As firefighters bravely fight the blaze of two Jim Beam warehouses, where some 45,000 barrels are at risk, the bourbon industry’s soul hurts, as it endures another tragedy. Beam reports initial reports suggests it’s a lightning strike that caused the flames. Jim Beam Statement: We … Continue readingJim Beam Fire: Burns More Than Barrels. Statement: 45,000 barrels, ‘young whiskey’
I am so excited about the return of Bourbon & Beyond. Below is the full press release and you can find my bourbon workshops here, including a panel on Slavery in American Whiskey and Bourbon Storytime with Bill Samuels Jr., Jimmy Russell and Mike Sherman … Continue readingBourbon & Beyond is Back! Foo Fighters, Robert Plant, Zac Brown Brand and More
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
Since Jim Beam workers went on strike, I receive a common question: “Will this lead to other distilleries going on strike?” The answer is no. As labor relations go, unions make agreements with the companies they work for. Every distillery reaches collective bargaining agreements with … Continue readingBourbon Distilleries and Their Union Status
In celebration of #BourbonRebirth, I’m ranking the most-influential bourbon brands since 1980, when bourbon mattered little on the national scene. Bourbon made its comeback because of passion, good bourbon and great effort. Meet brands 10 through 6. Read Part 1. 10. Willett An argument could be … Continue readingBourbon Rebirth: The Brands That Saved The Spirit, Part 2
Several bourbon industry stalwarts were elected into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame, and one bourbon giant earned the even more rare honor of the Parker Beam Lifetime Achievement award. A joint effort between the Kentucky Distillers’ Association and the Kentucky Bourbon Festival since 2001, … Continue readingKentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame Inductees 2016