Bourbon News for July 26, 2024

Welcome to my biweekly Bourbon Newsletter for July 26, 2024! I’ll do a short recap of notable Distillery, Whiskey & Bourbon News from the past two weeks. If you want to learn more about any entry, then simply follow the links to read the full press release or other sources. If you enjoy this newsletter and my website, please consider helping support them at my Patreon page. Cheers!🥃

Distillery & Bourbon News For July 26, 2024

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

This week, I focus on Maker’s Mark, with an article comparing some of their flagship bourbons, as well as a detailed write up about the distillery. In addition, I also have updated our write up about the James B. Beam Distillery, with a focus on their new tour experiences.

• Have you ever wondered what difference proof makes to a bourbon’s flavors? Well, I have, and I wanted to dive into the topic further. I did just that in my article Maker’s Mark Bourbon: Proof Matters, where I compare three bourbons that differ only in their bottling proof. The results may surprise you!
• The James B. Beam Distillery has recently revamped their visitor experiences. Learn all about them and the distillery in our in depth James B. Beam Distilling Tour Review!
• We also have full reviews of Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Maker’s 101 and Maker’s Cask Strength
• Read all about Maker’s Mark Distillery in our Maker’s Mark Distillery Tour Review!

Now, on to the news!

Weekly Whiskey & Bourbon News – July 26, 2024

Buffalo Trace opens another venue in Europe. This time, it’s in Paris, and is just in time for the Olympics!

Buffalo Trace Opens Paris Pop-Up

Buffalo Trace Distillery announced the opening of a temporary Pop-Up Shop this summer in Paris, France. The completely renovated retail store will offer fans the opportunity to purchase various whiskeys from the Distillery, including Buffalo Trace, Weller 12, Eagle Rare and Sazerac Rye, as well as custom Paris-themed merchandise, some of which can only be found at the pop-up this summer. Earlier this year, Buffalo Trace opened an outpost in London, which I believe will be permanent. The Paris location will be open just for July and August. In addition, guests can win the opportunity for an exclusive tasting of Weller expressions, including the new Weller Millennium. Full details about the contest and the pop-up are available in the press release.

Weekly Whiskey & Bourbon News – July 26, 2024

Wild Turkey had some difficulties with the latest Russell’s release

Russell’s Reserve Online Retail Site Crashes Twice During 15 Year Bourbon Release

For anyone who tried to purchase online the latest Russell’s Reserve 15 release from Wild Turkey, you will be all too familiar with the technical difficulties shoppers encountered. On the day of the first release, July 11, would-be purchasers were notified that orders could be placed starting at noon that day. No soon after the sale began, the site crashed and people who had succeeded in placing a bottle in their shopping cart were trapped in an endless loop while trying to check out. At around 6:30pm, shoppers received an email from the distillery saying the site was down due to overwhelming demand. A series of emails ensued over the next few days indicating that a repeat attempt would soon take place. On July 18, at 3pm, the online sale once again began, with similar results. I am told a few people successfully purchased bottles, but most had a déjà vu experience and left in frustration.

Many other distilleries have adopted a queuing process to prevent this kind of crash. Perhaps Wild Turkey should consider that, as well. Hopefully things will go more smoothly with their next online sale.

Weekly Whiskey & Bourbon News – July 26, 2024

Will we all soon be distilling at home?

Texas Judge Rules Home Distilling Ban is Unconstitutional

In the case Hobby Distillers Association v. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, No. 4:23-cv-01221, Texas Federal Judge Mark Pittman has ruled the longstanding Federal ban on home distilling is unconstitutional. He issued a permanent injunction against enforcing the ban against the Hobby Distillers. However, his decision was stayed for 14 days so the government could seek a stay at the appellate court level. So, it’s still not quite legal to fire up those home stills to make beverage alcohol, but that day may soon come!

This news story was reported by multiple outlets, one of them being Reuters, where you can read more details. If you enjoy reading legal documents, you can find the initial filing here.

Weekly Whiskey & Bourbon News – July 26, 2024

New Releases

• Elijah Craig Toasted Rye: Following the well-received release of Elijah Craig Toasted Bourbon back in 2020 (has it really been that long??!!) its time for a Toasted Rye. Heaven Hill announced their latest addition to the Elijah Craig family recently, and it already has hit store shelves and the distillery gift shop. Elijah Craig Toasted Rye begins with fully matured Elijah Craig Straight Rye Whiskey, which then is finished in custom toasted and charred barrels. My full review will be coming soon! 94 proof. $54.99. Press release.
• 15 STARS releases Three Kings, A Unique Blend of Straight Bourbon, Rye, and Wheat Whiskeys, aged 15 and 11 years, bottled at 107 proof and 13 Year Old Timeless Reserve, a blend of 13 and 15 year old Straight Kentucky Bourbons, bottled at 103 proof. I have been a big fan of all of 15 STARS whiskeys so far, and I would expect these to be excellent. My review of the Three Kings is coming soon. Three Kings: $179.99, 13 YO Timeless Reserve: $279.99. https://15stars.com
• Jack Daniel’s releases a new Distillery Series – Twice Barreled Tennessee Straight Rye. I don’t know about you, but I have become a big fan of Jack Daniel’s single barrel and limited offerings. That is, when I can get them. Unfortunately, that is not frequently enough, since they often don’t make much of an appearance in Kentucky. This latest release has some similarities to their recent Heritage Barrel Rye, however this one is re-barreled in new charred oak barrels and aged for an additional 2 1/2 years, whereas the Twice Barreled Heritage Barrel Rye was re-barreled in a high toast Heritage Barrel. My review is coming soon. Available at the distillery and select Tennessee stores. 107 proof. $41.99/375ml. Press release.
• Booker’s releases their second batch for 2024 – “The Beam House Batch“. Booker’s The Beam House Batch is named after the family home where Jim Beam, Booker Noe and now Fred Noe, and their families, lived and live. Barrels came from Warehouses Z, 3, Q & H. It is aged 7 years, 2 months and 22 days and bottled at 124.6 proof. $99.99.
• Uncle Nearest releases the first in the Lost Chapter Series: Lost Chapter 1 – 777. The first whiskey in the series honors the 7 year anniversary of the brand. It is a 7 year old single barrel whiskey, with 7000 bottles produced. In addition, purchasers of the Lost Chapter 1 – 777 will receive access to Founder Fawn Weaver’s book, Love & Whiskey: The Remarkable True Story of Jack Daniel, His Master Distiller Nearest Green, and the Improbable Rise of Uncle Nearest., as well as a link to download the first “lost chapter”. Additional unreleased chapters of the book will become available with subsequent releases in the series. 110-120 proof. $139. Press release.

Weekly Whiskey & Bourbon News – July 26, 2024

Thanks For Reading!

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 weekend and we’ll see you again in two weeks! Cheers!🥃

If you would like to read some of our other recent newsletters, then check out Bourbon News July 12, 2024 Edition and Bourbon News June 29, 2024 Edition. You can also use our search tool and search for “Bourbon News” to see all 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!