Archives for July 2025

Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey Unveils ‘Lost Chapter’ Series, Tying Limited-Edition Releases to Fawn Weaver’s Bestselling Book Love & Whiskey

July 19, 2025 By Dow Scoggins

SHELBYVILLE, Tennessee – Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, the most awarded American whiskey brand for five consecutive years, announces the launch of its innovative ‘Lost Chapter’ series. This exclusive collection of limited-edition whiskeys provides enthusiasts with access to previously unreleased chapters from Founder and CEO Fawn Weaver’s acclaimed bestseller, Love & Whiskey: The Remarkable True Story of Jack Daniel, His Master Distiller Nearest Green, and the Improbable Rise of Uncle Nearest. Released on June 18, the book has soared to the top of the New York Times bestseller list, while also earning spots on USA Today and Publishers Weekly lists and claiming the No. 1 position at Hudson Booksellers nationwide.

The series kicks off with Lost Chapter 1 – 777 (SRP: $139), a 7-year-old barrel-strength Tennessee whiskey bottled between 110-120 proof and limited to just 7,000 bottles in celebration of the brand’s seventh anniversary. Available starting July 19 at the Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tenn., select U.S. retailers, and online through ReserveBar.com, each purchase includes a special tag granting access to the book and an exclusive download link for the first lost chapter.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the incredible response to Love & Whiskey—words like ‘grateful’ don’t quite capture it,” said Fawn Weaver. “With sold-out tour events and books flying off shelves, I’m excited to share more of the Uncle Nearest story as we mark this milestone year.”

For those unable to secure the limited-edition bottle, new releases of Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Whiskey (SRP: $89.99) rolling out this summer will feature updated neck tags with codes unlocking the same exclusive lost chapter. This acclaimed barrel-strength expression, the most awarded single barrel of 2023, boasts standout honors including a gold medal at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, platinum and Best Bourbon at the 2024 LA Spirits Awards, and platinum plus Best in Show Tennessee Whiskey at the 2024 TAG Global Spirits Awards.

“This release reflects our dedication to perfection—we patiently waited seven years to capture this whiskey at its peak,” shared Victoria Eady Butler, fifth-generation descendant of Nearest Green and four-time Master Blender of the Year. “I hope enthusiasts savor this bold barrel-strength whiskey alongside the inspiring history of our brand and my great-great-grandfather’s legacy. I know he’d approve.”

For more information about Love & Whiskey, visit www.loveandwhiskeybook.com and for more information on Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, please visit www.unclenearest.com or follow on Instagram @unclenearest.

About Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey

ncle Nearest Premium Whiskey pays tribute to Nathan “Nearest” Green, the first-known African American master distiller, who perfected the Lincoln County Process and mentored Jack Daniel in crafting what became Tennessee whiskey. Founded in 2017 by entrepreneur and CEO Fawn Weaver after she uncovered Green’s overlooked legacy, the brand has grown into the fastest-growing independent American whiskey in U.S. history and the most awarded bourbon or American whiskey portfolio from 2019 through 2024, with over 1,450 accolades. Produced at the state-of-the-art Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee—a 432-acre landmark dubbed “Malt Disney World”—Uncle Nearest is celebrated for its commitment to quality, history, and innovation under the guidance of four-time Master Blender of the Year Victoria Eady Butler, Green’s fifth-generation descendant.

The acclaimed lineup features core expressions like the bold Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey (100 proof, aged 8-14 years with notes of caramel and vanilla), the smooth 1884 Small Batch Whiskey (93 proof), a distinctive Straight Rye Whiskey, exclusive Single Barrel selections, and limited releases such as the 2025 Master Blend Edition—a cask-strength masterpiece recently crowned World’s Best Bourbon. Available in all 50 states and 26 countries, these premium Tennessee whiskeys deliver exceptional depth and versatility, ideal for sipping neat or crafting elevated cocktails, while honoring a profound American story of resilience and craftsmanship.
Address: 3125 US-231 North Shelbyville, TN 37160
Website: https://unclenearest.com/

Bardstown Bourbon Company Unveils Distillery Reserve: Cathedral French Oak Finish

July 18, 2025 By Dustin Scoggins

Bardstown, Ky. – Bourbon enthusiasts, prepare for something truly extraordinary! Bardstown Bourbon Company is pushing the limits of American whiskey once again with the launch of its new Distillery Reserve collection – small-batch experiments that embody the brand’s “Never Stand Still” ethos.
The inaugural release, Cathedral French Oak Barrel Finish, is a stunning blend of high-aged Kentucky straight bourbons (9-18 years old) finished for 14 months in barrels crafted from 300-year-old French oak sourced from the legendary Bercé Forest in France. These ancient trees were harvested specifically for the restoration of Paris’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral after the 2019 fire – infusing this whiskey with a profound story of resilience, history, and unmatched craftsmanship.

Bottled at 110.1 proof in convenient 375ml formats ($99.99), this one-time-only expression delivers rich, complex flavors of dark fruit, polished oak, baking spices, and elegant depth – perfect neat, on the rocks, or in elevated cocktails.

Why Distillery Reserve is a Game-Changer
These ultra-limited releases (just 2-9 barrels each) showcase hundreds of warehouse experiments exploring wood influences, aging techniques, finishes, and blends. Available exclusively at Bardstown Bourbon Company’s gift shops in Bardstown and Louisville, they’re must-grabs for collectors and flavor chasers seeking groundbreaking bourbon experiences.

“The core of our brand has always been innovation, transparency, and collaboration – but these mean little without respecting tradition,” said Dan Callaway, Head of New Product Development. “Distillery Reserve lets us unleash creativity while honoring the foundations of great whiskey, sharing hidden gems from our warehouses with the world.”

From the heart of Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail, Bardstown Bourbon Company continues to redefine excellence – whether sipped straight or shared with friends.

About Bardstown Bourbon Company
Bardstown Bourbon Company, located in the heart of Kentucky’s bourbon country on 100 acres of active farmland, is a modern innovator pushing the boundaries of American whiskey while honoring time-honored traditions. As the first Napa Valley-style destination on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, it combines state-of-the-art distilling with exceptional culinary experiences, transparent production processes, and a renowned Collaborative Distilling Program that crafts custom whiskeys for leading brands worldwide. Celebrated for its award-winning expressions—including the Origin Series high-rye bourbon and innovative finishes like those in the Discovery and Distillery Reserve collections—Bardstown Bourbon Company continues to earn global acclaim as a leader in quality, creativity, and transparency in the whiskey industry.
Address: 1500 Parkway Drive, Bardstown, KY 40004
Website: https://www.bardstownbourbon.com

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Old Forester releases newest bourbon for Whiskey Row series

July 12, 2025 By Dustin Scoggins

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Old Forester, the iconic Kentucky bourbon brand from Brown-Forman, has brought back its acclaimed 1924 expression for a second year, delighting whiskey enthusiasts nationwide. This 10-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon, bottled at 100 proof, is the fifth release in the popular Whiskey Row Series and features a unique mash bill of 79% corn, 11% rye, and 10% malted barley—setting it apart from the brand’s traditional recipe. With rich tasting notes of fudge, cocoa, marzipan, warm cinnamon, and chocolate-covered graham crackers, it’s a smooth yet bold sip that highlights Old Forester’s innovative spirit.

The 1924 bourbon pays tribute to a pivotal moment during Prohibition, when over 200 Kentucky distilleries shut down, but Old Forester persisted thanks to one of just six federal permits for medicinal whiskey production. In 1924, the brand sourced barrels from closed distilleries with varying mash bills and bottled them under the Old Forester name—a creative move that’s now commemorated in this age-stated gem. “With a new mash bill and 10-year age statement, 1924 features a unique taste unlike any other Old Forester expression, but fits perfectly within our storytelling Whiskey Row series,” shared Master Taster Melissa Rift. After selling out quickly upon its 2024 debut, this re-release is now available at participating retailers for a suggested price of $119.99. Head to the Old Forester Distillery in Louisville or visit oldforester.com for more details and to explore the full Whiskey Row lineup.

More about Old Forester Bourbon
Old Forester Bourbon has a fascinating backstory that’s like a time capsule from the Wild West era of whiskey. Founded in 1870 by George Garvin Brown, a pharmaceutical salesman in Louisville, Kentucky, it earned the title of “America’s First Bottled Bourbon.” Back then, most whiskey was sold straight from barrels at saloons, often watered down or tampered with—yikes! Brown revolutionized the game by sealing his bourbon in glass bottles for guaranteed quality and consistency, even naming it after a doctor friend (originally “Forester” with two r’s). It’s the only bourbon brand continuously produced and sold by the same family company (Brown-Forman) before, during, and after Prohibition, when it was one of the few allowed for “medicinal” purposes. Today, classics like the smooth 86 Proof and bolder 100 Proof sit alongside fun historical recreations in the Whiskey Row series, nodding to key moments like 1920’s Prohibition-style high-proof pours.

While Old Forester is proudly a Kentucky straight bourbon (made with at least 51% corn for that signature sweet, vanilla-caramel vibe), the world of American whiskey offers exciting variety to keep your taste buds adventuring. Rye whiskey flips the script with at least 51% rye grain, delivering a spicier, peppery kick perfect for bold cocktails like Manhattans—think of it as bourbon’s feisty cousin. Tennessee whiskey follows bourbon rules but adds a charcoal-filtering step for extra smoothness (Jack Daniel’s is the famous example). Then there’s wheat-heavy “wheated” bourbon for softer, bread-like sweetness, or even corn whiskey for a raw, moonshine-like edge. Whether you’re sipping Old Forester neat or mixing up something new, exploring these types is like a delicious history lesson in a glass—cheers to that!

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