Q&A with Shannon Sharpe
Shannon Sharpe is an NFL Hall Of Fame tight-end, three-time Super Bowl champion, sports analyst, and the host of two record-breaking podcasts, “Club Shay Shay,” and “Nightcap” with Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson. Now, the 55-year-old has set his sights on taking over the spirits industry with his award-winning cognac, Le Portier.
Before you launched Le Portier, were you a consumer of Cognac?
I was never a big drinker, as health and fitness were always my focus in preparing each season for the NFL. It wasn’t until after I retired from the League that I had taken a liking to cognac. It always tasted good as a victory drink any time my guys won. I wanted to create the best-tasting cognac for those special moments when you want to take a chance to slow down, say thank you to the people you care about and reflect on your accomplishments. When I raise a glass of Le Portier, it’s a way to say hey, I recognize what I’ve been able to do, and I recognize how you helped me get there. Let’s take a moment to soak that up.
Before each conversation on your Club Shay Shay podcast, you toast with your guests and gift them a bottle of Le Portier. Does it get old when a guest compliments you on how smooth Le Portier is?
That will never get old. Our superior product has won awards in blind taste tests against other leading brands, from “Best in Class at the SIP Awards” to our recent recognition at the Bartenders Brand Awards. Most people who taste Le Portier VSOP find it’s more akin to an XO, so I can’t wait for people to taste our XO and XXO.
What are some food items Le Portier pairs well with?
Le Portier pairs well with short ribs, premium steaks, lamb, chicken, and pork. It’s versatile and smooth, so it pairs well with any good meal or as a digestif with a cigar.
Will shipping for Le Portier be available in more states? Le Portier is currently available online in 48 states.
Our current on-hand off-premise distribution includes Nevada, Colorado, Georgia, and New Jersey. New York, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, and California are coming soon. I have plans to visit each of these states for store launches and events. It’s exciting watching the brand grow; the support so far has been incredible.