Proof, Personality, and a Splash of the Unexpected
B&M Digest, Volume II, Issue 07
As we roll into the heat of summer, the spirits world is anything but slow. From intergalactic bourbon liqueurs and commemorative legacy releases to heartfelt homecomings and hotel-exclusive barrel picks, distillers across the country are bottling bold stories and big flavor. Whether you’re sipping something aged nine years in Michigan or chasing a cosmic blend of 42 botanicals in Chattanooga, there’s no shortage of adventure in your next pour. This week’s digest rounds up the newest releases, creative crossovers, and industry shake-ups, so grab a glass and catch up on what’s pouring.
Review: Green River 250th Anniversary U.S. Army Bourbon - Big Flavor, Big Meaning, No BS
Let’s Get This Out of the Way First
Here’s how I review: I drink it, I think about it, and I tell you what I honestly think. No weird tasting notes like “wet sidewalk after a spring rain” or “sunburned leather boots on a Tuesday.” Just the basics—does it taste good, and is it worth your time and money?
Also, quick disclaimer: this was a sample bottle sent over by the folks at Green River. No strings, no pressure—just a pour and my thoughts.
Alright, Let’s Talk Bourbon
Green River Distilling cooked up this 250th Anniversary U.S. Army Bourbon to celebrate 250 years of service and sacrifice, and they didn’t phone it in. Bottled at 111.1 proof (a nice nod to Veterans Day—and oddly enough, also my birthday), this one’s got some punch but isn’t trying to knock your teeth out.
It’s a 4–7-year blend with a mashbill of 77% corn, 14% rye, and 9% malted barley. Smells like caramel, oak, and black cherry right out of the gate. Tastes even better—think toffee, spice, and this little peppermint kick that keeps things interesting. The finish is strong and a little spicy, but it doesn’t wear out its welcome. In my humble opinion, it’s strong from start to finish, and I give it a solid four out of five barrels.
And the Bonus Round
Every bottle sold helps support military family programs, so you’re drinking for a good cause. At $49.99, it’s hard to argue with the value, especially in a world where decent bourbon under $60 is getting harder to find.
Looks sharp, tastes great, does some good in the world. Whether you’re military, a collector, or love a bourbon with a backstory, the Green River Army 250th is one you’ll want on your shelf—and probably in your glass more than once.
Belle of Dayton Distillery Revives Local Spirits Legacy with Award-Winning Bourbon
Tucked away in Dayton’s Oregon District, Belle of Dayton Distillery is blending local history with handcrafted ambition, bringing bourbon and rye production back to the city for the first time since Prohibition. Founded by brothers Mike and Murphy LaSelle as a passion project in 2014 (they still run a mattress business by day), the distillery operates with a lean team, local ingredients, and an “all heart, no investors” approach. Their Detrick Single Barrel Bourbon, which revives a pre-Prohibition Dayton brand and uses oats for a uniquely smooth finish, recently won Double Gold at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. With plans to expand bourbon production and their first 10-year barrels on the way, Belle of Dayton is proving that small batch and small town can still mean big-time bourbon.
NOLA Hotels Launch Exclusive Bourbon Picks—Flights Available Citywide
Four New Orleans hotels, JW Marriott, New Orleans Marriott, Marriott Warehouse Arts District, and The Ritz-Carlton, are offering guests a rare sip of Kentucky with exclusive barrel picks from Buffalo Trace and Angel’s Envy. Part of Marriott’s Barrel Select Program, each hotel hand-selected its unique barrel:
JW Marriott: Weller Full Proof
New Orleans Marriott: Blanton’s Single Barrel
Warehouse Arts District Marriott: Weller Antique 107, Eagle Rare 10 Year, and Buffalo Trace
The Ritz-Carlton: Angel’s Envy
You can sample all of them in a custom flight available at any of the hotel bars or explore the full New Orleans “Bourbon Trail” by tasting each pour at its home location. With more picks on the way later this year, it’s a unique chance to experience hand-selected bourbon, New Orleans-style.
Coppercraft Drops 9-Year Bourbon Ahead of Distillery Reopening
Michigan’s Coppercraft Distillery has released a new 9-Year-Old Straight Bourbon, blending sourced Indiana barrels with 21% and 36% rye mashbills from MGP. Head Distiller Will Fabry crafted a 15-barrel blend using char 3, heavy-toast barrels from top cooperages like ISC, Kelvin, and Speyside. Priced at $37.99, this expression aims to hit the sweet spot for both casual drinkers and collectors. The distillery’s barrel-proofing method and use of petites eaux give the bourbon added depth and mouthfeel. The release arrives just ahead of Coppercraft’s long-awaited facility reopening in Holland, MI, scheduled for August 2025.
Heaven Hill Unveils Second Edition of Grain to Glass Rye
Heaven Hill Distillery has released the second edition of its Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, a limited and transparent offering that highlights every step from seed to sip. This 2025 expression features a bold 63% rye mashbill (higher than the distillery’s standard), 20% corn, and 13% malt, with corn grown from Beck’s Hybrids 6225 seed on Peterson Farms in Nelson County. Aged over six years and bottled at barrel proof (105.2), the whiskey is non-chill filtered and packed with complex character. Retailing at $99.99 for a 700ml bottle, it’s a deep dive into Heaven Hill’s commitment to craft, provenance, and storytelling, right down to the custom label art and detailed production notes.
Jackie Zykan Steps Away from Hidden Barn, Leaves Blending Legacy Intact
Jackie Zykan, co-founder and Master Blender of Hidden Barn Bourbon, is stepping back from the brand as Neeley Family Distillery continues its production. Launched in 2022 with Royce Neeley and Nate Winegar, Hidden Barn was acquired by Neeley in 2024, with Zykan staying on to guide blending. While Winegar will remain as Brand Ambassador and the bourbon’s flavor profile will stay the same, Zykan is shifting her focus to her agriculture venture and her whiskey-based fragrance line, Oduoak. She’ll still have a hand in spirits, supplying herbs for Neeley’s award-winning Absinthe. Despite the transition, the team emphasized respect, collaboration, and future openness, with Hidden Barn continuing its nationwide expansion.
Michter’s Readies 2025 Legacy Series: Shenk’s & Bomberger’s Return in July
Michter’s Distillery is rolling out its 2025 Legacy Series this July with fresh vintages of Shenk’s Homestead Kentucky Sour Mash and Bomberger’s Declaration Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Honoring the brand’s roots dating back to 1753, both whiskeys showcase Michter’s continued focus on wood science and maturation. This year’s Shenk’s (91.2 proof, $110) includes whiskey finished in toasted Vosges forest French oak, highlighting bold rye and baking spice notes. Bomberger’s (108 proof, $120) leans into complexity, aged in a mix of Chinquapin oak barrels seasoned from 18 months up to 5 years. These limited releases follow Michter’s recent back-to-back title as World’s Most Admired Whiskey, further cementing their place in the upper echelon of American whiskey.
Barrell Bourbon Batch 037 Hits Shelves with Bold Blend and Global Reach
Barrell Craft Spirits has unveiled Batch 037 of its cask-strength bourbon line, a robust blend featuring bourbons aged 8 to 15 years from Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Bottled at 111.38 proof (55.69% ABV), this release highlights a flavor profile of dark chocolate, toffee, spiced orange, cardamom, banana, and honey, built on a mash bill of 78% corn, 18% rye, and 4% malted barley. Retailing for $84.99, a few lucky buyers will find bottles signed by blending team members Joe Beatrice, Tripp Stimson, or Nic Christiansen. Now available online and in stores, Batch 037 follows the brand’s tradition of delivering complexity and craftsmanship to bourbon fans worldwide.
Chattanooga Unleashes Batch Alpha: The Intergalactic Comet Crusher
Chattanooga Whiskey is leaning hard into its Experimental Distillery roots with Batch Alpha: Intergalactic Comet Crusher, a bourbon liqueur as bold in concept as it is in flavor. Born from a tongue-in-cheek tale involving alien spacecraft, malfunctioning androids, and a glowing green bottle, this release is equal parts science fiction and high-proof creativity. Bottled at 84 proof and infused with a mystery mix of 42 botanicals (because Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy fans know the significance), Comet Crusher delivers a citrus-zapped, spice-laden punch that distillers describe as “like having your brains smashed out by a bag of lemons dipped in 42 karat gold.” Crafted from just 12 barrels and shrouded in secrecy—including a classified mash bill—this one-off high malt bourbon liqueur is a collector’s dream and a flavor adventure for the curious. Welcome to Chattanooga’s weirdest release yet—and we mean that in the best way.
Spirits & Specters: The St. Louis Bourbon Festival Returns with a Haunting Twist
Mark your calendars—Friday, October 3rd is set to be an unforgettable night as the St. Louis Bourbon Festival returns, bringing four blocks of Benton Park alive with flavor and flair. Hosted by the St. Louis Bourbon Society, this immersive, Halloween-inspired celebration features hundreds of whiskies, eerie tasting lounges, food trucks, cigar patios, street performers, and live music, all for a good cause benefiting Code 3 Response for First Responders. Early bird tickets drop on July 2 for SLBS members, with general tickets available on July 9. Don your best fall fit, raise your glass, and get ready to toast the spirit(s) of St. Louis!
That’s it for this round, folks. Whether you’re chasing a comet crusher, sipping legacy rye, or hunting down that nine-year pour, there’s never been a better time to be a bourbon (or mead) fan. Keep your shelves stocked and your spirits high—see you next week with more bottles worth talking about.
