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Unreined Whiskey Opens WildHorse Ranch Visitor Center in Texas
By Menachem Kossowsky,
8 hours agoUnreined Whiskey Opens Its WildHorse Ranch Visitor Center — And Texas Bourbon Tourism Will Never Be the Same
For decades, the pilgrimage to great American whiskey meant one thing: a road trip through central Kentucky, dodging slow-moving tractors on the way to Bardstown, Buffalo Trace, or one of the dozens of distilleries that stitch together the famed Bourbon Trail. That geography has started to shift, and this weekend, a young Texas brand planted its flag firmly in the conversation. On August 5, 2026, Unreined Whiskey announced the grand opening of its visitor's center and rickhouse at WildHorse Ranch in College Station, with doors swinging open to the public on Saturday, August 8. It is not simply another tasting room bolted onto a ranch property. The scale, the craftsmanship credentials, and the deliberate philosophy behind the project signal something larger about where American whiskey is headed.
The Property: Size, Scope, and a Serious Kentucky Pedigree
Numbers can flatten a good story, but in this case they're worth leading with. The new facility is a 30,000-square-foot, four-story structure. It sits on Unreined's WildHorse Ranch outside College Station, roughly 100 miles northwest of Houston. That geography matters — College Station is already a city that draws enormous crowds on football weekends, but until now it has lacked the kind of standalone destination experience that turns a day trip into a multi-night stay.
What sets this facility apart from the typical Texas spirits outpost is who built it and who designed it. The structure was built by Buzick Construction of Bardstown, Kentucky, widely regarded as a global leader in rickhouse construction. The design work was handled by Louisville firm Joseph & Joseph. Joseph & Joseph has previously worked on projects with companies including Angel's Envy, Heaven Hill, and Bardstown Bourbon Company. When a brand barely a year old calls in the same architects and builders responsible for some of the most respected distillery experiences in the country, it is making a statement about intentions.
The rickhouse itself is modeled on traditional Kentucky-style; it is a sipper designed to show what Texas aging can add to a well-constructed Kentucky foundation.
For collectors and casual enthusiasts alike, the release timing is deliberate. Opening weekend is a moment of maximum attention and foot traffic, and introducing a new, aged expression on that day gives the brand's most dedicated supporters an immediate reason to visit — and return.
Inside the Experience: Speakeasies, Bison Burgers, and Art
The whiskey is the centerpiece, but Unreined has been careful to design a visitor experience that extends well beyond the rickhouse walk-through. Visitors can enjoy guided tours, curated tastings, watch parties, private events, and a speakeasy-style; they come back for the bourbon.
The Founders: Aggies Building a Bourbon Brand From Scratch
The origin story behind Unreined Whiskey is one of the more unusual in recent American spirits history. Unreined Whiskey was founded in 2025 by a host of Aggies: Nelson Ingram '13, Rob Arnold PhD '21 (doctoral), Drew Carden '10, Cory Hall '13, Kevin Smith '11, Ryan Howard '14, and Kyle Bethancourt '00. Every founder carries a Texas A&M graduation year next to their name, and the brand's home in College Station is no coincidence — it is a deliberate choice to build a whiskey company that reflects the culture and loyalty of one of the most passionate alumni networks in American collegiate sports.
The academic and professional credentials within that founding group are notable. Rob Arnold holds a doctoral degree and has spoken publicly about the scientific rigor behind Unreined's blending approach. "The Unreined Whiskey team's approach to whiskey is one that blends innovation, quality, and decades of experience to create a whiskey Texans are proud to share," Arnold said. That combination of institutional loyalty, industry experience, and scientific credibility is not a common founding profile in the craft spirits world, where enthusiasm frequently outpaces expertise.
The Texas A&M Partnership: Kyle Field as a Bourbon Bar
Long before the visitor center opened, Unreined made a move that announced its ambitions to a very large audience. The brand was designated the official whiskey of Texas A&M Athletics, and starting this season, it is prominently featured throughout Kyle Field. Kyle Field, home to Texas A&M football, has a capacity of over 102,000 and reportedly hosted over 743,000 fans across seven home football games in one season. That is a staggering amount of direct consumer exposure for a brand in its first year of existence.
Major college athletics partnerships have also become increasingly common for spirits brands seeking to reach loyal alumni networks and regional consumers. But few brands have executed such a partnership while simultaneously building a world-class physical home for the whiskey itself. The combination — stadium visibility and a destination rickhouse — gives Unreined a two-pronged market penetration strategy that most startup spirits brands could only dream of.
Fans and former students can enjoy Unreined Whiskey at Texas A&M events where spirits are served and find it now available at Spec's, Total Wine, and local retailers across Texas. Moving product through Spec's and Total Wine means Unreined isn't relying solely on event sales or direct-to-consumer channels — it has established real retail shelf presence in a state with one of the most competitive spirits markets in the country.
What It Means for Texas Bourbon Tourism
The broader implications of this opening extend well beyond one brand's market position. The American whiskey tourism industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth, and Texas is well positioned to compete for its share. The American whiskey industry continues to attract both domestic and international tourists even as overall travel to the US declines; last year, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail welcomed 2.7 million whiskey fans from around the world. Kentucky's numbers represent years of infrastructure investment, coordinated marketing, and a critical mass of experiences that reward multi-day visits. Texas, with its larger land mass, enormous domestic travel market, and rapidly growing spirits scene, has the raw materials to eventually rival that draw.
College Station's tourism officials clearly understand what a well-executed whiskey destination can do for a local economy. Jeremiah Cook, assistant director of tourism at Visit College Station, said: "New attractions like this give visitors more reasons to stay and explore — and that translates into real economic impact for our city, supporting local businesses and strengthening tourism across the region." Hotel nights, restaurant tabs, and retail spending all follow a well-designed destination attraction. Unreined's WildHorse Ranch is exactly the kind of anchor that can shift the economic calculus of a weekend trip to Aggieland.
"Unreined is exactly the kind of authentic, only-here experience we love to see in College Station," Cook added. That phrase — "only-here experience" — is the right frame. The most successful bourbon destinations in America work because they feel irreplaceable, not because they have the longest bar or the most Instagram-friendly signage. A working rickhouse on a functioning Texas ranch, with bison grazing nearby and a Houston artist's work on the walls, is not something you can find in Bardstown. That differentiation is its greatest competitive asset.
The Bigger Picture: Texas Whiskey's Coming of Age
Unrein
Panaji: India’s liquor industry has always had a sticky underbelly. Cheap sugarcane molasses distilled into a flavourless liquid and then spiked with artificial flavourings and colour to pass for fine whisky and aged rum. Foreign markets cottoned on long ago, and Indian brands took a beating. Now, a reckoning has arrived in India too.
Earlier this month, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) banned a whole bar-full of popular rum and whisky labels after lab tests found they were using neutral alcohol and added flavour to mimic the real deal. On the list were three variants of Old Monk — The Legend, Gold Reserve and XXX Matured Rum — along with McDowell’s No 1 Rum, Bagpiper Deluxe Whisky, Old Cask Deluxe Rum and Royal Challenge Whisky.
The ban has opened up a much bigger question for India’s spirits industry: what goes into the bottle? Peel back the label on the majority of what India drinks, and the starting point hiding underneath most is sugarcane molasses, fermented and distilled into a nearly flavourless, colourless, high-proof liquid called Extra Neutral Alcohol, or ENA. Experts say anything with this base cannot be called a whisky. In the case of rum, molasses is a legitimate base, but the promises of ageing on the label don’t always reflect reality; often, it is ENA with added flavour and only a small amount of barrel-aged rum. Old Monk’s “7 years old blended” rum, for instance, contained less than 5 per cent matured rum spirit, according to the FSSAI’s statement.
People don’t trust Indian brands, and you cannot blame them. If molasses is used in a blended whisky, it is rum. You cannot call it whisky. Molasses have no role in a bottle of whisky
– Rakshay Dhariwal, founder of agave spirit brand Pistola
While some consumers are circulating conspiracy theories about sugar-lobby politics, including reels about how Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s family runs Manas Agro, the company behind the emerging Kaptaan Rum, others label the FSSAI’s actions as “long overdue” in increasing transparency and quality control in Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL).
“People don’t trust Indian brands, and you cannot blame them. If molasses is used in a blended whisky, it is rum. You cannot call it whisky. Molasses have no role in a bottle of whisky,” said Rakshay Dhariwal, founder of Pistola, an agave spirit brand. According to trade estimates, more than 90 per cent of what is sold as whisky in India would not legally qualify as whisky in the US or Europe—not because it’s fake, exactly, but because it skips what the rest of the world considers non-negotiable: actual grain, actually aged.
Now, however, a growing crop of homegrown brands is crafting spirits to international standards and even winning global awards. At John Distilleries in Goa, 100 per cent Indian malted barley goes into its whisky, while newer rums such as Camikara are distilled from fresh sugarcane juice. The Indian market is slowly seeing premiumisation too. While rum and coke is as ubiquitous as it was two decades ago, with most drinkers not too bothered about what’s in the glass, premium spirits were up about 9 per cent by volume and 12 per cent by value in 2025 over the year before, according to IWSR data.
“The evolution has happened on both sides of the bar: producers are making more characterful, ingredient-led spirits, and consumers are learning to appreciate what is inside the bottle, not just the name printed on it. But this isn’t the majority of consumers, just a small section,” said Anirudh Singhal, founder of bar design company SpeedX.
Also Read: Indian whisky takes over the domestic market. It’s giving global names stiff competition
Ups and downs of molasses
On the crushing floor of the Seksaria Sugar Factory in Biswan, Uttar Pradesh, are the beginnings of what could become a bottle of rum, or even Indian whisky.
As sugarcane juice is boiled down and sugar crystals form, it leaves behind an almost black, viscous liquid that clings to almost everything it touches. It smells intensely sweet, slightly burnt and earthy. This is molasses.
“From a quintal of sugarcane, we roughly get 4-5 kg of molasses,” said factory representative Somenath Mukerjee. “This by-product is equally precious if not more than the crystallised sugar.”
This ‘waste’ still contains roughly 40-50 per cent fermentable sugar — and India’s liquor industry has ample use for it as a raw material. This is why sugar mills and distilleries have long operated side by side in the country’s sugar-growing regions, or, in many cases, as two parts of the same business. By the mid-2000s, India had around 300 distilleries, many clustered in sugarcane country and cheek-by-jowl with sugar mills.
Molasses found their way into virtually every dark spirit.
“Technology wasn’t great back in time so there were limitations to process certain ingredients. Grain distillation was rarely heard of. There were no grain distilleries. Molasses was the best option,” said Michael D’Souza, master distiller at Paul John, an award-winning Indian single-malt whisky brand based in Goa that uses only grain.
From a quintal of sugarcane, we roughly get 4-5 kg of molasses. This by-product is equally precious if not more than the crystallised sugar
– Somenath Mukerjee, representative of Seksaria Sugar Factory
The process is fairly uncomplicated, according to him. Molasses is first diluted and fermented with yeast, which converts its sugars into alcohol. The fermented wash is then distilled into rectified spirit. This can be further purified through redistillation to make Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA).
This versatile spirit formed the cheap base of India’s mass-market liquor business for decades. In the 2000s, some of the country’s biggest whisky brands, including McDowell’s No.1, Royal Challenge, Officer’s Choice and Bagpiper, were associated with the mass-market blended-whisky segment.
But over the years, this cosy sugarcane-liquor equation has become ever more tangled in regulation. Uttar Pradesh amended its molasses-control rules again in 2026, while Maharashtra issued fresh molasses rules and a new dual-feed policy for ethanol in 2025.
“We cannot use, sell or even throw molasses without the permission of the UP Excise department. We have a 10-page Molasses policy to abide by,” Mukerjee said.
The Uttar Pradesh Excise Policy 2026-27 regulates how molasses is allocated to licensed distilleries, stored and processed. It also stipulates that molasses-based alcohol can only be used for country liquor and rum, while grain-based alcohol must be used for all other Indian-made foreign liquor.
“That distinction is important because, for much of the history of India’s mass-market spirits industry, molasses was central to the production of neutral spirit used in IMFL,” said Rakshay Dhariwal, founder of Pistola, an agave spirit brand.
The formula was economical and easy to scale, but it left Indian brands with a credibility problem when they tried to move upmarket.
‘Where whisky can be rum’
Indian whisky never quite found the same respect abroad as Scotch, American or Irish whisky. In many foreign markets, whisky made from it was considered ‘rum’ in a poor disguise.
In 2002, the European Union told India it could sell its molasses-based whisky in Europe — but as rum, not whisky. A year later, the EU rejected India’s demand for greater market access for its whisky, saying molasses-derived alcohol did not qualify. The Wall Street Journal captured this in a telling 2006 headline: “Where ‘Whisky’ Can Be Rum.”
“Royal Challenge, like most Indian “whisky,” is actually a rum flavored to pass as whisky,” it said. Old Monk, launched in the 1960s and seen as a nostalgic classic, has had a better run of it and is sold in several countries abroad.
However, back home, IMFL has its own image problem, looked down upon as cheap, mass-market liquor to be knocked back and desirable mostly for its affordability. The cheapest Indian whiskies, blended with neutral grain spirits or
Google News（ウイスキー）｜原題：限定229本！京都の伝説的バーテンダー・西田稔氏が厳選した希少ウイスキーが発売 - Leaf KYOTO
京都威士忌選酒店 Cask Salon de K 將於2026年8月25日推出Glen Scotia 2016 Heavily Peated 9年單一桶原酒限定版，全球限量229瓶。此酒由蘇格蘭坎貝爾鎮Glen Scotia蒸餾所製造，經西田稔——推動京都酒吧文化的傳奇調酒師嚴選樽源，瓶身標籤由妖怪畫家蘭陵亭子梅繪製白狐圖案。兼具稀有單一桶、京都大師選樽與祥瑞設計三大特色，適合收藏與送禮。
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鴨川沿いのオーセンティックバー［SENT JAME...
2026年8月25日（火）より、京都のウイスキーセレクトショップ［Cask salon de K（カスク サロン ド ケイ）］の公式オンラインショップにて、シングルカスクウイスキー「グレンスコシア2016 ヘビリーピーテッド9年 狐白ラベル for カスクサロンドK」が229本限定で販売される。
スコットランド・キャンベルタウンの［グレンスコシア蒸溜所］で造られたヘビリーピーテッド（※1）原酒を、加水や冷却ろ過を一切行わず1つの樽からそのままボトリングしたシングルカスク（※2）の限定ウイスキーで、希少な1樽の個性を楽しめる限定ボトル。樽の選定を手掛けたのは、京都のバー文化を牽引してきたバーテンダー・西田稔氏、そしてボトルのラベルには、妖怪書画家・蘭陵亭子梅（らんりょうてい しばい）氏による「白狐」が描かれている。
希少なシングルカスク、京都を代表するバーテンダーによる樽選び、縁起の良い白狐のデザインという3つの魅力を備えたウイスキーは、コレクションとしてはもちろん、京都らしさを感じるギフトとしても注目を集めそうだ。
（※1）ヘビリーピーテッド：泥炭（ピート）の煙でモルトを強めに燻製した、非常にスモーキーでインパクトのある味わいのウイスキー
（※2）シングルカスク：ほかの樽の原酒とブレンドせず、ひとつの樽（カスク）からのみ瓶詰めされたウイスキー。樽ごとの個性がダイレクトに現れるため希少性が高い
＜西田氏のテイスティングコメント＞
色合い：輝きのある明るいゴールド
香り：ファーストフィル・バーボン樽由来の濃厚なバニラやハチミツの甘やかな香りが前面に広がる。爽やかな柑橘系のフルーツ、潮風のニュアンスがキャンベルタウンウイスキーを連想させる
味わい：口に含むと、スパイシーなアタックを感じ、しっかりとしたボディの中に、塩・バニラ・トフィーの甘さが一体となって押し寄せる。余韻は、バーボン樽の心地よいオーク香、温かみのあるスパイス、そして微かな塩気が喉の奥に長く、ドライさとピートが残る
取材件数年間600件以上！京都・滋賀を知り尽くした編集部厳選のお取り寄せサイト。
今なら公式LINEお友達登録で500円OFFクーポン発行中!!
毎週金曜日の朝8時に配信！教えたくなる新店情報からイベント情報まで、 知っていると役に立つ京都の記事をお届けしています。 約2万人が登録中。お友達追加はこちら！
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Johnnie Walker unveils House of Walker as new luxury whisky experience in Kenya - Food Business Middle East & Africa
Johnnie Walker 於6月19日在奈洛比 Village Market 開幕 House of Walker 體驗館，由東非釀造公司（EABL）營運。體驗館結合威士忌工藝展示、互動iPad應用、瓶身刻字客製化服務，以及由 Diageo 品牌大使主持的威士忌品酒課程，讓消費者深入認識品牌遺產與產品故事。該館展示 Johnnie Walker 全系列酒款，並融入名為「Hats Off Dad」的藝術裝置展。此舉反映高端烈酒品牌日益重視體驗行銷與消費者教育的產業趨勢。
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EABL brings craftsmanship, personalisation and whisky education together in an immersive new experience at Village Market.
KENYA – Johnnie Walker has launched House of Walker at Village Market in Nairobi, introducing an immersive luxury experience designed to bring consumers closer to whisky craftsmanship, brand heritage and personalised experiences.
Officially unveiled on 19 June 2026, the intimate gathering brought together whisky enthusiasts, media and industry guests for an evening centred on craftsmanship, connection and progress.
The House of Walker experience features a curated display of the Johnnie Walker portfolio alongside other East African Breweries Limited (EABL) spirits.
Interactive iPad stations allow visitors to explore the heritage behind individual labels, while an engraving station offers bottle personalisation, transforming purchases into keepsakes.
A central element of the launch was a whisky masterclass led by King’kline Ojal, Diageo Luxury Spirits Brand Ambassador.
Guests were taken through a tasting journey spanning the Johnnie Walker range, culminating in Johnnie Walker Blue Label, a blend made from some of Scotland’s rarest whiskies.
The masterclass reflects the growing role of education and guided tasting in premium spirits marketing, as brands increasingly seek to create experiences around products rather than relying solely on traditional retail presentation.
Alvin Mbugua, General Manager Spirits at EABL, said the House of Walker was designed to encourage consumers to engage more deeply with the brand.
“Today, true luxury is measured by exclusivity, education, and immersion,” he said. “The House of Walker is a space designed to slow time down, allowing for a deeper relationship with the liquid.”
The launch also incorporated a live art installation titled ‘Hats Off Dad’, inspired by Father’s Day and centred on themes of guidance, legacy and mentorship.
The creative installation extended the event’s focus beyond whisky consumption, using art and storytelling to reinforce the values associated with the Johnnie Walker brand.
For the wider spirits industry, the launch highlights the increasing importance of experiential marketing and premiumisation in engaging consumers.
Luxury spirits brands are increasingly creating dedicated spaces where consumers can learn about products, personalise purchases and interact with brand heritage in more intimate settings.
House of Walker also provides Johnnie Walker with a dedicated physical platform in Kenya at a time when premium spirits companies are placing greater emphasis on consumer experiences, education and direct engagement.
The Village Market experience is now open to visitors, offering consumers an opportunity to explore the Johnnie Walker portfolio through a combination of whisky education, craftsmanship, personalisation and storytelling.
The initiative reinforces Johnnie Walker’s broader positioning around progress and intentionality while giving EABL another platform through which to engage Kenya’s growing premium spirits market.
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The Trump administration has slapped new tariffs on some popular Canadian goods, effective from Saturday, marking the latest salvo in his trade war with America's northern neighbour as his feud with Prime Minister Mark Carney expands.
US President Donald Trump had announced the latest round of tariffs last month, saying they were intended to "offset Canadian discrimination" against American cars, dairy products and alcohol.
US and Canadian officials had spent days negotiating an agreement aimed at preventing the tariffs from taking effect. Earlier in the week, Trump said in a Truth Social post that the two sides were close to reaching a deal.
The latest US tariffs came into force at 12:01 am on Saturday, covering a broad range of Canadian products. The affected goods include alcoholic drinks, dairy products and hockey equipment, among several other items, according to a Business Insider report.
Here are some of the well-known Canadian products that could become more expensive in the US.
Beer, wine and spirits are among the products covered by the tariffs, including Canadian whisky, one of the most popular alcoholic drinks imported by the US from Canada.
Popular Canadian whisky brands such as Crown Royal, Canadian Club and Black Velvet could be affected by the new duties.
Crystal Head Vodka, known for its distinctive skull-shaped bottle, is also produced in Canada and could face the tariffs.
Fireball Cinnamon Whisky is an American product but uses Canadian whisky, meaning it could potentially be affected indirectly.
The dispute over alcohol between the two countries intensified last year after Trump introduced his first round of tariffs. In response, several Canadian provinces removed US-made alcoholic drinks from their shelves.
Hockey equipment, including sticks and gloves, is also included in the list of products covered by the tariffs.
Canadian-based brands such as Bauer Hockey, CCM Hockey and Sherwood are among the major names in the industry. However, products made by these companies will not necessarily be subject to the new duties.
Some Canadian hockey brands manufacture their equipment in countries such as China and Vietnam, meaning those products may not fall under the tariffs.
Sherwood, for instance, says some of its wooden hockey sticks are manufactured in Canada. Those products could therefore be affected.
The tariffs also cover several dairy items, including milk, cream and powdered dairy products.
Cheese, however, does not appear on the affected list. This is despite Trump citing Canada's treatment of US-made cheese as one of the reasons for imposing the tariffs.
The tariffs extend well beyond food and sports equipment. The long list of affected Canadian goods also includes motorcycles, honey, clothing, plants, essential oils and dog leashes.
Construction materials, paper, smartphones and a range of other products are also included, meaning the impact could extend to several areas of everyday consumption.
Meanwhile, Carney said Canada will apply dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs on US imports on September 8.
“We take this step reluctantly,” Carney said Saturday, “because we recognize that it will raise costs and reduce choice for Canadians,” that it will hit innocent US companies and states, and prevent the two countries from working together.
Carney, in a statement, said Canada would respond with tariffs on US goods "dollar for dollar" to protect Canadian workers and businesses.
He said the retaliatory import taxes will be concentrated on steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, and electronics, with more details to be published in the coming days.
(With inputs from agencies)
Kanishka Singharia is a Senior Content Producer at Mint with a passion for news, trends, and the stories shaping the digital world. She specialises in spotting viral narratives by constantly tracking social media platforms and turning them into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Her work ranges from fast-paced breaking updates to sensitive human-interest features, blending speed with clarity. <br><br> With over four years of experience in news and trend reporting, Kanishka has worked with leading organisations such as Hindustan Times and Times Now. She moves seamlessly between profiling business leaders and telling the stories of everyday people, covering national developments just as effortlessly as the memes and conversations that dominate online culture. <br><br> She also reports on real estate developments and civic challenges in major urban hubs like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Gurugram. Her coverage frequently explores the struggles of startup founders, inspiring journeys of CEOs, and the experiences of candidates dealing with the complexities of visa processes. <br><br> Kanishka holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism from Delhi University and a diploma from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. Rarely offline, she spends much of her time scrolling through X, LinkedIn, Reddit, Instagram, and Facebook in search of the next big story. When she finally logs off, she enjoys binge-watching shows and exploring cafes in pursuit of good food and better conversations.
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An Ottawa-area distillery is redirecting its expansion plans after Canada-U.S. trade negotiations collapsed and new 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods took effect on Saturday.
Stratford-Fox Distillery had been preparing to enter the much larger U.S. market. General manager and master distiller Adam Brierley says that plan is now being reconsidered.
“A big part of our plan was to move into the United States,” Brierley said. “It’s a bigger population, the U.S. dollar is usually stronger, and we’re now reconsidering that and looking to Europe.”
The United States imposed 50 per cent tariffs on approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian products, including alcohol, after negotiations broke down Friday. Prime Minster Mark Carney suspended further talks and said Canada intends to respond to the tariff’s dollar for dollar.
Brierley says Stratford-Fox will instead concentrate on expanding east and west within Canada. The distillery is discussing potential listings in Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan, while also considering opportunities in Europe.
The company produces its whisky, vodka, gin, rum, and liqueurs locally using Ontario-grown grain. Its cardboard packaging is also manufactured in Ontario, while its glass bottles are sourced from Europe.
“We invested very early in making sure that our supply chain was as Canadian as possible,” Brierley said about the company which was founded in 2020. “I’m glad to see that that’s paying dividends now that we have all of this trade uncertainty.”
The dispute has created opportunities for the distillery within Ontario.
Before American alcohol was removed from LCBO shelves, Stratford-Fox had one product listed with the provincial retailer. Its whiskey is now available at more than 200 LCBO locations and has become the eighth-most-popular whisky in Ontario, according to Brierley.
Earlier this week, Carney asked premiers to consider returning American alcohol to provincial stores as Canada attempted to secure an agreement with Washington. With no agreement in place, Ontario has not announced any change to the current LCBO boycott.
Outside an Ottawa LCBO on Saturday, shoppers expressed support for Canada’s decision to walk away from the proposed agreement.
“I think President Trump needs to be put in his place,” said Ottawa resident Paul Fennell. “I think Carney – I believe he’s doing the right thing to make it happen.”
Carol Lenz said the latest developments have not changed her commitment to avoiding American products.
“Absolutely no interest in buying anything American if I can avoid it, and certainly not American liquor,” she said.
Despite the additional shelf space and growing interest in Canadian products, Brierley said he ultimately hopes both countries can find a path back to stable trade relations.
“I do hope that we get to a deal at some point in time,” he said. “Speaking personally, I do hope that trade relations normalize.”
5 Biggest Bourbon Trends Of 2026 So Far
Whether you prefer your bourbon on the rocks or in a cocktail, you deserve to pour yourself a glass. We've made it to the second half of 2026, which means it is time to look at the bourbon trends that have defined the year so far.
We predicted that 2026 would be the year to buy great whiskey at a great price, and that has held true. Just as drinkers have become more interested in the terroir, production techniques, and tasting notes of a glass of wine, they've applied the same curiosity to their bourbon. Producers are responding to consumers' desires, bottling bourbons with intention and delivering a fantastic product with a story to match.
Creativity, innovation, and a focus on quality are leading the trends in bourbon consumption in 2026. So the next time you are at the liquor store, look for sustainable production, unique flavor profiles, and some serious bang for your buck.
More Stable Pricing
You've got to be patient to get your hands on great bourbon. Turning distillate into whiskey requires time for the alcohol to barrel-age, which gives the final product its signature copper color. The nature of the product means distillers start working on any given release years before it hits the market.
In the 2010s, bourbon became incredibly trendy. Premium products got serious hype — scoring a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle was a very expensive conquest causing the secondary market to boom — and boutique craft distilleries seemed to be popping up left and right. High demand and increased popularity led to increased production, with the assumption that demand would continue to rise. Spoiler alert: It didn't.
Welcome to the Bourbon Glut. Today, there is a lot of bourbon ready to be sold and less demand — resulting from a combination of health-consciousness and a departure from pandemic-era purchasing habits. To move bottles, prices have actually started coming down on some products. This is good news for the consumer, as prices have stabilized. Instead of relying on scarcity to convince consumers to buy, brands now have to prove the bourbon inside the bottle is actually worth drinking.
Renewed Focus on Quality and Value
Since inflation has caused consumers to start tightening their purse strings, bourbon drinkers are looking for a bottle that is reasonably priced, great quality, and something they'll actually drink — instead of investing in a special occasion bottle that sits on the shelf looking pretty. Trophy bottles and ultra-rare releases aren't quite as desirable as a well-made product that can be enjoyed today.
When shopping with quality in mind, words like craft, small-batch, and the like are used to tell a great story, but these terms aren't regulated across the industry. (Unlike wine, where classifications like AOC or DOCG provide strict regulations to how and where grapes are grown, harvested, and processed.)
Bottled-in-bond is the only federally regulated classification for bourbon beyond the standards required for it to be labeled bourbon rather than simply whiskey. To earn the designation, a bourbon must be produced by a single distiller during a single distilling season, aged for at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse, and bottled at 100 proof. More distillers are releasing bottled-in-bond products — keep an eye out for the Old Grand-Dad 7 Year Bottled in Bond, which hit shelves in July — giving consumers an easy way to identify bottles that meet these specific production and aging standards.
Innovation with a Reason
Even though all bourbon must meet strict production requirements, including being aged in new charred oak and made in the United States, there are a lot of ways that distillers and blenders can make their product unique. From adjusting the grain types to blending flavored whiskey to finishing the bourbon in a different type of barrel, the options for innovation are almost infinite. The difference in 2026 is that consumers don't just want to try something new, they want to know why it was done and why it's worth their money.
On one hand, bourbon drinkers are getting savvier about spotting cheap gimmicks. They want to know whether time spent in a port barrel actually enhances a barrel-finished bourbon or simply masks a mediocre product without violating the requirements for it to still be called bourbon. On the other hand, growing excitement around unique, intentionally crafted products is inspiring consumers to branch out. Sure, sherry cask finishing is nice, but have you ever had bourbon aged at sea?
Creative Use of Wheat and Rye
While bourbon must be at least 51% corn, the other grains used are up to the distiller. Wheat and rye are common, but distillers have gotten more intentional and creative with what they're using and why.
Wheated bourbon tends to have a softer, sweeter flavor profile, making it a more approachable choice for a wide range of drinkers. Maker's Mark, Larceny, and Old Fitzgerald are all wheated bourbons, while Pappy Van Winkle is perhaps the most iconic example. If Pappy is a little out of your price range, look for Woodford Reserve's Wheated Bourbon or Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey, which is made each year using a specially selected corn seed varietal.
On the other end of the flavor spectrum, rye brings a spicy edge to bourbon's caramel notes. High-rye bourbons tend to be less sweet and more complex, leaning closer to rye whiskey while still keeping corn as the dominant grain. Bulleit and Four Roses use higher proportions of rye in their straight bourbons — 28% and 35%, respectively — making them great stepping stones toward full-on rye whiskey.
The Influence of Female Distillers
Distilling has never been solely a man's world. From brewing and distilling at home thousands of years ago to Margie Samuels coming up with the idea to dip Maker's Mark bottles in red wax in the 1950s, women have always had a role in distilling and, eventually, the modern whiskey industry. Their contributions haven't always received the recognition they deserve, but that has begun to change over the past few decades.
In fact, it was Peggy Noe Stevens — the first woman to become a Master Bourbon Taster — who, while working at Woodford Reserve, collaborated with women from Maker's Mark and Jim Beam to help create the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in the 1990s. She also founded the Bourbon Women Association, an organization for industry professionals and bourbon lovers alike, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2026.
Women are taking on leadership roles across the industry, overseeing distilling, blending, and tasting at the highest levels. Dr. Dawn O'Neal, founder of New Dawn Distilling, transitioned from leading climate research projects to building a sustainable, environmentally responsible supply chain. Meanwhile, Meghan Ireland, chief blender at WhistlePig, uses her passion for chemistry to manage the brand's beloved products and create experimental blends. So as we finish out 2026, keep an eye out for women-owned and women-run distilleries producing bourbons that are helping push the industry forward.
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Northern Ireland hotel group and local whiskey distillery sponsored US event addressed by Reform UK leader and former DUP MP - The Irish News
北愛爾蘭Galgorm Collection飯店集團與Hinch Distillery威士忌酒廠贊助了改革英國黨領袖Nigel Farage與前DUP議員Ian Paisley在華盛頓DC舉辦的「Redcoats and Rebels」活動。該活動由英脫盟運動的關鍵顧問公司Gunster Strategies組織。Hinch Distillery此前曾贊助川普2025年就職典禮，當時聲稱是討論新關稅政策的機會。兩家北愛企業的參與引發外界關注，尤其是Paisley同時擔任該顧問公司英國發展總監，以及Galgorm城堡飯店£14m重建計畫的信託主席。
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One of Northern Ireland’s most storied hotels and a prominent Co Down distillery were among the named sponsors of an event in the United States where Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and former MP Ian Paisley were the main speakers.
The event was organised by a lobbying firm credited with playing a leading role in the campaign to take Britain out of the EU.
Mr Paisley and Mr Farage were the main speakers at the ‘Redcoats and Rebels’ event in Washington DC organised by Gunster Strategies, it has emerged.
Mr Paisley was recently appointed as Gunster Strategies UK director of development.
The master of ceremonies for the event was Bev Turner, a GB News presenter who recently drew criticism and hundreds of complaints for denying any riots were happening in Belfast during the anti-immigrant disturbances in June.
According to the organisers, the sponsors of the July 3 event included the Galgorm Collection, the owners of the Galgorm Hotel and Spa in Co Antrim, and Hinch Distillery, the Ballynahinch-headquartered Irish whiskey maker.
“We were delighted to attend, engage and support multiple celebratory events to mark America 250 this year as part of marketing activity which is specifically designed to drive enquiries and pipeline bookings,” a Galgorm Collection spokesperson said.
“We are pleased with the outcome so far. The US market is a key priority, and our teams will continue to explore all opportunities and look forward to supporting a number of events in the US – and locally – to see out the America 250 celebrations over the coming months.”
Hinch Distillery, founded by businessman Terry Cross in 2021, previously sponsored a Donald Trump inauguration event in Washington in 2025.
At the time, the company said the event was an “important opportunity” to “challenge and discuss” proposed new tariffs by the Trump administration.
Among the other sponsors of the more recent event were GB News and Action on World Health, founded by Mr Farage with the ambitious aim of replacing the World Health Organisation.
Mr Paisley is the chair of the trustees of Galgorm Castle Education and Preservation Limited, the body set up to oversee the restoration of the building and grounds.
A major £14m refurbishment is planned to restore the castle, stable and courtyard for hotel use, construct a new restaurant and turn a church in the grounds into a performance space. The Galgorm Collection owns the castle and will manage the hotel.
Letters in support of the plan have been filed by prominent politicians, including this week by Ulster Unionist leader Jon Burrows.
The event in Washington DC was held the day before the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence in 1776, just over a year into the eight year revolutionary war between the then colonies and Britain.
It was described as a celebration of 250 years of US–UK friendship, though the two sides did go to war again in 1812.
Gunster Strategies, headed by Gerry Gunster, was hired by the Leave.EU campaign ahead of the June, 2016, referendum. It is credited with playing a key role in the campaign.
“As one of the lead consultants on ‘Brexit’, Gunster helped make a losing campaign winnable. On Election Day, history was made with nearly 52% of British voters deciding to leave the European Union,” the company states on its website.
Gunster Strategies, Mr Paisley and Hinch Distillery were all contacted for comment.
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Paul John: Raising the bar, rewriting India's whisky story - Fortune India
Paul John 創辦人 Paul P. John 在 15 年前創立 John Distilleries，領導印度威士忌產業從被國際輕視轉變為全球最大威士忌市場。印度威士忌曾因採用糖蜜發酵而非麥芽穀物釀造遭批評，但近 20 年來已成功打造高端單一麥芽威士忌，獲得國際獎項認可，與世界頂級威士忌並駕齊驅，徹底改寫印度在全球威士忌版圖上的地位。
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Paul John: Raising the bar, rewriting India's whisky story
/6 min read
This story belongs to the Fortune India Magazine August 2026 issue.
Fifteen years ago, when Paul P. John took a leap of faith, little did he know that he was redefining India's place on the world whisky map.
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FEW SPIRITS tell a story of transformation quite like whisky in India. Once dismissed by connoisseurs abroad for producing “whisky” largely distilled from fermented molasses rather than malted grain, the country has rewritten its reputation over the past two decades. Today, India is not only the world’s largest whisky market by volume but also one of its most dynamic premium destinations, producing award-winning single malts that rival the best in the world. Few companies embody that journey better than John Distilleries, the maker of Paul John Single Malts.
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Stout, whiskey... wine? Ireland's small but determined vineyards making their mark - wine.co.za
愛爾蘭雖然以威士忌和黑啤酒聞名，但作為歐盟認可的葡萄酒生產國，其釀酒產業正在成長。位於梅斯郡斯蘭恩附近的新酒莊進行愛爾蘭史上最大規模的葡萄樹種植（30公頃3.6萬株葡萄樹）。原生釀酒師 David Llewellyn 於2002年創立 Lusca 葡萄園，年產1500-2000瓶。他指出愛爾蘭氣候極端，只能種植紅葡萄品種 rondo 和白葡萄品種 Madeline Angevine，無法種植黑皮諾或夏多內等經典品種，但許多人仍在嘗試。
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Think about drinks produced in Ireland and you'd probably picture a creamy pint of stout or a tumbler of amber whiskey.
The last thing you'd probably think of is a glass of wine.
However, the Republic of Ireland is recognised as a wine producing country by the European Commission.
While it still has only a handful of commercial vineyards, along with smaller growers experimenting with wine production, the amount of land being planted with vineyards is continuing to grow.
A new winery near Slane in County Meath is believed to be the biggest ever planting of vines in Ireland - about 36,000 vines on 30 hectares of land.
'We really are the extreme'
David Llewellyn is one of Ireland's original winemakers, first becoming involved in the late 1980s, planting "a few dozen different vines" and observing "which ones were potentially viable".
He established Lusca vineyard in County Dublin in 2002, and currently produces 1 500 to 2 000 bottles per year.
He said for many people Irish wine "is a curiosity, it's a novelty".
Llewellyn said the two varieties he "swears by "are a red called rondo and a white called Madeline Angevine".
"There are very few varieties of grape that can be grown reliably here in Ireland," he said.
He said while comparisons are sometimes made between viticulture in Ireland and the UK, they are very different.
"It's less marginal than we are, we are really the extreme," he said. "They can grow all kinds of varieties in England we just cannot grow here in Ireland – some of the classics like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In Ireland we don't have a hope at all of growing those grapes, but unfortunately people are planting them."
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8 Honey Whiskeys, Ranked Worst To Best
The more I get into whiskey, the more I discover how all-encompassing the spirit is. There's practically no limit to whiskey's expressions, which has led me to believe that there's a whiskey out there for every type of drinker, from smooth blackberry whiskeys, like Jack Daniel's Tennessee Blackberry, to hard-hitting high-rye mashes. If you're new to whiskey or often find it too "strong" for your palate, I may have found just the sipper for you: honey whiskey.
Adding honey to the spirit mellows out some of its sharper edges, and, if done well, the spirit will still retain its full character. Honey whiskeys tend to be sweeter than your average whiskey, and they're often very bright and sometimes even a bit saccharine.
I decided to try several honey whiskeys and ranked them primarily according to how well-balanced the honey and whiskey components are. I looked for expressions where neither element overshadowed the other, leading to a nuanced, satisfying sip. That said, consumers who want to find a whiskey on the more cloying side may want to shop my bottom picks.
Some recommendations are based on firsthand impressions of promotional materials and products provided by the manufacturer.
8. Evan Williams Honey
While I'd recommend Evan Williams' Honey Whiskey to those trying to get accustomed to some of whiskey's bolder flavors, it wasn't my preferred honey whiskey. I found the honey to be very overpowering, and the whole sip was pretty saccharine. I found myself searching for the whiskey's character throughout the sip.
On the plus side, this bottle tasted like a really rich, sweet dessert, and I'd pour some over ice cream or use it to make whiskey caramel in an instant. As a solo sipper, though, it didn't fully satisfy this whiskey lover's thirst for the spirit. Drinkers will still find slight hints of smoke and spice at the end, but I found the following expressions to be more balanced. It doesn't boast the nuance you'd find in some of the distiller's more underrated whiskies either.
7. Jim Beam Honey
I could tell from its smell alone that Jim Beam's Honey would be at least a little less cloying than Evan Williams', and that was indeed the case. Though it's only getting second-to-last place here, I did like Jim Beam's Honey Whiskey, but I didn't find it to have as much nuance as some of the following selections.
The whiskey and honey flavors were present in mostly equal balance here, but I didn't taste much in the sip beyond that. On the plus side, the bottle stayed true to its "smooth and mellow" claim plastered on the label. But for someone looking for more depth in their whiskeys, it didn't wholly satisfy me. If you want a relatively low-key, balanced, easy-to-drink honey whiskey, you wouldn't be wrong to pick up a bottle of Jim Beam's Honey.
6. Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey
All of the "Big Three" whiskey companies found spots at the bottom of my list, and I wasn't wholly surprised by that. Craft distilleries are constantly perfecting their spirits, and many of the following boasted character clearly unique to their brands. However, of the "Big Three" honey whiskey entries, I was most impressed by Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey.
Now before you call me out for including a bottle that's not technically a whiskey, hear me out. This was still a very viable contender because its whiskey characteristics were present in the sip. This bottle offered the smokiest sip of my lowest-ranked contenders (which I wholly appreciated). It wasn't at all too sweet, though its honey flavor came through loud and clear. The bottle is mellow, fruity, and a little more nuanced than the previous; I even got some cherry notes in the middle of the sip. On the whole, I quite enjoyed this one.
5. Bird Dog Honey Flavored Whiskey
Bird Dog's Honey Flavored Whiskey had what I wanted from Evan Williams' bottle. If you try Evan Williams' and find it a bit too sweet, this would be a good next bottle to grab. Honeycomb was very present on the nose, so I expected some kind of honeyed intensity here. Indeed, that showed up fully, but this bottle was more nuanced than the other cloying bottle on this list.
I found a lot of balance here. Even though the bottle was sweeter than I'd prefer, there was enough spiced intensity to balance it out. In fact, just one sip left my tongue tingling for a long time after I swallowed. I'm a fan of this bottle, and I like how the honey makes itself apparent without completely overtaking the sip. However, it was a bit strong for my taste, and I found some more nuance in the following bottles.
4. American Honey
The makers of Wild Turkey have graced us with American Honey: the whiskey taking the fourth-place spot on my list. I'd call this one of the most universally palatable bottles I tried. It's sweet without being cloying, and it still retains some of the spiced, smoky nuance you'd expect from a whiskey.
The only reason I didn't rank this one higher is because I wished the whiskey had a little more complexity. Still, I loved the notes that were present. The sip was rich and almost had some brown butter notes running throughout, which gave the bottle depth that the others didn't possess. I was impressed that the brand was able to craft a bottle that was honey-forward without being cloying. The whiskey balances out the honey pretty well, but there's still no doubt that honey is a core component.
3. Breckenridge Honey Flavored Whiskey
Breckenridge's Honey Flavored Whiskey is an absolute standout, and I was incredibly torn on where to place it. I ended up putting it in third place because I don't think it will be as universally appealing as the following two. If my ranking were purely based on uniqueness, this would have easily gotten first place. I wasn't expecting everything I got here, but those who like this whiskey will soon call it a favorite.
I immediately knew I was in for a wild ride when I smelled this whiskey. When I tasted it, I got a medley of spiced notes like anise and pine; it tasted very fresh and green, if that makes sense. Unfortunately, honey mostly came through at the end of the sip, but it does mellow out what would otherwise be a very strong whiskey. I loved that the addition of honey made this easily drinkable, and it'll be a good buy for anyone who's bored of standard honey whiskeys. That said, it's not for everyone.
2. The Whistler Irish Honey Liqueur
Similar to Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey, The Whistler's Irish Honey merited a spot on this list because its whiskey character still comes through in the sip, though it's less strong than many of the other expressions on this list. I loved this sip because it was balanced and gentle. Sometimes less truly is more, and The Whistler showcases that beautifully.
This bottle is incredibly bright, sweet, and smooth, and though I could clearly taste the honey, I wouldn't call the spirit's overall character cloying in the slightest. It was a very warming sip that even had some notes I didn't find in other bottles here — namely, floral honeysuckle notes, which just brought a certain delicate character to the bottle that I really loved. It will be a good choice for someone wanting to sip on something fairly sophisticated. Unfortunately, it couldn't quite steal the spotlight from my top choice.
1. Tullamore D.E.W. Honey
In my opinion, Tullamore D.E.W. had the most well-rounded honey whiskey on this list. This will appease novices and aficionados alike, and the company also managed to strike quite an impressive balance between honey and whiskey. This tastes like a whiskey that had honey added to it, which is exactly what I was looking for. It doesn't lose anything by incorporating honey.
On the nose, this smelled like whiskey with faint, sweet undertones. That's pretty much what I got on the palate, too. Honey mellowed out what could otherwise be a strong, sharp sip, and it added a little bit of sweet character without being cloying. In other words, the honey stil
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：The longest operating rye whiskey tradition in America isn't in Kentucky—it's at this Pennsylvania museum - Yahoo Creators
Old Overholt 是美國連續生產最久的裸麥威士忌品牌，起源於 1810 年賓州西南部 Abraham Overholt 的家族農場。該農場今日改為 West Overton Village 博物館暨教育蒸餾廠，遊客可參觀 1859 年的蒸餾廠建築、品嚐按原始配方（80% 裸麥、20% 麥芽大麥）釀製的威士忌。Old Overholt 能度過禁酒令是因為當時財政部長 Andrew Mellon 同時為該公司大股東，批准其生產「藥用」威士忌。雖然 1987 年後生產地遷至肯塔基州、現由日本三得利集團擁有，但配方與品牌傳承至今，成為美國威士忌史的獨特見證。
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The longest operating rye whiskey tradition in America isn't in Kentucky—it's at this Pennsylvania museum
How to visit West Overton Village, the 1800s farm that survived Prohibition, influenced the whiskey business and gave rise to one of America's Gilded Age industrialists.
Ask most people where American whiskey started and they'll say Kentucky. And while they're not entirely wrong—Buffalo Trace claims roots all the way back to 1775—the oldest continuously produced rye brand in the country is Old Overholt, which started on a family farm in southwestern Pennsylvania in 1810.
Today, that farm still stands. It's called West Overton Village, and it operates as a museum and small educational distillery outside Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands region. Visitors can tour the 1859 distillery building, walk through a semi-preserved company town and taste rye whiskey made using variations on the famous 80% rye, 20% malted barley mash bill the site's founder used two centuries ago.
Whether you're a history buff or just a casual sipper, knowing Pennsylvania's role in the American whiskey story gives every pour a little more meaning—not to mention, a richer taste. Here's why West Overton makes a nice stop for anyone who'd rather skip the crowds on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
From a family farm to a whiskey empire
Abraham Overholt's family established the West Overton farm in 1803. He founded A. Overholt & Co. there in 1810, according to VinePair, and spent the following decades building it into a company town centered around the distillery.
By 1859, the operation had grown from small log cabins with two pot stills into a five-and-a-half-story distillery building. The company then expanded to a second, larger distillery nearby called Broad Ford. By the early 1900s, Broad Ford ranked among the biggest rye whiskey distilleries in the world.
When Overholt died i 1870, his whiskey legacy outlived him. The company added "Old" to the brand name to commemorate the original recipe, and the Old Overholt product became one of its flagship labels. It was also among the first brands to adopt the federal Bottled in Bond Act of 1897, a law that required whiskey to be distilled in a single season at a single distillery, aged at least four years in a bonded warehouse and bottled at 100 proof.
The loophole that saved Old Overholt from Prohibition
You may be wondering, how did Old Overholt survive the Prohibition era that killed off nearly every historic whiskey brand in the country? The brand should have been one of the casualties, but it was spared thanks to a move that would raise eyebrows today.
By the 1920s, the distillery was in the hands of Abraham Overholt's grandson, Henry Clay Frick, the infamous industrialist who built the American steel industry and namesake of the Frick Mansion, one of New York City's most famous Gilded Age-era museums. Frick brought in financier Andrew Mellon to help run the distillery, not knowing that Mellon would quickly thereafter become U.S. Treasury Secretary right as Prohibition took effect.
Mellon's new appointment put him in charge of deciding which distilleries could stay open to produce "medicinal" whiskey. Naturally, since he was still the majority owner of Old Overholt, Mellon granted his own company a medical permit. Such a conflict of interest might not survive a modern ethics review today, but it's the entire reason Old Overholt is still around to hold the title of oldest continuously produced whiskey in America.
Nearly every other historic brand from that era either shut down or paused operations, or had to relaunch from scratch once Prohibition ended. But Old Overholt never stopped production.
Plot twist: All roads still lead to Kentucky
All that said, James B. Beam Distilling Co. eventually acquired Old Overholt in 1987 and moved production to Kentucky. Today the brand is owned by Suntory Global Spirits, the company behind Jim Beam. And yes, it's still that same 80% rye, 20% malted barley recipe being distilled and distributed in bottles.
So, in the end, the Old Overholt bottle on shelves today—the one carrying Abraham Overholt's name and face—is distilled in Kentucky, by a Japanese-owned spirits company, using a mash bill that traces back to a Pennsylvania farm in 1810. What could be more American than that?
What it's like to visit
A trip to West Overton Village makes an easy add to any Pittsburgh trip, and it pairs perfectly with Carrie Blast Furnaces, a National Historic Landmark that fills in the other half of Henry Clay Frick's legacy. Frick's U.S. Steel Homestead Works owned the furnaces, and their unsafe conditions combined with cheap pay sparked some of the most notorious labor clashes in American history. Visit both in a day, and Pittsburgh's industrial story will start to click into place.
West Overton is located in Scottdale, about 45 minutes southeast of Pittsburgh in the Laurel Highlands. You can visit three parts: the museum, packed with whiskey-making artifacts and lessons on Pennsylvania mining history, a guided tour of the 1838 Overholt homestead and the educational working distillery, where museum professionals provide a whiskey tasting with a heavy chaser of American history.
The distillery itself is free to visit and open May through October, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cocktails, flights and bottles of West Overton's own small-batch rye, along with other local expressions, are available for purchase. Everything sold is exclusive to the distillery, since West Overton's whiskey isn't distributed anywhere else.
If you want to see inside the house, take a homestead tour. They run on Sundays only, May through October, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. A tour takes about 45 minutes, but budget a few hours to also cover the museum and distillery.
Follow Unimaginably Good Travel for more off-the-beaten-path adventures.
How this was made: AI assisted with structure, formatting, interview transcription and metadata. All reporting, product testing, research, interviews, fact-checking, writing and editing was done by Megan DeMatteo, an independent writer and editor who, like many solo creators, handles the full workload of a traditional newsroom team.
Crown Royal whisky, goose down jackets, ice-hockey equipment and a long list of other Canadian goods could become much more expensive for American consumers.
Democracy Dies in Darkness
Trump’s new tariffs on Canada will hit everything from whisky to hockey sticks
An array of imports are subject to the new 50 percent tariffs. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called them “a miscalculation” and vowed to match them “dollar for dollar.”
Ahmedabad Others
More fake! Cheap booze in ‘Only for Defence’ Scotch
Nikol police, SMC officials bust racket; arrest 2 after tip-off leads to Kubernagar den stocked with chemicals, empty branded bottles
The seized bottles of Scotch refilled with cheap liquor
That “premium” bottle of Scotch may be nothing of the sort. A joint operation by the State Monitoring Cell and Nikol police has exposed a racket in which empty bottles of expensive liquor brands were allegedly refilled with cheap alcohol, flavoured with chemicals, and sold as the genuine article. Acting on a tip-off, SMC and Nikol police teams staked out the rear gate of an accommodation complex in the area and intercepted a two-wheeler rider, identified as Sunil alias Sonu Makhija, 26. A search of his vehicle turned up a sealed bottle of 100 Pipers Deluxe Blended Scotch Whisky bearing a sticker that read “ONLY SELL FOR DEFENCE”.
Questioned by police, Sunil allegedly admitted that he and an associate, Dinesh Jandawala of Kubernagar, had run the racket for about a year, filling empty bottles of expensive brands with cheap liquor and selling them to unsuspecting customers.
DCP Mayur Patil told Mirror that SMC sleuths raided Dinesh’s residence in Kubernagar on the strength of that information. “We recovered four bottles containing flavoured liquor, four plastic bottles and various chemicals and essence from the premises,” Patil said.
From scrap heap to shop shelf
The modus operandi, police say, began with scrap. The accused allegedly collected discarded empty bottles of expensive liquor brands, along with their caps and labels, from scrap dealers and the area around the fish market beneath Chamunda Bridge, before taking them to Kubernagar to be refilled with cheap liquor.
Food-grade flavours and spirits, the kind used in desserts and other food products, were allegedly used to alter the smell and taste of the liquor, police said. Fitted with labels and the “ONLY SELL FOR DEFENCE” stickers, the bottles were built to look authentic and premium.
The payoff was substantial. Liquor bought cheaply was allegedly resold as branded Scotch for Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 a bottle, according to investigators.
Search on for supplier of fake stickers
Police have arrested Makhija, while a Zone-4 LCB team arrested Dinesh Jandawala. Investigators are now searching for whoever allegedly supplied the fake “ONLY SELL FOR DEFENCE” stickers and other materials, and are probing whether the accused supplied counterfeit bottles to other buyers and whether more people are involved in the wider network.
The crackdown follows State Police Chief G S Malik’s order for a three-day statewide prohibition drive after the recent Bhavnagar tragedy.
No question of lifting prohibition: Vaghani
#Bhavnagar
Gujarat’s liquor prohibition will not be lifted, Minister Jitu Vaghani said on Friday, as he visited patients undergoing treatment after the consumption of adulterated liquor in Bhavnagar left nearly a dozen dead. Vaghani said the state government had taken the incident seriously and would take strict action against those involved. “The state government’s position is clear: There is no question of lifting prohibition... not yesterday, not today and not tomorrow,” he said. The minister visited Sir T Hospital and met patients undergoing treatment, besides reviewing the medical arrangements. He directed the authorities to ensure that affected persons get treatment and that there were no shortcomings in the healthcare services. According to Vaghani, 19 people are undergoing treatment while 16 others had been discharge.
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Google News（Scotch/Distillery）｜原題：‘I didn’t say which Diwali’: Boris Johnson on India-UK FTA deadline; hails scotch whisky tariff cut from 1 - The Economic Times
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Johnson had made the commitment during his 2022 visit to Ahmedabad, where he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Asked at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum about the delay in concluding the trade agreement, Johnson defended his promise with the remark.
Also Read: UK could have averted US 'trap' in Iran war, says Boris Johnson; calls for India-US-UK coordination over Hormuz
“No, we were very careful. Very clear. Sorry for the misunderstanding. But no, no, no. It sounds. I always keep my promises,” he said.
Johnson said he was “thrilled” that the trade deal had eventually been concluded, particularly pointing to the reduction in India's tariffs on Scotch whisky.
“I'm thrilled that it's happened. It's a great deal, and yet, if I've achieved nothing else in my life, my friends, I have cut the tariffs where I've given, persuaded, helped to persuade the brilliant, bounty, remorseless Indian negotiators to cut the tariffs with exorbitant 150% tariffs on Scotch whisky for 75% and going down and going down further, and going down further to 40% in the next few years,” he said.
Johnson joked that the tariff cuts would be particularly welcomed by his relatives, whom he said had long enjoyed buying Scotch whisky at duty-free shops.
“So you know that's a big deal for my relatives, by the way, because you know the one thing they wanted me to do, really, I think probably the only reason they allowed their beautiful daughter to marry me was in the hope,” he said.
Also Read: ET World Leaders Forum 2026: Boris Johnson thanks India for Covid vaccine, credits Brexit for UK rollout
He added that the lower tariffs would make Scotch whisky substantially cheaper in India.
“I hope I think the cut came in in July, but it's going to be substantially cheaper,” Johnson said.
India-UK trade has surged since Brexit: Johnson
The former British prime minister also highlighted what he described as a sharp rise in trade between India and the UK since Brexit.“186% since Brexit, and it's and it's and it's it's literally going up like like that the whole time, and I'm very very proud of that,” Johnson said.
He also pointed to the growing flow of Indian investment into Britain, citing Jaguar Land Rover as an example of the deepening economic ties between the two countries.
“Every Brit is proud of Jaguar and Anand Rover. We think they're amazing vehicles, but they're Indian-owned, and actually, the recovery of JNI as everybody knows is a very, very largely an Indian trial,” he said.
Johnson said Britain had benefited significantly from Indian investment and talent.
“I think there is all I'm saying is we benefit massively in our country from Indian investment and Indian talent,” he said.
He also recalled having a Cabinet with a large number of people of Indian origin during his time as prime minister.
“You know, I probably had I had a cabinet that contained more people of Indian origin than ever ever before. I'm proud to say, not all of whom supported it for quite long enough, but never mind,” he said.
Johnson says more can be done on India-UK economic ties
Johnson said India had an “incredible future”, citing its democratic system and economic advantages.“And you know, if you ask me where does it need to go, you know I said earlier on that I think India has got an incredible future. It's it really has, because you're a democracy and you're a free country,” he said.
He also referred to Prime Minister Modi's comments on India's regulatory environment and the legacy of the Licence Raj.
“Listening to what Prime Minister Modi was saying last night about obviously something I used a phrase I hadn't heard: the licensing or something, the Licence Raj,” Johnson said.
Johnson then argued that there were several sectors where India and the UK could deepen economic cooperation.
“But there are some things we could fix: law, accountancy, supermarkets,” he said.
He joked about whether British supermarket chain Tesco could establish a presence in India.
“We fix supermarkets. I'm not convinced that Tesco could set up here. You know, maybe you don't want Tesco. Fine. Okay, but you know there's more to be done,” Johnson said.
He argued that further opening up markets and expanding economic ties could create jobs and boost growth in both countries.
“And it would promote growth and and jobs in in both countries. Both countries, believe,” Johnson said.
Shubha’s notes from the sets of a film.
Shubha’s notes from the sets of a film.
‘Bhaag Milka Bhaag’ was shot in Delhi during peak summer.
Remembering the continuity over one-and-a-half-months, across different countries, for the climax lifeboat scene of ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’ shot in two different waters was challenging.
Published 22 August 2026, 02:00 IST
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：5 Best American Whiskies Under ₹5000: Jack Daniel's Old No. 7, Bulleit Bourbon, Jim Beam Black, Wild Turkey 101 and More - Esquire India
AI generated summary, newsroom reviewed
American whiskies are different and they have been manufactured to stay that way. Check out how each of these 5 whiskey bottles we presented below earns its keep, from a charcoal-mellowed Tennessee sipper to a wax-dipped Kentucky wheater, and which one deserves space in your glass tonight. So, if you are hunting for the best American whiskies under ₹5000 to buy in India, the search ends with these 5 bottles: Jack Daniel's Old No. 7, Bulleit Bourbon, Jim Beam Black, Wild Turkey 101, and Maker's Mark. Each one of these whiskies pours well above its price bracket, with street rates running roughly up to ₹4,900 depending on your state's excise structure. These whiskey bottles are proof that a serious spirit shelf does not need a hefty budget to go with it. Also, check the whiskey prices in 2026 prevalent in India currently.
From Tennessee whiskey classics to Kentucky bourbons, these 5 best American whiskies deliver distinctive flavour, character and value without crossing the ₹5000 mark.
Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 Whiskey
Bulleit Bourbon Whiskey
Jim Beam Black Whiskey
Wild Turkey 101 Whiskey
Maker's Mark Whiskey
There is a reason bartenders reach for this bottle without thinking twice. Filtered drop by drop through ten feet of sugar-maple charcoal before it ever touches a barrel, Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 comes out rounder and sweeter than a straight bourbon, with corn, banana, and warm vanilla doing most of the talking. It is the whiskey that works neat, on ice, or lost in a highball.
ABV: 40%
Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 Price: ₹2,800 – ₹3,800 (approx).
Bulleit Bourbon whiskey's high-rye mash bill gives it a spine that softer bourbons lack - black pepper and dried cherry up front, oak and nutmeg trailing behind. It is the bottle worth reaching for when a Manhattan needs to taste like a drink and not a dessert, a small step up in price that buys real structure.
ABV: 45%
Bulleit Bourbon Price: ₹3,200 – ₹4,800 (approx).
Skip the White Label and spend the little bit extra on Jim Beam Black whiskey instead. The additional years in new charred oak show up immediately, heavier oak, brown sugar, baking spice, and the finish holds its shape far longer than the entry-level bottle suggests it should.
ABV: 43%
Jim Beam Black Price: ₹2,500 – ₹3,800 (approx)
Bottled at a genuine 101 proof, Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon Whiskey is dense enough to survive melting ice without going thin, dark honey, cinnamon, charred oak, a little butterscotch underneath. It is not the cheapest name on this list, but it's the one that still tastes like itself three sips in.
ABV: 50.5%
Wild Turkey 101 Price: ₹3,800 – ₹4,800 (approx).
Red winter wheat instead of rye gives Maker's Mark whiskey its signature gentleness, custard, caramel, honey, a whisper of clove, no harsh edge anywhere. The hand-dipped red wax is a marketing flourish, sure, but the bourbon inside earns the theatre.
ABV: 45%
Maker's Mark Price: ₹3,100 – ₹4,900 (approx)
Note: These whiskey prices in India are approximate and vary by state excise duty, import cost, and retailer.
Kilcoy | Kilcoy Race Club | 1.05pm
JOHNNIE WALKER APM "WHISKEY" MEMORIAL QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate 800m 3Y MDN-SW
Sun 23 Aug
Rail
True Entire Course.
Track
TurfNil last 24hrs,6mm last 7 days
Nil
Scattered Clouds
20°
3km/h
E
Field
Maiden, No sex restrictions, Three-Years-Old, Set Weights, Apprentices can claim
Prize Money
$22,000: $12,200 / $3,900 / $2,100 / $1,050 / $750 / $400 / $400 / $400 / $400 / $400
QTIS $15000 3YO
$15,000: $10,500 / $3,000 / $1,500
Bonus QTIS Fillies and Mares
$7,500: $5,250 / $1,500 / $750
Nominations (extended)
Wed 19/08/26 10:00am
Form Analysis
NIGHT MARKET back from 22 week spell and placed at trial since last race 155 days ago, key chance. BOUDICA QUEEN first starter and from a good stable, each-way claims. THREE NON BLONDES first starter and from a strong camp, still in this. RUSSIAN FANTASY first start and from a good stable, cannot be ruled out.
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Worth the Drive: Admire architecture and spirits at this KY distillery - The Courier-Journal
Castle and Key Distillery 位於肯塔基州法蘭克福，以歐洲城堡風格建築聞名。這家蒸餾廠提供與傳統波本酒庄不同的參訪體驗，遊客不僅能品嚐多款烈酒，還能欣賞獨特的建築設計。該蒸餾廠成為肯塔基威士忌旅遊的新選擇，適合各類遊客，包括不飲酒者。
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TRAVEL
Worth the Drive: Admire architecture and spirits at this KY distillery
Lillian Metzmeier
Louisville Courier Journal
Aug. 22, 2026, 5:02 a.m. ET
Planning a bourbon tour, but unsure how to switch it up? Try tasting different spirits in a European-inspired castle.
At Castle and Key Distillery in Frankfort, guests can get a break from the typical bourbon tour experience.
Whether you come for the architecture or to be a part of Kentucky's bourbon tourism, the unique distillery has something for everyone – even non-drinkers.
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：JCS: 'Whiskey of the Week' with Forward/Slash 8/21/2026 - Jim Colbert Show: The Goods - iHeart
Forward/Slash Distillery & Blending House 共同創辦人 Tim Bradstreet 在 Jim Colbert Show 介紹了即將推出的特殊酒款 Convergence Rye，這款威士忌結合四種不同黑麥威士忌的混調版本。
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Tim Bradstreet, who co-founded FORWARD/SLASH Distillery & Blending House, introduces the show to Convergence Rye, an upcoming specialty release, that features a blend of four different rye whiskeys, and more.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Everyone we saw having a boozy good time at Whiskey Business 2026 - San Antonio Current
聖安東尼奧舉辦第 11 屆年度威士忌盛事 Whiskey Business，在 Witte 博物館吸引大批人潮。活動現場提供來自數十家優質威士忌與烈酒品牌的試飲，搭配當地頂級餐廳美食。邀請專家分享烈酒蒸餾工藝，DJ 現場帶動氣氛，在地廠商展示商品。活動由 Diamonds Direct、Shawn C. Brown 律師事務所及 Ranger Creek 釀造威士忌廠贊助。
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San Antonio turned out in a big way Friday for the 11th annual installment of Whiskey Business, the city’s premier spirits- and food-tasting event. Attendees at the Witte Museum sampled from dozens of premium whiskeys and other spirits while enjoying food from some of the city’s best restaurants. Experts talked about the craft of distilling fine spirits, while DJs kept the crowd moving and local vendors offered their wares.
The event was sponsored by Diamonds Direct, the Law Office of Shawn C. Brown and Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling.
Photos by Jaime Monzon.
I love the idea of drinking whiskey or scotch to kick-start the weekend.
The reality of that, though?
I drink half an ounce, my eyes close, and I wake up with a blinding headache.
But I still do romanticize the idea of being a whiskey drinker.
Before we dive in though, I’ll offer a quick note on spelling that I always questioned.
Whiskey with an “e” is American or Irish. Whisky without the “e” is Scottish, Canadian, or Japanese. If you’re looking at a bottle of Scotch and it says “whiskey,” something has already gone wrong.
Scotch specifically has to be made in Scotland, aged a minimum of three years in oak barrels, and can’t drop below 40% ABV. Bourbon has to be made in the US, from at least 51% corn, and aged in new charred oak containers. Tennessee whiskey is basically bourbon but filtered through maple charcoal first — which Jack Daniel’s insists makes it something entirely its own.
All of that said — every person on this list understood one thing: life is better with a glass of the good stuff in hand.
I’ll hop to join these legends one day.
Until then… happy weekend!