Latest news with #AmericanWhiskey
Forbes
18 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Stitzel Reserve Debuts With A 24-Year-Old Bourbon That's Been Waiting Since 1999
Stitzel Reserve There are distilleries—and then there's Stitzel-Weller. Known to bourbon devotees as the 'cathedral of Bourbon,' the Louisville landmark has quietly held court since 1935, aging barrels that have become the stuff of legend. Now, the historic site is throwing open its gates in a new way, launching Stitzel Reserve, a distillery-exclusive series that begins with a showstopper: a 24-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey drawn from just nine barrels. This isn't your average limited-edition bottle. This is history—bottled. Stitzel Reserve is more than a brand extension—it's a platform for the rare, the archival, and the impossibly well-aged. The series draws from some of the oldest and most exceptional barrels resting within the legendary rickhouses of Stitzel-Weller, beginning with a showstopping debut: a 24-Year-Old Bourbon aged in new charred American oak barrels, laid down in 1999 by a historic Kentucky producer and matured in Warehouse B. Only nine barrels were selected for this release, yielding a mere 191 bottles—each one individually numbered and hand-signed by Nicole Austin, Diageo's Director of American Whiskey Liquid Development and Capabilities, who personally curated and blended the whiskey. 'At Stitzel-Weller Distillery, we are fortunate to have inherited some of the most remarkable aging barrels in the country,' said Austin. 'The launch of Stitzel Reserve is a pivotal moment for our distillery. It's a celebration of the past and a bold step forward.' This 24-Year-Old expression isn't just a flex of age—it's a fully developed character study in bourbon form. The whiskey opens with a rich, leathery profile, layered with saddle oil and an elegant sweetness that rounds into burnt sugar on the finish. With an ABV of 61.7%, this is a cask-strength pour that still manages remarkable balance, depth, and warmth. If you're the type who appreciates tasting notes that sound like the inside of a vintage study, this bottle is your spirit animal. The packaging itself is an homage to the whiskey's character, featuring design cues inspired by wood and leather—elements as timeless as the bourbon inside. While there's no official release calendar for future expressions, each Stitzel Reserve bottling will be based solely on peak liquid maturity and barrel quality, not marketing timelines. In other words, you'll have to be patient—and lucky. All releases in the Stitzel Reserve series will be available exclusively on-site at the Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky. Beginning June 2025, consumers 21 and up can purchase the 750mL bottle directly at the distillery. Pricing, naturally, is available only upon request (a sure sign of prestige, or possibly heartbreak). For those who just want a taste without committing to the full bottle, the distillery is offering bespoke pours at the Garden & Gun Club on-site. Each tasting experience includes an etched whiskey glass, branded bag, and a limited-edition Stitzel-Weller Distillery pin, ensuring your bragging rights come fully accessorized. With Stitzel Reserve, the distillery is reaffirming its place not just as a producer, but as a custodian of bourbon legacy. It's a reminder that sometimes the most exciting things in whiskey aren't the new brands or experimental casks, but the stories quietly aging in oak, waiting for just the right moment to emerge. This first release may be rare, but if the promise of the series holds, it's only the beginning. Consider it a toast to the past—and a whisper of what's still to come.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Stitzel-Weller Distillery Unveils Stitzel Reserve: A Gateway to Bourbon History
An exclusive 24-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey marks the beginning of a series of rare, distillery-exclusive releases under the Stitzel Reserve brand LOUISVILLE, Ky., June 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Stitzel-Weller Distillery is proud to launch Stitzel Reserve, a new series of one-of-a-kind, distillery-exclusive bottles that begins with a 24-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the first of many rare releases to be drawn from the storied walls of the historic site. Since opening its doors in 1935, the iconic distillery has become regarded as the cathedral of Bourbon, and with this new endeavor, opens a gateway to American Whiskey history. Stitzel Reserve will be a platform to bring aged liquid from precious archival barrels to the world, with much more to come from as part of this pivotal new era in whiskey. Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: The inaugural Stitzel Reserve 24-Year-Old release honors Stitzel-Weller Distillery's 90-year legacy, serving as a testament to the site's enduring tenure and its commitment to preserving and elevating exceptional whiskey. With decades of craftsmanship and careful stewardship, Stitzel Reserve will feature a series of highly limited releases solely available on-site at the Louisville-based distillery. Under the visionary leadership of Nicole Austin, Director of American Whiskey Liquid Development and Capabilities for Diageo, Stitzel Reserve showcases the rarest and most extraordinary barrels from the distillery's historic warehouses. Personally selected and blended by Austin, Stitzel Reserve 24-Year-Old was pulled from just nine barrels, yielding 191 bottles which will comprise this exceptional release. "At Stitzel-Weller Distillery, we are fortunate to have inherited some of the most remarkable aging barrels in the country," said Austin. "The launch of Stitzel Reserve is a pivotal moment for our distillery. It's a celebration of the past and a bold step forward. This exceptional 24-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has spent decades maturing under careful supervision, developing a profile rich with notes of cracked leather, saddle oil, and burnt sugar. It embodies the craftsmanship and dedication that defines Stitzel-Weller Distillery." Stitzel Reserve isn't just a new label, it's a tribute to the barrels and the bourbon legacy that came before it. Each expression will be carefully curated based on liquid quality and peak maturity, with no predetermined schedule, but all will be rare and released in highly limited quantities. With each release, Stitzel Reserve will showcase the best of what Stitzel-Weller Distillery has to offer, reinforcing the historic site's role as a custodian of exceptional whiskey. The inaugural offering is available for sale on-site at the distillery for consumers aged 21+ as of June 2025. Individual serves of the new whiskey are also available through a bespoke tasting experience at the Garden & Gun Club at Stitzel-Weller Distillery, and will include an etched whiskey glass with a branded bag and a limited edition Stitzel-Weller Distillery pin with purchase. Befitting of its rarity, pricing of the 750mL bottle will be available upon request at the distillery. ABOUT STITZEL-WELLER DISTILLERYOriginally opening on Derby Day in 1935 and reopening to the public in 2014, the historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery is one of the true cathedrals of the American whiskey industry. Located only five miles from downtown Louisville, the Stitzel-Weller Distillery Experience is one of the most convenient and impressive stops along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®. We are proud to invite guests to step foot on this hallowed ground and gain a unique perspective on the dichotomy of the historic contrasted with the innovations of tomorrow that include Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and I.W. Harper. ABOUT DIAGEODiageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow us on Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA. Celebrating life, every day, everywhere. Media Contact:stitzelreserve@ View original content: SOURCE DIAGEO Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
AGLC to bring back liquor from United States ‘effective immediately'
A sign is placed in front of the American whiskey section at a B.C. liquor store after top selling American made products have been removed from shelves in Vancouver, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) will resume selling liquor products from the United States after a three month pause. In March, the AGLC stopped the sale of all American alcohol products. On Friday, the AGLC announced it will 'resume accepting liquor products from the United States, effective immediately,' at the direction of the provincial government. This will affect all liquor products registered with the AGLC and declared to Canada Border Services Agency. Products that were shipped from the U.S. after March 4 will continue to be subject to a surtax of 25 per cent of the invoice price, the AGLC added. The initial decision was made to support Canadian producers in the wake of U.S. tariffs, Premier Danielle Smith said in March. 'If the Americans aren't going to buy products from our Canadian companies, we have to,' the premier said. 'That means we should be buying more Canadian beer, more Canadian spirits and more Canadian wine. And so that's the reality of what we're facing.' CTV News Edmonton reached out to the province to ask why the decision to resume selling U.S. liquor was made. With files from CTV News Calgary's Kevin Green
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FREY RANCH® NAMED "MOST AWARDED DISTILLERY OF THE YEAR" AT THE 2025 ASCOT AWARDS
Nevada-Based Farm-to-Glass Distillery Receives Five Double Platinum and 16 Platinum Medals at Fred Minnick's Prestigious Spirits Competition FALLON, Nevada, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Frey Ranch® Distillery – one of the only true farm-to-glass American Whiskey distilleries – received high honors at this year's ASCOT Awards with a total of 28 medals awarded to its portfolio of bourbon, ryes, and specialty American Whiskeys. The Fallon, NV-based distillery took home the title of "Most Awarded Distillery of the Year" with five double platinum medals and an astounding 16 platinum medals in a variety of categories. Out of hundreds of submissions across multiple spirits categories – including domestic and international whiskey, tequila, gin, vodka, rum, and others – Frey Ranch was the most awarded distillery in this year's competition. The ASCOT Awards is an international spirits competition created by spirits personality and veteran tasting judge, Fred Minnick. "Fred has one of the best palates in the business, so to receive such high marks on the world whiskey stage from the ASCOT Awards and its prestigious panel of judges is truly one of our career highlights. Since the day we started distilling in Nevada, my wife and co-founder Ashley and I have been committed to making great whiskey where the grains we grow and harvest on our farm take center stage in each bottle we release. As the farm-to-glass movement grows, we're incredibly proud to bear the title of 'Most Awarded Distillery of the Year,'" said Frey Ranch Co-Founder and Whiskey Farmer Colby Frey. Frey Ranch Single Barrel Distiller's Reserve Aged in Malbec Barrels is up for "Best Special Barrel-Finished" Whiskey of the Year while the brand's inaugural limited-edition Harvester Series: Anniversary Edition (First Harvest) is a contender for Best American Whiskey of the Year in the ASCOT Awards taste off with winners announced on June 6th. Double platinum medal winners include Frey Ranch Single Barrel Bourbon, Barrel #1406, Frey Ranch Quad Malt, Frey Ranch Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye, Frey Ranch Single Barrel Distiller's Reserve Aged in Malbec Barrels and Frey Ranch Harvester Series: 10th Anniversary Edition. The platinum medal winners include Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut, Frey Ranch 100% Barley Whiskey, Frey Ranch 100% Wheat Whiskey and Frey Ranch 100% Oat Whiskey, among other expressions. The Frey family values a common-sense approach to sustainable farming, with Colby's inspiration to build a distillery born from a desire to create a distinctive, long-lasting product from the quality grains his family has been growing and perfecting for generations. The family has long abided by the motto, "Be good to the land and the land will be good to you," which is embossed on the bottom of each bottle of Frey Ranch Whiskey. Follow Frey Ranch Distillery on Instagram: @freyranchdistillery | Facebook: @freyranchdistillery About Frey Ranch Distillery Frey Ranch Distillery was founded in 2006 by Colby and Ashley Frey on the Frey family's 2,000-acre farm in Fallon, Nevada. The family has a deep history of farming in Northern Nevada that dates back 170 years and continues today with Frey Ranch Distillery, one of the only distilleries in the country to grow 100% of its whiskey grains on-site. Today, Frey Ranch is one of the top-selling ultra-premium bourbons in the US and one of the largest whiskey producers on the West Coast. Frey Ranch is a year-round working farm that also offers tours and tastings to the public every Saturday from 12-4 p.m. Its award-winning portfolio of bourbons, ryes, and specialty whiskeys are available for purchase in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia, and online at To learn more, visit Media Contact:Sarah Bessette; Frey Ranch Distillerysarah@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Frey Ranch Distillery Sign in to access your portfolio
Forbes
14-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
America's Best Whiskey, According To The American Distilling Institute
The Best in Category and Best in Class American Whiskeys from the ADI's 2025 International Spirits Competition getty Each year, the American Distilling Institute hosts the ADI International Spirits Competition. This prestigious event recognizes excellence in craft spirits and is open to American and international distilleries. Below is a brief background and tasting notes on the "Best of Class" and "Best of Category" American whiskey winners from the recently completed 2025 competition. Taluna's Cask & Stave was selected as America's Best Whiskey at the 2025 ADI Spirits Competition. Taluna, in Arvada, Colorado, holds the distinction of being America's first distillery dedicated exclusively to producing single pot still whiskey. Established in 2017 by Patrick and Meagan Miller, the distillery was inspired by the couple's honeymoon in Ireland and their love for traditional Irish whiskey. The name "Talnua" combines the Irish-Gaelic words "Talamh" (land) and "Nua" (new), reflecting their mission to bring old-world distilling traditions to the new land of America. Talnua's uses triple distillation in copper pot stills and a mash bill of 50% malted and 50% unmalted barley, adhering closely to traditional Irish methods while incorporating American innovation. The whiskey is aged a minimum of three years in ex-bourbon white oak casks with the addition of charred virgin American white oak staves from the onset of maturation. The nose features fresh marshmallows, lightly charred oak wood, cooked cereal/malt, caramel, vanilla, and a hint of candied, pink bubble gum-like sweetness. The whiskey is light on the palate, exhibiting subtle cooked grain flavors, hints of marshmallow, vanilla, caramel, and a touch of white pepper. The finish is medium length and fresh, featuring lingering notes of seasoned oak and wood spices, with mellow undertones of vanilla and caramel that fade gracefully. This expression showcases Talnua's commitment to blending traditional Irish and American whiskey-making techniques. The result is a unique and approachable whiskey that offers a uniquely American perspective on the single Irish pot still style. Knobel Spirits produces handcrafted Tennessee whiskey, utilizing the Lincoln County Process, a unique filtration method through maple wood charcoal before aging. This process, a defining characteristic of Tennessee whiskey, imparts a distinctly sweet flavor profile to the spirit. The mash bill is undisclosed. The whiskey is aged for approximately five years in new charred American oak barrels. The whiskey is sweet and rich on the nose, featuring caramel, spicy candied orange zest, fresh orange, hints of vanilla, almond, and oak. The palate features fresh-baked sugar cookies, baked apple, ginger, and spice notes of cinnamon, clove, and a little allspice. The finish is long, sweet, and spicy, with lingering notes of orange zest and baked apple pie. An American single malt whiskey with mince pies getty Stranahan's is a pioneer in American single malt whiskey. The Mountain Angel 10-Year is their first age-stated expression, showcasing the impact of Colorado's high-altitude aging. The whiskey is based on a mash bill of 100% malted barley aged ten years in new American oak barrels with a #3 char. The whiskey is sweet and fruity, featuring sweet fruit liqueurs, glazed cherries, Cognac, and aromatic pipe smoke aromas. On the palate, the whiskey features brown sugar, dark molasses, maple bars, caramel, vanilla, and caramelized wood. It's rich, smooth, and viscous with a pronounced mouth weight. The finish is long and silky, with lingering notes of dried fruit and sweet smoke. Bird Creek Distillery, Cask Strength Baronesse, 57.5% ABV, 750 ml. Bird Creek Distillery specializes in single malt American whiskeys, using unique barley strains like Baronesse, sourced from Joseph's Grainery in Colfax, Washington. The Oregon-based distillery uses a mash bill of 100% Baronesse barley and ages its whiskey for four to five years. Baronesse barley is a rare, heirloom two-row spring barley variety developed by Washington State University. It has found a niche among craft distillers and brewers who value heritage grains for their distinctive flavor profiles. Baronesse imparts floral and malt/grain-forward aromas of warm cereal and honeyed biscuit. It creates a creamy, full-bodied texture on the palate with rich malt sweetness, toasted grain, honey, graham cracker, and nutty flavors. The whisky features a rich, aromatic malt character on the nose with bread dough and earthy, steeped black tea notes. The palate exhibits cooked cereal/malt, sugared breakfast cereal, vanilla, caramel, and milk chocolate flavors. The finish is long and sweet with lingering cooked cereal and graham cracker notes. This limited-edition blend celebrates North American whiskey traditions, combining well-aged spirits from Canada and the U.S. The bottling blends 23 and 24-year-old Canadian whiskey with 11-year-old Kentucky Corn Whiskey, eight-year-old American Light Whiskey, and Indiana Rye. The whiskey is sweet and herbal, featuring honey, vanilla, caramel, seasoned oak, menthol, and mint. It's fruity on the palate, showcasing red berries, apples, cherry syrup, black pepper, and herbal menthol flavors. The finish is long, semi-sweet, and slightly spirity, with lingering notes of mint and black pepper. Uncle Nearest honors the legacy of Nathan "Nearest" Green, the first African-American master distiller. The Master Blend Edition is a cask-strength release, hand-selected by Master Blender Victoria Eady Butler. The mash bill is not disclosed. The whiskey undergoes the Lincoln County Process of maple wood charcoal aging and is typically matured for at least six years. The whiskey features cinnamon, caramel, vanilla, seasoned oak, black pepper, and aged tobacco leaf on the nose. It's rich and viscous on the palate with a pronounced mouth weight, exhibiting buttered cinnamon toast, earthy and herbal notes, and a pronounced spicy character. The finish is long, sweet, and spicy with lingering notes of caramel, cinnamon, and clove. Texas-based Bendt Distilling emphasizes grain-to-glass production, using locally sourced grains to craft their spirits. The mash bill comprises soft winter red wheat, yellow dent corn, and Maris Otter malted barley. The whiskey is aged four years in new American oak casks with a 3.5 char. The nose features slight floral aromas, cooked cereal, baking bread, and poached orchard fruit aromas. It's smooth, sweet, and slightly fruity, with fresh-baked buttery croissant and subtle notes of pear and red berry flavors. The finish is long, slightly sweet with lingering baked bread and subtle brown sugar notes. Other notable Best of Category winners in their respective categories included New Brighton Distillery Amity Corn Whiskey, Hermann Farm Distillery Sour Cherry Flavored Whiskey, and Rocker Spirits Triticale Whiskey. The American Distilling Institute (ADI) is a leading trade organization for craft and independent distillers in the United States. Founded in 2003, ADI supports the growth and success of small-scale distillers through education, advocacy, networking, and promotion of best practices in the industry. ADI's annual spirits competition often highlights up-and-coming brands, many of which have yet to establish national distribution. For the whiskey connoisseur, the competition offers an excellent insight into what will likely be tomorrow's American whiskey stars.
