Distilleries jockeyed for headlines, unveiling new releases, launching new brands, and—most dramatically—Heaven Hill returned to making Bourbon in Bardstown. The Kentucky Bourbon Festival isn’t just a local event anymore; it’s a tentpole moment on the whiskey calendar.
The Four Roses booth had its usual suspects lined up, but behind the staff, I spotted a plain brown bottle with a PC-printed label: Straight Bourbon Whiskey 20 Year. One polite ask later, I was holding a glass of 20-year-old Four Roses.
Waikulu Distillery is located on the windward side of the island in Makawao. The setting of this place is gorgeous. Yes, it’s Maui, everything looks amazing, but the farm is nestled on 6 acres on the side of a hill/mountain/volcano. It’s stunning.
Not everyone can snag a spot on a Four Roses barrel pick, but we’ve got you covered. We documented the whole experience to give our entire community a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to be part of a Bourbon & Banter Four Roses barrel pick
“One reason I chose to do this in Canada was the rules for Canadian whisky aren’t so strict as they are for bourbon, I wanted to have more freedom to do something different.”
As a seasoned travelers, we are well-acquainted with the pleasures of the airport lounge. It offers a respite from the masses, a dedicated bathroom, a smattering of (usually mediocre) snacks, and a bevy of alcoholic drinks to enjoy between gates.
“We’re not just farming here—we’re stressing these grains, making them work for it. And that stress translates to flavor.”
“To have the distillery and Saloon in the heart of Park City was the original owners’ end-all, be-all goal—a place where guests could come, have a wonderful meal and whiskey pairing, and see our production right in front of their faces.”
We have zero plans to build and sell the distillery. We want to own and be a part of it for a very long time.
So, to look at the back label on a bottle and read ‘produced and bottled by,’ you know you’re getting something truly from that distillery.
