Best Travel Fuels Life LLC Podcasts (2024)

1
Finding Colorado's Grains of Distinction with Al Laws of Laws Whiskey House 1:25:04

14d ago1:25:04

1:25:04

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…

1
Irish Whiskey Pt. 17: The Poitín Republic and a Visit to Baoilleach in Donegal 38:25

20d ago38:25

38:25

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…

1
The History of the American Still (Part 2) with Alan Bishop 47:59

21d ago47:59

47:59

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…

1
Irish Whiskey Pt. 16: The Rise of the Poitín Wars Plus a Visit to Bushmills 43:17

25d ago43:17

43:17

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 …

1
The History of the American Still with Alan Bishop 1:08:20

28d ago1:08:20

1:08:20

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…

1
The History and Future of Distilling in Washington State with Author Becky Garrison 1:28:45

1M ago1:28:45

1:28:45

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 …

1
Stories of Square Stills, Bootlegging, and Moonshine with A.J of Casey Jones Distillery 1:14:34

1M ago1:14:34

1:14:34

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…

1
Innovative Margie Samuels and the Evolution of Maker's Mark with Beth Buckner 51:05

2M ago51:05

51:05

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…

1
Whatever Happened to the Old Time Saloon? 26:46

2M ago26:46

26:46

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…

1
Counting Down Kentucky's Top 10 Historic Whiskey Brands with Jerry Daniels of Stone Fences Tours (Part 2) 1:06:32

2M ago1:06:32

1:06:32

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…

1
Counting Down Kentucky's Top 10 Historic Whiskey Brands with Jerry Daniels of Stone Fences Tours 59:52

2M ago59:52

59:52

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…

1
A Modern Drinking Glass Using Traditional Methods with Elliot Walker of Blowfish Glass and Iain Weir of Smokehead 39:54

3M ago39:54

39:54

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…

1
How Bourbon Shaped the Law and Vice Versa with Brian Haara 1:26:35

3M ago1:26:35

1:26:35

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 …

1
Talking Ghost Dogs, The Last Wolf of Scotland, and Scottish Highland Distiling with Duncan Bryden 54:28

3M ago54:28

54:28

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 …

1
Where Did America's Single Use Barrel Rule Come From? 32:40

3M ago32:40

32:40

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…

1
Bringing Monongahela Rye Back to Somerset County with Maximilian Merrill of Ponfeigh! 48:42

3M ago48:42

48:42

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…

1
The Origins of Bottled-in-Bond (2024 Updated Facts) 35:36

4M ago35:36

35:36

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…

1
World's Oldest Whisky Found! And the World of Whisky Auctions with Joe Wilson of Whisky Auctioneer 1:08:21

6M ago1:08:21

1:08:21

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…

1
Diving into the Rich History of Blanton's Bourbon with Author Dominic Gugleilmi 1:22:26

7M ago1:22:26

1:22:26

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…

1
The Real History of Pre-Prohibition Texas Whiskey with Author Andrew Braunberg 1:46:07

7M ago1:46:07

1:46:07

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 …

1
J.P. Wiser's Dr. Don Livermore Deconstructing and Constructing Canadian Whisky 1:30:04

7M ago1:30:04

1:30:04

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…

1
James A. Miller and Chicken Cock: The Forgotten History of Bourbon with Will Woodington 1:05:21

7M ago1:05:21

1:05:21

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 …

1
Why I Can't Do Whiskey Lore The Same Way I Used To 1:12:46

7M ago1:12:46

1:12:46

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

1
The 1970s in the Whisky Industry and Beyond with Richard Paterson (Part 2) 1:00:12

8M ago1:00:12

1:00:12

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…

1
Stories From Richard Paterson's 50+ Career History as a Master Blender (Part 1) 1:00:46

8M ago1:00:46

1:00:46

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…

1
The History of the O'Connell's, Smuggling, and The Liberator Irish Whiskey 1:05:24

8M ago1:05:24

1:05:24

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…

1
North Carolina's Whiskey Past & Present with Cooks Mill Bourbon's Jason and Jeanne Queen 55:55

8M ago55:55

55:55

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…

1
Wine, Whisky, Blind Tasting, and Certifications with Adam Edmonsond of The Sommelier Company 1:58:20

9M ago1:58:20

1:58:20

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…

1
Once The World Largest Distillery: The History and Spirits of Tomatin with Scott Adamson 1:32:08

9M ago1:32:08

1:32:08

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…

1
Diving Deep into Wild Turkey and And David Jennings (Rare Bird 101) Passion For It 1:23:06

12M ago1:23:06

1:23:06

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…

1
Legendary 50 Year Master Distiller and Master Blender Billy Walker from Glenallachie 45:06

12M ago45:06

45:06

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…

1
The Return of Distilling to Belfast After Almost a Century // Titanic Distillers' Damien Rafferty 53:27

1y ago53:27

53:27

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.…

1
Long Aged Barrel Proof Canadian Whisky? Yes! with Zach and Nick Taylor of Found North 1:45:35

1y ago1:45:35

1:45:35

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…

1
The Art of Finding Dusty Bottles of Whiskey with Dan of Dusty Dan's Whiskey Reviews 1:33:47

1y ago1:33:47

1:33:47

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…

1
A Masterclass in Barley, One Farm at a Time with Waterford Distillery's Neil Conway 1:56:35

1y ago1:56:35

1:56:35

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'…

1
The Next Generation Becoming Master Distiller with Elizabeth McCall of Woodford Reserve 26:55

1y ago26:55

26:55

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…

1
The Mysteries and History of Canadian Whisky with Author Davin de Kergommeaux 1:27:19

1+ y ago1:27:19

1:27:19

If you feel as confused about Canadian whisky as I do, Davin (who like me is writing a book on whisky history) is going to dig in deep and introduce us to the world up north. What is this 9.09% rule? Are Canadian rules more lax than U.S. rules? What's the deal with Canadian Prohibition? Can you travel to Canadian distilleries. And do Canadian's man…

1
Irish Whiskey Pt. 15: Ghosts of the Irish Rebellion and a Day In Belfast // McConnells 35:08

1+ y ago35:08

35:08

It seems appropriate that an episode featuring me taking a walking tour of Belfast with McConnell's Sarah Kennedy would sync up with the story of the Irish Rebellion of 1798. It was a pivital time in Irish history, when a last ditch effort was made to separate from the control of Great Britain. Its an event that would echo down through Irish histor…

1
Irish Whiskey Pt. 14: The Undertaker Who Kickstarted the Irish Whiskey Industry // McConnell's 35:36

1+ y ago35:36

35:36

The names of Jameson, Roe, and Powers all have a special place in the history of the success of the Irish whiskey industry. But none of them had the power and influence in the 18th century to take their whiskey around the world. It took an Undertaker. This week, we'll meet that man who almost ruined Irish whiskey's reputation, while also setting it…

1
Irish Whiskey Pt. 13: Stories In Proof and Gallons // Rademon Estate Distillery Visit 38:46

1+ y ago38:46

38:46

For distillers in the 18th Century, the challenge was not getting crushed by tax revenuers because of a lack of quality devices or understanding of what makes a gallon, something that changed often over the centuries. Listen as I dig into the history of proof and measuring volume, while we get visits from Alfred Barnard, John Quincy Adams, and I co…

1
Talking Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide To Experiencing Irish Whiskey with Laurie O'Dwyer of Whiskey Chats 1:46:56

1+ y ago1:46:56

1:46:56

It's not often I get to just sit back and chat with another podcaster about the whiskey industry. Today, that changes, as Irish whiskey podcaster Laurie O'Dwyer invites me in for a chat on his podcast and the two of us go over many of the interesting stories, whiskeys, and people of the Irish whiskey. Laurie cracks open a few bottles and you get a …

1
The Historic William Tarr Brand to the New Western Kentucky Distillery // Chris from RD1 Spirits 52:18

1+ y ago52:18

52:18

So much to chat about today as I talk with Chris Tetterton, VP of Marketing with RD1 Spirits - a Lexington, Kentucky brand that came out of the gate with the historic William Tarr brand. Chris will talk about the historic reference of their name RD1 Spirits and we'll get the scoop on a new distillery. Cheers!…

1
From Scotland to Ireland to Romania // Allan Anderson of Carpathian Whisky 54:14

1+ y ago54:14

54:14

This year I've been working to find whisky legacies in some very unfamiliar regions for the spirit. When Carpathian Whisky reached out to me about their single malt, I thought - well, this is definitely a chance to step into the unknown. Then, my guest Allan Anderson, distiller at Carpathian suddenly was tying his career into a bunch of different d…

1
What Is The Best Irish Whiskey? It is Awards Season with Allan Dwyer of the Irish Whiskey Society of America 1:06:31

1+ y ago1:06:31

1:06:31

It's that time of year again, when we start to think back on the best of the best from the past year. In today's episode, Allan Dwyer, president of the IWSA will go through the history of the organization from the early days, how he's seen Irish whiskey grow over the last decade, and then will fill us in on how we can vote for our favorite Irish wh…

1
The Story of Henry Kraver and the Rebirth of a Kentucky Bourbon Legacy // Kentucky Peerless 1:00:18

1+ y ago1:00:18

1:00:18

How often do you get a chance to meet the founder of a distillery while on a distillery tour? Well, that was my experience back in 2018 when I made my first whiskey tour of Kentucky and stopped in Kentucky Peerless on the west end of Whiskey Row in Louisville. But Corky Taylor wasn't the first of his family to own a distillery. In fact, the Peerles…

1
The History of a 100% Hands On Historic Scotch Distillery // Springbank 56:35

1+ y ago56:35

56:35

This is a distillery I've long wanted to cover on the podcast. After traveling to Campbeltown, I fell in love with the place and its distilling history. And one of two distilleries that survived the collapse of the Whisky Capital of the World was Springbank - and today, it is still owned by the same family that was there during the heyday. I'll vis…

1
All Scotch Is Smoky and All Irish Is Triple Distilled - Or Are They? // Ardara Distillery 1:41:54

1+ y ago1:41:54

1:41:54

Join me as I chat Donegal distilling history, discuss the idea of smoky whiskey and how the myths around scotch and Irish whiskey developed with James Doherty. James is the Founder of the Sliabh Liag Distillers’ Ardara Distillery, the producer of Silkie, one of the new breeds of Irish Whiskeys hitting your local whiskey retailer. The land of illici…

1
Irish Whiskey Pt. 12: What Is The Oldest Distillery In Ireland? // Hinch Distillery 39:08

1+ y ago39:08

39:08

When it comes to firsts and oldests in whiskey, finding a clear answer is a challenge. This week, I'll take a look at some of the criteria around determining the oldest distillery and we'll see why finding an answer is so tough. Plus, I'll continue my journey around Northern Ireland with a visit to Hinch Distillery and Alfred Barnard and his mates …

1
America's Oldest Distillery Company and the Revival of Apple Brandy // Lairds 1:13:58

1+ y ago1:13:58

1:13:58

So what is the oldest distillery company in America? Well, its not a bourbon or rum distillery - no, it is a brandy distillery. And before you say "hey, its not whiskey, so I'm not interested" - you might be surprised at how much this ex-bourbon barrel aged spirit relates to great whiskeys. Join me as I invite the 9th and 10th generation of Laird d…

1
Irish Whiskey Pt. 11: Nothing Can Be Certain Except Death and Taxes 23:05

1+ y ago23:05

23:05

No one likes to pay taxes, especially distillers. And in the early days, when the government first started reaching into the pockets of farmer-distillers in Ireland, they put a serious face on tax avoidance. Yet distillers found creative ways to avoid these taxes. It's time to take a deep dive into how Ireland ended up with whiskey taxes and the gr…

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