Tennessee Whiskey’s Lost History

History changes all the time as we uncover new facts about the past, and historian Drew Hannush’s new book shakes up some of the history… Read More

History changes all the time as we uncover new facts about the past, and historian Drew Hannush’s new book shakes up some of the history of Tennessee Whiskey. For starters, “The Lost History of Tennessee Whiskey” sheds new light on the origin stories of Jack Daniel’s and the Lincoln County Process. We’ll talk with Drew Hannush on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Heaven Hill is closing its bottling operations in Canada, while Irish Distillers is getting out of the beer business. 

Episode 1041: January 28, 2024

Links: Whiskey Lore | Heaven Hill | Irish Distillers | Scotch Whisky Association | The Macallan | Glenmorangie | Wolfburn Distillery | Elijah Craig | Lodestar Whiskey | Patricia Green Cellars | Cyrus Noble Bourbon | Kokoro Spirits | Garrison Brothers Distillery

Black Velvet Now Available In Peach

The world was not exactly clamoring for it but Heaven Hill has released a peach-flavored version of Black Velvet Canadian whisky. Black Velvet Peach, bottled at 35% alcohol by volume [70 proof] now joins Black Velvet’s other whisky flavors which include Black Velvet Apple and Black Velvet Toasted Caramel. Black Velvet Peach is being made […]

The world was not exactly clamoring for it but Heaven Hill has released a peach-flavored version of Black Velvet Canadian whisky.

Black Velvet Peach, bottled at 35% alcohol by volume [70 proof] now joins Black Velvet’s other whisky flavors which include Black Velvet Apple and Black Velvet Toasted Caramel.

Black Velvet Peach is being made available for $11 per 750ml bottle.

Heaven Hill Acquires Craft Producer Samson & Surrey

February 1, 2022 – Heaven Hill is expanding its portfolio to include “craft” whiskey brands such as FEW Spirits, Widow Jane, and Brenne with its acquisition of Samson & Surrey. The craft producer has been one of the fastest-growing spirits companies in the industry since it was founded by industry veterans Robert Furniss-Roe and Juan Rovira five years ago, and will operate as a standalone unit within the Shapira family’s Heaven Hill Brands. Heaven Hill president Max Shapira said in a statement released following the close of business Tuesday “the Samson & Surrey portfolio strategically enhances our portfolio with emerging Read More »

February 1, 2022 – Heaven Hill is expanding its portfolio to include “craft” whiskey brands such as FEW Spirits, Widow Jane, and Brenne with its acquisition of Samson & Surrey. The craft producer has been one of the fastest-growing spirits companies in the industry since it was founded by industry veterans Robert Furniss-Roe and Juan Rovira five years ago, and will operate as a standalone unit within the Shapira family’s Heaven Hill Brands.

Heaven Hill president Max Shapira said in a statement released following the close of business Tuesday “the Samson & Surrey portfolio strategically enhances our portfolio with emerging brands in strong growth categories. Together with their team, Heaven Hill is poised to leverage the tremendous potential of these exciting brands.” Terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

In addition to the FEW, Widow Jane, and Brenne brands, the deal also includes Philadelphia Distilling’s Bluecoat Gin, Tequila Ocho, and Mezcal Vago. Heaven Hill will also acquire the FEW Spirits Distillery in Evanston, Illinois, Widow Jane’s distillery in Brooklyn, New York, and Philadelphia Distilling’s distillery along with the company’s other production facilities.

“Over the last five years we have enjoyed unprecedented success thanks to the talents of our team, the truly remarkable award-winning liquids we make, and the engaging consumer stories we tell. The combined talent, scale, and resources of Heaven Hill now present a unique opportunity to provide a long-term home for Samson & Surrey and to further accelerate our growth,” Furniss-Roe said in a statement. 

The acquisition is the first for Heaven Hill since its 2019 purchase of Black Velvet Canadian Whisky and the Black Velvet distillery in Lethbridge, Alberta from Constellation Brands.

WhiskyCast has requested interviews with Heaven Hill and Samson & Surrey executives. This story will be updated with additional information.

Links: Heaven Hill | Samson & Surrey