Jeff Schwartz shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Jeff, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity is the ultimate winner, as it is a true sign of intelligence. One cannot occur without the other. If you’re intelligent, then you realize that, at the end of the day, when all is said and done, you still have to look at yourself in the mirror and understand that the only thing you can control is your integrity. For me, as a whiskey reviewer, educator, and judge, my entire reputation rests on my integrity. If I lose that, I’ve lost everything, and earning that back would be near-impossible.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m known throughout the distilling universe as Whiskeyfellow. I’m passionate about whiskey and writing. As a Kentucky Colonel and certified Bourbon Steward, I love spreading the whiskey gospel by penning reviews and educational articles, hosting whiskey workshops, and judging whiskey competitions.
Many reviewers concentrate on mainstream whiskeys. I explore those, too, but what I crave is discovering hidden gems. While this number is constantly in flux, there are approximately 2,800 working distilleries in the United States alone. If you visit your local liquor store, even the biggest box stores, you won’t find whiskeys from even a significant percentage of them. Many craft distillers have little to no distribution. These are the “hidden gems” that I’m talking about; the ones that your average drinker (or even a true connoisseur) probably has never heard of. I actively seek them out and share my findings with the world.
The caveat, of course, is that what they produce is worthwhile. If I find flaws, I provide constructive suggestions on how to address those for future releases. My rating system is simple: Bottle (buy it), Bar (try it), or Bust (avoid it). These are always 100% honest, no-strings-attached reviews.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Lying and cheating. This all comes back to what I said at the beginning of this interview: Integrity. It doesn’t matter if this is in a marriage, a business relationship, or just day-to-day living. Few people want to be associated with a liar or a cheat, because we understand that if you’re willing to deceive someone else, the chances are high that you’ll do the same to us.
Unfortunately, rebuilding that trust can be a long and arduous process that may never yield results. It takes actions, not words. Saying “I’m sorry” won’t suffice for most people. You must prove that you’ve changed your ways, and even then, so much depends on the people whom you victimized.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Oh boy. This goes back to my childhood. My mother’s first marriage was an abusive one. I refuse to grant that man the title of “father.” He would come home after a day at work and verbally and physically assault her. It was not a once-in-a-while thing; it was what defined their marriage. Without getting into too much detail, he hid who he was until the night of their wedding.
My mother left him when I was less than two years old. She had to go through divorce proceedings with protection because he threatened to kill her if she showed up. My mother told me about this almost as soon as I was old enough to understand. She remarried when I was four and had a perfectly normal marriage.
I had a temper when I was a kid. I knew about her first husband, and I was scared that I would turn out to be just like him. My mother tried to explain that I was nothing like him and that I just needed to learn how to control my temper. Eventually, I did. But, I also allowed this man, whom I’d never really met, to control my life. I didn’t pursue relationships with many men. I worked hard at having platonic relationships with women. I did not pursue romantic relationships because I was positive that I would magically wind up being an abusive partner.
It wasn’t until my mid-30s that I met the woman who would become my wife, and our relationship began platonic. I told her about my fears and suggested that if I ever showed any inklings of being the monster that I tried my whole life not to become, she needs to leave me immediately. This year, we celebrate 23 years of marriage.
For what it is worth, I found out a few years ago that the man died, alone and unloved almost a decade prior. But, I allowed him to control me much of my life.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Pretty much. When I’m in my professional environment, I do become a bit of a showman because I have to. There’s no facade; it is just that in the rest of my life, I’m an introvert. It is challenging to make something exciting if you’re not excited about it yourself. Once I put on the Whiskeyfellow hat (literally), I become an extrovert. The important stuff, though, is 100% me.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
Simply put, I want to be known as someone who was a good, loving, dedicated husband. If there is no other story told about me beyond that, I will know that I have led a satisfied, meaningful life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://whiskeyfellow.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whiskeyfellow/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreymschwartz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWhiskeyfellow
- Other: [email protected]
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