High-Ranking Whiskey

Give back to those who’ve bravely served by imbibing some of the strong stuff.

- Brad Japhe

There are many ways to get into the world of whiskey making. Some people, like Buffalo Trace Distillery's Harlen Wheatley, come from backgrounds in chemical engineering. Rob Dietrich of Sweet Amber was a rock 'n' roll roadie.

For Scott Neil, the path cut through the mountains of Afghanistan. As part of Special Forces Team ODA 595, the Green Beret helped overthrow a Taliban stronghold in the immediate aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks. The unit daringly navigated the rugged terrain on horseback, earning the nickname "Horse Soldiers." When Neil decided to introduce a bourbon brand 13 years later as a way to help support veteran causes, he knew exactly what to call it. He recruited his band of brothers to help him build it, enlisting in his new mission those who have been involved in every major conflict since the Vietnam War.

Their legacy is raising hundreds of thousands for charities, primarily through the annual commemorative release of an ultrapremium whiskey called Commanders Select. A set of three bottles has gone for as much as $75,000 at live auction. The brand also puts on a series of "Whiskey & War Stories" dinners that are hosted by actual Horse Soldiers. A portion of sales from all releases is donated to the upkeep of the America's Response Monument in Lower Manhattan.