Personal Bourbon List

Using this space to keep an updated list of my current bourbon collection. This collection started during the early days of the pandemic in 2020, and some of these bottles have traveled with me from Oklahoma to Chicago to LA. Bourbon, for me, has sparked countless conversations with interesting people and expanded my palate, deepening my appreciation for the craft of whiskey-making. Take James B. Beam Distillers, for example—they’re on their eighth generation of family master distillers, still using the same yeast starter their great-great-grandfathers used. How could you not find that romantic?

Lately, I’ve been working on curating my collection to only include bourbons I truly enjoy or those that are hard to come by. Life is too short to drink bad whiskey, after all. If you see anything on the list that catches your eye and you’re local, reach out! I have tasting bottles I love sharing. Recently, a coworker was looking for a bottle to gift his groomsmen, and I brought in six whiskeys for him to sample and decide. Moments like that remind me why I love this hobby—it’s about connection and discovery.

I’ve especially enjoyed using bourbon as a way to bring people together. It’s fascinating to watch someone try a good bourbon for the first time, have their eyes light up, and start exploring more. You’d be surprised how many people dismiss bourbon simply because they’ve only experienced bad “juice.”

Pro Tip: If you’re looking to change someone’s opinion on whiskey—or even your own—start with Angel’s Envy Rye. I keep it in my collection specifically for guests who say they don’t like bourbon or whiskey. It’s a rye finished in rum cask barrels, giving it this incredible sweet, sugar-cookie flavor. It’s basically a cocktail in a glass and, at 90 proof, it has no business tasting that good.

I hope you enjoy the list. I keep it pretty up to date, and it’s something I’m genuinely proud of—especially since I didn’t pay much over MSRP for anything on it!