🎙️ Ep. 121 - DR. PAT HEIST: Wilderness Trail Distillery and Firm Solutions Co-Founder

In this conversation, Drew Hannush interviews Dr. Pat Heist, co-founder of Wilderness Trail Distillery, exploring the journey from a small farmhouse distillery to a significant player in the whiskey industry. They discuss the scientific approach to distilling, the impact of the Renewable Fuels Act, the evolution of fermentation practices, and the importance of data collection in whiskey production. Dr. Heist shares insights on the sweet mash process, the challenges of scaling operations, and the future of whiskey innovation. TAKEAWAYS Wilderness Trail Distillery started as a small farmhouse distillery. Dr. Pat Heist and Shane Baker's partnership began in rock and roll. Firm Solutions was established during the 2006 economic crisis. The Renewable Fuels Act significantly impacted the distilling industry. Fuel ethanol production shares similarities with whiskey production. The distillery focuses on scientific methods in fermentation. Wilderness Trail has expanded its operations significantly since inception. Data collection is crucial for understanding whiskey production variations. Sweet mash production is a key focus for Wilderness Trail. The distillery aims to innovate and improve whiskey quality. Hear an extended version at whiskey-lore.com/patreon

New Riff Distillery (Newport, KY) WF061 As we continue to celebrate the release of Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing Kentucky Bourbon: Second Edition, time to visit one of the new breed of distilleries in Kentucky. As one of the few independent distilleries of size in the state, still family-owned, New Riff has found a way to spread their whiskey nearly coast-to-coast. As those beautiful and uniquely colored bottles make their way across the country, it is time to introduce you to the brand, its history, and the story behind this name - New Riff - with Mollie Lewis, President of the company. And if you'd like to learn more about New Riff and all the other Kentucky distilleries, make sure to pick up a copy of Experiencing Kentucky Bourbon on Amazon, using this shortcut link whiskey-lore.com/kentuckybook or if you have the book already log-in to see the full preview of the distillery at whiskey-lore.com/newriff

Whiskey Thief (Franklin Co and Louisville, KY) WF060 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) WF059 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) WF058 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) WF057 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) WF056 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) WF055 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) WF054 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) WF053 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