Today we’d like to introduce you to Kris Kolacz.
Hi Kris, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
We started off by kayaking with a couple of hammocks, a bottle of whiskey and a couple cigars. When we got to our destination, we strung up the hammocks, poured the whiskey and lit the cigars and said how do we bottle this feeling? We decided to call it Whiskey and a Hammock and carry our own outdoor gear and along the way do whiskey reviews and whiskey adventure videos. We first stared with a YouTube channel, producing videos, taking people on our journey into whiskey with us and then created a website with our own whiskey inspired merch. We started with t-shirts and hammocks and now we have our backpacks, glasses, spf shirts and cocktail smokers. We even created our own signature cocktail, adventure in a bottle called The Sojourner. What makes this different is that it is made with pear, which pears have traveled the world plus, we found that it goes great with bourbon! Since 2019 we’ve been growing, more products, interviews and events. Next step is to have Whiskey and a Hammock gear in stores!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Smooth like Tennessee whiskey… no. We fight for space on social media and since whiskey is in our name it makes advertising a pain in the ass! We constantly have to fight to get our advertisements out there. Building a brand is hard work, but every event we do we get so many positive responses and keep growing year by year.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the creative backbone and owner of Whiskey and a Hammock. I’ve been a professional artist for over 20 years and enjoy all things creative. Like I said when wanted to bottle this idea, the logo popped into my head and I had to draw it up. Since then I’ve been the creative force in social media, advertisements, events, videos and web design. What sets us apart is the vision that we have for Whiskey and a Hammock, it’s not just apparel, we’re a lifestyle brand. One of our goals is to have our own store that has an attached tasting room. Also, with all that is going around to stay inside, don’t drink alcohol we are saying just the opposite. Our new campaign is to Touch Grass and Pour Something Real. Enough with staying inside and drinking seaweed water. Go outside, explore, sit around the fire when you get to your destination, share a pour with everyone. Whiskey is a social lubricant, it opens people up, gets conversation flowing and everyone is having a good time. That’s what we’re about.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
The apps that have helped us is put out by the Sunshine Adventure Company where they have an interactive that can be used on Gaia and OnX Offroad. Podcasts that we’re into are The Waypoint Unknown with Danan Coleman and Beasts of Burden with Asia. Other sources are facebook groups like Abandoned Florida and Florida Trail Stompers.
Pricing:
- Backpacks – $80
- t-shirts – $25
- SPF Outdoor Shirts – $40
- glasses – $10
- hammocks – $30
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.whiskeyandahammock.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whiskeyandahammock/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whiskeyandahammock
- Twitter: https://x.com/WhiskeyKaptain
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrQ5itzk81yQBC1sDTkviFA
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@whiskeyandahammock
