Charleston, South Carolina isn't just a true Southern treasure on the top of everyone's list of must visit destinations - it is one of our most favorite places in the world. Ask anyone who has ever spent time here - it is obvious that Charleston is easy to fall in love with, however we have a deep connection to Charleston that goes beyond just a casual vacation. Carrie attended the College of Charleston, and our family has maintained a true love and appreciation for this special city that was deepened by our time spent there.

 

Long before it was a haven for bachelorette parties, foodies and reality tv shows, the cobblestone streets and pastel painted mansions adorning the battery beckoned visitors to it’s history laden alleyways. It's no surprise that Charleston both attracts, and encourages, creatives and artists. From its infinite charm to its historic stature - Charleston is one of the most culturally rich cities in the country. Thanks to its location deep within the lowcountry - the uniquely situated geographic slice of heaven stretching from Charleston to  equally picturesque, Savannah, it is also draped in the warm blanket of unmistakable southern hospitality. 

While it has changed significantly in the time since Carrie attended the College of Charleston, growing and expanding into itself as a true destination promising a vibrant and delicious food scene, many things remain the same. The warmth, the friendliness, that so-called "southern charm," the unique beauty, iconic and historical architecture and design, and an abundant creative scene. Historical preservationists, decorators, historians and artists of all kind are drawn here by the vast inspiration and natural beauty that abounds.  

So, naturally, we look for any excuse to visit Charleston, and have been fortunate to find many of those throughout the years since Carrie graduated. We are also not surprised that the connections to this spectacular city have expanded into our professional lives as well. Either by the fate of a friendship formed during Carrie's College of Charleston days, a connection made through one of them, or just the obvious draw of people who live and work under the same umbrella of appreciation for this place, we have multiple partnerships and collaborations that can all be traced back to Charleston.

In fact, we are well near almost 15 partnerships, events and collaborations that, just like the warm salty air, are all directly tied to this small peninsula tucked away on the coast of the lowcounty. 

Which brings us to our most recent trip to Charleston, for a very fun pop-up event that, true to form, brought together multitude of partners and friends! 

We launched our pickleball paddle with Charleston based Short Court Sports this summer, born out of one such friendship made back in our College of Charleston days. Dedicated to making quality pickleball gear and apparel, their "Wimbledon with a wink," mentality is akin to our belief, that you can, and should make high quality products that are designed in pursuit of enjoyment! 

We were thrilled when they shared the news about their first brick and mortar spot - a storefront to be located in the iconic shopping halls of the Charleston Place Hotel, nestled in the heart of historic downtown Charleston on King Street. In a stroke of serendipity that Charleston is known for - right across the hall from them, would be our friends from Buru. We couldn't make this up if we tried! 

Though Charleston is known as "the Holy City," due to its abundance of incredibly historic and stunning churches, it happens that the stretch of historic downtown that produces the most traffic would be King Street. A destination full of the requisite charm, iconic cobblestone streets, history and beauty, it is a hopping destination dotted throughout with boutiques, antique stores, art galleries and of course, renowned restaurants.  Running the length of the city, all the way to the southern tip of White Point Garden on the Battery, you can take a visual journey throughout the history of Charleston.  

The College of Charleston happens to be tucked right in the center, a quick turn off  of the center of King Street, and you are encompassed by Southern live oak trees with lazily draped Spanish Moss beckoning you towards the heart of campus, the Cistern. You feel instantly transported through time, as if you've traveled though a magic portal to the past. You'd be forgiven for thinking you'd stumbled on a movie scene, as it has served as memorable backdrop for many cinematic moments, or for becoming so distracted by the history, architecture and sheer beauty that you trip on one of the cobblestones. It is such a common occurrence that it became a habit to watch for new students, awash in awe of their new campus, to stumble across them during the start of a new school year.  Even after all of these years, we are still struck by the beauty of Charleston and we are filled with wonder and gratitude each time we are able to return.

Fortunately, reasons like celebrating our partners, continue to arise so we are able to! We immediately decided that the only proper celebration for the new Short Court and Buru storefronts would be a joint Charleston pop-up! We gathered some of our favorite friends and finds for a three day affair, with an absolutely essential kick-off cocktail party in the Charleston Place Courtyard! Lucky for us - we knew just who to call (see we really aren't kidding when we say our Charleston connections run deep) - as it just so happens that Bittermilk, the makers behind our signature Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Mixers, you guessed it, are based right here in Charleston as well. 

Together with Short Court Sports, Buru and Bittermilk, we kicked off the weekend with a lovely welcome cocktail party in truly Charleston southern hospitality style. Bringing together this group of collaborators, friends and partners - it was obvious how we have all ended up in the same room. The energy was infectious, the drinks were delicious and the conversations could have (and did) last all night long. We laughed, we sipped, we shopped, and of course, we planned - new events, new experiences, new recipes, new products. The camaraderie, the collaborative energy and the inspiration of a group with shared passions is endlessly inspiring - and just plain fun. 

It has been a pleasure to have a front row seat to the growth of Short Court. Watching it blossom from an idea that was born from a passion, to a fully realized dream of a store-front (on King Street no less), reminds us so much of the grit and determination required to get a small business off the ground. Theirs, like ours, is a family led, team based operation - and just like us, they had their friends, family, and even their kids running around getting the event pulled together. 

Naturally there was a small court designed to check out our custom Pappy & Company X Short Court pickleball paddles - tried and tested at our First Annual Pappy & Company pickleball tournament this summer. We stayed on serve with craft cocktails from our partners at Bittermilk using our Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Mixers. We even discovered that the Pappy & Company X Short Court Sports pickleball paddle can pull double duty as a cocktail serving tray for our Old Fashioneds! 

Of course, when we are with the mixology experts from Bittermilk, we are inspired to concoct even more creative ways to bring you our signature Pappy Van Winkle infused flavor in surprising and delicious cocktails. What would a Pappy & Company event be without a signature Old Fashioned, made with our Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Old Fashioned Mixer. We happened to serve up a top secret craft cocktail that has been, well brewing, for quite some time...and we can't wait to share it with you soon (trust us, it will be worth the wait)! 

Naturally, since this pop-up brought us together with our friend Morgan and her Buru crew, these events turned into actual dress-up parties. You simply can't help but turn into kids playing dress-up when you bring together her fun and playful style, and personality. It's a very welcome return to whimsy and nostalgia, and the fun of getting together with girlfriends, pouring a few cocktails, and trying on pretty clothes. A simple formula that results in hours of laughter and memories. 

Morgan has a indescribable way of bringing together style and tradition, with modern playfulness and a fearless approach to fun. We had the previous honor of combining our shared entertaining styles to introduce our collaborative collection with Burujust in time for the 2023 Kentucky Derby. Inspired by family traditions and a love for entertaining, this whimsical collection was inspired by, and named for, our great grandfather, Pappy Van Winkle's, iconic silver punchbowl. Pappy's original silver punchbowl served as both the centerpiece of our Everyday Heirlooms Collection with Thompson Traders, and our Buru Punchbowl Collection. We had so much fun creating this charming, classic and timeless collection of Kentucky Derby ready dresses, skirts and jackets that invoked a spirit of hospitality and entertaining that was evocative of our shared bespoke traditions. 

Bringing together Pappy & Company, Buru, Short Court Sports and Bittermilk got our collaboratively creative minds spinning in multiple ways. For Morgan, this meant designing a smoking jacket that would pair perfectly with our Pappy Van Winkle Barrel Fermented cigars, to be enjoyed alongside a Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged crafted cocktail on the courtyard of Charleston Place. A chic, yet modern, vintage-inspired, retro style smoking jacket that was inspired by our Pappy Van Winkle Barrel Fermented cigar. Originally designed as a jacket to be worn over your clothes while you indulged in the luxury of a cigar, the smoking jacket was more like a fancy robe, with embellished sleeves and a high shawl collar that would be tied with a belt. Designed for comfort, as the wearer would be enveloped within the cozy confines as they enjoyed the leisurely act of enjoying a cigar, often outside, the smoking jacket has itself evolved over the years and is now a traditional style of dress more known for a formal occasion.

Morgan and Buru found a way to make it festive, feminine and fun. As their production strategy is founded on their ability to source and produce limited release capsule collections in their own downtown Los Angeles factory, Morgan is able to follow her creative passions quite quickly. She designed a smoking jacket in a rich, vintage-inspired brocade chinoiserie, to be paired with a cigar pant (her Pappy Van Winkle cigar inspired take on the infinitely classic cigarette pant), that is the ideal combination of style, tradition and fun. Which is what fashion should be, after all. Paired with a Pappy Van Winkle Barrel Fermented cigar, this jacket will be an essential style as we head into holiday entertaining season! 

So to wrap-up our fun weekend: for three days we shopped, ate, sipped, and mingled. We met new friends, and reconnected with old ones. We spent our time laughing and dreaming up  new ideas and plans, as it is impossible to not leave Charleston absolutely brimming with creativity and renewed passion. It is a pretty easy formula, much like most of our favorite Pappy Van Winkle infused recipes, when you bring together good ingredients - the outcome is already decided.