Review of Bottom Shelf: How a Forgotten Brand of BOURBON Saved One Man's Life

 

I've known Fred Minnick for several years. I wouldn't describe us as close; we've never met face-to-face, and we don't chat often. In fact, it's probably been about three years since we had a conversation, which centered on my poking fun at his ability to clear a shelf based on a review (I snapped a photo of a shelf proclaiming the store was sold out of Kessler's and posted it on Facebook). I reached out to Fred to let him know that it was all in good fun, and he responded that he thought it was hilarious.

 

The text of my April 4, 2022 post states: So y'all think Fred Minnick is the end-all, be-all of whiskey opinions? "Oh... Fred Minnick mentioned Henry McKenna. Oh... Fred Minnick mentioned Jack Daniel's 10-year... squeeeeeee!" and they all got sold out. 

Amateur. Look what I can do!

Much of what I know about Fred has been assumed. I knew he served in Iraq. I knew he was hurt in combat, that he always wears an ascot, and I figured it was to camouflage an injury to his neck. I knew he was probably the most prolific whiskey writer around. And, for whatever reason, he is obsessed with marzipan. I believe many people, myself included, have teased Fred about it.

 

I didn't know that Fred and I had our final conversations with Dave Pickerell on the same day in Madison (Fred, if you're reading this, I hope this video, taken that afternoon at Dancing Goat Distillery, makes you smile).

 

Then, I read Fred's newest book, Bottom Shelf: How a Forgotten Brand of BOURBON Saved One Man's Life. I was provided an advanced reader’s edition in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review.

 

What I didn't know is that Fred wears the ascot because he's always thought they were cool. I didn't know that he, like me, didn't get into whiskey until later in life. I had no idea that his battle wounds were intangible, and I never heard that he tried to commit suicide due to those injuries.

 

Yeah, the suicide attempt. Fred writes about it; it is graphic, intense, and one hell of a way to open a memoir and grab the reader's attention. He calls the prologue Rock Bottom.

 

We learn that Fred had many, many downs in his life, even beyond the aborted suicide attempt. Some of these are things I cannot relate to, but are still heartbreaking to read. He really opens up about these highly personal, tragic experiences that he and his wife have lived through.

 

I discovered that both Fred and I are very… focused… when we find something that interests us (I blame mine on ADD/ADHD). He was fascinated by Dr. James C. Crow and Old Crow Bourbon. He funnelled much of his energy (and time) into learning everything he could about the man and his namesake whiskey. I'll go out on a limb and assume that he knows more about both than anyone. I don't want to give any spoilers; however, you'll be pretty familiar with them by the time you reach the final page.

 

Some amusing parts of the book mimic things I've always found frustratingly delightful about the American whiskey industry, specifically the Mt. Everest-like tales brands tell about their founding (I was in a random antique store and found a Hoosier cabinet that caught my interest. As I inspected it, I discovered a hidden panel that contained my grandpappy's grandpappy's secret distilling recipe, and I decided to use it to make this Bourbon that you're drinking now…).

 

Bottom Shelf's story flows well, and, aside from the highly emotional sequences, it is easy to read. Some of those heart-tugging passages made it challenging for me to put the book down. There are other parts where Fred is being Fred, a smidge on the braggadocious side, but let's be honest, Fred has also earned the right to be proud of everything that he's accomplished as a whiskey writer. Fred also comes across as incredibly human, laying out his flaws for the world to read.

 

While Bottom Shelf discusses much about whiskey, it isn’t a whiskey book. Instead, it is a story of Fred’s life, from Rock Bottom to his successes and everything in between. You’ll learn a lot, find yourself commiserating with Fred, and appreciate his frustrations with learning he’s been lied to for his whole whiskey-centric life.

 

On my Bottle, Bar, or Bust scale, Bottom Shelf is well worth reading and takes my Bottle rating. Cheers!

 

• Genre: Memoir
• Author: Fred Minnick
• Publisher: Sourcebooks
• Availability Date: February 17, 2026
• Hardcover, 304 pages
• Price: $27.99

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit, but begs you to do so responsibly.