Eric LeGrand Bourbon, a two-and-a-half-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon out of Owensboro, Kentucky-based Green River Distillery, which is owned by the Bardstown Bourbon Company, is celebrating its one-year anniversary.

Eric LeGrand and Brian Axelrod co-founded the brand and first set out to win over their home state of New Jersey with their product. LeGrand’s inspiration stems from his enjoyment of bourbon and as an avenue to tell his story of triumph and recovery, as in 2010, he became paralyzed while playing football for Rutgers University.

“Throughout my adult life, I’ve always enjoyed bourbon but there’s a stigma that those with disabilities aren’t able to enjoy the finer things in life. I wanted to end that stigma and Eric LeGrand Bourbon was born. My recovery journey mirrors bourbon, both require patience, trust in the process, and take precision. Eric LeGrand Bourbon offers a way for those who are living with paralysis and those who are not impaired by it, to enjoy sipping on a quality bourbon, while coming together to support a foundation that gives back to anyone impacted by this condition.”

The bourbon offers versatility, perfect for enjoying neat, on the rocks, or as a base for crafting delicious cocktails. Its adaptability allows for creative experimentation with cocktail flavors. Aged for a minimum of two years in charred oak barrels, it boasts a warm aroma and a smooth, crisp finish. Bottled at 88 proof, its mash bill consists of 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% barley, meticulously crafted with quality heartland-grown corn, limestone-purified water, and the freshest rye and barley ingredients. Eric LeGrand Bourbon is the first spirits brand to become a sponsor of Rutgers Athletics, and they have a multi-year partnership that brings the bourbon to select hospitality areas in SHI Stadium and Jersey Mike’s Arena.

Eric holds the partnership near and dear to his heart, for obvious reasons. “To be the birthplace of college football, to have my number retired there. and to be working with them on my business is very special to me. To be able to place the block “R” on point of sale has been very impactful for the business and this partnership has brought the Eric LeGrand Bourbon brand in front of people who didn’t know that I have a bourbon brand. The way it has been received has been great and I’m still in awe that I’m able to see the brand’s logo pop up on SHI Stadium’s ribbon board while calling a game.”

The brand’s notable achievements in the first year include selling 10,800 bottles, primarily in New Jersey, Kentucky, and online. This success not only opened doors but also helped in raising awareness for spinal cord injury. On March 15th, they proudly presented a $9,064.00 check to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation from their 2023 sales. Spotting Eric LeGrand bourbon in restaurants or bars during a night out has been a gratifying experience for Eric.

He believes the main challenge lies in convincing distributors outside New Jersey to support its mission and embrace their brand. Nonetheless, he remains determined to expand Eric LeGrand Bourbon to more states this year, with New York being the first target from May 1st onwards. Looking ahead to 2024, the focus will be on expanding into four additional states while also exploring limited-edition holiday bottle releases to provide exclusive offerings for their customers.