In a rugged corner of Northern Ireland, the hills of Inishowen whisper tales of rebellion and moonlit mischief. We'll meet Patrick, a humble tailor thrust into a high-stakes game of cat and mouse with excise officers. Then learn about the defiant distillers of Inishowen use any means at their disposal to preserve their livelihood. Join me on a journey back to the 19th century, where secret stills and hidden valleys echo with the spirit of rebellion. And after a day off on my own historic journey around Ireland, I set out for Baoilleach Distillery in Donegal. I'll meet with Michael O'Boyle, the ..read more

In a world where branding has become paramount in the promotion of people and products, certain brands have slipped from our vernacular, or have taken on new roles. Long ago, the saloon was much more than just the domain of cowboys and gunfighters in the Old West. But for some reason, the name disappeared. It's time to delve into the history of the concept and find out...whatever happened to the old time saloon? For more Whiskey Lore Stories, check out the new book The Lost History of Tennessee Whiskey by Drew Hannush. It's available at your favorite online bookseller or at Whiskey-Lore.com/au ..read more

While traveling in Scotland and Ireland, I'm surprised at how many distilleries tell the story of a mighty cooper's union that lobbied for American's single use barrel rule. I've never heard a single American distillery even mention it. And when I ask them about it, I get blank stares.   Let's dive into the history of coopers, find out more about their craft, take a ride on a flatboat covered in barrel staves, and find out if some magical cooper's union is the reason for all of those lovely caramel and vanilla notes in our American whiskies ..read more

Think you know the story behind the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897? Well, if you listened to the episode in Season 1 or have read any modern literature on it, prepare to be shocked. During my research for my new book The Lost History of Tennessee Whiskey, I bumped into an obscure piece of information from 1895 that turns the entire narrative around Colonel E.H. Taylor and the Bottled-in-Bond Act on its head. In this episode, things will start as they did when I created this episode in 2019, along with some subtle changes. Then, the episode will take a wild turn and you'll hear a story hasn't been ..read more

So, where has Whiskey Lore Stories been all summer? I'll give you the lowdown. In reality, I've been working on 30 new episodes, but they will be in a different format than you're used to. As I break the century mark on Whiskey Lore: The Interviews episodes and complete a summer of writing stories that I have yet to share, it is time to look at how I've done things with Whiskey Lore and where I can make it even better. I give the update as I reveal some of my findings during my research for the upcoming book The Lost History of Tennessee Whiskey.  Enjoy this episode, which is also availab ..read more

It's hard to imagine what the whiskey industry would look like today, if a certain excise man had succumbed to the wounds he received in Donegal in 1810. The early 19th century was a critical time for Irish whiskey. The Acts of Union had united the country with an empire and new markets were open for spirits. But growing pains were the rule of the day. Large distillers and the Parliament were crushing small distillers and becoming jealous of those who were making higher profits off of their illicit poitín. A war was brewing out west and something was going to give. Also in this episode, we'll ..read more

It seems appropriate that an episode featuring me taking a walking tour of Belfast with McConnell's Sarah Kennedy would sync up with the story of the Irish Rebellion of 1798. It was a pivital time in Irish history, when a last ditch effort was made to separate from the control of Great Britain. Its an event that would echo down through Irish history - especially in Belfast and Northern Ireland. Hear the story of one of the rebellion's central figures and how one of the United Irishmen's own came to haunt one of Ireland's most historic distilleries. And enjoy a cruise around Belfast, where - da ..read more

The names of Jameson, Roe, and Powers all have a special place in the history of the success of the Irish whiskey industry. But none of them had the power and influence in the 18th century to take their whiskey around the world.   This week, we'll meet that man who almost ruined Irish whiskey's reputation, while also setting it on a path to the massive success it would enjoy in the 19th century. Plus, I'll share my experience on my first day in Belfast at the McConnell's Sherry Cask whiskey launch ..read more

For distillers in the 18th Century, the challenge was not getting crushed by tax revenuers because of a lack of quality devices or understanding of what makes a gallon, something that changed often over the centuries. Listen as I dig into the history of proof and measuring volume, while we get visits from Alfred Barnard, John Quincy Adams, and I continue my historic journey to all of Ireland and Northern Ireland's active distilleries (save Cooley) and reach the home of Shortcross Gin and Irish Whiskey ..read more

When it comes to firsts and oldests in whiskey, finding a clear answer is a challenge. This week, I'll take a look at some of the criteria around determining the oldest distillery and we'll see why finding an answer is so tough. Plus, I'll continue my journey around Northern Ireland with a visit to Hinch Distillery and Alfred Barnard and his mates will visit one of the challengers for the title oldest distillery in Ireland ..read more