What is a tax strip and why is it on the cap of my whiskey? Tax strips are the bit of paper that were affixed over the cap/cork to indicate […]
Barrel Sizes
I thought I’d follow up yesterday’s post with a list of barrel sizes for reference. The English Tun (259 gallons) twice the size of a butt and 6 brewery barrels […]
What Defines What Barrel is Used?
What defines the type of barrel that whiskey is aged or finished in? Different styles of barrel aged liquors use different style oak casks. Sherry, for instance is aged in […]
Irish Whiskey Boom!
Did you know that Irish whiskey is booming right now? Most Irish whiskey that is exported to America is Jameson’s Irish whiskey. About 60-70% of the Irish whiskey sales in […]
Why Do Copper Pot Stills Look So Different?
Why do copper pot stills always look so different? Every still produces a different whiskey. Alembic stills (the ones that look like copper cauldrons with elephant trunks…) have been around […]
What Is It About Distillers and Artists?
What is it about distillers and chefs and artists? Why can they be so difficult to work with? I read an article recently about Chip Tate (creator of Balcones) and […]
What is “Mountain Dew”?
Did you know that “Mountain Dew” soda was invented by two brothers in Tennessee to be a chaser for whiskey? Here’s a great story for you.. http://vinepair.com/win…/mountain-dew-extreme-whiskey-mixer/
George Washington’s Rye Whiskey
Did you know that at the time our first President passed away, he owned the largest distillery in the country? George Washington was not a whiskey drinker, but he was […]
Whiskey Stereotypes Debunked
Whiskey is not more “dangerous” than wine or beer. I know that may sound silly to say, but this has been an American cultural claim that I feel needs addressing. […]
Al Capone Went to Prison Today…
Did you know that today is the day that Al Capone went to prison? On this day in 1931, Al Capone was sentenced to 11 years in prison for tax […]