Introducing The Prelude: Fortune’s Fool’s First Whiskey

Fortune’s Fool, a newly established whiskey company, has just released its first-ever rye whiskey, known as The Prelude. Created by CEO Juliet Schmalz, this rye has been aged for less than three years but possesses the flavor, color, and complexity typically found in much older whiskeys. Excitingly, The Prelude straight rye whiskey is now available, bottled at a robust 109.6 proof, with a suggested retail price of $40.

Schmalz explains that The Prelude was produced, finished, and barrelled on January 2, 2021, making it slightly below the standard three-year aging period. However, its taste surpasses expectations, with its mature and sophisticated profile defying its youth. With a smooth and spicy character, this rye showcases a delicate balance of flavors, including notes of caramel and butterscotch. Schmalz reveals that customers are often taken aback by how refined and delicious The Prelude is, as they expect a younger whiskey to be harsher and hotter. Surprisingly, despite its high proof, it doesn’t taste as fiery as one would expect.

Juliet Schmalz, standing proudly alongside her aging barrels of whiskey, runs Fortune’s Fool alongside her husband, Steve Sorrel, who serves as the company’s CFO. While she previously worked as an anesthesiologist in private practice, her passion for whiskey led her to pursue formal education in Kentucky before venturing into the world of whiskey distillation with her husband. Although bourbon will be the cornerstone of Fortune’s Fool, the decision to release a rye as their inaugural offering arose from its readiness for market. The company’s first bourbon release is expected in 2025, pending a four-year aging process.

Unveiling the secret behind The Prelude’s exceptional quality, Schmalz assertively points to the barrels. While she takes pride in her choice of yeast and the carefully crafted rye mash bill (comprising 62 percent rye, 30 percent corn, and 8 percent malted barley), it is the barrels that truly elevate the whiskey. Exclusively aged in the finest barrels from Seguin Moreau Cooperage in Napa Valley, The Prelude is bestowed with a unique character. Unlike typical manufacturing processes, where barrels are heated using steam and gas, Seguin Moreau barrels undergo open-air seasoning for 24 months before being expertly charred and toasted over oak fires. Schmalz emphasizes that up to 80 percent of a whiskey’s flavor is determined by the barrel, making it an investment well worth making for the quest to produce exceptional products. The moment Schmalz discovered Seguin Moreau Cooperage, she knew she had found the perfect partner for Fortune’s Fool.

The company’s name, Fortune’s Fool, pays homage to William Shakespeare’s iconic play, Romeo and Juliet. As the CEO, Juliet Schmalz humorously reflects on her life with an instantly recognizable name that has accompanied her for half a century. Growing up with red hair, freckles, and the name Juliet, when brainstorming names for their whiskey company, it only felt appropriate to draw inspiration from Romeo and Juliet. During the exploration of the play, a particular line caught their attention: “Oh, I am fortune’s fool.” That line resonated deeply with the couple, leading them to adopt it as their whiskey’s name.

In line with the Shakespearean theme, each release of Fortune’s Fool whiskey will be named after parts of a play. The Prelude, the debut expression, was given its name to signify the exciting beginning of the company’s journey. Schmalz recommends savoring The Prelude neat or in a classic Manhattan cocktail. Whether enjoyed on its own or mixed, this rye whiskey showcases its versatility and exceptional quality. For a Manhattan, she suggests blending four parts rye with one part vermouth, adding a touch of orange bitters, and garnishing with a hint of orange zest rubbed around the rim of the glass.

Fortune’s Fool proudly presents The Prelude, a rye whiskey that defies tradition and exceeds expectations. With passion, creativity, and a commitment to using unparalleled barrels, Juliet Schmalz and her team are dedicated to crafting the very best whiskey products possible. So raise a glass to Fortune’s Fool and indulge in the exquisite taste of The Prelude.