Oscar Mayer Unveils First Bacon Innovation in Five Years with New Maple Bourbon Bacon

In partnership with Evan Williams, Maple Bourbon Bacon delivers what fans are craving: a sweet, smoky and savory twist on a breakfast classic

CHICAGO & PITTSBURGH — Oscar Mayer, the brand known for uniting millions around a love of meat, announces its first bacon innovation in five years. Introducing Oscar Mayer Maple Bourbon Bacon—cured with Evan Williams Bourbon, the new offering features thick-cut, expertly trimmed bacon, finished with Oscar Mayer’s signature 12-hour slow smoke and subtle notes of vanilla and caramel from the barrel-aged Kentucky bourbon. Bringing together two iconic brands that are known for high-quality craft and flavor, the innovation delivers a sweet, smoky maple-kissed savory bite with a smooth bourbon-inspired finish.

Rolling out to grocery store shelves nationwide, Oscar Mayer’s Maple Bourbon Bacon delivers on fan demand for new, flavorful ways to enjoy bacon. As recipes featuring maple and bourbon have surged in popularity — earning millions of Pinterest saves in the past year alone¹ — Maple Bourbon Bacon provides a trend-driven flavor people are craving — perfect for topping sandwiches, complementing breakfast dishes or even garnishing your favorite cocktail.

“While we have been crafting delicious bacon for 90 years, Maple Bourbon Bacon is an exciting new chapter for our bacon portfolio and shows consumers that we are thinking about bacon differently,” said Anna James, Brand Manager for Oscar Mayer. “With the bacon category growing and accounting for one-third of our business, we are leaning into bold, trend-driven flavors our fans want, bringing new energy to a beloved breakfast classic.”

Oscar Mayer Maple Bourbon Bacon kicks off a new bacon innovation flywheel for the brand, as it seeks to roll out a new variety each year through limited-edition launches and potential permanent portfolio additions. Leveraging emerging trends and fan feedback, the annual ambition will create a consistent pipeline of new flavors, forging new opportunities and occasions to enjoy bacon.

“Some flavor pairings just make sense, and Bourbon and bacon is one of them,” said Max Stefka, AVP Global Whiskeys at Evan Williams. “Partnering with Oscar Mayer on Maple Bourbon Bacon brings together two iconic flavors in a bold and unexpected way, delivering a sweet-and-smoky twist that celebrates the craftsmanship behind our Bourbon.”

The flavor-filled fun doesn’t stop there. Continuing its legacy of delightfully delicious meats, Oscar Mayer is launching two additional mouthwatering twists to its fan-favorite portfolio. Just in time for summer grilling season, the brand debuts two new hot dogs on grocery store shelves this spring: Beef and Pork Franks — balancing bold beef flavor with juicy pork — and Cheesy Smokehouse Stuffed Hot Dogs, a smoky take on Oscar Mayer’s beloved cheese stuffed dog.

To learn more about Maple Bourbon Bacon and Oscar Mayer’s other upcoming innovations, visit oscarmayer.com and follow @OscarMayer on Instagram and TikTok.

¹Pinterest internal data, US, boards with bacon pins saved, Jan 2025 – Dec 2025 vs. Jan 2024 – Dec 2024

ABOUT THE KRAFT HEINZ COMPANY

We are driving transformation at The Kraft Heinz Company (Nasdaq: KHC), inspired by our Purpose, Let’s Make Life Delicious. Consumers are at the center of everything we do. With 2025 net sales of approximately $25 billion, we are committed to growing our iconic and emerging food and beverage brands on a global scale. We leverage our scale and agility to unleash the full power of Kraft Heinz across a portfolio of eight consumer-driven product platforms. As global citizens, we’re dedicated to making a sustainable, ethical impact while helping feed the world in healthy, responsible ways. Learn more about our journey by visiting www.kraftheinzcompany.com or following us on LinkedIn.

ABOUT EVAN WILLIAMS

Evan Williams is among the leaders in the American Whiskey segment as the #1 American-owned Bourbon and the world’s second largest-selling Bourbon. In 1783, the brand’s namesake opened Kentucky’s First Distillery on the banks of the Ohio River. Many years and barrels later, Evan Williams Bourbon is still produced the right way, using the same time-honored methods. Since 2015, Evan Williams has proudly supported Veteran-focused organizations nationwide, contributing more than $750,000 to initiatives that honor and empower those who have served our country. In 2024, the brand debuted ‘Evan Williams Bourbon Nation’ to celebrate college athletics through a partnership with Learfield, making Kentucky’s 1st Distiller Game Day’s #1 Pour. The multi-year deal currently includes powerhouse universities across the country. The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience (www.EvanWilliamsBourbonExperience.com) celebrates the legacy of Evan Williams through an immersive visitor’s center experience that brings to life the history and tradition of Kentucky’s native spirit as an official stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Learn more at www.EvanWilliams.com.

Kavalan 15 Years Old

Taiwanese Single Malt Whisky

70cl · 43% ABV

Introducing Kavalan’s inaugural 15-year-old single malt whisky, a tribute to the subtropical essence of Taiwan, inspired by the island’s vibrant tropical fruit aromas. Aged in hand-selected ex-Bourbon barrels, Oloroso sherry casks, Ruby port barrels, and Puncheons, this whisky is crafted in small batches to achieve a harmonious blend, unveiling a rich bouquet and layered complexity.

£144.95

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Nose

Aromas of caramel apple mousse, fresh chocolate, walnut cinnamon rolls, and creamy popcorn, layered with hints of dried tangerine peel and plum.

Taste

Lush citrus notes of bergamot, lemon, orange, and grapefruit mingle with dried cranberries, raisins, and longan, unfolding into smooth flavours of dark chocolate gelato and caramel walnut coffee mousse.

Finish

Indulgent sweetness emerges with toffee and black date fruit, alongside a lingering warmth of woody cinnamon spice for a rich, lasting impression.

Distillery of the Day: Cotswolds

We asked duty manager Daisy Kerby-Smith to tell us more about the beautiful Cotswolds Distillery in England.

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New from Little Brown Dog

Celebrating 10 years of Inverurie Whisky Shop

Our favourite Local Independent Bottler returns four great new releases for your enjoyment. Some unusual, intriguing and ultimately tasty goodies here from the wonderful people of Little Brown Dog! Very Limited releases – don’t hang about!

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Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 603: Trip to the Lowlands 2026 – part 1 of 3

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, went to Edinburgh in March 2026 for a 5-day trip. This is his report. In part 1, he visits Holyrood Distillery, Rosebank Distillery and Falkirk Distillery, all under a perfectly sunny sky.

https://youtu.be/Gb_VJEYSwgw

Glencadam Visitor Centre goes seven days a week following surge in demand

Glencadam Distillery has extended its visitor centre opening hours, responding to rising visitor demand and strengthening its offering ahead of Scotland’s peak summer tourism season.

The Brechin-based distillery and visitor centre will now operate full tour, tasting, café and retail services seven days a week, increasing capacity and accessibility for guests.

Since opening in November, the multi-million-pound visitor experience has quickly established itself as a key destination on Scotland’s whisky tourism map, offering immersive distillery tours, tutored tastings, exclusive bottlings and hospitality experiences. The transition to seven-day operations reflects increased demand and follows a successful recruitment drive that has strengthened the team ahead of the busy summer season, enabling the distillery to welcome increasing numbers of domestic and international visitors while maintaining a premium experience.

The move also underscores the continued investment by owners Angus Dundee Distillers in both the distillery and the surrounding Angus region, reinforcing Glencadam’s growing role in supporting tourism, employment and local economic activity.

Iain Lochhead, Director at Angus Dundee Distillers, owners of Glencadam Distillery, said: “Opening our doors seven days a week is another proud milestone for everyone at Glencadam – and for the wider Brechin community. Since launching the visitor centre in November, we’ve seen strong and sustained demand from domestic and international visitors excited to experience the history, craftsmanship and character behind one of Scotland’s oldest working distilleries.

“This next chapter reflects the continued growth of the Glencadam brand. Every element of the visitor experience has been designed to celebrate more than 200 years of tradition, people and place, while creating lasting investment for the local area. It’s about honouring Glencadam’s heritage while continuing to invest confidently in the future of the distillery and the community around it.”

The announcement follows strong recognition at the 2026 International Spirits Challenge (ISC), where Glencadam secured multiple gold medals across its range. Glencadam 10 Year Old was awarded Gold, while the Glencadam 18 Year Old and Glencadam Reserva PX both retained Gold for the third consecutive year, underlining the global acclaim of Glencadam’s portfolio.

The awards also saw Glencadam’s newest release, the Glencadam 17 Year Old Réserve de Calvados, earn its first ISC medal. Crafted from hand-selected single malt, initially matured in ex-bourbon American oak before being expertly married and finished in the finest Calvados barrels sourced from Normandy, France, the limited-release expression delivers layers of orchard fruit and sweet spice balanced with Glencadam’s signature house style.

Limited to 6,360 individually numbered bottles, the expression’s launch marked a significant moment for the distillery earlier this year, coinciding with the rollout of Glencadam’s refreshed premium packaging.

Introduced following the distillery’s bicentenary celebrations, the new brand identity brings a more refined, contemporary and elevated look across the range, highlighting cask maturation, natural colour and non-chill filtration while reinforcing the distillery’s heritage storytelling and premium positioning.

Founded in 1825, Glencadam is one of Scotland’s oldest working distilleries, known for its traditional production methods that have remained largely unchanged for two centuries.

To find out more about Glencadam Distillery and to book tours and tasting experiences at the visitor centre, visit www.GlencadamWhisky.com or follow on social @GlencadamWhisky.

The café will also now operate seven days a week, opening daily from 9am, with a new breakfast menu launching on 1 June. Bookings can be made by calling (0)1356 622217.

Glencadam Distillery

Established in 1825, Glencadam Distillery is steeped in history, heritage and tradition, handcrafting single malt Scotch whisky in a process that’s remained unchanged for over 200 years. In 2021, Glencadam Distillery re-installed a working internal waterwheel, modelled on the original which was used to power the distillery back in in 1825.

One of Scotland’s oldest distilleries, Glencadam was mothballed for several years before it was purchased and re-opened by Angus Dundee Distillers in 2003.

Today, Glencadam’s multi-award-winning range includes American Oak Reserve, Reserva Andalucía, the 10-Year-Old, 13-Year-Old, 15-Year-Old, 18-Year-Old and 25-Year-Old expressions, as well as a series of special cask finishes.

Visit www.glencadamwhisky.com to find out more.

Glencadam Distillery Visitor Centre

Glencadam’s state-of-the-art visitor centre opened its doors in November, inviting visitors to explore two centuries of craftsmanship with an intimate look behind the scenes of this storied distillery.

Guests can enjoy guided tours, tutored tastings and an interactive exhibition, tracing Glencadam’s journey from its 1825 origins to its place among Scotland’s most celebrated single malts today. The new brand home also features a whisky lounge, café, retail shop and function suite, blending tradition with modern hospitality to attract more visitors to Brechin and the surrounding area.

The café is now open 7 days a week, opening daily from 9am. Bookings for the café can be taken by phone: (0)1356 622217. Breakfast menu available from 1 June.

To find out more and book a tour, visit: https://www.glencadamwhisky.com/pages/visitor-centre

Ardent Spirits

Invergordon 50 Years Old

ABV: 43% 50 cL

The wait is over… the Murray McDavid Spring Release 2026 has arrived 🌸🥃 This season’s collection celebrates everything we love about the Art of Maturation — exceptional spirit, innovative cask influence, and whiskies full of character. 3 Mission Golds. 4 Benchmarks. 1 Mystery Malt. 1 Select Grain. That’s 9 remarkable expressions — truly Clachan A Choin! Expect luxurious old grains, vibrant bourbon barrel maturation, indulgent sherry finishes, smoky coastal drams, and a few surprises along the way. These limited releases won’t hang around for long, so dive into the full collection and discover the stories, flavours, and inspiration behind every bottle.

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JOIN COURAGE CLUB BY MAY 31ST TO RECEIVE OUR NEXT CLUB EXCLUSIVE: AMONTILLADO CASK

Courage Club Exclusives are very limited releases, crafted especially for our Courage Club members. Each quarter features a new cask type, exploring how barrel influence shapes the spirit. This June 2026 exclusive was aged for 6 years in Amontillado sherry casks, revealing notes of fresh fig and honey layered with almond pastry and delicate spice. Join Courage Club by May 31st to unlock this exceptional bottle—along with member-only perks, savings, and exclusive member-only releases. Shipments will arrive mid-June.

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