The Gang

Meet the Godfathers

Left to Right: The Scotch Guy, The Bourbon Guy, the Wise Guy

Trevor "The Bartender" Jones

While he's happy to enjoy a sip of a good Scotch, or Irish with his buddies every once in a while, Trevor is very much a Bourbon and Rye man.  In addition to enjoying his spirits neat or on the rocks, Trevor enjoys strong bourbon-based cocktails including a classic Manhattan or an Old Fashioned.  He loves to experiment with cocktails and gets his nickname from his eagerness to mix drinks for his buddies.  You'll find a few of his creations on our cocktails page.

A lifelong Beam drinker, Jim Beam White Label is Trevor's go-to for cocktails. Favorite spirits neat or on the rocks include Bulleit 10, Bakers, Knob Creek 15, Wild Turkey 101, and Wild Turkey Rare Breed.  

Like his fellow Godfather Dan, Trevor is a history nerd and loves the stories, both true stories and tall tales, about the origins of bourbon and rye whiskey in the United States.  He also loves sampling craft bourbons from all around the country to understand how the terroir of a region affects the bourbon flavor profile.

Trevor is an Executive Bourbon Steward, a Tennessee Squire, Maker's Mark Ambassador, and a Master Bourbon Taster and Teaching Professor for Whiskey University.  He is also a member of the Rare Breed Society, the Bardstown Whiskey Society, the Band of Rebels, the Wyoming Whiskey Barons, and King's Circle.

Mitch "Smokey" Farr

Mitch is the biggest scotch fan of the gang and loves a good peaty Islay Scotch enough to be "Smokey." Far from being just a "Scotch Guy," Mitch loves bourbon too.  He started out drinking Jim Beam White Label, and has childhood memories of his father sipping Jim and Ginger and playing cards.  Although he later developed a preference for Jim Beam Black Label, Mitch always kept his old stand-by on hand, even as he began to explore the broader world of whiskey.

Mitch got into Scotch when his son gave him a bottle of Glenfiddich Solera 15, and enjoys several varieties of Scotch, although, nickname aside, he still has far more Bourbon than Scotch in his collection.

Mitch is fond of saying that his palate isn't refined enough to pick out tasting notes, and will often be heard at our events saying: "Tastes like whiskey."  He is a Maker's Mark Ambassador.

Dan "Wise Guy" Kelley

Dan's ‘Wise Guy’ status is due to his love of whiskey knowledge; especially its history. In other words, he's a whiskey geek.

Dan enjoys sitting with friends having a good glass of whiskey on the deck or by the fire. But his real love is whiskey’s history; where it w as made, the people that made it, and the great stories that come from it.

Dan was born and raised in Kentucky so Bourbon is in his blood. While he loves a good adventure exploring Scotch, Irish Whiskey, and even an occasional Japanese Whiskey, he always returns home to Bourbon, especially from Buffalo Trace in Frankfurt, KY. 

Dan is an Executive Bourbon Steward, a Master Bourbon Taster and teaching professor at Whiskey University, a Tennessee Squire, and a Maker's Mark Ambassador. He is also a member of the Rare Breed Society, Bardstown Whiskey Society, King's Circle, Band of Rebels and High West Whiskey Club.

Our Capos

Tim "Sticks" Schouten

Much like Mitch and Trevor, Tim started his bourbon adventures with Jim Beam, but over the last 10 years he has developed a taste for higher proof whiskies and now considers Evan Williams Bottled-In-Bond his daily drinker. Some of Tim's favorite pours are Barker's 7, Clyde Mays' Special Reserve, Old Pepper Rye and 1776 Rye, Widow Jane 10, Old Ezra 7 the the Rebel Distilleries Collection.

Tim is an Avid Cigar smoker, and gets his "Sticks" nickname from his passion and knowledge of cigars.  Most of the time you can find him with one of his favorite bourbons on the rocks and a cigar between his teeth.  In particular, Tim enjoys Gurkha Governor's Private Blend, Ashton Heritage Puro Sol, Classic Bello Churchill Havana Churchills, Ramon Bueso Genesis Oscuro, Kristoff Habano Robusto, or Criollo.

Beyond cigars and whiskey, Tim is an avid hunter and and subject matter expert in firearms and defensive tactics.  You can also often find him in his outdoor kitchen either smoking his favorite meats or using his Blackstone.

Denise "Tinkerbell" Piasecki-Chain aka "DPC"

Make no mistake, Tinkerbell was a badass and so is Denise! It's a little-known fact that Tinkerbell "called out a hit" on Wendy, and we wouldn't put it past our Tink if you messed with someone she loves - Cross her at your peril!

Denise Started drinking bourbon and rye about 15 years ago, but didn't get into learning about its rich traditions and intricate formulas until about five years ago.  Denise's go-to is Evan Williams Bottled in Bond, but like any good Pennsylvania whiskey lover, she's all about rye spice, and especially enjoys Rittenhouse Rye and Knob Creek Rye.  She enjoys whiskey neat, on the rocks and in cocktails, and along with her husband Jack, has become both a regular and a leader in our Zoom tastings.

A lover of all things history related, "Tink" is intrigued most by the stories behind the barrels and loves learning more about it.  Away from the world of whiskey, she will usually be found pursuing her passion for history, especially the Civil War, in which she is very active in Pennsylvania's rich reenactment community.  She's also active in exploring other periods of American history, including the Revolution and the Second World War.