Timber Creek Distillery (Crestview, FL) WF087

Let's fly off to our next virtual destination, a distillery that incorporates a Canadian style of single grain distillation, incorporates brewing techniques into distilling, and is focused on providing great experiences - not just tours, but pairings, blending, and even blacksmithing and axe throwing while you enjoy their Brick oven pizza.

The distillery is Timber Creek, located in the panhandle of Florida, about 50 miles north of Destin and Fort Walton Beach. In today's episode, I chat with founders Camden Form and Aaron Barnes. We'll talk about lautering, 401 rye, blending kits, and why experiences are so important to today's distilleries.

Hear the condensed episode here or listen to the complete interview as a member of the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy patreon.com/whiskeylore

Cheers and slainte mhath,
Drew

Watershed Distillery (Columbus, OH) WF085

The Great 48 Tour finishes its Northeastern swing in the Midwest, as I visit Ohio's largest distillery and chat with Tommy Householder (Brand Ambassador) and Ryan Venrick (Cask Manager) about the rise of whiskey in Columbus, Barrel Aged Gin, buying local (including barrels), and the legend of Johnny Appleseed. I'll taste their flagship Bourbon and Apple Brandy.

Enjoy this entertaining discussion or take the FULL TOUR and hear us taste each of their Bourbon expressions, gin, and apple brandy, plus get deeper stories with a 7-day free trail of the Whiskey Lore Speakeasy at patreon.com/whiskeylore

TRUTH OR LORE: Did James "Cobbie" Allardes enlist the help of Edinburgh's ladies of the night to sell his "guid Glendronach whisky?"

It's a story I used to kick off the Whiskey Lore podcast back in 2019, but a lot has happened since then—especially when it comes to the way I conduct research.

Join me as I take a second look at the life of James Allardes and the creation of Glendronach Distillery. The real story is fascinating and once you hear it, it will beg the question: Was the story of the Cannongate ladies of the night truth or lore?

Along the way, we'll learn just how successful the distillery was under Cobbie's ownership and the style of whisky he was making. For lovers of the modern sherry bomb Glendronach, you might be in for a shock.

And join me later this week for a deeper dive into the history of Glendronach on Behind The Lore, available to members of the Speakeasy at patreon.com/whiskeylore

Cooperstown Distillery (Cooperstown, NY) WF084

Time to take a journey to a town filled with baseball lore and memories---and some great whiskey tasting experiences.

Join me as I chat with Gene Marra, a native New Yorker who worked in the culinary arts and wine world before opening a distillery in the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

We'll have some interesting things to chat about. Gene will reveal why he thinks New York Bourbon is superior, we'll taste a Bourbon, rye, and single malt, and we'll find out how he prepared London judges before tasting his single malt. Plus, we'll talk about the cool signature baseball decanters they produce.

Members of the Speakeasy can hear an extra 20 minutes of interview time, including a dive into New York's cooper who is gaining a great reputation, and we'll taste an Apple Brandy and see what the Europeans thought of that. Check it out at patreon.com/whiskeylore. Sign up for a 7-Day Free Trial.

Vermont Spirits (Quechee, VT) WF083

While reaching out to distilleries across the country for my new book Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing American Whiskey, quite a few caught my ear in terms of the techniques they were using to make spirits.

Vermont Spirits was one of the few that caught my ear because of something other than whiskey. Yes, they make a Maple-infused Bourbon, but it was their distillation of maple syrup for their vodka and gin that fascinated me. The natural inclination would be to make rum. So, what is it that pushed Vermont Spirits to construct a distillery to focus on distilling vodka?

We'll also dive into their Bourbon and barrel-aged gin that could easily pass for a rye whiskey.

Join me as we visit the last of our New England distilleries on this amazing Great 48 Tour.

Cheers and slainte mhath,
Drew

Flag Hill Distillery and Winery (Lee, NH) WF082

Join me as I continue the Great 48 Tour across New England, with a scenic stop at the Flag Hill Distillery and Winery.

Originally hired as a distiller, Brian Ferguson had thoughts of going back to his native Pennsylvania to make whiskey. Then the owner made him an excellent offer to stay and take over Flag Hill. It's a unique story and we'll dive into it.

We'll also talk about some of the projects he's got going on. We'll learn what Heavy Rum and Breakfast Bourbon are, learn about the distillery's grain growing practices, and how the winery fits into whiskey tastings.

There will be a photo from my visit to Flag Hill in my upcoming book Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing American Whiskey. It's quintessential New England.

Are you ready to find out who number one is? I've gathered conversations from the distilleries I've talked with and pieced together the 24 biggest fan favorite distilleries as voted by Instagram and Patreon followers of Whiskey Lore.

Thanks to everyone who voted this year. Friday, we will be starting all over again, but with some changed, which I describe in the podcast. In 2026, we are going to engage every distillery in the upcoming book Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing American Whiskey.

Time to stir the pot and get these distilleries noticed. Medal winners will first dibs on having profiles written about them in Experiencing American Whiskey: 2027 Edition - so this vote will matter!

Happy New Year to all, be safe and have fun.
Cheers and slainte mhath in 2026.
Drew

WARNING: DJ Voice Enabled

Welcome to a year end countdown of the Top 40 independent craft distilleries as voted on by you. We'll count down from #40 to #1 and I'll share bits of interviews, personal notes, distillery insights from the new book Experiencing American Whiskey, and a few interesting side-bits, like what are the top 10 states for whiskey distillery experiences.

It's a fun hour to round up an amazing year and to reward these great distilleries with some extra coverage on the Whiskey Lore Podcast.

Enjoy and happy holidays to you all!
Drew

For pre-orders of Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing American Whiskey
whiskeylore.org/shop (US only)