The Whiskey Lore® Podcast

As a historical researcher, one of the time periods I seem to have the least knowledge of is the history of this latest whiskey boom. As luck would have it, today I get a chance to dive into that history with someone who lived it.

Meet Noah Rothbaum, the author of the upcoming book The Whiskey Bible: The Complete Guide to the World's Greatest Spirit. For 25 years, he's seen whiskey go from inconsequential in an era where whiskey tr...

Oaklore Distillery (Matthews, NC) WF067

Charlotte. Where is that? North Carolina? South Carolina? You'd be surprised at how many people get tripped up by that. Today though, let it be known we're going to explore the whiskeys of Oaklore Distillery in Matthews a town that is definitely North Carolina.

Join me as I chat with Tom and Matt, the founders of Oaklore who share their passion for whiskey and the process of creating their un...

Company Distilling (Lynchburg, Thompson Station, Townsend, TN) WF0066

Way back in December 2021, I sat down with former Jack Daniel's Master Distiller Jeff Arnett in episode 45 to talk about his new venture - Company Distilling. We talked about how he fell into a job at the company, his rise, and the impact he had on that brand. Then we dug into his decision to join with other Tennessee entrepreneurs to create Company Distilling. I...

Back in the 19th century, when Ireland ruled the whiskey world, distilleries didn't bottle their own whiskeys. Instead this was left to whiskey bonders who took barrels of aged spirit and blended, distributed, and marketed them to the world as Irish Whiskey. As the industry consolidated during the 20th century, the roll of the bonder all but disappeared. But today, this Irish legacy has come alive once again with Shane McCarthy and...

Isle of Raasay Distillery (Isle of Raasay, Scotland) WF0065

Returning to Scotland to visit one of my favorite young distilleries. Join me as I take you to the little island off the coast of the Isle of Skye and the distillery that was built by a blender with the idea of creating the perfect components for crafting a flavorful young whisky. Alasdair Day, co-founder of the distillery, joins me to explore the unique aspects of Raasay ...

Copper Mule Distillery (Hermann, MO) WF0064

Back in 2001, I stumbled upon a beautiful section of Missouri, just west of St. Louis known as Missouri Wine Country. That trip saw me stopping off at my first ever tasting experience - at the Stone Hill Winery. A couple trips later, I discovered there was whiskey to be had in the German community of Hermann. Now, there are several distilleries and I bumped into ...

Originally meant to be my 63rd Whiskey Flight podcast, I had no idea what a historical goldmine I was stumbling into when I reached out to Cindy and Andy Sudderth of R.M. Rose Co Distillery.

In this conversation, Andy Sudderth shares not only his own family's legacy in distilling, but also what he's learned about the historic RM Rose Distillery. We'll learn about Rufus Rose, a Connecticut Yankee who joined the fight with the Confed...

How many times have you driven down I-75 through South Georgia, not knowing there were quality distilleries to be explore just miles off each exit? Join me as I chat with the owner of one of these distilleries, Brian Higgins of 1861. We'll explore the distillery's history, the quirky customs associated with whiskey, the myth about limestone water in Kentucky, and the specialty grains he's using in his six-grain Bourbon. 

Brian shar...

In today's conversation, I'm joined by Joe Beatrice and Tripp Stimson from Barrell Craft Spirits. We're going to dig into the art of whiskey blending, the unique characteristics of their products, and the intricacies of whiskey tasting. We'll explore the artistic differences between blending and distilling, the importance of maturation, and the flavor profiles of Barrell's whiskeys, including Seagrass and Foundation Single Barrel. 

Stone Fences Tours (Versailles, KY) WF0062

Listeners of Whiskey Lore know I have a passion for do-it-yourself travel. Still, not everyone is like me and maybe for your first trip to Kentucky, you'd prefer to have someone take you to the state's amazing distilleries. Or maybe you want the advantage of not having to measure your fun against your ability to drive afterwards.

Leaving the experience in a tour c...

In this conversation, Drew Hannush interviews Dr. Pat Heist, co-founder of Wilderness Trail Distillery, exploring the journey from a small farmhouse distillery to a significant player in the whiskey industry. They discuss the scientific approach to distilling, the impact of the Renewable Fuels Act, the evolution of fermentation practices, and the importance of data collection in whiskey production. Dr. Hei...

New Riff Distillery (Newport, KY) WF061

As we continue to celebrate the release of Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing Kentucky Bourbon: Second Edition, time to visit one of the new breed of distilleries in Kentucky. As one of the few independent distilleries of size in the state, still family-owned, New Riff has found a way to spread their whiskey nearly coast-to-coast.

As those beautiful and uniq...

Whiskey Thief (Franklin Co and Louisville, KY) WF060

Surprise, surprise, we're going to have a repeat guest to the show today. Distilling director Lisa Wicker (formerly of Limestone Branch, Huber's Starlight, and Widow Jane) joins us along with Walter Zausch, owner of the Whiskey Thief Distillery. If you've never been, you're missing one of Kentucky's most unique distillery experiences. From the barn and f...

Augusta Distillery (Augusta, KY) WF059

The month-long celebration of the release of Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing Kentucky Bourbon: Second Edition continues with a journey to the Northern Kentucky region that is home to New Riff, Neeley Family, Boone County and others. But did you know, along the Ohio River, below Cincinnati and northwest of Lexington there are three distilleries just waiting...

RD1 Spirits Distillery (Lexington, KY) WF058

Today, we start a journey through Kentucky, visiting some of the great distillery experiences that have arrived since the release of my first edition of Experiencing Kentucky Bourbon in 2020 - as I celebrate the launch of the expanded Second Edition this week.

Our first guest is Barry Brinegar of RD1 Spirits of Lexington. His new distillery experience is a perfe...

Iron City Distilling (Creighton, PA) WF057

It's time to head back to Pennsylvania, to visit one of the only three chamber stills in America and experience another side of Monongahela Rye. Join me as I chat with master distiller Matt Strickland and company president Peter Katz about how Iron City Beer got into the distilling world, discuss my experience at the distillery, and find out how you learn to disti...

Minden Mill Distillery (Minden, NV) WF056

Taking a short break from the Great 48 on-site visits for a virtual visit to a location I visited when it lived under a different name - Bently Heritage. When they reached out to me about potentially doing an interview - I jumped at the chance.

First, if you don't know about this distillery, you should. It is one of the coolest distilleries in the world. Today, it ...

Painted Stave Distillery (Smyrna, DE) WF055

For our 17th of the Great 48, I thought I was going to have some trouble tracking down a whiskey distillery in Delaware, but low and behold I found a fun one in the Painted Stave. Ron and Mike had a particular vision (and name) for this distillery, but sometimes plans change. In this case, rather than a distillery that distributes across the states, they've honed...

Dad's Hat Distillery (Bristol, PA) WF054

Been a long time since I've been in eastern Pennsylvania and I have good reason to be here now. I'm taking part in a Pennsylvania whiskey documentary AND I'm getting to enjoy some fantastic distillery visits. This week, it is the place where the Pennsylvania rye revival took off...thanks to a magazine article and a wonderful wife who supplied her husband with the be...