Dow Scoggins

Top 10 New Craft Distilleries in the United States according to USAToday(October 4) – The number of craft distilleries in the United States grew by more than 11 percent between 2018 and 2019; the country now has more than 2,000 of them. With so many distilleries opening up each year, we decided to highlight some of the best on the scene. Complete Story

The World’s Most Underrated Bourbon—According To A Whiskey Expert(September 30) – The rumors are true: bourbon keeps creeping up in cost these days. It wasn’t long ago that some of our favorite bottles collected dust on the shelf at prices south of $40. Complete Story

Another rare Buffalo Trace bourbon will be coming to U.S. shelves for the first time(September 23) – The Frankfort distillery announced last week that it will release a limited quantity of Blaton’s Straight From The Barrel in the U.S., something fans have been asking for for years. Complete Story

Bourbon Pricing Is Getting Out of Control, and Only the Consumers Can Stop It(September 2) – It’s no shock, or particularly astute observation, to note the way that American whiskey prices have climbed in the last 15 years. The brown liquor revival brought along a boom period for the industry as a whole, and many of the largest and most popular American distilleries responded to this new wave of interest by embracing an increasingly premiumized model for their whiskey lineups. Complete Story

Peyton Manning, Andy Roddick stake claim as Tennessee’s premium bourbon with Sweetens Cove(August 30) – With a limited release strategy, Sweetens Cove’s partners — including Tennessee Vols and NFL legend Peyton Manning and tennis great, Andy Roddick — hope to stake a claim as Tennessee’s signature premium bourbon, rather than a celebrity brand. Complete Story

This Entrepreneur Owns Pennsylvania’s First and Only Black-Owned Distillery(August 24) – The wine and spirits industry has a longstanding problem with diversity. Many disruptors have sought to change the face of ownership from wineries to local brands. One Black male entrepreneur has succeeded in turning his vodka brand into Pennsylvania’s only Black-owned distillery, Mishka Premium Vodka. Complete Story

Drinking in Providence’s first distillery since Prohibition at Industrious Spirits Company(August 17) – Offering sustainably sourced artisan spirits from scratch seemed like a fine idea to Manya Rubinstein, Dan Neff and Doug Randall. Making their Industrious Spirits Co. the city’s first distillery to open since Prohibition would be a notable achievement, taking five years from concept to reality. Complete Story

New England Living: Creating Craft Spirits At Deacon Giles Distillery(July 21) – In a city known for its spooky history sits a modern distillery serving up some ‘wicked’ good spirits. Founded by two former colleagues from the craft brewing industry, Deacon Giles Distillery is reviving the art of distilling in a city once rich with them. Complete Story

Spirit Works Distillery Named “2020 Distillery of the Year”(July 14) – California grain-to-glass craft spirits pioneer Spirit Works Distillery has been named “2020 Distillery of the Year” by the American Distilling Institute (ADI), winning its prestigious national Bubble Cap Award. Complete Story

Longhorn Alums Foley, Glass Bring Swimming Culture to Nine Banded Whiskey(July 7) – For University of Texas alumni Sean Foley, a 2003 grad who was a part of three national championship-winning teams, he’s taken his experiences with the Longhorns and parlayed that into developing a successful whiskey business in Austin, Nine Banded Whiskey. Complete Story

Notre Dame Magazine’s Whiskey Business(July 6) – When Charles Florance ’13MBA was attending Notre Dame and aiming to found his own local business, he gave some thought to Indiana’s strengths as a state.  Two things came to mind: manufacturing and growing corn. Thus, The Indiana Whiskey Company was born. Complete Story

A New Program Aims to Fix American Whiskey’s Diversity Problem(July 1) – “American whiskey is unlike any other industry,” says Fawn Weaver. “If you buy Levi’s or Nike, it’s not about history, it’s about a cool product. But American whiskey, the entire business is based on heritage. You have to hook them with heritage. Complete Story

A New Bourbon Whiskey Named After a Golf Course Is One of the Best Things I Drank Last Month(June 30) – Sweetens Cove is a new spirits label and its first product is a 13-year-old bourbon blended by Marianne Eaves, a former taster at Brown-Forman (the company that owns Old Forester, Jack Daniel’s, Woodford Reserve and others). Complete Story 

Coffee Inspired Whiskey Line Up Debuted By Barista Spirits(June 24) – Denver, Colorado-based Deviation Distilling has been in play only since 2019, primarily focused on its flagship series of gins. It recently drifted into whiskeys, however, launching a new line up of coffee whiskeys known as Barista Spirits. Complete Story

American whiskey distillers are down $340 million thanks to Trump’s trade wars(June 22) – US whiskey distillers have lost out on nearly $340 million in sales to the European Union over the past two years because of a tit-for-tat trade spat between Washington and Brussels. Exports to the European Union of bourbon, Tennessee whiskey and rye whiskey have declined by a third since a 25% tariff went into effect in June 2018. Complete Story

Brown-Forman Sells 3 Whiskey Brands to Sazerac(June 17) – Brown-Forman had announced that it is selling its Canadian Mist, Collingwood and Early Times whiskeys, furthering its push to concentrate just on its top brands. Privately-held Sazerac Company will be purchasing the three brands. Complete Story

Cedar Ridge Out Of Iowa Debuts A New American Single Malt(June 16) – The Cedar Ridge distillery is something of a pioneer when it comes to the American craft whiskey scene, having been established by Jeff and Laurie Quint in 2005. Located in Iowa, bourbon made from local corn has long been their signature whiskey, though they also have other offerings such as a malt whiskey and a celebrity tied expression known as Slipknot N0. 9 Iowa Whiskey. Complete Story

First distillery on Kentucky Bourbon Trail reopens to tourists with new safety measures(June 10) – BOYLE COUNTY, Kentucky — “The focus is back on getting people in here and enjoying themselves,” said tour guide Xavier Tomlin.  Wilderness Trail was the first to reopen for tours on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, but not without some safety measures. Complete Story

The Story Behind Gordon Ramsay Helping Make Whiskey With Sheep Poop For Nat Geo’s Uncharted(June 8) Gordon Ramsay’s Uncharted has returned to National Geographic for a second season. Season 2 premiere of Uncharted saw him helping to make whiskey with a very unique source of fuel: sheep poop. Complete Story

Peyton Manning, Drew Holcomb and others launch top-shelf Tennessee bourbon whiskey(June 2) – Sweetens Cove Tennessee Bourbon Whiskey is meant to be an authentic spirit that stands on its own, a “love letter” to Tennessee in a market largely dominated by Kentucky products, primary investor Mark Rivers told The Tennessean. Complete Story 

Catoctin Creek’s Newest Rye Whiskey Mimics An Infinity Bottle(June 1) – The new Catoctin Creek Infinity Barrel #InThisTogether Rye Whisky, according to those behind it, is a blended expression consisting of leftover whiskies in barrel that were previously part of its barrel selection program. Complete Story

Grant View Distillery to rebrand, change name to honor Rockford’s history(May 18) – A well-known Rockford distillery will now go by a new name. The Grant View Distillery is rebranding and changing its name to Barnstormer Distillery. The name is after the 1920’s Barnstorming Pilots, and to honor Rockford’s history in aviation. Complete Story

Skunk Brothers Spirits ‘excited’ to begin welcoming tourists back(May 17) – KOIN 6 News spoke with the owner of Skunk Brothers Spirits about their plans. Co-owner Dan “Skunk” Donoho said they have been making hand sanitizer and working on their online sales while the distillery has been closed. Complete Story

New 18-Year-Old Colonel E. H. Taylor Jr. Bourbon Whiskey Costs Only $70, But For How Long?(May 7) – Paying homage to the former owner, Colonel E. H. Taylor Jr., Buffalo Trace has announced a new 18-year-old bourbon created from a marriage of three mashbills. The release will drop in June and features two rye bourbon mashbills, and one wheated bourbon mashbill. Complete Story

WhistlePig and other Distilleries Are Turning Stale Beer Into Coronavirus Whiskey(April 29) – In New England, at least, brewers now have an option, thanks to Jeff Kozak, WhistlePig’s chief executive officer. “We are tentatively calling the project the ‘Great Beer Rescue,’” Complete Story

New Riff Distilling Drops A New Smoky American Whiskey Duo(April 27) – New Riff Distilling, located in the northern part of Kentucky, likes to focus its whiskeys being made in what is described as “the traditional, time-honored sour mash Kentucky regimen, which utilizes a portion of grain ‘backset’ from a previous distillation in the mash of the new batch.” Complete Story

Slipknot’s No. 9 Iowa Whiskey Reserve was chosen as the “best celebrity-related whiskey” by Forbes Magazine(April 16) – The band’s No. 9 Iowa Whiskey Reserve was chosen as the “best celebrity-related whiskey” by Forbes, particularly noted in taster Fred Minnick’s “Best American Whiskey: A Taste Off.” If you missed your shot at grabbing a bottle in 2019, you have another chance! The liquor goes on sale for the first time this year on April 17. Complete Story

How Bob Dylan Is Rocking American Whiskey(April 9) – In 2018, American folk-rock singer and composer Bob Dylan joined the ranks of celebrity liquor brands when he launched Heaven’s Door. While hardly the first celebrity to do so, he does have the distinction of being one of only two Noble Prize winners to be personally associated with a beverage brand. Complete Story

Kentucky Bourbon Company Looking For “World’s Top Whiskey Taster”(April 9) – Calling all whiskey and bourbon enthusiasts – both fans and pros – the contest offers connoisseurs a chance to win $20,000, plus a scholarship to Moonshine University’s executive bourbon steward program, and a contract position as a distillery ambassador to some of the world’s most preeminent whiskey festivals in 2021. Complete Story

Veteran buys $20K bottle of bourbon for $40K to help the restaurant stay open(April 8) – The Perrys have a prized liquor collection that they opted to put up for sale, an effort to keep current staff employed and perhaps bring back some furloughed staff. A bottle of Pappy Van Winkle Kentucky Bourbon is the gem of the collection, aged 25 years. A post on an online site included a sizeable price tag. Complete Story

A Stay-at-Home Whiskey Project: The Infinity Bottle(April 3) – Enthusiasts around the world post their personal blends of various whiskeys to social media under the hashtag “infinitybottle.” Complete Story

Coronavirus Pandemic: Popular Bluegrass Lounge Sells Rarest Bourbon To Pay Employees(March 29) – Many Colorado companies are looking into government-issued loans to make it through the economic downturn from COVID-19, but one restaurant in Arvada is doing whatever it can to meet payroll. The Bluegrass Lounge has come up with several different ways to keep making money including unloading its prized collection of rare whiskeys.  Complete Story

A twist of fate: Unexpected bourbon discovery rekindles family legacy(March 28) – The family certainly had had its share of disaster. Henry Edgar Pogue in 1876 bought the Maysville, Kentucky, distillery where he worked and re-established it as Old Pogue Distillery, only to be killed on site in 1890, when a tail on his suit coat – distillers dressed formally back then – got inextricably caught in machinery.  Complete Story

The 10 Best Whiskeys for Your Bar Cart: Bourbon, Rye, Scotch and More(March 27) – At its heart, a properly stocked bar cart is an all-in-one tool for entertaining. And although our ability to collectively entertain and have people over to our homes has become much more difficult in the era of coronavirus/COVID-19, you can still get the most out of your bar cart by keeping it well stocked for when we finally reach the light at the end of this tunnel. Complete Story 

San Diego distilleries are making hand sanitizer to respond to COVID-19(March 26) – Distilleries across the country are pouring out some love by making hand sanitizer in order to respond to the shortage during the coronavirus pandemic. The hand sanitizer being made at San Diego distilleries is being given to help non-profits, healthcare workers, and shoppers who can’t find it on retail shelves or online. Complete Story

Redbreast Irish Whiskey Releases Oldest Expression Yet(March 23) – Redbreast Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey has introduced Redbreast 27 Year Old, the oldest permanent expression in the Redbreast series. Redbreast 27 Year Old includes a portion of whiskey that was matured in ruby port barrels from Portugal’s Douro Valley. Altogether this new expression joins Redbreast 12, 15, 21 Year Old and Lustau. Complete Story

Jack Rose Is Selling Off One of the World’s Largest Whiskey Collections(March 19) – Jack Rose in Adams Morgan built a reputation as destination for whiskey aficionados and rare spirits specialists, touting its massive bottle collection as one the largest in the western hemisphere. Now, with an escalating health and economic crisis, all 2,700-plus bottles are up for sale starting Friday, March 20. Complete Story

Kentucky bourbon distilleries announce no more tours as COVID-19 precaution(March 15) – Some of America’s most popular whiskeys announced on Thursday they are closing their distilleries to the public in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Brown-Forman, based in Louisville, announced it will be suspending tours at its Woodford Reserve Distillery outside Frankfort and Old Forester Distillery in downtown Louisville beginning March 15. Complete Story 

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – In 1870, George Garvin Brown changed the spirits industry forever when he sealed and sold his whisky – Old Forester – exclusively in a glass bottle. Each bottle was adorned with his signature, a personal guarantee of the brand’s quality and consistency. Today, 150 years later, Old Forester announces the upcoming release of Old Forester 150th Anniversary Bourbon to commemorate his act of ingenuity, honor his legacy and celebrate the history of the First Bottled Bourbon.

Old Forester 150th Anniversary Bourbon references George’s original process, composed of three batches, unfiltered* and each presented at individual batch strength. The limited release is presented in an amber glass bottle, reminiscent of the hand-blown glass of George’s day, and will come in a commemorative canister. It’s planned for release in October 2020.

“This special bourbon has been in the works for some time now, and while it is exciting for our family and colleagues, I hope the larger Old Forester family – the bourbon lovers and fans – will appreciate it just as much,” said Campbell Brown, Old Forester President and Fifth-Generation Brown Family Member. “My great-great grandfather had quite the vision for his whisky. He was bringing something to the market that had previously not existed and today, we instill his legacy of ingenuity in everything we do – especially in the halls at Old Forester Distilling Co., in the same building George ran the business in the early days of the company.”

In the 150 years since George’s started the company, the brand has endured 13 years of Prohibition, World Wars, changing consumer palates and industry consolidations. Today, Old Forester remains the only brand with an uninterrupted 150-year history, sold by the same family company before, during and after Prohibition.

George’s act of selling whisky exclusively in a sealed bottle was innovative at a time when most whisky was sold by the barrel and subject to adulteration prior to reaching the consumer. Predating any modern food safety acts, he helped lead an industry on the path to rigorous self-regulation that is still upheld today. In addition to being the first to exclusively sell whisky in sealed glass bottles, George was the first to commercially batch whisky to ensure a consistent flavor profile. At the time, he batched from three distilleries – Mellwood, Mattingly and Atherton – before eventually acquiring the Mattingly Distillery and distilling his own whisky.

For the Old Forester 150th Anniversary Bourbon, 150 barrels were chosen by Master Distiller Chris Morris and set aside for this limited-release product. At maturity, several barrels lost their full contents to the Angel’s Share. The resulting aged liquid was personally and individually tasted by Master Taster Jackie Zykan and separated by-hand into three distinct batches, differing in proof and flavor profile.

“We designed the expression to share our unique story,” said Jackie Zykan, Old Forester Master Taster. “George Garvin Brown was an entrepreneur and an innovator. I have composed three unique blends to honor his process of batching from the three original distilleries. Each captures a distinct facet of the beloved Old Forester flavor profile, each upholding his highest standards of quality.”

Old Forester 150th Anniversary Bourbon Batch Details and Notes from the Master Taster:

• Batch 01/03 – 125.6 proof/62.8% ABV, comprised of 46 barrels; fruit bomb
• Nose: maple syrup and perfectly ripe orchard fruits, apricot and plum
• Mid: açaí and black current
• Finish: graham cracker, subtle peppermint, long well-rounded spice, moderately dry
• Batch 02/03 – 126.4 proof/63.2% ABV, comprised of 48 barrels; sweet and spry
• Nose: cherry cordial and raspberry preserves
• Mid: French toast and chocolate malt
• Finish: brilliant and perky spice at the front of the palate, touch of cedar, mildly dry
• Batch 03/03 – 126.8 proof/63.4% ABV, comprised of 53 barrels; green and spice
• Nose: dill and bright orange peel, hint of light brown sugar
• Mid: sweetens in the middle to melon and pine
• Finish: medium dry, tingling green peppercorns, rosemary, grapefruit peel, and lingering anise

A limited number of cases will be available nationally in October 2020 for a suggested retail price of $150. To learn where you can purchase Old Forester 150th Anniversary Bourbon, check out OldForester.com for a retailer near you.

About Brown-Forman:
For 150 years, Brown-Forman Corporation has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s & Cola, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, Finlandia, Korbel, el Jimador, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, Canadian Mist, Herradura, New Mix, Sonoma-Cutrer, Early Times, Chambord, BenRiach, GlenDronach and Slane. Brown-Forman’s brands are supported by over 4,800 employees and sold in more than 170 countries worldwide. For more information about the company, please visit brown-forman.com.

About Old Forester Bourbon:
Old Forester is Brown-Forman’s founding brand, founded in 1870 by George Garvin Brown. Brown believed Old Forester was so pure and consistent that he sealed it, signed it, and pledged, “There is nothing better in the market.”

Please sip responsibly.
Old Forester 150th Anniversary Bourbon, 62.8%, 63.2% and 63.4% Alc. by Vol., Old Forester Distilling Company at Louisville in Kentucky. OLD FORESTER is a registered trademark. ©2020 Brown-Forman. All rights reserved. Please do not share or forward this content with anyone under the legal drinking age.

*All natural barrel char sediment has been removed via dump room screening. In extremes of temperature this bourbon may naturally haze or cloud. This is normal for an unfiltered bourbon whisky.

 

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CHICAGO, Sept. 3, 2020 — Beverage Testing Institute, conductors of the oft-imitated first international spirits competition in the United States, has completed its evaluation of 2020’s Best Whiskey Awards. Twenty-one all-trade blind tasting panels assessed the spirited contenders for quality in the BTI Lab using its proprietary methodology and custom software.

From small US artisans, to Canadian distilleries, to Kentucky powerhouses, here are some of the best whiskey of category winners:

Colorado’s Old Elk Distillery came out with gloves on. The 15-year Old Elk Straight Rye and Old Elk Straight Wheat dressed to impress winning Gold and leading their categories. The secret to Old Elk’s success? We think it’s likely the combo of the lifetime experience of Master Distiller Greg Metze (38 years at Seagram’s Distillery) and the exceptional palate of Head Distiller Kate Douglas.

Also, from the “The Centennial State”, the Boulder Bottled-In-Bond American Single Malt from Vapor Distillery set the bar for what ASMW can produce with its 95-point, Gold Medal winning, liquid treasure. Nods to The QuintEssential ASMW from Iowa’s Cedar Ridge Distillery for a great showing as well at 93 points.

For the Blended Rye Whiskey category, Utah’s High West Double Rye! received a golden accolade solidifying its place as a bar and consumer top-performer.

Rye Whiskey craft dominators Old Potrero from California and Evanston Illinois’ FEW Rye Whiskey excelled at 94 and 92 points, respectively. And Kentucky stalwart, Wild Turkey Rye 101 shined as an expert expression of the Rye persuasion.

There’s no denying that there’s something about that Kentucky limestone-filtered, “branch” water… The big winner was Kentucky scion Doc Swinson’s 15 Year Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey, which grabbed the only BTI Platinum Medal—the beverage world’s ultimate honor for a spirits brand.

Heavy-medal-laden Kentucky distillery, Sazerac belted out some big Bourbon anthems. Their Colonel E.H. Taylor Single Barrel, Weller Full Proof and Stagg Jr. all hit 95-point high notes.

The Knob Creek 12-Year-Old 100 Proof Bourbon from Clermont Kentucky’s legendary Jim Beam Distillery not only proved that it provides great bang for the buck, but with an sensational 95-point score, will make your taste buds sing.

Flavored Whiskey nods go to the Michigan craftsmen at Journeyman Distillery for their 92-point Field Rye Fig Flavored Whiskey and the from-left-field, only-in-America Skrewball Peanut Butter Flavored Whisky, which are both delicious and far more than just guilty pleasures.

For the full list of BTI’s 2020 North American Whiskey Results visit their free consumer buying guide Tastings.com: http://www.tastings.com/Calendar-Spirits/Review-2020-09-01-North-American-Whiskey.aspx

Across the pond in the World Whiskey Review a record 7 Platinum BTI Medals were awarded to Midleton, Redbreast, Jameson and Kavalan this year. Kavalan from Taiwan shows off its whisky finishing and how their liquid gold and barrels benefit from the region’s warmer temperatures.

Do you know about Jameson’s Bow Street 18 Year Old Cask? It made our judges’ knees buckle as they fell in love with it. At 96 points, gifting this beaut will ensure that your in-laws write you into their will.

Midleton’s Dair Ghaelackh Knockrath may be difficult for Americans to pronounce but even harder to put down. Savory, warming and a spiritual experience. Consistently golden Aberlour grabs 5 gold medals.

On our radar, newcomer Archie Rose from Australia will be a collector’s dream whiskey as we suspect the brand grow and get better and better and better. Slightly peated Irish Blended Whiskey The Legendary Silkie is highly recommended.

For a full list of BTI’s 2020 World Whiskey Review along with detailed tasting notes and cocktail recommendations visit our consumer-facing site. http://www.tastings.com/Calendar-Spirits/Review-2020-08-01-Scotch-Irish-and-World-Whiskey.aspx

About BTI:
Beverage Testing Institute was founded in 1981 with the mission of making the beverage industry better, one brand at a time. Creators of the first international spirits competition in the U.S. they have a rotating monthly category call for their unbiased, professional published reviews. For more information about BTI’s reviews, competitions and other services visit: www.bevtest.com.

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Austin, Texas – Still Austin Whiskey Co, a homegrown distillery situated in the heart of South Austin, has released its first high-rye straight bourbon whiskey featuring grains that are 100% grown by Texas farmers. The bourbon is handmade from grain-to-glass at the distillery, aged for at least two years in new charred American Oak barrels,and bottled at 98.4 proof (49.2% ABV). It’s comprised of a high-quality mash bill worthy of its hometown: 70% Non-GMO white corn (the same found in Austin’s tortillas), 25% Elbon rye (which imparts a natural spice) and 5% wildfire malted barley.

“After six years of hard work and perfecting our technique, we’re ready to launch our new flagship straight bourbon whiskey,” said Chris Seals, CEO. “We started Still Austin Whiskey Co. because we saw an opportunity to create our own kind of distillery where we do everything intentionally. This bourbon is an expression of true Texas terroir, but also the distillation of all we are, and of all that has created us. We’ve managed to bottle the inclusive spirit of our home city; a complex bourbon with substance, flair, and finesse.”

According to Still Austin’s “Master Blender” Nancy Fraley, who is famous for her peerless ability to detect flavor notes, “the nose offers delightful aromas of ripe tropical fruits such as pineapple, banana, papaya, mango, toasted coconut shavings, and S’mores with melted milk chocolate and caramelized marshmallow. These notes follow through to the palate, where the rye makes its appearance in the form of cinnamon toast with brown butter, and blanched almonds. The alcohol is soft and creamy like vanilla egg custard and the mouth feel is round, with long waves of tropical fruit, toffee, and rye spice on the finish.”

 A Fresh New Look
The straight bourbon whiskey boasts a new custom bottle and label, which serves as the perfect complement to the art inside the bottle. For the label, Still Austin commissioned internationally acclaimed artist and native Texan Marc Burckhardt to paint a series of portraits of “archetypical” Austinites. Each provides a sense of the people who have influenced and inspired the team, while paying homage to the Texas terroir. The figure on the new label dubbed “the Musician,” is the first in the series, which will grace the labels of future spirits. These are visual representations of archetypes, a way of conceiving a “new Austin mythology” by celebrating the innovative people who make the city what it is. The Musician—along with future archetypes like the Naturalist, the Writer, the Visionary, and the Artist—illustrates the fearlessness needed to become truly unique. The Musician in the painting is confident, intelligent, brave and whimsical; essentially, everything Still Austin aspires to be, and everything the distillery loves about its community. The Musician was a natural place to start since Austin is “The Live Music Capital of the World.” Good whiskey is more than just corn, rye and malted barley that’s been fermented, distilled, and aged. Like the various elements of music—chords, rhythms, harmonies—the result is greater than the sum of its parts.

Grain-to-Glass Philosophy
Still Austin is an independent craft whiskey distillery founded in 2015, focusing on a true grain-to-glass concept that produces the highest quality whiskey by perfecting every part of the process and using local resources and sustainable practices. The team is committed to carrying out each part of the process in-house. That means never sourcing whiskey from another distillery, and instead always hand-making everything from scratch, and managing everything in-house – milling, mashing, fermenting, distilling, barreling and bottling.

The distilling team is led by Head Distiller John Schrepel, Master Blender Nancy Fraley and veteran Master Distiller Mike Delevante, one of the most experienced and respected distillers in North America who designed the Still Austin distillery to make the highest quality of bourbon. That includes a 42-foot custom-made column, “Nancy,” (and her sister copper-pot still, “The Queen”) which give the distillers serious creative license to create unique new flavors and spirits.The team also uses Texas weather to its advantage. The region’s high heat, humidity and rapidly shifting temperatures encourage spirits to move rapidly in and out of the oak barrels and mature relatively quickly—but, if this process is left unchecked, it can also cause the bourbon to have heavy oak flavor or harsh tannic qualities. To prevent this, Still Austin uses a meticulous six-month slow water reduction technique focused on flavor and balance, which gives the alcohol a softness on the palate and brings more “mature” notes, like vanilla and caramel, to the forefront. The result is a bourbon that highlights the natural flavor of the local grain, with no faults whatsoever.

Where to Buy
Still Austin’s new straight bourbon whiskey is now available for pre-order online via the Still Austin website. Then, in August, whiskey lovers will begin to see the brand throughout Texas in 750ml bottles at liquor stores for a suggested retail price of $45.

For more information, visit stillaustin.com and follow Still Austin on Facebook at Facebook.com/StillATX.

About Still Austin Whiskey Co.
Founded in 2015 by three Austin families, Still Austin Whiskey Co. is a true grain-to-glass distillery, located at 440 East St. Elmo Roadin the heart of Austin, Texas. All spirits are hand crafted using grains grown by Texas farmers. Still Austin’s collection of spirits includes Still Austin’s flagship Straight Bourbon Whiskey, High-Rye Bourbon Whiskey, and Still Rye Gin. Still Austin places a high value on sustainability, with a focus on cutting carbon emissions through local sourcing, increasing the biodiversity of the region through heritage grains, returning spent grains to local ranchers to feed their animals, and operating a distillery that is designed for energy efficiency and water conservation.

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