Latest news with #bourbon
Forbes
7 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
The World's Best Bourbon, According To America's Top Bartenders
Uncle Nearest Master Blend It's not surprising that America's top bartenders would pick Uncle Nearest as their top bourbon choice. Since its debut less than a decade ago, the brand has garnered a world-class reputation, winning numerous medals along the way. Below is a brief description and tasting notes on America's bartender's top pick for World's Best Bourbon! Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition – Batch 032 is a premium Tennessee whiskey crafted by Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee. This limited-release expression is part of Uncle Nearest's Master Blend Edition series, which honors Nathan "Nearest" Green, the first known African American master distiller in the United States. Green taught Jack Daniel the art of distilling and developed the Lincoln County Process, a charcoal mellowing technique that defines Tennessee whisky. Tennessee whisky is considered a variant of bourbon, as it meets all the statutory requirements for being labeled a bourbon, but also undergoes a charcoal filtration process to be classified as a Tennessee whiskey. Victoria Eady Butler, a fifth-generation descendant of Nearest Green and the first known African American female master blender in the American whiskey industry, curated the Master Blend Edition series. Since joining Uncle Nearest in 2019, Butler has overseen the blending of select barrels to create exceptional small-batch whiskeys that pay tribute to her ancestor's legacy. Each expression in the series is bottled at cask strength, hence the ABV differs slightly between bottlings, and is available exclusively at the distillery. Batch 032 is the latest bottling in the series. The Uncle Nearest Whiskey Range The whisky is complex and aromatic on the nose, featuring ripe bananas, caramel, milk chocolate, espresso, strawberries, and a subtle aroma of cooked cereal. On the palate, the whiskey is robust and full-bodied, featuring notes of dark chocolate, cinnamon, caramel, red berries, coffee, and a hint of vanilla. The finish is medium in length and creamy, with lingering notes of cinnamon, caramel, and red berries. Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition – Batch 032 is best enjoyed straight up or with a few drops of water to open up its complex flavors. Its robust profile also makes it a suitable base for classic whiskey cocktails, such as the Old Fashioned or Manhattan. Pair it with rich foods such as grilled meats, sausages, aged cheeses, or dark chocolate desserts. The International Bartender Spirits Awards is a renowned global competition that showcases the world's best spirits. Selection is based on quality, innovation, value, and craftsmanship. Judged by an expert panel of bartenders and industry professionals, the competition is highly regarded in the spirits industry and serves as a benchmark for quality. Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition – Batch 032 is a testament to the rich heritage of bourbon, Tennessee whiskey and the legacy of Nearest Green. Under the deft hand of Master Blender Victoria Eady Butler, this expression showcases the complexity and craftsmanship that define Uncle Nearest's premium offerings. With its nuanced, layered flavors and its signature smooth finish, Batch 032 is a must-have whiskey and deserves a place in every home whisky collection.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Buffalo Trace Adds Eagle Rare 12 To Its Permanent Lineup Of Age-Stated Bourbons
Eagle Rare 12 If you're a fan of age-stated bourbon, Buffalo Trace just gave you another reason to clear some space on your shelf. The distillery behind some of America's most sought-after whiskeys has officially unveiled Eagle Rare 12, a bold, 95-proof Kentucky straight bourbon that's now joining the Eagle Rare family as a permanent expression. The timing is no coincidence. Eagle Rare 12 arrives as Buffalo Trace celebrates the completion of its decade-long, $1.2 billion expansion project—a massive undertaking that added stills, fermenters, and enough rickhouse space to age thousands of barrels for future classics. And this one, it seems, was worth the wait. 'This whiskey represents more than just time in the barrel—it's the result of years of dedication, innovation, and an unwavering commitment from our entire team,' says Buffalo Trace Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. 'The investments we've made—in time, resources and effort—have allowed us to explore new possibilities in aging and flavor, and this release is a proud reflection of that journey.' Eagle Rare 12 At first glance, Eagle Rare 12 is a natural progression from its 10-year-old sibling, one of the distillery's best-known workhorses. But don't let the similar label fool you—this is a deeper dive into complexity. Like its younger counterpart, Eagle Rare 12 is crafted from Buffalo Trace's Mashbill #1, but the extra time in oak and a slightly higher bottling proof (95 vs. 90) give it a richer, more structured profile. Expect sweet, oaky aromas with almond on the nose, followed by layers of vanilla, toasted oak, and warm toffee on the palate. The finish? Long, smooth, and unmistakably Eagle Rare. Priced at $49.99, it's an age-stated bourbon that delivers both prestige and accessibility—something increasingly rare in today's market. That's intentional, says Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director at Buffalo Trace. 'At Buffalo Trace Distillery, we believe there are no shortcuts to create outstanding whiskey—there is no substitute for quality time spent in the barrel,' Duncan says. 'With Eagle Rare, we are always striving but never satisfied, constantly experimenting to enable better-tasting age stated bourbons.' The Eagle Rare lineup already includes the widely loved 10-year, the ultra-rare 17-year (part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection), and high-end unicorns like Eagle Rare 25 and Double Eagle Very Rare. With the addition of Eagle Rare 12, the brand adds a new anchor point—a bottle with enough complexity for connoisseurs but a price tag that won't send you into a bidding war on the secondary market (for now). Eagle Rare 12 will begin hitting shelves, bars, and restaurant backbars in June 2025 in select U.S. markets, with international rollout to follow in fall. And if early interest is any indication, it won't sit still for long.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Old Fitzgerald Returns To Its Roots With New 7-Year-Old Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7-Year There's a quiet kind of prestige in a bourbon that doesn't shout to be noticed. For generations, Old Fitzgerald has held that role in the whiskey world—a wheated bourbon with a reputation for refinement, favored by bartenders, collectors, and those who know the value of legacy in a glass. Now, Heaven Hill Distillery is giving the brand its most accessible spotlight in years with the launch of Old Fitzgerald 7-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey—a new signature expression that connects its storied past with an open invitation to the next wave of whiskey fans. And it comes with impeccable timing: 155 years after the Old Fitzgerald trademark first appeared in 1869. Built on the success of the high-end Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series introduced in 2018, this new 7-year-old release strikes a balance between heritage and approachability. Priced at approximately $59.99 for a 700ml bottle, it's positioned as a more attainable bottle for both longtime admirers and curious newcomers. The bourbon is aged for seven years in Level 3 charred new American oak barrels and bottled at 100 proof, meeting the stringent standards of the Bottled-in-Bond Act. It leans into the brand's signature wheated profile with a mashbill of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley. From the moment the cork pops, the whiskey reveals its character: a bright copper hue in the glass and a nose that conjures graham crackers and honey. The palate brings warmth and structure—fresh bread, brown sugar, and baking spices—while the finish delivers a cozy taper of cinnamon sweetness fading into oak. 'Seven years proved to be a sweet spot for a whiskey that already transcends expectations for a wheated bourbon,' said Heaven Hill Master Distiller Conor O'Driscoll. 'This refined bourbon carries the same layered elegance its longer-aged sibling made famous, and the same commitment to excellence found in every bottle from Heaven Hill Distillery.' Alongside the liquid, the bottle itself offers a masterclass in nostalgic design—familiar yet refreshed. The diagonal red 'Old Fitzgerald' wordmark harkens back to the 1884 trademark. 'Your Key to Hospitality,' a phrase first found in the brand's vintage ads, now appears front and center on the label and is blown into the base of the bottle. Elegant fluting on the shoulder and a diamond-faceted closure pay homage to the 1950s diamond decanter bottles that helped cement Old Fitzgerald's premium identity. Transparency is also part of the packaging ethos: 'Bottled-in-Bond' is boldly noted on the label, and the distillation season and year are stamped on the neck wrap—clear nods to quality and authenticity. And authenticity is something Heaven Hill takes seriously. The distillery owns more Bottled-in-Bond brands than any other, carrying the torch for a category that demands high standards: a single distillation season, a single distiller, and aging in a federally bonded warehouse for at least four years. To Heaven Hill Executive Chairman Max Shapira, Old Fitzgerald isn't just a brand—it's part of a personal and national history. 'This is a brand that's near and dear to my heart. I remember some of the early ads the brand is now harkening back to – and what makes me most proud is that throughout decades of changes, Old Fitzgerald has stood the test of time and maintained its unwavering commitment to quality,' Shapira said. 'It mirrors my family's story in many ways... Today, we're sharing Old Fitzgerald's story, legacy and quality with a new generation of whiskey lovers who will experience the key to hospitality.' That hospitality will take physical form in the months to come: the rollout of Old Fitzgerald 7-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond will be accompanied by a series of nationwide partnerships and immersive experiences designed to celebrate what it means to welcome someone in—glass in hand. With this release, Heaven Hill isn't just debuting a new bourbon—they're reasserting Old Fitzgerald's place in the pantheon of American whiskey. It's a bottle made for sipping neat by the fire or sharing across the table, equally at home in a collector's cabinet or behind the bar.
Hamilton Spectator
7 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Doug Ford says it's up to Donald Trump to de-escalate tensions with Canada
You first. That's the message Premier Doug Ford has for U.S. President Donald Trump in the war of words over U.S. tariffs and his musings about Canada becoming his country's 51st state. 'Sure, you want me to tone it down. That's fine. The president has to tone it down,' Ford said Tuesday after a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra. 'We need to bring the temperature down. We both agree on that,' the premier told reporters. While Hoekstra — a former Republican congressman from Michigan — did not appear with Ford following the tete-a-tete, sources told the Star that the premier's frequent hard-hitting remarks about Trump have been an irritant. 'My job is to protect the people of Ontario,' Ford replied when asked about that, noting the ambassador did not raise 'this time' the sore spot of the LCBO removing Kentucky bourbon and other American products from store shelves. 'It's very simple: Drop your tariffs, we'll bring back the booze,' added the premier, who noted he nevertheless feels the two countries are 'getting closer' to working out their differences. Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he is disappointed U.S. President Donald Trump is doubling steel and aluminum tariffs. The last time Trump threatened to raise that set of tariffs to 50 per cent it was in response to Ford placing a surcharge on electricity Ontario sends to three U.S. states. Ford agreed to remove it and Trump backed off that threat, but now with the 50 per cent tariff rate taking effect Wednesday, Ford says the Americans broke a promise. (June 3, 2025 / The Canadian Press) Hoekstra said much the same to a luncheon audience of the Empire Club in a conversation with former federal Conservative cabinet minister Lisa Raitt, now vice-chair of global investment banking at CIBC. 'We are very positive about where the future of America, Canada, individually where we can go but also what we can achieve together,' the ambassador said. 'The relationship with Canada is so important.' On the auto industry that Michigan and Ontario share, Hoekstra spoke of the need for co-operation — despite the disruption caused by tariffs and Trump's recent threat to raise steel and aluminum tariffs to 50 per cent on Wednesday. 'Our chief competitor here is China,' Hoekstra said. 'How do we use the strengths of the U.S. auto industry? How do we use the strengths and capabilities of Canada, and how do we bring those together in such a way that we're beating China and not each other?' Ford, who has also pointed the finger of blame at China regarding auto parts and pledged to co-operate with the U.S. on that front, said the revived tariff threat on steel and aluminum left him 'disappointed.' That's because the premier pulled back Ontario's threat of a 25 per cent surcharge on electricity exports to three U.S. states on March 11 after the move alarmed Trump, who then agreed to reduce the steel and aluminum tariffs to 25 per cent as Ford secured an 'olive branch' meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. 'We take off the surcharge that we put on electricity and that promise was broken,' Ford lamented Tuesday. 'One person is controlling the message, their decisions, and that's the president.'
Toronto Star
7 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Star
Doug Ford says it's up to Donald Trump to de-escalate tensions with Canada
You first. That's the message Premier Doug Ford has for U.S. President Donald Trump in the war of words over U.S. tariffs and his musings about Canada becoming his country's 51st state. 'Sure, you want me to tone it down. That's fine. The president has to tone it down,' Ford said Tuesday after a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra. 'We need to bring the temperature down. We both agree on that,' the premier told reporters. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW While Hoekstra — a former Republican congressman from Michigan — did not appear with Ford following the tete-a-tete, sources told the Star that the premier's frequent hard-hitting remarks about Trump have been an irritant. 'My job is to protect the people of Ontario,' Ford replied when asked about that, noting the ambassador did not raise 'this time' the sore spot of the LCBO removing Kentucky bourbon and other American products from store shelves. 'It's very simple: Drop your tariffs, we'll bring back the booze,' added the premier, who noted he nevertheless feels the two countries are 'getting closer' to working out their differences. Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he is disappointed U.S. President Donald Trump is doubling steel and aluminum tariffs. The last time Trump threatened to raise that set of tariffs to 50 per cent it was in response to Ford placing a surcharge on electricity Ontario sends to three U.S. states. Ford agreed to remove it and Trump backed off that threat, but now with the 50 per cent tariff rate taking effect Wednesday, Ford says the Americans broke a promise. (June 3, 2025 / The Canadian Press) Hoekstra said much the same to a luncheon audience of the Empire Club in a conversation with former federal Conservative cabinet minister Lisa Raitt, now vice-chair of global investment banking at CIBC. 'We are very positive about where the future of America, Canada, individually where we can go but also what we can achieve together,' the ambassador said. 'The relationship with Canada is so important.' On the auto industry that Michigan and Ontario share, Hoekstra spoke of the need for co-operation — despite the disruption caused by tariffs and Trump's recent threat to raise steel and aluminum tariffs to 50 per cent on Wednesday. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'Our chief competitor here is China,' Hoekstra said. 'How do we use the strengths of the U.S. auto industry? How do we use the strengths and capabilities of Canada, and how do we bring those together in such a way that we're beating China and not each other?' Ford, who has also pointed the finger of blame at China regarding auto parts and pledged to co-operate with the U.S. on that front, said the revived tariff threat on steel and aluminum left him 'disappointed.' That's because the premier pulled back Ontario's threat of a 25 per cent surcharge on electricity exports to three U.S. states on March 11 after the move alarmed Trump, who then agreed to reduce the steel and aluminum tariffs to 25 per cent as Ford secured an 'olive branch' meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. 'We take off the surcharge that we put on electricity and that promise was broken,' Ford lamented Tuesday. 'One person is controlling the message, their decisions, and that's the president.' Politics Headlines Newsletter Get the latest news and unmatched insights in your inbox every evening Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. Please enter a valid email address. Sign Up Yes, I'd also like to receive customized content suggestions and promotional messages from the Star. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Politics Headlines Newsletter You're signed up! You'll start getting Politics Headlines in your inbox soon. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page.
