Ep. 62: Gregg Snyder, Chicken Cock and Grain and Barrel Spirits

Has anyone held more jobs in the whiskey industry than Gregg Snyder? Seriously - I received the man's bio ahead of our interview and it was downright intimidating. 

He's had roles at - just to name a few over a 41-year career:

• Chicken Cock/Grain and Barrel
• Kentucky Distiller's Association
• Joseph E. Seagram and Sons
• Jim Beam
• Western Spirits (Calumet, Sam Houston)
• Austin Nichols/Wild Turkey Distillery (where he created Russell's Reserve!)
• Brown Forman and Blue Grass Cooperage
• Associated Cooperage Industries of America
• Kentucky Bourbon Festival
• DISCUS
• Moonshine University

He's also an honorary Kentucky Colonel, Diamond Life Member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, and more. Seriously - this guy not only knows a tremendous number of things but also at great depth. 

The one that stood out most to me was his work at Blue Grass Cooperage, now known as Brown-Forman Cooperage, simply because how many master distillers have also been at the head of a cooperage? 

His newest challenge is reviving Chicken Cock, a brand with tremendous history that suffered an unfortunate and long hiatus. It truly is a venerable brand, the "Famous Old Brand" that was the house whiskey at New York's Cotton Club during Prohibition. 

Of course the name might make you snicker at first - we're all childish at heart, after all - but once you get past it you'll find a really cool brand putting out some great bourbon and rye. The limited editions have all been solid and interesting, some outright delicious. 

Plus, listening to Gregg talk about Jimmy Russell like a regular guy who just "poked his head in my office" is hilariously fun. 

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Thanks for reading! Now here’s Gregg Snyder, Master Distiller of Chicken Cock Whiskey and Grain and Barrel. 

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Chicken Cock Reviews

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