Julian, their father, often says, “The better the bourbon, the better the cocktail.” However, it wasn’t until they met Joe and MariElena Raya—longtime bartenders turned entrepreneurs who had started creating their own line of mixologist-level cocktail mixes called Bittermilk—that they truly considered trying pre-packaged cocktail mixes. Their No.1 Bourbon Barrel-Aged Old Fashioned Mix, in particular, became an instant favorite with the Van Winkle family. Like Bittermilk’s original mix, this unique collaboration is crafted with simple quality ingredients, such as bittering agents like gentian root and cinchona bark, along with burnt sugar, spices, and a hint of orange peel. Their version, however, is aged in retired Pappy Van Winkle bourbon barrels, resulting in a distinct flavor profile exclusive to Pappy & Company.