About Bars & Bourbon
Welcome to barsandbourbon.com, where passion for mixology meets the spirit of discovery!
We’re here for the home bartender who craves creativity, the bourbon lover who collects rare bottles, and the traveler who seeks out unique bar experiences around the country and the world. Whether you’re building your dream home bar, looking for the perfect bottle to add to your shelf, or planning your next distillery stop, you’ve found your corner of the internet.
Why We Exist
Bars & Bourbon was born out of a simple idea:
Curated, authentic content for people who love making, sipping, and sharing great drinks.
No gimmicks. No fluff. Just practical advice, honest product reviews, and behind-the-scenes stories from the ever-evolving world of spirits and cocktail culture.
What You’ll Find Here
🧰 In-Depth Reviews of bartender kits, cocktail machines, bar tools, and glassware
🥃 Bourbon Spotlights featuring rare, small-batch, and must-try bottles
🍸 Cocktail Recipes & Techniques that elevate your mixing game
✈️ Bourbon Travel Guides to distilleries, whiskey trails, and iconic bars
💡 Tips & Ideas for building your own bar experience at home
Who We Are
We’re a small, passionate team of spirits enthusiasts, technical writers, and reviewers who believe that crafting cocktails and collecting bourbon is more than a hobby—it’s a lifestyle. We taste, test, research, and explore so you can confidently make your next great pour.
Raise your glass. Explore. Taste. Collect. Repeat!
Welcome to Bars & Bourbon—where your bar begins!
Some Kentucky Moonshine History
The first bourbon distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, began operation in 1879. Barton 1792 Distillery continues to make bourbon whiskey today and is about 20 miles from my grandfather’s old farm. That didn’t keep him from making moonshine before and during the Great Depression. By then, prohibition was about over, but there was plenty of room for a bootlegger.
During prohibition and after, Granddad worked his farm in the foothills of central Kentucky, but times were tough. He had to support a family by any means necessary. He did what most people in the area did during that time. In July 1924, when my dad was born, Granddad served 90 days in jail for moonshining. By the time Dad was about seven, my grandfather had developed a system for keeping himself out of jail.
With the backseat removed from the old Ford, Grandad loaded the barrels of moonshine and covered them with several blankets. Dad and his sisters would climb in the back on the blankets. My grandparents would then drive the family to Louisville to meet the buyer. The barn pictured here was the hiding place for the barrels. In better shape in the 1930s, this barn would shelter the plow horse and double as a tobacco shed in the fall.
Dad went on to serve in both WWII and the Korean War. His sisters eventually moved to Illinois and started families of their own. My grandparents finished out their days on the farm. I helped hang tobacco there in the early 1970s. Even if time and weather have taken their toll on this landmark, the memories will remain vivid for the rest of my days.
Consequently, knowing my family background and Kentucky’s bourbon history, it’s not hard to imagine my interest in finally starting my bourbon journey.
I'm Don Peppers
I have a strong passion for exploring and sharing my experiences through writing. I am always on the lookout for new and exciting subjects to write about. One particular interest of mine is Bourbon Whiskey and its growing popularity. Through my research, I investigate the various contributing factors that have led to this trend. Enjoying Bourbon is all about savoring the moment and appreciating the overall experience.
Writing is a challenging and fulfilling profession for me. I enjoy working at my desk and nurturing a limitless imagination. This website is a fun project that is constantly evolving. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead a team in exploring this subject and sharing our findings.