Age Group:
Adults- Registration is required for this event.
- Registration will close on March 15, 2026 @ 2:00pm.
Program Description
Event Details
In Bottom Shelf: How a Forgotten Brand of Bourbon Saved One Man's Life, world-renowned bourbon expert and combat veteran Fred Minnick shares that while wrestling with the invisible wounds of war, he used “taste mindfulness” to calm his mind, reconnect with his senses, and rebuild his life.
Part investigative history and part deeply personal memoir, Bottom Shelf unearths the legacy of Old Crow, a bourbon once favored by presidents and poets, only to be "banished" to the bottom shelf. More than a whiskey history, it is the riveting story of how Fred rebuilt his life while rising to whiskey stardom. Today, Fred’s palate moves markets, a fact proven when his praise for a 1969 bottle of Old Crow sent prices soaring from $40 to $3,000 overnight. Join us to hear the truth behind the tall tales of the $10 billion bourbon industry and discover how one man found meaning in a dusty bottle.
Following the presentation, guests are invited to a bourbon tasting hosted by New Canaan’s J. Earl & Sons.
Elm Street Books will be on hand to selling books and facilitating a book signing with Fred Minnick.
Library Parking
The Library leases 76 spaces marked "LIBRARY" in the Center School Lot to offer free parking for our patrons. All other numbered spaces in the lot remain municipal and are subject to metering rates. View more parking info here.
Accessibility
We are committed to ensuring that all patrons have access to information and Library services. To request accommodations, please contact us at 203-594-5003 or [email protected] with as much notice as possible to allow us to best meet your needs. Our accessibility features include but are not limited to assistive hearing loops in the auditorium, early access to programs, and seating arrangements with space for mobility equipment or service animals.