This might be the most unique bourbon story we’ve ever shared. Recorded at Larrikin Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, we sit down with Australian founder Greg Keeley to taste and discuss Larrikin Rosewater Bourbon.
Instead of using spring water, this bourbon is proofed with rosewater, inspired by Greg’s time in the Middle East and the cultural tradition of rose tea. The innovation took more than a year to be approved by the TTB, but it’s now officially recognised as Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey — the first of its kind.
We talk about the process of creating Rosewater Bourbon, the ups and downs of starting a craft distillery in Kentucky, and Greg’s journey from the Royal Australian Navy to running a distillery just down the road from Wild Turkey.
If you love bourbon innovation, heritage, and Australian connections to Kentucky whiskey, this episode is for you.
Chapters:
00:00:13 – Kicking off at Larrikin Distillery 00:02:19 – Meeting Greg: an Australian making bourbon in Kentucky 00:04:19 – How Rosewater Bourbon was created & approved by the TTB 00:06:21 – Craft distilling challenges in Kentucky & floral tasting notes 00:08:29 – Balancing fresh vs dried rose petals (trial & error process) 00:09:33 – Keeping bourbon true: flavour vs gimmicks 00:10:40 – From the Navy to Kentucky: Greg’s personal journey
Popular Podcasts
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.