Jefferson’s Ocean was created when Trey Zoeller became curious about 19th century Bourbon that was shipped to California by sailing ship. The legend was that the rocking motion of the waves helped age the Bourbon faster in the barrel and... Continue Reading →
Recently Rosemary, Maggie and I made a trip to New York City to do some research. I decided that I was going to have a Manhattan cocktail at every bar I went to and find the best Manhattan in Manhattan.... Continue Reading →
The first Brandy cocktail I ever had was a Wisconsin Old Fashioned, and I quickly learned NOT to try to order one in Minnesota - they don’t take kindly to regional generalizations. The Brandy Old Fashioned is pretty classic, but... Continue Reading →
Recently Copper & Kings Distillery managed to purchase Pear Brandy from some Oregon distilleries. It was all 10 years old and aged in a variety of cooperage. A portion of the cooperage was Oregon oak but others were French and... Continue Reading →
Brandy distillation was an important part of Kentucky’s distilling industry before prohibition. In the early days of settlement, apple, peach and pear brandies were the premium spirits in the local taverns. A drink of these brandies would cost you twice... Continue Reading →
I first met Elmer T. Lee when he visited me at the United Distillers Archives and I like to think we became friends. He had a real love of the history of the industry and shared many of his experiences... Continue Reading →
Several months ago Rosemary and I were asked by the Louisville Convention and Visitor’s Bureau to join them for dinner and drinks with a well-known whiskey writer. I won’t mention his name since I have not asked his permission to... Continue Reading →
Uncle Nearest is named for Nearest Green, the African-American distiller who taught Jack Daniel the art of distilling Tennessee Whiskey. The brand was created by Fawn Weaver who did extensive research on Nearest Green. She decided to get some sourced... Continue Reading →


