits (Spokane, WA) WF0074

As we hit the midway point of the Great 48 Tour, we're hitting the furthest point northwest on our tour. Our destination is a distillery that lives in the shadown of a massive grain mill on the eastside of town. It's known in the area for great and innovative cocktails, its owners came from the wine industry, the distiller is a Kentuckian, and the whiskeys are filled with depth and character.

Join me as I chat with Aaron Kleinhelter, master distiller, about working with Pacific Northwest grain, how he gets so much flavor from his spirits, and life for a Kentuckian in Eastern Washington.

And enjoy a few extra minutes of interview time as a member of the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy, by joining at patreon.com/whiskeylore while supporting this independent podcaster.

Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew

Oregon Spirit Distillers (Bend, OR) WF073

Over the last 3 months, I've been scouring the United States for distilleries to list in my upcoming Experiencing American Whiskey book. But I've also been trying to find other things that would help whiskey fans discover new distilleries in each state. It was while trying to learn about Oregon's whiskey festivals that I was introduced to Brad Irwin, co-founder of Oregon Spirit Distillers. Brad and his wife Kathy run the annual Oregon Whiskey Festival each September at their distillery. It is just the kind of festival I was look for.

So when it came time to plan out a trip to Oregon for a distillery visit on my Great 48 Tour, I thought, maybe I should stop by and see what this distillery is all about. Join me as I chat with Brad about starting with a wheat whiskey, how it differs from a "wheater" and talk about why the classics are always the best.

Plus, I'll be popping into a store that many of you probably thought has long since disappeared.

Enjoy an extended version of the podcast at patreon.com/whiskeylore as a member of the Speakeasy and support this independent podcast.

Hinterhaus Distillery (Arnold, CA) WF072

Today the Great 48 Tour climbs over the Sierra-Nevadas into the great state of California. The drive in featured mountains, huge Sequoias, and some hairpin turns. The first signs of life (beyond some bikers and travelers at overlooks) occurs when you see the sign for Hinterhaus Distillery.

This is a distillery I've long wanted to visit, thanks to the great support it got in my Instagram Fan Favorite Craft Distillery competition last year. The trip didn't disappoint. The Randalls are making some amazing whiskey without a lot of background. Quality ingredients, trying to stay as California as possible for terroir, and a love for experimentation. I've been enjoying the flavors I've discovered on this trip and Hinterhaus is a big part of that flavor story.

If you're a member of the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy at patreon.com/whiskeylore then you've got a full hour of conversation to listen to. We'll dive deeper into the pros and cons of wild yeast, dealing with grains in drought conditions, and how Nate Randall set up a distillery without a single consultant. We'll also go through several whiskies and even a brandy on top of the 2 we taste for the podcast feed.

Enjoy this trip to the edge of the wilderness.

Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew

READ THE TRANSCRIPT: whiskeylore.org

MORE WHISKEY HISTORY: patreon.com/whiskeylore

Frey Ranch Distillery (Fallon, NV) WF071

Four years ago, I had the pleasure of chatting with Colby and Ashley Frey of Frey Ranch Distillery. They had just released their first batch of Bourbon and so we discussed that, but also took a deep dive into farming and how having direct control over the grain is such an advantage.

Well, the Great 48 Tour was heading through Nevada and so where better to stop in officially (since that first visit was a Zoom call) than on the farm that houses both grain and distillery. And what I visit it was. I got to walk through the malt house, see the distillery, and then get a fascinating tour of the distillery, complete with a fly over (you'll have to listen to find out what that was all about).

This is definitely a deep dive episode and no worries if you heard the original interview, we're covering all new ground here, including some tastings of the great experimental whiskies that were just starting to age the last time I talked to the Freys. I will tell you though, you're going to miss a lot if you just listen to the 35 minute episode that is on the Whiskey Lore Podcast feed. On Patreon, I chat for an addition 25 minutes with dives into some of the on-going experiments at the distillery as well as some insider info and details about how Colby is making his own peat like substance. Find it at patreon.com/whiskeylore

Sugar House Distillery (South Salt Lake, UT) WF0040

After an incredible drive up through one of (if not) the most beautiful states in the country, I made my way to South Salt Lake in Utah for my third stop on this western swing of the Great 48 Tour. My host is James Fowler of Sugar House Distillery. If you thought High West was the only name in Utah spirits, you're in for a surprise.

James took me on a tour of the distillery, the barrel room, and then rolled over a cart filled with whiskey bottles, where we taste through Utah Bourbon, rye, and single malts. While sipping, we'll talk about how customers react to single malt, James' evolution from beer to distilling, and the special conditions James deals with in Utah.

For fans wanting an even deeper dive into the tastings including their vodka and beer inspired Bourbon, become a member of the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy at patreon.com/whiskeylore and get an extra 30 minutes of this interview, plus additional travel information. At the same time you'll be supporting this independent podcast.