“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” – Charles Caleb Colton When Colton, the English cleric, wrote this in the 1820s, bourbon was barely a blip on the radar. Kentucky distillers were placing barrels on flatboats and just beginning their rise. Nobody wanted to imitate … Continue readingBorrowing Bourbon Equity
Remember when you were a new bourbon consumer? Ah, the good old days. You walked into a store, chatted with the liquor store owner and grabbed a bottle in the perfect price point for your wallet. Then, you started reading about bourbon, maybe found a … Continue readingThe Cycle of Bourbon Geeks
While at Four Roses yesterday, interviewing the new CEO and distiller, I noticed a sample bottle at the round, rotating table. The tall, long-necked bottle had a simple ink jet label with the words I’ve grown to covet the past few years: “Four Roses Limited … Continue readingI See You: Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch
The facility formerly known as the Old Taylor Distillery is open for business. Kind of. The new ownership is offering contract aging in its enormous warehouses, one of which spans two football fields. I know at least one brand that is currently contract aging there … Continue readingOld Taylor is Open For Business (Photo Essay)
With a beautiful blue sky backdrop, Diageo officials, the Louisville and Shively mayors, Tom Bulleit and several Pappy Van Winkle grandchildren watched the first barrel being filled at Stitzel-Weller since 1992. The whiskey came from Stitzel-Weller’s hybrid column / pot still that Diageo officials say … Continue readingStitzel-Weller: New Beginnings? (Photo Essay)
Every time a spirits company buys another spirits company or brand, industry insiders, brand managers and the occasional distiller starts asking the same questions: Who’s next? And for how much? The latest was Angel’s Envy, the Kentucky brand that was recently sold to Bacardi for … Continue readingWhat is the next distillery to be sold?