Oktoberfest & The Changing of the Leaves
Bottle of Abbott & Wallace Rye Whiskey in the Wild
As the leaves turn (so cliché I know), we cherish cooler weather, fall traditions, and stronger beverages. I personally thirst for a malty beer and a dram of Single Barrel Rye.
Embracing Fall Traditions
Growing up in the South, football was a religion, and one of my first memories was being a closet Gator fan in Seminole Country. I grew up playing football, and my first best friend played pop-warner flag-football with me at the age of 6. We played on the offensive line together, and we loved watching the Dolphins on Sundays. Fall was an exciting time. We lived for Saturdays and bled orange and blue. To this day, fall is my favorite time of year. Maybe it’s the cold nights and better sleep, but it’s also the rich flavors and the nostalgia they bring.
Stronger Brews for Cooler Weather
Strong beer and whiskey are synonymous with cooler weather. Learning to homebrew, drinking foreign beers, and finally sipping Maker’s Mark are sentinel moments for many young lads. Thankfully, this growing enjoyment led me out West to the “land of milk and honey” in Colorado. I moved out here with my buddy Mike Palmer, quickly convinced HK Wallace to move out, and eventually met Leigh Audin (and my wife Stephanie). As I slowly worked up the ladder at Avery Brewing Company, Leigh’s passion for strong beer and unique barrel finishes (and attention to detail) earned him a spot on Avery’s prestigious barrel-aged beer program. Those beers were exceptional, and Avery Brewing still crafts some of the most unique barrel-aged beers in the county.
The Distilling Journey
Anyhow, Leigh and I were both let go from Avery at various points when the brewery was moving in a different direction than we were. I obviously started the long road to distilling as Leigh kept crafting flavor with a boutique tea company in Boulder. By some virtue, the tea (Spot) company let Leigh go, and he decided to work for us! Amid a pandemic, HK and I knew this was an amazing opportunity for Leigh and Abbott & Wallace. Leigh’s passion for quality and consistent flavor was a perfect fit. Additionally, his attention to detail and patience to see it through promised to raise our distilling game to new heights.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought many stresses and changes for everyone. Learning of HK’s departure was extremely difficult, but we all knew that Leigh had us in good hands.
A New Era for Abbott & Wallace
Fast forward, and we are just starting to release whiskey from Leigh’s era in the distillery. The hooch tastes better than ever! Additionally, Leigh has designed systems for consistent quality products for years to come.
Unfortunately, Leigh has worked his last day at Abbott & Wallace. As we slowly grow out of a pandemic recession, health care suppliers can provide more benefits than a budding small business. I am personally at a loss for words and emotions about his departure. Leigh has meant so much to this family.
Thankfully, Leigh has worked diligently to build programs, procedures, and practices for our continued success. HK and I taught Leigh everything about distilling. We all worked together to perfect our flavors. Now, Leigh has become the master in training me to use his process to consistently pump out the best lineup of spirits in Colorado.
I am confident that Leigh’s attention to detail lined up with my critique of flavor will guide Abbott & Wallace to new heights. Losing Leigh is tough. But he leaves us poised to succeed, and I am feeling excited about our future.
Start Fall Off Right with Harvest Fest, Broncos & Our New Single Barrel Rye!
Join us Saturday, October 7th, from 4-10pm for our first annual Harvest Fest. Leigh will be in attendance, and so will the Bourbon Brass Band from 5-7pm! Come fill and wax dip your own Single Barrel Rye bottle!
Go Broncos, Gators, Buffs, Bourbon, Family, and Cold Weather!
~JY
