116 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 • 11 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 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
    Episode 113: John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum

    Episode 113: John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum

    Episode 113 features John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum. Bottled in 750ml at 11% ABV, or 22 proof and it retails for about $22.
    Enjoy this episode with a pour of John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum mixed in a tiki cocktail if you like.
    John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum doesn't have a website I can find, so here's the US Importer's website: https://alpenz.com/product-falernum.html
    Brief Historical Timeline:
    Pre-1800s - Falernum is likely being made in Barbados on sugar estates alongside rum1821 - The first printed reference to Falernum is found1890 - John D. Taylor is said to have refined the Falernum recipe into this award-winning liqueur1934 - Falernum is used in tiki cocktails by Donn Beach at Don's Beachcomber1970s - Falernum is gone from the US market and global sales decline along with tiki1993 - R. L. Seale & Co. Ltd. purchases blender Alleyne Arthur who had previously purchased John D. Taylor, bring this version of Velvet Falernum under R. L. Seale & Co. Ltd.'s ownership2009 - Haus Alpenz begins importing John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum into the US
    Key Cocktails:
    Try the Corn 'N Oil listed on the back label.
    Corn 'N Oil
    ½ oz. John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum2 oz. Aged Barbados Rum
    Stir in an old-fashioned glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lime slice.
    References:
    Presentation by Richard Seal of R. L. Seale & Co. Ltd. on the history of Falernum
    Wikipedia Article on Falernum
    Difford's Guide listing for John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum
    John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum Instagram Account
    Teakwood Tavern Article on John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum
    Punch Article on Rediscovering John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum
    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

    • 21 min
    Episode 112: Cacique Guaro

    Episode 112: Cacique Guaro

    Episode 112 features Cacique Guaro. Bottled in 365ml at 30% ABV, or 60 proof and it retails for about $3.
    Enjoy this episode with a pour of Cacique Guaro if you can find it.
    Cacique Guaro's official website: https://fanal.co.cr/
    Brief Historical Timeline:
    1850 - Beverage alcohol production is nationalized in Costa Rica1853 - Fábrica Nacional De Licores, aka FANAL, is established and begins producing guaro1980 - FANAL brands Cacique Guaro and begins bottling it2015 - Cacique Guaro sells 1 million 9-liter equivalent cases
    Key Cocktails:
    Most Cacique Guaro is consumed mixed with fruit juice, or consumed neat. But, you can try this "fancy" version of a popular shot featuring Cacique Guaro.
    Chiliguaro (makes a batch to share)
    2 cups tomato juice⅔ cups Guaro - or as much as you want½ cup lime juice1 tbsp chopped onion1 tbsp chopped red pepper1 tbsp chopped cilantro½ tsp lizano sauce¼ tsp tabasco1 tsp sugar½ tsp salt½ tsp pepper
    Blend all the ingredients, strain and store in a glass bottle in the fridge. Serve very cold in shot glasses.
    References:
    Wikipedia Article on Cacique Guaro
    Article on What is Cacique Guaro from the Tico Times
    Article on Giving Guaro a Second Sip from the Tico Times
    The National Drink of Cost Rica
    YouTube Video on the History of Guaro - In Spanish
    YouTube Factory Tour
    Canadian Distributor's 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: https://www.instagram.com/LiquorandLiqueurConnoisseur/
    Twitter: @LLConnoisseur

    • 18 min
    Episode 111: Tia Maria

    Episode 111: Tia Maria

    Episode 111 features Tia Maria. Bottled in 750ml at 26.5% ABV, or 53 proof and it retails for about $31.
    Enjoy this episode with a pour of Tia Maria on ice or in an Espresso Martini.
    Tia Maria's official website: https://www.tiamaria.com/
    Brief Historical Timeline:
    1947 - Tia Maria is created with Dr. Kenneth Evans as the named founder 1980s - Hiram Walker acquires the brand2005 - Pernod Ricard ends up with Tia Maria through acquisitions2009 - Pernod Ricard sells Tia Maria to Illva Saronno
    Key Cocktails:
    Tia Maria is claimed to be the first coffee liqueur used in an Espresso Martini, so try it that way.
    Tia Espresso Martini
    25ml Tia Maria25ml VodkaSingle or Double Shot of Espresso3 coffee beans for garnish
    Shake all ingredients with ice, double strain into a chilled Martini glass, garnish with three coffee beans.
    References:
    Wikipedia Article on Tia Maria
    Diffords Guide on Tia Maria
    Press Release on Pernod Ricard sale to Illva Saronno
    Press Release on new bottle design
    Cocktail-Society.com Article on Tia Maria
    Trade Focused Sales Sheet PDF, circa 2020
    Tia Maria's first TV Ad on YouTube
    Product Listing for Vanilla Beans Defining Bourbon Vanilla
    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

    • 16 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
11 Ratings

11 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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