Whiskey Lore

Whiskey Thief (Franklin Co and Louisville, KY) WF0060 Surprise, surprise, we're going to have a repeat guest to the show today. Distilling director Lisa Wicker (formerly of Limestone Branch, Huber's Starlight, and Widow Jane) joins us along with Walter Zausch, owner of the Whiskey Thief Distillery. If you've never been, you're missing one of Kentucky's most unique distillery experiences. From the barn and farm, to the goats, food trucks, and barrel thieving - there may not be a better distillery to get a feel for Kentucky Bourbon hospitality in a relaxed atmosphere. We'll talk about how Walter came to own this farm, the philosophy change since he arrived, the person who inspired him, the distillery's new space in NULU, and we'll find out from Lisa, who is just settling in, her first impressions and what brought her to Whiskey Thief. It's all in celebration of the release of Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing Kentucky Bourbon: Second Edition. Catch the extended version at patreon.com/whiskeylore as a member of the Speakeasy.

Augusta Distillery (Augusta, KY) WF0059 The month-long celebration of the release of Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing Kentucky Bourbon: Second Edition continues with a journey to the Northern Kentucky region that is home to New Riff, Neeley Family, Boone County and others. But did you know, along the Ohio River, below Cincinnati and northwest of Lexington there are three distilleries just waiting to be explored? Today, we're going to visit with Ryan Edwards, co-founder of Augusta Distillery, a facility I've had the privilege of seeing evolve from the bones of an old manufacturing building into an experiential distillery that blends town charm, the building that employed so many, and a modern distillery that stretches the concept of what you can do in a distillery. It's also the home of a distiller you should know - Alex Castle. Join me as we go through the evolution of the distillery and find out what things you can do here that you've likely never done at any other distillery. We'll make you put Northeast Kentucky into your travel plans. And for Patreon.com/whiskeylore members, get an extra ten minutes to this episode with some insider information on some of the features of this distillery. Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew

RD1 Spirits Distillery (Lexington, KY) WF0058 Today, we start a journey through Kentucky, visiting some of the great distillery experiences that have arrived since the release of my first edition of Experiencing Kentucky Bourbon in 2020 - as I celebrate the launch of the expanded Second Edition this week. Our first guest is Barry Brinegar of RD1 Spirits of Lexington. His new distillery experience is a perfect example of how distilleries are expanding the story and process of whiskey making in new creative ways. This isn't your normal "51% corn" Bourbon lesson, it is a dive into the influence of the barrel on whiskey. The distillery is also in an entertainment district that makes it the perfect spot for a day of diverse fun while you're exploring the Bourbon trail. Enjoy a little extra history in the Patreon.com/whiskeylore version and some insider information into what is coming next from RD1 Spirits. Get a free-7 day free trial as well as a bonus limited time offer for a discount off my new book for Father's Day. Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew

Iron City Distilling (Creighton, PA) WF0057 It's time to head back to Pennsylvania, to visit one of the only three chamber stills in America and experience another side of Monongahela Rye. Join me as I chat with master distiller Matt Strickland and company president Peter Katz about how Iron City Beer got into the distilling world, discuss my experience at the distillery, and find out how you learn to distill on a piece of equipment that had gone extinct. Plus we'll learn a bit about the tours at this old PPG factory and how the beer interacts with the whiskey side.  Plus, Experiencing Kentucky Bourbon second edition is out on Amazon (and next week it will be available everywhere else). Some details to come. You can learn more at whiskey-lore.com/books 

Minden Mill Distillery (Minden, NV) WF0056 Taking a short break from the Great 48 on-site visits for a virtual visit to a location I visited when it lived under a different name - Bently Heritage. When they reached out to me about potentially doing an interview - I jumped at the chance. First, if you don't know about this distillery, you should. It is one of the coolest distilleries in the world. Today, it is known as Minden Mill. New owners, yet, still an amazing distillery and now it has one of my favorite American distillers at the helm, Joe O'Sullivan (formerly of Clear Creek/Hood River). Join me as I flash back to my first visit to Tahoe, Carson Valley, and the Bently Ranch. And hear how Joe is taking on the challenge of Estate distilling. After listening, if you'd like to add this distillery to your Whiskey Lore wish list, find it at whiskey-lore.com/flights

Painted Stave Distillery (Smyrna, DE) WF0055 For our 17th of the Great 48, I thought I was going to have some trouble tracking down a whiskey distillery in Delaware, but low and behold I found a fun one in the Painted Stave. Ron and Mike had a particular vision (and name) for this distillery, but sometimes plans change. In this case, rather than a distillery that distributes across the states, they've honed in on their community and it is a fun place to hang out with friends. From the food trucks to the cocktails and spirits served neat, there is a lot to like here. I will say though, there is one spirit they made that might turn your head and make you wonder what they were thinking. Again, a surprise success. Find out what foreign object they put in their still and the fascinating spirit it produced. Follow the Great 48 at whiskey-lore.com/flights And a big announcement this week about a certain book release that is coming this month! For an extended and commercial free version, head to patreon.com/whiskeylore and try the 7-day free trial.

Dad's Hat Distillery (Bristol, PA) WF0054 Been a long time since I've been in eastern Pennsylvania and I have good reason to be here now. I'm taking part in a Pennsylvania whiskey documentary AND I'm getting to enjoy some fantastic distillery visits. This week, it is the place where the Pennsylvania rye revival took off...thanks to a magazine article and a wonderful wife who supplied her husband with the best rye whiskies available at that time. We'll hear the story of Herman Mihalich, co-founder of Dad's Hat Distillery, find out what got him interested in making rye whiskey in a world where it was barely breathing, and the legendary farm that helps him grow his grain. And patreon.com/whiskeylore fans will get an extra segment as we chat about Rosen Rye (get a free 7-day trial to the Speakeasy to check it out) It's a fun conversation with a little reminiscing on my part as I make my way to the distillery. Cheers and slainte mhath! Drew

Meinelschmidt Distillery (Hagarstown, MD) WF0053 Time for another Mid-Atlantic stop, this one not far off the I-81 exit. We're stopping in to visit a military veteran who, along with his wife, decided to take their enjoyment of craft distillery travel and turn it into their own distillery. We'll learn Cort and Chelsea's inspirations for their Hagarstown distillery, hear about the growth of the town, their interest in wheated whiskeys, and hear the story of how the two met. And, now Whiskey Lore's travel guide features over 900 distilleries worldwide, so if you're thinking about traveling this summer, make sure to put a craft distillery or two on your agenda. You can find it at whiskey-lore.com/travel

Copper Fox Distillery (Sperryville, VA) WF0052 You've heard of peat smoked Scotch...well, that's not what you're going to get at Copper Fox. Instead, the grains from the distillery's malting floor get their smoke infused with smoke from cherrywood, peachwood, and applewood. It's a unique take on smoke and it comes from distiller and founder Rick Wasmund's fascination with the wonderful scents these woods produce when burned. Join me as I visit one of the few malting floors in the country and learn which legendary Scotch distiller taught Rick the art of malting. And make sure to check out this and other distilleries in Virginia by heading to whiskey-lore.com/virginia. Make sure to put your favorites on your Whiskey Lore Wish List - for members only - but membership is free. And for an extended version of this episode, become a member of the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy at patreon.com/whiskeylore 

Black Draft Distillery (Martinsburg, WV) WF0051 What started as a horse farm is now the home of whiskey, fascinating flavors of vodka, and barns and a patio filled with music, cocktails, and a good number of soon-to-be friends. Join me in the smoking room of the Black Draft Distillery as I chat with founder Glen Price about the evolution of his horse farm into an agritourism site and the home of fun weekend parties targeted to empty-nesters. I also find myself face to face with my own family's potential whiskey legacy, and we chat about the unique angle Glen takes on his tours of the distillery. Plus, we'll hear an ingenious spiritous ingredient Black Draft is making for your iced tea. Enjoy this drive down I-81, but don't blink. There isn't a lot of West Virginia here in the eastern panhandle. You don't want to miss it. Find this and other West Virginia distillery profiles at whiskey-lore.com/westvirginia and find an extended version of this episode with an extra 15 minutes of interview time at patreon.com/whiskeylore - available to Speakeasy and Club members.

Oak & Grist Distillery (Black Mountain, NC) WF0050 Just a few miles east of Asheville, North Carolina (which has held the honor as Beer City USA several times) is a somewhat sleepy community on the edge of the mountains, where Will Goldberg and Charlie Stanley are focused on distilling up two amazing spirits - an American Single Malt and a Dutch-style Jenever. Their stories start with both wine and cheese - backgrounds that center them in agriculture, flavor, experience, and terrior. Their pot still distilled American single malt was developed thanks to some help from a long-time Speyside distillery manager. The results speak for themselves. Join me as I chat about the flavor experience, how art translates into the spirits world, and why people should make the effort to drive a few miles east when visiting Asheville. Find more information about this and all the distilleries we feature on the show at whiskey-lore.com/flights

Today I braved Atlanta traffic for one of my favorite recorded interviews of the year. Join me as I chat with ASW's head distiller Justin Manglitz. A distiller, a fiddler. Somehow, without ever traveling to Scotland or Ireland, he pulled in the art of distilling from those storied whisky making areas, saw what was happening in America, and developed his own hybrid techniques from the two disparate philosophies. Learning my lesson after not carrying a microphone around during my interview with Richard at St. Augustine, this time Justin and I walked through the distillery and had a deep chat about the process of making whiskey. Editing this episode was tough because we covered so much ground that I had to mine for the bits that will help you get an overall sense of the focus of this distillery without turning it into an hour and a half episode. That said, if you want the full 90+ minutes of this interview, it is available at whiskey-lore.com/patreon   If you're not a member of the Whiskey Lore Patreon family, you can get a free 7 day trial to check out the episode and all of the other exclusive content on the site.

St. Augustine Distillery (St. Augustine, FL) WF0048 Heading down to a beautiful distillery in a historic building in a town filled with its own history. Join me as I travel to the oldest continuously occupied town in the United States (did I get that right?) as we meet with Richard DeMontmollin, head distiller, and chat about the origins of the distillery, his family name, the wonders of the pot still, and free tours. If you've been curious about that fountain of youth or have been hearing about the special whiskeys coming out of Florida, check out this episode. And for travel information and more, head to whiskey-lore.com/flights and for an extended version of this interview become a member of the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy at whiskey-lore.com/patreon 

Seven Three Distillery (New Orleans, LA) WF0047 Time to head down to the Big Easy to a distillery experience with a little swamp magic and a whiskey tree. In a town with so many cool things to experience, its time to get a feel for the hospitality and spirits produced by Luka Cutura and his team at Seven Three Distillery, just across the bridge from the Louisiana Superdome and a few blocks from Bourbon Street. And check out an extra eight minutes of interview time with a free-trial of Whiskey Lore's Patreon patreon.com/whiskeylore 

Crittenden Distillery (Kiln, MS) WF0046 Head to the deep, Deep South, down to the self-proclaimed moonshine capital of the United States, Kiln, MS. While it did snow here a couple weeks ago, this area is much more known for its heat and we're going to go step by step with Matt Crittenden through the distilling process and chat about various considerations along the way. Patreon members are getting a rare treat - experiencing what it is like to walk through a distillery with me. Matt and I carry our mics around while he shows off his distillery processes and after a while, we forget the mics are in our hands. We talk sonic booms, evaporation, moonshine, cats, Vendome stills, and stogie batches. This is a 40 minute edit from an almost 2 hour long interview. Join me for a fun look at a distillery that only runs tours about once a month. A distillery where whiskey clubs come to pick through some amazing barrel to whiskey combinations. And a family run distillery that evolved out of a need to step away from the long drawn out processes of litigation. Find this and all of the other flights at whiskey-lore.com/flights

Dread River Distillery (Birmingham, AL) WF0045 The Deep South tour continues as I move through 48 great states and craft distilleries. Today I'm at Birmingham's Dread River Distillery meeting with their head distiller Joshua. We're going to dive into his experience moving from a Pennsylvania distillery into the heat of the South. We'll also learn about an American Single Malt experiment that took a unique turn, learn how Dread River fits into the Birmingham nightlife, and we'll attempt to meet Patty, the stray turned distillery cat. And what does Kudzu have to do with whiskey? We'll find out. Join me and make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode of the Great 48 Tour of American Craft Distilleries. Find all of the flights at whiskey-lore.com/flights 

Time to take a trek off the beaten path to a family run distillery that defines what it means to run a craft distillery business. For 10 years, Craig and Meredith Amick have grown the business from moonshine made on a flame fed pot still to a line of Bourbon's that are showing, even in South Carolina heat, the right craftsman can make a unique Bourbon filled with complexity. Join me as we chat about Craig's family's 9 generations in South Carolina and how they've incorporated that history into their spirits. We'll also tackle the idea of making things you might not initially have excitement about and then excelling at them. And I'll reveal the first flavored vodka I ever fell in love with and on the extended Patreon version of this interview, I'll give my impressions of Hollow Creek's 8 1/2 year Bourbon that is still aging in its cask. Find this distillery and more at whiskey-lore.com/flights 

Rock Town Distillery (Little Rock, AR) WF0043 Today, I'm off on the last stop of my first swing through the country. The destination is Rock Town Distillery, where cocktails have become a specialty, and where you can taste the difference between column still and pot still whiskey - and maybe even taste some peated Bourbon and single malt. Join me today as I chat with Phil Brandon, founder of Rock Town, as we talk about the distillery's 15th anniversary, getting started in non-traditional places, and some of the things people can experience at the distillery and around Little Rock. Want no commercial interruptions, 10 extra minutes to this interview, and a higher quality file, become a Whiskey Lore Patreon member, get access to exclusive video interview archives, Bracketology voting, and more. Join the Speakeasy for as little as $5 per month and support whiskey history and the promotion of great craft distilleries. I look forward to seeing you. patreon.com/whiskeylore  Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew

Hochatown Distilling Co (Broken Bow, OK) WF0042 What do you think of when you think of Oklahoma? Probably not beautiful green hills and Bourbon whiskey. Well, it is time to discover, along with me, one of the most beautiful parts of the state of Oklahoma, near the tourist town of Broken Bow, to learn about a distillery built on science. Meet Blue McDaniel, co-founder of the Hochatown Distilling Company, a distillery that embraces the unique weather, local grains and lumber, and started with a scientific approach. It's a distillery that will help get you into the concept of distilling in a state long associated with temperance. And to learn more about this and other distilleries featured on the show, check out the nearly 600 distillery profiles at whiskey-lore.com/travel

Ironroot Republic Distillery (Denison, TX) WF0041 The Great 48 Tour heads to a family run distillery that is celebrating 10 years of mixing French distilling techniques with Bourbon and other spirits. Join me as I chat with Robert Likarish, co-founder of Ironroot. We'll talk about the distillery's origins, working with barrels in Texas heat, and how they set their distillery experience apart from the rest. Find details about Ironroot and all of the other distilleries we profile on the show at whiskey-lore.com/flights (and make sure to sign up for the free wish list feature, to keep track of your favorites).

Old Dominick Distillery (Memphis, TN) WF0040 Welcome to Memphis, the second stop on my Great 48 Tour of the United States and its amazingly creative craft distilleries. Today, we're skipping Graceland and heading straight downtown to Front Street, a couple stops from Beale, to enjoy some whiskey and Memphis history through the eyes of the Old Dominick Distillery. Join me as I visit one of my favorite distilleries in the state, talk about the tour experience, the legends of Boss Crump and Prohibition, the grocer turned whiskey producer from Italy, and all the things you could pair with a trip to this very engaging distillery. It's time to get a taste of Memphis while I share plenty of travel tips for a Bluff City visit. Find this and all past episodes and distillery profiles at: https://whiskey-lore.com/flights

Bard Distillery (Graham, KY) WF0038 It's time for the "Great 48 Tour" as I make my way across the country, visiting a craft distillery in each of the 48 contiguous states. It seems appropriate to start this kind of journey in Kentucky, the state that helped bring whiskey back after Prohibition. But so many distilleries in east and central Kentucky are well established. Heading to Western Kentucky is like seeing the rebirth of distilling all over again. Today's stop is the Bard Distillery (Stop #1), where Tom and Kim Bard established a distillery in the very schoolhouse where Tom got his education. During this visit, he gives us an education about the founding of Bardstown, how the couple met on the racing circuit, and how they are looking to evolve their distillery with the recent addition of a column still and development of a full-fledged visitor's center. All sorts of travel advice and This Week In Whiskey Lore in this episode. Find this and past Whiskey Flights at whiskey-lore.com/flights The unedited interview (with 11 extra minutes) available to members at patreon.com/whiskeylore

Kiwi Spirit (Golden Bay, New Zealand) WF0038 (A special extended version is available at whiskey-lore.com/patreon - available with the 7-day free trial) It's time to head to the land of the Kiwi's - New Zealander's fun nickname. A few weeks ago, Kiwi Spirit was flying in the Whiskey Lore "Craft Distillery Fan Favorite" competition and reached the Sweet 16. I felt it was time to get to know them and their spirits better. What I found out is that the distillery is on the edge of one of the most beautiful places in the world and is crafting some really fun and unique spirits. Their whiskey spends time barrels that once housed their honey mead - and if you heard our Ethanology episode, you'll know that doesn't necessarily mean you're going to be tasting honey from these barrels. We'll learn about that, get travel advice and more. Plus, on The Week In Whiskey Lore, I'll talk about a major historical accomplishment that Rev. Elijah Craig may be closer to than being the Father of Bourbon. Make sure to check out this and our past flights all around the world at whiskey-lore.com/flights

Hellyers Road Distillery (WF0037) Burnie, Tasmania How many distilleries are there on the island of Tasmania? Wow, really?  It is time to take our first steps onto whisky island. So you thought that was Islay, right? Well, maybe by volume, but for the sheer number of distilleries, Tasmania has them by a mile.  Today, let's get a sense of what is going on in Tasmania, the flavors, the styles, the experiences, and the people. Join me as I chat with CEO Derek Charge or our Head Distiller Fiona Coutts of Hellyers Road Distillery to learn how a milk farm turned into a distillery and dive into details about the distillery fans drove up into our Sweet 16 Fan Favorite Craft Distilleries competition. Plus, on This Week in Whiskey Lore, we'll see why whisky advertising in the US was non-existent for multiple generations. Plus, I'll give away what next year's Great 48 Tour will encompass.  Cheers! Drew

Hard Truth Spirits (Nashville, Indiana) WF0036 Over the years, I've been to a few distilleries that consider themselves "destination distilleries." On the way up through Indiana, I saw Hard Truth suggesting they were a "Top" destination distillery. In this episode, Gerry, Bryan, and Travis are out to convince me of it. Join me on my last stop along the Midwest Great Lakes Tour 2024 as I visit the hill country of Indiana. And also find out about one of Canada's legendary distillers that time forgot - on This Week In Whiskey Lore. And make sure to check out other great distillery locations at whiskey-lore.com/travel - I now have almost 600 featured.

O'Shaughnessy Distilling Co. (Minneapolis, MN) WF0035 The Midwest Great Lakes Tour 2024 is winding down, but not before we hit a jewel of the Midwest, Minneapolis and the distillery that is bringing together Irish and American spirit traditions. The distillery is O'Shaughnessy the home of Keeper's Heart. I'll chat with former brewer, now lead distiller Chris Sliber about how he and Irish distiller Brian Nation are building the perfect infusion of Irish Pot Still, grain, and American Bourbon and rye. We'll talk about pot stills, deconstructing whiskey, and what to expect while on tour. Plus, fans of Prince will get a chance to be Prince for a Day and the latest edition of This Week In Whiskey Lore will go back 139 years to one of the ties to Tennessee's distilling history. We'll do it in honor of my Lost History of Tennessee Whiskey audiobook making it to Audible, iTunes, and Amazon. Find this and 600 other distilleries on the Whiskey Lore Distillery Travel Guide whiskey-lore.com/travelguide

45th Parallel Distillery (New Richmond, WI) WF0034 After a short (recording) layoff, thanks a a hurricane power outage, I'm back to finish off the last three visits on my Midwest Great Lakes Tour 2024. Today, we're off to a distillery with great fan support in an area just a little off the beaten path. It's 45th Parallel, just about 50 minutes east of Minneapolis. It's a distillery focused on grain-to-glass, getting most of their grains from the local community and they're working on a variety of spirits beyond Bourbon and Rye. We'll talk about one of them - aquavit. We'll also dive into their wheat whiskeys and how the distillery came about. Also, on This Week In Whiskey Lore, we will celebrate the return of a Tennessee whiskey and I'll give some hints as to who my guest will be on the Whiskey Lore: The Interviews podcast when it returns this week. Want to build a wishlist of your favorite distilleries? Whiskey-Lore.com/travelguide now features over 600 distilleries that you can bookmark and track with a free membership.

Lucky Guys Distillery (Hudson, WI) Whisky Flight 33 The sign says it all "mad scientist at work." Join me as I arrive on the border of Wisconsin and Minnesota and chat about all things bitters (including how they're made), cocktails, white whiskey, and what charcoal filtering really does. I'll be chatting with Lucky Guys founder Guy Whitehead. And check out the growing list of distilleries available for you to plan trips to at whiskey-lore.com/flights 

Great Northern Distilling (Stevens Point, WI) WF0032 Thanks to everyone taking part in our Instagram Craft Distillery Bracketology. Without you, I wouldn't have discovered so many great Wisconsin distilleries, including the one I'm visiting today in the heart of America's Dairyland, beer land, and now whiskey land. During our visit, we'll learn about what potatoes bring to vodka, the special ingredients that make a Wisconsin Old Fashioned unique, and dive into the concept of the Wisconsin supper club with Brian Cummings, Great Northern's founder. Plus on This Week in Whiskey Lore, we'll go back 130 years to the day Chicago went dry...at least in terms of distilling. To see Whiskey Lore's online distillery travel guide, head to whiskey-lore.com/travelguide and look for distilleries with headphone icons to find episodes of our Whiskey Flights.

Ethanology Distillation (Elk Rapids, MI) WF0031 If you're into creativity and you love distilleries that push the boundaries, today's distillery has you covered. Nick and Geri Lefebre made gin and Bourbon, but they also make a pretty amazing spirit (2 ways) out of honey. Single malt and brandy fans might find this episode fascinating. Nick and I sit outside, enjoying samples and talking about creative distilling, Michigan grain, B Corp Certification, and the search for flavor. The conversation was so fascinating, time flew by - so enjoy this extended interview as we say goodbye to Michigan with a special visit. whiskey-lore.com/flights

Mammoth Distilling Co (Bellaire, MI) WF0030 A big thank you to Mammoth for inviting me to South Manitou Island for the Rosen Rye project. What an amazing experience. You'll hear about some of it in this episode with my guest, farmer, brewer, and distiller Collin Gaudard. He'll talk about how Rosen Rye got to America, how popular it was, how it went away, and how we got it back. Also during this episode, we'll go back to the gangster era and hear how a little Tennessee town earned a nickname worthy of the most famous gangster. And don't forget to add your favorite distilleries from the show to your Whiskey Lore distillery wish list. https://www.whiskey-lore.com/travelguide

Traverse City Whiskey Co (Traverse City, Michigan) WF0029 Way back in 2019 I was in my favorite Tennessee whiskey shop when I saw a bottle I'd heard about but hadn't seen in the wild. It was a bottle of XXX Traverse City Straight Bourbon Whiskey. I bought it and really enjoyed the flavor and the idea I was sipping something from the state I was born in. Today, Traverse City is growing the spirits its making and focusing on the local cherry scene. Join me as I chat with Chris Fredrickson, co-founder of Traverse City Whiskey Company, meet the company dog, and get a sense of what's to come. Extended tasting audio available on Patreon version at patreon.com/whiskeylore

Grand Traverse Distillery (Traverse City, MI) WF0028 When I started this journey to Michigan, I have to say, I knew very little about the distilling history of my birth state. Come to find out, this modern craft boom might just be the very start of its reputation in the world of fine spirits. And one of the first to fire up a still was Kent Rabish. Inspired by a trip to Oregon and his grandfather's still, hear the story of the early days of Michigan distilling, the thought process that goes into building a distillery, and why Grand Traverse is big in Michigan, but not really too far outside of it. Plus, on The Week In Whiskey Lore, we will look back 150 years to learn how Cincinnati found itself taking the blame for flames in a pair of New Orleans distilleries. And if you're interested in planning a trip to Michigan to visit distilleries and you want to get a wish list together, visit whiskey-lore.com/michigan and sign up for a free account. Then create the ultimate wish list.

Iron Fish Distillery (Thompsonville, MI) WF0027 It's time to visit distillery 2 on my journey through the great distilleries of the Midwest. The one stands as Michigan's first post-Prohibition farm distillery. Here grain-to-glass can be seen first hand, after a drive down one of Michigan's patented easy driving dirt roads. Find out what makes this particular distillery tick, how they are handling sustainability, and what inspired these owners to attempt both farming and distilling - something they had zero experience with when they started. And This Week In Whiskey Lore will focus on a battle between moonshiners and revenuers that locals went to calling a war. And if you're interested in planning a trip to Michigan to visit distilleries and you want to get a wish list together, visit whiskey-lore.com/michigan and sign up for a free account. Then create the ultimate wish list.

Journeyman Distillery (Three Oaks, MI) WF0026 Welcome to the first episode of The Midwest Great Lakes Tour 2024! After a 692 mile drive from Greenville, SC, I arrived in Southwest Michigan ready to start a great 10+ distillery adventure through the Midwest. My first stop was perfect. After an extremely long drive, I felt right at home with the Midwestern hospitality provided by Bill and Johanna Welter, the founders of the Journeyman Distillery. I have to say, I've seen their whiskey on the shelf, but hadn't given it a try. After my 4 hours at the distillery, I was enamored with the story, the building, the founders, and the experience. I captured an hour of that meeting here and an excited to share it with you. Enjoy my return to the state of my birth and hear the story that starts in Scotland and ends with not one, but two distilleries between Michigan and Indiana. And if you're interested in planning a trip to Michigan to visit distilleries and you want to get a wish list together, visit whiskey-lore.com/michigan and sign up for a free account. Then create the ultimate wish list.

Liberty Pole Spirits (Washington County, PA) WF0025 A historical rye, peated Bourbon, and tons of history - you know I'm there. Join me this week as I stop off at a distillery where turning your Alexander Hamilton painting upside down is considered the appropriate way to display it. It's time to meet Jim Hough and learn about his family based distillery, focused on bringing back Monongahela Rye. We'll chat about this historic spirit and dive into some Whiskey Rebellion history. And, I'll give you tips on some cool things to pair with a visit to the distillery, including a sandwich topped with something quite unexpected. Plus, on The Week in Whiskey Lore, I'll look at a famous single malt first and see if it holds up. And if you're interested in planning a trip to Pennsylvania to visit distilleries and you want to get a wish list together, visit whiskey-lore.com/pennsylvania and sign up for a free account. Then create the ultimate wish list.

Stoll & Wolfe Distillery (Lancaster County, PA) WF0024 Since I first heard the story of how Dick Stoll, formerly of Michters, and Erik Wolfe partnered to keep alive a Pennsylvania rye distilling tradition, I've wanted to have him on the show. Today it happens. We'll dig into the history of a local distillery with roots back to when the British and French were fighting over the Colonies. Then we'll look at how a legendary distillers, who began his distilling career with Michter's when it was in Pennsylvania, joined with a passionate whiskey enthusiast, to carry these stories and spirits into the future. We'll also revisit a sad day in Bourbon County history, on This Week in Whiskey Lore. And we'll mix in some great side trips with our travels, including pretzels and chocolate. Check it out. And if you're inspired to visit Stoll & Wolfe and other Pennsylvania distilleries, there are now 23 listed at whiskey-lore.com/pennsylvania in the Whiskey Lore Travel Guide.

Laws Whiskey House (Denver, Colorado) WF0023 Welcome to a special edition of Whiskey Lore's Whisky Flights. This is the "pilot" episode (no pun intended) that I recorded as a proof of concept back in the early summer, for this theater of the mind program surrounding trips to distilleries around the globe. This is a chance to hear my original ideas for the structure of the show, while also hearing parts of the interview I did with Al Laws, founder of Laws Whiskey House. See if you can spot the differences from the more recent episodes. And listen up, because I've got a couple of big announces in the intro of the show. And watch for a Colorado series coming up later this fall.

Ahascragh Distillery (Ahascragh, Ireland) WF0022 From the day I first saw them post on Instagram about their conversion of a 19th Century corn mill into a distillery, I've been waiting for a chance to see it and hear the story behind it. Well, in 2022, I stopped by, but the construction was still underway and the stills had not yet arrived. Today, you'll get to meet Gareth McAllister, one part of a husband/wife team that has taken a derelict mill, abandoned for 70 years, and turned it into the first fully sustainable distillery in Ireland's 700 known years of distilling. Join me as we learn how this modern facility is helping to bring a small village in East Galway back to life. Plus, it's the 230th anniversary of George Washington's proclamation to the rebels of Western Pennsylvania. We'll celebrate with the details on This Week In Whiskey Lore. Plus all the travel tips you need to plan out a great Irish adventure. See all the great craft distilleries we've visited so far: whiskey-lore.com/flights 

Powerscourt Distillery (Wicklow, Ireland) WF0021 It's time to jump across the Irish Sea to check out one of the most magnificent settings for a whiskey distillery. Join me as we head to the home of Fercullen Irish Whiskey at the Powerscourt Distillery on the edge of the Wicklow Mountains. We'll hear the origin story of the distillery, the history of the estate and mill, and hear how the distillery got its start under legendary Cooley distiller Noel Sweeney. Plus, This Week In Whiskey Lore will look back on a 135 year old ad for Dunville's Irish Whiskey that was sold as a cure for what ails you. And if pique your interest in traveling to Ireland to do a distillery trip, make sure to pick up a copy of Experiencing Irish Whiskey (available on Amazon) or head to whiskey-lore.com/ireland to see a list of current distilleries you can add to your Whiskey Lore Wish List.

The Cotswolds Distillery (The Cotswolds, England) WF0020 Today, we head to the largest distillery in England by volume. A distillery you may or may not have heard of - but you soon will (especially since you're listening to this show). I sit down with the brand's Whisky Brand Ambassador Rob Patchett to talk about the evolution of the distillery, its New Yorker founder, the development of a world class tourist experience, and the spirits they are creating. Plus, on This Week in Whiskey Lore, we'll revisit an event that happened 4 years ago, that brought a historic brand to a new home. And we'll trace the history of that brand back to just after the Civil War. And if I pique your interest in visiting distilleries in this region, make sure to check out the 20+ English whisky distillery profiles at whiskey-lore.com/england.

White Peak Distillery (Ambergate, England) WF0019 Today, I head to the southern region of the Peaks District of England to enjoy some beer and whisky made from the same brewer's yeast - thanks to a partnership between White Peak Distillery and a local brewing neighbor. White Peak has a fascinating story (and they make a lightly peated whisky, which drew my attention). We'll find out about their very unique building from their co-founder Max Vaughan, plus how they are managing casks, their unique warehouse, and what the tasting experience is like. Plus, This Week In Whiskey Lore will dive into a forgotten community, started on the back of a distiller, and one connected to one of the most historic moments in technological history. Plus, since we are exploring the modern world of English whisky, we'll take a step back into England's relationship with whisky distilling. It's a power packed episode! Perfect for a weekend listen. And if I pique your interest in visiting distilleries in this region, make sure to check out the 20+ English whisky distillery profiles at whiskey-lore.com/england.

The Forest Distillery (Cheshire, England) WF0018 Join me for a visit to a distillery rich with stories, a high elevation, and a fun story of distilling on the stove to finding markets around the world. I'll chat with co-founder Karl Bond about how he and his wife Lindsay got into the spirits making business, find out about their unique location on the Cheshire/Derbyshire border, and the historic 19th century inn with the curious name that is now the home of their distillery. And if I pique your interest in visiting distilleries in this region, make sure to check out the 20+ English whisky distillery profiles at whiskey-lore.com/england.

The Borders Distillery (Hawick, Scotland) WF0017 Today's Whisky Flight adventure takes me back to the Borderland region of Scotland and England, where we meet John Fordyce, one of the founders of The Borders Distillery. Every distillery has a story and John relates how a town built on the textile industry became the perfect spot for making whisky in a sustainable environment. He'll tell us about the historic building they renovated, the unique way his distillers work, and what you can expect from a visit to The Borders Distillery.  And if I pique your interest in visiting distilleries in this region, make sure to check out the 20+ English whisky distillery profiles at whiskey-lore.com/england and the 75+ Scotch whisky distilleries at whiskey-lore.com/scotland

Cooper King Distillery (North Yorkshire, England) WF0016 Join me today as I chat with Chris Jaume of Cooper King Distillery. Of all of the different ways you can get interested in building a distillery, Chris and his wife Abbie found one of the most unusual paths. They were inspired to make English whisky, not by traveling north to Scotland, but instead by heading far to the South, to one of the world's growing whisky centers - Tasmania. Here their story and learn what inspired them about Tasmanian distillers and what processes and tools they brought back to the burgeoning English whisky scene. And if I pique your interest in visiting England's distilleries, make sure to check out the 20+ English whisky distillery profiles at whiskey-lore.com/england

Ad Gefrin Distillery and Museum (Wooler, England) WF0015 If you know me, you know I love history. And when I can find some history I know little about, I want to immerse myself in it. Well, on my virtual trip to England, I'm about to take you to a place that is very easy to get lost in. It's a distillery that is combined with a museum and an archeological site. It's a chance to dive back into the days before the Vikings to learn about the lives of the Anglo-Saxon, while also enjoying a distillery visit and some nice drams in a beautiful setting. Join me today as I enter The Borderlands of Scotland and England with a visit to Ad Gefrin Distillery and talk with our host Dr. Chris Ferguson. And if I pique your interest in visiting England's distilleries, make sure to check out the 20+ English whisky distillery profiles at whiskey-lore.com/england

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 "The Boss Lady" Pearce, as she talks about her journey from bartending to environmental science and then into the world of distillery ownership. We'll learn about her love for whiskey, her travels, and her secrets to making a unique distillery experience at Tenth Ward Distilling. And if I've piqued your interest in visiting Maryland's distilleries, make sure to check out the 21 Maryland whiskey distillery profiles at whiskey-lore.com/maryland 

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 sense of the challenges the duo faced in the early days as laws and regulations were fine tuned. Then we'll talk about their passion for using high-quality, organic, non-GMO, heirloom grains in their spirits. Plus, we'll learn the origins of their name, find out what unique piece of historic equipment they brought back to the distilling process, and find out how they are embracing local history through their choice of name. Let's explore small town America through the eyes of Marylanders.  Enjoy this episode and make sure to add this and any of the other Maryland distilleries to your Wish List. Find details, maps, and tour booking links at whiskey-lore.com/maryland Sponsored by: Burnt Church Distillery (Bluffton, SC) 

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 learn what makes their spirits and a visit to their distillery special. I'll also give you a bunch of different activities you can take part in while in Baltimore. And on This Week in Whiskey Lore, we'll take a look at Chattanooga distilling's past, present, and future. Enjoy this episode and make sure to add this and any of the other 22 Maryland distilleries to your Wish List. Find details, maps, and tour booking links at whiskey-lore.com/maryland Sponsored by: Burnt Church Distillery (Bluffton, SC) 

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 give you my three reasons to add Burnt Church to you Whiskey Lore distillery wish list. And in This Week In Whiskey Lore, we'll look back on a time when an Islay classic made rose quickly from the ashes. Enjoy this episode and make sure to add this and any of the other 11 South Carolina distilleries to your Wish List. Find details, maps, and tour booking links at whiskey-lore.com/southcarolina

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, to the mixture of tastes available, you may not have heard of The Striped Pig, but now you'll get a chance to learn about it from one of the family members Remy Exvall. We'll find out about the history behind their fascinating name, Remy will tell you about some activities in the area, and I will give you my three reasons to visit, plus clue you in-to some of the things I like to do in Charleston. Plus, we'll have an Irish "This Week in Whiskey Lore." Enjoy this episode and make sure to add this and any of the other 11 South Carolina distilleries to your Wish List. Find details, maps, and tour booking links at whiskey-lore.com/southcarolina Sponsored by: Burnt Church Distillery (Bluffton, SC)