📙 S7:6 - Rye Madness and the Salem Witch Trials

In September 1692, one of the darkest moments in colonial American history came to a close as eight final victims lost their lives on the hanging rope on Gallows Hill, thanks to accusations of witchcraft. It's a subject that has been covered historically, scientifically, and mostly as spooky entertainment. There are several theories as to why Salem descended into madness during the year 1692. In this episode, we'll look into a study that appeared in Science Magazine fifty years ago this week, that examined the evidence and hypothesized that the madness around the village may have been due to a popular grain and a parasitic fungus called Claviceps purpurea or Ergot. It's a theory that made headlines throughout the country back in 1976. But is there any validity to the argument? It's time to dive into what some call ergot poisoning and others call rye madness.

Join me for a conversation with whiskey maker Ari Sussman as we dive into the story behind Whiskey JYPSI, co-founded by Raj Alva and singer-songwriter Eric Church, learn about Ari's path into the industry, from politics to winemaking in France, international bartending, and eventually studying at Michigan State University's pioneering distilling program under the late Dr. Kris Berglund. We'll talk about Berglund's quiet influence over the modern craft distilling industry, the Rosen rye project (a historic grain varietal with deep ties to Michigan and MSU), and the philosophy behind Whiskey JYPSI's products, using their Tribute, Explorer, and Legacy whiskeys as examples to illustrate the brand's focus on storytelling through grain, wood augmentation, and innovative blending. Enjoy the return of the long-form interview on Whiskey Lore.

On this anniversary of the signing of the Bottled-in-Bond Act, it is time to dig in deep, and focus research on the man behind the Bottled-in-Bond Act, learn the real reason the bill was created, hear the 1897 arguments for and against it, and ride the rollercoaster of American legislation at the tail end of the Gilded Age. I'll also reveal why we should never refer to the modern regulations as The Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. If you heard my first Bottled-in-Bond episode when it was released in 2019, I'm sorry for leading you astray. I was prone to marketing lore and there is a lot of it around this Act. When you hear today's episode, you'll realize how easy it is to get lore that seems confirmed by fact. If you heard my update just over a year ago, gone is the long drawn out story about adulteration. Today, we're going to dig in deep and focus on the goal of filling in the gaps of our knowledge about the real Bottled-in-Bond Act through contemporary accounts. And, it's time we honor the man who brought the bill through committee to the floor and who hand delivered it to President Cleveland. Happy Bottled-in-Bond Day! Drew  Read the original bill here: whiskeylore.org/episodes/season-seven/the-hero-of-the-bottled-in-bond-act-of-1897 

Open a whiskey magazine, newspaper, or check out your social media feed and you're sure to hear plenty of doom and gloom around the current whiskey market. There seem to be demons hiding in the bushes everywhere. Scapegoats include over-supply, over-confidence, speculation, poor management, inflation, capital constraints, tariffs, changing tastes like shifts to RTDs, hemp drinks, a rise in tequila popularity, or the younger generations seeming disinterested in drinking alcohol. And these are just the most popular. I've heard it over and over, we're heading for another whiskey depression (comparing this time to the 80s and 90s when whiskey fell out of favor). For some, it is just a matter of time, after all, history repeats, doesn't it? Join me as we take a look back on the trials and tribulations of the 20th century post-Prohibition whiskey industry, to see if there are any clues as to where our current industry is heading. WHISKEY STORIES ARE BACK! Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew

The first time I picked up a whiskey history book, I was introduced to the story of George Thorpe, an Englishman who came to Berkeley Plantation in 1620, to make "hooch," as the book stated. He was credited with making America's first corn whiskey and starting an industry. As I dove more and more into research on whiskey history and the evolution of distilling techniques, this American origin story seemed less and less likely. Still, I had to admit, I didn't know enough of the story to do any more than suggest, it was possibly lore. After diving deep into the historical record, I'll take a look at three popular theories as to why George is considered America's first distiller of corn whiskey. By the end, I'll give you my thoughts, but you too will be well versed enough in the story to make your own educated guess.  Enjoy this dive into early American distilling and watch for bonus coverage in Behind the Lore at patreon.com/whiskeylore .  Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew 

Timber Creek Distillery (Crestview, FL) WF087 Let's fly off to our next virtual destination, a distillery that incorporates a Canadian style of single grain distillation, incorporates brewing techniques into distilling, and is focused on providing great experiences - not just tours, but pairings, blending, and even blacksmithing and axe throwing while you enjoy their Brick oven pizza. The distillery is Timber Creek, located in the panhandle of Florida, about 50 miles north of Destin and Fort Walton Beach. In today's episode, I chat with founders Camden Form and Aaron Barnes. We'll talk about lautering, 401 rye, blending kits, and why experiences are so important to today's distilleries. Hear the condensed episode here or listen to the complete interview as a member of the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy patreon.com/whiskeylore Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew

Watershed Distillery (Columbus, OH) WF085 The Great 48 Tour finishes its Northeastern swing in the Midwest, as I visit Ohio's largest distillery and chat with Tommy Householder (Brand Ambassador) and Ryan Venrick (Cask Manager) about the rise of whiskey in Columbus, Barrel Aged Gin, buying local (including barrels), and the legend of Johnny Appleseed. I'll taste their flagship Bourbon and Apple Brandy. Enjoy this entertaining discussion or take the FULL TOUR and hear us taste each of their Bourbon expressions, gin, and apple brandy, plus get deeper stories with a 7-day free trail of the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy at patreon.com/whiskeylore

TRUTH OR LORE: Did James "Cobbie" Allardes enlist the help of Edinburgh's ladies of the night to sell his "guid Glendronach whisky?" It's a story I used to kick off the Whiskey Lore podcast back in 2019, but a lot has happened since then—especially when it comes to the way I conduct research. Join me as I take a second look at the life of James Allardes and the creation of Glendronach Distillery. The real story is fascinating and once you hear it, it will beg the question: Was the story of the Cannongate ladies of the night truth or lore? Along the way, we'll learn just how successful the distillery was under Cobbie's ownership and the style of whisky he was making. For lovers of the modern sherry bomb Glendronach, you might be in for a shock. And join me later this week for a deeper dive into the history of Glendronach on Behind The Lore, available to members of the Speakeasy at patreon.com/whiskeylore

Cooperstown Distillery (Cooperstown, NY) WF084 Time to take a journey to a town filled with baseball lore and memories---and some great whiskey tasting experiences.  Join me as I chat with Gene Marra, a native New Yorker who worked in the culinary arts and wine world before opening a distillery in the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. We'll have some interesting things to chat about. Gene will reveal why he thinks New York Bourbon is superior, we'll taste a Bourbon, rye, and single malt, and we'll find out how he prepared London judges before tasting his single malt. Plus, we'll talk about the cool signature baseball decanters they produce. Members of the Speakeasy can hear an extra 20 minutes of interview time, including a dive into New York's cooper who is gaining a great reputation, and we'll taste an Apple Brandy and see what the Europeans thought of that. Check it out at patreon.com/whiskeylore. Sign up for a 7-Day Free Trial.

Vermont Spirits (Quechee, VT) WF083 While reaching out to distilleries across the country for my new book Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing American Whiskey, quite a few caught my ear in terms of the techniques they were using to make spirits. Vermont Spirits was one of the few that caught my ear because of something other than whiskey. Yes, they make a Maple-infused Bourbon, but it was their distillation of maple syrup for their vodka and gin that fascinated me. The natural inclination would be to make rum. So, what is it that pushed Vermont Spirits to construct a distillery to focus on distilling vodka? We'll also dive into their Bourbon and barrel-aged gin that could easily pass for a rye whiskey. Join me as we visit the last of our New England distilleries on this amazing Great 48 Tour. Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew