Author Drew Hannush waded through myths, marketing, legends, and lore to reveal the true stories of a State integral to American Whiskey
Whiskey Lore just announced the worldwide release of best-selling author Drew Hannush’s epic tale, The Lost History of Tennessee Whiskey on audiobook and paperback. You may recall Drew from his past appearance on Bourbon Lens podcast in Episode 221 when we discussed his last book “Whiskey Lore’s Travel Guide to Experiencing Irish Whiskey”. Well, Drew is back at it after extensive research on a topic that has apparently alluded historians for decades; Tennessee Whiskey. Drew will make a return appearance on Bourbon Lens in early 2024 to talk about his research, the new book, and to dispel some of the myths and half-truths of Tennessee Whiskey. Make sure you are subscribed to the podcast so you don’t miss his follow-up appearance! In the meantime, read on to learn more about and grab your own copy of The Lost History of Tennessee Whiskey in time for the podcast!
About The Lost History of Tennessee Whiskey:
After living for more than a century in the shadow of Kentucky Bourbon, this new book shows a completely different side to America’s early distilling legacy. With stories collected from historic books, newspapers, and government archives, Hannush gets past marketing and oral tradition to find the authentic story of a state that was once at the forefront of whiskey production in America.
The book chronicles a distilling tradition that goes back to the very origins of the country. In this 420 page epic, Hannush digs into the state’s pre-Revolutionary War distilling heritage, the barter economy, the state’s agricultural development, the rise of the industry, tavern culture, wholesalers and distillers, the temperance movement, and the impact of the federal excise tax on traditional distilling.
So much happened before Jack Daniel ever partnered in his first distillery. Yet people still think that is where the story started. The Uncle Nearest story opened my eyes to the incomplete story of Tennessee whiskey. I found a whole century hidden from the record.
Drew Hannush, Author
There is a certain amount of serendipity in Drew Hannush connecting with the lost stories of Tennessee Whiskey. For the last four years, he has traveled to over 250 distilleries in Scotland, Ireland, and the United States, absorbing the histories inherent in each region. The contradictions in some stories led Hannush to seek the truth in his myth busting podcast Whiskey Lore Stories. Tennessee was a treasure trove of stories and myths.
One of the great stories I tell is of Nancy Patterson, an enslaved woman who became a well respected distiller and ran her own distillery for nearly thirty years. There were stories of political intrigue and battles between moonshiners and revenuers. And the biggest shocker was the gun battle in the streets of Nashville that killed the Tennessee whiskey industry. These stories were lost for too long.
Drew Hannush
Since doing his research for this book, Hannush says bottles that say Tennessee Bourbon seem strange to him now.
I think a lot of Tennesseans will be surprised at how strongly their ancestors opposed their spirits being compared to Bourbon. They were strict traditionalists. To them, Kentucky distillers took shortcuts for the sake of industrialization. There was a pride in the legacy of Tennessee Whiskey. I hope these stories reignite that passion for Tennessee’s heritage.
Drew Hannush
The Lost History of Tennessee Whiskey is published by Travel Fuels Life, LLC and available as an audiobook from Apple Books and Spotify. The paperback is available at all major online retailers, including Amazon (Bourbon Lens Affiliate Link).
About Whiskey Lore
Travel Fuels Life, LLC (dba Whiskey Lore) is a production and education company established in 2019. Its focus is on whiskey education and whiskey travel through the creation of books, podcasts, and events.
Listen to Bourbon Lens on your favorite podcast app or stream on Spotify. If you’d like to support Bourbon Lens, subscribe to our Patreon, sign up for our “Weekly Pour” Newsletter, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
If you like cocktails, subscribe to our second podcast, Cocktails with Friends. Cocktails with Friends is hosted by our good friend and partner, Bob Cutler.
Recent Bourbon Lens Coverage
- Angel’s Envy Releases 13th Annual Cask Strength Bourbon with New Tawny Port Finish
- Treaty Oak Distilling Acquired with Focus on Organic Certification
- Buffalo Trace Announces New Partnership With Bettinardi Golf
- Maker’s Mark Promotes New Master Distiller and Lead Blender
- A. Smith Bowman Distillery Releases New Oak Series: American Oak
- Battle of Two Barton 1792 Heavyweights – Bourbon Review
