Four Gate celebrates Kelvin Cooperage

Podcast Episode

Four Gate is not your typical whiskey company. Founded in 2018, their mission was to bring a wider variety of flavors to American whiskey. While American bourbon and rye whiskeys are required to have a minimum of 51% corn or rye, respectively, the rest of the grains can be anything. However, due to the use of new oak barrels, the flavor spectrum in American whiskey is relatively narrow compared to world whiskeys.

Bill Straub, founder and partial owner, explains that most major distilleries rely on new charred white oak barrels, which provide flavors of caramel, vanilla, and butterscotch. This limits the range of flavors that can be achieved in American whiskey. In contrast, world whiskeys can use a variety of barrels, including bourbon, wine, sherry, port, and rum barrels, resulting in a wide range of flavor profiles.

Inspired by a visit to Kelvin Cooperage in Louisville, Bill had the idea of working closely with the cooperage to bring unique flavors to American whiskey. In 2019, with the support of Kelvin Cooperage, Four Gate released its first batch of whiskey. They aimed to show American whiskey consumers that barrel finishing can enhance the flavor experience, rather than just covering up flaws in young whiskey.

The relationship between Four Gate and Kelvin Cooperage is a vital part of the company's identity. Kelvin Cooperage, celebrating its 60th anniversary, played a significant role in helping Four Gate bring their vision to life. This partnership allowed Four Gate to source exceptional whiskey and collaborate with the cooperage to experiment with different barrel types and finishes.

To commemorate this partnership, Four Gate recently released the Kelvin 60 bottling. This limited edition release celebrates the 60th anniversary of Kelvin Cooperage and pays tribute to the cooperage's contribution to the unique flavors found in Four Gate whiskeys. It is uncommon for a whiskey company to have a bottling specifically dedicated to celebrating a cooperage, but Four Gate's commitment to showcasing the importance of barrel influence sets them apart.

By highlighting the role of the cooperage, Four Gate is not only celebrating their partners but also educating consumers about the potential for diverse flavor profiles in American whiskey. They aim to challenge the notion that finished whiskey is inferior and demonstrate that barrel finishing can elevate the drinking experience.

Four Gate is a unique whiskey company that celebrates its partnership with Kelvin Cooperage. By working closely with the cooperage, they have been able to bring a wider range of flavors to American whiskey, challenging the traditional limitations of the industry. Through their commitment to showcasing the importance of barrel influence, Four Gate is making a mark in the whiskey world and offering consumers a truly unique drinking experience.