Joe Montana, the legendary San Francisco 49ers quarterback, has ventured into the world of whiskey. It may come as a surprise, considering he resides in wine country, but Montana has developed a taste for the alcoholic spirit. His journey into the world of whiskey began in 1998 when he entered the venture capital world and met Isaac “Yitz” Applbaum, the founder and partner at MizMaa Ventures.

Applbaum, a world traveler and connoisseur of alcoholic spirits, introduced Montana to a variety of beverages during their frequent lunch outings. “He’s the one that got me started down this road,” Montana revealed. “He would always bring something or try something different, and that kind of got me going.”

Montana’s growing interest in whiskey eventually led to the creation of the Joe Montana Whiskey Collection in partnership with the Gold Bar Spirits Company. As the official whiskey of the 49ers, Gold Bar Whiskey approached Montana’s agents about a formal partnership about a year ago. “This was kind of a natural fit,” Montana explained.

During an interview at the Gold Bar Whiskey Distillery’s new visitor center and tasting room in San Francisco, Montana expressed his thoughts on the recent trade involving the 49ers’ quarterback Trey Lance. The team traded three first-round draft picks to select Lance as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. However, Lance struggled to make an impact and was eventually traded to the Dallas Cowboys.

“It’s good for both,” Montana commented on the trade. He believed there was immense pressure on the 49ers to play Lance due to the high price they paid to acquire him. Additionally, Montana felt that Lance did not fit well into the 49ers’ offensive system. He believed Lance’s running ability would have been better suited for a backup role behind Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in Baltimore.

Despite the trade, Montana had positive words for both Lance and the new situation in Dallas. He described Lance as a “great kid” and believed that playing under Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, one of Montana’s former offensive coaches, would be advantageous for the young quarterback. Montana trusted that McCarthy would provide him with ample opportunities to learn and succeed.

Returning to the topic of whiskey, Montana revealed the details of his partnership with GOLD BAR and their new whiskey collection. The collection consists of two exclusive blends: Blend No. 273 and Blend No. 117. The former, exclusive to Northern California, represents the total number of touchdown passes Montana threw during his career. It is a triple casked American whiskey with a three-grain mash bill and is priced at $59.99.

Blend No. 117, available nationwide later in the fall, represents Montana’s number of victories as a starting quarterback. This 16-year-old whiskey is triple casked in cognac and offers a taste of apricot. It is priced at $149.99.

Not only did Montana praise the taste of the whiskeys, but he also commended their packaging. Blend No. 117 features a Montana patch with an embedded communication chip, which, when tapped with a smartphone, directs the user to unique content, including an instructional video of Montana preparing his signature cocktail, “The Golden Joe.” The artwork of the Blend No. 273 bottle includes a throwback 49ers logo, Montana’s signature, and an illustration of his touchdown celebration in Super Bowl XXIV.

In conclusion, Joe Montana has embarked on a new venture in the world of whiskey. Guided by his friend Isaac Applbaum, he has partnered with GOLD BAR to introduce the Joe Montana Whiskey Collection, consisting of two exclusive blends that pay homage to Montana’s career achievements. Alongside his whiskey endeavor, Montana shared his thoughts on the recent quarterback trade involving Trey Lance and expressed his confidence in Lance’s abilities under Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy. With his whiskey collection poised for release, Montana remains ambitious and appreciative of the journey he has taken.

Four Super Bowls, all victories, and not a single interception thrown. Montana’s record as a quarterback is unparalleled, and many consider him to be the greatest of all time. But despite his success, Montana is humble and avoids comparing himself to the current generation of NFL passers.

Instead, Montana takes pleasure in watching today’s quarterbacks and appreciating their unique styles. He acknowledges that everyone has their own way of playing the game and doesn’t see himself in their performances. Montana explains, “I just enjoy the guys for what they do and how they do it.”

However, some observers can’t help but draw comparisons between Montana and the talented Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, Joe Burrow. Burrow, who appeared alongside Montana in a Guinness commercial, possesses the same accuracy and composure under pressure that made Montana famous. Even their nicknames, with Burrow being called “Joe Cool” like Montana, seem to echo one another.

When asked about the similarities, Montana humbly responds, “Not a bad person to be compared to.” It’s clear that he recognizes the talent and potential in Burrow but remains reserved in making any direct comparisons.

While Montana may not actively compare himself to today’s passers, he’s open to feedback from fans on his upcoming whiskey collection. He eagerly anticipates hearing from not only 49er fans but also supporters from all around the country. Montana’s willingness to engage with his audience shows his appreciation for the diverse perspectives and opinions that exist in the world of football.

In the end, Montana’s story remains the same. He is a legendary quarterback who achieved incredible success on the football field. But his humble attitude and willingness to embrace others’ viewpoints set him apart from many other sports icons. Montana’s focus on enjoying the game and connecting with fans further cements his status as an all-time great.