Evan Williams ® Single Barrel Debuts Bourbon Nation Collegiate Editions for Five Universities
Limited -Edition Bottles Begin Shipping to Key Markets Amidst March Madness and Spring Graduation Season

BARDSTOWN, Ky. — [March 24, 2026] — Evan Williams, the #1 American-Owned Bourbon, is announcing its release of five highly limited Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon Nation Collegiate Edition bottles celebrating The University of Alabama, University of Florida, Syracuse University, TCU, and the University of South Carolina. Every bottle features the respective university logo and is hand-selected from an individual barrel.

These Bourbon Nation Collegiate Edition bottles will be in their respective markets by early April, just in time for the excitement of March Madness and the celebrations of spring graduation season. Each bottle features a distinctive wax-dipped top in the coordinating color of the featured university, along with a custom hang tag showcasing the school’s official logo. The design creates a keepsake that allows fans and alumni to celebrate their school spirit while enjoying a uniquely selected single barrel bourbon.

The releases will be exclusively distributed within each school’s home state, creating a highly localized, limited-availability opportunity. These Bourbon Nation bottles are designed as collectible bottlings that celebrate each school’s tradition, heritage, and pride.

Evan Williams Single Barrel reflects the time-honored methods first established when the brand’s namesake opened Kentucky’s first distillery on the banks of the Ohio River in 1783. Today, each barrel is chosen for its distinctive character and bottled individually at 43.3% ABV (86.6 proof), creating a unique expression that pairs perfectly with moments worth celebrating—on campus and beyond.

“As a bourbon brand rooted in tradition, we love being part of the moments that bring people together,” said Max Stefka, Associate Vice President of Global Whiskey Brands, Heaven Hill. “These Bourbon Nation Collegiate Editions give fans and alumni a meaningful way to celebrate their schools, whether they’re cheering during tournament season, marking graduation, or simply sharing a glass with fellow fans.”

The Bourbon Nation Collegiate Edition bottles are part of Evan Williams Bourbon Nation, the brand’s platform celebrating the traditions and community of college sports fandom. Through partnerships with leading universities across the country, Bourbon Nation brings fans together around the energy of game day – from tailgates and watch parties to post-win celebrations, while enjoying America’s second-largest selling Bourbon responsibly.

In addition to these five editions, the brand is planning a second wave of Bourbon Nation Collegiate Edition releases timed for the fall football season with an expanded lineup of universities to be announced later this year. The Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon Nation Collegiate Editions will be available while supplies last within each university’s home state at an SRP of $34.99.

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.

Heaven Hill reminds everyone to think wisely, drink wisely®.

At 18 glorious years of age, this Scallywag Speyside malt reaches it’s crowning moment – it’s final years spent in the finest Pedro Ximénez sherry casks from Jerez in Southern Spain. With only 2,610 bottles globally, this release is understated in presentation, yet assured in quality, inviting you to savour life’s more considered moments. Bottled by Douglas Laing, at natural colour and no chill filtration.

SUPER SINGLE POT STILL IRISH WHISKEY

Irish Whiskey Month continues this March and today we take a deep dive into Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey…

So, what is Single Pot Still Whiskey? Pot Still Whiskey is characterised by the use of unmalted barley, and other grains, in the mash bill; all of which are then distilled via a Pot Still. The result of this ‘mixed-mashbill’ and pot still distillation is a much more creamy and spicy spirit than you might find from your typical single malt.

At the Whisky Shop, we have some of the finest Single Pot Still Whiskey from Old Comber to Green Spot and Redbreast!

Sláinte!

SINGLE POT STILL IRISH WHISKEY >

Free Next Day Delivery for 12 Months For just £14.95 you can enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs. Find out more ❯

Rhythm and Booze Records Releases Its First Whisky Blended Directly to Match an Artist’s Sound

The award-winning indie bottler and record label releases its fourth bottle in collaboration with fellow indie bottler Cask Le Sens, a superb blended Scotch inspired by the music of Edinburgh-based singer-songwriter Nicole Cassandra Smit.

Tasting exceptional spirits while listening to great music is one of life’s great pleasures. Now, the indie bottler and record label that embodies this combination is back with its most ambitious release yet.

Rhythm and Booze Records, the world’s first combination independent record label and spirits bottler, has released its fourth bottle: Rhythm and Booze Records #4: Nicole Cassandra Smit — Blended Scotch Whisky, created in collaboration with whisky consultancy company and indie bottler Cask Le Sens. The release pairs an expertly crafted blended Scotch whisky with an exclusive collection of original songs by Edinburgh-based singer-songwriter Nicole Cassandra Smit, recorded specifically for this bottle and available nowhere else.

As with all Rhythm and Booze Records spirits, the bottle’s front label showcases the featured artist, while a QR code on the back label leads to a private link where buyers can stream or download Nicole’s new songs to enjoy as they pour themselves a dram. The music is exclusive to the bottle and will not be available on any streaming platform.

This is the first Rhythm and Booze Records release to reverse the creative process: rather than curating a ready-to-bottle spirit to pair with the featured tunes, the creation of this whisky was directly inspired by Nicole’s music and blended together by Cask Le Sens co-founder Winnie Ng. The result is a blend that mirrors Nicole’s sound – initially sweet, easygoing and accessible, before revealing surprising depth and playful complexity the longer you sit with it.

Felipe Schrieberg, co-founder of Rhythm and Booze Records, describes the creative philosophy behind the release: “This is the first time we’ve created a whisky that was directly inspired by the music rather than the other way around. Nicole’s sound shaped the decisions made at the blending table. The result is something we’re genuinely proud of not just as a whisky or a music release, but as a single unified artistic statement.”

Winnie welcomed working on the ambitious challenge: “This is a project I have been longing to bring to life: curating a whisky that truly connects with music, to build a blend from scratch that fits the vibe and voice of a specific artist without any shortcuts and no pre-blended whisky in the recipe.”

To create the whisky, she included a significant portion of 35-year-old Invergordon grain whisky which contributes creamy, buttery richness at the heart of the expression. Malts sourced from Speyside and the Highlands provide structural integrity and fruity character.

Nicole is also thrilled about the new bottle featuring her music. Born in Jakarta, Indonesia and raised in Stockholm, Sweden, she draws on a rich and varied background, weaving together blues, soul, R&B, and pop across a deeply personal body of work. She first made her name on the Scottish live scene through sell-out performances at the Edinburgh Fringe and Jazz & Blues Festival, fronting acts including Nicole & The Back-Up Crew and lo-fi trio Smitten. Her 2022 debut solo album Third in Line blends soul and blues with experimental electronica.

For this release, Nicole revisits her lo-fi roots with a deeply personal collection of songs celebrating her heritage and family.

“I wanted these songs to feel intimate and honest,” Nicole says. “And I think the whisky captures that same feeling, something warm and welcoming on the surface, but with real depth and character underneath.”

Rhythm and Booze Records #4: Nicole Cassandra Smit – Blended Scotch Whisky is bottled at 50% ABV with only 300 bottles available and is available for £65 on the website for Cask Le Sens’ UK distributor Ruiseart Spirits as well as select retailers.

About Rhythm and Booze Records

Rhythm and Booze Records is an award-winning independent record label and spirits bottler, and the first of its kind in the world. Founded by award-winning whisky writer and musician Felipe Schrieberg and drummer Paul Archibald, the label pairs high-quality aged spirits with original music from artists spanning a broad range of sounds and styles.

About Cask Le Sens

“Le Sens” means “senses”, “direction” and “meaning” in French – reflecting our mission to guide whisky enthusiasts back to the pure joy of sharing and tasting whiskies, beyond the investment-focused market.

Co-founded by Hong Kong-born whisky enthusiasts Louie Lam, Winnie Ng and Richard Wong, Cask Le Sens specializes in whole cask trading, consultancy, and brokerage services, providing casks for enthusiasts, independent bottlers, bars, and whisky clubs, while also releasing their exclusive and collaborative bottlings.

Tasting Notes

– Body: Creamy and fresh

– Nose: Baked pears and vanilla custard lead the way, followed by butter cookies, cinnamon and caramel. Softer citrus notes of grapefruit peel round out the nose.

– Taste: Cookies take centre stage: stroopwafels, Swedish pepparkakor ginger cookies, Indonesian nastar pineapple tart cookies and traditional digestive biscuits all compete for attention. Orange citrus freshness persists at the edges, while cloves and prunes hint at additional depths.

Release details

– Name: Rhythm and Booze Records #4: Nicole Cassandra Smit — Blended Scotch Whisky

– Nicole’s EP

– Price: £65.00 (inc. UK VAT), 70cl

– ABV: 50%

– Outturn: 300 bottles

– Label Design: Adrian Borque

– Shop

Links

– Rhythm and Booze Records:
www.rhythmandboozerecords.com

– Cask Le Sens 

Introducing the first Single Cask Releases of Isle of Tiree Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Both Cask E7 & Cask E8 have been matured in Single Ex-Bourbon Quarter Casks.

A limited number of the two bottlings will be available to pre-order on Friday 27th March at 10am.

Orders will be dispatched w/c 20th April.

Visit Our Website  

With March has come two things: St David’s Day this past Sunday, and the blooming of crowds of daffodils, whose friendly yellow heads line every available flowerbed or roadside, it seems. The combination has me reflecting on Welsh whisky — a lesser-known category, but nevertheless a celebrated one.

Welsh whisky (or Wisgi Cymreig) is known for its light and delicate style, although the small, dynamic nature of many of the country’s distilleries allows for variation and innovation. Below, I have collated four Welsh whiskies worthy of joining your whisky shelf this March.

March doesn’t just herald spring, here at Whisky Magazine. It’s the month of two of our most-anticipated events: the World Whiskies Awards 2026 global results, and Whisky Live & Fine Spirits London. I really can’t think of a better way to celebrate the brilliant work happening in the whisky industry at the moment.

Bradley Weir, Whisky Magazine editor

Aber Falls

Single Malt Welsh Whisky

Aber Falls captures the flavours of North Wales in its core single malt, part of a family of whiskies that includes special cask finishes.

Tasting notes… Citrus, florals, spice. Smooth, approachable, and very drinkable

Penderyn

2015 10-Year-Old Bourbon Cask

Distilled on the Brecon Beacons using pure natural spring water from the national park, this Whisky Exchange exclusive is the perfect encapsulation of Penderyn’s spirit.

Tasting notes… Sponge cake and pastry. Sweet and fruity.

In the Welsh Wind

Brychan Blended Malt

Brychan has just been named Best Welsh Blended Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2026, meaning there’s never been a better time to try it.

Tasting notes… Chocolate, honey, fruit. Try this in a cocktail.

Dà Mhìle

Sherry Hogshead 2025 Release

At 9 Years Old, this organic single malt is Dà Mhìle’s oldest release to date. The distillery recommends pairing it with patatas bravas — how could we resist?

Tasting notes… Cherry, green apples, vanilla. A great achievement.

Distillery Corner: Tamdhu

Join Kirsty & Vic discussing Tamdhu; a distillery that’s become a firm favourite for sherry cask lovers (and for Vic, who says “the whisky is just fantastic”). Matured exclusively in first-fill sherry casks, Tamdhu delivers sweet vanilla, dried fruits and rich depth.

It’s a brilliant example of how quality spirit and quality wood come together. Shoutout too to the excellent Distillery Manager, Sandy McIntyre, who’s always been on hand to help us with filming and fun site visits. Superb guy.

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