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VETERANS DAY FEATURE STORY | THE TODAY SHOW
VETS NEW MISSION TO SERVE BOURBON
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COVER STORY | FOOD + BEVERAGE MAGAZINE
Why Chefs & Beverage Directors Nationwide Embrace Veteran-Owned Four Branches Bourbon
With its premium quality and commitment to supporting veteran causes, Four Branches Bourbon is quickly becoming a favorite on menus across the country.
Food and Beverage Magazine | November 2024 Edition
In a competitive market where authenticity and purpose matter as much as taste, Four Branches Bourbon stands as a beacon of both. As a veteran-owned brand with a mission rooted in giving back to those who serve, Four Branches is fast becoming a favorite among chefs, mixologists, and beverage directors nationwide. Its rich, smooth flavor profile speaks to the craftsmanship that goes into every bottle, while its story of service and sacrifice resonates with patrons looking for more than just a quality drink. This is a bourbon crafted with care, steeped in tradition, and driven by purpose.​​
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​​Founded in 2022 by veterans representing four branches of the U.S. military—Harold Underdown, US Navy; RJ Casey, US Army; Mike Trott, US Air Force; and Rick Franco, US Marines—Four Branches Bourbon was born out of a shared commitment to honor their brothers and sisters in arms. For Rick Franco, the vision for Four Branches started during a mission in Iraq. After his time in the Marines and while working for the CIA as a lead contractor, Rick recruited his VMI classmate and fellow Marine, Greg Wright, Jr. to join him at the CIA. On Greg’s first mission overseas, his team was caught in an ambush, and while Greg heroically saved the lives of those around him, he tragically lost his own in the attack. Rick was the one who had to bring his friend home. The inspiration for Four Branches began there, with a desire to create something meaningful that would honor the sacrifices made by their comrades.​​
“We all have our reasons for wanting to give back, but for me, it was always about honoring the memory of Greg and others like him,” Rick shares. “That’s why every bottle we make is about more than bourbon—it’s about remembering those who served alongside us, and why we say Sip to Remember®, don’t drink to forget.”
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Harold Underdown, a retired Command Master Chief with the Navy SEALs, brings a different perspective, focused on the discipline and precision of crafting a great spirit. “After a career where attention to detail was everything, that’s exactly what we put into every bottle of Four Branches,” he says. “We had the great honor of Hall of Fame Master Distiller Steve Nally joining us as we blended our initial release, Founders Blend. He’s the one who suggested we try a fourth grain – the wheat – which gave it that truly unique, smooth taste but still retained that element that lets you know you’re drinking bourbon. We like to call it the “Kentucky Kiss.” Man… that was a day none of us will ever forget!”​​
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RJ Casey, a former US Army Special Forces soldier, speaks to the brotherhood that drives the brand forward. “For us, it’s not just about selling bourbon; it’s about supporting those who have served,” RJ explains. “We’ve all seen firsthand the challenges veterans face when they come home, and we’re committed to making a difference.”​
Mike Trott, who served in the Air Force and the CIA, emphasizes the importance of community. “We knew from the start that if we could create something people love, we could also make a real impact on the lives of veterans and their families,” he says. “It’s humbling to see how far we’ve come and how many people believe in our mission.”​​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​Its flagship product, Founders Blend, is at the heart of this carefully crafted 4-grain bourbon, which reflects the founders’ dedication to quality and tradition. Founders Blend boasts an award-winning complex flavor profile that balances richness and smoothness with notes of caramel, vanilla, oak, and a hint of spice that lingers on the palate.
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What sets the Founders Blend apart is its versatility. Whether enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or as the base for a sophisticated cocktail, this bourbon offers an experience that is both approachable and luxurious. Its smooth finish and layered flavors have made it a go-to for top chefs and beverage directors looking to elevate their menus.
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Forging Connections: How Four Branches Bourbon Partners with Diverse Accounts
For those in the industry, Founders Blend is more than just a bourbon—it’s a story in a glass, merging distilling craftsmanship with the honor of the veteran experience. With meticulous sourcing and aging, it has captured attention from experts like Fred Minnick and everyday enthusiasts alike. Recently, Founder Blend earned a Double Gold at the SIP Awards and a Gold at the ASCOT Awards, securing Four Branches Bourbon’s place in the competitive spirits landscape.
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For many food and beverage professionals, Four Branches Bourbon has become more than just a product—they view it as a partner in their own efforts to offer something unique and meaningful to their guests. The bourbon’s story of service resonates with patrons, many of whom are veterans or have family members who served in the military. This emotional connection, paired with the bourbon’s exceptional flavor, makes Four Branches a standout choice for menus across the country.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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One such supporter is Edley’s BBQ, a Nashville-based, family-friendly barbecue chain that has embraced Four Branches Bourbon since its launch. Known for its community-driven spirit, Edley’s added the signature cocktail called the Quiet Professional, featuring Four Branches Founder Blend to its permanent menu. “People we like to partner with and bring into our family are groups that support veterans… who embody that sacrifice,” says Edley’s owner Will Newman, who has several family members and employees who have proudly served. “We want to thank Four Branches for continuing to echo that we all serve a purpose in our country, and we should serve that purpose honorably.” Their partnership has become a cornerstone of Edley’s offerings, blending the restaurant’s Southern hospitality with the bourbon’s rich, crafted flavors.​
About 30 minutes down the road to the south, Four Branches found a flagship home at The Troubadour, a luxury golf and residential community developed by Discovery Land Company, located in College Grove, Tennessee. Known for its exclusive, high-end lifestyle offerings, combined with an immersive experience, members love the unique combination of a craft cocktail and a curated dinner made with farm to table ingredients. The Troubadour was one of the first to adopt the Quiet Professional cocktail on its menu and then they started experimenting with seasonal offerings. Meanwhile, Executive Chef Anthony Endy was also inspired. “When I tasted Four Branches Bourbon, the notes I picked up were burnt orange and vanilla,” says Endy. “I wanted something that could hold up to this bourbon without overpowering it, which led me to pair it with a rich yet lean salmon.” The bourbon-brined king salmon, smoked over Oakwood and glazed with a bourbon maple finish, has become a signature dish at the restaurant.” The Troubadour has been supporting Four Branches Bourbon since day one, and the patrons love the connection to the brand’s mission to support veterans and first responders.
A Shared Mission: Supporting Veterans
Further west, The Canal Club at The Scott Resort & Spa in Arizona has made its own mark in celebrating Four Branches. Blending the charm of Old Havana with a New Orleans flair, The Canal Club offers a dining experience like no other.
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Brailyn Mowrer, the Beverage Manager, shares how the bourbon’s story resonated deeply with her. “Four Branches Bourbon is truly something special. The stories it tells, the love and care poured into its creation by the founders, and the well-balanced taste all come together to create an experience that lingers with each sip. Though I haven’t had the honor of serving our country, many of my friends and family have, and it feels extraordinary to support a brand that pays such heartfelt homage to each branch of the military.”​
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Dovid Kurtzman, a Marine Corps veteran and Sous Chef at The Canal Club, adds, “As a Marine Corps veteran, the traditions I value started in a small tavern in Pennsylvania, and I see that same spirit of camaraderie and collaboration in Four Branches. The versatility of Four Branches Bourbon, with its four-grain mash of corn, rye, barley, and wheat, creates a beautiful balance when enjoyed neat and serves as the perfect canvas for a range of cocktails and food pairings.”
​​​​​A Sweet Alliance
​Beyond the bar and the kitchen, Four Branches Bourbon has found a unique collaboration with Sandi Keller of Bomb Confections. A TikTok sensation known for her creative bourbon-infused treats, Keller reached out to Four Branches with a special gift of chocolates as a gesture of gratitude for their service.​​
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“I’m so excited to share the story behind our collaboration with Four Branches Bourbon! I first discovered them on Instagram as they were just getting started, and I reached out, wanting to express my gratitude for their service with a special gift of chocolates. That simple gesture sparked a friendship, and over time, our shared passions led to this incredible collaboration. Their perfectly crafted bourbon blends beautifully with my custom bourbon-infused chocolates, creating a bonbon that’s as rich in flavor as it is in meaning. It’s a perfect pairing of flavors and people!”​​​
Brand Champions
Four Branches Bourbon has attracted the attention of notable figures like Randy Couture and Ric Prado, both of whom have become Branch Champions for the brand. Randy Couture, a six-time UFC champion Hall of Fame mixed martial artist, and actor, is also a U.S. Army veteran. Known for his fierce competitiveness and dedication, Couture has been a strong advocate for veteran causes, making him a natural fit as a supporter of Four Branches.
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Ric Prado, a former Air Force Pararescue Specialist (PJ) and decorated CIA operations officer, spent his career serving in some of the most challenging conditions worldwide. His deep connection to the military and intelligence communities makes his support for Four Branches particularly meaningful. “What these four outstanding veterans have built is more than just a great bourbon; it’s a tribute to the sacrifices made by those who serve,” says Prado. “It’s an honor to support a brand that values those same principles of dedication, honor, and service.”​
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FEATURE STORY | BOURBON + MAGAZINE
Young Spirits
Veterans Forging a New Brotherhood in Bourbon
Bourbon + Magazine | Summer 2024 Edition
By Kristin Luna
What do you get when you take four men, each representing a different branch of the military; a fallen soldier; and a commitment to a long-held tradition ingrained in America’s DNA? In the case of Four Branches, you've got a winning combination for a compelling bourbon origin story.
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But like many entrepreneurs who find themselves in the spirits industry during their second act of life, the trajectory the Four Branches founders followed was anything but typical.
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In the early 90s, Alfredo “Rick” Franco left home for Virginia Military Institute (VMI), which would lead him to a career as a Marine Infantry Officer, CIA protective contractor, and Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection contractor. Through the years and deployments, he and Michael Trott (Air Force), Robert “RJ” Casey (Army), and Harold Underdown (Navy) crisscrossed paths many times over. But they wouldn’t officially join forces until much later.
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In 2005, Franco’s VMI classmate and eventual CIA colleague Greg Wright Jr. died in an ambush overseas. “He saved everyone’s lives, a literal hero, but he didn’t come home,” Franco recalls. “I had to bring him home.”
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Wright was subsequently awarded a star on the CIA Wall of Honor at Langley, the first contractor to receive such a placement. But Franco wanted to further tip his glass to his friend’s memory, the unit, and the “unsung heroes in our lives” and deduced there was no better way to do so than “buying a barrel of bourbon, pouring it into bottles, and selling it on Facebook,” he says. “Apparently, the US government frowns on that.”
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Franco reverted to plan B, phoning Trott with an idea. They got Underdown and Casey, who was working on a film set in Prague at the time, on the line and started plotting. What if they teamed up to create a bourbon rooted in military spirits and diplomacy? As it turned out, it didn’t take a lot of convincing—yet it still was a novel idea for four men who had spent more than 100 cumulative years serving the country but had no experience in distilling a product that defines it.
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“Whiskey and bourbon go deep into the US military and the intelligence organizations,” Trott explains. “We often give gifts to friends and foes that’s a sought-after whiskey or bourbon. It becomes a peacemaker, something you sit down and have a glass over a negotiation. Or you may sit down with a unit or FOB (forward operating base) and have a glass in remembrance over somebody you lost.”
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The following year, the quartet moved full-speed ahead with research and development, making countless connections and cold calls that would result in them building a team of consultants tallying more than 200 years of combined experience working for companies like Brown-Forman.
“Getting into the spirits industry was not for the faint of heart,” Franco reflects. “Luckily, we were somewhat ignorant to the whole process.”
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During the discovery process, though, they nearly had a crisis of faith when a friend and fellow serviceman died by suicide. The founders paused for several months to reevaluate the brand’s mission because while the soul of Four Branches is “we don’t drink to forget, we sip to remember,” according to Trott, “it’s also the veterans and first-responder community who can take that sip of alcohol too far.”
The men considered a pivot entirely, thinking maybe this wasn’t the right business for them. But ultimately, they decided to embrace the narrative and help veterans adopt a different philosophy toward responsible consumption.
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“Bourbon has a way of bringing people together, and we want them to drink it honorably,” Trott says. “We got to come home, but not everybody did.”
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PERMISSION TO LAUNCH
In theory, once the men had faith in themselves and the mission of their brand, they needed to overcome several logistical hurdles to jump through before their products hit stores. The marketplace they were entering is competitive—and arguably oversaturated—but as Franco says, the quality of the product and the story behind it better resonated with people.
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“Whiskey and bourbon go deep into the US military and intelligence organizations,” Trott explains. “We often give gifts to friends and foes that’s a sought-after whiskey or bourbon. It becomes a peacemaker, something you sit down and have a glass over a negotiation. Or you may sit down with a unit or FOB (forward operating base) and have a glass in remembrance over somebody you lost.”
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
To date, the Four Branches team has focused on perfecting its Founders Blend —which, staying on-brand, is a four-grain bill to represent each man and his branch of the military. And producing their own aged product is on deck, too. In fact, they’ll begin laying down 500 barrels of their own Kentucky mash this summer with the intention to double their new-fill inventory year over year for the next several. And in keeping on theme, they plan to only release products aged four years or older.
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The premise of Four Branches was always more than to just provide a bourbon worth sipping, though. The founders wanted to be an example to other veterans and first responders by illustrating that they, too, can utilize teamwork to find passion-driven careers after their military service.
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“We want to show other veterans that they can make a transition. Maybe it’s cupcakes, maybe it’s a lawn-care company, maybe it’s a mechanic shop—but don’t do it by yourself. Team up with friends to figure out what’s next,” Trott says.
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As expected for an organization revolving around service and veterans, a give-back philosophy is cooked into Four Branches’ ethos. In just a year, the company has raised more than $300,000 for various charities like Folds of Honor, CIA Officer Memorial Fund, and Third Option Foundation through sales from its Founders Blend. The team also regularly shares the stories of service men and women via their newsletter and social media channels.
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One thing the founders all agreed on is that there’s no room not to succeed. “We’re just not bred to quit or to say, ‘it’s too hard; we can’t do this,” Trott says. “As veterans, we've been through some hard times, which in a way prepared us to do this.”
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Plus, there’s the obvious. The men—all fathers, ranging in age from 53 to 62—don’t want to find themselves starting over again in another 10 years.
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“Launching this brand is a no-fail mission, for many reasons,” Trott says. “It’s pride, and we represent the veteran community. There’s no turning back.”
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Four Branches Bourbon Co-Founders Take the Spotlight on Fox & Friends for National Bourbon Day!
June 14, 2023 - Co-Founders Mike Trott and Rick Franco share the captivating journey behind Four Branches Bourbon during an appearance on the popular show “Fox and Friends.”