This Week's Pours: Bourbon Legends, Mead Merriment, and Summer Heat
B&M Digest, Volume II, Issue 09
From bold new bourbon drops to riverside collaborations and Viking feasts, July is pouring it on thick. We’re diving into collector-worthy E.H. Taylor expressions, celebrating barrel-proof breakthroughs, and even raising a glass to Christmas in July with a chilly mead release. Whether you’re road-tripping to a festival or hunting down a rare bottle, there’s no shortage of stories and sips worth savoring. Let’s get into it.
Kentucky Nectar Returns with a Sophisticated Summer Pour – Drop Date Set for July 24
Old Commonwealth Distillery is dropping the Summer 2025 batch of Kentucky Nectar on July 24, and they’re bringing a masterclass in honey-finishing with it. Far from a gimmick, this wheated bourbon gets a second life through a science-forward process that uses organic honey, Kelvin #3 char barrels, and natural enzymatic reactions to build complexity, not sweetness. The honey doesn’t just flavor the bourbon; it transforms it, boosting aromatics, breaking down tannins, and adding colloids that give the final product a silky, rich mouthfeel. It’s rectification done right: taking great bourbon and making it unforgettable. Keep an eye on your inbox for the next drop details and tasting notes. This summer’s shaping up to be a good one.
Kentucky Owl Batch #13 Marks Final Blend from Bourbon Hall of Famer John Rhea
Kentucky Owl just dropped Batch #13, the swan song blend from retiring Master Blender and bourbon legend John Rhea. This limited-edition release is a high-proof blend (56.8% ABV) of five bourbons, mostly 8- and 9-year-olds, bringing together mature high-rye complexity with a zesty kick from younger and wheated barrels. Rhea, inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame in 2016, crafted Batch #13 as a tribute to the art of blending, highlighting the balance and character drawn from barrels with vastly different profiles. Bottles retail at $399 and are now available in select U.S. markets and online through Reserve Bar and Flaviar.
Montana’s Rivers in a Bottle: Wildrye Distilling and Rivers are Life Launch “The Confluence Collection”
In a spirited tribute to the waters that define the Treasure State, Wildrye Distilling has partnered with conservation group Rivers are Life to release The Confluence Collection—a limited-edition whiskey set inspired by Montana’s most iconic rivers: the Jefferson, Madison, Gallatin, and Missouri. Each expression in the four-bottle lineup channels the essence of its namesake through careful aging and creative finishing, like The Jeff, a 4-year rye finished in port casks, or The Maddy, a bold wheated bourbon aged just shy of three years in virgin oak. The Gally offers a single malt aged in rye barrels, while The Mo blends the three into a flavorful confluence that mirrors the very river it honors.
Beyond great whiskey, this project aims to give back, proceeds support Upper Missouri Waterkeeper, and each set sold helps plant a tree through Woodchuck USA’s sustainable packaging initiative. The full collection will be released at a July 30 launch party at Wildrye’s Bozeman distillery, complete with cocktails, live music, and local eats. Bottles will be available online starting August 1. It’s a toast to Montana’s rivers, crafted with care and built for impact.
Now, if I only knew someone with connections in Bozeman (yes, I'm looking at you, Jyl) who could grab me a bottle of The Maddy, I'd be golden.
Christmas Comes Early: Holiday Mead Returns for a Limited Summer Run
It’s that magical time of year, Christmas in July is coming to Bløm Mead + Cider! From Friday, July 11 at 2:00 PM through Sunday, July 20 at 7:00 PM, the Ann Arbor, MI tasting room (100 S 4th Ave, Suite 110) is transforming into a cozy, mid-summer holiday celebration.
They’ve dug into their vault and pulled out a secret stash of their beloved Christmas Mead (6.9%), brewed with Michigan honey, cranberries, and ginger. Available in 12oz pours, 4oz tasters, and 4-packs to go, this seasonal favorite won’t last long, so get it while it’s frosty.
Also on tap:
Discounts on winter merch (like beanies and glassware)
Freebies when you pick up a case (6 4-packs)
Holiday-themed movies playing in the taproom
Whether you’re escaping the heat or just jonesing for ginger, this is the perfect excuse to sip something festive and chill out—literally.
Farewell to Black Button: Rochester’s First Post-Prohibition Distillery Closes Its Doors
Black Button Distilling, a well-loved name in New York’s craft spirits scene, is shutting down for good on July 12. Founded in 2012 by Jason Barrett, it made history as Rochester’s first distillery since Prohibition and earned a loyal following over the years. In a heartfelt social media announcement, Barrett cited ongoing economic pressures as the reason behind the closure. The tasting room will serve guests one last time on July 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with bottles available for purchase. Despite this bittersweet ending, New York still ranks among the top three states in the nation for the number of distilleries, so the state’s spirit-loving fans still have plenty of places to explore.
Buckner’s 13 Returns: Augusta Distillery Re-Releases Award-Winning Bourbon
Augusta Distillery is bringing back Buckner’s 13 Year, the powerhouse bourbon that made its name in 2023. This single-barrel, cask-strength release - never blended, never diluted - will be available online starting July 9 for $219.99, and in-person at the distillery on July 19, with on-site bottles clocking in at a bold 135+ proof. The public release party in Augusta, KY features bottle signings, tours, music, and food from The Beehive Augusta Tavern. For superfans, a $599 “Inside the Vault” experience on July 18 includes tastings of Augusta’s full premium lineup (10-, 13-, 15-, and 17-year), a commemorative 150-proof bottle, and time with Master Distiller Alex Castle. Buckner’s 13 is back, and it’s bringing the heat.
Three Chord Bourbon Drops Volume 2 with New Look, New Flavor, and a Tribute to Music Icons
Three Chord Bourbon is turning up the volume with Volume 2, a fresh lineup that fuses bold whiskey with rock ‘n’ roll spirit. Founded by Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Neil Giraldo, the brand’s latest release features album-inspired packaging, concert photography, and limited-edition bottlings that honor musical legends, from blues guitarist Guitar Shorty to rockabilly pioneer Cordell Jackson. Standouts include RIOT, the first-ever Double Bonded Rye; Strange Collab, the only Pinot Noir-finished bourbon on the market; and Flipside Triplewood, a blend that’s already nabbed Double Gold. Volume 2 isn’t just a whiskey release, it’s a love letter to the creative process, perfect for sipping with the needle dropped on your favorite vinyl.
Bardstown Bourbon Unveils Hokkaido Mizunara Oak: A Global Oak Journey Continues
Following up their acclaimed Cathedral French Oak finish, Bardstown Bourbon Company dives even deeper into global wood terroir with Hokkaido Mizunara Oak, the latest in their Distillery Reserve series. This release marries a blend of 9- to 18-year-old straight whiskeys with a 28-month finishing in rare 66-gallon Mizunara oak barrels from Japan’s remote Hokkaido forests. A two-stage maturation, first in a high-flux temperature room near Warehouse H, then in the steady cool of Warehouse E, allowed the notoriously tricky Mizunara to fully impart its signature layers: sandalwood, soft coconut, incense, and classic bourbon notes of caramel and vanilla. Bottled at 109.3 proof and released in a 375ml format, it will be available starting July 11 at the Bardstown Distillery and Louisville Tasting Room (limit one per person), with weekly restocks on Wednesdays, while supplies last.
Booker’s “By the Pond” Batch Drops: A Tribute to Family, Fishing, and Full Flavor
The James B. Beam Distilling Co. has released Booker’s Bourbon 2025-02 “By The Pond” Batch, a heartfelt nod from Fred Noe to his father, the legendary Booker Noe, and the peaceful afternoons they spent by the backyard pond. Aged 7 years, 1 month, and 20 days, and bottled at a robust 126.5 proof, this batch blends barrels from eight different warehouses, resulting in a balanced depth and complexity. Fred describes it as sweet on the palate with a finish that completes the moment, just the kind of bourbon his dad would’ve sipped while watching his catfish grow. Priced at $99.99, this latest Booker’s release captures more than flavor; it’s a memory in a bottle.
Heaven Hill Unveils Refreshed Brand and New Louisville HQ with “Thriving Together” Vision
Heaven Hill Brands has officially launched its refreshed corporate identity alongside the opening of a brand-new 48,000-square-foot Louisville office, uniting its teams under one roof for the first time in years. With a new tagline, “Thriving Together,” the family-owned spirits company is doubling down on its nearly 90-year legacy of collaboration, innovation, and people-first values. The new space includes modern work areas, a tasting bar named “Max’s Place,” and art installations celebrating both the company and local creators. The milestone comes as Heaven Hill was once again named a U.S. Best Managed Company by Deloitte and The Wall Street Journal, and follows continued growth across its award-winning portfolio, including Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, and Deep Eddy Vodka.
Castle & Key Debuts 6-Year Small Batch Bourbon: A New Chapter from a Historic Castle
Castle & Key has unveiled its 6-Year Small Batch Bourbon, marking a major step forward for the revived distillery that now calls the historic Old Taylor site home. This new expression, clocking in at 50.5% ABV and retailing for $39.99, builds on the brand’s 2022 four-year debut, offering deeper flavor and refined complexity. Already earning accolades in 2025, the bourbon boasts notes of brown sugar, graham cracker, cranberry, and pomegranate, with a chewy, balanced finish. Available now at the distillery, their Louisville store, and online, this release reflects Castle & Key’s steady rise—and their uncompromising approach to craft and legacy.
Buffalo Trace Launches Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Distiller’s Council: A $1,500 Tribute to Bourbon History
Buffalo Trace has unveiled its most historically inspired bourbon yet: Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Distiller’s Council, a 100-proof limited edition that revives 19th-century production methods pioneered by Taylor himself. Born from a legendary 1996 meeting of bourbon icons, the release honors Taylor’s legacy and the lost techniques rediscovered by the original “Distiller’s Council.” Using Taylor’s sour mash process and traditional fermentation methods, this high-end pour captures the essence of whiskey as it was made in the 1880s. Packaged in a vintage-style Grecian decanter and priced at $1,499.99, the bottle rolls out in July 2025 and will join the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection this fall as its first Bottled-in-Bond bourbon.
Gate Eleven Distillery Goes Statewide in Tennessee
Chattanooga’s Gate Eleven Distillery is making big moves, expanding its distribution across the entire state of Tennessee. Founded by Bill and Wanda Lee, the small-batch distillery has built a solid reputation with award-winning spirits, most notably, their Gate Eleven Gin, which just snagged a Platinum Medal at the 2025 SIP Awards. Now, from Memphis to the Smokies, Tennesseans will have access to their full lineup, including gin, vodka, rum, whiskey, agave spirits, and absinthe. Operating out of the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo terminal, the Lees remain rooted in quality and craft as they scale across the Southeast.
Wheel Horse Unleashes First Barrel Proof Bourbon with Barrel Master Select Series
Wheel Horse Whiskey has launched its Barrel Master Select series with an exciting first release: a 5-year Kentucky Straight Bourbon bottled at a bold 112.6 proof. Crafted at Green River Distilling in Owensboro and blended from twelve hand-picked barrels, this unfiltered expression delivers rich aromas of cherry and mocha, with a decadent palate of toffee, vanilla, and café au lait, finishing with toasted walnut and Black Forest cake. Limited to just 2,100 bottles (SRP $39.99), this is Wheel Horse’s first barrel-proof offering and a promising start to a new line that will include a rye release this fall.
Rebel 10-Year Single Barrel Bourbon Returns for 2025
Rebel Bourbon is back with its annual limited release of the Rebel 10-Year Single Barrel, a 100-proof wheated bourbon known for its bold, smooth character and award-winning pedigree. Aged a full decade and bottled one barrel at a time, this year’s edition arrives with just 2,600 cases available and an SRP of $99.99. Crafted using Rebel’s original 1849 recipe (68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malt), each pour boasts notes of vanilla, dark fruit, caramel, and citrus, all wrapped in a velvety finish. Already racking up top honors, including Double Platinum at the 2025 ASCOT Awards, this small-batch gem from Lux Row Distillers is a must-sip for wheated bourbon fans.
IronStone Meadery Brings the Thunder to Viking Fest
Get to the Longships and row, my brothers and sisters. Row like the gods are at your back (or just drive) to Erie County Viking Fest, happening July 11–13 at 16925 Parker Rd, Union City, OH! IronStone Meadery is storming the fest with a battle-tested lineup, including Sir Cyzer, Loki’s Tongue, Blood of Odin, Elder Gods, and Rich’s Traditional.
If you can’t make the fest, you can still order online at VinoShipper or swing by the meadery at 2890 Copperleaf Dr, Erie (Fridays 4–8 PM, Saturdays 1–8 PM), but be warned, these meads sell out fast. IronStone will be closed during the fest weekend as Rich and Diana will both be at the event, pouring and pillaging with the rest of the crew. More info? Check out the Erie County Viking Fest Facebook page.
Until Next Time…
Whether you’re chasing barrel-proof thrills, sipping riverside with a purpose, or decking the halls with cranberry mead in mid-July, there’s never a dull moment in the world of bourbon and mead. Keep your glasses full and your calendars marked — we’ll be back soon with more spirited stories, fresh releases, and events worth traveling for. Until then, sip boldly and drink curious. Cheers!
