welcome to Louisville's historic whiskey row
John Shumake, Whiskey Row's Official Bourbon Ambassador, has become a recognizable, respected, and highly-sought-after consultant in the American whiskey industry. He has worked with numerous distilleries, brand labels, and spirits-related businesses, and he is a master of crafting once-in-a-lifetime bourbon tastings and experiences.
"An essential part of any Kentucky bourbon experience"
The Essential Whiskey Row Bourbon Tasting Experience
John will lead an elevated bourbon tasting experience – informative and engaging for both the amateur enthusiast, as well as the seasoned connoisseur. This session includes a historical overview of American whiskey, the significance of the historical district of Louisville's legendary Whiskey Row; an understanding of eyeing, nosing and tasting whiskey; and an examination of the unique characteristics of distilleries.
book nowWhiskey Row Private Selections
(The Barrel Picks)
An exceptional collaborative barrel pick released each year to celebrate the running of the world-renowned Kentucky Derby. Restaurants and bars in Louisville's Whiskey Row corridor leverage their collective expertise to select a premium expression which is made available for purchase. Past picks include E.J. Curley, Old Forester and Lucky Seven.
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Consulting Services
- Brand Promotion
- American Whiskey Education
- Speaking Engagements
- Content Creation
- Whiskey Bar Services
- Program Creation
- American Whiskey Education
- Display
- Staff Training
- Flight Creation
- Cataloging
- Inventory Management
- Private Selections
Videos
Meet Whiskey Row's Official Bourbon Ambassador
John Shumake is an authority on American whiskey. He focuses on superlative hospitality, and the enthusiastic promotion and responsible consumption of America’s native spirit - bourbon.
He is well-respected within the industry, and has leadership experience at various restaurants, bourbon-focused bars, and entertainment venues.
John was the bourbon steward in the exclusive Turf Club at the legendary Churchill Downs racetrack, working closely with then-bourbon ambassador, Monica Wolf.
His professional experience has included employment at the much-lauded Butchertown Grocery (as their first Matre'd), with On Tap Tours as their Executive Bourbon Steward, as well as the former Beverage Director at Doc Crow's Southern Smokehouse, Raw and Whiskey Bar, where he curated one of the largest whiskey programs in the western hemisphere with approximately 2700 expressions.
He is a Louisville native, and a U.S. Army Reserve veteran with degrees from Georgetown University and Johns Hopkins University.
The logo was created by nationally-acclaimed artist Mario Muller. He crafted this eye-catching silhouette of the historic block of Louisville's legendary Whiskey Row. Muller is a former Louisville resident whose incredible oeuvres continue to accent and enliven the Louisville cityscape. Locally, his work greets countless travelers at the Muhammad Ali International Airport, entertains at the Kentucky Center for the Arts, resides in the permanent collection of the Speed Art Museum, and invites motifed-urbanity into the Highlands at the Baxter Avenue Theater.
To further delve into the indefatigable talents of Mario Muller, please take a moment to explore mariomuller.com