Bourbon News for September 20, 2024

Welcome to my biweekly Bourbon Newsletter for September 20, 2024! Being that it is Bourbon Heritage Month and release season, there is quite a bit of news this week! If you want to learn more about any entry, then simply follow the links to read the full press release or other sources.

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Distillery & Bourbon News For September 20, 2024

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

This week, we have reviews of the 2024 release of Baker’s 13 Bourbon, and a revisit to a flagship bourbon from Old Elk. In addition, I once again review glassware, this time comparing a beautiful glass from LIITON to the classic rocks glass.

• Baker’s 13 Bourbon Review (2024 Release) – Baker’s 13 was one of my favorite bourbons of 2023, so I was very excited when they released it again this year. Did it meet my expectations? Read my review to find out! Full Review.
• Old Elk Wheated Bourbon Review – I originally reviewed this bourbon in 2022, but used a brand new bottle for this revisit. With a whopping 45% soft red winter wheat in the mashbill, this is a pretty unique bourbon. Full Review.
• LIITON Grand Canyon Whiskey Glass Review – A year or so ago, I had written an article comparing the DIAMAS Tumbler to different whiskey glasses. Recently, I was sent a very attractive LIITON glass to review. I again did comparison tests, which yielded interesting results. Full Review.

Distillery & Bourbon News For September 20, 2024

Now, on to the news!

• The Kentucky Bourbon Festival – Another fantastic KBF is in the books! I spent a full week at the festival, from set-up to take-down, and everything in between, and I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences. Stay tuned for a detailed article about this year’s event! In the meantime, here are a few quick stats: The Festival took place September 13-15 in Bardstown, Kentucky, the Bourbon Capital of the World. There were 6200 ticketed guests from all 50 states, as well as international attendees. In addition, this is the third consecutive year that the festival has sold out. 62 distilleries participated and had 45 exclusive single barrel picks available for purchase. Finally, the dates for next year’s Festival have been announced, so mark your calendars for September 5-7, 2025.
• The Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame® recently inducted five Bourbon Legends, including the first Black chemist at Brown-Forman, a veteran visitor center manager, and three influential distillery founders. The event, held at The Legacy at Log Still Distillery in conjunction with the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, celebrated these individuals for their substantial contributions to the Bourbon industry. Founded in 2001 by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, the Hall of Fame honors those who have made a transformative impact on Bourbon’s growth and recognition. This year’s inductees include Elmer Lucille Allen, Dee Ford, Ken Lewis, the late Peter T. Loftin, and R.M. Corky Taylor. Each was recognized for their pioneering efforts and lasting influence on the industry.
• The IWSC’s (The International Wine and Spirits Competition) first North American Whiskey Judging in Kentucky was a notable success, with over 300 awards given to American Whiskeys. Kentucky Straight Bourbons were the standout, earning 9 gold medals and 1 gold outstanding medal. The highest-scoring entry was the Toasted Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey from Kentucky Peerless Distilling, praised for its rich wood nose, with lots of fruit, spice, wood sugars and balanced flavor and complexity. The event highlighted the exceptional quality and innovation in American Whiskey production. Full details and the list of winners are available here.
• Bulleit Frontier Whiskey adds 10-Year-Old Rye as a permanent addition to its line up. This new expression joins the Bulleit Bourbon 10-Year-Old, forming the “Bulleit 10-Year Aged Whiskeys” range. The Bulleit Rye 10-Year-Old, with its 95% rye and 5% malted barley mash bill, is aged for a minimum of 10 years in charred American white oak barrels, offering rich caramel and toffee notes, pear-like fruitiness, and a spiced rye finish. It has already received accolades, including a Gold Medal at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Full Details.
• Lawrenceburg Bourbon Company rebranded as Larrikin Bourbon Company during last weekend’s Kentucky Bourbon Festival. Owners Greg and Katie Keeley wanted to get back to their Australian heritage, and thus, renaming the distillery was in order. Embracing the Australian spirit of “larrikinism,” which signifies a maverick attitude, Larrikin Bourbon Co. aims to blend tradition with innovation. In addition to the name change, the distillery also launched its first Bottled in Bond whiskey, an 8-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon. Full Details.
• Wild Turkey Distillery honored Jimmy Russell’s 70th anniversary with the distillery with a celebration, a portrait and the release of Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell’s 70^th Anniversary 8-Year-Old Bourbon. Jimmy began working at the distillery which would become Wild Turkey, when he was 18 years old, and rose up through the ranks to become Master Distiller. The bourbon will be available in the global market. 101 proof. $50. Full Details.

Distillery & Bourbon News For September 20, 2024

New Releases

• Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Special Release Coy Hill Barrelhouse 8 – A complex Tennessee Whiskey from barrels matured at the distillery’s highest elevations. The latest expression in the Single Barrel Special Release series is bottled at barrel strength with proofs ranging from 122 to 137.5. $79.99. Coy Hill whiskeys are always highly sought after releases, and I have been highly unsuccessful at obtaining a bottle. Maybe this time.🤞 Press Release.
• OH Ingram 2024 Flagship Bourbon – O.H. Ingram River Aged has announced the release of its 2024 Flagship Bourbon, an ultra-premium expression limited to just six barrels, which debuted at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival on September 14. This year’s release, aged for six years and six months, boasts a complex flavor profile and is expected to sell out quickly. 117.7 proof. $79.99. I have enjoyed this bourbon in the past, and am looking forward to reviewing the new release soon. Press Release.
• Angel’s Envy Triple Oak – A new, permanent addition to the Angel’s Envy line up. Triple Oak is a blend of bourbons finished in three types of barrels sourced globally: Hungarian Oak from Hungary, Chinkapin Oak from Kentucky, and French Oak from France. 92 proof. $74.99. Press Release.
• Sable Bourbon– Harold Perrineau, Malcolm D. Lee, Morris Chestnut, and Taye Diggs, known for their roles in “The Best Man,” have launched Sable, a bourbon that celebrates their enduring friendship and cultural connection. Crafted with Bespoken Spirits. 94 proof. $59.99. Press Release.
• Hidden Barn Organic Wheated Bourbon – Crafted by Master Blender Jackie Zykan, this 6-year-old wheated bourbon was distilled at Journeyman Distillery. 106.2 proof. $79.99. Press Release.
• Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2024 – This year’s release is a blend of 15% 12-year-old and 85% 13-year-old bourbons, making it the most mature Maker’s Mark Bourbon ever released. 119.3 proof. $174.99. I was a big fan of last year’s release and am looking forward to this one! Press Release.
• Wolves American Single Malt – Wolves, a luxury California whiskey brand, has launched its first flagship American Single Malt, available year-round. This is a landmark step for Wolves, which up to now has only released limited editions. This whiskey is aged for five years in California wine barrels and finished in aged cognac casks, resulting in a richly layered flavor profile. 96 proof. $89.99 Press Release.
• Redwood Empire Van Duzen Rye Whiskey – The 4th release in Redwood Empire’s Small Lot Series, this rye’s mash bill contains 31% malted barely, consisting of 7 different varieties. 94 proof. $79.99. Redwood Empire.
• Silverbelly Single Barrel – Country Music star Alan Jackson’s Silverbelly Whiskey releases their first single barrel offering. 5.5 year aged Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey. 115 proof. $65.99. Press Release.

Distillery & Bourbon News For September 20, 2024

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 for September 6, 2024 and Bourbon News for August 23, 2024. 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!