What happens when a Detroit bartender who helped open America’s first fragrance bar joins one of bourbon’s most innovative distilleries? You get Jaz’min Weaver, Bardstown Bourbon Company’s traveling educator with a perspective unlike anyone else in the industry.
In this conversation, Jaz’min shares her journey from running bar programs with ever-changing five-course tasting menus to spreading the gospel of Bardstown bourbon across the nation. We dive deep into what makes Bardstown different—their organic collaboration approach, their unique barrel-finishing technique using argon gas preservation, and releases that push boundaries.
Key Discussion Points:
The story behind Bardstown’s Cathedral Finish featuring 300-year-old French oak hand-selected for Notre Dame’s restoration
Why Amrut was a historic moment (first American whiskey finished in Indian single malt casks)
How Bardstown’s collaborations work: handshake deals, no money exchanged, just people excited about flavor
The argon gas preservation method that keeps barrels wet for maximum flavor transfer
Pairing whiskey to experiences, not just food
Why the on-premise distillery experience will continue growing despite market contractions
Guest Bio: Jaz’min Weaver is a traveling educator for Bardstown Bourbon Company. Her background includes bartending in Metro Detroit, running bar programs at Frame (known for rotating five-course tasting menus), and helping launch the nation’s first fragrance bar. She specializes in pairing flavor to fragrance and food to beverage.
Connect with Jaz’min: Instagram: @jaz.distilled
