Raising A Glass To Bold Moves And Tribute Pours
B&M Digest, Volume II, Issue 02
In this issue of B&M Digest, Green River honors the U.S. Army’s 250th with a patriotic 111.1 proof release. Rabbit Hole drops Adourra, a 9-year-old bourbon with a French twist, thanks to Armagnac cask finishing. Woodford Reserve blends rye and bourbon for a fruit-forward Tawny Port Finish. And in the mead world, Bearded Viking is charging across the map with award-winning flavors and national distribution on the horizon. Plus, we have much more, so grab a glass of your favorite tipple and dive into the latest in bourbon and mead.
Green River Distilling Salutes U.S. Army’s 250th with Commemorative Bourbon
Green River Distilling Co., the 10th oldest licensed distillery in Kentucky, is honoring the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army with a limited-edition bourbon release launching June 14, 2025. Bottled at 111.1 proof—a nod to Veterans Day—this small batch release features 4- to 7-year-old barrels and a mashbill of 77% corn, 14% rye, and 9% malted barley. Priced at $49.99, it offers rich notes of caramel, black cherry, cocoa, and peppermint, finishing with bold toffee and toasted oak. It’s a thoughtful marriage of military tribute and whiskey craftsmanship.
The commemorative release will be available at Green River’s distilleries in Owensboro and Louisville, at select military bases, and through various retail and online outlets nationwide. The iconic horseshoe bottle design is dressed in Army colors and insignia, making it a standout addition for collectors and patriotic bourbon lovers alike. A portion of sales will support programs that enhance the well-being of soldiers and their families, including recreation, fitness, and educational initiatives.
Led by retired Army Colonel Mark Erwin, CEO of parent company Lofted Spirits, Green River Distilling has long embraced its connection to the armed forces. Erwin calls the release “a salute to 250 years of courage, commitment, and sacrifice,” blending American history with Kentucky tradition. For those who enjoy meaningful pours with their whiskey, this bottle offers a chance to toast both heritage and service. Learn more at army250.greenriverwhiskey.com.
Michter’s Announces 2025 Release of Coveted 10-Year Rye
Michter’s Distillery is set to release its much-anticipated 10-Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye this June, continuing its tradition of carefully curated, limited-edition whiskeys. Bottled at 92.8 proof and retailing for $210, this Kentucky-style rye balances baking spice, citrus, vanilla, caramel, and sweet oak for what Master Distiller Dan McKee calls an “exceptional” flavor profile. Rather than bottling strictly by age, Michter’s waits for barrels to reach peak maturity, often aging well beyond the 10-year mark. The brand, recently named “World’s Most Admired Whiskey” for the second year running, credits bartenders and whiskey lovers for rekindling rye’s popularity.
Rabbit Hole Adourra Brings French Flair to Kentucky Bourbon
Rabbit Hole’s latest limited release, Adourra, is a 9-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon finished in French Armagnac casks and bottled at 108 proof. Part of the distillery’s high-end Founder’s Collection, Adourra blends bold Kentucky character with the nuanced elegance of Armagnac, offering rich layers of dried fruit, toasted almond, spice, and cocoa. Each bottle is individually numbered, topped with a heavy gold cork, and presented in a luxe linen-wrapped box. Available now at the distillery and select U.S. markets, Adourra is a refined, collectible pour that’s as much about presentation as it is flavor.
Council of Whiskey Masters Names New Bourbon Experts at 2025 Master Exams
The Council of Whiskey Masters has announced the addition of 16 new Masters across Scotch, Bourbon, and general Whiskey categories, following its rigorous 2025 annual exams held at Garrison Brothers Distillery in Texas. Four were honored as Masters of Bourbon: William Breeden, Andy Cartin, Siddharth Sawkar, and Bethne Stewart. These individuals demonstrated exceptional knowledge of bourbon history, production, major distilleries, and tasting acumen through blind tastings, oral theory, and written exams. The Council, founded in 2019, offers a structured global certification program and continues to elevate bourbon expertise within the broader whiskey world.
Bearded Viking Mead Charts National Course with Bold Growth and Bigger Flavor
Columbus, Montana-based Bearded Viking Mead is making waves across the U.S. just a year after opening, with founder JT Robertson setting a goal to become a household name by 2027. Already available in 54 Montana locations and on military bases, Bearded Viking is expanding nationwide, starting with distribution in Florida through RNDC. Known for dry, high-ABV meads that defy the “too sweet” stereotype, the meadery has grown from four to 16 flavors—including standout hits like the award-winning coffee mead Berserker. With new experimental meads on the horizon and a planned 10,000-square-foot warehouse expansion, Robertson’s “mead revolution” is gaining serious momentum.
Woodford Reserve Tawny Port Finish Debuts in Distillery Series
Woodford Reserve has unveiled its latest Distillery Series release: Tawny Port Finish, a 90.4 proof small-batch whiskey that blends rye and bourbon with a unique twist—bourbon finished in Tawny Port barrels. Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall describes the result as rich and complex, with layered fruit notes from the port finish balanced by the signature oak and spice of traditional bourbon. Priced at $64.99 for a 375ml bottle, this limited-edition release is available at the distillery, select Kentucky retailers, and via online shipping to a handful of states.
MB Roland Honors Western Kentucky with Old 2nd District Bottled-in-Bond Release
MB Roland Distillery has unveiled Old 2nd District, a new Bottled-in-Bond bourbon that pays tribute to Western Kentucky’s pre-Prohibition distilling roots. Crafted with locally grown grains, pot distilled, and aged in wood-fired, white oak-charred barrels, this full-bodied bourbon offers rich notes of dates, figs, raisins, and cinnamon, with a honeyed nose and silky mouthfeel. Currently available at the distillery gift shop, wider distribution and online sales are on the way.
Fawn Weaver Joins Marketing Hall of Fame, Makes History for Uncle Nearest
Fawn Weaver, founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, has been inducted into the American Marketing Association’s Marketing Hall of Fame, becoming just the third African American woman ever to receive the honor. Recognized for her trailblazing work with challenger brands, Weaver built Uncle Nearest into the fastest-growing independent spirits brand by leaning into authenticity, legacy, and storytelling. Her innovative distribution strategy and mission-driven branding not only celebrate Nearest Green’s legacy but have also rewritten the marketing playbook. The honor cements Weaver’s status as a visionary leader, reshaping both the spirits world and the broader landscape of modern marketing.
Milam & Greene Unveils “The Answer” — A Climate Comparison in a Bottle
Milam & Greene Whiskey has released a groundbreaking bourbon called “The Answer,” a two-bottle set that explores how Kentucky and Texas climates uniquely shape whiskey flavor and proof. Aged from the same 2019 Bardstown distillate, one batch remained in Kentucky’s cooler, humid environment while the other matured in the hot, dry Texas Hill Country. The result? A science-meets-sipping experience with the Kentucky bourbon landing at 108 proof and showcasing fruitier notes, while the Texas version hits 116 proof with bolder, oak-driven flavors. Priced at $149.99, the limited release of 800 boxed sets hits shelves and the distillery tasting room May 28, and they’re likely to disappear fast.
That’s a Wrap, Pour One for the Road
From boundary-pushing blends to heartfelt tributes and scientific sips, the bourbon and mead world continues to raise the bar—and the glass. Whether chasing down a limited release or enjoying a quiet pour, thanks for letting Bourbon and Mead ride shotgun on your tasting journey. Until next round, stay curious, stay sipping, and keep it spirited out there. Cheers from Springfield!
