Whiskey Lore: Stories

Join me as I chat with Will about this historic Lowland Scotch Whisky that has seen mothballing several times in its history. Recently it was purchased by Australian David Prior and Dr. Nick Savage has joined as master distiller (after his time at Macallan). We'll talk about that transition and I'll get to taste a couple of their expressions - Bladnoch 10 and Samsara, which utilizes casks from California. And find out more about Whiskey Lore at whiskey-lore.com

I was approached by a whiskey distiller whose namesake's were poets with a passion for the land.  Listen as I talk with Fugitive Spirits co-founder Jim Massey about his whiskey, the inspiration of Vanderbilt University's Fugitives, and getting laws changed so he can benefit Tennessee agriculture by producing whiskey. 

The Whiskey Rebellion: Bower Hill

The Whiskey Rebellion: Danger at The Forks

The Whiskey Rebellion: Seeds of Discontent

Fawn Weaver has done more than just build a whiskey brand - she is going beyond talking about finding solutions and is actually doing something to make the world a better place. And it isn't about putting a whiskey in your hand. Although that has its place. She found her mission in the story and friendship of Jack and Nearest and as an author of books on love, she brings that focus, not only to the whiskey that she's bringing us, but also to the industry and the world.

Join me as I share some of my exclusive interview with Jack Daniel's long time Chief Historian Nelson Eddy.  In this episode, we'll focus on Jack Daniel's as Prohibition approached, the shootout in Nashville, we'll find out if it really was a safe that killed Jack Daniel, how the company survived prohibition, and a very interesting tie between Jack and Kentucky's most famous brand Jim Beam. We'll also talk about the Jack and Nearest Advancement Initiative, Fawn Weaver and Uncle Nearest.

Having not traveled to Virginia City before (I got close, as you will hear), I needed a local to give me the history and the feel of the place. After reaching out to the city, I was put in touch with Ron Gallagher, whose grandfather worked as a janitor at the Fourth Ward School back in the 1860s during the boom. Ron saw Virginia City turn from a ghost town to a tourist town when the TV show Bonanza hit the air. We discuss saloons, oyster shells, and what is left of old Virginia City.

Originally known as Frey Ranch Estate Distillery, this is one of a few distilleries in the world that source all of their grains from their own land. Think Kilchoman in Scotland or Waterford in Ireland. Now, to a new distiller with a new farm, that might not be such an advantage, but imagine having a 160+ year history of farm/ranch ownership. Colby has a real advantage in the grain growing area of his business, but what about learning the distilling part? Find out in this interview from Whiskey Lore.

Virginia City: The Big Bonanza (with Legends of the Old West)

Join me as I talk with one half of the brother team that returned their great, great, great grandfather's distillery to prominence. Andy Nelson is the Head Distiller at Nelson's Green Brier Distillery and this is the story of how they overcame money issues, youth, inexperience, a recession, and an old Tennessee Prohibition on distilling to get their family legacy restored.

From New York fashion photographer to starting a whiskey distillery in Colorado - quite the road for Michael Myers of Colorado Springs based 291 Distillery. We'll hear how he started as a one-man show, learned his craft, and as a tie into our Virginia City "Old West" episodes, we'll talk about his love for western movies. And we'll find out how a Weber Grill influences his whiskey...seriously! I'll also sample their Aspen influenced rye and bourbon (thanks to Michael his team for the samples).

The Al Young interview is likely my most treasured interview. It spoke to the very reason I started Whiskey Lore, to capture stories while the storytellers were still here to tell them. Little did I know that one month after our interview, Al Young would pass away at Christmas 2019. It's been just about a year since his passing and one thing I have never done is release the entire interview, front to back. I hope you enjoy it. There is some great history here. It is fun to revisit.

It was interesting listening back to this interview. It happened just over a year ago. How the world has changed. But Wally Dant and his family are still moving forward with Log Still Distillery and making great progress. In fact, they've released the name of their new gin and bourbon which I will mention in the episode. While there are moments of this interview that have been shared before, a lot of it will be new to you. Wally reveals a lot of what is coming for Log Still.

Steve Beam is the President and distiller at Limestone Branch and loves history. In this episode, he helps us understand the family tree of Dants and Beams as well as telling us about his journey into distilling. We'll also talk about the journey Yellowstone Bourbon has taken over the years.