First published 2020
Wright Thompson chronicles Julian Van Winkle III's mission to preserve his family's bourbon legacy after his father's death left the business in jeopardy. Julian inherited his grandfather's founding principle of making fine bourbon regardless of profit, but faced the challenge of maintaining quality while the company struggled through difficult years. When Julian discovered that hundreds of barrels from the original family distillery had survived after being sold to a multinational corporation, he recovered them to create what would become the world's most sought-after whiskey. Thompson gained intimate access to the Van Winkle family as Julian tackled his next obstacle: replicating the legendary Pappy taste once those original barrels ran out. Through this bourbon story, Thompson explores themes of heritage, authenticity, and craftsmanship that resonated with his own life and work. The book reveals how the Van Winkles taught Thompson about honoring tradition and maintaining excellence in an age where both have become increasingly rare.
Genres: biography, history, family-life, business, american, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: family-secrets, preserving-legacy
256 pages · Hardcover · Penguin Press