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NDTV
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Bourbon Whiskey Is Trending In India. Here Is Why It Deserves A Spot In Your Home Bar
The party never stops at Bourbon Street in New Orleans (NOLA). It was here at 2 am on a typical wild night in NOLA that I first heard about the Mad Men Effect almost a decade ago. Mad Men, the popular 2010s TV show, contributed to the resurgence of classic cocktails like the Old Fashioned. The rise of a global cocktail culture also led to the soaring sales figures of Bourbon whisky. The Kentucky Bourbon tale is one of America's legendary immigrant stories. It all began in the 1770s when European settlers arrived with rugged stills and learnings from their respective countries on how to put these stills to good use. Bourbon might be an American original, but it is slowly finding a fan base in India, too. From five-star bars to home bar carts, this once-niche spirit is now a go-to for mixologists and drinkers looking to shake things up. Also Read: 5 Must-Have Whiskey Glasses For Your Bar Collection Origins The conflicting legends that surround the origin of bourbon whiskey add to its mystique. Some credit Elijah Craig, a Baptist minister and distiller, as the first to age the product in charred oak casks that lend the Bourbon its distinctive brown hue and taste. Some link the origin to Jacob Spears, an early distiller and the first to label his product as Bourbon whiskey. I also heard another version when I was in New Orleans, which historians like Michael Veach have suggested. They believe that the spirit takes its name from Bourbon Street, where Kentucky whiskey was sold as a cheaper alternative to French cognac. Also Read: Confused About Whisky Vs. Whiskey? Here's Everything You Need to Know Bourbon defined Although Bourbon as we know it became an integral part of the American landscape in the second half of the 19th century, it was finally recognised in 1964 by the United States Congress as a distinctive product of the US. Bourbon may be made anywhere in the US, but it is strongly associated with the Southern US and particularly the Bluegrass state - Kentucky. In simple terms, Kentucky Bourbon refers to a barrel-aged whiskey made primarily from corn. The US Congress recognition in 1964 also stated that Bourbon sold in the US must be produced in the country from at least 51% corn and stored in a new container of charred oak. The popularity of Bourbons has also been driven by mixologists across the world. Nitin Goyal, the Bar Manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore, compares Bourbon to one of your music playlists with popular music. It's just the spirit when you're mixing for a diverse crowd. Reliable, bold and something that makes you look good behind the bar. Bourbon's unique mix of versatility, flavour complexity and versatility makes it ideal for cocktails. Just what you need for your home bar when you play mixologist: Try these Bourbon Cocktails at home Classic Old Fashioned Recipe Courtesy - Nitin Goyal, Bar Manager, The Ritz-Carlton Bangalore This classic cocktail dates back to 1881. It was believed to have been brought to the Waldorf Astoria in New York by a bartender from the Pendennis Club in Louisville, Kentucky, in the heart of Bourbon country. Nitin recommends Bourbons in the 90-100 proof range. Higher proof options like Wild Turkey 101 or Old Forester 100 stand their ground when mixed-they won't get lost in the ice or muddle. Recipe: Bourbon Whiskey - 60 ml Sugar Cube - 1 Cube Aromatic Bitters - 5 ml or 1 bar spoon Method - Build Up Glassware - Cut Old Fashioned Garnish - Orange Twist Aura Recipe courtesy - Hiramon Paul, Bar Manager, Sheraton Grand Pune Bund Garden Hotel This new age cocktail incorporates truffle-infused Bourbon whiskey. Hiramon describes this as an aromatic, fruity and foamy cocktail. He recommends using freshly squeezed lime juice for the cocktail and actual truffle to infuse the whiskey. Ingredients: Truffle-infused bourbon whiskey - 60 ml Egyptian hibiscus ginger flush shrub (House-made) - 30 ml Citrus juice - 10 ml Egg white (optional) Method: Fill a shaker with ice: Add ice to a cocktail shaker until it's about half full. Add the whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup: Pour the truffle-infused bourbon, lemon juice and homemade Hibiscus shrub into the shaker. Shake until chilled: Close the shaker and shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds to combine and chill the ingredients. Strain into a glass: Strain the mixture into a coupe glass filled with a round ice ball. Garnish with dehydrated hibiscus flower as a sustainable practice Smoked Maple Bourbon Sour Recipe courtesy - Madhumita Maltesh, Executive Mixologist, JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru Madhumita recommends using a Bourbon with a good oak and vanilla profile for both classic and modern drinks. Ingredients: 60 ml Bourbon 20 ml Fresh lemon juice 15 ml Maple syrup Egg white (optional, for froth) Smoke from burnt cinnamon stick (for aroma) Method: Dry shake all ingredients (without ice) to emulsify. Add ice and shake well, again. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Infuse with cinnamon smoke for a modern twist. Three Kentucky Bourbons for your home bar Wild Turkey 101: Master Distiller Jimmy Russell is a Kentucky legend and the longest-tenured active master distiller in the world; he's been crafting Wild Turkey 101 for over 60 years with a high rye content that's aged in American White Oak barrels with the deepest char for more character. Jim Beam Black: A recent avatar of the popular Kentucky Bourbon. This award-winning, full-bodied Bourbon is extra-aged with an enhanced level of elegance and refinement. The 86-proof Bourbon whisky spends years longer in American White Oak barrels than the original Jim Beam, offering the spirit its full-bodied flavour with notes of warm oak and smooth caramel. Maker's Mark: This small-batch bourbon whiskey produced in Loretto, Kentucky, has acquired a cult following. Never bitter or sharp, Maker's Mark is made with soft red winter wheat, instead of the usual rye, for a one-of-a-kind, full-flavoured Bourbon that's easy to drink. Each and every bottle of Maker's is still hand-dipped in the signature red wax at the distillery. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. NDTV is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information in this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same. Advertisement About Ashwin Rajagopalan I am the proverbial slashie - a content architect, writer, speaker and cultural intelligence coach. School lunch boxes are usually the beginning of our culinary curiosity hasn't waned. It's only got stronger as I've explored culinary cultures, street food and fine dining restaurants across the world. I've discovered cultures and destinations through culinary motifs. I am equally passionate about writing on consumer tech and travel. For the latest food news, health tips and recipes, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and YouTube. Tags: Bourbon Whiskey Trendubg Wikskey In India Bourbon Cocktails At Home Show full article Comments
Condé Nast Traveler
5 days ago
- Condé Nast Traveler
Big Sky Remains Good for Ski and Snow, But Summer Has Entered the Chat
Last year the rustic-chic Lone Mountain Ranch unveiled Auric Room 1915, a members-only supper club and venue where overnight guests can retreat into cowhide-swathed booths to enjoy fried chicken and pours of 18-year-old Elijah Craig bourbon. True to its cattle-ranch roots, the hotel still devotes Thursday nights all summer long to the rodeo, a rowdy, locally beloved spectacle of cowboy and cowgirl culture complete with Montana beef brisket sandwiches and plenty of beer. Auric Room 1915 at Lone Mountain Ranch Lone Mountain Ranch Finally, in the Spanish Peaks, Montage Big Sky, which opened in 2021, expanded its lodging options last year with 47 new residences—including 15 freestanding Mountain Homes, each with five or six bedrooms—adding to the resort's 100 original rooms and suites. Guests can take advantage of all the hotel's perks, such as access to Crazy Mountain Ranch, an 18,000-acre working cattle ranch with ample terrain for horseback riding; an 18-hole golf course; and summertime outdoor excursions like heli-fly-fishing tours that take guests to remote stretches of the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers. This article appeared in the July/August 2025 issue of Condé Nast Traveler. Subscribe to the magazine here.
Forbes
16-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
These Are The Best Bourbons Of 2025 (So Far)
Here are a few of the bourbons taking hope the top prizes this year at the world's biggest spirit competitions. Sophia Lindenberger Let's get one thing straight right off the bat—there are a ton of great bourbons out there right now. From everyday shelf staples to unicorn bottles that drive aficionados into a frenzy, 2025 has been yet another incredible year for bourbon lovers. It seems that everywhere you turn, America's homegrown spirit is making its presence felt in force. Drink menus feature bourbon cocktails, and back bars are brimming with bottles, while liquor store shelves are overflowing. However, with so many choices, finding a truly exceptional pour can feel overwhelming. Luckily, we've got a cheat sheet: the annual spirits competitions. Each year, thousands of bourbons are blind tasted by expert judges from around the globe. If a bottle rises to the top at one of these events, you know it's worth your time—and your glass. Here's a roundup of the bourbons that have wowed the most rigid panels in the business this year, so far. If this is just the first half of the year, I'm eager to see what the next six months have in store. Enjoy. Award: Spirit of the Year, Whiskey of the Year, and Best Spirit by Quality – 2025 London Spirits Competition (LSC) When a single bourbon cleans house across multiple categories like this, you pay attention. Weller Antique 107 isn't new to bourbon fans; it's a wheated powerhouse from the Buffalo Trace team that has earned a cult following due to its sweet flavors, which pair perfectly with its 107-proof bottling. Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 25th Anniversary Edition Bourbon Award: World's Best Bourbon – 2025 World Whiskies Awards (WWA) Old Fitz is no stranger to accolades, but this year's 25th Anniversary release took things to another level. A limited-release bottling that commemorates the year independent bourbon powerhouse Heaven Hill purchased the brand, it's a wheated bourbon that's elegant, complex, and rooted in tradition. Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Traditional Barrel Series Wheated Bourbon Award: Double Gold – 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) As part of Heaven Hill's push to highlight its grain sourcing and transparency, this wheated bourbon made an impression in San Francisco. It's a thoughtful whiskey that still packs a punch despite its heavy wheat mash bill, and it helped Heaven Hill rack up a jaw-dropping ten Double Golds overall. It's also a finalist for the competition's coveted World's Best Whiskey Award. Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Bourbon Award: Straight Bourbon of the Year – 2025 Bartender Spirits Awards This one's another Heaven Hill brand and a personal favorite of mine. The twice-barreled expression is an exceptional Small Batch Bourbon that offers a toasted barrel finish, adding an extra layer of richness and spice that complements Elijah Craig's base profile beautifully. Green River Full Proof Bourbon Award: Small Batch Bourbon of the Year – 2025 Bartender Spirits Awards Relaunched in 2016, Green River Whiskey holds one of Kentucky's oldest distilling licenses and is on the rise. Its first expressions were released in 2022, and this full-proof bottling proves why it should be sought out. It's bold, it's well-balanced, and it's an absolute steal for the quality it delivers. You can expect to hear more about this distillery. 1792 Aged 12 Years Straight Bourbon Award: Double Gold – 2025 SFWSC Launched in 2002, the 1792 brand has steadily built a reputation for quality and craftsmanship, racking up awards along the way. This 12-year expression is a perfect example of what they do best: craft deep, mature bourbons loaded with flavor. It's Double Gold confirms that it's a game changer, and it would be a perfect addition to any collection. 15 STARS First West Extra Aged Straight Bourbon Award: Double Gold – 2025 SFWSC For the last few years, 15 STARS has been pulling in numerous accolades for their exceptional bourbons, and this bottle shows they aren't resting on their laurels. Made from a blend of bourbons aged 15, 9, and 7 years, it's a beauty that took home a Double Gold at the SFWSC and is in the running to take home the event's top prize. Augusta Distillery Buckner's 15-Year-Old Single Barrel Bourbon Award: Double Gold – 2025 SFWSC, Double Gold-New York International Spirits Competition Buckner's has been quietly building a reputation for its amazing, limited-release bourbons. This 15-year Single Barrel is bottled at cask strength and stood out to judges at multiple events this year due to its bold, rich, and deep flavors. 10th Mountain Whiskey and Spirits Co. Bourbon Award: Double Gold – 2025 SFWSC Colorado bourbon is no joke, I should know, I lived there for two decades. Distilled high in the Rocky Mountains in the legendary ski town of Vail, 10th Mountain brings altitude and attitude to the table. This award for their mainline bourbon demonstrates that they are crafting some truly exceptional liquid that drinkers should seek out. Frank August Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey Award: Gold Outstanding – 2025 International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC) Based in Kentucky, Frank August operates more like an independent curator than a traditional distillery. They source top-tier whiskey and finish it with meticulous attention to detail and elegance. Their Small Batch Bourbon reminds you why the category exists. Each bottle is brimming with flavors, earning an almost perfect score of 98 points at the IWSC. W.L. Weller 12 Year Bourbon Award: Gold Outstanding – 2025 IWSC One of the most sought-after wheated bourbons out there, the liquid inside spends twelve years aging to maturity before it is deemed worthy of release. A smooth sipper, it was one of five bourbons to earn Gold Outstanding at the IWSC this year and is a finalist for its Whiskey of the Year award. King's Family Tennessee Standard Bourbon Award: Gold Outstanding – 2025 IWSC Tennessee is often overlooked in the bourbon world, even though it's home to one of the world's largest whiskey brands, Jack Daniel's. But it would be a mistake to write off the Volunteer State; some great bourbons are made there. This bottle from relative newcomer King's Family is crafted with a 99% corn mash bill that has been aged for six years, resulting in an elegant liquid that makes a compelling case for Tennessee bourbon. Praedictum 15-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Award: Gold Outstanding – 2025 IWSC This rare bourbon was created by Bill Foley, the owner of the NHL Las Vegas Golden Knights, to celebrate their Stanley Cup victory. But don't think of it as a gimmick bottling, Foley is a legend in the wine industry and has been crafting superb bourbon under his Charles Goodnight Whiskey brand for almost a decade. Only 600 cases of this 112-proof barrel strength award winner were made. Hudson Bright Lights, Big Bourbon Award: Gold Outstanding – 2025 IWSC For over two decades, Hudson Whiskey has been crafting great bourbons in the most unlikely of places, New York. Bright Lights, Big Bourbon is distilled from New York corn and aged for a minimum of three years in new charred American oak barrels. The resultant liquid is full of grain-forward flavors with a sweet finish. A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Bourbon Batch #4 Award: Best Bourbon & Best American Whiskey – 2025 International Whisky Competition (IWC) Virginia's oldest distillery hit a home run with this one. At over 97 points, it nearly took Whisky of the Year finishing second at one of the most prestigious events out there, the International Whisky Competition. Bottled at 139.7 proof, it is a cask-strength bomb that quickly sold out in an online lottery the distillery held in early 2025. If you can find a bottle, grab it; it's sure to become a collector's item. King's Family Distillery Wheated Bourbon Award: Double Gold (96 pts) – 2025 NYISC Another win for King's Family, showing they're not a one-hit wonder. This wheated expression is made from a mash bill of 51% corn, 45% wheat, and 4% malted barley, and was aged for at least four years before bottling. It's a soft, sweet bourbon that's readily available in the market. Jefferson's Bourbon Ocean Aged At Sea Voyage 31 Award: Double Gold (96 pts) – 2025 NYISC Jefferson's Bourbon founder, Trey Zoeller, has been called the mad scientist of bourbon due to his refusal to follow the rules. His most fantastic idea was to pack up his bourbon and send it across the planet, ageing inside custom containers on ships to create something unheard of before he did it. Well, it worked, and his Ocean's lineup has been turning heads since. Voyage 31 has yet to be released, but it's sure to deliver something special. Garrison Brothers Guadalupe Bourbon Award: Double Gold (96 pts) – 2025 NYISC As one of the leaders in the surging Texas bourbon market, Garrison Brothers is renowned for crafting exceptional releases that showcase the distinct character of the Lone Star State. It's Guadalupe Bourbon spent four years in American oak and then finished for two years in imported port casks. The final liquid is rich, round, and filled with fruit flavors. Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon Award: Best of Class Bourbon – 2025 ADI International Spirits Competition This highly regarded finished bourbon from Joseph Magnus is celebrated for its complex layering of flavors. That's due to its marriage of different bourbons aged in Armagnac, Sherry, and Cognac casks separately before being blended into a sumptuous bottling. Being named Best of Class Bourbon only validates that it is something special. Follow here for the most up to date information about the ever changing beer, wine and spirits industry. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes How To Read A Bourbon Label By Hudson Lindenberger Forbes Athletic Brewing's Non-Alcoholic Beer Boom: Big Growth Ahead By Hudson Lindenberger Forbes Matthew And Camila McConaughey's Pantalones Tequila Goes Global By Hudson Lindenberger
Forbes
28-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Knob Creek's New Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon Is A Heavy Hitter
Pouring whiskey into glass from bottle on wooden barrel against grey background, space for text Knob Creek is expanding its single barrel program with a new release: Single Barrel Select Cask Strength. This uncut, unfiltered bourbon is the latest addition to the brand's lineup, offering a higher-proof option for drinkers and retailers looking for a more intense, straight-from-the-barrel whiskey experience. Cask strength whiskey has long been a badge of honor for distillers and a thrill ride for drinkers. Unlike standard bottlings, which are diluted to a set proof for consistency and accessibility, cask strength—or barrel proof—whiskeys are bottled straight from the barrel with no water added. That means you're tasting the whiskey in its most concentrated, unadulterated form, just as it was aging away in the rickhouse. Proofs can vary significantly, but many cask strength bourbons land between 110 and 135 proof, delivering an intense and layered sipping experience that can be softened with a splash of water or enjoyed neat for full impact. This style has gained popularity in recent years, with brands like Booker's, Stagg Jr., Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, and Wild Turkey Rare Breed leading the charge alongside Knob Creek. While prices vary—often between $55 and $90 depending on the brand and batch—cask strength whiskeys consistently appeal to enthusiasts who want bold flavor and a glimpse into a distillery's purest expression. Knob Creek's new Single Barrel Select Cask Strength offering slots neatly into this landscape, delivering its signature robust profile at a proof that honors its heritage while offering retailers and drinkers an exclusive, powerful tasting experience. Knob Creek Single Barrel Select This new offering empowers retailers to curate exclusive barrels of Knob Creek Bourbon or Rye bottled straight from the barrel, with no water added to temper its natural punch. Proof ranges from approximately 110–130 for bourbon and 100–120 for rye, so expect these picks to deliver a powerful flavor experience that would make brand founder Booker Noe proud. 'When my grandfather created Knob Creek, he set out to make a whiskey that stood out—bold, robust, and no shortcuts,' said Eighth Generation Master Distiller Freddie Noe. 'With our Single Barrel Select Program, we pay tribute to that legacy by offering fans the chance to experience Knob Creek in its most authentic form—uncut and unfiltered, creating the most unadulterated single barrel selection in Knob Creek's history.' Beyond the liquid itself, the program offers a unique experience for those making barrel picks. Retailers are invited to the James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont, Kentucky, where they'll enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour, sample barrels inside historic warehouse K, thief whiskey straight from multiple casks, and taste side by side to find their perfect selection. The day wraps with a curated dining experience at The Kitchen Table restaurant overlooking the distillery grounds. For those unable to travel, Knob Creek will ship remote sample kits to ensure no one misses out on a chance to select their exclusive barrel. Knob Creek Single Barrel Select Cask Strength bottles will be available at participating retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $69.99 per 750mL bottle. Whether you're a retailer looking to build a private barrel program with serious character or a bourbon lover eager to grab a bottle that hits with unfiltered force, this new cask strength release promises to deliver Knob Creek's signature boldness in its purest form yet.
Forbes
26-06-2025
- General
- Forbes
Icons Of Whiskey: Elijah Craig — The Father Of Bourbon
The current Elijah Craig whiskey range from Heaven Hill Distillery Photo, courtesy Heaven Hill In our ongoing series, Icons of Whiskey, we celebrate the pioneers, visionaries, and unsung heroes whose passion and innovation have shaped the modern, global whiskey industry. Few figures embody the spirit of American whiskey more completely than Elijah Craig — a Baptist preacher, frontier entrepreneur, and the man long credited as the 'father of bourbon whiskey.' Few names evoke as much reverence in American whiskey lore as Elijah Craig — a man whose life masterfully blends fact and legend, making both equally vital to the mystique of bourbon whiskey. Although modern historians still debate the exact details of his role, Craig's life story captures the entrepreneurial spirit, religious fervor, and frontier innovation that shaped early America and led to the creation of one of the world's finest spirits. Elijah Craig Photo, J Micallef All Rights Reserved Elijah Craig was probably born in 1743, in Orange County, Virginia, during a time when the American colonies were still part of British America and the frontier stretched endlessly westward. His exact date of birth is uncertain, ranging from as early as 1738 to as late as 1745. His parents were Tolever and Mary Hawkins Craig. He came of age during the First Great Awakening—a sweeping wave of Protestant revivalism that shaped his deep Baptist faith. Craig was ordained as a Baptist preacher, a calling that would prove pivotal not only in his spiritual community but also in Kentucky's civic and economic development, then a rugged territory of the United States. As a minister, Craig was fiery and independent-minded. He often clashed with the religious community and, on at least two occasions, was imprisoned for preaching without a license. This was a common plight for dissenting Baptists in colonial Virginia. The state government, closely aligned with Virginia's de facto official Anglican church, persecuted Baptists during the 18th century. In 1875, Craig participated in the Great Migration across the Appalachian Mountains to the Trans-Appalachian West. He became part of a Baptist community known as the 'Travelling Church,' led by his brothers, Lewis and Joseph Craig, who had settled in Central Kentucky. Craig eventually acquired 1,000 acres of land near Elkhorn Creek and founded the settlement of Lebanon. That community grew into the city of Georgetown, Kentucky. His contributions to the young Kentucky community were extensive and transformative. He established one of the first classical schools west of the Alleghenies, Rittenhouse Academy, laying the foundation for future education in the region. The academy would later become Kentucky's Georgetown University. He built sawmills, fulling mills, rope factories, and paper mills, boosting the local economy and encouraging the growth of the settlement. He was also one of Kentucky's largest land speculators. His entrepreneurial and civic efforts earned him the title 'Father of Georgetown.' The Birth of Bourbon Whiskey Amid his civic activities, Craig started distilling whiskey. Nearly every settler on the frontier was a distiller. Kentucky's fertile soil yielded abundant corn crops. Since it was difficult to transport excess corn over the mountains or down the Mississippi River, turning surplus corn into whiskey was an economically sensible choice. It preserved corn's caloric and economic value, providing a sturdy trade item for a frontier with limited cash. Craig quickly became a prominent distiller. In 1798, he paid $140 in federal excise taxes on his whiskey. The excise tax rate that year was seven cents per gallon, suggesting he produced roughly 2,000 gallons. Elijah Craig is often recognized for a unique breakthrough that defines bourbon today: aging whiskey in charred oak barrels. Although whiskey was distilled in America long before Craig's era, most of it was consumed straight from the still, unaged and rough on the palate. It took six months to ship whiskey from Kentucky to New Orleans, during which the constant movement in the charred barrel transformed the spirit. By the late 1700s, Craig's decision to store his corn whiskey in new, charred barrels created a spirit with a distinctive amber hue, smooth sweetness, and complex flavor. This aging process transformed a rough frontier liquor into what we now recognize as bourbon whiskey. Craig never claimed to have invented bourbon or developed its mash bill. With the abundance of corn in late 18th-century Kentucky, however, most whiskey would have been over 50% corn, which would classify it as bourbon by today's standards. Historians still debate whether Craig was truly the first to char barrels. Some suggest that burning casks to remove impurities was a common practice among coopers. This simple yet significant step fundamentally set bourbon apart from other whiskeys, shaping the modern bourbon industry. Elijah Craig Toasted Rye Whiskey Photo, courtesy Heaven Hill A Life of Many Roles Craig neither patented his methods nor limited himself to distilling alone. He remained a dedicated preacher, community builder, and innovator until he died in 1808. To his contemporaries, he was as much a civic leader and educator as he was a distiller. His distillery, believed by some to be located near Royal Spring in what is now a suburb of Georgetown, became one of the early renowned whiskey producers in Kentucky, helping to establish the area's reputation for high-quality bourbon. Over time, Kentucky's climate and Craig's influence helped make the Bluegrass State the core of American bourbon. Since his passing, Elijah Craig's legacy has expanded far beyond the small scope of his original operation. He has become an almost legendary figure — the 'Father of Bourbon,' immortalized in whiskey folklore alongside pioneers like Jacob Beam, E.H. Taylor, and Dr. James Crow. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery, one of America's most respected family-owned whiskey producers, commemorates Craig's memory through its flagship Elijah Craig Bourbon brand. First launched in the 1980s, Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon played a crucial role in leading the revival of premium bourbon. Craig embodies the symbolic convergence of faith, frontier resilience, and entrepreneurship that defined early Kentucky settlers. Whether he truly invented barrel charring or simply perfected it is less important than the fact that his story captures bourbon's unique American identity: a spirit born of ingenuity, shaped by the rugged landscape, and refined into something richer and finer over time. Craig's other contributions—championing education, building infrastructure, and fostering community—are just as vital to his legacy. In a region still marked by strong local pride, the town of Georgetown remembers him not only as a whiskey maker but also as a founding father and a leader in the broadest sense of civic engagement. The Heaven Hill Distillery Photo, courtesy Heaven Hill Legacy Elijah Craig stands today as both a man and a myth: a Baptist preacher turned distiller whose legendary barrel charring gave bourbon its distinctive flavor and color, and whose life's work helped grow a frontier town into a thriving settlement. Whether we raise a glass of Elijah Craig Small Batch or visit Georgetown, we toast to the same enduring values: boldness, craftsmanship, and a distinctly American spirit. In this way, Elijah Craig's story continues to flow—like the amber whiskey that bears his name—through the barrels, glasses, and memories of bourbon lovers around the world. As we continue our Icons of Whiskey series, Elijah Craig reminds us that every great whiskey has not only a recipe but also a story and a life — and in his case, it's the story of a preacher who tamed the frontier and, in the process, helped shape the soul of American whiskey. So, pour a dram of Elijah Craig Small Batch, lift your glass, and toast the man whose name lives wherever bourbon flows. Stay tuned for the next installment of Icons of Whiskey, where we honor the pioneers who turned bourbon dreams into America's liquid gold. More from Forbes Forbes Icons Of Whiskey: Jacob Beam's Bourbon Dynasty By Joseph V Micallef Forbes America's Top Bourbon, According To The International Wine & Spirit Competition By Joseph V Micallef Forbes The Top Bourbons From The 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition By Joseph V Micallef
