John Lee Hooker Legacy Spirits is pleased to announce its first release of Boogie Chillen’ Bourbon 1948. Inspired by legacy, love and music, John Lee Hooker Legacy Spirits was founded by mother and son Zakiya Hooker and Glenn Thomas in 2023 to honor their father and grandfather, John Lee Hooker, through their shared love of bourbon. Crafted from the finest selection of barrels, Boogie Chillen Bourbon 1948 is a flavorful bourbon at 100 proof, boasting subtle notes of baking spices and warm brown sugar. It will be available at johnleehookerlegacyspirits.com starting April 1.
Known to music fans around the world as the “King of the Boogie,” John Lee Hooker is considered one of the true superstars of the blues genre: the ultimate beholder of cool. Born in Tutwiler, Mississippi, on August 22, 1917, the four-time Grammy award-winning blues singer, songwriter and guitarist is a cultural icon to musicians today. Characterized by its simple yet powerful melodies, driving rhythms and soulful vocals, Hooker was a master of the 12-bar blues form. During his lifelong career, he wrote many classics, including “Boogie Chillen'” (which became a number-one jukebox hit), “Boom Boom” and “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer.” Over the next 15 years, John Lee signed to a new label, Vee-Jay Records, and maintained a prolific recording schedule, releasing over 100 songs on the imprint.
“As a child, I was lucky to be able to enjoy the sounds of my grandfather’s soulful tunes as he sipped his bourbon, and I couldn’t wait to experience that intimate moment with him,” states founder and CEO Glenn Thomas. “On my 21st birthday, I got the chance to take that first sip, and I was initially shocked at the taste and unable to appreciate the whiskey in my glass. As I took my second sip, he imparted his wisdom on his approach to life and whiskey.”
His late grandfather explained that life is like drinking bourbon. “If you drink bourbon too fast and recklessly, you will get burned, but if you take your time and enjoy the ride, you will have a great drink and life.” Years later, as Glenn reflected on that lesson imparted by his grandfather, he realized the parallels between crafting music and creating bourbon.
“With this release, I hope that I will honor my grandfather and keep the Hooker legacy alive one sip at a time,” adds Glenn. “As I began my journey, I instantly recognized the patience, dedication and artistry that went into composing a blues song mirrored the craftsmanship required to produce an exceptional bourbon. I want that to resonate in every sip of this high-quality bourbon.”
The namesake for Boogie Chillen’ Bourbon 1948 comes from Hooker’s 1948 debut single, “Boogie Chillen’,” and the first “down-home” electric blues song to reach number one in the R&B records chart. Boogie Chillen’ Bourbon 1948 is distilled with the finest blends of corn, rye and malted barley and aged for a minimum of four years in new charred American oak barrels in Bardstown, Kentucky. John Lee Hooker Legacy Spirits’ is the story of a cultural icon told through high-quality spirits crafted by his family. Through each premium offering, John Lee continues to live on and invites bourbon enthusiasts to become a part of a remarkable narrative of two American spirits. This creation was honored with a Gold Medal at the 2024 Los Angeles Spirits Awards.