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Check out one of the most unique whisky podcasts on the planet. In his weekly Whisky Flights, best-selling travel author Drew Hannush takes you to a world of great craft distilleries, where you'll experience the pleasures of distillery travel. Then, each month, Drew's storytelling takes center stages as he uncovers the rich stories, myths, and legends that surround the whisky world. Discover the origins of Bottled-in-Bond, learn about the real Whisky Capital of the World, and debunk common m ...
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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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Tenth Ward Spirits (Frederick, MD) WF0014 To say Maryland and Frederick in particular have been an eye-opener is an understatement. There is quite a vibrant distilling scene in the state and it's more than just a revival of the state's historic rye whiskey heritage. Today, I walk a few steps over from our last distillery experience to visit Monica …
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McClintock Distilling (Frederick, MD) WF0013 Back during the early days of Maryland's distilling revival, Braeden Bumpers, co-founder of McClintock Distilling in Frederick, Maryland, and his business partner Tyler decided it was time to move out of the world of brewing and pursue their passion for whiskey. During my visit, Braeden will give us a se…
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Sagamore Spirit Distillery (Baltimore, MD) WF0012 It's time to head north (just short of the Mason Dixon Line) to Baltimore, Maryland, where we're about to explore a distillery that shows is pride in Maryland Rye by only producing that one spirit. Join me as we talk with Ryan Norwood, the Director of Operations at Sagamore Spirit Distillery and lea…
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Burnt Church Distillery (Bluffton, SC) WF0011 Time to head to the land of golf and beaches, right on the edge of Hilton Head Island. Let's explore the unique spirits being made at Burnt Church Distillery, learn about their mission to give back to their community, and get a feel for this beautiful facility and all it has to offer visitors. Plus I'll…
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The Striped Pig Distillery (Charleston, SC) WF0010 Time to visit my second distillery in Charleston on this trip - The Striped Pig. Winning honors as South Carolina Distillery of the Year, this woman-owned, family run distillery shows the power of having the employees being invested in the company's future. From distilling to the tour experience, t…
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High Wire Distillery (Charleston, SC) WF0009 This week, I'm back in my home state and taking a drive through Revolutionary War country on my way to one of my favorite U.S. cities, Charleston, SC. Not only is there a ton of history, but you'll also fine amazing food, music, and of course beaches. My host is High Wire Distilling's co-founder Scott Bl…
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Leiper's Fork Distillery (Leiper's Fork, TN) WF0008 Today, let's dig into some history, as we travel to Leiper's Fork Distillery, just south of Nashville, and meet with founder Lee Kennedy. Lee is a fellow lover of history and he's done all he can to help bring some of Tennessee's heritage to his distillery - from the beautiful swan neck pot still …
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Short Mountain Distillery (Cannon County, TN) WF0007 Imagine heading into the hills and taking in a 400-acre distillery property filled with relaxing activities, a restaurant, and of course a fun and informative distillery tour. That is the experience I had when I visited Short Mountain Distillery just over an hour east of Nashville. Let me introdu…
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PostModern Spirits (Knoxville, TN) WF0006 Welcome to the reason I'm doing these whisky flights. Yes, I love history, but I also love seeing what craft distillers are doing around the globe. And one of the distilleries that made a big impression on me when I traveled through Tennessee was PostModern, thanks to a nice 3 hour chat with one of its foun…
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Castle & Key Distillery (Woodford County, Kentucky) WF0005 This week our Whisky Flight takes us back across the Atlantic and down to Kentucky, the home of bluegrass, horses, Bourbon, and a unique castle shaped distillery that was the vision of a legendary Bourbon marketer and whiskey producer. Join me as I chat with Brett Connors of Castle & Key ab…
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Rosebank Distillery (Scotland, UK) WF0004 Way back in 2019, when I was traveling Scotland for the first time, I kept hearing the name Rosebank. For some reason, it didn't up my curiosity. But as 2021 turned to 2022, I found myself hearing the name more and more. So, when it came time to choose a distillery to focus on as I virtually take us around …
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Lindores Abbey Distillery (Scotland, UK) WF0003 Join me as I fly into Edinburgh and make my way north to the Spiritual Home of Scotch Whisky - Lindores Abbey. It's been a few years since I visited the distillery and back then, their spirits were still new to the world and had not aged the required 3 years to be considered whisky. But we took time t…
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Riachi Winery & Distillery (Mount Lebanon, Lebanon) WF0002 Wow, two completely different countries here on the first day of Whisky Flights - neither known for whisky - but both with craft distilleries that are working to define the flavors of their countries. As we began taking nominations for our Craft Distillery Bracketology on Whiskey Lore's Ins…
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Helden Distillery (Parys, South Africa) WF0001 Happy World Whisky Day 2024! Today is the perfect day to release a brand new Whiskey Lore series called "Whiskey Lore's Whisky Flights." As usual, I, Drew Hannush, am expanding the boundaries of what a whisky podcast can be. For years I have traveled to distilleries in Scotland, Ireland, and the United…
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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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In a rugged corner of Northern Ireland, the hills of Inishowen whisper tales of rebellion and moonlit mischief. We'll meet Patrick, a humble tailor thrust into a high-stakes game of cat and mouse with excise officers. Then learn about the defiant distillers of Inishowen use any means at their disposal to preserve their livelihood. Join me on a jour…
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Is there a whisky you love so much, you could write two books about it? Today, I talk to Wild Turkey superfan David Jennings (aka Rare Bird 101) and talk about his two books American Spirit: Wild Turkey from Ripy to Russell and his new book Wild Turkey: Musings. We'll discuss his passion for the brand, what it took to research its history, how he b…
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The first time I traveled to Scotland, I was in Aberlour talking with a bartender about the best whiskies to try. He asked what my favorites were. When I said GlenDronach, he said "ahhh Billy Walker." Since that moment, I've been wanting to learn more about this man and what he is doing at Glenallachie. I was also surprised to hear he dipped into t…
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Hard to believe Belfast has been without distilling for so long. On today's episode we'll dive into the first new distillery in Belfast in nearly 90 years. This one is housed in a facility that is rich with history. It is Titanic Distillers and their location on the docks of Belfast take us back to a day when ships were built to be modern marvels.…
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What do you think of when you think of Canadian whisky? Maple sweetness, rye, non-age-stated, and mellow? Well, Zach and Nick are really pushing the limits of Canadian whisky and want to change your mind about what Canadian whisky can be. In this episode, we're going to explore the distilleries of Canada through the eyes and palates of these brothe…
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This has been a long time coming. Dan provided me with some historic samples of whiskey from Wild Turkey, Kentucky Peerless (Henderson, KY), and Cream of Kentucky and we're going to jump in and do a tasting of these. I also provided us both with a 100 year old whiskey that we'll take a sip of. We'll also go into the art of finding dusty bottles and…
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You've heard me talk about it before, barley is a complex grain that many distilleries dismiss. Yet don't tell the Scots, the Japanese, or the Irish that. Today we are going to dive in deep with a distillery that is digging into the science of barley, trying to completely understand it, so they can make the most amazing whiskies and elevate people'…
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Not too long ago, I had the pleasure of chatting with Chris Morris, Master Distiller at Woodford Reserve and we talked about his rise and the process of going from assistant under the legendary Lincoln Henderson to the Master Distiller role. Two weeks ago, my email box held a message that another assistant was getting that honor of moving up to the…
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