Nashville, TN — When it comes to American music history, few names cut as deep as John Lee Hooker. The eternal King of the Boogie built a sound that still shakes stages, bends souls, and influences generations of rock, blues, and roots players. Today, that spirit takes on a new form—one you can literally pour—thanks to the launch of the “Strings of Legacy: Kentucky Bourbon Collection”, a limited-edition series from John Lee Hooker Legacy Spirits under their Boogie Chillen’ Bourbon banner.
Crafted by Hooker’s own family and distilled in Bardstown, Kentucky, the new series pays tribute to the guitars that shaped his unmistakable sound. Each of the four eight-year, single-barrel, cask-strength bourbons is inspired by a specific Gibson or Epiphone model that Hooker used throughout his legendary career.
This isn’t just a collectible release—it’s a collision of craftsmanship, culture, and musical lineage.
A Blues Legacy Bottled: Four Bourbons, Four Guitars, Four Chapters of History
John Lee Hooker’s sound was as distinct as it was powerful. It came from his hands, his history, and the guitars he trusted. Those instruments now lend their essence to this new collection, with each bourbon channeling a different era of Hooker’s musical evolution.
• Gibson ES-335
A nod to the guitar Hooker returned to time and time again. Warm, expressive, and rooted in blues purity. As Glenn Thomas (Hooker’s grandson and Founder of John Lee Hooker Legacy Spirits) explains, “He knew how to make that guitar sing—and bend notes so deep, you feel them in your soul.” This bourbon mirrors that emotional depth and tonal heat.
• Gibson Les Paul Goldtop
Big, loud, and unmistakably authoritative. Hooker’s Goldtop had a fierceness that translated directly to the stage—an untamed roar wrapped in class. The corresponding single barrel captures that same electric swagger.
• Gibson SJ-200
A deeply personal tribute. The SJ-200 is remembered by Thomas not just as one of Hooker’s guitars, but as a soundtrack to his childhood. This expression honors the warmth, resonance, and storytelling that defined Hooker’s softer moments—those powerful, private blues that lived between the notes.
• Epiphone Zephyr
The early spark. The Zephyr was essential to Hooker’s beginnings, the foundation upon which his entire legacy was built. This bourbon channels that raw, unpolished fire—the blood, sweat, and soul of a young artist forging his identity one riff at a time.
A Family Legacy Continues
For the Hooker family, this project isn’t a licensing play—it’s a preservation. A way to keep the blues icon’s legacy real, relevant, and reverberating in the modern world.
“This is more than a collaboration,” Glenn Thomas shares. “It’s an act of honor. We’re bottling the rebellious spirit and uncompromising craftsmanship that defined my grandfather’s life.”
Gibson’s Codey Allen echoes the sentiment: “John Lee Hooker’s influence remains immeasurable. His guitars were central to his sound, and this collection is a beautiful tribute to his legacy.”
Building on Award-Winning Foundations
The “Strings of Legacy” series follows the rapid success of Boogie Chillen’ Bourbon 1948, the inaugural release from John Lee Hooker Legacy Spirits. In under a year, that bottle collected multiple spirits awards and set the tone for what a musician-inspired bourbon can be—something authentic, soulful, and crafted with intention.
This new series raises the stakes by tying each expression directly to the tools that helped shape American blues and rock as we know it.
Limited Release — Join the Waitlist
The John Lee Hooker Legacy Spirits “Strings of Legacy” Collection will be available only for a limited time. Fans, collectors, and whiskey lovers can sign up now at the official site to receive availability details and early purchase access:
👉 JLHLegacySpirits.com/String-of-Legacy-Four-Distinct-Expressions
About John Lee Hooker Legacy Spirits
About John Lee Hooker Legacy Spirits:
Founded by John Lee Hooker’s grandson, Glenn Thomas, John Lee Hooker Legacy Spirits is a family-owned bourbon brand dedicated to bottling the enduring legacy of the blues icon. The brand’s mission is to honor its heritage and build community through exceptional bourbon and blues music and storytelling.
About Gibson
About Gibson:
Gibson, the leading iconic guitar brand, has shaped the sounds of generations of musicians and music lovers across genres for over 130 years. Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, Gibson has a legacy of world-class craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships, and progressive product evolution that is unrivaled among musical instrument companies. The Gibson portfolio includes Gibson, the leading guitar brand, as well as many of the most beloved and recognizable music brands, including Epiphone, which has been on every stage since 1873, Kramer, the original MADE TO ROCK HARD guitar brand, MESA/Boogie, the home of tone, KRK, behind great music for over 30 years, and Maestro, the founder of effect pedals. Gibson is dedicated to quality, innovation, and sound excellence so that music lovers for generations to come will continue to experience music shaped by all Gibson brands. Explore more at Gibson.com, Gibson App, and on Gibson TV, follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, and visit us at the Gibson Garage Nashville and the Gibson Garage London.
DreadMusicReview Closing Note
At DreadMusicReview, we celebrate legacies that don’t just echo—they evolve. This bourbon line isn’t a gimmick; it’s a continuation of John Lee Hooker’s lifelong mission to bend tradition into something timeless. Whether you’re a blues diehard, a bourbon enthusiast, or a history buff, this collection hits all the right notes. Please remember to always drink and party responsibly, any and all beverage content is meant for individuals 21 years and older.
Stay tuned, stay inspired, and as always—
Stay loud. Stay curious. Stay Dread.