Buffalo Trace Releases 2024 Antique Collection

Buffalo Trace Distillery has unveiled the annual Antique Collection, with five whiskies ranging from the George T. Stagg uncut and unfiltered Bourbon to the Sazerac… Read More

Buffalo Trace Distillery has unveiled the annual Antique Collection, with five whiskies ranging from the George T. Stagg uncut and unfiltered Bourbon to the Sazerac 18-year-old Rye whiskey.

This year’s release of William Larue Weller Bourbon also marks a milestone for the distillery. 25 years ago, Sazerac Company acquired the rights to the Weller brand. In a news release, Buffalo Trace Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley said “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.” The 2024 William Larue Weller Bourbon aged for more than 12 years on the lower floor of one of Buffalo Trace’s rickhouses, and is bottled at 62.9% ABV.

This year’s Eagle Rare 17-year-old Bourbon was distilled in the spring of 2007, making it 17 years and four months old at bottling time. It is bottled at 50.5% ABV as a tribute to the original Eagle Rare release in 1975.

The 2024 edition of Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye whiskey is a 6-year-old uncut, unfiltered rye bottled at 63.6% ABV, up from last year’s offering. It’s named for the bartender who first used rye whiskey in the original Sazerac cocktail.

The Sazerac 18-year-old rye is named after the official cocktail of New Orleans, and was bottled at 18 years and five months. Last year’s version was awarded the “Gold Outstanding” medal in the 2024 International Wine & Spirits Competition.

Finally, the 2024 George T. Stagg Bourbon is a 15-year-old whiskey bottled at 68.05% ABV, and is named for the original purchaser of what was then known as the O.F.C. Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky.

All five bottles are available in limited amounts nationwide with a recommended retail price of $149.99 each. However, local retailers are free to set their own pricing and frequently raise the price of the Antique Collection bottles.

Image courtesy Buffalo Trace Distillery.

Inbox | The Week’s Whisky News (November 10, 2023)

Welcome to Inbox, our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to our WFE email. It was created as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from around the world of whisk…



Welcome to Inbox, our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to our WFE email. It was created as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday. Within Inbox we aim to write a few lines detailing each press release/piece of news/PR event that we have received and provide links, where possible, for you to find out further information. 
 
Here is this week's whisky news ... 
 
________
 
 

Benromach
The Speyside distillery of Benromach has released the latest bottling into its Contrast series - the Benromach Double Matured Bordeaux Wine Cask Finish. The new whisky began life maturing in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels before being transferred to ex-Bordeaux red wine casks for a five year secondary maturation. The final casks were selected by Keith Cruickshank, the Distillery Manager. The release is a limited edition, although the exact number of bottles was not revealed in the press release. The Benromach Double Matured Bordeaux Wine Cask Finish is bottled at 46% ABV and will be available globally. A bottle will cost £60.
 
 
Eagle Rare
 

The American bourbon brand of Eagle Rare has announced its oldest ever bottling, which is the first release in the new and experimental Warehouse P series. The Eagle Rare 25 years old has been maturd in Warehouse P, one of two purpose built innovation warehouses at the Buffalo Trace distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. Within this sit many experiments in maturation and ageing - these include barrel char and toast levels, temperature, humidity, light levels, airflow and barrel placement. This is overseen by Harlen Wheatley, the Master Distiller.

Eagle Rare 25 has been bottled after a quarter of a century of maturation and there are just 200 bottles. To signify this the whiskey has been packaged in a sterling silver adorned hand-blown decanter and custom built display casket. It is bottled at 50.5% ABV (101 Proof) and will be available in selected global whisky and luxury retailers. Each decanter will cost $US10,000.

 
Kilchoman
 

The Islay farm distillery of Kilchoman has released their oldest general release bottling to date - the Kilchoman 16 years old. The new whisky is created from just 21 casks, most of which are ex-bourbon with a small percentage of ex-Oloroso sherry, some of which are some of the earliest casks produced at Kilchoman in 2006 and 2007. 
 
The casks were selected by founder Anthony Wills and Robin Bignal, the distillery's Production Manager. The Kilchoman 16 years old is available from selected whisky retailers worldwide and is bottled at 50% ABV. It is both non chill-filtered and of natural colour. The price was not revealed in the press release.
 
"This is a landmark release for the distillery, the oldest global bottling we have done to date at 16 years of age. I look forward to Kilchoman fans around the world tasting this outstanding whisky and experience the evolving character of our single malt."
Anthony Wills.

 
Leith 
 

Bottlers and distillers The Leith Export Co. have announced the release of two new bottlings into its whisky portfolio - the Perpetuity Batch #2 and Table Whisky. Perpetuity is inspired by the infinity bottle concept, blending whiskies from across Scotland into a perpetual vat of liquid. Housed in its contemporary wine-inspired bottle, the label depicts the story of a 15th Century Leith cooper, Henry Douglas - nicknamed the ‘Cursed Cooper’. Perpetuity Batch #2 (pictured, above) consists of just 3,000 bottles and is released at 46% ABV. A bottle will cost £45.
 
 

Table Whisky (pictured, above) is the company's first ever single grain release and is designed to be used in cocktails. There are just 3,000 bottles in the release and it is bottled at 43% ABV. Each bottle will cost £35 and are currently only available via the Leith Export Co. website or in the Port of Leith distillery shop.


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Making Whiskey in the Music City

Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery was once Tennessee’s largest distillery in pre-Prohibition times. The great-great-great grandsons of Charles Nelson revived the family business in downtown Nashville,… Read More

Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery was once Tennessee’s largest distillery in pre-Prohibition times. The great-great-great grandsons of Charles Nelson revived the family business in downtown Nashville, and have been making Tennessee whiskey along with sourced Bourbons and now, a Rye Whiskey. The distillery underwent a major expansion recently, and we’ll talk with co-founder Andy Nelson on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, time is running short to avoid a return to Europe’s import tariffs on American whiskies, while a new Wild Turkey Bourbon features something different…three generations of Russells on the label. 

Episode 1028: October 29, 2023

Links: Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery | Midleton Distillery Experience | Distilled Spirits Council of the United States | Wild Turkey | Buffalo Trace | Rabbit Hole | James E. Pepper Distillery | Fraser & Thompson | Frey Ranch | Balcones Distilling | Ironroot Republic Distillery

Buffalo Trace Rolls Out 2023 Antique Collection

Buffalo Trace has released five bourbons and whiskies to comprise their 2023 Antique Collection. Buffalo Trace Eagle Rare was aged for 19 years and three months, bottled at 50.1% alcohol by volume (101 proof) and is said to offer notes of caramel, cherry and dark chocolate. Buffalo Trace George T Stagg Bourbon was aged 15 […]

The post Buffalo Trace Rolls Out 2023 Antique Collection first appeared on Whisky Critic – Whisky Reviews & Articles – Style. Attitude. Whisky..

Buffalo Trace has released five bourbons and whiskies to comprise their 2023 Antique Collection.

Buffalo Trace Eagle Rare was aged for 19 years and three months, bottled at 50.1% alcohol by volume (101 proof) and is said to offer notes of caramel, cherry and dark chocolate.

Buffalo Trace George T Stagg Bourbon was aged 15 years, bottled at 68% alcohol by volume (136 proof) and is said to offer notes of cherry, chocolate, cinnamon and vanilla.

Buffalo Trace Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old Whiskey was aged 18 years, bottled at 45% alcohol by volume (90 proof) and is said to offer notes of aniseed, black pepper, clove, honey, tobacco leaf and the ubiquitous vanilla.

Buffalo Trace Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye Whiskey was bottled at 62.85% alcohol by volume (125.7 proof) and is said to offer notes of black licorice, caramel, orange and pine.

Buffalo Trace William Larue Weller Bourbon was bottled at 64% alcohol by volume (128 proof) and is said to offer notes of brown sugar, cherry, maple syrup and, of course, vanilla.

All five bottles in the 2023 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection are being made available for $125 per bottle.

The post Buffalo Trace Rolls Out 2023 Antique Collection first appeared on Whisky Critic - Whisky Reviews & Articles - Style. Attitude. Whisky..

EAGLE RARE 25 YEAR BOURBON is Landing Soon: What You Need To Know

eagle rare

We just caught wind of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s newest upcoming release – Eagle Rare 25 Year Bourbon. Ok, so the chances of finding this in the wild are probably near the odds of finding a 2 headed bald eagle in the wilderness. Nonetheless, it’s good to know what’s out there. AGE: 25 Years PROOF: 101 […]

The post EAGLE RARE 25 YEAR BOURBON is Landing Soon: What You Need To Know first appeared on The Bourbon Review.

eagle rare

We just caught wind of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s newest upcoming release – Eagle Rare 25 Year Bourbon.

Ok, so the chances of finding this in the wild are probably near the odds of finding a 2 headed bald eagle in the wilderness. Nonetheless, it’s good to know what’s out there.

AGE: 25 Years

PROOF: 101 (50.5% abv)

SRP: $10,000

BOTTLE COUNT: 200 Bottles (750ml).

AVAILIBILITY: Globally November 2023 at select bars, restaurants, and retailers

Per Buffalo Trace’s website:

At 25 years old, Eagle Rare 25 marks the oldest expression released from the Eagle Rare portfolio. Defying existing perception of ultra-aged bourbon with its smooth, complex flavor profile, Eagle Rare 25 is a remarkable result from the World’s Most Award-winning Distillery’s multi-decade and $20-million-dollar-plus experimental program.

Eagle Rare 25 is the first release from Warehouse P, one of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s two experimental warehouses. A purpose-built, state-of-the-art warehouse, Warehouse P was constructed to test if it was possible to extend favorably both the aging and maturation processes typical for American whiskey and bourbon.  

BOTTLE DESIGN: Per BTD’s website, Eagle Rare 25 was bottled upon reaching its silver anniversary in the barrel, symbolized by the custom sterling silver wing hand-hammered to encase each hand-blown crystal decanter perfectly. Opening the custom display box reveals an eagle’s outstretched wings framing the 101-proof bourbon, which also contains an elegant glass eagle inside the bottle.

eagle rare
eagle rare

About Warehouse P: Experimental Collection

Opened in 2018, Warehouse P is the second of BTD’s experimental aging warehouses (Warehouse X being the 1st) at its iconic Frankfort homebase campus. It is a year round temperature controlled environment. Per a 2018 New York Times article, Warehouse P stays at a constant 45 degrees F. The warehouse essentially imitates a giant refrigerator. BTD is heavily invested and interested in unlocking the door to substantially longer aged American Whiskey. Think more of the 40 year and 50+ year bottles coming from our friends across the pond in Scotland. Their climate is moderate without the big temperature fluctuations we have here in Kentucky and in the states.

In theory, maintaining a cooler climate will allow their whiskey to age gracefully without picking up the heavy tannins attributed with oak or “over-oaking”. Essentially, leaving the pie in the oven for too long.

Time will tell how this experiment plays out as it is exciting to see the first release from Warehouse P debuting in Eagle Rare 25 Year Bourbon.

Per Buffalo Trace Distillery Master Distillery Harlen Wheatley,”Eagle Rare 25 defies the conventional limits of typical bourbon aging. When crafting whiskey in conditions like those we experience in Kentucky, two reactions happen over time: more liquid is lost due to evaporation – also known as angel’s share – and extraction of flavors from the barrel becomes more intense, often leading older whiskeys to taste over-oaked, astringent, and dry. The unique set of aging conditions in Warehouse P has allowed us to create a 25-year-old bourbon that smooths out the extractions and highlights the desirable flavors found in ultra-aged American whiskey products.” 

Wheatley added,We closely monitored Eagle Rare 25 throughout the aging process and discovered that the impact over time due to controlled, extended aging was optimally mature whiskey – by that, I mean whiskey that is uniquely smooth and complex with deep, mature flavors around every corner. Eagle Rare 25 is unlike any other extra-aged bourbon on the market today. We are quite proud of this bourbon.”  

Per Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director at Buffalo Trace Distillery,“Around the globe, an eagle’s wings symbolize freedom and the opportunity to reach higher. It’s also a reminder for us at Buffalo Trace Distillery to never settle in our pursuit of crafting the perfect bourbon,” “In service of that relentless pursuit, Eagle Rare 25 is the pinnacle of American whiskey to date from our Distillery, and our Eagle Rare brand is the perfect portfolio to showcase this barrier-breaking expression.”  

For the latest in Bourbon, visit www.thebourbonreview.com

The post EAGLE RARE 25 YEAR BOURBON is Landing Soon: What You Need To Know first appeared on The Bourbon Review.

NEW RELEASE: Bourbon County Stout 2023 Lineup Includes Angel’s Envy and Eagle Rare Finishes

bourbon county

Mark your calendars for Black Friday in November. That is when the Goose Island’s coveted annual “Bourbon County Stout” lineup will hit the shelves. This year’s hitters include an Angel’s Envy and Eagle Rare finish. Want, yes we do. FAST FACTS 2023 Bourbon County Brand Original Stout   ABV: 14.6% & 14.1%  Availability: National markets  […]

The post NEW RELEASE: Bourbon County Stout 2023 Lineup Includes Angel’s Envy and Eagle Rare Finishes first appeared on The Bourbon Review.

bourbon county

Mark your calendars for Black Friday in November. That is when the Goose Island’s coveted annual “Bourbon County Stout” lineup will hit the shelves. This year’s hitters include an Angel’s Envy and Eagle Rare finish. Want, yes we do.

FAST FACTS

  • The 2023 Goose Island Bourbon County Stout family includes:
  1. 2023 Bourbon County Brand Original Stout
  2. 2023 Bourbon County Brand Eagle Rare 2-Year Reserve Stout 
  3. 2023 Bourbon County Brand Angel’s Envy 2-Year Cask Finish Stout
  4. 2023 Bourbon County Brand Bananas Foster Stout
  5. 2023 Bourbon County Brand Backyard Stout
  6. 2023 Bourbon County Brand Proprietor’s Stout

2023 Bourbon County Brand Original Stout  

ABV: 14.6% & 14.1% 

Availability: National markets 

Format: 16.9oz bottle & draft 

Tasting Notes: Vanilla, cocoa, cherry, caramelized sugar & almond 

After crafting the very first bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout, Goose Island’s brewers learned that to have the best beer, you start with the best possible ingredients. Barrels are such an important ingredient, and Goose continues to use only the best their friends on the bourbon trail have to offer.  

2023 Bourbon County Brand Original Stout is aged in a mix of freshly emptied bourbon barrels from Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill, Four Roses and Wild Turkey distilleries. 

Barrel-aged for an average of 12 months, Bourbon County Original Stout boasts deeply developed flavors of fudge, vanilla, and caramelized sugar with a rich, decadent mouthfeel. 

Additional Notes/Facts: 

  • Bourbon County Brand Stout is the original bourbon barrel-aged stout created. 
  • Bourbon County Brand Stout was brewed to celebrate Goose Island’s 1,000th batch of beer in 1992.  
  • Bourbon County Brand Stout was first disqualified from the Great American Beer Fest when first submitted because at the time, there was not a category for bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout. 

2023 Bourbon County Brand Eagle Rare 2-Year Reserve Stout 

bourbon county

ABV: TBD 

Availability: National markets 

Format: 16.9oz bottle  

Tasting Notes: Robust oak, toasted almond, & warming vanilla 

With a heritage rooted in authenticity and a commitment to craftsmanship, Eagle Rare captures the essence of American history with its Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. Just as bourbon is a uniquely American product, Bourbon County Brand Stout is distinctly Chicago. From the carefully selected American oak barrels sourced from Eagle Rare in Kentucky, to the distinct combination of Chicago’s unique climate and original imperial stout recipe crafted here; 2023 Bourbon County Brand Eagle Rare 2-Year Reserve Stout epitomizes a proud American legacy. 
 

Aged for two years in extraordinary Eagle Rare 10-year-old barrels, each sip is a culmination of the brewers’ passion, intricately woven together with the nuanced flavors imparted by these remarkable barrels. Bourbon County Eagle Rare Reserve Stout is an incredibly complex and boldly rich stout that celebrates the essence of American brewing at its finest. 

2023 Bourbon County Brand Angel’s Envy 2-Year Cask Finish Stout 

bourbon county

ABV: TBD 

Availability: National markets 

Format: 16.9oz bottle  

Tasting Notes: Cherry, spice & cocoa 

Introducing the newest addition to the Bourbon County family: Goose Island’s first-ever “Cask Finish” stout. Inspired by the artistry of their friends at Angel’s Envy, the brewers embarked on a journey to further develop the complexity of barrel-aged stout by introducing never-before-used finishing barrels. The beer starts in freshly emptied barrels that once held Angel’s Envy Kentucky straight bourbon. After aging in those for a year, the beer was transferred to a second set of Ruby Port wine barrels where it patiently matured for another year. This finishing process refined and amplified the flavors of cherry, spice, and cocoa within this aged stout. 2023 Bourbon County Brand Angel’s Envy 2-Year Cask Finish Stout is a testament to Goose Island’s legacy as the originators of bourbon barrel-aged stout.  

Owen Martin, Master Distiller, Angel’s Envy:

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Goose Island, to be a part of their annual iconic Bourbon County Stout line-up,” said Owen Martin, Master Distiller of Angel’s Envy. “What’s exciting about the Angel’s Envy BCS collaboration is the beer is finished in a way that replicates how we finish our award-winning bourbon, in port wine barrels. We believe that the secondary finishing process, when done with intention, opens up exciting, new opportunities to enhance and elevate bourbon — or in this case, stout — to unexpected places.” 

2023 Bourbon County Brand Bananas Foster Stout 

ABV: TBD 

Availability: National markets 

Format: 16.9oz bottle & draft 

Tasting Notes: Ripe bananas, toasted almond, brown sugar & cinnamon 

Ingredients: Banana, almond, cassia bark & natural flavor 

Welcoming back another member of the family this year, 2023 Bourbon County Brand Bananas Foster Stout makes its debut on the national stage. This recipe was first released in 2017 as Bourbon County Brand Proprietor’s Stout only to Chicago drinkers. Beloved by many, that release is especially near and dear to innovation brewer Quinn Fuechsl’s heart.  

At the time when Goose Island first released this beer, the brewery hadn’t experimented with bananas much. However, Quinn had a good feeling that the fruit, along with almond and cassia bark, would be perfect ingredients in a bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout — indeed, he was right. Sure to bring a bit of flair to your palate, this decadent pour is well-balanced with deep caramelization, aromas of fresh baked banana bread and warm notes of cinnamon and almond.  

Additional Notes/Facts: 

  • The brewers used three different types of almonds to get the full flavor into the beer.
  • Prop Day is a fond memory for Quinn. Being able to speak directly to local fans of the beer is a rewarding process, and bringing this beer to the national stage makes it that much more impactful.
  • Seeing the evolution of this beer is representative of Quinn’s own story of starting out as a brewer and moving into an innovation role. The 2017 Prop was his big first release, and he is proud seeing it grow even further now.

2023 Bourbon County Brand Backyard Stout 

ABV: TBD 

Availability: National markets 

Format: 16.9oz bottle & draft 

Tasting Notes: Chocolate, vanilla & berry fruit 

Ingredients: Mulberry, boysenberry & marionberry 

Feeling nostalgic this year, Goose’s brewers dove into the Bourbon County vault and pulled out an iconic recipe. In 2013, the brewery released “Backyard Rye” and senior innovation manager Mike Siegel found himself hand picking mulberries off trees just steps away from the Goose Island Barrel House in Chicago. Inspired by that initial release and by his own childhood memories of picking fruit in his own backyard, Mike set to work on this year’s 2023 Bourbon County Brand Backyard Stout.  

This barrel-aged stout is first aged in bourbon barrels for at least one year, and then finished and blended with mulberries, boysenberries and marionberries. Each addition of berry contributes its own distinct flavor profile, with some adding sweetness and others providing acidity and complexity. A taste of the past, this imperial stout is a balanced and nuanced play on fresh fruit, vanilla, and chocolate. 

Additional Notes/Facts: 

  • Mike grew up with mulberry trees in his backyard as a child where he has fond memories of the fruit. He really loved his time picking fruit on the side of the railroad tracks with his family. At some point, his parents decided that having a dog and child running through smashing mulberries barefoot was a bit messy and removed the trees. But his love of the fruit endured. 
  • Backyard Rye was a 2013 Runner-up to Best in Show at FOBAB (Festival of Barrel-Aged Beer) 
  • 2013 Backyard Rye has a perfect score of 100 on Beer Advocate 
  • Originally brewed as Backyard Rye: a stout aged in rye whiskey barrels.  

2023 Bourbon County Brand Proprietor’s Stout 

ABV: TBD 

Availability: Chicago market 

Format: 16.9oz bottle & draft 

Tasting Notes: Toasted rice, dried fruit, vanilla custard & warming spice 

Ingredients: Cassia bark, toasted rice, raisins & natural flavor 

Year after year, Proprietor’s Stout is an homage to the adventurous craft beer community in Chicago. 2023 Bourbon County Brand Proprietor’s Stout embodies that spirit while subtly evoking a comforting sense of home and the holidays. 

In the heart of Chicago winter, the Goose team was inspired by the warming flavors of a classic dessert: rice pudding. Never having used rice as an ingredient in a stout before, the brewers were excited for the opportunity to brew these flavors into a beer worthy of the city of Chicago.  

Using a combination of cassia bark, brown sugar, raisins and toasted rice, the final recipe is a taste of home cooking. This stout wraps you in a culinary blanket of toasted rice, vanilla custard, dried fruit, and baking spices. Proprietor’s is Goose’s love language, Chicago. 

MORE INFO: HERE

For the latest in Bourbon, visit www.thebourbonreview.com

The post NEW RELEASE: Bourbon County Stout 2023 Lineup Includes Angel’s Envy and Eagle Rare Finishes first appeared on The Bourbon Review.

Want an Entire Barrel of Blanton’s or Eagle Rare from BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY? “Single Barrel Select” Program is Your Ticket!

Barrel

The ultimate bragging rights lay at your fingertips – the chance to buy your very own barrel of whiskey from Buffalo Trace Distillery! How is this possible? Their “SINGLE BARREL SELECT” program which is open to any Joe/Jane Q consumer (21yrs and older). Here’s how it works. HOW TO ENTER “SINGLE BARREL SELECT” PROGRAM To […]

The post Want an Entire Barrel of Blanton’s or Eagle Rare from BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY? “Single Barrel Select” Program is Your Ticket! first appeared on The Bourbon Review.

Barrel

The ultimate bragging rights lay at your fingertips – the chance to buy your very own barrel of whiskey from Buffalo Trace Distillery! How is this possible? Their “SINGLE BARREL SELECT” program which is open to any Joe/Jane Q consumer (21yrs and older). Here’s how it works.

HOW TO ENTER “SINGLE BARREL SELECT” PROGRAM

To ENTER, just CLICK HERE to their website and then click on “SIGN UP”. Very easy. You’re in!…As noted, you MUST ENTER by June 30th to be eligible for the July 26th drawings which include Sazerac Rye, Blanton’s, Eagle Rare, and Buffalo Trace Bourbon.

For a more thorough rundown on the program and the inner workings – CLICK HERE.

DEADLINE TO ENTER NEXT DRAWING: June 30th, 2023

DRAWING TAKES PLACE LIVE: July 26th, 6:15pm – 6:45pm EDT

Drawings Noted Below

barrel

The post Want an Entire Barrel of Blanton’s or Eagle Rare from BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY? “Single Barrel Select” Program is Your Ticket! first appeared on The Bourbon Review.

Sipp’n Corn Bourbon Law Update – Sazerac Hits Republic National with Friday the 13th Lawsuit.

News broke on January 3 that Sazerac was terminating its distribution relationship with Republic National Distributing Company and moving to numerous smaller distributors in about 30 states.  This was such a massive change in the industry that a few days later, we covered it…

News broke on January 3 that Sazerac was terminating its distribution relationship with Republic National Distributing Company and moving to numerous smaller distributors in about 30 states.  This was such a massive change in the industry that a few days later, we covered it on the Bourbon Community Roundtable.

Now, just days after the release of that Roundtable episode, Sazerac sued Republic in federal court in Louisville on January 13.  Sazerac came out of the gate with allegations that Republic has refused to pay for tens of millions of dollars for Sazerac products, has stopped payment on nearly $40 million of wholesale products, and that Republic has “bad-mouthed Sazerac in the marketplace.” 

As we speculated on the Roundtable, Sazerac also complains and alleges that Republic failed to sufficiently promote Sazerac products to retailers and that Republic “would oftentimes improperly condition the availability of certain high-end (and highly sought after) Sazerac products, such as Pappy Van Winkle, to its retail accounts on the purchase of non-Sazerac products, commonly known as ‘tie-in’ sales.”

Although not mentioned in the Complaint, Sazerac and Republic had expanded their relationship as recently as 2019 when Sazerac bought 19 brands from Diageo.  Republic added those new brands to its portfolio in seven states.  According to its website, Republic serves almost 90% of the U.S. market volume and it uses its national reach to help supplies build relationships and reach their target consumers, which sounds like precisely what a large producer like Sazerac would need.

One new fact revealed by the Complaint is that Sazerac and Republic entered into a new global distribution agreement in 2021 and it was really Republic who terminated that Agreement, and that happened in summer 2022 (without any news splashes).

In total, Sazerac asks the Court to award it $38.6 million in damages through January 12, 2023, and that continued breaches will result in “at least an additional $48 million in damages.” Remember, Complaints only present one side of the story and Republic has not yet had an opportunity to tell its side of the story.  The case is Sazerac Company, Inc. v. Republic National Distributing Company, LLC, No. 3:23-cv-00025.

Explore The Buffalo Trace Mash Bills

How much do you know about the mash bills from Buffalo Trace Distillery. On this week’s episode and in this Article we will explore the buffalo trace mash bills from the fan favorite distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky and introduce you to some unknown information. The Bourbon Road Media Player Press play above to

The post Explore The Buffalo Trace Mash Bills appeared first on The Bourbon Road.

How much do you know about the mash bills from Buffalo Trace Distillery. On this week’s episode and in this Article we will explore the buffalo trace mash bills from the fan favorite distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky and introduce you to some unknown information.

The Bourbon Road Media Player


Press play above to listen to this episode

Buffalo Trace has two primary mash bills along with their rye whiskey mash bill and their wheated bourbon mash bill all of which they don’t disclose the recipe. Mash bill #1 is most likely 10% or less rye while mash bill #2 is somewhere between 10% to 12%.. The wheat mash bill is thought to be over 15% wheat, while the rye whiskey mash bill is thought to be just 51% rye. There is the EH Taylor Straight rye that is assumed to have a high percentage of rye.

Wait there is even more to let you know about the monster distillery. The Abraham Bowman Distillery in Virginia is a blend of the #1 and #2 mash bills that is shipped to Virginia where it is redistilled and aged in Virginia. If you will see the whiskey mold covering almost everything around the small distillery.. There are also other mash bills that you will be familiar with but might not have had the chance to taste such as, Buffalo Trace Four Grain mash bill and  Buffalo Trace Amaranth mash bill.  One last fact that we need to cover about the mash bills of Buffalo Trace is Ancient Age.

Ancient Age is another slightly confusing brand made by Buffalo Trace, but not owned by it. The ultra-affordable brand is another holdover from the Age International days, only Ancient Age keeps much of its juice in the US but we bet you didn’t know that AGE International is  a subsidiary of Takara Shuzo Co. Oh did I just give you the correct answer to our giveaway? I think I did. So I would call the #2 mash bill their contract distilled mash bill.

So with that you know what I like to say. Grab that glass, a bottle from your favorite Buffalo Trace mash bill. Listen as Jim and I walk you down The Bourbon Road sipping on 8 of these delicious whiskeys while we explore the Buffalo Trace mash bills. Cheers

Mike (Big Chief)

Newsletter

The post Explore The Buffalo Trace Mash Bills appeared first on The Bourbon Road.

Fan Giveaway of FIVE Special Limited Edition Posters this Holiday Season by Buffalo Trace Distillery

Fan GiveawayBuffalo Trace Distillery is fully embracing “the holiday spirit”. Beginning today (#givingtuesday2021) the highly acclaimed producers of, well, a lot of highly coveted Bourbon and Ryes, is doing a number of fan giveaways for a five-series batch of uniquely hand crafted commemorative posters. And per BTD, there’s actual BOURBON IN THE INK! The artful posters […]

The post Fan Giveaway of FIVE Special Limited Edition Posters this Holiday Season by Buffalo Trace Distillery appeared first on The Bourbon Review.

Fan Giveaway

Buffalo Trace Distillery is fully embracing “the holiday spirit”.

Beginning today (#givingtuesday2021) the highly acclaimed producers of, well, a lot of highly coveted Bourbon and Ryes, is doing a number of fan giveaways for a five-series batch of uniquely hand crafted commemorative posters. And per BTD, there’s actual BOURBON IN THE INK! The artful posters are GIVEAWAY ONLY and will not be sold by BTD.

PLEASE NOTE: This is through INSTAGRAM ONLY – @buffalotracedistillery.

TODAY’S GIVEAWAY (11/30)Instagram Only

TO ENTER: Hop on @buffalotracedistillery Instagram Page. Make sure to “Follow” their page. Lastly, tag who you would like to give this poster to (besides yourself).

EYE CANDY TEASER FOR POSTER #2 GIVEAWAY on 12/2

POSTER #2 GIVEAWAY on 12/9

Please stay tuned for details on the remaining three posters of the FANS GIVEAWAY and good luck!

The post Fan Giveaway of FIVE Special Limited Edition Posters this Holiday Season by Buffalo Trace Distillery appeared first on The Bourbon Review.