A part of Bushmills® Irish Whiskey’s “Since Way Back” program, Bodega is the product of a tightly-knit friendship that has lasted through the years. An Irish whiskey made for hundreds of years by lifelong friends, Bushmills started “Since Way Back” to appreciate these enduring relationships. With Shwood, both Bodega and Bushmills have the opportunity to collaborate with a brand that also values authentic craftsmanship. The Bushmills by Bodega and Shwood, a pair of sunglasses made from Bushmills’ own whiskey barrels, exemplify this commitment to a quality product.

Hailing from a town more commonly known for having built an athletic lifestyle empire, Shwood has carved out its own wooden niche in Portland, Oregon. Founded in 2009, Shwood has swept the sunglass eyewear community with a unique product: frames made from natural wood. Playing off conventional eyewear models, the young brand pays homage to these traditional silhouettes while updating them with a colorful array of exotic woods from around the globe.

In preparation for their latest collaboration with Bushmills Whiskey and Bodega, Shwood’s founder Eric Singer and brand manager Taylor Murray talked to our William Yu to discuss the brand’s origins, the perils of being a rising company, and The Bushmills. Read the rest of this entry »