Archives for April 2023

On Saturday, Furman University launched a straight bourbon whiskey, named “FU All The Time.” The university debuted the whiskey at a launch party on campus for the Clearly Furman campaign. The campaign aims to raise $426 million by the university’s bicentennial in 2026.

Furman is a private university in Greenville, South Carolina.

FU All The Time Straight Bourbon Whiskey is distilled from a four-grain mashbill (corn, wheat and rye from Virginia, and malted barley) by Virginia-based Ironclad Distillery. Ironclad aged the bourbon for at least three years in oak barrels from South Carolina before bottling it at 100 proof.

Presumably, the school is aware its initials sound like “Eff you” and is in on the joke. The chant goes “FU one time, FU two times, FU three times, FU all the time!”

FU All The Time is available to be ordered online from the Ironclad Distillery website, priced at $83.69. It also will be sold in liquor stores and restaurants across upstate South Carolina, with statewide distribution coming soon.

About The Clearly Furman Campaign

“The launch of the Clearly Furman campaign was an exciting time, with hundreds of alumni and donors and other friends on campus,” Elizabeth Lichtenberg, senior director of brand strategy and visual communications for Furman, said in a news release. “We thought FU All the Time bourbon would be popular, and it was a huge hit. Everyone loved it. It felt good to be able to offer the Furman Family something new and unique that they can enjoy and take some pride in, and give them a new way to toast and celebrate Furman. We expect this new product to be a favorite for a long time.”

About Iron Clad Distillery

In 1862, one year into the American Civil War, the first ships to be armored in iron engaged in the waters off the Port of Newport News, Virginia. A few hours later, the Navy would be changed forever.

That mighty battle inspired our name. And it’s why we stick to our guns. We make authentic bourbon. That’s it. Nothing else. It’s our Ironclad rule.

Working with some of Virginia’s best grains, our aim is to produce bourbon whiskey that is accessible in flavor and price, while being of the highest quality of production.

Located along the James River, within view of the old Battle of the Ironclads site, Ironclad operates in the prodigious S.W. Holt & Co. warehouse built in 1913.

For more information please visit https://www.ironcladdistillery.com/store/fu-all-the-time

On Wednesday, Kentucky whiskey producer Buffalo Trace announced the latest release in its Old Charter Oak collection, Spanish Oak Bourbon.

The barrels the bourbon was aged in were made from oak trees harvested from northern Spain. The wood was made into staves that were seasoned outdoors before being made into barrels.

Old Charter Oak Spanish Oak was aged at Buffalo Trace Distillery. Bottled at 92 proof, Old Charter Oak Spanish Oak will be available this spring in select U.S. markets at a suggested retail price of $69.99.

Buffalo Trace’s Old Charter Oak collection celebrates the role of oak in making whiskey by experimenting with the taste profiles different types of oak contribute. To this point, the series has only used oak from different countries. In the future, however, Buffalo Trace plans to expand the collection by using oak of various species, from different centuries and from different U.S. states.

Spanish Oak Bourbon is the fifth release in the Old Charter Oak series, following Chinkapin Oak, Mongolian Oak, French Oak and Canadian Oak.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

“A common misconception about the distilling process is that bourbon must be aged in new American Oak barrels,” Buffalo Trace Distillery Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley said in a news release. “Though most bourbons mature in American White Oak barrels, federal regulations do not specify what type of oak the barrel must be, only that it must be a new, charred oak container.

“At Buffalo Trace Distillery, we are deeply committed to honoring the traditions of our category but also embracing change and pushing the limits of innovation to see where American whiskey can go in the future. Our Old Charter Oak collection is a superb example of trying new things and offering consumers and fans more ways to enjoy our award-winning portfolio of whiskeys.”

For more information please visit https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/

2023 U. S. Open Whiskey & Spirits Championships Medal Winners 
The 2023 U. S. Open Whiskey & Spirits Championship proudly announces the medal winners and Grand National Champions.

Cincinnati Distilling in Milford, Ohio won the U.S. Open Whiskey Championship after winning 2 gold medals, 3 Silver medals, and 2 bronze medals. Their Single Barrel Straight Bourbon was a favorite among the judges. Over the past 4 years, Cincinnati has finished in the Top 3 each year. Besides the 7 medals in the whiskey competition, Cincinnati also won 2 bronze medals in the spirits competition.

Silver Fox Distillery in Arthur, Ontario repeated as the  U.S. Open Spirits’ Grand National Champion by winning 5 medals in the Spirits categories consisting of 2 gold medals and 3 silver medals. Silver Fox Distillery is the only Canadian company to win the Grand National Champion’s Plaque in the 15-year history of the U.S. Open Championships.

Judging in the U.S. Open Whiskey and Spirits Championships is blind; the judges know only the categories and do not know what they are tasting. The first round of judging was held in Oxford, Ohio at “The Barn”, while the finals were held at Big Ditch Brewing in Buffalo, New York. The U.S. Open works with the Niagara College Teaching Distillery in Ontario. The final round of judges consisted of Niagara College’s Instructors and industry experts from the surrounding area.

Here are the top 5 Whiskey and Spirits Distilleries:
Top 5 Whiskey Distilleries
1. Cincinnati Distilling – Ohio
2. Moylans Distillery – California
3. Nearest Green Distillery – Tennessee
3. Weldon Mills Distillery – – North Carolina
5. Acre Distilling  – Texas

Top 5 Spirits Distilleries
1. Silver Fox Distillery – Ontario
2. Dayton Barrel Works Artisan Distillery – Ohio
2. Gamblers Bay Distillery – Florida
4.  Safe House Distilling Co. – New Mexico
5. Dark Door Spirits – Florida

Straight Bourbon
Gold – Ghost Hill Texas Bourbon – Treaty Oak Distilling – Texas
Silver – Double Barrel Maple Bourbon – Taconic Distillery – New York
Bronze – Red, White & Bourbon – Thornapple Artisan Spirits – Michigan

Small Batch Bourbon 1-3 Years Under 100 proof
Gold – Weldon Mills Select – Weldon Mills Distillery – North Carolina
Silver – Ohio Straight Bourbon – Cincinnati Distilling – Ohio
Bronze – Digg Boys Bourbon – Digg Boys Distillery – Pennsylvania

Small Batch Bourbon 1-3 Years 100 proof or over
Gold – Single Barrel Straight – Cincinnati Distilling – Ohio
Silver – All the Malt – Weldon Mills Distillery – North Carolina
Bronze – Weldon Mills Reserve – Weldon Mills Distillery – North Carolina

Small Batch Bourbon 4-10 Years – Under 100 proof
Gold – Moylans Sherry-Finished Bourbon – Moylans Distillery – California
Silver – Catherine Waldshmidt Bourbon – Cincinnati Distilling – Ohio
Bronze – Uncle Nearest 1884 – Nearest Green Distillery – Tennessee

Small Batch Bourbon 4-10 Years Over 100 proof
Gold – Uncle Nearest 1856 – Nearest Green Distillery – Tennessee
Silver – Moylan’s Cask Aged Bourbon – Moylans Distillery – California
Bronze – Copper Sky Bourbon – Copper Sky Distillery – Colorado

Single Barrel Whiskey
Gold – Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Rye Whiskey – Batch 002 – Nearest Green Distillery – Tennessee
Silver – Springfield Straight Bourbon – Springfield Distillery – Virginia
Bronze – Rye Whiskey – Iron Vault Distillery – Ohio

American Single Malt Whiskey
Gold – Single Malt Whiskey – Grand Traverse Distillery – Michigan
Silver – Kong – Skyroc Distillery – Massachusetts
Bronze – Single Malt Whiskey 4-year Reserve – Hill Top Distillery – Virginia
Bronze – Acre Texas Single Malt Whisky – Acre Distilling – Texas

Rye Whiskey
Gold – Moylan’s Resistance Rye – Moylans Distillery – California
Silver – Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey – Nearest Green Distillery – Tennessee
Silver – Small Batch Rye – Cincinnati Distilling – Ohio
Bronze – Noble Hound Dark Rye – Three Crosses Distilling – Virginia

Blended Whiskey
Gold – Blend of Straight Whiskey – Barrel Proof – Wonderland Distilling – Michigan
Silver – Kupu Whiskey – Kupu Spirits – Hawaii
Bronze – Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition – Nearest Green Distillery – Tennessee

Craft Whiskey
Gold – 100% Oats Whisky – 99 Craft Distillery – Ontario
Silver – Texas Smoked Single Malt Whisky – Acre Distilling – Texas
Bronze – Royall Rye Whiskey – Deep Creek Distilling – Virginia

Corn Whiskey
Gold – Altschuls Corn Whiskey – Dayton Barrel Works Artisan Distillery – Ohio

Canadian Whisky
Gold – Cobra Chicken Canadian Whiskey – Silver Fox Distillery – Ontario
Silver – Spirits 101 – Single Malt Whisky – Niagara College Teaching Distillery – Ontario

Whiskey finished in wine or other spirits barrels
Gold – Five Stories Rum Cask – Northern Row Distillery – Ohio
Silver – American Whisky Finished in a Port Barrel – Moylan’s Distillery – California
Bronze – Acre Single Malt Whisky Barrel 009 – Acre Distilling – Texas

Whiskey Aged in Stout/Beer Barrels
Gold – The Violet Hour – Dark Door Spirits – Florida
Gold – Acre Single Malt Whiskey 111 – Acre Distillery – Texas
Bronze – Stout Cask Bourbon – Cincinnati Distilling – Ohio

Flavored Whiskey
Gold – Gold Rush – Skyroc Distillery – Massachusetts
Silver – Fire Brigade Cinnamon Whiskey – Cincinnati Distilling – Ohio
Bronze – Weldon Orchards Peach Elderflower Whiskey – Weldon Mills Distillery – North Carolina

Whiskey in Non-Traditional Barrel Aging
Gold – Moylan’s Cask Strength American Single Malt Whisky Finished in Orange Brandy Barrel – – Moylans Distillery – California
Gold – Peach Maple Cask Bourbon – Cincinnati Distilling – Ohio

Anything Goes
Gold – Rockfisth – Weldon Mills Distillery – North Carolina
Silver – Texas Smoked – Acre Distillery – Texas
Bronze – Code Four – Cincinnati Distilling – Ohio

Traditional Moonshine
Gold – Pritchard Corn Whiskey – Flatrock Distilling – Ohio
Gold – Sweet Shine – Uncle Dum Dum Swamp Juice – Florida
Silver – Before the Barrel White Dog – Silver Fox Distillery – Canada
Bronze – Skyshine – Skyroc Distillery – Massachusetts

Aged/Barrel Aged Moonshine
Gold – Moonshine – Silver Fox Distillery – Canada
Silver – American Rebel – Northern Yankee Moonshine – Ohio
Bronze – Single Barrel Moonshine – Roaring River Distillery – Tennessee

Flavored Moonshine
Gold – Gooch Hooch Blueberry Moonshine – Hill Top Distillery – Virginia
Silver – Cinnamon Roll – Roaring River Distillery – Tennessee
Bronze – Mint Condition – Roaring River Distillery – Tennessee

Gin
Gold – Harpers Siren Gin – Dayton Barrel Works Artisan Distillery – Ohio
Gold – Silver Fox Contemporary Vodka – Silver Fox Distillery – Ontario
Silver – Red Hare Gin – Red Hare Brewing & Distilling – Georgia
Bronze – Two Minnie London Dry Gin – Acre Distilling – Texas

Gin Flavored / Infused
Gold – Freshly Folded – Dark Door Spirits – Florida
Silver – Winter Solstice – Silver Fox Distillery – Canada
Bronze – Lavender & Juniper Gin – Collective Arts Brewing – Canada

Barrel-Aged Gin
Gold – Kupu Barrel-Aged Gin – Kupu Spirits – Hawaii
Silver – Harpers Siren Armagnac Gin – Dayton Barrel Works Artisan Distillery – Ohio
Bronze – Barrel Finished Gin – Thornapple Artisan Spirits – Michigan

VODKA
Gold – Teller Genuine Vodka – Safe House Distilling Co. – New Mexico
Silver – Florida Farm Vodka – Gamblers Bay Distillery – Florida
Bronze – School Spirits Vodka – Niagara College Teaching Distillery – Canada

Vodka Flavored / Infused
Gold – Old Reliable Coffee Vodka – Dayton Barrel Works Artisan Distillery – Ohio
Silver – Black Chevron Pepper Vodka – Three Crosses Distilling – Virginia
Bronze – Teller Apple Pie Vodka – Safe House Distilling Co. – New Mexico

Rum White
Gold – Rum trial – Ola Brew Company – Hawaii
Silver – Florapina White Rum – Gamblers Bay Distillery – Florida
Bronze – Red Hare Rum – Red Hare Brewing & Distilling – Georgia

Rum Dark / Gold / Barrel-Aged Rum
Gold – Distiller’s Select Single Barrel Aged Rum – Red Hare Brewing & Distilling – Georgia
Silver – FIve Stories Barrel Aged Rum – Northern Row Brewery & Distillery – Ohio
Bronze – Hell’s Half Acre Rum – Acre Distilling – Texas

Rum Spiced/Flavored
Gold – Navy One Navy Strength Spiced Rum – Gamblers Bay Distillery – Florida
Silver – Spirits 101 Spiced Rum – Niagara College Teaching Distillery – Canada
Silver – Spiced Rum – Thornapple Artisan Spirits – Michigan
Bronze – Stillwrights Spiced Rum – Cincinnati Distilling – Ohio

Specialty Spirits(anything goes)
Gold – Florapina Pineapple Rum – Gamblers Bay Distillery – Florida
Silver – Absinthe – Silver Fox Distillery – Ontario
Silver – Gypsy Queen Absinthe – Dayton Barrel Works Artisan Distillery – Ohio
Bronze – Voltage Peppermint Schnapps – Cincinnati Distilling – Ohio

Can & Bottle Cocktails
Gold – Teller Grapefruit Hibiscus Lemonade – Safe House Distilling Co. – New Mexico
Gold – Old Fashioned Cocktail – Treaty Oak Distilling – Texas
Silver – Scratch Strawberry Whiskey Smash – Springfield Distillery – Virginia
Bronze – Scratch Scratch Blackberry Whiskey Sour – Springfield Distillery – Virginia

Agave and Spirits distilled with other plants in the Asparagaceae family
Gold – Rey Coyote Reposado Tequila – Weldon Mills Distillery – North Carolina
Silver – Rey Coyote Blanco Tequila – Weldon Mills Distillery – North Carolina
Bronze – Agave Spirit – Anejo – Thornapple Artisan Spirits – Michigan

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Hemingway Whiskey Company today announced expanded availability for Hemingway Rye Whiskey First Edition, after the inaugural batch of First Edition Collector’s Packaging sold out in less than one week in late-2022. The new rye whiskey was crafted by a team with deep experience in Kentucky whiskey. The Calls, a family with Bardstown roots and more than 230 years of distilling experience, distilled the whiskey in collaboration with the Hemingway and Groth families. It is now on shelves in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Florida, and available online in most states.

Hemingway Rye Whiskey is crafted by a team with deep experience in Kentucky whiskey.

Hemingway Whiskey Company today announced expanded availability for Hemingway Rye Whiskey First Edition, after the inaugural batch of First Edition Collector’s Packaging sold out in less than one week in late-2022.

Hemingway Rye Whiskey First Edition has already received numerous accolades including being ranked in the “Top 5 Rye Whiskeys” of the year by acclaimed spirits columnist and critic, Fred Minnick in his annual top 100 ranking. Now with this latest First Edition release, even more rye whiskey lovers will have the opportunity to get their hands on a bottle.

The whiskey will come in a custom bottle adorned with a typewriter key design alongside Hemingway’s famed signature printed on the bottle. The Call Family’s signatures are also printed on the label. Each First Edition bottle also features a unique, removable card on the back, inspired by old-fashioned library book cards, inviting imbibers to pour their own stories and log who they share their rye with.This new whiskey is a great addition to any home collection or bar.

About Hemingway Rye Whiskey

Hemingway Rye Whiskey is a new premium rye whiskey brand, from the new Hemingway Whiskey Company, and is inspired by American Author, Journalist and Storyteller Ernest Hemingway. It was founded by a team with deep roots in Kentucky whiskey, led by Steve Groth, whiskey pioneer and co-founder of the revered Angel’s Envy Bourbon brand and the Calls, Ron, Jacob and Clayton, a distilling family with more than 230 years of whiskey making experience. The Hemingway Whiskey Company is part of Old Man and the Sea Brands, an innovative spirits company that owns Hemingway Rum Company, makers of Papa’s Pilar Rum. They are known for bringing high quality spirits and incredible stories to drinkers around the country.

For more information, visit www.hemingwaywhiskeys.com

50+ Fun Whiskey Trivia, Facts and History – CLICK HERE