by admin | Feb 25, 2026 | IN THE NEWS
Limited-Edition Offering in the Blender’s Red Label Series Features Age-stated Whiskeys and Uses Finishing Casks to Elevate Blends
Louisville, KY (February 25, 2026) – Barrell Craft Spirits® (BCS), the original independent blender of unique aged, cask strength whiskey since 2013, today introduced a limited-edition offering of a 12-year Bourbon Finished in Toasted American Oak Casks. The blend of straight bourbon whiskeys is part of the company’s Red Label Series, which features age-stated whiskeys and uses finishing casks to elevate blends.
The BCS blending team meticulously crafted this release from a handpicked collection of 12 to 15-year-old bourbon barrels, each chosen for its exceptional maturity, layered complexity, and refined balance. Every barrel in the selection represented years of careful aging, developing deep flavors of oak, spice, and caramelized sweetness. These well-aged lots were then artfully blended to create a bourbon that harmonized their unique characteristics. The blend was then given a thoughtful finishing period in slow-toasted American oak casks specially prepared to coax out additional layers of flavor.
“Red Label bourbons offer a twist on our classics, paying homage to our origins and to some of our favorite products,” said BCS Founder Joe Beatrice. “Slow-toasted American oak lends a luxurious depth to this mature bourbon, accentuating its natural sweetness and complexity while preserving its refined structure.”
The BCS 12-year Bourbon Finished in Toasted American Oak Casks was distilled in KY, IN, and TN, and then expertly crafted and bottled in KY at 113.4 proof. The new expression is available for purchase online via the BCS website at barrellbourbon.com and at select retailers for the suggested retail price of $159.99 per 750ml bottle.
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 | Feb 23, 2026 | IN THE NEWS
Created by Self-Proclaimed Spirits Nerd William Schragis, Covalle Captures the Scent and Sensation of Vine-ripened Tomatoes in Spirit Form, Delivering a Fresh Herbaceous Twist to Cocktails
Seattle, Wash. (February 23, 2026) – Back Bar Project, renowned boutique craft spirits importer, today announced the national launch of Covalle Tomato-Water Gin, the company’s first domestic venture.
Covalle Tomato-Water Gin captures the vivid freshness of a tomato garden at peak season through a pioneering aroma-transfer technique developed to preserve the fruit’s most delicate green notes. Tomato leaves and stems are pulverized into an apple-cucumber pulp, then pasteurized, clarified, and blended into a London dry gin. This allows Covalle to carry the essence of the tomato plant without compromising its fresh and fragile character. Bottled at 46% ABV, using low-pH water to accentuate freshness, the result is a strikingly fragrant, green, and herbaceous spirit. The gin botanical card includes juniper, angelica, coriander, lemon oil, grapefruit, cardamom, orange, wildflower honey, cinnamon and anise, and is designed to balance a classic gin profile with the evocative expression of a tomato plant in peak season.
“We champion brands that are shaping the future of the spirits industry—built on quality, heritage, and innovation,” said Kaj Hackinen, Chief Innovation Officer and Co-Founder, Back Bar Project. “Consumers are craving distinctive, nationally available distilled spirits. Covalle delivers something entirely new, adding a fresh, herbaceous twist to gin-based cocktails.”
Covalle was developed by liquid and packaging design firm Project Optimist. To date, it has been part of the Small Victories Imports portfolio. William Schragis, who founded both Project Optimist and Small Victories, has held various positions in the wine and spirits industry, including work as a sommelier, product development specialist, whiskey blender, and national sales director for a bourbon producer spanning all 50 U.S. states.
Long before Schragis ever dreamed of working in cocktails and spirits, he was obsessed with tomatoes. As a kid, his family grew tomato plants in pots on the balcony of their New York City apartment. In his 20s, he worked on organic farms in Italy and even hosted a tomato-themed birthday potluck called “Tomato-Fest,” after which he decided to use surplus tomato water in a cocktail for the first time.
“I poured my heart into developing Covalle. It took more than a year of R&D to work out how to capture the freshness that makes in-season tomatoes so special,” said Schragis. “It was a concept crystallized from my own dreams and my own love for historic and eccentric martini culture. All of us at Project Optimist/WellSpun Consulting are thrilled to partner with Back Bar Project. I have long admired their vision and work representing high-quality brands and truly partnering with independent businesses. There is nobody I would trust more to steward something so close to my heart.”
Covalle debuted in New York and New Jersey in Spring 2025 via Small Victories Imports —a boutique distribution portfolio. The niche brand entered the market during a period of contraction in the liquor industry, yet consumer demand for this distinctive spirit proved remarkably strong. Produced in small batches, it sold out quickly, driving an exceptionally high reorder rate among early-adopting retailers.
Covalle’s packaging features a hand-drawn label as beautiful as the brand itself, depicting a beach in the fictional tomato-famous town that Project Optimist considers Covalle’s “spiritual storybook home.” It was drawn by Creative Director Eli Dreyfus as part of Project Optimist’s guiding philosophy to keep brand development and commercial launch work in-house, driven collaboratively by the same core team that will ultimately take it to market.
Covalle Tomato-Water gin is now available online and will roll out nationally in 700mL and 1L formats for the suggested retail price of $40 and $47, respectively, which may vary by market. A highly mixable new offering, Covalle elevates classic cocktails, including a Martini, Gimlet, Negroni, Gin & Tonic, and Highball.
For more information, please visit www.CovalleGin.com and www.BackbarProject.com.
About Covalle Tomato-Water Gin
Inspired by a lifelong love of the scent of tomatoes on the vine, we pomace, centrifuge, and macerate our way to a tomato-water gin that brings a fresh, herbaceous twist to cocktails.
About Back Bar Project
Founded in 2012, Back Bar Project is the exclusive U.S. importer of a collection of premium spirits brands that meet the U.S. and global spirits industry’s demand for more specialized, high-quality ingredients. Our team is comprised of leading spirits industry professionals from around the country, dedicated to providing world-class spirits to the U.S. market.
About WellSpun Consulting, Small Victories Imports, and Project Optimist
Founded in 2023, WellSpun Consulting is a boutique end-to-end consultancy that works in and adjacent to the beverage space. Small and thorough, WellSpun believes in having capabilities to take a dream all the way through incubation and market work but believes in filling only gaps where their highly specialized team can add value to each specific client. That same team operates Small Victories Imports and Project Optimist Drinks.
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by admin | Jan 30, 2026 | IN THE NEWS
Award-Winning Independent Blender Adapts its Strategy to Meet Future Market Needs and to Further its Growth
Louisville, KY (January 30, 2026) – Barrell Craft Spirits® (BCS), the original independent blender of unique aged, cask strength whiskey since 2013, today announced the sale of its blending facility in Jeffersontown, Kentucky, to American Craft Bottling. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.
“We regularly refine our commercial strategy to stay ahead of evolving industry trends to support long-term growth,” said BCS Founder Joe Beatrice. “While the economic environment has presented challenges across the spirits industry, it has sharpened our focus and reinforced the importance of proactive decision-making.
BCS will consolidate all blending operations at its original Gilmore facility, which offers enough capacity to support current and future needs. The company will also invest in new equipment and technology to expand its operations without disrupting ongoing work.
“We’re grateful to our loyal fans and whiskey enthusiasts who have continued to support us with each release,” said Beatrice. “We plan to continue bringing you the most innovative, creative, and complex products our industry has to offer in 2026 and beyond.”
Founded in 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky, 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 | Jan 7, 2026 | IN THE NEWS
100% Additive-Free Small-Batch Tequila Partners with Trusted Wholesale Distributor of Beer, Wine, & Spirits
New York, NY (January 7, 2026) – Marcado 28, a small-batch tequila from Chefs Michael and Bryan Voltaggio, Master Tequilero Bruno Barba, and Spirits That Rock LLC, has selected Constantine Wines as its distributor to manage the premium brand’s expansion into Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, DC.
Born from the legendary Romo family that invented Reposado and elevated by the palate of Michelin-starred chef Michael Voltaggio, Marcado 28 Blanco and Reposado tequilas honor 10 generations of distilling expertise and time-honored, traditional techniques — slow-roasting agave and crafting tequila from three all-natural ingredients: water, 100% blue Weber agave from the Tequila Valleys of Jalisco, Mexico, and yeast.
“We offer a carefully selected and extensive beverage portfolio of products that exceed expectations in every category to Maryland, Delaware, and Washington DC,” said Gus Kalaris, Founder & Owner, Constantine Wines. “Marcado 28 is an authentic premium tequila that masterfully unites tradition and innovation.”
“Gus and his team at Constantine Wines are among the best in the business,” said Phil Hurst, Founder, CEO, PLH Wine & Spirits. “Their industry knowledge, relationships, and passion for premium spirits will serve us well as we launch Marcado 28 Tequila into these three key northeastern states.”
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, which rated the Blanco ($50) and Reposado ($60) with 94 and 93 points, respectively.
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 Tequila is a partnership among Chefs Michael & Bryan Voltaggio, Master Tequilero Bruno Barba, and Spirits That Rock, LLC. Distilled in Jalisco, the award-winning Blanco and Reposado expressions are crafted from 100% blue Weber agave, hand-selected from family-owned farms cultivated and slow-cooked in stainless steel ovens. The process is managed by Barba – a descendent of the Romo family, known for their agave cultivation and distilling expertise for 10 generations. Marcado 28 is 100% additive-free tequila with only three ingredients: water, blue Weber agave, and yeast.
About Constantine Wines
With a globally inspired portfolio of wines & spirits, Constantine Wines focuses on providing our clients excellent and fair pricing by coordinating with the best suppliers and producers who focus on products that exceed expectations in every category. For more information, please visit https://www.constantinewines.com/
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by admin | Nov 19, 2025 | IN THE NEWS
Newest Offering in the Black Label Series Features a More Decadent Evolution of the Beloved Expression with Secondary Maturation in Toasted American Oak
Louisville, KY (November 19, 2025) – Barrell Craft Spirits® (BCS), the original independent blender of unique aged, cask strength whiskey since 2013, today introduced a limited release of Barrell Toasted Dovetail Whiskey. The new expression is part of the company’s Black Label Series which showcases cutting edge blending methods and techniques which set the expert blender apart.
This limited-edition expression reimagines BCS’ award-winning Barrell Dovetail with an elevated dimension. The signature blend—finished in structured California Cabernet, indulgent Port, and funky Rum casks—was further refined with 33 months of secondary maturation in toasted American oak, drawing out layers of caramelized sugar, warm spice, and rich oak. The result is a more decadent evolution of Dovetail—complex, opulent, and exquisitely polished.
Barrell Toasted Dovetail Whiskey, which was distilled in Indiana and Tennessee and then expertly blended and bottled in Kentucky at 123.8 proof, is 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.
Founded in 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky, 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 | Nov 10, 2025 | IN THE NEWS
10th Annual Limited Edition Small Batch Blend Features Whiskeys from Seven U.S. States
Louisville, KY (November 10, 2025) – Barrell Craft Spirits® (BCS), the original independent blender of unique aged, cask strength whiskey since 2013, today released its 10th annual limited edition Barrell Bourbon New Year 2026. The blend of whiskeys was distilled in Indiana (5, 6, 8, 11 & 13-year), Kentucky (5, 6 & 10-year), Tennessee (8, 10, & 16-year), Wyoming (9 & 13-year), Maryland (7 & 8-year), New York (5-year) and Ohio (5-year), and features a derived mash bill of 74% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley, and 1% wheat.
Barrell Bourbon New Year 2026 is a celebratory release crafted to mark the arrival of a new year with an exceptional bourbon experience. This annual, small-batch blend unites a variety of bourbons—each with distinct ages, mash bills, and geographic origins from across the U.S.—resulting in a uniquely layered and complex American whiskey. A favorite among collectors, the New Year series showcases Barrell Craft Spirits’ mastery in blending and commitment to innovation.
Barrell Bourbon New Year 2026 is now available for purchase online via the BCS website at barrellbourbon.com and at select retailers for the suggested retail price of $84.99 per 750ml bottle. The expression was expertly blended and bottled in Kentucky at 110.3 proof (55.15% ABV).
Founded in 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky, 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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