When it comes to spirits writers I follow regularly, I generally divide them into three categories. There are those who have their finger on the business pulse of the industry, and when it comes to whiskey right now, that’s not always a happy story. The second group of writers are those who are steeped in the history of spirits, particular brands or specific types of alcohol, and can regale readers with entertaining stories from the industry characters of the past. Then there is the small cadre of writers who are serious reviewers, with immaculate palates and a sensory memory and vocabulary of flavors and nuances I could never hope to touch.
Well ... there's also a fourth group: social media whiskey warriors who have carved out their own few acres of my spirits universe, but I don’t generally refer to them often. But when it comes to the aforementioned three main resources I rely on to learn about spirits, no one combines them better than Fred Minnick. If you don’t look further than his trademark ascot, you might think Minnick is more about affectation than expertise. But if so, you would be missing out on the fact that, as a former military man and current jiu-jitsu enthusiast, he could probably untie that scarf and choke you with it while he kicks your ass. And when it comes to expertise, I’ll hold his palate up against anyone else’s in the industry.
So it behooves any local whiskey fan to circle May 6 on the calendar. That's when Fred comes to town to promote his latest book Bottom Shelf. He's been touring the country in support of the book since February, including a kickoff event in Cleveland, Ohio, that drew 800 fans! His Nashville visit to Nashville Barrel Company at 809 Heathcote Ave. is near the first leg of his tour, and he thought that would be it. Then he put out an innocuous little post on Facebook asking if any whiskey clubs would like him to come speak about the book. Now he is sorting through more than 700 requests and planning a virtual book tour.
But you’ll be able to see him in person from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, when Fred will be sharing the deeply personal story about how he returned from Iraq with serious PTSD and found himself in some deep, dark places, including suicidal ideation. Though this likely isn't the case with most stories, whiskey turned out to be part of the solution — not a symptom or a compounding factor.
As he learned more about spirits and how to appreciate their tastes and stories, Minnick also discovered a woman and a career that would change his life. Now he's a hugely successful writer and podcaster — as well as the official whiskey expert to the stars at major festivals and events, where he has shared bottles with everyone from Terry Bradshaw to Metallica to Ludacris to Dierks Bentley. As he told me recently, “I’m livin’ the dream! It’s not perfect by any means, but it sure has been amazing.”
The bulk of Bottom Shelf shares how a taste of a special bottle of Wild Crow from the 1960s changed his life. The once-proud brand has spent time on the bottom shelf of many liquor stores in recent decades — until real connoisseurs like Fred rediscovered it and began to evangelize for Jimmy Russell’s talents as a master distiller. The distiller is now joined by two more generations of Russells in the distillery.
Attendees at the book event can also sign up to be a part of a barrel pick with Minnick, where NBC's Michael Hinds and James Davenport will dig into their private stash of barrels to present Fred with some special options to taste through and choose. Then they will bottle what’s in that chosen barrel pretty quickly so that you’ll be able to purchase your own consumable souvenir of the evening. Attendees will also go home with an autographed copy of Bottom Shelf, some great stories and the chance to share some fine NBC pours with a master taster.
Buy your tickets in advance for the event at Minnick’s Eventbrite page.
Cheers!
