Born from friendship, curiosity, and a deep respect for craftsmanship, Pinhook Bourbon redefines the art of American whiskey. Founded in 2011 by lifelong friends Sean Josephs, Charles Fulford, and Jay Peterson, Pinhook began as a shared dream to bring fresh energy and a modern perspective to bourbon-making. Each founder brought a unique skill set: Sean’s expertise as a certified sommelier and whiskey specialist, Charles’s creative design sensibility, and Jay’s deep business acumen rooted in Kentucky’s thoroughbred heritage, all united by a passion for whiskey and the stories it tells.

Their journey began with just twenty barrels of sourced bourbon from Lawrenceburg, Indiana. These barrels were carefully aged in Kentucky and tended with precision, leading to Pinhook’s first acclaimed release in 2014. But the brand’s defining moment came in 2017 when production began at the historic Castle & Key Distillery, marking the first whiskey to flow from that legendary site in nearly five decades. Since then, Pinhook has expanded its reach while holding fast to its philosophy: craft bourbon and rye that capture the character of each vintage year.

Pinhook’s groundbreaking approach treats whiskey vintages much like fine wine. Instead of replicating a uniform flavor year after year, Pinhook embraces the natural variations of grain, barrel, and climate, creating whiskeys that are “the best, not the same.” Each release reflects the distinct qualities of that year’s barrels, yielding nuanced profiles that evolve and invite discovery with every bottle.

The name Pinhook pays homage to Kentucky’s horse-racing tradition. In the same way a pinhooker nurtures young thoroughbreds toward racing greatness, the distillers at Pinhook guide each barrel’s development, coaxing out its full potential with patience and instinct. Every label celebrates this connection, featuring a vibrant design inspired by jockey silks and the name of a promising young racehorse, symbolizing vitality, craftsmanship, and the thrill of the chase.

Today, Pinhook’s lineup includes both bourbon and rye, crafted in small batches and bottled at proofs that highlight each vintage’s unique character. The brand’s artful design and exceptional flavor have earned it national acclaim and a devoted following among whiskey enthusiasts.

Approachable yet complex, traditional yet forward-thinking, Pinhook Bourbon is a testament to friendship, craftsmanship, and the enduring spirit of Kentucky. Each bottle captures not only the flavor of its season but also the story of those who believed that whiskey, like a great racehorse, should be nurtured, not controlled, and celebrated at full stride.