Thinking outside the box
Succeeding outside of the box
Every now and then I’ll go through a period of time where inspiration appears to have deserted me, so much so that I begin to wonder if this is simply who I am as a person now. Writer’s block sets in, speaking to literally anyone on the phone seems a bit too much like hard work, cooking gets very beige, and my whiskey choice becomes very monotonous.
We can all take some comfort in knowing that everyone has been there; on one level or another we all have some experience of inspiration-lacking periods of time. While allowing my thoughts to dive into this topic a little more I couldn’t help but wonder about what it is that pulls us out of this unproductive reverie. For me it is twofold; often something to do with the changing of the seasons, because I am a bit of a hermit when it’s cold and grey, but predominantly it is the chance to indulge in a new project – something a little different. Let’s be honest, ‘something a little different’ is the specialty of the whiskey world, right?
For those lucky individuals who get to spend their days creating the whiskeys that fill our glasses (and hearts, for sentimental folk like me), they’re effectively working in the adult version of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Within the confines of style and state regulations, distillers and blenders are able to unleash their wildest whiskey dreams. Picture a slightly frantic scientist in front of a board full of calculations that make no sense to anyone else, while the mash bubbles away behind them, and you’re getting the scenario in my head right now.
This issue of American Whiskey was responsible for bringing me out of my most recent funk, when I started to take a walk on the wild side, meeting with brands that like to try something a little different and out of the ordinary. This doesn’t just stop at the spirit itself, but also the people behind it.
As a young woman who not only writes about but also enjoys a glass of whiskey, it has been game changing to see people that I recognize parts of myself in that are at the top of their spirits game. It seems to be pretty commonly accepted by many ‘women in whiskey’ that it is not simply about gender; in fact, that can often be a point of contention that proves to limit the capabilities of a person purely because of what they are. It doesn’t matter, however, the successes of these women who are in the minority right now certainly should be highlighted. From the all-female leadership team at Uncle Nearest, to Jackie Zykan being the first woman to have her name on a bottle of Old Forester in its 150-year history, their lessons in leadership are something we should all listen to and be inspired by.
These brands are opening up to the world and showing the relatively uncharted territory they have been working in, and we love to see it. And it would appear that venturing into this uncharted territory so boldly is yielding some outstanding results for us to enjoy, which is why we’re all here. In giving creators the opportunity to truly be themselves and feel both comfortable and welcome, they are most likely to create something outstanding for us to enjoy for generations to come.
It is my hope that in another 150 years things will look as startlingly different to now, as we do to the early days of a brand like Old Forester. To grow, develop and change is a blessing that we need to work harder to embrace. Just like using a sweet mash is different to sour, the results are equally delicious; they just took a different route to get there. Even in the relatively short space of time that I have been editing this magazine, it has been incredible to see the way that the whiskey world adapts and takes on its surroundings – showing that we too are just like the spirit sitting in those new American oak barrels, waiting for character.
After reading this issue of American
Whiskey I hope you will also feel a surge of inspiration to try something a little different. Perhaps that’s opening up a special bottle that you’ve not felt ready to open, or attending a tasting class or tour to widen your whiskey knowledge and confidence. Maybe it’s nothing to do with whiskey and that is also allowed... just this once.
As always I’d like to finish up my column by raising a glass together, this time to those who aren’t afraid to stand out for us all.
...‘something a little different’ is the speciality of the whiskey world...