U.S. craft distillers are facing a crisis, with an average of one distillery shutting down each week over the past year. Inflation and cutbacks in… Read More
U.S. craft distillers are facing a crisis, with an average of one distillery shutting down each week over the past year. Inflation and cutbacks in consumer spending get part of the blame, but there’s also a distribution crisis. Just three companies control the route to market for many craft distillers, and their focus is on high-volume brands as opposed to the low-volume craft distillers. Margie Lehrman of the American Craft Spirits Association is one of the leading advocates for “direct to consumer shipping,” which would allow distilleries to ship their whiskies directly to consumers. The option is only available in 10 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, and wholesalers have vehemently opposed any attempts to expand that number. We’ll talk with Margie Lehrman on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, economic headwinds cut into sales for both Pernod Ricard and Brown-Forman, while Angel’s Envy co-founder Wes Henderson plans to build a $93 million dollar distillery in Kentucky.
With a new distillery planned for after 2030, Indian spirits producer John Distillery will double production. Running on plans to expand the market of its single malt whisky Paul John, the distillery is reinvesting. According to Paul John’s master distiller Michael D’Souza, the company’s main focus for the next three years will be to increase […]
With a new distillery planned for after 2030, Indian spirits producer John Distillery will double production. Running on plans to expand the market of its single malt whisky Paul John, the distillery is reinvesting.
According to Paul John’s master distiller Michael D’Souza, the company’s main focus for the next three years will be to increase the number of barrels produced per year from 1.5 million to 3 million.
“Currently, we have 40,000 barrels. Our target is to reach 75 to 80,000 barrels. That would be the plan for the Goa operation. Post-2030, if everything goes well, we would have a new distillery somewhere in the southern part of India. That is our plan as of now and hopefully it should work.”
John Distillery Set to Expand Whisky Production
The brand offers 12 expressions and produces two different liquids; non-peated and peated; from Indian malted barley, yeast, and water. There are entry-level, flagship, and cask releases available.
For the future, D’Souza disclosed that he is looking to launch a rum-finished whisky. “We have a collaboration with a rum distillery in Barbados. So we have got their casks and I have transferred some of the best liquid, from five to six years old, into that. It’s aging and hopefully, in a few months or years, we should be ready for launch.”
In addition, D’Souza notes that the brand isn’t able to age and experiment as much as other countries, such as Scotland.
“We lose a substantial amount of alcohol due to angel’s share. The way maturation happens in other Indian distilleries such as Amrut and Rampur is entirely different. In those places, the ABV increases year on year due to the dry climatic conditions, whereas for us, being in Goa, it goes down because of the humidity.
“We don’t have much time to keep the whisky in the barrels because the liquid changes so fast due to the conditions. For example, if it is cooler you have a lot of time to do the innovations, to understand. When you do some kind of innovation or experiment, you need enough time to understand what is happening inside the cask, so we are taking small steps, but proper ones.”
Every few years, something truly innovative comes along. This year, it’s been nearly seven years in the making – Heaven Hill Grain to…
Every few years, something truly innovative comes along. This year, it’s been nearly seven years in the making - Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Bourbon
Crafted Bourbon
The industry has seen a meteoric rise in craft distillers, not unlike the rise a couple decades ago of the craft beer industry, as small, local brewers took on “the big boys”. Every once in a while, though, distillers take this to a new level with a true crafted bourbon.
In June 2024, Heaven Hill, one of the nation’s largest distillers (and still family-owned), announced the launch of a grain to glass collaboration with Beck’s Hybrids (also family owned) - a producer of grain seeds. Three whiskeys were produced for this inaugural release - a straight wheated bourbon, a straight rye whiskey, and this straight bourbon whiskey - each with a unique mash bill that is distinct from Heaven Hill’s traditional mash bills.
Great bourbon starts with great corn. Beginning in 2017, a carefully selected corn variety - Beck’s 6158 - was selected to be grown, mashed, fermented, distilled, barreled, and bottled. Most corn used in bourbon production is selected for higher-yields and low-starch content. This particular hybrid was selected for its higher starch content (which also results in lower yields) and was grown in fields across the street from the Heaven Hill rickhouses in Bardstown. The result is a bourbon that is very intentionally crafted from the onset.
The Tasting
The mash bill is 52% corn, 35% rye, and 13% malted barley. As mentioned earlier, this grain blend is not part of the typical Heaven Hill lineup, which includes such heavyweights like Evan Williams and Elijah Craig. The finished product was aged for 6 years in rickhouse W3 on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th floors, and is bottled without chill filtration at 107 proof. The presentation is in a tall, slightly shouldered 700ml bottle with navy and sepia-toned labeling sharing in full transparency its production.
Color: A host of deep amber legs grace the inside of my Glencairn glass.
Nose: Warm and inviting with vanilla, brown sugar, marshmallow and graham cracker. Further nosings bring out a hint of mint, cocoa, and tobacco leaf. This smells of sweetness.
Palate: Slippery with vanilla, candied orange slice, and minty-spice on the back end. The sweetness I picked up on the nose is nicely balanced with the spice on the palate. I appreciate the additional complexity offered by non-chill filtration.
Finish: Slightly minty with vanilla and pepper spice on the tip of my tongue, followed by a very lung Kentucky hug.
Overall: This crafted bourbon drinks incredibly smooth. You’d never know this is 107 proof - it drinks more like a 90 proof bourbon. The mash bill also makes this a unique offering. For comparison, the traditional Evan Williams and Elijah Craig share a mash bill of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley. So, this clearly places this bourbon in a high (or even very high) rye bourbon. The transparency offered through the collaboration with Beck’s also makes for a nice touch, and even down to the floors of the warehouse where the bourbon aged.
There is the question of value. The age statement is a nice touch, as is the full disclosure of the rickhouse, floors, and percentages that comprised the particular blend. MSRP on this limited release is $99, though I paid a little more than that. Overall, this was a really nice pour and I was glad to find this bottle. I’ve heard good things about the wheated bourbon version, which carries a similar mash bill, replacing the rye grain with wheat. Cheers to two family-owned businesses showing what can be accomplished when great minds meet and collaborate together.
With the release of a luxurious whisky evoking balmy evenings, the Glenturret distillery celebrates these last days of the season. The world’s only distillery with a two-Michelin starred restaurant, has rolled out a special edition just for you. The Glenturret Still Life Decanter Series draws inspiration from each Scottish season’s unique character. From chilly winters […]
With the release of a luxurious whisky evoking balmy evenings, the Glenturret distillery celebrates these last days of the season. The world’s only distillery with a two-Michelin starred restaurant, has rolled out a special edition just for you.
The Glenturret Still Life Decanter Series draws inspiration from each Scottish season’s unique character. From chilly winters to warm summer days, the expression matches your mood.
In Still Life Summer, the whisky touches the last of its warm glow of summer as it combines three ex-bourbon casks and two first-fill sherry casks. Such a combination brings out the best of Scotch whisky.
The Glenturret Distillery Still Life Summer Prolongs Summer
Traditionally, bourbon casks lend tropical and vanilla notes, while sherry casks contribute richness and dry fruits. To give this whisky even more prestige, all Scotch whiskies used must be at least 25 years old (although the Still Life series doesn’t specify the age).
Bob Dalgrano, the brand’s master distiller said: “For The Glenturret Distillery, summer is traditionally a quieter time. Historically this was partly due to a lack of water in the warmer months and the need for production workers to assist on farms during the busy summer – many farms were directly owned by, or linked to, distilleries. While modern times have changed this dynamic, most distilleries still observe some downtime in summer for essential maintenance.
“Whilst production may be quieter, farming never slows down and I enjoy watching the barley grow and change from green to gold under the warmth of the sun. Walking through the fields, chatting with farmers, and observing the crop’s progress is something I eagerly anticipate each year.”
As far as whisky goes, Glenturret takes it the extra mile by decanting it into Lalique crystal bottles. The frosted decanters are crafted from the staves of whisky casks, and there are only 105 of them available.
Whether this is your first year celebrating Bourbon Heritage Month or you’re a seasoned pro, we’re glad to have you drinking with us for the next 30 days. Pour yourself a drink and scroll down to explore what we’ve got in store for this year’s celebration and how you can be a part of it all.
Whether you're a bourbon rookie or a seasoned enthusiast, welcome to Bourbon Heritage Month! We're thrilled to have you join us for our 11th annual celebration of all things bourbon. So grab a glass, pour yourself a generous drink, and dive into the festivities lined up for the next 30 days.
Here’s what you need to do to join the fun:
Enter Our Giveaway: Who doesn't love free bourbon stuff? Enter for a chance to win some fantastic prizes.
Download Your #30DaysOfBourbon Calendar: Stay on top of all the daily bourbon challenges and events.
Stock Up on Bourbon Gear: Show off your bourbon pride with stylish merch.
And hey, don't keep this bourbon bonanza to yourself! Share this page with your friends and invite them to join in. Let's face it: Bourbon is better enjoyed with good company, and winning prizes is way more fun when you can brag about it to your buddies.
From all of us at Bourbon & Banter, thank you for being part of our bourbon-loving community. We're excited to share our passion and spread the bourbon gospel with you throughout the month. Cheers!
WIN BOURBON SWAG & MORE
Here’s your golden opportunity to upgrade your bourbon wardrobe and home bar without spending a single dime! We're excited to bring back our annual Bourbon Swag Giveaway for the 10th year in a row, thanks to the generous support from some of your favorite brands and distilleries. Each week, we'll select a lucky winner to receive a bourbon swag pack (5 winners in total), and at the end of the month, we'll pick a Mega-Pack winner who will score the ultimate bourbon gear collection.
This year, we’ve cranked up the fun with more ways to earn unlimited additional entries. Follow us online, share the giveaway with your friends, and watch your chances to win skyrocket. Once you’ve racked up your entries, sit back, pour yourself a nice bourbon, and start dreaming about all the cool swag you might win.
But that’s not all! In addition to the weekly bourbon swag prizes, we're also giving away loads of other goodies. Think swag from your favorite brands, free online whiskey classes, Bourbon & Banter community memberships, and gear from our very own DrinkCurious Bourbon Shop. Make sure you’re following us on all our social channels because you never know when we’ll throw in a quick giveaway or call out your name to claim a prize.
So, get ready to celebrate Bourbon Heritage Month with us and score some amazing bourbon swag along the way. Cheers!
DID SOMEONE SAY THERE WERE MORE PRIZES?
We've got some extra surprises up our sleeves for Bourbon Heritage Month! Keep an eye on our social media channels for surprise giveaways that will pop up throughout the month. Make sure you're following us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to get in on these bonus prizes.
And don’t forget to enter our main giveaway for a shot at all the amazing swag we've mentioned. Invite your friends to join in, too – the more, the merrier! Plus, if we hit our stretch goal of 40k Instagram followers, we'll celebrate by giving away a bottle of Old Rip Van Winkle. So, spread the word, share the bourbon love, and let's make this Bourbon Heritage Month the best one yet! Cheers!
WHAT IS BOURBON HERITAGE MONTH?
National Bourbon Heritage Month 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. (source: Wikipedia)
THE 30 DAYS OF
BOURBON CHALLENGE
Join your fellow bourbon lovers starting 9/1/24 as they take on the challenge of enjoying 30 different through September.
Let's break down the ground rules in the simplest way: BOURBON ONLY. We're keeping this exclusive, so there is no room for Rye, Scotch, Irish, Indian, Taiwanese, Canadian, Japanese, Australian, or Mexican whiskies. And don't even think about sneaking in those flavored concoctions that don't meet the TTB standards for bourbon (yes, Red Stag and Fireball, we're looking at you).
Remember, your 30-day conquest is all about bourbon—nothing else will do. Anything other than pure bourbon will not count toward your goal.
Hold on tight; here's a handy set of guidelines to ensure your daily pick counts towards conquering the 30 Days of Bourbon Challenge:
Proof Parley: For instance, Wild Turkey 81 and Wild Turkey 101? We're treating those as one in the Challenge. But different expressions from the same brand, like a Bottled-in-Bond versus a non-bonded variant, count separately.
Mash-Up Mastery: Take Four Roses, for instance, with its ten unique recipes. Each of these recipes stands as an individual bourbon. Their Small Batch and Small Batch Select, which are blends of these recipes, are also fair game. Don’t forget about Four Roses' limited editions – they’re included too, thanks to their distinct blend ratios.
Finished Bourbons: Fans of finished bourbons like Angel's Envy are more than welcome to drink them as part of their 30 Days of Bourbon Challenge. As long as the finished bourbon started life as a bourbon we see no reason to exclude it due to alternative barrel finishing. (Take that, you TTB label minions.)
Sourced Stories: With many brands sourcing from larger distilleries, things can get a bit confusing. To keep it simple, sourced bourbons – even if from the same distillery – are valid as long as they adhere to the other challenge rules.
Single Barrel Shuffle: Different barrels of the same brand expression no longer count towards your 30-day feat. While they may have differences in color, aroma, and flavor, they’re all considered part of the same expression. So, no more counting each unique horse stopper on Blanton's, and drinking 30 distinct single barrel numbers of the same expression won't seal the deal anymore.
Cocktails Count: Prefer your bourbon in a cocktail? No problem. When crafting cocktails, feel free to get creative as long as you use a new bourbon for each drink.
There's no better time than Bourbon Heritage Month to stock up on bourbon-themed gear. Check out our online store and treat yourself to some unique bourbon items that show off your love for America’s native spirit. Plus, as a bonus, one lucky shopper will win a special Bourbon & Banter gear pack at the end of the month. Happy shopping and cheers!
A special shoutout to our friends at these amazing brands for partnering with us and supporting our Bourbon Heritage Month celebration this year. We truly appreciate their collaboration in helping us spread the bourbon love and encouraging everyone to #DrinkCurious. Cheers to great partnerships and even better bourbon!
BUILT FOR BOURBON LOVERS
Tired of chasing every bourbon fad like a squirrel after shiny objects? Join the Bourbon & Banter community, where we drink curious and keep it real. Forget the hype and the taters—here, it's all about honest reviews, genuine camaraderie, and a deep dive into the stories behind the spirits we love. Whether you're a seasoned sipper or just starting your whiskey journey, we've got your back with wit, wisdom, and a good pour. Come for the bourbon, stay for the banter!
