Introducing the Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild True Small Batch, a collaboration with Pinhook that is dedicated to legendary jockey, Isaac Burns Murphy.
This limited-edition bottle is available for purchase through online retailer, Seelbach’s, and at local retailers in Kentucky. Each purchase through Seelbach’s includes a $15 donation to the Freddie Johnson Scholarship; an integral part of KBBG's continuing mission to develop inclusivity in the bourbon industry by helping deserving people of color find their way into vital roles.
About Isaac Burns Murphy
Isaac Murphy was a pioneering Black jockey born in 1861. Years after the Civil War, he found his calling on the racetracks, once a precarious refuge for enslaved people. Murphy, a methodical rider with an upright stance, won over a third of his races, including three Kentucky Derby wins. He was the wealthiest American athlete of his time. It was in an era when Black horsemen played a crucial role in setting the foundation in thoroughbred racing, and Black jockeys won 15 of the first 28 runnings of the Derby before being pushed out of racing in the 20th century. Murphy also owned and trained horses before he died of pneumonia at age 36 in 1896. In 1955, he became the first jockey inducted into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame.
Written by Delano R. Massey
The Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild
The Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild (KBBG) was founded to address the absence of African-American history in the bourbon narrative. With over 250 members, the Guild welcomes all who share a passion for bourbon and a curiosity about its rich history. Through partnerships and initiatives like the Freddie Johnson Minority Scholarship program, the Guild fosters inclusivity and supports African-American students in agriculture and fermentation. Join us in celebrating bourbon’s diverse heritage and shaping a more inclusive future in the industry.
We’re proud to honor our ancestral contributions to the bourbon industry, as well as our present and future involvement. Our group is truly inclusive, welcoming to all who have an interest in the history we all share as citizens of the Commonwealth.
The Freddie Johnson Scholarship
The Freddie Johnson Scholarship is integral to KBBG's continuing mission to develop inclusivity in the bourbon industry by helping deserving people of color find their way into vital roles. We're dedicated to educating members of our community to move beyond being consumers and enthusiasts and into playing essential parts in the culture of Bourbonism, which is so crucial to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Annually, the Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild awards scholarships to deserving applicants. These scholarships are open to all classifications, and past award winners are eligible to reapply each semester. Applicants are interested in pursuing careers in hospitality, business, agriculture, and chemical engineering-all vital elements in the world of bourbon.
True Small Batch Program
Pinhook’s “True Small Batch” Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey embodies our vintage approach to whiskey making, showcased through micro-blends of 2 or more barrels of our proprietary Kentucky distillate. Released annually in vintages, our bourbons and rye whiskies capture the essence of each barrel, resulting in a character as distinct as the thoroughbred on the label.
