We were lucky to catch up with Brandi Lowery recently and have shared our conversation below.

Brandi, appreciate you joining us today. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

I came up with the idea because I enjoy old fashioned cocktails. I was trying to find the best old fashioned in the city of Houston before COVID-19. Once “outside”was back open, I began my search again to find the best old fashioned cocktail. While on this journey, I started meeting mixologists and bartenders; those who enjoyed this cocktail as much as I did and bourbon/whiskey enthusiasts. They began to tell me more about Bourbon and whiskeys. This peaked my interest more and I wanted to learn more about it.

I told a few friends about my interest but didn’t really know how to get started. One of my close friends took me on a whiskey tasting tour beginning at Saks Fifth Avenue in the Galleria mall Houston. From there we visited other locations throughout the area and he taught me the basics of whiskey/bourbon and how to train my palet. During that experience, he also mentioned I should start an instagram page and bring people along this journey with me. In October 2021. the Old Fashioned Barrister was created.

Brandi, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

To those that have not heard about me, I am the OLD FASHIONED BARRISTER. I am a Texas lawyer (barrister) who loves old fashioned cocktails and enjoys exploring the world of whiskey and Bourbon. I am also a Certified Bourbon Steward, which means I am certified to explain and discuss bourbon confidently and accurately, as well as make recommendations to my friends, family, and others based on their individual taste and preferences. I host private and public Bourbon and whiskey tastings. I host tours and events at various different distilleries and I educate the origins of Bourbon and whiskey to the those that are new to the beverage.

The purpose of the Old Fashioned Barrister is to educate and bring unique Bourbon and whiskey experiences to the novices as well as the enthusiasts.

What I am most proud of in regards to the Old Fashioned Barrister brand is, it gives me the freedom to be myself and love what I do. The Bourbon and whiskey industry is a new industry and I am meeting various different people who have the same passion as I do. They enjoy teaching me and telling me aboout how they got started on their journey. I am also proud of the fact that people are actually interested in my own personal journey of starting this brand. Some people probably think I am crazy for giving up the practice of law to build this brand but most are fascinated about my journey and want to be apart of it. I have found that people started drinking old fashioneds because of me and some even expounded into the world of whiskeys and Bourbons. It is a great feeling to know that hardwork is paying off and people are noticing.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Yes. I eventually want to create and launch my own whiskey.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I had to pivot in my career when I decided that I no longer want to be a practicing attorney. I will always be an attorney and keep my license, however, I am completely giving up the practice of law to pursue my passion and business as the Old Fashioned Barrister.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @theoldfashionedbarrister

Image Credits
Photographer: Michael Smith Featured Bourbon: Saint Cloud Bourbon