Welcome to Bourbon Barrel Blurbs, where we try to keep you up-to-date on the latest news and releases in the world of bourbon and whiskey. In this edition, we have exciting updates from some of the biggest names in the industry, as well as some newer players on the scene. The New Orleans Bourbon Festival returns for its 5th installment, while Milam & Greene expands its Texas distillery. Green River Distilling Co. also expands its portfolio with a new wheated bourbon and distribution, and Humble Baron at Nearest Green Distillery features the world's longest bar. Jack Daniel's has a new addition to its annual aged series release with a 12-year-old Tennessee whiskey, while Lux Row Distillers introduces Rebel 100 Rye. Cedar Ridge also brings us a new barrel-proof bourbon, and Browne Family Vineyards expands into spirits with a new distillery. Finally, RD1 Spirits expands its bourbon distribution to Indiana, and Pinhook announces the launch of its Vertical Series Rye 7 Year.
A Timeline of All the Major Modern Kentucky Whiskey Distillery Openings
Kentucky's bourbon industry has experienced a recent boom, with the number of distilleries rising from 19 in 2009 to 95 in 2021. Many of the new distilleries pay homage to the region's history while adding their own contemporary twists through innovative aging processes and modern tasting rooms. Examples of new distilleries include Angel's Envy, New Riff Distilling, Rabbit Hole Distillery, Bardstown Bourbon Company, Castle & Key Distillery, Michter's Fort Nelson Distillery, and Lux Row Distillers. The full article can be found on VinePair.
New Orleans Bourbon Festival Returns For Its 5th Installment
The New Orleans Bourbon Festival is returning for its fifth year from March 22 to March 25, featuring a Bourbon Brawl bartender competition, VIP Welcome Reception, educational seminars, and two grand tastings. The festival offers exclusive opportunities for brown spirit enthusiasts to taste and learn about American-made whiskies from around the country, complemented by local restaurants and eateries. Attendees can interact with master distillers and like-minded enthusiasts, all while enjoying the vibrant culture and charm of New Orleans. To purchase tickets and to find more information about this year’s New Orleans Bourbon Festival, along with a complete schedule of events, go to neworleansbourbonfestival.com.
Milam & Greene Expands Texas Distillery
Milam & Greene Whiskey has completed a multi-million-dollar expansion of its distillery in Blanco, Texas, increasing production to more than 1,000 barrels per year. The expansion included new distilling equipment, a larger distillery footprint, new warehousing facilities, and an updated tasting room. The extension features a new 1,000-gallon Vendome copper pot still, new boilers, fermenters, and mash tuns. Milam & Greene Whiskey also distills whiskey at Kentucky’s Bardstown Bourbon Company using the same mash bill and yeast recipe. For the full article, click here.
KY House Passes Bill To Give Tax Break To Bourbon Industry
The Kentucky House has approved House Bill 5, which gradually lowers property tax for distilleries from 2026 to 2039. Supporters say the tax break is necessary to save jobs in a growing industry, while opponents argue that it could reduce revenue for county services, such as fire departments and sheriff's offices. Failure to provide this tax break may impact the flow of bourbon jobs and infrastructure throughout the state. For the full article, click here.
Green River Distilling Co. Expands Portfolio with Green River Wheated Bourbon and Distribution
According to their press release, Green River Distilling Co, a part of Bardstown Bourbon Company, is expanding in 2023 with two new expressions and distribution in 21 new markets. The company is introducing Green River Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon, a complement to their flagship high rye bourbon, in 25 markets across the United States. Green River Wheated is made up of 70% Kentucky-grown corn, 21% wheat, and 9% 6-row barley. It is presented at 90 proof (45% ABV) and is line priced with Green River Bourbon at a suggested retail price of $34.99.
Green River Full Proof Single Barrel, a single barrel expression of Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon presented at 119 proof (59.5% ABV), is also launching with this expansion. Each retailer will be able to hand-select their unique single barrel on-site at the historic Green River Distillery in Owensboro, KY. Green River Full Proof Single Barrel is offered at a suggested retail price of $59.99. For more information, visit greenriverspirits.com.
Introducing Humble Baron, Home Of The World’s Longest Bar
Humble Baron, home of the world's longest bar, will open on March 23, 2023, at the Nearest Green Distillery. With a length of 518-feet, the bar will have 17 stations and will offer elevated fare and hand-crafted cocktails to guests while they watch live entertainment. The venue covers more than 17,000 square feet with a capacity of 500 people indoors and more than 15,000 outdoors, and aims to be a place where "everyone has a seat at the table." For more information, visit unclenearest.com or humblebaron.com.
Jack Daniel’s Introduces New 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey in Its Annual Aged Series Release
The Jack Daniel Distillery has launched its new 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey and Batch 2 of its 10-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey as part of its annual Aged Series. The 12-Year-Old whiskey has notes of pipe tobacco, seasoned oak, and butterscotch, while the 10-Year-Old Batch 2 has an oak flavor with layers of dark fruit and bittersweet cocoa. Both whiskeys have a grain bill of 80% corn, 12% malted barley, and 8% rye and are charcoal mellowed before aging in new, toasted and charred American white oak barrels. They will be available in the US in 700 mL bottles at suggested retail prices of $80 and $70, respectively. Visit www.jackdaniels.com for more information.
Lux Row Distillers Introduces Rebel 100 Rye
Lux Row Distillers announced the newest variant in the Rebel brand family: Rebel 100 Straight Rye Whiskey. Rebel 100 Rye is set to reach retail shelves across the country later this month at a suggested retail price of $19.99 per 750 ml bottle.
Rebel 100 Straight Rye Whiskey delivers smooth, spicy rye flavor via its 51% rye, 45% corn and 4% malt mash bill. Offered at 100 proof, Rebel 100 Rye features a spicy nose that opens into rich rye flavor balanced by hints of vanilla. For more information about the company and its brands, visit Lux Row Distillers.
Cedar Ridge Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Cedar Ridge distillery in Iowa has released its new Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey, which is made of 74% corn, 14% rye, and 12% malted barley, and aged in char #3 barrels. The whiskey is non-chill filtered and has a 116-proof, making it bolder than Cedar Ridge’s “Original 86” Bourbon. The barrels age in non-climate controlled rickhouses, experiencing temperature swings of over 100 degrees each year in Iowa’s climate. The suggested retail price for the 750-ml bottle is $39.99. For more information, visit cedarridgewhiskey.com.
Browne Family Vineyards Expands Into Spirits With New Distillery
Browne Family Vineyards founder, Andrew Browne, has opened a new distillery in East Central Spokane called Browne Family Spirits. The distillery produces a range of locally sourced bourbon and rye whiskeys, as well as gin and vodka. Master distiller Aaron Kleinhelter manages the distillery and is responsible for tours, tasting, distilling, and managing the raw ingredients. The facility also includes a tasting room that offers flights, cocktails, and bottles of the Browne Family Spirits, as well as light bites such as cheese and charcuterie boards. The organization's philosophy is to try new things, and Browne is excited about the future, aiming to bring customers a unique platform that offers the full experience from harvest to the aging process. For the full story, click here.
RD1 Spirits Expands Bourbon Distribution to Indiana
Kentucky-based distillery, RD1 Spirits, has expanded its bourbon distribution beyond its home state, announcing its entry into Indiana through Republic National Distributing Company. The company will introduce two small batch products to Indiana, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (49% ALC/VOL, 98 proof, 750 ml), and Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished With French Oak (50.5% ALC/VOL, 101 proof, 750 ml), both aged over four years. RD1 has also added industry veterans to its leadership team to support sales, product development, finance, and marketing. For the full article, click here.
Pinhook Has Announced The Launch Of The Vertical Series Rye 7 Year
The Pinhook Vertical Series Rye 7 Year is a carefully crafted spirit that has been aged for seven years to achieve its distinct flavor profile. It's interesting that the only factor affecting the aroma and flavor of the spirit is the aging process, given that the mash bill, barrels, and fill dates are all the same across the releases. The blend of 28 barrels and the high proof of 105.12 certainly make it a unique and potentially bold choice for whiskey enthusiasts. The aromas of “caramel, orange zest, cedar, and clove,” followed by flavors of “chocolate, root beer, cardamom, and tobacco” sound like a complex and intriguing combination. It will be exciting to see how this latest release is received by whiskey aficionados. For more information, visit www.pinhookbourbon.com/products.
And there you have it, our roundup of the latest happenings in the bourbon and whiskey world. From exciting new releases to expansions and innovations, the industry continues to grow and evolve. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or a curious newcomer, there's always something new to discover and enjoy. Keep an eye out for these latest releases and developments, and stay tuned for more updates in the future. Cheers to a deliciously satisfying glass of bourbon or whiskey!
