On the evening before Bourbon and Beyond, the world’s largest bourbon and music festival, celebrated guitarist Derek Trucks launched his new whiskey brand with a special performance with the Derek Trucks Band, a first in over 10 years.
Dereck Trucks has made Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time two times, and his slide guitar performances are beyond legendary. He formed the Derek Trucks band in 1994, when he was a young teenager, and at 19, he was playing with his uncle Butch Trucks in the Allman Brothers. A few years later he was making music with Eric Clapton, and performing at Bonnaroo with his own band. For the last 10 years, he’s been making blues and blues rock music with his wife Susan in their 12-piece band, Tedeschi Trucks.
Beautifully set at the idyllic Ashbourne Farm, 30 miles north of Louisville, the quiet September evening featured live music, hearty appetizers, and cocktails spotlighting his new whiskey. The almost 100 year old, 233-acre farm often hosts semi-private concerts (“Showbarn Sessions”), corporate events, and weddings.
Ashbourne is also a full working farm dedicated to responsibly raising animals and sustainably growing produce, both of which feature heavily on their menus.
The debut whiskey, hilariously named “Ass Pocket Whiskey”, aptly comes in a single format: pocket sized. At 200ml, or roughly 6.7 ounces, the flask shaped bottle fits perfectly in the back pocket of most pairs of jeans. The dress code ensured guests were prepared to enjoy: “denim optional, back pocket required”.
Derek Trucks aims to make accessible, high quality whiskeys that encourage consumption over collection. The $50 flask sized bottles are meant to encourage “breaking the seal without breaking the bank”, enjoyment and approachability. This limited release of 100-proof Heritage Kentucky Straight Bourbon is already sold out, but there will be future releases from APW.
The freshly made cocktails were a mix of late summer lush and classic – two different old fashioneds, a bourbon Arnold Palmer, and a smoked plum and strawberry vinegar cocktail (our personal favorite) made with strawberries from Ashbourne Farms and foraged spicebush berries.
To soak up the cocktails, attendees were able to sample a selection of locally-focused rich and meaty food – pâté push-up pops, wrapped prosciutto, sliders, charcuterie, crudites and decadent baked desserts.
Around 200 fans and guests toasted to the whiskey launch, APW in their snifters held high, followed by the intimate concert in the “Showbarn”.
Following the Wednesday launch, Derek Trucks joined Fred Minnick of “Whiskey Advocate” Thursday onstage at the Bourbon and Beyond Festival to discuss Ass Pocket Whiskey. On Friday, Tedeschi Trucks headlined the Barrel Stage, after Derek’s panel with the famous Carrie Van Winkle.
Words by Caitlin E. Bower and Amy Harris @thetraveladdictig