Meet Mike Trott

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mike Trott and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mike, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
We hope our trademark messages of “Serve Honorably, Drink Honorably” and “Sip to Remember”, (don’t drink to forget) helps modify the narrative around veterans, first responders and others when consuming alcohol. If I had a second factor, it would be to ensure others see veterans having success outside of the military and to be a good example for other veterans, espeically in career transitions or in retirement.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Our very blend of bourbon sets us apart from most other bourbons because we are a four grain blended bourbon (wheat, rye, malted barley and wheat) In the spirit industry, less than 10% of all bourbons are a four grain mash bill or blend of bourbon. Along with our early success, it is exciting to see so many other veterans and others embrace our important trademark messages. It is our hope that many of them decide to truly drink responsibly if they choose to consume alcohol.

Starting a new alcohol company and brand of bourbon is “extremely” difficult and expensive. It can’t be done without a lot of personal investment of both money and time and having passionate and supportive early investors is the most important factor of our efforts, allowing us to be where we are today. We’re fortunate to have an authentic brand story with such a deep history that has helped us to capture the attention of local and national audiences. This has provided us tremendous opportunities as an emerging brand to tell our story and educate our potential consumers. Building a brand is one of the hardest things we have ever had to do as veterans who spent most of our time in service flying under the radar and not looking for any praise or recognition for our success. It’s a different environment for us as veterans and founders but one that we must learn to navigate in order to be successful as a brand in a very crowded product space.

We’re not celebrities, professional athletes, global influencers or billionaires, we’re just four veterans and friends who had an idea for a new brand of bourbon to honor a few of our fallen friends, and we’re doing our best to make sure we’re successful along the way. As we often tell ourselves, we’re on a new “no fail” (reference to our military life) mission in life.

Overcoming challenges is something every entrepreneur must learn to navigate or they will fail. These early challenges come in all shapes, sizes and dollar amounts. I think our combined military and CIA careers of more than 100 combined years, has given us the grit and fortatude to succeed, but like any successful mission or buisness in life, you must be surrounded with good people who know their craft and we have been very fortunate to assemble some of the best in our industry to help guide us. Without them and our early investors, we would NOT have gotten Four Branches off the ground. Our best lessons have come from listening to our advisors and sometimes, trusting our own gut instincts, that comes from our own decades of valuable lessons learned.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Phoenix and the surrounding areas have some of the most interesting sights, sounds, tastes and experiences of any U.S. city. If I had a long weekend with friends who had never been to Phoenix before, I might start with dinner at one of the many (too many to list) fantastic gastronomical restaurants experiences in the valley. We have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to fine food and fun restaurants to enjoy. From family owned and operated restaurants that have been in the central Valley for decades to some of our newest fine dining restaurants in Scottsdale, to taco and other great food trucks throughout the area. I might take them to Mountain View Pub or Harold’s in Cave Creek and finish up at the Bearded Barber Speakeasy in Anthem. If we have time, walk the streets of Old Town Scottsdale and step into The Rusty Spur Saloon or one of the other great Old Town establishments.

If they ride motorcycles, we might jump on the bikes and take an afternoon scouting the Valley on a Harley. Next morning we might take in an early balloon ride in North Peoria to capture an amazingly quiet and surreal bird’s eye view of the desert landscape before heading up to Prescott or Sedona for the day. Those cities never disappoint and hit up Colt’s Barbecue while we’re up there. If music is their thing, take in a concert at the MIM or have drinks in the evening and listen to live music in the beautiful courtyard of the Hyatt Gainey Ranch. If golf is a must, take your pick with some of the best courses in the country.

Before leaving the Valley I would take them up Camelback Mountain or Principal Peak for a morning hike to see the Valley in a whole new light and view. You can’t leave Phoenix without taking in our stunning red sky sunsets with a great cocktail or drink in your hand and hanging with friends on the back lawn of Isabella’s Kitchen or make your way up to Raven’s View for a glass of wine and a stunning desert sunset. If sunset, dinner and gambling is your thing, followed by a little roof top golf, head to Talking Stick Casino for roof op sunset cocktails and dinner, take your chances at the tables downstairs and create your own Casino Royale. Make your way across the parking lot to Top Golf for a little night golf action. There is more than enough after three days, leaving them wanting to see more of Phoenix. And we didn’t even get into baseball spring training, hockey, basketball or football games. NASCAR or rodeos or one of the many great concert venues or amazing resort hotels to waste the day at in complete opulence. Bottom line, a long weekend is never enough to explore our Valley of the sun.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As founders we have had an abundance of industry professionals who have taken a keen and genuine interest in educating us, supporting us and leading us with valuable information and important introductions and guidance. Without them, we would NOT be where we are today in less than two years. However, I don’t think it would be possible at this point in our lives and careers, as we’re all in our 50s and 60s, that if our wives, families, friends and investors weren’t so supportive, we would have never gotten started in the first place. We’re grateful to have such a solid supporting foundation of great people around us.

Website: https://www.fourbranches.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fourbranchesbourbon

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/four-branches-bourbon/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fourbranchesbourbon

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@fourbranchesbourbon

Image Credits
Four Branches Bourbon