Whiskey Lore® / Drew Hannush

Oral tradition suggests early settlers came over the mountains into Kentucke country with their pack horses carrying stills. While it is possible, it wasn't a critical item. Sure people grew corn to "improve upon the land" so they could claim it for their own. But tilling fields in those early days was a dangerous endeavor. Remember, the land these settlers were planting on was the prized hunting ground of the Shawnee, Cherokee, etc. Most attacks occurred when settlers were alone and exposed. With this inability to grow substantial grains and with limited access to salt for preserving meats, it took a couple of years for any community to have "excess grains for distilling." And even then, anything distilled would be from the community's grain - used most likely for medicinal reasons. It wasn't until the frontier was secured and land owners could till in peace that stills would find their place in a developing barter economy. Want to go deeper? Check out The Lost History of Bourbon series on the Whiskey Lore Podcast. whiskeylore.org/episodes/x01… Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew Images made with AI, never the stories.

One of the more unique tombstones you will see. James A. Miller, the man whose whiskey became known as Chicken Cock after his untimely death. In the Victorian era, these tree trunk stones signified a life cut short. He died of asthma at the age of 42. His story is part of the new book I'm writing and releasing in rough draft form on the Whiskey Lore Podcast. The Lost History of Bourbon.

I literally couldn't think of a better way to celebrate the 250th year of American Independence after a year of promoting craft distilleries across the country through my book Experiencing American Whiskey, than to have Nora and Adam from Lost Lantern on the Whiskey Lore Podcast to talk about sourcing Bourbon from 50 different states for 2 amazing blends - and 13 Bourbons from the original 13 colonies for their 1776 blend known as the "United States of Bourbon." (takes a breath after a long sentence!😮) We'll dive into the hunt for Bourbons, the challenges of blending 50 different distillery personalities into one, and find out more about Lost Lantern's mission as an Independent Bottler. Find the podcast on your favorite podcast app or at patreon.com/whiskeylore or here: whiskeylore.org/interviews/l… Enjoy the 4th everyone. Countries don't turn 250 years old every day. Be safe and, yes, responsible too. Happy Birthday America! Drew

Whew, just finished up the last of a three-part series on the history of Four Roses. The story wasn't always neat and tidy. That's why it is so interesting to step back and look at a company through a historical lens, rather than a marketing one. In Episode 1, we see two founders who latch onto rye whiskey and make their Old Monongahela a prized whiskey from New Orleans to Washington, D.C. Then Georgia Prohibition drives the business to Louisville, where the Four Roses brand appears - but it isn't initially the star of the show. In Episode 2, we learn that again Four Roses isn't the star of the show until National Prohibition. We take a look at the early advertising for Four Roses parent Paul Jones & Co, and then learn of an innovator for the company who time forgot (his influence may have set the course for American whiskey in the 20th century). In Episode 3, we find out why the story of Seagram's "cheapening" Four Roses and making it a bottom-shelf brand wasn't their intent. We'll look at how tastes drove Four Roses in the direction it took, rather than the narrative that they sent "the good stuff" overseas. I don't know if there is a better whiskey story for showing how tastes change and how brands can overreact more than that of Four Roses. A brand that become one of the most respected, chanced perceived "quality" and "American tastes" right into the ground - before putting their finger back on the pulse of what makes a great whiskey. Find all three episodes on patreon.com/whiskeylore for free or on your favorite podcast app.

I absolutely love this visualization. It does show how many states were in prohibition before national Prohibition.

🚨 STORIES ARE BACK! 🚨 The question: Who was America's first distiller of corn whiskey? Several sources point to an Englishman administrator from Gloucestershire who was brought to American to start its first college and distill its first "hooch?" I'll take you back to 17th century England and the settlement just north of Jamestown known as Berkeley Plantation where we will meet George Thorpe, the man credited by some as America's first distiller of corn whiskey. You'll meet Captain Thomas Palmer, a resident of Berkeley Hundred on the James River and hear him recall the tale of a strange beverage made of corn George offered him. Then we'll go through the inventory of George's things, as compiled by Thomas and two others. We'll inspect what they are drinking and see if we can determine exactly what this thing drink they call "Virginia" really is. It's a packed episode and by the end, you'll have plenty of evidence to make an educated guess as to whether George's status as America's first distiller of corn whiskey is truth or lore. whiskeylore.org/episodes/sea… Then later this week, we'll go Behind the Lore for some additional details. Enjoy this all new story. Cheers and slainte mhath! Drew

🥃 NEW EPISODE ALERT Join me as we travel virtually to the Florida Panhandle to explore the experiences and unique distilling and blending techniques at Timber Creek Distillery. Founders Cam Ford and Aaron Barnes join me to chat about blending kits, Florida grains, and how axe throwing fits into a Saturday afternoon at the distillery. Find the Whiskey Lore Podcast on your favorite podcast app and look for Whiskey Flight 087. Also, find Timber Creek's profile on page 114 of Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing American Whiskey. Cheers and slainte mhath! Drew

👀 NEW WHISKEY LORE PODCAST — SEASON 7, EPISODE 2 📜 History is officially back. Season 7 of the Whiskey Lore Podcast continues its return to storytelling—revisiting old tales with new evidence, and introducing new research that challenges what we think we know about whisky history. 🥃 James “Cobbie” Allardes, Glendronach, and the Ladies of the Night This week, I’m returning to the story that started it all. James Allardes (spelled Allardice on the bottles) is often credited with founding Glendronach in 1826—and with using “ladies of the night” in Edinburgh to help sell his whisky. What is truth and what is lore? 🔍 In this episode, I dig into the records to explore: • Whether the famous Edinburgh story fits the historical facts • Whether 1826 truly marks the beginning of production at Glendronach • Who James Allardes really was, and how long he actually owned the distillery • Which distilleries were the giants of Scotland in the 1820s (and yes—Glendronach was one of them) ⏰ Release schedule: 🥃 Patreon Speakeasy members — today at 9 AM EST 🎧 All podcast platforms — Monday at 2 PM EST 🗝️ And later this week, Speakeasy members will also get a "Behind the Lore" episode, where I trace Glendronach’s story from the 1830s to today—a journey that uncovers a very different distillery than the one most people think they know. If you love whisky history, support this important research and be the first to hear the stories by joining the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy at patreon.com/whiskeylore. Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew #glendronach #whiskyhistory #singlemaltwhisky #mythbusters

📢 NEW EPISODE ALERT Welcome to Cooperstown, the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the lore surrounding Abner Doubleday, memorabilia shops, and whiskey. On the Whiskey Lore Podcast, I'm stopping in to visit with Gene Marra, a native New Yorker who left the culinary and wine world to start a distillery in his home state. He believes New York brings something special to Bourbon and other spirits and he's ready to tell you all about it. Catch the 30 minute version of the interview on the Whiskey Lore Podcast or for our full 50 minute deep dive, head to the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy at patreon.com/whiskeylore. Sign up for a free 7-day free trial. Time to connect two of my favorite historical passions baseball and whiskey. Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew

Catch the premiere of Meet the Makers, with my guest Kim McLaughlin of the fun and quirky Pittsburgh area distillery (starting in minutes). youtube.com/watch?v=AEdMumQZ…

🎉 JOIN ME ON THE BOURBON ROAD Thanks to Jim and Todd for having me on the The Bourbon Road podcast today to talk about my newly released book Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing American Whiskey. We sample some whiskeys and talk about distillery travel across the country and how this book opens up over 1,000 whiskey-making distilleries to discovery. The distilleries you're seeing our Fan Favorite competition are all in there. Find the Bourbon Road on all the best podcast apps and find my new book on Amazon by using the shortcut link: whiskeylore.org/americanwhis… Let's make 2026 the year of distillery discovery! Cheers and slainte mhath! Drew

🥃📢 NEW EPISODE ALERT Happy New Year everyone. Back on track with Whiskey Flights. As you can tell by the picture, I was in New Hampshire at the color's peak. A beautiful drive in from Portsmouth (a little over an hour). This was a great way to start my journey west. Brian Ferguson and David Brustlin sat down with me to chat about Brian's travels from PA to the Caribbean up to New Hampshire and how a distilling job turned into business ownership. We talked about the distillery's focus between wine and whiskey, farming, growing grapes in NH, Breakfast Bourbon, and the new stillhouse. Afterwards Brian took me to the new building. I'm sure it looks a lot more complete now - they were just painting the mural when I was in. Enjoy this 33 stop on my journey to discovering America's distilleries. Next Tuesday Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing American Whiskey will be out, so you'll get to start picking out your own lists of places to go. Check out the Whiskey Lore podcast on your favorite app. Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew

🎉😂 Had to do a little flashback to my favorite DJ on this week's podcast. When I was younger, Casey Kasem was the first radio superstar I'd ever heard and he made counting down the nation's biggest hits sound so easy. Well, this year, everyone voted for their Fan Favorite Independent Craft Distilleries, so I wanted to give these great distilleries one more shout out in 2025. Check out the Whiskey Lore Podcast on your favorite podcast app. Start with last week's episode to get 40-25 and then I finish up with 24 to #1 in this week's episode. Along the way, I share interviews and insights. Have a happy and safe New Years and thanks so much for being a part of Whiskey Lore! More to come in 2026! Drew

🥃📢 NEW EPISODE ALERT Whiskey Flights heads into Massachusetts (just a quick 45 minute drive from Rhode Island) to meet up with Rhonda Kallman, founder of Boston Harbor Distillery and original co-founder of Boston Beer Co (Samuel Adams). whiskeylore.org/distilleries… This is a gem on the Harbor worth discovering. We'll talk about how she found this historic gem of a building, the whisky legend who helped get the distillery on the right path, the number of her still (see in the pic) and distilling beer with hops. We keep things lively as we taste through her Putnum rye, her focus on American single malt, and something called Demon Seed. Check out this latest episode of the Whiskey Lore Podcast and prepare to add this distillery to your Whiskey Lore Wish List. And find this distillery and 1,000 others across 50 states by pre-ordering your signed copy of Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing American Whiskey. Free shipping in the good ol' US of A. Get your 2026 distillery travel plans locked down while the chill of winter is upon us. whiskeylore.org/shop Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew

👀 NEW EPISODE ALERT While Rhode Island might not be the first place you think of when it comes to whiskey, there is quite a nice little community of distilleries in the state. When I planned the trip out in May, I originally was going to Sons of Liberty thanks to nominations in the Instagram "fan favorites" competition. However, when those plans were cancelled and this switched to fall and peak leaf-peeping time, Sons of Liberty was unable to meet. But they said, "hey, you should try Working Man Distillers" And that is what I did. In visiting with John and Kelly Lendall, the owners, I learned that when they moved from Massachusetts to this current location, another family run distillery O'Brien and Brough offered to let Working Man store their barrels until they got settled in. Hear the story of Working Man, the eclectic design of the tasting room and event space, and how the original plans for the distillery evolved into what they're doing today. It's available on the Whiskey Lore Podcast on your favorite podcast app. Enjoy this romp through New England by subscribing so you don't miss an episode. And Friday is the last day to take advantage of discounts and (US) free shipping on my books at whiskeylore.org/shop Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew

🐄🎁 WHISKEY HISTORY BOOKS: Holiday Sale! Did you know Jack Daniel was as well, or better known, for cattle than for whiskey in the 19th century? Give the gift of REAL whiskey history this Christmas, with The Lost History of Tennessee Whiskey (on sale, free shipping, and signed by the author). There are a lot of myths around Jack, many he and his nephew created in his lifetime. I dug through old newspapers and courthouse records to uncover when he really partnered with Dan Call, the most logical way Nearest came to work for him, and how "the oldest registered distillery" claim came about. This plus 100-years of forgotten Tennessee whiskey history happened before then, including the story of a fugitive who became Tennessee's first whiskey tycoon. Give the gift of real history to your favorite whiskey fan and save $3 off the cover price, get free shipping, and my signature. Available through the Whiskey Lore Shop: whiskeylore.org/shop Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew

✈️🎁 TRAVEL BOOKS: Holiday Sale! JAMES E. PEPPER DISTILLERY When it comes to tours with a lot of history, don't sleep on the Old Pepper Distillery. Yeah the 1776 claim is a little hard to prove but the legacy of James E. Pepper does go back to his Grandfather Elijah and the famous distilling point at Glenns Creek. He probably didn't know James Crow (Crow left the Oscar Pepper Distillery when James was quite young), but he definitely knew Col. E.H. Taylor. I toured the distillery again this February and have details and advice for how to fit this distillery into travel plans. If you have a whiskey fan on your list, this 2025 updated edition is 17% off, it will be signed, and shipping is free in the US. Make sure to get your order in... whiskeylore.org/shop Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew

🎧🥃 NEW EPISODE: Great 48 Tour I finally made it to New England and just in time to see a blast of color (recorded in mid-October). The drive through the Hudson Valley to Connecticut was incredible. My timing was perfect too, as I got to @litchfielddistillery just as the man I was going to interview, one of the founding brothers, Peter Baker, arrived. Litchfield Distillery is the story of three brothers who were running a third-generation bottled water company and saw an opportunity in the whiskey-making business. We'll talk about their focus on Connecticut grains, taste their 8 year old Bourbon (yes, made in-house), and I have questions about the bottled water industry (which for some reason I just think of as a modern fad). Join us back in the Litchfield business office as we sit at the conference table and have a chat - just find the Whiskey Lore Podcast on your favorite podcast app or at Patreon.com/whiskeylore Cheers and slainte mhath Drew

🔔 Ring the bell, I'm back on the road again - this time heading to New England. On the way, I had the need to stop at a New Jersey distillery (since I missed my chance on my last PA trip). Back then I'd learned about @milkstreetdistillery and wanted to stop in. It didn't work out then, but it was the perfect place to stop as I drove from Allentown, PA toward Connecticut. A few back roads showed me, northern New Jersey is a beautiful spot. I never knew. And here I'm only 90 minutes from Newark/New York City. Join me today on the Whiskey Lore Podcast as I meet with Mike and Gordon, two brothers who stepped out of the construction world and went into building a distillery and portfolio of whiskeys. As always, independent craft distillers like to throw me a curveball. Today we'll be hearing about an ingredient they use in Bourbon that I think is brilliant. We'll also discover the story behind Murder Bourbon and the War Penny. A totally chill conversation here, I know you'll enjoy it. If you want the full 50 minutes, you can get it at patreon.com/whiskeylore as a member of the Speakeasy (7-day free trial available). Or, catch the 30 minute condensed version for free on your favorite podcast app or whiskeylore.org/flights And, if you're looking for gifts for your whiskey friends - right now I've got several whiskey history and travel books on sale with free shipping at whiskeylore.org/shop. I'll sign them and ship them ASAP. Cheers and slainte mhath, Drew

I'm taking a week off before heading to my next Great 48 Tour stop. It's time to embrace Scotch whisky history including the ways the Gladstone government propelled the spirit through law changes, the history of Fettercairn, and how Distillery Manager Stewart Walker and his team choose barrels. We also taste 24, 28, 40, and 46 year old whisky and talk about how he wakes a spirit up that has been sleeping in a cask for so long. It's a fascinating hour and a long overdue trip back to the flavors and history of Scotland. Find the podcast on your favorite podcast app or at whiskeylore.org/interviews Cheers and slainte mhath! Drew