US importer and marketer Luxco has given its Ezra Brooks Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey a new look and launched Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream. The brand, which dates back to 1957, has been a part of Luxco’s portfolio of whiskeys since 1993. Full story
One of the keys to the runaway success of single malt Scotch is that it comes from a single distillery and you can’t add anything to it besides water and a bit of spirit caramel to even out the color. That highly regulated purity has struck a chord with consumers around the world who are willing to pay ever-increasing prices for their favorite Glen and have a passion that borders on zealousness.
But there’s actually another type of whiskey, which is held to an even higher set of standards than single malt Scotch: bottled-in-bond American whiskey. Full story
The reopened Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery in Nashville, Tennessee, has extended its Belle Meade Bourbon line with a Cognac cask finished expression. Full story
Forced to allocate all its whiskey offerings due to growing demand, Michter’s Distillery will not be releasing its Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Bourbon during 2016. “The incredible popularity of our Toasted Barrel Bourbon release during the past two years made this a very tough decision,” said Michter’s Distillery PresidentJoseph J. Magliocco. “The problem is every drop of our Toasted Barrel Bourbon that we release this year is one less drop of our Michter’s US*1 Bourbon that we have to allocate to our distributors and importers.” Read full press release
The crafting of bourbon, for indeed it is a craft, creates more pseudo-experts, opinions and arguments than how the world was formed. Certainly many of you have studied bourbon over the years and probably have a preference for one particular brand or distilling technique over others. However, several things are set in stone by law. Full story
Bourbon sales are on the upswing across the U.S. with revenue from whiskey sales up 7.8 percent from 2014 to 2015 and showing significant growth over the last decade, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. While the popularity of bourbon has increased amanong all age groups, “millennials especially are taking to bourbon and it’s a greater percentage of women than one might think,” says Eric Loring, beverage director at the Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center in Boston. The growth is also driven by small batch and single barrel brands, according to the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. Full story
Lousiville-based Brown-Forman claimed the top spot as the “greenest” beverage alcohol company among U.S. publicly traded companies in the Newsweek Green Rankings. Brown-Forman increased its overall ranking from 69 to 52 and was named among the top three of all beverage companies in the U.S., following Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. and Keurig Green Mountain. Full story
In the late 1700s, bourbon distilleries helped shape downtown Louisville by opening offices along a section of Main Street that became known as Whiskey Row. But after Prohibition forced most of their closures, Louisville took a back seat in the state’s bourbon story.
Now, with several distilleries already open around the city’s center and a handful more on the way, Louisville is becoming a bourbon tourism destination at an unprecedented pace. Full story
Hosted in more than 20 cities around the world, Whisky Live is readying to launch in Louisville, KY later this month. A wide range of whiskies from across the globe will be available for sampling at Kentucky’s first Whisky Live, which rounds off The Kentucky Bourbon Affair, a week-long showcase of all things Bourbon. Full story
Four Roses Bourbon is preparing to release the first bottling from new master distiller Brent Elliott next month – a limited edition single barrel whiskey. Full story
Today, with so many brands of bourbon flooding the market that it is hard to keep track of them all, and more being introduced all the time, it is hard to believe that the spirit was once in a state of despair. But that was the case into the Eighties, when everyone was drinking vodka before bourbon enjoyed a renaissance, thanks to the introduction of higher quality, smaller batch, and single barrel versions. Full story
Sazerac is to plough US$200 million into its Buffalo Trace Distillery, which the US producer admits has been struggling to meet soaring demand. Full story
Kentucky’s bourbon distilleries filled more than 1.88 million barrels last year, the most since 1967, according to a news release from the Frankfort-based Kentucky Distillers’ Association trade group. Full story
For the first time in two decades, Brown-Forman is launching a new bourbon brand. The company said Coopers’ Craft is made using a special beech and birch charcoal-filter finishing process. It celebrates Brown-Forman’s 70 years of barrel-making expertise. Coopers’ Craft will be available this summer in Kentucky and seven other states. Read full press release
Bulleit is getting more firepower. The rising star in Diageo’s portfolio of giants is releasing a higher-proof barrel strength version of the popular premium bourbon. The release has been rumored throughout the world of whiskey bloggers for months, ever since a label was approved by federal authorities. Full story
The last place you might expect to discover a monument to American whiskey is in an overgrown field in the idyllic countryside of Speyside, Scotland. But if you follow a path up a woody hill, overlooking the Glenrothes distillery, in a clearing you’ll find great pyramids of used American oak barrels. The newest ones look like they could still hold whiskey, while the oldest, weather-beaten ones are losing their rusty hoops and the staves are turning into dust. Full story
The case involving a high profile bourbon theft returned to court Friday morning. There were discussions over evidence. After a dead period in the Pappygate case the attorney for alleged ring leaders Gilbert and Julie Curtsinger was in a Franklin County courtroom Friday morning. Full story
Old Forester is widely known for producing inexpensive and well-regarded bourbon, a favorite of bartenders and whiskey drinkers who recognize the brand’s quality and value. Old Forester is also known for its coveted white whale whiskey, the annual Birthday Bourbon expression. Since 2002, it has been released every September 2nd (or thereabouts) to mark founder George Garvin Brown’s birthday. Full story
Woodford Reserve Distillery has released the 2016 commemorative bottle for its premium bourbon, which is the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby. Full story
Peerless Distilling, a family distillery dating to the late 19th century that was revived downtown last year, is offering their first bourbon to be bottled in 98 years as part of a collection called Series 1. Beginning with new make, the seven-bottle series is a journey through the aging process presented in 375 milliliter bottles. Full story
Legally speaking, bourbon can be made anywhere in the U.S. But we’re not gonna talk about that. We want to know why 95% of national bourbon production takes place in one region in northwestern Kentucky. Not trying to invite the wrath of bourbonites (Kentucky-bound and beyond), but what the hell makes the place so special? Full story
Beam Suntory posted a mid-single-digit sales increase in its Americas region for 2015, led by strong progress for its Bourbon stable. Maker’s Mark showed robust volume growth in the Americas during the year, while fellow Bourbons Knob Creek and Basil Hayden’s were up by double-digits. Full story
Although bourbon has certainly been become more popular of late, Scotch whisky remains king of worldwide whiskey sales. Granted, Scotch whisky has enjoyed a few hundred years head start on bourbon whiskey and ranges of fine Scotch are commonplace in bars around the world, while the selection and appreciation for bourbon whiskey is often limited. Read full press release
A night-before-Derby outing from Mint Julep Tours will offer the chance to tour Buffalo Trace distillery after hours. The Derby Eve Distilled Exclusive Experience – set for May 6 – includes a private distillery tour and tasting at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, along with cocktails, a bourbon inspired dinner, live bluegrass music and cigars on the porch. Full story
The story begins in Henderson, Ky., in 1889 when Henry Kraver, a banker by trade, purchased the Worsham Distillery following the death of former distillery owner Elijah Worsham. Within several years, Kraver increased the volume of production from eight to 200 barrels per day, and in 1907, he incorporated it as the Kentucky Peerless Distillery Company. Full story
After Japanese whiskey maker Suntory Holdings bought Beam Inc. to form Beam Suntory in 2014, the company said it would keep its headquarters in suburban Deerfield. Now, however, the company appears to be looking to move some of those corporate employees to downtown Chicago, according to a report by the Chicago Tribune. Full story
As demand for Tennessee Whiskey continues to soar, Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, Tenn., announced Wednesday it will invest $140 million to build two new barrel houses and expand its existing bottling facility, which will create 30 new jobs in Moore County. Full story
The first barrel rolled off the line at Brown-Forman’s cooperage in Louisville 70 years ago and, with very minor changes, the barrels still are rolling briskly today.
“We have been making new barrels for the whiskey industry longer than anyone else,” said master distiller Chris Morris. “We’re also the only major distilling company that makes its own new barrels — in the world.” Full story
Brown-Forman has approved a $1 Billion share repurchase program following the sale of its Southern Comfort and Tuaca brands last month. Full story
Officials with Diageo PLC have provided an update on the London-based company’s $115 million distillery project in eastern Shelby County. The Sentinel-News reports that two of the project’s six warehouses have been completed, and the entire project is expected to be finished by the end of this year. Full story
This city continues to find engaging ways to celebrate its state’s proud bourbon heritage aside from the plentiful availability of the beverage. The Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse provides those frequenting Louisville’s downtown area with another convenient opportunity to learn more about one of the world’s most popular whiskeys without committing to a daytrip with tour costs to see its rural origins. Full story
The owner of the new Dueling Grounds Distillery in Franklin says he isn’t aiming to be one of the big guys on Kentucky’s Bourbon Trial. Marc Dottore will make smaller batches of bourbon in the craft distillery set to open in April. Full story
Woodford Reserve announces the latest Distillery Series expression, Frosty Four Wood. Unveiled in July 2015, the Distillery Series is Woodford Reserve’s latest line of complex offerings available for purchase at the Woodford Reserve Distillery and select Kentucky retailers. The series showcases Woodford Reserve’s continued commitment to providing an unmatched whiskey experience and leading the spirits industry through innovation and craftsmanship. Read the full press release
Heaven Hill has reduced the age of its Elijah Craig Small Batch whiskey as demand impacts supply. The distiller said that a surge in the demand for Bourbon, both domestically and internationally has affected stocks. The expression, which previously carried a 12-year-old age statement, will now be made using Bourbon aged between 8 and 12 years. Full story
It’s been four years since we last checked in with Redemption Whiskey, one of the best-known bottlers of spirits sourced from Indiana-based MGP.
Redemption’s cylindrical bottles are as iconic as its rather singular focus: Rye whiskey, a category which Redemption was fanatical about before rye was cool. Full story
Turns out Barrell Bourbon, first released in 2014, wasn’t a one-off. To date the company has released six small batch Bourbon offerings, all of which are significantly different from one another. As a trend goes, they’re getting older — significantly so, considering Batch 1 was a mere five year old baby. The last two releases have both topped eight years of age (and the labels now include a clear age statement, front and center). Full story
Bourbon whiskey continues to trend upward, as more and more drinkers eschew clear and imported spirits for a taste of the iconic brown liquor.
Production, says the Kentucky Distillers Association, has increased more than 170 percent since 1999. At 1.3 million barrels, production in 2014 reached its highest mark since 1970.
That’s one big Kentucky hug. Full story
In 2015, nearly one million people came to Kentucky for its bourbon tourism industry, according to the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. It says each tourists spends an average of $1,000 during their visit.
“The Kentucky bourbon trail has a significant impact,” Kentucky Distillers’ Association President Eric Gregory said. Full story
Evan Williams Bourbon producer Heaven Hill Brands has confirmed it is planning a US$15.5 million expansion at Bernheim Distillery in Louisville. Details of the expansion were submitted by Heaven Hill Brands to the Louisville Metro Government on Tuesday. Full story
With more distilleries participating than ever before, the world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® adventures set an all-time attendance record in 2015 with nearly 900,000 guests touring the best of the Bluegrass.
That means the popular tourism attraction has more than doubled its attendance in just five short years, said Eric Gregory, President of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association that created the landmark journey in 1999. View full press release
Sazerac’s recent acquisition of Southern Comfort and Tuaca was “surprising” since it suggests the producer is looking to expand its presence outside of the US, an analyst has claimed. According to Jeremy Cunnington, senior alcoholic drinks analyst at Euromonitor International, 99% of Sazerac’s global 169 million litre sales occur in the US, with the remaining 1% sold in Canada, meaning its recent acquisitions from Brown-Forman signify a “large leap” for the group. Full story
The head of Japanese whiskey maker Suntory said Friday that merging work cultures remains a major challenge, more than 20 months after his company acquired the U.S. maker of Jim Beam bourbon.
Takeshi Niinami, the president and CEO of Suntory Holdings Ltd., said integration is difficult because Japanese and American employees have differing career aspirations and compensation systems. Full story
Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort had a record 145,849 visitors in 2015, according to the distillery. That was an increase of 18 percent over the visits in 2014. Visits are up 190 percent since in five years. Full story
Bourbon tourists taking in the sights and smells of Kentucky distilleries could start sipping cocktails as part of the experience if a bill that cleared a legislative panel on Tuesday becomes state law. The measure would allow distilleries in wet territories to offer by-the-drink sales to visitors. It also would let the distilleries sell more of their whiskey and offer slightly larger amounts of free samples. Full story
Constellation Brands, Inc. announced today that it has acquired a minority stake in Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery, which produces a variety of craft whiskeys. Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery will continue to operate independently to produce, market, and sell its products. The investment is the second for Constellation Ventures, the company’s corporate venture capital function, focused on identifying smallerscale investment opportunities related to innovative concepts and emerging categories within beverage alcohol. Full story
The Kentucky Distillers’ Association announced Tuesday that Master Distiller Chris Morris of Brown-Forman has been named chairman of the 136-year-old group that unites, promotes and protects the state’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry.
Morris, an acknowledged authority on Bourbon and Kentucky history who is celebrating his 40th year in the industry, will serve through December 2016. The KDA Board of Directors selected officers during its annual meeting recently at the historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville. Full story
Franklin County Sheriff Pat Melton has backed off a proposal that 28 bottles of stolen Pappy Van Winkle bourbon should be sold at auction.
Late last year, Melton had told bourbonblog.com that the bottles of rare and expensive Pappy Van Winkle at the center of a bourbon-theft criminal case would be auctioned. Full story
If members of the Van Winkle family have their way, 28 bottles of stolen Pappy Van Winkle bourbon will be destroyed — not sold.
On Tuesday, Franklin County Sheriff Pat Melton said he spoke with Julian Van Winkle, president of the Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery, who asked that all bottles and barrels involved in a well-publicized racketeering case not be auctioned off for charity, as Melton had previously suggested to BourbonBlog.com. Full story
Many of the iconic bourbon and rye brands on store shelves are or were once owned and operated by Jews, including Jim Beam, I.W. Harper, Rittenhouse, Elijah Craig, Four Roses and Dickel.
From ubiquitous bagels and cream cheese to restorative matzo ball soup to decadently rich pastrami, Jews are famous for contributing a number of delicious dishes to the menu of American food favorites. But when it comes to drinks, the item that usually pops into people’s minds first is, sadly, the sickly sweet kosher wine Manischewitz. Full story
Kentucky’s Limestone Branch Distillery has launched its second Bourbon since opening five years ago – Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon.Presented in a commemorative tube, the bottling has been crafted using hand-selected barrels of 4-year-old and 7-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Full story
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