For Greenfield businesswoman, fan letter turns into opportunity

Linda Smith Davis of Greenfield, creator of the New England Fine Living lifestyle brand, is used to hearing from her fans — whom she calls her "kindred spirits" — but just before Thanksgiving 2023, she was surprised to get a package in the mail from Kentucky. The package contained several gift items, a two-page personal letter from someone named Richard Van Dam, and a bottle of Kentucky bourbon. Davis read the letter with growing astonishment — Van Dam, CEO of the Menlo Distillery in Somerset, Ky., wanted to partner with her and create a custom-branded bourbon in her honor. "I couldn't believe it," Davis said. "I was absolutely blown away. Here was someone I didn't even know, who wanted to create a bourbon brand in my honor!" In the letter, Van Dam wrote that he wanted to create the brand to surprise his wife, Chrissa, who had to quarantine away from her family during most of COVID because of health issues and had struggled with the isolation. Van Dam wrote that Chrissa was one of Davis' biggest fans. "Chrissa started watching my YouTube channel more and more during COVID, and she just found it very comforting and uplifting. Her husband said it was what kept her going during some very hard times," Davis said. "I can't even describe how that makes me feel." Van Dam noted that Chrissa particularly loved Davis' focus on supporting local New England businesses because Menlo Farms, which is one of Kentucky's last family owned distilleries, is committed to supporting local farms using local corn, grains and limestone water in their products. Davis, an entrepreneur, content creator and retired interior designer, is known by followers for creating elegant interiors from family treasures, thrift shop finds and recycled items. "I am never afraid to look a little goofy in my videos. It's who I am," Davis said. "Some things work and some things don't, but I love when viewers — my 'kindred spirits' — laugh along with me when I make a mistake. I'm a real person who just enjoys sharing my passion for all things New England." After connecting with the Van Dams, Davis realized she had been corresponding with Chrissa through her Instagram account for years. "Chrissa was one of my first followers when I started my Instagram feed and restarted the YouTube channel," Davis said. "We've been in touch for years, but I had no idea what she was going through." Through the end of 2023 and beginning of 2024, Davis and the Van Dams worked out a business agreement — Menlo Farm would provide the aged single barrel bourbon, while Davis would name the product, create the label and do the marketing through her New England Fine Living brand. Van Dam and Davis also created a pure bourbon vanilla extract. "We wanted to offer a product everyone could enjoy," Davis said. Davis named the bourbon created in her honor "Sugarwood 1790" after the c. 1790 home she and her husband Ben have been renovating and restoring. "Sugarwood 1790 is the only New England-branded bourbon that is actually made in Kentucky," Davis said. Since the launch of the brand, Davis has been hard at work creating Sugarwood 1790 recipes, using both the vanilla and the bourbon. "Many of the recipes will focus on New England products, such as maple syrup and blueberries, and will include modified old family recipes," Davis said. Recently, Davis completed the process of getting Sugarwood 1790, which costs $99.99 a bottle, into 34 New Hampshire state liquor stores, including Keene. Sugarwood 1790 bourbon vanilla extract is available on the Sugarwood 1790 website, sugarwood1790.com. "So far, it has been a great response," Davis said. "The test run in Kentucky sold out, and people seem to really like it. We will just see what happens." For information about where to purchase Sugarwood 1790, go to the Sugarwood 1790 website.