Bourbon Good Guys (Vol. II)

We all have that friend who it feels like we’ve known all our life, even though we haven’t.  Well…I hope you do, anyway.  It’s the kind of friend who has free reign to your refrigerator, your pantry and even your liquor cabinet.  The guy I’m writing about today may not be somebody you know, but if you were to meet him you would instantly have a new friend. 

Tom is the brother I never had.  Our families have traveled together, played games together and eaten more meals together than I can remember.  Our kids were baptized in their swimming pool. We’ve walked through rough times together and celebrated good times together.  Thankfully, we are blessed enough that the celebrations far outnumber the rough times.

I caught the Bourbon Fever a year or so before Tom. About the time I started The Bourbon Fellowship, Tom got infected in a big way.  As Tom has built up his Bourbon collection he has always been quick to share what he finds during his hunts with the rest of our group.  He also recently became a Certified Bourbon Steward.  He even showed up at a Bourbon Fellowship on his wedding anniversary.  That’s commitment.  Or maybe he just needs to be committed?

Tom was with me when I opened a Pappy 15 to celebrate my son’s wedding.  Tom and I finished off a bottle of Old Fitzgerald bottled-in-bond at Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen one night because at $7 a pour it would have been rude to have done otherwise.

It is a true blessing to have a friend with whom you can share so much of life. To be able to share Bourbon with that friend just makes it all that much sweeter.  Kind of like those wheated bourbons you like, Tom.

Happy birthday, Tom.  Cheers!

Raise a glass in honor of the friends you share your life and your Bourbon with. Better yet…raise a glass with those friends.

Kevin Rose