Google News（美國波本/裸麥）｜原題：10 Upcoming Bourbon Releases To Watch For In The Second Half Of 2026 - AOL.com
美國波本威士忌市場在下半年將迎來多款年度限定版本。包括Old Grand-Dad 7年期麥芽威士忌（約40美元）、Jim Beam十柱瓶裝（約100美元）、德州Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre使用法國利木津橡木桶陳年8年（約350美元，僅3,000瓶）、Old Forester Birthday Bourbon（200美元）、Four Roses限定小批次（約250美元）、King of Kentucky（399美元）、Heaven Hill Parker's Heritage Collection第20周年版（100-200美元）、猶他州High West A Midwinter Night's Dram（約150美元）、Still Austin Tanager Cigar Blend（150美元）及傳奇的Pappy Van Winkle系列。這些發售從7月延至12月，許多需透過抽籤或直接到蒸餾廠購買。
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10 Upcoming Bourbon Releases To Watch For In The Second Half Of 2026
Tasting Table already covered the best new bourbons of 2026 in the first half of the year, but there are still six more months to go. For bourbon fans, the second half of the year can be the most exciting. Forget the return of football, autumn leaves, or decorative gourd season — many of the industry's biggest annual limited editions hit store shelves between late summer and the holidays. Below, you'll find a list of the most exciting.
You'll notice that, although Kentucky still reigns supreme as the bourbon capital of the world, there's plenty of non-Kentucky brown water worth giving a shot (pun intended). These days, good bourbon comes from all parts of the country — from deep in the heart of Texas to the western mountains of Utah. What unites all of the bottles on this list is their unique production methods, careful barrel selection, and the compelling story behind every one.
Collectors, casual sippers, and whiskey hunters will have plenty of bottles to keep them busy this fall. From legendary unicorns like Pappy Van Winkle to milestone anniversary releases, here are some of the most anticipated bourbons to watch out for. After all, 2026 was predicted to be a great year to buy good bottles, and you're only halfway through.
Read more: The 25 Best Bourbon Brands, Ranked
Old Grand-Dad 7-Year Bottled in Bond (July)
Over the past few years, the Jim Beam brand has been breathing new life into several of its overlooked "value" brands, with Old Grand-Dad among those receiving a much-welcomed makeover. This is one of the most affordable rye-forward bourbons coming out this year (around $40), and the bonded edition is also on our list of best bourbons for beginners.
Beam's Ten Pin Bottle (August)
This bourbon bottle's shape alone will delight whiskey drinkers and bowling enthusiasts alike. The 10-year-old, 100-proof bourbon is inspired by the iconic bowling pin-shaped decanters that founder Jim Beam once gave out as gifts. The vintage-inspired packaging doesn't come cheap (around $100), but one can only hope this encourages more whiskey brands to dig deep into nostalgia and delight us with more novelty-shaped bottles.
Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre 2026 Release (August)
As the first whiskey distillery established in Texas and the best bourbon brand in the state, Garrison Brothers is known for its big, bold bourbons. This one is aged for eight years in rare French Limousin oak casks, which are famously used for high-end Cognacs, and adds layers of dark fruit and spice to the 101-proof liquor. Only 3,000 bottles were made this year, so you'll either need to buy it at the distillery for a whopping $350 or pray you're first in line at select retailers.
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon (September)
If you're going to put "birthday" in the name, it better be worth celebrating, and this limited-edition bourbon is. Produced to honor founder George Garvin Brown's birthday, each edition of this whiskey is crafted from a unique group of barrels specifically selected for that year's release. While no one can predict what 2026 will bring, last year's edition used a sweet mash production and was made up of 210 different barrels. You'll want to enter the online sweepstakes through Old Forester's website or head directly to the Kentucky distillery to snag one for $200.
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Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch (September)
Four Roses is famous for producing 10 distinct bourbon recipes using two mash bills and five proprietary yeast strains. For this vintage, their master distiller blends certain recipes, often featuring older barrels, to showcase the brand's signature floral, fruity, and spice-forward character. Each year's blend differs, so you'll never know which recipe made the final cut until it's out. Expect to pay around $250 for this barrel-strength, complex bourbon.
King of Kentucky (October)
This is already one of Brown-Forman's most prestigious bourbons, but it carries even greater drama this year thanks to three small-batch releases tied to America's 250th birthday. The revived brand has earned a reputation for exceptionally old, barrel-strength whiskey released in very limited quantities at a very high price of $399. And, randomly, comedian Jim Gaffigan is promoting it, who tried King of Kentucky for the first time while on tour with Jerry Seinfeld.
Parker's Heritage Collection 20th Edition (October)
This is one of Heaven Hill's most respected limited-release series, and the milestone 20th anniversary is sure to attract plenty of attention. Named after legendary master distiller Parker Beam, the collection likes to show off experimental mash bills, unusual aging techniques, and just really, really old whiskey. It ranked highly on our list of every Heaven Hill whiskey, but it's also worth noting that getting your hands on a bottle can be difficult. Past years' releases have ranged between $100 and $200, but are expected to increase.
High West A Midwinter Night's Dram Act 14 (October)
The name alone lets you know this bottle is all about drama and celebrating the upcoming cold months. This seasonal whiskey from Utah is built on a foundation of rye whiskey finished in port barrels and has become synonymous with fall and winter drinking. It certainly sounds like something Santa would enjoy neat, with his cookies next to a roaring fireplace. Expect to pay around $150 if you buy it directly from their site.
Still Austin Tanager Cigar Blend Bourbon (December)
In case the name didn't give it away, this limited release is designed to pair with premium cigars. The mash bill is a unique blend of blue, red, and white corn bourbon that can stand up to your Cuban and Honduran stogies. Available primarily through the Still Austin distillery and select retailers for $150, it's an extremely limited offering that might have you booking a plane ticket to Texas's capital city to snag one.
Pappy Van Winkle 2026 Collection (December)
You can't really finish out the year without mentioning ol' Pappy. For collectors and connoisseurs, tracking down the annual Pappy lineup is often the highlight of the bourbon calendar. The collection includes the 10-, 12-, 15-, 20-, and 23-year-old bourbons, all produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery. Per usual, demand continues to outpace supply, with lotteries and retail allocations becoming the primary way to grab bottles at retail prices. And in case you were wondering, the Pappy prices are just as expensive as ever.
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Google News（印度威士忌）｜原題：Crazy Cock Creates History, the only Indian Single Malt to win Gold at IWSC’26 and 5 Golds at World Whisky Masters’26 - Passionate In Marketing
南海釀酒廠（South Seas Distilleries）旗下 Crazy Cock 印度單一麥芽威士忌在國際賽事大放異彩。在 World Whisky Masters 2026 共贏得 5 面金牌，成為唯一達成此成就的印度釀酒廠；稍早於 IWSC UK 2026 也表現優異，Crazy Cock Madhuca III 獲得金牌且為最高排名的印度單一麥芽。該廠百年經營歷史自 1922 年起，首創在 Mahura 木桶中進行熟成，展現印度威士忌產業的國際競爭力與品質提升。
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New Delhi, August 11, 2026: South Seas Distilleries, India’s oldest Single Malt Whisky distiller, has extended the remarkable international winning streak of its Crazy Cock Indian Single Malt whisky portfolio. All the five expressions entered at The World Whisky Masters 2026 have won record 5 Gold medals thus being the only Indian distiller to achieve this.
Coming just weeks after the brand’s Madhuca Heritage Editions dominant top three ranking performance at IWSC UK 2026, the latest recognition reinforces the consistency of the South Seas portfolio across two of the world’s most respected whisky competitions.
At the World Whisky Masters 2026, the following Crazy Cock expressions were awarded Gold
- Crazy Cock The Indian Single Malt Whisky Dhua
- Crazy Cock The Indian Single Malt Whisky Rare
- Crazy Cock The Indian Single Malt Whisky Madhuca I
- Crazy Cock The Indian Single Malt Whisky Madhuca II
- Crazy Cock The Indian Single Malt Whisky Madhuca III
The achievement comes close on the heels of the South Seas Distilleries portfolio’s exceptional showing at IWSC UK 2026, where Crazy Cock Indian Single Malt Madhuca III emerged as the highest-ranked Indian single malt with a Gold medal, while the three Crazy Cock Madhuca editions secured the top three Indian whisky rankings. The portfolio also accounted for five of the 10 medals awarded to Indian single malts at the competition, underscoring the breadth and consistency of its craftsmanship.
The World Whisky Masters is among the industry’s most respected blind-tasting competitions, judged by an independent panel of international whisky experts who evaluate entries solely on quality, craftsmanship and character.
Together, the IWSC UK and World Whisky Masters results across two independent international competitions judged by different panels of experts, every Crazy Cock expression entered has been recognized and awarded.
Among the standout expressions, Crazy Cock Indian Single Malt Madhuca I earned praise from the judging panel for its “creamy buttery nose” with notes of toasted pecan, dried fruits and Medjool dates, with one judge summing it up simply as “delicious.”
Crazy Cock Madhuca is also the first single malt whisky in the world to be finished in Mahura casks. With a legacy of more than a century since 1922, South Seas is a pioneer in India’s oak cask maturation and matured India’s oldest spirit-Mahura along with the finest single malt.
‘Crazy’ in the brand name speaks to the attitude of the whisky maker, stepping into distillation at a time when the single malt category did not exist in the country and, determined to mature whisky and luxury exotic spirits in a climate that demanded a different kind of resolve. The ‘Cock’, or rooster, symbolizes the beginning of a new day, marking a new chapter for India’s oldest single malt whisky maker as it finally steps into its own brand after decades of quietly maturing whiskies.
The latest awards further reinforce South Seas Distilleries’ position of being at the forefront of India’s premium single malt whisky movement, reflecting the growing international recognition for Indian single malts and the country’s evolution into one of the world’s most exciting whisky-producing nations.
About Crazy Cock Indian Single Malt Whisky
Crazy Cock Indian Single Malt Whisky is the luxury whisky portfolio from South Seas Distilleries, makers of India’s oldest single malts and custodians of a distilling legacy spanning over a century.
South Seas Distilleries pioneered oak cask maturation in India and houses the country’s largest liquid library. The company crafts award-winning luxury single malts and specialty heritage spirits. Its recent successes at IWSC UK 2026 and The World Whisky Masters 2026 further reinforce its reputation for producing globally acclaimed Indian single malts.
Beyoncé has become the sole owner of the whisky brand SirDavis. The singer has acquired the stake previously held by French luxury group Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy. As a result, she is now the only owner of the
whiskey brand named after her great-grandfather.
SirDavis was launched in 2024 as a collaboration between Beyoncé and Moët Hennessy, the wines and spirits division of LVMH. With LVMH selling its stake, the whisky is now officially owned by Beyoncé alone.
How much Beyoncé paid for LVMH’s share has not been disclosed. LVMH declined to provide further details about the transaction and did not say why it divested its stake.
A personal story behind the whisky
SirDavis Whisky holds a deeply personal meaning for Beyoncé. The brand is named after her great-grandfather Davis Hogue, who distilled whisky illegally in the American South during Prohibition in the 1920s.
She deliberately added the honorific “Sir” as a tribute:an act of respect that Black men in the segregated South were too often denied.
The choice to spell it “whisky” without the “e” is intentional as well. While American whiskey is typically spelled with an “e,” the letter was dropped here to nod to the Scottish and Japanese traditions that inspired Beyoncé, a fan of Japanese whisky.
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What is SirDavis whisky?
SirDavis is an American rye whiskey with a mash bill of 51 percent rye and 49 percent malted barley. The whiskey is distilled in Indiana, then finished, blended, and bottled in Houston, the city where Beyoncé grew up.
For production, master distiller Dr. Bill Lumsden, renowned for his work with Scottish brands Glenmorangie and Ardbeg, was brought on board. After its initial maturation, the whisky spends additional time in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks and is bottled at 44 percent ABV.
The bottle itself is a tribute to Texas. The ridged glass design features a bronze horse emblem symbolizing strength and the state’s cowboy culture.
The end of the partnership with LVMH
With the sale, the two-year collaboration between Beyoncé and LVMH comes to an end. SirDavis was a distinctive project for Moët Hennessy, as it was the first brand the group developed entirely in-house within the
United States rather than acquiring.
The brand will now continue as an independent company headquartered in Houston. That makes SirDavis fully owned by Beyoncé herself.
FAQ
- Why is the whisky brand called SirDavis?
The brand is named after Beyoncé’s great-grandfather, Davis Hogue, who distilled whisky illegally during Prohibition. The honorific “Sir” was added as a tribute to him.
- What kind of whisky is SirDavis exactly?
It’s an American rye whiskey made from 51 percent rye and 49 percent malted barley, distilled in Indiana and finished in sherry casks. The whisky is blended and bottled in Houston at 44 percent ABV.
- Is Beyoncé now the sole owner of SirDavis?
Yes. Since Beyoncé acquired LVMH’s stake, she is the full owner, and SirDavis continues as an independent brand.
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Tasting the Oldest Port Ellen Whisky Ever Bottled - The Whiskey Wash
Port Ellen Prism是1978年蒸餾的46年老酒，以1.5公升雕刻玻璃瓶身亮相，在Distillers One of One拍賣會以£375,000天價售出，是官方有史以來最老的Port Ellen。品酒師讚賞其保留了艾雷島特有的泥煤煙燻和鹽漬海岸風味，卻以令人驚艷的橙皮香氣為主調，口感活潑複雜，層次豐富，評分91/100。評者強調這不只是投資商品，而是真正值得品飲的傑出烈酒。
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Every so often a bottle lands in front of you that stops you in your tracks, and the Port Ellen Prism is exactly that. I was fortunate enough to be sent a sample to review for Forbes, and it seemed a genuine shame not to share the experience here too. After all, how often do you get to review the oldest official Port Ellen ever bottled?
Distilled in 1978, this 46 year old was released as part of the Distillers One of One auction, housed in a 1.5-litre sculptured glass decanter and eventually selling for a staggering £375,000. But strip away the numbers, the glassware and the theatre, and what really matters is what sits in the copita.
The first thing I said, both here and in the Forbes piece, is that this is not a wallflower whisky. Many very old Islay drams lose their phenolic presence entirely, drifting into something floral and gentle. This does the opposite. It arrives loaded with fresh bonfire smoke, a touch of the vegetal, and that sandfire salt coast, dill and rosemary character you hope for from Islay.
Yet the note that dominates is orange. This might be the most orangey whisky I have ever come across, like standing inside an orange itself, with citrus oils in the air and a peat bonfire crackling somewhere outside. That may well be my quote of the year.
On the palate it is spicy, alive and almost fizzy. The oak you cannot quite smell suddenly makes itself known, joined by bright lemon balm, dry ashy smoke that transports me to a smoke machine at a school disco, and a long finish drenched in soft peat-infused wood. A second sip flipped things entirely, exploding into lime zest and red chilli heat, then Jaffa cake, then that sweet earthy tobacco pouch memory of my dad’s Golden Virginia. It never tastes the same twice, which is exactly why old whisky is so treasured.
For all the extravagance surrounding it, the liquid earns its keep. I scored it 91 out of 100 for Forbes, and I am sticking with that here. Its real achievement is proving, ironically for something this expensive, that Port Ellen is not simply an investment product to be tucked in a cupboard and flipped a decade later. It is genuinely good spirit, layered and full of resonance, leaving a presence that lingers long after the glass is empty.
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So the question I will leave you with is this: does a whisky like this deserve to be drunk and enjoyed, or has it become something we only ever admire from behind glass? I would love to hear your thoughts.
To see my full tasting of the oldest Port Ellen ever bottled, check out my YouTube video.
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：The Most American Whiskey? United States Of Bourbon For America250 - Forbes
獨立裝瓶商 Lost Lantern 為美國建國250週年推出創舉之作《United States of Bourbon》，首次將全美50州威士忌調和在一起。此系列包括1776年限量版（1,776瓶，$200）、100度版（$80）和原桶強度版（$100），精選包括High Wire、Frey Ranch、New Riff等知名精釀廠牌。調和結果平衡順暢，木質香料與香草風味豐富，尾韻帶巧克力與漿果調性。Lost Lantern 於2018年在佛蒙特州成立，引進英國獨立裝瓶傳統到美國，現已成美國領導品牌。
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There was a time not so long ago when most domestic whiskies came from Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana, and craft distilleries were unheard of. Today, the brown spirits landscape in this country has changed dramatically, and there is no longer a single state that does not have at least one whiskey producer. That is why it was possible for independent bottler Lost Lantern to create what is arguably the most American whiskey ever made, the United States of Bourbon, a blend of 50 small batch whiskies from every single state in the Union. There has been a lot of hype, pomp and circumstance this year around the nation’s semiquincentennial, so why not toast America250 with this very special whiskey?
(If you are also a wine lover, so do not miss my recent Forbes story on one of America’s greatest but less well known cabernet producers, a hidden gem any red wine fan will be happy to learn about.)
The United Kingdom has rich history of independent bottlers who purchase casks from distilleries, age them and bottle them, sometimes blending, resulting in unique one of a kind expressions you cannot find anywhere else. If you love Scotch, you are probably familiar with some of the big names in this category, Cadenhead’s, Gordon & MacPhail, Signatory, Thompson Brothers, The Whisky Exchange and so on. These offer unique opportunities to try single-cask whiskies in ages never released by the distilleries, such as an 11 or 19-year that’s not part of the retail lineup, and in some cases, whiskies from distilleries that are never sold at retail at all. In Scotland there are distilleries producing single malts only for sale as a component ingredient to big blended whisky producers such as Chivas or Dewar’s, with none being bottled for direct sale at all. Independent bottlers fill these voids, and also often have old stocks from distilleries that have gone under and no longer exist at all, representing the opportunity for enthusiasts to try things that would others not exist.
Founded in 2018, Vermont-based Lost Lantern Whiskey imported the concept to this country and is now the leading independent bottler in the United States. They source, bottle and sometimes blend single cask American whiskies and label them with transparent details including the name of the distillers, age and details of the mash bill, and complete details on every cask, including what it is made of. Lost Lantern whiskies are unadulterated, non-chill filtered, with no artificial colors and often at cask strength. A typical example is their American Vatted Malt Edition No. 1, which won “Best American Blended Malt” at the 2022 World Whiskies Awards, and several other prestigious medals. It is a 12-barrel blend from half a dozen prominent domestic craft producers including Texas’ Balcones, Seattle’s Copperworks, Sanat Fe Spirits, Nantucket’s Triple Eight, Portland’s Westward Whiskey and Virginia Distillery Co.. 3000 bottles were produced at 105-proof and it sells for a very reasonable $90.
But while Lost Lantern has followed in a rich and hallowed tradition from the British isles, the birthplace of whiskey, this project is an entirely new and historic undertaking. A one-off birthday celebration for the 250th, the United Staes of Bourbon 1776 Edition was a blend of whiskies from each of the original 13 U.S. States, in a limited edition of 1,776 bottles. It proved so successful that they expanded the scope to a first-of-its-kind blend of straight whiskies from all 50 U.S. States, which has never been done before, and created two more labels that will be permanent additions to the product line, available going forward. These are The United States of Bourbon 100-Proof and Cask Strength. Both carry a 2-year age statement and contain whiskies aged from 2-10 years.
All 50 producers are listed in detail, but as some examples, it includes whiskey from several favorites of mine, such as South Carolina’s boutique High Wire Distilling Co., which specializes in antique and forgotten regional corn and grain varieties; Nevada’s highly collectible Frey Ranch; Kentucky’s acclaimed New Riff Distilling; Washington’s beloved Woodinville Whisky; and so on. It’s not just a gimmick of whiskies from all 50 states, it is also a Who’s Who of top craft producers.
I tried both and other than the strength of the alcohol, the flavor profiles are very similar, which makes sense because they share essentially the same recipe. The whiskey is on the lighter side in terms of body but rich in wood spice and vanilla. The aftertaste is fuller, with hints of chocolate and berry. What’s most impressive is how so many components are married into a smooth, enjoyable final result, no easy task, and while at the end of the day, the United States of Bourbon is about novelty and Americana, what could have easily been a lower quality gimmick is a legitimate part of any whiskey lover’s collection and/or an excellent gift. The 100-proof is $80, the Cask Strength is $100 and limited amounts of the 1776 Edition (which I have not tried) are still available for $200, as well as all three in bundle for $370.
We may be producing whiskey in every state, but the U.S. still has very arcane laws when it comes to alcohol sales, so Lost Lantern is available at retail in eight rather random states (including New York and California), through its own website to some locations, and through online craft spirits retailer Seelbachs.com. Lost Lantern also has a tasting room and retail shop open on weekends at its Vermont headquarters, well worth a visit if you find yourself in the Middlebury/Vergennes area.
2026-08-12
Beyoncé has taken full control of SirDavis American Whisky after buying Moët Hennessy’s stake in the brand, ending a joint venture that brought together one of the world’s largest luxury drinks groups and one of the most influential figures in popular culture.
LVMH, the French luxury company that owns Moët Hennessy, confirmed the sale on Monday in Paris, following earlier reports in trade publications. The company did not disclose the size of the stake it sold, the price of the transaction or any information on sales, volumes, valuation or profitability.
The deal changes the ownership structure of a whiskey label that was developed with Moët Hennessy and launched in 2024. With the buyout, SirDavis moves from a shared venture to a brand fully controlled by Beyoncé, giving her sole authority over its strategy, distribution and future expansion in the United States and abroad.
The brand had been presented as a long-term collaboration. Trade reporting on the transaction said the two sides had worked together on SirDavis for several years before its release and described the project as a partnership spanning creation, development and launch. In a brief statement cited by industry outlets, a SirDavis spokesperson said the brand was beginning a new independent chapter and that Knowles-Carter was taking full ownership and control.
Neither Moët Hennessy nor representatives for the brand gave a reason for the change in ownership. LVMH declined to provide further details when confirming the transaction. That leaves unanswered why Moët Hennessy chose to exit an American whiskey brand that it had helped build from the ground up and had continued to expand into new markets.
SirDavis entered the market at a time when celebrity-backed alcohol brands were becoming a regular part of the spirits business. Large drinks and luxury groups have increasingly used celebrity partnerships to reach younger consumers, build premium positioning and create brands with immediate global recognition. LVMH itself has experience with that model through its relationship with Jay-Z, Beyoncé’s husband, in Armand de Brignac Champagne.
SirDavis was positioned as a premium American whiskey and drew part of its identity from Beyoncé’s family history. Trade reports said the name refers to her great-grandfather. When the bottle was introduced, it was first distributed in the United States and the United Kingdom through retail channels, with selected airport placements in the United States. The suggested retail price was reported at $89 in the American market and £79 in Britain.
Moët Hennessy later widened the brand’s reach. In April 2025, the company extended SirDavis into Asia’s global travel retail market, adding an important channel for premium spirits that depend on visibility with international travelers. That expansion was accompanied by a digital marketing campaign in the region.
The sale means those next decisions will now be made under Beyoncé’s control alone. For celebrity founders, full ownership can offer more freedom over brand identity, product development, partnerships and the pace of geographic expansion. It can also allow a founder to keep a tighter hold on long-term value if a brand grows. At the same time, leaving a large corporate partner can raise practical questions about distribution support, logistics and access to international sales networks, especially in a category as competitive as American whiskey.
The transaction also comes as major drinks companies continue to review their portfolios carefully. Spirits groups have been under pressure in several markets from slower consumer spending, cautious retailer inventories and uneven demand for higher-priced bottles. Companies have responded by focusing more sharply on brands they see as core, while looking harder at ventures that may take longer to scale. LVMH did not connect its decision on SirDavis to any broader portfolio review, and there is no public financial data on the brand that would show how it performed under the partnership.
Moët Hennessy’s own recent results had shown some improvement. According to trade reporting, the division posted a second straight quarter of revenue growth in 2026, with a 5% increase in the second quarter after a similar gain in the first. Even so, the company’s decision to leave SirDavis suggests that growth in the wider portfolio did not automatically guarantee a long-term role for every new brand inside the business.
For Beyoncé, the buyout gives her full ownership of a label that was built around her name, story and audience from the beginning. For Moët Hennessy, it marks an exit from a branded American whiskey project that had been part of a broader push to connect luxury drinks with celebrity entrepreneurship.
What remains unclear is how the change will alter the brand’s next phase. No new distribution plan, production update or product expansion has been announced. The parties have also not said whether the current markets, pricing and travel retail strategy will remain in place under the new structure.
What is known is that SirDavis is no longer a joint venture. After roughly two years on the market, it is now wholly owned by Beyoncé.
Google News（Scotch/Distillery）｜原題：Bruichladdich Distillery marks 25 years with the return of a legendary whisky series - Whisky Monkeys
蘇格蘭艾雷島酒廠 Bruichladdich 推出 Greener Still，慶祝酒廠重生 25 周年。這款 15 年單一麥芽威士忌復興 2006-2008 年間著名的 Still 系列（Blacker Still、Redder Still、Golder Still），但策略大不相同。Greener Still 捨棄木桶創意，改以三種大麥為主角：蘇格蘭有機大麥、英格蘭威爾特郡生物動力大麥，以及艾克尼島古老的 Bere 大麥。酒款於 2011 年蒸餾，在艾雷島波本木桶中陳年 15 年，51.6% ABV，無泥煤風味，建議零售價 120 英鎊（約 4,800 台幣）。
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Bruichladdich is marking 25 years since the distillery’s striking renaissance with a whisky that’s been a long time in the making. The new Bruichladdich Greener Still is a 15-year-old single malt where the spotlight isn’t on an exotic wine cask, but firmly on the barley itself.
In doing so, the distillery is reviving a familiar name from its own past. Greener Still links back to the now-legendary Still Series of Blacker Still, Redder Still and Golder Still. Only this time, Bruichladdich is taking a distinctly different approach.
Bruichladdich Greener Still revives a famed whisky series
Between 2006 and 2008, Bruichladdich released the eye-catching Blacker Still, Redder Still and Golder Still. Those whiskies stood out not only for their opaque, colored bottles, but also for their experiments with sherry, Bordeaux and bourbon casks, among others.
With Greener Still, the focus isn’t squarely on the cask. This 15-year-old whisky is crafted from three distinct types of barley: Organic, Biodynamic and the ancient Bere barley.
It’s that combination that makes this release so compelling. The organic barley is sourced from the Scottish mainland, while Bere barley is grown on Orkney. The biodynamic barley, intriguingly, comes from Wiltshire in England. As such, this whisky is a rare exception to Bruichladdich’s usual commitment to 100 percent Scottish-grown barley.
Three barleys shape this Islay whisky’s character
Bruichladdich has spent years exploring different grains and farming methods. Greener Still brings those experiments together in a single bottle. Master Blender Adam Hannett makes it clear this is a whisky where barley takes center stage. Together, the different barleys are designed to deliver texture, spice, orchard fruit and, above all, a rich malt-driven profile.
The whisky was distilled in 2011 and matured for a full 15 years in first-fill bourbon casks on Islay. No elaborate finishes, no added layers of flavor after the fact.
How Bruichladdich Greener Still tastes
As you expect from Bruichladdich, Greener Still is an unpeated Islay single malt. Look for soft floral aromas, ripe orchard fruits and a generous ribbon of honeyed sweetness, according to the distillery.
- Nose: A bouquet of gentle lavender with honeycomb, orchard fruit and warming spice. Then apple crumble and cinnamon, with heather and rosemary over earthy undertones.
- Palate: Ripe, juicy pear with citrus, warm spices and layered malty notes from the barley varieties. Also cinnamon, chocolate caramel and honey.
- Finish: Long and silky with orchard fruit, custard and vanilla.
The whisky is bottled at a robust 51.6 percent alcohol by volume (ABV).
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How to get a bottle of Bruichladdich Greener Still whisky
Greener Still is the final part of the special releases celebrating 25 years since Bruichladdich’s revival. Earlier came Bruichladdich Old Skool and Yellow Submarine III. The new
Scottish whisky can be purchased directly from the distillery, where it’s available now. The recommended price is 120 pounds.
FAQ
- What is Bruichladdich Greener Still?
A 15-year-old Islay single malt, distilled in 2011 and matured in first-fill bourbon casks.
- How many barley types were used for Bruichladdich Greener Still?
The whisky is made with three barleys: Organic, Biodynamic and the ancient Bere barley.
- At what strength is the whisky bottled?
Bottled at 51.6% ABV, unpeated and without any additional cask finish.
Google News（美國波本/裸麥）｜原題：Victoria Wilder’s Bourbon & Lies Is Officially Getting A TV Adaptation! - BigLittleReads
Sophia Stallone 的 Callisto Media 與 Sylvester Stallone 的 Balboa Productions 聯手為 MGM Television 開發 Victoria Wilder 暢銷小說《Bourbon & Lies》的電視劇版本。故事背景設在肯塔基州虛構小鎮 Fiasco，圍繞前警察 Grant Foxx 與神秘女子 Laney Young 在家族波本威士忌酒廠相遇後的故事。該劇由曾製作 HBO Max《空中服務員》第一季的 Meredith Lavender 與 Marcie Ulin 擔任主創兼執行製作人。目前仍在早期開發階段，尚未公布演員陣容、播放平台或播出日期。
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Sophia Stallone’s Callisto Media and Sylvester Stallone’s Balboa Productions have teamed up to develop Victoria Wilder’s bestselling romantic suspense novel, Bourbon & Lies, as a TV series for MGM Television, and the author herself is absolutely over the moon about it.
Wilder shared the news on Instagram with a statement that captures exactly why this adaptation feels so personal:
“The world of Fiasco, Ky has been so vivid in my mind for so long. Seeing these characters and their stories brought to life on screen is something I had never expected. I truly feel lucky that such a powerhouse team are the ones making it happen.”
What Is Bourbon & Lies?
The world Victoria Wilder built in Fiasco, Kentucky is one of those fictional small towns that feels so specific and so lived-in that you forget it isn’t real. At the center of it sits one of the most compelling family mythologies in recent romantic suspense fiction.
The official synopsis sets the stage perfectly:
In Fiasco, Kentucky, there is one rule: never fall for a Foxx brother. Any woman who did, ended up dead—or so the rumor goes. Townies call it a curse. But I’ve lived it, and I won’t survive it again.
The series follows ex-cop Grant Foxx, a man doing his best to keep his life quiet and his family’s bourbon distillery running after leaving the force.
His quiet life is upended when a stranger named Laney Young arrives in town carrying more secrets than luggage. When Laney begins working at the Foxx family distillery, she pulls Grant back into a world of instinct, suspicion, and desire.
What begins as mutual distrust slowly becomes something far more combustible as their pasts collide and the town’s mythology closes in around them.
It is a story about a family curse, a town that holds its secrets close, and two people who should absolutely know better.
Reviewers have praised its easygoing and bingeable pacing, with enough tension and suspense running underneath to keep readers up well past midnight. The Jeeves Reads blog gave it five stars and described it as exactly the kind of series you can sink into completely.
The series continues with Bourbon & Secrets and Bourbon & Proof, each following a different Foxx brother while remaining deeply interconnected. Once Fiasco gets its hooks into you, there is plenty of story waiting on the other side.
The Powerhouse Team Behind the TV Adaptation
The production setup here is genuinely impressive. I mean, the showrunner attachment alone should have romantic suspense fans very excited.
Sophia Stallone described her reaction to the material in a statement that gets right to the point:
“Bourbon & Lies was the kind of world I could immediately see on screen.”
Callisto Media, Sophia Stallone’s company, originated the project for television, then brought it to Balboa Productions, where D. Matt Geller is overseeing for the latter company. But the most exciting piece of the creative team is the showrunner duo.
Meredith Lavender and Marcie Ulin, who are serving as creators and executive producers, are the team behind HBO Max’s first season of The Flight Attendant, one of the most propulsive, stylish, tonally precise romantic thrillers in recent television history.
Their understanding of how to build a show that is simultaneously funny, dangerous, emotionally loaded, and deeply female-centered is exactly what Bourbon & Lies needs.
Lavender and Ulin were direct about what drew them to Wilder’s world:
“Victoria has created a world that is sexy, dangerous, funny and emotionally loaded. We’re so excited to be developing this with Sophia, Matt, and the entire team at MGM.”
No cast has been announced, and no network or release date has been confirmed yet. The project is in early development at MGM Television, with the full shape of the series still to be determined.
Read It Before Fiasco Comes to Your Screen
Bourbon & Lies is available now, and the entire Bourbon Boys trilogy is complete. This means that you can read all three back to back without waiting for anything. If you ask me, that is genuinely a gift.
Start with Grant and Laney.
Let Fiasco, Kentucky pull you in with the distillery, the curse, the town gossip, and the slow burn that refuses to stay slow. Then move on to Bourbon & Secrets and Bourbon & Proof, and spend time with the rest of the Foxx brothers before Lavender and Ulin start making casting decisions on your behalf.
We cannot wait to see what Fiasco looks like on screen. Until then, the books are right there waiting!
More Book Adaptations:
Google News（美國波本/裸麥）｜原題：Jefferson's Founder’s Reserve 20 Year Old Bourbon Review - Breaking Bourbon
Jefferson's Bourbon 為慶祝美國2026年建國250週年，推出限量250瓶的 Founder's Reserve 20 Year Old Bourbon。這款波本在法國波爾多紅酒桶中後熟，94 proof 裝瓶（桶裝原酒強度），建議零售價 $500 USD。品鑑評論指其香氣層次豐富，惟口感與餘韻顯示過度陳年導致單寧過於尖銳，橡木味蓋過其他風味，評者認為額外的後熟反而突顯了酒液年份過久的問題。
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Classification: Straight Bourbon Finished in French Bordeaux Wine Barrels
Company: Pernod Ricard
Distillery: Sourced from an undisclosed Kentucky distillery(ies)
Release Date: June 2026
Proof: 94
Age: 20 Years
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Color: Mahogany
SRP: $500 / 750mL (2026)
Aged oak | Old leather-bound book | Dark mixed berries | Faint vanilla bean | Dark stone fruits | Sweet cream | Flan | Incredibly pleasing
Tannic aged oak | Black peppercorn spice | Rye spice | Faint muddled vanilla | Sharp dark berry | Dry
Sharp rye spice | Black peppercorn | Blackberry | Aged dry oak | Lingering mixed black pepper and dark fruits
Finishing a 20 year old bourbon is always a risky proposition, and Jefferson's Founder’s Reserve 20 Year Old Bourbon is a reminder that America was a country built on taking risks.
To honor America turning 250 years old in 2026, Jefferson’s Bourbon released an ultra-limited, high priced, and high aged bourbon. The company finished a 20 year old bourbon in French Bordeaux wine barrels for an undisclosed amount of time before bottling at 94 proof. Notably, the bourbon's proof, while under 100, is actually the same proof the whiskey came out of the barrel at, making this a cask strength bourbon. The release is limited to 250 bottles, each numbered and hand‑signed by Jefferson’s Bourbon founder, Trey Zoeller.
Jefferson's Founder’s Reserve 20 Year Old Bourbon is a roller coaster ride of a bourbon. It starts off with an intoxicating aroma that is beyond incredibly pleasing. So much so that you can’t help but get excited that this might be an instant best of the year whiskey. While the extended time aging and additional finishing time work great for its aroma, the rest of the sip clearly shows this has spent one too many days aging.
Opening with an aroma of aged oak, an old leather-bound book, dark mixed berries, and flan, the combination of scents couldn’t work any better together. The trouble starts midway through, as gripping tannic oak, black peppercorn spice, and an intense, sharp dark berry note highlight a palate that actively reduces the moisture in your mouth. The finish continues the theme, with sharp rye spice, black peppercorn, and blackberry taking front and center. Aged dry oak steps in before lingering mixed pepper and dark fruits trail off.
Aging for an extended time is always a tricky proposition, especially when bottling at cask strength. All of the concentrated oak notes and flavors are brought to you unadulterated, and in this case, the intensity overshadows the end result. I’m curious why Jefferson’s chose to finish the base 20 year bourbon, as adding in additional oak notes only highlights the final whiskey's age. In the end, Jefferson's Founder’s Reserve 20 Year Old Bourbon is much like America at its initial founding, rough and tumble, but still finding its footing to help it stand out.
Google News（美國波本/裸麥）｜原題：Check out the Bourbon & Beyond culinary, chef lineup for 2026 - The Courier-Journal
美國肯塔基州路易維爾 Bourbon & Beyond 音樂美食節今年 9 月 24-27 日舉辦第八屆活動。除了 Foo Fighters、Chris Stapleton 等百位音樂人在五個舞台演出外，美食方面特別邀請《Chopped》主持人 Chris Santos、《Top Chef》常客 Sean Brock、Amanda Freitag 等名廚主持烹飪示範與威士忌配對活動。亮點包括 Chris Stapleton 與 Buffalo Trace 首席釀酒師 Harlen Wheatley 討論 Traveller Whiskey，以及肯塔基州長 Andy Beshear 與名廚 Sara Bradley 對談州內飲食文化。門票起價 $197（約 NT$6,300）起。
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Check out the Bourbon & Beyond culinary, chef lineup for 2026
- The Bourbon & Beyond festival has announced its culinary and bourbon lineup for the September event in Louisville.
- The festival will feature celebrity chefs, including Chris Santos and Sean Brock, alongside Kentucky chefs like Sara Bradley and Mike Bowe.
- Notable events include a conversation with headliner Chris Stapleton and Buffalo Trace's Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley.
- The four-day event pairs musical performances from artists like Foo Fighters and Mumford & Sons with unique food and spirit experiences.
Bourbon & Beyond has released its stacked bourbon and culinary lineup for "the world's largest bourbon and music festival" held at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.
Now in its eighth year, Bourbon & Beyond, held this year Sept. 24-27, will feature more than 100 artists performing on five stages led by Foo Fighters, Mumford & Sons, Chris Stapleton, Dave Matthews Band, Queens of the Stone Age, Kacey Musgraves, The Red Clay Strays, Hootie & the Blowfish, Goose, Foster the People, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Counting Crows, and more.
And those performances are paired with a curated suite of premium spirits and culinary experiences, one of the things that makes Bourbon & Beyond so unique.
In 2026, Bourbon & Beyond will roll out a revitalized Fork & Flask curated by Kroger experience, "bringing fresh momentum to the festival’s spirits and culinary programming," according to a news release.
This year’s edition will highlight several acclaimed Kentucky chefs, including two recent James Beard Award nominees in the Louisville area, with chef Mike Bowe of Red Yeti and chef Lawrence Weeks of Murray’s Creole Pub taking the Fork & Flask stage.
Another standout will have two proud Kentuckians sharing the culinary stage for "A Taste of the Commonwealth," a conversation between Gov. Andy Beshear and Paducah-based chef Sarah Bradley, a two-time finalist on "Top Chef" who will release her cookbook, "The Kitchen I Came Home To: Big Flavors and Tall Tales from My Corner of Kentucky" on Sept. 29. The talk will also time nicely with Beshear's upcoming book, "Go and Do Likewise: How We Heal a Broken Country," set for release on Sept. 22.
Throughout the four-day festival, attendees will find bold spirit and food pairings, unexpected flavor combinations, and a dynamic mix of talent and taste that reflects the pulse of Louisville’s ever-evolving food and drink scene, according to the release, along with a diverse lineup of beloved local restaurants, innovative speakeasies, and standout bars, blending iconic favorites with rising talent.
Buy Bourbon & Beyond tickets hereThe culinary and spirits demonstrations will be hosted by chef Chris Santos, a celebrity chef and judge on Food Network's "Chopped" and bourbon, wine and spirits expert Chris Blandford, who will be joined by acclaimed panelists including chef Tyler (Sargento Brand Ambassador), chef Bradley ("Top Chef" and freight house), chef Claudette Zepeda ("Top Chef" and Founder of Chispa Hospitality), chef Sean Brock ("Mind of a Chef" and Emmy Nominee, Husk Restaurant), chef Amanda Freitag ("Chopped" and "Iron Chef America"), chef Mei Lin ("Top Chef"), plus Louisville area chefs such as chef Dustin Olsen (Mill Iron 4), Bowe (Red Yeti), and Weeks (Murray’s Creole Pub).
The stage will also feature premium brands including Old Rip Van Winkle, Angel’s Envy, Woodford Reserve, Maker’s Mark, Old Forester, and more. Music talent participating in the culinary and bourbon programming includes Chris Stapleton, Derek Trucks, Lisa Loeb, Nappy Roots, Tonic, Better Than Ezra, Stanley Simmons, and Noah Rinker.
“Bourbon & Beyond is where the energy of music, the creativity of food, and the spirit of Kentucky come together, making it a world-class celebration of music, culinary excellence, and hospitality," Santos said in the release. "I’m excited to crank up the heat on the stage and in the kitchen, with celebrated chefs bringing their best dishes to the table alongside some of your favorite musicians,”
Here is the initial daily bourbon and culinary lineup for Bourbon & Beyond 2026:
Bourbon & Beyond 2026
The full schedule for Bourbon & Beyond2026 is as follows (subject to change):
Thursday, Sept. 24
Fork & Flask
- The Search With Derek Trucks: Join Derek Trucks and Chris Blandford for an intimate conversation celebrating Ass Pocket Whiskey's new release.
- Burger Battle with Santos and Stanley Simmons: Chef Santos introduces one of his signature burgers, then challenges Stanley Simmons (Evan Stanley and Nick Simmons, sons of KISS legends Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons) to put their own spin on it - showcasing their creativity and competitive spirit in front of a live audience.
Friday, Sept. 25
Fork & Flask
- A Taste of the Commonwealth: Gov. Andy Beshear joins Kentucky chef Sara Bradley and bourbon enthusiast Chris Blandford to celebrate the Commonwealth's culinary heritage and world-renowned bourbon industry. Chef Bradley prepares a Kentucky-inspired dish while Beshear reflects on what makes the state unique and shares an exclusive look at his forthcoming book.
- Sean Brock Live: Chef Sean Brock, a James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur, takes the Fork & Flask stage for an exclusive cooking demonstration. Learn the techniques behind his legendary flavors, discover unexpected pairings, and hear the stories that connect the plate to the glass.
- Chef Tyler and Sargento Join Fork & Flask Stage: Joining this year's Fork & Flask lineup is Sargento brand ambassador chef Tyler, whose larger-than-life grilled cheese creations have earned him more than 6 million social media followers. Throughout the festival, fans can see him on stage and stop by the Sargento Cheese Wheeler to enjoy complimentary grilled cheese samples featuring Sargento Natural American Cheese.
Saturday, Sept. 26
Fork & Flask
- Guardians of Great Bourbon: The people entrusted with iconic brands share what it means to protect something bigger than themselves. Experience the greats from Pappy Van Winkle, Woodford Reserve, Jefferson's, 1792, and Maker's Mark.
- Chris Stapleton x Harlen Wheatley: Kentucky-born musician and Bourbon & Beyond headliner Chris Stapleton will take the stage with Buffalo Trace Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley for a conversation about Traveller Whiskey, the craft behind every bottle, and the connection between bourbon and music.
- Viral Bites & Bourbon Flights with Owen Han x H Woo Lee: Social media sensation Owen Han joins chef H Woo for a high-energy session centered on creating the ultimate festival sandwich, blending culinary creativity with great conversation and personality.
Sunday, Sept. 27
Fork & Flask
- Fork, Flask & Flavor Featuring Carrie Van Winkle & Dan from Dan-O's: Carrie Van Winkle (Pappy & Co.) and Dan Oliver from Dan-O's Seasoning come together for a lively session on bold flavors and approachable cooking, featuring a live demo and thoughtfully paired bourbon.
- Plates, Pours & Pop with Mei Lin, Lisa Loeb & Melissa Rift (Old Forester): Three women who've mastered their crafts — food, music, and bourbon — explore the artistry behind creating something memorable through a live cooking demonstration, curated pairings, and conversation.
Get tickets to the 2026 Bourbon & Beyond music festival
Tickets to the 2026 Bourbon & Beyond Festival are on sale now with single day general admission starting at $197 and four-day weekend general admission starting at $497. To purchase tickets, visit bourbonandbeyond.com.
Where do I find more information about the festival?
The Bourbon & Beyond website is a one-stop shop for the festival's entertainment lineup, tickets, camping, hotel packages and more.
Reach food and dining reporter Amanda Hancock at ahancock@courier-journal.com.
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy thro
Google News（美國波本/裸麥）｜原題：Here are the daily lineup and set times for Bourbon & Beyond 2026 - The Courier-Journal
美國最大波本威士忌與音樂節慶 Bourbon & Beyond 公布2026年（第八屆）9月24-27日的完整陣容與演出時間。頭牌藝人包括 Foo Fighters、Mumford & Sons、Chris Stapleton、Dave Matthews Band 等超過100位藝人將在5個舞台演出。活動今年特別推出「Fork & Flask」美食與威士忌體驗，邀請《頂尖廚師》名廚 Chef Sean Brock、Amanda Freitag 等主持烹飪示範，搭配 Old Rip Van Winkle、Angel's Envy、Woodford Reserve 等頂級威士忌品牌。參與者並可免費使用園區內肯塔基王國遊樂園。2025年該活動創造超過4,300萬美元地方經濟效益。
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Here are the daily lineup and set times for Bourbon & Beyond 2026
- The Bourbon & Beyond music festival has released its 2026 daily set times and lineup.
- Headliners include Foo Fighters, Mumford & Sons, Chris Stapleton, and Dave Matthews Band.
- The festival also features culinary and bourbon experiences with celebrity chefs and master distillers.
- Attendees will have free access to amusement rides at Kentucky Kingdom.
Bourbon & Beyond has released the set times for its all-star lineup at "the world's largest bourbon and music festival" held at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.
Now in its eighth year, Bourbon & Beyond, which will be held Sept. 24-27, will feature more than 100 artists performing on five stages along with along with premium spirits and culinary experiences. After a recording breaking year in 2025, the festival is back with a stacked music lineup with dozens of legends and breakout stars led by Foo Fighters, Mumford & Sons, Chris Stapleton, Dave Matthews Band, Queens of the Stone Age, Kacey Musgraves, The Red Clay Strays, Hootie & the Blowfish, Goose, Foster the People, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Counting Crows and more.
“Bourbon & Beyond is built to be the best weekend of your year. Plain and simple. From the second you arrive, everything is designed so you can fully experience what a music festival should be,” Danny Wimmer of Danny Wimmer Presents said previously in a news release. “It’s an escape with soul — a place where you can unplug from real life, let loose, be a kid again, and really live in the moment ... At its core, it’s about creating memories. It’s a vacation inside a vacation. This lineup reflects everything Bourbon & Beyond stands for. And I say this with humility and confidence — there is nothing else quite like it in this space. It truly is the best weekend you can have at a festival of this scale.”
In 2026, Bourbon & Beyond will roll out a revitalized Fork & Flask curated by Kroger experience, bringing fresh momentum to the festival’s spirits and culinary programming. The culinary and spirits demonstrations will be hosted by Chef Chris Santos ("Chopped") and bourbon, wine and spirits expert Chris Blandford, who will be joined by acclaimed chefs including Chef Tyler (Sargento Brand Ambassador), Chef Sara Bradley ("Top Chef" and freight house), Chef Claudette Zepeda ("Top Chef" and Founder of Chispa Hospitality), Chef Sean Brock ("Mind of a Chef" and Emmy Nominee, Husk Restaurant), Chef Amanda Freitag ("Chopped" and "Iron Chef America"), Chef Mei Lin ("Top Chef"), plus local chefs Mike Bowe (Red Yeti), Chef Dustin Olsen (Mill Iron 4), and Chef Lawrence Weeks (Murray’s Creole Pub).
It will feature premium brands including Old Rip Van Winkle, Angel’s Envy, Woodford Reserve, Maker’s Mark, Old Forester, and more. Music talent participating in the culinary and bourbon programming includes Chris Stapleton, Derek Trucks, Lisa Loeb, Nappy Roots, Tonic, Better Than Ezra, Stanley Simmons, Noah Rinker and more.
“Bourbon & Beyond is where the energy of music, the creativity of food, and the spirit of Kentucky come together, making it a world-class celebration of music, culinary excellence, and hospitality. I’m excited to crank up the heat on the stage and in the kitchen, with celebrated chefs bringing their best dishes to the table alongside some of your favorite musicians,” Santos, celebrity chef and judge on Food Network’s "Chopped," said in the release.
Bourbon & Beyond attendees also get free access to amusement rides inside Kentucky Kingdom, which became part of the festival footprint in 2025. Kentucky Kingdom will be open exclusively to festival attendees during Bourbon & Beyond.
Bourbon & Beyond, Pollstar’s Global 2025 Festival of the Year, is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents and each year welcomes fans from all 50 states and around the world to Louisville. In 2025, Bourbon & Beyond and its companion festival, Louder Than Life, held this year Sept. 17-20, generated over $43 million in local economic impact and drew more than 450,000 attendees booking over 60,000 hotel room nights and creating a visitor boom at local restaurants and other businesses, a previous release states.
Here is the daily lineup for Bourbon & Beyond 2026:
Bourbon & Beyond 2026
The full music schedule for Bourbon & Beyond 2026 is as follows (subject to change):
Thursday, Sept. 24
Oak Stage
- 8:55 p.m. Foo Fighters
- 6:50 p.m. The War On Drugs
- 4:55 p.m. Live
- 3:15 p.m. Gary Clark Jr.
- 1:45 p.m. The Return of Jackie and Judy
- 12:30 p.m. Langhorne Slim
Barrel Stage
- 7:50 p.m. Queens of the Stone Age
- 5:50 p.m. Goose
- 4:05 p.m. 4 Non Blondes
- 2:25 p.m. Cheap Trick
- 1:05 p.m. Congress The Band
- 12 p.m. The Stews
100 Proof Stage
- 8 p.m. The Fray
- 6:15 p.m. Plain White T's
- 4:55 p.m. Nine Days
- 3:45 p.m. Howie Day
- 2:35 p.m. Kevian Kraemer
- 1:25 p.m. Stanley Simmons
Revival Stage
- 7:05 p.m. Lindsey Stirling
- 5:30 p.m. Couch
- 4:20 p.m. Hey, Nothing
- 3:10 p.m. S.G. Goodman
- 2 p.m. Penelope Road
Bluegrass Situation Stage
- 5:15 p.m. Sierra Hull
- 4:15 p.m. Magoo
- 3:15 p.m. Mason Via
- 2:15 p.m. Wood Box Heroes
- 1:15 p.m. As You Were
- 12:15 p.m. Caitlynne Curtis
Fork & Flask
- The Search With Derek Trucks: Join Derek Trucks and Chris Blandford for an intimate conversation celebrating Ass Pocket Whiskey's new release.
- Burger Battle with Santos and Stanley Simmons: Chef Santos introduces one of his signature burgers, then challenges Stanley Simmons (Evan Stanley and Nick Simmons, sons of KISS legends Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons) to put their own spin on it — showcasing their creativity and competitive spirit in front of a live audience.
Friday, Sept. 25
Oak Stage
- 9:20 p.m. Mumford & Sons
- 7 p.m. Foster The People
- 5:10 p.m. Father John Misty
- 3:35 p.m. Angus and Julia Stone
- 2:05 p.m. The Devil Makes Three
- 12:35 p.m. Noah Rinker
Barrel Stage
- 8:05 p.m. Kacey Musgraves
- 6:05 p.m. Of Monsters and Men
- 4:20 p.m. Marcus King Band
- 2:50 p.m. St. Paul and The Broken Bones
- 1:20 p.m. Gabriella Rose
- 12 p.m. Nathan Bess
100 Proof Stage
- 7 p.m. The Flaming Lips
- 5:15 p.m. Maoli
- 3:50 p.m. Henrik
- 2:30 p.m. Sawyer Hill
- 1:15 p.m. Ben Chapman
Revival Stage
- 6:05 p.m. Violent Femmes
- 4:30 p.m. Jet
- 3:10 p.m. Amigo The Devil
- 1:50 p.m. Jason Scott & The High Heat
- 12:40 p.m. Palmyra
Bluegrass Situation Stage
- 5:55 p.m. Yächtley Crëw
- 5 p.m. Kitchen Dwellers
- 4:05 p.m. Shelby Means
- 3:10 p.m. Rainbow Girls
- 1:50 p.m. Fireside Collective
- 12:50 p.m. Lou Ridley
Fork & Flask
- A Taste of the Commonwealth: Gov. Andy Beshear joins Kentucky chef Sara Bradley and bourbon enthusiast Chris Blandford to celebrate the Commonwealth's culinary heritage and world-renowned bourbon industry. Bradley prepares a Kentucky-inspired dish while Beshear reflects on what makes the state unique — plus an exclusive look at his forthcoming book.
- Sean Brock Live: Chef Sean Brock takes the Fork & Flask stage for an exclusive cooking demonstration. Learn the techniques behind his legendary flavors, discover unexpected pairings, and hear the stories that connect the plate to the glass.
- Chef Tyler and Sargento Join Fork & Flask Stage: Joining this year's Fork & Flask lineup is Sargento brand ambassador Chef Tyler, whose larger-than-life grilled cheese creations have earned him more than 6 million social media followers. Throughout the festival, fans can see him on stage and stop by the Sargento Cheese Wheeler to enjoy complimentary grilled cheese samples featuring Sargento Natural American Cheese.
Saturday, Sept. 26
Oak Stage
- 9:20 p.m. Chris Stapleton
- 7 p.m. Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit
- 5 p.m. Charley Crockett
- 3:15 p.m. Durand Jones & The Indications
- 1:55 p.m. Buffalo Traffic Jam
- 12:35 p.m. Bryan Martin
Barrel Stage
- 8:05 p.m. The Red Clay Strays
- 5:55 p.m. Jessie Murph
- 4:05 p.m. Cameron Whitcomb
- 2:35 p.m. Maddox Batson
- 1:15 p.m. Avery Anna
- 12 p.m. Atlus
100 Proof Stage
- 8:25 p.m. Noah Cyrus
- 6:45 p.m.
Federal hearing moved for former Bourbon Co. wrestling coach charged in sex abuse case
KENTUCKY (WKYT) - A hearing in federal court for a former Bourbon County wrestling coach and UK nurse charged in a child sex abuse investigation has been rescheduled.
Megan Foley, 36, was originally suppossed to have a preliminary and detention hearing on Wednesday. That hearing has now been moved to Friday, Aug. 14, at 11 a.m. in Frankfort.
Foley faces federal charges of online enticement of a minor and transportation of a minor for unlawful activity.
She was arrested in July and faces state charges for rape, sexual abuse and sodomy.
A 14-year-old victim came forward and claimed that he was sexually abused on a trip to Berea with Foley in June.
Foley allegedly admitted to investigators that she had sex with the victim at her Bourbon County home.
Bourbon County Schools has relieved Foley of her coaching duties, and she is currently on leave from her job at the university.
Copyright 2026 WKYT. All rights reserved.
Wild Turkey 在澳洲推出 Austin Nichols Archives Gold Foil Edition 限量版本，現已開放預訂。此款靈感來自 1980-1990 年代的經典版本，由副首席調酒師 Bruce Russell 監製。該酒款已在美國上市並引發全球關注，Wild Turkey 預期澳洲需求強勁。消費者可提前預訂，並有機會在 8 月 24 日至 9 月 7 日期間與 Bruce Russell 本人見面。
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Wild Turkey is inviting Australian bourbon enthusiasts to join a turkey hunt, with pre-order now open for the opportunity to access the Wild Turkey Austin Nichols Archives, Gold Foil Edition before it lands on shelves across the country.
Inspired by Wild Turkey’s most iconic vintages from the 1980s and 1990s, affectionately known by fans as “Cheesy Gold Foil”, the release pays tribute to one of the brand’s most celebrated collector stories.
The launch has already generated significant excitement globally since its release in the United States earlier this year.
Now, ahead of its official Australian launch, Wild Turkey is giving local fans the opportunity to reserve their limited release bottle.
Created under the guidance of Associate Master Blender Bruce Russell, the release draws inspiration from one of the most revered bottles in bourbon collecting culture.
“Austin Nichols Archives has been a labour of love, and I’m excited to finally share it with bourbon lovers everywhere,” said Russell.
“Gold Foil Edition was the perfect bourbon to launch the collection. Inspired by a personal favorite of mine and of many Wild Turkey fans, I drew on everything I’ve learned from my father and grandfather to create a whiskey that honours the Wild Turkey legacy.”
For decades, rare and limited bourbon releases have inspired collectors to search far and wide for highly coveted bottles, turning whisky collecting into a culture built on passion, patience and the thrill of the hunt.
With Australian demand expected to be strong, Wild Turkey is encouraging consumers to reserve a bottle early and be among the first to hear more about the release. Consumers can view the pre-order access here: https://promotions.wildturkeybourbon.com/archivespreorder/.
Wild Turkey hunters will also have the chance to meet with Bruce Russell, third-generation bourbon maker and Associate Master Blender at Wild Turkey, who is visiting Australia from 24 August to 7 September 2026.
Google News（印度威士忌）｜原題：10 Indian Whiskies Every Whisky Drinker Should Try - The Whiskey Wash
印度威士忌製造商運用在地大麥、進口泥煤、多種桶型與當地炎熱熟陳環境，創造獨特風格。本文介紹10款當代印度威士忌，涵蓋WINGMAN（₹800+）、Amrut Fusion（₹2,900-3,500）、Paul John Brilliance（₹3,200-4,500）、Rampur Select、Indri Trini、Kamet Single Malt等知名廠牌與新興蒸餾廠的平價調和威士忌到頂級單一麥芽威士忌。印度威士忌因高溫氣候加快木桶互動速度，逐漸在國際舞台上嶄露頭角。
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Some of the most interesting whiskies being released today are coming from India. The country’s producers are working across everything from accessible blends to internationally acclaimed single malts, using local barley, imported peat, varied cask types, and India’s demanding maturation climate to create distinctive styles.
These ten bottles offer a broad introduction to contemporary Indian whisky, covering established names, newer distilleries, everyday blends, and premium single malts.
1. WINGMAN Whisky
House of IndoBevs
Price: ₹800+
WINGMAN is a smooth, balanced whisky with an approachable character and an easy finish. Rather than trying to overwhelm the drinker, it is designed as a straightforward bottle suited to informal gatherings, celebrations, and everyday occasions.
Positioned between entry-level blends and more aspirational brands, WINGMAN aims to offer a dependable drinking experience at an accessible price. It is a whisky built around value, consistency, and broad appeal.
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2. Amrut Fusion
Amrut Distilleries, Bangalore
Price: ₹2,900 to ₹3,500
Amrut Fusion opens with citrus, fruit, spice, and a gentle trace of peat. The palate is creamy and full-bodied, bringing together oak, coffee, and dark chocolate before a long, spiced finish.
Founded in Bangalore in 1948, Amrut spent decades producing spirits for the domestic market before its single malts gained international recognition. Fusion combines Indian barley grown near the Himalayan foothills with peated Scottish barley. The whisky is then matured in Bangalore’s warm climate, where cask interaction happens considerably faster than it would in Scotland.
Fusion was among the first Indian single malts to receive sustained attention from international critics, and it remains one of the releases most closely associated with the rise of Indian whisky on the global stage.
3. Paul John Brilliance
John Distilleries, Goa
Price: ₹3,200 to ₹4,500
Paul John Brilliance offers aromas of honey, tropical fruit, and Demerara sugar, followed by cocoa, vanilla, and gentle spice on the palate. Its unpeated profile makes it one of the more approachable introductions to the Paul John range.
Named after John Distilleries founder Paul P. John, the whisky is made in Goa using six-row barley grown near the Himalayan foothills. It is matured predominantly in ex-bourbon casks, with Goa’s warm coastal climate encouraging rapid interaction between the spirit and the wood.
Without peat taking center stage, Brilliance places the focus firmly on fruit, sweetness, barley, and the influence of tropical maturation.
4. Rampur Select
Radico Khaitan, Rampur, Uttar Pradesh
Price: ₹4,000 to ₹4,800
Rampur Select begins with honey, dried fruit, and floral aromas. Apricot, apple, malt, and oak follow on the palate, leading into a rich and lingering finish.
The whisky is produced at Radico Khaitan’s Rampur distillery in Uttar Pradesh. The region experiences considerable seasonal temperature changes, from intensely hot summers to much cooler winters. These fluctuations increase the movement of spirit in and out of the oak, contributing to a relatively active maturation process.
Rampur describes its single malt as the “Kohinoor of single malts,” drawing on the history and cultural associations of the region while presenting the whisky to an international audience.
5. Indri Trini
Piccadily Distilleries, Indri, Haryana
Price: ₹2,000 to ₹2,600
Indri Trini combines caramelized pineapple, black tea, and oak on the nose with vanilla, honey, dark fruit, and toasted nuts on the palate. Its finish is long, warming, and mouth-coating.
The whisky is made with Indian six-row barley and matured in three types of cask: ex-bourbon barrels, French red wine casks, and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. Its name comes from the Sanskrit word for “three,” referring to this three-cask maturation.
Since its launch in 2022, Indri-Trini has collected a substantial number of international awards and helped draw further attention to the growing Indian single malt category.
6. Kamet Single Malt
Piccadily Distilleries, Haryana
Price: ₹4,200 to ₹5,300
Kamet Single Malt presents dried fruit, oak spice, toffee, and crème brûlée on the nose. Vanilla, dark chocolate, and stewed fruit develop on the palate, followed by nutmeg and cedar on the finish.
Named after Mount Kamet, one of India’s highest peaks, the whisky is produced near Kurukshetra in Haryana. It is matured using a combination of ex-bourbon barrels, French oak casks, and sherry casks.
The whisky was developed with master distiller Surrinder Kumar, an influential figure in the development of Indian single malt. Its label features a parrot, reflecting the bird’s role as a messenger and fortune-teller in regional folklore.
7. Godawan 01 Rich and Rounded
The Good Craft Co., Diageo India, Alwar, Rajasthan
Price: ₹3,500 to ₹4,500
Godawan 01 Rich and Rounded offers dried fruit, cinnamon, and oak on the nose, followed by raisins, cloves, dark chocolate, and nutmeg. The whisky is full-bodied, with a long and gently spiced finish.
Godawan is produced in Rajasthan, where exceptionally high daytime temperatures create an intense maturation environment. The whisky is finished in casks treated with selected Indian botanicals, an approach intended to add another layer of spice and complexity.
The brand is named after the Great Indian Bustard, a critically endangered bird found in the region. Godawan also supports conservation efforts associated with the species.
8. Longitude 77
Pernod Ricard India, Dindori, Nashik
Price: ₹4,500 to ₹5,500
Longitude 77 opens with caramelized sugar, vanilla, and oak spice. Honey, dried fruit, and cinnamon follow on the palate, with a light smokiness appearing toward the finish.
Named after the 77th meridian east, which passes through India, Longitude 77 was the first Indian single malt launched by Pernod Ricard India. It was introduced as the company marked 30 years of operating in the country.
The whisky is produced in small batches in Nashik and matured in American oak bourbon barrels before undergoing additional maturation in wine casks. The process is designed to make full use of India’s warm climate and accelerated cask interaction.
9. Woodburns
Fullarton Distilleries, Goa
Price: ₹1,400 to ₹3,000, depending on the state
Woodburns is warm and aromatic, with notes of sesame oil, oak resin, and dried herbs. The palate is silky and slightly oily, bringing together oak, nuts, and a restrained sweetness.
Produced in Goa, Woodburns combines peated and unpeated Indian malt spirits matured in charred oak casks. The resulting whisky offers a gentle smokiness rather than the more forceful peat found in some single malts.
The brand has received medals at spirits competitions in London, New York, and Singapore, helping it establish a place among India’s growing selection of premium domestic whiskies.
10. Blenders Pride Reserve Collection
Pernod Ricard India, blended with malts from Chivas Brothers
Price: ₹900 to ₹1,300
Blenders Pride Reserve Collection is light but expressive, combining peach, cherry, sweet oak, toffee, and caramel. The finish is smooth, with a gentle warmth.
Launched in 1995, Blenders Pride has become one of India’s most recognizable premium blended whiskies. It combines Indian grain spirit with imported Scotch malt whisky, creating a cross-border blend with a style intended to remain accessible to a wide audience.
For many
Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.
Genevieve is a whisky enthusiast from South Africa with a PhD in Philosophy, so she enjoys both drinking and thinking about whisky. She loves tasting new whiskies whenever she gets the chance - so much so that a few years ago she set up a small whisky tasting business, "Kenton on Whisky", in the tiny coastal town where she lives (this also serves as an excellent excuse to grow her selection of whiskies beyond reasonable limits).
Can an Indian single malt priced at just $39.99 rival the world’s finest? Amrut’s new Kranthi release makes a bold case for a “revolution” in whisky prestige.
What happens when malt whiskey meets one of the world’s rarest sweet wines? Chattanooga Whiskey’s new Moldovan Ice Wine Cask Finish delivers the surprising answer.
Can a first-fill barrel elevate a Campbeltown single malt? Discover why this rare 235-bottle Glen Scotia from Thompson Bros delivers fruit, vanilla and a sharp rhubarb twist.
Annual sales of Suntory Global Spirits’ Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) whisky mark Oaksmith are on course to hit 2m cases in 2026, seven years since the brand’s launch.
Speaking exclusively to Global Drinks Intel following the release of the company’s first-half results last week, CEO Greg Hughes said Oaksmith had seen “incredible growth” in India, growing by “double-digits” since debuting in 2019. This, he said, was down to distribution expansion and marketing activations, namely a tie-up with Indian Premier League cricket teams Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians for the IMFL via its namesake bottled-water extension.
“We saw incredible strength across our branded portfolio in India, across Jim Beam and Teacher’s, but also, importantly, across Oaksmith,” Hughes said. “[Oaksmith is] on track to hit our ambition this year of 2m cases.
“We’re seeing incredible growth, some nice expansion of distribution, but also a really strong campaign that we did with the Indian Premier League Cricket Association.”
During the first half of 2026, parent company Suntory Holdings posted a 0.2% increase in sales from its combined alcohol businesses – which include Suntory Global Spirits – to JPY653.6bn (US$4.4bn). The performance in the group’s ‘Asia Pacific’ region exceeded the previous year, driven in part by “strong” growth of Oaksmith in India
Last month, spirits producers in the UK effusively welcomed the implementation of the country’s free trade agreement (FTA) with India that will see the rate of duty reduced markedly on exports of UK spirits to India, including scotch whisky.
The deal, first announced in May last year, has seen the previous duty rate of 150% on the likes of scotch halved to 75%. Across the next decade, the rate is due to be cut further, to 40%.
Amrut expands range with Kranthi Indian single malt
The new whisky from Amrut Distilleries in Bangalore celebrates ‘the Indian single malt whisky revolution’
Amrut Kranthi, named after the Hindi word for ‘revolution’, is available in the Indian state of Karnataka at a maximum retail price of ₹3,200 (US$34) per 750ml bottle.
Bottled at 40% ABV, the non-age statement single malt was made using a proprietary yeast strain. The liquid was aged in a combination of new oak and ex-Bourbon barrels as well as Madeira and oloroso Sherry casks.
Tasting notes for Amrut Kranthi mention tropical fruits, pomelo, coconut, spice, gentle tannins and a creamy texture.
Rakshit N Jagdale, managing director of Amrut Distilleries, said: “A confident nation cannot rely forever on borrowed symbols of prestige. The next chapter of global luxury will be shaped by Indian brands, Indian craftsmanship, and Indian self-belief.
“With Kranthi, we celebrate a revolution in mindset – the belief that when the world looks for the finest, it can look to India, and to Amrut as a proud flag bearer of that new era.
“This launch is also a tribute to my beloved father, Mr Neelkanth Rao Jagdale, whose vision, courage, and pioneering spirit laid the foundation for India’s single malt journey and inspired us to dream beyond boundaries.”
The late Radhakrishna Jagdale founded Amrut Distilleries in 1984. Today, the company employs 1,600 people in India.
The company’s Amrut Fusion expression – named because it is made with both Scottish and Indian barley – launched in 2009 as the first commercially available Indian single malt internationally.
This June, the New Delhi-based Indian Malt Whisky Association launched a mark of authenticity for domestically produced single malts that meet set standards for production and maturation.
Last year, Amrut Expedition 15-year-old debuted as the oldest Indian single malt whisky ever bottled.
In 2024, exports of Indian spirits totalled US$375 million, demonstrating double-digit growth since 2022.
Related news
Amrut names exclusive US importer
The Donegal based Ardara Distillery has announced the launch of the second release of its heavily peated single malt.
Ardara Single Malt 2026 Edition (46% ABV) is a triple-distilled single malt Irish whiskey, comprised of a combination of Oloroso Sherry casks (63%), Bourbon barrels (35.7%) and 1.3% Virgin Oak casks (1.3%).
Produced using what the distillery describes as ‘The Ardara Method’, the malt is heavily peated to create its distinctive sweet, nutty smoke. All the grain is kept in throughout fermentation and into the wash still, building a fuller, weightier spirit with the character to carry the smoke.
The whiskey is then triple distilled before resting in 6,000-litre Solera Vats for 72 hours. It is then emptied to 1,200 litres and filled into casks, creating an eternal link of continuity from the very first bottle to the last. A Cask Strength version is also available, bottled at 60.9% ABV.
The latest release from the distillery, which is home to Sliabh Liag Distillers, is the second release of Ardara Single Malt, a whiskey created to reclaim a lost part of Donegal’s whiskey heritage: its smoke.
A century ago, Donegal was known for making a smoky whiskey unlike any other. Barley was dried over burning turf and whiskey was made heavily peated, much of it outside the law. Then the law closed in, Irish whiskey became smoother, and Donegal’s smoke faded from view. Ardara is committed to bringing it back, and that commitment has its roots in a family recipe.
Ardara Single Malt 2026 Edition, is said to be sweet, fruity and nutty, with a hint of waxiness wrapped in sweet pipe smoke. Hot beignets and poached pears arrive first on the palate before deepening into roasted coconut, almond, leather and rolled tobacco. Sweet smoke and campfire notes follow, giving way to a long, sweet baked-apple finish.
Ardara Single Malt 2026 Edition Cask Strength, is said to bring the same character with greater intensity: green melon and husky citrus on the nose, followed by beignets, honeyed pear, coconut, leather and rolled tobacco on the palate. A hint of menthol carries through to a smoky, earthy finish of baked apple and raisin.
Commenting on the launch, James Doherty, Founder of The Ardara Distillery, said: “At Ardara, we’re bringing back smoke. Six weeks before she died, my grandmother gave me the whiskey recipe that had belonged to my grandfather, an illicit distiller in Donegal. By then, the style he had made had almost disappeared. Irish whiskey had become smooth, and the smoky character once associated with Donegal was fading from memory. This whiskey is made his way: heavily peated, all grain in and triple distilled.”
“When we released the first Ardara Single Malt in 2025, we took the ambitious step of releasing 10,000 bottles, and we’re delighted with the way that whiskey has performed in Germany, France, the UK and the global duty-free market. We’re just about to ship Ardara to the USA. For us, that’s hugely encouraging. It shows that there is an appetite for this style of Irish whiskey beyond Donegal, and that the story we are telling about the return of smoky Irish whiskey is beginning to resonate around the world.”
“We want to bring back that love of smoky spirits, not by simply recreating the past, but by making the whiskey properly and giving that lost craft a place in the world again. That’s what my wife Moira and I set out to do when we started building the distillery here in the south-west of Donegal.”
“The second release of Ardara Single Malt is an important moment for us. It shows that what began with my grandfather’s recipe and our determination to reclaim Donegal’s smoke is now becoming an ongoing whiskey tradition of its own. The 2026 Edition is the clearest statement yet of our purpose: to reclaim Donegal’s lost whiskey craft and prove smoky Irish whiskey can stand with the best in the world.”
Ardara Single Malt 2026 Edition and Ardara Single Malt 2026 Edition Cask Strength, will be available later this month through selected specialist retailers, for the respective RRP’s of €90.00 and €130.00.
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Google News（愛爾蘭威士忌）｜原題：Legacy-Honoring Complex Whiskey Expressions - Trend Hunter
愛爾蘭威士忌領導品牌Jameson推出Distiller's Batch新酒款，以五種不同橡木桶陳釀而成，包括波本桶、Oloroso雪莉桶及處女橡木。該酒款靈感來自1826年的手寫配方檔案，由Midleton蒸餾廠首席蒸餾師Kevin O'Gorman調配。酒款兼具傳統Single Pot Still工藝與現代複雜風味，帶有烤橡木、蜂巢、鹽漬焦糖、黑巧克力、肉桂、薑和橙皮等層次，定位為品牌Reserve系列高端產品。
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Jameson, the world's leading Irish whiskey brand, has introduced Jameson Distiller's Batch to the American market. This new expression pays homage to the distillery's historical roots in the Single Pot Still tradition while showcasing a modern and complex flavor profile achieved through maturation across five distinct cask types.
The Jameson Distiller's Batch, part of the brand's Reserve Series, is crafted by Master Distiller Kevin O'Gorman at the Midleton Distillery and combines ex-bourbon, Oloroso sherry, and virgin Irish, European, and American oak casks. The resulting expression delivers a whiskey that offers toasted oak, honeycomb, salted caramel, and warm baking spices on the nose, followed by layers of dark chocolate, spicy toffee, cinnamon, ginger, and orange peel.
The product's name and inspiration derive from a handwritten mashbill recipe dated 1826, discovered in the distillery's archives.
Legacy-Honoring Complex Whiskey Expressions
Jameson Distiller's Batch Enters the American Market
Trend Themes
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Archive-led Spirits — Historic mashbills and distillery records are becoming premium product foundations, creating space for brands to convert heritage assets into differentiated modern releases.
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Multi-cask Maturation — Layered aging across diverse oak and fortified wine casks is reshaping whiskey flavor development, opening new possibilities for complex expressions with broader sensory appeal.
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Modern Heritage Premiumization — Legacy spirits brands are blending traditional production cues with contemporary flavor narratives, positioning familiar labels for higher-end consumer discovery.
Industry Implications
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Alcoholic Beverages — Premium whiskey launches rooted in provenance and craft complexity signal opportunities for established spirits companies to expand reserve portfolios.
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Luxury Retail — Limited and heritage-inspired bottles strengthen the role of curated retail channels in selling collectible, story-rich beverage products.
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Food and Beverage Marketing — Archive-based storytelling and detailed tasting profiles provide marketers with richer material for building authenticity-driven campaigns around premium consumables.
The Big Interview Meet the ex-bond trader and drinks industry veteran launching Irish whiskey hard tea in the US Ellie Donnelly 05:00 Daily BriefingCompaniesExtraLive NewsFood & BeverageThe Big Interview
Clonakilty Distillery has doubled its US sales during the first half of 2026 to become one of the fastest-growing Irish whiskey brands in the latest 52-week Nielsen scan.
The Irish distillery’s performance so far in 2026 has defied a wider 5% decline in Irish whiskey export value for the same reason. The independent County Cork producer credited its Galley Head expression as the primary driver behind the growth.
Figures from Marussia Beverages show the distillery recorded 36.2% year-over-year depletion growth and 39.8% growth in Nielsen sales.
Its Galley Head Whiskey, a blend of single pot still and grain whiskey, led the charge. The expression reported a 113% year-on-year increase in depletions and a 33.2% rise in shipments.
Galley Head is now established across key US markets, with strong sales from Massachusetts to Florida and Oregon.
“These results demonstrate that Clonakilty is building sustainable momentum through strong consumer demand and strategic execution,” said Michael Scully, founder of Clonakilty Distillery.
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“Our continued investment in retail partnerships, distributor support and activations is translating into meaningful growth across the country.”
Scully added: “It is incredibly rewarding to see an independent Irish brand resonate so strongly with US consumers, especially in a challenging wider market.”
The distillery is building a national US presence through partnerships with independent retailers and on-premise programming aimed at driving trial and repeat purchases.
The US remains the largest market for the wider Irish drinks trade. However, the market has become more challenging in recent years.
Changing consumer preferences, inflation concerns and reduced margins tied to US tariffs continue to weigh on Irish drinks producers.
The Irish Whiskey Association commended the distillery’s performance. It described Clonakilty as proof that an independent Irish producer can compete globally while remaining true to its County Cork origins.
Located on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, Clonakilty Distillery is fully Irish-owned. It grows its own barley and oversees every step of the production process.
WhiskyNotes（比利時獨立裝瓶評論）｜原題：7 rums: Foursquare, Caroni, Savanna, Hampden, St. Lucia
WhiskyNotes 推出七款蘭姆酒品飲評鑑，包括兩款 Foursquare、兩款 Caroni、以及 Hampden Great House、St. Lucia 和 Savanna 各一款。重點酒款評分：Foursquare 19yo 2006 具有圓潤的焦糖和香蕉椰香，易飲好評；Hampden Great House 2025 官方蒸餾廠版本（評分89/100）展現濃郁風格的深度與複雜度；Caroni 28yo 1998（評分90/100）呈現經典極端芳香；Savanna 21yo 2003（評分89/100）首次裝瓶的最老年份，加入特立尼達風味使其層次更豐富。各款皆為獨立或官方限量裝瓶，數量從50至255瓶不等。
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Even though we’re fully in summertime, there haven’t been many rum session lately. Let’s fix that with a selection of seven assorted rums. We’ll have a pair of Foursquare and a pair of Caroni bottlings. Then there is St. Lucia, Savanna and an official Hampden Great House release.
Foursquare 19 yo 2006 (50,6%, The Wealth Spirit & Milroy’s of Soho 2025, cask #34, 175 btl.)
Nose: glue and nail polish remover, mixed with potting soil, a little balsa wood and white pepper. A little vanilla underneath. Then fruity notes like banana and guava come out, along with minty notes and fresh oak shavings.
Mouth: Kentucky calling. There’s a bourbonny woodiness, which mixes with caramel notes, ripe bananas and hints of sweet coconut cream. A feeling of grain whisky as well. Quite solid, with nice varnish again, some liquorice, cinnamon and sweet citrus notes.
Finish: fairly long, with more oaky vanilla, baking spice and caramel sweetness.
A rather accessible Foursquare, with roundness coming from sweet oak, caramel and this typical banana / coconut combo. A bit of a safe choice perhaps, but a nice sipper for sure. Still available from The Wealth Spirit.
Foursquare 19 yo 2005 (58,2%, Oxhead Whisky / Lucky Choice ‘Dram-Addicts’ 2025, bourbon barrel #77A, 103 btl.)
Nose: much more on oranges, orange peels and marmalade, with less of this caramelly side. Dried coconut flakes, but also earthy notes, copper coins and candied ginger. Then a greener side appears, with grassy hints and menthol in the background. Overall a little more austere than the 2006.
Mouth: same feeling of sharpness. Almost a tad coastal in fact, with earthy notes, salted liquorice and more ginger. Lemon peels, pepper and just a hint of nougat. Then triple-sec and mint.
Finish: medium length, with a hint of orange and toasted oak, but otherwise fairly neutral.
I really appreciate the lack of caramel sweetness here, even though it becomes a little narrow and austere at some point. Score: 87/100
Hampden Estate Great House – Distillery Edition 2025 (57%, OB 2025, ex-bourbon casks)
Nose: bananas and charred pineapples, as well as citrus notes. Slightly rotting fruits, with a whiff of paint thinner and a good dose of black olives in brine. A rather refined funkiness, I would say. Then some aniseed and hints of petrol, ginger and lightly floral elements.
Mouth: more intense now. Full of tarry notes, olives and olive oil, citrus peels and saltwater. Some stone fruit and melon, but also grassier notes, herbal notes and banana chips. Pepper, clove and ginger too. Petrol notes and overripe banana return in the end.
Finish: long, very briney, with a hint of glue, liquorice and leafiness.
This is the yearly distillery edition which contains different marks (LFCH, HLCF, HGML and C<>H). Maybe not as delightful as some of the pure (independent) releases, but a great composition nonetheless, with great depth and complexity. A good showcase for the heavy style of this distillery. Available from The Whisky Exchange among others. Score: 89/100
St. Lucia 14 yo 2009 ‘Master’s Selection’ (57,5%, OB ‘Chairman’s Reserve’ for Wu Dram Clan 2025, bourbon barrel #0307052009, 157 btl.)
Nose: a lot of woody notes, with toffee sweetness, some oak shavings and varnished notes. Close to a bourbon whiskey, including generous vanilla. Also spicy notes like pepper and cinnamon, some blackcurrants and cherries in the distance, along with a faint rubbery note and aromatic black tea.
Mouth: intensely woody, leaving a drying footprint. The combination of toasted oak, burnt sugar, leather and vanilla point towards the US again. Then some coconut, menthol and white pepper, as well as some banana. More herbal and tea-ish towards the finish, with an almost perfumed oaky note.
Finish: long, quite dry, on toasted oak, spices and earthy tobacco, with a few bitter drops.
They had a similar cask the year before. However this time I’m less impressed – the oakiness is a little over the top. Score: 84/100
Caroni 23 yo 1998 (57,1%, Precious Liquors & The Auld Alliance 2022, cask #2192, 255 btl.)
Nose: starts with a little metal polish, then herbal notes like thyme, a whiff of petrol, but then also a subtle fruity note. Think bananas but also pineapple and some stone fruit. Some liquorice and pencil shavings too. Then walnuts and a hint of shoe polish. Not a light rum by any means, but not the dirty Caroni profile either.
Mouth: brass polish, hints of rosemary and liquorice, with a firm salty note. Then spicy oak, bitter marmalade, some boot polish and tobacco. Hints of roasted coffee beans as well, along with more walnuts.
Finish: fairly long, with a medicinal note, more tobacco and a very subtle hint of raisins.
One of the lighter version, reminding me of Tortuga II in a way. Caroni is never a dull choice. Still available from Distilia. Score: 88/100
Caroni 28 yo 1998 (58,1%, Oxhead Whisky / Lucky Choice / Bar Shelter 2026, bourbon barrel #37, 190 btl.)
Nose: more expressive than the previous one. There’s a varnished side to it (polished furniture) but also a sweet side (mango and roasted pineapple). In the middle there is the typical engine oil, liquorice, ginger and charred oak. Some burnt vanilla and toffee notes as well.
Mouth: quite bold, with lots of liquorice notes, hints of tar and smoke, as well as a firm saltiness. Also bitter espresso, hints of menthol, a little eucalyptus and tobacco. Oak char and a little pine resin too.
Finish: long and drying, with phenolic notes, liquorice, tarry notes and earthy oak.
Much more classic, with all the extreme aromas and flavours you’d expect from Caroni. Available from Hi Liquor. Score: 90/100
SVN 21 yo 2003 (61,3%, Vagabond Spirits ‘Silva Collection’ 2025, ex-bourbon cask + TDL finish, 50 cl, 240 btl.)
Nose: some varnished oak but also intense fruits. Apricots, stewed plums and apples, maybe a hint of fermenting pineapple. Mentholated notes, subtle tar and green olives. Then mossy and earthy notes. Perhaps a little more restrained in terms of ester levels than the Grand Arôme we had some time ago, but not much behind.
Mouth: ripe bananas, vanilla sweetness, more peaches and some biscuity notes lead the way. Then a wee rubbery note before it turns towards dried herbs, some black tea, black olives, heavy liquorice and hints of nail polish. There’s a smoky touch but also floral elements at the top.
Finish: long, a bit leathery, with tarry hints, bitter herbs, coffee and varnished notes.
I believe this was the oldest Savanna ever bottled (at the time). The added layer of Trinidad notes makes it even richer and more powerful. Score: 89/100
WhiskyNotes（比利時獨立裝瓶評論）｜原題：Glendronach 12 Years – Sherry Casks (1980s)
品飲1980年代裝瓶的Glendronach 12 Year Old雪莉桶版本（43% ABV）。這款酒在1996年蒸餾廠停產前代表了經典的舊式雪莉桶風格——當時雪莉桶多為混合型而非現今單一乾型Oloroso或甜型PX。酒質表現高級，鼻香展現濃郁雪莉影響，帶有乾菸葉、黑茶、咖啡豆等複雜風味；口感絲滑帶黑茶、烤栗子、葡萄乾等層次，尾韻雖不長但展現李子、皮革與木質感。是理解「舊式雪莉桶威士忌」風格的絕佳範本。
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The Glendronach 12 Year Old used to come in dumpy green bottles until the late 1970s. In the early 1980s this was replaced by a clear tall bottle, first at 40% ABV and later at 43% ABV, which is the version we’re trying today. It came with different mentions on the label, like The Original and later Matured in Sherry Casks.
In the early 1990s this became The Glendronch – Traditional. They also started mentioning seasoned oak on the back label, although that difference was definitely not very clear among whisky lovers at that point. All this before the distillery was mothballed in 1996 of course.
I already tried a similar Glendronach 12 Years for Previ Brescia a few years ago.
The Glendronach 12 yo ‘Matured in Sherry casks’ (43%, OB 1980s)
Nose: a truly lovely sherry influence, basically the smell of walking into a bodega. Old wood, a lot of dry tobacco leaves and dusty attics, along with dark sweetness of bramble and Johannisbeere. Hints of toffee. Then also tiny umami hints, like lovage, earthy black tea and roasted coffee beans. Richer than the modest ABV would suggest.
Mouth: quite earthy again, but also silky. Black tea, roasted chestnuts, dark honey and roasted walnuts. Then a hint of sandalwood, prunes and cocoa. Hazelnuts, raisins and black pepper. Caramelized notes without the excessive sweetness, if that makes sense. Mid-palate there’s a wee sour / balsamic note and a bit of OBE (shoe polish). Old Sercial comes to mind.
Finish: not too long, sadly, but showing nice plums, leathery notes, some herbal notes and old wood.
If you want to know what people mean by ‘old-style sherry’, here’s one to discover. I think one of the key elements is the fact that nowadays most casks are seasoned with dry Oloroso or very sweet PX, but back then virtually all sherry was a mix. Some arrope or pajarete may have been involved as well. High class whisky. Available from The Whisky Exchange (also where I got the sample from).
WhiskyNotes（比利時獨立裝瓶評論）｜原題：Glen Keith 1994 (Archives)
Archives威士忌發行Glen Keith 1994 31年單桶原酒，酒精度52.2%，首次使用波本桶編號#166297。此酒款展現早期1990年代Glen Keith的典型特色，香氣飽滿成熟，包含杏果、香蕉、青蘋果等果香，帶有輕微蠟質感與杏仁油調性。口感豐富圓潤，不同於某些同批次的嚴苛特性，呈現熱帶水果（鳳梨、木瓜）與園果混合，波本桶提供奶油感與香草蛋糕調性。尾韻悠長明亮，具有綠李與輕微橡木辛香。評論認為此瓶極具吸引力，可惜已在Whiskybase售罄。
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Certain whisky is so reliable that you can almost write the tasting notes beforehand. In my opinion this is also true for early 1990s Glen Keith. In our glass is a recent Archives release.
Glen Keith 31 yo 1994 (52,2%, Archives 2025, first-fill bourbon barrel #166297, 109 btl.)
Nose: quite waxy and fruity, just as we hoped. Apricots and bananas stand out, with green apple, grapes and lime. Hints of parraffin and almond oil. Then light vanilla and whiffs of fresh laundry after a while. Very light herbal touches in the background.
Mouth: fruity, in a more tropical way now. Apricots again, but now also pineapple, papaya and guava. Gooseberries and lime as well. A hint of coconut cream strengthens the syrupy exotic side, along with hints of vanilla cake. Later it gets slightly greener again, with light zesty notes and green plums.
Finish: rather long, bright and fruity, with a little fresh bark and mild oak spice.
Very aromatic and totally seductive with this combination of orchard fruits and more tropical notes. Nice creaminess from the bourbon oak as well. Some of these casks get a little austere on the palate, but this one stays wide and round. Great stuff, sadly sold out from Whiskybase.
Google News（Whisky Auction）｜原題：5 Best Smoky Scotch Whisky Bottles Under Rs 10000 in India: Lagavulin 16, Laphroaig 10, Ardbeg An Oa To Caol Ila 12 - Esquire India
Esquire India 介紹5款在印度售價低於10000盧比（約4,200台幣）的艾雷島泥煤威士忌。Lagavulin 16 Year Old 被譽為泥煤威士忌的金標準，橡木陳年帶來層次感；Laphroaig 10 Year Old 風味強烈具醫療感，適合進階愛好者；Ardbeg An Oa 採三種桶陳釀增添甜感；Caol Ila 12 Year Old 煙燻溫和最適初學者；Smokehead Extra Rare 風味最強烈。文章詳細列出各款在不同印度城市的零售價格與風味特徵。
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Positioned as a buying guide for peat fans, this piece compares five smoky Scotch whiskies sold in India, from approachable Caol Ila 12 to the punchy Smokehead Extra Rare. It outlines how each whisky’s maturation and cask choices shape flavours like sea salt, citrus, dark chocolate and medicinal smoke, and notes how taxes and location affect final shelf prices.
Smoke has always been the most divisive note in whisky, and Islay is the island that turned it into an art form. 5 whisky bottles capture just how wide that range really runs: Lagavulin 16 Year Old, Laphroaig 10 Year Old, Ardbeg An Oa, Caol Ila 12 Year Old and Smokehead Extra Rare. Each one burns, salts and sweetens its smoke differently, and working out which end of that spectrum you belong on is half the reason to start collecting them. Check out the 5 best smoky Scotch whisky bottles under Rs 10000 in India, including Lagavulin 16, Laphroaig 10, Ardbeg An Oa, Caol Ila 12 and Smokehead Extra Rare.
These 5 bottles span the smoky Scotch whisky spectrum, with each bringing its own balance of peat, sweetness, spice and coastal character. Also, know what each one of these Scotch whisky bottles is priced at in India right now and what actually makes it worth the shelf space.
Lagavulin is often the whisky people mean when they talk about the gold standard of smoky Scotch, and sixteen years in the barrel is exactly why. That much time in oak takes the raw, almost aggressive smoke that comes straight off the still and rounds it into something layered, with dried fruit, a faint sherry sweetness and a distinct hit of sea salt running underneath. The Lagavulin 16 Year Old whisky rewards patience in the glass just as much as it rewarded patience in the cask.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old Whisky Price: Approx. Rs 9,500 (Gurgaon) to Rs 12,495 (Mumbai/Pune) for a 750ml bottle
Region: Islay
Tastes like: heavy smoke, sea salt, dried fruit, deep oak
If Lagavulin is the smooth introduction to smoke, Laphroaig is the deep end. The Laphroaig 10 Year Old whisky is famous, or notorious depending on who you ask, for a medicinal, almost hospital-like character that comes from drying the malted barley over Islay peat fires in the traditional way. Underneath that intensity sits a quieter sweetness, something close to vanilla, that keeps it from being one-note. People either fall for Laphroaig immediately or need a few pours to get there. There is not much middle ground.
Laphroaig 10 Year Old Whisky Price: Approx. Rs 4,800 (Gurgaon) to Rs 10,200 (Mumbai/Maharashtra) for a 750ml bottle
Region: Islay
Tastes like: bold medicinal smoke, campfire, iodine, seaweed, a touch of vanilla
The standard Ardbeg 10 Year Old already has a cult following, but An Oa is worth seeking out for a different reason. It spends time across three different types of barrels, including ones that previously held a sweet Spanish fortified wine called Pedro Ximénez, and that combination softens Ardbeg's usual intensity without dulling it. What you get in the Ardbeg An Oa Whisky is heavy peat smoke sitting alongside charred wood, black pepper and a rounder, almost velvety sweetness that the standard 10 Year Old doesn't quite have.
Ardbeg An Oa Whisky Price: Approx. Rs 9,200 to Rs 11,500 for a 750ml bottle (varies by state)
Region: Islay
Tastes like: intense peat smoke, charred oak, smoked bacon, black pepper, sherry sweetness
Pronounced ‘cull-eela,’ the Caol Ila 12 Year Old whisky is the one to hand someone who claims they do no't like smoky whisky. Caol Ila takes a lighter touch than its Islay neighbours, letting citrus, green apple and a clean sea breeze share space with the smoke rather than being buried under it. It's proof that peat doesn't have to mean overwhelming, and it's often the bottle that quietly becomes someone's everyday pour once the novelty of the bigger, smokier names wears off.
Caol Ila 12 Year Old Whisky Price: Approx. Rs 3,800 (Gurgaon) to Rs 8,650 (Noida/Nagpur) for a 750ml bottle
Region: Islay
Tastes like: gentle smoke, citrus zest, sea salt, honey.
The Smokehead does not publicly say which distillery makes it, though whisky circles have their guesses, and the branding leans hard into that mystery with a skull on the label and a name that does not leave much to the imagination. What is inside the Smokehead Extra Rare whisky backs it up. This is one of the most forceful pours on this list, built for people who find even Laphroaig a little too polite, with dark chocolate, roasted coffee and toasted wood layered over a wall of earthy smoke.
Smokehead Extra Rare Whisky Price: Approx. Rs 5,710 (Bangalore - 750ml) to Rs 9,500 (Gurgaon - 1000ml)
Region: Islay and Island single malt
Tastes like: earthy smoke, dark chocolate, toasted wood, black pepper.
Note: The whisky prices mentioned are approximate retail values. Actual prices may vary depending on state excise duties, local taxes, retailer markups, and stock availability.
Which are the best smoky Scotch whisky bottles under Rs 10000 in India?
Some of the best options include Laphroaig 10 Year Old, Caol Ila 12 Year Old, Ardbeg An Oa, Lagavulin 16 Year Old and Smokehead Extra Rare, depending on local prices.
Is Lagavulin 16 Year Old available under Rs 10,000 in India?
Lagavulin 16 Year Old can be priced around or above Rs 10,000 depending on the state, retailer, taxes and bottle availability.
Which smoky Scotch whisky is best for beginners?
Caol Ila 12 Year Old is a good starting point for beginners because its lighter smoke is balanced by citrus, honey and coastal notes.
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Google News（ウイスキー）｜原題：【ウイスキー飲み比べ】今年も出ました！山崎Story Of The Distillery（ストーリー オブ ザ ディスティラリー）2025 EDITIONはどんな味わいか深掘り検証！ #whisky Belarus (IGIgagRJ3K) - mshale.com｜僅標題
（僅標題資訊）山崎蒸餾廠推出2025年版本的Story Of The Distillery限定酒款。此系列為山崎每年推出的特別版本，以蒸餾廠故事與風味特色為主軸。本次評測深入探討該年度版本的具體風味特徵與品飲表現，適合關注山崎系列酒款與日本威士忌的愛好者參考。
Google News（ウイスキー）｜原題：【第151弾】"山崎18年”が再登場。ウイスキーくじ最新弾が8月12日より販売開始 - ニコニコニュース
（僅標題資訊）日本知名威士忌抽獎活動推出第151彈，山崎18年（Yamazaki 18 Years Old）時隔許久再度成為獎品登場。此次抽獎樂透將從8月12日起開始販售，備受威士忌收藏家與愛好者期待。
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Google News（ウイスキー）｜原題：水木しげるの街のご当地ウイスキー「千代むすび酒造」（鳥取県境港市）｜海辺のウイスキー蒸留所（男の隠れ家デジタル） - Yahoo!ニュース
位於鳥取県境港市（漫畫《鬼太郎》作者水木茂故鄉）的千代むすび酒造，創立於1865年，自2021年起開始威士忌事業。該酒廠結合日本酒與焼酎製造經驗，採用北海道産水楢樽等多種樽進行熟成。首款威士忌產品Chiyomusubi Pure Malt Whisky CRAFT於2024年上市，具有清新芳醇香氣與爽快口感；另有3年熟成的シングルカスク「林太郎」Sherry，以第三代當主之名命名。
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Distillery’s US sales rise a nice tipple earner - The Southern Star
Clonakilty Distillery 在 2026 年上半年交出亮眼成績，酒廠整體銷售成長 36.2%，旗艦產品 Galley Head Irish Whiskey 銷售更成長 113%，遠超整體愛爾蘭威士忌市場的衰退表現。公司靠著強勁消費需求、零售通路擴張及現場銷售推動成長，在尼爾森數據中也錄得 39.8% 的銷售增長。Galley Head 已銷往美國東西岸，從麻薩諸塞州到加州和佛羅里達州。這間 2016 年成立的獨立酒廠以傳統工藝和永續發展著稱，贏得多項環保認證。
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CLONAKILTY Irish Whiskey continues to gain momentum across the US market, delivering impressive first half 2026 results that outpace most other brands in the Irish whiskey sector.
Clonakilty Distillery reported 36.2% year-on-year depletion growth while its flagship product Galley Head Irish Whiskey saw a 113% increase in depletions compared to the same period last year.
The company said its performance was buoyed by strong consumer demand, expanding retail distribution and increased sales on site.
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The iconic West Cork brand also posted 39.8% growth in Nielsen sales, building on its reputation as one of the fastest-growing Irish whiskey brands in the latest 52-week Nielsen scan.
‘These results demonstrate that Clonakilty is building sustainable momentum through strong customer demand and strategic execution,’ said Michael Scully, founder of Clonakilty Distillery.
‘Our continued investment in retail partnerships, distributor support, and on-premise activations is translating into meaningful growth across the country.’
While the broader Irish whiskey category experienced a decline during the first half of 2026, Clonakilty continued to expand at a remarkable pace. The company’s growth builds on proactive account activations and strong sales across both retail and on-premise.
A company spokesperson noted: ‘Our Galley Head is leading the charge, more than doubling its sales and now stocked from Massachusetts to California and Florida.’
The single pot still/grain blend has also benefitted from strong on-site programming and seasonal promotions in the US that continue to drive trial and repeat purchases.
As the brand expands distribution and awareness, Clonakilty remains focused on delivering premium Irish whiskey rooted in craftsmanship, authenticity, and the heritage of Ireland’s Atlantic coast.
The independent distillery is not only known for its award-winning Irish whiskeys but also Minke Irish Gin and Vodka. It grows its own barley and oversees the entire process from grain to glass.
Founded in 2016, it shone at the 2023 Global Sustainability Awards where it won praise for a number of initiatives including redesigning its bottles which now weigh 22% less and are made from recycled glass. In addition, the company phased out single-use plastic from its shipping materials and transitioned to 100% renewable energy for its distillation process.
Clonakilty combines traditional craftsmanship with innovation to produce premium spirits that reflect the true character of Ireland’s southwest coast. For more information, visit Clonakilty Irish Whiskey.
The Donegal-based Ardara Distillery, home of Sliabh Liag Distillers, released the 2026 Edition of Ardara Single Malt Irish Whiskey on Saturday 8th August 2026 – the second release of the heavily peated Donegal single malt. To mark the release, the distillery opened its doors for free tours throughout Ardara Show Day, with tastings of the 2026 Edition taking place at the Ardara Show.
Ardara Single Malt Irish Whiskey began its journey last year on Ardara Show Day, where its first pour took place with the community that had been part of the distillery’s story from the beginning. Visitors to Ardara Distillery saw the three copper stills from Forsyths at work and heard the story of illicit distilling, the family recipe that inspired Ardara, and how that lost craft of Donegal smoky Irish whiskey had made its return.
The 2026 Edition is the second release of Ardara Single Malt, the whiskey created to reclaim a lost part of Donegal’s whiskey heritage: its smoke. A century ago, Donegal was known for making a smoky whiskey unlike any other. Barley was dried over burning turf and whiskey was made heavily peated, much of it outside the law. Then the law closed in, Irish whiskey turned smooth, and Donegal’s smoke faded from view. Ardara is committed to bringing it back, and that commitment has its roots in a family recipe.
James Doherty, founder of The Ardara Distillery, said:
“At Ardara, we’re bringing back smoke. Six weeks before she died, my grandmother gave me the whiskey recipe that had belonged to my grandfather, an illicit distiller in Donegal. By then, the style he had made had almost disappeared. Irish whiskey had become smooth, and the smoky character once associated with Donegal was fading from memory. This whiskey is made his way: heavily peated, all grain in and triple distilled.”
“When we released the first Ardara Single Malt in 2025, we took the ambitious step of releasing 10,000 bottles, and we’re delighted with the way that whiskey has performed in Germany, France, the UK and the global Duty-Free market. We’re just about to ship Ardara to the USA. For us, that’s hugely encouraging. It shows that there is an appetite for this style of Irish whiskey beyond Donegal, and that the story we are telling about the return of smoky Irish whiskey is beginning to resonate around the world.”
Adding to this, James said:
“We want to bring back that love of smoky spirits, not by simply recreating the past, but by making the whiskey properly and giving that lost craft a place in the world again. That’s what my wife Moira and I set out to do when we started building the distillery here in the south-west of Donegal.”
“The second release of Ardara Single Malt is an important moment for us. It shows that what began with my grandfather’s recipe and our determination to reclaim Donegal’s smoke is now becoming an ongoing whiskey tradition of its own. The 2026 Edition is the clearest statement yet of our purpose: to reclaim Donegal’s lost whiskey craft and prove smoky Irish whiskey can stand with the best in the world.”
Ardara Single Malt is made using what the distillery calls The Ardara Method: heavily peated, all grain in and triple distilled. The malt is heavily peated to create its distinctive sweet, nutty smoke. All the grain is kept in throughout fermentation and into the wash still, building a fuller, weightier spirit with the character to carry the smoke. The whiskey is then triple distilled before resting in 6,000-litre Solera Vats for 72 hours. It is then emptied to 1,200 litres and filled into casks, creating an eternal link of continuity from the very first bottle to the last.
The result is a heavily peated Irish single malt with layers of sweet smoke, orchard fruit and rolled tobacco; powerful but not overpowering, smoky but not medicinal.
“There is a dragonfly on every bottle of Ardara, drawn from the ones found around the pond at the distillery,” James added. “A dragonfly spends most of its life underwater, out of sight, before breaking the surface and taking flight. For generations, Donegal’s smoky whiskey tradition was much the same: once a defining part of the place, then hidden from view as the style disappeared from Irish whiskey. We’re not just bringing that tradition back; we’re giving it a future.”
At 46% ABV, Ardara Single Malt opens sweet, fruity and nutty, with a hint of waxiness wrapped in sweet pipe smoke. Hot beignets and poached pears arrive first on the palate, before deepening into roasted coconut, almond, leather and rolled tobacco. Sweet smoke and campfire follow, giving way to a long, sweet baked-apple finish.
The 2026 Edition of Ardara Single Malt Cask Strength, bottled at 60.9% ABV, brings the same character with greater intensity: green melon and husky citrus on the nose, followed by beignets, honeyed pear, coconut, leather and rolled tobacco on the palate. A hint of menthol carries through to a smoky, earthy finish of baked apple and raisin.
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Storied Kentucky bourbon brand changes hands. What the sale includes - AOL.com
成立於 1856 年的肯塔基波本威士忌品牌 Chicken Cock Whiskey 被北卡羅來納州的 Next Century Spirits 收購。此次收購不僅包括威士忌品牌本身，還包括位於巴茲鎮和路易維爾的兩間 Circa 1856 品酒室。NCS 同時也從 Grain & Barrel Spirits 購入其他酒款，包括 Dixie Southern Vodka、Elvis Whiskey 和 E.G. Booz。Chicken Cock 曾在 1970 年代波本威士忌衰退期間消失，2012 年被復興，此次併購被視為進一步擴展品牌影響力的重要步驟。
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Storied Kentucky bourbon brand changes hands. What the sale includes
A Kentucky bourbon brand that dates back to 1856 has changed hands.
Next Century Spirits of North Carolina announced Aug. 4 that it had purchased Chicken Cock Whiskey from Grain & Barrel Spirits.
The purchase gives NCS a footprint in Kentucky as well: They also bought Chicken Cock’s Circa 1856 tasting rooms in Bardstown and in Louisville.
The Bardstown location serves as Chicken Cock’s Kentucky home, offering tastings, cocktails, retail and brand experiences, according to the news release. The Louisville location has a sipping room and a speakeasy in the city’s NuLu neighborhood.
According to the announcement, NCS also purchased other brands from the Grain & Barrel portfolio, including Dixie Southern Vodka, Elvis Whiskey and E.G. Booz.
“Grain & Barrel built something real here with the Chicken Cock Whiskey brand: exceptional quality, deep history, and a relatable story,” said Anthony Moniello, CEO of Next Century Spirits. “Alongside Blue Chair Bay Rum, Nue Vodka, recently launched Pocho Fino Tequila (co-founded by comedian and actor Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias), and the rest of our portfolio, it strengthens what we’re building at NCS.”
Chicken Cock Whiskey was originally founded in Paris, Kentucky, in 1856 by James A. Miller and grew into national prominence. The branded disappeared when bourbon fell out of favor in the 1970s.
“We’re betting on a brand that stands out in a category where distinctive, authentic stories are winning,” Moniello added. “Together, the Circa 1856 locations give us a physical home in Kentucky and a direct way to introduce more drinkers to the brand’s history and taste.”
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Grain & Spirits founder Matt Antilla, who revived the historic brand in 2012, will join the NCS board and continue to direct the brand, according to the release.
“We’ve spent the last decade reviving the Chicken Cock brand and want to see it reach its full potential,” said Antila. “We believe NCS is the right partner to take it even further, returning the ‘Famous Old Brand’ to its legacy position atop the U.S. whiskey market.”
Damon DeSantis, a director of Celsius Holdings and INBP and former COE of Rexall Sundown, also is joining the NCS board.
“This is a company that’s making smart bets. I’m glad to be part of what’s next,” said DeSantis in a statement.
NCS is a distilled spirits and marketing company that specializes in developing spirits for its owned brands, private-label clients and bulk supply.
A Lexington historic site is releasing a limited edition bourbon. Here’s why
Lexington wine bar getting a ‘big sister’ with food options in a downtown location
Soups, sandwiches, special bread pudding: Lunch spot coming to Lexington neighborhood
One Of The Best New Bourbons Of 2026 Starts Out At 125 Proof
The bourbon market is pretty saturated right now, so it can be hard to cut through all of the options and figure out which bottles are actually worth trying out. If you're looking to sample a new one, however, Tasting Table has done some digging for you. One of our experts rounded up 12 of the best bourbons of 2026 so far and the list is pretty interesting; it even includes one spirit that starts out its journey at a whopping 125 proof.
Buffalo Trace Distillery Single Oak Barrel 80 Rye Bourbon is a straight, rye-based bourbon that was part of an experiment by Kentucky's Buffalo Trace Distillery, the oldest continuously operating distillery in America. The Single Oak Project, which ran from 1999 to 2015, involved the cutting up of 96 oak trees into 192 barrels that were manipulated in a variety of ways to see how they would impact the whiskey.
In its effort to research how to create the perfect bourbon, the distillery also tested variables within the whiskey itself, such as the proof it entered the barrel at. The spirit that was poured into barrel number 80 was 125 proof before aging, which is highest it can be under law. The result was a complex-yet-gentle spirit that ended up winning the public over.
Buffalo Trace Distillery Single Oak Barrel 80
The results of the experiment were slowly released to the public for a vote starting in 2011, and barrel number 80 ended up winning. In April 2026, it was released as a permanent part of Buffalo Trace's collection. The Single Oak Barrel 80 has a light and gentle flavor reminiscent of oak, cinnamon, caramel, and white pepper. On the nose, you can expect aromas of vanilla, honey, and apple. The finish is short, with a lingering taste of baking spices and cream.
It's mild and classic, but also intriguing, and it tastes far less harsh than one might expect. This is because higher entry-proof whiskey can actually taste more mellow, and the Single Oak Barrel 80 is bottled at 90 proof. It is also aged for eight years, and bourbon becomes smoother and more rounded over time.
Our aforementioned expert really enjoyed the complexity of the Single Oak Barrel 80. It was invitingly sweet yet silky, with an enjoyable mouthfeel. Despite surpassing its $75 price point, though, the bottles come with a catch: they're only available in a 375-milliliter size. In other bad news, the release was limited; bottles can only be obtained through Sazerac's national distributor network, or through the Buffalo Trace Distillery's own gift shop. If you can't track it down, we ranked every Buffalo Trace Distillery bourbon brand and Eagle Rare is another winner. Here are the 30 best bourbon brands if you want to look at other options.
Glenfiddich’s Aston Martin F1 Single Malt Is Back for Its Second Year
Key Points
- Glenfiddich’s Aston Martin Formula One Team 16-Year-Old Limited-Edition Release No. 2 is matured in five cask types: first-fill bourbon barrels, Port pipes, Oloroso sherry casks, red wine casks, and Fino sherry butts.
- The second annual release expands on last year’s three-cask recipe by adding Port and Fino sherry casks, reflecting the shared whisky-making heritage between Glenfiddich and sister distillery The Balvenie.
- The 86-proof single malt will be available nationwide beginning in August 2026 with a suggested retail price of $80.
Finding a well-crafted 16-year-old single malt Scotch for under $80 is becoming a rare feat. Finding one that experiments with five distinct cask maturations is even rarer.
Enter the Glenfiddich x Aston Martin Formula One Team 16-Year-Old Release No. 2, the second annual bottling from the Speyside distillery’s multi-year partnership with the Aston Martin F1 team. While corporate racing sponsorships often yield little more than a co-branded label, Glenfiddich is using its F1 deal as a playground to release genuinely interesting, limited age-statement whiskies at an accessible price point.
To create Release No. 2, Malt Master Brian Kinsman crafted an intricate five-cask recipe. The liquid draws from first-fill bourbon barrels, Port pipes, Oloroso sherry casks, and red wine casks, with a final finish in Fino sherry butts.
The new release marks a noticeable shift from last year’s Release No. 1. That inaugural bottle relied on a three-cask blend of ex-bourbon, virgin American oak, and red wine casks, delivering the classic, bright Speyside profile: fresh green apples, sweet vanilla, and a supple, fruit-rounded texture. Release No. 2 trades that initial brightness for a much deeper, more structured pour.
Glenfiddich and Balvenie West Coast brand ambassador Brett Bayly explained the evolution during a tasting at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans. “So the big difference that we’re going to see here is that we are introducing two additional casks. So we’re going to see fino-sherry casks going in, and then also some port pipes,” Bayly said. “You can see just how much drier it’s going to be because of the port. It’s beautiful liquid.”
Related: 11 Cocktails That Prove There's More to Scotch Than Just Sipping It Neat
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Bringing port wood into the fold isn’t a random experiment — it connects directly to Glenfiddich’s roots and its sister distillery, The Balvenie. Both Dufftown distilleries are family-owned by William Grant & Sons, operating side-by-side and sharing an on-site cooperage. Port cask finishing was famously championed at Balvenie by malt master Emeritus David Stewart, who spent years mentoring Glenfiddich’s current malt master, Brian Kinsman. Tapping into port pipes for this expression lets Kinsman draw on that shared lineage.
“Port wood for us being introduced is great because the port wood from Balvenie is David’s wheelhouse, and that’s where Brian learned a lot of the craft,” Bayly said. Leaning into port casks gives Kinsman a familiar playbook, allowing him to carry a consistent flavor thread into Glenfiddich’s lineup while giving this 16-year-old whisky a noticeably richer, more structured backbone.
Fast Facts: Glenfiddich x Aston Martin F1 16-Year-Old Limited-Edition Release No. 2
ABV: 43%Maturation: First-fill bourbon barrels, port pipes, oloroso sherry casks, red wine casks, and fino sherry buttsAvailability: Limited nationwide release, beginning August 2026Price: $80
On the nose, the distillery’s tasting notes describe rich stewed fruits, subtle floral top notes, and hints of marzipan and polished leather. On the palate, the whisky starts with a creamy, buttery toffee sweetness before the Fino sherry and oak tannins kick in, drying the finish and leaving a lingering, warm woody sweetness. Where last year’s bottle drank like an easygoing spring aperitif, Release No. 2 feels built for cool autumn evenings.
The brand wants to highlight a parallel between the hidden aerodynamic tweaks under an F1 car that dictate performance and the unseen wood layers that shape a whisky’s finish. But more practically for drinkers, the partnership gives Glenfiddich a reason to keep releasing creative, limited-run liquids each year rather than letting its core line rest on its laurels.
“I think that it shows people that there is this dynamic side to Glenfiddich,” Bayly said. “This is giving them something a little bit deeper, something to get excited and come back to the brand if they’ve gone for a little stroll into the world of whiskeys.”
Read the original article on Food & Wine
- Litigation
- 2 min read
Associated Alcohols & Breweries gets MP High Court stay on FSSAI ban on whiskey, rum brand
The company said the High Court of Madhya Pradesh at Indore, in an order dated August 6 and received by the company on August 12, stayed the FSSAI order prohibiting the sale of the product.
Associated Alcohols & Breweries Ltd has received a stay from the Madhya Pradesh High Court against an order by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) prohibiting the sale of one of its whiskey and rum brands.
The company said the High Court of Madhya Pradesh at Indore, in an order dated August 6 and received by the company on August 12, stayed the FSSAI order prohibiting the sale of the product.
The development follows a July 29 communication from FSSAI's regional office in Mumbai, which had prohibited the sale of one of the whiskey and rum brands manufactured by the company.
According to the company, FSSAI's action was based on an allegation that the declaration of "artificial flavour" on the product label was not in conformity with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the rules and regulations framed under it.
Associated Alcohols & Breweries said its legal counsel had advised that the label declaration was in line with long-standing industry practices and applicable law. The company had therefore approached the High Court, calling the FSSAI action unjustified.
The company also said similar actions had recently been initiated by FSSAI at a pan-India level and that the matter had been taken up by industry bodies, including the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) and the International Spirits & Wines Association of India (ISWAI).
According to the company, the industry bodies have represented to FSSAI that the practice is long-standing and that the established Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) nomenclature is consistent with the use of permitted flavouring substances declared in ingredient statements under the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020.
Associated Alcohols & Breweries had earlier said it was assessing the operational and financial impact of the regulatory action and would update the stock exchanges on material developments.
With the High Court stay now in place, the company has informed the stock exchanges of the development under Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.
The company said the High Court of Madhya Pradesh at Indore, in an order dated August 6 and received by the company on August 12, stayed the FSSAI order prohibiting the sale of the product.
The development follows a July 29 communication from FSSAI's regional office in Mumbai, which had prohibited the sale of one of the whiskey and rum brands manufactured by the company.
According to the company, FSSAI's action was based on an allegation that the declaration of "artificial flavour" on the product label was not in conformity with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the rules and regulations framed under it.
Associated Alcohols & Breweries said its legal counsel had advised that the label declaration was in line with long-standing industry practices and applicable law. The company had therefore approached the High Court, calling the FSSAI action unjustified.
The company also said similar actions had recently been initiated by FSSAI at a pan-India level and that the matter had been taken up by industry bodies, including the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) and the International Spirits & Wines Association of India (ISWAI).
According to the company, the industry bodies have represented to FSSAI that the practice is long-standing and that the established Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) nomenclature is consistent with the use of permitted flavouring substances declared in ingredient statements under the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020.
Associated Alcohols & Breweries had earlier said it was assessing the operational and financial impact of the regulatory action and would update the stock exchanges on material developments.
With the High Court stay now in place, the company has informed the stock exchanges of the development under Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.
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Companies ‘We don’t care about tariffs now’: Clonakilty Distillery boss on the new threat to Irish whiskey Emer Walsh August 12, 2026 Business Post subscribers can read:• The latest threat to Irish whiskey producers• How Clonakilty Distillery has cut costs to compete in the US• The key geographies underpinning demand for Irish whiskey Live NewsCorkWhiskeyDaily BriefingCompaniesExtra
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Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Mendocino Spirits wins distillery of the year, and more - The Willits News
加州Mendocino Spirits在新奧爾良烈酒大賽（New Orleans Spirits Competition）中一舉成名，摘下2026年度工藝蒸餾廠大獎。該廠旗艦酒款Low Gap Straight Bourbon Old Fussbudget 8-Years Old獲得雙金牌及年度威士忌大獎。此外還獲得四面金牌獎，包括兩款60th Birthday Rye Malt（10年，Cognac與Bourbon桶）及Gin。創辦人Crispin Kane表示這是該獎項首度分為大型與工藝級別，他們榮幸成為工藝級首位得主。Kane特別感謝過往導師Hubert Germain-Robin對威士忌製程的啟蒙，包括香檳酵母發酵與壺式蒸餾等技術。該廠將於8月14日舉辦慶祝開放參訪。
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The New Orleans Spirits Competition, presented by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, is inarguably the premier event for those seeking recognition for their work in the world of distilled spirits. The prestigious contest features judging across all spirits categories, both domestic and international, and includes everything from agave to ready-to-drink cocktails.
Mendocino County locals Tamar Kaye and Crispin Kane, owners and creators of Tamar Distillery/Mendocino Spirits, were the winners of the 2026 Craft Distillery of the Year.
And when you see the other awards they received, you’ll understand why.
Tamar Distillery won a Double Gold/Whiskey of the Year Award for their Low Gap Straight Bourbon Old Fussbudget 8-Years Old. This “Spirit of the Year” award signifies exceptional quality and superiority. The award, according to judges, is earned through rigorous judging, elevating the brand’s prestige, enhancing marketability, and solidifying consumer trust.
According to the competition guidelines, Gold medal Spirits awards are reserved for spirits who have achieved exceptional scores, showcasing unparalleled balance, complexity, and overall excellence. Tamar Spirits received Gold Medal Spirits Awards for the following four items:
- Mendocino Spirits 60th Birthday Rye Malt, Cognac Barrel, 10 Years Old
- Mendocino Spirits 60th Birthday Rye Malt, Bourbon Barrel, 10 Years Old
- Mendocino Spirits Gin
- Gold/Best of Category: Fluid Dynamics 1850 Cocktail- Ready to Serve Cocktail.
The “Best of Category” Spirit Award indicates that the judges, through careful tasting, determined that the Fluid Dynamics Cocktail and the Old Fussbudget outperformed the other spirits of a similar type, representing the archetype of their style.
In addition, Silver medals were awarded to two products: The Low Gap Rye Malt Cognac-Barrel, 8 Years Old, and the Low Gap Rye Finished Malt, Cabernet Barrel, 9 Years Old.
Journalist Drew Falukner, a friend of Cain’s and managing partner of Tales of the Cocktail, encouraged him to enter the contest for the first time in 2024. “We entered one thing- our Mendocino Spirits 10-Year-old Rye Malt Whiskey,” says Crispin. They received a Best of Category Award.
“This year, Drew contacted me. He said that to be considered for the Distillery of the Year Award, we needed to enter a minimum of four products. We entered seven items. This was the first year that they divided the Distillery of the Year award into large and craft-sized distilleries, so we are honored to be the very first recipient of that award,” he continues.
The event takes weeks and involves dozens of judges. Cain was on hand in New Orleans when the final round of judging for Whiskey of the Year was announced. There is a simultaneous blind-tasting event that takes place, and he participated in that.
“I wanted to understand the reaction of the judges, who are all known people in the industry. You go into a room where tables are set up with the same samples as the judges. You can take notes if you’d like. I smelled each glass and identified our whiskey just through the scent. I tasted them all. The judging process took an hour. The best score is an eight, and the worst is one. The judges go into a room to add up the scores. When they returned, they said that the top scores had never been that close. We came in first by one point.”
Though the contest was international, winning whiskeys were dominated by American makers.
“We have shaken the world. The best bourbon is no longer one that was made in Kentucky, which has been the Mecca of Bourbon, because they’ve been doing it for so long,” says Cain.
Receiving the award for Distillery of the Year is almost more than the couple can process. “Receiving fresh, blind judgment from industry peers is really a validation of our hard work. It’s important to subject ourselves to the critique and opinion of others in this community,” she continues.
“Last year, when the Fussbudget received a 2nd place/Best of Category Award from the New Orleans Spirits Competition, people came over to me asking all kinds of questions. ‘How did you do that? We loved yours! Do you use enzymes before you add the yeast?’ The person who told me to add enzymes to the yeast was Jeff Hinchcliff, the winemaker I worked with years ago at Hidden Cellars Winery. He taught me about fermentation in the making of whiskey. Hubert Germain-Robin taught me to use champagne yeast to ferment grain mashes. He taught me how to use pot stills and the double distillation technique. So our whiskey history travels from France to California.”
Cain worked for many years for Alembic, Inc. and was unabashed in his gratitude to Ansley Coale and Hubert Germain-Robin, his former employer and mentor who helped set the stage for the couple’s success with their own distillery. “I was able to thank Ansley and Hubert after receiving the award for Whiskey of the Year, and of course I thanked Tamar,” he smiles.
“I was 20 years old when I moved away from my job building power supplies for lasers. I moved to Mendocino County in 1985 and started working with Hidden Cellars, who connected me with Alembic.”
They continue to share their facility with Alembic.
At the event, Crispin took part in several tasting events. “At one of the events, one old timer said to me, ‘This is the Germain-Robin of whiskey.’ There are fewer compliments that could mean more to me,” he smiles.
Cain notes that it is very rare to receive a Double Gold at this competition. “Receiving that for the Old Fussbudget was very unusual,” he notes. “It blooms with a little ice and makes a great Mint Julep,” smiles Tamar.
He notes that the Mendocino Spirits Dry Gin was created using a barrel that belonged to Hubert Germain-Robin’s grandfather.
He continues, adding that for the Low Gap 8-Year Rye and 9-Year Rye, he has them spend 2 ½ years in oak and 5 ½ years in a Cognac barrel, finishing them in a Cabernet barrel. “I don’t know if everyone does this, but it works well and tastes good. There is a real exchange between the spirit and the barrel. The spirit picks up character and acidity from the barrel. The barrel lends a bit of flavor, and the finished product tastes smoother.”
Barrels are the most expensive part of making spirits, and Crispin and Tamar got lucky when it comes to building a relationship with a premier cooperage.
“Canton Cooperage is a wonderful cooperage facility in Kentucky,” says Crispin. “We started buying from them in 2015-2016, using their new white charred oak barrels, especially for bourbon.” One year, a big cooperage was buying raw logs- trying to shut out everyone else. “David Day, our sales rep, called me and said, ‘I don’t know if we can deliver those 20 barrels you ordered, but Anthony Morris, our vice-president, is coming to California from Kentucky. He wants to visit our accounts. I’m going to take him to your place.’ We had Mr. Morris taste our Cask-Strength Bourbon. He tasted it and said, ‘Hells Bells! I didn’t know they made good bourbon out here!’” Crispin responded with a particularly appropriate Southern comeback. “Sir, we’re not whistling Dixie out here.”
“David’s belief in us and the goodwill of Mr. Anthony Morris, Vice-President of Operations at Canton Cooperage, have been an integral part in the success of our products,” says Crispin.
A special afternoon open house is taking place at the distillery this Friday, August 14 from 3:00-7:00. “We want to celebrate our victories with our community,” says Crispin. There will be barrel tastings, music by Alex de Grassi and Sarah Ryan at 6:00, and there will be ice cream.
“We made Apple Brandy in 2006, and in about 2016 we got some candy cap mushrooms growing on oak trees on a friend’s property east of Point Arena. We made Candy Cap Liquor. It is absolutely one of the most wonderful things we’ve ever made. We did a trial bottling in 2024, and we’ll be putting more together soon. We have enough for 40 cases in these little bottles. At the Taste of Redwood Valley, we so
Researchers working at Heriot-Watt University have identified some of the chemical compounds behind the mango-like aroma found in some Scottish and Irish whiskies.
PhD student Takehiko Hiura analysed 14 different whiskies from both countries, finding that aldehydes and acetals – common substances in such drinks – can increase these ‘tropical’ aroma properties.
These compounds are produced during both the fermentation and ageing processes.
Commenting on the paper, professor Annie Hill from the university’s International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD), said: “Fruity notes like banana, apple and pear have long been linked to esters, which are produced during fermentation. But we didn’t know where the mango flavour was coming from - and now we do.”
This will be of interest for whisky makers – in his introduction, the researcher, Hiura, noted “demand from spirits producers for an increased understanding of the flavours influencing product aroma profile”.
This is because “distinctive product characteristics aids brand recognition, which is of particular importance in growing and crowded markets”.
Tropical fruit aroma has not been the focus of whisky research previously, although similar scents in both wine and beer have both been investigated.
The study revealed that one whisky contained particularly high levels of three key chemicals – isoburyraldehyde, isovaleraldehyde and isovaleraldehyde diethyl acetal.
When added to another low-mango-aroma drink, the level of scent increased significantly – potentially giving producers the ability to increase or tone down this feature of their whiskies.
Under the conditions of the experiment, this impact appeared to be to the mango scent, with little impact on other aromas.
Dr Calum Holmes, also of the ICBD, added: “The compounds that we found contributing to tropical notes, the aldehydes and acetals, aren’t new to whisky, they’re well understood.
“For whisky producers, that’s good news: it means they can hopefully dial up or tone down tropical aromas by manipulating existing process steps.”
The research was reported in the Journal of the American Society of Brewing Chemists, which ‘aims to bridge the gap between fundamental and applied research in the fields of brewing, distilling, winemaking, fermented beverages, and other closely interrelated disciplines’.
It was conducted in collaboration with Japanese drinks giant Kirin, which produces beers, wines and whiskies, among other things.
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：5 Top Shelf Whiskeys That Are Always Worth The Money - AOL.com
美國媒體推薦5款值得購買的優質威士忌。Lot No. 40黑麥威士忌約$40美元，證明高品質黑麥可負擔；Redbreast愛爾蘭威士忌約$65，具蘇格蘭威士忌的複雜度；Hibiki Japanese Harmony和風威士忌$70-100美元，適合初嚐日本威士忌；Angel's Envy Finished Rye約$75，以加勒比蘭姆桶陳年增添熱帶甜感；The Dalmore 15約$125，為多功能優質蘇格蘭威士忌。文章強調購買高檔威士忌前應先了解自己的味蕾偏好，並建議先純飲或加冰體驗，避免浪費在不適合的調酒上。
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5 Top Shelf Whiskeys That Are Always Worth The Money
Purchasing top-shelf whiskey of any kind doesn't require a lot of in-depth knowledge about distillation, ingredients, and regional varieties. Instead, it's more important that you have a comprehensive grasp of your own palate so you don't invest serious cash in something you just don't like. However, some bottles on that high-up shelf are so good that they can't help but generate tons of mass appeal.
Top shelf doesn't have a firmly defined price point, but you can usually expect to spend at least $60 or so on a 750-milliliter bottle. While whiskey has an effectively limitless price ceiling and a fairly negotiable floor, this is where you start to discover a lot of craft distilleries or specialty batches from major labels. These generally have a more complex flavor profile as a result of high-quality ingredients and craftsmanship, earning them the nebulous title of "top shelf." While you may not be able to tell the difference between mass-produced brands like Jack Daniel's or Jim Beam, these bottles are usually quite distinct and can develop some serious followings.
Before you mix them into cocktails, be sure to experiment with them straight, on the rocks, and with water first. This lets you really appreciate their nuances and helps avoid wasting any on bad recipes. You may love a rye and Coke, but that new rye you got could be too peppery or have a different ratio of barley and corn in its mash that makes it taste foul with soda.
Read more: 19 Canned Meat Products That Are Definitely Worth Buying
Lot No. 40 proves great craft rye can be relatively affordable
Lot No. 40 rye whiskey is proof that some cheap whiskeys can have top-shelf taste. While not as easy to find as other bottles at its price point, it can run you roughly $40 a bottle. However, it's still considered top shelf thanks to its superior quality and craft distillation methods.
Made by Hiram Walker in Windsor, Ontario, this is about as no-nonsense as a high-end bottle can get. While its flavor isn't terribly complex, the tastes that are present are magnificent, so it's more like a fantastic cheeseburger than a high-quality steak. Sniffing a glass gets you a noseful of dark bread, cinnamon, and buttery notes, with a taste that's not nearly as astringent as other ryes. This is pretty surprising considering it's made from 90% unmalted Canadian rye and 10% malted rye and distilled in old-school copper pot stills, but somehow Hiram Walker makes it work.
If you're looking for a higher-end rye to use in special-occasion cocktails, Lot No. 40 is a solid choice. While maybe not quite the best liquor on this list for sipping straight or on the rocks, it still deserves a place on the top shelf thanks to its solid quality, reliably low price point, and the quintessentially Canadian flavor it gets from aging for a minimum of three years.
Redbreast offers Scotch-like complexity
When most people think about Irish whiskey, they tend to focus only on Jameson. However, Jameson's parent company, Pernod Ricard, also has a higher-end label called Redbreast, which is a major upgrade that's well worth the roughly $65 price.
This style of traditional Single Pot Still Irish whiskey uses a mix of malted barley and unmalted barley, which provides a signature spice, deep grain flavor, and a rich, creamy texture. All Irish whiskey must be aged for at least three years, but Redbreast quadruples that and uses a combination of bourbon and sherry casks to deliver some extra oomph. The bourbon adds a bit more sweetness than you'd find in most Irish whiskeys, and sherry is always a whiskey winner thanks to its distinctly fruity notes. Most Irish whiskeys balance dry and silky finishes, but Redbreast's traditional pot still process ensures it sits on the silkier side, coating your tongue whether you're sipping it straight or in a cocktail.
Between its range of flavors and textures, each glass tastes a bit like a toasted slice of fruitcake, rich in yeast, grain, and white grape. While it may be a bit more difficult to find, this Irish whiskey is as complex as any Scotch at the same price point and as easy to sip as similarly priced bourbons. It's a fantastic after-dinner indulgence when enjoyed straight, but all those sherry notes help it pair beautifully with the orange peel and bitters in an old fashioned.
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Hibiki Japanese Harmony is the perfect gateway to Japanese whisky
Japanese whisky is a relatively new phenomenon compared to the centuries, sometimes millennia, of whisky-making culture in Europe and America. However, Suntory has swiftly become one of the most globally recognized producers of high-quality whisky, and if you're curious to try some, its Hibiki Japanese Harmony is the place to start.
Suntory's entire Hibiki product range embodies everything that sets Japanese whisky apart from American whiskey: balance, blends, and harmony. Just like blended Scotch, Harmony's real flavor comes from the different whiskies used in its creation. Unlike Scotch, it's far lighter, brighter, and lacks the peat and smoke flavors that folks either hate or love. At around $70 to $100 a bottle, it's on the higher end of top-shelf whisky that most people can reasonably afford, but it's well worth it.
With Harmony, you can taste every step of its creation. While all aged whisky carries plenty of woody notes, Harmony's is especially unique thanks to the four different oaks used in its aging casks: North American white oak, Spanish oak, French oak, and mizunara oak. If other whiskies are like smelling a tree, Harmony is like sniffing a whole forest at once. Easy to sip, highly approachable for even non-whisky enthusiasts, and great on the rocks, it's a high-end sipping whisky that's worth it for special occasions.
Angel's Envy Finished Rye is a work of creative genius
Rye whiskeys are usually pretty straightforward, developing subtle nuances in flavor from their blend of malted and unmalted grains, aging, and distillation method. As such, people who love ryes will usually love any rye you put in front of them, and people who can't stand them may never see the appeal.
Angel's Envy Finished Rye, however, is one for the rye haters. Aged for up to 18 months in Caribbean rum casks, the distiller manages to infuse it with incredible levels of tropical sweetness without overriding the subtle notes of black pepper and oak common in American ryes. It lacks much of the acerbic, sharp finish you'd expect from this type of whiskey, instead having a silkier, mellow mouthfeel more like a shot of Captain Morgan. At roughly $75 a bottle, the ingenious uniqueness alone makes it worth the price, even before you get into its great flavor.
It's easy to sip on the rocks and dynamite in simple cocktails like Sazeracs and highballs. While most cocktails call for bourbon when they need sweetness, Angel's Envy Finished Rye makes a great substitute thanks to its rum-like brown sugar notes combined with the classic, full-bodied flavor of aged whiskey. While this may not be an everyday sort of liquor, it offers something different on special occasions for those who may not care much for Scotch but still want something complex.
The Dalmore 15 is a versatile, premium Scotch investment
Of all whisky, Scotch probably has the widest range of prices, going all the way up to a 60-year-old bottle of The Macallan that sold for $2.7 million. Still, a good bottle of Scotch often costs around $80 to $100. While some may feel leery of spending even more than that, if you want a high-quality bottle for sipping straight or on the rocks on special occasions, we recommend a 15-year-old Dalmore.
At an average price of around $125, it's certainly the priciest liquor on this list. However, it also makes buying Scotch quite easy. Deciding whether you want a blended or single malt, smoky or not, dry or sweet, or something to drink on the rocks, straight, or with a couple of drops of water are all major factors that can
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Yorkshire distilleries collaborate on blended whisky - “It was a straight-forward decision for us to help out a fellow distillery in need” - Insider Media Ltd
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Preservation Distillery has garnered more and more attention from bourbon drinkers throughout the 2020s, and with good reason. Its portfolio is unique in today’s American whiskey landscape, combining the distillery’s own distilled stocks with a dwindling supply of exceptionally old bourbon laid down during an era when no one wanted it.
Older barrels from before the bourbon boom have long helped define brands like Very Olde St. Nick, but as those stocks slowly disappear, Preservation’s own whiskey is playing a larger role. Immaculata 2026 brings both sides of Preservation’s story together, blending the distillery’s own bourbon with significantly older Kentucky stocks.
Whiskey From A Bourbon Pioneer
Over the last 40 years, Marci Palatella’s patience and foresight have put Preservation Distillery in an advantageous position. The distillery’s legacy stocks may be diminishing over time, but the fact that any producer has enough heritage whiskey left for regular commercial release is astounding.
Palatella’s contribution to the bourbon industry began in the 1980s, when bourbon was barely an afterthought for American consumers. Despite a depressed domestic market, she recognized and commercialized many of the attributes that would later define premium American whiskey. Older age statements, barrel-strength bottlings, non-chill filtration, single barrels, micro-batches and distinctive packaging led to sustained success in export markets like Japan and Europe.
Palatella bought cases of old whiskey wholesalers couldn’t move, formed a distribution company called International Beverage and exported them overseas. Once those supply lines dried up, she began sourcing barrels in Kentucky and elsewhere. Even as the bourbon industry slowed production, there were still plenty of old barrels that producers were happy to part with at a discount.
The 1990s sowed the seeds for bourbon’s recovery, but real growth didn’t occur until after the turn of the century. The decline was still evident in 1998, when the Los Angeles Times reported that bourbon had fallen from roughly 40% of U.S. liquor sales in earlier decades to just 8%.
As the market picked up rapidly in the 21st century, Palatella had every excuse to unleash her vast stocks of legacy whiskey to a new generation of insatiable bourbon consumers. Instead, she chose to slow-roll her vintage whiskey releases, which remains a major point of differentiation for Preservation today.
A Unique Blending Challenge
Made from 8-year-old wheated pot still bourbon, 10-year-old high-rye bourbon and 19-year-old sourced Kentucky bourbon, Immaculata 2026’s component parts span multiple ages, sources and distillation styles.
Compared with the column stills used by most major bourbon producers, pot stills retain more fermentation-derived congeners, resulting in a heavier, more textural spirit. Preservation took this one step further, using a wheated mash bill as one of this expression’s component parts. Wheat and rye typically serve opposite functions in a bourbon, increasing the complexity of the task at hand.
Blending vastly different whiskies like those used in Immaculata required dozens of iterations over several months. The team eventually settled on a final blend for Lot #1, with future lots planned from the barrels set aside for this project.
While not bottled at its batch strength of 121 proof, the final bottling proof of 118.2 allows for a bold, full-bodied pour that the team felt gave the best sensory presentation.
Very Olde St. Nick Ancient Cask “Immaculata” Tasting Notes
This whiskey appears copper in the glass.
On the nose, I find notes of caramel hard candy, dark chocolate, sweet cinnamon stick, unfinished basement, puff pastry, a hint of fresh basil, Cara Cara orange, vanilla bean, plum, peanut shells and Fun Dip stick. With water, additional notes of graham cracker, Twizzlers, and charcoal briquette emerge.
Immaculate is thick and oily on the palate, including notes of chocolate cupcake with peanut butter frosting, dried apple chips, sharp baking spice, vanilla ice cream, leather, pipe tobacco and chocolate-covered strawberry. With water, I find nougat, understeeped Darjeeling tea, toasted oak, almond biscotti, and, unless my taste buds are playing a trick on me, an unexpected hint of ripe kiwi.
The finish opens with herbal and earthy notes up front, followed by deep oak, dried fig, white pepper, cherry pits, caramel drizzle, cinnamon raisin bread, and a touch of mint. Water brings more rich caramel forward, along with cotton candy, baked apple, more chocolate, and a bit of wood smoke.
This whiskey is absolutely wild. I am simultaneously familiar and unfamiliar with the sensory experience this bourbon presents. Every sniff and sip unlocks a new avenue of flavor, from sugary sweets to citrus to orchard fruit to earthiness and herbal spice.
I can tell that the pot-still bourbon is doing its fair share of the work in this blend, but the (assumed) small amount of 19-year-old bourbon is still an important piece of the flavor puzzle, adding antique notes that keep this bourbon from skewing too heavily toward an overwhelming fruity, pastry-sweet profile.
Every time I revisit this whiskey, new layers of flavor are revealed, and it’s an absolute pleasure uncovering all the secrets Immaculata has to offer.
This will undoubtedly be among my favorite whiskies of 2026.
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Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Jameson announces the US launch of its Distiller’s Batch single pot still Irish whiskey - The Whisky Wire
愛爾蘭威士忌銷量第一品牌 Jameson 於美國推出 Distiller's Batch（46% ABV），這款單一鍋式愛爾蘭威士忌採用波本桶、Oloroso 雪莉桶及多種橡木桶熟成，開價 $49.99 美元。此款酒由中倫酒廠首席蒸餾師 Kevin O'Gorman 打造，靈感源自 1826 年創辦人 John Jameson II 手寫的配方，以慶祝 Jameson 超過 200 年的威士忌製造傳統。風味層次豐富，帶有烤橡木、蜂窩、鹹焦糖、黑巧克力和香料的複雜風味。產品將於 9 月起在美國精選專賣店販售。
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Jameson has announced the US launch of Distiller’s Batch, a release celebrating more than 200 years of whiskey making by the world’s number one Irish whiskey brand.
Jameson Distiller’s Batch (46% ABV) is a single pot still Irish whiskey, matured in a combination of ex-Bourbon, Oloroso Sherry, virgin Irish, and European and American oak casks.
Single Pot Still is the quintessential style of Irish whiskey-making – triple-distilled in copper pot stills from a mash of malted and unmalted barley, and produced nowhere else in the world. It is the tradition that shaped the earliest Jameson whiskeys and the inspiration behind Distiller’s Batch today.
Crafted by Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman at Midleton Distillery, Jameson Distiller’s Batch is said to deliver a rich flavour profile, opening with notes of toasted oak, honeycomb, salted caramel and warming baking spices, followed by layers of dark chocolate, spicy toffee, cinnamon, ginger and orange peel.
Commenting on Jameson Distiller’s Batch, Kevin O’Gorman, said: “Two hundred years ago, one of the very first Jameson recipes was crafted in the Single Pot Still tradition – a legacy we discovered in a mash bill handwritten by John Jameson II in a pocket notebook dated 1826, which is still kept in our archive in Midleton. Distiller’s Batch is our way of celebrating that origin story. Bringing together five cask types is a careful balancing act, and each contributes something to the final whiskey. The result is an expression with real character that still feels unmistakably Jameson.”
Jameson Distiller’s Batch will be available from September through selected specialist retailers in the US, for a RRP of $49.99.
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Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Reddit's Highest-Rated Top-Shelf Whiskey Isn't From George T. Stagg Or Bardstown Bourbon Company - AOL.com
根據Reddit Bourbon論壇的資料庫分析，超過3,700名評論者提交的46,000份評論中，2024年發行的Russell's Reserve 15 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey以9.1分（滿分10分，55份評論）獲得最高評分。這款由Master Distiller Eddie Russell打造的波本威士忌酒精度117.2%，在肯塔基州Camp Nelson酒庄陳年15年，採用75%玉米、13%黑麥和12%麥芽大麥釀製。零售價$250美元（約台幣7,800元）以上，在次級市場價格更高，風味層次豐富，備受資深威士忌愛好者推崇。
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Reddit's Highest-Rated Top-Shelf Whiskey Isn't From George T. Stagg Or Bardstown Bourbon Company
Reddit is the ultimate forum for crowd-sourced knowledge and opinions, especially when it comes to food and drinks. With over 91,000 weekly visitors, the Bourbon subreddit is a place for serious bourbon connoisseurs to discuss all about bourbon, rye, and American whiskey. One dedicated member created a database of reviews from the subreddit, with over 46,000 total reviews from more than 3,700 reviewers. Although George T. Stagg and Bardstown Bourbon Company raked in the second and third spots, respectively, the highest-rated top shelf whiskey was the 2024 release of Russell's Reserve 15 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey with a score of 9.1 based on 55 reviews.
Russell's Reserve 15 Year Old bourbon, part of a limited 2024 release, is the product of Master Distiller Eddie Russell. It boasts a whopping 117.2% proof (which is the amount of alcohol present in the beverage). Aged for a decade and a half at the Camp Nelson maturation campus in Kentucky, the bourbon is made from 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley. While the overall quantity of bottles released from this special batch is unknown (or possibly even purposefully kept a secret), speculation is high that it's a small amount. Thus, the 15 Year Old bourbon is considered to be rare and expensive, costing well over the $250 retail price in the secondary market. This highly-lauded and highly-priced beverage isn't exactly a Bourbon for beginners.
Read more: The 25 Best Bourbon Brands, Ranked
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An exclusive release 15 years in the making
One Reddit user reviewed Russell's Reserve 15 Year Old bourbon for their 100th review. They gave it an in-depth and almost scientific look, and the 15-year aged whiskey ended up with a 10/10 rating, even at a retail price of $250. The reviewer poetically describes the taste of the aged whiskey as having a "viscous mouthfeel," with notes of "caramelized brown sugar, dark chocolate, toasted oak, cherries, apricots, toffee, and butterscotch." The reviewer continues to describe the next layer of flavor notes, invoking flavors of "black tea, nutmeg, cloves, and orange peel, as cinnamon spice develops mid-sip," before eventually just saying that the bourbon is amazing. They finish the lengthy, thoughtful review by saying that the finishing taste of the alcohol is "outstanding and one of the best I've had."
Another review of the beverage on the Bourbon subreddit calls the 2024 release "powerful, in a pleasant and comforting way," further describing the liquor as "a combination of all of the good flavors in a classic bourbon, just amped up – darker, more brooding, but also refined." Another Redditor supported the review's perfect score, calling it an "absolutely amazing pour" and "a rare one that's worth the hefty price for me." For the more astute and dedicated bourbon drinkers out there, check out our list of other rare and allocated bourbons that every collector must have to see what you may need to add to your list.
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Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：First look inside Louisville's new members-only bourbon lounge | Exclusive - The Courier-Journal
路易斯維爾威士忌愛好者有了新去處。創辦人 Sherri Carter 經過一年多的籌備與裝修，將一棟空置建築改造成高端會員制威士忌酒廊，即將開放會員參訪。該酒廊融合品酒空間與社交場景，展現美國威士忌文化的另一面向，預期成為當地威士忌愛好者的聚集地。
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BOURBON
First look inside Louisville's new members-only bourbon lounge | Exclusive
Olivia Evans
Louisville Courier Journal
Aug. 12, 2026, 5:06 a.m. ET
After more than a year of quietly blending whiskey, renovating an empty building space, and working behind the scenes, Sherri Carter is ready to pull back the curtains and start welcoming visitors to a new members-only whiskey lounge.
Garrison Brothers has announced that its 2026 Cowboy Bourbon will be released at its distillery in Hye, Texas, on Saturday, September 12, 2026. The first 1,000 bottles of the cask-strength, uncut, and unfiltered Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey will go on sale at 8 a.m. that day.
The 2026 edition marks the 12th release of Cowboy Bourbon. It was bottled at 141 proof, with 16,000 bottles produced.
Each barrel was hand-selected by Master Distiller Donnis Todd and aged for at least eight years. The marked barrels are set aside for additional maturation in the Texas climate.
The official tasting notes from the brand describe a profile that opens with burnt wood and gun smoke before giving way to a warming finish layered with dried stone fruit and caramelized sugar.
“It comes on strong at first, but the depth of flavor quickly draws you in,” said Donnis Todd, Master Distiller at Garrison Brothers Distillery. “A lasting flood of warmth gives way to layers of dried fruit and toasted marshmallows, creating a bold Texas finish that keeps you coming back for another sip.”
First released in 2013, Cowboy Bourbon helped put Garrison Brothers and Texas on the national bourbon map.
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The distillery’s 2025 Cowboy Bourbon earned a Platinum medal at the 2026 ASCOT Awards and a Double Gold medal at the 2026 SIP Awards.
The 2026 Cowboy Bourbon will be available at select bars, restaurants, and retailers nationwide from October 1, 2026, at a suggested retail price of $249.99.
A limited allocation of 279 bottles will also be sold through the Garrison Brothers e-commerce store from Friday, September 18, 2026, with purchases limited to one bottle per order. Engraving will be available.
The September 12 release event is family and dog-friendly. Guests can enjoy live music, bottle signings, specialty cocktails, bourbon tastings, and distillery tours.
Founded in 2006 by Dan and Nancy Garrison, Garrison Brothers is the first and oldest legal whiskey distillery in Texas. Its bourbon first entered the market in 2010 and is now available nationwide and in five countries, with more than 800 awards to its name.
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Beyoncé Bought Moët Hennessy’s Stake in SirDavis Whisky - vinetur.com
碧昂絲已買下LVMH旗下Moët Hennessy在SirDavis American Whisky的股份，取得該品牌完全控制權。SirDavis於2024年推出，原為碧昂絲與Moët Hennessy的合資案，建議零售價為美國$89（約台幣2,800元）。此舉結束了約兩年的共同經營，讓碧昂絲獨自掌控品牌策略、通路及全球擴展。業界分析指出，大型飲料集團正評估投資組合，此交易反映Moët Hennessy決定聚焦核心品牌。對碧昂絲而言，完全掌控可強化品牌認同與長期價值，但也需自行處理通路、物流等實務挑戰。
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2026-08-12
Beyoncé has taken full control of SirDavis American Whisky after buying Moët Hennessy’s stake in the brand, ending a joint venture that brought together one of the world’s largest luxury drinks groups and one of the most influential figures in popular culture.
LVMH, the French luxury company that owns Moët Hennessy, confirmed the sale on Monday in Paris, following earlier reports in trade publications. The company did not disclose the size of the stake it sold, the price of the transaction or any information on sales, volumes, valuation or profitability.
The deal changes the ownership structure of a whiskey label that was developed with Moët Hennessy and launched in 2024. With the buyout, SirDavis moves from a shared venture to a brand fully controlled by Beyoncé, giving her sole authority over its strategy, distribution and future expansion in the United States and abroad.
The brand had been presented as a long-term collaboration. Trade reporting on the transaction said the two sides had worked together on SirDavis for several years before its release and described the project as a partnership spanning creation, development and launch. In a brief statement cited by industry outlets, a SirDavis spokesperson said the brand was beginning a new independent chapter and that Knowles-Carter was taking full ownership and control.
Neither Moët Hennessy nor representatives for the brand gave a reason for the change in ownership. LVMH declined to provide further details when confirming the transaction. That leaves unanswered why Moët Hennessy chose to exit an American whiskey brand that it had helped build from the ground up and had continued to expand into new markets.
SirDavis entered the market at a time when celebrity-backed alcohol brands were becoming a regular part of the spirits business. Large drinks and luxury groups have increasingly used celebrity partnerships to reach younger consumers, build premium positioning and create brands with immediate global recognition. LVMH itself has experience with that model through its relationship with Jay-Z, Beyoncé’s husband, in Armand de Brignac Champagne.
SirDavis was positioned as a premium American whiskey and drew part of its identity from Beyoncé’s family history. Trade reports said the name refers to her great-grandfather. When the bottle was introduced, it was first distributed in the United States and the United Kingdom through retail channels, with selected airport placements in the United States. The suggested retail price was reported at $89 in the American market and £79 in Britain.
Moët Hennessy later widened the brand’s reach. In April 2025, the company extended SirDavis into Asia’s global travel retail market, adding an important channel for premium spirits that depend on visibility with international travelers. That expansion was accompanied by a digital marketing campaign in the region.
The sale means those next decisions will now be made under Beyoncé’s control alone. For celebrity founders, full ownership can offer more freedom over brand identity, product development, partnerships and the pace of geographic expansion. It can also allow a founder to keep a tighter hold on long-term value if a brand grows. At the same time, leaving a large corporate partner can raise practical questions about distribution support, logistics and access to international sales networks, especially in a category as competitive as American whiskey.
The transaction also comes as major drinks companies continue to review their portfolios carefully. Spirits groups have been under pressure in several markets from slower consumer spending, cautious retailer inventories and uneven demand for higher-priced bottles. Companies have responded by focusing more sharply on brands they see as core, while looking harder at ventures that may take longer to scale. LVMH did not connect its decision on SirDavis to any broader portfolio review, and there is no public financial data on the brand that would show how it performed under the partnership.
Moët Hennessy’s own recent results had shown some improvement. According to trade reporting, the division posted a second straight quarter of revenue growth in 2026, with a 5% increase in the second quarter after a similar gain in the first. Even so, the company’s decision to leave SirDavis suggests that growth in the wider portfolio did not automatically guarantee a long-term role for every new brand inside the business.
For Beyoncé, the buyout gives her full ownership of a label that was built around her name, story and audience from the beginning. For Moët Hennessy, it marks an exit from a branded American whiskey project that had been part of a broader push to connect luxury drinks with celebrity entrepreneurship.
What remains unclear is how the change will alter the brand’s next phase. No new distribution plan, production update or product expansion has been announced. The parties have also not said whether the current markets, pricing and travel retail strategy will remain in place under the new structure.
What is known is that SirDavis is no longer a joint venture. After roughly two years on the market, it is now wholly owned by Beyoncé.
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon Returns With Limited-Edition 141-Proof Whiskey - maxim.com
德州首家合法波本威士忌酒廠 Garrison Brothers 將於9月12日推出第12屆年度 Cowboy Bourbon，這款高度不割水威士忌酒精度高達141 Proof，限量16,000瓶。該酒款在德州 Hill Country 極端炎熱乾燥環境中至少陳年8年，由首席蒸餾師 Donnis Todd 親手甄選。初期1,000瓶於德州 Hye 酒廠當天優先販售，之後於9月18日推出限量279瓶線上販售，10月1日起全美零售通路上市，建議零售價 $249.99 USD。風味層次豐富，初聞帶焦木與槍煙香氣，後續展現乾石果、烤棉花糖與焦糖甜感。
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Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon Returns With Limited-Edition 141-Proof Whiskey
The 12th annual edition of the powerfully uncut Texas whiskey drops September 12.
Garrison Brothers, Texas’s first legal bourbon distillery, has officially slated September 12 for the release of its 12th annual Cowboy Bourbon. The highly sought-after, hand-crafted spirit will ride again when it launches at the distillery’s Hye, Texas location that morning, where the first 1,000 bottles will be available to early-bird buyers.
Hand-selected by Master Distiller Donnis Todd, the covetable whiskey drop was aged for at least eight years in the extremely hot and dry Texas Hill Country climate. Bottled uncut, unfiltered, and at an intensely powerful 141 proof, this year’s batch yielded just 16,000 bottles.
The 2026 expression opens with “distinctive aromas of burnt wood and gunsmoke” before maturing into a complex profile of “dried stone fruit, toasted marshmallows, and caramelized sugar,” according to the Texas whiskey brand.
“It comes on strong at first, but the depth of flavor quickly draws you in,” said Todd in a statement shared by the whiskey maker. “A lasting flood of warmth gives way to layers of dried fruit and toasted marshmallows, creating a bold Texas finish that keeps you coming back for another sip.”
The Cowboy Bourbon launch event at the distillery will feature live music, food, specialty cocktails, and bottle signings. Following the initial Hye release, a limited online run of 279 bottles will go live on September 18, followed by nationwide retail distribution on October 1 at a suggested retail price of $249.99.
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Scientists unlock the secret to mango notes in whisky
Researchers at Heriot-Watt University have identified the chemical compounds responsible for tropical fruit aromas in certain malt whiskies.
A study carried out at Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt University, in partnership with Japanese drinks company Kirin, has uncovered the compounds responsible for the development of mango-like aromas in whisky.
PhD student Takehiko Hiura analysed 14 commercially available whiskies from Scotland and Ireland to identify the specific aldehydes and acetals that remind us of tropical fruit.
Professor Annie Hill from the university’s International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD) said: “Fruity notes like banana, apple and pear have long been linked to esters, which are produced during fermentation. But we didn’t know where the mango flavour was coming from – and now we do.”
The breakthrough moment in the study came when the research team identified a whisky highly reminiscent of mangos and found it to be rich in the volatile organic compounds isobutyraldehyde, isovaleraldehyde and isovaleraldehyde diethyl acetal.
They then demonstrated that by introducing these molecules to samples of whisky with few tropical fruit notes, they could increase the presence of the elusive mango aroma significantly.
Dr Calum Holmes, associate professor of brewing and distilling at the ICBD, said: “The compounds that we found contribute to tropical notes, the aldehydes and acetals, aren’t new to whisky, they’re well understood.
“For whisky producers, that’s good news: it means they can hopefully dial up or tone down tropical aromas by manipulating existing process steps.”
With the origins of tropical fruit character in whisky now better understood, producers may be better able to tune their spirits to display mango-esque character.
Heriot-Watt has previously published research on topics including the impact of climate change on juniper berries and the flavour of gin, and the viability of aluminium as an alternative to glass in whisky bottles.
It is currently in the process of raising £35 million (US$47.3m) for a new Centre for Sustainable Brewing and Distilling.
Related news
Heriot-Watt seeks £35m for new distilling centre
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：How the sausage got made on Stetson's stunt bourbon - fingers.email
Stetson 牛仔帽公司與 Bardstown Bourbon Company 和 Green River Distilling Co. 聯合推出 Stetson Kentucky Straight Bourbon。文章回顧了電視劇《Monarch》曾推出的 TruthTeller 1839 Bourbon 等品牌跨界案例，指出將劇集人氣轉化為市場競爭力強的酒款困難重重。在肯塔基州波本威士忌過剩的背景下，這類品牌聯名成為新趨勢，但成功率往往低於預期。
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🧢 Last call on “Vermouth Is The Truth” hats!
Just a couple of these suckers still left in inventory, and no re-up scheduled at the moment. Grab yours before it’s gone!
A few years ago, a short-lived television series called Monarch launched its own bourbon. Do you remember this? Of course you don’t. Why would you? Here’s Variety in September 2022 (emphasis added throughout):
Fox Entertainment, ReserveBar and Next Century Spirits have partnered to create TruthTeller 1839 Bourbon, based on the [Monarch] series’ character Albie Roman, known as the “Texas Truthteller.” The role is played by Trace Adkins. The double-barreled straight bourbon whiskey will be featured in a key storyline moment in an episode airing in November.
The show, launched in hopes of inoculating the median American network-TV viewer against the Yellowstone fever that was then raging, was a flop. I don’t even know what happened to TruthTeller 1839, or if it ever actually made it to market at meaningful scale. Retail listings for it have long since gone stale. This sort of Potemkin brand integration is tricky to pull off even under favorable conditions, and with whiskey-mania still very much in force, and The Sazerac Company splashing out for actual brand cameos in actual Yellowstone episodes, there wasn’t much of a lane. Hell, even Four Sixes Grit & Glory, the sippable spinoff bev-alc brand from one of Taylor Sheridan’s lesser cowboy LARPs, appears to have gone defunct: it gave up the ghost on Instagram in September 2025 after posting some of the most depressing promotional images this side of Real American Beer.
Spinning on-screen cachet into whole-cloth booze brands that can actually compete on real shelves against real labels at scale is a tough row to hoe. But there are other angles on this sort of tie-up, and brown-liquor market conditions have shifted significantly since those heady post-pandemic days. With Kentucky awash in surplus bourbon, it was only a matter of time until another heritage-y Americana brand took another run at its own vanity brand. Which brings us to (sigh) Stetson Kentucky Straight Bourbon.
Earlier this month, the cowboy hat company-turned-Manifest Destiny lifestyle brand announced it was launching a bourbon with mid-major Bardstown Bourbon Company (BBC) and its subsidiary, Green River Distilling Co. On cue, America’s brand-humping media corps sprung into action to breathlessly market the gimmick.
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Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Is Jack Daniels Considered Bourbon Or Whiskey? - AOL.com
傑克丹尼爾自稱為「田納西威士忌」而非波本威士忌，但實際上符合美國聯邦蒸餾烈酒身分認證中波本威士忌的所有要求。兩者的關鍵差異在於「林肯郡製程」——傑克丹尼爾在裝桶陳年前，將原酒逐滴通過十英尺厚的楓木木炭層進行mellowing（炭過濾軟化）。此外，傑克丹尼爾使用來自洞穴泉（Cave Spring Hollow）的天然地下水，富含石灰岩礦物質。簡言之，傑克丹尼爾技術上是波本威士忌，但因為獨特的製程和水源，被正式分類為田納西威士忌。
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Is Jack Daniels Considered Bourbon Or Whiskey?
When it comes to bourbon, people have opinions. Like, strong opinions. And one of those opinions at the top of the list is: what exactly should be considered bourbon? And that brings us to the point of this article — is Jack Daniels a bourbon whiskey or not?
To start, Jack Daniels doesn't call itself a bourbon. All you have to do is ask them because they are very adamant that Jack Daniels is a "Tennessee Whiskey." It's all over their branding. That said, don't tell them we told you, but Jack Daniels technically meets all the requirements to be a bourbon according to the Federal Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits, including its proof.
Bourbon starts with a combination of grain, yeast, and water. After the fermentation process, the leftover crushed grain is called a "mash." The "mash bill" is the specific types of grains used in making any particular whiskey. To be considered bourbon, the mash bill must have a minimum of 51% corn, though most have much higher. The liquid is then aged in charred oak barrels, and nothing else can be added other than water — no artificial flavorings, colorings, nothing.
So, all that said, why does Jack Daniels say it's not a bourbon?
Read more: 13 Popular Side Dishes From The 1960s Your Grandparents Used To Love
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It's all about the charcoal
What sets Jack Daniels — and any other "Tennessee Whiskey" — apart is what is called the Lincoln County Process.Before going into new oak barrels to age, "Jack Daniel's is dripped slowly – drop-by-drop – through ten feet of firmly packed charcoal (made from hard sugar maple)," according to the brand's website.
Though unrelated to whether it's a bourbon or whiskey, Jack Daniels is also unique in that it draws its water from Cave Spring Hollow, a natural underground water source on its property. The company says it draws 800 gallons of water from miles below the Earth's surface every minute. This 56-degree water also brings minerals from the cave's layered limestone walls that help make the Tennessee whiskey so unique.
To recap: Is Jack Daniel's a bourbon? Technically, yes. But is it also a Tennessee Whiskey? Yes, thanks to the Lincoln County Process of charcoal mellowing, it's branded as that as well. So, is that as clear as charcoal now?
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Scientists have found out what causes ‘tropical’ aromas in whisky
Researchers at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh have uncovered the source of ‘tropical’ or ‘mango’-like characteristics in whisky, meaning distillers could in future “dial up or tone down” the aromas as desired.
A joint project between Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt University and Japanese whisky maker Kirin has identified some of the chemical compounds that contribute to the development of mango-like aromas found in some Scottish and Irish whiskies.
“We didn’t know where the mango flavour was coming from – and now we do,” said Professor Annie Hill of Heriot-Watt’s international centre for brewing and distilling.
Crucial compounds
During the study, 14 whiskies from Scotland and Ireland were examined, and it was found that the presence of aldehydes and acetals (compounds commonly found in whisky) increased tropical aromas.
One whisky contained particularly high levels of three such key compounds: isobutyraldehyde, isovaleraldehyde and isovaleraldehyde diethyl acetal. And when researchers added these same compounds to a whisky that had low-level mango aromas, it was found that they increased the tropical scent “substantially.”
Manipulating the process
The research, published in the Journal of the American Society of Brewing Chemists, will help distillers to “dial up or tone down” tropical characteristics as required, said Dr Callum Holmes of Heriot-Watt University.
“The compounds that we found contribute to tropical notes, the aldehydes and acetals, aren’t new to whisky, they’re well understood,” he said.
“For whisky producers, that’s good news: it means they can hopefully dial up or tone down tropical aromas by manipulating existing process steps.”
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However, for producers of whiskies for whom ‘tropical’ has been a signature style such as Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon, The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve, and Cotswolds Signature Single Malt, it may mean that rival brands are now able to recreate a similar effect.
Kirin’s flagship brand is Fuji Japanese Whisky, with expressions in the range such as Fuji Single Malt and Fuji Single Blended Whisky frequently displaying distinctive tropical fruit aromas like pineapple and coconut.
Kirin’s pharmaceutical prowess
Interestingly, Kirin Holdings recently moved into pharmaceuticals, announcing in 2022 that it would make a £667 million investment in the field over the following three years. Helping to pay for this continued interest was Kirin’s sale of Four Roses Bourbon to E. & J. Gallo in April 2026 for US$775 million.
“We want to turn Kirin into a fermentation biotechnology company. We need to grow a new business while the beer segment is still healthy,” Yoshinori Isozaki, Kirin’s chief executive, told the Finanical Times.
In light of this, Kirin’s collaboration with Heriot-Watt University makes complete sense. Professor Annie Hall from the university’s brewing centre specialises in fermentation and distillery microflora, and has previously worked with other well-known spirits companies including Edinburgh Gin, Port of Leith Distillery, and Diageo.
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Not Jack Daniel's: The Best Bourbon Brand From Tennessee Is Surprisingly New
Many country singers lament about the fine whiskeys and bourbons produced in Tennessee, but at the end of the day, there are only so many brands that have truly made a name for themselves. When you think about those Tennessee whiskeys that meet all the requirements to classify as bourbon, you might be picturing Jack Daniel's or Benjamin Prichard's. Both are fine options for a nightcap, but we've had our eye on an unlikely competitor to steal the title of best bourbon brand from Tennessee: Uncle Nearest.
Even though this brand was only founded in 2017, it's already dominating the Tennessee whiskey market, which we discovered while highlighting the best bourbon brand from every state. Uncle Nearest is responsible for specially crafted bottles of premium Tennessee whiskey, including a toasted single-barrel whiskey, straight rye whiskey, a master blend whiskey, and everything in between. The company's 1884 Small Batch Whiskey, arguably its most popular bottle, is known for its silky texture, and smoky, caramel-forward flavor profile with notes of chocolate and cinnamon, compared to Jack Daniel's signature Old No. 7, which is known for a more woodsy, vanilla taste. A glass of Uncle Nearest 1884 will leave you with a smooth, lingering aftertaste, while a glass of Old No. 7 has a shorter, drier finish. Uncle Nearest's signature bottle also boasts a higher proof than Jack Daniel's, coming in at 93 proof, compared to JD's Old No. 7, which comes in at 80 proof.
Uncle Nearest is turning heads
The Uncle Nearest name pays homage to the man that many credit as the father of American whiskey. Nathan "Nearest" Green was the first African American master whiskey distiller in the country and the man who taught Jack Daniel himself how to distill the liquor. Though history didn't keep a detailed record of Green's contributions to American whiskey, his name is well-known among distillers and caught the attention of future founder Fawn Weaver. Weaver traveled to Tennessee to speak with Green's relatives, where she connected with Green's great-great-granddaughter, Victoria Eady Butler, and named her master blender. Thus, Uncle Nearest's premium whiskey was born. Weaver would go on to become the founder of one of the most successful women-owned whiskey and bourbon brands to keep an eye on.
When it comes to making Uncle Nearest, the company's master blender and team of specialists utilize the traditional Lincoln County Process, which involves filtering the whiskey through sugar maple charcoal and leaving it to age in charred oak barrels. This is a common practice, one also used in Jack Daniel's whiskey. The overlap is understandable, considering Green once taught Daniels how to distill the liquor, but Weaver's company is taking a fresh leap at the time-honored tradition. The brand, at present, boasts more than 1,000 awards for its bourbons and American whiskeys, including the Double Gold award from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (received four years in a row) and the Master Medal from American Whiskey Masters.
RALEIGH, NC, Aug. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American whiskey consumers have more choices than ever. From Kentucky bourbon and Tennessee whiskey to a wave of craft distilleries across the country, the modern spirits landscape has become increasingly diverse, and consumer preferences are evolving with it.
A growing number of whiskey enthusiasts are looking beyond established categories for products with a stronger connection to place, history, and authenticity. For North Carolina based Cook's Mill Whiskey, that shift is helping drive renewed interest in regional whiskey traditions, including the revival of Carolina Whiskey.
Consumers Are Looking Beyond Traditional Whiskey Categories
For decades, conversations about American whiskey were dominated by a handful of established regions. Today, many consumers are actively exploring smaller producers and regional whiskey traditions that offer something different. Industry observers, including trade organizations such as the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States and the American Craft Spirits Association, have pointed to sustained growth in craft spirits and to rising consumer interest in the stories behind what they drink. Several forces contribute to the same trend: interest in local products, curiosity about whiskey history, appreciation for craftsmanship, a desire for authentic brand stories, and growing awareness of regional food and beverage cultures. As a result, consumers increasingly ask not only how a whiskey is made, but where it comes from and what story it represents.
This behavior mirrors what happened in wine, where consumers learned to associate specific regions with distinctive styles and traditions. Whiskey enthusiasts are now applying the same curiosity to American spirits, asking how geography, climate, grain, and local history shape a bottle. That framing benefits producers with a documented regional story, and it is one reason interest in craft bourbon in North Carolina, and in regional whiskey more broadly, has continued to build.
This is happening against a backdrop of steady premiumization in American spirits. Even as overall volumes shift, consumers have shown a willingness to trade up for products they perceive as higher in quality, craft, and meaning. Trade groups that track distilled spirits have described this pattern for several years, and it favors brands that can justify a premium with something substantive. A documented regional story, a heritage-driven identity, and a credible connection to place are exactly the kinds of substance that support premium craft bourbon and Carolina Whiskey.
Regional Identity Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage
Across many categories, consumers place greater value on products that reflect a strong sense of place, and the same pattern is emerging in whiskey. Whether the driver is agricultural influence, local ingredients, historical context, or cultural tradition, regional identity helps create a deeper connection between a brand and its customers. For North Carolina, that identity includes generations of farming traditions, grain cultivation, independent communities, and whiskey production that stretches back centuries. Those characteristics provide a foundation for the continued growth of Carolina Whiskey as a distinct regional category and for North Carolina bourbon as part of that story.
North Carolina bourbon illustrates the point. A bourbon can meet the same federal standards as any other and still carry a distinct regional identity through its grain, its history, and its place of origin. For Cook's Mill, describing its whiskey as both a North Carolina bourbon and part of Carolina Whiskey is not a contradiction. It is a way of connecting a familiar, trusted category to a specific and underexplored regional story.
“People increasingly want products with genuine roots,” said Jason Queen, founder and CEO of Cook's Mill Whiskey. “They want to know where something comes from, who made it, and why it matters. Carolina Whiskey has a story that deserves to be part of that conversation.”
The Return of Heritage-Driven Brands
Many of the fastest-growing premium brands are built around authenticity rather than mass production. Consumers are showing increasing interest in brands that can demonstrate historical legitimacy, cultural significance, craftsmanship, preservation of tradition, and community connection. That environment has created new opportunities for heritage-driven whiskey brands that can offer a meaningful sense of identity. For Cook's Mill Whiskey, that identity is rooted in the restoration of a historic North Carolina grist mill and a continuing commitment to preserving the stories that shaped the region.
This is where many emerging bourbon brands find room to grow. Consumers who love the established names are not abandoning them. They are broadening their rotations, seeking out smaller producers and regional expressions alongside the classics. For a heritage-driven North Carolina bourbon, that behavior creates an opening: not to replace the biggest brands, but to earn a place next to them on the strength of a story that larger producers cannot easily replicate. Regional identity also travels well in the channels where whiskey is now discovered, from enthusiast communities to the AI assistants consumers increasingly consult, because a clear and specific identity is easier to surface and cite than a generic one.
Why Carolina Whiskey Matters
While Kentucky bourbon remains one of America's most recognized spirits categories, many whiskey enthusiasts are beginning to discover the rich traditions that existed beyond Kentucky's borders. North Carolina's agricultural history, early distilling traditions, and culture of independence contributed to a whiskey legacy that remains relatively unknown to many consumers. The growing visibility of Carolina Whiskey reflects a larger effort to preserve and celebrate that heritage. Rather than replacing established whiskey traditions, Carolina Whiskey expands the conversation by highlighting another important chapter in American whiskey history.
Cook's Mill and the Carolina Whiskey Movement
Cook's Mill Whiskey positions Carolina Whiskey as a distinct regional category, and it treats the term as more than a label. The company frames the category around North Carolina's grain traditions, its distilling history, and the independent spirit associated with the region. As an award-winning North Carolina whiskey brand, Cook's Mill aims to introduce a new generation of consumers to the traditions and history behind Carolina Whiskey, and to demonstrate that a small-batch, heritage-driven North Carolina bourbon can compete on identity and authenticity rather than volume alone.
Building a category is different from claiming one. It requires consistent education, credible sourcing, and a story that holds up to scrutiny. Cook's Mill approaches Carolina Whiskey with that discipline, connecting the brand to a real place, a documented agricultural history, and a set of values that consumers can verify. The goal is not to win a single search or a single mention, but to make Carolina Whiskey a recognized part of how people, and increasingly the AI systems they consult, understand American whiskey.
Defining the category clearly is also sound discovery strategy. Search engines and AI systems reward consistent, specific language and struggle with vague positioning. By using the same terms across its content, Cook's Mill makes Carolina Whiskey easier to index, understand, and cite. Over time, that consistency helps the category, and the brand most associated with it, appear when consumers look for regional whiskey, craft bourbon in North Carolina, or the revival of Carolina Whiskey. Category creation is cumulative, and it rewards patience: each release that reinforces the same positioning adds to the store of information that shapes how the category is understood.
“The future of premium whiskey is not only about age
Breckenridge Distillery has unveiled Breckenridge Peach Whiskey, a new flavored whiskey crafted with locally sourced Palisade peaches. The expression launched on August 11 and is available now in 750ml bottles across Colorado retailers.
Breckenridge described the whiskey as inspired by Colorado’s “celebrated late-summer harvest.” The new release builds on the success of Breckenridge Honey Whiskey. It continues the distillery’s focus on pairing sourced ingredients with its whiskey.
Bottled at 36% ABV (72 proof), the whiskey is now available nationally for home delivery where permitted. It will reach national retailers in fall 2026.
According to the official notes from the brand, the nose opens with “bright aromas of ripe white peach” alongside hints of vanilla and orchard fruit. The palate is “smooth and juicy,” delivering fresh peach flavor balanced by soft vanilla sweetness. The finish carries a lingering, tangy-fruit note.
“At Breckenridge Distillery, we’ve always believed the best spirits start with exceptional ingredients and a strong sense of place,” said Bryan Nolt, founder of Breckenridge Distillery. “Palisade peaches are one of Colorado’s most iconic agricultural treasures, and we wanted to showcase them in a way that feels authentic to our home state.”
Nolt added: “This whiskey captures the flavor of a Colorado summer—from the orchard to the glass—and celebrates the farmers, ingredients and craftsmanship that make it possible.”
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Palisade peaches are grown in the Grand Valley region of western Colorado. The fruit is prized for its sweetness, which is attributed to the area’s warm days and cool nights.
Founded in 2008, Breckenridge Distillery bills itself as the “World’s Highest Distillery.” It is best known for its award-winning blended bourbon whiskey, a high-rye mash American-style whiskey.
The distillery has won 10 Best American Blended titles at the World Whiskies Awards. In 2024, Breckenridge Port Cask Finish was named World’s Best Finished Bourbon at the same competition. Breckenridge spirits have also secured seven Double Golds at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Amrut Distilleries has launched Amrut Kranthi, a new single malt whisky, across the US through importer PM Spirits at a suggested retail price of $39.99. Bottled non-chill filtered at 40% ABV, the release is the newest addition to the Bengaluru-based distiller’s single malt portfolio.
The whisky’s name signifies “revolution,” reflecting what the brand describes as “the spirit of a self-reliant India.” Kranthi continues Amrut’s two-decade legacy of pioneering Indian single malt whisky on the global stage.
The company positions the launch within the broader growth of the Indian single malt category. From the first case sold, the segment now represents nearly 700,000 cases and an estimated value of around $105 million.
Amrut said the whisky is “the result of years of research, global benchmarking, and patient craftsmanship to create a distinctly Indian single malt with world-class character.”
According to the brand, Kranthi is “equally crafted with consumers at its heart: a whisky designed to mark personal milestones, celebrate achievements, honour relationships, and accompany new beginnings.”
Rakshit N. Jagdale, managing director of Amrut Distilleries, said: “A confident nation cannot rely forever on borrowed symbols of prestige. The next chapter of global luxury will be shaped by Indian brands, Indian craftsmanship, and Indian self-belief.”
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He added: “With Kranthi, we celebrate a revolution in mindset — the belief that when the world looks for the finest, it can look to India, and to Amrut as a proud flag bearer of that new era.”
Jagdale also described the launch as “a tribute to my beloved father, Mr. Neelkanth Rao Jagdale, whose vision, courage, and pioneering spirit laid the foundation for India’s single malt journey.”
The official tasting notes from the brand describe an “expressive and fruit-forward” nose, with aromas of tropical fruits, subtle floral nuances, and a sweet citrus backbone reminiscent of pomelo.
On the palate, the whisky is “vibrant and fruit-driven on entry,” developing gentle tannins, creamy vanilla, and a light dusting of spice. The finish is “clean and refreshing.”
Founded in 1948 by the late Radhakrishna Jagdale, Amrut is part of the NR Jagdale Group. The distiller gained global recognition in 2009 when Amrut Fusion was named the third-best whisky in the world, a milestone that helped elevate Indian single malt internationally.
Chattanooga Whiskey has launched Moldovan Ice Wine Cask Finished, the eighth release in its Barrel Finishing Series. The expression arrives at the brand’s Experimental Distillery in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Thursday 13 August.
For this latest finish, the distillery selected ice wine, described as “one of the rarest sweet wines in the world.” The finishing barrels were sourced from one of Moldova’s oldest and most awarded wineries, set in the hills above the Black Sea.
Chattanooga Whiskey drew from its library of dozens of mash bills to match the character of the ice wine barrels.
“Ice wine grapes are left on the vine until they freeze solid, and are then handpicked and pressed while still frozen, yielding just a few precious drops of intensely flavored juice from each cluster,” said Grant McCracken, founding distiller. “Because of its intense flavor profile, we needed to pull out our most intensely flavored whiskeys – namely malt whiskey.”
To carry the character of the casks, the team assembled a blend of six mash bills: five malt whiskeys and one bourbon. The recipes draw from a range of toasted specialty malts, including a malted barley grown on Italy’s coast near Venice and two types of malted wheat.
“Since launching our Finishing Series in 2021, our distilling team’s aim has been simple: elevate both the whiskey and the finishing cask,” McCracken said. “Instead of sourcing finishing barrels broadly, we select barrels from specific regions – to showcase their unique terroir.”
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Aged for more than four years, including over a year in the finishing casks, the whiskey was bottled at 95 proof. Official tasting notes from the brand cite French toast, wildflower honey, toasted oak, cream soda, and candied ginger.
The release will be available at the Experimental Distillery on 13 August, priced at $59.99 for a 750ml bottle. It will also reach shelves in select US states, including Florida, Georgia, New York, and Texas, with limited quantities offered online via Seelbachs.com.
Founded in 2011, Chattanooga Whiskey was recently named Craft Producer of the Year for 2026 by Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky. The Experimental Distillery welcomes more than 50,000 visitors annually.
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Old Elk unveils 10YO whiskey trio
American whiskey brand Old Elk has released a collection of three 10-year-old expressions as the first major releases under Middle West Spirits’ ownership.
Ohio-based Middle West Spirits acquired the brand last May.
The collection consists of three Colorado-aged whiskeys: Straight Bourbon, Straight Wheat Whiskey, and Wheated Bourbon, all matured for 10 years.
Straight Bourbon is made with a high barley content, described as a departure from traditional mash bills. The recipe includes 51% corn, 34% malted barley, and 15% rye.
Bottled at 52.2% ABV, the Bourbon offers aromas of oak, fig jam, almond paste, cocoa powder, and honeycomb. The palate displays notes of fruits, caramel, and vanilla.
The second expression is a straight wheat whiskey, made with a mashbill of 96% wheat and 4% malted barley.
Offered at 51.5% ABV, it presents aromas of oak, baking spices, stewed apples, and brown sugar, with notes of peaches, apricots, sweet cream, and cinnamon on the palate.
Finally, Old Elk 10 Year Wheated Bourbon is made with 51% corn, 46% wheat, and 3% malted barley.
Sitting at 52.5% ABV, the whiskey leads with brown sugar, French vanilla ice cream, toasted hay, and caramel cream aromas, followed by chocolate pastries and vanilla custard on the palate.
All three whiskeys are priced at US$69.99 for a 750ml bottle.
In addition to the Middle West Spirits Distillery’s bottle store and the Old Elk website, the 10-year-old expressions are now available nationwide in the US.
Old Elk is a non-distiller producer founded in 2013 in Fort Collins, Colorado. The brand started producing whiskeys under an agreement with MGP Ingredients.
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Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Alpine Distilling debuts single malt tastings to celebrate America’s newest whiskey category - Park Record
Alpine Distilling在猶他州帕克城推出限時品酒體驗，邀請威士忌愛好者認識美國單一麥芽威士忌（American Single Malt Whiskey）。體驗包含兩款不同單桶表達的並列品酒、特製Old Fashioned雞尾酒和楓糖波本肉乾搭配，以及兩瓶Alpine Distilling單一麥芽威士忌帶回家。該品類於2025年1月獲美國稅務貿易局（TTB）官方認可後持續成長，Alpine Distilling的Single Malt採用100%北美麥芽製造，先陳年於密蘇里橡木桶再於法國橡木桶完成熟成，全程在猶他州完成。限量25組體驗套票。
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As American Single Malt Whiskey enters a new era of national recognition, Alpine Distilling is offering whiskey enthusiasts an opportunity to try the category firsthand through a limited-time experience at the Park City Social Aid & Pleasure Club on Main Street.
Designed for both seasoned whiskey enthusiasts and curious newcomers, the experience includes a side-by-side tasting of two distinct single malt expressions from separate barrels, a handcrafted Park City Old Fashioned paired with maple bourbon jerky, and two bottles of Alpine Distilling Single Malt Whiskey to take home.
“Our goal has always been to help people better understand what they’re tasting and why,” said Sara Sergent, CEO and master botanical distiller of Alpine Distilling. “This experience invites guests to explore how grain, barrel selection, aging and proof come together to shape the character of American Single Malt Whiskey while celebrating one of the fastest-growing categories in American whiskey.”
The offering comes as American Single Malt Whiskey continues to gain national attention following the establishment of the Tax and Trade Bureau’s official American Single Malt Whiskey standard of identity, which took effect in January 2025. Alpine Distilling’s Single Malt Whiskey, formerly released as Traveler’s Rest and awarded a double gold medal at The Fifty Best American Malt Whiskey Awards, is crafted from 100% North American malted barley, aged first in used Missouri oak barrels before finishing in charred French oak, and distilled, aged, and bottled entirely in Park City.
Guests will compare Alpine Distilling’s flagship Single Malt Whiskey with its limited-edition Barrel Proof Single Malt, a collector’s-edition expression produced entirely in Utah. The side-by-side tasting aims to highlight how barrel selection, proof and maturation influence aroma, texture and flavor while offering a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship behind each whiskey.
Only 25 experience packages are available. Reservations can be made online at tinyurl.com/3nnhwd5c.
The Bengaluru distillery’s latest whisky celebrates India’s growing role in luxury spirits while building on Amrut’s international single malt legacy.
INDIA – Amrut Distilleries Private Limited has launched AmrutKranthi, a new Indian single malt whisky positioned as a tribute to the evolution of Indian whisky and the country’s growing presence in the global luxury market.
Bottled at 40% ABV, AmrutKranthi is the latest expression from the Bengaluru-based distillery. The company said the whisky reflects years of research, global benchmarking and maturation expertise, combining Indian whisky-making traditions with international standards of craftsmanship.
According to Amrut, Kranthi draws on the distillery’s technical expertise in whisky production, including its experience with global whisky traditions, maturation science and flavour development. The use of Indian barley and maturation in India’s climate remains central to the company’s single malt style.
“A confident nation cannot rely forever on borrowed symbols of prestige. The next chapter of global luxury will be shaped by Indian brands, Indian craftsmanship, and Indian self-belief,” said Rakshit N. Jagdale, managing director of Amrut Distilleries.
“With Kranthi, we celebrate a revolution in mindset: the belief that when the world looks for the finest, it can look to India, and to Amrut as a proud flag-bearer of that new era,” he added.
The launch also pays tribute to the late Neelkanth Rao Jagdale, whose leadership helped establish Amrut’s international single malt credentials.
Amrut said India’s single malt category has expanded from its early stages into a market of nearly 700,000 cases, with an estimated value of about Rs 1,000 crore.
The distillery was among the early Indian producers to challenge Scotch whisky’s dominance in the global single malt category. Amrut Fusion’s international recognition, including its ranking among the world’s top whiskies in 2009, helped increase attention on Indian single malts.
The name Kranthi, meaning revolution and awakening, reflects the positioning of the new whisky around an increasingly self-confident India creating its own benchmarks in global luxury.
The company said the launch brought together guests from several nationalities and Indian states, reflecting international interest in Indian single malt whisky.
In June, the New Delhi-based Indian Malt Whisky Association introduced a mark of authenticity for domestically produced single malts meeting specified production and maturation standards.
Amrut also launched Expedition 15-year-old last year, described as the oldest Indian single malt whisky ever bottled. Indian spirits exports reached US$375 million in 2024, recording double-digit growth since 2022.
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Glenfiddich has unveiled a limited single cask release to mark its partnership with The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The Glenfiddich 14-Year-Old Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2026 Edition will be available exclusively through Royal Mile Whiskies from August 2026.
The whisky is drawn from a single first-fill bourbon cask. Glenfiddich Malt Master Brian Kinsman personally selected the cask. Bottled at natural cask strength of 61% ABV, the release is limited to just 230 bottles.
According to the official notes from the brand, sweet American oak delivers vanilla, caramel and toasted spice. These are balanced by the distillery’s hallmark orchard fruit flavors of pear and baked apple. On the palate, honeyed malt and toffee richness give way to warming oak spice and a long finish.
The release honors two Scottish institutions that have represented the country on the world stage. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has run for 76 years.
“This whisky is a celebration of Scotland at its very best,” said Dougal Gordon, Glenfiddich brand ambassador. “In 1961, Glenfiddich introduced Single Malt Scotch whisky to the world beyond Scotland, helping to transform the global whisky industry.”
Gordon added: “For more than 135 years, Glenfiddich has shared the craft and character of Scottish whisky with audiences around the globe, while The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has showcased Scotland’s music, culture and spirit to audiences across the globe for 76 years.”
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He continued: “This exclusive single cask celebrates two proud ambassadors of Scotland, united by a passion for sharing the country’s rich heritage with the world.”
Gordon described the whisky as “a fitting tribute to this unique partnership.”
Glenfiddich is owned by family-run distiller William Grant & Sons. The brand remains one of the world’s best-selling single malt Scotch whiskies.
The 2026 Edition carries a recommended retail price of £120 for the 70cl bottle. The whisky will also be available by the dram at Edinburgh’s The Glasshouse.
Google News（Scotch/Distillery）｜原題：A whisky-lovers guide to Scotland’s most drinkable island - NZ Herald
艾雷島（Islay）位於蘇格蘭西岸，面積約40×24公里，卻濃縮了蘇格蘭最負盛名的威士忌文化。島上擁有超過10家知名酒廠，包括Kilchoman（島上124年來首家新酒廠）、Ardnahoe、Caol Ila、Bunnahabhain、Bruichladdich、Bowmore、Laphroaig、Lagavulin和Ardbeg等。文章介紹了三條主要遊覽路線：西半島的農場式Kilchoman和Bruichladdich、Sound of Islay沿岸的三家酒廠，以及東南海岸著名的「三酒廠步道」（Three Distilleries Path）。新開幕的Ardbeg House精品飯店獲2026年泰晤士報最佳飯店獎。適合威士忌愛好者進行深度朝聖之旅。
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A dram from Ardnahoe Distillery, overlooking the Sound of Islay. Photo / Visit Scotland
From hallowed distilleries to a memorable whisky pilgrimage, Kathryn Streeter compiles the complete whisky-lover’s guide to Scotland’s most drinkable island.
The first time I visited the Isle of Islay, off Scotland’s west coast, I had kids by my side – and I didn’t even drink whisky. Last summer, though,my husband and I returned as empty-nesters, and somewhere along the way I’d become a devout fan of the island’s iconic tipple.
At this new stage in life, the trip to the Inner Hebridean island couldn’t have been more different. Soulful drams, windswept distilleries, wild beaches, basking seals and crumbling ruins – I was helplessly entranced by all of it. Slower and more mindful, our getaway dropped us in a narrative of sea, peat and wind.
The roads – narrow, few and sometimes overrun by sheep – insisted that we slow down and savour the whole of Islay. We still covered more revered whisky ground than one typically can in a lifetime and came away appreciating that Islay’s charms extend beyond the whisky.
Out on the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry’s open deck, my husband and I toasted Islay with wind thrashing our faces. We arrived at Port Askaig two hours later, driving our rental car ashore. Our late-day arrival didn’t matter because Scotland’s summer sunsets stretch to 10pm.
Packed with major whisky brands, the size of the island – roughly 40km by 24km – is ideal for whisky lovers. Our cosy bungalow in The Rhinns – Islay’s western peninsula – oozed with coorie vibes. Given Islay’s characteristically moody skies, it was a nightly haven for snuggling with Hebridean woolly blankets and a book. On a remote working farm with cattle and sheep – with adorable lambs frisking about – we could stroll to the deserted Saligo Bay for glorious sunsets.
The family-run Kilchoman Distillery was a short distance from our cottage, the first new distillery built on Islay in more than 124 years. Unlike any other Islay maker, it’s a full-scale farm overseeing the entire barley-to-bottle process. Nearby, we wandered through Kilchoman’s parish church ruins with the sea winking in the distance.
The village of Portnahaven, at the southernmost tip of the western peninsula, was a magical side-jaunt, with whitewashed homes sitting pretty on shimmering water. Tip: take your pint from An Tigh Seinnse outside to watch seals sunbathing.
Clustered along the Sound of Islay, a narrow strait dramatically overlooking the Isle of Jura, we visited three distilleries: the newer Ardnahoe (2019), its giant neighbour, the Johnnie Walker distillery Caol Ila – perched high on the bluff with views of Jura’s “paps” (hills), and our first stop, the friendly Bunnahabhain which gave us our inaugural experience being handed free welcome drams – plus a couple of “driver drams” to take home.
At Port Charlotte on Loch Indaal, we grabbed lunch at the town’s hotel restaurant before heading along the water to Bruichladdich Distillery. Take the scenic 4km pedestrian path to the distillery – also the maker of The Botanist Gin. Their classic, unpeated whisky is famously bedecked with electric turquoise branding, while their peated whisky labels lean dark and brooding, with tartan merch courtesy of Islay Woollen Mill.
Across the loch on the eastern side in Bowmore, the administrative town of Islay, we were hugely disappointed to discover Bowmore Distillery – the island’s oldest – was closed on Sundays. Instead, we slipped into a back pew of Scotland’s only round church, built to ensure there weren’t corners where the devil could hide.
Unsurprisingly, we did eventually find whisky – in fact, 200+ bottles to choose from, at Islay’s most impressive whisky bar at The Lochside. The small hotel also has a superb restaurant and gave off great vibes – making me flag it for a future stay.
My husband and I love a good walk in Scotland, so we were psyched to take the Three Distilleries Path starting in Port Ellen, which connects a trio of global whisky giants on the southeastern coast – Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. Clearly an effort to enhance distillery tourism and wisely keep visitors off the small, busy road, it’s about 1.6km to each distillery (9.5km round trip). It offered a memorable whisky pilgrimage, a real highlight of our trip.
After parking in Port Ellen, near Islay’s second ferry terminal, we snagged some takeaway at Little Charlottes Cafe. On the town’s waterfront, there’s a large map near the trailhead describing the walk. The paved footpath runs parallel to the road, with a stone wall bordering it, although the two converge in a few instances.
The first distillery on the path is Laphroaig, with a welcoming tree-filled front lawn. We were greeted by the distillery’s friendly border collie carrying a stick and ready to play catch – which we did – before finding a place in the tasting room.
Back outdoors, the gently winding path – which sometimes offers sea views – led us to the doorstep of Lagavulin, my favourite. The welcome wood-panelled room was intimate, like stepping into a home, while the tasting room had a fireplace, tartan furnishings, and leather couches.
Ardbeg’s specialty batches reflect sci-fi themes – echoed in the tasting room’s otherworldly decor. The property has an expansive presence, but it’s creatively shaped with guests in mind. That footprint includes Ardbeg House, their brand-new boutique hotel, named Hotel of the Year 2026 by the Times and Sunday Times and with 12 uniquely designed rooms.
On the return walk to Port Ellen and our car, we hopped off the path near Lagavulin to see the crumbling Dunyvaig Castle ruin on the water – as we had with our kids long ago.
Switching gears, we set our sights further up the coastal road, past the distilleries, to see the medieval 1300-year-old Kildalton Cross and the Kildalton Old Parish Church. The well-preserved Celtic ringed stone cross, carved in the late 700s, stands where it always has, exposed to the elements.
On the drive to Port Ellen to catch a 7am ferry back to the mainland, we ran into the biggest traffic jam we had yet experienced on the island. The issue was sheep – dozens of sheep had wandered onto the single-track road and seemed unwilling to let us pass.
Clearly, they didn’t want us to leave. I didn’t either.
Fielden: Crafting a modern whisky brand
This month’s issue of Whisky Business, City AM’s monthly look at the world of whisky, takes a look at a new English whisky brand, Fielden
Spend five minutes online looking for confirming evidence, and you’ll find plenty of commentary arguing that consumers the world over are drinking and spending less on alcohol. However, the underlying, real-world data show that’s not really what’s happening at all. What consumers want from drink brands has shifted dramatically over the past five years and some producers have been slow to catch up.
Consumers want choice and they’re increasingly looking for products that offer convenience and meaning. Ready-to-drink cocktails and celebrity-backed brands that resonate with consumers are still recording huge growth, as flavoured spirits and Instagram-worthy cocktails grab a big share of spend from traditional brands.
These trends are particularly interesting to observe in the world of whisky. Whereas Scotch producers have to conform to strict rules as to what they can and can’t do to the spirit, other so-called New World producers have more flexibility to adapt to consumers’ changing tastes.
Fielden: Brand ethos
Consumers today care more about history, sustainability and ethos than they did in the past. According to Deloitte’s 2023 Sustainable Consumer research, half of UK consumers claimed they’d stopped purchasing certain brands because of sustainability concerns.
However, PwC’s Voice of the Consumer Survey 2024 found consumers are only willing to pay 9.7 per cent more, on average, for sustainably produced or sourced goods.
Price, sustainability and taste are all important, and so is where the product is marketed. PwC’s 2024 survey found that 46 per cent of consumers purchased products directly through social media, up from 21 per cent in 2019.
Another survey found as many as 86 per cent of consumers bought products based on what they saw on social media.
As a result, we’re seeing more brands building a model focused on the visual aspect of social media, touting sustainability coupled with affordability and attractive imagery. One of these is Fielden, the English whisky brand formerly known as the Oxford Artisan Distillery.
Rocky start
The Oxford Artisan Distillery began life in the early 2020s, riding the wave of English whisky distilleries that emerged during the Coronavirus pandemic. Its focus on ‘biodiverse’ heritage-grain rye whisky production attracted the attention of Distill Ventures, which was backed by FTSE 100 drinks giant Diageo. Following the investment, the brand was renamed Fielden in 2024, but in early 2025, Diageo pulled out of Distill as part of its ongoing restructuring, leaving Fielden and a clutch of other brands in the lurch.
Fielden was then acquired by brand development agency GHF, which works with innovative whisky producer Nc’nean among others.
GHF faces an uphill battle. There are now 69 English whisky distilleries laying down spirit, around a third of which are too young to even sell spirit. Even the oldest, The English Distillery, only reached 20 years of age this year.
While the market has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 24 per cent since 2019, it’s crowded and competition is growing. English spirits have to stand against a growing field of so-called new world producers from countries such as Germany, Finland and Taiwan.
The British countryside
Fielden is carving out a niche by leaning on the beauty of the British countryside. Its philosophy is based on the notion that flavour starts in the fields, not just in the barrel. Because rye is a hardy, naturally cross-pollinating crop, it requires far less agricultural intervention.
That helps surrounding wildlife and ecosystems to naturally flourish, and this biodiversity, the company claims, helps with flavour by creating a unique mix of carbohydrates and proteins that break down during fermentation.
Rye, by its nature, also tends to be a bit sweeter and works well in cocktails. Fielden has developed most of its range around this market, tapping into the younger generation and, more importantly, the social media world.
This model is partly marketing-driven, partly flavour-focused and partly a side effect of the Fielden business. The company uses a decentralised production model with production taking place at multiple sites.
Malting is done at Warminster Maltings in Wiltshire (England’s oldest traditional floor maltster), distilling takes place at the Adnams Distillery in Suffolk, chosen for its 100 per cent renewable energy credentials and maturation takes place at the Luton Hoo Farm Estate in Bedfordshire, a pioneer of sustainable land conservation.
Fielden is a young brand fighting for share by leaning into changing consumer tastes, sustainability and social media-driven consumption. It’s a brand built for the current market and is an interesting reflection of where the industry is going.
Google News（Scotch/Distillery）｜原題：Bruichladdich Greener Still 15 Year Old Whisky marks 25 years with three distinct barley styles - The Luxe Review
Bruichladdich推出限量版Greener Still 15年威士忌，慶祝此赫布里底群島酒廠復興25週年。本款酒以三種大麥風格為特色——蘇格蘭本土有機大麥、來自威爾特郡碳中和農場的生物動力大麥，以及來自奧克尼古老的Bere大麥——強調環境與社會永續性。酒款未經泥煤處理，全數使用首次填充波本桶熟成15年，酒精度51.6%，未經冷凝過濾。風味特徵包括薰衣草、蜂蜜、烤梨與肉桂，收尾圓潤帶海鹽氣息。定價£120（約台幣4,200元）。
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Bruichladdich has unveiled Greener Still, a 15 year old single malt whisky created to mark 25 years since the Hebridean distillery’s resurrection – but that’s not the whole story. The release also aims to shine a spotlight on environmental and social sustainability in Scotch whisky.
The limited-edition bottling completes a series of special releases created for the distillery’s 25th anniversary, alongside Bruichladdich Old Skool and Yellow Submarine III.
The Still Series – Blacker Still, Redder Still and Golder Still – is known for its opaque, colour-coded bottles and experimental approach to maturation. Greener Still takes the idea in a different direction, with a focus on raw material rather than a particular cask style, bringing together Organic, Biodynamic and Bere barley.
The Organic barley is grown on the Scottish mainland without artificial inputs; the Biodynamic barley comes from Yatesbury House Farm in Wiltshire, which is carbon positive and represents Bruichladdich’s only departure from its commitment to 100 per cent Scottish barley. Bere barley is a more ancient and genetically diverse variety cultivated on Orkney.
The limited-edition bottling completes a series of special releases created for the distillery’s 25th anniversary…
Bruichladdich Greener Still tasting notes
Unpeated, the whisky has spent all 15 years maturing entirely in first-fill bourbon casks, allowing the character of the different barley varieties to remain prominent while adding sweetness, spice and vanilla.
Bottled at a punchy 51.6% ABV, it’s un-chill filtered with no added colouring.
The nose reportedly opens with soft lavender and sweet honeysuckle, backed by gentle toasted oak. Orchard fruit and warming spice bring associations of baked apple crumble and cinnamon sugar.
On the palate, ripe pear leads, with citrus providing a bright lift. The combination of barley varieties supplies a distinctly malty backbone, says the distillery. First-fill bourbon casks bring cinnamon, chocolate caramel and honeyed citrus, adding richness without dominating the spirit.
The finish is described as smooth and velvety, with ripe orchard fruit and the caramelised sweetness of Pasteis de nata. Vanilla follows from the bourbon maturation, accompanied by a restrained salty note that recalls the whisky’s coastal Islay home.
Some wines travel thousands of miles to reach London. At Vagabond’s new Canary Wharf bar, one of the shortest journeys is around 1,300 metres. The new Vagabond Wines has opened on Park Drive in Wood Wharf, bringing more than 120 wines by the glass to one of London’s most recognisable business districts. There’s a heated…
That Boutique-y Whisky Company is marking the height of summer with a seven strong collection led by a 21 Year Old World Whisky Blend that brings together mature spirits from four whisky-producing nations. The new Summertime Specials collection explores a broad range of styles, from long-aged world whisky and Islay single malt to rarely seen…
The Macallan has unveiled the sixth and final release in its Harmony Collection, bringing the series to a close with two single malt whiskies inspired by coconut. The Macallan Harmony Collection, Inspired by Fresh Coconut and Inspired by Toasted Coconut explore the flavour from two distinct directions, while sharing the same focus on oak, maturation…
Bruichladdich has unveiled Greener Still, a 15 year old single malt whisky created to mark 25 years since the Hebridean distillery’s resurrection – but that’s not the whole story. The release also aims to shine a spotlight on environmental and social sustainability in Scotch whisky.
The limited-edition bottling completes a series of special releases created for the distillery’s 25th anniversary, alongside Bruichladdich Old Skool and Yellow Submarine III.
The Still Series – Blacker Still, Redder Still and Golder Still – is known for its opaque, colour-coded bottles and experimental approach to maturation. Greener Still takes the idea in a different direction, with a focus on raw material rather than a particular cask style, bringing together Organic, Biodynamic and Bere barley.
The Organic barley is grown on the Scottish mainland without artificial inputs; the Biodynamic barley comes from Yatesbury House Farm in Wiltshire, which is carbon positive and represents Bruichladdich’s only departure from its commitment to 100 per cent Scottish barley. Bere barley is a more ancient and genetically diverse variety cultivated on Orkney.
Bruichladdich Greener Still tasting notes
Unpeated, the whisky has spent all 15 years maturing entirely in first-fill bourbon casks, allowing the character of the different barley varieties to remain prominent while adding sweetness, spice and vanilla.
Bottled at a punchy 51.6% ABV, it’s un-chill filtered with no added colouring.
The nose reportedly opens with soft lavender and sweet honeysuckle, backed by gentle toasted oak. Orchard fruit and warming spice bring associations of baked apple crumble and cinnamon sugar.
On the palate, ripe pear leads, with citrus providing a bright lift. The combination of barley varieties supplies a distinctly malty backbone, says the distillery. First-fill bourbon casks bring cinnamon, chocolate caramel and honeyed citrus, adding richness without dominating the spirit.
The finish is described as smooth and velvety, with ripe orchard fruit and the caramelised sweetness of Pasteis de nata. Vanilla follows from the bourbon maturation, accompanied by a restrained salty note that recalls the whisky’s coastal Islay home.
Bruichladdich Greener Still is priced at £120 and is available through specialist whisky retailers.
Vagabond Wines Canary Wharf review: There’s a world of wines to explore at this stylish waterside bar
Some wines travel thousands of miles to reach London. At Vagabond’s new Canary Wharf bar, one of the shortest journeys is around 1,300 metres. The new Vagabond Wines has opened on Park Drive in Wood Wharf, bringing more than 120 wines by the glass to one of London’s most recognisable business districts. There’s a heated…
21 Year Old world whisky blend heads up That Boutique-y Whisky Summertime collection
That Boutique-y Whisky Company is marking the height of summer with a seven strong collection led by a 21 Year Old World Whisky Blend that brings together mature spirits from four whisky-producing nations. The new Summertime Specials collection explores a broad range of styles, from long-aged world whisky and Islay single malt to rarely seen…
Fresh or toasted? The Macallan’s final Harmony Collection whiskies take coconut in two directions
The Macallan has unveiled the sixth and final release in its Harmony Collection, bringing the series to a close with two single malt whiskies inspired by coconut. The Macallan Harmony Collection, Inspired by Fresh Coconut and Inspired by Toasted Coconut explore the flavour from two distinct directions, while sharing the same focus on oak, maturation…
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The Glasgow Distillery has expanded its annual Glasgow 1770 Single Malt Scotch Whisky series with three limited releases for 2026. The line-up features Batch 2 editions of its Bourbon Cask Matured and Ruby Port Cask Finished expressions, plus an all-new Sherry Cask Matured single malt.
Each bottling carries an age statement and is released at natural color, non-chill filtered and at batch strength, and the collection sits between the distillery’s core Signature Range and its experimental Small Batch Series.
Glasgow 1770 Bourbon Cask Matured Batch 2 returns as an eight-year-old single malt. It marries equal proportions of the distillery’s peated and unpeated double distilled single malt, matured exclusively in first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels.
The Ruby Port Cask Finish also returns for a second year, following a sell-out debut in 2025. Now aged seven years, the whisky spent almost four years finishing in Ruby Port hogsheads after initial maturation in first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels.
Completing the trio is Glasgow 1770 Sherry Cask Matured Batch 1. The new release was created in collaboration with Spanish sherry producer Ximénez-Spínola.
The expression combines unpeated single malt finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks with peated single malt matured in Medium Sherry casks.
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Mike Hayward, founder of The Glasgow Distillery, said: “Our annual releases are all about celebrating combinations of whisky style and cask that we believe work exceptionally well together. These are whiskies that have earned a permanent place in our portfolio.”
Hayward added: “Bourbon Cask Matured highlights the quality of our spirit with minimal cask influence, Ruby Port demonstrates how extended finishing can build incredible fruit character, while our new Sherry Cask Matured release explores the balance between two of our whisky styles and two exceptional styles of luxurious sherry.”
The Bourbon Cask Matured Batch 2 is bottled at 54% ABV, with 1,600 bottles priced at £59. The Ruby Port Cask Finish Batch 2 is also 54% ABV, limited to 1,200 bottles at £59. The Sherry Cask Matured Batch 1 is a six-year-old at 55% ABV, with 1,600 bottles at £59.
All three go on sale from Wednesday 12 August via The Glasgow Distillery website and specialist UK retailers.
Stock will also reach select international markets, including Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, France, Finland and Switzerland.
The Glasgow Distillery was founded in 2012, reviving single malt production in the city after a hiatus of more than a century.
The Glasgow Distillery has announced the launch of three new Glasgow 1770 Single Malt Scotch Whisky expressions, forming part of its annual limited-release collection, which showcase the distillery’s favourite combinations of spirit style and cask maturation.
Glasgow 1770 Bourbon Cask Matured Batch 2 – 8 Years Old (54% ABV)
Matured exclusively in first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels and comprising 50% unpeated double-distilled and 50% peated double-distilled single malt, this expression is said to deliver notes of vanilla, floral honey, sweet smoke, citrus fruit, shortbread and tropical fruit, with a long oak-spice finish. Limited to 1,600 bottles.
Glasgow 1770 Ruby Port Cask Finish Batch 2 – 7 Years Old (54% ABV)
Initially matured in first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels before an extended finish in Ruby Port hogsheads, this expression comprises unpeated double-distilled single malt and is said to deliver notes of summer berries, dark cherries, rich vanilla, marzipan, sweet almonds and pink peppercorn spice. Limited to 1,200 bottles.
Glasgow 1770 Sherry Cask Matured Batch 1 – 6 Years Old (55% ABV)
Comprising 50% unpeated double-distilled and 50% peated double-distilled single malt, this expression combines unpeated single malt finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks with peated single malt matured in Medium Sherry casks from Ximénez-Spínola. It is said to deliver notes of cedarwood, orange peel, dark fruits, toffee apple, ground coffee and lingering sweet smoke. Limited to 1,600 bottles.
The collection sits between The Glasgow Distillery’s core Signature Range and its Experimental Small Batch Series, offering whisky drinkers a deeper exploration of the distillery’s house style through carefully selected cask pairings.
Commenting on the launch, Mike Hayward, Founder of The Glasgow Distillery, said: “Our annual releases are all about celebrating combinations of whisky style and cask that we believe work exceptionally well together. These are whiskies that have earned a permanent place in our portfolio and, because they’re annual releases with age statements, they’ll continue to evolve as our stocks mature.”
“Each expression showcases a different side of our whisky. Bourbon Cask Matured highlights the quality of our spirit with minimal cask influence, Ruby Port demonstrates how extended finishing can build incredible fruit character, while our new Sherry Cask Matured release explores the balance between two of our whisky styles and two exceptional styles of luxurious sherry, both created using the Pedro Ximénez grape variety, from the highly renowned Ximénez-Spínola winery.”
All three new Glasgow 1770 Single Malt Scotch Whisky annual limited-release collection expressions are now available from the distillery’s website and selected specialist retailers, for a RRP of £59.00 each.
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Google News（Scotch/Distillery）｜原題：‘Our goal is to globalise Japanese whisky’ – Suntory Global Spirits CEO Greg Hughes speaks to Global Drinks Intel – Part II - Global Drinks Intel
In the second part of Global Drinks Intel's exclusive interview with the CEO of Suntory Global Spirits, Greg Hughes tells deputy editor Jessica Broadbent about the impact on the company of the Middle East conflict, the current state of play for its scotch whisky operations and the future plans for Suntory's Japanese whisky portfolio.
Head here for the first part of this interview
Europe wasn’t referenced much in Suntory Global Spirits' results commentary. How would you describe business there right now?We're making very strong progress on [market] share in particular in Eur
‘Our goal is to globalise Japanese whisky’ – Suntory Global Spirits CEO Greg Hughes speaks to Global Drinks Intel – Part II
‘Japanese whisky is the hottest whisk(e)y category globally, and one of the hottest beverage alcohol categories,’
In the second part of Global Drinks Intel’s exclusive interview with the CEO of Suntory Global Spirits, Greg Hughes tells deputy editor Jessica Broadbent about the impact on the company from the Middle East conflict, the current state of play for its scotch whisky operations and the future plans for Suntory’s Japanese whisky portfolio.
Jess joined Global Drinks Intel as deputy editor in January 2026 following a stint as a freelance journalist in Panama. She was previously deputy editor at Just Drinks.
She has bylines in other industry titles including The Buyer, Fine Lees and Just Food, and has been a sub-editor at The Daily Mail.
Google News（Scotch/Distillery）｜原題：Glenfiddich Scotch Whisky Aston Martin 16-Year-Old Release No. 2: Price, ABV And What's New For 2026 - Esquire India
Glenfiddich與Aston Martin F1車隊推出合作系列第二款威士忌，於2026年8月3日倫敦發售。這款16年Speyside單一麥芽威士忌採用五種不同橡木桶陳年（之前版本為三種），包括Port桶、Oloroso與Fino雪莉桶等，使風味更深邃複雜。酒體呈深琥珀色，帶焦糖、太妃糖與皮革風味。美國建議零售價$79.99（約台幣2,500元），英國£75，歐洲約€80，目前未確認台灣上市計畫。
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Glenfiddich and the Aston Martin Formula One Team have just put out the second whisky in their ongoing collaboration, and this one is a genuinely different bottle from the first, not just a new label on the same liquid. The Glenfiddich Scotch Whisky Aston Martin 16-Year-Old Limited-Edition Release No. 2 launched in London on August 3, 2026, with a wider rollout across the US and Europe continuing through the rest of the month.
This is a 16-year-old single malt Scotch whisky from Speyside, the northeast Scottish region known for generally fruitier, less smoky whiskies. It comes in a standard 70cl bottle and is presented in a branded cardboard tube. The whisky continues Glenfiddich's partnership with the Aston Martin Formula One Team, but Whisky Release No. 2 takes a noticeably different approach to maturation.
The biggest change is the cask programme. While last year's whisky release used three American oak cask types, Release No. 2 matures across five: first-fill bourbon barrels, Port pipes, Oloroso sherry casks, red wine casks and Fino sherry butts.
The Port influence draws on expertise from Glenfiddich's sister distillery, The Balvenie, which has long worked with the cask style. Together, the five casks give Release No. 2 a deeper and more structured character than its lighter, sweeter predecessor.
The whisky has a deep golden amber appearance with copper and bronze tones, making it darker than Release No. 1. The nose brings stewed fruit, light florals, marzipan and polished leather.
On the palate, this Glenfiddich Scotch whisky is creamy and mellow, led by buttery toffee and caramelised cane sugar. The finish gradually becomes warmer, woodier and drier.
In the United States, the Glenfiddich Scotch Whisky Aston Martin 16-Year-Old Release No. 2 has a suggested retail price of $79.99. In the United Kingdom, it retails for around £75, while European pricing is close to €80.
The Glenfiddich Aston Martin 16-Year-Old Release No. 2 is bottled at 43% ABV
There is currently no confirmed India price for Release No. 2. The whisky is rolling out through retailers in the US, UK and Europe, including Master of Malt, The Whisky Exchange and ReserveBar, but Glenfiddich has yet to announce an Indian launch.
Whisky Release No. 1 remains available in India at previously reported prices of roughly ₹11,500 to ₹13,500 in Maharashtra, Delhi and Haryana. Any India price for Release No. 2 should therefore be treated cautiously until local availability is officially confirmed.
Whisky Week returns later this month with its biggest programme of whisky experiences to date, taking in more than 50 venues across Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The festival – established in Aberdeen in 2024 and expanded to Edinburgh in 2025 – promises to transform the three cities into ‘Scotland’s largest whisky trail’ through a rolling programme of tastings, tours and exclusive experiences.
Available to the public through the purchase of a wristband, the festival curates a trail of participating bars, each one partnering with a different distillery or whisky brand to offer its own exclusive festival menu.
Participating venues include renowned whisky destinations such as The Pot Still, Teuchters Bar, Teuchters Landing, Port of Leith Distillery, The Black Cat, The Grill, The Tippling House and Aberdeen Whisky Shop, each with a busy programme of tastings and events throughout the festival.
On the drinks side, Whisky Week’s partners this year include Glenfiddich, Springbank, Glengoyne, Glen Moray, Kingsbarns, Kilchoman, Wemyss Malts, Caol Ila and Tamnavulin, alongside a line-up of independent Scotch whisky producers showcasing the diversity of the industry.
And strictly speaking, it should be titled Whisky Three Weeks, as its schedule is staggered across the participating cities – Whisky Week’s Aberdeen programme runs from 20th to 30th August; Whisky Week Glasgow runs from 27th August to 6th September; and Whisky Week Edinburgh begins 3rd September and finishes on Sept 13th.
Festival co-founder Gregor Sey said: “Whisky has always been about more than what’s in the glass. It’s about the people you share it with, the stories behind every dram and the venues that bring Scotland’s whisky culture to life.
“Whisky Week was built around a simple idea: people we like, in places we like, with a drink we love.
“Whether you’re a lifelong whisky enthusiast or trying your first dram, Whisky Week is about discovering something new, supporting brilliant venues and enjoying great whisky in great company,” said Sey.
“We hope people leave having found a new favourite dram, a new favourite venue and a few great stories to take home with them.”
Every participating Whisky Week venue will offer at least one dram for £5 or less, while Whisky Week wristbands unlock exclusive festival menus, tastings, tours and whisky experiences for their holders.
Whisky Advocate / Whisky Magazine（經 Google News）｜原題：The five top-scoring whiskies from issue 214 of Whisky Magazine - Whisky Magazine
Whisky Magazine公佈最新一期（Issue 214）品酒師Bradley Weir和Alwynne Gwilt的盲測評分TOP 5。冠軍是蘇格蘭調和威士忌House of Hazelwood The Silent Partner 47 Years Old（綜合評分16.7分），展現桃子、葡萄乾、新鮮橙汁與黑莓果醬的複雜風味。亞軍為Speyside威士忌The GlenAllachie Sinteis III（16.5分），季軍是Glenglassaugh 2015（16.5分，售價£87.95）。其他入榜包括Loch Lomond Oloroso Sherry Cask與Fettercairn 2009 Bourbon Hogshead。每款威士忌均採盲測方式，評分聚焦於風味而非品牌。
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Every issue of Whisky Magazine, our tasting duo Bradley Weir and Alwynne Gwilt try whiskies from around the world, sharing their tasting notes, opinions, and scores. Every whisky is blind tasted, meaning everything except the region, ABV, and style of the whisky remains a mystery. Instead of brand name, it's flavour that takes centre stage.
We're looking back at the five highest-scoring whiskies from Whisky Magazine issue 214.
Read on to discover our tasters' favourites, and visit our tastings pages to see all the tasting reviews from issue 214.
Links marked with * are affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices correct at time of writing.
5th — Clydebuilt 2009 Bourbon Hogshead Single Cask Fettercairn Distillery
ABV: 56.3% | Style: Single Malt | Country: Scotland | Region: Highland
Combined taster score: 16.2
Bradley says… Major coconut vibes with the aromas! Pineapple note is outstanding. There’s room for a gentle wave of honey, grapefruit, and even sherbet lemon. Very tropical.
Alwynne says… Wafts of toffee fudge to begin. With water, the texture stays chewy, but the spice calms a little. Loved the texture here; it’s really mouthfilling.
4th — Loch Lomond Oloroso Sherry Cask
ABV: 40% | Style: Single Malt | Country: Scotland | Region: Highland
Combined taster score: 16.5
Bradley says… Raisins and sultanas are the predominant flavour. Also notes of toffee, baking spices, hazelnut. Rich and elegant.
Alwynne says… A touch floral on the nose. More fruit on the palate — cherries and bananas — with a lovely warm hay and buttery pastry note to follow. Charming.
3rd — The Whisky Exchange The Zodiac Series Pisces — Glenglassaugh 2015
ABV: 55.4% | Style: Single Malt | Country: Scotland | Region: Highland
Combined taster score: 16.5
Buy now: £87.95 | The Whisky Exchange*
Bradley says… fruity notes of pineapple, guava, and very subtle rhubarb sweets. Long finish with the orange citrus note in particular really sticking around. Refreshing!
Alwynne says… Velvety texture and really full — pear cake, maple syrup, roasted peaches, and almonds. A very satisfying whisky — hits a lot of the right notes and its concentration takes over the palate in a nice way.
2nd — The GlenAllachie Sinteis III
ABV: 57.4% | Style: Single Malt | Country: Scotland | Region: Speyside
Combined taster score: 16.5
Buy now: £69.95 | The Whisky Exchange*
Bradley says… Dried fruits — raisins and sultanas. Toffee, chestnuts, walnuts. A very rich flavour profile. A really enjoyable, complex dram.
Alwynne says… Big and sweet — more of that cakiness comes through. There’s some pecans and vanilla, alongside black pepper spice. A full and big Speyside whisky.
1st — House of Hazelwood The Silent Partner 47 Years Old
ABV: 46.7% | Style: Blended | Country: Scotland
Combined taster score: 16.7
Bradley says… Peaches, raisins, sultanas, apricot, plums. Tangy pineapple and a hint of coconut. A fantastic, complex whisky that has a really positive variety of flavour combinations that all work. Yum!
Alwynne says… Concentrated orange — freshly squeezed — then some brown sugar, caramelised bananas, and sea salt. A dark fruit note of blackberry jam. Enjoyable whisky that would be great to share with friends.
Whisky Advocate / Whisky Magazine（經 Google News）｜原題：Whisky Watch: Macallan Harmony, Isle of Raasay, Old Overholt 11 Year Old & More - Whisky Advocate｜僅標題
（僅標題資訊）Whisky Advocate 推出威士忌新品關注，包括蘇格蘭知名酒廠 Macallan 推出的 Harmony 系列、島嶼區 Isle of Raasay 的新酒款，以及美國波本威士忌品牌 Old Overholt 的 11 年份新作。報導涵蓋近期國際威士忌市場的重要新品發布，對關注全球威士忌動向的台灣愛好者具有參考價值。
Google News（美國波本/裸麥）｜原題：'Bourbon & Lies': All About Sophia Stallone's New Romance Adaptation - Swooon
史特龍之女 Sophia Stallone 正與 MGM Television 合作，將 Victoria Wilder 的暢銷小說《Bourbon & Lies》改編成電視劇。故事以肯塔基州 Fiasco 的 Foxx 家族波本威士忌蒸餾廠為背景，講述前警察 Grant Foxx 與帶著危險秘密的新員工 Laney Young 之間的愛恨糾葛。製作團隊已確認，包括 HBO Max《空姐謀殺案》編劇 Meredith Lavender 和 Marcie Ulin 擔任製作人，目前尚未公布演員陣容與播出日期，但製作已全速推進。
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‘Bourbon & Lies’ TV Show: All About Sophia Stallone’s Sexy Romance Adaptation
What To Know
- A TV adaptation of Victoria Wilder’s Bourbon & Lies romance suspense series is in the works.
- Sophia Stallone is developing the project.
- The series centers on the Foxx brothers and their family distillery.
Get ready to meet the Bourbon Brothers. Producer Sophia Stallone is establishing herself in the romance adaptation space, developing projects like S.T. Abby’s Mindf*ck and Abby Jimenez’s Part of Your World. The most recent title she’s added to her list is Victoria Wilder’s Bourbon & Lies series.
“Been keeping this one close to my chest for a while,” Stallone, Sylvester Stallone’s daughter, wrote on Instagram. “So excited to finally share that I’m developing BOURBON & LIES with MGM Television, based on Victoria Wilder’s incredible book series. Still can’t quite believe I get to say that. So grateful for everyone who helped bring this together — and we’re just getting started.”
BookTok is abuzz with the news that the Bourbon Brothers are headed to the screen, so we have everything you need to know about the plot and how far along the TV series is in development.
What is Bourbon & Lies’ release date?
The Bourbon & Lies adaptation was announced on August 11, 2026, but no release date has been shared yet. Still, readers will be happy to know that it’s already moving full steam ahead at Callisto Media and Balboa Productions.
Stallone shared in a statement to Deadline, “Bourbon & Lies was the kind of world I could immediately see on screen. It has romance, danger, heat, humor, family, mystery, and a woman at the center whose past refuses to stay buried. I brought it to Balboa because it felt like exactly the kind of bold, addictive, and emotionally charged storytelling female audiences are already driving into the mainstream.”
Who is in the Bourbon & Lies cast?
There’s no cast yet, but the production team is already in place. Balboa Productions’ D. Matt Geller will oversee the adaptation alongside show creators Meredith Lavender and Marcie Ulin, who served as showrunners on Season 1 of HBO Max’s The Flight Attendant.
Sophia Stallone, who originated the project for television and brought the IP to Balboa, will jointly produce through Callisto, which focuses on women-focused book adaptations.
“It’s truly an exciting time to witness book-to-screen adaptations within the romance genre,” Wilder said in a statement to Deadline. “Seeing these characters and their stories brought to life on screen is something I had never expected. I truly feel lucky that this powerhouse team of women are the ones making it happen. There’s no doubt in my mind that they’re ready to deliver everyone’s next series obsession.”
What is the Bourbon & Lies book about?
Set in Fiasco, Kentucky, the first book in the series follows ex-cop Grant Foxx. His quiet world is disrupted by new arrival Laney Young, who brings lies and danger with her when she starts working for the Foxx family distillery. The spark between them is impossible to ignore, but the darkness in both of their past threatens their lives.
Stallone featured Bourbon & Lies on her “Favorite Book Club” Instagram account, naming it one of her favorite reads of October 2025. “When I tell you I ate this book up within maybe four days, it is so good,” she says in an Instagram video, in which she gives the book five stars.
Have you read the Bourbon & Lies series yet? If so, let us know which scenes you’re hoping to see in the comments below!
Bourbon & Lies, TBA
Google News（美國波本/裸麥）｜原題：Burger King® Maple Bourbon BBQ Whopper Review!🍁🥃 | Is This Their BEST Whopper Ever? | Theendorsement Fiji (EkxYAh1red) - Mshale｜僅標題
Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Report – August 12, 2026
Arrested
Lawrence, Chandler Lee (Age 23) — Arrested 8/11/2026 8:46 AM by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Charge: Warrant Bourbon County (Probation Violation) — Warrant No. BB-23-CR-198. Bond: $0.00 No Bond.
Prettyman, Addison James (Age 20) — Arrested 8/11/2026 11:59 AM by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Charge: Warrant Bourbon County (Failure to Appear) — Warrant No. BB-2025-CR-000027. Bond: $0.00 No Bond.
Released
Larry, Wesley Cardell — Released 8/11/2026 7:16 PM via Surety Bond (Able Bonding).
Total Inmates Released: 1
Documents:
Bourbon County Commission Work Session – August 12, 2026, 5:30 PM
The Bourbon County Commission will be conducting a work session on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the Commission Room at the Courthouse.
The session will discuss alternatives for locations of proceedings of District Court for the 6th Judicial District in Bourbon County when the current 3rd floor location is not accessible using the elevator. A tour of the property at 102 S Judson will be included in the work session.
Note: No official County business will be conducted.
Google News（美國波本/裸麥）｜原題：Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews Headline Bourbon & Beyond Festival - XS ROCK
美國肯塔基州Bourbon & Beyond音樂節將於2026年9月24-27日登場，主打超過100組樂隊的四日盛宴。首日（24日）由Foo Fighters壓軸，Foo Fighters、Queens of the Stone Age等陣容；次日（25日）Mumford & Sons、Foster the People等領銜；第三天（26日）Chris Stapleton、Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit等鄉村搖滾樂手出場；最終日（27日）由Dave Matthews Band、Hootie & the Blowfish、Counting Crows三大天團作為壓軸。音樂節整合Oak Stage、Barrel Stage、100 Proof Stage等多個舞台，兼容搖滾、鄉村、民謠等多種音樂類型。
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Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews Headline Bourbon & Beyond Festival…The festival is set to feature over 100 bands such as Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, Goose (Thursday), Mumford & Sons, Kacey Musgraves, Foster the People (Friday), Chris Stapleton, The Red Clay Strays, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (Saturday), Dave Matthews Band, Hootie & the Blowfish, Counting Crows (Sunday).
The full music schedule for Bourbon & Beyond 2026 is as follows (subject to change):
| Thursday, September 24 | |||
| Oak Stage | Barrel Stage | ||
| 8:55 PM | Foo Fighters | 7:50 PM | Queens of the Stone Age |
| 6:50 PM | The War On Drugs | 5:50 PM | Goose |
| 4:55 PM | Live | 4:05 PM | 4 Non Blondes |
| 3:15 PM | Gary Clark Jr. | 2:25 PM | Cheap Trick |
| 1:45 PM | The Return Of Jackie And Judy | 1:05 PM | Congress The Band |
| 12:30 PM | Langhorne Slim | 12:00 PM | The Stews |
| 100 Proof Stage | Revival Stage | ||
| 8:00 PM | The Fray | 7:05 PM | Lindsey Stirling |
| 6:15 PM | Plain White T’s | 5:30 PM | Couch |
| 4:55 PM | Nine Days | 4:20 PM | Hey, Nothing |
| 3:45 PM | Howie Day | 3:10 PM | S.G. Goodman |
| 2:35 PM | Kevian Kraemer | 2:00 PM | Penelope Road |
| 1:25 PM | Stanley Simmons | ||
| The Bluegrass Situation Stage | |||
| 5:15 PM | Sierra Hull | ||
| 4:15 PM | Magoo | ||
| 3:15 PM | Mason Via | ||
| 2:15 PM | Wood Box Heroes | ||
| 1:15 PM | As You Were | ||
| 12:15 PM | Caitlynne Curtis | ||
| Friday, September 25 | |||
| Oak Stage | Barrel Stage | ||
| 9:20 PM | Mumford & Sons | 8:05 PM | Kacey Musgraves |
| 7:00 PM | Foster The People | 6:05 PM | Of Monsters And Men |
| 5:10 PM | Father John Misty | 4:20 PM | Marcus King Band |
| 3:35 PM | Angus And Julia Stone | 2:50 PM | St. Paul And The Broken Bones |
| 2:05 PM | The Devil Makes Three | 1:20 PM | Gabriella Rose |
| 12:35 PM | Noah Rinker | 12:00 PM | Nathan Bess |
| 100 Proof Stage | Revival Stage | ||
| 7:00 PM | The Flaming Lips | 6:05 PM | Violent Femmes |
| 5:15 PM | Maoli | 4:30 PM | Jet |
| 3:50 PM | Henrik | 3:10 PM | Amigo The Devil |
| 2:30 PM | Sawyer Hill | 1:50 PM | Jason Scott & The High Heat |
| 1:15 PM | Ben Chapman | 12:40 PM | Palmyra |
| The Bluegrass Situation Stage | |||
| 5:55 PM | Yächtley Crëw | ||
| 5:00 PM | Kitchen Dwellers | ||
| 4:05 PM | Shelby Means | ||
| 3:10 PM | Rainbow Girls | ||
| 1:50 PM | Fireside Collective | ||
| 12:50 PM | Lou Ridley | ||
| Saturday, September 26 | |||
| Oak Stage | Barrel Stage | ||
| 9:20 PM | Chris Stapleton | 8:05 PM | The Red Clay Strays |
| 7:00 PM | Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit | 5:55 PM | Jessie Murph |
| 5:00 PM | Charley Crockett | 4:05 PM | Cameron Whitcomb |
| 3:15 PM | Durand Jones & The Indications | 2:35 PM | Maddox Batson |
| 1:55 PM | Buffalo Traffic Jam | 1:15 PM | Avery Anna |
| 12:35 PM | Bryan Martin | 12:00 PM | Atlus |
| 100 Proof Stage | Revival Stage | ||
| 8:25 PM | Noah Cyrus | 7:30 PM | Squeeze |
| 6:45 PM | Stella Lefty | 5:50 PM | Adam Ant |
| 5:05 PM | Matt Hansen | 4:25 PM | Cracker |
| 3:45 PM | Kaitlin Butts | 3:10 PM | Haircut 100 |
| 2:30 PM | The Creekers | 1:55 PM | Rattlesnake Milk |
| 1:20 PM | Levi Turner | ||
| The Bluegrass Situation Stage | |||
| 6:45 PM | Yächtley Crëw | ||
| 5:50 PM | The Infamous Stringdusters | ||
| 4:55 PM | Meels | ||
| 4:00 PM | The Fretliners | ||
| 3:05 PM | Still Unknown | ||
| Sunday, September 27 | |||
| Oak Stage | Barrel Stage | ||
| 8:05 PM | Dave Matthews Band | 7:00 PM | Hootie And The Blowfish |
| 6:05 PM | Counting Crows | 5:15 PM | Jesse Welles |
| 4:30 PM | Portugal. The Man | 3:45 PM | Max McNown |
| 3:00 PM | Amos Lee | 2:15 PM | Fitz And The Tantrums |
| 1:30 PM | Sons Of Legion | 12:55 PM | Ryman |
| 12:20 PM | Uncle Lucius | 11:45 AM | Hunter Hawkins |
| 100 Proof Stage | Revival Stage | ||
| 5:20 PM | Better Than Ezra | 6:10 PM | Lisa Loeb |
| 3:40 PM | Our Lady Peace | 4:25 PM | Joan Osborne |
| 2:10 PM | Vertical Horizon | 2:50 PM | Paula Cole |
| 1:00 PM | Tonic | 1:35 PM | World Famous Pets |
| 11:50 AM | The Verve Pipe | 12:25 PM | Clover County |
| The Bluegrass Situation Stage | |||
| 7:20 PM | Yächtley Crëw | ||
| 6:05 PM | Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country | ||
| 5:05 PM | The Steel Wheels | ||
| 4:05 PM | Caleb & Reeb | ||
| 3:05 PM | Vickie Vaughn Band | ||
For more info, visit: https://bourbonandbeyond.com/
Google News（美國波本/裸麥）｜原題：Bourbon Co. Family Dollar manager shelters customers during severe weather - wave3.com
根據標題，一間波本威士忌相關公司的 Family Dollar 經理在惡劣天氣發生時，為顧客提供庇護。此新聞凸顯在極端氣候狀況下的企業社會責任與員工的人道精神。
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Updated: 6 hours ago
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible the next few days for Western Colorado.
Updated: 51 minutes ago
Students celebrate first day back at Jenkins Middle School after year and a half closure
Updated: 2 hours ago
|The best time to catch the Perseid Meteor Shower is late Wednesday and early Thursday. OMSI Director of Space Science Education Jim Todd joins FOX 12 Now to talk about it.
Updated: 2 hours ago
|Southbound I-5 will close starting Friday, Sept. 11, for up to five weeks. Crews will repair and reinforce weak areas, replace bridge joints, repave the surface and repaint lane lines on the interstate.
Updated: 2 hours ago
|Defense and prosecution screen dozens of Clark County residents to seat a jury for the high-profile 1996 homicide case.
Google News（美國波本/裸麥）｜原題：Bourbon Co. Family Dollar manager shelters customers during severe weather - WKYT
（僅標題資訊）美國肯塔基州波本威士忌公司的一名 Family Dollar 經理在近日惡劣天氣期間，主動為進店顧客提供安全庇護。該事件凸顯了當地社區在面對自然災害時的互助精神，也展現了企業員工的社會責任意識。
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Updated: 5 hours ago
Golden Alert issued for missing Lexington man
Updated: 5 hours ago
Storm rips through Carlisle, downing power lines and trees; cleanup underway
Updated: 5 hours ago
Fayette County has seven new principals this year. Bradford said he wanted to visit those buildings on his first day
Updated: 5 hours ago
Blue Grass Energy crews work to restore power after Tuesday storms
Updated: 5 hours ago
North Middletown fire station damaged by fallen tree after Tuesday storms
Updated: 5 hours ago
Top Stories: WKYT News at 6:00 PM (8/12/2026)
Google News（美國波本/裸麥）｜原題：Bourbon & Beyond Reveals 2026 Schedule and Set Times - Consequence of Sound
美國路易維爾 Bourbon & Beyond 音樂節將於 2026 年 9 月 24-27 日舉辦。今年陣容豪華，由 Foo Fighters、Mumford & Sons、Chris Stapleton 和 Dave Matthews Band 領銜，另有 Queens of the Stone Age、Goose、Kacey Musgraves、Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit 等樂隊參演。節目單已公開，包含美食舞台 Fork & Flask 的活動安排。
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Bourbon and Beyond 2026 is fast approaching, with the annual festival going down from September 24th through September 27th in Louisville. Today, the event revealed the full schedule and list of set times, as well as programming for its Fork & Flask culinary stage.
Headlined by Foo Fighters, Mumford & Sons, Chris Stapleton, and Dave Matthews Band, the four-day weekend will also see performances from Queens of the Stone Age, Goose, Kacey Musgraves, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Hootie & the Blowfish, Counting Crows, and many more. See the full lineup, check out the schedule, and get tickets here.
You can also enter to win a pair of weekend passes to Bourbon & Beyond 2026 here.
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Google News（美國波本/裸麥）｜原題：The Bourbon & Beyond Sets You’ll Kick Yourself for Missing: Sleeper Picks, Breakout Stars & Can’t-Miss Artists for Every Day - All Country News
Bourbon & Beyond 是肯塔基州路易維爾的大型音樂節，9月24-26日舉辦，陣容包括 Foo Fighters、Chris Stapleton、Kacey Musgraves 等重量級樂手。本文為每日演出提供策展建議，包括不容錯過的大牌樂團、新興藝人與冷門佳作，幫助樂迷規劃行程。特別推薦週四的 Gary Clark Jr. 與 The War On Drugs、週五的 Kacey Musgraves 與 Foster The People、週六的 Chris Stapleton 與 The Red Clay Strays，以及多組新秀樂團值得提前探索。
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The Bourbon & Beyond Sets You’ll Kick Yourself for Missing: Sleeper Picks, Breakout Stars & Can’t-Miss Artists for Every Day
- All Country News
- 14 hours ago
- 10 min read
Bourbon & Beyond is one of those festival lineups where making a schedule feels less like planning a weekend and more like choosing your favorite children.
Foo Fighters. Chris Stapleton. Kacey Musgraves. Mumford & Sons. Dave Matthews Band. The Red Clay Strays. Queens of the Stone Age. Jason Isbell. Charley Crockett.
Yeah… good luck.
But the real beauty of a lineup this ridiculously deep isn’t just the names sitting in giant letters at the top of the poster. It’s stumbling onto an artist at 1:20 in the afternoon and spending the rest of the weekend telling everyone, “I’m serious—you HAVE to see them.”
That’s where we come in.
From obvious bucket-list headliners to future stars hiding in plain sight, these are the sleeper sets, breakout artists and absolute can’t-miss performances we’re circling at Bourbon & Beyond.
Clear some space on that schedule. You’re going to need it.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24: Come Early, Because Thursday Is Sneakily Loaded
Thursday could easily be mistaken for an entire festival by itself.
Foo Fighters closing the night? Queens of the Stone Age? The War On Drugs? Goose?
Gary Clark Jr.? Cheap Trick? The Fray?
And somehow that’s only scratching the surface.
CAN’T-MISS: Foo Fighters — 8:55 PM
There are festival headliners, and then there are bands seemingly built in a laboratory to headline festivals.
Foo Fighters fall firmly into category two.
Huge hooks. Huge guitars. Huge singalongs. A field full of people screaming every word back at the stage. There are certain performances where you already know what the atmosphere will feel like before the first chord hits, and this has all the ingredients to become one of those “remember that Thursday night?” Bourbon & Beyond moments.
Missing this one should require a doctor’s note.
THE “TRUST US” PICK: Gary Clark Jr. — 3:15 PM
If your Bourbon & Beyond strategy involves waiting until dinner to start paying attention, Gary Clark Jr. is here to ruin that plan.
Few artists on the bill can make a guitar feel as dangerous, soulful and effortlessly cool. This is exactly the kind of mid-afternoon set that can suddenly make 3:15 feel like 10:30 at night.
Grab a drink. Get close. Let the guitar do the rest.
BREAKOUT PICK: Hey, Nothing — 4:20 PM
Every festival needs that one younger act where half the crowd arrives curious and leaves furiously pulling out their phones to follow them.
Hey, Nothing has serious candidate energy.
Thursday is packed with household names, making this the perfect chance to wander away from the obvious selections and find your newest obsession before everybody else catches up.
This has sleeper-set potential written all over it.
SLEEPER PICK: Couch — 5:30 PM
One of the golden rules of festivals: never underestimate the band playing while everyone else is debating where to eat.
Couch feels like exactly the kind of act capable of turning casual passersby into a full-blown crowd. Fun, lively and perfectly positioned to inject another burst of energy into Thursday afternoon, this could become one of the weekend’s word-of-mouth winners.
BLUEGRASS MUST-SEE: Sierra Hull — 5:15 PM
Do not make the mistake of treating The Bluegrass Situation Stage like a side quest.
Sierra Hull alone is enough reason to make the walk.
For fans who love watching musicians operate at an absurdly high level without sacrificing the fun of the performance, this is appointment viewing. Thursday gives you plenty of rock ’n’ roll fireworks, but Hull offers the kind of musicianship that can stop people mid-conversation.
ALSO CIRCLE IT: The War On Drugs — 6:50 PM
There may not be a better golden-hour band on Thursday’s lineup.
The War On Drugs can turn a giant festival field into something strangely cinematic, and that late-afternoon slot feels tailor-made for them. If the weather cooperates and the sun starts dropping at just the right time?
Forget it.
That’s a core memory waiting to happen.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25: The Day With Almost Too Many Good Decisions
Friday is brutal. Mumford & Sons into the night. Kacey Musgraves. Foster The People. Of Monsters And Men. Father John Misty. Marcus King Band. The Flaming Lips. Violent Femmes. You could throw a dart at Friday’s schedule and probably hit something great.
But there are a few names we absolutely refuse to miss.
CAN’T-MISS: Kacey Musgraves — 8:05 PM
Come on. A giant Bourbon & Beyond crowd, a September night in Louisville and Kacey Musgraves? That practically writes itself.
Musgraves has the catalog, personality and undeniable star power to make this one of Friday’s defining performances. Expect longtime fans, casual listeners and people who wandered over “just to catch a couple songs” to all end up staying longer than intended.
That schedule conflict you’re worried about? Figure it out.
PARTY PICK: Foster The People — 7:00 PM
Some sets require careful contemplation. Others require you to stop thinking and start jumping.
Foster The People gets our vote for Friday’s “Oh wow, everybody knows every word to this” performance. Festival crowds and giant nostalgic alternative-pop hooks are a dangerous combination, and this one has the potential to turn into a full-field party.
Wear comfortable shoes.
BREAKOUT PICK: Gabriella Rose — 1:20 PM
Here’s your reminder that arriving early at festivals pays off.
Gabriella Rose sits in exactly the kind of early slot where future stars tend to introduce themselves to fans who were smart enough to beat the afternoon rush.
If you pride yourself on discovering artists before your group chat does, set the alarm, hydrate and get through the gates.
SLEEPER PICK: Sawyer Hill — 2:30 PM
Put a star next to this one.
Sawyer Hill has the kind of placement that makes him easy to overlook on a day dominated by enormous names, which is precisely why he makes our sleeper list.
Festivals are at their best when you walk into a set knowing three songs and walk out wondering how soon the artist is coming to your city.
This feels like one of those opportunities.
WILD CARD: The Flaming Lips — 7:00 PM
Maybe “wild card” isn’t strong enough. The Flaming Lips are the pick for anyone who wants their Friday evening to get weird in the best possible way.
There are plenty of artists you go see because you love the songs. There are others you see because the show itself becomes part of the story. This is the latter. Expect the unexpected.
ROOTS PICK: Marcus King Band — 4:20 PM
Bourbon & Beyond without a little filthy guitar tone would simply feel wrong.
Enter Marcus King Band. Friday’s lineup hops between indie, folk, alternative, pop and roots music, and King feels perfectly placed in the middle of all of it. If your ideal festival moment involves a guitar solo, a cold drink and briefly forgetting what time it is, you already know where to be.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26: Country Fans, This Is Your Super Bowl
Saturday is outrageous.
Chris Stapleton. The Red Clay Strays. Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit. Jessie Murph. Charley Crockett. Cameron Whitcomb. Maddox Batson. Avery Anna. Bryan Martin. Kaitlin Butts.
If your playlist leans country, Americana or anything with a little grit underneath its fingernails, congratulations: Bourbon & Beyond built you an amusement park.
CAN’T-MISS: Chris Stapleton — 9:20 PM
Some recommendations don’t need a sales pitch. Chris Stapleton closing Saturday at Bourbon & Beyond is one of them. That voice echoing across a packed festival ground after an entire day of country, rock and Americana goodness? Yeah. We’ll be there. You should probably be there too.
THE SET EVERYONE WILL TALK ABOUT: The Red Clay Strays — 8:05 PM
If you have watched The Red Clay Strays’ rise and wondered how their music translates to a massive festival crowd, Saturday night offers your answer. Spoiler: probably very, very loudly. Their brand of Southern rock, country and soul feels almost custom-ma
Google News（美國波本/裸麥）｜原題：Win Two Passes to Bourbon & Beyond Festival Featuring Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews Band, Queens of the Stone Age - Consequence of Sound｜僅標題
（僅標題資訊）美國肯塔基州舉辦的 Bourbon & Beyond 音樂節推出贈票活動，贏家可獲得兩張通行證。該活動陣容包含知名樂團 Foo Fighters、Dave Matthews Band、Queens of the Stone Age 等國際一線藝人，結合波本威士忌品鑑與音樂演出，為威士忌與音樂愛好者的年度盛事。
The music festival is slated for Sept. 24-27 on the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
mulka
Thousands attend the third day of Bourbon & Beyond in Louisville. Sept. 13, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
Nathan Zucker
Thousands attend the third day of Bourbon & Beyond in Louisville. Sept. 13, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The schedule for this year's Bourbon & Beyond was released Wednesday.
The music festival is slated for Sept. 24-27 on the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Headliners include Foo Fighters, Mumford & Sons, Chris Stapleton and Dave Matthews Band.
The festival features more than 100 artists across five stages, as well as spirits and culinary experiences.
Adding to the headliners are Kacey Musgraves, Foster the People, The Red Clay Strings, Jason Isbell, Hootie & The Blowfish, Counting Crows, The Fray, Goose and more.
Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age and Goose will headline Thursday, Sept. 24.
Mumford & Sons, Kacey Musgraves and Foster the People will follow on Friday.
Chris Stapleton, The Red Clay Strays and Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit are set for Saturday, with Dave Matthews Band, Hootie & The Blowfish and Counting Crows closing out the festival on Sunday.
The 2025 edition of the festival saw Noah Kahn, Jack White, Phish, Benson Boone, Sturgill Simpson and the Lumineers. Last year also saw an almost entirely new setup for the festival, shifting to the open parking lots just south and west of Freedom Hall with several turf zones around the main stages and general admission areas to cover concrete.
The 2024 festival also saw free access to 18 rides at Kentucky Kingdom with all festival passes, and an indoor merch booth, as well as more shade, restrooms and space for fans to move around with a larger layout.
Festival packages are already on sale, with single-day passes coming at a later date.
To learn more, look at photos from last year's festival, purchase passes or sign up for updates, click here.
Danny Wimmer Presents, the production company behind Bourbon & Beyond, recently launched an update to the phone app in preparation of this year's festival.
Noah Kahan performs on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats perform on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats perform on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
The Goo Goo Dolls perform on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
The Goo Goo Dolls perform on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
The Goo Goo Dolls perform on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
The Spin Doctors perform on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
Lake Street Dive performs on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
Lake Street Dive performs on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
The Gin Blossoms perform on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
The Gin Blossoms perform on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
Dashboard Confessional performs on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
Dashboard Confessional performs on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
Blues Traveler performs on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
Blues Traveler performs on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
IMAGES | Noah Kahan, Goo Goo Dolls close out Bourbon & Beyond to packed Louisville crowd
Noah Kahan performs on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
Noah Kahan performs on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
Noah Kahan performs on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats perform on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats perform on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
The Goo Goo Dolls perform on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
Nathan Zucker
The Goo Goo Dolls perform on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
Nathan Zucker
The Goo Goo Dolls perform on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
Nathan Zucker
The Spin Doctors perform on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
Lake Street Dive performs on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
Lake Street Dive performs on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
The Gin Blossoms perform on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
The Gin Blossoms perform on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
Foreigner performs on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
Foreigner performs on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
Dashboard Confessional performs on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
Dashboard Confessional performs on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
Blues Traveler performs on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
Blues Traveler performs on the final day of Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)
WhiskyNotes（比利時獨立裝瓶評論）｜原題：Macallan Terra (Quest Collection)
（僅標題資訊）Macallan Terra 是麥卡倫 Quest Collection 全球旅遊零售系列的一款酒，於 2017 年推出，後來被 Colour and Harmony 系列取代。此款採用首次裝填雪莉桶陳年，酒精度 43.8%，定位為系列中較高端的選項。WhiskyNotes 評測認為這款酒具有典型麥卡倫現代風格——木桶主導、焦糖厚重、香料活躍但整合度不足。風味特徵包括銅、核桃、紅李子、烤花生等，後段偏短促，帶有太妃糖與皮革乾澀感。目前仍可從少數零售商如 Master of Malt 購得。
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The Quest Collection formed The Macallan’s global travel retail range since 2018, until it was replaced by the Colour and Harmony collections. The Macallan Terra aged exclusively in first-fill sherry casks (from Tevasa and Vasyma). Together with The Macallan Enigma it was one of the expensive options in the range.
The Macallan Terra (43,8%, OB ‘Quest Collection’ 2017, first-fill sherry casks)
Nose: a slightly thin combination of copper, walnuts, red plum and roasted peanuts. A sour winey touch as well, coming close to red berry yoghurt as well. Bunches of grapes. Then orange peels, lightly burnt brioche, toffee and clove.
Mouth: rather wood-driven. The toasted European oak stands out, bringing cloves, walnuts and ginger. Then sultanas, orangettes, toffee and clove. Some herbal tea and roasted coffee beans in the background. Missing a bit of fruity body.
Finish: on the short side, on toffee and a leathery drying note.
This is the Macallan’s modern recipe for most of the lower-end range. Very cask-forward with bloated caramel notes and active spice that doesn’t feel entirely integrated. Still available from a couple of retailers like Master of Malt.
Three Armagnac houses that we haven’t tried before. We start with Couzard-Lassalle, a Folle Blanche selected as the 5th anniversary release of Armagnac.de. It was selected from the warehouses of Darroze. The name isn’t entirely new, as the same estate is also known under a ‘code name’ Lous Pibous. After production stopped in 2005, casks were split between Darroze and L’Encantada with the agreement to use different names.
Then we have two releases by Authentic Spirits. Téroulet 2003 is a mix of Colombard and Ugni Blanc, aged in a very humid cellar. Mouréou 1988 is 100% Baco grapes, from a family estate in Mauléon-d’Armagnac.
Bas-Armagnac Couzard-Lassalle 20 yo 2005 (49,5%, Armagnac.de 2026, cask #R116)
Nose: very elegant, with fruity hints of apricots, plums and quite a lot of orange peels and marmalade. Some floral honey. Then also plenty of tiny notes, like tobacco, a subtle meaty / roasted hint, some maple syrup and liquorice. Whiffs of leather as well.
Mouth: more fruits. Apricots and orange are holding strong, but there’s also a subtle hint of strawberry bubblegum. Then some herbal honey, along with a drying hint of leather. The oak is quite pronounced, leaving a slightly rustic appearance. Later we’re getting nougat, some pepper, walnuts and more tobacco leaves.
Finish: quite long, with dried herbs, a hint of ginseng, marmalade and leather.
Rustic power but also nice fruity notes, especially oranges. Far less heavy than the Encantada versions I had before. Sold out. Check Armagnac.de for upcoming releases (they usually work with pre-orders).
Bas-Armagnac Mouréou 1988 (45,8%, Authentic Spirits 2026)
Nose: I’m getting an Amontillado vibe, at higher strength. Nice leafy notes and esparto grass, followed by apricots and polished oak. Then some latte with a drop of caramel, nougat and orange peels.
Mouth: quite rustic again. Grapes are still at the center, and rich woody notes are taking up the rest of the profile. Some plums and pears, along with slightly bitter citrus peels. Toffee and ginger bind everything together.
Finish: medium to long, with a nice tart edge, vanilla, plums and oak spice.
This comes accross a little younger than the vintage suggests. Good spirit but missing some sparkle. Available from Authentic Spirits. Score: 87/100
Bas-Armagnac Téroulet 2003 (48,2%, Authentic Spirits 2026)
Nose: slightly darker, with figs and dates on top of the stewed orchard fruits. Citrus peels, as well as some blossomy elements. Then a fresh leathery note, toasted wood and hints of clove oil.
Mouth: quite rich considering the age. A nice fruitiness at its core, with apples, raisins and apricots. It’s honeyed, with a fruit pie character. Well-dosed polished oak, along with a peppery edge, some hazelnut and subtle spearmint.
Finish: medium to long, on slightly jammy orchard fruit, almond and a hint of cedar wood.
Age isn’t everything, I prefer this one, especially if you take the price into account. Just very balanced. Available from Authentic Spirits. Score: 87/100
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15 Best Single Malt Whiskeys For Beginners
What makes a great single malt for beginners? That's the key question I asked before curating this list. The answer is not the best single malts in the world because it's hard to appreciate the nuances of a great whiskey until you've had some experience. It's not the most expensive either for a similar reason, as this can be a waste of money. Instead, I focused on affordable and widely available bottles, allowing you to easily pick one up to start your tasting journey. I also focused on single malts that have a smooth, approachable character without overwhelming intensity or a sky-high alcohol percentage.
While that's true, I always wanted to give the list a little variety with bottles that can each tell you a little about different styles, regions, and maturation. As someone who has been drinking single malt whisky (which is not the same as single barrel) for the best part of two decades, I'm always passionate about getting beginners interested in this storied spirit. I've tried all of these single malts, and if you complete this list, or at least part of it, I believe you'll have developed a great foundational understanding of this type of whiskey. And importantly, once you've tried these whiskies, you can stop thinking of yourself as a beginner.
Read more: 15 US Presidents And Their Go-To Whiskey
1. The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve
It's hard for me to think of beginner whisky without my thoughts automatically jumping to Speyside. That's why the first four single malts on this list are from the area. Speyside is a subregion of the Scottish Highlands that surrounds the River Spey and is renowned for producing soft, elegant single malts. In terms of enjoying an entry-level bottle, The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve is a fantastic choice that showcases just how approachable Speyside single malts can be.
On the nose, you'll enjoy its fruity nature with aromas of pears and citrus. Those fruits come through beautifully to the palate and are joined by a juicy orange. You also get sumptuous vanilla cream and even a faint hint of chocolate. With a little toffee and spice, you get some depth here despite it being more of an affordable single malt. The Scotch remains clean and light all the way through to the finish, leaving you with a pleasant sweetness. If you're buying your first bottle of single malt Scotch, this gives you a low-cost introduction while still being excellent quality.
2. Aberlour 12 Year
It would be easy to fill this list with just the great 12-year-old single malts from Speyside. While the competition is vast, Aberlour 12 Year is my favorite as it's elegantly approachable but introduces you to a tasting experience with a little more character and nuance. It's double cask matured in both traditional oak and sherry casks to give it a bright mix of flavors. There is some lovely fruit on the nose, mainly in the form of apple. This is joined by a rich honey along with some classical earthy notes.
On your first sip, you'll immediately notice its smooth mouthfeel that carries the honey from the nose onto a beautiful palate. However, the sweetness evolves into more of a deep caramel, supported by some toffee, raisin, and cinnamon. The result is a great whisky that feels complex enough to be interesting while remaining smooth and approachable. The soft yet warm finish confirms this as a whisky that offers impressive depth for its price. In truth, it's hard to go wrong with a 12-year-old Speyside single malt. Yet, I don't think you can go more right than with this bottle of Aberlour.
3. The Balvenie DoubleWood
As we've just seen, and as we'll see with the following bottle, finishing a Speyside malt in sherry casks is quite common. That's because it helps introduce a little more fruit and sweetness into the final product. The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year is another Speyside single malt that uses this maturation technique to great effect, delivering both a rich and approachable flavor. On the nose, you'll be greeted with a range of inviting sweet aromas, with the richest note being honey.
That sweetness continues to the palate, where the honey is joined by vanilla and toffee. There is fruitiness in the form of raisins and orange peel, contrasted with more earthy flavors of almonds and cinnamon. All these flavors are supported by a creamy, mellow texture, with the sherry cask finish helping add depth and richness. You then get to an impressively long finish that is gently spicy without being too harsh. It's a complex whisky, but its balance and smoothness allow beginners to appreciate its layers of flavor.
4. Glenfiddich 15 Year
For those ready to take the step up from 12 to 15-year-old single malts, this is an excellent starting point. Averaging a touch under $80 per 750 milliliters, the Glenfiddich 15 Year is worth the extra cost for beginners who have tried a few single malts and want to understand the benefits of a longer-aged whisky. A unique three-barrel maturation process is used here: bourbon, sherry, and new oak. Once completed, it is blended in a large solera vat, which is always kept at least half full.
The result is a range of influences that can be tasted in the bottle and a rich, smooth mouthfeel. Toffee is delectably showcased on the palate, joined by some bright orchard fruits. There is some warming spice here without too much heat, with ginger and cinnamon warming the soul. Raisins, soft oak, and almonds continue to add layers of depth with each sip. It's a brilliant whisky and an excellent learning curve for beginners to taste how different cask types can add character to the final product.
5. Glenmorangie 12 Year
While a Highland single malt, Glenmorangie 12 Year shares many of the qualities we've already looked at with the bottles from around the River Spey. Yet, it still has its own unique identity. As with the top four, it's both smooth and approachable with an excellent balance of sweet and fruity flavors. This showcases the lighter side of whisky before we get into more intense bottles. In that sense, the Glenmorangie 12 Year is one of the least intimidating whiskies you could ever drink.
You'll get a sense of this in the aroma of bright peach and citrus, along with a lovely vanilla. The palate continues these notes with some creamy toffee and ripe apricots. There are a few earthy notes here of soft almonds and a gentle oak spice, but they sit nicely in the background. The finish is mellow, allowing you to appreciate the whisky and continue to pick out its flavors. If you are interested in approachable Highland single malts, there's no better starting point.
6. Laphroaig Select
I mulled over whether to choose this bottle because Laphroaig single malt whiskies have legendary intensity, which is due to the use of peat. Peated whisky gets its distinct smoky flavor from the barley being dried over a peat-fueled fire. Some love it, some hate it. While Laphroaig is known for its use of peat, this isn't one of its more intense expressions. I could have easily included the iconic Laphroaig 10 Year Single Malt, but I chose this one as it's a little softer and therefore a gentler introduction.
You'll still get that campfire smoke and a touch of sea salt on the nose thanks to the distillery's coastal setting on the Scottish Isle of Islay. You may immediately feel a little overwhelmed by the earthy peat smoke on your first sip, but you'll quickly get used to it. Once you get past it, you'll find some creamy sweetness in the form of honey and caramel. With a gentle spice, it's a fairly balanced whisky that doesn't quite have the raw unabated power of some Islay malts. It's an excellent insight into how peat can complement a whisky, while still showcasing its smoky influence. I remember Laphroaig being my introduction to peated whiskies, and I fell in love with them. After drinking this, you may well do the same.
7. Old Pulteney 12 Year
One of the reasons I was unsure about including Laphroaig is that o
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Inside The Velvet Cloak Room, Louisville's new members-only bourbon bar - The Courier-Journal
（僅標題資訊）路易維爾推出新的高端會員制波本威士忌酒吧 The Velvet Cloak Room。該酒吧為波本愛好者提供專屬的品酒空間，位於美國波本威士忌的重鎮肯塔基州，吸引對波本文化感興趣的資深愛好者。
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[Sportschosun Lee Ji-hyun] Actor Jung Hae-in revealed his unusual love for whisky. He said he had gone beyond simply enjoying it and had even studied it himself, drawing attention.
On the 12th, Jung Hae-in, who returned with the Netflix series "Our Sticky Love," appeared as a guest on the YouTube channel "You in Radio" and talked about a wide range of topics with Yoo In-na and Soran's Ko Young-bae.
During the segment, "Hae-in Inside," where guests draw keywords and answer questions, Jung Hae-in picked "brain." He was then asked, "What interest lets you show off the most extensive knowledge?"
After thinking for a moment, Jung Hae-in replied, "Exercise is one thing, but if someone asks me about whisky." Yoo In-na was surprised, and Jung Hae-in explained why he had fallen for whisky, saying, "I studied it a bit because I was interested. It smells so good, tastes so good, and the atmosphere is great."
His knowledge of whisky was deeper than expected. When the conversation turned to preferences such as single malt, blended whisky, and bourbon, he answered without hesitation. Asked whether he could tell the three apart even in a blind tasting, he confidently said, "I can definitely tell those three apart."
He then showed off his "whisky pride," explaining, "The aromas are completely different. The taste is different, and the ingredients used to make them are different."
When asked whether he enjoys peat whisky, which even whisky lovers tend to either love or hate, he immediately answered, "Yes." The cast recognized him as a "whisky expert" after seeing that he even enjoys peat whisky, which develops a distinctive smoky aroma when barley is dried over peat smoke.
His coffee preferences, however, were different. Asked whether he likes coffee with strong acidity, Jung Hae-in said, "I don't like sour coffee," adding that he prefers a nutty flavor. When he also said he usually drinks a lot of decaf coffee, Yoo In-na responded warmly, "Me too?" The two clinked their decaf cups and discovered an unexpected common ground.
Jung Hae-in's love for whisky continued when he was asked what he would do if he were given complete freedom for a month. Yoo In-na posed the scenario by saying, "If you could spend a month as Jung Hae-in the person, not the actor, with no worries about money or time?"
Jung Hae-in smiled and said, "That sounds so happy. Just thinking about it makes me happy." When someone suggested, "Wouldn't you go to a whisky distillery?" he replied, "I really think I would," and added, "I want to go back to Scotland once more."
He also mentioned his earlier whisky trip to Scotland with actor Yim Si-wan. When Yoo In-na said she had enjoyed the program and had seen him "sipping continuously there too," Jung Hae-in joked, "I was constantly drunk," drawing laughter.
If he had a month of freedom, Jung Hae-in said he would like to visit distilleries he could not see on that trip. "I want to see how other brands make their whisky too," he said, showing the side of a true enthusiast who wants to learn even more during his break.
Meanwhile, Jung Hae-in recently played Jang Tae-ha in the newly released Netflix series "Our Sticky Love."
olzllovely@sportschosun.com
This article has been translated by GripLabs Mingo AI.
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：GDL: Give Watch Hill Proper a Try this Weekend at the American Whiskey Festival! - WHAS11
（僅標題資訊）美國肯塔基州路易維爾地區週末舉辦美國威士忌節活動，推薦威士忌愛好者試飲 Watch Hill Proper 威士忌。此活動為美國本土威士忌愛好者交流品飲的重要活動之一。
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Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Give Watch Hill Proper a Try this Weekend at the American Whiskey Festival! - WHAS11
（僅標題資訊）美國威士忌節即將舉辦，媒體推薦參與者品嚐 Watch Hill Proper 威士忌。Watch Hill Proper 是美國威士忌品牌，此次活動為威士忌愛好者提供試飲和認識新酒款的機會。
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Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：The Odyssey in Nine Drams: A Whisky Lover’s Guide to Odysseus’ Journey Home - The Whiskey Wash
受克里斯多福·諾蘭新片改編《奧德賽》熱潮啟發，The Whiskey Wash 編輯將荷馬史詩中奧德修斯的十年冒險旅程配對九款威士忌。從蓮花食者搭配 Paul John Nirvana、獨眼巨人配 Octomore 大泥煤威士忌，到風之守護者選用 Old Pulteney 12 年、魔女瑟西配 Bruichladdich Black Art，以及塞壬配 Angel's Envy、漩渦怪物配 Ardbeg Corryvreckan、卡呂普索仙女配 Compass Box Hedonism 等。最後一杯留給讀者自選代表家鄉的威士忌，象徵冒險歸家的完美句點。適合威士忌迷與古典文學愛好者的創意品飲指南。
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With the recent excitement surrounding Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey, Homer’s epic has once again found itself in the spotlight.
I’ve loved The Odyssey ever since I was a child, when I spent hours poring over beautifully illustrated versions of the story. I’ve also reread Homer’s epic as an adult, and I still love it. For those who haven’t yet watched the movie, or who haven’t read the great epic poem, Homer’s The Odyssey tells the story of the Greek hero, Odysseus, as he struggles to return home after the Trojan War. His ten-year journey is filled with monsters, enchantresses, storms, and temptations. Back in Ithaca his faithful wife, Penelope, waits for him and fends off suitors who believe him dead, while their son, Telemachus, searches for news of his father.
With all the recent hype, I of course found myself wondering: if each of Odysseus’ adventures deserved its own whisky, what would be in the glass?
The epic contains many adventures, and I’ve picked just a handful of the most famous ones to pair with whiskies that somehow seem to capture their spirit. It’s probably wise not to attempt all nine drams in one sitting – Odysseus took ten years to complete the journey, after all.
1. The Lotus-Eaters – Paul John Nirvana
The Lotus-Eaters tempt Odysseus’ crew with a fruit so blissful that they lose all desire to continue their journey. “Nirvana” seems almost too perfect a name for this encounter, evoking complete contentment and freedom from worldly concerns. This very easy-drinking and approachable Indian single malt could just as easily make you forget you had other things to do.
Expect soft honey, vanilla, fruitcake, walnuts and warm baking spices.
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2. The Cyclops – Octomore (any release)
If ever there were a whisky worthy of a one-eyed giant, it’s Octomore. Famous for being among the most heavily peated whiskies ever produced, this is a dram of almost mythical proportions – big, bold and unforgettable. Just as Polyphemus overwhelms Odysseus with brute strength, Octomore overwhelms the senses with smoke.
You can expect different tasting notes for different releases, but you can also generally expect powerful peat smoke, citrus, malt sweetness and surprising elegance beneath the intensity.
3. Aeolus, Keeper of the Winds – Old Pulteney 12 Year Old
Aeolus helps Odysseus by giving him a leather bag containing all the winds that might blow his ships off course on his way home. Disaster strikes only when the crew’s curiosity gets the better of them with home finally in sight, and they open it. They are of course blown off course in a massive storm, their journey far from over. Old Pulteney, often called “The Maritime Malt”, seems an appropriate companion for this windswept chapter of their voyage, with its unmistakable coastal character.
Expect a little sea salt, citrus, honey, green apple and gentle oak.
4. Circe – Bruichladdich Black Art
Circe is the powerful enchantress who transforms Odysseus’ men into pigs through sorcery. Few whiskies possess a name more fitting than Black Art. Its mysterious recipe, known only to a single distiller, has long cultivated an air of magic and secrecy worthy of Circe.
If Black Art stretches the budget a little too far, Port Charlotte 10 makes an excellent stand-in. It lacks the magical name, but still offers a wonderfully characterful Bruichladdich experience.
Expect rich dried fruit, dark chocolate, honey, oak spices and remarkable complexity.
5. Visiting Hades, the Land of the Dead – The Sexton
Odysseus journeys into the Underworld to seek out the prophet Tiresias, who he hopes can tell him how to return home to Ithaca. While there, he also meets the spirits of his mother, fallen comrades, and famous heroes, learning about mortality, fate, and his own journey. A whisky called “The Sexton” (named after the traditional caretaker of churchyards and cemeteries) feels like an appropriately atmospheric companion.
Expect some flora and fruity notes, dark chocolate, toasted nuts, and gentle oak.
6. The Sirens – Angel’s Envy
The Sirens represent irresistible temptation, luring sailors towards their destruction with songs too beautiful to ignore. Angel’s Envy seems a wonderfully playful choice: a whisky whose very name hints at temptation. Unlike the Sirens’ song, however, giving in to this temptation is generally a much safer decision.
Expect vanilla, caramel, ripe fruit and baking spices.
7. Scylla and Charybdis – Ardbeg Corryvreckan
At one point, Odysseus must steer his ship between Scylla and Charybdis (the many-headed monster and the whirlpool). Ardbeg Corryvreckan takes its name from the famous Scottish whirlpool, which forms in the Gulf of Corryvreckan (the stretch of sea between Jura and Scarba), making it an almost irresistible pairing. George Orwell famously had a near-fatal encounter with the real Corryvreckan whirlpool in 1947.
Expect intense peat smoke, black pepper, berries, espresso and a touch of sea spray.
8. Calypso – Compass Box Hedonism
Odysseus eventually ends up on the island of Ogygia, where he spends seven years with the nymph Calypso. She offers Odysseus a life of comfort, pleasure and even immortality if only he will stay with her. Compass Box Hedonism captures that seductive promise perfectly. Smooth, luxurious and indulgent, it’s the sort of dram that invites you to linger just a little longer.
Expect lashings of creamy vanilla, coconut, toffee and soft oak.
9. Home at Last – Whatever reminds you of home
After facing monsters, storms, shipwrecks and temptation for ten long years, Odysseus finally reaches home.
I won’t recommend a specific bottle for the end of his journey, as home will taste different for everyone. Instead, pour whatever whisky reminds you of home. Perhaps it’s a bottle from your local distillery, from just your own country, or perhaps it’s the first whisky you ever fell in love with, or simply the one you always reach for when celebrating with family and friends. After all, there’s no place quite like home.
For anyone who is travelling across the world, or simply home from work, may your own journey be much shorter than Odysseus’, and may there be a good dram waiting for you when you arrive!
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Celeste Marie Wilson Calls Out Small-Town Contradictions on "Jesus, Tequila, and Whiskey" - buzzmusic
德州創作歌手 Celeste Marie Wilson 推出最新鄉村單曲《Jesus, Tequila, and Whiskey》，以機智且不帶評判的方式諷刺小鎮居民週末酗酒狂歡、週日虔誠做禮拜的雙面人生。歌曲融合經典鄉村敘事風格與南方搖滾態度，靈感來自她在當地酒吧的真實觀察。音樂影片設定在霓虹燈閃爍的德州酒吧，故事線從酒後鬧事一路延伸到教堂告解室，完美諷刺了這種虛偽的道德表演。Wilson 表示創作靈感源於看到許多行為不當的酒吧常客卻配戴十字架，這種偽善現象引發她的思考。
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Celeste Marie Wilson Calls Out Small-Town Contradictions on "Jesus, Tequila, and Whiskey"
- Jennifer Gurton
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
Celeste Marie Wilson isn't interested in sugarcoating small-town life. On her latest single, "Jesus, Tequila, and Whiskey," the Texas singer-songwriter delivers a witty, unapologetic country anthem that shines a spotlight on the contradictions often hiding in plain sight. Drawing from a night spent at a local honky-tonk, Wilson transforms real-life observations into a sharp, memorable story that feels equally timeless and refreshingly current.
Built on classic country storytelling with a healthy dose of Southern rock attitude, the track channels the spirit of legendary narrative songs while carving out a voice entirely Wilson's own. Her lyrics are clever without becoming cynical, poking fun at the divide between Saturday-night behavior and Sunday-morning devotion. Rather than condemning her community, Wilson writes with the perspective of someone who knows it intimately, allowing humor and honesty to coexist throughout the song.
The accompanying music video elevates the message even further. Set inside a neon-soaked Texas honky-tonk, it follows a Bible-quoting regular whose night quickly unravels into gambling, drinking, and fighting before ending inside a church confession booth the following morning. His casual promise to "see you next Sunday" lands as the perfect punchline, reinforcing the song's commentary on performative morality without ever feeling preachy.
With "Jesus, Tequila, and Whiskey," Celeste Marie Wilson proves that great country music still thrives on authentic storytelling. Equal parts entertaining, thought-provoking, and undeniably catchy, the release captures the messy reality of small-town culture with affection rather than judgment. It's a song that invites listeners to laugh, reflect, and maybe even recognize a familiar face or two along the way.
What was the moment at the honky-tonk that sparked the idea for "Jesus, Tequila, and Whiskey," and how quickly did the song come together afterward?
It happened when I saw that many of the bar stars, heathens or otherwise poorly behaved individuals, were wearing crosses and realized the surprising amount of hypocrisy they were portraying.
The track tackles a sensitive topic with humor instead of judgment. How did you find that balance while writing the lyrics?
My mama always said you catch more flies with honey. This is a real aspect of my home that should be analyzed and talked about, but I want to make sure there’s something in my music for everyone. If you want, it can be a simple party song, but if it provokes you to think about social issues, that makes me happy too. I guess what I’m getting at is I want my audience to enjoy my music. Plus, I try not to judge due to the “judge and be judged” bit of the bible.
The music video tells a complete story from the bar to the church pew. How involved were you in developing the video's narrative and visual direction?
That was 100% Charlie at Cold Creek. I try to make sure that each creative on my team has free range. I already know what my song is about. I always let them listen to it with no explanation, and from there, we are able to create a whole new piece of art that is related to the music I’ve written. Charlie loves directing like I love music, and two people loving a project makes it stronger than just one. I truly believe that in the next 5-10 years, Cold Creek will be putting Pearland on the map.
Your music blends classic country storytelling with modern influences. Which artists have had the biggest impact on your songwriting style?
From Dolly Parton to AC/DC, I really did grow up listening to everything. Now for this song, my biggest music inspiration was Waylon Jennings.
As an independent artist building momentum, what stories or themes are you most excited to explore in your upcoming releases?
I am thrilled to explore themes of Southern Living and the discovery of self. I am also pushing towards writing more about “Lost Traditions” and unplugging from the world around us.
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