At Work With Nfocus: Hank Ingram
How has your business changed as a result of the pandemic? We launched the first of the O.H. Ingram River Aged series this fall, so it’s all we’ve ever known! There’s definitely been challenges, with large events off-limits and restaurants and bars having restrictions, but people are always ready for a good story and a good drink, and that’s what we give them.
How did you get your start making whiskey? For generations, my family has been involved in various enterprises along the river’s edge. I first came up with the idea for our unique process after realizing how important river transportation was in the early years of the bourbon industry. I thought, what if I could put the river back in whiskey again? Now, you can taste the result.
What’s the best local shop to buy a gift? I like giving books as gifts, and I do all my book shopping at Parnassus Books.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received? When I was 7, my grandfather gave me a Lionel train set. On top of making great memories building onto the layout with him, it taught me to be curious about how things work. That curiosity played a large role leading up to this current venture.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever given? A picture frame. Everyone can always use one more.
What’s your favorite holiday tradition? Every year, my mom’s side of the family gets together in Sipsey, Alabama, at my great-grandmother’s house for a Christmas celebration. It is usually a full house, with over 70 cousins, and each family is responsible for a particular dish. It is a wonderful time with family, food and stories.
What’s your favorite locally made product? Olive & Sinclair chocolates
What makes O.H. Ingram River Aged Whiskey a great gift? Who doesn’t love a great-tasting bottle of whiskey? We’re a local company that’s making whiskey in a way that separates us from the rest of the industry. If you want to give someone a gift with a great local story behind it, look no further.
What event or outing are you missing most this winter? The Symphony Ball. The decorations are always elegant, and I love listening to the Nashville Symphony play with talented artists in such an intimate setting.
What’s one thing you wish everyone knew about your whiskey? Our whiskey is the only one that spends its entire life on the water, aging from birth to bottle in a first-of-its-kind floating rickhouse that sits right on the Mississippi River. The result is a whiskey that is very smooth and full of character.