A bucket list can be dangerous thing. Most of the time it's a trip or an experience that you've been thinking about all your life. Then you do it. Occasionally, it was better than you expected so you add it again to the bottom of the list, to try it again one day. And sometimes, that bucket list item you achieved, well, it becomes a thing. A thing that charts a new course in life or starts a new chapter. You never know.

The Bourbon Trail is a bucket list item for lots of people. Especially for those who love Bourbon and want to experience the essence and the roots of Bourbon in the heart of Kentucky. That's what it was for the Horse Neck founders. It was something they had talked about doing over the years. Then they went. They went in the middle of a worldwide pandemic. It was not the ideal time to hit the Trail but the distilleries were still open, the tastings and tours went on and the guys got to experience the thrill of the Bourbon Trail.

But the most amazing thing that happened to them on the Trail was the discovery of a local drink, thanks to a Kentucky friend named Rick. "It's a Kentucky Gentleman" he declared as he handed each of us a plastic cup filled with his favorite "juice" as we climbed on the tour bus one sunny Saturday morning. The drink was a simple mix of Bourbon, bitters and a local ginger ale, called Ale81. No one was sure why, but it was the tastiest, most unique drink we all ever tasted. Or so it seemed anyway. It could have been that it was 8:00 in the morning. But nonetheless, the guys were smitten. They discovered a drink that was really special. It wasn't more than 10 minutes later, when one of them blurted out, "We should can this drink and sell it in Texas!" Well, I supposed those 10 words changed everything. Maybe not everything but it did chart a new course for their lives.

And that is the origin of Horse Neck. The story of a bucket list item that ignited an idea and turned into a business. Since that fateful trip, the idea for a bourbon cocktail drink turned into a full line of Bourbon drinks with distribution in multiple states and online in 45 states. From there, the guys ventured hard into the Bourbon world with an incredible line of Horse Neck Kentucky Bourbons and a shared mission of the founders.

Our mission is simple: to create a spirit that captures the joy of celebrating life with friends.  Rooted in tradition and selecting the best bourbon available, we're committed to deliver the best-tasting, highest-quality Kentucky bourbon at the best possible price. Every bottle reflects the grit, pride, and camaraderie that defines our friendship —authentic, adventurous, and always ready to raise a glass. We're based in Texas, but our bourbon is exclusively sourced from Kentucky to leverage the deep traditions and time-honored distilling methods from the birthplace of bourbon.

And who are the founders? Kurt, Darren, Jim and Brian. We're just a life-long buddy group of guys doing life together in Texas, although only one of us is actually a Texan. The rest of us are from California, Pennsylvania and Oklahoma. But we have a love for one another based on shared values, shared faith and a shared love for a good idea. Like Horse Neck Bourbon.