Brian’s journey from South Florida to a prominent figure in the bourbon world is anything but typical, but it’s a story rooted in curiosity, community, and a deepening passion for American whiskey. After moving to Kentucky for college in the ’90s, he was introduced to real bourbon through new friends, sparking a fascination that grew into one of the largest Maker’s Mark collections in the world. His involvement in the bourbon scene expanded through relationships with industry legends and his co-founding of The Bourbon Mafia, a charitable group that raised funds through whiskey events. A pivotal moment came when he became the Bourbon Authority at the Kentucky Derby Museum, eventually leading to a role with Rabbit Hole Whiskeys and, later, launching his own brand, Broadleaf Whiskey Company, during the pandemic. In 2024, his brand Brothers of the Leaf joined forces with Wes Henderson’s new venture, Saga Spirits, where Brian now serves as Chief Whiskey Advocate—proof that a guy from Miami can build a legacy in Kentucky bourbon on his own terms.