Bourbon Barrels: Beauty through Artistry
The Woodshop: Sharing the beauty hidden with the barrel through the artistry of Jason Cohen
These are the elements we see, feel, and even smell when we receive the freshly dumped barrels of Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon. Each barrel uniquely shares its own story and has the markings to prove its own integral role in aging and producing some of the world's finest bourbon. These humble barrels, constructed simply of freshly charred pure white oak and held together by pressure and iron bands, play a quietly essential role in bourbon aging.
It is easy to see how they would be overlooked once the process has moved on to the next step, the one that arguably receives more outwardly focused attention. Once the golden-hued liquid has been aged to absolute perfection, the barrel is discarded. It has served its noble purpose, and as the laws of bourbon aging dictate, it can not be used again to age bourbon.
Yet, we know, the story doesn’t end there. For Pappy & Company, in fact, it is only the beginning. The beginning of a beautiful display of artistry, craftsmanship, and inspired design. The key is unlocking the story to reveal it. That requires a similarly focused dedication to that of bourbon making, a similarly devoted set of skills, and a similarly unwavering passion and commitment to a final product that is unlike any other.
Bourbon barrel artisan Jason Cohen, now helming our in-house Pappy & Company Woodshop, is incredibly passionate about transforming forgotten, discarded, and tossed-out articles into great displays of singular artistic beauty. He can see the beauty hidden within, and more importantly, possesses the vision, skill, and tenacity to discover and share it through his craftsmanship. Even if that means completely teaching himself a new skill, on the fly.
Our vision for the Woodshop is a simple one - to honor the history and legacy of our Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrels by reimagining them into one-of-a-kind pieces that blend tradition, artistry, and design. Fortunately, Jason shares it. A collaborative conversation, one that may sound wildly uninhibited to the uninitiated, may begin with, “What if we took the barrel staves and made a bench?” “Could we use the barrel staves to make a mirror?” It almost always ends with Jason saying, “Yes!”
The genesis of each idea is the desire to transform these uniquely beautiful, yet what others might deem inherently damaged, pieces of wood, some of which have aged Van Winkle bourbon for 23 years, and bear the marks to tell the tale, into usable art. Not a small feat, but one that equally excites Jason and us.
The idea for a mirror crafted entirely from retired Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel staves has been bouncing around in our collective creative brainstorms since we began this work. It perfectly encompasses the kind of innovative design and storytelling we want to share through the Woodshop. Fortunately, all we really had to say to Jason was the simple prompt, “What do you think about a mirror?”, and his work began.
It was a creative challenge, with a result that speaks for itself, the Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel Staveburst Mirror. Designed in a charming sunburst style, with alternating and staggered lengths of unique, genuine Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel staves, which give the mirror complexity, depth, and movement. Resembling the rays of Kentucky sunshine, so necessary for developing the character of our family’s bourbon, bursting through with signature beauty and natural geometrical design.
While our great-grandparents, Nana and Pappy Van Winkle, were known for their undeniably classic, traditional, and stately design, it is the warmth and inviting nature of design that appeals to us all. Creating an atmosphere that encourages hospitality and celebration can be achieved through design, which is the philosophy of our sister Chenault Van Winkle James, that we share along with Jason. Displaying warmth, character, and personal details through design, and taking something old and giving it new life, meaning, and a new future, are the most exciting elements of design, creation, and creating a home that reflects your personality. 
While Jason wishes he could personally share the story of each piece of barrel stave he uses to create each piece with each person who receives it, we know that the final story does come through in the eventual design. With thoroughly modern flourishes that somehow encompass tradition, legacy, and classic elements of history, each mirror is a unique piece of art.
Experience The Woodshop.
