Whiskey Lore (Travel Fuels Life LLC)

Seeking the origins of Bourbon, in Paris. Paris, Kentucky that is. it's there that I stumbled on the first use of the words "Bourbon whiskey" in print (May 1, 1821). But the research doesn't stop there. We have to keep asking questions to get to the truth.

"I've read a lot of books, and this is one of the best books out there regarding American whiskey." - Jacob Kiper // Malt Review Wow, and nice pairing. https://lnkd.in/eZe6eW_w #tennessee #whiskey #history #author

Announcing the official release of The Lost History of Tennessee Whiskey by Drew Hannush in paperback and audiobook formats. As was heard in a pub in Greenville, SC during a tasting of Tennessee whiskey, "Drew literally wrote the book on Tennessee Whiskey." Well, from a historical perspective, yes. This is the most complete volume written about the state and its relationship to whiskey. A deep dive into a history rich with distillers, moonshiners, revenuers, tavern culture, prohibitionists, and political intrigue. A true historical view of the whiskey culture of Tennessee and its spirit awaits. Watch for Drew on NewsChannel 5 in Nashville. He is available for interviews. Read the full press release: https://lnkd.in/d3752RJa

The new book is out! It reached both the #1 and #2 spots on the Amazon Hot New Release Charts on Saturday (paperback and Kindle). Tonight at 7 PM Eastern, I will be hosting a YouTube AMA (Ask Me Anything) event. https://lnkd.in/gx2CDrt7 I'll be talking about the research journey, how I feel this book will change the narrative on American whiskey history, I'll dispel some myths, and give an overview of the book, while taking your questions. I wanted to share my favorite quote from the weekend about the book (from Facebook): "Started your book today. I have to say that as a historian I'm impressed with the level of accuracy and I know how many hours of research it too for you to write a book of this caliber. I may only be a few chapters in but I know I won't be disappointed as a historian or as a lover of TN whisky." - Julie (Whiskey Lore Facebook follower) I want this to be as valid for the history community as it is for the whiskey community. That really felt great to read. Thanks to everyone who has purchased a copy so far. Right now it is only on Amazon, but look for it in stores (or ask for it) in January. https://lnkd.in/g4uMwKtY Cheers! Drew

Tomorrow, the stories and lives of Tennessee's great distillers and distillery owners come alive in the epic story of Tennessee whiskey. If you listen to the Whiskey Lore Stories podcast, you've heard the story of Charles Nelson. Tomorrow, his story is revealed in greater detail. You'll learn that the Green Brier distillery wasn't Charles' first distillery. You'll learn how Charles built his whiskey empire, the styles of whiskey he distilled, and get a deeper look at his connection to the Belle Meade Distillery. You'll also learn about the distillery he was part owner in that was called the largest distillery south of Louisville - note, it wasn't Green Brier. You'll also be introduced to four women (including Louisa Nelson) who guided their distilleries and companies from the 19th century into the 20th century - two would run highly successful businesses until Prohibition shut them down and another whose was was known as one of the best distillers around. The Lost History of Tennessee Whiskey is available in paperback tomorrow on Amazon. If you just can't wait, it is on Kindle today! It's time to add a new chapter to American whiskey history. #tennesseewhiskey #tennessee #nashville #history #nashvillehistory #whiskeyhistory #author #newbook #kindle #amazon Photo taken at Nelson's Green Brier Distillery in Nashville. @nelsonsgreenbrier

No Moonshine In Tennessee? Really? It's hard to think about Tennessee distilling and not think about moonshiners. But would it surprise you to learn that there wasn't a moonshine culture in Tennessee before 1865. Surprised? Any guesses why? When we think of moonshiners, we mostly think about mountain folk in Appalachia making white lightning with a makeshift pot still, worm, and barrel...but moonshine culture was all over the state of Tennessee. In fact, Lincoln County was one of the most dangerous areas in the state for what they called "wildcatters" back in the 19th century. Some of the richest stories in my upcoming book The Lost History of Tennessee Whiskey come from the battles between revenuers and wildcatters. And then there were the 20th century moonshiners and bootleggers. These were a different breed. I'll show how the culture devolved into something the old-wildcatters just couldn't embrace. Note: This isn't a glorified marketing book about Tennessee whiskey - this is a down in the dirt, real life historical visit into Tennessee's distilling past. I spent months living in 19th century and early 20th century newspapers and books to find these stories. Then, I labored to bring them to you in stories that entertain, educate, and bring you back into that time period with me. On Saturday, new legends will be born and old myths will die away. Available then on Amazon. Photo from Library of Congress https://lnkd.in/gfWaF4GW

On this date back in 1933, Prohibition came to an end. There is a belief that everyone across the country had a similar experience with Prohibition. It's just not true - and Tennessee is proof. The whisky making state of Tennessee was dry a full 10 years before Kentucky, Pennsylvania, etc. That decade created political intrigue, defiant saloon owners, and wholesalers who played games with the state borders, moving over the state lines to ship whisky back into Tennessee. Within The Lost History of Tennessee Whiskey, you'll read the story of two defiant mayors who refused to enforce Tennessee Prohibition laws. One of them, Boss Crump of Memphis, became so powerful, he took over state politics, and almost became unstoppable. Pictured are five men who tried to enforce Prohibition in Memphis while the "Boss" was working against them. I'll detail the story of the man in the middle, Captain Couch. He was a devotee of Carry Nation, the hatchet wielding Prohibitionist that smashed up saloons across the Midwest. The man standing to the right of Capt Couch is holding an axe that Carry gave to Capt Couch, due to his devotion to the cause. Keep an eye out. The book arrives Saturday. It's your chance to experience Tennessee whiskey first hand. #tennesseewhiskey #prohibition #repeal #memphis #history #whiskeyhistory Photo from the Memphis Commercial Appeal in January 1917.

After 2 years of deep research and 7 months of writing and revisions, the almost 500 page epic lost story of Tennessee whiskey is about to be revealed to the world for the first time. It's a remarkable 250 year history that has been lost to the ages. In five days, the names Woodard, Crockett, Shelby, Tolley and Eaton will join the names Jack Daniel, George Dickel, Charles Nelson, and Nearest Green. The book release is this Saturday on Amazon with Whiskey Lore followers getting the early jump. Here is a little bit of a teaser about what to expect: Today's teaser is George Dickel, a man of mystery. I have a whole chapter devoted to the George Dickel story. It's a fascinating one. The distillery tries to tell this story the best they can, with the limited amount of detail there is out there. I combed through state archives, county archives, legal documents, books, and hundreds of pages of contemporary newspaper articles to get the full story.   It's a tale that includes a little bit of everything, from Civil War smuggling, to fires, to lost distilling legends, to branding, and to brothels. And yes, they also sold some whisky. But did George make it? The Dickel story actually flows over several chapters. In Men of Mystery, we meet George and two of his partners. In Women of Mystery, we meet his wife Augusta and learn whether she just ran around the world spending his money (as history has suggested) or if she actually took ownership of George's business after he died. Then, you'll learn how the "legend" of George was built after Prohibition, and learn about a long lost "second" brand that was produced by Dickel right under Jack Daniel's nose in Moore County.  Prepare yourself for 30 Whiskey Lore Stories episodes in one book! Coming this Saturday to Amazon for a Whiskey Lore family special early release. Cheers and slainte mhath Drew