Maker Spotlight: Smoke & Spirits

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Smoke & Spirits is featured on this year’s Craft Fair postcard.

Business: Smoke & Spirits
Owners: Matt and Chrissy Rippetoe
Website: shopsmokeandspirits.com

Have you ever been a vendor at the Shaker Village Craft Fair?
No, we haven’t! But we were very excited to be accepted as vendors this year! The Shaker community is known worldwide for handmade craftsmanship of the highest quality and we view the Shaker Village Craft Fair as an excellent way to keep that spirit alive – we couldn’t be more grateful to be a part of it.

Where did your business name come from?
Our business name was inspired by a trip to a local cooperage. We were struck by the visuals of fire and smoke rising up as the interior of the white oak bourbon barrels were charred by the coopers, knowing that this process was a key part of transforming the spirits that the barrels would soon hold. Our name and every product we carry is inspired by Kentucky bourbon. It’s our way of paying homage to the incredible part it plays in the history and heritage of Kentucky.

Rustic Wood Coasters

What’s your favorite bourbon?
We both enjoy the sweeter finish of wheated bourbons and both of our favorites come from Buffalo Trace Distillery. Chrissy’s favorite is the sweet smoky finish of Eagle Rare.
Matt’s favorite is W.L. Weller, which for a long time was the best kept secret in Kentucky, but the secret is getting out and it’s becoming harder and harder to find.
What’s your favorite Kentucky pastime?
A day on the lake! Relaxing on Lake Cumberland, waterskiing, enjoying the scenery and watching the sun go down over the hills is paradise to us.
Where can people purchase your products?

Our products are carried in various shops around central Kentucky and at ShopSmokeAndSpirits.com.

 

Matt and Chrissy Rippetoe

Anything else you want to tell us about your business?
Smoke & Spirits began by accident. For our wedding in 2016, we wanted to give our groomsmen a Kentucky-themed gift. We acquired our first bourbon barrel staves and made bottle openers from them. What started as gifts for friends turned into orders here and there, and now it’s growing nearly too quick to keep up…but we love every minute of it.

Find Smoke & Spirits and more than 80 other vendors on August 5 + 6 at the Shaker Village Craft Fair!

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