WHISKEY 101: BOURBON, PROHIBITION & HOW TO TASTE LIKE A PRO

What actually makes whiskey whiskey? John and Rick pour a glass and break down bourbon, Scotch, Irish whiskey, whiskey history, Prohibition, and the techniques behind a proper tasting.

IN THIS EPISODE

Pour a glass and settle in as we explore the history, rules, traditions, and culture behind America's favorite brown spirit.

Together, we explore:

• What separates whiskey from other distilled spirits and how fermentation, grains, barrels, and aging create its signature character.

• The differences between Scotch, Irish whiskey, bourbon, and Japanese whiskey.

• The bourbon rulebook, including the 51% corn requirement, new charred oak barrels, and why bourbon does not have to come from Kentucky.

• How Prohibition devastated American distilling and caused generations of whiskey knowledge, recipes, and yeast strains to disappear.

• The techniques behind a proper whiskey tasting, from evaluating appearance and aroma to experiencing flavor and finish.

• What happens inside a barrel during aging and why evaporation is known as the “angel's cut.”

• Plenty of whiskey stories, opinions, banter, and the occasional disagreement along the way.

THE WHISKEY CONVERSATION

Whiskey is more than a drink. It's history, craftsmanship, tradition, and culture distilled into a glass.

We dig into what makes each style different and why the rules surrounding whiskey and bourbon matter.

Whether you're a seasoned whiskey enthusiast or just starting to explore the world of bourbon, there's plenty here to sip on.

TASTING LIKE A PRO

There's more to tasting whiskey than taking a sip.

We discuss how experienced tasters evaluate:

• Appearance and the way the spirit moves in the glass

• Aroma and how to properly approach the nose

• Flavor and how the spirit develops across your palate

• Finish and the lingering character after the sip

Grab your favorite bottle and taste along.

ABOUT WHISKEY INSPIRED

Pour a glass. Pick a topic. Start the conversation.

Whiskey Inspired is a video podcast about the questions, ideas, stories, and experiences that make life interesting.

We explore:

• Culture and current events

• History and technology

• Ethics and human behavior

• Unusual ideas and everyday experiences

• The topics people are curious about but don't always talk about

You don't have to love whiskey to enjoy the conversation. The whiskey is simply the inspiration.

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LINKS & RESOURCES

• Email: whiskeyinspiredpodcast@gmail.com

• Facebook: Whiskey Inspired Podcast