CHRIS STAPLETON AND BUFFALO TRACE MASTER DISTILLER HARLEN WHEATLEY INTRODUCE TRAVELLER WHISKEY FULL PROOF

 The first line extension from the award-winning brand showcases how the artistry of American whiskey blending can create an approachable whiskey at any proof

FRANKFORT, KY (Feb 11, 2026) – Buffalo Trace Distillery Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley and Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and musician Chris Stapleton today unveil Traveller Whiskey Full Proof, a bold evolution of the original Blend No. 40, and the award-winning brand’s first line extension since its January 2024 debut. Bottled at 121 proof, the new release is a testament to the art of American whiskey blending, delivering amplified intensity while preserving the balanced, ‘easy-sippin’ versatility that defines Traveller’s signature style.

Much like making music, both Stapleton and Wheatley consider whiskey blending an art form – an intentional craft rooted in expertise, balance and creativity, where experimentation fuels inspiration. Curious how far Traveller’s signature 90 proof could be pushed without sacrificing its smooth, approachable character, the duo began exploring different blend adjustments and techniques. Guided by a shared commitment to quality, the breakthrough came during a backstage tasting, where Stapleton and his band unanimously agreed the selected higher-proof expression captured something special and needed to be bottled.

“Prior to collaborating with Harlen Wheatley and Buffalo Trace Distillery on Traveller Whiskey, I generally leaned toward higher-proof and barrel-strength bottles,” Stapleton shares. “Needless to say, when we decided to experiment with a higher-proof expression, I was excited to see where that could land. One night after a show, we had two potential Full Proof contenders backstage with the band and some friends. Everyone agreed 121 was the clear winner. It’s the same easy-to-drink DNA, just turned up a few notches. I think Traveller Whiskey Full Proof is one of those moments where more of a good thing is definitely a good thing.”

“Across our products, we like to experiment with proof as a way to bring out different flavor characteristics already present in the whiskey,” says Harlen Wheatley, Master Distiller, Buffalo Trace Distillery. “When we started experimenting with proof in Traveller’s blended recipe, flavors and finishes came to the forefront that aren’t as apparent in the 90 proof blend. It’s remarkable how different the blended recipe responds to proof variation compared to our straight bourbons. We think where we’ve landed is a completely unique offering that every whiskey drinker should try.”

Proudly blended and bottled at the World’s Most Award-Winning Distillery under Wheatley’s expert supervision, Traveller has quickly risen to be one of the fastest-growing whiskey brands in the world, winning numerous top awards and expanding rapidly to global markets. In 2025, it became the “Official Whiskey of Major League Baseball” and captured the attention of NASCAR fans worldwide when JR Motorsports’s Traveller Whiskey No. 40 Chevrolet, driven by Justin Allgaier, navigated a dramatic top 10 finish in the 2025 running of the DAYTONA 500 – a challenge they’ll attempt again in 2026. For those paying extra close attention, Traveller’s 121-proof release was quietly revealed in late January in a social media video featuring NASCAR Hall of Famer and JRM Co-Owner Dale Earnhardt Jr, Stapleton and Allgaier.

Traveller Full Proof delivers a rich, higher-impact expression with amplified notes of caramelized sugar, baking spice and toasted oak. Building on the smooth, approachable foundation of Blend No. 40, this 121-proof release opens up layers of flavors that bring added depth and length of finish. Highlighted in this version are flavors of vanilla, warm toffee, and dark fruit. The result is a whiskey that offers depth and complexity that will change expectations on what blended whiskey can achieve.

Initially launched as a limited release in February 2026, Traveller Full Proof is now available to retailers, bars and restaurants nationwide via Sazerac’s distributor network at a suggested retail price of $39.99 (750ml; local taxes and fees will vary).

To learn more, visit www.travellerwhiskey.com.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery 

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 40 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its George T. Stagg was named World Whiskey of the Year for 2022 and its Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye was named 2nd Finest Whiskey in the World for 2022. Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskeys. Buffalo Trace Distillery also has a deep commitment to supporting charitable initiatives. Nonprofit organizations interested in learning more about the Distillery’s efforts are encouraged to register their charity here. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery, visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

About Chris Stapleton

Kentucky-born Chris Stapleton is a 12x Grammy, 19x CMA and 21x ACM Award-winner and one of the country’s most respected and beloved musicians.

Adding to yet another triumphant year, Stapleton won Best Country Solo Performance at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards for his song, “Bad As I Used To Be,” and recently became the first country artist ever to have a song certified RIAA Double Diamond as “Tennessee Whiskey” sold over 20 million units.

The achievements follow the release of Stapleton’s latest single, “Heart Letting Go,” for Netflix’s hit show “Nobody Wants This,” as well as his acclaimed fifth studio album, Higher. Produced by Dave Cobb, Morgane Stapleton and Chris Stapleton, the record landed on several “Best of” lists including Billboard, Esquire, Los Angeles Times, Vulture and Rolling Stone, who praises, “dazzling…the best evidence yet for the way one man’s voice has become synonymous with the very idea of a musical genre.”

Universally beloved as a collaborator, Stapleton has worked with Adele, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Justin Timberlake, P!nk, Sheryl Crow, Santana, Post Malone, Dua Lipa, Slash and George Strait. He also returned to NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” for the third time as musical guest and performed the National Anthem at 2023’s Super Bowl LVII. Known for his electric live performances, Stapleton will continue his extensive “All-American Road Show” through this summer.

Stapleton and his wife, Morgane, are founders of the Outlaw State of Kind charitable fund, which supports a variety of causes that are close to their hearts.

The Oldest. The Rarest. The Most Iconic. 

Hedonism 2026 has arrived – and this year is our oldest, rarest and most extraordinary release yet.

Hedonism was the first whisky we ever released, and the first blended grain Scotch to reach the world stage. It changed how people thought about whisky forever, proving that flavour has no limits.

In 2026, that story reaches a new pinnacle.

The 2026 Limited Annual Release marks a profound milestone for Compass Box – representing the oldest, rarest and most intricate whisky we have ever crafted.

For the first time in Hedonism’s history, antique sherry casks have been introduced to the blend. Their influence is subtle but significant: adding a layer of complexity and darkness previously unseen in the lineage, while leaving the signature silkiness and luminosity entirely intact.

New Dimensions of Flavour 

Expect the classic, melting mouthfeel that defines our house style, now wrapped in richer, more layered tones. Caffè latte, butterscotch and orange cream give way to polished oak, nougat and hazelnut. The sherry dimension introduces roasted almond, tart raisin and fruitcake spice, before a long, elegant finish of cocoa-laced cream and milk chocolate.

Meticulously created under the guidance of Creative Director of Whiskymaking Angela D’Orazio, this edition is built around the most mature parcels of grain whisky we have ever worked with. At its heart sits an exceptional 30-year-old component from Strathclyde Distillery – an anchor of immense age and character. Supporting it are whiskies aged between 20 and 24 years, drawn from iconic grain producers including Port Dundas and Cameronbridge, alongside further mature parcels of equal distinction.

The result is unmistakably Hedonism – silky, luminous, indulgent – but deeper, darker and more contemplative than any edition before it.

Art. Whisky. The Muse.

From the very beginning, Hedonism has celebrated the power of the female image – the first whisky ever to feature a female face on its label.

For the 2026 release, we enlisted globally acclaimed Australian artist Emma Hack – celebrated for her arresting body art, photography and immersive fine art installations to create her own interpretation of the original Hedonism woman

With proud Scot and whisky-loving actor Karen Gillan as her Muse, Hack transformed the human form into canvas – using gilding, paint and photography to create a layered, immersive portrait that fuses body, pattern and mythology into a singular visual language.

In her role as Muse, Karen embodies the grace, strength and independence that have always defined the Hedonism woman. A lifelong whisky lover with roots in the Highlands and a bold presence on the world stage – we are so proud to have Karen as our 2026 Hedonism muse.

Shop now to be entered into the draw

Congratulations to our Head of Global Advocacy, Rob Patchett, who has been highly commended for Brand Ambassador – World Whisky of the Year award. Since joining the Cotswolds Distillery in 2022, Rob has been a passionate ambassador for our spirits, sharing his knowledge and unmistakable enthusiasm with whisky lovers across the globe. This recognition celebrates the way he brings our story to life, one conversation, tasting and perfectly poured dram at a time.

READ MORE

Following the success of our Christmas Gift Pack, and thanks to the feedback we received from so many of you, we’re pleased to confirm that the Wolfburn Luxury Whisky Gift Pack is now a permanent addition to our range. Designed to offer a more personal gifting experience, this refined gift set allows you to choose your preferred Wolfburn single malt, paired with two Wolfburn-branded Glencairn glasses for the perfect serve. Beautifully presented, it’s an elegant whisky gift suitable for birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions throughout the year.

The gift pack is now available across our entire core range, including: 12 Year Old, 10 Year Old, 8 Year Old Northland, Aurora, Morven and Langskip. Each expression offers a distinct flavour profile, cask character and clearly defined alcohol strength, allowing you to tailor the gift precisely to individual taste. Explore the Wolfburn Luxury Whisky Gift Pack and choose your single malt today.

The Wolfburn Team

The Good Dram Show – Episode 624 ‘A Viewers Choice’

Welcome to this week’s episode of the show. Like a couple of week’s ago, this is another viewers choice episode of the show, so a big thanks you to James Burgogne for the samples. The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum. Episode 624 – Burgo’s Bourbon BANGERZ..! Filmed in The Study Nottingham

Featuring
Ardnamurchan 2018 AD/ Venturers Club Release No4 (6 year old) 59.6%
ardnamurchandistillery.com

Chorlton Whisky Ben Nevis 14 year old 53.1%
Chorlton Whisky Balblair 16 year old 55.8%
chorltonwhisky.co.uk

Glasgow 1770 Small Batch ‘Aquavitae label’ 8 year old 55%
www.glasgowdistillery.com

Daftmill ‘Double Single’ 2009 (15 year old) 55%
www.daftmill.com

Maker’s Mark Taps Pop Art Powerhouse Ashley Longshore for Limited-Edition Label Celebrating Spirited Women

For the third year, the Maker’s Mark label will benefit leading nonprofit Vital Voices 

LORETTO, Ky., February 10, 2026 – Ahead of Women’s History Month, Maker’s Mark today announced a collaboration with acclaimed artist Ashley Longshore to design a limited-edition label celebrating spirited women and benefitting the leading nonprofit Vital Voices. Beginning today through the end of March, bourbon enthusiasts can visit makersmarkpersonalize.com to personalize a complimentary Maker’s Mark label with the name of an inspirational woman in their lives. Maker’s Mark will donate $1 for every personalized label ordered, up to $50,000, to support the organization’s mission of uplifting female leaders.

“When I make art, I go big, I go joyful and I go full color. Collaborating with Maker’s Mark to celebrate spirited women like the brand’s co-founder Margie Samuels felt like pouring that same energy onto the bottle’s label,” said Ashley Longshore. “This design celebrates women who burst into the world with color and courage — fearless women who think big and command attention wherever they go.” 

Ashley Longshore is a Southern-born, self-taught painter, sculptor and entrepreneur celebrated for changing the game—challenging the traditional art gallery business model by building her own pop art empire. Known for her vibrant maximalism and irreverent sense of humor, Longshore designed a label befitting of Margie Samuels and inspired the brand’s Kentucky homeplace. Bursting with bee-pollinating blooms found across Star Hill Farm, nature is at the heart of the label’s design with nods to the jewels—diamonds, pearls and gems—that have adorned Southern women for generations.

“From the very beginning, my grandmother Margie Samuels set a perfectly unreasonable standard that endures today—every bottle still hand-dipped in red wax, every barrel rotated by hand, and every decision guided by the brand’s higher purpose,” said Rob Samuels, managing director for Maker’s Mark and eighth generation whisky maker. “Ashley Longshore shares that same pioneering and uncompromising spirit. We’re thrilled to bring her art to life on a Maker’s Mark bottle while supporting the meaningful causes championed by Vital Voices.” 

While Maker’s Mark co-founder Bill Samuels, Sr. focused on crafting the highest-quality bourbon, his wife Margie shaped the brand; the bottle’s shape, the label, the signature red wax topper and even the name are all her legacy. One of the first women inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame, Margie also championed the distillery’s aesthetic and visitor experience, laying the groundwork for today’s Bourbon Trail. Women continue to lead across Maker’s Mark, from product development and farm operations, to brand marketing and sustainability.

Throughout the year, consumers can create a custom Maker’s Mark gift for anyone with the brand’s personalized label program. Labels are currently available for 750mL bottles, which must be purchased separately, and recipients must be 21+. For additional information about Maker’s Mark, please visit  www.MakersMark.com and share your personalized label at @makersmark on Instagram.

About Maker’s Mark 
Maker’s Mark® is the iconic handmade Kentucky bourbon driven by a vision for better flavor and a better world. In 1953, founders Margie and Bill Samuels, Sr. broke from tradition—burning the family’s 170-year-old recipe to create a bold, balanced bourbon made with soft red winter wheat for signature sweetness and creaminess. From the start, the Samuels went to remarkable lengths to craft uncompromisingly delicious bourbon—a perfectly unreasonable spirit that endures today. Every bottle is still hand-dipped in red wax, every barrel rotated by hand and every decision guided by the brand’s higher purpose.

Staying true to its founders’ vision, Maker’s Mark has expanded its portfolio with award-winning, super-premium expressions, including Maker’s Mark 46, Cask Strength, and Cellar Aged, as well as Private Selection, the brand’s custom barrel program. In 2025, the distillery debuted Star Hill Farm Whisky, its first-ever wheat whisky. Award-winning and the first to earn Estate Whiskey certification, Star Hill Farm Whisky inspired the Maker’s Mark Regenerative Alliance, a bold commitment to advance regenerative farming beyond its business, inviting farms, bars and restaurants to join the movement.

Maker’s Mark is proud to be both B Corp and Regenified Certified – milestones driven by the sustainability leadership at Star Hill Farm, home of the Maker’s Mark Distillery, which strives to be the most endearing, culturally rich and environmentally responsible homeplace in the world.

Learn more at www.makersmark.com.

About Suntory Global Spirits
As a world leader in premium spirits, Suntory Global Spirits inspires the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam® and Maker’s Mark®; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™; and leading Scotch brands including Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Suntory Global Spirits also produces leading brands such as Tres Generaciones® and El Tesoro® tequila, Roku™ and Sipsmith® gin, and is a world leader in Ready-To-Drink cocktails, with brands like -196™ (minus one-nine-six) and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails.

A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, Suntory Global Spirits is driven by its core values of Growing for Good, Yatte Minahare and Giving Back to Society. The company’s Proof Positive sustainability strategy includes ambitious goals and investments to drive sustainable change and have a positive impact on the planet, consumers and communities. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information, visit www.suntoryglobalspirits.com

We’ve got something new on the shelf – they’re small, but perfectly formed. We’re pleased to introduce two age statement whiskies to our 35cl range. Both the Wolfburn 10 Year Old and Wolfburn 12 Year Old are now available in this convenient, smaller size through our online shop and selected retailers, joining our other standard whiskies already available in 35cl bottles.

Whether you prefer a sherry cask-matured whisky or a touch of smoke, we have you covered. These are permanent additions to our range, sitting proudly alongside the full-size 70cl bottles. At 35cl, they’re more than a miniature, easier on the pocket than a full bottle, and an ideal way to explore our core range – or revisit an old favourite.

The 35cl format is also perfect for travellers with limited luggage space, a thoughtful whisky souvenir, a taster before committing to a 70cl bottle or simply enjoying great whisky without overcommitting. In short: the same award-winning single malt, just a little more approachable.

And while you’re with us, we’d love you to catch up on life at the distillery this winter. Fewer visitors, crackling fires, and some of the most atmospheric tours of the year.

Read our latest blog: Winter Distillery Tours at Wolfburn

As always, thank you for being part of the Wolfburn story – whether you’re tasting for the first time or adding another bottle to the cabinet.

The Wolfburn Team

Icons Of Whisky 2026

Distillery Manager Award

Our Production Director, Alice Pearson, has been awarded Distillery Manager of the Year in the Icons of Whisky category of the World Drinks Awards. Having been with the Cotswolds Distillery for nearly eight years, this award recognises Alice’s outstanding leadership, vision and dedication over that time. At 25, she is also one of the youngest distillers in the UK. Under her guidance, the distillery continues to push boundaries while staying true to our Cotswolds roots – championing quality and innovation in every drop that we make.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ALICE

The Brewer’s Coalition: 4 Hands Madagascar Stout Cask Finish — Available Now

We’ve partnered with 4 Hands Brewing Co. to bring you the latest release in our Brewer’s Coalition series — and just six barrels were selected for this limited-edition offering.

Crafted from 100% malted barley, aged over five years in premium ex-bourbon barrels, then finished in Madagascar Stout casks, this expression delivers bold character and layered depth from start to finish.

🍓 Juicy raspberries and lemon curd cookies on the nose
🍫 Dark chocolate raspberry cake, roasted pecans, and warm gingersnaps on the palate
🔥 A lingering finish of dark cocoa and raspberry cola

With only six barrels produced, quantities are extremely limited. Free shipping on orders over $100.

ORDER NOW

ralfy review 1117 – Isle Of Arran 10yo @50%vol: (Optic Local Barley)