Whiskey Lore: Stories

Dusty Bottles from "the Wettest Spot in America" (Part 1)

While on a journey out to California in search of details about an upcoming episode, I took time out to interview Seth Benhaim of Infused Spirits. Seth is taking a very unique approach to aging whiskey. We sampled his expressions using Mizunara oak, a Cask of Amontillado (something Edgar Allen Poe fans will appreciate), and scotch peat staves.  We also talked about the history of light whiskey, a historic distillery in Kentucky they source from, and the concept of an oak bill.

Join me as I chat with Kings County Distillery co-founder Colin Spoelman, the author of a curious and entertaining whiskey history book called Dead Distillers. We'll talk about the origins of New York distilling, how Colin started his journey by moonshining in Brooklyn, we'll discuss the "who was the first to make bourbon" question, and discover a history of New York distilling that goes back to the Dutch West India Company.

When you start planning your trip to bourbon country, you will have a lot of unique choices of distillery experiences. One of the most unique is Neeley Family Distillery. Distillery Royce Neeley will tell us his family's journey to the new world, how it got to Kentucky, and some of the dangers the family faced. We'll also discuss some of the very unique processes they use in making their award winning whiskey and moonshine.

Juke Joints, Whiskey, and the Blues - Part 2 (Featuring Poe of WABG-AM)

Juke Joints, Whiskey, and the Blues: Memphis to Clarksdale

The Fight Inside: The Crossroads of Robert Johnson (Part 2)

Whiskey, Death, and the Devil: The Crossroads of Robert Johnson

It's always great to chat with someone who love to share information about their town. Jimmy Rout (Shelby County Historian) had a chance to see the rebirth of Beale Street in Memphis and he is going to take us around the town that was and the town that now is. We'll hear about W.C. Handy, Boss Crump, and even Old Hickory makes an appearance in a tavern in Memphis...or did he?

Back in October, Lindsay reached out to me on behalf of B.R. Distilling Company. She mentioned that they had just won 5 gold medals at the 2020 MicroLiquor Spirit Awards and wondered if I wanted to chat with their CEO McCauley Williams about their Blue Note Juke Joint Bourbon and Riverset Rye. Always looking for a tie into history and being a music fan, I found it the perfect opportunity to learn about this new entry into the whiskey market, blue notes, and juke joints.

Steve and I continue our discussion of George Washington's distiller James Anderson and I get a chance to taste two of the rye whiskies made on-site using 18th century methods. We also talk about researching whiskey history and whether it is better to stick to traditions or evolve. And I'll also tell you how, as a Whiskey Lore Society member, you can hear more with Steve, including tips on when to visit.

Enjoy my conversation with Steve Bashore, Director of Historic Trades at George Washington's Mount Vernon, Distillery and Gristmill. In this interview, we walk around the distillery and Steve talks about recreating an 18th century distillery, George Washington and James Anderson, and the use of Mount Vernon's crops. He also walks me through the process of making George Washington's rye and brandy.

The Life and Times of Washington's Distiller (feat Steve Bashore from Mount Vernon)

How did George Washington go from dealing with the whiskey rebellion to opening his own distillery? Well, I went to Mount Vernon to find out the answer to that question and ended up learning so much more. Join me as I talk with Jim and Jeanette about Washington's management style, his distiller and distillery, and some of the myths that surround him.

The Whiskey Rebellion: Military, Diplomacy, or Bust?