Intoxicating History

Tom and Henry have escaped our London bunker for the season finale and found themselves in glorious Porto, surrounded by the world's finest ports! Join us as AdrianBridge, the CEO of Taylor's Port, grants us privileged access to the Factory House - a Georgian-style private club for British port shippers built in 1790. The French pinched all the silverware when they occupied it during the Napoleonic Wars, but there’s plenty of port still in storage. We explore the hallowed halls where port luminaries discuss business and sip their treasures, before touring Taylor's Lodge with its gravel floors and rows upon rows of aging barrels. Adrian reveals how Catherine of Braganza not only brought England her dowry of Bombay but also tea and marmalade (without which English breakfast would be utterly miserable).

We’re thrilled to welcome marketing maverick Rory Sutherland to Intoxicating History. In this somewhat rambunctious episode, Henry Jeffreys and Tom Parker Bowles share a glass of Port with Rory as he declares war on the tyranny of the wine-list and launches his campaign to ban drinks parties… except if they’re outdoors.Rory takes us back to his Welsh roots and his love of pubs, explaining they are the beating heart of community cohesion—and why they should not be taxed. He reveals his secret super-power as a “fat man in restaurants” and his discovery that even the most powerful people can be charmed by a Kent pub.In a surprisingly candid turn, Rory opens up about his experience on Mounjaro his relationship with food (and yes, with wine) and the real genius of low alcohol beer. So pour yourself something splendid, lean back, and join us a little less pure history than usual but a terrific episode full of wit, wisdom and insight.Supported by Taylors Port

In this second part of a two-part special, Tom and Henry delve into the scandalous world of wine fraud that shook the fine wine establishment to its core. We unveil the extraordinary tale of Hardy Rodenstock, the mysterious German who claimed to have discovered Thomas Jefferson’s lost wine collection, and Rudy Kurniawan, the Indonesian fraudster whose LA mansion was a factory for fake vintages. Along the way, we’ll take you inside the testosterone-fuelled world of “The Angry Men” – millionaire collectors who mixed misogyny with their Mouton Rothschild. From Michael Broadbent’s poetic wine descriptions comparing vintages to Sophia Loren, to bottles selling for $156,000 only to have the cork drop in, this episode uncorks a delicious blend of greed, deception and the absurdity of what one wine expert calls “a drinkable penis extension”; So pour yourself something you actually fancy drinking, and join us for these intoxicating tales of grape pretenders.Brought to you in association with Taylor’s Port.

We are back  to escort you on a rollicking journey through the world of wine fraud in “The Grape Pretenders.” In this episode, Henry Jeffreys and Tom Parker Bowlesinvite you to join us as we unravel the outrageous schemes of  the past, where fraudsters concocting “authentic” vintages by blending turnip juice, wild fruit, and even a dash of lead oxide—ingredients that would make any sommelier’s head spin. Our adventure begins with the exploits of Charles Palmer, an English officer whose fateful carriage encounter changed a chateau’s fate, sparking a series of misadventures in wine imitation.We explore recipes that include bizarre additions like almond shells and gum benzone, and we hear about the infamous “Holy Palmer’s kiss” that left high society baffled and amused. We examine the art of disguise practiced by dubious wine merchants and celebrate the wild ingenuity that once ruled the vine. So, pour yourself a glass and join us as we raise our spirits, laugh at history’s oddities, and toast to the enduring legacy of fake wine. Brought to you in association with Taylor’s Port.

In this episode of Intoxicating History, we take you on a spirited journey through the wild world of British beer. Henry Jeffreys and Tom Parker Bowles, recount how a bold 1718 letter—declaring war with Spain over a bloated drinks bill—set the stage for the fascinating tale of IPA. Together, we explore the rise, fall, and revival of Allsopp’s legendary brew. We share how Burton’s mineral-rich water rescued pale ale from spoiling on long voyages, the fierce rivalry with Bass (complete with scurrilous adverts and alleged poisonings), and even how a 1934 family ledger became the Holy Grail for resurrecting a business. This episode celebrates brewing ingenuity, from Arctic Ale and the search for the Northwest Passage, to the Russian court and the magic of fresh cask ale. Join us for an intoxicating blend of history, heritage, and hops. Supported by Taylor’s Port.

Welcome to another unruly chapter of Intoxicating History with hosts, Henry Jeffreys and Tom Parker Bowles. In this episode, we’re unraveling the wild, head-spinning days of America’s Prohibition era. We discover how a noble quest to curb alcohol ended up giving birth to a veritable carnival of bootleggers, speakeasies, and legal loopholes that only the richest could exploit.We get into the nitty-gritty of how temperance morphed from high-minded ideals into a rollercoaster of absurdity. We meet the indomitable Carrie A Nation, hatchet in hand, storming saloons and leaving a trail of smashed barrels in her wake—she’s not your everyday protester. And who could forget Al Capone? His notorious reign in Chicago, complete with jaw-dropping escapes and tax evasion will make your head spin. And that’s all before we meet ‘the Real McCoy’...We also dive into the quirky, sometimes downright dangerous world of homemade spirits, the unexpected social melting pots that were speakeasies, and the bizarre laws that let the wealthy stockpile booze for years. So, pour yourself something nice, settle in, and join us for a spirited, unfiltered journey through one of history’s most tumultuous—and deliciously entertaining—eras. Supported by Taylor’s Port.