Well, it’s been a long time since I updated this blog. I guess other avenues of social media have taken over where I spend time doing any writing/updating.
Since I was last updating here, I’ve definitely fallen hard down a whiskey enthusiast rabbit hole. I have enjoyed drinking bourbon/whiskey since my college days, but a trip to Kentucky’s Bourbon trail in 2016 launched a frenzied exploration of all things whiskey. Eventually, that landed me in some enthusiast communities. One of those communities, I consider my whiskey family – Someone Say Whiskey?
A few months ago, one of our members brought back a Single Barrel Cask Strength American Rice Whiskey from JT Meleck based in Branch, Lousisiana. Naturally, many of our members jumped at the chance to try something new and unusual. I think we were all surprised by what we tasted, and impressed. Our introduction to this expression set off a chain of events that led to our club traveling to JT Meleck for a tour and selecting our own barrel.
With some of my own family living in this general area of Louisiana (about an hour away), I’m somewhat familiar with the lifestyle, personalities and work ethic of the area. JT Meleck is essentially a farm to glass family business. They are 5th & 6th generation rice farmers. They have been stewards of their 20 acres in what is now Acadia Parish since the late 1870s. The family also operate a crawfish farm and seafood company. They have a genuine desire to turn what they grow into the best possible products.
Mike Fruge, his daughter Mia and many other employees gave us a fantastic look at their farm and the processes behind their rice vodka and whiskey. These products are really unique and outstanding. I also think as they continue to learn more about these unique offerings and refine their process- the products will get even better. I’m very excited about the barrel we selected and excited about their future.
As if all of that wasn’t enough, they even had a crawfish 
boil for us…their genuineness and hospitality knows no bounds.
These products are not yet distributed in Texas 
, but use the locator on their web site.
