The Scofflaw’s Den was founded in 2007 by T. Marshall Fawley III and Sean Michael “SeanMike” Whipkey.  They intended it as an “online speakeasy of potent potables and other pabulum”, the term “scofflaw” itself a by-product of America’s foray into Prohibition in the early part of the 20th century.  Marshall and SeanMike became friends back in 1994 at the University of Virginia thanks to a mutual interest in music shown by their involvement with the Virginia Pep Band.  Soon they discovered other mutual interests which included a deep affection for bourbon – one shared with many of their classmates – and for cigars.  Flash-forward a decade or so and the two found themselves living in the burgeoning metropolis of Washington DC, specifically the northern Virginia area.  Marshall took the time to introduce SeanMike to the online cocktailian community while SeanMike returned the favor by further dragging Marshall deeper into the online world, specifically LiveJournal.  And thus the Scofflaw’s Den was born and within a year it grew to the point that new digs were required…

SeanMike Whipkey
“Scofflaw, Intoxicologist, Writer, Engineer, and Drinker”

SeanMike managed to find his way into IT much the same way he finds himself in many positions – randomly and thanks to a little help from his friends.  Following that up he ended up initially picking up what he called his “second job” writing video game reviews for a site called GamersInfo.net.  A while after that, he got into what he used to call his “third job” working with Marshall on Scofflaw’s Den but now has reversed those two positions for his copious amounts of free time.

SeanMike tries not to look down his nose at any beverage or food that comes his way, willing to give anything a shot at least once.  His philosophy is “just because you like good things doesn’t mean you have to give up the bad things.”  Coupled with another philosophy of “those that drink together, stick together” means you can find him swapping between beer, wine, and liquor interchangeably over the course of an evening, often with a cigar or two in there, and always willing to give something new a chance.

He picked up in college with the standard experiences, including occasionally helping friends brew their own beer and randomly getting the chance to try real moonshine.  He tends not to make as many new ingredients as Marshall – part of the penalty of living with roommates (a brother and future sister-in-law) but being an obsessive collector means his bar is constantly growing.  He came into cocktails with the thought of “I need a new expensive hobby” and wow, did he find it.  When it comes to the rest of it, SeanMike tends to enjoy just sitting behind the bar, making drinks with friends and trying to get them to try cocktails they may not have considered in the past.  He also greatly enjoys getting out to visit the various haunts, speakeasies, bars, and other wondrous places in DC, Virginia, and elsewhere to see what others are doing – and what he can get to help make his at-home bar even better.

T. Marshall Fawley III
“Scofflaw, Intoxicologist, Esquire, Historian, and Spirituous Advisor”

An attorney by training, Marshall devotes a majority of his free time to the creation, collection and education in the cocktailian arts.  An avid bourbon fan since his undergraduate days at the University of Virginia, Marshall has grown to adore and appreciate all other forms of spirituous libations, except vodka, for which he has a deep dislike and distrust.  An avid concoctioneer, Marshall loves to make various syrups and tinctures for use in his home bar.  Whether his own creations or tried and true recipes, Marshall believes that the home bartender must use the best and freshest possible ingredients in order to create not only a memorable cocktail but an experience his guests won’t soon forget.  He prides himself on learning the history of a spirit or cocktail and will be more than happy to hold court to espouse the same (sometimes solicited, most of the time not.)  Marshall is more than happy to try new places and new spirits and cocktails, but is very outspoken with his opinions, good and bad, based on his experiences.  Marshall is honored and privileged to co-host The Scofflaw’s Den and to help provide a Virginia and DC voice to the greater cocktail community.

Marshall’s Photos