Author: BourbonBlog News

Buffalo Trace tells Bourbonblog.com Buffalo Trace Antique Collection has returned for the fall 2024 season making the 25th year of the “BTAC” collection.

 We have all you need to know about all five of the whiskeys below including: Eagle Rare17-Year-Old Bourbon, George T. Stagg Bourbon, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey, Sazerac 18-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, and William Larue Weller Bourbon.

The limited-edition Buffalo Trace Antique Collection bottles are sold individually and available nationwide at a suggested retail price of $149.99 (local taxes and fees will vary).  Of course, these represent some of the finest whiskeys produced by America’s Oldest Continuously Operating Distillery.

“William Larue Weller Bourbon shines among the Collection this year with its caramel notes and long, creamy finish. It’s fitting that this year also marks the 25th anniversary of Sazerac Company’s acquisition of the Weller brand,” Buffalo Trace Distillery Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley tells BourbonBlog.com. “For more than two decades, we’ve worked hard to craft the signature flavors that whiskey enthusiasts love, both within the Weller brand and the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. Our commitment to this tradition is stronger than ever, and we look forward to carrying it well into the future.”

Each expression in the Antique Collection is housed in a clear glass bottle, displaying its rich color.

The back label on each bottle offers a detailed history and description of the whiskey.

William Larue Weller Bourbon 2024 Release

The 2024 William Larue Weller barrels aged over twelve years on the lower floor of a rick warehouse at Buffalo Trace Distillery at a barrel entry proof of 114. The Antique Collection’s uncut, unfiltered wheated recipe bourbon is hand-bottled at 125.8 proof and honors W.L. Weller, who pioneered the wheated bourbon recipe, substituting wheat for the traditional rye grain.

On the nose of the 2024 William Larue Weller, a blend of new leather, light pipe tobacco, and caramel, enveloped by the warm sweetness of marshmallow and hints of ripe fruit. Rich caramel and toffee notes coat the palate with a long finish and oak, caramel, and fruit notes. The 2024 Global Whisky Challenge awarded last year’s William Larue Weller Bourbon “Best of Class” North America during the 2024 Global Whisky Challenge.

Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon

Bottled at its initial strength of 101 proof in tribute to the original Eagle Rare brand launched in 1975, this year’s Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon was distilled in the spring of 2007.

On the nose, Eagle Rare 17 delivers complex notes of oak and caramel intertwined with subtle undertones of vanilla and pepper spice with a caramel sweetness evened by the spiciness of rye, toasted oak, and tobacco on the palate. A combination of caramel, pepper, leather, and oak, paired with roasted tobacco and dried fruit finishes this 17-year and 4-month-old whiskey.

Last year’s Eagle Rare-17-Year-Old Bourbon marked the oldest release of the spirit since its inclusion in the Antique Collection. Several well-respected spirits competitions recognized the expression, including the 2024 Whiskies of the World Competition, where the 19-year-old whiskey won a Double Gold, Best in Class medal.

George T. Stagg Bourbon

Buffalo Trace Distillery first released George T. Stagg bourbon in 2002 in response to a consumer request for a well-aged, barrel-strength whiskey. The Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is known for its bold character reminiscent of its namesake, the original purchaser of O.F.C. Distillery, now famously recognized as Buffalo Trace Distillery. This year’s George T. Stagg sits at 136.1 proof and is comprised of barrels aged more than 15 years and two months. The whiskey presents a powerful aroma of deep-aged wood, rich oak, and dark cherry.

A layered profile of spice, oak, caramel, and a soft touch of cinnamon hit the palate. Its long and drying finish leaves a lasting impression of complexity and warmth. The 2024 International Whisky Competition awarded last year’s George T. Stagg First Place for the Best Bourbon, American, and Kentucky Whiskey.

Sazerac 18-Year-Old Rye Whiskey

Bottled at 18 years and five months and named after the official cocktail of New Orleans, the 2024 Sazerac 18-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey has scents of oak and leather with subtle hints of ripe plum, rye grain, and earthy undertones.

Rye spice, smoke, dark cherry, and a touch of licorice jump on the palate. The finish on this year’s Sazerac 18-Year-Old Rye lingers gracefully, imparting subtle hints of tobacco and charred oak. The 2023 Sazerac 18-Year-Old Rye was honored with the Gold “Outstanding” Medal in the 2024 International Wine and Spirits Competition.

Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey

The team at Buffalo Trace Distillery filled the barrels for this year’s Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey at 125 proof over six years ago. This uncut, unfiltered whisky is now 127.2 proof, bumping up in alcohol percentage from last year’s nearly 125 offering. Inspired by the bartender who first used rye whiskey in the original Sazerac cocktail, Thomas H. Handy is bottled directly from the barrel, honoring its traditional method from over a century ago.

The 2024 Thomas H. Handy is bold and invigorating with scents of freshly cracked black pepper and cinnamon. Spice and oak flavors are prominent, with a long-lasting finish of cinnamon, pepper, and clove. The 2023 Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey was awarded a Double Gold Medal at the 2024 Singapore World Spirits Competition.

The post Buffalo Trace Antique Collection Whiskeys Release for Fall 2024: Celebrating 25 years of “BTAC” first appeared on BourbonBlog.

Sazerac Company tells BourbonBlog.com it is holding an online auction now some of its most-prized and highly-coveted spirits to raise funds for the American Red Cross’s relief efforts for Hurricanes Milton and Helene.

In partnership with BlockBar, a global marketplace offering access to some of the world’s most sought-after bottles, barrels and casks, Sazerac will be auctioning a variety of individual bottles and collections from its top distilleries and brands, including Buffalo Trace Distillery, The Last Drop Distillers, Barton 1792 Distillery, and A. Smith Bowman Distillery.

The auction is live now and runs through November 1^st at 10AM EST. Details on the auction and how to bid can be found on blockbar.com/producers/sazerac/sazerac-hurricane-relief-charity-auction.

All proceeds from the online auction will go toward the American Red Cross to aid in their Hurricanes Milton and Helene disaster relief efforts.

In late September, Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm sweeping across the Southeast leaving behind catastrophic damage. The storm caused devastating floods in Western North Carolina and surrounding areas and led to the loss of more than 200 lives. Not long after, Hurricane Milton hit Florida’s Tampa Bay area causing flooding and widespread power outages.

“Our hearts go out to the families and communities affected by these devastating storms,” Jake Wenz, President and CEO of Sazerac tells BourbonBlog.com

“Our goal is to help aid the Hurricanes Milton and Helene recovery efforts in cities and states most impacted by the storms. Every dollar raised will go directly to those in need.  We thank the American Red Cross for everything they do.”

“We are honoured to partner with Sazerac for this charity auction supporting the relief efforts for Hurricanes Milton and Helene,” says Dov Falic, Blockbar CEO & Co-Founder. “This represents a unique opportunity for our community to acquire exceptional bottles some of the finest spirits from Sazerac’s esteemed distilleries and brands, while also providing an opportunity for our community to make a meaningful impact during a time of need. We invite all whiskey enthusiasts and collectors to join us in this effort and help support those affected by the hurricanes.”

As part of the auction, a combination of rare and highly coveted Sazerac products will be available, including spirits sold individually as well as lineups of fan favorites sold as sets. To encourage maximum engagement from the worldwide spirits community, the auction will be run as a “no reserve” auction with the starting bid for each bottle or collection beginning at $100.

The full list of spirits available include the following:

Individual Bottles:

1. Double Eagle Very Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon
2. The Last Drop Release 28: Drew Mayville Signature Blend of Kentucky Straight Whiskeys
3. The Last Drop Release 32: Louise McGuane 32-Year-Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey
4. The Last Drop Release 33: 15th Anniversary 40-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky

Bourbon Sets:

5. Buffalo Trace Antique Collection

1. • George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old Rye Whiskey
   • W.L. Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • Thomas H. Handy Straight Rye Whiskey
   • Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

6. Buffalo Trace Distillery Premium Bottle Collection: 

1. • Blanton’s Gold Single Barrel Bourbon
   • Blanton’s Straight from The Barrel
   • George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

7. W.L. Weller Bourbon Collection: 

1. • W.L. Weller Antique 107 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • W.L. Weller Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • W.L. Weller Special Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • W.L. Weller 12 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • W.L. Weller C.Y.P.B. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • W.L. Weller Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

8. E.H. Taylor, Jr. Collection: 

1. • E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • E.H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • E.H. Taylor, Jr. Straight Rye Whiskey
   • E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey
   • E.H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

9. 1792 Bourbon Collection 

1. • 1792 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • 1792 Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • 1792 Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • 1792 Aged 12 Years Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • 1792 Sweet Wheat Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • 1792 Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

10. A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Collection

1. • Cask Strength Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey #1
   • Cask Strength Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey #2
   • Cask Strength Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey #3

The post Sazerac and BlockBar Host Online Auction of Rare Spirits to Benefit Hurricane Relief Efforts for Milton and Helene first appeared on BourbonBlog.

Marking the next chapter in a nearly 140-year history, Green River Distilling Co. tells BourbonBlog.com construction on a new consumer experience that will bring “The Pride of Owensboro” to the streets of Downtown Louisville, Kentucky.

Located at 714 W. Main Street, Green River’s Louisville tasting room is set to open mid-2025. As a reference point, this will be just doors down Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Louisville tasting room location.

The warm and communal space will feature a horseshoe shaped tasting and cocktail bar, serving neat pours and straightforward cocktail classics. A retail and bottle shop will offer both everyday whiskies, and limited-edition distillery exclusives. Made for friendly, low-key fun, patrons can play “Shoot the Shoe,” a game of skill using the Green River bottle as a goal, or relax in the lounge, complete with an intimate performance stage with flexible seating for VIP experiences. Beyond the main room, a hidden entrance will lead to a speakeasy bar where the brand will host a refined cocktail program, educational experiences and private events.

Green River is owned by Bardstown Bourbon Company, whose tasting room and retail shop located on the same block has been a resounding success since opening in 2023. More than 100,000 guests have visited the space in the last year.

“Through our brand homeplaces in Bardstown and Owensboro and our tasting room in Louisville, visitors have come to expect first class experiences that engage, educate and delight,” said Mark Erwin, CEO of Bardstown Bourbon Co. “Green River Distilling Co. has a rich history and an even better revival story and the Main Street experience will embody the brand’s timelessness and approachability.”

Throughout the tasting room, visitors will find Green River memorabilia and artifacts showcasing the brand’s storied history which began in 1885. Relics, photographs, historic blueprints and advertisements will be seamlessly incorporated throughout the 4,400 square-foot space.

“Our Owensboro distillery is a special place steeped with the history and grit of a brand that has seen prohibition, natural disasters and changing palates,” said Dan Callaway, VP New Product Development. “Our new tasting room on Whiskey Row will bring the spirit of the 10th oldest distillery in Kentucky to the welcoming home of bourbon tourism, with fun, spirit and surprises like only Green River can.”

Joseph & Joseph Architects, an architecture, interior design and master planning firm specializing in distillery design and hospitality, designed the space. Earlier this month, Joseph & Joseph was honored by The Kentucky Society of The American Institute of Architects with the 2024 People’s Choice Award for the Bardstown Bourbon Company Louisville Experience.

Buzick Construction will serve as contractor for the project. Bardstown Bourbon Company has previously worked with both Joseph & Joseph and Buzick Construction on the Bardstown campus, including the most recent expansion which brought the organization’s distilling capacity to 18 million proof gallons annually.

Green River Distilling Co., part of Bardstown Bourbon Co., was represented by Reed Weinberg and Jenny Johnston of PRG Commercial Property Advisors, who brokered the transaction.

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The post Green River Distilling Co. to Open New Tasting Room and Visitor Experience on Louisville’s Whiskey Row first appeared on BourbonBlog.

WhistlePig Whiskey tells BourbonBlog.com that their karmic quest for whiskey wonder culminates with the debut of The Boss Hog XI. The limited edition The Boss Hog XI: The Juggernaut comes in a 750ml bottle and is bottled between 103.8 – 105.2 Proof (51.9-52.6% ABV)​, with a suggested retail price of $599.99.

It will be sold at the best liquor stores, bars, and restaurants across the nation and on Whistlepig’s online shop as of October 15, 2024.

Collectors can authenticate their own bottle using NFC technology on the back label.

This year, WhistlePig’s whiskey makers tell us they searched over 7,000 miles from the WhistlePig Farm to find enlightenment in Rajasthan, India. The Land of Kings revealed the perfect blend of spices to crown the latest rare edition in the storied The Boss Hog collection.

A mastery of whiskey creation embodying majestic complexity and elephantine might, WhistlePig presents The Boss Hog XI: The Juggernaut.

About WhistlePig The Boss Hog XI: The Juggernaut

The Juggernaut unites WhistlePig’s oldest and boldest Straight Rye Whiskey with the alluring and celebratory spices of Thandai, an aromatic Indian drink born of nuts and spices.

After encountering Thandai during the Holi festival in Jaipur, WhistlePig’s experimental team combed Delhi’s Khari Baoli spice market for ingredients to create the world’s first Thandai whiskey barrels.

These unique finishing barrels are seasoned with a marriage of aged Rye with saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, fennel, poppy, and black peppercorn.

“Every year we challenge ourselves to craft a Rye that is more stupendous, inspired, and intricate than each edition of The Boss Hog before it,” Meghan Ireland, Head Blender at WhistlePig tells BourbonBlog.com. “After expanding our original five promises for The Boss Hog to ten tenants last year, we set out on our biggest challenge yet. When we discovered Thandai in India, we knew we had to find a way to translate its spice profile to a showstopping whiskey barrel for this precious Rye.”

Following extended aging in new American Oak barrels, each Single Barrel of The Boss Hog XI finishes its saga in the experimental Thandai barrels before bottling at proof to preserve its power. A medley of traditional Indian spices greets the nose, with cardamom joining the Rye’s natural allspice, clove and black pepper aromatics.

The structured spice profile is balanced by playful over-ripe orchard fruit before cardamom, saffron and fennel take center stage. The Juggernaut finishes in waves of baking spice notes giving way to the soft sweetness of tropical fruit.

To crown the Rajah of Rye, The Boss Hog XI’s handmade, Vermont pewter pig topper is adorned in the style of the majestic Indian elephant.

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The post WhistlePig The Boss Hog XI The Juggernaut: India-Inspired 2024 Release Finished in Thandai Barrel first appeared on BourbonBlog.

Bardstown Bourbon Company tells BourbonBlog.com that their boundary-pushing Collaborative Series will cap off the year with a regional release later in October.

The final of three bespoke collaborations released this year pairs Bardstown Bourbon with Blackberry Farm Brewery, presenting a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey finished in Blackberry Farm Brewery Oxheart Stout barrels.

A true collaboration in every sense, Blackberry Farm Brewery and Bardstown Bourbon Co. together created a custom blend of 6- to 14-year-old bourbon, then finished it in Blackberry Farm Brewery’s signature Oxheart stout barrels for 17 months.

The Blackberry Farm Brewery collaboration is presented at 107 proof (53.5 alc. by vol) at a suggested retail price of $159.99.

This extremely limited bottling, comprised of just 10 barrels, will be available exclusively in Tennessee and Kentucky, as well as Bardstown Bourbon Company’s distillery homeplace in Bardstown and Louisville Tasting Room.

Blackberry Farm and the Blackberry Farm Brewery

Blackberry Farm Brewery is nestled within the expansive 4,200-acre property of Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee. This world-renowned resort is known for its luxurious amenities, breathtaking views, and exceptional culinary experiences.

Initially housed in a small dairy barn, the Blackberry Farm Brewery has since expanded to a larger facility in Maryville, Tennessee.

Despite the move, the brewery has maintained its dedication to crafting Belgian-style saisons and other innovative beers using local ingredients, which reflect the farm’s farm-to-table philosophy.

Born from the same spirit of hospitality and craftsmanship, Blackberry Farm Brewery aligns with Bardstown’s own trailblazing approach to bourbon.

Mashbill and Blend Breakdown

 

BLEND	ORIGIN	AGE	MASHBILL
45 percent	Bardstown Bourbon Co. Bardstown, Ky.	6 year	Corn: 75% Rye: 21% Malted Barley: 4%
25 percent	Kentucky	8 year	Corn: 53% Rye: 26% Malted Barley: 21%
21 percent	Kentucky	14 year	Corn: 78% Rye: 10% Malted Barley: 12%
9 percent	Kentucky	14 year	Corn: 75% Rye: 13% Malted Barley: 12%

 

About the Collaboration

“Dan Callaway and I met years ago in Louisville, and quickly discovered we shared a passion for beverages and blending. Our paths found us both at Bardstown Bourbon Company in different capacities, and it opened the door for friendship and collaboration,” said Roy Milner, Blackberry Farm’s Chief Fermentation Officer.

“After a visit to the Brewery, we homed in on the idea of working with one of our favorite recipes, Oxheart Imperial Stout. Not only did I gain a dear friend, Dan’s approach to blending and flavor composition melded with the way we think about our bottlings. I’m proud of what we made together and honored to join the other legacy breweries who have come before us in this groundbreaking series.”

Image of the beer below.

Bardstown Bourbon Company tells us that the nose, dark chocolate, honey, and toasted oak lead to a decadent palate of mocha and cinnamon.

The rich mouthfeel evolves into a lasting finish of marshmallow, vanilla, and malt. Bardstown Bourbon’s Blackberry Farm Brewery’s collaboration was recently awarded a Gold Medal at the New York World Spirits Competition.

“The Blackberry Farm Brewery collaboration is the perfect night cap to a season of pioneering releases,” said Dan Callaway, VP of New Product Development for Bardstown Bourbon Company. “As we look ahead to 2025, we will continue to defy expectations and push the category in a direction that’s more innovative, more transparent and more collaborative.”

The post Bardstown Bourbon Company Blackberry Farm Bewery Collaborative Series Release first appeared on BourbonBlog.

Hard Truth Distilling Co. and Mellencamp Whiskey Company tell BourbonBlog.com they are back with their third collaboration. While John Mellencamp’s art has adorned the previous two releases – Farmer’s Reserve and Harvest Rye – and this time, John Mellencamp is lending his own self-portrait to the whiskey release that will be embraced by both music and spirits fans alike.

Mellencamp’s son, Hud Mellencamp, along with co-founder Levi Collison, founded Mellencamp Whiskey Company and collaborated with Hard Truth Distilling Co. to create the series. They are now introducing French Oak Harvest Rye, a straight rye whiskey with a distinctive charred French Oak barrel finish.

BourbonBlog.com’s own Tom Fischer has previously interviewed the two founders along with Master Distiller Bryan Smith about the whiskeys on this link.

This latest offering is the third in a four-part, limited edition series that celebrates regional craftsmanship and sustainable farming in Indiana.

Each bottle is bottled at 104 proof (52% ABV) and has an MSRP of $69.99. It is being sold with pre-orders from ReserveBar.com

For collectors of the whiskey series and Mellencamp fans alike, the whiskey also offers a special touch—a bottle adorned with a self-portrait of John Mellencamp, titled “American Fool,” based on an oil painting he created in 2020.

Celebrating Indiana Grain and a French Oak Finish

The new French Oak Harvest Rye is a whiskey crafted from a mash bill that features previously unreleased Sweet Mash Whiskey, a hallmark of Hard Truth’s innovation.

With a mash bill of 72% rye and 28% corn, it is composed entirely of Indiana-grown grain. The addition of the French Oak barrel finish adds a new layer of complexity.

This finishing process in charred French Oak barrels enhances the whiskey’s flavor profile, accentuating fruit-forward notes that create a more vibrant and balanced taste experience.

What makes this release stand out is its dedication to honoring the region where the ingredients are grown, with a strong focus on supporting sustainable farming practices through Hard Truth’s ‘Grounded in Truth’ campaign.

This initiative, launched by Hard Truth Distilling Co., celebrates and supports small, independent farmers, many of whom provide the local grains used in their spirits. A portion of the proceeds from each bottle sold benefits Farm Aid, an organization that advocates for family farmers and promotes sustainable agriculture—a cause long championed by the Mellencamp family.

The Self-Portrait by John Mellencamp on the Bottle

Adding even more significance to the Mellencamp French Oak Harvest Rye is the bottle itself. John Mellencamp, known for his artistic pursuits as much as his musical career, created the self-portrait that graces this limited-edition bottle.

Titled “American Fool,” the painting was completed in 2020 and is a perfect reflection of Mellencamp’s rugged Americana style.

This bottle is the third release in a four-part series that combines artistry, whiskey-making expertise, and family collaboration.

Each bottle is designed to be a collector’s item, with the art as much a focal point as the liquid inside.

With a portion of sales supporting sustainable farming in Indiana, it’s an opportunity to own a limited edition Mellencamp Whiskey Co. release while contributing to a worthy cause.

For the latest updates on whiskey releases, subscribe to our Bourbonblog.com newsletter here.

The post Hard Truth and Mellencamp Whiskey’s French Oak Harvest Rye Featuring John Mellencamp’s Self-Portrait first appeared on BourbonBlog.

Hard Truth Distilling Co. tells BourbonBlog.com they are releasing four, limited reserve whiskeys including:

• Barrel Finish Reserve 2024 Blend
• Master Distiller’s Reserve 2024 Blend
• Double Oaked Sweet Mash Rye
• Maple Brûlée Rye

Last year’s releases set an impressive standard, showcasing remarkable series from Hard Truth, and they remain truly outstanding. This year’s expressions push innovation and depth even further, offering a complexity that we highly recommend.

Distribution of each new whiskey will be limited and, for many fans, require a search to purchase. Master Distiller Bryn Smith is confident that each of these new whiskeys will be worth the hunt.

They are priced at $69.99 to $89.99 for 750 ml.

“Because we only utilized a handful of barrels for this release, they’re not easy to find,” said Smith. “But, your best shot at securing each bottle is to visit our distillery in Indiana.”

Hard Truth Reserve Releases for Fall 2024:

Barrel Finished Reserve Collection: Barrel Finished Reserve 2024 Blend

In 2023, Hard Truth’s RW-1 mash bill Sweet Mash Rye was placed in rare finishing barrels, including Cognac, Pedro Ximénez Sherry, Pedro Ximénez Brandy, and Sauternes. The resulting four expressions were each released separately as standalone finished bottles, all of which received high ratings and numerous awards.

For this year’s release, these same award-winning whiskeys including Cognac, Pedro Ximénez Sherry, Pedro Ximénez Brandy, and Sauterne have all four been blended together and additionally rested on toasted Jupilles French Oak.

The result is an homage to the traditional cigar blend whiskey, masterfully combining that collection of flavor profiles.

The French oak adds softness and depth while marrying the elements together in a complex, cohesive whiskey worth enjoying over and over again.

● Blend composition: Cognac 31 percent, Sauternes 26 percent, PX Sherry 26
percent, and PX Brandy 17 percent.
● Bottled at cask strength at 116.8 proof (58.4 percent ABV)
● Mash bill: 94% rye, 6% malted barley
● Batch size: 11 barrels
● Aged 3 years
● Rested on: Toasted Jupilles French oak
● MSRP: $89.99
● 11 barrels were produced.
● Released Sept. 7, 2024.

Barrel Finish Reserve Collection: Double-Oaked Sweet Mash Rye:

Hard Truth’s award-winning Sweet Mash Rye takes on new depth in this decadent double-oaked expression of the RW-1 mash bill (94 percent rye, 6 percent malted
barley).

After aging for 2+ years, this whiskey was blended, then placed in a second set of new, charred, American white oak barrels to finish aging for another 3+ years.

“We let the whiskey speak to us, and, ultimately, we found the perfect moment to release this,” said Moore.

This limited, cask-strength release is a must-try for fans of Hard Truth’s original Sweet Mash Rye and whiskey fans with a taste for unique expressions.

● Bottled at cask strength, 106.9 proof (53.54 percent ABV)
● Sixteen barrels produced
● Aged 5+ years
● MSRP, $69.99
● Released Sept. 7, 2024

Master Distiller’s Reserve 2024 Blend

Each year, Hard Truth offers up a Master Distiller’s Reserve, or what Smith calls “one of our favorite things.”

Three Hard Truth mash bills come together in 2024’s release — Hard Truth’s Chocolate Malt, Caramel Malt, and Malted Rye Sweet Mash Ryes.

These three mash bills were released as individual Master Distiller’s Reserve expressions in previous years, each earning awards.

For 2024, those whiskeys — now with the character added by two more years in a barrel — meld seamlessly into a rich, complex expression that stands out as unique
among both straight and malt rye whiskeys.

Crafted with great care and intent, it’s a celebration of the distiller’s art and a special occasion sipper worthy of being shared with the best of company.

● Blend composition: 20 percent Chocolate Malt Rye, 50 percent Caramel Malt
Rye, and 30 percent Malted Rye
● Bottled at cask strength, 115 proof (57.5 percent ABV)
● Twenty barrels produced
● Aged 4+ years
● MSRP: $89.99
● Released: Sept. 7, 2024

Barrel Finish Reserve: Maple Brûlée Rye (no photo available yet) 

Maple Brûlée Rye features a unique Hard Truth mash bill finished in unique barrels.

After the initial aging process — 3+ years in new, charred American white oak barrels — the whiskey spent just over a year resting in maple brûlée barrels.

The brûlée barrels, from the Tonnellerie Moreau cooperage in Quebec, are charred a second time after aging bourbon for 7-9 years and maple syrup for a year. The barrels did take the long route to Hard Truth, however. Before heading to Canada, they were aging syrup at Bissell Maple Farm in Jefferson, Ohio.

Once the whiskey had soared in the bold maple and caramelized sugar notes from those barrels, Smith and Moore added one more element to tie it all together, briefly
resting Maple Brûlée Rye on toasted Jupilles French oak.

The Art of Cooperage: The Barrels Behind These Whiskeys

With a focus on the use of special barrels and meticulous blending, Smith and cooperage expert, Chris Moore, have produced four unique expressions that take advantage of the character of the distillery’s current award-winning whiskeys and enhanced them by resting for the perfect amount of time in distinctively selected cooperage from around the world Cooperages

Smith and Moore worked with Independent Stave Company, Tonnellerie Baron, and Tonnellerie Moreau to determine the barrels and aging process for each whiskey.

Smith said it was equal parts science, distillers’ know-how and imagination leading to the final approach. “However,” he noted, “for all the calculations and lessons learned we rely on, ultimately, we let the whiskeys speak to us.”

“We make whiskey that excites us,” said Smith. “Receiving awards and recognition for our sweet mash whiskeys is great, but we know that, in order to establish Hard Truth as a true heritage American whiskey brand, we need to constantly innovate. I love it.”

The post Hard Truth Releases Four Limited Reserve Whiskeys For Fall 2024: first appeared on BourbonBlog.

Cohiba tells BourbonBlog.com they are back with a new expression of their popular Weller by Cohiba line.

The limited edition 2024 release from the Dominican brand features a USA Broadleaf binder aged in the used barrels Weller Full Proof bourbon barrels. Toro (6″ × 50): SRP per cigar $29.99

BourbonBlog.com has followed each year’s release and reviewed it since the beginning. Bourbon expert Tom Fischer appears alongside Cohiba Cigar Blender Sean Williams in the new Cigar World Masters Series, where they taste the 2023 cigar paired with Weller 12 (both pictured below).

Watch that episode, filmed at Manhattan’s iconic Club Macanudo, as part of the series on spirits and cigar pairings, on this link. 

This new fourth cigar in the Weller by Cohiba lineup is the first to feature tobacco aged in Full Proof barrels.

Previous releases used tobacco aged in the same barrels as Weller 12 Year Bourbon and were styled after the bourbon’s distinguished black and gold packaging

The continuation of these brands’ iconic partnership marries the intricacies of the cigar and bourbon crafts, leaning into the rarity of both the tobacco and bourbon offerings.

Weller by Cohiba 2024 Full Proof: About the Cigar:

WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper,

BINDER: Full Proof Weller Bourbon barrel-aged USA Broadleaf Binder

FILLER: A filler blend of tobaccos from the Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Weller by Cohiba 2024 is hand-rolled in the Dominican Republic.

Of course, BourbonBlog.com fans know that Weller Full Proof Bourbon is considered a collector’s bottle by many spirit connoisseurs.  It is bottled at 114 proof and forgoes the traditional chill filtration process to preserve the bourbon’s natural notes of vanilla, dark cherries and caramel.

Sean Williams, brand ambassador for Cohiba, tells us, “Weller by Cohiba has become a staple in the Cohiba lineup and a great example of how the craftsmanship behind cigars and bourbon mirror one another.
Going on this journey with a partner as esteemed as Weller Bourbon is a proud moment for Cohiba.”

Medium-to-full-bodied, Weller by Cohiba 2024 offers a rare and refined smoking experience with notes of bourbon, honey and cedar. This is meant to pair perfectly with a Weller Full Proof Bourbon.

The cigars come in boxes with ten blue and gold tubos styled after the iconic Weller Full Proof packaging. Additional blends of Weller by Cohiba
include the following:

Learn More about Previous Weller by Cohiba Releases: 

Weller By Cohiba 2021 release

Weller By Cohiba 2022 release

Weller By Cohiba 2023 release

The cigar will ship to retailers at the end of September 2024.

The Weller Bourbon Collection is an award-winning member of the Sazerac spirits family. Its nine wheated bourbons are distilled by Buffalo Trace Distillery.

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The post Cohiba Releases First Cigar Aged in Weller Full Proof Bourbon Barrels first appeared on BourbonBlog.

Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co., the only brewery and distillery on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, tells BourbonBlog.com they want you to make early preparations to join them for their upcoming 25^th Anniversary Celebration in October 2024.

As Bourbon Heritage Month winds down at the end of September, they say they are excited to keep the festivities going and extend the celebration into October for our anniversary. Join them for a month filled with special events and activities designed to continue the excitement and honor their rich history.

To help celebrate, BourbonBlog.com‘s own Tom Fischer recently visited Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. to taste their latest releases and to get a glimpse of what is on the way for the coming celebrations. (Tom Fischer, National Brand Manager Dave Bob Gaspar, and friends pictured below at the distillery).

Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.

October marks the anniversary month for the modern-day Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co., which has been proudly and independently owned and operated by the Lyons family since 1999, when the operation was acquired.

The first era of Lexington Brewing Co. began in the 1890s and ended during Prohibition, with the brewery changing ownership several times in the decades that followed. When Pearse Lyons and his son, Mark, explored the brewery in 1999, it was still in operation but required significant improvement and modernization.

Pearse, a visionary and entrepreneur, recognized its potential due to its iconic past. Fueled by a passion for brewing and distilling that runs through the Lyons family’s lineage of Irish coopers, Pearse revived Lexington Brewing Co. and restored a craft beer tradition dating back to the 1700s.

Brewing resumed immediately, and by 2006, the first freshly decanted bourbon barrels were filled with Kentucky Ale, paving the way for what is now one of the largest barrel-aged beer facilities in the world and the creators of the renowned Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale. Upcycling fresh bourbon barrels to produce barrel-aged beer quickly became a hallmark of Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.

Pearse’s vision naturally extended to distilling, given his background in fermentation, his family’s heritage, and Kentucky’s bourbon tradition. In the spring of 2008, two copper pot stills commissioned from Scotland arrived in Lexington, and distillation began that autumn. Four years later, in autumn 2012, the ribbon was cut on Town Branch Distillery, located across from the brewery. This marked the opening of the first new distillery in Lexington, Kentucky, in over 100 years and officially made it the 7th member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

Those gleaming copper pot stills now stand as a testament to timeless traditions and the bold imagination of Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. as it prepares to celebrate a milestone of 25 years.

During these 25 years, Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.’s parent company, Alltech, also opened the Pearse Lyons Distillery in 2017, located in the historic St. James Church in The Liberties, Dublin’s renowned whiskey district, where they produce award-winning Irish spirits.

A Week-Month of Festivities to Celebrate 25 Years

Join them in October for a weeklong celebration of Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.’s 25th anniversary, where they are pulling out all the stops to mark this milestone in style! From October 1st to October 5th, the Visitor Center will be the epicenter of festivities, featuring exclusive tastings, unique releases, and vibrant events that highlight our rich tradition and innovation.

Kick off the week with a series of exciting whiskey and beer releases, featuring a 5-year aged and barrel-proof beer, the oldest Kentucky Single Malt Whiskey ever bottled-in-bond, and two new whiskey releases showcasing our freshly matured wheated bourbon mash bill. Enjoy music, delicious food, and craft cocktails designed to complement these special releases throughout the week.

They will also host lively parties, including a finish line bash for the Ragnar Bourbon Chase, complete with a DJ, food trucks, and a Kentucky Bourbon Trail tasting area.

Stay tuned for additional festivities throughout October as we continue to celebrate our 25th Anniversary.

This is more than just a celebration—it’s a tribute to the passion and dedication that have defined their 25 years.

25^th Anniversary Week-Month Celebration Highlights:

 

Annual Cocktail Book + Whiskey Release Tasting – Tuesday October 1^st @ Visitor Center (4pm-7pm)

• 25^th Anniversary Cocktail Book w/ recipes from bars/bartenders around the world and for sale onsite only
• Town Branch Overproof Kentucky Straight Whiskey – New Release & Complimentary Token Tasting
• Town Branch 7yr Kentucky Single Malt Whiskey – Allocated Release & Complimentary Token Tasting
• Happy Hour Menu + Outside Music and Mingling (Weather Permitting)

 

Kentucky® Pumpkin Barrel Ale Fest – Wednesday October 2^nd @ Visitor Center (4pm-7pm)

• Vintage 2023 Kentucky® Pumpkin Barrel Ale Release + Charity Pumpkin Fest Fundraiser
• Kentucky Pumpkin Barrel Ale Complimentary Token Tasting
• Happy Hour Drinks w/ Pumpkin Inspired Hand-Crafted Cocktails

25^th Anniversary Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon Release – Thursday October 3^rd @ Visitor Center (4pm-7pm)

• Town Branch 25^th Anniversary Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon Release + Complimentary Token Tasting
• Happy Hour Menu w/ Overproof Inspired Cocktails
• After Party at Bluegrass Tavern – 8pm to Late (115 Cheapside, Lexington, KY 40507)

 

25^th Anniversary Liars & Lambs Beer Release (Kentucky Only) – Friday October 4^th @ Visitor Center (4pm-7pm)

• Liars & Lambs Raspberry Brown Ale – Kentucky Only Release + Complimentary Token Tasting
• Happy Hour Menu w/ Beer & Spirits Specials
• After Party at The Jockey Bar + Tap Takeover – 8pm to Late (131 Cheapside, Lexington, KY 40507)

 

Ragnar Bourbon Chase Finish Line Party – Saturday October 5^th @ Visitor Center (10am-8pm)

• Finish Line Party w/ DJ, Food Trucks, Kentucky Bourbon Trail Tasting Area
• Special Releases available within the Visitor Center – Merch, Bottles, Drinks, etc.

 

The post Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. ‘s 25th Anniversary Celebration to Begin October 1st first appeared on BourbonBlog.

Spirits maverick Raj Peter Bhakta tells BourbonBlog.com that Bhakta Spirits is launching Hogsworth Batch 1 Blend #9 (SRP $50), the first release of an entirely new brand portfolio.

Hogsworth marries America’s best bourbons with exquisite Armagnacs from France—some over forty years old. Older, richer, more complex. “This is what it means to get your Hogsworth.” 

Only 1,700 limited edition sets of Hogsworth Batch 1 Blend #9 will be released online. In fact, our own Bourbon expert Tom Fischer was impressed when he was among the first to taste the new Hogsworth Blend with Raj Bhakta during a visit earlier this year to the BHAKTA-Griswold in Poultney, Vermont.  (photo of Raj and Tom pictured below). 

Raj Bhakta, the revolutionary drinks entrepreneur who founded BHAKTA Spirits and WhistlePig Whiskey—the latter of which he built into the most successful American whiskey brand since Prohibitiom, still has that “magic pig” in him.

“I created WhistlePig Whiskey, sold it, and severed all ties. But I remained fond of pigs. My work felt incomplete—and American whiskey needs a shakeup,” says Bhakta. “So I present Hogsworth.

 

 

Breakdown of the Hogworth: The Bourbon and Armagnac Blend

● 52% Bourbon, 48% Armagnac
● Average Age of 9.4 Years
● Blend Specifics:
o 42%: 2019 Tennessee Bourbon (4 years, five months old)
o 10%: 2019 Minnesota Bourbon (4 years old)
o 22%: 2012 French Armagnac (11 years old)
o 21%: 2010 French Armagnac (13 years old)
o 5%: 1982 French Armagnac (42 years old)

Tasting Notes:

● Nose: Honey, crème brûlée, baking spices, ginger snap
● Palate: Chai, green apple, black pepper, orange zest
● Finish: A firm business handshake with oak spice, marmalade, and vanilla bean

Beyond age, complexity, and collectability,Hogsworth’s $50 value proposition is all the more astounding for the DNA it shares with its aristocratic cousins from BHAKTA’s House of Vintages. Each bottle of Hogsworth contains BHAKTA 1982 Armagnac (SRP $309).

Bred from the same ancient gene pool of the world’s oldest spirits, Bhakta Spirits tells us that “Hogsworth spreads the wealth of its brood in the name of a fair shake for all—and Raj Peter Bhakta appears as determined as ever to redistribute the riches at Robin Hood prices.”

More About Hogsworth Batch 1 Blend #9 (SRP $50)

Weighing in at an average age of 9.4 years, Hogsworth is a blend of 52% Bourbon Whiskey from the 2019 vintage and 48% Armagnac from the 1982, 2010, and 2012 vintages.

This is no typical straight bourbon or rye.

Bhakta Spirits tells, “American drinkers, tired of being hogtied by high prices and swarmed by the same boring Big Alcohol brands, are in no mood for the ‘typical’ This is an uncommonly hefty addition to the whiskey shelf, Hogsworth blends the brawn of American bourbon with the elegance of ancient French Armagnac—delivering deep age, outrageous value, and a damn good time.”

(Peter Lynch, Master Blender BHAKTA Spirits and Raj Bhakta pictured below)

The Story Behind “Hogsworth” Explained:

Whether at the grocery store, gas pump, tax bill, or ballot box, Americans simply aren’t “getting their Hogsworth.” An entire nation cries out for fairness—and a noble hog has emerged to heed the call. He carries a scale of justice.

He has taken measure of the swine in our midst. He has found them to be lacking in heft.

And this honorable hog has promised to do what he can to battle the big heist and balance the scales, starting in his own little corner of the world.

Even if only the liquor aisle. Because at least there, he vows, all Americans ought to start getting their Hogsworth again.

How To Get A Bottle or Set

Hogsworth Batch 1 Blend #9’s initial release will be offered online-only as a limited edition, with 3-bottle collections priced at $150.

Consumers will have the chance to select their collection from three distinct label sets:

• Modern Farm
• Vintage Women
• Historical Pigure

This is a series featuring the work of fashion photographer Carter Berg, the product of a weeks-long hunt-and-wrangle which saw Bhakta and his team trek through dense Vermont woodlands in pursuit of a hog iconic enough to grace Batch 1’s labels.

Bhakta Spirits tells us that Berg also led a parallel casting call for both the hog and human models.

The Rarity and Reason to Collect Now

Bhakta tells us “The initial scarce, limited edition release of Hogsworth Batch 1 Blend #9 parallels that of his early WhistlePig Boss Hog bottlings. First offered at $130, Boss Hog has
since attained unimaginable cult status among collectors. Early bottles now regularly sell for up to $20,000.

It is the finest bottle you’ll find, at even ten times the price. Taste and see.”

After recently returning to rye with BHAKTA 2013 Straight Rye Whiskey (SRP $149) and BHAKTA 1928 (SRP $69), it was only a matter of time before Raj Bhakta says he wanted resumed his unfinished business with pigs.

“Consider Hogsworth the great equalizer. It tips the scales back to fairness, daring all competitors to measure up. It opposes boredom at every turn. It defies inflation with an
exuberant oink.

Americans shall be squeezed no more—at least not in the spirits aisle. Because in these unbalanced times, everyone deserves to get their Hogsworth.”

The post Hogsworth: Bold Blend of Bourbon and Armagnac – Bhakta disrupts the Bourbon category by blending it with 40+ year-old Armagnac first appeared on BourbonBlog.