5 minute read
SPIRITED INSPIRATION
By Renée Korbel Quinn Photos courtesy of Tommy Brunett and Renée Korbel Quinn
An interview with Tommy Brunett, Iron Smoke Distillery
Hot Musician Turned Sexy Whiskey Maker
Tommy Brunett is known as: • CEO/Founder of Farm Distillery in upstate New York. • Internationally acclaimed bourbons and whiskeys. • Famous musician. • Came up with idea for smoked whiskey while smoking ribs in the backyard.
Iron Smoke Distillery 111 Parce Avenue #5b Fairport, New York
Iron Smoke produces distinct world-class bourbons and whiskeys in a 21,000-square-foot facility and is designated as a New York State small-batch farm distillery that uses local ingredients from Finger Lakes family farms within a 50-mile radius of the distillery.
My last meeting before the 2020 quarantine was with talented musician and founder of Farm Distillery in upstate New York, Tommy Brunett. We met on Las Olas Boulevard to talk whiskey, music, and his passion for both. Hailing from Rochester, he came up with the idea for Iron Smoke Bourbon Whiskey while smoking ribs in his backyard.
I look forward to more cocktails and conversation, socially distanced, of course. In whiskey we trust.
What are some of the highlights of your decade of working in the bar industry?
•95.5 rating in Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible •Named “Top Ten Bourbons Beyond Kentucky” •Going from backyard concept to now distributing in multiple states… and beyond!
What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
Jumping off the garage while on my bike when I was 10 years old! Something like that’ll free you! I’ve taken a similar approach to my businesses.
Who are/were your role models or mentors?
Johnny Cash, Evil Knievel, and Elon Musk.
What’s the best book you’ve read this year?
Railroad of Souls, my wife, Jen Brunett’s second book!
What does success look like for you?
We continue to grow our brands as the industry leader in new markets while keeping our ethos of authenticity and honesty!
What is your essential bar accessory?
Goggles, gloves, shaker, and spoon. (no particular order)
What’s in your home bar?
You name it—I got it! I make sure to have high-end tequila for special occasions.
What’s the best cocktail you’ve tasted this year, and why?
The Peacemaker. It uses both of our products and is my go-to cocktail—2-parts Iron Smoke Bourbon/1-part Rattlesnake Rosie’s Apple Pie Whiskey/Dash of bitters/ Orange slice garnish. Check out more cocktails at ironsmokedistillery.com/cocktails.
What’s the cocktail trend that’s going to move us forward?
Simplified cocktails.
What would readers be surprised to know about you?
•I was the touring guitar player in Modern English in the ’80s. •I was once in a band that held the Guinness Book of World Records’ “Loudest Band in The World” title. •I started the company in the backyard while getting my swerve on drinking whiskey and smoking ribs.
Super Bowl Bourbon Barrels: Brunett and his crew
of whiskey-soaked scoundrels made a promise that the barrels will be cracked open when the Buffalo Bills win the Superbowl. Every year the Bills make the playoffs, there is a chance Brunett and crew will get to keep their promise. “If the Bills keep crushing it like we all are rootin’ and tootin’ for, we could make it to the Superbowl and pull the big win in the boat! We didn’t want to let an opportunity like Saturday’s playoff game go by without letting our fellow Bills fans come here, give the barrels a rub for good luck, and toast to Buffalo going all the way,” said Brunett. Giving Back: Like many distilleries around the country, Iron Smoke Distillery began making hand sanitizer. A team of ten employees working on rotation m produced Over 85,000 gallons to date. In addition, Brunett and his team made sure people working on the frontlines—police officers, volunteer firefighters, food bank workers– had access to the hand sanitizer (SmokeOutCovid19.com). As a business owner and musician, Brunett does what he can to bring comfort and keep people safe. “I have always tried to give back to the community and honor those who serve. As crazy as this COVID situation is, it kind of makes sense,” said the father of two.
In April 2020, he released a music video on YouTube. Again, he was not planning to do that, but somehow the coronavirus was the impetus. The title is “Angels in the Rafters,” and the video he created is a slideshow of people on the frontlines battling COVID19. “I was on the computer and saw all these pictures that just spoke to me,” said Brunett. “The photos seemed to mesh with the lyrics really well, and it just came together.”
Featured Cocktail: Tokyo Rose
In November of 2021, we caught up on Las Olas Boulevard, sipping smokin’ Old Fashioned cocktails. I helped inspire their latest creation, Red Door’s (@ reddoorlasolas) collaboration called the Tokyo Rose, a dreamy hot sake made with Rattlesnake Rosie’s Apple Pie Whiskey.
Renée Korbel Quinn
Spirited South Florida
cocktailr@spiritedsouthflorida.com SpiritedSouthFlorida.com @SpiritedSFL #getspiritedsouthflorida
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