Pappy & Company X Trace Meyer Museum Bees
While they can’t measure up to the legend himself, a few iconic images have come to represent the legacy of Pappy Van Winkle. Of course there is the one of him gesturing towards to the sign bearing the motto that has come to be the standard bearer for quality control, or the one of him in repose, with a cigar looking ever the statesman.
These images have become so intrinsically representative of Pappy and his legacy that they are almost instantly recognizable. We return to them as visual guideposts for how, and why, we have continued to share our heritage through Pappy & Company, as well as featured heavily on our products. They invoke a certain feeling, and can convey, without any words, a clear and distinct message.
However there are other images of him, equally as vibrant with meaning, that bear just a hint more of the personality that is so tied to the resonant power of his continued legacy. The one of him on the golf course with Thunder, his beloved bird-dog wearing his custom made caddy, or the one of him, suited up in full camo in the fields outside of his office, taking a quick hunting break.
No surprise that these images that we love happen to show Pappy doing the things he loved the most. The ones where his sense of humor, his personal passions, and his personality shine through. A man who took business seriously, but not himself. Who created an office that felt more like a home, and who often invited those arriving for what they thought would be a meeting, to instead join him for a walk, a hunt or a drink.
These are the reminders we carry with us. To infuse our work, and personal lives, with the things that make us happy in order to be the best at what we do. Maybe he knew the secret to work life balance before it was ever a conversation. He knew how to enjoy himself, he was a man after all devoted to perfecting a spirit that is meant to be savored. He didn’t know how to be anything other than his truly authentic self, and this generosity, passion, warmth and humor was evident in how he went about conducting business. He loved his bird-dogs, he loved to hunt and he didn’t compromise on either. The lush fields of Magnolia trees surrounding the Stitzel-Well distillery beckoned him daily during hunting season, and where he kept a well worn hunting jacket in the closet, ever at the ready.
Whenever we pause to consider what it means to truly honor the heritage of our great-grandfather through Pappy & Company, we often wonder how we can further share the elements of his story that paint a broader picture of the actual person behind the legacy. How can we continue to find opportunities to highlight the elements of his life that are so tied to his story, and to our collective memories?
Finding creative ways to highlight these poignant recollections has never felt more necessary. Collaborating with local Louisville artisan Trace Mayer on a custom Pappy & Company Museum Bee was one such opportunity. So, just what is a Museum Bee?
Years ago Chenault Van Winkle James began to collect and use these unique pieces of art in her own home and those of the projects she was working on as an interior designer. Playful, yet elegant, they were often the missing touch for a gallery wall, or a shelf she was curating. Their size allows them to be placed in a variety of places for a touch of beauty, whimsy and personality. Luxurious, unique, and genuine - yet accessible, these treasured pieces are a delightful addition to any room.
The name comes from the first one that Trace designed, Napoleon’s Bee, and he has continued to surprise with new Museum Bees each week, crafted in Louisville, Kentucky, using a variety of ornaments, antique objects and found treasures that he sources. Just like us, Trace believes that “inspiration is around every corner,” and since his motto is “Bee Kind and Inspire,” you can certainly see that in his designs.
When we introduced our first Museum Bee with Trace Meyer, we knew we wanted it to be our Pappy & Company keys. The keys that, quite literally hold the keys to the secret behind his legacy, the mythology and the man. The brass keys that hung on the door to the Stitzel Weller distillery, that initially represented the 5 steps to the bourbon distilling process, over time came to represent the keys to hospitality.
Perhaps it was because they hung at the threshold of a warm and inviting office with a lit fireplace and a cozy welcome, where treasures awaited you around every corner. It was a carefully crafted invitation into a personal space that felt more like a living room than an office. These keys have embodied the spirit of the traditions that Pappy embraced and celebrated, and we have relied on them to share that legacy with all of you through our own collections, inspired by and designed to continue them.
For our second Museum Bee, we wanted to carry on the tradition of sharing personal elements of Pappy that reflect his legacy. It only made sense to go next to his beloved and loyal bird-dogs, his constant companions and a reminder of embracing your passions. Crafting our museum bees from genuine Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrels is only the first step in creating these unique treasures, much like the ones that would have hung on Pappy’s own office mantle. Affixed to the retired Pappy Van Winkle barrel stave wood, and a true complement to the deeply rich wood that maintains remnants of the integral role they play in aging the bourbon, are brass plaques in relief depicting symbolic icons of a legendary life.
The Pappy & Company Bird Dog Museum Bee pays homage to one of Pappy’s greatest passions, and celebrates the memory of Pappy, as he strode out into the fields alongside Stitzel-Weller, accompanied by his beloved companions. Stay tuned for our next custom Pappy & Company Museum Bees - inspired by Pappy’s legacy and Trace Mayer's creative passions.
