A Very Whiskey Wedding

In an unassuming industrial park just northwest of downtown Lexington, a rather nondescript brick building sits with a well-paved parking lot. There’s nothing really special about the outside, and there’s not even a sign indicating you’re even remotely in the right place. But as soon as I got out of the car, the doors were flung open by a gentleman donning a colorful woven poncho and a bright orange fedora adorned with alchemical symbols who ushered us into the barrel-laden warehouse. 

That guy was the Bourbon Swami, government name: Macaulay Minton.

Macaulay, a distilling darling child who used to run the single barrel program - among many other duties - at Wilderness Trail before striking out on his own, is the mastermind behind Dark Arts Whiskey House.

The brand got its start inside the bottling facility of Divine Spirits (you’ve seen them as Rare Character), where sat an amalgam of barrels ricked 3 high with tasting notes scrawled across the heads. This is where Macaulay began perfecting his art of wood finishing, experimenting with secondary barrels and staves that span the gamut from Armagnac to amburana to maple syrup to lord knows what else.

Macaulay launched the brand from these humble beginnings, but quickly leveled up to take over the former RD1 space in Lexington's burgeoning Distillery District. The Whiskey House is a chaotically beautiful blend of witchy, woo-woo aesthetic complemented by lush velvet drapery and rich leather. It boasts a gorgeous cocktail bar, where this author actually had a headshot photo shoot. And the whiskey? There is truly something for everyone and some drams that even this well-drunk writer has never tasted before. It's a beautiful challenge for the palate that keeps you coming back for more.

But I am not just writing this article to talk about the whiskey, which is straight up delicious and well worth your time and treasure to try. No, dear reader, this article is about the man himself and how he turned a whiskey festival into a wedding venue.

Something borrowed, something blue

As a bourbon writer, whenever there is a big bourbon event, my feed doesn't let me forget I'm missing it. The New Orleans Bourbon Festival was no exception. It's an event I've never managed to get to, despite trying to make it work with my schedule. Then again, there are so many bourbon festivals and just so little time. But Macaulay Minton wasn't just going to leave the festival having curated a panel and sampling his wares. In fact, he turned the NOLA festival into an opportunity to make some lifelong memories. And those memories were spurred by kismet, one part fantastical, one part paranormal, one part romantic, and one part practical. True alchemy.

I've called Macaulay a friend for a few years now. And as part of that friendship, I've also been able to get to know his lovely partner, Avery. This woman knew what she was getting into as they'd been friends for years. So she - more so than I - knows that nothing he ever does will surprise you. If you know him, you know anything is possible. And I do mean anything.

My Instagram feed was flooded with selfies and reels of the usual suspects from brands and blogs alike. And then on the final night of the festival, there it was: the wedding photo. Mr. Macaulay and Ms. Avery decided to launch an impromptu nuptial in the middle of the NOLA bourbon festival. The inspiration for the last-minute knot-tying came after a particularly prescient reading with a psychic medium - the details of which I will keep with those involved to keep the memories sacred and special - but involved a very special family member. In short, they were given a sign. A very special sign from someone deeply loved, and who recently departed.

Spurred by this supernatural encounter, Minton and his soon-to-be bride set out on a 48-hour quest to throw together a wedding. Assisted by a coterie of bourbon baddies, they pulled the thing together in a manner fit for a Dark Arts wedding.

"I was so surprised when Macaulay told me he was going to throw this impromptu wedding in less than 48 hours. But then again, it's the most Macaulay thing I could imagine." -Patrick Pho, District of Bourbon

Our very own Patrick Pho was at the ready with the camera to memorialize the moment in film. The photos in this post are credited to him. Mr. Pho was also part of the location-scouting crew to find the perfect spot for them to tie the knot. A corner of the Canal Place parking deck, which had served as a place for folks to sit around and smoke cigars, served as the altar. It was right in the middle of the festival, with the blessing, of course, by Tracy Napolitano, New Orleans Bourbon Festival Founder, who completed a shotgun ordination to officiate the wedding.

Greg Keeley, founder and owner of Larrikin Bourbon Company, was the ring bearer. He carefully guarded the rings inside of Willow the Frog, a large frog purse that she spent the morning of the ceremony meticulously gluing eyelashes onto. Willow would be the vessel that would hold a pouch emblazoned with the phrase "Definitely not a bag full of DRUGS." Hunter S. Thompson would have been tremendously disappointed that the bag was indeed devoid of any drugs, but rather the wedding bands. But fear not, dear reader, there may have been no drugs inside, but the nuptial jewelry was not alone.

"Yep. And the raccoon dicks and stones. 6 x dried raccoon dicks. And a knife." -Greg Keeley, Larrikin Bourbon Company

These offerings were used to perform "some sort of Voodoo ritual involving bones," according to one attendee. This author did not inquire further. We only have so much room on these posts, after all. The altar also featured a bottle of Dark Arts Honey, Neeley Family Absinthe, a Dark Arts "Imperial Wedding Barrel" bottle, and gift bottles from Jackson Purchase and Seven Three Distilling.

I Now Pronounce You Swami and Wife

But the star-studded wedding party didn't stop there. Royce Neeley, who procured swords for them both, as one does, and Rebeckah Neeley, served as witnesses. And, as the above picture shows, boys will always have plenty of fun when there are swords around.

"We're gathered here tonight in the heart of New Orleans, surrounded by great bourbon, great friends, and even better stories - to celebrate something even strong than all of that...the union of two people who have chosen each other." -Tracy Napolitano, opening words of the wedding ceremony

Others in attendance included David Peet also of Dark Arts, Pablo Moix from Rare Character, Mark Carter from Old Carter, Craig Beam from Jackson Purcase, Stephen Fante from Limestone Branch, Steve Nally from Bardstown Bourbon Company, and Luka Čutura from Seven Three Distilling.

But the biggest surprise star was Avery's dad, who flew down to NOLA for the pleasure of walking his wonderful daughter down the aisle. Royce actually started the march to the altar, then her dad appeared from the crowd to surprise her (I'm tearing up as I write this). And Avery, as predicted, cried. Girl, I am crying too.

Once the vows were said, and despite not being even remotely connected to the Jewish faith, Macaulay broke a glass with his foot. I think he just likes smashing things. The newly minted married duo shared a glass of bourbon at the altar. Then Macaulay smashed the glen. (I told you he likes breaking things.) Just don't you dare break that girl's heart because you will have all of the bourbon world to answer to, my friend. But in my soul, I have all the faith in the world that this marriage will be one that ages beautifully, just like the finest of bourbons.