Archives for March 2025

Copperworks Distilling Co. Announces Rare 2025 Archive Release

March 11, 2025 By Dustin Scoggins

Copperworks Distilling Co. has unveiled its second annual Archive Release, offering whiskey collectors a chance to acquire some of the distillery’s most limited and historically significant bottles from past years.

The collection includes Copperworks’ historic Release 001, the distillery’s very first whiskey. Crafted from pale malted barley and aged for 2 years and 6 months in charred new American oak, only four bottles of this significant whiskey remain available.

Also featured is Release 003, the first whiskey made with Copperworks’ signature Five Malt recipe, with just two bottles remaining. For collectors of award-winning spirits, Release 012 – named “2018 Best American Single Malt Whiskey” by Tastings.com with 96 points and a Platinum Medal – offers eight bottles.

The archive includes several specialty cask-finished expressions that showcase Copperworks’ experimental approach. Among them is the Black is Beautiful American Single Malt Whiskey, created in collaboration with Garden Path Fermentation to support the Black is Beautiful initiative. For each bottle sold, $40 will be donated to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

Credit: The Whiskey Wash Team

For more information please visit https://copperworksdistilling.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

Bushmills Just Released The Oldest Irish Single Malt Whiskey Ever

March 9, 2025 By Dustin Scoggins

Bushmills Irish Whiskey — Photo Credit: Bushmills Distillery

Bushmills Distillery just launched a 46-year-old limited-edition expression called ‘Secrets of the River Bush’. Hyper-aged Irish whiskey is nothing new these days, but this new expression is the oldest Irish single malt whiskey ever released. Bushmills’ distilling operations can be traced back to the year 1608, and it feels appropriate that the oldest licensed distillery on the planet now holds the title for oldest Irish single malt.

This release also comes at a time when both Irish whiskey and high-end spirits are bucking overall industry trends. The Irish whiskey category saw a 13% increase in exports last year, and consumers continue to show interest in ultra-premium spirits, accounting for 4.8% of the total market in 2024.

Bushmills 46 Year Old “Secrets of The River Bush” is housed in a handcrafted hexagonal presentation box. The intricate topographical contours of the walnut case pay tribute to the Bushmills’ water source—the River Bush.

This release was crafted from just two Oloroso sherry butts from Antonio Paez Lobato Cooperage in Jerez, Spain. These two casks were filled in 1978—when the distillery was a mere 370 years old—and matured in the middle of Bushmills’ legendary Warehouse 8 for 46 years before being bottled at a natural cask strength of 46.3% ABV. Due to extreme evaporation after nearly half a century of aging, there was only enough whiskey left for 300 total bottles worldwide.

About Bushmills Distillery

Throughout the 20th century, Bushmills navigated a series of economic and sociopolitical challenges. In the 1920s, when American Prohibition hit—a major blow to Irish whiskey exports—director Wilson Boyd continued to keep the Bushmills warehouses full. When the U.S. market reopened, records suggest that Bushmills was 1 of 2, maybe 3 Irish whiskey distilleries still in operation.

Post-World War II, Bushmills experienced a change in ownership, first coming under the control of Isaac Wolfson and then being absorbed into Irish Distillers in 1972, which marked a turning point in consolidating Irish whiskey production. Sales soared in the 1950s and 1960s and even during the global market shift away from brown spirits, Bushmills launched three new products from 1983 to 2001.

Now owned by Proximo Spirits, the brand has expanded its lineup significantly in recent years and in 2023, opened the new Causeway Distillery to increase production.

For more information please visit https://bushmills.com/pages/distillery

The Shed Distillery Releases Drumshanbo Tawny Port Whiskey

March 8, 2025 By Dustin Scoggins

The Shed Distillery revealed its latest release, Drumshanbo Tawny Port Cask Single Pot Still Whiskey. At 43% ABV / 86 Proof, the limited release is now available at select retailers nationwide for $79.99 for a 700mL.

Drumshanbo Tawny Port Cask Single Pot Still Whiskey is a 7-year-old Irish Whiskey that has been triple distilled with malted Irish barley, unmalted Irish barley, and Irish Barra oats. It is then carefully matured in Tawny Port casks, enhancing its rich and complex character.

“When the ambition is to create world-class Irish Whiskey, there can be no deadline. We, as curators, must be patient as truly extraordinary whiskeys evolve at their own pace,” PJ Rigney, Founder of The Shed Distillery, said.

In 2014, The Shed Distillery was the first Irish distillery to open in the Western province of Connacht in over 100 years. Renowned for his adventurous spirit and deep-rooted passion for travel, Rigney channels his global explorations into a profound appreciation for his native Ireland—culminating in the distinctly Irish character that defines every drop of Drumshanbo Irish Whiskey.

About Drumshanbo Irish Whiskey

Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is an award-winning premium craft spirit brand created by The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney at the home of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin. It has received a remarkable international response since its inaugural release in 2019 and was named one of the world’s top 20 whiskeys by Whisky Advocate. The whiskey ethos at The Shed Distillery prioritizes exceptional quality over quantity and all whiskey is made in small batches and never rushed to deadline.

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

Black Frost Distilling to Release Blended Malt Rye Whiskey

March 8, 2025 By Dustin Scoggins

Black Frost Distilling announced the forthcoming release of its Blended Malted Rye Whiskey. The release date is set for Saturday, March 1, 2025.

This is the second whiskey released by the Minnesota-based, northern terroir-driven distillery, following the inaugural release of its Wheated Blended Bourbon Whiskey at the end of 2024. This Malted Rye Whiskey is made from grains grown entirely on the co-founder’s family farm and aged exclusively in Minnesota-grown oak barrels to create a true expression of northern terroir-influenced whiskey.

“Minnesota is unique in the fact that everything you need to make whiskey grows well exceptionally here,” Jace Marti, the co-founder and master distiller at Black Frost, said in a news release. “We saw this as an opportunity to intentionally box ourselves in from a creative standpoint and only utilize ingredients that we either grow ourselves or source from here in the northland. Minnesota is also one of the largest producers of rye in the country, so it makes sense to have rye whiskey be a major focus of our distillery.”

The Blended Rye Malt Whiskey starts with an heirloom variety of rye called Danko, grown just a few short miles from the distillery on co-founder Nate Gieseke’s family farm. After harvest, the rye is then sent to a nearby malt house to undergo the malting process before being shipped back to the distillery, where it is mashed, fermented, distilled, aged, and bottled onsite.

Black Frost utilizes a long, slow fermentation in uniquely shaped, open-top wooden fermenters. This allows the natural flora that comes from the rye to play a significant role in the process, producing rich, fruity notes while lending a soft, creamy mouthfeel to the whiskey.

Black Frost Blended Rye Whiskey is bottled in 750ml bottles at 92 proof and will be available for purchase at the distillery and the finest retail locations throughout Minnesota starting March 1 with a suggested retail price of $54.

About Black Frost Distilling

Black Frost Distilling was founded in 2022 by a 6th generation brewmaster and a 6th generation family farmer with the goal of creating Bourbon, Rye, and American Single Malt whiskies with a distinct sense of northern terroir. Black Frost utilizes malted grains grown on its co-founder’s family farm, embraces the wild qualities of open-top wooden fermenters, and ages their whiskies exclusively in Minnesota-grown oak barrels. Every step of the process serves as an opportunity to showcase the uniqueness of their environment through the exclusive use of northern-grown ingredients.
For more information please visit at blackfrostdistilling.com.

National Absinthe Day – March 5th

March 5, 2025 By Dow Scoggins

National Absinthe Day - March 5th

National Absinthe Day is celebrated annually on March 5th to honor the history, mystique, and revival of absinthe, the infamous anise-flavored spirit known as “The Green Fairy.” Once banned in several countries due to misconceptions about its effects, absinthe has made a strong comeback in the modern cocktail world.

A Brief History of Absinthe

Origins: Absinthe originated in Switzerland in the late 18th century as an herbal elixir before becoming popular in France, particularly among artists and writers like Vincent van Gogh, Oscar Wilde, and Ernest Hemingway.
The Ban: Due to myths about hallucinations and dangerous effects, many countries, including the U.S. and much of Europe, banned absinthe in the early 20th century.
The Revival: Scientific studies later debunked the myths, and bans were lifted. The U.S. legalized absinthe in 2007, allowing its return to bars and liquor stores.

The Traditional Absinthe Ritual

Pour absinthe (typically around 1 oz) into a glass.
Place a sugar cube on a perforated absinthe spoon over the glass.
Drip ice-cold water slowly over the sugar cube until it dissolves.
Watch as the absinthe louches (turns a cloudy, milky color).
Sip & enjoy—responsibly!

The Green Fairy’s Return: A National Absinthe Day Tale

On a chilly evening in early March, the dim glow of candlelight flickered inside L’Esprit Vert, a small, tucked-away bar in New Orleans’ French Quarter. It was National Absinthe Day, and the city’s air buzzed with anticipation.

Louis, the owner and an avid historian of spirits, arranged a row of ornate absinthe glasses, each accompanied by a perforated spoon and a delicate sugar cube. He watched as a group of patrons, both seasoned enthusiasts and curious newcomers, gathered around the bar.

“Welcome, friends,” Louis said with a smile. “Tonight, we celebrate the return of the Green Fairy.”

Among the guests was Clara, a poet searching for inspiration. She had heard the old stories—how absinthe fueled the minds of Van Gogh, Hemingway, and Wilde. She longed for that same spark, something to lift her from the creative fog that had settled over her in recent months.

Louis prepared her first glass with careful precision. He poured the emerald-green liquid into a stemmed glass, rested the spoon with the sugar cube atop it, and slowly dripped ice-cold water over the cube. As the water met the absinthe, it transformed—the once-clear spirit became an opalescent cloud of green and gold.

Clara took a slow sip, letting the anise and herbal notes dance on her tongue. A warmth spread through her, not just from the alcohol, but from the history and mystery wrapped within the drink.

“Legend says,” Louis mused, “that absinthe doesn’t just intoxicate—it inspires. It whispers to those who listen.”

As the night wore on, the bar filled with laughter, conversation, and the clink of delicate glasses. Artists sketched feverishly in their notebooks, musicians strummed their guitars in the corner, and poets scribbled verses on napkins.

Clara, too, felt the spark return. She picked up her pen and, under the watchful eye of the Green Fairy, let the words flow once more.

Outside, the moon hung high over New Orleans, and inside L’Esprit Vert, absinthe worked its timeless magic—just as it had for centuries.

Fun Whiskey Facts and Trivia – Click Here

Last Week to Enter ADI 2025 International Spirits Competition!

March 4, 2025 By Dow Scoggins

This is the last week to enter ADI’s 2025 International Spirits Competition. Registration closes Friday, March 7th, so don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your craft.

Register Now

Why Participate?
1. ADI ISC is the only spirits competition that works to expand the sales opportunities of our top winners by connecting them with leading distributors, retails, importers and e-commerce platforms.
2. Gold medal winners receive national media coverage from our partners at Forbes, The Whiskey Wash and Distiller Magazine.
3. All winners receive digital and physical medals with no additional licensing fee.
4. All entrants receive written feedback from our expert judges and free entry into our Excellence in Packaging Awards.

Take advantage of this opportunity to shine and secure your spot Today!

You can find more information about our 2025 International Spirits Competition here, and we look forward to celebrating your craft at this year’s competition!

Celebrate National Bottled in Bond Day – March 3rd

March 3, 2025 By Dow Scoggins

Celebrate National Bottled in Bond Day
March 3rd marks National Bottled in Bond Day, a tribute to a landmark moment in American whiskey history. It was on March 3, 1897 that the Bottled in Bond Act was signed into law, ensuring the quality and authenticity of American spirits. Before its passage, whiskey was often adulterated with harmful additives like iodine, tobacco, and even kerosene. The act established strict regulations, requiring that any whiskey labeled “Bottled in Bond” be aged for at least four years, produced in a single distillery, and bottled at 100 proof under government supervision.

For whiskey lovers, this designation remains a mark of quality and trust. On National Bottled in Bond Day, distilleries and aficionados celebrate by showcasing classic bonded spirits and sharing the rich history of this law. Bars and tasting rooms offer special flights of bonded whiskey, allowing patrons to taste the craftsmanship that has endured for over a century.

One such distillery, Harrison & Sons, carries on the Bottled in Bond tradition with a limited release every year on March 3rd. The master distiller, Amelia Harrison, recounts her great-grandfather’s role in advocating for the law. “He was a barrel inspector back in the early 1900s. He always said that Bottled in Bond wasn’t just about whiskey—it was about protecting people. It was about trust.”

At this year’s celebration in Kentucky, whiskey enthusiasts gather at historic distilleries, where experts lead discussions on the impact of the act. Some distilleries open their bonded warehouses to the public, giving visitors a rare glimpse of aging barrels stamped with the telltale Bottled in Bond seal.

Whether enjoyed neat, in an Old Fashioned, or as part of a tasting flight, Bottled in Bond whiskey continues to symbolize integrity in American spirits. So, on March 3rd, raise a glass to the legacy of quality, tradition, and the enduring standards that make American whiskey truly great.

The Bottled in Bond Act of 1897
The Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 was a significant piece of legislation in American whiskey history, designed to ensure the quality and authenticity of distilled spirits.

Why Was It Needed?
Before the Act, whiskey was often tampered with, diluted, or mixed with harmful substances like iodine, tobacco, and even kerosene. Many distillers and rectifiers (who blended spirits) would sell whiskey that was unsafe or falsely advertised. Consumers had no way of knowing if they were buying pure whiskey or a dangerous concoction.

What Did the Act Do?
The Bottled in Bond Act created strict regulations for whiskey to be labeled “Bottled in Bond,” including:

Single Distillery: The whiskey must be produced at one distillery during one distillation season (January–June or July–December).
Minimum Aging: It must be aged for at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse.
100 Proof Standard: It must be bottled at 100 proof (50% alcohol by volume) to maintain purity and consistency.
Government Supervision: It must be stored and bottled under U.S. government supervision, ensuring that it is not tampered with.