Meet John2

Meet John—Whiskey Business’ own Bourbon Development Officer, which is fancy talk for “the guy who’s perfected the art of sniffing, swirling, and sipping.” This whole bourbon adventure kicked off when John took a “research trip” to Kentucky. I say “research,” but really, he got lost on a back road and found himself at a distillery with a free tasting. Next thing you know, he’s convinced he’s found his calling. He went from mixing drinks to becoming the bourbon guy, the one who’ll tell you there’s a “hint of oak and leather” while his dad’s just trying to take a sip.

As a former stone mason turned biotech whiz turned restaurant consultant turned healthcare bigwig, John’s career path is about as twisty as a Kentucky back road. But here he is, guiding folks on their whiskey journeys, convincing them that “fine spirits” don’t mean “take out a second mortgage.” He’s usually got a cheap but oddly impressive bourbon in one hand and a cigar that smells like “character” in the other, usually alongside his restaurant-owner brother-in-law and his dad, who’s just along for the ride.

And through all the pivots—every wild turn—there’s his saintly nurse of a wife, their three kids, and his trusty bourbon glass, reminding him that life’s a mix of hard work, hard laughs, and harder spirits. Cheers to you, John!