by admin | Oct 13, 2021 | IN THE NEWS
Chris Blatner to lead the organization and spearhead its growth initiatives
Chandler, AZ,. October 13, 2021 – Bourbon Charity today announced the recent hiring of Chris Blatner as Executive Director of the organization. Mr. Blatner will implement new strategies to grow Bourbon Charity and position it as the premier charitable organization within the American whiskey community.
“After serving as an ambassador for the past two years, we are extremely happy to now have Chris join our leadership team to help expand our overall impact on the great organizations we support with our fundraising efforts,” said Brandon Hunt, Founder & Chairman of the Board of Bourbon Charity. “Chris brings a wealth of business experience, an enthusiasm for whiskey, and most importantly a passion for our mission to improve the lives of people through our fundraising efforts.”
Blatner comes to Bourbon Charity after years as a leading Sales Director in the aviation industry with Mitchell Aircraft Spares, Inc. and Magnum AirDynamics. Chris is also currently Director of Operations for nutrition consulting company Dawn Nutrition Strategies, LLC and Founder of UrbanBourbonist, LLC an independent spirits consultancy and social media marketing company. Blatner is also an Executive Bourbon Steward certified by Moonshine University, the exclusive education provider of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.
“I am very excited and honored to be joining Bourbon Charity in this capacity and to help propel the organization forward and really establish us as the leading charity of the American whiskey community. I know that our efforts will build upon the amazing foundation created by Brandon Hunt and everyone that has been associated with the charity up until this point,” said Blatner. “Bourbon Charity will be an integral part of the fabric of American whiskey and I look forward to growing our mission.”
Bourbon Charity was founded in 2018 and has raised nearly $1.5 million dollars for nearly 30 charitable organizations through the generous donations of more than 12,000 supporters. In 2021, Bourbon Charity became a 100% public donation charity. Every dollar pledged during fundraisers goes directly to the charitable organizations being supported. For more information visit bourboncharity.org.
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by admin | Sep 27, 2021 | IN THE NEWS
Founder Steven Busch Carries Family Legacy Into the Distilled Spirits Industry With Guidance from His Father, August A. Busch III
St. Louis, MO – For nearly two centuries, people worldwide have trusted the Busch family’s standard of excellence. Now Steven Busch, Founder of King Spirits and the son of August A. Busch III, is carrying that legacy into the world of distilled spirits with the launch of the company’s heritage line of inaugural brands: Walker’s Cay Bourbon™ and Hope Town Vodka™.
Steven grew up in the brewing industry and has owned a beer wholesaler for the past 15 years. Although he comes from a multi-generational world-famous family, he has managed to stay behind the curtain. He is launching his own spirits line with guidance from his father, who brings strategic oversight, unmatched liquid development, sound leadership, and distinguished brand-building skills.
“Our inaugural small-batch spirits were inspired by quality time spent with my father on the water and our family’s passion for saltwater fishing for the past 100 years in Mexico, Florida, and the Bahamas,” said Steven Busch, King Spirits Founder. “My family has a deep history with The Bahamas and I’ve seen firsthand how hurricanes can destroy the islands and disrupt the livelihoods of the communities. To that end, we proudly make donations as well as contribute a portion of our profits from Walker’s Cay bourbon and Hope Town vodka to charities that directly help the Bahamian citizens.”
Walker’s Cay Bourbon Whiskey
Like the Bahamian island of its namesake, Walker’s Cay Bourbon is a touchstone of the fisherman’s lifestyle and designed to help people rediscover life’s simplest pleasures. As a nod to the family’s brewing heritage, Walker’s Cay is aged in new Missouri oak barrels and finished on sherry cask staves for a rich and balanced taste. Handcrafted at Green River Distillery in Kentucky, the expression features a mash bill of 70% Kentucky Corn, 21% Winter Rye, and 9% Malted Barley and is distilled to 90 proof (45% ABV). A complex yet approachable spirit, it delivers toasted oak, grain, fig, vanilla, and a hint of pepper.
Hope Town Vodka
Hope Town Vodka is handcrafted in small batches in Charleston, South Carolina, and inspired by a tiny village in Elbow Cay, located in the Abaco chain in the northern Bahamas. The company’s proprietary method yields an all-natural, gluten-free, ultra-premium spirit. Distilled six times and available in Original and Lime expressions, Hope Town has a delicate, clean, subtly sweet character and an exceptionally smooth finish.
Bottle Artwork
King Spirits partnered with globally acclaimed marine artist, Carey Chen, to create the unique art featured on the Walker’s Cay and Hope Town bottle labels. Carey shares the company’s affinity for saltwater fishing. His masterful use of aquatic colors gives the bottles an eye-catching look that distinguishes them from other products on the shelf while honoring this iconic sport and connecting with the people who love it.
Where to Buy
King Spirits are available online via Mash & Grape and Drizly, as well as on- and off-premise establishments in the following markets: DC, FL, MA and MO and launching soon in GA, IL, MD, SC, WI and more. The suggested retail price for a 750ml bottle of Walker’s Cay Bourbon Whiskey and Hope Town Vodka is $34.99 and $22.99, respectively. Retail prices may vary by market.
For more information, visit King Spirits and follow the brands online:
King Spirits
For nearly two centuries, people worldwide have trusted the Busch family’s standard of excellence. Now, King Spirits Founder Steven Busch is building upon that legacy as he embarks on a new adventure into the world of distilled spirits to provide outstanding quality, superior drinkability, inspirational and approachable brands, and everyday enjoyment for consumers everywhere. The company’s inaugural offerings in the U.S. include Walker’s Cay Bourbon, Hope Town Vodka, and Hope Town Lime. The King Spirits Giving Initiative is committed to support and help rebuild The Bahamas by giving to as well as donating a portion of its profits to three organizations: Hope Town United, Green Turtle Cay Foundation, and Restore Hope Foundation. Enjoy responsibly.
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by admin | Sep 21, 2021 | IN THE NEWS
Proceeds From the Sale of Select Bottles of Barrell Seagrass Will Help to Reverse the Trend of Destruction of Ocean Environments Around the World
Louisville, KY (September 21, 2021) – Barrell Craft Spirits® (BCS), the award-winning independent blender and bottler of unique aged, cask-strength sourced whiskey and rum, is proud to announce a collaboration among The Ocean Foundation and Barrell Seagrass, its newest special release. Launched earlier this year, Barrell Seagrass is a blend of American and Canadian rye whiskeys, meticulously sourced and finished separately in Martinique Rhum Agricole casks, apricot brandy casks, and Madeira barrels. The expression highlights the grassy oceanside notes in rye and the opulence and spice of finishing barrels.
“Given our love of the beach and ocean, we’re proud to participate in an effort to restore ocean environments alongside this very worthy not-for-profit organization,” said Barrell Craft Spirits Founder Joe Beatrice. “Originally, we were drawn to The Ocean Foundation because of their commitment to replanting Seagrass. It seemed like a natural partnership.”
Barrell Craft Spirits created special hangtags that will be placed on select bottles of Barrell Seagrass beginning this month to celebrate National Bourbon Heritage Month and Climate Week (Sept. 20-26). BCS will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of these bottles to The Ocean Foundation in support of reversing the trend of destruction of ocean environments around the world, specifically contributing to the conservation and restoration of seagrass.
“We are excited to see more companies like Barrell Craft Spirits take action to actively support initiatives that promote healthy ocean ecosystems. This partnership creates an opportunity to educate a broader audience on the importance of marine conservation and how investing in nature-based solutions, such as seagrass meadows and mangrove forests, can help tackle climate change while building resilience in local communities,” said Mark J. Spalding, President of The Ocean Foundation.
Founded in 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky, BCS selects and blends products that explore different distillation methods, barrels and aging environments, and bottles them at cask strength. BCS’s extensive stocks of high-quality casks mean they can craft extraordinary blends that maximize the nuances of each ingredient. Creative finishes, a liberated approach to blending, and a deep-seated commitment to releasing each whiskey at cask strength and without chill filtration guides every product release.
Barrell Seagrass is now available at select retailers within the brand’s current 48 U.S. markets and online via the BCS website at https://shop.barrellbourbon.com/barrell-seagrass-in-partnership-with-the-ocean-foundation/. The suggested retail price is $89.99.
For more information, follow Barrell Craft Spirits on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram or visit www.barrellbourbon.com.
Barrell Craft Spirits
Barrell Craft Spirits is an independent blender and bottler of unique aged, cask-strength sourced whiskey and rum spirits, that is recognized for its blending expertise. The company selects and blends products that explore different distillation methods, barrels and aging environments, and bottles them at cask strength. Every batch and single barrel is produced as a limited release and has a distinct flavor profile.
Barrell Craft Spirits®, Barrell®, Barrell Bourbon® and Barrell Rye® are registered trademarks owned by Barrell Craft Spirits LLC.
About The Ocean Foundation
As the only community foundation for the ocean, The Ocean Foundation’s 501(c)(3) mission is to support, strengthen, and promote those organizations dedicated to reversing the trend of destruction of ocean environments around the world. We focus our collective expertise on emerging threats in order to generate cutting edge solutions and better strategies for implementation.
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by admin | Sep 13, 2021 | IN THE NEWS
Elvis Rye & Whiskey Expressions Will Rollout Nationally This Fall
CHARLESTON, SC (September 13, 2021) – Grain & Barrel Spirits today announced a long-term licensing agreement with Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) to launch a duo of Elvis Presley-themed whiskeys. The new brand joins the company’s award-winning lineup, including Chicken Cock Whiskey, which the team resurrected to its Prohibition-era glory, Dixie Vodka, Virgil Kane Lowcountry Whiskey and the recently launched High Goal Luxury Gin.
Both expressions – rye and whiskey – were sourced and blended by an expert team of whiskey experts and bottled in Tennessee, where Elvis began his career and called home.
- Elvis Rye, 90 proof (45% ABV), a Straight Indiana Rye (MGP)
- Aroma: Sweet Rye grassiness, followed by hints of citrus and spice
- Flavor: Toasted oak, butterscotch, vanilla wafers and a hint of pepper
- Finish: Beautiful, sweet, complex finish with a velvety mouthfeel
- Elvis Whiskey, 90 proof (45% ABV), a Tennessee Straight Whiskey
- Aroma: Toasted oak notes, sweet corn forward, hint of citrus and apple
- Flavor: Sweet-toasted Maple, roasted Crème Brûlée, with subtle notes of a Granny Apple and Caramel
- Finish: A balanced, long, soft, sweet and genuine, great finish
“Given our expertise within premium whiskey, the Elvis expressions are a natural fit for Grain & Barrel Spirits,” said Matti Anttila, founder of Grain & Barrel Spirits. “Elvis was one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century and continues to inspire his fans today. We look forward to launching the brand, which is sure to be a highly sought after collector’s item.”
Both expressions feature an iconic photo of the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” in his prime and pay homage to two of the legendary singer’s most popular nicknames: The King (rye), and Tiger Man (whiskey). The labels, which were created by Alyson Design, LLC, also feature notable references to Presley, including his signature and the letters “TCB” printed on the neck of the bottle, referring to “Taking Care of Business,” a phrase which was the mantra for Elvis and his Memphis Mafia.
“We are incredibly pleased to join forces with Grain & Barrel Spirits, an industry-leading spirits innovator and a natural partner for the Elvis Presley brand,” said Marc Rosen, President, Entertainment, Authentic Brands Group (ABG), which owns Elvis Presley Enterprises.
The Elvis whiskeys are now available for pre-order online and will rollout nationally this fall. Each 750ml bottle has a suggested retail price of $49.99, which may vary by market. For more information, please visit www.elviswhiskey.com and follow the brand on Instagram and Facebook @elviswhiskey.
About Grain & Barrel Spirits
Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Grain & Barrel Spirits develops and scales craft spirits that connect the best artisans to consumers worldwide. One of the company’s core brands is Dixie Vodka, the leading premium homegrown vodka produced in the Southeast and the Official Vodka of NASCAR; one of the fastest-growing craft brands in the United States, Dixie won the prestigious 2019 and 2020 and 2021 “Rising Star” Growth Brands Awards from Beverage Dynamics magazine. Other brands in the Grain & Barrel portfolio include Chicken Cock Whiskey, an historically significant whiskey brand established in Paris, Kentucky, in 1856; Virgil Kane Lowcountry Whiskey; and High Goal Luxury Gin, a small batch, ultra-premium gin produced in Charleston. Grain & Barrel has been named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing privately held companies in America three years in a row and is a proud member of 1% For The Planet.
About Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley is one of the most influential pop culture figures of the 20th century. Often referred to as the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Elvis’ commanding voice and charismatic stage presence unleashed a musical and cultural revolution that changed the world. Over the course of his extraordinary career, Elvis was nominated for 14 Grammy Awards (3 wins), sold over 1 billion records worldwide, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and was named “One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation” by the United States Jaycees, as well as the 2018 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In addition to his musical accolades, Elvis starred in 33 films and made numerous television appearances.
More than 60 years after his global debut, Elvis’ legacy is stronger than ever. His life and music have inspired countless hit musicals, movies and TV series’, fiction and non-fiction books, musical covers, and commercial endorsements, as well as a robust merchandise program spanning collectibles and fashion collaborations. An enduring symbol of “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s” stardom, Graceland, Elvis’ Memphis home, is the second most-visited home in the United States after the White House, drawing over 600,000 visitors annually and tens of thousands of fans for its Elvis Week celebration. With more than 15 million fans across social media and a growing multimedia presence, the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” continues to inspire today’s most influential musicians, designers, entertainers, and social influencers and captivate audiences around the world.
For more information, visit elvisthemusic.com. Shop Elvis products at shopelvis.com.
Follow Elvis on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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by admin | Aug 16, 2021 | IN THE NEWS
Newest Expression in the company’s “Distillery Reserve Series” Only Available Via Online Lottery Beginning Tuesday, August 17 at 12pm
Austin, TX (August 16, 2021) – Still Austin Whiskey Co., a homegrown distillery situated in the heart of South Austin, will unveil a limited-release Straight Wheat Whiskey tomorrow, the fifth expression in its highly-coveted “Distillery Reserve Series.”
The new whiskey expression is made of 100% winter hawk wheat, sourced exclusively from Texas farmers. The bourbon was aged for three years and four months. The end result yielded a total of (600) 750ml bottles, will which retail for $100 each. Whiskey lovers can enter into an online lottery for the chance to purchase a bottle by visiting the Still Austin website from Tuesday, August 17 at 12:00pm through Monday, August 30 at 12:00pm. Still Austin will notify all winners on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, via email, who will then have 24 hours to purchase their bottle. All bottles must be picked up at the Still Austin distillery beginning on Friday, September 3 at 11:00am CST.
“For this release, we wanted to show wheat’s potential, letting this subtle and suggestive grain shine on its own,” said John Schrepel, Head Distiller.
Like the spirits inside, the bottles themselves are works of creative expression. Still Austin enlisted Austin artist Tyler Skaggs to create the one-of-a-kind label. The artwork celebrates the duality of life: light and dark, nature and technology, life and death, beauty and decay. On the label, a maiden tempts fate as she dances with an alluring and mysterious serpent. The label has a special QR code printed on it which, when scanned with a smartphone, will open Instagram and trigger an Augmented Reality (AR) experience about how her curiosity soon turns grim. The experience will animate and come alive changing the label into a second piece of artwork. Users will be able to share this animation on their Instagram feeds.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: hints of buttered brownie crust and browned butter, followed by scents of fig, apricot and raspberry
- Palate: vanilla ice cream topped with honey, kettle corn and walnuts
- Finish: delicate and creamy with lingering impressions of tiramisu and espresso
Grain-to-Glass Philosophy
Still Austin is an independent craft whiskey distillery founded in 2015, focusing on a true grain-to-glass concept that produces the highest quality whiskey by perfecting every part of the process and using local resources and sustainable practices. The team is committed to carrying out each part of the process in-house. That means never sourcing whiskey from another distillery, and instead always hand-making everything from scratch, and managing everything in-house – milling, mashing, fermenting, distilling, barreling and bottling.
The Still Austin distilling team is led by Head Distiller John Schrepel, Master Blender Nancy Fraley and veteran Master Distiller Mike Delevante, one of the most experienced and respected distillers in North America who designed the distillery to make the highest quality of bourbon. That includes a 42-foot custom-made column, “Nancy,” (and her sister copper-pot still, “The Queen”) which give the distillers serious creative license to create unique new flavors and spirits. The team also uses Texas weather to its advantage. The region’s high heat, humidity and rapidly shifting temperatures encourage spirits to move rapidly in and out of the oak barrels and mature relatively quickly—but, if this process is left unchecked, it can also cause the bourbon to have heavy oak flavor or harsh tannic qualities. To prevent this, Still Austin uses a meticulous slow water reduction technique focused on flavor and balance, which gives the alcohol a softness on the palate and brings more “mature” notes to the forefront. For more information, visit www.stillaustin.com
About Still Austin Whiskey Co.
Founded in 2015 by three Austin families, Still Austin Whiskey Co. is a true grain-to-glass distillery, located at 440 East St. Elmo Road in the heart of Austin, Texas. All spirits are hand crafted using grains grown by Texas farmers. Still Austin’s collection of spirits includes the flagship Straight Bourbon Whiskey (aka “The Musician”) and American Gin (aka “The Naturalist”). Still Austin places a high value on sustainability, with a focus on cutting carbon emissions through local sourcing, increasing the biodiversity of the region through heritage grains, returning spent grains to local ranchers to feed their animals, and operating a distillery that is designed for energy efficiency and water conservation.
About the Artist
Tyler Winters Skaggs was born and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Tyler and his wife, Erin Michele Zimmerman, started Hokum Press in 2013 after relocating to Austin, Texas. Taking a southwestern pop art aesthetic and blending it with both high and low brow iconography, they borrow from the symbology of tattoo culture, alchemy, tarot, and lotería, making screen prints that speak their life growing up in the Mesilla Valley on the Chihuahua/New Mexico border.
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by admin | Jun 30, 2021 | IN THE NEWS
Original, Citrus and Cherry Varieties Now Available in Michigan
Traverse City, MI (June 29, 2021) – Traverse City Whiskey Co. (TCWC), a premium whiskey portfolio made in Michigan known as the “The Whiskey of the North,” has unveiled a signature line of Whiskey Highballs made with real straight bourbon whiskey.
Using Traverse City’s XXX Straight Bourbon Whiskey as the base (with a timeless profile of 75% corn, 21% rye and 4% malted barley), the new line of sessionable seltzers feature premium bourbon whiskey vs. sugar brew (malt). Each can features fresh juice and real ingredients with no added sugar.
The refreshing craft seltzers are now available in three varieties:
- Original: premium aged bourbon, a dash of aromatic bitters and refreshing seltzer
- Citrus: a squeeze of fresh citrus juice paired with premium aged bourbon
- Cherry: Michigan tart cherry juice plus premium aged bourbon
“While there are several types of seltzers on the market right now, our whiskey highballs are actually made with real bourbon and no substitutes,” said Chris Fredrickson, co-founder of Traverse City Whiskey Co. “Beyond great taste, they’re convenient, portable and ideal for your next trip to the beach, on the slopes or at the campground.”
The distilling team, led by Fredrickson, strives to make quality products, inspired by patented distilling techniques invented by his great grandfather that were approved by the US PTO during the Prohibition era. Each whiskey is made in a 400-gallon, custom Kothe still that is naturally cooled by Michigan ground water. In addition to its signature XXX Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the portfolio includes TCWC’s award-winning Barrel Proof Whiskeys, North Coast Rye, and American Cherry Edition, the best-selling craft spirit in Michigan.
TCWC’s Whiskey Highballs are currently available in on- and off-premise establishments throughout Michigan, including all Meijer, Plum Market and Spartan Stores, with plans to distribute in other U.S. markets later this summer. Each variety is sold in four-packs featuring 12 fl oz recyclable aluminum cans for the suggested retail price of $12.99. They contain 5% ABV and 90 (original), 95 (citrus) and 115 (cherry) calories, respectively.
For more information, please visit www.tcwhiskey.com and follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @tcwhiskey
About Traverse City Whiskey Co.
Traverse City Whiskey Co. is an independent and locally owned distilled spirits company based in Traverse City, Michigan, that’s dedicated to producing approachable premium to super-premium whiskey and bourbon. Known as “The Whiskey of the North,” the upstart company draws upon its early family roots in the distilled spirits industry dating back to the late 1800s, sourcing all grains from the Midwest.
Traverse City Whiskey Co. is a proud member of the Michigan Spirits Association and Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS).
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