HMS Interviews The Bourbon Review!

Entrepreneurs, Motivated, Sophisticated, and a group that is serious Haute Stuff!

L to R: Seth Thompson, Brad Kerrick, Justin Thompson and Bobby Eidson

I know ladies…not tough to look at huh?  This group has started one of the hautest trends right now – The Bourbon Review.

You don’t have to be a bourbon drinker to enjoy this magazine.  It is very informative, educational, interesting and just looks good!   These guys have stumbled upon one serious haute topic.  We have been calling them, The Bourbon Boys, far from boys we know, but it just sounds good!

Not only are these men focused on bourbon, they are focused on: sustainability of Kentucky’s land and water resources (both needed for the sustainability of bourbon industry), increase this awareness via TBR magazine, offer free advertising to organizations that support this effort and give back to the community via causes supporting their mission.  

Not bad to turn a social responsibility – helping to sustain Kentucky’s resources that best sustain bourbon –  into a thriving and very cool business concept!  HMS thinks that is…haute! They also created HMS our own signature drink the Hautemomma Toddy!  It is delicious!! Highly recommended! 

We had a chance to ask them the fun HMS HauteSpot interview questions so our readers could get to know these very stylish guys a little better! Check out our interview below and subscribe today - Father’s Day is just around the corner!
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Favorite vacation spot?
Brad – Italy, spent a semester studying in Rome.  Italy has an enchanting feeling when you’re there unlike anywhere I’ve ever been.

Justin- Santa Barbara, The weather is always great and L.A. is only an hour and half to the south and the Santa Ynes Wine Trail is about 45 minutes to the east.

Seth – Rough River, Kentucky. I’m tempted to say a more exotic location, like Oahu or Santa Barbara. However, my dad built a cabin there before I could walk. I’ve easily spent the best days of my summer life lounging with my family and closest friends on the peaceful waters of good ole Rough River Lake.

Bobby - A dock, a guitar, seafood, bourbon, and my friends…

Favorite restaurant?
Brad – A little mom and pop restaurant in Rome that had one room, 6 tables and space for about 20 people in the entire place. The mother (probably 75 yeas old) cooked and the son (probably 50) served. The restaurant was located in a back alley and didn’t have a name, you just walk up and if they had room that night you come in and eat – however, they were always very accommodating. You don’t order, you just get whatever they happen to be cooking that night which was neat because it was some of the most delicious Italian food I have ever had. When you finish eating the son comes over and writes the total on the paper tablecloth. Wish I could tell you how to get there but it was all memory, I have no street directions.

Justin – Harry’s, I enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and the flexibility of being able to dine inside or out on the patio. The mini-burgers are great, but I almost always order a creation from my high school friend and Executive Chef, Matt Combs, from the Sal’s menu.

Seth —“Favorites” are hard for me to answer. Like many things, variables come into play…seasons, mood, company…However, I get a major kick out of finding the diamond in the rough. As of late, that has been the Courtyard Deli and Winchell’s, both in Lexington. The Courtyard has an array of specials M-F of every week, each having its own style and swagger of fresh ingredients and sophisticated blending of food genres. Winchell’s on the other hand is more like the All-American dinner. You can order a Philly Cheesesteak with fries there that will leave so satisfied, you may never be able to order it at another restaurant again. So please, do at your own risk.

Bobby – For business or pleasure, you can’t go wrong with Harry’s.

Favorite bourbon?
Brad – Weller 12 Yr., the oldest wheated bourbon. Hard to find yet quite inexpensive, usually around $24 a 750ml. I might just have some now.

Justin – That’s hard for me to answer. It’s like asking a mother who her favorite child is. What I drink depends on the occasion.  If it’s a tailgate or celebration, I usually have Maker’s with me because so many people enjoy it and don’t mind sharing with me. If I’m out to dinner, then usually either Four Roses Single Barrel or anything made at Buffalo Trace.

Seth— Back to back “favorites”??… In line with my answer to my favorite restaurant, I enjoy finding the diamond in the rough. As of late, that has been Ancient Ancient Age (yes, “Ancient” is repeated in the label). This spirit has several key things going for it. Number One – it’s bourbon engineered from Buffalo Trace which happens to produce Blanton’s, Weller, and the prestigious Van Winkle line. These guys know how to make some bourbon!! Number two—it’s aged for 10 years. I don’t care what the name on the label is; if it’s been aged for 10 years, it’s had plenty of time pick up the wonderful characteristics of its charred new oak barrel, thus giving it a sweet pleasurable taste to the ole palate. Number Three (very important)- it costs less than $20 a fifth!!For ten year old bourbon, you can’t beat it. That’s like finding a restaurant that serves filet mignon for $15 as opposed to $40.

Bobby – Anything aged between 10-12 years: Elijah Craig (12, not 18), Weller, Evan Williams, Ancient Ancient Age.

Served ‘neat’ or ‘on the rocks’?
Brad – Depends on the bourbon as well as the situation, but usually neat.
Justin – I prefer on the rocks.Takes a slight edge off.

Seth – Depends. If it’s a bourbon I haven’t tried, I’ll do it neat so I can really get a true taste of what that particular bourbon has to offer. If it’s summer and I’m out and about, I’ll throw a couple rocks in it usually to keep it a little more refreshed. If it has been one of those days…neat and heavy!!

Bobby – On the rocks

Favorite gift to give?
Brad – Bourbon of course! No, again it’s situational but one time I got my girlfriend a pair of khakis for her birthday (along with a few other things) and I got ridiculed over that. So apparently I’m not a very great gift giver.

Justin – Lingerie. You don’t give that gift when you’re in the doghouse (which is a common place for me) and usually get to enjoy it.

Seth – I really enjoy finding a quirky humorous gift that will make someone laugh. This is risky however, as it could be a home run or a total swing and a miss.

Bobby – A picture frame with a good memory.

Style icon?
Brad – No one famous. I have a several people in my life (friends) that I feel dress well and I have taken some tips off of them.

Justin – I always thought Paul Newman had great style. Cool Hand Luke is one of my all-time favorite movies.

Seth – No one in particular. I’ve always fancied a more classic style sported by old movie icons such as Carrie Grant and Shawn Connery.

Bobby – Sinatra

Favorite designer?
Brad – Could you repeat the question?

Justin – I usually stick with the classics. I wear a lot of Lacoste and Ralph Lauren. Those designers will never fall out of style. I enjoy Burberry as well.

Seth – That would have to be MJ (Michael Jordan). Getting a pair of the “Airness’s” shoes as a kid was better than finding a gold brick.

Bobby – Zen is a wrinkle-free lifestyle

How do you define style? Any style advice?
Brad – I feel that style is a personal thing. I know that I often see people wearing things that I feel to be very stylish and attractive, yet when I attempt to replicate that style it just isn’t the same. I think I have begun to develop my own style throughout recent years. However, even that changes quite frequently. On giving style advice, I say to anyone makes sure you have a style you feel comfortable in, if that means literally or aesthetically that’s up to you, but hopefully you can pull off both.

Justin – For a guy, it’s always important to listen to the type of women you are trying to impress. If you are not getting compliments on what you’re wearing, then you’re doing something wrong. Don’t worry about what your buddies think. They’ll quit ridiculing your style once their girlfriend leaves them for you.

Seth – Whatever makes you feel cool and confident. It’s different for everyone. Some people take pleasure in keeping up with the bar while others prefer the thrill and rush of setting it.

Bobby – This is the most difficult question I’ve answered in 2009. Just kidding… Well, I don’t like pictures where people pose for the camera. I prefer natural movements, poses, and expressions. So, I would guess that my style preferences reflect a minimalist equilibrium.

Top of your style wish list?
Brad – I’ve been wanting one of those “thug caps” if you will – a style similar to what Paine Stewart wore. Again, one of those things that I see on other guys that I think looks stylish but when I try one on it’s never appealing to me. I’ll find one that suites me one of these days.

Justin – Pair of western boots. Not so much the alligator or ostrich skin, but more like the shit-kicker style.

Seth — I guess I need to start watching more stuff like The Hills before I answer this one.

Bobby – Kimono… or a Kilt… I’m indecisive.

How do you define true luxury?
Brad – If you are living a life of comfort and pleasure you are living luxuriously. I often wish I had the money to do extravagant things, but I feel the true luxury of life is enjoying the time you have, no matter if that’s living lavishly or just living the simple life. I would like enough money to have a house for my family that has a lot of character with the ability to entertain. After that I just want to be able travel around and experience the world a lot more before my time is here is over.

Justin – Luxury is the guy who works 15 hours a day, because he likes his work. Not because he has to in order to pay for the 3-mortaged house and 13 credit cards.

Seth —The point in your life when you have worked your tail off and you are finally able to enjoy the fruits of your own labor.

Bobby – A short commute

What motivates you the most? What/who inspires you?
Brad – It took me several years to realize the answer to this question, but the answer is first Jesus for obvious reasons, then my father. My father is a man who grew up without solid parenting and lived in an orphanage for most of his early years. Since I can remember he has worked tirelessly for the same company and not once do I remember him seriously complaining about his situation. He knows what it means to be a good person and he lives the life of luxury that I mentioned.

Justin – Hot mammas. I would love to think that one day a soon-to-be hot mamma will want to settle me down and produce some hot babies. My folks devoted a lot of time towards my brothers and I when raising us, so I expect to follow their lead.

Seth — Achieving personal goals. Having that vision of accomplishing what you want to do and the amazing level of satisfaction that comes with it. As far as who inspires me, my folks of course. And occasionally the movies Gladiator or Wall Street when I need an extra boost of motivating adrenaline.

Bobby – Social entrepreneurship is my lifeblood. I believe that private enterprise can accomplish far more than government incentives. At The Bourbon Review, we are trying to improve the sustainability of Kentucky’s land and water resources. First, it’s where the bourbon comes from. Second, imagine if every business in America donated 5% of time to non-profit work, 1% of profits to charities, and product/services to cause related marketing? We would live in an exponentially better world. My formative influences, in no particular order, are my step-dad, my mom, my sister, Larry Redmon, Gatewood Galbraith, Jeremy Kelley, among others.

Any advice for starting a business?
Brad – If you truly believe in your idea and you have the means to take your first step then do so. Expect to see many skeptical faces when telling people about the business you are working on developing. Use those faces as motivation, because those skeptics will quickly become your main supporters. There are many people out there who say they are going to start a business but never even take the first step. Those who do follow through with it and make an honest effort toward success are looked at with respect, whether you actually succeed or not.

Justin – Do not expect or plan to have instant success. No matter how great your idea is, people will want you to prove it and that takes time.

Seth – Number one: Be extremely patient when it comes to expecting the financial gains of your efforts. Number two: Have your goals broken down into a series of successes, kind of like stepping stones. All paths lead to an end point, but by chopping it up, you will experience many levels of success to keep you motivated before you finally achieve that ultimate goal at path’s end.

Bobby – People have said, ‘don’t do business with your friends,’ but I never understood their reason. If you can’t do business with your friends then who would you WANT to do business with? The trust that’s there is comforting. There are times that are tricky. As Justin once said, it’s like holding a baby tiger by the ears. Also, don’t listen to old people. They have wisdom; but they don’t understand disruptive change. Entrepreneurship is like jumping out of airplanes… it’s really a young person’s game.