Images of the Past – Julian “Pappy” Van Winkle Playing Golf at Louisville Country Club

Back about the time Julian Van Winkle III signed on with Buffalo Trace, he hosted a dinner and whiskey tasting at the Louisville Country Club. The menu, signed by Julian and Patrick Colley, the chef at the Country Club, included a photograph of his grandfather playing golf at the Country Club in 1955. It is an interesting image in that it shows Julian Van Winkle Sr. in front of the club house with his “caddy,” his bird dog Thunder in a harness that allowed him to pull Julian’s golf clubs for him. The menu was for a four course dinner that consisted of Bourbon cured salmon, baby spinach salad, espresso cocoa dusted breast of duck and Bananas Foster. The whiskeys were Van Winkle 10 year old, Special Reserve 12 year old, Family Reserve 15 year old and Family Reserve 20 year old.

The image is interesting in that it shows Pappy Van Winkle doing an activity that he loved, playing golf, with his beloved bird dog at his side. Julian Van Winkle also had a love for bird hunting and used to host hunting trips for his sales force. He always had his well-trained bird dog, Thunder, who would accompany him to the Stitzel-Weller Distillery. Thunder was trained to pull his golf bag on the golf course and became a regular feature at the Country Club when Pappy was playing golf.

The meal was excellent and I was lucky enough to be invited to the dinner. The guests included many members of the Van Winkle family and the meal was enjoyed by all who attended. The whiskeys were excellent as well. This is an image that I enjoy and have many fond memories of that evening.