The platform of this podcast was to help connect listeners to the brands they see on the store shelves. As time has gone on, sometimes we discover there really isn’t much substance to a brand. But today’s guest is the very opposite. I found myself enthralled with our guests history in the culinary world and what he’s doing to make his whiskey be one that many can appreciate from the liquid to the blending. Sean Josephs is the Co-Founder & Master Blender behind Pinhook. You know all those bottles with race horses on the label and different colored wax. Sean talks about getting his start in restaurants, grinding it out, and eventually working at some of the world’s premier establishments and becoming such a decorated wine sommelier that he would be considered famous by those standards. Consider me a bit star struck by the time this episode is over. Then he finds a new passion in bourbon and opens up one of the first ever whiskey bars in Brooklyn and eventually left to start Pinkhook bourbon. Sean’s passion comes through and we learn the secret decoder ring to knowing more about all his Pinhook bottles and what’s in store for the future.

Show Notes:

• Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about adding water to high proof whiskey.
• What’s your background and how did you get into bourbon?
• As a somm, do you remember the most epic wine?
• Was starting a whiskey bar in 2008 in Brooklyn a bold move?
• Were barrel selections becoming popular for restaurants in 2016?
• What made you want to stop doing bars and restaurants and start the whiskey brand?
• Can you explain the packaging and colors and how they work?
• What makes your whiskey special and what are you doing there?
• How long do you think you’ll have enough whiskey to keep your projects going?
• Support this podcast on Patreon