The Best Whisky and Bourbon Documentaries

Bourbon enthusiasts rejoice! Whisky and bourbon has made a comeback recently in full force. From whisky themed bars and restaurants to underground speakeasies to references in pop culture, the effects are everywhere. With its rich history and significant taste, it’s no wonder this alcohol has come into the spotlight.

In the the past few years, a number of interesting documentaries have been released that stand out as high quality stories of the liquid that is, as the Irish say, “Uisge Beatha” or the Water of Life. For those interested in not only consuming whisky, but also its historical and cultural significance across time and location, these are the best whisky and bourbon documentaries out there.

Great Scotch Whisky (2006)

This documentary takes the viewer on a tour of Scotland to appreciate the legends of whisky in the place that invented it. The fantastic cinematography allows you to travel through the famously beautiful and lush Scottish countryside while learning about the subtle tastes and variances that go into the legendary Scottish whiskies like Glenfiddich, Bowmore, Lagavulin and more. For those who want to uncover the complexity of Scottish whiskies, celebrate their own Scottish heritage, or just want to get taken away to the romantic British Isles, this documentary can make an expert out of a novice.

Addicted to Pleasure: Whisky (2012)

In this one-hour episode of the BBC’s Addicted to Pleasure series, Brian Cox explores not only the way that scotch whisky gave Scotland pride and cultural identity, but also caused great struggles with alcoholism and abuse during the rapid urbanization following the industrial revolution. For those interested in human history and sociological-type topics, this documentary explores the making of a national identity through industry, joy, and pain.

Bourbontucky (2015)

One of the newest additions to the story of alcohol across the world comes in a documentary about Kentucky Bourbon and the people who make it. Bourbontucky made its debut on Direct TV’s Audience Channel in late January in 2015, after an exclusive premiere event at a secret Los Angeles Speakeasy. The documentary centers on the culture and craft of Kentucky Bourbon and the distillers and historians who take pride in their work. It has become more than just a job to them, however – it’s now a way of life.

Whisky: The Islay Edition (2010)

This 2010 hour-long documentary is for those who are especially interested in the process of making whisky itself, and takes the viewer to the world-famous distilleries on Islay Island in Scotland. Called the “Capital of Whisky”, Islay Island is home to eight distilleries that produce some of the highest quality whiskies in the world. This film details the unique processes in each distillery and also introduces viewers to the little known island.

Made and Bottled in Kentucky (2003)

Kentucky bourbon has a rich history beginning in the 18th century when immigrants to the United States began distilling. This film explores the history and process of making Kentucky Bourbon what it is, from the ruins of destroyed distilleries to the functioning distilleries of today. Originally filmed to celebrate Kentucky’s Bi-Centennial, it was released on DVD nationally in 2003.

Rumrunners, Moonshiners and Bootleggers (2002)

This History Channel documentary explores the Prohibition era with a special focus on oral history. Individuals once participating in rum-running and crackdowns on illegal production of alcohol provide personal accounts of one of the most tumultuous times in American history. For the crime history enthusiast and prohibition-era buffs, this documentary offers a peek into the history of alcohol like no other.

It’s a great time to be a whisky drinker, and all this informative entertainment is a great sign that we’ll continue to see interest in this spirit soar in the near future. Much like interest in craft beer has spread to TV shows and other media, increasing public interest and thus the proliferation of more and more breweries in the US, it seems craft bourbon and whisky makers could also soon benefit from this groundswell of attention. Cheers!