We’re Back! A New B&M Digest is Here
B&M Digest, Volume II, Issue 01
Thanks for sticking with us, friends—we know it’s been a minute. We’re back with a fresh edition of the Bourbon & Mead Digest and want to extend our sincere apologies for the extended break. Unfortunately, ongoing medical issues kept us sidelined a bit longer than planned. While those challenges haven’t fully passed, things have improved enough for us to return to what we love: bringing you the latest in bourbon and mead with our signature blend of warmth, wit, and whiskey wisdom. Let’s dive in.
Wildcats Go Whiskey: UK Students Debut Kentucky Wildcask Bourbon
The University of Kentucky is bottling up some real-world experience with the debut of Kentucky Wildcask Bourbon, the first student-led release from the James B. Beam Institute’s teaching distillery. Part of a hands-on course in the Commercialization of Distilled Spirits, students learn the ropes of branding, marketing, and launching a bourbon from concept to shelf. The blend combines private stock from instructor Herb Heneman with donated barrels from Fred B. Noe Distillery, creating a product now hitting shelves across Kentucky. As Director Seth DeBolt puts it, the class isn’t just theory—it’s a full pour of practical know-how with guidance from industry vets.
RD1 Unveils $5M Innovation-Focused Distillery in Lexington
RD1 Spirits has officially opened its new $5 million RD1 Distillery at The Commons in Lexington, KY—a high-tech, immersive stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. With expectations to draw 30,000 visitors annually, the 10,215-square-foot space is triple the size of their old digs and boasts an R&D-focused distillery, custom stills, and a 240-barrel rickhouse. Helmed by Dr. Jarrad Gollihue, the facility plans to test up to 50 different wood finishes yearly, letting guests get hands-on with sensory experiences and even age their own mini barrels. Highlights include a speakeasy lounge, the tree-filled “RD1 Forest,” and a $799 12-year-old limited release bottle to mark the grand opening. This latest chapter for RD1 blends rich bourbon heritage with a bold eye toward innovation.
Elijah Craig Drops Its Oldest Barrel Proof in Nearly Two Years with B525
Heaven Hill’s latest Elijah Craig Barrel Proof release, Batch B525, lands this May with a hefty 11 years and 6 months of age and a bold 126.2 proof, making it the oldest since 2023. Priced at a friendly $75, this uncut, non-chill-filtered bourbon features rich notes of toasted oak, dark fruit, butterscotch, and peppery spice. Crafted from Heaven Hill’s classic 78/10/12 mashbill (corn/rye/malted barley), the B525 follows the brand’s shift to specific batch age statements rather than the former 12-year standard. With its deeper age and high proof, this bottle is poised to be a fan favorite—if you can snag one before they vanish from shelves.
D.H. Cromwell Bourbon Returns: A Bold Revival for a Legendary Woman and a Legendary Whiskey
Old Commonwealth Distillery is resurrecting one of bourbon’s most elusive cult bottles with the 2025 release of D.H. Cromwell 15 Year Bourbon, a fiery tribute to Milwaukee’s infamous Prohibition-era speakeasy queen, Helen “Dirty Helen” Cromwell. Aged 15 years and finished in fresh charred oak from Kelvin Cooperage, this 106-proof Kentucky straight bourbon boasts a bold flavor profile—think cherry pie, dark chocolate, ginger snaps, and dusty rickhouse air. While the original 2000 release (bottled under the radar with help from Julian Van Winkle) became auction gold, this reissue leans into accessibility without compromising depth, retailing for $299. Even better, a portion of the proceeds supports Refuge for Women, a nonprofit aiding survivors of sexual exploitation—a move Dirty Helen herself would likely toast. Bottles go live May 22 via Old Commonwealth’s website, with limited store availability in TN, KY, and IL.
Allfather’s Meadery Brings Norse-Inspired Sips to Northern Kentucky
A new meadery with a mythological twist opened in Camp Springs, KY last weekend. Allfather’s Meadery, founded by Jason Catanzaro and his brothers, offers a lineup of 10 meads inspired by Norse legends, including classics like “Odin” (clover honey) and adventurous blends like “Persephone’s Departure” (pomegranate and dark chocolate). Born from Renaissance fair dreams, the tasting room blends family-friendly vibes with Nordic flair, complete with craft sodas for the younger crowd. Located just south of Cincinnati, Allfather’s opened May 9–10 with plans to expand its offerings to over 20 meads in the future. Skål to that!
America’s Finest: 2025 SFWSC Finalists for Best Single Barrel Bourbon Announced
The San Francisco World Spirits Competition has named seven standout single-barrel bourbons as 2025 finalists—five aged up to 10 years and two 11 years or older—showcasing a diverse range of regions, grains, and styles. Representing Texas, Garrison Brothers leads with a fiery, bold cask-strength beast packed with mesquite and saddle leather, while boutique newcomer Blackout Barrel stuns with smoky marshmallow and chocolate intensity. Louisville’s Safai Bourbon offers a polished, sweet classic, and Hirsch Double Oak layers extra wood aging for rich complexity. Charleston’s High Wire delivers a unique, heirloom Jimmy Red corn bourbon that’s earthy and nutty. On the older side, O.K.I.’s 16-year-old pours rich with leather, molasses, and cherry, while Buckner’s 15-year-old from Augusta Distillery flexes deep fruit and charred elegance. The winner will be revealed on November 9 in San Francisco, but all these bottles earn serious bragging rights—and a spot on your wishlist.
Top Wheated Bourbons of 2025 Showcased at San Francisco Spirits Competition
The 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition has named five standout finalists in the Wheated Bourbon category, each bringing a unique twist on the soft, sweet profile that wheat adds to bourbon. Leading the pack is Frank August Case Study 05, an experimental five-barrel batch full of caramelized brown sugar and cinnamon apple goodness. Maplewood Brewery’s Wheated Bourbon impressed with its creamy, popcorn-and-apple-pie profile, while Heaven Hill’s Grain to Glass offered a bolder, oak-spiced take on the style. Buffalo Trace showed up strong with two fan favorites: Weller Antique 107, a high-proof classic loaded with cherries and toffee, and the elegant, vanilla-laced Weller C.Y.P.B., a collector’s dream. All five highlight how wheat can bring a smooth, approachable richness without sacrificing complexity — proof that the soft-spoken side of bourbon can still speak volumes.
Old Fitz Returns: Heaven Hill Unveils Spring 2025 Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Release
Heaven Hill Distillery has dropped the curtain on the Spring 2025 edition of its Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series, a 9-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon that’s as rich in flavor as it is in tradition. Crafted from barrels laid down in spring 2016 and bottled this year, this 100-proof bourbon boasts classic notes of vanilla, butterscotch, and spiced apple pie in a creamy, oak-laced finish. As always, it’s presented in the signature ornate decanter with the green label denoting spring releases—this one hitting shelves on a limited, allocated basis at $129.99. The series continues to honor the bottled-in-bond legacy with both elegance and transparency, right down to its era-inspired packaging and tax strip details. Heaven Hill fans and collectors alike should keep an eye out—this one’s a looker and a sipper.
Frey Ranch Celebrates 10 Years with Grain-Focused, High-Proof Harvester Series Release
To mark a decade of distilling and five generations of farming, Frey Ranch Distillery is launching the Harvester Series: 10th Anniversary Edition—a bold, 121.14-proof American whiskey made entirely from grains grown on their Nevada farm. Limited to just 500 bottles at $249.99, this collector’s release (nicknamed “First Harvest”) showcases a complex mash bill derived from over 100 barrels and 14 mash blends, handpicked with the help of whiskey blending legend Nancy Fraley. The result? A s’mores-like experience in a glass—think custard, marshmallow, and chocolate with a sweet, nutty pine nut finish. Bottled with a recycled-metal tractor topper and grain silo-style packaging, it’s both a tribute to the land and a standout pour for serious fans of grain provenance and big flavor.
Pursuit United Drops New Proof Options, Fresh Look, and Big Flavor Ahead of Whiskey Row Opening
Pursuit Spirits, the team behind the Bourbon Pursuit podcast, just leveled up their Pursuit United lineup with new 88 proof and barrel proof options, offering something for both casual sippers and barrel strength fans. The 88 proof bourbon and rye deliver approachable, flavor-forward pours under $40, while the barrel proof versions—clocking in at 119.8 and 121.2 proof—bring decadent dessert-like profiles for $79.99. All this comes as Pursuit revamps its entire bottle design and labels for a cleaner, bolder shelf presence, just in time for their new Louisville distillery opening. The custom bottles now feature clearer labeling, mash bill transparency, and sleek branding, ensuring Pursuit United stands tall alongside the big names in bourbon and rye.
That wraps up this edition of the Bourbon & Mead Digest. Thanks for sticking with us after the unexpected hiatus—we’re glad to be back in your inbox sharing the latest from the world of whiskey and honey wine. Health setbacks may have slowed us down, but the pours (and the stories) keep coming. Until next time, sip well and stay curious.
Great update! Will have to stop by Allfather on my next drive north. Hope you're doing well!