Tuesday, October 18, 2022

[Review] Shady Mile High Wheat Bourbon

The “backstory” above is taken from the Shady Mile Bourbon website. I honestly have no idea if it’s true but it sounds awesome.

Now, this review has been a long time in the making. A couple of months ago Shady Mile Bourbon asked me to review their two bourbon releases. I said, "Sure, I'd be happy to" and then life got in the way. The next thing I know my wife is in the hospital and I am suffering from ongoing medical complications and I’m not allowed to drink alcohol. I finally got to where I could drink again and what do you know, it is Bourbon Heritage Month. I decided to coincide my review for Shady Mile with the opening of the NFL season. My selections for the 9th and 10th days of my 30 Days of Bourbon Challenge were the Shady Mile Wheated Bourbon and the High Rye Bourbon, respectively. I enjoyed both expressions and prepared my notes but the more I thought about it, the more I became dissatisfied with my tastings. Both bottles are young and it shows but what if I did another tasting after they had a month to… breathe?

Before I get into my actual review, let me explain how I review bottles. I like what I like. That's it. I can detect some of the different flavors and tastes but don't expect me to post a review saying I am “getting a slight hint of wet pavement with a bit of dried corn husk baking on an adobe wall in New Mexico on a Thursday” or something wild like that. I'll give you my impression, plain and simple, and there will be no sugarcoating. After all, I'm not Willy Wonka. Also while I'm at it, let's get this disclaimer out of the way.

DISCLAIMER: Samples of the products reviewed were provided by the respective company for a no strings attached review.

Now, let's get on with the review. I am extremely partial to wheated bourbons so I decided to try the Shady Mile High Wheat Bourbon first. 

  • Product: Shady Mile High Wheat Bourbon
  • Company: Specialty Cellars
  • Classification: Straight Bourbon
  • Distillery: Green River Distillery (DSP-KY-10)
  • Proof: 90 (45% ABV)
  • Mashbill: 70% corn, 21% wheat, 9% malted barley
  • Color: Medium amber
  • Price: ~$30

Method: Rested in a Glencairn for 15-20 minutes; tasted a second time after a month

Initial Tasting

Nose: Light alcohol, cinnamon, cherry with a hint of chocolate

Palate: Cherry is back along with notes of honey, caramel and vanilla

Finish: Warm lingering medium-to-long finish with a sweet pepper spiciness

Second Tasting After A Month

Nose: Still young but the alcohol has dissipated, cinnamon, cherry but the chocolate is more pronounced

Palate: Cherry is back along with notes of honey, caramel and vanilla, maybe a little tobacco and cereal 

Finish: Warm lingering medium-to-long finish with a sweet heat giving hints of cereal/bread

Conclusion: Not what I have come to expect from a wheated bourbon but it is young. The chocolate notes caught me by surprise and the caramel played well off of that. My initial impression was "it was okay" but after revisiting it a month later, I could see it becoming part of the rotation, especially future releases that will have more age to them. I'll say it gets a 3 (just barely) out of 5.


 Check back tomorrow for my Shady Mile High Rye Bourbon review. Until then...

Sunday, October 16, 2022

Bourbon Barrel Blurbs, Volume 01, Issue 17

Just in time for NFL pregame perusing, another issue of BBB is live. With blurbs on MB Roland, Willow Creek Distillery, Whiskey Thief Distilling Co., Fierce Whiskers Distillery, Woodford Reserve's Holiday Bottle, Unbound Spirits, and more, there's sure to be something to pique your interest.

MB Roland Introduces First 7-Year and 8-Year Single Barrels & Dark Fired Bourbon Returns

Images courtesy of MB Roland

The wait is finally over for two very special releases from MB Roland Distillery.

The 7-year single barrel has:

  • An earthy nose with hints of toasted marshmallow.
  • On the palate, tastes of leather, clove, and pine tickle the taste buds.
  • The medium mellow finish will leave you with notes of tobacco and anxiously awaiting your next sip.

The 8-year single barrel:

  • Graces the nose with scents of caramel, vanilla, and ginger spice.
  • Expect tastes of charred oak, rich molasses, and dark cherry.
  • The finish is long with charred oak prominent.

Hitting the MB Roland gift shop shelves on Sunday, October 16th, the 7-year single barrel is priced at $99.95 and the 8-year single barrel is $124.95. There is a limit of one bottle each per customer due to the high demand and limited supply.

Arriving to gift shop shelves in November: a very special single barrel release of fan-favorite Dark Fired Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

"This barrel aged for 4 years and is a perfect combination of smoky and sweet. Sipping on a pour is reminiscent of sitting by the campfire on a crisp Autumn evening."
Pre-orders to secure a bottle are being accepted at MB Roland's online store!
 

Willow Creek Distillery Releases Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Willow Creek Distillery Straight Bourbon

Willow Creek Distillery in Paso Robles, California, has released its first-ever straight bourbon. The artisanal spirit was aged for two years in new charred American oak barrels. The bourbon is the latest spirit to come from Willow Creek Distillery, which was established by sister winery Opolo Vineyards in 2013.

Read the full story here.

Three Boys Farm Distillery Changes Name Back To Whiskey Thief Distilling Co.

After a decade of distilling bourbon on a 127-acre working farm in Franklin County, Kentucky, Three Boys Farm Distillery is going back to its old name, Whiskey Thief Distilling Co., according to a news release. Whiskey Thief is the original brand of bourbon distilled on site. Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. is the first Kentucky distillery to offer every visitor a single-barrel experience with the opportunity to fill their own bottle. 

Read the full story here

Five Facts About Austin’s Up-And-Coming Local Distillery, Fierce Whiskers

Image courtesy of Fierce Whiskers website.

The Austin Chronicle’s Wayne Alan Brenner gives us a view of Fierce Whiskers Distillery, an "up-and-coming spirits company" at 5333 Fleming in Southeast Austin.

  1. Fierce Whiskers was founded by Houston natives Tri Vo and Tim Penney.
  2. Fierce Whiskers' bright array of equipment is anchored by a copper pot still from Vendome Copper and Brass Works out of Louisville, Kentucky.
  3. Sept. 24 of this year was the first time the company ever sold a bottle.
  4. Fierce Whiskers is often promoted as an Asian-owned business.
  5. The company's name is from a comment by Rutherford B. Hayes in 1849: "Austin is an inconsiderable village with large expectations … full of discharged 'Rangers' … costumes of every variety … fierce whiskers, gaming, and drinking very abounding in all quarters."

Read the full facts and story here.

UPROXX Ranks Every Standard Bottle Of The Jim Beam Whiskey Line

Image courtesy of Jim Beam website.

Zach Johnston with UPROXX ranks “all eight bottles of Jim Beam that you can pick up on pretty much any shelf, nationwide (and internationally), right now.”

“Look, these bottles are crazy cheap all things considered. It’s 2022 and a good $20 bottle of whiskey is getting a little harder and harder to find these days. What’s amazing about Jim Beam is that you could go to your local liquor store and buy all eight of these bottles and still spend less than what you’d likely pay for a single “premium” expression which, honestly, isn’t going to be that much better.”

Here is a look at numbers eight through five.

For the full list, including Zach's tasting notes, click here.

Woodford Reserve Unveils Their 2022 Holiday Bottle.

Woodford Reserve has introduced its 2022 Holiday Bottle in preparation of this year's gift-giving season. This edition of this yearly launch comes with a gold label. The bottle includes a festively-decorated version of Woodford Reserve's regular bourbon expression.

Woodford Reserve Holiday Bottle 2022.

“A Woodford Reserve holiday bottle is the perfect gift for any whiskey lover,” says Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris. “This bottle is guaranteed to put everyone in the holiday spirit and will stand out beautifully on a bar cart.”

With a suggested retail price of $50, the one-liter Woodford Reserve holiday bottle is offered for purchase all around the world. It may also be found on Reserve Bar.

Great Lakes Bourbon Boat?

We’ve seen river-aged whiskey, ocean-aged bourbon and whiskeys aged while being hauled in trucks across America's roadways. Now we have Great Lake-aged bourbon. Green Bay’s WBAY profiles Kerry Shaw Brown and his Unbound Spirits in Oconomowoc.

Kerry initially imagined this moment years ago, when he couldn't find the good bourbon he was looking for and began to wonder.

“Could I blend a series of bourbons and create something that was really complex and refined, but still a really smooth type of sipping bourbon,” questioned Kerry.

Image courtesy of Unbound Spirits website.

Kerry has spent the last five years making at least two dozen different batches of bourbon. He wanted an aggressive aging method, one that could age the bourbon years in just a few months. Following his ancestors path as Great Lakes captains, he turned to a charter boat, named The Kinndred. Once the six 15-gallon casks of bourbon were loaded onto The Kinndred and placed in her berth, the waves of Lake Michigan awaited. Three months later, and countless charter fishing trips by The Kinndred, the day Kerry had been waiting for was finally here.

Kerry named his whiskey The Maelstrom, a reference to the famed whirlpool off the coast of Norway known for “eating boats.”

Read the full story here.

UPROXX Blind Tasted And Ranked Affordable & Good Bourbon Whiskey

UPROXX’s Zach Johnston blind taste-tested and ranked 10 of the most recognizable and affordable bourbons on the shelf. Those cheap straight bourbons that actually win awards and make those subjective “underrated” lists all the time. These are all bottles that are also still gettable and affordable (depending on where you live). 

Bottles tested were: Maker’s Mark, Old Tub, Elijah Craig Small Batch, Wild Turkey 101, Benchmark Small Batch, Heaven Hill Old Style Bourbon 6 Years Old, Jim Beam Single Barrel, George Dickel Bourbon Whisky Aged 8 Years, Weller Special Reserve, and 1792 Small Batch.

Here's a peek at bottles 10 through 7.


For the full list, including Zach's tasting notes, click here.



Friday, October 7, 2022

Latest Buzz in the World of Mead, Volume 01, Issue 08

Hey there my fellow mead connoisseurs. We are back with another issue of the Latest Buzz. It has been a while since we’ve had an update but it’s not from lack of trying. There just doesn’t seem to be an abundance of mead news floating around out there. But I did manage to find some so without further adieu, let’s rundown the topics for this edition. Getting us started is  the announcement for Washington’s 2nd Annual Mead Fest featuring 9 different meaderies. Then we have the latest on Fitzgibbon Meadery, Loew Vineyards, W A Meadwerks, and new releases from B. Nektar. So grab your favorite mead, enjoy a quick read, and have a wonderful day! Skål!

Washington's 2nd Annual Fall Mead Festival at Skål Beer Hall


Plan on heading out to Seattle's Skål Beer Hall on Sunday, October 30th for a celebration of Washington Mead! Nine local meaderies will be on hand to pour their Fall favorites. Come mead the makers, sample a variety of meads, and take home a bottle or two! 


Participating Mead Makers include: 

Skål Beer Hall is located at 5429 Ballard Avenue Northwest, Seattle, WA 98107. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

 

Fitzgibbon Meadery Brings Authentic Mead to Ellwood City, PA

Image Courtesy of Fitzgibbon Meadery

When Eric and Misa McAnallen first met, both were into medieval culture and reenactments with a closet full of medieval costumes. On a trip to Tennessee in 2019, the pair visited a Nashville meadery (Honeytree?) which inspired them to open their own place. The two opened their own meadery to sell their products in 2020 as Fitzgibbon Meadery at 536 Lawrence Ave. in Ellwood City. Fitzgibbon Meadery is inspired by Norse and Viking mythology. “It’s not terribly realistic, but it’s fun,” Misa said. Since their opening, their products have won eight awards, including seven this year.

For the full story, click here.

MD Winemaker Creating Her Own History

Image Courtesy of Loew Vineyards

In March 1982, William and Lois Loew purchased a 37-acre tract in Frederick County, planted grapes, and by 1986, they were selling their first bottles of wine. When her grandfather died in April, Rachel Loew Lipman, 29, was already working full-time at Loew Vineyards in Mt. Airy, Maryland.

While Lois remains the winery's owner, Lipman is keen to resuscitate the business and use it as a vehicle to communicate the family story, which spans multiple generations of wine and mead producers.

So learning a few weeks ago that two of the Loew meads had been acknowledged in multiple competitions couldn't have come at a better time. Its Klara mead, named for Klara Margulies Löw, "the lovely mother of our co-founder, William Loew," was a 2022 Maryland Governor's Cup gold medal winner and the Jack Aellen Award winner for the best fruit wine, mead, or cider. Meanwhile, the Malka, a traditional mead, won a gold medal in both the Maryland Governor's Cup and the Valkyries Horn Mead competitions.

For the full story, click here.

W A Meadwerks in Lindenhurst Moving Tasting Room Into Its Production Space

Image courtesy of W A Meadwerks/Facebook

Roger Wanner, a co-founder of W A Meadwerks in Lindenhurst, NY, confirmed earlier this month his meadery is not closing, but rather relocating. W A Meadwerks will remain in Lindenhurst Village, according to Wanner, and the tasting room at 26 West Hoffman Ave. will be relocated to the company's manufacturing site at 290 N. Wellwood Ave.

Wanner stated that the intention is to fully reopen the tasting room in the North Wellwood Ave. storefront by the end of the year. Customers can also anticipate new meads, adjustments to W A Meadwerks' tasting and flight programs, as well as an expanded food menu.

Meanwhile, W A Meadwerks is planning a brunch fundraiser for the Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition, according to Wanner. The "Bees for Boobs" event will take place at W A Meadwerks' tasting room on October 23 from 1-6 p.m. Participants can enjoy mead and food, enter a 50/50 raffle, and participate in a Chinese auction.

For the full story, click here.

B. Nektar Announces New Releases


B. Nektar, everyone's favorite Ferndale, MI, meadery, announced their latest releases in an email blast.


Dark Dark Goose, 16.9% ABV
This one time, we tasted some coffee... and then we made a honey wine with the coffee... and then we aged it in a bourbon barrel... and then we went on a road trip to pick up an imperial stout barrel... and then we put it on top of the car... and then we drove home... and then we put the honey wine in the stout barrel... and it was so good... and then we made some for you.


Ain't Misb.havin', 14.4% ABV
B. Nektar's collaboration with Misbeehavin' Meadery
Starring Orange Blossom Honey, Pineapple Puree, Raspberry Puree, Raspberry Juice, Pineapple Juice, Natural Ginger Extract. Producers Brad Dahlhofer and Clint Wadsworth

Black Fang, 6% ABV
Don't be afraid. We're going to give you the choice to accept this dark gift. The mead is the life, and it can be yours. The seductive honey, clove, and orange zest penetrate the flood of blackberry in this forbidden libation. You never know what life was until it ran out in a cold black rush over your tongue. Drink up and meet your maker.


Eyeball, 16% ABV
They watch, but they do not see. They hear, but they do not listen. Don't think you are anonymous, however. Your digital fingerprints are everywhere, revealing all of your likes, fears, and secrets. Watch yourself, and stay in line. BigBrother is watching us, but are we watching him? Open your eyes and speak out.

For all the latest, or to order a bottle or five, visit B. Nektars website.

Thursday, October 6, 2022

Bourbon Barrel Blurbs, Volume 01, Issue 16

Just in time for the Major League Baseball playoffs, we are here with another edition of Bourbon Barrel Blurbs. In this BBB we have news on Uncle Nearest grabbing three Masters and a Gold; Basil Hayden Red Wine Cask Finish Bourbon; Grand Teton Distillery 8-Year Private Stock Straight Bourbon; Seven Brothers Distilling; Jack Daniel's Distillery Series releases and JD American Single Malt announcement; Sagamore Spirit's latest Reserve Series release; FEW Spirits' Rye Bottled-in-Bond; and Templeton Distillery Barrel Strength Rye Whiskey 2022. Enjoy!

Uncle Nearest Awarded Three Masters and a Gold Medal in Annual Autumn Blind Tasting Competition

Uncle Nearest Is Only American Whiskey to Win Masters Awards From the Global Spirits Masters Competition

Nearest Green Distillery's Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey is the only American whiskey to win a Master medal at The Spirits Business and The Drinks Business Annual Autumn Blind Tasting. The producer picked up the top award for Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey, found to have a “lovely depth and richness mid-palate, very long finish with nice woody notes”. Uncle Nearest Uncut & Unfiltered Straight Rye Whiskey also took home a Master medal. The whiskey was described as having “very rich cocoa notes” with “pear, caramel and flower notes”. Master medalist Uncle Nearest Master Blender Edition Batch 012 was celebrated for its “big sweet and smoke” aromas, leading to “fruitiness and wood character” on the palate. Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey was awarded Gold and described as having a "sweet palate with a long and luscious finish". In 2022 alone, the brand has so far won 159 medals including 18 Best in Class awards, with an average critic score of 92 points. The permanent portfolio of Uncle Nearest will expand by three additional premium whiskeys before the end of 2022. "From the moment I accepted this mission and embraced that whiskey has always been in my blood, I knew we were about to do something never before seen," says Master Blender Victoria Eady Butler.

For more information, including full results, click here.

Basil Hayden Releasing Red Wine Cask-Finished Bourbon

 Image courtesy of Basil Hayden

James B. Beam Distilling Co.'s eighth-generation master distiller Freddie Noe, the creator of the excellent Little Book blends, has taken regular Basil Hayden and blended it with bourbon that was partially aged in California red wine barrels. Basil Hayden Red Wine Cask Finish (SRP $59.99). Noe said "We continue to reach new audiences with the unexpected addition of a red wine cask finish."

For more information, including a review, click here.

Grand Teton Distillery Releases 8-Year Private Stock Straight Bourbon

Grand Teton Distillery’s Private Stock series

Aged since 2014, this is the longest-aged whiskey to be released from an Idaho distillery to date. This release is the second in Grand Teton Distillery's Private Stock series, following last fall's release of Straight Corn Whiskey. Only 16 barrels of this limited-release spirit are for sale. A caramel colored, rich-tasting whiskey, Grand Teton's 8-Year Straight Bourbon is best served neat.

Product specs include:

  • 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% barley
  • 750ml bottles
  • 100 proof, 50% ABV
  • Suggested retail price, $79.95

This bourbon, now available at the distillery, can be purchased online and is available at select retailers throughout the West while supplies last.

For more information, click here.

Ohio’s Seven Brothers Distilling Opens New Tasting Room, Larger Distillery

Image courtesy of Seven Brothers Distilling Co.

Seven Brothers Distilling Co. has moved from Leroy Township in Lake County to Harpersfield Township in Ashtabula County. The distillery now has a 1,800-square-foot tasting room and more than quadrupled its production space. Visitors can sample spirits, quaff craft cocktails and buy bottles to go at the new facility. Not far from the stills are racks of 10- and 30-gallon white oak barrels aging Seven Brothers' first bourbon – a wheated bourbon -- which will be released at a tasting event before the holidays.  Sure espresso and cinnamon vodkas are common, but it's rare to find a Palo Santo gin or a gin aged in pinot noir wine barrels.

For the full story, click here.

Jack Daniel’s Unveils Two New Cask-Finished Rye Whiskeys - Single Malt on the Way

 Image courtesy of Jack Daniel's

Jack Daniel's has gone well beyond its classic Old No. 7 Tennessee whiskey over the past few years, releasing excellent new expressions that are innovative in flavor, maturation, and style. The whiskeys are part of the experimental Distillery Series, which used to be called the Tennessee Tasters' Selection. Each was specially selected by an important wife and husband team at the distillery - assistant distiller Lexie Phillips and taster Josh Phillips. Lexie's pick is the Toasted Barrel Finish Rye, a straight Tennessee rye whiskey originally barreled in the summer of 2014 and then re-barreled into toasted (not charred) new barrels in October of 2019. Josh's pick is the Toasted Maple Barrel Rye, a straight Tennessee rye whiskey barreled in March of 2017 and then re-barreled into toasted (not charred) maple barrels in September of 2021.

 Image courtesy of Jack Daniel's

The Jack Daniel Distillery is also releasing the new Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt is made with 100% malted barley and matured in new charred American oak barrels for five years and finished in oloroso Sherry casks for two years and eight months. This whiskey will only be available in travel retail, and it won't arrive until June of 2023.

For the full story, click here.

Sagamore Spirit Announced the Latest Release in Its Limited Edition Reserve Series

Image courtesy of Sagamore Spirit

Sagamore Spirit announced the latest release in its Reserve Series: Sherry Finish Rye Whiskey. The distillery's four-year-old straight rye whiskey was aged for an additional 18 months in 132-gallon PX Sherry barrels. It has velvety notes of toasted almond, dried fig, candied orange peel, and soft spice. Sagamore Spirit Reserve Series Sherry Finish Rye Whiskey is available nationwide in 750-ml bottles at a suggested retail price of $79.

For the full story, click here.

FEW Spirits Announces FEW Rye Whiskey Bottled in Bond

Image courtesy of FEW Spirits

FEW Rye Whiskey Bottled-In-Bond is a four-year-old, limited-release bottling and will be available beginning in October. FEW Spirits is a distillery built on a spirit of defiance in the cradle of the Temperance Movement. "And, of course, we'll continue to release bottled-in-bond products as well as new, innovative, and sometimes quirky releases that FEW has become known for producing," said FEW Spirits founder Paul Hletko.

FEW Rye Whiskey Bottled-In-Bond by the numbers:

  • 1,200 initial cases
  • 750 ml bottles
  • Bottled at 100 proof/50% ABV under the guidelines of the US Bottled-In-Bond Act of 1897
  • Mashbill: 70% Rye, 20% Corn, 10% Malted Barley
  • Aged in new, charred American oak barrels for a minimum of 4 years
  • Initial availability: AZ, CA, CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, KY, MA, MD, MN, NY, TX, WI
  • SRP: $50

For the full story, click here.

Templeton Distillery Releases Barrel Strength Rye Whiskey 2022

Image courtesy of Templeton Distillery

Templeton Distillery, an award-winning, state-of-the-art distillery producing high-quality rye whiskey, launches the 2022 edition of their Barrel Strength expression. Each edition celebrates the exceptional aging casks that are currently maturing at the Templeton, Iowa distillery. "We're delighted to share this new Barrel Strength 2022 expression with the world of our fans who seek a quality rye," says Blair Woodall, Senior Vice President of Templeton Distillery.

Tasting Notes:

  • Aroma: Intense aromatics, succulent exotic fruit and honey with decadent aromas of toasted oak
  • Palate: Rich and fully rounded with sweet notes of sugar-dusted raisins, subtle dark chocolate, complimented spectacularly by black pepper spiciness
  • Finish: Long and lingering with a warming balance of wood spice and dried summer fruits that slowly fades to delicate notes of spiced ginger and oak

To read more, click here.

 



Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Bourbon Barrel Blurbs, Volume 01, Issue 15

I'm back with another BBB. This edition features blurbs on Remus Gatsby Reserve, High West, 2022 Van Winkle Collection, Garrison Brothers' 2022 Cowboy Bourbon, Knob Creek 18 Year Old Expression, Booking Kentucky Bourbon Trail Distillery Tours in Advance, and Company Distilling's First Limited Release.

Ross & Squibb Announces Remus Gatsby Reserve

Ross & Squibb Remus Gatsby Reserve.

Ross & Squibb Distillery, formerly MGP, has launched its new Remus Gatsby Reserve. The 15-year-old straight bourbon is created to celebrate F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel, The Great Gatsby. Made by master distiller Ian Stirsman and his team at the Lawrenceburg, IN distillery, it retails for a suggested $199.99 per 750-ml bottle. "The Remus Bourbon brand is inspired by the finest bourbon of the Prohibition era, and The Great Gatsby offers arguably the most well-known depiction of those times," adds Shanae Randolph, Brand Manager for Remus Bourbon. 

Read the full story here.

High West Releases the 10th Edition of Its Coveted Shakespeare-Inspired Whiskey

Photo Credit: High West

Utah's High West Distillery has announced the launch of the tenth edition of its limited-release A Midwinter Night's Dram Act 10, a blend of rye whiskeys finished in tawny and ruby port barrels. The 2022 release will be bottled at 98.6 proof and is a distillery-only release with an SRP of $150. And to celebrate a decade of this Shakespeare-inspired spirit, the distillery is also releasing A Midwinter Night's Dram: The Encore, an even more limited limited-release that was finished in white port barrels.

Read the full story here.

Buffalo Trace Unveils 2022 Van Winkle Collection

Buffalo Trace has unveiled their 2022 collection of Van Winkle whiskeys. The wheated recipe allows for longer aging, in some cases two decades or more, than the traditional rye recipe used in most bourbons. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the partnership between the Van Winkle family and Buffalo Trace Distillery.

The 2022 Van Winkle collection release consists of:

  • Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade Bourbon 10-Year-Old (107 proof, suggested retail price: $69.99 per 750-ml. bottle.)
  • Van Winkle Special Reserve Bourbon 12-Year-Old (90.4 proof, SRP: $79.99)
  • Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13-Year-Old (95.6 proof, SRP: $119.99)
  • Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 15-Year-Old (107 proof, SRP: $119.99)
  • Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 20-Year-Old (90.4 proof, SRP: $199.99)
  • Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 23-Year-Old (95.6 proof, SRP: $299.99)
The W.L. Weller Bourbons were formally produced by the Van Winkle family until 1972, when the Weller brand was sold, and eventually acquired by Buffalo Trace Distillery. "The best chance to find our products at a fair price is through lotteries offered by many retailers, where fans have a chance to buy our bourbon at MSRP. Many of these lotteries benefit charities, so it's a win-win for everyone," said founder Robert van Winkle. Enthusiasts are also reminded to avoid online resellers such as private Facebook groups and Craigslist.

Read more here.

Garrison Brothers' Boozy New Cowboy Bourbon

 Photo Credit: Garrison Brothers

The 2022 edition of Garrison Brothers’ new Cowboy Bourbon clocks in at 134.8 proof, a big, bold, brash bourbon for cowboys, cowgirls and everyone in between. Garrison Brothers, Texas' first legal distillery, is located in the town of Hye just a little over an hour west of Austin in the Hill Country. Cowboy Bourbon is an annual release, and what sets it apart from Garrison Brothers' other bourbon expressions is that it's older and is bottled uncut and unfiltered. That proof is also the result of the intense Texas heat that the whiskey is subjected to as it ages.

Read more here.

Knob Creek Unveils 18 Year Old Expression

 Photo Credit: Beam Suntory

Knob Creek Bourbon, a leader in the Small Batch Bourbon category, announced the addition of a new, limited-edition bourbon to its portfolio: Knob Creek 18 Year Old.  "As we celebrate 30 years of Knob Creek, it's clear to me that Dad was ahead of his time in creating innovative expressions with big, bold flavors that defined pre-prohibition whiskey," said Fred Noe, Booker Noe's son and Seventh Generation Master Distiller.

Aged twice as long as its flagship bourbon and bottled at 100 proof, Knob Creek 18 Year Old offers a complex, yet balanced, liquid due to its mature age. This latest release comes just in time to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Small Batch Bourbon Collection.

Knob Creek 18 Year Old is bottled with the following characteristics:

  • Proof: 100; 
  • Color:  Rich copper tones with auburn hues;
  • Aroma: Brown sugar and aged oak.
  • Taste: Full-bodied with notes of caramelized oak and hints of sweet vanilla and baking spices;
  • SRP: $169.99 for a 750mL bottle.

Read more here.

Kentucky Bourbon Trail Distilleries Recommend Booking Tours in Advance

Anticipating a new milestone, the Kentucky Distillers' Association (KDA) has launched a campaign asking people to "Book Now, Bourbon Later". In addition to social media and blog content created by the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, participating distilleries will also promote the campaign.  This thrilling milestone for Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® distilleries will likely exceed the record 1.7 million combined visits set in 2019, prior to pandemic shutdowns.  Many distilleries share availability, events and resources on social media to help visitors keep up with important updates.

"Kentucky's Bourbon culture is unlike anything in the world, and it deserves to be upheld with the utmost respect and appreciation," says Angel’s Envy brand home general manager Dee Ford. "Since most of our larger brands cannot accommodate walk-in visitors, reservations are the key to a successful Kentucky Bourbon adventure."

Read more here.

Company Distilling Launched Its First Limited Release

Company Distilling Cask Strength Bourbon

Company Distilling launched its first Limited Release: Cask Strength Bourbon on September 29, 2022. The Tennessee distillery listened to fan demand for a cask strength bourbon after the successful release of their Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished with Maple Wood in November of 2021. All 350 commemorative gift packages sold out within the first 36 hours of the pre-sale. Company Distilling's Cask Strength Bourbon is an approachable and balanced original wheated bourbon recipe uncut for maximum flavor with a bold maple finish.  "We're on the heels of opening both of our distilleries in Thompson's Station and Townsend, TN, and now we're able to add an additional product to our portfolio lineup," said Company Distilling Master Distiller, Jeff Arnett.

More information, including tasting notes and wait list signup, available here.



Wednesday, September 28, 2022

[Press Release] Wild Turkey® Launches Master's Keep Unforgotten

Master's Keep Unforgotten - Inspired by a Decade-old Mistake


Master's Keep Unforgotten is a high proof, extra-aged variation of Wild Turkey Forgiven, a limited-edition whiskey blend originally released in 2010

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky., Sept. 28, 2022 /CNW/ -- Wild Turkey Master's Keep Unforgotten, the newest release in the annual limited-edition series, was inspired by a fortuitous and unexpected co-mingling of young rye and mature bourbon released more than a decade ago. Master Distiller Eddie Russell has resurrected the memory of that release, Wild Turkey Forgiven, with the release of Master's Keep Unforgotten, a high proof, extra-aged variation of the harmonious blend of straight bourbon and rye whiskies. The unconventional and complex liquid serves as a testimony to Eddie's experience and the legacy of Wild Turkey as one of the few Kentucky distilleries that have remained dedicated to the art of making rye whiskey, alongside its renowned bourbons.

The idea to marry straight bourbon and rye whiskies of Wild Turkey Distilling Co. was born in 2010 when a crew member accidentally mixed a batch of young rye with a barrel of mature bourbon. Upon tasting the co-mingled whiskeys, Master Distiller Eddie Russell realized he had something very special on his hands. Rather than discard the serendipitous mistake, the Distillery celebrated it, bottling the whiskey for a limited time, and fittingly naming it Forgiven

The award-winning Master's Keep series was first launched in 2015 with Master's Keep 17 Year and was inspired by Eddie Russell's desire to push the boundaries of traditional Wild Turkey bourbon making, by experimenting with aging techniques and finishes.  At 105 proof, Master's Keep Unforgotten is made from some of the oldest rye ever released by Wild Turkey and is characterized by unmistakable notes of fresh fruit – flavors rarely exhibited in such mature liquid. The extra aging time in rye casks honors the storied history of American rye production, while offering a distinct experience that is sure to surprise and delight.

"Twelve years ago, I tasted the result of the distillery mishap that would become Wild Turkey Forgiven and was amazed. It was unlike anything I had ever tasted before, and I knew we had stumbled upon something special," says Wild Turkey's Master Distiller Eddie Russell. "Master's Keep Unforgotten pays homage to this happy accident, perfected with a secondary rye barrel aging in our pre-prohibition Rickhouse B – the favorite of my father, Master Distiller Jimmy Russell."

Staying true to the spirit and distilling traditions that have defined Wild Turkey for the last 80 years, Unforgotten honors the storied history of American rye production through a bourbon lens. On the nose, the magnificent marriage of 13-year-old bourbon and 8- & 9-year-old rye is fruit-forward with notes of caramel and oak. On the palate, the flavor profile consists of a swirl of caramel, dried fruit, and sweet oak - complemented by notes of dried fruit, honey, black pepper, and baking spice from the 8- and 9-year-old ryes on the finish. 

With a suggested retail price of $200, Master's Keep Unforgotten will be available for a limited time at select retailers. For more information, please visit www.wildturkey.com.

About Wild Turkey

The distillery for Wild Turkey Bourbon is located in Kentucky, situated on a deep limestone shelf on the Kentucky River. The shelf acts as a natural filter and provides the distillery with crystal clear water, vital to making such a high-quality product. Wild Turkey features the legendary father and son Master Distilling team of Jimmy and Eddie Russell, who have over 100 years of collective experience working at the Wild Turkey distillery.

The famous Wild Turkey brand name first came about back in 1940 when distillery executive Thomas McCarthey took a few warehouse samples on a Wild Turkey hunting trip with a group of friends. The following year, his friends asked him for "some of that Wild Turkey whiskey" and the brand was born.

Wild Turkey is distilled and put into new oak barrels at a much lower ABV than most bourbons. This results in a much richer flavor, as less is cooked out during the production process. Ageing in the highest quality new American oak barrels with the heaviest char available (the Number 4 "alligator" char), imparts a smooth flavor and deep amber color to the whiskey. The barrels are filled at the distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Website: wildturkey.com.

About Campari Group

Campari Group is a major player in the global spirits industry, with a portfolio of over 50 premium and super premium brands, spreading across Global, Regional and Local priorities.

Global Priorities, the Group's key focus, include Aperol, Appleton Estate, Campari, SKYY, Wild Turkey and Grand Marnier.

The Group was founded in 1860 and today is the sixth-largest player worldwide in the premium spirits industry. It has a global distribution reach, trading in over 190 nations around the world with leading positions in Europe and the Americas.

The Group's growth strategy aims to combine organic growth through strong brand building and external growth via selective acquisitions of brands and businesses.

Headquartered in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy, Campari Group owns 22 plants worldwide and has its own distribution network in 23 countries. The Group employs approximately 4,000 people.

The shares of the parent company, Davide Campari-Milano N.V. (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM), have been listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001.

SOURCE: Wild Turkey

CONTACT: Maddie Bell, Allison+Partners, WildTurkey@allisonpr.com, 503-290-7317



Sunday, September 25, 2022

2022 Mazer Cup International Mead Competition Results


The Mazer Cup International Mead Competition (MCI) was held September September 13th - 17th, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. This competition is produced and operated by mead-lovers and enthusiasts from across the USA who want to see mead restored to its rightful place as a mainstream beverage everyone can enjoy. The competition featured a Home Competition as well as a Commercial Competition. Medals were awarded for dry, semi, and sweet with the addition of two special categories for session and barrel aged meads.

Mazer Cup Home Competition

Best of Show – Home

PlaceBrewerEntry NameStyleClub
1stPavel AnisimovSmashing PassionMelomel - DryDiablo Order of Zymiracle...

Winners - Home Competition

Table 1: Traditional - Dry (26 entries)

PlaceBrewerEntry NameStyleClub
1stAdam BystromQuince CharmingDry MeadMinnesota Home Brewers...
2ndJarrett LongIt's A Dry TupeDry MeadHorsemen of the Hopocalypse
3rdJed JohnsonOb Is The OgDry Mead 

Table 2: Traditional - Semi Sweet (22 entries)

PlaceBrewerEntry NameStyleClub
1stJosh HolbrookAussie Aussie Aussie!Semi-Sweet MeadBlue Ox Brewers Society
2ndAllen MartinWayne Gibbons Sweet CloverSemi-Sweet MeadArizona Society of...
3rdJeremy OlsenMarmeleiro BlossomSemi-Sweet MeadSaint Paul Homebrewers...

Table 3: Traditional - Sweet (25 entries)

PlaceBrewerEntry NameStyleClub
1stBrian StephensBlended Sweet TradSweet MeadKeepers of Craft
2ndJeremy KlausingHated In The NationSweet MeadCircle City Zymurgy
3rdMark Fitzsimmons2021 Ceanothus TradSweet MeadMaltose Falcons

Table 4: Cyser (29 entries)

PlaceBrewerEntry NameStyleClub
1stAndrzej KozakDomaslawskie Jablko 2CyserPolski Miód Pitny
2ndAdam BystromAloha Wisconsin!CyserMinnesota Home Brewers...
3rdJosh MahoneyPommes CyserMinnesota Home Brewers...

Table 5: Pyment (26 entries)

PlaceBrewerEntry NameStyleClub
1stBill BoyerQuest For The Holy GrailPymentNorth Georgia Malt...
2ndAdam BystromRiesling The Kraken!PymentMinnesota Home Brewers...
3rdBill BoyerSir Lancelot The Brave V4.0PymentNorth Georgia Malt...

Table 6: Stone Fruit (20 entries)

PlaceBrewerEntry NameStyleClub
1stKyle DucharmeBurtt Cerise Stone Fruit MeadGreen Mountain Mashers
2ndDustin DeisherImpeachment Of Mr. Anderson Stone Fruit MeadLincoln Lagers
3rdAndrzej KozakBarrel Aged Buckwheat Cherry DwojniakStone Fruit MeadPolski Miód Pitny

Table 7: Berry - Dry and Semi (24 entries)

PlaceBrewerEntry NameStyleClub
1stAllen MartinBlueberry MfBerry - SemiArizona Society of...
2ndMike JonesI Find It CharmingBerry - Semi 
3rdBrent BeckerI Am The Highway Berry - Semi 

Table 8: Berry - Sweet (19 entries)

PlaceBrewerEntry NameStyleClub
1stBrent BeckerErzbergrodeoBerry - Sweet 
2ndDavid GenslerSweet Tart Cherry-BerryBerry - SweetFrogtown Hoppers
3rdEric TaborGo Blue! / Michigan BlueberryBerry - SweetKeepers of Craft

Table 9: Melomel - Dry (10 entries)

PlaceBrewerEntry NameStyleClub
1stPavel AnisimovSmashing PassionMelomel - DryDiablo Order of Zymiracle...
2ndAllen MartinCry MelMelomel - DryArizona Society of...
3rdChristian SchnellerNicks Wedding Mead Melomel - Dry 

Table 10: Melomel - Semi (19 entries)

PlaceBrewerEntry NameStyleClub
1stAdam BystromHeartbreakerMelomel - SemiMinnesota Home Brewers...
2ndAdam BystromHala KahikiMelomel - SemiMinnesota Home Brewers...
3rdNathan ZangmeisterPugh PearMelomel - Semi 

Table 11: Melomel - Sweet (18 entries)

PlaceBrewerEntry NameStyleClub
1stDan McnevinUnpearableMelomel - SweetSouth Shore Brew Club
2ndBrent BeckerPurity Control "Kecksburg Ufo"Melomel - Sweet 
3rdBrent BeckerSaddle Up Or Settle Down Melomel - Sweet 

Table 12: Fruit and Spice Mead - Dry and Semi (31 entries)

PlaceBrewerEntry NameStyleClub
1stJosh HolbrookKung Pao CherryFruit and Spice Mead - SemiBlue Ox Brewers Society
2ndJeremy KlausingMaidenlessFruit and Spice Mead - SemiCircle City Zymurgy
3rdMatthew MeadPolynesian PearlFruit and Spice Mead - SemiMichigan Mead Coalition

Table 13: Fruit and Spice Mead - Sweet (28 entries)

PlaceBrewerEntry NameStyleClub
1stAndrzej KozakHeaven Is A Place On EarthFruit and Spice Mead - SweetPolski Miód Pitny
2ndNick FerndinoCherry PiFruit and Spice Mead - SweetModern Mead Makers
3rdBrian StephensChoco-Bout ItFruit and Spice Mead - SweetKeepers of Craft

Table 14: Experimental Mead - Dry and Semi (24 entries)

PlaceBrewerEntry NameStyleClub
1stMatthew MeadIt's 5 O'Clock Somewhere!Experimental Mead - SemiMichigan Mead Coalition
2ndCurtis MechefskeMaple Pecan Pie MeadExperimental Mead - Semi 
3rdDan McnevinNot Tonight HoneyExperimental Mead - SemiSouth Shore Brew Club

Table 15: Experimental Mead - Sweet (28 entries)

PlaceBrewerEntry NameStyleClub
1stNick FerndinoLeo's MaineExperimental Mead - SweetModern Mead Makers
2ndPeter RuvalcabaIvan The Purple ( Blueberry Port...Experimental Mead - Sweet 
3rdRichard FurlongChocolate Cherry BochetExperimental Mead - SweetHogtown Brewers

Table 16: Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Mead - Dry and Semi (28 entries)

PlaceBrewerEntry NameStyleClub
1stJosh HolbrookJust The TipsSpice, Herb, or Vegetable Mead...Blue Ox Brewers Society
2ndAdam BystromTechno VikingSpice, Herb, or Vegetable Mead...Minnesota Home Brewers...
3rdLouis MillerBlack SowSpice, Herb, or Vegetable Mead... 

Table 17: Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Mead - Sweet (20 entries)

PlaceBrewerEntry NameStyleClub
1stJosh HolbrookAvocado CacaoSpice, Herb, or Vegetable Mead...Blue Ox Brewers Society
2ndMark FitzsimmonsCandy Cap NectarSpice, Herb, or Vegetable Mead...Maltose Falcons
3rdMichael RiveraPurple Midnight MajestySpice, Herb, or Vegetable Mead...Strand Brewers Club

Table 18: Barrel Aged (18 entries)

PlaceBrewerEntry NameStyleClub
1stAndrzej KozakPurgatory MagnifiedBarrel AgedPolski Miód Pitny
2ndJeremy KlausingBeyond Beliefs Barrel AgedCircle City Zymurgy
3rdNick FerndinoBobby BochetBarrel AgedModern Mead Makers

Table 19: Session (19 entries)

PlaceBrewerEntry NameStyleClub
1stAllen MartinSession PymentSession - SemiArizona Society of...
2ndPavel AnisimovGuava LightSession - SemiDiablo Order of Zymiracle...
3rdBill BoyerThe Black Knights Left ArmSession DryNorth Georgia Malt...

Table 20: Historical (11 entries)

PlaceBrewerEntry NameStyleClub
1stAmy OlsenBuck-Cherry DwojniakHistorical MeadMichigan Mead Coalition
2ndHirendu VaishnavDwojniak 2Historical MeadDiablo Order of Zymiracle...
3rdPavel AnisimovDwójniak Wiśniak Od PawłaHistorical MeadDiablo Order of Zymiracle...

Table 21: Braggot (12 entries)

PlaceBrewerEntry NameStyleClub
1stPavel AnisimovMy 4th Cup For Braggots At McIBraggotDiablo Order of Zymiracle...
2ndJosh MahoneyVague Blend BraggotMinnesota Home Brewers...
3rdJosh MahoneyArrow To The KneeBraggotMinnesota Home Brewers...

Mazer Cup Commercial Competition

Best of Show – Commercial

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stSecond City Meadery, Inc.Assigned SeatingBerry - Sweet

Winners - Commercial Competition

Table 1: Traditional - Dry (13 entries)

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stPirtle WinerySparkling TradDry Mead
2ndPirtle WineryDry TradDry Mead
3rdKinsale MeadDry TraditionalDry Mead

Table 2: Traditional - Semi-Sweet (12 entries)

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stArtivem Mead Co.Resplendent QuetzalSemi-Sweet Mead
2ndBee & Brew Inc.Fate Of The GodsSemi-Sweet Mead
3rdWandering BardOrange BlossomSemi-Sweet Mead

Table 3: Traditional - Sweet (15 entries)

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stSecond City Meadery, Inc.The Central Finite MeadSweet Mead
2ndAugustowska Miodosytnia Paweł Kotwica Piotr Piłasiewicz S.C.Augustowski Trójniak (Wczesny)Sweet Mead
3rdTreehive Sunny Bear Sweet Mead

Table 4: Cyser (12 entries)

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stTentaka Shuzo Co., Ltd.Tentaka Mead Honey And AppleCyser
2ndBlisspoint MeaderyOrchardCyser
3rdHonig GourmetHonig GourmetCyser

Table 5: Pyment (11 entries)

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stBluewood BrewingSomm Series SyrahPyment
2ndManic MeaderyFoxy Mountain Pyment
3rdLost Cause MeaderyTruth & MalicePyment

Table 6: Stone Fruit (6 entries)

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stHoneybound MeaderyKnot Your Average PlumStone Fruit Mead
2ndCharm City MeadworksWhite PeachStone Fruit Mead
3rdSlaymaker CellarTart Cherry MelomelStone Fruit Mead

Table 7: Berry - Dry (8 entries)

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stFunktastic Meads KBerry - Dry
2ndSeattle Mead CompanyBlackberry - Black CurrantBerry - Dry
3rdSecond City Meadery, Inc.Black Raspberry AngelicBerry - Dry

Table 8: Berry - Semi (14 entries)

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stSeattle Mead CompanyBallard BerryBerry - Semi
2ndBlue Honey LlcThat's My JamBerry - Semi
3rdBlue Honey LlcRaspiseBerry - Semi

Table 9: Berry - Sweet (13 entries)

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stSecond City Meadery, Inc.Assigned SeatingBerry - Sweet
2ndFour Fires MeaderyCloak & DaggerBerry - Sweet
3rdManic MeaderyElliotBerry - Sweet

Table 10: Melomel - Dry (4 entries)

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stKinsale MeadBerry MelomelMelomel - Dry
2ndDeception CellarsRed Blend 3Melomel - Dry
3rdDeception CellarsRed Blend 2Melomel - Dry

Table 11: Melomel - Semi (10 entries)

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stMidwest MeadwerksTriskelion Batch 3Melomel - Semi
2ndLost Cause MeaderyLe RougeMelomel - Semi
3rdDeception CellarsRed Blend 4Melomel - Semi

Table 12: Melomel - Sweet (11 entries)

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stPye Road MeadworksArrangement of BeliefsMelomel - Sweet
2ndLost Cause MeaderyHeavy MeadowMelomel - Sweet
3rdManiacal Mead Company Heir To the Heart Melomel - Sweet

Table 13: Fruit and Spice - Dry (7 entries)

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stDeception CellarsChocolat FructusFruit and Spice Mead - Dry
2ndThe Mead Werks At Wilderbee FarmMango! Mango! Mango!Fruit and Spice Mead - Dry
3rdCharm City MeadworksMango ComapenoFruit and Spice Mead - Dry

Table 14: Fruit and Spice - Semi (21 entries)

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stArtivem Mead Co.Ba White GoshawkFruit and Spice Mead - Semi
2ndGaragiste MeaderyEvil Mjød Fruit and Spice Mead - Semi
3rdLost Cause MeaderyHäxa RödFruit and Spice Mead - Semi

Table 15: Fruit and Spice - Sweet (21 entries)

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stSeattle Mead CompanyChocolate BerryFruit and Spice Mead - Sweet
2ndFour Fires MeaderyCranbaneroFruit and Spice Mead - Sweet
3rdCapital Hive MeaderyCyserFruit and Spice Mead - Sweet

Table 16: Spice, Herb, or Vegetable - Dry and Semi (9 entries)

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stBlue Honey LlcHoney LavenderSpice, Herb, or Vegetable Mead...
2ndSilver Hand MeaderyToday Is the GreatestSpice, Herb, or Vegetable Mead...
3rdMcKinley's MeaderyVaniteaSpice, Herb, or Vegetable Mead...

Table 17: Spice, Herb, or Vegetable - Sweet (11 entries)

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stLost Cause MeaderyNine DeathsSpice, Herb, or Vegetable Mead...
2ndNidhoggr Mead Co. LtdElderflower MeadSpice, Herb, or Vegetable Mead...
3rdFour Fires MeaderyLost In TranslationSpice, Herb, or Vegetable Mead...

Table 18: Braggot (9 entries)

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stHorus Aged AlesOtherness TwoBraggot
2ndObscurityGood KissBraggot
3rdHorus Aged AlesOtherness OneBraggot

Table 19: Historical (2 entries)

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stTentaka Shuzo Co., Ltd.Tentaka MeadHistorical Mead
2ndGreat Mead Hall and Brewing CompanyMaillardHistorical Mead

Table 20: Barrel Aged (33 entries)

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stHoney Pot MeaderyWaxwingBarrel Aged
2ndAntelope Ridge MeadTime & SpaceBarrel Aged
3rdManiacal Mead Company Ba Serpent’s Deed Barrel Aged

Table 21: Session Dry (4 entries)

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stAugustowska Miodosytnia Paweł Kotwica Piotr Piłasiewicz S.C.Berryland RevangeSession Dry
2ndSierra Foothills MeaderyChai MeSession Dry
3rdCharm City MeadworksOut of Left FieldSession Dry

Table 22: Session - Semi (15 entries)

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stSupersition MeaderyBeeliniSession - Semi
2ndSeattle Mead CompanyFerry Line WineSession - Semi
3rdÖldurRjóðSession - Semi

Table 23: Session - Sweet (6 entries)

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stAntelope Ridge MeadConflux: Pb&j GrapeSession - Sweet
2ndUnpossible MeadMega MemeSession - Sweet
3rdManic MeaderyScarletSession - Sweet

Table 24: Varietal Honey (14 entries)

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stGaragiste MeaderyMamaneVarietal Honey - Semi
2ndAugustowska Miodosytnia Paweł Kotwica Piotr Piłasiewicz S.C.Augustowski Trójniak (późny)Varietal Honey - Sweet
3rdGaragiste MeaderySnowberry Varietal Honey - Sweet

Table 25: Experimental - Dry and Semi (11 entries)

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stSupersition MeaderyAmanteExperimental Mead - Semi
2ndArtivem Mead Co.Captain MagpieExperimental Mead - Semi
3rdHonig GourmetBlack GourmetExperimental Mead - Semi

Table 26: Experimental - Sweet (16 entries)

PlaceOrganizationEntry NameStyle
1stHoney Pot MeaderyMiami Missed ConnectionsExperimental Mead - Sweet
2ndAntelope Ridge MeadAnd Then He Served Us Blueberry...Experimental Mead - Sweet
3rdHoney Pot MeaderyBba 3 MuscateersExperimental Mead - Sweet

Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to all the participants for helping to spread the word of this wonderful libation called mead.