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Tasting Events, Certification Classes, Tours, Bottle Curation, and more.
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Exclusive bourbon tastings & narration
Become the most popular person in your circles when you ask The Bourbon Whisperer to co-host a tasting of top shelf, limited release or impossible-to-find bourbon for your closest friends or best clients. Rod narrates events of all sizes, from intimate "Party of 8" dinners to formal, seated affairs for 100+ attendees.
Discover the updated alternative to the typical "steak dinner evening". Throw an event your friends and colleagues will be talking about for years.
Collaborated Barrel Picks
Generate excitement with your barrel picks
There's a big difference between a "store pick" where the distributor sends a few bourbon samples for a store owner to choose, versus a hand-selected, "private barrel pick" from personal tastings conducted at the distillery. Store owners with limited process knowledge or no time to travel to Kentucky ask Rod to either accompany them or go in their place, using his trained palate to choose outstanding barrels with knowledgeable distillery staff members. Rod also joins bourbon clubs in their distillery sojourns to lend his expertise and assist in identifying true "honey barrels" for their picks.
Meet Rod Arnold
Kentucky Colonel Rod Arnold is an Executive Bourbon Steward, a lifetime member of the Stave & Thief Society of Louisville, and currently serves as the president of the Atlanta Bourbon Cartel. A highly-regarded search industry executive for three decades, Rod increasingly found himself involved in "all things bourbon" as his personal hobby became part of a nationwide obsession shared by thousands of enthusiasts and new converts. His vast product knowledge is sought out by retailers, restauranteurs, chefs, spirits industry representatives and casual enthusiasts alike.
On-premise bar staff training
What if your entire bar staff were certified Bourbon Stewards?
Rod is asked by restauranteurs for two things:
1) train their bar staff to become Associate Bourbon Stewards
2) help expand their retail bourbon offerings with the development of unique bottle collections, both of which are certain to increase sales and customer loyalty.
Certification helps service staff increase sales, expand their knowledge of product lines, and learn anecdotal industry history to share with customers and identify tasting notes.
Impress your friends...become a steward
Master the arts of tasting spirits
The Associate Bourbon Steward certification is a program for bourbon enthusiasts from all walks of life. This in-depth program is designed so that once you’re a Bourbon Steward, you’ll be able to discuss America’s native spirit confidently and accurately, as well as be able to make recommendations to friends, family, and others based on their individual taste and preferences.
Hear from those who enjoy Bourbon with me
"What a trip!! Thank you for the "Bucket List" bourbon tour. What a phenomenal experience! You exceeded every expectation, from the well-planned route to the distillery stops and introductions (both people and whiskeys). We will never forget this trip, the bourbons tasted and wonderful folks we met, yourself included. We are extremely grateful you took the reins and made it such a brilliant affair. We most appreciate your unsurpassed knowledge of not only the drink itself, but also the histories behind each sip. I hope we get to meet up again soon. Thanks again, Rod!"
V.I.P CLIENTS JAKE AND KRISTEN S. - DALLAS, TX
“Rod was a key reason for a successful launch of Old Carter Whiskey in Georgia. He set up the launch party and invited top influencers to attend which helped put us on the map.”
MARK CARTER, OWNER OF OLD CARTER WHISKEY CO.
"I finally got the chance to open your Maker's Mark Private Select pick last night. Absolutely phenomenal! I'll be bringing this to future bottle tastings of my Houston area club to let some of our real OG's try it. I'm in for another!"
JASON H. - HOUSTON, TX
"Rod, I can't begin to tell you how much the organization appreciates your time and effort in organizing the bourbon tasting fundraiser in Denver. We raised over $75,000 in 3 hours. Many members are saying it's the best event of ours they've ever attended. I hope you're up for organizing another in the future."
Peter L. / Fundraising Executive
"Thank you for donating your "Evening with The Bourbon Whisperer" event to Pace Academy's annual fundraiser gala auction. I was thrilled to win it for my husband's birthday surprise party. You did a really great job. Even the 'serious bourbon guys' were impressed with the tasting, especially the surprise bottle you curated as his gift from me."
Michele J. / Atlanta, GA
"I do not have the words to tell you how much we enjoyed the bourbon tasting. Our friends have thanked us profusely for inviting them to meet you. We appreciated getting to spend so much time with you."
B. Price / North Georgia
Corporate gift assistance: Rod curated 50 vintage bottles of a Single Barrel Select product; each bottle was autographed by the Master Distiller.
"Thanks so much. I'm still enjoying the client feedback; I even squirreled away a few bottles for myself!"
Merrick O. / Atlanta, GA
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Available for events nationally/ globally