Bourbon Barrel Blurbs, Volume 01, Issue 14

Hope you are enjoying Bourbon Heritage Month. It's been a bit but we are back with another BBB. This edition features blurbs/links on Woodford Reserve Distillery, Hirsch Whiskey, O.H. Ingram, Talnua, Chattanooga Whiskey, Eagle Rare, Fresh Bourbon, Dancing Goat, Blue Run Spirits, and much, much more.

A Day on the Trail: Woodford Reserve Distillery Will Have You Seeing Double with Expansion to 6 Gorgeous Copper Pot Stills

• O.H. Ingram ‘River Aged’ Flagship Bourbon Boasts A Fascinating Maturation Process

• Chattanooga Whiskey Announced the Next Release in Its Bottled in Bond Series: Fall 2018 Vintage 

Hotaling & Co.’s Hirsch Whiskey Brand Has Introduced The Bivouac Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Distilled in Bardstown, Kentucky, 95% of the blend has a mashbill of 74% corn, 18% rye, and 8% malted barley, while 5% of the blend is distilled from a high malted barley mash aged for at least eight years. The custom mashbill is inspired by the A.H. Hirsch 16-Year-old Reserve. Retailing for a suggested price of $55, The Bivouac is currently in select markets, with national availability as of October 1

• UPROXX Blind Tasting The Best Bourbon Whiskeys Made Outside Of Kentucky 

• Condé Nast Traveler - How to Sip Your Way Through Kentucky's Lesser-Known Bourbon Trail 

Jim Beam to Invest $400m in Bourbon-to-biogas Project

As part of a $400m investment into the expansion of production at its Booker Noe distillery in Boston, Kentucky, Jim Beam bourbon whiskey producer Beam Suntory will also build a facility to convert spent grains into biogas.

• 10 Things You Should Know About Eagle Rare Bourbon 
  

• All of the Best Whiskey to Drink in 2022 According to VinePair

• Fresh Bourbon Opens Tasting Room in Lexington 

New Liberty Distillery Announces Launch of Bloody Butcher Sour Mash Straight Bourbon Whiskey 

New Liberty Distillery is thrilled to announce the release of Bloody Butcher Sour Mash Straight Bourbon Whiskey, aged for three years and distilled using heritage grains including bright-red Pennsylvania corn varietals, malted rye, and malted barley using a sourdough starter from local breadbasket High Street Philly. Ringing in at 47.5% (95 proof), Bloody Butcher Sour Mash Bourbon is now available in a 200ml size for $24.99 across the state of Pennsylvania. Created from a base of 70% Bloody Butcher corn, 27% malted rye, and 3% malted barley, the spirit pulls aromas that are reminiscent of leather tobacco pouches, pound cake, and dried leaves. Its palate notes are hearty, with starting hints of spice that round off into a warm autumn reminder of an apple cinnamon doughnut, dusted with nutmeg and crystalized sugar. Bloody Butcher Sour Mash Bourbon is best enjoyed sipped neat or in a number of classic bourbon cocktails.

• Colorado's Talnua Single Pot Still Cocktail Recipes

• Craft Beer Meets Craft Whiskey At Rogue Ale & Spirits

• Dancing Goat Completes Its 17,000-square-foot Expansion 

The Biggest Bourbon Brands and Companies That Own Them [infographic] by Vinepair

In order to navigate our way through the labyrinth of bourbon’s and their parent companies, VinePair produced this family tree to demonstrate who owns what in the bourbon world. To make things a bit easier to make sense of, we’ve left out independently owned brands — not only because there are too many to fit on one page, but also because many source rather than distill their own whiskey (although some of the brands in this graphic have, at some point, sourced juice from other distilleries).

Click image to enlarge

• Jack Daniel’s Ex-Master Distiller’s New Bourbon Is Now Available

• Blue Run Spirits Named Kentucky’s Most Innovative Startup

Well, thats it for now. Until next time... Drink More Bourbon!
 

[Press Release] Bardstown Bourbon Co. to Release Final Expressions in Fusion Series

Bardstown, Ky. (September 21, 2022) -- With Bardstown Bourbon Company's own distillate reaching maturity and the forthcoming Origin Series impending release, the Fusion series is preparing to take a rest from the shelf. Fusion 8 is now available at the Bardstown Bourbon Co. gift shop, online, and at retailers across 20 states. Fusion 9, will be available later this fall. 

Fusion series releases combine older sourced whiskey and younger bourbon which has been distilled and aged by Bardstown Bourbon Co. and shows a range of mashbills across the blends including corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley. The journey of the unique series has been to see the changing flavor profiles as the Bardstown Bourbon Co. bourbon ages, becoming more prominent in the blends over time as the distillery has established itself as a major player in the industry. Both Fusion 8 and Fusion 9 feature 4-year-old bourbon from Bardstown Bourbon Co., the oldest bourbon yet released by the brand.

Fusion 8, available now, brings together two vibrant high-rye Bardstown Bourbon Co. distilled bourbons, balanced by a bold 12-year-old Kentucky expression. The round mouthfeel leads to sizzle and spice on the palate making this Fusion a unique, standout blend. Ripe apricot, mint, and green tea are balanced by layers of caramel and honey over baked apples. A refreshing, lively spice awakens the palate and leads to a balanced, signature Fusion finish. Fusion 8 is presented at 95.5 proof (47.75 percent ABV).

"With Fusion, not only have we enjoyed the evolution of the series as more of our stock comes of age, but also the interesting play between old whiskies and younger ones which bring a complexity in flavor profile that you don't see elsewhere," said Dan Callaway, VP Product Development and Hospitality, who leads blending for Bardstown Bourbon Co., "As we move toward new and exciting releases with the distillate we've created, Fusion will remain a signpost in the history of Bardstown Bourbon Co. encompassing our approach to the art and science of modern bourbon blending."

Fusion 9, the series' final release, will be available later this fall. Waves of butterscotch and ripe cherry meet mint, coconut, and black pepper lead this nuanced blend. A luscious mouthfeel of red fruit and maple gives way to an indulgent finish of caramel sweetness with lasting rye spice. 

"Throughout the series, we've showcased the best of our estate-distilled bourbon with carefully curated aged whiskey. We conclude the series with our favorite creation to date," said Callaway.

Fusion 9 is presented at 96.8 proof (48.4 percent ABV). Both releases are offered as 750 mL at an SRP of $64.99.

Bardstown Bourbon Co. Fusion 8 (Now available)

95.5 proof (47.75 percent ABV)

• 12% 4-year-old Bardstown Bourbon Co. - 75 percent corn/ 21 percent rye/ 4 percent malted barley
• 58% 4-year-old Bardstown Bourbon Co. - 70 percent corn/ 18 percent rye/ 12 percent malted barley
• 30% 12-year-old Kentucky bourbon - 78 percent corn/ 10 percent rye/ 12 percent malted barley

Bardstown Bourbon Co. Fusion 9 (Available late fall)

96.8 proof (48.4 percent ABV)

• 48% - 4-year-old Bardstown Bourbon Co. - 75 percent corn/21 percent rye/ 4 percent malted barley 
• 22% - 4-year-old Bardstown Bourbon Co. - 60 percent corn/26 percent rye/ 10 percent wheat/ 4 percent malted barley 
• 30% 12 yr. KY 75 percent corn/ 13 percent rye/ 12 percent malted barley

About Bardstown Bourbon Company: 

Founded in 2014 by Peter Loftin in the heart of Bourbon Country on 100 acres of active farmland, Bardstown Bourbon Company, 1500 Parkway Drive, Bardstown, Ky., is one of the country’s most modern and technically advanced whiskey distilleries. Celebrating the art of making high-quality, authentic bourbons, the innovative distillery produces custom rye, whiskey, and bourbon for prominent brands including High West, Belle Meade, Hirsch, and many others through its one-of-a-kind collaborative distilling program. Bardstown Bourbon Company honors tradition and drives innovation with their exceptional destination experience for visitors, offering the only full-service restaurant located within a distillery on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, The Kitchen, and Bar at Bardstown Bourbon Company.

Contact:

Holly Weyler 

holly@flytrapsnap.com

502.836.8715

 

 

[Press Release] Historic Bourbon Brand, Fortuna, to Re-Enter the American Whiskey Market

Image from Fortuna Bourbon's website

STANFORD, Ky., Sept. 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Historic whiskey brand Fortuna Bourbon is set to re-enter the market for the first time in over 50 years.

Operating from the late 1800's until the mid 1960's, Fortuna was once a prolific and known brand throughout America. After shuttering their doors during the dark days of whiskey, the brand is now being revitalized for a new generation of whiskey lovers.

Fortuna is being revived by the people behind Rare Character, an emergent brand founded in 2021 by industry veterans Pablo Moix and Peter Nevenglosky. Joining them in 2022 is Andy Shapira, an industry expert who gained invaluable experience and insight while working and growing up in his family's three-generation legacy business Heaven Hill Distilleries.

Fortuna was originally founded by Phil Hollenbach, a German immigrant, in the late 1800's. Hollenbach found success in Kentucky by bringing "A Taste of Good Fortune" to all with his remarkable bourbon.

Through extensive research including correspondence with members of the Hollenbach family, this iteration of the brand aims to recreate the essence of Fortuna at its peak in the 1880s, down to the branding, bottles, and bourbon itself.

"We were fortunate to have had access to a few vintage bottlings of Fortuna, as well as the Hollenbach's original flagship brand Glencoe," said Shapira. "This helped produce a flavor profile to shoot for and shape the way we approach meticulously selecting the six barrels that make up each batch of Fortuna. We are proud of the results."

The whiskey is a blended Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 102 proof, aged a minimum of 6 years. "It's so perfectly balanced it's crushable," explained co-founder Pablo Moix. "I come from a bar background, so I just approached it the same way I would do cocktails."

Moix, Nevenglosky, and Shapira are no strangers to whiskey; they're responsible for Rare Character Whiskey, one of the fastest growing whiskey brands in America. Through exclusive single barrel releases and innovative product lines such as The Finishing Series and The Native Wood Series, Rare Character has quickly become known in whiskey communities.

Fortuna is available to purchase via seelbachs.com in nearly all 50 states, and kandlwines.com for customers in California. MSRP is $84.99.

To learn more about Fortuna and its history, visit fortunabourbon.com and follow @fortunabourbon on Instagram. The brand plans to release new products in 2023 as well.

SOURCE Rare Character Whiskey Company

CONTACT: Ian Kelley, Marketing Manager, 720-614-8242, ian@rarecharacterwhiskey.com

30 Days of Bourbon Challenge Page Addition

In my last Blurb, I mentioned Bourbon & Banter’s 30 days of Bourbon Challenge, which started on September 1st, the beginning of Bourbon Heritage Month. Since then, I’ve created a page on the blog dedicated to the 30 Days of Bourbon. I hope you’ll check it out and follow my journey. It will have my progress calendar plus individual daily posts of the bourbons I’ve used during the challenge. So go check it out by clicking the link above. You can also click here. Wish me luck!

 

Bourbon Barrel Blurbs, Volume 01, Issue 13

It's the first day of September and that means that it is the start of Bourbon Heritage Month. It also means I am back with another edition of BBB. Today, we have blurbs on Bourbon Heritage Month, Weller expressions ranked, Preservation Distillery, Clifford Distilling, a secret speakeasy in Evansville, Blue Run Spirits, Boulder Spirits, Iron Fish Distillery, Buffalo Trace, the KY Bourbon Trail, Cardinal Spirits, Marianne Eaves, and more.

Bourbon Heritage Month 2022

Welcome to National Bourbon Heritage Month (BHM) 2022! Before we get too deep into this post, let's take a look at what BHM actually means and how it came to be. According to that all knowing oracle, Wikipedia, BHM is...

"...an observance in the United States that calls for celebration of bourbon as America's "Native Spirit". On August 2, 2007, the US Senate declared September as "National Bourbon Heritage Month." The bill, sponsored by Republican Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky, passed by unanimous consent. The resolution calls for consumers who enjoy bourbon to do so responsibly and in moderation. The bill reinforces the 1964 Act of Congress that declared bourbon "America's Native Spirit" by celebrating the family heritage, tradition and deep-rooted legacy that the bourbon industry contributes to the United States."

Stolen from... I mean courtesy of Bourbon & Banter's website

Everyone has their own way to celebrate this special month and, as long as you are enjoying some bourbon, I don't think there is a wrong way to celebrate. If you are looking for a fun way to enjoy the month though, I encourage you to participate in Bourbon & Banter's #30DaysOfBourbon challenge. I'll let you head over to their website for all the specifics but basically it boils down to drinking 30 different bourbons in 30 days or a different bourbon each and every day. This will be my fourth year participating and I will say it's something I look forward to every year.  You can follow my challenge here, on my Facebook page, and on Instagram. So go over to Bourbon & Banter, grab their overlays and calendar and get ready for a great month.

Now, without further adieu, let's get on with the blurbs:

12+ Events And Ways To Help You Celebrate Bourbon Heritage Month In Kentucky

UPROXX Tasted And Ranked All Seven Expressions Of Weller Wheated Bourbon Whiskey

Kentucky's Preservation Distillery Will Soon Offer Pot Still Bourbon

Clifford Distilling Spicing Up Port Arthur, Texas 

Wesselman Woods To Host Fundraising Event For Forbidden Forest At Evansville's Secret Red Polka Dot Speakeasy On September 10

Blue Run Spirits Plans To Build A 35,000-square-foot Distillery & 20,000-square-foot Rickhouse In Scott County, Ky

Colorado's Boulder Spirits To Launch Two New Bourbons September 9th

Courtesy of Iron Fish Distillery

Michigan's Iron Fish Distillery Debuts New Bourbon; Announces New Collaboration With Mackinac Island's Legendary Murdick's Fudge

Buffalo Trace To Double Its Whiskey Production

Another Guide To The Kentucky Bourbon Trail

Indiana's Cardinal Spirits Says Great Bourbon Doesn't Have To Be Made In Kentucky; Launched Three New Bourbons In August

Marianne Eaves Is At Again; Partners With Florida Sugar Farmers To Launch Otherland Society Rum

The 15 Best Whiskey Distilleries To Visit In America According To Next Luxury

That's all for now. Have a great time celebrating National Bourbon Heritage Month and I look forward to seeing your posts if you accept the #30DaysOfBourbon challenge. 

Leaving Loretto? Departures at Maker's Mark

In a shocking development, at least to me, Maker's Mark announced a couple of departures. General Manager & Master Distiller Denny Potter and Head of Innovation & Blending Jane Bowie, the driving force behind several popular Maker's Mark expressions, look to follow in Jackie Zykan's footsteps.

Just as we saw with Zykan's recent departure from Old Forester to do her own thing, Potter and Bowie are leaving Maker’s Mark shortly to pursue their own ventures.

As of now, there aren't a lot of details about Potter's and Bowie's plans, or how Maker's Mark will respond, Managing Director Rob Samuels released a brief statement in a just published newsletter.

For nearly seven decades, Maker’s Mark has stayed true to the vision of our founders Bill and Margie Samuels…to be innovators of the craft and to make a Bourbon whisky that people want to enjoy drinking and sharing with friends.

We’ve been incredibly fortunate over the years to have key individuals join our Maker’s Mark family who have been tremendous custodians of this legacy – people like Denny Potter, General Manager & Master Distiller, and Jane Bowie, Head of Innovation & Blending.

Just like our founders, Denny and Jane also have an entrepreneurial itch and have expressed a desire to blaze their own trails in the Bourbon industry with a new venture. While Denny and Jane will depart with our utmost thanks on Sept. 2, they will always be members of the Maker’s Mark family.

I simply can’t thank Denny and Jane enough for the tremendous impact they have had on Maker’s Mark around the world. I will be announcing their successors in due course and in the meantime, we will continue to create the highest quality bourbon and pursue an exciting future for this great brand.

That's it. That's all we know for now but we will update you as soon as we have new information.

 

 

[PRESS RELEASE] Russell's Reserve® Introduces Annual "Single Rickhouse Collection" with Inaugural Release from Legendary Retired Rickhouse, Camp Nelson C

Crafted exclusively from barrels aged in a single, designated rickhouse, each small batch offering explores the impact of the aging environment, available for a limited time in select markets 

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky., Aug. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Straight out of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, award-winning and family-crafted Russell's Reserve announces the debut of an all-new, annual limited-edition collection: Russell's Reserve Single Rickhouse. Serving as a distinct expression of the location (or "rickhouse") where the liquid is aged and the "terroir" of that aging environment, each Single Rickhouse bottling will feature rare liquid from a different, individual rickhouse - past and present - at the Wild Turkey Distillery. The series explores the often unsung contributions specific resting places have on a whiskey's final character, celebrating varied nuances of whiskey aging across these different environments. In light of the recent floods in Eastern Kentucky and the heart of Bourbon Country, the Russell family gladly donated the first bottles of this special liquid to The Kentucky Bourbon Benefit - Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund this August as a way to support those impacted.

The inaugural release, Russell's Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson C, features liquid from only 72 barrels from the now dismantled, seven-story rickhouse, Camp Nelson C. Built in 1946 and decommissioned in 2021, Camp Nelson C became a treasured rickhouse of Wild Turkey Distilling Co. Situated on top of a hill and next to the Kentucky River, the warehouse was made from timber and clad with tin to naturally control internal temperatures, with space for air to circulate and allow the barrels to breathe during the aging process. Russell's Reserve Master Distiller Eddie Russell selected the barrels for this special release from the center-cut, also considered the sweet spot, on floors three and four of the warehouse.

The Single Rickhouse from Camp Nelson C serves as a testament to the Russell Family's mastery of craft bourbon and appreciation of the distinctive liquid nuances that each Single Rickhouse brings. As Eddie began tasting through barrels selected for consideration for this release, he knew immediately once he'd tasted from the Camp Nelson C center-cut barrels that he'd found a special batch. A unanimous decision by all who tasted it, including Master Distiller Jimmy Russell and Eddie's son, Bruce Russell, the final flavor profile of Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson C is an unexpectedly rich and unique take for the brand.

"Tasting through our barrel stock as our whiskies age and determining which are right for each release is one of my favorite parts of the job," said Eddie Russell, Master Distiller at the Wild Turkey distillery. "When I tasted this liquid from Camp Nelson C, I knew it deserved its own place in Russell's history. It's a little different from what folks have come to expect from our whiskies, and even though we all personally enjoy different flavor profiles, Dad, myself and my son, Bruce all agreed instantly – this is a once in a blue moon kind of whiskey and deserving of being the first release in this special series. We hope everyone enjoys it as much as we do." 

Aged for over 10 years, this limited release of non-chill filtered bourbon was bottled at 112.4 barrel proof and is nothing short of decadent, with thick, rich introductory notes of toffee, coconut and vanilla, and a long, silky finish. Eddie Russell, with over four decades of experience under his belt, has described this whiskey as a "five-star liquid," which boasts the following characteristics:

• Proof: 112.4
• Aroma: Sweet vanilla, caramel and cream that transition to fresh and dried fruit and then notes of brown sugar, oak and char.
• Taste: Thick, rich and sweet introduction with notes of toffee, coconut and vanilla that transition to notes of apple, dried fruit, toasted pecan, chocolate and baking spices.
• Finish: Long finish with silky and sweet mouthcoating that transitions to a pleasant balance of oak, baking spices and rich sweetness

The Russell's Reserve Single Rickhouse Collection is the newest innovation to join the brand's lineup, which includes an award-winning portfolio of bourbon and rye whiskeys meant to sip and savor. Officially available on shelves in early October and just in time for the holidays, the 2022 Russell's Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson C will be available for a limited time at select U.S. retailers and at the Wild Turkey Distillery for a suggested retail price of $249.99 per 750 ML bottle. To sign up for brand and product availability alerts for future releases, please visit russellsreserve.com.

About Campari America

Campari America LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano N.V. (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM).  At the heart of Campari America are two legends in the American spirits industry.  The first, Skyy Spirits, was founded in San Francisco back in 1992 by the entrepreneur who invented iconic SKYY® Vodka.  The second is the world-famous Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, where they have been making the world's finest whiskeys since the 1800's.  Both companies were purchased by Davide Campari-Milano and together they form Campari America, which has built a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers.  Campari America manages Campari Group's portfolio in the US with such leading brands as SKYY® Vodka, SKYY Infusions®, Grand Marnier®, Campari®, Aperol®, Wild Turkey® Kentucky Straight Bourbon, American Honey®, Russell's Reserve®, The Glen Grant® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Forty Creek® Canadian Whisky, BULLDOG® Gin, Cabo Wabo® Tequila, Espolón® Tequila, Montelobos® Mezcal, Ancho Reyes® Chile Liqueur, Appleton® Estate Rum, Wray & Nephew® Rum, Coruba® Rum, Ouzo 12®, X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur®, Frangelico®, Cynar®, Averna®, Braulio®, Cinzano®, Mondoro® and Jean-Marc XO Vodka®. Whether you're enjoying Russell's Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson C with your family or with friends, please remember to do so responsibly.

Campari America is headquartered in New York, New York.  More information on the company can be found at www.campariamerica.com, www.facebook.com/campariamerica, Twitter: @CampariAmerica, Instagram: @CampariAmerica, and www.camparigroup.com.  Please enjoy Campari America brands responsibly and in moderation.               

SOURCE Russell’s Reserve

CONTACT: Campari America, Zuri Plair, zuri.plair@campari.com, 401-595-2241; or Image Land, Morgan Hawkins, rare@imageland.nyc, 212-367-8008