Award-Winning Bourbon Master Comes to Hagerstown
Bruce “Poppy” Potash — Master Taster, Master Blender, and Author — to Host Book Signing and Special Bourbon Tasting at Barrel Bodega, August 14–15
| EVENT DETAILS
Friday, August 14 – Saturday, August 15, 2026 Barrel Bodega • 17618 Valley Mall Rd, Hagerstown, MD 21740 Book Signing • Guided Bourbon Tasting • Open to the Public |
HAGERSTOWN, MD — Bourbon enthusiasts and whiskey-curious alike have reason to mark their calendars. On Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15, 2026, Barrel Bodega in Hagerstown will welcome “Poppy” Bruce Potash — Master Taster, Master Blender, and author of My Journey into American Whiskey — for a rare two-day public event that combines a book signing with a guided tasting of his double gold–winning bourbon, The Old Guard.
Potash brings a credential that is genuinely uncommon in the industry. Over several years, he personally visited more than 30 American distilleries, earning behind-the-scenes access typically reserved for industry insiders. From operations staffed by first-year apprentices working toward their Stave and Thief Society certification, to multigenerational Master Distillers with eight-generation family legacies, Potash absorbed the full spectrum of American bourbon craft — and documented the journey in his book.
That accumulated knowledge found its way into every bottle of The Old Guard Bourbon, which has since earned Gold at the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition — two of the most respected blind-tasting panels in the world. Judges praised the bourbon’s exceptional balance: a nose of vanilla, caramel, honey, and dried fruit; a smooth, layered palate of oak, toffee, cinnamon, and clove; and a finish that is warm, velvety, and long-lasting.
During the two-day event at Barrel Bodega, Potash will preside over a guided tasting of The Old Guard Bourbon, walking attendees through the tasting process — from color and aroma to palate and finish — and sharing the stories behind the spirit. He will also be signing copies of My Journey into American Whiskey, offering readers a firsthand account of the distilleries, the craftspeople, and the traditions that shaped both the book and the bourbon.
The event is open to the public and free to attend. Barrel Bodega is located at 17618 Valley Mall Rd, Hagerstown, MD 21740. For hours and additional event information, contact Chi Chi at (301) 582-4444.
ABOUT BRUCE “POPPY” POTASH
“Poppy” Bruce Potash is a Master Taster and Master Blender whose hands-on education spans more than 30 distilleries across the United States. His book, My Journey into American Whiskey, chronicles that education and the remarkable community of craftspeople who define the industry. As the creator of The Old Guard Bourbon, his work has been recognized by blind-tasting panels in both New York and San Francisco.
ABOUT THE OLD GUARD BOURBON
The Old Guard is a craft American bourbon earning Gold at the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Built on a foundation of industry-wide craft knowledge and committed to balance over gimmickry, it is designed to be poured neat and appreciated slowly. https://theoldguard.com
ABOUT BARREL BODEGA
Barrel Bodega is located at 17618 Valley Mall Rd, Hagerstown, MD 21740.
