James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd and 8th Wonder Brewery & Distillery have joined forces to create Hammer Down, an original bourbon dreamed up not only to be delicious, but to raise funds for nonprofit organization Southern Smoke’s ongoing support of members of the hospitality industry. Hammer Down is blended, proofed, and bottled in Houston at 8th Wonder Distillery. Bars and restaurants can order Hammer Down through Spec’s Wine, Spirits & Finer Foods, and other class B permit holders, while the general public can purchase bottles at local Total Wine retailers and other independent liquor stores.
Every drink counts: $2 from each bottle sold will go to Southern Smoke, the crisis relief organization founded to serve and support people in the food and beverage industry. 8th Wonder Brewery & Distillery is donating $1 for every bottle of Hammer Down sold, and Silver Eagle Distributors are matching that contribution with a $1 donation for each bottle purchased.
Perfected over approximately six months in 2021, Hammer Down is a smooth, blended bourbon featuring notes of caramel, sweet vanilla, honey, and toasted butterscotch, with a hint of corn flakes. Intended to be enjoyed neat or in a cocktail, Hammer Down makes an excellent Highball or Old Fashioned.
8th Wonder Co-founder, Brewmaster, and Distiller Aaron Corsi gathered dozens of barrel samples to begin the blending and proofing process of Hammer Down. The tasting committee included Corsi; Chris Shepherd, James Beard Award-winning chef and Southern Smoke Founding Director and Honorary Chairman; Westin Galleymore, Underbelly Director of Bars; Victoria Dearmond, Underbelly Pastry Director; Ryan Soroka, 8th Wonder Co-founder and President; Sean Rosenbaum, 8th Wonder Partner; and other members of Shepherd’s Underbelly Hospitality and Southern Smoke teams.
“We would sample until our palates couldn’t take any more, then schedule another sampling day,” said Aaron Corsi, 8th Wonder Brewmaster, Distiller, and Co-founder. “This all happened over the course of a couple of months and what seemed like hundreds of variations until we came up with this fantastic whiskey. I remember the first High Ball I made with what became the final blend, and I remember thinking, ‘I am probably going to end up drinking this until the end of my days.'”
“This was absolutely one of the most fun things I’ve gotten to do––discussing the type of bourbon we wanted, which was something easy to drink that would still hold up in a cocktail, and then tasting the different blending options that Aaron made for us,” said Chris Shepherd, James Beard Award-winning chef and Southern Smoke Founding Director and Honorary Chairman. “By ordering or buying Hammer Down, you’re maintaining the support system and safety net that Southern Smoke is nationwide. We hope this bourbon can be a long-term, sustainable revenue source for Southern Smoke to ensure we can continue to take care of our own––anyone in the food and beverage industry around the country who is in crisis. That’s what we’re here for.”
Southern Smoke has been especially active throughout the pandemic. Between March 2020 and March 2021, the group has distributed more than $6 million to women and men working in the food and beverage industry across the country. Since launching in 2015, the nonprofit foundation has distributed more than $9.5 million, both directly to individuals and to trusted organizations working to support those in hospitality sectors.
“Chris and our 8th Wonder crew have been friends in the industry for nearly 10 years,” said Ryan Soroka, 8th Wonder Co-founder and President. “Seeing all the amazing concepts Chris has created, awards he’s won, recognition he’s given to Houston, and support he’s given the industry is incredible. He’s such a talented guy, but better yet, he’s the friendliest guy. Create a tasty bourbon that supports the hospitality industry by way of Southern Smoke? For all of us at 8th Wonder, it was a no brainer! We drank a lot of bourbon, and we had a lot of laughs. We can’t wait for everyone else to experience Hammer Down.”
ABOUT SOUTHERN SMOKE
Southern Smoke is a nonprofit 501c3 foundation created to raise funds for charitable purposes, principally for support and assistance for those in the food and beverage community and their suppliers. Launched in 2015 by James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd, Southern Smoke has grown into one of the hospitality industry’s most trusted resources and allies. To date, Southern Smoke has distributed more than $9.5 million, both directly to people in need via its Emergency Relief Fund and to organizations that represent the needs of people in the food and beverage industry. For more information, please visit https://southernsmoke.org.
ABOUT 8th WONDER BREWERY & DISTILLERY
8th Wonder Brewery & Distillery are Houston’s favorite purveyors of craft beer, spirits, hemp beverages, and more. Located in the heart of EaDo, 8th Wonder offers signature year-round, seasonal, and special release brews in addition to handcrafted spirits, plus Delta-8 Wonder Water and CBD Wonder Water, the first two herbal seltzers in Texas. With a name that pays homage to the iconic Astrodome, 8th Wonder is nestled near three of Houston’s modern sports arenas, making it the ideal gathering place to root for the home team. 8th Wonder features a one-acre family- and dog-friendly backyard with colorful picnic tables and mouthwatering eats courtesy of a rotating cast from Houston’s vibrant food truck scene. For menus, hours, and more, visit https://8thwonder.com/
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