Bourbon News for February 21, 2025

Welcome to my biweekly Distillery and Bourbon News Newsletter! I am so glad you are joining me! There is quite a bit of news this week, as well as new bourbon releases. Therefore, without further ado, let’s get on with the Distillery & Bourbon News For February 21, 2025!

But first, in case you didn’t know, I also have a podcast where we discuss the latest bourbon news and releases! You can listen to it on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcasts, Spotify Podcasts or find it here. I’ll once again be joined by Dean Langdon, and together we will discuss this week’s bourbon news and bourbon releases. It will be live around noon on February 21, so be sure to tune in!

Distillery & Bourbon News For February 21, 2025

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Distillery & Bourbon News For February 21, 2025

But First, Here’s What’s New on BourbonObsessed.com!

Before we get on with the news, I would like to share some of my latest bourbon reviews!

• AM Scott’s Rye Whiskey Barrel Proof Review – In his review, Ray Marcano from The Bourbon Resource takes a closer look at AM Scott’s Rye Whiskey Barrel Proof from this craft distillery in Troy, OH. With only 51% rye, this whiskey, which is sourced from an undisclosed distillery in Indiana, is as close to a bourbon as possible. Ray really enjoyed it, and thought it delivered in both taste and price! Read his full review here.

• RD ONE 10-Year Amburana Finished Bourbon is a unique release that highlights the impact of Amburana wood finishing on well aged bourbon. RD ONE took care to ensure that the finish complemented, but did not overpower, those mature bourbon flavors. And you know what? They did a great job! Check out my full review here.

• Borchetta Small Batch Bourbon is from Big Machine Distillery in Nashville and Lynnville, TN. They use locally grown grain, ground on a restored 1950’s stone mill, and distilled in copper pot stills. Bottled at 80 proof, the body is a bit light, but the flavors are very enjoyable. Read my full review here.

• Barrell Craft Spirits Foundation Double Barrel Bourbon is made from a blend of bourbons of various ages from Kentucky (8yr), Indiana (5, 6, and 9yr), Tennessee (8yr), and Maryland (5 and 6yr). The blend then undergoes a secondary maturation in new oak barrels. This all adds up to a delicious, complex bourbon whose flavors seem to change with every sip. Read my full review here.

• World Whiskey Society Doc Holliday Bottled in Bond Bourbon is the latest addition to the Doc Holliday line. There’s not a lot of information given about this bourbon, other than it is at least 4 years old, and it was distilled at Scissortail Distillery in Moore, Oklahoma. I’m not sure that the Scissortail Distillery is still in business, and can’t find much current about it. So, if you are familiar with it, please let me know. Regardless, this bourbon is not overly complex, but has a nice transition from fruit to spice, making for an enjoyable enough pour. Check out my full review here.

• Michter’s Bomberger’s PFG Precision Fine Grain Bourbon is one that I couldn’t wait to try. It is made by taking fully matured Michter’s bourbon and then finishing it in second, new, proprietary toasted and charred, French fine grain oak barrels. These barrels are very unique, in that they are made from a blend of French oaks of varying origins. In addition the wood was air dried for a minimum of 40 months. I really enjoyed this bourbon, and it’s not like any other Michter’s whiskey that I have tried. Read my full review here.

Distillery & Bourbon News For February 21, 2025

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Distillery & Bourbon News For February 21, 2025

Now, on to the news!

We’ve got quite a few interesting news stories this week. Read on to learn about them all!

Bourbon and Distillery News:

• India Bourbon Tariff Reduction – A new trade agreement between the U.S. and India will significantly reduce India’s crazy high tariffs on bourbon, from 150% to 100%. Still crazy high, but better. Currently, India ranks as Kentucky’s 14th largest export market, importing $3 million in whiskey annually. With the tariff reduction in place, this figure is expected to increase significantly, providing new growth opportunities for Kentucky distillers. Read the full press release here.

• Jack Daniel’s Partial Warehouse Collapse – A partial warehouse collapse occurred at Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee, but fortunately, no injuries were reported. The warehouse was built in the late 1960’s and holds around 19,000 barrels. Approximately 3,000 barrels were involved in the collapse, with the spill mostly contained to the site of the collapse. Read the full article here.

• Sazerac California Wildfire Relief Fundraiser Features Rare Bourbons – The Sazerac Company (the owner of Buffalo Trace Distillery, Barton 1792 and others) has launched a fundraising initiative to support California wildfire relief efforts. Offerings include the first-ever single barrel of Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year Old, a complete set of the Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Collection and a bottle of Eagle Rare 25, with 100% of proceeds benefitting World Central Kitchen and Another Round Another Rally charities. The raffle tickets sales and auction end 11:59PM EST on Sunday, February 23, so you still have time to enter and bid. Read the full press release and find the link to enter here.

• Green River Whiskey Joins NY Racing Team and J.J. Yeley in Quest for The 2025 Daytona 500 – Well, the Daytona 500 is over, but it’s never too late for news about it! Green River Whiskey teamed up with NY Racing Team and driver J.J. Yeley for a shot at the 2025 Daytona 500. Unfortunately, we know now his bid was unsuccessful. Nonetheless, I found this partnership particularly interesting since Lux Row’s Rebel Bourbon sponsors Richard Childress Racing and Kyle Busch, who also competed in the Daytona 500. Read the full press release here.

• Yellowstone Bourbon National Parks Conservation Donation Reaches $1 Million – Yellowstone Bourbon has reached a major milestone in its commitment to preserving our national parks, surpassing $1 million in donations to the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA). Since 2018, the brand has partnered with NPCA to support conservation efforts, helping protect and maintain some of America’s most treasured landscapes. They have also renewed their partnership with the NPCA, which includes an annual donation of more than $250,000. Way to go Yellowstone Bourbon! Read the full press release here.

Distillery & Bourbon News For February 21, 2025

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Distillery & Bourbon News For February 21, 2025

New Bourbon and Other Whiskey Releases:

New whiskey releases are continuing at a rapid pace. We’ve got quite a few this week:

• B.R. Distilling Company Launches Limited Release Blue Note Special Reserve – B.R. Distilling Company has unveiled its second-annual Blue Note Special Reserve, a limited-release bourbon. This expression is a blend of 10 casks finished in various barrels, including cognac, madeira, sherry, port, triple sec, apricot brandy, amontillado, vanilla cognac, and vino de naranja, with ages ranging from four to 19 years. (116.3 proof; $225 for a 750ml bottle) Read the full press release here.

• Evan Williams Pegasus Kentucky Derby Festival Bottle for 2025 – Evan Williams has released its 2025 Kentucky Derby Festival Bottle, featuring a 2017 vintage Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon bottled at 106 proof. Each bottle is hand-dipped in pink wax and includes an official 2025 Pegasus Pin in an attached envelope. Available starting February 13, 2025, at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience and select Kentucky retailers for $89.99 per 750ml bottle. Read the full press release here.

• Three Chord Backstage Series Allman Brothers Band Peach Brandy Barrel Finished American Whiskey – Three Chord has unveiled the latest release in its Backstage Series, paying tribute to the Allman Brothers Band for a second time. This limited-edition whiskey commemorates the 53rd anniversary of the release of their album “Eat a Peach”. It’s a Peach Brandy Barrel Finished American Whiskey using a blend of 9 year old Kentucky bourbon and 11 year old Tennessee whiskey. (107 proof; $200 for a 750ml bottle) Read the full press release here.

• A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Bourbon #4 – A. Smith Bowman Distillery has announced the fourth release in its Cask Strength Bourbon series. Hand-selected by Distiller David Bock, this year’s release has been aged a minimum of ten years and presents itself at 139.7 proof. A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Bourbon #4 will be available through an online lottery. The lottery opens February 24 at noon EST (139.7 proof; $99.99 for a 750ml bottle) Read the full press release and find lottery details here.

• Bulleit Bottled in Bond Bourbon – Bulleit has introduced its first Bottled in Bond Bourbon. The bourbon was distilled at the Bulleit Distilling Company in Shelbyville, Kentucky, and aged for at least 7 years. Available nationwide starting February 2025, it is bottled at 100 proof and priced at $54.99 per 750ml bottle. Read the full press release here.

• Edmond’s Honor Vanilla Barrel Aged Bourbon Whiskey – Edmond’s Honor has released its Vanilla Barrel Aged Bourbon Whiskey, a unique expression that undergoes finishing in Madagascar vanilla extract-soaked cognac casks. The bourbon is a tribute to Edmond Albius, the overlooked Malagasy botanist prodigy who revolutionized vanilla cultivation by hand pollinating orchids. I had no idea about the process around growing vanilla, so found this all very interesting. Available at select retailers in Georgia, New Jersey, and Florida or nationwide via their website. (90 proof; $54.99 for a 750ml bottle) Read the full press release here.

• Woodford Reserve Chocolate Whisper Redux – Woodford Reserve just announced the latest release in their Distillery Series. At 139.4 proof, Chocolate Whisper Redux is their highest-proof offering yet. This bourbon was produced immediately after the Master’s Collection Chocolate Malted Rye, and a “whisper” of chocolate from the deeply roasted rye carried over in the distillate, influencing the flavor profile of this bourbon with roasted chocolate notes. This second release is 12 years old. (139.4 proof; $99.99 for a 375ml bottle) shop.woodfordreserve.com/

Distillery & Bourbon News For February 21, 2025

Well, that’s it! I hope you have enjoyed this week’s Bourbon News! If you would like our bourbon and distillery news delivered directly to your inbox, please sign up for our newsletter here. You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook. I hope you have a great Super Bowl weekend, and stay safe! We’ll see you again in two weeks. Cheers!🥃

If you would like to read some of my other recent newsletters, then check out my Bourbon News for February 7, 2025 and my Bourbon News for January 24, 2025. You can also head over to our Newsletter Archive to see all the prior editions.

Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!