Bourbon Barrel Foods celebrates 20 years in Atlanta
Driven by the philosophy of keeping things “slow, small, and simple,” Bourbon Barrel Foods is celebrating its 20th anniversary at the summer Atlanta Market with a sweet new chapter: a brand-new line of chocolate bars launching as part of their expanded Artisan Chocolate collection. It is a testament to two decades of constant innovation, partnership and dedication to the motto that started it all: Eat Your Bourbon.
In 2006, founder Matt Jamie had a single idea over a meal of beer and oysters: micro-brew the first American soy sauce. Armed with a chef’s background but zero experience in food manufacturing, Jamie adopted a “beginner’s mindset” and started researching.
He quickly noticed striking parallels between Japanese soy sauce brewing and Kentucky bourbon distilling — heritage, craftsmanship and the patience required to perfect a legacy flavor. The missing link? The barrel. By aging his creation in spent Kentucky bourbon barrels, Bluegrass Soy Sauce was born. While that first batch was aging, Jamie began experimenting with repurposed bourbon barrel staves, slow-smoking sea salt, cracked pepper, and paprika.
Since August 2020, Bourbon Barrel Foods has proudly partnered with Ivystone. This collaboration has allowed the brand to grow thoughtfully, expanding its presence to over 150 artisan food products championed by independent retailers nationwide.
Retailers attending Atlanta Market are invited to meet founder Matt Jamie and celebrate 20 years of Bourbon Barrel Foods with cocktails and cake on Tuesday, June 9 from 4-6 p.m. in the Ivystone Showroom, BLDG 2 #1101.
Can’t make it to Atlanta? Retailers attending Dallas Market can also experience Bourbon Barrel Foods firsthand in the Ivystone Showroom (WTC #236), including their newest Artisan Chocolate collection debuting this season.
