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.
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Join Best Selling Author Drew Hannush as he talks with the founders, distillers, authors, historians, and brand ambassadors that lead us to a greater understanding of the whiskies we love - and the ones we should know more about. Drew not only explores the history of bourbon, scotch, rye, and other world whiskies, he seeks to broaden our understanding of styles, regions, and the distiller's craft through deep dives with those in the know. Each episode is meant to be as pertinent today as it ...
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Distillers Talk is hosted by Alan Bishop of Spirits of French Lick and Christi Atkinson. Tune in for exclusive interviews with distillers and industry experts sharing their collective knowledge.
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Finding Colorado's Grains of Distinction with Al Laws of Laws Whiskey House
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Back during the Pandemic, I was chatting with a friend of my from New Mexico about whiskey and I noticed on the Zoom call how many bottles of Laws Whiskey House spirits he had on his back shelf. He was a real fan. And that piqued my interest. So when I was traveling back from California on a major road trip, I made a quick stop into the Denver-base…
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Irish Whiskey Pt. 17: The Poitín Republic and a Visit to Baoilleach in Donegal
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In a rugged corner of Northern Ireland, the hills of Inishowen whisper tales of rebellion and moonlit mischief. Meet Patrick, a humble tailor thrust into a high-stakes game of cat and mouse with excise officers. Then meet the defiant distillers of Inishowen who find anyway to preserve their livelihood. Join me on a journey back to the 19th century,…
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The History of the American Still (Part 2) with Alan Bishop
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This week, I continue my conversation with Alan Bishop as I toss him one of the little gems I found in my research about Kentucky Bourbon. The question must be asked, when did Kentucky move from pot stills and log stills to the modern column and thumper/doubler combination? We might be pretty close to an answer. It is time to move on to the late 19…
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Distillers Talk #153 - Alan and Christi Unfiltered on the Future of the Industry
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Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson take on some controversial topics in the spirits industry right now and discuss the future of the market, as well as tips for brands and ancillary partners.
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Irish Whiskey Pt. 16: The Rise of the Poitín Wars Plus a Visit to Bushmills
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It's hard to imagine what the whiskey industry would look like today, if a certain excise man had succumbed to the wounds he received in Donegal in 1810. The early 19th century was a critical time for Irish whiskey. The Acts of Union had united the country with an empire and new markets were open for spirits. But growing pains were the rule of the …
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The History of the American Still with Alan Bishop
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While digging into the history of Kentucky Bourbon, I kept hearing this nagging voice in my head saying - you need to understand stills to tell this story. Yes, I do know modern stills and have seen them used on both sides of the Atlantic. But these big column stills are not what American whisky was originated on. And, in fact, some of those old st…
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The History and Future of Distilling in Washington State with Author Becky Garrison
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In this episode, I sit down with Becky Garrison, author of 'Distilling in Washington: A History,' to explore the fascinating history of whiskey distilling in Washington state. We uncover the early days of the industry, its impact on Native American tribes, and how drinking culture evolved over time. From the origins of terms like 'hooch' and 'skid …
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Distillers Talk #152 - Broken Barrel Whiskey
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Seth Benheim and Nick Roady of Broken Barrel Whiskey Company join Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson and discuss the importance of packaging and standing out in a market as a craft producer in a developed market. We also get into responsible distribution strategies and working with foreign markets while satisfying your home accounts, as well as upcom…
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Stories of Square Stills, Bootlegging, and Moonshine with A.J of Casey Jones Distillery
1:14:34
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Join me as we head to Western Kentucky, to meet a man who took his moonshining skills and family traditions and found a way to legalize them and give people a taste of moonshine culture and spirits distilled in one of the most unique looking stills you'll ever see - the square coffin still. Enjoy my conversation with Arlon "AJ" Casey Jones of the C…
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Innovative Margie Samuels and the Evolution of Maker's Mark with Beth Buckner
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Time to get to know Maker's Mark from its origins to today. Beth Buckner, Senior Manager of Innovation and Blending at Maker's Mark reveals the story of Margie Samuels and her influence on the Maker's Mark bottle and brand. Then, we go step by step through all of the classic and new Maker's Mark expressions to build a complete picture of what the b…
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Whatever Happened to the Old Time Saloon?
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In a world where branding has become paramount in the promotion of people and products, certain brands have slipped from our vernacular, or have taken on new roles. Long ago, the saloon was much more than just the domain of cowboys and gunfighters in the Old West. But for some reason, the name disappeared. It's time to delve into the history of the…
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Counting Down Kentucky's Top 10 Historic Whiskey Brands with Jerry Daniels of Stone Fences Tours (Part 2)
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In this episode, Drew Hannush and Jerry Daniels dive into their top 10 favorite historic bourbon brands, each with its own unique story and impact on the bourbon industry. They explore the rich histories behind each brand, highlighting the people like E.H. Taylor, George Garvin Brown, J.B. Dant, and Paul Jones Jr., who shaped the bourbon world. Tun…
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Counting Down Kentucky's Top 10 Historic Whiskey Brands with Jerry Daniels of Stone Fences Tours
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Welcome to a history filled episode that is sure to stir up some debate. This week, I welcome back to the show Jerry Daniels of Stone Fences Tours. Last time we got together, we had a countdown of our favorite Kentucky distillery tours - this week, we're going to fill your ears with history as we compare our own Top 10's of our favorite Kentucky wh…
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A Modern Drinking Glass Using Traditional Methods with Elliot Walker of Blowfish Glass and Iain Weir of Smokehead
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In today's episode, Ian Weir from Ian McLeod (makers of Smokehead) and Elliot Walker from Blowfish Glass join me to talk whisky and glassware. We will delve into the traditional techniques used to create the glass, including the intricate process of hand-blowing glass. We also explore the origins of Smokehead single malt whisky, highlighting its di…
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Distillers Talk #151 - Ian Verno, Ten-30 Barrels
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Ian Verno of Ten-030 Barrels joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss his hybrid barrels
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How Bourbon Shaped the Law and Vice Versa with Brian Haara
1:26:35
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In today's episode, I chat with Brian Haara, an attorney specializing in bourbon law, and the author of Bourbon Justice: How Whiskey Law Shaped America. We discuss Brian's interest in law and how he got involved in the bourbon industry. We also explore the challenges of researching old lawsuits and deciphering handwriting in old documents. I'll do …
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Distillers Talk #150 - Evan Villarrubia, An American Distiller in China
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Distillers Talk goes to Yunnan Province, China this week! Evan Villarrubia of MB Distillery joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss his start in the distilling industry in China, as well as the production of some of his products including sugar cane rum and rice based spirits. We’re also going to get into China’s multi-tier system and Chi…
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Talking Ghost Dogs, The Last Wolf of Scotland, and Scottish Highland Distiling with Duncan Bryden
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54:28
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Back in 2019, while preparing for my first season of the Whiskey Lore Stories podcast, I took a trip to Scotland to learn the story of Cù Bòcan, the spectral animal that is said to haunt the village of Tomotin in the Scottish Highlands. I learned of the story while reading the back of a box of Tomatin's peated single malt Scotch and was curious to …
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Where Did America's Single Use Barrel Rule Come From?
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While traveling in Scotland and Ireland, I'm surprised at how many distilleries tell the story of a mighty cooper's union that lobbied for American's single use barrel rule. I've never heard a single American distillery even mention it. And when I ask them about it, I get blank stares. Let's dive into the history of coopers, find out more about the…
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Distillers Talk #149 - David McIntyre, West Fork Whiskey
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David McIntyre of West Fork Whiskey in Indianapolis joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson this week. We discuss West Fork's beginnings under a small budget and the evolution of its production setup and product line, as well as struggles encountered along the way. This is a great episode for those looking to start up a distillery with a small inves…
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Bringing Monongahela Rye Back to Somerset County with Maximilian Merrill of Ponfeigh!
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Back for 2024 with a new lineup of interviews. Kicking off talking about rye whiskey (a fascinating grain I want to spend more time with this year). We're going back Pennsylvania where rye whiskey made its presence known during and after the Revolutionary War. I'm joined by Maximilian Merrill the founder of a new distillery that is bringing back So…
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Distillers Talk #148 - Thomas Thacker, Southern Grace Distilleries
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55:52
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Thomas Thacker in North Carolina joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to talk more about his process and operations at Southern Grace Distilleries making Conviction Bourbon and White Dog. Tune in also to learn about their whiskey prison and paranormal tour stories!
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The Origins of Bottled-in-Bond (2024 Updated Facts)
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Think you know the story behind the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897? Well, if you listened to the episode in Season 1 or have read any modern literature on it, prepare to be shocked. During my research for my new book The Lost History of Tennessee Whiskey, I bumped into an obscure piece of information from 1895 that turns the entire narrative around Co…
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Distillers Talk #147 - Drew Hannush, Whiskey Lore
1:24:38
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Author and host of the Whiskey Lore podcasts, Drew Hannush joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss his new book, The Lost History of Tennessee Whiskey. Order it now through Amazon here.
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Distillers Talk #146 - Andrew Lohfeld, Roulaison Distilling Co
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Andrew Lohfeld of Roulaison Distilling Co in Louisiana joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss some hot topics in rum right now. We get into single estate varietals and Louisiana grown sugarcane, a Louisiana rum designation, rum nomenclature and changes to Louisiana state law for self distribution.…
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Bobby Demars, Christian Riddout and Christopher Sebastian from Blind Barrels join Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss their unique whiskey service, helping connect their subscribers with American craft distilleries.
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World's Oldest Whisky Found! And the World of Whisky Auctions with Joe Wilson of Whisky Auctioneer
1:08:21
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You've heard it before - the world's oldest whisky is going up for auction. But this time, there is more than just carbon dating and a loose story behind the spirit. Join me as I talk with Joe Wilson, the Head Curator at WhiskyAuctioneer.com about this nearly 200 year old whisky, found in a castle. We'll talk about whisky auctions and how they veri…
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Distillers Talk #144 - Jeff Rasmussen, StillDragon
1:29:45
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Jeff Rasmussen of StillDragon joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to share his more unique experiences helping their clients design more efficient and innovative systems. We also chat about his journey into the industry and some surprises coming up with DragonStill.
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Diving into the Rich History of Blanton's Bourbon with Author Dominic Gugleilmi
1:22:26
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It's the bourbon everyone loves or everyone loves to eye-roll at. Blanton's has developed quite the reputation in this current market, with some calling it overrated and some prizing the bottles and paying large amounts for them. Today, we're going to dive into the history of the brand going back to Elmer T. Lee and to the origins of what is now th…
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Distillers Talk #143 - Alexis Casimiri, La Mauvaise Graine Distillerie
1:22:29
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Alexis Casimiri of La Mauvaise Graine Distillerie in Lyon, France joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to talk about his introduction to distilling and the industry. We learn more about his spirits and process, particularly his Louise Gin, a tribute to his grandmother and the people of Lyon. Alexis talks about his botanical sourcing from the loca…
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The Real History of Pre-Prohibition Texas Whiskey with Author Andrew Braunberg
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One of my new favorite people in the whiskey history community has just come out with a fantastic book that explores Texas Whiskey history before Prohibition. Like Tennessee, the history of distilling in what is now Texas goes back much further than you think. Let's step out of the saloon lore and find the real (footnoted) history of Texas whiskey …
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Distillers Talk #142 - Christian Kahle, Lucky Sign Spirits
1:15:54
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Christian Kahle of Lucky Sign Spirits joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to chat about his unique spirits, including finocchietto, raki, limoncello and more. We get into standards of identity and communication amongst distillers, as well as the merits of a two chamber still. Christian discusses his corn stalk agricole project and lemonade burri…
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J.P. Wiser's Dr. Don Livermore Deconstructing and Constructing Canadian Whisky
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Today we’re going to dig into the science of blending and talk about a grain that I always associate with Canada rye, with Dr. Don Livermore, Master Blender and Doctor of Brewing and Distilling overseeing brands from Hiram Walker & Sons including J.P. Wiser’s, Pike Creek and Lot 40 - also two books on Canadian whiskey including Blending 101. He's k…
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Distillers Talk #141 - Christopher Conrad, BadMotivator Legacy Barrels
1:21:28
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Christopher Conrad of BadMotivator Legacy Barrels joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson with updates on the company and their innovative barrels, as well as a sampling of some of Christopher's experiments using BadMotivator barrels.
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James A. Miller and Chicken Cock: The Forgotten History of Bourbon with Will Woodington
1:05:21
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When it comes to whiskey history, some historic names take a long time to see the light of day. When it comes to James A. Miller, his time is well overdue. He started distilling in Bourbon County in the 1830s and eventually built a distillery he called The Bourbon Distillery. His whiskey was "celebrated" in New Orleans and eventually found its way …
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Why I Can't Do Whiskey Lore The Same Way I Used To
1:12:46
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With episode 102, it is time to take stock of what Whiskey Lore is about and the way I research my stories. With the upcoming release of my first full-length history book The Lost History of Tennessee Whiskey I've done some soul searching and its time to let you in on what I'm thinking.By Travel Fuels Life, LLC
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The 1970s in the Whisky Industry and Beyond with Richard Paterson (Part 2)
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Time to dig into the 1970s and beyond with the great Richard Paterson. We're going to talk about how blenders work with spirits, the comradery in the industry in the early days, how Richard got into doing presentations in front of people, the origins of his whisky toss, The Dalmore Distillery and its secrets, and Billy Walker will toss in a comment…
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Distillers Talk #140 - Jeff Wuslich, Cardinal Spirits
1:16:16
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Jeff Wuslich of Cardinal Spirits in Bloomington, Indiana joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to talk about the distillery and its spirits, getting into copackaging, considerations for new brands and so much more.
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Stories From Richard Paterson's 50+ Career History as a Master Blender (Part 1)
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As I celebrate my 100th interview episode, my special guest is Richard Paterson of Whyte & MacKay, the Dalmore, Jura, and of course Shackleton. During this hour we are going to step back into the 1960s with Richard and talk about the way things were versus how they are now in the Scotch whisky industry. We'll also find about the first distillery he…
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Distillers Talk #139 - Ray Hooker, Indian River Distillery
1:12:21
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Ray Hooker of Indian River Distillery in Vero Beach, Florida joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to explore a sampling of several different experimentals and product.
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The History of the O'Connell's, Smuggling, and The Liberator Irish Whiskey
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During my trip to Ireland, I had the pleasure of meeting Sir Maurice O'Connell as we talked about his two whiskey brands - The Liberator and Lakeview Estate. I was fascinated by his family's history in smuggling and his ancestor Daniel O'Connell who is known as the Liberator. We'll take a look back at that history and then dive into a discussion ab…
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North Carolina's Whiskey Past & Present with Cooks Mill Bourbon's Jason and Jeanne Queen
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Did you know North Carolina has a long history of making whiskey? Join me as I chat with Jason and Jeanne Queen who are bringing back that old tradition, while preserving a grist mill that goes back to the very origins of the state of North Carolina. We'll taste their bourbon, talk NC agriculture, and what it takes to start a whiskey brand in the T…
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Wine, Whisky, Blind Tasting, and Certifications with Adam Edmonsond of The Sommelier Company
1:58:20
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Today its time to learn about whiskey certifications, tips for developing strengths as a blind taster, and we'll discuss wine and its influence on whisky - including flavors, finishes, and barrel types. Adam is the General Manager of the Sommelier Company and a Master of Scotch Council of Whiskey Masters as well as a Certified Specialist of Wine So…
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Distillers Talk #138 - Jesse from Still It is Back
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Jesse Wilson from Still It returns again with Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to catch up on his latest experiments. Jesse and Alan introduce a collaboration to honor the late Ben Quady through Bad Motivator's next chapter using barrels that had been provided to them by Ben. We also nerd out on fermentation cultures, and Alan waxes nostalgia with …
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Once The World Largest Distillery: The History and Spirits of Tomatin with Scott Adamson
1:32:08
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For those that enjoyed the story of Cu Bocan, the ghost dog from the Scottish Highlands, its time to deep dive into some great history and spirits as I chat with Scott Adamson, blender and brand ambassador of Tomatin. Some revealing history around the bourbon barrel in here as well as a great discussion around the history of what was once the bigge…
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Distillers Talk #137 - Brian Gelfo, Broadleaf Whiskey
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Brian Gelfo of Broadleaf Whiskey joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss the brand as we drink through two batches and even chat about the future of Brothers of the Leaf
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Distillers Talk #136 - Steve Coomes
1:09:48
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Author, food and spirits journalist and sprits educator Steve Coomes joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to chat about agave based spirits and his impressions from a recent trip to Mexico to explore tequila distilleries
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Distillers Talk #135 - Birk O'Halloran, Rockwell Vermouth & Iconic Wine
1:10:30
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Birk O'Halloran of Rockwell Vermouth and Iconic Wine joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson on Distillers Talk. Birk chats about his lengthy botanical R&D project developing his artisan vermouths using local California botanicals, as well as what sets the products apart from other vermouths on the market. We also get into some upcoming projects, in…
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Distillers Talk #134 - Amy Bohner, Alchemy Distillery
1:17:17
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Amy Bohner of Alchemy Distillery in Humboldt County, California joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson. Nerd out with us as we get into all sorts of unique grains and go through a flight of their Boldt Cereal Killer triticale whiskey, wheat whiskey and genever style gin. We also chat about their new tasting room and on site restaurant.…
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Distillers Talk #133 - Jesse Wilson, Still It
1:21:27
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Jesse Wilson of the Still It Youtube show and Chase the Craft podcast joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson
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