FOOD NEWS
How The World Of Bourbon Helps Keep John Wayne's Legacy Alive
BY COURTNEY ISEMAN
You probably know John Wayne as an iconic Hollywood gunslinger, but the actor was also an avid whiskey collector, inspiring his son to start Duke Spirits in John Wayne's name.
Wayne's vault of collected whiskeys was sealed at his death, but when his son, Ethan Wayne, later unsealed the vault, he started Duke Spirits in honor of his father's nickname.
Ethan Wayne partnered with Chris Radomski to bring the project to Kentucky's O.Z. Tyler Distillery to create a whiskey blend that reflected John Wayne’s tastes.
The partners blended whiskeys between 5 and 10 years old and aged them in charred oak barrels that had previously stored wine.
The result was the Legendary Duke Kentucky Straight Bourbon with notes of charred oak, nutmeg, roasted nuts, vanilla, leather, caramel, and earthy spices.