Latest news with #KentuckyStraightBourbonWhiskey
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
This Ultra-Limited Bourbon Is an Ode to One of Kentucky's Most Legendary Distilleries
Stitzel-Weller is a name that makes diehard fans of Kentucky bourbon swoon. The distillery is no longer in existence, but parent company Diageo still has whiskey-related operations going on at the Louisville site. And just this week it announced the release of a new bourbon called Stitzel Reserve, an extremely limited-edition (and expensive) 24-year-old expression. The Stitzel-Weller Distillery, which opened in 1935, was named after two existing operations: W. L. Weller & Sons and the A. Ph. Stitzel Distillery. Julian 'Pappy' Van Winkle Sr. was one of the founders, and for many years Old Fitzgerald Bourbon was produced there (that brand is now made at Heaven Hill, and continues to be a wheated bourbon like the original). The distillery changed hands and names over the years, ultimately closing in 1992 under its original name returned. Diageo, which emerged from United Distillers, reopened it in 2014 as a visitor center and maturation site and is now the home of the Blade and Bow and I.W. Harper brands. More from Robb Report This New 10-Night Luxury Cruise Spotlights Mexico's Baja California Peninsula Bethenny Frankel Sold Her Her Historic Greenwich Estate in a Clandestine $7.8 Million Deal The Architects Behind the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakesh Designed This $6.7 Million London Flat RELATED: The 50 Greatest Bourbons of the 21st Century So Far There's a lot that we don't know about what's actually in the bottle for this first Stitzel Reserve release, but here's what we do know. The bourbon was not distilled at the old S-W Distillery, and all the brand will say is that it's a Kentucky bourbon and that it was at least partially matured onsite (according to the brand, there is no original S-W whiskey left onsite). 'For a bourbon of this age, by far the biggest contributor to its flavor is maturation,' said a rep for the brand. 'This release is about showcasing the possibilities from the rickhouses at Stitzel-Weller Distillery, and what can be accomplished through careful blending of the precious barrels in our archives through masterful hands.' Those hands belong to the incredibly talented Nicole Austin, director of American whiskey liquid development and capabilities for Diageo. She was previously the general manager and master distiller for George Dickel at the Cascade Hollow Distillery in Tennessee, and while she continues to oversee production there her role has been greatly expanded. Austin is credited with selecting and blending just nine barrels of this 24-year-old bourbon (likely with rye as the secondary grain in the mashbill, not wheat), ultimately yielding just 191 bottles at 61.7 percent ABV. 'At Stitzel-Weller Distillery, we are fortunate to have inherited some of the most remarkable aging barrels in the country,' she said in a statement. 'The launch of Stitzel Reserve is a pivotal moment for our distillery… 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.' We did not get to sample Stitzel Reserve because of how limited the release is, so we'll have to take Austin's word for it (hey, she's the expert). The first release is available now for purchase at the Stitzel-Weller Distillery for $1,600 per bottle, or you can buy a 1.5-ounce pour at the Garden & Gun Club there for $200. If all of this kind of sounds like one of Diageo's Orphan Barrel releases, that's kind of understandable—and you can find those whiskeys (bourbon, scotch, and Tennessee whiskey) available to purchase now at ReserveBar. Best of Robb Report Why a Heritage Turkey Is the Best Thanksgiving Bird—and How to Get One 9 Stellar West Coast Pinot Noirs to Drink Right Now The 10 Best Wines to Pair With Steak, From Cabernet to Malbec Click here to read the full article.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- 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
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Industry Veteran Robert Hanson Joins Advisory Group at Game Changer Bourbon, Owner of Stephen Curry's Gentleman's Cut
NEW YORK, May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Thirty Ink/Game Changer Bourbon LLC, the team behind one of the country's fastest growing bourbon brands, and the producer of Stephen Curry's Gentleman's Cut Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is proud to welcome veteran industry executive Robert Hanson to its advisory group. Robert's addition comes at a pivotal time for Gentleman's Cut and Game Changer Bourbon, which is rapidly scaling its U.S. presence through distribution with Southern Glazer Wine & Spirits and expanding globally in top travel retail markets across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The brand has doubled growth year-over-year and continues to establish itself as a serious player in the bourbon category. This next chapter reflects Gentleman Cut's commitment to premium positioning, strategic leadership, and continued category innovation. Hanson brings deep expertise in global brand building and premium beverage growth strategy, with more than 30 years of experience scaling iconic consumer brands. He is currently CEO of The Duckhorn Portfolio, an Operating Partner at Butterfly Equity, and a Senior Advisor to Bain Consulting. His past leadership roles include EVP/President of Wine & Spirits at Constellation Brands, where he helped drive its premium portfolio expansion, CEO positions at John Hardy and American Eagle Outfitters, and Global Brand President at Levi's. For more on the Gentleman's Cut, visit and follow along on instagram @gentlemanscutbourbon. ABOUT GENTLEMAN'S CUTStephen Curry's Thirty Ink with John Schwartz formed Game Changer, LLC., a joint venture with Boone County Distilling Company in Northern Kentucky, to create Gentleman's Cut. This Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey from Stephen Curry is aged 5-7 years. The bourbon's complex mashbill of 75% Corn, 21% Rye and 4% Malted Barley delivers tasting notes of honey, fresh vanilla bean, and rich caramel on the palate. Our inaugural bottling is polished and smooth at 90 proof. We distill our whiskey the traditional way, in a 500-gallon Copper Pot still. Media ContactsMidnight DawnTom Dietz // Stephen BaruchGentlemansCut@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Gentleman's Cut 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
Forbes
02-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Wild Turkey Releases Its Legendary 8 YO Bourbon In The US
Wild Turkey 101, 8 YO Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Wild Turkey has just announced that its legendary 8 YO bourbon will become available to US consumers. Recently, we sat down for an exclusive interview with Master Distiller Eddie Russell, Associate Master Blender Bruce Russell, and Managing Director of Campari America Melanie Batchelor to discuss Wild Turkey's latest US release. Wild Turkey, an American icon, has a history deeply intertwined with the evolution of American whiskey, particularly bourbon. The renowned American bourbon distillery, nestled in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, is celebrated for its bold flavor profile and steadfast commitment to traditional production methods. The distillery uses a high-rye mash bill and distills the whiskey at a lower proof to retain more natural flavors. Master Distiller Jimmy Russell, one of the longest-tenured distillers in the industry, has helped shape Wild Turkey's identity over decades. The brand offers a range of expressions, emphasizing rich, robust bourbons aged in heavily charred American oak barrels. JM: WT has offered the 8 YO expression internationally, most notably in Japan, for quite a few years. Is the international version different from the domestic expressions? If so, how is it different? Bruce Russell (BT), Associate Master Blender: Rooted in a recipe that has stood the test of time, this age-stated bourbon pays homage to the original Wild Turkey 101, which was famously bottled after eight years of aging. This is the same bourbon fans in export markets have been enjoying for years, now in a 750ml bottle for the US. We're excited to bring this back to the US as a permanent part of our lineup – it will be hitting shelves alongside our classic 101 Bourbon, beginning at the end of April. JM: When distilleries issue commemorative editions, they typically use rare and ultra-aged, expensive expressions, often utilizing high-end packaging. The 8 YO bourbon expression is much more mainstream and, at $45/bottle, very reasonably priced. Why opt for this route? Is there a larger message about accessibility and price that you were trying to convey here? Melanie Batchelor (MB), Managing Director of Campari America: At Wild Turkey and within the wider industry, we're seeing increased excitement around age-stated whiskey in the US. We saw it firsthand last year when Wild Turkey released a limited run of age-stated bourbon in a commemorative bottle to celebrate Jimmy Russell's 70th anniversary at Wild Turkey. That was a separate, one-time offering that was blended by Eddie and Bruce Russell and tailored specifically to Jimmy's taste profile as a tribute to him – but the success of that release re-emphasized the demand for a permanent and approachable priced age-stated offering from the distillery here in the US. The 8-Year-Old 101 rounds out the Wild Turkey portfolio so that there is always an offering that suits any bourbon drinker and any occasion. Wild Turkey 101, 8 YO Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Eddie Russell (ER), Master Distiller: There is a time and place for high-end offerings where we can experiment with the rare whiskeys and blends that get us excited, and we love bringing those to our fans through our Master's Keep series, our limited edition Russell's Reserve releases and more. However, Wild Turkey 8-Year-Old takes us back to our roots – not only because of its ties to our brand's history but because it's truly a high-quality, age-stated, more widely available bourbon that any Wild Turkey fan or bourbon lover can enjoy at an approachable price point. JM: WT bourbons are known for being flavorful, heavily extracted expressions that show a profound cask wood influence. How is the 8 YO different from the regular WT lineup? BR: Like all Wild Turkey bourbon, the 8-Year-Old 101 whiskey uses our tried and true mash bill and distillation process. However, the extended maturation of 8-Year-Old 101 allows for the development of richer and darker flavors. Instead of the usual oak, vanilla, and bright fruit notes, you can expect toffee, clove, and dried fruit with a longer finish. These unique flavors make the 8 YO bourbon an ideal choice for savoring neat or on the rocks. JM: To what extent is the 8 YO bourbon expression driven by specific cask selections as opposed to a different maturation protocol and rickhouse siting strategy from other WT bourbons? BR: The 8-Year-Old 101 bourbon is meticulously blended in smaller batches than our classic 101. This precision in selecting the casks for the blend ensures that the bourbon delivers the richer and darker flavors that make it a standout, whether enjoyed neat or on the rocks. JM: WT has not released many ultra-aged bourbons except for the Russell's Reserve. Was there a reason for this? Can we expect more ultra-aged bourbon expressions from WT in the future? ER: At Wild Turkey, we hold our roots in high regard. Jimmy's unwavering focus on consistency is what has shaped Wild Turkey into the brand it is today, and we are committed to maintaining that legacy. We've released some older offerings within the Master's Keep series, but otherwise, we've maintained the recipe, pre-Prohibition style, and flavor profile that Jimmy learned from his mentor, Bill Hughes. On the other hand, the Russell's Reserve brand has allowed us to bring some older and interesting whiskeys to bourbon lovers looking for different flavors and styles. JM: Are there any significant differences in the maturation protocol used for the Russell's Reserve and the WT 8 YO bourbons? ER: We don't do anything to separate our bourbon as it matures. That said, we can hand-select the barrels to give each offering the taste we want. Generally, the main difference between Russell's Reserve and Wild Turkey 101 8-Year-Old is the location of the barrels within our traditional seven-floor warehouses. For Wild Turkey 101 8-Year-Old, we select from all floors to ensure that the bourbon has those iconic Wild Turkey 101 flavors, just a bit richer and darker, given the longer maturation. For Russell's Reserve, we mainly use barrels from the middle floors, where the temperature helps produce really nuanced and creamy notes. For other, new bourbon expressions from Wild Turkey, see also The Best New Bourbons To Try. The Wild Turkey Core Whiskey Range Below are tasting notes on Wild Turkey, 8 YO Kentucky Bourbon. The whiskey is powerful and aromatic on the nose. While the Wild Turkey DNA is unmistakable, the aromas are richer and more intense. It features pronounced vanilla, toasted oak, and caramel aromas. There's a deep, earthy note of leather and tobacco, followed by classic Wild Turkey spice of cinnamon, clove, and a touch of black pepper. Subtle hints of dried orange zest and dark cherry syrup add a layered complexity. It's full-bodied and robust on the palate, exactly how you would expect an 8 YO Wild Turkey bourbon to be. It features sweet and spicy notes, sweet corn and brown sugar, and a backbone of baking spices and charred oak. The rye influence becomes more pronounced as the whiskey opens up, presenting dried herbs, pepper, and a dry cinnamon heat. A layer of dark chocolate and roasted nuts adds more depth and complexity. The finish is long and layered, with seasoned oak, spice, and a lingering caramel sweetness leading to a dry ending accompanied by leather, toasted barrel, and faint citrus zest notes. The Wild Turkey 8 YO is an exceptional bourbon with an outstanding value at a $45 retail list price. It's a bold, flavorful, well-structured bourbon that punches well above its price point. Its age imparts a notable depth and complexity, which, while true to its Wild Turkey roots, also takes the whiskey to a new level. It's ideal for sipping neat, on the rocks, or in an amazing Old Fashioned. Run, don't walk to get a bottle or two; this will be a very popular bourbon. For an in-depth look on how high rye mash bills shapes the aroma and flavor profile of bourbon, see The World's Best High Rye Bourbons.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Southeastern Wildlife Expo kicks off with three days of art, food, and wildlife demos
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, a three-day festival that brings together wildlife experts, artists, and exhibitors, begins Friday in downtown Charleston. Over 500 vendors will be displayed at five locations including Marion Square, Charleston Place, the Gaillard Center, Charleston Marriott, and Brittlebank Park through Sunday afternoon. The annual event, known as SEWE, began in February 1983 with about 100 artists and exhibitors, and 5,000 attendees. It has since grown into one of Charleston's most anticipated festivals – unofficially referred to as the kickoff to tourism season – bringing in roughly 500 exhibitors, artists, and wildlife experts and 40,000 attendees each year, generating an estimated $50 million in economic impact. The purpose of the festival is to promote wildlife and nature conservation and 'make positive contributions, through entertainment, to the genre of wildlife art, conservation, education, and the local, regional and state economies.' There is a lot to do at SEWE with fun for the entire family. Top events include the popular Dock Dog competitions, sheep and duck herding, fly fishing demonstrations at Brittlebank Park, enjoy chef demos and a bite to eat at Marion Square or browse the art gallery at Charleston Place. Renowned wildlife explorer and conservationist Forrest Galante will present live animal shots at the Gaillard Center with seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Blade and Bow to showcase Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey during 2025 SEWE Handcrafted goods by artisans and craftsmen from around the country are put on display during the annual event, along with wildlife and nature paintings, carvings, and sculptures. Stop by the Charleston Marriott for the sporting showroom featuring sporting and adventure guides, outdoor outfitters, taxidermy, sporting gear, and clothing. In the 'Kids Zone' at Brittlebank Park, attendees will find pony and camel rides, an exotic petting zoo, inflatables, educational programs, and other activities. A small kids section will be available at Marion Square, too. For more information about SEWE and to view the schedule, please click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
