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When I began working at this joint, I was a complete novice in the world of whiskey. But after a year of staring into the editing void of daily Vault videos, I've discovered some legends of the industry.
So, in lieu of the Magnificent Bastard doing his one damn job, I'd like to introduce some of these characters. Because history rules.
Fancy Dan presents:
FANCY BOYS OF WHISK[E]Y
First up, Kentucky Colonel James E. Pepper (1850 - 1906).
Think of the most cartoonish rich Southern socialite from the 1800s that you possibly can.
This is that dude.
Pepper was the third generation proprietor of "Old Pepper" whisky, founded in 1780 mid-Revolution. So obviously he had a head start on being an interesting dude.
But then, he doubles down. "A Horseman of International Fame," Pepper operated a (very expensive) bluegrass farm and stable to raise and train racing thoroughbreds, which he sent to compete in the Kentucky Derby and various races around the world.
The Colonel enjoyed traveling to New York as much as possible where he'd hobnob with fellow flamboyant characters like Pillsbury, Rockefeller, Pabst, and Teddy Roosevelt. And to get there, he traveled in his own private railcar called "The Old Pepper." Again, cartoonish.
But perhaps of highest interest to you bastards is the man's contributions to the whiskey scene as a whole. Back in the day, it was apparently illegal for Kentucky distillers to sell by the bottle *and* whiskey scams were a big problem. Pepper got that law changed in 1890, and introduced the "strip stamp" on the corks of his whiskey to let folks know if the individual bottles have been tampered with. Basically, he singlehandedly influenced how booze is sold in America.
And he made the Old Fashioned popular. Salute.
So, whenever you find yourself wondering how to spice up your life, take a page out of the book of Colonel Pepper and DO IT ALL. BUY A RACEHORSE. RIDE A TRAIN. THERE ARE NO RULES. LAWS DON'T EXIST.
This has been Fancy Boys of Whisk[e]y. Thank you for your consideration.
Cheers,
~FancyDan
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