Copper craftsmen create important part of bourbon business at Vendome
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB)–In the shadow of the city, on quiet Franklin Street, is a business making a ton of noise.
“They want to see how it was crafted from beginning to end,” explained Barbara Hubbuch of Vendome Copper & Brass Works
Vendome is ground zero for the bourbon biz.
“You can’t ask me which one is my favorite, because I like them all. They’re all customers,” said Vice President, Robert Sherman.
Any glass of Jim Beam, Jack Daniels, or Makers Mark couldn’t have been crafted, aged, or mixed without Vendome.
“You never know who’s going to be on the phone when you pick it up,” Sherman said.
A team of 70 welds, rolls, and farms copper.
It turns something basic into shiny, craft and commercial, bourbon making machines.
The still, fermenters, cookers–all of it. Each project takes months.
“We have a few projects in here now that take 5-6 thousand man hours. They probably started last spring or early summer,” said Sherman.
Requests, including the strange, flow in. A giant, 30 foot tall brass peanut, and a big copper bee hive are just a couple.
The business is over a century old, and was forced to deal with dry spots in history, like prohibition.
Vendome added a couple of facets to their business like pharmaceutical and confectionery products to get them through.
Today, the business is as strong as an Old Fashion or Maker’s on the rocks, and by the looks of things, that won’t be changing anytime soon.
“Even if you’re not a bourbon drinker, bourbon producers are finding a way for you to like it,” Hubbuch said.
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