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Janice Fernheimer

@highproofprof

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Creator, Writer, Educator, Executive Bourbon Steward
Spirited adventures in bourbon, whiskey, dancing, comics, hiking, and Kentucky history.

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I learned so much judging last year, and I’m over-the-moon honored to be part of the judging panel for the @worldwhiskiesawards 2027!!! It’s always inspiring to see the diversity, craftsmanship, and innovation in whiskies from across the globe! I’m looking forward to tasting the very best the industry has to offer and reconnecting with the other judges and our chair @lougirl502 #whiskyexcellence #whiskeyexcellence #worldwhiskiesawards Photo of Janice Fernheimer in a blue dress. by @highproofprof

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a month ago

Meet Nora, the young bad*ss Jewish girl who will soon show you how some gifts change your life forever. #americaschosenspirit #launchday coming (very!) soon! With gratitude to @graclynn_pearson for new cover design inspired by JT Waldman’s original art. #shabbatsips #staytunedformore This is the cover for WEBTOON comic America’s Chosen Spirit created by Janice W. Fernheimer and JT Waldman. Original art by JT Waldman. Cover Design by Graclynn Pearson. Distilling bourbon’s diverse bourbon history one sip and backstory at a time. by @highproofprof

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9 months ago

It’s Friday, and time for another #Shabbatsip and an important introduction! I’ve been teasing little sips about the webcomic I’m co-creating with author/illustrator JT Waldman, America’s Chosen Spirit.

You might know his name from the amazing graphic narrative version of the entire story of Esther, Megillat Esther, that he originally created published to high acclaim 20 years ago and was recently re-released by @ayinpress. We connected more than a decade ago over mutual love 💕 of wacky history and whiskey. 🥃

Here we are giving a sip’n’study whiskey tasting inspired by #AmericasChosenSpirit's webcomic characters to the Southern Jewish History Society in November 2024 at the @filsonhistorical. It was so fun to share some whiskey and diverse history with Southern Jewish history scholars and community members.

If you look closely at the tasting mat you’ll notice an amazing and forgotten Jewish heroine, Maria the Jewess who lived in first- third century (we're not exactly sure, because she like many important women in history is only recorded in other’s writing, namely that of Zosimos) Alexandria who is credited with inventing the alembic still which makes whiskey distillation possible!

I learned about her in @fredminnick’s awesome book Whiskey Women, and have been inspired to dig deeper to learn more about the untold stories of women, Jewish, African American, LGBT+ folks and other underrepresented people in whiskey history. So all these delicious whiskeys we love are possible because of an ancient Jewish woman’s scientific invention— pretty badass! JT and I have been inspired by her and others like her, and are working on bringing these stories to life for more than a decade. Right now we are super excited because we are toiling away to bring #AmericasChosenSpirit to @webtoonofficial in the coming year, stay tuned and l’chaim! by @highproofprof

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10 months ago

I couldn’t be prouder of the hard work these students in @ukwrd 569 are putting into the research posters they hope to eventually share at the @beam_uky Institute in March!

Last week we analyzed the work of other students, closely reading posters from previous classes, and noting the challenges of reshaping 1-2 hr+ interviews into material posters— how do you (re) tell someone else’s story in an interesting and ethical way that prompts further engagement?

This is what we are wrestling with as we peer review each other’s draft posters!

While the weather is gorgeous outside, it is also just about mid-term and everyone was happy to pick a small reward for their efforts from the swag bag! They certainly deserve it!!!

Hoping you too take time to acknowledge and reward yourself for your accomplishments! Even first drafts are worth celebrating! 🙌

@kaileigh.ervin @azhxx_x @_tallulahy @starmushroom330 @03.1.2005 by @highproofprof

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7 days ago

My first sip in the sukkah is a beautiful 11 year old rye, thieved straight from the barrel earlier this week when @ukwrd 569 Bourbon Oral History students and I paid a visit to the lovely folks @newerawhiskey. What a treat to learn about this new addition to @visitlex ‘s #bourbonland.

A more detailed recap of our class visit is forthcoming, but for now it’s time to revel in the glorious sukkah the amazing @ridolfoj built just in time for Shabbat!

It’s been a long, intense week with regular work and deadlines sandwiched between the Jewish holidays , but I’m very grateful to have submitted the requisite proposals, feel the crispness in the air, and glimpse the goldneness of early autumn 🍂 light.

Wishing everyone in the high proof chevreh a beautiful weekend filled with wonderful quality time and timeless tastes of quality!!! #shabbatshalom❤️ #shabbatsips by @highproofprof

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20 days ago

Over the pumpkin vine and into the sukkah! by @highproofprof

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21 days ago

One of the most humbling and joyous things you can do in life is try to learn new dance moves! But when @dancetribelex and @wislindancefit start leading the group, it’s hard to resist the energy that calls you to try. Nope, I sure didn’t catch every step, but was it fun anyway? 120% Sometimes making the effort to go out and wiggle in community pays back in immeasurable dividends.

Go ahead, try the step, give yourself permission to look silly, get it a little bit wrong, and love the process and the people who make it possible anyway. Kudos to @ridolfoj for staying home so I could shake it! Loved dancing with yall!
@wakandacitylounge @official_henry_miles @kanae__929 and the whole gang! taken in Lexington, Kentucky by @highproofprof

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a month ago

Wishing everyone at or heading to the @kybourbonfest a safe and wonderful few days of all the best pours, seminars, experiences, hugs (both the KY and the friend kind), and special finds…

Although I’m a bit sad to not be able to be in two places at once, I’m also grateful to be able to ease into the Jewish holiday season. Tonight I settled in with Claudia Roden’s classic The Book Of Jewish Food to make honey cakes ahead of the #rhoshhashana (Jewish New Year) holiday, which begins tomorrow night at sundown, coincides with Shabbat (and the Kentucky Bourbon Festival!) and lasts until Sunday at sundown (at least for those of us in diaspora who observe both days).

The cakes I made using Claudia’s recipes [I feel ok referring to the Queen of Jewish Cuisine by first name because I had the honor of hosting her as a guest speaker at @universityofky many years ago. Believe it or not, we went to Keeneland together to watch the races, ( a story for another time)!,] have been made by Jewish communities since the 12th century— how’s that for a classic recipe. Of course I had to add my “new riff on an old tradition” by literally substituting the @workdwhiskiesawrds winning @newriff bourbon for the brandy the recipe calls for.

As it often does Rhosh Hashana follows the start of the academic year in quick succession this year and it feels right to bake cakes Jewish people have been making since the 12th century, usually so their sons could have some sweetness to accompany their own start to school ( in the religious heder חדר( though we make and eat them at Rhosh Hashana along with other sweet things — often 🍎 🍏 apples dipped in 🍯 honey to usher in a sweet start to the New Year.

And it’s my personal tradition to take sip from the ole @theglencairnglass while I bake, tonight alongside the tiniest baker in our house, to help flip the switch from the mundane to the mystical and holy, as we turn inward to make our accountings and returns to the promises we made to ourselves and others. That is the idea (or part of it) behind teshuva, or return… More on that in the ten days between Rhosh and Yom Kippur the next holiday in this cycle…For now L Image of a woman with cake pan and Glencairn by @highproofprof

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a month ago

With the semester in full swing and Rhosh Hashana (the Jewish New Year, literally head of the year in Hebrew) just a week from today, I’m nostalgically looking back at summer for this Shabbat Sip.

With deep gratitude to my parents (who just celebrated their 54th, that’s “triple chai” חי anniversary earlier this week, the wonderful @ridolfoj and I were able to enjoy a magical few days in VA wine country, all by ourselves for the first time in many years (translation since we had kids!). And by chance we happened upon the very cute tasting room/distillery of @catoctincreek, naturally we had to go in and check it out. If you don’t know a lot about them I highly encourage you to visit their website and learn more! I remembered the yummy pours I tried from them at a @bourbonwomen Siposium a few years back. They make really wonderful ryes along with other tasty treats like applejack! In the tasting room I enjoyed a full flight of ryes, and since planning for Rhosh Hashana has me thinking about honey, I remembered the really delicious hot honey rye I enjoyed there— it would be a beautiful addition to the Rhosh Hashana table. Another stand out sip was their hickory finished rye. So interesting and I think the first time I’ve tried whiskey finished in hickory. I have so much more to say but sun is nearly setting and Shabbat is calling…

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend full of restorative rest and joy, and delicious pours enjoyed with those you 💕 love! And for those of us getting ready for Rhosh Hashana wishing meaningful reflection as we prepare for teshuva (return) and renewal! L’chaim🥃

#shabbatshalom❤️ #rhoshhashana #jewishnewyear

Shabbat shalom and happy long Labor Day weekend, high proof chevreh! Rye flight catoctin creek Distillery taken in Cactocin creek Distillery by @highproofprof

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a month ago

You’ve heard a lot about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, but I bet you don’t know much about its Jewish connections.

Yes, you read that right… Tonight’s #shabbatsip honors her memory and this dual light of literacy she inspired.

Dolly Parton shined her beautiful light in so many ways, leaving multiple legacies, and inspiring so many with her music and the ways she worked to improve the world. In Jewish communities we call that work tikun olam, repairing the world, and heaven knows Dolly is as womenschy as they come! One of the initiatives she was incredibly proud of and that will leave a lasting legacy is the literacy program inspired by her dad (who couldn’t read ) to give the gift of good books to children 0-5 every month, for free.

Both of my own kiddos benefited from this amazing program, and the “I am a Rainbow”🌈 pictured here was a favorite— beautifully introducing kids to their feelings, social-emotional awareness, and the strength to accept all parts of themselves.

Also pictured here are a number of @pjlibrary books we received as well. @pjlibrary is modeled on and inspired by Parton’s Imagination Library— only the idea is to help Jewish kids and families learn about and be exposed to the beautiful diversity of Jewish communities across the world and through the millennia. It sends monthly books to Jewish kids 0-12.

Not only do these books help Jewish kids see themselves represented in literature (not something I experienced regularly as a kid that’s for sure!) but they also help Jewish parents educate others when they are inevitably invited in to class to talk about Jewish holidays.

Pictured here are some seasonal titles pointing to the more important Jewish holiday season which is nearly upon us— the fall holiday cycle including Rhosh Hashana (Jewish New Year— literally “head of the year”),Yom Kippur, the Days of Awe between the two, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah…

This weeks #shabbatsip is good ole grape juice for all the kiddos who benefit from these amazing programs!

L’chaim to Dolly, may her memory be a blessing and may the future be as bright as her many sequins! by @highproofprof

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2 months ago

BourbonWomen’s 15th annual Siposium was the best yet! I was honored to lead a Sip’n’Study seminar on Saturday morning pairing panels-in-progress from our webcomic #americaschosenspirit with select pours from @heavenhilldistillery, @bluegrassdistillers , @freshbourbon and @newriff . I loved sharing stories, sips, and so many hugs with all the bourbon women (and even a few bourbon men) who were in the mix! Thanks to @bourbon_beth and the generosity of the good folks at the @wildernesstraildistillery booth I even got to try my very sips of Malört (note the face squishing and observations of bitterness😬🤣!) which just goes to show you never know who or what you’ll encounter at Sip but it will surely make an impression! Loved getting to hang out and belly laugh with @cocktail_contessa @bourbonerin @barbelle_lou @biobourbonbarbie @theminty @ynotluvlife @sherriemoorewhiskey @oldsherricarter @kymidouglas @jelisacc @thewhiskeyandcigarchic @thebourbongoddess @whiskeyshesips @jaz.distilled and so many other fabulous women who inspire me and bring such light to the whiskey space! (Please tag yourselves below, I seem to not be able to tag more? #bwsip26 L’chaim to @bourbonwomen for bringing us all together and making this possible!!!🥃😍 by @highproofprof

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2 months ago

This week’s #shabbatsips look a little different, in part because they are all Canadian whiskys, in part because they are missing some important Shabbat friends (no challah, no candles), and in part because I actually had the pleasure of enjoying them last weekend as part of the @bourbonwomen ‘s 15th annual Siposium on Shabbat afternoon among friends:)

Fun fact I first had the JP Wiser’s courtesy of last year’s SIP because a travel bottle was in the welcome bags. I enjoyed trying it last fall in front of a fire, while camping (is it camping if you don’t have to pitch a tent?), in an old fire watchtower cabin.i really enjoyed it then and again as part of this flight— so light and easy-sipping, goes down so easy (too easy? Never?)

It was a true pleasure to learn from @andreafujarczuk all the many, many ways Canadian whiskys differ from American whiskeys. So many different rules about what’s allowed and what isn’t! Can you name some below?

Probably what was most fun (for me at least) was sharing the sipping table with women who inspire me— @biobourbonbarbie @ynotluvlife and @cocktail_contessa. I really enjoyed the @lot40 100% rye Dark Oak. So multi-layered! I look forward to revisiting it in #shabbatsip soon!

As we ramp up to start the semester at Univ of Kentucky next week, and I put the final touches on an updated @ukwrd 569 Bourbon Oral History Syllabus, and look forward to meeting new students— what a joy to be student right alongside former students!!!

Wishing everyone in the high proof chevreh a wonderful back-to-school experience whether it already happened or is immanent and a beautiful weekend filled with whatever restores and rejuvenates you! L’chaim to learning new things, about new whiskeys, from and with wonderful humans! #shabbatshalom❤️ #bonneweekend taken in Marriott Louisville East by @highproofprof

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2 months ago