Resolutions Re-Boot

You didn’t fail.  Maybe you just chose poorly.

By now, most people have already abandoned their New Year’s Resolutions.  Only 8% of people make it all through the year with a resolution intact.  If you are like most people and have already raised the white flag on your January 1 declarations, rather than give up on resolutions altogether, let’s just re-visit what maybe they should have been in the first place.

Resolution Re-Boot #1: Try Different Things

The rules about what makes Bourbon Bourbon are specific.  There is, however, a lot of room for creativity in the hands of the right distillers.  One reason most of us can’t keep a resolution is because we are creatures of habit.  We get comfortable with what we like, what we do and who we like do it with.  If we really wanted something different in our lives, we wouldn’t be watching the entire series of The Office for the eleventh time on Netflix.  Our Bourbon habits, however, should be a little easier to break.  I am not saying you have to abandon that favorite bottle or brand.  I am saying if you don’t expand your horizons from time to time you are missing out.  Give a craft Bourbon a try.  There are some innovative and tasty whiskeys coming out of many of the small distilleries all across America. 

Also, as we become more of a Bourbon Enthusiast, we also run the risk of becoming a Bourbon Snob.  Our time, energy and resources can get funneled only towards “the hunt” for that next FOMO bottle (been there…done that). Maybe try a bottom shelf brand from your favorite distillery.  You will likely be surprised at the tastiness of what you’ve been (literally) overlooking.

Resolution Re-Boot #2: Be More Bourbon Social

George Thorogood may have thought it was a good idea to drink alone…but he was wrong.  The best way to enjoy Bourbon is with people.  People you meet that you only got know because of Bourbon are, according to my Bourbon Friend, Justine Mays: “Bourbon Friends”.  Bourbon is a “social lubricant” not just because of the alcohol, but because with a glass of whiskey in your hand you always have something to talk about with a Bourbon Friend. 

I would suggest that in 2020 you go beyond just the random social interactions in bars or restaurants or whiskey shops (or “shoppes” for our British readers).  Join a Bourbon club.  There are likely some in your area.  Or, better yet, start one of your own.  If you need ideas on how to do that, here’s a link to my blog about the Bourbon group I started called The Bourbon Fellowship.

My selfie game is not nearly as strong as Bourbon friend, Renee Howe.

Resolution Re-boot #3: Do More Blind Tastings

Blind tastings are the Bourbon Truth.  You strip away the label, the price tag, a Bourbon “guru’s” tasting notes and popular opinion and you are left with what you really like…or don’t like.  Is that Pappy’s or Blanton’s or (fill-in insanely popular brand name here) that you covet because you actually like it that much or is it just the hype of the hunt getting the better of you.  Side note: if you covet those bottles just so you can flip them on the secondary market…you are part of the Bourbon Problem.  You need a whole different set of resolutions.

Resolution Re-boot #4: Join the Club

Full disclosure: I am not paid to write these blogs.  Some may call it free.  I like to call it “priceless”.  So, when I tell you that in 2020 you should join the ABV Network Crew Club it is because of my experience and nothing else.  (Link to Crew Club page is here.)

Exclusive to Crew Club members is The Learnin’ Bourbon Series. These Skype seminars are packed full of in-depth information from leaders in the Bourbon industry (Freddie Noe, Alan Bishop, and Andrew Wiehebrink just to name a few).  This alone is worth the $48 membership.

The Crew Club also sponsors some excellent social and Bourbon experience events.  I got to be at a dinner open to all Crew Club members this year where I sat across from Royce Neeley (owner of Neeley Family Distillery).  There’s not much better than to watch Royce’s eyes light up as he starts explaining ways to make whiskey and then grabs a salt shaker from the table “say this is your still” and then pulls a sugar packet “and this is your fermenter”.  The passion for his craft can’t be contained as you try to keep up with the knowledge he’s dropping in between dinner courses. 

Crew Club membership also rewards you with discounts at dozens of distilleries and Bourbon-friendly businesses.  There is a list of these businesses updated twice a month or you can just look for the logo posted at these stores.

I’ve also made some good new friends (Bourbon Friends and friend Friends) through this club.   Many of them I’ve had the pleasure to meet in person.  Some I’ve met through Club Skype calls.   Others, the interaction has just been through the private Crew Club Facebook Group.  These are good people.  Good Bourbon People and good people People.  People you’d like to get to know and share a new pour with…maybe even a blind tasting.  You can really knock out a whole lot of those new Resolutions all at once!