Support the fact-based journalism you rely on with a donation to Marketplace today. Give Now!

The whiskey drinking boom is causing a "whiskey fungus" boom

Jun 19, 2023
The mysterious mold is spreading in a rural Tennessee town near the expanding Jack Daniel’s operation.
Patrick Long examines a bush covered in “whiskey fungus.” He says the growth of the organism is damaging the grounds of his business, a wedding venue in Tennessee.
Caroline Eggers/Nashville Public Radio

Trump may give an unintended boost to English whisky

Jan 29, 2020
The president's threat to impose tariffs on Scotch and Irish whiskies could benefit the little known English variety.
Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

What products are making all the retaliatory tariff lists?

We looked through the lists of tariffs Mexico, Canada and the European Union are imposing on the United States in response to the 25 percent steel and 10 percent aluminum tariffs. And we found some commonalities: orange juice, whiskey, motor boats and kitchenware among them. So why these products? We talked with Wendy Cutler, vice […]

Inside the booming black market for bourbon

Jun 14, 2017
High demand and short supply mean some labels are all but unavailable in stores.
During the early 1920s, Old Pogue Distillery, (Mason County, Kentucky) sold limited quantities of its whiskey for medicinal purposes under the Old Jordan brand.
Adam Allington/Marketplace

American whiskey is drawing a global audience

May 6, 2016
Younger drinkers around the world find the stuff intoxicating.
Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon is drained at the Jim Beam Bourbon Distillery in Clermont, Kentucky. Times are good for American whiskey distillers.
Luke Sharrett/Getty Images

Whiskeys have to age for years, so how do distilleries make money?

Mar 7, 2016
Distillers have to find another way to make money while whiskey ages.
Barrels of whiskey aging at the Kings County distillery.  Colin Spoelman, Kings County’s master distiller says when it comes to aging whiskey, a barrel can be like a tea bas. “The first time you use it, you get a lot of spice, a lot of infusion, flavor.”
Valery Rizzo/Kings County Distillery

Running a distillery is whiskey business

Sep 7, 2015
The key to making money as a distillery: vodka today, whiskey tomorrow.

For public good, not for profit.

A shot of 'America's native spirit'

May 25, 2015
Author Reid Mitenbuler tells how to find bourbon's 'sweet spot.'

2013: A year of heists and capers

Jan 1, 2014
Marketplace host David Gura talks to Quartz business reporter Tim Fernholz about the greatest heists of 2013 and if we've learned anything from them.