New Riff is a name that has become synonymous with bourbon lovers. You may have recalled our conversation with Jay Erisman, Vice President, back on Episode 072, but this time we get to speak with Owner, Ken Lewis, who drives a bunch of the decision making behind the company. It feels like an episode of How I Built This as we get to hear Ken’s story. From owning and hustling liquor stores to eventually selling all that to start a distillery, hiring some great people, and having a few strokes of good luck to put him in the position where he is today. Then we also get to hear about his thoughts on stickers and some future plans he has in store for New Riff as well.

Show Notes:

Jim Beam’s Historic Kentucky Home on Airbnb: https://www.travelandleisure.com/hotels-resorts/vacation-rentals/jim-beam-bourbon-historic-kentucky-home-airbnb
This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about the top 5 states for bourbon besides Kentucky.
What is your title?
Tell us about your entrepreneurial spirit.
How did you get into the alcohol business?
How did you end up in Northern Kentucky?
Do you have any regrets getting rid of your stores?
How did you decide to sell Party Source and start a distillery?
How did you get interested in bourbon?
When was your first taste of bourbon?
How did you find the team to get the business off the ground?
How did you chose the mash bills?
Tell us about the O.K.I. days.
Do you still do contract distilling?
So why did you release the bourbon at 4 years?
How is such a young product so good?
How did you get such a great location?
What are your future plans for the bourbon?
Tells us about the balboa rye.
What do you think of the single barrel stickers?

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223 - From Liquor Store to Distillery with Ken Lewis of New Riff