We Ask Inspirational Founder Eric LeGrand about his Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Eric LeGrand Bourbon, a two-and-a-half-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon out of Owensboro, Kentucky-based Inexperienced River Distillery, which is owned by the Bardstown Bourbon Firm, is celebrating its one-year anniversary.

Eric LeGrand and Brian Axelrod co-founded the model and first got down to win over their residence state of New Jersey with their product. LeGrand’s inspiration stems from his enjoyment of bourbon and as an avenue to inform his story of triumph and restoration, as in 2010, he turned paralyzed whereas enjoying soccer for Rutgers College.

“All through my grownup life, I’ve all the time loved bourbon however there’s a stigma that these with disabilities aren’t in a position to benefit from the finer issues in life. I needed to finish that stigma and Eric LeGrand Bourbon was born. My restoration journey mirrors bourbon, each require persistence, belief within the course of, and take precision. Eric LeGrand Bourbon provides a means for individuals who reside with paralysis and people who will not be impaired by it, to take pleasure in sipping on a high quality bourbon, whereas coming collectively to help a basis that provides again to anybody impacted by this situation.”

The bourbon provides versatility, excellent for having fun with neat, on the rocks, or as a base for crafting scrumptious cocktails. Its adaptability permits for artistic experimentation with cocktail flavors. Aged for at least two years in charred oak barrels, it boasts a heat aroma and a clean, crisp end. Bottled at 88 proof, its mash invoice consists of 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% barley, meticulously crafted with high quality heartland-grown corn, limestone-purified water, and the freshest rye and barley elements. Eric LeGrand Bourbon is the primary spirits model to change into a sponsor of Rutgers Athletics, and so they have a multi-year partnership that brings the bourbon to pick out hospitality areas in SHI Stadium and Jersey Mike’s Area.

Eric holds the partnership close to and pricey to his coronary heart, for apparent causes. “To be the birthplace of school soccer, to have my quantity retired there. and to be working with them on my enterprise may be very particular to me. To have the ability to place the block “R” on level of sale has been very impactful for the enterprise and this partnership has introduced the Eric LeGrand Bourbon model in entrance of people that didn’t know that I’ve a bourbon model. The best way it has been acquired has been nice and I’m nonetheless in awe that I’m in a position to see the model’s brand pop up on SHI Stadium’s ribbon board whereas calling a recreation.”

The model’s notable achievements within the first 12 months embrace promoting 10,800 bottles, primarily in New Jersey, Kentucky, and on-line. This success not solely opened doorways but in addition helped in elevating consciousness for spinal wire damage. On March fifteenth, they proudly introduced a $9,064.00 examine to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Basis from their 2023 gross sales. Recognizing Eric LeGrand bourbon in eating places or bars throughout an evening out has been a gratifying expertise for Eric.

He believes the primary problem lies in convincing distributors exterior New Jersey to help its mission and embrace their model. Nonetheless, he stays decided to broaden Eric LeGrand Bourbon to extra states this 12 months, with New York being the primary goal from Might 1st onwards. Looking forward to 2024, the main target shall be on increasing into 4 extra states whereas additionally exploring limited-edition vacation bottle releases to offer unique choices for his or her prospects.