by admin | Aug 4, 2026 | IN THE NEWS
B.R. Distilling Company and Leatherwood Distillery Join Tennessee’s Growing Statewide Whiskey Experience
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (August 4, 2026) — The Tennessee Whiskey Trail, a collective of more than 30 distilleries and tasting rooms across the state, has expanded its footprint with the addition of two new destinations: B.R. Distilling Company in Memphis and Leatherwood Distillery in Clarksville. The additions further strengthen the Trail’s mission of showcasing Tennessee’s rich distilling heritage while encouraging visitors to explore the diverse communities, stories and flavors that make the Volunteer State a top destination for spirits tourism.
“We are thrilled to welcome B.R. Distilling Company and Leatherwood Distillery as stops along the Trail,” said Charity Toombs, executive director of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail. “The Tennessee Whiskey Trail is built on the incredible variety of distilleries across our state, and from Memphis to Clarksville, these new additions represent the craftsmanship, innovation and hospitality that continue to make all of Tennessee a leading destination for whiskey enthusiasts and travelers alike.”
B.R. Distilling Company is Memphis’ oldest licensed distillery and the producer of the award-winning Blue Note Bourbon portfolio. Artfully crafted to honor the rich blues music that is synonymous with Memphis, Blue Note Bourbon is celebrated for its bold character and smooth finish. Located just north of downtown Memphis, the distillery offers guests an immersive look at its production process through guided tours and curated spirit tastings.
Founded by military veteran Andy Lang, Leatherwood Distillery in Clarksville crafts a range of small-batch spirits using traditional techniques and high-quality Tennessee ingredients. From smooth, aged bourbons and rye whiskeys to handcrafted flavored rums, each expression reflects the distillery’s commitment to technique and innovation. Situated along the Cumberland River, Leatherwood welcomes visitors for behind-the-scenes tours, sharing the story of the distillery and its production process before concluding with a guided tasting experience.
The Tennessee Whiskey Trail serves as a gateway to Tennessee’s thriving spirits industry, connecting visitors with distilleries and tasting rooms across hundreds of miles of the state – from vibrant cities to charming small towns. Through the Trail’s free digital passport, guests can discover participating locations, check in at stops and earn rewards as they travel. In addition to highlighting distilleries, the Tennessee Whiskey Trail website features curated itineraries that pair Trail stops with local restaurants in its Cork to Fork program, outdoor attractions, historic landmarks and cultural experiences, offering visitors a comprehensive way to experience Tennessee.
To learn more about the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, visit tnwhiskeytrail.com and follow along on social media @tnwhiskeytrail to stay up to date on Trail experiences.
ABOUT THE TENNESSEE WHISKEY TRAIL
Where the whiskey meets the road. In 2017, the Tennessee Whiskey Trail was launched by the Tennessee Distillers Guild as a celebration of our state and its signature spirits. Today we host morethan 30 stops across the state, offering a taste of Tennessee and a road map for adventure. Visitors to the Trail can soak up the sights and sounds that have been shaped by Tennessee whiskey, whether stopping by for a sip or making a weekend of it. For more information, visit www.tnwhiskeytrail.com and the Tennessee Whiskey Trail’s Instagram.
ABOUT B.R. DISTILLING COMPANY
B.R. Distilling Company is Memphis’ oldest licensed distillery and the producer of the award-winning Blue Note Bourbon portfolio. Artfully crafted to honor the rich blues music that is synonymous with Memphis, Blue Note Bourbon is celebrated for its bold character and smooth finish. Located just north of downtown Memphis, the distillery offers guests an immersive look at its production process through guided tours and curated spirit tastings.
ABOUT LEATHERWOOD DISTILLERY
Founded by former Green Beret Andy Lang, Leatherwood Distillery is a veteran-owned and operated craft distillery based in Clarksville, Tenn. Lang discovered his passion for distilling during military deployments overseas, an experience that ultimately led to the founding of Leatherwood after his retirement from service. Today, multiple military veterans make up the distillery’s ownership and operational team, united by a shared commitment to craftsmanship, quality ingredients, and hands-on production. Proudly rooted in the Clarksville community, Leatherwood produces a growing lineup of handcrafted spirits and recently opened its new hometown distillery in May 2026.
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by admin | Aug 3, 2026 | IN THE NEWS
100% Additive-Free Small-Batch Tequila Makes Waves by Focusing on the History of its Legendary Recipe, Quality, Transparency, Cultural Relevance, and Grassroots Activation
New York, NY (August 3, 2026) – Marcado 28, the premium additive-free tequila rooted in generational craftsmanship and the legendary recipe of a 10th-generation tequila-making family finished in collaboration with world-renowned chef Michael Voltaggio, today announced significant distribution expansion and market momentum across the U.S., underscoring its rapid growth in an increasingly competitive spirits landscape.
Since launching in October 2024, Marcado 28 has expanded into 14 key U.S. markets, including CA, CO, CT, FL, IL, LA, MD, MO, NE, NY, OK, SC, TX and Washington, D.C., including major retail partners such as ABC Fine Wine & Spirits and Total Wine & More, leading independent retailers including Dierbergs and Applejack, and hospitality partners such as Federal Grill and OTO Development affiliated venues.
The brand’s strategy of building distribution market-by-market—rather than forcing rapid national scale—has enabled stronger sell-through and account-level engagement.
“We’re seeing meaningful traction by focusing on real relationships—winning accounts one at a time and building from there,” said Phil Hurst, Founder, CEO, PLH Wine & Spirits. “We’re on track to hit our goal of doubling sales in 2026 and more than doubling again in 2027. At a time when many brands are facing headwinds, we continue to grow at double digits.”
As tequila competition intensifies and consumer scrutiny around authenticity grows, Marcado 28 is gaining traction by emphasizing quality, transparency and craftsmanship while aligning with the growing consumer shift toward cleaner, additive-free spirits.
“There’s a real shift happening—people are drinking less, but they’re drinking better. That plays directly into our approach,” said Howard Jackowitz, President and Co-Founder, Spirits That Rock.
Marcado 28 is also being fueled by cultural relevance. Born from Master Tequilero Bruno Barba, a descendant of the legendary Romo family credited with creating Reposado and elevated through the culinary perspective of world-renowned chef Michael Voltaggio, Marcado 28 is the result of a legendary recipe that brings together 10 generations of tequila craftsmanship with modern culinary creativity. Marcado 28 Blanco and Reposado honor time-tested traditions by slow-roasting agave and crafting tequila from just three all-natural ingredients: water, 100% blue Weber agave from the Tequila Valleys of Jalisco, Mexico, and yeast.
Later this year, Marcado 28 will introduce “Experience the Legendary Recipe,” a new marketing campaign inspired by the collaboration between Bruno Barba and Michael Voltaggio. More than a tagline, the campaign invites consumers to discover the legendary recipe born from generations of tequila-making heritage and elevated through Michael’s instinct for flavor. The result is a tequila people don’t simply taste – they remember.
The brand is also succeeding with local grassroots activations and events, in-store tastings and bottle signings, “meet-the maker” market visits, and consumer-facing activations, hosted by local market brand ambassadors.
“When I walk into accounts and people already know the brand—or follow what we’re doing—that’s when you know something real is happening,” said Barba, a 10th-generation tequila producer who has built a rapidly growing social presence with over 100,000 followers driving organic brand awareness.
Marcado 28 also continues to differentiate itself through unique tequila and cheese pairing experiences, including retail and educational tastings, and emerging culinary credibility, through chef-driven programming, culinary partnerships, and media opportunities. These experiences invite consumers to experience the legendary recipe firsthand while discovering how craftsmanship and culinary creativity come together in every pour.
Looking ahead, Marcado 28 plans to introduce a new Añejo expression (already pre-sold to ABC stores) and will continue to broaden distribution, deepen relationships with retail and hospitality partners, build on its additive-free and culinary positioning, and leverage cultural moments and influencer reach to accelerate growth.
Marcado 28 Blanco is the purest form of Tequila–clear, unaged and unaltered—while Marcado 28 Reposado acquires a rich golden hue that whispers tales of time and tradition after aging for eight months in American oak barrels. Both expressions received high praise from Wine Enthusiast magazine, earning 94 points for the Blanco ($50) and 93 points for the Reposado ($60).
For more information, including where to buy, please visit https://marcado28.com/ and follow the brand on Facebook and Instagram
About Marcado 28
Marcado 28 is a premium additive-free tequila born from a legendary recipe that unites two worlds rarely found together: the heritage of a 10th-generation tequila-making family and the culinary creativity of world-renowned chefs Michael and Bryan Voltaggio. Crafted using traditional methods and only three natural ingredients, Marcado 28 invites consumers to experience the legendary recipe in every bottle while redefining how tequila connects with modern consumers. This perfectly positions the brand as tequila drinkers increasingly seek crafted products with a real story.
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by admin | Jul 28, 2026 | IN THE NEWS
Crafted By One of the Most Influential Unknown Families in the Spirits Industry, These New Offerings are Three Generations in the Making
Cambridge, Wisconsin (July 28, 2026) – Dancing Goat Distillery has announced the launch of Stillman’s Sonder: two new premium whiskey expressions – a 10-year Bourbon and a 10-year American Single Malt, each representing three generations of dedication to the craft.
At the heart of the story is Duane Maas, a foundational stillman whose behind-the-scenes work helped shape modern whiskey production. Beginning in the 1950s, Duane contributed to advancing production methods and quality standards across iconic spirits, including Seagram’s and Chartreuse. He remained active in the industry for decades, consulting on the early development of Dancing Goat Distillery prior to his passing in 2016. Though often unseen, his influence continues to resonate across the category.
His son, Tom Maas, carried that legacy forward as a visionary brand builder, helping guide growth and innovation strategies for heritage whiskey brands and helped usher in the era of small-batch bourbon. Tom bridged the discipline of the maker with the imagination of the storyteller, ensuring that every story told was rooted in authenticity and respect for the stillman’s art.
Today, Nick Maas, Tom’s son, continues that lineage at the still and blending table. Stillman’s Sonder reflects his reverence for his father and grandfather, with each bottle embodying precision, curiosity, and the dedication of the stillman.
Whiskey A Decade in the Making
What began as a collection of orphaned barrels evolved into a project more than 10 years in the making. From 2010 to 2016, distillation at MGP in Indiana included a series of large exploratory test runs which resulted in a number of unused barrels. Recognizing their potential, the Maas family quietly acquired and curated these stocks over time, with a vision to release them as 10 plus year aged whiskey. Included in these lots were American Single Malt whiskey and Andean oak aged bourbon barrels used in Stillman’s Sonder.
Led by father and son Tom and Nick Maas, the team embarked on an 18-month process of analysis, blending, finishing, and refinement to take the most choice barrels from their elusive aged stocks. Through careful selection, these once-overlooked stocks were transformed into cohesive, high-quality expressions.
Stillman’s Sonder Straight Bourbon Whiskey was aged in both Andean and American Oak barrels with texture and concentration pushed through several double oaked components. Barrels were spoon proofed at times with encouraged oxidation through short fills and vatting before bottling at 94 proof (47% ABV). The new expression received a Double Gold Medal and 98 points at the prestigious 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and was nominated for “Best in Class 6- to 10-year-old Small Batch Bourbon.”
Stillman’s Sonder American Single Malt was distilled in Indiana and aged in Wisconsin. After initial maturation, it underwent three rounds of blending, re-barreling, and finishing across a range of casks – including virgin oak, ex-bourbon, Wisconsin brandy, Cognac, and Calvados – before bottling at 96.4 proof (48.2% ABV).
“Stillman’s Sonder is both a tribute and a celebration of everything made possible by the spirit makers of America’s Heartland,” said Nick Brady Maas, Contemporary Stillman and Blender, Stillman’s Sonder. “Our work especially honors my late grandfather, Duane, whose rich and complex life in the world of spirits continues to inspire our every step. These expressions were also created for what he represented at the beginning – a Stillman. These two new whiskeys are an invitation to pause, connect, and reflect on the tapestry of our lives and the moments we share.”
What’s in a Name?
The name Stillman’s Sonder reflects both craftsmanship and perspective. “Stillman” speaks to patience, process, and precision, while “Sonder” captures the awareness that every individual carries a life as vivid and complex as your own. Together, the name reflects a whiskey rooted in intention and connection.
The bottle labels showcase a mid-century modern aesthetic, abstractly depicting “Wiscy City” in Cambridge, Wisconsin. The stylized artwork was inspired by the architectural and cultural landscape of the Midwest while reflecting the founder’s appreciation for design, distillation, and community. Whiskey lovers will appreciate the distinct visual cues between the two expressions: the American Single Malt evokes daytime, while the Bourbon reflects nighttime, together representing the balance between the natural and engineered worlds.
Stillman’s Sonder 10-year Bourbon Whiskey and 10-year American Single Malt are now available for purchase online via the brand’s website and at select U.S. retailers with a suggested retail price of $70 per 700ml bottle. Limited single barrel selections are also available for both expressions.
For more information, please visit www.stillmanssonder.com and follow the brand on Instagram.
Stillman’s Sonder is represented by Small Victories Imports, a boutique firm specializing in the development and distribution of emerging beverage brands.
About Stillman’s Sonder
Stillman’s Sonder is a range of polished and reimagined 10-year whiskey blends, which pay homage to Duane Maas and Stillmen everywhere. The portfolio currently includes an American Single Malt and Bourbon expressions, alongside limited single barrel offerings.
About Dancing Goat Distillery
Dancing Goat Distillery, located in Cambridge, Wisconsin, began as a gathering of friends and family centered around Tom Maas’ remarkable whiskey collection. Tom built this trove not just as a connoisseur but as someone who saw spirits as vessels for stories, laughter, and legacy. Today, the diverse portfolio of spirits includes: Beren’s Old Fashioned Brandy, Dancing Goat Presents, Death’s Door Gin, Limousin Rye, Travis Hasse Pie Liqueurs, Single Barrel Releases, and Stillman’s Sonder. For more information, visit https://www.dancinggoat.com/
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by admin | Jul 20, 2026 | IN THE NEWS
Aged 20 Years, Carefully Crafted Blend of Whiskeys Distilled Each Year from 1995 to 2005 Showcases Secondary Maturation in Spanish Brandy and Hungarian Oak Casks
Louisville, KY (July 22, 2026) – Barrell Craft Spirits® (BCS), the original independent blender of unique aged, cask strength whiskey since 2013, today introduced Barrell Decade 2, a carefully crafted blend of whiskeys distilled each year from 1995 to 2005 showcasing secondary maturation in Spanish brandy and Hungarian oak casks.
Crafted from the same barrels and using the same finishing techniques as Barrell Decade which launched to great success last summer, the second release is also part of the company’s Black Label Series which also includes the 20-year-old Toasted Single Barrel, Toasted Vantage, Full Proof Bourbon, and 33-year-old Whiskey Finished in French Oak and Oloroso sherry casks.
Barrell Decade is now available for purchase online via the BCS website at barrellbourbon.com and at select retailers for the suggested retail price of $199.99 per 750ml bottle. The new expression was distilled in Canada and contains liquid from 20 to 30 years old. It was expertly crafted and bottled in Kentucky at 141.3 proof (70.65% ABV) and delivers a remarkably similar flavor profile, while bringing additional layers of dried fruit, spiced chocolate, and a more textured mouthfeel.
Founded in 2013 in Louisville, KY, BCS selects and blends products that explore different distillation methods, barrels, and aging environments. BCS’s extensive stocks of high-quality casks mean it can craft extraordinary blends that maximize the nuances of each ingredient. Creative finishes and a liberated approach to blending guides every product release.
The award-winning line of BCS releases are sold in 49 US states, Puerto Rico, the UK, South Korea, the Ukraine, and Australia. Follow Barrell Craft Spirits on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube, or visit barrellbourbon.com.
Barrell Craft Spirits®
Louisville-based Barrell Craft Spirits® is the original, pre-eminent independent blender of unique, aged, cask strength whiskey and rum. Recognized for our blending expertise since 2013, we skillfully design, produce, and launch leading, unique products that surprise and delight whiskey aficionados and novices alike. Our cask-strength small-batch and single-barrel releases have quickly become an influencing force in American whiskey, winning awards from the world’s most prestigious distilled spirits publications and competitions. Barrell Craft Spirits®, Barrell®, Barrell Bourbon® and Barrell Rye® are registered trademarks owned by Barrell Craft Spirits LLC.
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by admin | Jul 11, 2026 | IN THE NEWS
Award-Winning Whiskey Brand Also Changes Distributors in Kentucky
Memphis, TN (June 22, 2026) – B.R. Distilling, parent company of Blue Note Bourbon™, the award-winning whiskey portfolio which is artfully crafted to honor the rich blues music that is synonymous with Memphis, has broadened its distribution into Indiana and Nebraska, selecting Vino Indiana and Quench Fine Wines, respectively. B.R. Distilling also selected Heritage Wine & Spirits as its new distributor in Kentucky.
“Choosing the right distribution partners is one of the most important decisions a growing whiskey brand can make,” said Dan Jurkovic, National Sales Director, B.R. Distilling Co. “As consumer demand for Blue Note Bourbon increases, we’re excited to welcome these three new distribution partners to our network. Their market expertise, strong retail relationships, and shared commitment to building premium spirits brands will help us expand our reach while ensuring more consumers have access to our award-winning portfolio. We look forward to working together to accelerate growth in these key markets.”
Blue Note’s whiskey portfolio is distilled in Kentucky and then aged just north of downtown Memphis where the Mississippi and Wolf Rivers collide. The long summers filled with infamous Memphis heat and cooler evenings forces the whiskey deep into the oak, creating an unmistakably rich flavor that’s bold yet smooth. The award-winning portfolio includes the flagship Juke Joint ($34.99), Toasted (formerly known as Crossroads) ($44.99), Uncut ($49.99), and Straight Rye Whiskey ($34.99) expressions. At the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Juke Joint and Crossroads were awarded Platinum medals, a rare honor meaning that each expression has received Double Gold medals for three consecutive years. In recent years, Blue Note has also introduced several other highly awarded limited-release offerings, which include Premium Small Batch, Single Barrel Reserve, Special Reserve, 17-year, and a Honey Rye and Honey Bourbon Cask.
About B.R. Distilling Company
Founded in 2014 in Memphis, TN, B.R. Distilling Company is the oldest licensed distillery in Memphis, TN, and producer of world-famous Blue Note Bourbon. Currently, the company produces five flagship expressions, along with regular limited releases, which are distributed across the following U.S. states: AL, AR, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MS, MO, NE, NJ, NY, OK, RI, SC, TN, TX, Washington, DC and WI as well as online at BlueNoteBourbon.com via Bevstack, which can be shipped to: AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, ME, MN, MO, MT, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TX, VT, WA, WI, WV, and WY. Take note. Sip responsibly.
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