I happened  to notice 3 girls while we were at the Southern C Summit in Athens a couple of weeks ago.  They all looked very similar, brown hair, beautiful blue eyes and a sweet smile.  As I got closer, I realized that they just didn't look "similar" they were IDENTICAL!!

As it turns out these ladies have quite a story!!  Their great grandfather, Julian Van Winkle (Pappy), in 1893, at the age of eighteen entered the whiskey business as a traveling salesman.  He went on to purchase the company and then later a distillery that supplied the wholesaler with bourbon.  In 1972, seven years after Pappy's death, stockholders forced the distillery's sale and his grandson Julian Jr., (the girl's father) and  Preston (their brother) acquired what could be salvaged of the family's whiskey business in Louisville, Kentucky.

Photo credit (Joe Pugliese)

Now this is not just any old bourbon, it is made with corn, wheat and barley, rather than the traditional blend of corn, rye and barley.   It is aged 10, 15 and 23 years, which gives it its wonderful flavor.    Since meeting these girls, I've learned a lot about bourbon.  I'm embarrassed to say I didn't even realize bourbon was whiskey.   So what is the big deal?

It is the most sought after bottles of bourbon on earth!!    There is so little supply that people put themselves on a  500 person waiting list for one of 20 bottles available each year at their local supplier.  The bourbon is distributed to liquor stores twice a year, in spring and fall and half a dozen or so is the average allocation.  The bottles rarely touch the shelves, instead go straight to customers whose names have been on waiting lists for months or years!!  Check out the whole story featured in Garden and Gun Magazine.

So, back to the triplets.......They grew up finding their own identity (2 of them as interior designers) and embarked on their own careers and ventures over the years.  It seemed that the family business kept calling their names.   Through Pappy & Co., they are thrilled to announce a line of products, made with the same dedication to taste and quality as that of their Great Grandfather.  If you can't get your hands on a bottle of  this amazing bourbon, you can wear a shirt, hat or drink from a glass with the Van Winkle name.  These products will be available shortly here.  You can also follow them on Facebook here.

There is a creed stamped on a plaque that hung at the entrance of the distillery, "At a profit if we can, at a loss if we must, but always fine bourbon."

Now that's a great way to run a business!!

Joann