Archives for March 2025

Woodford Reserve Unveils Highest-Proof Expression with Chocolate Whisper Redux 139.4

March 26, 2025 By Dustin Scoggins

Versailles, KY (February 20, 2025) — Today, Woodford Reserve introduces the latest addition to its innovative Distillery Series: Chocolate Whisper Redux 139.4. This limited-edition release marks a historic milestone as the brand’s highest-proof whiskey to date, coming in at a bold 139.4 proof.

Aged for 12 years, this expression expands on the foundation of the original Chocolate Whisper first released in 2021. The extended barrel aging has deepened the whiskey’s character, enriching it with intensified notes of dark chocolate and coffee for a robust and layered tasting experience.

“It’s been fascinating to witness the evolution of Chocolate Whisper Redux since its debut,” said Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall. “The additional time in barrel has amplified its boldness while preserving that signature long finish.”

Part of the Distillery Series, Chocolate Whisper Redux 139.4 reflects Woodford Reserve’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of creativity and craftsmanship in whiskey making.

About Woodford Reserve:
Woodford Reserve is part of Brown-Forman Corporation, a company with over 150 years of experience in crafting premium spirits. Known for a portfolio that includes celebrated brands like Jack Daniel’s, Old Forester, Herradura, and Glendronach, Brown-Forman operates in more than 170 countries with a global team of approximately 5,400 employees. Guided by a mission of offering “Nothing Better in the Market,” the company continues to set the standard for excellence in the world of spirits.

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

Milam & Greene Releases Gray Wolf Bourbon

March 24, 2025 By Dustin Scoggins

Milam & Greene Whiskey is unleashing Gray Wolf Straight Bourbon, a blend of two six-year-old, cask-strength collector’s edition bourbon casks. This first release in the 2025 Wildlife Collection will be available exclusively on the Milam & Greene Whiskey website and for the first time ever, available for online purchase to pick up at the distillery tasting room beginning at 3:00 p.m. (CDT) on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

Gray Wolf is the first release in the Milam & Greene 2025 Wildlife Collection, which explores how climate impacts the final flavor of aging bourbon.

“The Wildlife Collection is more than just an incredible collectors’ bourbon, it is also an opportunity for us to test how climate impacts the aging of whiskey,” Heather Greene, Milam & Greene Whiskey master blender and CEO, said in a news release. “Whiskey barrels aging in our rickhouses are open to natural airflow, letting the Texas weather make its mark on it. The Gray Wolf barrels spent roughly half their time aging in Kentucky, and the other half in Texas.

“The climatic whipsaw over the last three years in Hill Country with some of the coldest cold we’ve ever experienced, along with extreme drought and long periods of intense 100+ degree heat had a tremendous effect on the rate of maturation and the final flavors that you just won’t get in other locations.”

The first release in the 2025 Milam & Greene Wildlife Collection is named for the largest species of the wolf family, which historically hunted the lands where the distillery is now located in Blanco, Texas.

About Milam & Greene Distillery

Nestled in the heart of Texas Hill Country, Milam & Greene Distillery combines time-honored traditions with innovative techniques, producing award-winning bourbon and rye that’s available in 19 states and counting.

For more information please visit https://milamandgreenewhiskey.com/

Echo Spirits Releases Engineer Series Blended Bourbon

March 24, 2025 By Dustin Scoggins

Columbus, Ohio – February 19th, 2025 – Echo Spirits, an Ohio distillery known for its founders’ drive to produce high-quality whiskeys and rums, is proud to showcase its bourbon blending skills once again via the latest release in its highly regarded Engineer Series.

Echo Spirits Engineer Series Batch 25A – Trail Mix is the evolution of a series Joe Bidinger and Nikhil Sharoff, both former engineers turned whiskey distillers, see as a bourbon blending workshop, a place to think outside the box of the regular brown spirits they produce. They take quality-sourced bourbons from other distilleries and transform them into something new and unique. Each batch is a masterpiece, with its own distinct mash bill, tasting profile, and back story.

“The Engineer Series came from our desire to innovate constantly and try to surprise people,” notes Bidinger. “While our own whiskeys age, we don’t want to blindly dump barrels together and label them our own. It’s important to us to remain transparent about where our whiskey is coming from while creating something new and unique each time.

“We try to treat individual whiskey barrels like ingredients in a dish. And we love to use different ingredients each time.”

For the Engineer Series, which debuted last year, the distillery team experiments with various combinations until they find that final sweet spot they can engineer into something special. As all this blending comes together, so does the batch’s name. For Echo Spirits, the tasting notes lead to visualizations of how a particular bottling might come to life in something they are doing, such as smoking a cigar or enjoying a nice dessert.

‍ABOUT ECHO SPIRITS

Echo Spirits is a distillery built with a purpose, a vision of two guys who didn’t quit their daydream as they looked for a new creative outlet to offset their highly analytical jobs. Located in the Grandview neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio, the first drops of spirit came off the stills here in 2019, and there has been no looking back since. Known as Ohio’s rum and whiskey distillery, Echo Spirits’ success is reflected not just in its multiple award-winning offerings but also in the loyalty of its customers. A place and a mindset here lead to a commitment to quality reflected not only in the premium spirits but also in the full cocktail bar onsite showcasing their products in the way they are meant to be seen and enjoyed.

For more information please visit https://echospirits.com/

Buffalo Trace Distillery Releases Second Edition Prohibition Collection

March 16, 2025 By Dustin Scoggins

FRANKFORT, KY – Buffalo Trace Distillery has unveiled the second edition of its Prohibition Collection, an annual limited-edition set featuring five bottles commemorating the whiskeys legally produced and sold at the Distillery while the 18th Amendment was in effect. The second release tributes the following brands produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery, known during the Prohibition era as George T. Stagg Distillery, under President Albert B. Blanton’s leadership: Mirror Brook, Very Oldest Procurable (V.O.P.), Anderson’s Belle, Old Fashioned Mountain Corn and Silver Wedding Rye Whiskey.

During Prohibition, which lasted from 1920 to 1933 and is arguably the most contentious period in alcohol history, the United States banned the production, sale and transportation of alcohol due to the ratification of the 18th Amendment. During this time, purchasing alcohol was only legal with a medical prescription, and only six distilleries were granted licenses by the U.S. Government to bottle medicinal whiskey. Buffalo Trace Distillery, as it’s known today, was one of these distilleries.

Documents discovered in the Distillery’s archives reveal stories from over a century ago and inspired the five whiskeys crafted in this year’s Prohibition Collection, all of which are inspired by the original, colorful packaging for these historic brands.

The entire collection is housed in a custom wooden display case featuring historical images of the distillery, with each of the five 375ml bottles heavily inspired by their Prohibition Era packaging and original bottle size: even the back cartons feature the cut-out for doctors to apply the prescription for medicinal whiskey, without which one could not legally purchase alcohol.

To celebrate the release of the second Prohibition Collection, Buffalo Trace has partnered with the Scandinavian Tobacco Group on a limited-edition cigar set featuring five unique blends held in 750 individually numbered boxes that mirror the whiskey collection packaging. Launching in conjunction with the whiskeys, the Buffalo Trace Distillery Prohibition Collection Series #2 cigar set will be available online at Cigora as well by special invitation from Meier and Dutch as the exclusive distributor as of January 15, 2025.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

‍Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 40 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its George T. Stagg was named World Whiskey of the Year for 2022 and its Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye was named 2nd Finest Whiskey in the World for 2022. Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. Buffalo Trace Distillery also has a deep commitment to supporting charitable initiatives.

For more information please visit http://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/media.

Chattanooga Whiskey Unveils Pre-Prohibition Style to Celebrate a Decade of Innovation

March 16, 2025 By Dustin Scoggins

Chattanooga Whiskey Releases Pre-Prohibition Style Whiskey

Chattanooga Whiskey has unveiled the latest addition to its acclaimed Experimental Single Batch Series: Batch 043 – Pre-Prohibition Style. This limited-edition release marks a decade of innovation at the Experimental Distillery, which opened in 2015 as Chattanooga’s first legal whiskey production facility since Prohibition. Crafted as an homage to early 20th-century bourbon, the high-malt recipe features a heritage yellow corn variety, blended with slow-toasted barleys, malted spelt, malted rye, and a unique acidulated rye malt to evoke pre-Prohibition flavors through traditional techniques—including overnight sour mash fermentation, multi-strain yeast cultures, double pot distillation, and aging in custom toasted and charred barrels. Bottled unfiltered at 110 proof with enticing notes of toasted raisin bread, chocolate chip cookie dough, caramel corn, dark honey, and fresh plum, this commemorative whiskey embodies the distillery’s pioneering spirit and is available at the Experimental Distillery or select online retailers.

Two distilleries in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The Experimental Distillery, the original and visitor-friendly location, is situated in the heart of downtown at 1439 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402. This historic spot—Chattanooga’s first legal distillery since Prohibition opened here in 2015—is directly across from the iconic Chattanooga Choo Choo hotel and train station complex, in the vibrant Southside district. It offers guided tours, tastings, and a bottle shop, making it a popular destination for exploring their innovative Tennessee High Malt whiskeys.

The company also has a larger Riverfront Distillery (headquarters and main production facility) along the Tennessee River, focused on scaling up select recipes, though it is not open for public tours.

About Chattanooga Whiskey
Founded in 2011, revived distilling in Chattanooga, Tennessee, after a 100-year prohibition by successfully campaigning to change local laws through the “Vote Whiskey” initiative. Known for its innovative Tennessee High Malt style—a bourbon crafted with a unique four-grain mash bill featuring three specialty malts—this award-winning distillery emphasizes extended fermentations and solera finishing for rich, complex flavors. Recognized as Craft Producer of the Year (America and Global) at the 2023 Whisky Magazine Icons of Whisky Awards, this distillery operates the nation’s only standalone experimental distillery, producing acclaimed expressions like the flagship Chattanooga Whiskey 91 and limited experimental batches that push the boundaries of American whiskey.

For more information please visit http://www.chattanoogawhiskey.com.

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Record-Breaking Sale: Rare Macallan Whisky Fetches $1.9 Million at Auction

March 14, 2025 By Dow Scoggins

A highly sought-after bottle of The Macallan 60-Year-Old 1926 from the Fine & Rare collection has set a new world record, selling for an astonishing $1.9 million at Sotheby’s auction. This extraordinary single malt Scotch whisky now holds the title of the most expensive bottle of wine or spirit ever sold at auction.

This marks the second time a bottle from this iconic 1926 vintage has shattered records. Previously, another bottle from the same cask achieved $1.2 million at Christie’s in London the year before.

Distilled back in 1926 and drawn from cask number 263, this exceptional whisky is one of just 40 bottles produced. Only 14 of them received the prestigious Fine & Rare labeling, making the auctioned bottle even more exclusive.

Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s spirits specialist, described the atmosphere: “The energy in the room was electric. Cheers erupted as the hammer came down on this Macallan Fine & Rare 1926 – truly one of the most thrilling moments in whisky auction history.”

The star lot dominated Sotheby’s sale, which showcased over 460 premium Scotch bottles from a dedicated private collector. The entire collection sold out, generating a total of $10 million and marking the auction house’s debut success with a single-owner whisky assemblage.

This sale highlights the growing demand for ultra-rare vintage whiskies among collectors worldwide.

More about The Macallan Distillery
Nestled in the heart of Speyside, Scotland, on the picturesque banks of the River Spey, The Macallan Distillery has been crafting exceptional single malt Scotch whisky since 1824. Founded by barley farmer and teacher Alexander Reid, it was one of the first distilleries in Scotland to receive a legal license, marking the beginning of a legacy built on unwavering commitment to quality and craftsmanship. Today, The Macallan remains a benchmark for luxury single malt whisky, renowned worldwide for its rich, sherry-influenced expressions that embody the natural beauty and heritage of its Easter Elchies Estate.

In 2018, The Macallan unveiled its award-winning new distillery, a £140 million architectural masterpiece designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners. This innovative, hill-inspired structure seamlessly blends into the Speyside landscape while housing state-of-the-art production facilities, including 36 copper stills that preserve the brand’s signature small-batch distillation process. Guided by the Six Pillars— from exceptional oak casks to masterful spirit creation—The Macallan continues to produce unparalleled whiskies that captivate collectors and connoisseurs alike, solidifying its position as one of the world’s most prestigious whisky makers.

Address:
The Macallan Distillery
Easter Elchies
Craigellachie
AB38 9RX
Scotland
Website: https://www.themacallan.com

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WhistlePig’s New Snout-to-Tail Bourbon – Aged 10 Years

March 12, 2025 By Dustin Scoggins

SHOREHAM, VT — WhistlePig Whiskey, one of the nation’s leading independent craft distilleries, is expanding its bold footprint into the heart of bourbon country. Known for igniting the rye whiskey renaissance with its award-winning WhistlePig Small Batch Rye Aged 10 Years, the Vermont-based brand is now the fastest-growing name in the super-premium bourbon category. In 2025, WhistlePig will debut its latest innovation: WhistlePig Snout-to-Tail Bourbon – Aged 10 Years, a bold and flavorful Straight Bourbon that redefines traditional aging methods.

This unique 10-year bourbon is crafted using a one-of-a-kind maturation technique. Each barrel is finished with two distinct Vermont oak barrel heads—one medium toasted at the “snout” and one smoked maple toasted at the “tail.” To fully capture the flavor from both ends, the barrels are flipped 180 degrees during aging, a first-of-its-kind “Snout-to-Tail” process that delivers big, complex character in every sip. Bottled at 88 proof—a nod to the 880-mile journey between WhistlePig’s Vermont Farm and its new Kentucky outpost—the bourbon reflects the brand’s commitment to innovation and craftsmanship.

WhistlePig’s expansion into Louisville, Kentucky, will be marked by the launch of The WhistlePig PiggyBank, a dynamic new brand outpost opening in Spring 2025. With this release, WhistlePig aims to shake up the bourbon world once again—this time, from bourbon’s own backyard.

‍About WhistlePig Whiskey
WhistlePig Whiskey, the leading independent craft whiskey maker, continues to redefine American whiskey with its bold, innovative spirit. Nestled on a 500-acre in located in Shoreham, Vermont, WhistlePig is renowned for its award-winning rye, bourbon, and single malt whiskeys, crafted with locally sourced ingredients and a rebellious approach to experimentation. From the iconic Small Batch Rye to the boundary-pushing Boss Hog series, WhistlePig’s portfolio delivers complex flavors that captivate connoisseurs and casual sippers alike. Committed to sustainability and quality, WhistlePig is not just making whiskey—it’s forging a legacy as the best whiskey on and for the planet. For more, visit whistlepigwhiskey.com.

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Penelope Bourbon expands its award-winning portfolio with Wheated

March 12, 2025 By Dustin Scoggins

ST. LOUIS – Penelope Bourbon introduced a new addition to its Core Series of bourbons with Penelope Wheated Bourbon. The latest innovation expands the Penelope lineup with an approachable wheated bourbon that delivers on versatility due to its proof and price points. Penelope Wheated is bottled at 95 proof (47.5% ABV) and available nationwide in February at a suggested minimum retail price of $39.99.

As the fifth core expression in Penelope’s Core Series, Wheated Bourbon diversifies the portfolio that includes award-winning Architect, Barrel Strength, Four Grain and Toasted. Wheated complements the existing expressions with a profile that strikes the balance between robust flavor and smooth drinkability.

“Wheated bourbons are more popular than ever, and we think we hit the mark with this one, from flavor to proof to price,” said Michael Paladini, Penelope founder and vice president of strategy for MGP. “It’ll be a welcomed addition to our core line up.”

With a carefully balanced mash bill of 74% corn, 16% wheat, 7% rye and 3% malted barley, Wheated delivers a rich, sweet character with a smooth finish. The touch of rye adds just the right hint of spice, resulting in an inviting bourbon with depth and complexity. Wheated opens with aromas of light oak, sweet corn, apple and pear; and includes flavors of vanilla, honey, caramel apple and hints of orange zest. The finish features lingering brown sugar, toasted oak and a touch of cinnamon spice.

ABOUT PENELOPE BOURBON
Penelope Bourbon, founded in 2018 by Michael Paladini and his childhood friend Danny Polise, began as a heartfelt celebration of Paladini’s daughter Penelope. What started as a family-inspired passion project quickly grew into an award-winning brand, known for its remarkably smooth and versatile straight bourbon whiskeys blended from three distinct mash bills incorporating four grains: corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley. Sourced primarily from MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and now part of the MGP/Luxco family since 2023, Penelope emphasizes precision blending and innovative finishes, earning over 40 industry accolades—including Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Blender of the Year honors.

The core lineup features crowd-pleasers like the flagship Four Grain (balanced and approachable for sipping or cocktails), uncut Barrel Strength for bold intensity, Architect with French oak stave influences, Toasted Series for rich charred notes, and the newer Wheated expression for creamy softness. Limited releases, such as the Cooper Series wine cask finishes (like Rosé or Rio) and the premium Estate Collection, showcase creativity with global inspirations and rare aged stocks, making Penelope a favorite for both newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts seeking flavorful, easy-drinking American bourbon.

For more information please visit https://penelopebourbon.com/

Larrikin Bourbon Co. Launches Decade Rye

March 11, 2025 By Dustin Scoggins

Lawrenceburg, KY – Larrikin Bourbon Co. announces the release of Decade Rye Cognac Cask, a remarkable spirit born from extraordinary events and master craftsmanship. This exceptional release features 10 barrels of 10-year-old 100% Alberta rye whiskey, finished in a 105-gallon cognac cask, creating a whiskey that tells a story as rich as its flavor.

Originally destined for a Russian oligarch, these precious barrels of aged rye found themselves without a home following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Rather than let this exceptional whiskey go to waste, Larrikin Bourbon Company’s Master Distiller Greg Keeley saw an opportunity and ran with it. Later, he was given a cognac cask and the rest is history.

“Sometimes the most remarkable creations arise from unexpected circumstances,” says Greg Keeley, founder and master distiller of Larrikin Bourbon Co. “When we were gifted this exceptional cognac cask, I knew immediately that our 100% rye whiskey could be transformed into something truly extraordinary. Decade Rye represents not just ten years of patience, but the ability to find opportunity in adversity- the Larrikin way.”

This limited release showcases the marriage of premium Alberta rye whiskey with the sophisticated influence of fine French cognac. The result is a uniquely complex spirit that offers classic rye spice and warmth paired with cognac-derived notes of dried fruit and oak. This whiskey has a remarkably smooth finish despite its considerable strength at 122.4 proof.

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

Jack Daniel’s Just Released Its Oldest Age-Stated Whiskey

March 9, 2025 By Dustin Scoggins

Based in Lynchburg, TN, the Jack Daniel’s Distillery is the first registered distillery in the United States. The whiskey brand is popular for its “Lincoln County Process,” a multi-day filtration method in which newly-distilled whiskey trickles through 10 feet of densely-packed sugar maple charcoal.

Jack Daniel’s released its first age-statement whiskey in more than a century back in 2021. That 10-year expression, now on its fourth batch release (see below), was followed by a 12-year and, now, a 14-year-old Tennessee whiskey, which was last produced by the distillery in the early- to mid-1900s.

“It’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done,” says Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller Chris Fletcher. “We’re doing a whiskey that hasn’t been done since Jack Daniel did it himself.” Said Master Distiller Chris Fletcher.

For this aged release, the distillery moved barrels around during the maturation process, a rarity at Jack Daniel’s. “We moved them from the top floors after about eight years to the very bottom floor of a [rickhouse],” Fletcher says. “We did that for two reasons. Number one, evaporation. Whiskeys on the top floor, once they get close to that 10-year mark, you’re going to lose a lot of whiskey. And we also did it to slow down the extraction of oak into the whiskey itself. If you’re comparing it to cooking, think of that top floor kind of like you’re searing. And that bottom floor is just simmering.”

One thing Fletcher didn’t do is compare the new bottle with the original 14-year-old release. “That whiskey would have been sitting in a bottle for 120 years,” he says. “It would have changed significantly. So we didn’t have any historical samples.”

Jack Daniel’s 14-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey features a barrel-strength ABV of 63.15% and the same mash bill as the classic Old No. 7 — 80% corn, 12% malted barley and 8% rye (it’s also charcoal mellowed). No surprise that it’s all about dark here, in appearance and taste. Dark chocolate, dark molasses, tobacco, leather and brown sugar dominate, with hints of cherry cola, cinnamon candies and butterscotch. Definitely add a drop or two of water, as it’ll bring out more chocolate and calm it down a bit.

For more information please visit https://www.jackdaniels.com/en-us/visit-us