Our Bourbon & Bites event is all about giving you a taste of unique bourbons you may not have heard of or tried before. And there’s an extra special story behind the bourbon that’ll be spotlighted at our next event.
Make plans to be at Bourbon & Bites on Friday, November 22 and get a taste of the Horse Soldier Bourbon line from American Freedom Distillery. Created by members of the special forces team that led the U.S. response to the 9/11 attacks, these guys first won the battlefield and are now winning the bourbon game.
Who They Are
The distillery’s original founding team consists of six Green Berets who were dropped into Afghanistan on Oct. 19, 2001, about five weeks after the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Of those six, two were actual horse soldiers with Operational Detachment-Alpha 595. This special forces team was tasked with leading the Northern Alliance info Afghanistan to unite against Taliban rule, and got their name from their unique form of transportation. They spent 20+ days on horseback to reach their destination — one of the distillery’s founding members, Maj. Mark Nutsch, had never even rode a horse before — and effectively spent months fighting alongside the Northern Alliance.
How the Distillery Was Born
When these Green Berets were nearing retirement from service, they were mulling their next move. They wanted to pay tribute to the work they accomplished in the military, but also build their own American dream as civilians. Bourbon was the way to it.
They approached the new career with a tactical military mindset. They spent two years traveling the country to meet with distillers and learn everything they could about the culture and traditions behind bourbon distilling. They trained the people around them to grow the company and build a brand. And they’ve attacked the marketplace, as their Horse Soldier Bourbon was first on the shelves in late 2017 and has launched this year in about a dozen states, including Indiana earlier in 2019.
Their Signature Bottles
The Horse Soldier Bourbon team pushed hard to do something unique with their bottles and give them character. How’s this for unique: Every bottle they produce is struck with World Trade Center steel.
The New York Port Authority police gifted the Horse Soldier Bourbon team steel that was recovered from the Ground Zero site. The steel was then melted to make a bottle mold. There’s a little more symbolism in each bottle, too. With a wider top that gradually tapers down, their bottles resemble a broad-shouldered soldier standing at attention.
Have a Taste, and Hear Their Story
It’s more than just a feel-good story. Horse Soldier Bourbon has been quick to earn acclaim and awards, including Distillery of the Year honors were they’re based in Florida, and double gold honors for two bourbons in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
At the November 22 Bourbon and Bites, you’ll get a taste of the different bourbons in their line, along with a special presentation from a member of the American Freedom Distillery team who’ll be on hand to share more of their story. You can hear how their bourbons are all American made (including corn from Indiana in the mashbill). And the significance of the hatchet and arrow on their bottles. And how the story of the original horse soldiers was made into a movie. You’ll also get a tasting mat with info on every bourbon you sample, a sheet that graphically shows the tasting notes, and a card with recipes and more about their story.
This Bourbon & Bites event is a special one that goes a little deeper. (And oh by the way, we’ve got some amazing things in store on the food pairing menu.) Space is limited for the event, so call (812) 936-5579 to get in on this Bourbon & Bites with a patriotic twist.