🎙️ Ep. 125 - THE WHISKEY BIBLE: The Latest Whiskey Boom and History with Author Noah Rothbaum

Up North Distillery (Post Falls, ID) WF075 Occasionally I visit a distillery that stretches the imagination of what spirits can be. Randy and Hilary Mann have just such a distillery in the upper reaches of the Idaho panhandle. Up North not only makes a delicious single malt (featuring one of my favorite tasting notes) they also make barrel aged and barrel finished honey spirits, brandies, and a fascinating spirit that was inspired by a Bavarian spirit. Join me as we taste through some of these unique spirits and learn what it takes to distill honey, turn people on to brandy, and taste through a wide spectrum of spirits. Whiskey Lore Speakeasy fans get an extra 12 minutes of interview time. Join on a 7 day free trail at patreon.com/whiskeylore

Browne Family Spirits (Spokane, WA) WF0074 As we hit the midway point of the Great 48 Tour, we're hitting the furthest point northwest on our tour. Our destination is a distillery that lives in the shadown of a massive grain mill on the eastside of town. It's known in the area for great and innovative cocktails, its owners came from the wine industry, the distiller is a Kentuckian, and the whiskeys are filled with depth and character. Join me as I chat with Aaron Kleinhelter, master distiller, about working with Pacific Northwest grain, how he gets so much flavor from his spirits, and life for a Kentuckian in Eastern Washington.  And enjoy a few extra minutes of interview time as a member of the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy, by joining at patreon.com/whiskeylore while supporting this independent podcaster. Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew

Oregon Spirit Distillers (Bend, OR) WF073 Over the last 3 months, I've been scouring the United States for distilleries to list in my upcoming Experiencing American Whiskey book. But I've also been trying to find other things that would help whiskey fans discover new distilleries in each state. It was while trying to learn about Oregon's whiskey festivals that I was introduced to Brad Irwin, co-founder of Oregon Spirit Distillers. Brad and his wife Kathy run the annual Oregon Whiskey Festival each September at their distillery. It is just the kind of festival I was look for. So when it came time to plan out a trip to Oregon for a distillery visit on my Great 48 Tour, I thought, maybe I should stop by and see what this distillery is all about. Join me as I chat with Brad about starting with a wheat whiskey, how it differs from a "wheater" and talk about why the classics are always the best. Plus, I'll be popping into a store that many of you probably thought has long since disappeared. Enjoy an extended version of the podcast at patreon.com/whiskeylore as a member of the Speakeasy and support this independent podcast.

If you've been to their distillery in Louisville or read one of their bottles you have probably encountered the claim that that Old Forester was "the first bottled Bourbon." The story suggests that in 1870, a former pharmaceutical rep George Garvin Brown began placing whiskey in sealed bottles and putting his signature on them to show he stood behind the safety and quality of the whiskey. It's a great story. But is it true? Join me in this pilot episode of a potential new Whiskey Lore series, as I dig through old newspapers and archives to seek out the deeper story of who George Garvin Brown was, more about this fine spirit known as Old Forester, and how much of the story is truth and how much of it is lore. And if you enjoy this kind of deep-dive whiskey investigation and want to help this independent podcaster bring more episodes like it to life, join the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy at patreon.com/whiskeylore It is time to disrupt some whiskey history! Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew

Hinterhaus Distillery (Arnold, CA) WF072 Today the Great 48 Tour climbs over the Sierra-Nevadas into the great state of California. The drive in featured mountains, huge Sequoias, and some hairpin turns. The first signs of life (beyond some bikers and travelers at overlooks) occurs when you see the sign for Hinterhaus Distillery. This is a distillery I've long wanted to visit, thanks to the great support it got in my Instagram Fan Favorite Craft Distillery competition last year. The trip didn't disappoint. The Randalls are making some amazing whiskey without a lot of background. Quality ingredients, trying to stay as California as possible for terroir, and a love for experimentation. I've been enjoying the flavors I've discovered on this trip and Hinterhaus is a big part of that flavor story. If you're a member of the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy at patreon.com/whiskeylore then you've got a full hour of conversation to listen to. We'll dive deeper into the pros and cons of wild yeast, dealing with grains in drought conditions, and how Nate Randall set up a distillery without a single consultant. We'll also go through several whiskies and even a brandy on top of the 2 we taste for the podcast feed. Enjoy this trip to the edge of the wilderness.  Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew

Frey Ranch Distillery (Fallon, NV) WF071 Four years ago, I had the pleasure of chatting with Colby and Ashley Frey of Frey Ranch Distillery. They had just released their first batch of Bourbon and so we discussed that, but also took a deep dive into farming and how having direct control over the grain is such an advantage. Well, the Great 48 Tour was heading through Nevada and so where better to stop in officially (since that first visit was a Zoom call) than on the farm that houses both grain and distillery. And what I visit it was. I got to walk through the malt house, see the distillery, and then get a fascinating tour of the distillery, complete with a fly over (you'll have to listen to find out what that was all about). This is definitely a deep dive episode and no worries if you heard the original interview, we're covering all new ground here, including some tastings of the great experimental whiskies that were just starting to age the last time I talked to the Freys. I will tell you though, you're going to miss a lot if you just listen to the 35 minute episode that is on the Whiskey Lore Podcast feed. On Patreon, I chat for an addition 25 minutes with dives into some of the on-going experiments at the distillery as well as some insider info and details about how Colby is making his own peat like substance. Find it at patreon.com/whiskeylore

Sugar House Distillery (South Salt Lake, UT) WF0040 After an incredible drive up through one of (if not) the most beautiful states in the country, I made my way to South Salt Lake in Utah for my third stop on this western swing of the Great 48 Tour. My host is James Fowler of Sugar House Distillery. If you thought High West was the only name in Utah spirits, you're in for a surprise.  James took me on a tour of the distillery, the barrel room, and then rolled over a cart filled with whiskey bottles, where we taste through Utah Bourbon, rye, and single malts. While sipping, we'll talk about how customers react to single malt, James' evolution from beer to distilling, and the special conditions James deals with in Utah.  For fans wanting an even deeper dive into the tastings including their vodka and beer inspired Bourbon, become a member of the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy at patreon.com/whiskeylore and get an extra 30 minutes of this interview, plus additional travel information. At the same time you'll be supporting this independent podcast. 

As Above So Below Distillery (Santa Fe, NM) WF0069 Today we're going to visit the beautiful town of Santa Fe and one of the most unique philosophies in terms of making spirits that I've come across. A primary goal for founder and distiller Caley Shoemaker and her spirits, particularly her gin, is to create a "sense of place" that evokes the unique aromas of Northern New Mexico, using local botanicals like piñon sap. Meanwhile, the distillery's experimental whiskey line, "The Astrologist," was designed to be a series of unique, one-time releases tied to the astrological conditions present at the time of bottling. This approach may seem unconventional, but we'll learn why Caley feels this is a fun way to expand our understanding of how spirits develop. We'll taste several spirits (more so on the extended version of the podcast, that also includes bonus coverage at patreon.com/whiskey) and talk about Caley's move from Stranahans to owning her own distillery and taking her talents as far away as Rwanda. It's a fascinating episode you won't want to miss.  Find more whiskey flights at whiskeylore.org/flights

Boulder Spirits (Vapor Distillery in Boulder CO) WF0068 The state of Colorado has no shortage of amazing distilleries, so I had a tough choice when kicking the "Great 48 Tour" back into gear. One of my favorite visits when I made my way here two years ago was Boulder Spirits. Founder Alastair Brogan walked me all around the place and we have a great conversation about all things single malt, Bourbon, Scotland, and making whiskey in the Rockies. Since we haven't featured him on the podcast, today is the day. Join me as we chat about what drew him to America, having a still and needing a distillery, starting with Bourbon, getting the first 10 year whiskey ready, and the new experience Boulder Spirits brought to the center of town. Members of the Speakeasy and Club 1897 will also hear extended conversations about how Forsyths in Scotland leaned on their experience with Balcones in designing the still, and aging whiskey in the high pressure of a mile high zone. Join at patreon.com/whiskeylore and get a bonus of helping to support this independent podcast.

As a historical researcher, one of the time periods I seem to have the least knowledge of is the history of this latest whiskey boom. As luck would have it, today I get a chance to dive into that history with someone who lived it. Meet Noah Rothbaum, the author of the upcoming book The Whiskey Bible: The Complete Guide to the World's Greatest Spirit. For 25 years, he's seen whiskey go from inconsequential in an era where whiskey trails were non-existent, to today's whiskey boom. Motivation that led to Noah getting into whiskey writing The landscape of whiskey at the turn of this century Mad Man myth or truth? Bourbon's domination of the American story, yet limited brands The rise of rye and craft The trip to St. Andrews and where Scotch whisky interest was at the time  The first distillery visit Canadian, Irish, Japanese, and the development of World whiskies.