The first booze I purchased was a short time after that. Tia Maria. Yeah I know, go figure.

Anyway, during my early adult years I used to go and see a lot of live music. Mostly The Lonely Boys. And because I was poor, beer was the cheapest choice available, but I’m super classy, so I would usually drink Heineken.

My mate Tom used to drink Jim Beam, and when I would go visit him he’d usually offer me some, but I thought it tasted like crushed ants (don’t ask me how I cam to this conclusion). I genuinely hated the stuff. But one night after a LOT of drinking I ran out of booze, and so it was either bourbon or nothing, so bourbon it was.

I cured myself of my bourbon dislike, and it has been my choice ever since. Jim Beam was the go-to, but I recall doing some experimenting when I lived with Tom. Beams Choice, Beam Black etc.

Later on I moved to Jack Daniels, and for the last two decades or so that has been my goto drink. That is until March 7, 2025 when I stumbled across a piece of news: Jack Daniels parent company (Brown Forman) has pulled out of the Human Rights Campaign annual Corporate Equality Index.

“Hastily abandoning efforts that ensure fair, safe, and inclusive work environments for LGBTQ+ people based on manufactured outrage from MAGA bullies is bad business and leaves their employees and millions of LGBTQ+ allied customers behind,” Eric Bloem, VP of programs and corporate advocacy at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, said in the statement.

I consider myself someone who is one of those millions of LGBTQ+ allied customers, and so now I choose to no longer purchase Jack Daniels.

So that’s it. After twenty-odd years of loyalty, I’ve tipped my last Jack. It feels a bit strange, like breaking up with someone who’s been in your life for decades. We had some good times together — well, some hazy times, anyway — but I can’t in good conscience keep supporting a company that caves to pressure from the worst people on the internet.

Will they notice the absence of one middle-aged bloke in Melbourne not buying their booze anymore? Probably not. But it matters to me. If you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything, right?

And besides, bourbon isn’t a one-brand affair. There are plenty of other bottles out there ready to step up. So from here on, I’ll be looking for a new favourite. Maybe I’ll reconnect with old mate Jim Beam. Maybe I’ll explore something fancier. Maybe I’ll even go back to Tia Maria for old time’s sake (nah, who am I kidding).

The point is, Jack and I are done. It was fun while it lasted, but values beat brand loyalty every time.

And if you see me at the bar, don’t bother sending a Jack and Coke. I’ll be the bloke trying to figure out what the hell to drink next.

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