Lee Hooker Legacy Spirits, an ultra-premium whiskey producer, is 
pleased to announce their first release of Boogie Chillen’ Bourbon “1948” to their new portfolio. Inspired by 
legacy, love, and music, John Lee Hooker Legacy Spirits was founded by mother and son Zakiya Hooker and Glenn 
Thomas in 2023 to honor their father and grandfather, John Lee Hooker, through their shared love of bourbon. 
Crafted from the finest selection of barrels, Boogie Chillen Bourbon 1948 is a flavorful bourbon with an ABV of 
50%, boasting subtle notes of baking spices and warm brown sugar. It was released online at 
johnleehookerlegacyspirits.com on April 8, 2024 with a planned release in select stores, bars and restaurants in 
California at the end of May.
Known to music fans around the world as the “King of the Boogie,” John Lee Hooker is considered one of the true 
superstars of the blues genre: the ultimate beholder of cool. Born in Tutwiler, Mississippi, on August 22, 1917, the 
four-time GRAMMY award-winning Blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist is a cultural icon to musicians today. 
Characterized by its simple yet powerful melodies, driving rhythms, and soulful vocals, Hooker was a master of the 
12-bar blues form. During his lifelong career, he wrote many classics, including "Boogie Chillen', which became a 
number-one jukebox hit, “Boom Boom," and "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer." Over the next 15 years, John 
Lee signed to a new label, Vee-Jay Records, and maintained a prolific recording schedule, releasing over 100 songs 
on the imprint. 
“As a child, I was lucky to be able to enjoy the sounds of my grandfather’s soulful tunes as he sipped his bourbon, 
and I couldn’t wait to experience that intimate moment with him,” states Founder and CEO Glenn Thomas. “On my 
21st birthday, I got the chance to take that first sip, and I was initially shocked at the taste and unable to 
appreciate the whiskey in my glass. As I took my second sip, he imparted his wisdom on his approach to life and 
whiskey.”
His late grandfather explained that life is like drinking bourbon. “If you drink bourbon too fast and recklessly, you 
will get burned, but if you take your time and enjoy the ride, you will have a great drink and life.” Years later, as 
Glenn reflected on that lesson imparted by his grandfather, he realized the parallels between crafting music and 
creating bourbon. 
“With this release, I hope that I will honor my grandfather and keep the Hooker legacy alive one sip at a time,” 
adds Glenn. “As I began my journey, I instantly recognized the patience, dedication, and artistry that went into 
composing a blues song mirrored the craftsmanship required to produce an exceptional bourbon. I want that to 
resonate in every sip of this high-quality bourbon.”
Boogie Chillen’ Bourbon “1948”, its namesake coming from Hooker’s 1948 debut single, “Boogie Chillen’,” and the
first "down-home" electric blues song to reach number one in the R&B records chart. Boogie Chillen’ Bourbon 
“1948” is distilled with the finest blends of corn, rye, and malted barley and aged for a minimum of four years in 
new charred American oak barrels in Bardstown, Kentucky. John Lee Hooker Legacy Spirits’ is the story of a cultural 
icon told through high-quality spirits crafted by his family. Through each premium offering, John Lee continues to 
live on and invites bourbon enthusiasts to become a part of a remarkable narrative of two American spirits. This 
creation was honored with Gold Medals at the 2024 Los Angeles Spirits Awards and Ascot awards and Silver 
Medals San Francisco International Spirit Competition, New York International Spirit Competition and American 
Distillery Institution awards .
For more information about John Lee Hooker Legacy Spirits and Boogie Chillen’ Bourbon, please visit 
www.johnleehookerlegacyspirits.com.