Bourbon News for March 17, 2025

Welcome to the Bourbon Obsessed Distillery and Bourbon News Newsletter! I am so glad you are joining me! This newsletter is coming out early because of the Beam Institute Industry Conference and the New Orleans Bourbon Festival, both of which are happening this week. Therefore, without further ado, let’s get on with the Distillery & Bourbon News For March 17, 2025!

Also, be sure to listen to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcasts, Spotify Podcasts or your favorite platform. You can also find it here. This week, my friend and bourbon aficionado, Dean Langdon, and I will discuss this week’s bourbon news and bourbon releases. Our podcast will be live by 5am on Monday March 17, so be sure to tune in!

Distillery & Bourbon News For March 17, 2025

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Distillery & Bourbon News For March 17, 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, as well as my in-depth article about Irish Whiskey!

• What is Irish Whiskey? – Since it’s St. Patrick’s Day, you may be curious about Irish Whiskey. Well, wonder no more! This article covers the rules, production methods, and the different styles that define Ireland’s most famous spirit. Read on to learn all about it!

• RD1 Spirits: A Fusion of Wood, Science & Bourbon Experiences – In this article, you’ll learn all about RD1’s new Research and Development Master Distiller, Jarrad Gollihue, PhD, and how he is using his research background to craft their spirits. In addition, RD1 Spirits is preparing to open their new brand home in The Commons in Lexington. This new destination will provide visitors with immersive experiences, tastings and education about the brand and their unique wood finishing techniques. Read all about it here!

• Wheel Horse Bourbon 101 Review – This high-rye bourbon is distilled at Green River Distilling Co and is then blended and bottled at 101 proof at Wheel Horse’s facility in Rumford, Rhode Island. Aged for over 4 years, Wheel Horse Bourbon 101 is described as “a very pleasant and approachable bourbon with a moderate complexity” by guest reviewer Laura Becker in her review. Read it here to learn more about this reasonably priced bourbon.

• Bardstown Bourbon Company Cathedral French Oak Barrel Finish Bourbon Review – This limited-edition, distillery only, release from Bardstown Bourbon Company showcases a blend of well-aged bourbons finished in French oak barrels which were crafted from the 300 year old trees which were harvested to restore Notre Dame Cathedral. This is one of the most unique bourbons ever produced by Bardstown Bourbon Company. Learn all about it in my review.

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, I also have reviews of a few Irish Whiskeys and blends:

• Muff Irish Whiskey Review – Muff Irish Whiskey is a 5 part blend of Irish Malt and Grain Whiskeys, including a peated component. I found that its oscillating degree of sweetness, combined with the increasing peat, provide a very nice complement to the pears and light honey which are present throughout the sip. Read my full review to learn more!

• Keeper’s Heart Irish + American 110 Proof Whiskey Review – A unique blend of American rye and Irish pot still and grain whiskeys, this 110-proof expression from Keeper’s Heart combines the best of both worlds. Learn all about how these completely different styles of whiskey work and play together, in my review.

• Two Stacks The First Cut Signature Blend Irish Whiskey Review – Two Stacks The First Cut Signature Blend is a 5 part blend of Irish pot still, single grain, and malt whiskeys, including a small percentage of a peated component. I am a fan of its ample fruit flavors, with the fairly subtle peat providing a nice change from the much more common unpeated Irish Whiskeys. Read my full review here.

Distillery & Bourbon News For March 17, 2025

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Distillery & Bourbon News For March 17, 2025

Now, on to the news!

There were quite a few interesting news stories and new bourbon releases this week. Read on to learn all about them!

Bourbon and Distillery News:

• Diageo Boosts Efficiency with Distillery Production Pause – Diageo has paused production and barrel filling at their carbon-neutral Lebanon, Kentucky distillery until the summer. According to a company spokesperson “Every year we run standard temporary slowdowns or shutdowns across our operations to support our efficiency and productivity goals. Since we are ahead of schedule with the volume we produce at the site, this year we decided to temporarily pause our distilling operations and barrel-filling activity through June 2025. (The Spirits Business)

• Irish Distillers Joins Diageo in Production Pause – Irish Distillers (owned by Pernod Ricard) has announced a temporary production pause, from April to the summer, at its Midleton distillery, following the similar move by Diageo at its Lebanon, Kentucky distillery. According to a company spokesperson. “Irish Distillers can confirm that Midleton Distillery is adjusting its production schedule for a routine, periodic review. This review demonstrates our ability to be agile with our production cycles and has been enabled through improved operational efficiency and state-of-the-art production facilities”. (The Spirits Business)

• British Distillery Produces Bourbon-Style Whisky – London’s Doghouse Distillery is producing a bourbon-style whiskey, called Debt Collector. It is made from English ingredients using the same techniques as bourbon. Their 3 year old “American Style” Whisky can not be labeled “Bourbon” since it is not made in the U.S. However, the distillery plans to sell this whisk(e)y in the U.S. at some point. (www.doghousedistillery.com/) (VinePair)

• Green River Distilling Announces Layoffs Following Parent Company Reorganization – Green River Distilling Co in Owensboro, KY, has announced layoffs as part of a broader restructuring effort by its parent company, Lofted Spirits. According to The Owensboro Times, Holly Weyler, public relations director for Lofted Spirits stated “As part of a strategic effort to position our organization for long-term health, we have made the difficult decision to right-size our production at Green River in Owensboro.” The layoffs are said to affect less than 30% of the local staff. Weyler also said the company is shifting to a single shift of production “as a direct response to contract distilling consumer demands and anticipated production needs now and in the future.” (The Owensboro Times)

• University of Kentucky Estate Whiskey Alliance Launches Estate Whiskey Certification – The University of Kentucky Estate Whiskey Alliance has introduced a new Estate Whiskey Certification. The Estate Whiskey Alliance celebrates three values: transparency, sustainability, and flavor of place, and Estate Whiskey Certified™ products will have each of the following characteristics:
-All production processes, including milling, cooking, fermentation, distillation, barreling, aging, and bottling, occur on the estate distillery.
-At least 2/3 of all mash bill grains are grown on estate-owned or controlled land.
Whiskeys that meet these requirements can display the prestigious the Estate Whiskey Certified™ logo on their qualifying bottles. 

Distillery & Bourbon News For March 17, 2025

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Distillery & Bourbon News For March 17, 2025

New Bourbon and Other Whiskey Releases:

There are a few new releases this week:

• Whiskey JYPSI Introduces Tribute Double-Barreled Bourbon – Whiskey JYPSI, co-founded by music artist Eric Church, has launched Tribute Double Barreled Bourbon, an 86-proof straight bourbon aged a minimum of four years and then proofed down and rebarreled in new American oak barrels for 3-6 months. This bourbon is crafted using heirloom grains, including a variety of the once-sacred Cherokee White Corn, sourced from small family farms. Tribute is priced at $44.99 for a 750ml bottle and is available online and in select liquor stores.

• Yellowstone Small Batch 107 Bourbon – Limestone Branch Distillery has introduced Yellowstone Small Batch 107 Bourbon, the first bourbon in the Yellowstone lineup to feature an age statement. Aged for 6 years, this bourbon is bottled at 107 proof, making it one of the highest proof offerings in the Yellowstone line. The higher proof also allows this bourbon to be bottled non-chill filtered. (107 proof; $44.99 for a 750ml bottle)

• Wheel Horse Toasted Barrel Bourbon (Spring 2025) – Wheel Horse has unveiled its Spring 2025 limited release of Toasted Barrel Bourbon, a 4-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon finished in toasted oak barrels. This expression was first aged in charred oak barrels for over 4 years before undergoing finishing in new toasted oak barrels for an undisclosed length of time. With only 3,500 bottles produced, this non-chill filtered bourbon offers a rich, enhanced oak profile. (101 proof; $42.99 for a 750ml bottle)

• 15 STARS Debuts Three Ports Bourbon – 15 STARS has released 15 STARS Three Ports Fine Aged Bourbon, a blend of 9- and 15-year-old Kentucky straight bourbons finished in Tawny, Ruby, and White Port casks. This limited-edition expression showcases what is thought to be a never before made blend. The mature bourbons are blended, and then finished in the three distinct port casks, with teh finished bourbon then again blended together. (105 proof; $179.99 for a 750ml bottle)

• Garrison Brothers to Release 2025 Edition of Lady Bird – Garrison Brothers has announced the 2025 release of Lady Bird, a Texas Straight Bourbon finished through a multistage process. First, the bourbon is aged for four years, then infused with Burleson’s Texas Wildflower Honey for 8-9 months, creating the cask-strength HoneyDew. After that, it is matured for an additional three years in French Cognac XO casks. The 2025 release is limited to 7,110 bottles. The first 1,000 bottles will be available starting April 5 at 8am at the distillery. The remaining bottles will then be available online and in stores in May. (114 proof; $179.99 for a 750ml bottle)

• Kentucky Peerless Toasted Rye – Kentucky Peerless has introduced Toasted Rye. This whiskey is initially aged in Kelvin Cooperage char level 3 barrels. Then, the mature whiskey is placed in toasted barrels to finish. “We chose to use a medium toast because it contains less tannins which results in a more aromatic whiskey with warm, sweet, savory character and strong vanilla overtones,” explains Peerless Head Taster, John Wadell. (109.4 proof; $134.99 for a 750ml bottle)

Distillery & Bourbon News For March 17, 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 weekend! See you next time! Cheers!🥃

If you would like to read some of my other recent newsletters, then check out my Bourbon News for March 7, 2025 and my Bourbon News for February 21, 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!