Life Behind Bars with Noah Rothbaum & David Wondrich

Latest Episodes:

Life Behind Bars - Episode 42 The Greatest American Whiskey Myth Jul 30, 2019

Show notes

Whiskey is now, of course, once again very popular but along with the adoration, the proliferation of bourbon bars and the ubiquity of the Old-Fashioned, comes an unintended side effect: nostalgia for a time that never existed.There is now a tendency among drinkers, bartenders, brands, writers and historians to glamorize the 19th century roots of American whiskey. Even worse there’s a popular idea that the way whiskey was made in the 1800s was pure and should be the model for today’s distillers. While there was certainly quality whiskey being sold at the time there was also a huge amount of “whiskey,” which was actually neutral grain spirit that was flavored and colored with a whole bunch of additives—everything from creosote to nut oil extracts. Stuff, suffice it to say, you really shouldn’t be drinking.On this episode of the award-winning podcast Life Behind Bars, co-hosts David Wondrich and Noah Rothbaum, talk about this unappetizing side of American whiskey’s roots and how the industry cleaned up its act.If you’re a whiskey drinker, you need to listen to this episode of Life Behind Bars. Cheers!Life Behind Bars features Half Full’s editor Noah Rothbaum and its Senior Drinks Columnist David Wondrich as they discuss the greatest bartenders and greatest cocktails of all time. It won the 2018 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award for the world’s best drinks podcast. Edited by Alex Skjong

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Life Behind Bars - Episode 41 Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the Negroni Jul 05, 2019

Show notes

Along with the Vespa scooter and the Ferrari, the Negroni is one of Italy’s greatest modern inventions. The three-ingredients aperitif (the basic recipe is equal parts Campari, gin and sweet vermouth) has recently become a best-seller in America. But where did it come from? And why is it suddenly on just about every bar menu in the United States? On this episode of the award-winning podcast Life Behind Bars, co-hosts David Wondrich and Noah Rothbaum, discuss the history of the Negroni and how it evolved over the last century. If you love Negronis, you need to listen to this episode of Life Behind Bars. Cheers! Life Behind Bars features Half Full’s editor Noah Rothbaum and its Senior Drinks Columnist David Wondrich as they discuss the greatest bartenders and greatest cocktails of all time. It won the 2018 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award for the world’s best drinks podcast.Edited by Alex Skjong

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Life Behind Bars - Episode 40 The Highball is Taking Over America May 21, 2019

Show notes

One of the most popular drinks in craft cocktail bars at the moment is the simplest: the Highball.

Generally, it’s a refreshing mix of whiskey and club soda, which is delicious on a hot afternoon. While many bartenders and drinkers discovered their love of the bubbly concoction in Tokyo bars where Highballs are a downright sensation, their history is much longer and they can actually be made from a variety of ingredients.

On this episode of the award-winning podcast Life Behind Bars, co-hosts David Wondrich and Noah Rothbaum discuss the roots of the Highball and try to figure out which drinks can be included in the category. (Is a Rum & Coke a Highball? How about a Paloma or a Jack & Coke?)

So fix yourself a highball and listen to this episode of Life Behind Bars. Cheers!

Life Behind Bars features Half Full’s editor Noah Rothbaumand its Senior Drinks Columnist David Wondrichas they discuss the greatest bartenders and greatest cocktails of all time. It won the 2018 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award for the world’s best drinks podcast.

Edited by Alex Skjong

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Life Behind Bars - Episode 39 Is Rum Finally Ready to Seriously Challenge Whiskey? May 07, 2019

Show notes

After years of being lost in a sea of Coke and other mixers, rum is finally emerging as a sipping spirit. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? And can rum actually attract whiskey drinkers and collectors?

On this episode of the award-winning podcast Life Behind Bars, co-hosts David Wondrich and Noah Rothbaum discuss these developments, including the rise of collectible pot still rums and the associated snobbery, as well as the recent fiery debates on social media between rum aficionados.

If you enjoy rum or whiskey, listen to this episode of Life Behind Bars right away. Cheers!

Life Behind Bars features Half Full’s editor Noah Rothbaum and its Senior Drinks Columnist David Wondrich as they discuss the greatest bartenders and greatest cocktails of all time. It won the 2018 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award for the world’s best drinks podcast.

Edited by Alex Skjong

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Life Behind Bars - Episode 38 Are Dive Bars an Endangered Species? Mar 29, 2019

Show notes

Before there were fancy craft cocktail bars, Americans learned to drink in dive bars. These humble establishments are a sacred tradition, dispensing affordable shots of potent whiskey and pints of cold beer to the thirsty masses. They likely date back to a subterranean Buffalo joint that opened in the mid-1800s along the banks of the city’s canal. Soon the term and style of bar spread across the United States. The popularity of dives usually ebbs and flows with the state of the country’s economy but they’ve always attracted a diverse and eclectic crowd. Sadly, in many cities rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods mean that dive bars are now often closing or are being renovated.

On this episode of award-winning podcast, Life Behind Bars, co-hosts David Wondrich and Noah Rothbaum discuss the origins and the state of dive bars. They also share a few of their most colorful dive bar experiences. Cheers!

Life Behind Bars features Half Full’s editor Noah Rothbaum and its Senior Drinks Columnist David Wondrich as they discuss the greatest bartenders and greatest cocktails of all time. It won the 2018 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award for the world's best drinks podcast .

Edited by Alex Skjong

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Life Behind Bars - Episode 37 Drinking Your Way Across Ireland Mar 09, 2019

Show notes

There are few drinking institutions more revered or storied than the Irish pub. Traditionally, back in the old country, these bars were the center of their respective communities, often also serving as the post office, grocery store and, even, funeral home.On this episode of award-winning podcast, Life Behind Bars, co-hosts David Wondrich and Noah Rothbaum are joined by Sean Muldoon and Tim Herlihy, the co-authors of the new book, “From Barley to Blarney: A Whiskey Lover’s Guide to Ireland,” to chat about the state of Ireland’s pubs and the secrets to pouring the perfect pint of Guinness. Muldoon, who is one of the founders of the renowned New York bar The Dead Rabbit, and Herlihy, Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey’s brand ambassador, traveled around the Emerald Isle visiting 160 pubs to find their top 50 favorites.So, if you like pubs and pints, then you need to listen to this episode. Cheers!Life Behind Bars features Half Full’s editor Noah Rothbaum and its Senior Drinks Columnist David Wondrich as they discuss the greatest bartenders and greatest cocktails of all time. It won the 2018 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award for the world's best drinks podcast.Edited by Alex Skjong

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Life Behind Bars - Episode 36 Pushing the Boundaries of Single Malt Scotch Whisky Feb 15, 2019

Show notes

The recipe for making Scotch is pretty simple: malted barley, water and yeast—that’s it.

Talented distillers and blenders across Scotland transform these humble ingredients to produce delicious whisky. But Scotch is also one of the most heavily regulated spirits on the planet. The Scotch Whisky Association has very strict rules and regulations that you must follow if you want to call your spirit Scotch. (At the top of the list, of course, is that the whisky must be made and aged in Scotland!)

As a result, whisky makers have to be very creative in order to come up with new and interesting bottlings, experimenting with everything from the type of water and variety of barley used to the type of barrel that the spirit is aged in.

On this episode of award-winning podcast, Life Behind Bars, co-hosts David Wondrich and Noah Rothbaum discuss the history of Scotch and how whisky brands have been able to innovate despite the inherent constraints of the category. They are joined by David Blackmore, the global brand ambassador for Glenmorangie and Ardbeg Single Malt Whiskies. He called in from Scotland to discuss how Glenmorangie and its legendary director of distilling & whiskey creation, Dr. Bill Lumsden, have been so successful coming up with unique ideas. Blackmore also weighs in on the future of Scotch innovation, shares the backstory of their latest Private Edition release, Allta, and hints at what’s next for the brand. So pour yourself a dram and sit back and listen to this spirited conversation about Scotch. Slàinte!

Life Behind Bars features Half Full’s editor Noah Rothbaum and its Senior Drinks Columnist David Wondrich as they discuss the greatest bartenders and greatest cocktails of all time. It won the 2018 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award for the world's best drinks podcast.

Edited by Alex Skjong

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Life Behind Bars - Episode 35 The Bastardization of the Hot Toddy Jan 27, 2019

Show notes

The Hot Toddy started out as a relatively simple drink: sugar, booze, hot water and possibly some grated nutmeg.Over the next roughly 300 years, that definition stretched to include a whole host of ingredients—everything from apple cider, honey and fresh lemon juice to a kitchen cabinet full of spices. While those drinks are certainly warming on a cold evening are they still a Hot Toddy?On this episode of award-winning podcast, Life Behind Bars, co-hosts David Wondrich and Noah Rothbaum discuss the history of this hot cocktail and how it’s become a mess of a recipe.So put the kettle on and listen to this spirited conversation.Life Behind Bars features Half Full’s editor Noah Rothbaum and its Senior Drinks Columnist David Wondrich as they discuss the greatest bartenders and greatest cocktails of all time. It just won the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award for the world's best drinks podcast.Edited by Alex Skjong

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Life Behind Bars - Episode 34 Future Cocktails: What You’ll Be Drinking in 2019 Jan 18, 2019

Show notes

From spirits and craft beer to spiked seltzer, on this episode of award-winning podcast, Life Behind Bars, hosts Noah Rothbaum and David Wondrich looked into their crystal Martini glasses to divine what you’ll be drinking in 2019.

The duo also dissect the biggest drinking trends of 2018, share some of the spirited events they’re looking forward to attending this year and forecast the future of a number of liquor categories.

So pour fix yourself a drink and enjoy the discussion. Cheers!

Life Behind Bars features Half Full’s editor Noah Rothbaum and its Senior Drinks Columnist David Wondrich as they discuss the greatest bartenders and greatest cocktails of all time. It won the 2018 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award for the world’s best drinks podcast.

Edited by Alex Skjong

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Life Behind Bars - Episode 33 The Year in Drinks Dec 28, 2018

Show notes

Before the ball drops on New Year’s Eve listen to the year-end episode of podcast Life Behind Bars.

Hosts Noah Rothbaum and David Wondrich recount the highs and lows of 2018, including some of the biggest bar openings of the year, the noteworthy new books that were published, their favorite Half Full stories and remember some friends who passed away this year. Pour yourself a glass of Champagne and enjoy the discussion. Cheers!

Life Behind Bars features Half Full’s editor Noah Rothbaum and its Senior Drinks Columnist David Wondrich as they discuss the greatest bartenders and greatest cocktails of all time. It won the 2018 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award for the world’s best drinks podcast.

Edited by Alex Skjong

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Life Behind Bars with Noah Rothbaum & David Wondrich

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected