Bulleit Proof

13 Revolver

MOMENTS.

A life played out in moments.

I’m vague on this exact moment.

I’m clear on the year.

2004.

Or, no, wait—2005.

Early 2005. Actually, you know what, I’m thinking 2006 …

Cancer, besides ravaging my body, distorts time.

Well, I do know this. I know the moment.

Because at that moment, everything changes.

* * *

San Francisco.

It first appears in a bar called Bruno’s. The bartender responsible for this moment will soon depart for the cocktail bar of the moment, Bourbon and Branch, bringing It with him. After some time, the bartender leaves Bourbon and Branch and establishes his own bar, Prizefighter. By then—which would be now—the bartender and It have become famous.

Years later, the bartender agrees to restage the moment.

The bartender, Jon Santer, doesn’t work the bar at Prizefighter. He owns it, commands it, prowling, performing like a Broadway actor—but without arrogance or aloofness. Jon remains homespun, accessible, good-natured, fun. “Hey, how you doing? Come on in, sit down, get comfortable,” he says with a glance, without speaking a word.

“Hi, there. Welcome. This is my place. And this is your place. So, come on, cozy up to the bar. Great. Now, watch this. I’m going to show It to you. Not really that special. It only changed the world.”

Well, changed my world, his grin says.

Changed my world, too, and modestly, It had a fairly large impact on the entire world of whiskey.

Jon called It the Revolver.

As Betsy says, game changer.

* * *

Behind the bar, Jon ...