Welcome to the Whisk(e)y Warrior Award!
On the first of every month, someone is awarded the prodigious title of Whisk(e)y Warrior (WW). A question and answer interview is conducted with the valiant warrior and then distributed to the world. This month is different though. For this July only, we’re foregoing the award.
No Whisk(e)y Warrior.
No interview.
What could be so important that we’ve postponed the award?
Saying thanks and showing appreciation.
At this point you might be thinking, “Isn’t that what the Whisk(e)y Warrior Award is all about? Saying thank you and showing appreciation to those passionate souls who further the whiskey community?”
If you were thinking that then you are correct. That’s exactly what the WWA is about! However, we realize that there are individuals who, while not being Whisk(e)y Warriors, are just as important to the cause. Who are these people?
The spouses of Whisk(e)y Warriors.
If you’re married to a Whisk(e)y Warrior, then we owe you our thanks. And doubly so if you’re not a whiskey drinker!
We realize that without your support, (support can also be not preventing) the amazing people taking the lead in our whiskey community wouldn’t be able to do what they do. Without your support, they wouldn’t be able to follow their passions. Without your support, we would be robbed of brave warriors.
We know that living with a whiskey enthusiast, collector, or mega fan has its challenges. We also understand that getting a “thank you” doesn’t take those challenges away. We believe, though, that a little appreciation from thousands of us in the whiskey community can make said challenges easier. So from here forward, anywhere you see the words “thank you,” know that it’s coming from all of us.
When the Whisk(e)y Warrior you’re married to comes home with two, three, four or more of the same whiskey – thank you.
When they’re up late posting, writing, or talking about whiskey long after you went to bed – thank you.
When you find a whole kitchen drawer full of old corks and bottle toppers – thank you.
When their alarm is going off at four in the morning because they want to be first in line for an allotted whiskey – thank you.
When where you go on vacation is dictated by what distilleries they haven’t been to yet – thank you.
When they have more pictures of whiskey on their phone than of your children – thank you.
When whiskey storage seems to overrun your home – thank you.
When they strike up conversations about whiskey with strangers everywhere you go – thank you.
When they’re booking tickets for yet another whiskey festival – thank you.
When they pop into the liquor store and say they’re “just looking” but come out with several bottles – thank you.
When they ask you to drop another box of samples in the mail while you’re out – thank you.
When your mom pulls you aside because she’s concerned about the amount of whiskey lying around the house – thank you.
When they’re digging through the recycle because you accidentally threw out that empty bottle they were saving – thank you.
We could continue listing the challenges of loving a Whisk(e)y Warrior, but really it’s our thanks and appreciation for YOU we want to convey. So for the spouses of all past and future Warriors, we say:
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts.
— Zac Smith
P.S. Don’t forget to nominate your Whisk(e)y Warriors by clicking here! Without your support and nominations, this award wouldn’t exist. Thank you!
P.P.S. Next month we’ll pick back up with another exciting Whisk(e)y Warrior that you’ve nominated!