Decades Distilled // A History of Whisky

Kurt Maitland and Sarah Jeltema
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Bourbon, Scotch, Rye, Japanese, Irish. The history of whisky runs deep. On Decades Distilled, join authors and educators Sarah Jeltema, aka the WhiskyNomad, and Kurt Maitland as they explore the years and cultural moments that helped shape its path. This journey will take us around the world and back again as we roam from Scotland to the United States, Japan and beyond. New episodes each Wednesday!

  1. 6 AGO

    The Business Side of the 1970’s // Behind the Scenes of the Whiskey Industry

    Send us a text As we close out Season Three of Decades Distilled, Kurt and Sarah step behind the scenes of the whiskey world in the 1970s—a decade defined not by taste trends but by seismic shifts in business and technology. Corporate shakeups, industry consolidations, and major advances in production reshaped the landscape of whiskey, setting the stage for the modern era. Tune in as we explore how the machinery of big business and bold infrastructure decisions quietly transformed the spirit we know today. And stay tuned as we’re hard at work for our next season, coming this fall!

    21 min

  2. 30 JUL

    A Story of Survival for Irish Whiskey // The Trials and Turning Points

    Send us a text Irish whiskey entered the 1970s as a spirit with a proud legacy, once the global standard for quality. Yet this decade marked one of its darkest chapters—distilleries closed, the home market shrank, and the industry teetered on the brink of collapse. And still, Irish whiskey endured. In this episode, Kurt and Sarah explore how the pivotal decisions of the 1970s not only kept the tradition alive but also set the stage for an extraordinary revival that would reshape its future.

    9 min

  3. 23 JUL

    Bourbon in the 1970's // A Moment of Identity Crisis

    Send us a text The 1970’s were a time when bourbon faced one of its most uncertain chapters. Once the backbone of American spirits, bourbon found itself losing favor as vodka and clear spirits dominated the cultural moment. Tune in as Kurt and Sarah explore how economic shifts, changing consumer tastes, and a decline in domestic demand nearly brought the industry to its knees. But even in the downturn, seeds of revival were planted.

    15 min

  4. 16 JUL

    The 1976 Judgement of Paris // The Aftershocks on the Whiskey Industry

    Send us a text In this episode of Decades Distilled, Kurt and Sarh rewind to 1976 and the legendary Judgment of Paris, a moment that forever changed the wine world. But what about whiskey? While California wines stole the spotlight, the ripple effects of this event traveled far beyond the vineyards. We explore how the Judgment of Paris sparked a global rethinking of taste, terroir, and tradition—fueling a renaissance in whiskey making, especially outside Scotland and Ireland.

    18 min

  5. 9 JUL

    The Canadian Whiskey Boom // The Story of Crown Royal

    Send us a text This week we journey North to our neighbor, Canada, and learn about the history of their version of rye whiskey. Kurt and Sarah take you on the journey of how the smoothness of Canadian whiskey, including Crown Royal, took hold in the United States.

    13 min

  6. 2 JUL

    Scotch's Struggles and Successes // As Lighter Spirits Gained Traction in the 1970’s

    Send us a text The 1970s were a decade of high highs and sobering lows for Scotch whisky. In this episode Kurt and Sarah unpack the boom of scotch in Italy, specifically the rise of Glen Grant thanks to the importer Armando Giovinetti. They also return to the story of DCL, Distillers Company Limited, as they begin to lose their large footprint across Europe.

    13 min

  7. 25 JUN

    Nikka and Yamazaki // Japan’s Quiet Revolution of the 1970s

    Send us a text Before Japanese whisky became a global sensation, a quiet revolution was brewing in the distilleries of Nikka and Yamazaki. In this episode, Kurt and Sarah take a deep dive into the transformative decade of the 1970s — a pivotal era when Japanese whisky began to come into its own.Join us as we uncover how economic shifts, cultural pride, and quiet ambition helped shape a legacy that would eventually take the whisky world by storm.

    17 min

  8. 18 JUN

    The Queen of Peat // Bessie Williamson and the Legacy of Laphroaig

    Send us a text We journey to the windswept shores of Islay to uncover the story of a woman who defied expectations and helped shape the world of Scotch whisky — Bessie Williamson. As the first female distillery manager in the 20th century and a pioneer in the male-dominated whisky industry, Bessie’s tenure at Laphroaig is the stuff of legend. Pour yourself a glass, sit back, and let’s raise a toast to the woman who put the “spirit” in spirited leadership.

    13 min
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Bourbon, Scotch, Rye, Japanese, Irish. The history of whisky runs deep. On Decades Distilled, join authors and educators Sarah Jeltema, aka the WhiskyNomad, and Kurt Maitland as they explore the years and cultural moments that helped shape its path. This journey will take us around the world and back again as we roam from Scotland to the United States, Japan and beyond. New episodes each Wednesday!

Información

  • Creador
    Kurt Maitland and Sarah Jeltema
  • Años de actividad
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodios
    31
  • Clasificación
    Explícito
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Decades Distilled // A History of Whisky
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    Decades Distilled // A History of Whisky