Stephen Curry is among the latest bold-faced names to take a shot at the wine and spirits business.
The Golden State Warriors point guard and four-time NBA Champion has launched a whiskey earlier this year called Gentleman’s Cut Bourbon, which retails for about US$85 and is produced in collaboration with Boone County Distilling Co., based on Independence, Ky.
“Bourbon is a way to celebrate life,” says Curry, 35.
The basketball star’s love for the dark-hued spirit is why he decided to brand his own. It’s distilled in 500-gallon copper pot stills and aged in oak barrels for five to seven years. The result is a drink with a caramel-like flavor profile and a finish of toasted nuts.
Curry, who lives in the San Francisco area and is married to entrepreneur, actress, and foodie Ayesha Curry, recently spoke to Penta about his favorite things.
Before and after the game, I eat… some kind of chicken or salmon, pasta, or rice and veggies—usually broccoli or Brussels sprouts. Maybe asparagus. And also before a game, a handful of popcorn. I probably eat around 3,000 calories a day when I have a game.
Bourbon is my drink of choice because… I love the dark liquor taste. It has a lot of different notes that I jive with: the oak from the barrel, the vanilla caramel, and dark cherry taste. I also like the kick up front and the smooth finish on the back end.
My preferred way to drink bourbon is… neat for sure. I’m a purist, but you could convince me to throw a big rock in there.
The cocktail that lends itself most to bourbon is… a classic Old Fashioned.
Other sports I like playing besides basketball are… golf and beach volleyball, especially in the summer. My mom, sister, and my aunt all play, so I join them. My daughter recently started playing. But I also played in middle school, so there is a bit of history there.
I decompress by… reading and watching movies with my kids. We saw Spider-Man last.
My ideal weekend involves… sleeping in until 9 a.m., followed by a home-cooked breakfast with my kids. Usually eggs and some breakfast meat, and a smoothie for me. Ayesha is into grapefruit, but I haven’t gotten there yet.
My go-to off-court outfit is… a hoodie with shorts, jeans, or sweatpants. Every season is hoodie season.
If I could pick one place to vacation, it would be… the South of France with my wife. I like the elegant lifestyle, being close to the water, the good food, and the party scene.
The restaurants that I return to again and again are… International Smoke in San Francisco or Las Vegas [wife Ayesha Curry’s restaurant]. They have an amazing Jamaican tasting menu with oxtail, rice, and peas, and plantains. Or I’ll go for the Korean short rib, shellfish platter, or duck fat wings. I also go to Chick-fil-A, where I always get the spicy chicken sandwich, French fries, and extra Chick-fil-A and Polynesian sauce plus a lemonade. And Bagatelle in the South of France.
The best piece of advice I’ve ever received is… from my pops. He told me to control the controllable and let go of the rest. It’s the best way to find peace in the chaos of life.
The charities I support include… Eat.Learn.Play, my foundation with Ayesha that supports children in our adopted home of Oakland, Calif..
On my nightstand, you’l find… a Bible, a picture of my family, and my sleep sound machine.
I love basketball because… it allows me to share my creativity with the world. I get lost in the game and the competitiveness of it.
