119 episodes

Liquor and Liqueur Connoisseur is a podcast for anyone that enjoys distilled spirits!

Built on the premise of drinking, discussing, and discovering the world of distilled spirits, each episode features consistent tastings and much more. The featured spirit's backstory is covered, including history of production, marketing, availability, notable events for the spirit, as well as personal stories on enjoyment.

This podcast features new episodes at least weekly, and is the work of host Matt Birchard, who created the podcast as a way to keep a new year's resolution to himself - which was to drink more!

So enjoy each episode whenever you have time, but it's recommended you enjoy a liquor or liqueur during the show!

Liquor and Liqueur Connoisseur Matt Birchard

    • Arts
    • 4.9 • 12 Ratings

Liquor and Liqueur Connoisseur is a podcast for anyone that enjoys distilled spirits!

Built on the premise of drinking, discussing, and discovering the world of distilled spirits, each episode features consistent tastings and much more. The featured spirit's backstory is covered, including history of production, marketing, availability, notable events for the spirit, as well as personal stories on enjoyment.

This podcast features new episodes at least weekly, and is the work of host Matt Birchard, who created the podcast as a way to keep a new year's resolution to himself - which was to drink more!

So enjoy each episode whenever you have time, but it's recommended you enjoy a liquor or liqueur during the show!

    Episode 119: Kentucky Owl Bourbon - Maighstir Edition

    Episode 119: Kentucky Owl Bourbon - Maighstir Edition

    Episode 119 features Kentucky Owl, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey - Maighstir Edition. Bottled in 750ml at 50% ABV, or 100 proof and it retails for about $134.
    Enjoy this episode with a pour of Kentucky Owl as you like it.
    Kentucky Owl's official website: https://kentuckyowlbourbon.com/
    Brief Historical Timeline:
    1879 - Kentucky Owl is founded by C.M. Dedman.1916 - Production ends and aging stocks are confiscated by the US government, they are then all "lost in a fire".2014 - Dixon Dedman, great-great-grandson of the founder, releases Batch #1, resurrecting the brand.2017 - Stoli Group purchases Kentucky Owl.2018 - Groundbreaking of the 420 acre distillery complex and brand home.2023 - Maureen Robinson collaborates with John Rhea in the release of the Maighstir Edition.2023 - Maureen Robinson is named Master Blender for Kentucky Owl.
    Key Cocktails:
    Simply drink Kentucky Owl as you like it. Neat, on the rocks, with water, or you could mix it if you like.
    References:
    Interview with Kentucky Owl’s Master Blender, Maureen Robinson
    Stoli Group Website
    Coverage of Stoli Group's Purchase of Kentucky Owl
    Kentucky Owl's Distillery Complex Announcement
    Press Release on Maureen Robinson Becoming Master Blender
    Press Release on Maighstir Edition Release
    Maureen Robinson Background
    Keepers of the Quaich
    Story of Kentucky Owl in American Whiskey
    The Whiskey Wash Article on Kentucky Owl
    Forbes Article on Kentucky Owl
    The Beaumont Inn Website
    Contact Information:
    Official show website is: www.liquorandliqueurconnoisseur.com
    Join my mailing list: http://eepurl.com/hfyhHf
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liquorandliqueurconnoisseur
    Instagram: a href="https://www.instagram.com/LiquorandLiqueurConnoisseur/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    • 23 min
    Episode 118: St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram

    Episode 118: St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram

    Episode 118 features St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram. Bottled in 750ml at 22.5% ABV, or 45 proof and it retails for about $30.
    Enjoy this episode with a tiki cocktail using "Pimento Dram" if you like.
    St. Elizabeth doesn't have standalone brand website, but here's the producer's website: https://alpenz.com/product-allspice.html
    Brief Historical Timeline:
    1850s - Pimento Dram is thought to have been invented.1862 - First written reference to Pimento Dram as a commercial product.1900s - Pimento Dram is fairly common, and finds use in Tiki cocktails.1980s - Pimento Dram leaves the US market.2008 - Haus Alpenz creates St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, bringing Pimento Dram back to the US.
    Key Cocktails:
    St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram works in many tiki cocktails, but try this British concoction from 1937, the Lion's Tail.
    Ingredients:
    2 oz. Bourbon0.5 oz. of St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram0.5 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice1 teaspoon simple syrup2 dashes Angostura bittersOrange twist
    Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake until well-chilled, then strain into a coupe or cocktail glass. Express oil from the orange twist over the top of the drink and discard (the twist, not the drink!).
    References:
    Book: Vintage Spirits & Forgotten Cocktails by Ted Haigh, copyright 2009 revised edition.
    Wikipedia Article on Allspice
    Wikipedia Article on Saint Elizabeth Parish
    What is Pimento Dram by The Spruce Eats
    2008 Article from the San Francisco Chronicle discussing the launch of St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram
    2015 New York Times Article
    Cocktail Society Article on Allspice Dram
    Liquor.com Article on the Lions Tale Cocktail
    Contact Information:
    Official show website is: www.liquorandliqueurconnoisseur.com
    Join my mailing list: http://eepurl.com/hfyhHf
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liquorandliqueurconnoisseur
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LiquorandLiqueurConnoisseur/

    • 19 min
    Episode 117: Four Roses Bourbon

    Episode 117: Four Roses Bourbon

    Episode 117 features Four Roses. Bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof and it retails for about $25.
    Enjoy this episode with a pour of Four Roses however you like.
    Four Roses official website: https://www.fourrosesbourbon.com/
    Brief Historical Timeline:
    1860s - Paul Jones Sr. and Paul Jones Jr. get into the whiskey business in Atlanta, Georgia 1883 - Paul Jones Jr. moves to Louisville, Kentucky and builds his whiskey business there.1888 - The brand of Four Roses is founded with a legend of a southern belle and a corsage of four red roses.1894 - Paul Jones Jr. makes his nephews Lawrence Lavelle Jones and Saunders Paul equal partners in the Paul Jones Company.1895 - Paul Jones Jr. dies.Circa 1910 - Lawrence buys his brother Saunders out of the business1922 - Lawrence buys the Frankfort Distilling Company during Prohibition and securing a rare license to sell whiskey for "Medicinal Purposes Only."1941 - Lawrence dies, leaving the company to heirs would almost immediately sell it.1943 - Seagrams headed by Samuel Bronfman purchases Four Roses and Frankfort Distilling Company for $42 million.1950s - Seagrams converts Four Roses to a blended whiskey for the US market, reserving straight bourbon versions for export markets.1990s - Master Distiller Jim Rutledge convinces Seagrams to bring the straight bourbon back to the USA, in Kentucky only.2001 - Seagrams goes bankrupt and the beverage alcohol brands are sold off. Kirin Brewery Company, Ltd., Four Roses' Japanese distributor buys the brand.2002 - Four Roses Straight Bourbon Whiskey is bak on US shelves.2015 - Brent Elliott is named Master Distiller and a $55 million expansion of the distillery begins.2019 - Distillery expansion is complete, doubling capacity to 130,000 barrels a year.
    Key Cocktails:
    Drink Four Roses as you like, it mixes well in any cocktail calling for bourbon.
    References:
    Book: Four Roses - The Return of a Whiskey Legend by Al Young, copyright 2013
    Wikipedia Article on Four Roses
    Wikipedia Article on the Language of Flowers
    Wikipedia Article on the Pure Food and Drug Act
    Wikipedia Article on V-J Day in Times Square
    Four Roses History Article
    Four Roses History Article on SippingHistory.com
    Difford's Guide Listing for Four Roses
    Contact Information:
    Official show website is: www.liquorandliqueurconnoisseur.com
    Join my mailing list: http://eepurl.com/hfyhHf
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liquorandliqueurconnoisseur
    Instagram: a...

    • 29 min
    Episode 116: Herbsaint

    Episode 116: Herbsaint

    Episode 116 features Herbsaint. Bottled in 750ml at 50% ABV, or 100 proof and it retails for about $31.
    Enjoy this episode with an Herbsaint Frappe, or any cocktail that calls for absinthe.
    Herbsaint doesn't have it's own website, so here's the Sazerac listing: https://www.sazerac.com/our-brands/sazerac-brands/herbsaint.html
    Brief Historical Timeline:
    1914-18 - World War I and J. Marion Legendre 's friend Reginal P. Parker learns of pastis while stationed in Marseille, France 1920-33 - Post war, during Prohibition, Legendre and Parker make pastis in New Orleans1933 - Legendre introduces Legendre Absinthe in December, immediately following the repeal of Prohibition1934 - The Federal government forces Legendre to drop Absinthe from the name, Herbsaint is chosen as the replacement1949 - Legendre sells the brand and business to Sazerac & Company1950 - Sazerac changes the formulation, packaging and proof2009 - For the brand's 75th anniversary, Sazerac recreates the original recipe and resurrects the historical packaging, creating Legendre Herbsaint Original
    Key Cocktails:
    The Sazerac Cocktail is most widely cited, but it only uses Herbsaint as a rinse. Select an absinthe based cocktail as a better use for Herbsaint.
    References:
    Wayback Machine Archive Copy of The Virtual Absinthe Museum story of Herbsaint - This resource was invaluable in producing this episode
    Wikipedia Article on Herbsaint
    New Orleans Absinthe History
    Imbibe Magazine Article Circa 2009
    Alcademics.com Article on the 75th Anniversary Relaunch
    Sazerac House Recipe for the Sazerac Cocktail, featuring Herbsaint
    Barfaith.com Review
    Contact Information:
    Official show website is: www.liquorandliqueurconnoisseur.com
    Join my mailing list: http://eepurl.com/hfyhHf
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liquorandliqueurconnoisseur
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LiquorandLiqueurConnoisseur/

    • 21 min
    Episode 115: Tito's Handmade Vodka

    Episode 115: Tito's Handmade Vodka

    Episode 115 features Tito's Handmade Vodka. Bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof and it retails for about $20.
    Enjoy this episode with some Tito's and soda with a lemon wedge.
    Tito's Handmade Vodka official website: https://www.titosvodka.com/
    Brief Historical Timeline:
    1992 - Tito Beveridge begins making vodka infusions for his friends1995 - Tito applies for a distillery license1997 - First year of production yields about 1,000 9-liter equivalent cases2001 - Tito's wins a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition2013 - United Airlines begins serving Tito's on all their flights2021 - 11,070,000 9-liter equivalent cases are sold, making Tito's the most popular distilled spirit brand in the USA, and providing enough for one 750ml bottle for each third person in the country2023 - Tito's runs a Superbowl commercial named Dry January that features Martha Stewart
    Key Cocktails:
    Mix Tito's as you like.
    References:
    Eater Article on Tito's
    Wikipedia Article on Tito's
    Statista Sales Volumes
    2022 Beverage Dynamics Ranking
    Grain Volumes for Vodka Making
    2022 Corn Yields Per Acre
    YouTube Featuring Tito Speaking on Early Failures
    YouTube Featuring Tito Telling the Origin Story
    Tito's Stories YouTube Videos (All 8 are referenced)
    Dry January Superbowl Ad
    Contact Information:
    Official show website is: www.liquorandliqueurconnoisseur.com
    Join my mailing list: http://eepurl.com/hfyhHf
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liquorandliqueurconnoisseur
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LiquorandLiqueurConnoisseur/
    Twitter: @LLConnoisseur

    • 28 min
    Episode 114: Jeppson's Malört

    Episode 114: Jeppson's Malört

    Episode 114 features Jeppson's Malört. Bottled in 750ml at 35% ABV, or 70 proof and it retails for about $22.
    Enjoy this episode with a shot of Jeppson's Malört straight.
    Jeppson's Malört official website: https://www.jeppsonsmalort.com/
    Brief Historical Timeline:
    1880s - Carl Jeppson immigrates to Chicago, Illinois, USA from Sweden1920s - Carl Jeppson begins making and selling door to door his own bask brännvin, later to be named Malört1933 - Carl Jeppson sells Malört to Bielzoff Products1945 - George Brode buys Bielzoff Products, eventually renaming the company Red Horse Liquors1953 - George Brode sells Red Horse Liquors, except for Malört1986 - Mar-Salle Distillery in Chicago, who had been making Malört since 1953, closes so production moves to Kentucky1999 - George Brode dies, leaving Jeppson's Malört to his friend and long-time secretary Patricia Gabelick2007 - The hastag #malortface catches on in Chicago with photos shared online2011 - Chicago comedian Sam Mechling begins promoting Malört on Twitter and Facebook, eventually raising the ire of Patricia Gabelick2012 - Sam Mechling officially joins the Carl Jeppson Company2018 - CH Distillery in Chicago buys the Carl Jeppson Company and Jeppson's Malört bringing production back to Chicago2020 - The brand was selling about 20,000 9-liter equivalent cases annually
    Key Cocktails:
    Don't mess around, you just take shots of Jeppson's Malört.
    References:
    Chicago Tribune Article on the History of Jeppson's
    Thrillist Facts List
    Food and Wine Article
    Serious Eats Article
    YouTube Video Featuring Production at CH Distillery
    YouTube Video Featuring an Interview with Sam Mechling
    YouTube Video: "Chicago's Grossest Drink, Explained"
    YouTube Video: "The Worst Liquor Ever"
    Contact Information:
    Official show website is: www.liquorandliqueurconnoisseur.com
    Join my mailing list: http://eepurl.com/hfyhHf
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liquorandliqueurconnoisseur
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LiquorandLiqueurConnoisseur/
    Twitter: @LLConnoisseur

    • 19 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
12 Ratings

12 Ratings

Itsakoshi ,

The education I needed

Getting back into the liquor retail business has been made easier and much more interesting with this incredible podcast. Love the stories behind each brand!

kurbykurt ,

Excellent

Excelllent! I would recommend to any friend that wants to know more about liquor and sprits. Thanks Matt!!

newbie tony ,

Thanks

I interviewed for a liquor manager position, and started looking around for podcast that could help. Glad I’ve found this one. This thing is precise and tight and a beautiful enhancement to what I already know. Thanks.

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