New Research Reveals Louisville Bourbon Connections Behind The Great Gatsby

Louisville, Ky. (Aug. 25, 2026) – Uncle Boojie's Distilling Co. is spotlighting new research that uncovers deeper connections between Louisville's bourbon culture and F. Scott Fitzgerald's inspiration for The Great Gatsby.

Conducted by researcher and writer Cassie Tatum, the project draws from archival records, family histories and historical accounts to examine how Louisville's blend of old-money families, rising entrepreneurs and influential whiskey figures shaped Fitzgerald's views on ambition, reinvention and the American Dream during his time in Kentucky between 1914 and 1918.

A key focus of the research is Martin "Mr. Jesse" Spalding, a Nelson County bootlegger whose ties to Louisville's distilling and social circles provide insight into the types of larger-than-life characters that fascinated Fitzgerald. The findings also trace connections between Louisville and Nelson County whiskey families, including the Howards and Athertons, whose influence extended across the region's bourbon industry and elite social networks.

"When we began exploring our family's bourbon history, we expected to uncover forgotten whiskey stories," said Stephen A. Smith, founder of Uncle Boojie's Distilling Co. "Instead, we found compelling evidence that Louisville helped shape Fitzgerald's understanding of wealth, status and aspiration in ways that may have influenced The Great Gatsby."

The research also connects directly to Uncle Boojie's heritage. Smith's Howard family roots trace back to historic Kentucky whiskey-making traditions, and the distillery is partnering with Whiskey House of Kentucky to recreate an original Howard family bourbon recipe using archival records.

To share the findings, Uncle Boojie's and Whiskey House of Kentucky will host an invitation-only discussion and tasting experience during the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, exploring the intersections of Louisville, bourbon and The Great Gatsby.