Whiskey Lore: Stories artwork

Whiskey Lore: Stories

124 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 32 ratings

Join Best Selling Author Drew Hannush as he explores the rich stories, myths, and legends that surround a world of whisky. From the origins of Bottled-in-Bond, to finding the real Whisky Capital of the World, to dispelling myths about how we smell, taste, and enjoy whisky. Bourbon, scotch, rye, Irish, etc - no matter your favorite, Drew is telling the stories that will enrich your experience.

History Arts Food kentucky legends scotch tennessee whiskey bourbon history irish stories whisky
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Episodes

The Life and Times of Washington's Distiller (feat Steve Bashore from Mount Vernon)

February 08, 2021 15:00 - 42 minutes - 39.7 MB

The story of James Anderson and his journey to becoming George Washington's distiller is a fascinating one. It starts simply enough on a farm in Inverkeithing, Scotland. But circumstances around him dictate his future and he suddenly finds himself bringing his wife and seven children to a new world. Listen to the story of a Scottish farmers journey to Mount Vernon and how he convinced a retiring president the benefits of the whiskey trade. Support production of future seasons of Whiskey ...

Interview: Dr. Jim Ambuske and Jeanette Patrick of the Washington Library

February 04, 2021 03:00 - 56 minutes - 52.1 MB

How did George Washington go from dealing with the whiskey rebellion to opening his own distillery? Well, I went to Mount Vernon to find out the answer to that question and ended up learning so much more. Join me as I talk with Jim and Jeanette about Washington's management style, his distiller and distillery, and some of the myths that surround him.

The Whiskey Rebellion: Military, Diplomacy, or Bust?

February 01, 2021 00:30 - 35 minutes - 33.1 MB

The Battle of Bower Hill woke up Philadelphia and created quite a stir in President Washington's cabinet. It would result in George Washington and Alexander Hamilton taking a trip towards Western Pennsylvania and militia men being summons across four states. So what happened to David Bradford and the rebels? And what happened with the dreaded whiskey tax? Find out in this episode as we close out the Whiskey Rebellion. Support production of future seasons of Whiskey Lore at patreon.com/whi...

Interview: Will Pitchforth of Bladnoch Distillery

January 28, 2021 01:00 - 58 minutes - 53.7 MB

Join me as I chat with Will about this historic Lowland Scotch Whisky that has seen mothballing several times in its history. Recently it was purchased by Australian David Prior and Dr. Nick Savage has joined as master distiller (after his time at Macallan). We'll talk about that transition and I'll get to taste a couple of their expressions - Bladnoch 10 and Samsara, which utilizes casks from California. Enjoy this bonus interview with Will Pitchforth of Bladnoch.

Interview: Jim Massey of Fugitive Spirits

January 25, 2021 23:30 - 1 hour - 55.5 MB

A surprise Burns Night interview here on Whiskey Lore. I had hoped to do an episode around the Scottish Bard, Robert Burns, but the Whiskey Rebellion kinda took over (as rebellions will). But in honor of a poet with a passion for all things Scottish, I was approached by a whiskey distiller whose namesake's were poets with a passion for the land.  Listen as I talk with Fugitive Spirits co-founder Jim Massey about his whiskey, the inspiration of Vanderbilt University's Fugitives, and getting...

The Whiskey Rebellion: Bower Hill

January 25, 2021 02:00 - 34 minutes - 32.1 MB

If you thought it was odd for Robert Wilson to go through torture to live out life as a spy, wait until you hear the comedy of errors that is George Clymer. If Hamilton wanted a war, he was making a pretty good show of it. And the episode ends with an epic battle that would forever be a symbol for the violence that took place in Western Pennsylvania. Enjoy the prelude to the finale. The rebellion is on.  

The Whiskey Rebellion: Danger at The Forks

January 18, 2021 16:40 - 26 minutes - 24.9 MB

So what had the farmers of Western Pennsylvania all up in arms? In this episode, I'll take a look at the law that fired up the insurrectionists and I'll give you a view of what 1791 Pittsburgh looked like and talk about one of it's most respected citizens - General John Neville. It wouldn't take long from Neville to go from hero to the object of scorn as men like Daniel and John Hamilton started planning meetings in Pittsburgh and Mingo Creek, discussing how to send the government a messag...

The Whiskey Rebellion: Seeds of Discontent

January 11, 2021 01:00 - 28 minutes - 26.4 MB

When you think of the Whiskey Rebellion, what comes to mind? Farmers not wanting to pay taxes? Alexander Hamilton goading President Washington into putting down an insurrection? Washington on horseback leading an army into Western Pennsylvania. What if I told you that most of these assumptions are wrong? In part one of a series on the Whiskey Rebellion, I'll tell the story of the first victim of the rebellion, the events set up the rebellion, and how what many characterize as a fight for l...

Interview: Fawn Weaver of Uncle Nearest

December 21, 2020 05:30 - 2 hours - 119 MB

I mean it when I say, I think she should be up for Time's "Person of the Year." Fawn Weaver has done more than just build a whiskey brand - she is going beyond talking about finding solutions and is actually doing something to make the world a better place. And it isn't about putting a whiskey in your hand. Although that has its place. She found her mission in the story and friendship of Jack and Nearest and as an author of books on love, she brings that focus, not only to the whiskey that...

Interview: Nelson Eddy of The Jack Daniel Distillery

December 20, 2020 05:30 - 1 hour - 75.8 MB

Join me as I share some of my exclusive interview with Jack Daniel's long time Chief Historian Nelson Eddy.  In this episode, we'll focus on Jack Daniel's as Prohibition approached, the shootout in Nashville, we'll find out if it really was a safe that killed Jack Daniel, how the company survived prohibition, and a very interesting tie between Jack and Kentucky's most famous brand Jim Beam. We'll also talk about the Jack and Nearest Advancement Initiative, Fawn Weaver and Uncle Nearest.

Interview: Ron Gallagher of Virginia City

December 18, 2020 05:30 - 58 minutes - 54 MB

Having not traveled to Virginia City before (I got close, as you will hear), I needed a local to give me the history and the feel of the place. After reaching out to the city, I was put in touch with Ron Gallagher, whose grandfather worked as a janitor at the Fourth Ward School back in the 1860s during the boom. Ron saw Virginia City turn from a ghost town with crumbling buildings to a tourist curiosity when the TV show Bonanza hit the air. And during our talk we discuss saloons, oyster sh...

Interview: Ashley and Colby Frey of Frey Ranch Distillery

December 17, 2020 05:30 - 1 hour - 63.3 MB

Originally known as Frey Ranch Estate Distillery, this is one of a few distilleries in the world that source all of their grains from their own land. Think Kilchoman in Scotland or Waterford in Ireland. Now, to a new distiller with a new farm, that might not be such an advantage, but imagine having a 160+ year history of farm/ranch ownership. Colby has a real advantage in the grain growing area of his business, but what about learning the distilling part? Find out in this interview from ...

Virginia City: The Big Bonanza (with Legends of the Old West)

December 16, 2020 05:30 - 38 minutes - 35.4 MB

Mark Twain moves on and an initial silver rush in Virginia City fades. Frustrated financiers look for a way to off-load their investments just before the Comstock yield's its greatest bounty. Meanwhile, two men - John Piper and William Brown find their own fortunes by serving up drinks, food, and entertainment to miners and money men alike. Join Drew Hannush of Whiskey Lore and Chris Wimmer of Legends of the Old West and hear the fate of Virginia City, Nevada.

Interview: Andy Nelson of Nelson's Green Brier Distillery

December 15, 2020 06:00 - 55 minutes - 51 MB

Join me as I talk with one half of the brother team that returned their great, great, great grandfather's distillery to prominence. Andy Nelson is the Head Distiller at Nelson's Green Brier Distillery and this is the story of how they overcame money issues, youth, inexperience, a recession, and an old Tennessee Prohibition on distilling to get their family legacy restored.

Interview: Michael Myers of Colorado's 291 Distillery

December 14, 2020 06:00 - 1 hour - 71.5 MB

From New York fashion photographer to starting a whiskey distillery in Colorado - quite the road for Michael Myers of Colorado Springs based 291 Distillery. We'll hear how he started as a one-man show, learned his craft, and as a tie into our Virginia City "Old West" episodes, we'll talk about his love for western movies. And we'll find out how a Weber Grill influences his whiskey...seriously! I'll also sample 291's Small Batch Rye and Bourbon whiskeys (thanks to Michael his team for the...

Interview: Al Young of Four Roses (November 2019)

December 13, 2020 06:00 - 51 minutes - 47.2 MB

The Al Young interview is likely my most treasured interview. It spoke to the very reason I started Whiskey Lore, to capture stories while the storytellers were still here to tell them. Little did I know that one month after our interview, Al Young would pass away at Christmas 2019. It's been just about a year since his passing and one thing I have never done is release the entire interview, front to back. I hope you enjoy it. There is some great history here. It is fun to revisit.

Interview: The Dant Family at Log Still Distillery

December 11, 2020 06:00 - 54 minutes - 50.8 MB

It was interesting listening back to this interview. It happened just over a year ago. How the world has changed. But Wally Dant and his family are still moving forward with Log Still Distillery and making great progress. In fact, they've released the name of their new gin and bourbon which I will mention in the episode. While there are moments of this interview that have been shared before, a lot of it will be new to you. I only held onto it, because I had passed my microphone away during...

Interview: Steve Beam of Limestone Branch and Yellowstone

December 10, 2020 15:00 - 38 minutes - 35.4 MB

Steve Beam is the President and distiller at Limestone Branch and loves history. In this episode, he helps us understand the family tree of Dants and Beams as well as telling us about his journey into distilling. The Charles Townsend Yellowstone story T.J. Pottinger, Captain Sam, and Walnut Hill Lost history and hauntings The Dants, the Burch, and the Bowlings The Limestone Branch of the Beam/Dant family Minor Case Beam at Early Times Olene Parker's Old Maid and Francis Head at ...

Virginia City: Miners, Writers, and Whisky (with Legends of the Old West)

December 09, 2020 06:00 - 37 minutes - 34.9 MB

This bonus episode is the first of a series of podcasts hosted by Drew Hannush of Whiskey Lore and Chris Wimmer of Black Barrel Media and the Legends of the Old West podcast. In part one, we look at the history of Virginia City and the Comstock Lode, including the namesakes for both. Chris also tells the story of a young writer named Samuel Clemens and Drew gives you a foundation's worth of knowledge about whisky in the Old West. The next episode will move onto a deeper history of the Big ...

Interview: The Bourbon Road (Drew as a Guest)

December 08, 2020 06:00 - 1 hour - 67.7 MB

Drew sits down with Jim Shannon and Mike "Big Chief" Hiatt at Mike's home in Kentucky and discusses how the Whiskey Lore podcast came to be and we also find out Drew's top 3 recommended distillery tours in Kentucky (hint, one is not on the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail). We also taste Shackleton Blended Malt Scotch and Angel's Envy Cask Strength with a Port Wine Finish. This is the first episode in a series celebrating the 12 Days of Whiskey Lore. Cheers and Slainte mhath!

The Legacy of Jack Daniel and Uncle Nearest Pt. 2 (feat Fawn Weaver)

October 27, 2020 01:00 - 38 minutes - 35.7 MB

The story of Jack Daniel and Nathan "Uncle Nearest" Green could have been something much different - but in the hands of Fawn Weaver, she looked past headlines and social media to find the story behind the story. And her findings have led her to build a foundation in Nearest's name, a distillery in his honor, and it also brought her and the Jack Daniel's Distillery together to create an initiative that will help change the whiskey industry going forward.

The Story of Jack Daniel and Uncle Nearest Pt. 1 (feat Fawn Weaver)

October 26, 2020 01:08 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

In 2016, Best Selling Author Fawn Weaver was in Singapore with her movie executive husband, when a New York Times International article caught her attention. Was it possible that in an industry known for its Scots-Irish roots, actually had its biggest selling whisky taught to its founder by a slave? But the accompanying photo told a different story. And what Fawn uncovered, changed her life.

My Favorite Whisk(e)y Stories (2020 Edition) Part 2

October 19, 2020 00:00 - 34 minutes - 32.4 MB

Take a trip with me to both sides of the Atlantic for more of my favorite stories from Scotland, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Joining me this week are Wally Dant of Log Still Distillery, Richard Paterson of Whyte & McKay, Andrew McKenzie-Smith of Lindores Abbey, Andy Nelson of Nelson's Green Brier, Fawn Weaver of Uncle Nearest, and Duncan Bryden who showed me around Strathdearn, near the Tomatin Distillery. This was a fun year of interviews, I hope you enjoy.

My Favorite Whiskey Stories (2020 Edition)

October 12, 2020 00:00 - 29 minutes - 27.6 MB

What a joy it has been, interviewing some marvelous whiskey people this year. But not all of the content was able to make it into episodes. So in this episode, I'll feature some of my favorite stories from people like Al Young of Four Roses, Nelson Eddy of Jack Daniel's, Andy Nelson of Nelson's Green Brier, Elizabeth Pearce of the Drink and Learn podcast, and Robert Likarish of Ironroot Republic Distillery. Next week, I'll have even more. And if you love the interviews, check out patreon.c...

x20m with Robert Likarish of Ironroot Republic Distillery

October 08, 2020 04:00 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MB

If you heard my recent episode about Phylloxera, then you are somewhat familiar with Robert Lakarish and Ironroot Republic Distillery - or maybe you've tried their flagship Harbinger whiskey. In this episode I want to go a bit deeper in this interview, so we will chat about: Terroir and what that means to whiskey An often neglected part of whiskey - the mouthfeel Dive into some talk about Texas Whiskey and what sets it apart Taste their flagship expression Harbinger And find out the...

Phylloxera's effect on Scotch, Cognac, and Texas Whiskey (with Robert Likarish of Ironroot Republic Distillery)

October 05, 2020 00:00 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MB

What does a microscopic North American aphid have to do with scotch and Texas whisk(e)y? Quite it bit it seems. And a man name T.V. Munson is the common denominator. From his home in Denison, Texas, Thomas Volney Munson was summoned to save the Cognac region of France from a vine damaging insect called Phylloxera. And his work would inspire two brothers who would build their distillery and name it in honor of their local hero - a hero that the Cognac region still reveres today.

x20m with Andy Nelson of Nelson's Green Brier Distillery

September 24, 2020 05:00 - 21 minutes - 20 MB

Join me as I talk with one half of the brother team that returned their great, great, great grandfather's distillery to prominence. Andy Nelson is the Head Distiller at Nelson's Green Brier Distillery and this is the story of how they overcame money issues, youth, inexperience, a recession, and an old Tennessee Prohibition on distilling to get their family legacy restored.

John Phillip's Dream (with Andy Nelson of Nelson's Green Brier)

September 21, 2020 00:00 - 30 minutes - 28 MB

Take a journey on the Helena Sloman, a ship en-route from Hamburg, Germany to New York City, carrying the hopes and dreams of John Phillip Nelson, a candle and soap maker who sold everything to give his family a wonderful new life in America. Join me to hear an immigrant's story and how it lead to the most successful Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey of the 19th Century. I'm joined by John Phillip's 4 times great grandson Andy Nelson, of Nelson's Green Brier Distillery and producer of Belle Meade.

x20m with Nelson Eddy (Part 2 - Jack Daniel's, Sinatra, and allocation)

September 17, 2020 15:15 - 24 minutes - 22.5 MB

Here is part 2 of my conversation with Jack Daniel's Chief Historian Nelson Eddy. After talking about Jack Daniel's life and death, we move into the 20th and 21st centuries and discuss Jack Daniel's has changed over the last 50 years, changing proofs and then expanding to Gentleman Jack, Single Barrel, Rye and the one I have a ton of interest in - Bottled-in-Bond. We'll also discuss how Jack Daniel's spent the 60's and 70's in allocation (similar to how many Buffalo Trace whiskeys are toda...

Whisky Boom and Bust: The Great Pattison Crash

September 14, 2020 00:00 - 26 minutes - 24.4 MB

It is amazing how much the real estate market of 2008 and the scotch whisky industry of the 1890s have in common. Rampant speculation, inflated prices, and so many people caught up in the action that they couldn't see the coming disaster. And at the center of the whole affair were two brothers who had taken over their father's dairy business, turning it into a whisky blending house and then getting caught up in greed, success, and incredibly bad business practices.  This is the story of th...

x20m with Nelson Eddy (Part 1 - Jack Daniel's, the Safe, and Prohibition)

September 08, 2020 14:14 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MB

Join me as I share some of my exclusive interview with Jack Daniel's long time Chief Historian Nelson Eddy.  The actual full interview is over 80 minutes long, but I will share a portion of it here and more in upcoming episodes. In this episode, we'll focus on Jack Daniel's as Prohibition approached, the shootout in Nashville, we'll find out if it really was a safe that killed Jack Daniel, how the company survived prohibition, and a very interesting tie between Jack and Kentucky's most fam...

x20m with Nelson Eddy of Jack Daniel's (Part 1)

September 08, 2020 14:14 - 22 minutes - 21.3 MB

Join me as I share some of my exclusive interview with Jack Daniel's long time Chief Historian Nelson Eddy.  The actual full interview is over 80 minutes long, but I will share a portion of it here and more in upcoming episodes. In this episode, we'll focus on Jack Daniel's as Prohibition approached, the shootout in Nashville, we'll find out if it really was a safe that killed Jack Daniel, how the company survived prohibition, and a very interesting tie between Jack and Kentucky's most fam...

Who Killed John Barleycorn?

September 01, 2020 00:00 - 29 minutes - 27.7 MB

Whiskey loves its firsts. From the first person to char a barrel for aging, to the first mention of whisky in the exchequer rolls, there seems an obsession with finding out where things started. And they are usually positive subjects. But what about something like Prohibition? Which was the first state to go dry? That question raised its head when I heard about a famous shootout that led one state to jump to prohibition a full eleven years before the Volstead Act. Were they the first? I'...

What's in a Name? Corryvreckan (feat Tom Wylde)

August 24, 2020 01:00 - 31 minutes - 28.9 MB

Have you ever had an occasion not to order or talk about a particular whisky, simply because you were a little concerned about your ability to pronounce it? In this episode, I'll help you get over your fear of mispronouncing scotch whisky names by showing you some simple examples and helping you understand the origins of these names. It will all lead to a fable about a whirlpool, a knight and a maiden performed by actor Tom Wylde. Charles MacKay's "The Kelpie of Corryvreckan."

Twenty Minutes with Lori Carcich of Country Smooth

August 20, 2020 04:30 - 24 minutes - 22.4 MB

Recently I had the pleasure of chatting with Lori Carcich, the founder and CEO of Country Smooth American Whiskey. From her home base in Southern California, she has taken an interest path in her quest to start a whiskey brand. She wants to encourage women to discover the pleasures of drinking their whiskey neat. But she's not looking to lower the proof or kill off the flavor - instead she has worked on formulating a product that both flavorful and easy on the palate without dropping it to...

x20m with Lori Carcich of Country Smooth

August 20, 2020 04:30 - 24 minutes - 22.4 MB

Recently I had the pleasure of chatting with Lori Carcich, the founder and CEO of Country Smooth American Whiskey. From her home base in Southern California, she has taken an interest path in her quest to start a whiskey brand. She wants to encourage women to discover the pleasures of drinking their whiskey neat. But she's not looking to lower the proof or kill off the flavor - instead she has worked on formulating a product that both flavorful and easy on the palate without dropping it to...

Underestimated (featuring Lori Carcich of Country Smooth Whiskey)

August 17, 2020 03:24 - 33 minutes - 30.8 MB

During my interview with Lori Carcich, the founder of Country Smooth whiskey, she brought to my attention a detail about women in the whiskey industry that took me totally by surprise. In this episode, I'll look at some of the pioneering women of whiskey like Helen and Elisabeth Cumming, Catherine Carpenter, Dr. Rachel Barrie, and I'll begin my search for the first female whiskey founders.

Another 20 Minutes with David Meier of Glenns Creek Distillery

August 13, 2020 18:15 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MB

Join me for outtakes from my interview with Glenns Creek Distillery's founder David Meier. We'll find out how he found the Old Crow Distillery ruins and his plans for it going forward. We'll also talk about the unique way he got started building his own distilling business including the costs and considerations. Glenns Creek is one of the most unique experiences you will have in Kentucky and just listening to David for a short time will give you an impression of his love for the history and ...

Twenty Minutes with David Meier of Glenns Creek Distillery

August 13, 2020 18:15 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MB

Join me for outtakes from my interview with Glenns Creek Distillery's founder David Meier. We'll find out how he found the Old Crow Distillery ruins and his plans for it going forward. We'll also talk about the unique way he got started building his own distilling business including the costs and considerations. Glenns Creek is one of the most unique experiences you will have in Kentucky and just listening to David for a short time will give you an impression of his love for the history and ...

x20m with David Meier of Glenns Creek Distillery

August 13, 2020 18:15 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MB

Join me for outtakes from my interview with Glenns Creek Distillery's founder David Meier. We'll find out how he found the Old Crow Distillery ruins and his plans for it going forward. We'll also talk about the unique way he got started building his own distilling business including the costs and considerations. Glenns Creek is one of the most unique experiences you will have in Kentucky and just listening to David for a short time will give you an impression of his love for the history and ...

The Legacy of Old Crow (with David Meier of Glenn's Creek Distillery)

August 10, 2020 02:00 - 24 minutes - 22.5 MB

After Dr. Crow and Oscar Pepper passed away, the history of Old Crow would take a dramatic turn. James E. Pepper would be the new generation taking over the old distillery, but Old Crow would move on, with a little help from Colonel E.H. Taylor. In this episode, I'll take a look at 130 legendary years that followed this tumultuous period. And I'll talk with David Meier of Glenn's Creek Distilling, the current owner of the Old Crow Distillery ruins, about what he is doing to preserve the le...

The Legend of Dr. James C. Crow and His Whiskey

August 02, 2020 23:01 - 21 minutes - 20.2 MB

Amazing, for all of the people who talk about him in the bourbon industry, Dr. James C. Crow's life is somewhat of a mystery. Born in Inverness, Scotland in 1789, he moved to America and landed in Kentucky. When people say his name, they usually talk about two things, his work with the sour mash process and his Old Crow whiskey. But his influence on the bourbon industry can't be understated. Yet there are no biographies about his life. In fact, there is little written about him at all. I...

Log Still, the Dant Family, and New Hope

June 15, 2020 21:30 - 29 minutes - 27.8 MB

Last week we looked at the growth of one of the biggest bourbon making areas in Kentucky - an area that at its peak had nine distilleries, but at the turn of the century had just about forgotten its whiskey past. Join me this week as we examine the area's downfall, the Kentucky Whiskey Trust, the families as they faded away, and the future of New Hope. My special guests are Wally and Charles Dant of Log Still Distillery. Listen to what they have in store for this once great whiskey area.

The Making of a Whiskey Ghost Town

June 08, 2020 13:50 - 28 minutes - 26.4 MB

One of the great centers of the bourbon industry in the late 1800's started with humble beginnings in the deep woods of Kentucky near present day Pottinger's Creek. But drive around the area today and you would hardly know that this place was once the home of upwards of nine distilleries - selling whiskey from Boston, Massachusetts to San Francisco, California. This is the origin story of New Hope, Kentucky and the surrounding area. It features the names Basil Hayden, J.W. Dant, George Wil...

Launch Week Episode - Craft Distillery Experience with David Raad of Six and Twenty Distillery

May 26, 2020 16:19 - 31 minutes - 29.4 MB

To celebrate the launch of the Whiskey Lore Travel Guide to Experiencing Kentucky Bourbon (available on Amazon), I stopped by my local craft distillery (since travel is still a little tricky at the moment) to talk with the founder David Raad about the experience of being a craft distiller. He'll talk philosophy, choosing grains, waiting for whiskey to age, sourcing, and the legend of Six & Twenty. They provide some unique whiskeys including 5-Grain, Wheat Whiskey, and a Triple Malt. Find...

Subscriber's Edition: Interview with Richard Paterson of Whyte and McKay, Shackleton, and The Dalmore

May 19, 2020 21:00 - 20 minutes - 19.6 MB

Subscriber's Editions are only available for 48 hours, make sure you are subscribed and set to automatic downloads of the episodes, so you don't miss any. Or join the Whiskey Lore Society at www.whiskey-lore.com/signup where many of these episodes will also be shared. In this episode, we discuss Richard's tasting technique, how a 100 year old whisky compares to today's whiskies, and if he threw a sample.

Whisky or Whiskey? The Great Spelling Controversy

May 11, 2020 23:00 - 28 minutes - 26.7 MB

I've heard people defending why you should spell whisk[e]y with an "e" and without an "e" - but I haven't heard anyone give me a good explanation of where these two spellings originated or why each has found its own hooks in certain countries. So in this episode, I'll take a look at the origins of the word and see if we can determine the best way to navigate this spelling minefield.

The Unsolved Mysteries of Donald Johnston and Grace Gow

May 04, 2020 00:00 - 23 minutes - 21.5 MB

This week I look at two mysterious tragedies in the history of scotch whisky. One takes place at the Laphroaig Distillery on Islay and the other at Glenturret Distillery. I also provide details about several steps in the process of making scotch whisky. Join me and Lucy Armstrong, Development Manager and unofficial historian for Glenturret Distillery and we learn of the tragic story of Grace Gow and find a silver lining in an otherwise sad tale.

The Father of Bourbon

April 27, 2020 19:28 - 25 minutes - 24.1 MB

What is the source of this "father of" obsession we have? Who was the Father of Baseball; who was the "Father of the Internet;" who was the "Father of Radio;" and who was the "Father of Bourbon?" There is a highly publicized answer that graces a bourbon bottles and historic signs around Kentucky, the Reverend Elijah Craig. I'll take a look at his life and see if we can spot his relationship to the origins of "America's Native Spirit."

Towser and the Legend of the Mouser

April 20, 2020 02:00 - 22 minutes - 21.2 MB

In this week's episode, I investigate a couple of legends built around whiskey barrels, distillery cats, bourbon, and scotch whisky. I also head to Glenturret Distillery in Perthshire, Scotland to ask questions about the most famous and prolific distillery cat of them all, Towser. I'll also unveil the background on the name of the whisky Monkey Shoulder.