#38 Aaron Goldfarb: Inside the Underground World of Vintage Spirits

 

Rare spirits aren’t just drinks, they’re liquid time capsules. In this episode of Serves You Right, I get a chance to talk with acclaimed author Aaron Goldfarb to explore the fascinating world of dusty bottles and vintage spirits. From bourbon once aged longer than the label admitted, to rum menus at Trader Vic’s that would shock modern collectors, this conversation uncovers history, culture, and flavor in every forgotten bottle.

Aaron shares stories of hunters who stumble upon unopened liquor stores, bars that quietly skirt the law with vintage menus, and the curious case of liqueurs that literally crystallize over time. Together, we unpack why these bottles still matter today (not just as collector’s items) but as a living connection to the past.

 

Expect to Learn

• Why old bourbon may taste better than modern releases
• The shocking role of carcinogens in flavor development
• How Campari and Chartreuse changed recipes across countries and decades
• The secrets of vintage rum, cognac, and Amaro that never made it to the present
• Why some collectors open bottles while others guard them for life
• The future of vintage cocktails and whether vodka has a place in it

 

Links:

⁠Aaron Goldfarb on Instagram⁠: @AaronGoldfarb

⁠Dusty Booze: In Search of Vintage Spirits⁠

 

Service starts now.

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I talk mostly to people in and around the service industry space. I'm looking to hear from the people I wish I could have talked to when I was coming up in restaurants. Said another way: I am trying to make sense of this wild, beautiful mess of a life, and help others that are feeling similarly confused and/or lost. 

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As always, I’m just here taking notes, trying to figure out what it all means.

Cheers