This story appeared in Whisky Magazine in 2013. It is adapted from that publication. Penny Chenery recently passed away at the age of 95. It was a special day, and she was a special person. It’s 9:52 a.m., and the colorful 91-year-old Penny Chenery … Continue readingA Great Moment at Four Roses with Penny Chenery
When people speak of Stitzel-Weller, they affectionately recall its founder, Pappy Van Winkle, and the mouth-watering wheated bourbons distilled there. But often forgotten are the master distillers who made the stuff. Pappy did not make whiskey. One in particular has a story so improbable that … Continue readingThe story of a homeless master distiller
There’s cause for celebration in Tennessee. On July 4, the Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery will release its first Tennessee whiskey in 108 years. In the 1800s, Charles Nelson ran one of the country’s largest distilleries, selling some 380,000 gallons of Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey … Continue readingNelson’s Green Brier Makes History with New Whiskey
In Bourbon Curious, I dedicated a couple pages to the past non-distiller producers with an intent to show they’re nothing new. Distillers and NDPs have always battled each other in the marketplace. Some distillers sold to bottlers who created fun backstories and others championed their … Continue readingCool 1954 Glenmore Ad: ‘Distilled and Bottled by’
Jim Beam workers voted to go on strike yesterday. The strike begins Friday at midnight if Beam Suntory and the Union Food and Commercial Workers Local 111D do not reach an agreement. It’s not the first time a major distillery’s workforce has made this decision. Here … Continue readingDistillery Strikes: It Happens
I am writing my fifth book (due soon!) and taking a blog break, but will be including guest posts from friends. It brings me great joy to offer a post from my good friend and fellow bourbon author Mike Veach, who is now … Continue readingMike Veach: The Evolution of Bourbon Tourism