Category: Versailles

True Story: Wes Henderson’s Next Chapter

Wes Henderson retired recently from Angel’s Envy, the whiskey brand he and his father, the late Lincoln Henderson created. Retirement didn’t suit Wes well, though,… Read More

Wes Henderson retired recently from Angel’s Envy, the whiskey brand he and his father, the late Lincoln Henderson created. Retirement didn’t suit Wes well, though, and he’s back in the Bourbon business with True Story’s finished Bourbon and Rye whiskies. He’s also building a $92 million distillery in Versailles, Kentucky and upgrading the nearby Kentucky Castle boutique hotel and event space to make it more Bourbon-focused. We’ll talk with the busy Wes Henderson on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, a port strike on the U.S. East Coast is over, clearing the way for shipments of whisky from Europe. We’ll also have the trophy winners from this year’s International Wine & Spirits Competition. 

Episode 1077: October 6, 2024

Links: True Story Whiskey | International Wine & Spirits Competition | House of Suntory | The Macallan | The Dalmore | Blade and Bow | King of Kentucky Bourbon | Westward Whiskey | The Whisky Exchange | Stauning Distillery | Widow Jane | Johnnie Walker | The Balvenie | Old Overholt | Hudson Whiskey | Uncle Nearest

Image courtesy Saga Spirits.

NEW LAUNCH: “True Story” Bourbon & Rye Unveiled by Henderson Family and $92.5M Investment

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{VERSAILLES, KY} A new chapter in American Whiskey history begins. Wes Henderson, Bourbon Hall of Fame inductee and co-founder of ANGEL’S ENVY®, has created a new whiskey company, Saga Spirits Group, and is launching a new portfolio of premium whiskey under the brand True Story. Today’s unveiling rides the rippling news of a $92.5 MILLION […]

The post NEW LAUNCH: “True Story” Bourbon & Rye Unveiled by Henderson Family and $92.5M Investment first appeared on The Bourbon Review.

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{VERSAILLES, KY} A new chapter in American Whiskey history begins. Wes Henderson, Bourbon Hall of Fame inductee and co-founder of ANGEL’S ENVY®, has created a new whiskey company, Saga Spirits Group, and is launching a new portfolio of premium whiskey under the brand True Story.

Today’s unveiling rides the rippling news of a $92.5 MILLION investment by Saga Spirits in Lexington’s neighboring Versailles, KY.

Per the brand, True Story combines timeless tradition with modern innovation. Leveraging decades of experience, the unique process and finishing techniques create sophisticated and distinctive whiskey. The True Story legacy begins with:

  • True Story Finished Bourbon: a 90-proof Kentucky straight Bourbon whiskey aged five to six years in charred American white oak barrels. The Bourbon is finished in White Moscatel casks, a fortified wine, for up to six months, highlighting notes of white exotic fruits and florals that create a complementary sweetness to the whiskey.
  • True Story Finished Rye: a 100-proof blend of straight Rye whiskey with a tasting profile of sweet raisin, cinnamon, black pepper, caramelized sugar and French oak. Initially aged five to eight years, the liquid is then finished for two to twelve months in Brazilian Amburana hardwood to add notes of spice and matured in Pedro Ximénez (PX) and Oloroso Sherry casks to draw out raisin and dried fruit notes that combine for a perfectly balanced final profile, per the brand.
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The packaging is extremely unique. The finished bourbon is in an all-black matte hexagonal bottle, and the rye is in an all-white hexangular bottle. The sleek, minimalist bottle design stands out on a back bar, allowing the quality of the spirit to speak for itself.

“Our family’s roots are deeply intertwined with the rich heritage of Kentucky and Whiskey,” said Wes Henderson, CEO and Founder of True Story. “We founded True Story to create a space where people can ‘pull up a chair,’ share a drink, and connect over stories. Whether you’re a seasoned whiskey drinker or new to the experience, we believe every bottle holds a unique story waiting to be told.

Wes Henderson is joined at True Story by his six sons, continuing the legacy of his father, Lincoln Henderson, who was responsible for creating some of America’s most beloved spirits.

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Henderson Family. Founders of True Story Whiskey. Courtesy



“We’re committed to crafting spirits that stand the test of time,” said Kyle Henderson, Head of Production at True Story. “True Story is a testament to our dedication to quality. From carefully selecting ingredients to the meticulous blending process, every step is taken with the utmost care to ensure a truly exceptional product.”

A 750ml bottle of True Story Finished Bourbon has a suggested retail price of $59.99, while True Story Finished Rye is suggested to retail for $69.99.* Both will be available on TrueStoryWhiskey.com and at select Kentucky and Tennessee retailers starting October 10. Prices may vary by state.

The post NEW LAUNCH: “True Story” Bourbon & Rye Unveiled by Henderson Family and $92.5M Investment first appeared on The Bourbon Review.

Crunch Time for Craft Distillers

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. 

Episode 1072: September 1, 2024

Links: American Craft Spirits Association | Pernod Ricard | Brown-Forman | Lexington Herald-Leader | Connacht Whiskey | Bowmore | The Dalmore | Jura | Glencadam | Parker’s Heritage Collection | Booker’s Bourbon | Little Book | Redemption Whiskey | Wyoming Whiskey | New Riff Distilling | Compass Box | Lost Lantern | Hirsch Whiskeys

$92.5 MILLION BOURBON INVESTMENT Coming to Woodford Co., Kentucky

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BIG NEWS in Bourbon Country – to the tune of $92.5 million!!!…A press release from Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear’s office announced colossal plans for a 150 acre whiskey themed production and hospitality site at Edgewood in Woodford County (Versailles). The vision includes: Who’s Behind It? Saga Spirits Group. The charge is being lead by a […]

The post $92.5 MILLION BOURBON INVESTMENT Coming to Woodford Co., Kentucky first appeared on The Bourbon Review.

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BIG NEWS in Bourbon Country – to the tune of $92.5 million!!!…A press release from Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear’s office announced colossal plans for a 150 acre whiskey themed production and hospitality site at Edgewood in Woodford County (Versailles). The vision includes:

  • Distillery
  • Interactive Visitor Center
  • Tasting Room’
  • Unique Lodging
  • Restaurant
  • Retail and Event Space

Who’s Behind It? Saga Spirits Group. The charge is being lead by a familiar name – Wes Henderson. Wes is the CEO and founder of Saga Spirits Group as he and his father Lincoln Henderson (Bourbon Legend) founded Angel’s Envy. The company sold to Bacardi for an undisclosed amount.

Wes Henderson, CEO of Saga Spirits Group. Courtesy

“It has been a huge blessing to be members of the Kentucky bourbon industry for many generations. To begin this next chapter for the Henderson family, we have chosen Versailles and Woodford County. We are humbled and honored by the support we are receiving from government officials, tourism development, businesses and residents,” said Wes Henderson, CEO of Saga Spirits Group. “We are also looking forward to the groundbreaking this fall. Our team is composed of experts in distilling, distilling finance, supply chain and logistics, marketing, packaging and hospitality, with combined expertise of more than a century of success in the industry. Wonderful things are ahead for us and the entire community.”

Saga Spirits Group will also be making improvements to The Kentucky Castle, an iconic hotel and venue located four miles away in Versailles, catering to visitors exploring the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington with its premium guest rooms, restaurant, whiskey bar and event space. Once operational, this project is expected to create 89 jobs, providing a sizable economic boost to the region.

Upon the recommendation of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, Saga Spirits Group received approval from the Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority for incentives totaling $4.192 million based on tourism investments of $35.4 million. Once operational, the tourism project anticipates generating 46 full-time jobs. 

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) approved a 10-year incentive agreement with Saga Spirits Group under the Kentucky Business Investment program. This can provide up to $750,000 in tax incentives, based on the company’s investment of over $57.1 million, the release states.

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