For Collaboration No. 5, Master Blender Sean Josephs partnered with chefs Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski of the Link Restaurant Group—two of the most influential figures in New Orleans dining—to create a bourbon that reflects not just their palates, but the culture, community, and spirit that have defined their work for more than two decades.

This is not a collaboration built on novelty. It's one built on shared values: a respect for craft, a deep connection to hospitality, and an understanding that great experiences—whether at the table or in the glass—are meant to be enjoyed together.

A whiskey shaped by chefs.

For Link and Stryjewski, the process felt familiar, even if the medium was new. Accustomed to building dishes through balance, structure, and instinct, the chefs approached blending with the same mindset—tasting each component individually, understanding its role, and working toward a final product that felt complete.

“Building a dish and building a bourbon aren’t all that different,” says Donald Link. “You’re looking for balance—heat, sweetness, depth—but instead of adding ingredients, you’re finding those elements in different barrels and learning how they work together.”

That process led to a blend that is layered, expressive, and intentional—one that reflects both the precision of the kitchen and the unpredictability of the barrel.

A Study in Balance

From the outset, the goal wasn’t to create something overly bold or aggressively styled. Instead, the focus was on drinkability—something structured, but approachable.

“There was no strict goal at the beginning,” says Sean Josephs, co-founder and master blender, Pinhook. “Just two chefs with incredible palates exploring what they would want to drink. That’s where the best blends tend to come from.”

The result is a bourbon that prioritizes balance over intensity, with a profile that evolves in the glass and invites repeat pours rather than analysis. A rich nose of baked apple, nutmeg, caramel, and cedar leads to a warm palate of Cherry, clove, brown sugar, and leather. 

Bringing together different disciplines—hospitality, culinary, and spirits—creates space for something unexpected. A different way of tasting. A different way of thinking. And ultimately, a different kind of whiskey.

“Anytime you take someone who has spent decades refining their palate and ask them to apply it in a new context, you’re going to get something interesting,” says Josephs. “That’s the whole point.”

A Shared Commitment to Community

Beyond the bottle, this collaboration carries a deeper purpose. Link and Stryjewski are the founders of the Link Stryjewski Foundation, an organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of violence and poverty by expanding access to quality education and job training for young people in New Orleans.

This release proudly supports that mission—connecting the act of enjoying a great bourbon with the broader impact of investing in community and opportunity.

“It’s always been important to us that what we do extends beyond the restaurant,” says Stephen Stryjewski. “This is another way to contribute to something bigger.”

Learn more about the Link Stryjewski Foundation