U.S. Whiskey Report

Whiskey News, Whiskey Releases and New Distilleries

Dustin Scoggins

Redwood Empire Whiskey Announces Second Release of Cask Strength Expressions

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Redwood Empire WhiskeyGRATON, Calif. – Redwood Empire Whiskey, a distinct California whiskey made and aged in the ancient forests of the Redwood Empire, doubles down with its second allocation of cask strength whiskey. Following the overwhelming success of the inaugural release in October 2022, the brand has increased its volumes of uncut and unfiltered expressions.

These limited-edition, straight-from-the-barrel cask strength offerings have been highly praised by both the press and consumers. In just seven months, each of Redwood Empire’s cask strength whiskeys have received awards from L.A. Spirits Awards and Tag Global Spirits Awards, as well as notable ratings of at least 91 points from both Whisky Advocate and The Tasting Panel.

“Cask strength represents the best of what spirits have to offer,” says head distiller, Lauren Patz. “Buying whiskey at cask strength empowers drinkers to explore the breadth that the spirit provides.”

Redwood Empire Whiskey’s cask strength range includes three full, undiluted and unfiltered expressions of the brand’s existing offerings: Pipe Dream Bourbon, Emerald Giant Rye, and Lost Monarch, a whiskey blend of Bourbon and Rye. Each expression has its own unique tasting notes. The Cask Strength Pipe Dream Bourbon (116.8 proof) has a rich and complex flavor profile, featuring toffee, cherry, and soft leather on the nose and cherry cola, honey butterscotch and pecans on the palate. The Cask Strength Emerald Giant Rye (116.4 proof) boasts delicate herbal tea, soft cinnamon and dried orange peel on the nose, with earl grey tea, viscous dark chocolate, coffee beans and a warm spice finish on the palate. Finally, the Cask Strength Lost Monarch Whiskey Blend (117.2 proof) offers vibrant, earthy notes and mint chocolate ice cream on the nose, with warm spices, dried apricot and a white pepper finish on the palate.

“Experiencing Redwood Empire straight from the barrel is my preferred way to enjoy our whiskeys,” says master distiller, Jeff Duckhorn.

Consumers who have enjoyed Redwood Empire’s core range at 90 proof can now experience the full intensity and complexity of the whiskeys straight from the barrel. The cask strength expressions are offered annually for those who crave bold and flavorful whiskey.

About Redwood Empire Whiskey:

Redwood Empire Whiskey is a distinct California whiskey made and aged in the ancient forests of the Redwood Empire, a cool fog belt that stretches from San Francisco north along the coast to the Oregon border. Founder Derek Benham and master distiller Jeff Duckhorn recognized that the region’s temperate climate and humidity would allow for a slow, even extraction of flavor during the whiskey aging process. In 2015, they began selecting older barrels from like-minded distilleries across the nation and blending them with their own distillate in Sonoma County. Now with the largest rick house in California, Redwood Empire Whiskey reserves more of its own distillate for 100% grain-to-glass expressions and increasingly features aged whiskeys distilled onsite. The result is consistently complex, bold and balanced. Inspired by John Muir and the old growth forests he sought to protect, they partner with Trees for the Future and One Tree Planted, by planting one tree for every bottle sold – to date they’ve surpassed 1,000,000 trees planted.

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

Santa Fe Spirits Releases Colkegan Unsmoked Single Malt Whiskey Nationwide

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Santa Fe SpiritsSanta Fe Spirits is releasing its Colkegan Unsmoked Single Malt Whiskey nationwide with online orders from its website. Santa Fe Spirits is well known for its Colkegan Mesquite Smoked Single Malt, and for the first time ever they have released an unsmoked Colkegan.

Like Scotch Whisky, Santa Fe Spirits’ Colkegan Single Malt Whiskey is made entirely from malted barley, carefully distilled, aged, and finished in various oak casks to enhance the complex flavors. The key difference is many Scotch whiskies are made with peat-smoked malt while Colkegan Single Malt Whiskey achieves its complex flavor profile using mesquite smoked malt. This approach has earned Colkegan Single Malt Whiskey numerous awards and a 91-point rating from Whiskey Advocate.

“We love experimenting with traditional single malt whiskey to develop new products while honoring the heritage of single malt,” says Santa Fe Spirits founder Colin Keegan. “Our mesquite-smoked Colkegan has won people’s hearts, and we wanted to release a whiskey that would complement our current line-up of American Single Malts, but also stand on its own. Four years ago we made our traditional Colkegan Single Malt Whiskey, but without smoking the malt. We tucked a few barrels of it into a back corner of the rickhouse, aged it in new American Oak, and used bourbon barrels. We’re excited to release it nationwide.”

Spurred by ever-increasing consumer interest and the efforts of the American Single Malt Commission, single malt whiskey made in the U.S. has gained considerable attention in recent years. As a founding member of the American Single Malt Commission, Santa Fe Spirits has helped champion the creation and promotion of American Single Malt Whiskey as an officially recognized category of whiskey. On July 29 the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) issued the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register which will formally define American Single Malt whisky. In the coming months, the TTB is expected to release an official definition of American single malt. This is great news for the entire industry and for consumers who are eager to purchase whiskey like Colkegan Unsmoked.

About Colkegan Unsmoked

Distiller Stephen Julander created a whiskey with 100% malted barley that focuses on the flavors of the pure malt with Unsmoked Colkegan. After distillation, Unsmoked Colkegan was aged for about four years in new American Oak and used bourbon barrels. The resulting whiskey has a beautiful copper color that evokes the coming of fall in the aspens, a deep amber luster as they welcome in the cooler nights of our Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Unsmoked Colkegan has warm aromas of brown sugar, bubblegum, macadamia nuts, and cinnamon, with a palate of toasted walnuts, wafer cookies, toast, dried pit fruit, and light spice. It has a lovely finish with lasting notes of toasted oak and butterscotch pudding.

About Santa Fe Spirits

Santa Fe Spirits was founded by Colin Keegan in 2010 with the goal of becoming the Southwest’s pre-eminent artisan distillery. With products ranging from silver whisky to barrel-aged apple brandy, Santa Fe Spirits is a relatively small distillery proud to be producing exceptional spirits designed to capture and accentuate the essence of the Southwest.

For more information please visit  https://santafespirits.com/spirits/buy-online.

‘Wheyskey’: This Brand Is Making a Sustainable Whiskey Alternative Out of Whey

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Wheyward SpiritsOn Tuesday, Wheyward Spirit unveiled its first dark spirit: Wheyskey.

Wheyward Spirit is a female-owned company that makes sustainably distilled spirits from whey, the liquid left over after the curdling and straining of milk.

Wheyskey by Wheyward Spirit is a barrel-aged version of the original Wheyward Spirit.

“At Wheyward Spirit, our ethos is about breaking boundaries and bringing to market better tasting and more approachable spirits made responsibly and domestically,” Wheyward Spirit said in a news release. “We are so proud of the years of innovation work that went into the launch of Wheyskey and truly believe this spirit will be a game changer for both the liquor and dairy industry as well as consumers who are drinking more mindfully and are seeking more approachable and versatile options where they can actually taste a difference and make a difference.”

Bottled at 80 proof, Wheyskey is aged in oak barrels and contains no additives or flavoring. It is gluten-free, grain-free and lactose-free.

Wheyskey is available in 36 states via the Wheyward Spirit website and regional liquor retailers at a suggested retail price of $69.95 per 750-milliliter bottle.

Wheyward Spirit launched its flagship product, a clear spirit intended to be used in place of gin or vodka, in 2019.

The production of Wheyward Spirit makes use of some of the over 100 billion pounds of whey that goes to waste each year.

About Wheyward Spirit

Our founder and CEO, Emily Darchuk, forged her career as a food scientist in the natural food and dairy industry. While working with dairies she observed firsthand the problem of whey waste impacting small communities. What she saw made her motivated enough to do something about it. As a scientist Emily knew she could convert whey into alcohol. However, as a consumer who cares about flavor and the impact of her purchases, she wanted to make something unique for others, who like her, care about the origin of their food. The opportunity to give a voice to those who care and influence the dairy and spirit industries to work together towards sustainability gave her the inspiration to launch Wheyward Spirit. Emily perfected the signature spirit through years of trials, carefully crafting the recipe while she mastered the distillation process hands on and continues to drive our innovation today.

For more information visit https://www.wheywardspirit.com/

Buffalo Trace Releases Peated Bourbon

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Buffalo Trace DistilleryThe new Buffalo Trace Experimental Peated Bourbon is the 26th release in the brand’s Experimental Collection, created to ‘push the limits of innovation’ in American whiskey.

The ‘one-of-a-kind’ Bourbon uses smoked peated malt to add a ‘hint of smoke’ to the rye mashibill. The use of peated malt is rare in American whiskey production, the Kentucky distiller said.

The distillate was aged for nearly 10 years in new charred white oak casks before being bottled at 45% ABV.

The resulting liquid offers a ‘smoky and nutty’ aroma, with hints of leather, mahogany and cacao beans, with flavours of ‘light smoke’, brown butter, and a sweet toffee finish.

“The Experimental Collection is not about breaking the rules of Bourbon; in fact, 95% of our experiments stay within the confines of traditional methods of making whiskey,” said Harlen Wheatley, Buffalo Trace’s master distiller.

“We conduct this research to better understand the variables that affect our final flavour profiles.

“We were eager to experiment with peat to see how the grain influenced our mashbill from a recipe perspective. We anticipated it providing the perfect hint of smoke, just enough to compliment the sweet and spicy notes from the rye, and I’m happy to report our hypothesis was correct.”

Buffalo Trace Experimental Peated Bourbon is priced at US$46.99 per 375ml bottle. It is available to buy across retailers and restaurants in the US.

In December 2022, Buffalo Trace filled its eight-millionth barrel of Bourbon after its US$1.2 billion expansion.

Buffalo Trace’s WL Weller 12 Year Old secured the Taste Master accolade in last year’s American Whiskey Masters blind tasting.

In June 2022, Sazerac acquired Lough Gill Distillery in County Sligo, which will become the new home for its Irish whiskey brands Paddy and Michael Collins.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery History

Throughout the challenges of floods, fires, tornadoes and even Prohibition, the American family-owned Buffalo Trace Distillery has never compromised. A timeless dedication to respecting the past while fearlessly innovating for the future has served us well for more than two centuries. No matter the challenge, be it Mother Nature or man, the people of our Distillery have been part of the story that shaped America and the spirit industry as well.

For more information please visit https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2023/05/buffalo-trace-releases-peated-bourbon/

Blue Run Spirits Releases First Single Barrel Rye Whiskey

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Blue Run SpiritsBlue Run Spirits announces its first ever Single Barrel Rye Whiskey, dropping just in time for Mother’s Day. Blue Run Kentucky Straight Emerald Single Barrel Rye Whiskey marks the second release from Blue Run’s award-winning Emerald Rye series. Blue Run Emerald Single Barrel Rye will be available only online at BlueRunSpirits.com beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Tuesday, May 2.

Like the Gold Medal-awarded Blue Run Emerald Rye Whiskey (released in November 2022), this single barrel offering was contract distilled by Blue Run Liquid Advisor Jim Rutledge at Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. Shaylyn Gammon, Blue Run’s Whiskey Director, carefully selected these barrels to echo the rich, complex flavors from Emerald Rye Whiskey, but with each featuring its own personality found only in a single barrel release. Adding to the complexity, these are also bottled at barrel proof with no water added to dilute the flavor or aroma, thus allowing subtle individual nuances to shine through.

“With Blue Run’s Emerald Rye Whiskies, I am trying to work towards a baseline flavor foundation for the entire collection, then find interesting or unexpected interpretations that are wholly unique but don’t stray too far from the original profile,” said Gammon. “This might be somewhat easier when blending, but when you are working with single barrels at barrel proof, the art lies in the barrel selection, understanding how the distillate interacted with the barrel char level, and to the extent I can, what climate factors impacted that barrel as it aged over the years.”

In keeping with releasing a whiskey just before Mother’s Day, each of the single barrels from this Emerald Rye collection are named for the mothers in the lives of Blue Run founders. As noted by Shaylyn, each barrel has its own unique personality, just like these amazing women. Thanks moms!

About Blue Run Spirits

Georgetown, Kentucky-based Blue Run Spirits is an evolution of the traditional spirits company, creating award-winning bourbons and rye whiskies through time-honored traditions matched with inclusive, forward-looking vision. It all starts with the whiskey itself, carefully crafted by Blue Run Liquid Advisor and Bourbon Hall of Famer Jim Rutledge and Whiskey Director Shaylyn Gammon. That precious liquid is then housed in striking packaging adorned with Blue Run’s signature butterfly medallion, marking the metamorphosis of a centuries-old industry as Blue Run reaches across the bar to welcome today’s younger, broader and more diverse whiskey drinker. Blue Run Spirits was founded in 2020 and was named one of the 50 most innovative companies in America by Bloomberg.

For More Information:
https://www.bluerunspirits.com/

Booker’s Bourbon Releases First Batch Of 2023 Collection

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Booker's BourbonBooker’s Bourbon has released its first batch of the 2023 collection, Booker’s Batch 2023-01 “Charlie’s Batch.”

A statement from Booker’s noted that this batch is named in honor of Charlie Hutchens, the craftsman behind the signature wooden box that each Booker’s bottle comes in.

Officials from Booker’s noted that Charlie worked at the distillery when Booker Noe was master distiller and is also a long-time friend of the Noe family. During his time at the distillery, Charlie was quite the storyteller and would entertain others throughout the workday. He was detail oriented, like Booker with his whiskey.

After several years, Charlie left the business to open his own cabinet shop with his brother. Charlie handcrafted the very first Booker’s Bourbon wooden boxes in his garage and has created the boxes for the brand since.

He and his brother have expanded their business to create other wood products for different brands and projects in the Beam family, such as supplying custom furniture to the new Fred B. Noe Distillery – where Booker’s Bourbon is now distilled.

Charlie still lives near the Booker Noe Distillery and spends his free time fishing and vacationing with his family in South Carolina.

Like all batches of Booker’s Bourbon, Booker’s “Charlie’s Batch” was selected by seventh generation Master Distiller Fred Noe.

The distiller noted Booker’s “Charlie’s Batch” is a well-aged amber color and has a balanced aroma of oak, toasted nuts and vanilla notes without too much wood. It has a slightly warm taste with a pleasant finish.

Booker’s Bourbon is bottled uncut and unfiltered, and inspired by a 200-year-old family tradition. Sixth Generation Beam Master Distiller Booker Noe first created Booker’s Bourbon as a Christmas gift for close friends and family. Booker took barrels found in the center-cut of the rack house and bottled the bourbon straight-from-the-barrel.

Each batch is released in limited quantities and features a unique label and batch name that honors Booker Noe, his love of family and his spirit of experimentation.

Booker’s “Charlie’s Batch” was aged  7 years, 1 month, and 8 days and clocks in at 126.6 proof. It’s now available nationwide in limited quantities with a suggested retail price of $89.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

For more information, check out www.BookersBourbon.com.

Tattersall Distilling to release whiskey from new, perennial grain Kernza

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Tattersall DistilleryPerhaps you’ve never heard of Kernza, a perennial grain. Yet the drought-tolerant grass might just show up in your next happy hour, as Tattersall Distilling Co. releases its new Tattersall Kernza Perennial Grain Whiskey.

It is the first 100% Kernza whiskey in the country, and it is being launched with a tasting and celebration on April 29 in River Falls.

Jon Kreidler is chief officer of Tattersall Distilling Company, which he co-founded with his childhood friend Dan Oskey in Minneapolis in 2015. In 2021, they crossed over the Wisconsin border and opened a 75,000-square-foot tasting room, restaurant and event space in a former Shopko in River Falls. It is home to the largest solar array of any craft distillery in the nation, plus a first of its kind water reclamation system.

Tattersall was tapped by the Land Institute of Kansas and the University of Minnesota’s Forever Green initiative to see if there was an interest in working with the perennial. Sustainability is a large part of Tattersall’s approach.

Whiskey made with Kernza is a test and an experiment for the distillery, and part of a growing goal for the perennial grain. This has been years in the making, starting with the investment in the grains and a farmer in Cambridge, Minn., who grows them for the distillery.

“Bang Brewing, a really cool brewery out of St. Paul, has featured Kernza. Dogfish Head has made beer with it, but at the time we started nobody was distilling,” said Kreidler.

While there is still a learning curve for growing and using Kernza, which is the first commercially available perennial grain, Kreidler sees it as worth the investment. Interest is growing as availability continues to move forward.

“The concept of the perennial grain itself, if you aren’t tearing up the land, you aren’t releasing a lot of carbon. If you can avoid that, it is pretty awesome,” Kreidler said. “In addition, the Kernza taproot is between 8 and 15 feet, so it is a drought-resistant grain, which is super important.”

“Kernza has only really been on the landscape in a modestly signficant way since about 2019,” said Kimbler. “That is when the first commercial acreage started to be produced.”

Kimbler added, “Perennial means that Kernza is planted once, and it grows and produces grain for four to five years without having to replant it. You don’t have to till the fields.”

On April 29 in collaboration with the Wisconsin DNR, Tattersall will launch the Kernza perennial grain whiskey and give away 1,400 trees in honor of Arbor Day.

“We’ve always been about what drives us for the future. I’ve got kids, most of the guys on the team do too. There is relation business wise, but it is the right thing to do, and what everybody should be doing. We think everybody will get there eventually,” Kreidler said.

Kernza is just the beginning for Tattersall’s search for sustainable sips. The distillery is also looking at pea protein.

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

Michter’s Announces Return of 10 Year Rye

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Michters Distillery On Tuesday, Kentucky whiskey brand Michter’s announced that it will release its 10-year-old straight rye whiskey for the first time since July.

“Our goal is to make the greatest American whiskey,” Master Distiller Dan McKee said in a news release. “We would love to be able to offer more of it, but we simply won’t do so until the whiskey is ready at the standard our loyal Michter’s drinkers expect.  I do think that we have some good news to share in that respect, which is why I am so happy to introduce the 2023 release of Michter’s 10 Year Rye.”

Bottled at 92.8 proof, Michter’s 10 Year Rye has a suggested retail price of $200.

The return of Michter’s 10 Year Rye comes amid ongoing inventory constraints due to high demand for the popular brand’s products.

In February, Michter’s announced the return of its single-barrel 10 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon for the first time since 2021.

In January, the brand released its Celebration Sour Mash Whiskey for the first time since 2019.

About 10-Year Rye and Michter’s Distillery

The 10-Year Rye, 10-Year Bourbon and 20-Year Bourbon expressions reflect the
exceptional results of uncompromising craftsmanship and Kentucky’s unrivaled
climate for aging outstanding whiskey. Often significantly older than the age statement on the label, only a select few barrels age with the elegance required  for inclusion in these highly limited releases.

For more information please visit https://michters.com/whiskeys/

TX Whiskey Releases New Rye Whiskey Bottled in Bond

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Firestone and Robinson Distilling CompanyAll right whiskey fans get out your favorite rock glass set and prepare to sip TX Whiskey’s newest experimental libation, TX Straight Rye Whiskey Bottled in Bond. This new spirit is the fifth in a line of whiskeys straight out of the TX Experimental Series. Other expressions from this limited collection include TX Experimental Rye, TX High Rye Texas Straight Bourbon, TX Blended Straight Bourbon, and TX Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Rum & Cognac Barrels.

According to a release, this new rye showcases the combination of Texas grain and Texas maturation, which highlights the flavors developed over four summers at TX Whiskey’s distillery, inside of the Whiskey Ranch. The aroma of light baking spice combined with the fruity balance of banana and apple carries through the palate, with a long finish of floral, caramel, and vanilla. This 100% rye whiskey expresses unique flavors crafted with a Texan’s palette in mind.

“This experimental release utilizes Texas rye grown for us by a single farm, Sawyer Farms, distilled on our column at Whiskey Ranch within a single season,” says head distiller, Evan Brewer. “It’s aged for over four years on the second floor of our rickhouse, being subjected to the Texas heat and manic weather. This combination has created a really nice whiskey that we felt was best showcased at 100 proof, with the added distinction of being bottled in bond.”

Only 1500 375ml bottles of TX Experimental Series TX Straight Rye Whiskey Bottled in Bond will be available for purchase at Whiskey Ranch.

About TX Whiskey and Firestone and Robertson Distilling Co.

We love everything about the world of whiskey: the history, the people, the techniques, the art, the science, the equipment and the satisfaction of sharing an incredible bottle with friends. But we didn’t always know that we shared the same passion – or that we both wanted to leave the corporate world to act on the same entrepreneurial instinct.

We became friends a few years ago, because our kids were in the same playgroup, but neither one of us had any idea of the other’s distillation dreams – until we both independently made plans to visit the same craft distillery to learn more about the trade.

Troy got there first, and while chatting with the owner, discovered that “another Fort Worth guy” had scheduled a visit the following week. Imagine Troy’s surprise when he found out it was Leonard.

“I hear you want to get into the whiskey business?” Troy said when he called Leonard later.

Leonard, who’d told no one but his wife about his plans, was floored. We got together for lunch the next day and quickly discovered we had the same vision for creating truly Texas whiskeys, and the same obsession with old-fashioned craftsmanship. We both had extensive experience with startup companies, and we immediately realized that together, we had the passion and know-how to make our whiskey dreams a reality.

We set out to find a suitable building for our distillery, and finally found the perfect location – a reclaimed prohibition-era warehouse just south of downtown Fort Worth. We completely renovated the interior, using materials we found in the building. Then we added two brand new copper pot-column hybrid stills, custom built to our specifications by Vendome Copper & Brass Works, Inc., the top still manufacturer in the United States.

We think the distillery is just awesome. And we think the whiskeys we’re producing are exceptional. We’d like nothing better than to show you how we create them, and, of course, give you a sample of each delicious product. Please come visit us. That would make us (and hopefully you) very happy.

For more information visit https://www.frdistilling.com/

‘A Real Flavor Bomb’: Milam and Greene Announces 2nd Single Barrel Bourbon in Extremely Limited Wildlife Collection

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Milam & Greene Whiskey On Wednesday, Milam and Greene Whiskey unveiled Bobcat Single Barrel Bourbon, the second release in the brand’s Wildlife Collection, a limited-edition series of cask-strength, single-barrel whiskeys intended to show the effects of Texas weather on aging whiskey.

The Wildlife Collection pays homage to the wildlife that thrives in the hot climate of Texas. Bobcat is the second release in the series, following Scorpion, which was released in February.

Milam and Greene Wildlife Collection Bobcat Single Barrel was distilled in Tennessee from a mashbill of 80% corn, 10% rye and 10% malted barley. It was barreled on March 15, 2018, and bottled March 31, 2023, at 119.48 proof.

Bobcat Single Barrel was aged more than four years in new oak barrels with a #4 alligator char in Tennessee before spending 10.5 months at the Milam and Greene distillery in Blanco, Texas. During the time the barrel spent at Milam and Greene, Blanco saw almost two months of triple-digit temperatures, a drought and a multi-day ice storm.

Bobcat Single Barrel will be available exclusively on the Milam and Greene Whiskey website and in the distillery tasting room beginning at 3 p.m. CST on April 26. The single barrel yielded only 209 bottles, which will be available for $99.99 each. Of the 209 bottles, 168 will be available online, and the other 41 will be for sale at the distillery.

About Milam & Greene Whiskey

Milam & Greene was created by founder Marsha Milam, whiskey expert and Master Blender Heather Greene, and Kentucky veteran Master Distiller Marlene Holmes. Our charming distillery sits in the lush, Texas Hill Country where the hot summers, mild winters, and wild temperature variances add spark and personality to our spirit. To achieve excellence, we bring in grains, yeast, barrels and experience from all across America to create our award-winning whiskies. As well as multiple gold, double gold and platinum awards from credible spirits competitions and high marks from Wine Enthusiast, in 2021 Milam & Greene was awarded the “People’s Choice Award” at The Texas Whiskey Festival and “Best in Show” out of 550 entrants at The American Craft Spirits Association.

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