The Business Side of the 1970’s // Behind the Scenes of the Whiskey Industry
Send us a textAs 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!
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A Story of Survival for Irish Whiskey // The Trials and Turning Points
Send us a textIrish 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.
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Bourbon in the 1970's // A Moment of Identity Crisis
Send us a textThe 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.
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The 1976 Judgement of Paris // The Aftershocks on the Whiskey Industry
Send us a textIn 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.
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The Canadian Whiskey Boom // The Story of Crown Royal
Send us a textThis 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.
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!
Brasil