I just finished the book, PappyLand, about Julian Pappy, his family lineage and the infamous Bourbon that bears his family’s name. In the book, Julian states that one of the reasons as to why bourbon has exploded in popularity is because it has become a way for men to their express their appreciation and brotherly love for other men, they hold dear to them. The stereotype of men of course is that they have a tough time doing this through normal human interaction. Thus, bourbon has become the medium for doing so. It has become the liquid bond of comradery that binds men together. While every bourbon drinker has a bottle of Jim Beam, Jack Daniels (yes, I know that JD isn’t considered bourbon) or Evan Williams at their house for everyday guests, many guys have that special bottle or two hidden away in the cabinet. It is these bottles that are reserved for those special guys of one’s inner circle, the ones you can count on one hand.
This is certainly true for me and my own crew of buds. While being a bourbon connoisseur isn’t a requirement for my deep friendships, all of the guys that I deem special in my life share a passion for bourbon. It has become something that connects us. Sharing a bottle is a way to commemorate those serendipity or celebratory moments with your personal comrades or soften the occasional anguished moments of life with another pour from your buddy. In the same way that women go shopping together to enjoy some retail therapy together, men pour the brown liquor for one another and share a bottle
Several months ago, I was browsing the bourbon isles of one of my favorite local liquor stores when I noticed a gentleman grabbing a bottle I have considered trying for some time. I asked him if he liked it and he revealed that like myself, he had been wanting to give it a try. That started a conversation between us, and I quickly realized his depth of knowledge on the subject of bourbon eclipsed my own. He guided me across the shelves of bottles like a sommelier, pointing out ones he liked and ones that remain on his shelf at home untouched after only one pour. Recognizing that our conversation window was drawing to an end, I asked him to recommend me a bourbon that I might be unfamiliar with. He thought for a quick moment and pointed to a bottle of 8-year Peg Leg Porker. “I really enjoyed that one,” he said.
As I removed it from the shelf, I immediately loved the bottle and the rich color of the bourbon it contained. I brought it home and prominently placed it on my bourbon tray on top of the bar and awaited the arrival of one of my dear bourbon buddies, Jeff, who was coming down for a visit in a few months. Well, this past Saturday on a lovely Georgia fall afternoon, Jeff and I sat across from each other on my back patio and tapped it. It was a good feeling uncorking a bottle that I had specifically saved for his visit. For right now I can say that Peg Leg Porker is my new favorite bourbon under $60. I don’t know who the gentleman was at the liquor store that day, but I hope I have the pleasure of bumping into him again and thanking him for setting the table for a great afternoon.
