558 - Is Brandy America's First Native Spirit? with Rob Bourdon of Copper and Kings

Today, we’re joined by Rob Bourdon, the new owner of Copper & Kings, to discuss his vision for revitalizing one of Louisville’s most creative distilleries. Rob shares his unconventional path from professional hockey to the Tennessee Distilling Group, breaking down the grit it takes to navigate the distilling industry's strict legal landscape and production hurdles. We’re diving deep into the technical side of the craft, from their "low and slow" distillation process to innovative releases like apple brandy finished in tequila barrels, proving why this category is a sleeping giant for any serious spirits enthusiast. Beyond the barrels, we’re tackling the "education gap" and why brandy often gets overlooked in a market dominated by the bluegrass. Fred and Rob dig into how they plan to elevate brandy in the spirits hierarchy through quality ingredients, community collaboration, and a heavy focus on consumer education. Whether you’re a die-hard bourbon purist or just looking for the ne...