Explore every episode of the podcast Whiskey Lore®: The Interviews

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-based distillery.

It didn't take me long to fall in love with their San Luis Valley Rye. I heard stories that this rye was hand picked from wild rye growing in this region. Was this some romanticized tale that was going around or was it true? Who better to ask than the man behind not only that rye, but also a four grain bourbon, wheat whiskey, and malt whiskey. Join me for my conversation with Al Laws.

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 19th century and learn what distillers like James C. Crow and other legends were using in their distilleries and why. And we'll find out Col. E.H. Taylor's opinion about Kentucky's modern distilling tools. 

Enjoy this week's dig into the history of distillation.

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 hear more.

When I contacted the nearby community of Strathdearn, I was introduced to Duncan Bryden, a man knowledgable about the legends and history of the area. I met up with him and we took a walk through the woods across from the Tomatin Distillery and he helped fill me in on the history of the area, including the legends of the last wolf of Scotland, the story of the Witch of Laggan and other local tales.

For the last 4 years, this interview has been tucked away, only available to my Patreon members. But since I am now putting all of my Whiskey Lore Stories episodes on YouTube, I thought I'd bring this back for all the new listeners to the podcast and the long time loyal listeners who just can't get enough history.

Cheers!
Drew

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 Somerset County distilled Monongahela rye and introducing a Maryland style rye.

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 verify claims, the issues with counterfeits, and how modern whisky auctions work.

Here's a quote from Joe from their press release: 

“Offering the world’s oldest scotch whisky at auction is truly a once in a lifetime occurrence. I’m fortunate to be well acquainted with old and rare liquid, as Whisky Auctioneer handles some of the world’s rarest whisky bottlings. This, however, is a transcendent discovery that is sure to capture not just the imagination of the whisky industry but also those well beyond.

“Distilled in the 1830s, the whisky was made during a fascinating period when whisky production was experiencing massive change following the 1823 Excise Act, making it a particularly exciting find for those interested in the history and heritage of the Scotch whisky industry.”

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 the Buffalo Trace Distillery. Get the ins and outs and learn from a super fan and collector Dominic who has a new  book out called Warehouse H: The Story of Blanton's Bourbon.

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 with author and co-founder of Still Austin, Andrew Braunberg. Cheers to real whiskey history!

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 known as the Whisky Doc and he's got a lot of great information to share. We'll also do tastings of two J.P. Wiser whiskies and a Lot 40 Rye. Cheers and Slainte Mhath!

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 to California and even to Germany and Canada. The whiskey was known as Chicken Cock. And today I'm talking with the current brand owner's ambassador Will Woodington about this history. Enjoy!

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. 

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. Enjoy!

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 visited, Glasgow as a whisky town, distillery character, and as bunch of fun stories as only Richard can tell them. 

Slainte!

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 style stills have all but disappeared, such as the three-chamber still, kettle stills, and saucer stills.

Knowing that Alan has dabbled in all different types of distillation using a variety of stills, I felt it was time we had a discussion about the evolution of stills and how American's have made whisky from the early days.

In this first part of our conversation, we'll focus heavily on the stills and techniques of early distillers. Then next week, we'll see the evolution in distilling and see how we got to where we are today. Enjoy this fun deep dive.

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 about his unique bonded warehouse, where he gets his barrels, and how he is using Killarney grain to make his whiskey.

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 Tarheel State.

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 Society of Wine Educators. Don't worry, we'll chat bourbon as well. Cheers!

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 built an audience behind his work, his first visit to the Wild Turkey Distillery, and what bourbon he would cheat on Wild Turkey with. It was a lot of fun chatting with another South Carolinian and whiskey author. Enjoy!

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 the Irish market.

We're going to talk about his lifetime in the business and dig into some of where his knowledge of blending came from and what he plans next for his current distillery home.

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.

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 brothers as they seek out whisky that has been resting in barrels for well over 10 years and sometimes over 20 and putting it in bottles at cask strength. We'll do a tasting of 5 of these whiskies and you'll get quite an education in Canadian whisky and the art of blending.

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 talk about what you can expect from these historic whiskeys. It's a great conversation and a must for anyone interested in sampling historic whiskey!

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's notion of this incredible grain.

Join me as I talk with Waterford Distillery's Head Brewer Neil Conway as he revisits many of the concepts we talked about during my visit last May and help you better understand the vision that builds upon what its owner was doing at Bruichladdich before coming to Ireland.

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 row' to the pivotal role of saloons in state development, we uncover a rich, often overlooked narrative. 

Additionally, we dive into prohibition's complex history, including its intersection with women's suffrage, delayed enforcement, and the challenges faced by distilleries and breweries. From smuggling tales to the legacy of gentleman bootlegger Roy Olmsted, we journey through Washington's past, ending with a look at the vibrant culture of modern craft distilling and its unique distillery trail. Join us as we uncover the stories behind the labels and raise a glass to Washington's spirited history. 

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 Master Distiller role and today, its my honor of chatting with the new face of distilling at Woodford Reserve, Elizabeth McCall. Join me as we find out about her journey to this position and where her focus will be going forward.

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 mandate no "e" in whisky?

Lots of insights in this episode. Enjoy!

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 chance to eavesdrop in on our chat about great distilleries like Great Northern, Killowen, Midleton, Crolly, Echlinville, Slane, and more. Enjoy and happy New Year!

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!

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 distilleries across Ireland and Scotland. Some fun discoveries in this episode. Cheers! Drew

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 whiskey of the year.

We'll also talk a bit about our experiences on the Irish whiskey trail and I've got a special offer for the holiday season for those wanting to grab a copy of my new book Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing Irish Whiskey. Slainte!

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 Peerless name goes back to Henderson, Kentucky where his great grandfather Henry Kraver made a name for himself making Kentucky's special spirit. Hear the story of the original Kentucky Peerless and about the unique style of whiskey that Corky and his son Carson have brought back to the Bluegrass state. Plus we'll learn the origins of a feline princess and find out what rock stars Corky used to share a dormroom with.

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 visit with Melanie Stranger, who will fill in some of Springbank's history, talk about the relationship to Glengyle (Kilkerran), and reveal the reason Springbank is so hard to find these days.

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 illicit spirits, Ardara breaks that trend with their brand new distillery. We'll talk about peat (or turf) as it is called in Ireland, discuss why Donegal may have gone the direction of illegal distillation, taste Midnight Silkie, and discuss tours and visiting Donegal's 3 new distilleries.

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 distillers on the show. We'll deep dive into the history of a brand that George Washington liked so much, he asked for the recipe.

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 Casey Jones Distillery. Lots of stories, history, and a tasting of their 7 year old barrel proof moonshine. Enjoy!

Cheers!
Drew

Before Whiskey Lore: The Interviews takes a month off, join me as I chat with my friend Chris Crowe of Burnt Church Distillery as we talk Palmetto State history, Hilton Head's neighborhood community Bluffton, and the history of a curiously named road that is now publicized through the name of the Burnt Church Distillery.

Plus I'll do a tasting of 4 of their expressions.

Today I chat with my guest Michael Scully about his historic farm and how he is using it to grow a type of grain that hasn't grown in Ireland for a century for his single pot still whiskey.

We'll also talk about the history of the town of Clonakilty and some of its famous residents, including a few ties to some 20th century icons.

In addition, we'll do a tasting of Clonakilty's Double Oak Small Batch whiskey and find out if Julia Roberts really can do a quality Irish accent.

Back in 1909, John Thompson Street Brown was looking for a design for the Old Prentice Distillery. That design still stands today, under the Four Roses banner. Who designed this beautiful Spanish Mission pastiche? Would it surprise you to hear it is the same company that has developed many of the other iconic distilleries across the Kentucky Bourbon Trail?

Listen in to find out how these designs come to life and the ideas behind taking historic structures and filling them with stills and fermenters!

If you love history and you're interested in the recent past during Irish whiskey's rebirth, this is the interview for you. I chat with Darryl McNally who is launching a new brand tied to a town with legal distilling going back to 1750 in Ulster.

We'll talk about the town's history in distilling, the rebirth in this new brand, and we'll also jump into Darryl's 17 years at Bushmills and learn a bit about what the whiskey world looked like back then. Buckle up for a lot of great history and a tasting of an Irish whiskey well worth trying.

When it comes to claims of the oldest, there is always a chance at a caveat. In terms of Ben Holladay Bourbon, it's distilling grounds have a pretty strong claim to the title of the oldest distillery west of the Mississippi River.

Here the story with master distiller Kyle Merklein and find out why his distillery was bold enough to wait 6 years to release their first new generation whiskey.

It's time to turn the tables and let you learn a little bit about me, get behind-the-scenes with Whiskey Lore, and learn a ton about Irish whiskey.

I've given the reins over to one of my favorite podcast hosts Terrence Layhew of the Suit Up! Podcast. He digs into my motivations for starting Whiskey Lore and lets me get deep into the rise and fall and rising again of Irish Whiskey.

Join me as I jump into a discussion with New York Distilling's co-founder Allen Katz. Starting out in Baltimore, it's no surprise that Allen would find rye whiskey as his passion, but the surprise was - he went to New York City to start a distillery. But before then, he spent life as a bartender in the revitalized cocktail culture of New York. So today we'll talk rye whiskey, cocktails and even find out why the British used to have a different proofing system that we do in the US.

Items we'll discuss:

• How a heist helped choose Allen's destiny
• Bringing Maryland to New York City
• Working with farmers and specific rye varietals
• Does a cocktail need a complex rye?
• The early days of the New York cocktail culture
• The staple rye whiskies for any bartender
• Differences in character between warehouses
• Tasting Ragtime Rye
• The winter hot toddy
• The Empire Rye designation
• The idea of an urban distillery in New York City
• Getting help from others
• Gin and New York's other Matthew Perry
• Navy Strength gin's history and gunpowder
• The basis for the old British proofing system
• Tasting Ragtime Rye Bottled-in-Bond
• The origins of Rock and Rye
• Tasting the Single Barrel

One of the coolest places I visited while on my historic journey through Ireland was Slane Castle. It was there that I met Alex Conyngham, the earl of Mountcharles and co-founder of Slane Distillery, along with his father Lord Henry "the Rock and Roll Aristocrat."

If you don't know the story of this distillery and its neighboring castle, you're in for a treat. Especially if you are a music lover. And by the end of this episode, you'll not only know how Mick Jagger and Bono fit into this story, but also how Brown-Forman helped take this family dream to new heights.

What the heck is Irish Poitín? This was a question I asked myself frequently before traveling to Ireland. Is it just Irish moonshine or just unaged Irish whiskey or is it something completely different?

After traveling the island, I found a handful of distillers who were bringing this long time illicit distilling into the light. Pádraic Ó Griallais and his family are on the forefront of distilling the legal version of poitín, but their family heritage is based in the illicit version. So in today's episode, we will dive in deep and learn all about this uniquely Irish spirit.

It is hard to overstate John Teeling's impact on the Irish whiskey industry. He took on an Irish whiskey monopoly and helped bring interest back into a dying industry.

Then after selling his distillery, he bought another and this one is fostering the growth of the modern Irish whiskey craft industry -  supplying fine spirits to new distilleries looking to establish their brands before releasing their own spirits.

He is a legend with humble beginnings. Truly a self-made man, a gentleman, and a roll model for the industry. Here is his story in his own words.

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 brand's whisky is at its core. Beth delves into the creation of Makers 46 and the use of French oak staves. She highlights the Wood Finishing Series, a storytelling series that explores different flavor profiles, and she discusses the importance of consistency in the whiskey-making process. We'll also learn about barrel entry proof and its impact on flavor, as well as the role of the Beam Suntory Blenders Committee and how Maker's has become a favored choice for Scotch distillers. Then we'll learn what's next for Maker's Mark.

The revival of Irish whiskey is real - I have seen it first hand. And after traveling the entire island of Ireland and Northern Ireland, I can see first hand the results of a country's passion for its lost heritage.

One of the men who was at the forefront of the new breed of Irish distillery owners is Jack Teeling. And Jack has been a part of two different phases of Irish whiskey's expansion beyond the one time monopoly of Irish Distillers, Ltd - first with his father John Teeling at Cooley Distillery and the second time as one of the new young guns of Irish whiskey when he opened Teeling Distillery in Dublin with his brother in 2015. Hear his story.

This week I conclude my interview with Laura Fields as we dive deep into Pennsylvania's pre and post-Prohibition history. We'll also talk about the difficulty of telling American whiskey history without using a Kentucky Bourbon lens.

In addition Laura will dispel some long held beliefs about who could distill during Prohibition and how many distillers had licenses to sell it. Plus we'll look at craft distilling in Pennsylvania and see if the industry is coming back.

Thanks to Steve Bashore of George Washington's Distillery, I had a chance to meet Laura Fields of the Fields Foundation and American Whiskey Convention. Her passionate devotion to recovering the lost history of Pennsylvania distilling is truly inspiring.

Before Kentucky, there was Monongahela Rye and it didn't die out long before Prohibition, instead, it died at the same time Kentucky did. But after Prohibition, Kentucky took over the narrative for American whiskey and Pennsylvania all but forgot its history. In this episode, we aim to change that as we go back to the very origins of Pennsylvania's distilling history.

A pretty bold claim! But W.H. McBrayer had well established his Cedar Brook brand as a quality brand and won awards in Europe for his efforts.

Hear the story of another lost distiller of the 19th century and hear how his decedent Bill McBrayer is honoring the legacy of the man who not only started his own distillery, but helped some of the more prominent names in Kentucky bourbon get their start.