B&M Digest, Volume I, Issue 14

Sep 13, 2024

As the leaves start to turn and the days get shorter, we're excited to bring you the latest and greatest from the world of bourbon and mead. This month’s digest is packed with intriguing updates, from new releases and exciting collaborations to expansions and grand openings. Whether you're a connoisseur or just beginning your journey, we've got something for everyone.

Blaqmead Meadery: Reviving Ancient Mead in Milton-Freewater

Blaqmead Meadery in Milton-Freewater brings a taste of history to the Walla Walla Valley by producing small-batch mead, an ancient honey-based alcoholic beverage. Co-founders Anthony Cooksley and Karl Shaw offer a variety of meads, such as “Gobnait Gold,” “Lavender Libation,” and “Blueberry Bliss,” all crafted from local ingredients. Traditional mead is made by fermenting honey, water, and yeast, and Blaqmead’s process highlights raw, local honey and fresh fruits. Mead, often considered more complex than wine, varies with each batch due to the natural differences in honey and other ingredients. Visitors can sample their unique creations, including “meadtails” and mead slushies, in their cozy tasting room, which is expanding to accommodate live music and events. For the full story from the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, click here.

Maker's Mark Releases Oldest Bourbon Yet: Cellar Aged 2024

Bourbon enthusiasts, get ready for Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2024, the distillery's oldest release yet. This 12- and 13-year blend (119.3 proof) follows the surprise success of the 2023 edition. With only 33,000 bottles available, it boasts flavors of caramelized sugar, citrus, coconut, and dark fruit, retailing at $174.99. You can grab a bottle at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival from Sept. 13-15, at the distillery in Loretto, or through the "Cellar Aged Experience" starting Sept. 16. Expect high demand, so plan accordingly!

Lux Row Introduces PX Sherry Cask Finish Bourbon

Lux Row Distillers is releasing a unique bourbon this October: Lux Row Small Batch PX Sherry Cask Finish. This 112-proof bourbon, made from four-year-old ryed Kentucky straight bourbon, is finished for six months in PX Sherry casks, imparting rich flavors of dried figs, grape syrup, and dark chocolate. The combination of sweet PX Sherry and the spice of ryed bourbon creates a one-of-a-kind profile. Initially priced at $59.99 and available at the distillery, a nationwide release is planned for early 2025, aiming to attract bourbon enthusiasts seeking distinct, premium options.

Jack Daniel’s Releases Single Barrel Special Coy Hill Barrelhouse 8

Jack Daniel’s has unveiled its latest Single Barrel Special Release: Coy Hill Barrelhouse 8. This limited-edition Tennessee whiskey matured at the highest elevations in Coy Hill Barrelhouse, boasts barrel strengths ranging from 122 to 137.5 proof. Made from Jack Daniel’s signature mash bill of 80% corn, 12% malted barley, and 8% rye, the whiskey offers rich flavors of caramel, vanilla, toffee, and molasses, with aromas of cinnamon and clove. Available nationwide for $79.99, this marks the latest in Jack Daniel’s celebrated Coy Hill series.

Two Bitch™ Bourbon Partners with American Kennel Club in National Sponsorship

Two Bitch™ Bourbon, a Nevada-based, family-owned distillery, has announced its national sponsorship with the American Kennel Club (AKC), aligning perfectly with AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Month and National Bourbon Heritage Month in September. The brand was founded by Joe and Lauren Luby in 2016 and is named after their rescue Dobermans, Miss Scarlett and Sage. This partnership will see Two Bitch™ Bourbon featured at AKC events while promoting responsible pet ownership. Additionally, they’ve launched a fundraising program supporting dog rescues through revenue-sharing from online sales. The brand offers a variety of premium bourbons, available for shipping to over 30 states.

Wild Turkey Celebrates Master Distiller Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary with Limited Bourbon Release

Wild Turkey is honoring legendary Master Distiller Jimmy Russell on his 70th anniversary with the release of a special edition: Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary 8-Year-Old Bourbon, a 101-proof whiskey featuring a blend of 8- to 9-year-old bourbons. Russell, known for preserving pre-prohibition bourbon methods, began his career in 1954, and his dedication helped Wild Turkey and the bourbon industry thrive. The bourbon offers flavors of sweet cream, butterscotch, and dark cherry. Priced at $50, it will be available this fall in select markets, marking an incredible career milestone.

McBrayer Legacy Spirits Revives Cedar Brook Wheated Bourbon to Support Historic Restoration

In honor of Bourbon Heritage Month, McBrayer Legacy Spirits has announced the 2024 release of Cedar Brook Wheated Bourbon, a 100-proof whiskey with barrel ages from 4-6 years. This release pays homage to Kentucky distiller W.H. McBrayer’s legacy, with a portion of sales funding the restoration of the Cedar Brook Bridge, a key historical site tied to McBrayer’s original distillery. The bridge will also be part of a trail project connecting Lawrenceburg to Wild Turkey Distillery. The bourbon is set for release on September 14, 2024, with early access available to Legacy Club members.

Hidden Barn Unveils First Organic Wheated Bourbon for Heritage Month

Hidden Barn Bourbon is celebrating Bourbon Heritage Month with the launch of its inaugural Organic Wheated Bourbon. This six-year-old, 106.2-proof bourbon is crafted from organic grains and certified by the USDA and Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Master Blender Jackie Zykan led the selection and batching process, drawing from her experience and passion for organic spirits. The bourbon, aged and bottled at Neeley Family Distillery in Sparta, features a nose of buttery caramel and green apple, with a palate of white pepper and a clean tobacco finish. Priced at $79.99, it will debut on September 14, 2024, at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival and be available online and in select states.

Chicken Cock Whiskey Unveils Rare Mizunara Oak Edition

Chicken Cock Whiskey has launched its most exclusive release yet: the Annual Tin Release: Mizunara. This limited-edition bourbon is finished in rare Japanese Mizunara Oak barrels, known for their unique, complex flavor profiles. The Mizunara oak, which takes up to 200 years to mature, imparts a distinctive character to the bourbon. Inspired by the rare Onagadori rooster, this release is limited to just 10 barrels, combining the historic charm of Chicken Cock Whiskey with the exotic essence of Mizunara oak.

Wyoming Whiskey Unveils National Parks No. 4 and Old Faithful Releases

Wyoming Whiskey has introduced two new limited-edition bourbons: National Parks No. 4 and Old Faithful. National Parks No. 4, celebrating Yellowstone's Mammoth Hot Springs, blends over 70 barrels aged for five years, offering notes of vanilla, candied ginger, and crème caramel with a honeysuckle finish. Old Faithful, aged for 10 years and part of the Wide-Open Spaces series, features a blend of three standout barrels with flavors of baking spices, orange peel, toffee, and Black Forest cake. In support of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming Whiskey has donated $150,000 to Yellowstone Forever. National Parks No. 4 is available in 27 states for $79.99, while Old Faithful, limited to around 500 bottles, is priced at $499.99.

Arrogant Bastard Whiskey: Beer Meets Bourbon in a Bold New Release

Foundry Distilling and Stone Brewing have teamed up again to create Arrogant Bastard Whiskey, a unique spirit distilled from Arrogant Bastard Ale wort. This process involves turning the liquid from the beer-making process into whiskey, rather than using the beer itself. Aged for at least four years in new charred oak barrels and bottled at 97 proof, the whiskey boasts fruity notes of green apple, pear, and berry, with a hint of spice and vanilla. This marks their second collaboration on a whiskey, following a previous release and an Imperial Stout Whiskey. Currently available in California, Iowa, and Texas, it can also be found on secondary market websites.

Big Spring Spirits Expands to Downtown State College

Big Spring Spirits, the Bellefonte-based craft distillery known for its diverse range of spirits, is opening a new location in downtown State College, Pennsylvania. Set to occupy the first floor of the Scholar Hotel at 205 E. Beaver Ave, this new spot will feature a curated menu of their spirits, alongside other offerings like Irish Whiskey, Scotch, and international wines, thanks to operating under the hotel’s liquor license. While the State College location will have a smaller menu compared to the Bellefonte facility, it aims to enhance the local bar scene with quality beverages. The grand opening is anticipated for October, with daily hours from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Big Spring Spirits is also expanding with new locations in Sewickley and Pittsburgh.

Milam & Greene Unabridged Volume 3: Pre-Sale This Weekend!

Don't miss the chance to be among the first to secure a bottle of Milam & Greene’s highly anticipated Unabridged Volume 3. Available for pre-sale this weekend at the Milam & Greene Distillery in Blanco, Texas, and the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown, Kentucky, this cask-strength blend of straight bourbon whiskies celebrates Master Blender Heather Greene's expertise, following her “2023 Master Blender of the Year” accolade. Volume 3, at a robust 59% ABV (118 Proof), is expected to surpass its predecessors, which earned Double Platinum at the Ascot Awards. Packaged in an elegant box, it's perfect for holiday gifting. The official release is September 17, 2024, with an SRP of $94.99.

George Washington Distillery Unveils Three New Rye Whiskeys for Virginia Spirits Month

Celebrate Virginia Spirits Month with George Washington Distillery's special September whiskey tastings at Mount Vernon. The historic distillery is offering three distinct rye whiskeys: the award-winning George Washington’s Rye Whiskey, the hand-bottled George Washington’s Straight Rye Whiskey aged for two years, and the premium George Washington’s Straight Rye Premium Whiskey, aged five years using Washington's original recipe. For the entire month of September, enjoy a 20% discount on these handcrafted spirits, available both in person at the Mount Vernon Shops and online. Tasting events are set for September 14, 21, and 28 from 2–5 p.m. ET. Advanced tickets are recommended due to limited space. The distillery’s methods honor 18th-century techniques, echoing George Washington’s original distilling venture from the late 18th century.

Virginia Distillery Unveils The Brewer’s Coalition Single Malts

Virginia Distillery Co. has launched The Brewer’s Coalition, a new limited-edition series of American Single Malt whiskies finished in craft beer casks. The debut features two fall releases: one finished in Goose Island’s Bourbon County Stout barrels, offering notes of brown sugar, coffee, and malty chocolate, and another aged in Hardywood Park Craft Brewery’s Gingerbread Stout barrels, with aromas of candied lemon and apricot, and flavors of gingerbread cookies and vanilla icing. Both whiskies are bottled-in-bond at 100 proof (50% ABV) and retail for $49.95 per 750-ml bottle. Future releases will continue to blend whisky with craft beer flavors.

Blue Note Bourbon Expands Into New U.S. Markets and Alberta

Blue Note Bourbon is broadening its reach with new distribution in Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island, as well as making its debut in Alberta, Canada. This expansion brings Blue Note's portfolio—including Rye Whiskey, Juke Joint Bourbon, Juke Joint Uncut Bourbon, and Crossroads—to 20 U.S. states. Retailers in these new markets can connect with local distributors like Bay State Wine & Spirits and Republic National Distributing Company for stocking. For those outside these states and Canada, Blue Note is available online at bluenotebourbon.com.

Heaven Hill Opens Five Brothers Bar & Kitchen

Heaven Hill Distillery has unveiled the Five Brothers Bar & Kitchen at its Bourbon Experience in Bardstown, Kentucky. Named after the Shapira brothers who founded Heaven Hill, the new restaurant offers a Southern-inspired menu featuring Fried Chicken Sandwiches, Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup, and unique items like the Fluffernutter—a banana, peanut butter, and marshmallow sandwich. The bar also celebrates Heaven Hill’s heritage with dishes such as Max’s Garden Sandwich. Open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., the restaurant is curated by Jeff Crowe, Josh Holifield, Veronica Burger, and Jeremy Brown.

Horse Soldier Bourbon to Transform Historic Fort Worth Warehouse

Horse Soldier Bourbon, founded by U.S. Army Green Berets, is converting a historic Fort Worth cold-storage warehouse into its third Urban Stillhouse, a grand "bourbon wonderland." The new location at 2513 Rodeo Plaza will feature a tasting room, restaurant, and event spaces in an 11,416-square-foot building originally constructed in 1915. This new venture follows their successful openings in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Somerset, Kentucky. The renovation of the Fort Worth site is expected to elevate the dining experience in the Stockyards, which is already buzzing with new developments. The project aims to offer upscale bourbon-focused dining and events in a historic setting.

Are Kentucky's Bourbon Roots Getting Lost In The Hype? [LEO Weekly]
The Absolute Best Tasting Bourbons Under $50, Ranked For 2024 [UPROXX]
Taste Test: Old Forester’s 2024 Birthday Bourbon Doesn’t Live Up to Its Unicorn Status [Robb Report]
Breckenridge Distillery's Two Drams Blended Whiskey Rivals Scotches Double Its Price [Men’s Journal]
We Power Ranked The Best Barrel Proof Bourbons Of 2024 [UPROXX]

We’ve scanned the TTB Online COLA Registry and came across some interesting labels that recently received approval. Though the labels received approval, this does not guarantee that the distillery will release that particular product. This is for information purposes only and all labels are publicly available on the TTB website. (Click pictures to enlarge)

We hope you’ve enjoyed this month’s exploration of the latest news and trends in the bourbon and mead world. As always, we’re here to keep you informed and entertained with the best updates, releases, and discoveries. Until next time, keep your glasses full and your curiosity alive. Here’s to discovering new favorites and sharing great moments with fellow enthusiasts.