Episode 278 - Dusty Booze with Aaron Goldfarb

In this fascinating deep dive with Aaron Goldfarb (@aarongoldfarb), author of Dusty Booze: In Search of Vintage Spirits, some of the topics we discuss include: What constitutes a "dusty" or vintage bottle and some of the historical forces that created the trend of hunting for them, especially in the Bourbon world. Some tentative answers to the question, "Did it really Use to Taste Better?," featuring oak tree rings, barrel entry proof, and cedar fermentation tanks. How dusty hunters use label cues like importers, tax stamps, DSP numbers, and Julian dating to determine the true age and origin of the bottles they encounter. A romp through some of the packaging gimmicks that dominated the Bourbon world in the second half of the 20th century. And a look at today's secondary market for spirits with respect to how it started and where it might be headed. Along the way, we consider the historical impact of Howard Hughes' liquor collection, salute the unwavering faith and confidence of bourbon distillers, get Aaron into bed with a sultry bottle of pre-phylloxera Cognac, and much, much more. Dusty Booze: In Search of Vintage Spirits will drop in about a month, so be sure to pre-order your copy if you've got some time on your hands and think you could uncover the next outrageously valuable bottle hiding in a storage unit or estate sale.