Charles K. Cowdery

Charles K. Cowdery is the author of BOURBON, STRAIGHT: The Uncut and Unfiltered Story of American Whiskey and the producer/director of the documentary "Made and Bottled in Kentucky." He writes about American whiskey for The Malt Advocate, WHISKY Magazine and other publications. He is the editor and publisher of The Bourbon Country Reader, the only publication dedicated exclusively to American whiskey.

On September 18, 2009, Cowdery was inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame, which is the highest honor given by Kentucky's legendary bourbon industry.*

As a marketing professional and journalist, Cowdery has worked in and around the American liquor industry for more than 25 years, including nine in Kentucky. His other books include Blues Legends (Gibbs Smith), 20 profiles of notable blues musicians. He does speaking appearances on both subjects, bourbon and blues.

Cowdery is a marketing writer for a variety of commercial clients, and an attorney. He lives in Chicago, Illinois.

* The Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame was created in 2001 by the Kentucky Distiller's Association's member distilleries and the Kentucky Bourbon Festival to recognize individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact on bourbon's stature, growth, and awareness.