Bourbon Pursuit 486 - Turning the Wholesale Bourbon Marketplace Online with Rob Arnold of Barrel Hub
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Oct 31, 2024 Rob Arnold, President of Advanced Spirits and Barrel Hub, is on a mission to modernize the wholesale bourbon marketplace. He shares his journey from a microbiology background, creating a unique yeast strain for TX Whiskey, to launching an online portal that simplifies barrel trading. Rob addresses the historical challenges in the brokered market, emphasizing the need for transparency and accessibility. He discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the whiskey industry and his passion for educating others about the science behind bourbon production.
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Family History in Bourbon
- Rob Arnold's family has a history in the bourbon industry, with his grandfather and great uncles working for Brown-Foreman.
- His grandfather even shared a plane ride with the Brown family after they acquired Jack Daniels.
From Homebrewing to TX Whiskey
- Rob's interest in distilling started with homebrewing beer and experimenting with small stills, leading to a "mad science lab" in his apartment.
- He later connected with TX Whiskey founders and became their first employee, leaving his PhD program early.
The Pecan Yeast Strain
- TX Whiskey wanted a unique Texas yeast, so Rob isolated strains from various samples, including pecans, using his microbiology background.
- The pecan strain was chosen for its performance and flavor profile, becoming a key part of TX Whiskey's identity.