American Whiskey Magazine September 2022

This world is quite something. We all have a mask to put on each day as we go to work, or school, or to coffee with friends, because as an adult in the modern world, it’s not always possible to say exactly what is on your mind. I wish it was right now, but that would be neither responsible nor fair to do within these pages. I also can’t put profanity in print, so that removes about 50 per cent of my utterly dumbfounded thoughts at present anyway. However, as all creatives will know, writing around the gigantic elephant in the room (or your brain) is never simple. So, for now I hope you will join me in seeking comfort in the good on display in the world of whiskey –…

Tradition is important but it isn’t everything. I began thinking about this during the Kentucky Derby festivities in Louisville this year. One Derby Day tradition that needs to be replaced is when everyone sings ‘My Old Kentucky Home’. I grew up singing ‘My Old Kentucky Home’ at school every morning and I admit I get a little teary-eyed when it comes on for the entire world on Derby Day. But we also know that it is problematic in that it celebrates slavery, and at this point there’s no real reason to keep it around. We can make a new tradition. When it comes to whiskey, the same examination is needed. The tradition of using quality ingredients and making the best product possible is one we can all agree on. Using barrels once…

Sometime last year I wrote about the whiskey groups of Facebook, why I joined them, and the responses to various posts. Since 2022 is the season for sequels, it was time to follow up on the world of whiskey social media. Full disclosure, I’ve been on Twitter since 2008 and have just over 2,000 followers. I am by no means an influencer, never claimed to be, never aspired to be one. For those that fear social media and think it’s a wasteland of basement dwellers, conspiracy nuts, and identity-stealing robots, I have this to say: you’re half right. The other half of the social media equation is simple – you get what you put into it. Starting with Twitter, this tweet stood out and gave me a bit of pause: “I’ve never…

America’s largest independent, family-owned distilled spirits supplier, Heaven Hill Brands, has announced the succession of its third generation of family leadership. The company has appointed Kate Latts and Allan Latts as co-presidents, effective September 1. The current president, Max L. Shapira, will be assuming the new role of executive chairman. In the years since Kate and Allan joined the company in 2001, they have proved themselves to be transformational leaders in driving Heaven Hill’s accelerated growth. In their new roles as co-presidents, the duo will continue to pursue Heaven Hill’s strategic growth plans and corporate vision. “Over the past 20 years, I have been proud to watch Kate and Allan grow and develop into roles of leadership and increased responsibility,” said Max L. Shapira. “They have added immeasurably to the company’s successes…

There is something about Rabbit Hole Distillery and its story that makes me think everything is going to be alright. It’s a triumph of hope and passion over reason – and speaking of triumphs, the whiskey is utterly delicious. Rabbit Hole by name and rabbit hole by nature, this Louisville, Kentucky distillery truly offers you the opportunity to lose yourself in a full sensory experience – and that’s before you even sample the liquid. Kaveh Zamanian, founder, whiskey maker and CEO of Rabbit Hole Distillery, explains, “I think the idea was, how do you bring together the manufacturing of whiskey and hospitality under one roof and create what I consider to be a full sensory experience… all of the senses are essentially heightened; you’re able to see, smell, [hear] the sounds,…

There’s no denying it: the Kentucky Bourbon Festival (KBF) has experienced a period of transformation over the past few years. However, it’s not transformation away from its core. If anything, it’s moving closer to its fundamental aim as an event: to celebrate the wonder and variety of Kentucky Bourbon, in its home state. When I sat down to catch up with Randy Prasse, president and COO of the KBF, I was distracted like a kid in a candy store by the array of whiskeys sat behind him. It’s an occupational hazard, you see. I sat in jealous awe as he directed me around the whiskeys in the room, before pointing to a particularly special array of Bourbons perched on high. “This is last year’s single barrels that we did with our 10…