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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
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Here are 7 new bourbon, whiskey releases or experiences you need to know about this month
There are numerous new bourbon and whiskey expressions you will see on shelves this month. From Heaven Hill's new Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, to a custom bourbon bottle from J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery just in time for Father's Day, there's something for every taste. Here are seven new things happening in the bourbon industry you need to know about this month. Heaven Hill Distillery, America's largest family-owned and operated distillery, has released its highly anticipated Second Edition of Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Each annual edition of Heaven Hill Grain to Glass features a unique corn seed varietal, chosen in collaboration with Beck's Hybrids of central Kentucky. The 2025 release features corn seed varietal Beck's 6225 and was grown by family-owned Peterson Farms on one of two sites in Nelson County, Kentucky. Made up of 52% corn, 35% rye and 13% malt, this unique mash bill has a higher secondary grain content than Heaven Hill Distillery's traditional bourbon recipe and was aged for six years at Heaven Hill's Cox's Creek site. "In 2017, we embarked on a journey to create a one-of-a-kind Grain to Glass Whiskey by partnering with family-owned seed companies and farms," Max Shapira, executive chairman of Heaven Hill Brands, said in a news release. "These innovative mash bills feature hand-selected, unique grain varieties grown locally by Kentucky family farms. Heaven Hill Grain to Glass is a testament to the important legacy of family farmers, who are the lifeblood of our country." Grain to Glass is non-chill filtered and bottled at barrel strength, 105 proof. For more information about Heaven Hill Grain to Glass, visit: More: New whiskey tasting room coming to NuLu in 2025. Here's where to find it For Father's Day, give dad a customized double-staved bourbon from J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery. Choose a mash bill from hundreds of proprietary double-staved barrels pre-selected by the Mattingly team of master blenders. Customize it even more by choosing the bottle shape, wax color for the stopper, and a personal message on the label for dad. "The online custom bourbon bottles truly are a one-of-a-kind gift that dad, or any bourbon lover, will treasure," said Harry Richart, president of J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery. "Not only is the whiskey made through our double-staved process, but your choice of bottle shape, custom message for the label and wax color combination make it a unique creation not found on the liquor store shelf. It's a gift that stands out from all others with the various customization opportunities." Options bought before June 7 are bottled and shipped. Orders placed after June 7 have the option of a downloadable gift card, which can be printed and given to dad on Father's Day. Retail is $155 for a 750mL bottle. J. Mattingly 1845 Bourbon and the custom bourbon creation option are available online at and in person at its Distillery, 20 Reilly Road, Frankfort. Knob Creek announces the newest evolution of its Single Barrel Select Program: Knob Creek Single Barrel Select Cask Strength. Bottled directly from the barrel, with no water added, Knob Creek Single Barrel Select Cask Strength delivers the signature bold flavor fans have come to love, in its purest form, ranging in proof from 110–130 for bourbon and 100–120 for rye. "When my grandfather created Knob Creek, he set out to make a whiskey that stood out, bold, robust, and no shortcuts," Eighth Generation Master Distiller Freddie Noe said in a news release. "With our Single Barrel Select Program, we pay tribute to that legacy by offering fans the chance to experience Knob Creekin its most authentic form— uncut and unfiltered, creating the most unadulterated single barrel selection in Knob Creek'shistory." More: When is National Bourbon Week? Here are 5 things to know and do to celebrate this year Enjoy the single barrel experience that includes a visit to the James B. Beam Distilling Company in Clermont, where participants can enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes distillery experience, including barrel selection inside historic warehouse K, taking whiskey from multiple barrels, comparatively tasting to find the right barrel pick and concluding with a curated dining experience at The Kitchen Table. For retailers not able to attend, the brand will bring the experience to the market with remote selection sample kits. Knob Creek Single Barrel Select Cask Strength will be available at participating retailers nationwide with a suggested retail price of $69.99 for a 750mL bottle. For those passionate about personalized selections, the James B. Beam Distilling Company's Private Barrel Club invites consumers to visit the distillery, taste through a selection of barrels, and handpick their favorites for purchase. For more details visit, Milam & Greene has released its Unabridged Volume 3, a cask-strength blend of straight bourbon whiskeys. This limited-edition, cask-strength bourbon is part of the esteemed Blender's Reserve Collection. Unabridged Volume 3 is a blend of 49 carefully selected barrels, featuring 10-year-old Kentucky bourbon whiskey (4 casks), 9-year-old Kentucky bourbon whiskey (13 casks); 6-year-old Kentucky bourbon whiskey (7 casks), 4-year-old Texas bourbon with malted rye (5 casks), 4-year-old Tennessee bourbon whiskey (5 casks) and a 3.5-year Kentucky bourbon whiskey with malted Rye (15 casks). Tasting Notes Nose: Inviting aromas of caramelized brown sugar, honeysuckle, almond, oak, cigar boxes, and aged leather. Palate: A smooth yet viscous mouthfeel with flavors of sweet cornbread, crème brûlée, vanilla, peanut brittle, and malted milk chocolate. Finish: A lingering and dangerously smooth finish featuring notes of marzipan, baking spices, and simple syrup. Unabridged Volume 3 is 118 proof with a suggested retail price of $94.99. For more information visit, series. Old Forester has announced the debut of one of its most coveted, rare expressions, President's Choice. Previously available only at the Old Forester Distillery in Louisville, this marks the first time President's Choice Bourbon and a new expression, President's Choice Rye, will be offered in limited quantities at select retailers nationwide. Each President's Choice barrel is aged between seven to nine years and bottled at proof points selected by Assistant Master Distiller Caleb Trigo and Master Taster Melissa Rift, highlighting their unique flavor profile, traditionally ranging from 110 to 125 proof. To celebrate the national debut, Old Forester Distillery is selling a limited number of bottles that can be picked up on Saturday, June 14, National Bourbon Day, which is also the 8th anniversary of the opening of Old Forester Distillery on Whiskey Row. President's Choice Bourbon and President's Choice Rye will each retail for $225. More: Here are 5 repurposed buildings that have been turned into distilleries in Louisville Rebel Bourbon, the Official Bourbon of Richard Childress Racing, has teamed up with Childress Vineyards on the release of Rebel 100 Childress Vineyards Cabernet Franc Barrel Finish. This limited-release offering features Rebel's original wheated recipe, aged four years, finished in Childress Vineyards Cabernet Franc barrels and bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV). The result is a one-of-a-kind bourbon with unique flavor notes of sweet plums, honey and bright berries. Suggested retail price of $39.99 per 750mL bottle. "We selected the Cabernet Franc barrels from Childress Vineyards because we wanted to craft a smooth, high-proof bourbon with tasting notes of sweet berry, oak, caramel, vanilla and spice," Lux Row Distillers Master Distiller John Rempe said in a news release. "Cabernet Franc was the perfect match for our wheated Rebel recipe, and the result is incredible." To learn more about Rebel 100 Childress Vineyards Cabernet Franc Barrel Finish, visit Woodford Reserve has released a new limited-edition bottle as part of its Distillery Series – Tawny Port Finish. The new expression combines a rye and bourbon blend with bourbon finished in Tawny Port barrels, which accentuates the fruit character in the whiskey. The liquid is then balanced by additional bourbon to create a whiskey that is decadent and complex. 'This expression highlights our ability to artfully blend rye and bourbon whiskey, as well our approach to barrel experimentation,' Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall said in a news release. 'The Tawny Port barrels impart delicate notes of wood and concentrated fruit, which combined with the charred oak barrels, allow us to create a rich, layered whiskey." More: Here are 9 beer festivals taking place in Louisville this year Tasting Notes Color: Dark Amber Aroma Aroma: Brown sugar, semi-sweet chocolates, nutmeg, and clove layered over notes of overripe bananas and dried dark fruits. Flavor: Rich raisin, plumb, clove, and nutmeg, with hints of brown sugar sweetness and toasted walnut. Finish: Long with lingering notes of dried fruit and toasted nuts. Tawny Port Finish is 90.4 proof and has a suggested retail price of $64.99, available in limited quantities at select Kentucky retailers and at Woodford Reserve Distillery and at Reach features clerk Gege Reed at greed@ This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: New bourbon releases: Heaven's Hill, Woodford Reserve and more
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
This Is the World's Best Bourbon, According to the World Whiskies Awards
As with many things in life, taste in whiskey is at least a little subjective. But pit the best drams head to head, and there will invariably be some standouts. In February 2025, the World Whiskies Awards announced one bourbon that stood above the rest. Old Fitzgerald 2024 VVS was named the World's Best Bourbon at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards. This 13-year bottled-in-bond bourbon also earned the title of Best Kentucky Bourbon. Old Elk's 9-Year-Old Straight Bourbon took home the award for Best Non-Kentucky Bourbon. It's a big win for Kentucky's Heaven Hill Distillery, one of the nation's oldest and largest bourbon producers, which makes Old Fitzgerald. Heaven Hill acquired the historic brand in 1999 and today releases the prized decanter bottlings twice per year. Contemporary Old Fitzgerald releases generally carry age statements between eight and 19 years. It's wheated bourbon, distilled from a mash of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley. However, the 13-year-old 2024 VVS release has an even more impressive pedigree. To mark special occasions, Heaven Hill releases 'Very Very Special' (aka VVS) Old Fitzgerald editions with a distinct red label. The 2024 VVS was only the third such release, with previous versions hitting (limited) shelves in 2018 and 2020. This award-winning bourbon, while bottled in 2024, was actually distilled in 1999—when Heaven Hill purchased the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky. (Heaven Hill's distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky was destroyed by fire in 1996.) According to Heaven Hill, master distiller Parker Beam and his team determined in March 2013 that the whiskey had reached its peak maturation and 'should be reserved for a momentous occasion.' Beam instructed his team to empty the barrels and store the bourbon in steel tanks. Related: Rye Whiskey vs. Bourbon: What's the Difference? Beam passed away in 2017. In 2024, Heaven Hill chose to release the whiskey after more than a decade in storage. The Very Very Special release celebrated both the 25th anniversary of the Bernheim acquisition and Beam's enduring legacy with the company. A quarter century after it was distilled, that bourbon hit shelves in highly limited supply at Heaven Hill's visitors center and select retailers in Kentucky only. Like all modern Old Fitzgerald releases, it's 100-proof and carries a bottled-in-bond 50% ABV Maturation: 13 years in new American oak History: Old Fitzgerald 2024 VVS was distilled in 1999 and aged until March 2013. Heaven Hill determined the stock of barrels had reached the ideal maturation point and decided to 'tank' the whiskey for use as a special release down the road. The whiskey was bottled and released to the public in the first half of 2024. Availability: While all Old Fitzgerald decanter bottlings are limited, the Very Very Special series is even more scarce. The 2024 version was sold only in Kentucky, at Heaven Hill's Bardstown Visitors Center, and at select retailers in the Bluegrass State. Stocks sold out within days of the initial release. MSRP: $299.99And after numerous rounds of judging from dozens of experienced palates, the World Whiskies Awards determined it was the year's best. The placements for the World Whiskies Awards were determined last fall through two rounds of judging held in Bardstown, Kentucky and Washington, D.C. A diverse panel of judges was selected from across the whiskey industry, including distillers, blenders, journalists, and distributors. As is customary for the competition, the evaluations were conducted entirely blind, with samples poured in standardized glasses behind closed doors and brought out on numbered trays. Even when assessed blindly, it's not entirely surprising that this particular Old Fitzgerald stood out from the crowd. Among reviewers and enthusiasts, it was one of last year's most talked-about and well-received new bourbons. It's a bourbon the public had to wait decades to taste — and for Heaven Hill, an award winner 25 years in the Finished Bourbon: Wenzel Whiskey Straight Bourbon Finished In Sherry Casks Best Small Batch Bourbon: Boulder Spirits 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon Best Single Barrel Bourbon: Blanton's Straight From The Barrel Best Tennessee Whiskey: Jack Daniel's Tennessee 12 Years Old Batch #2 World's Best American Style Whiskey: Jack Daniel's Triple MashThe complete list of winners in American whiskey categories showcases a variety of brands, ranging from established giants to craft operations and non-distilling producers. All U.S. winners were announced at a February ceremony held at The Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky. Since bourbon and Tennessee whiskey can only be produced in the United States, the determinations for these 'World's Best' awards were made after two rounds of domestic judging. Many top-rated whiskies from the American competition, including rye, malt, and wheat whiskies, advanced to compete against international spirits for other World's Best titles, which were evaluated in the UK in early February. The 'World's Best' titles will be announced later this March. Read the original article on Food & Wine
