Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Tour Attendance

Tops 2 Million For First Time Ever

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experiences eclipsed two million in total attendance last year for the first time in its history, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association announced today.

The 2,135,555 total visits easily shattered its previous record of 1.7 million stops in 2019, a 38% increase. In the last 10 years, the amber adventure has skyrocketed by a phenomenal 370% in attendance.

The KDA created the KBT® in 1999 to give visitors an intimate, educational look behind the state’s most historic distilleries. Total attendance through its 18 participating distilleries last year was 1,397,268.

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® launched in 2012 as the first excursion in the country to showcase smaller distilleries. Now featuring 24 distilleries, its total attendance last year was 738,287.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear congratulated the KDA and members of the state’s signature Bourbon and distilling industry on their focus and success.

“It’s incredible to see attendance for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® reach an all-time high in 2022, the same year this signature industry saw record-breaking investments and job growth,” Gov. Beshear said.

“The success of Kentucky’s Bourbon industry isn’t slowing down any time soon, and I am grateful to KDA, the distilleries, our tourism partners and all the amazing Kentuckians who work hard to make this industry so special.”

KDA President Eric Gregory said KBT® and KBTCT experiences are an integral part of local and state tourism efforts. Research shows Bourbon tourists trend younger, spend between $400 and $1,200 on their trip, travel in large groups and stay longer than the average visitor to Kentucky.

More than 70% of visitors are from outside Kentucky, he said, and nearly half have household incomes over $100,000. “This is a home run demographic for local communities, generating valuable revenue and tax dollars while boosting a hospitality industry that’s still recovering from the COVID pandemic.”

Secretary Mike Berry of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet said, “Bourbon is a key driver for tourism in Kentucky, drawing visitors from around the world to our Commonwealth. In a post-pandemic environment, travelers are thirsty for our native spirit and all the exciting opportunities tourism has to offer.

“We celebrate this good news and look forward to welcoming even more guests to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail tours.”

Founded in 1880, the KDA is the voice for Bourbon and spirits issues. Its diverse membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from legendary, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are building the next generation of America’s only native spirit.

KBT® members are Bardstown Bourbon Co., Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience and Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown; James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont; Wilderness Trail Distillery, Danville; Four Roses and Wild Turkey, Lawrenceburg; and Cox’s Creek; Angel’s Envy Distillery, Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, Michter’s at Fort Nelson, Old Forester Distilling Co., Stitzel-Weller Distillery, Louisville; Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co., Lexington; Maker’s Mark Distillery, Loretto; Green River Distilling Co., Owensboro; Bulleit Distilling Co., Shelbyville; and Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles;

KBTCT™ members are Preservation Distillery and Willett Distillery in Bardstown; Kentucky Artisan Distillery, Crestwood; Boone County Distilling Co., Florence; Whiskey Thief Distilling and Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort; Dueling Grounds Distillery, Franklin; The Bard Distillery in Graham; Casey Jones Distillery, Hopkinsville; Limestone Branch Distillery, Lebanon; Barrel House Distilling Co., Bluegrass Distillers and James E. Pepper Distillery in Lexington; Copper & Kings and Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co., Louisville; Second Sight Spirits, Ludlow; The Old Pogue Distillery, Maysville; Log Still Distillery, New Haven; New Riff Distillery, Newport; Hartfield & Co., Paris; MB Roland Distillery, Pembroke; Boundary Oak Distillery, Radcliff; Jeptha Creed Distillery, Shelbyville; and Neeley Family Distillery, Sparta.

Mandy Ryan, Director of the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experiences, said the tremendous growth can be challenging. Most distilleries now require reservations, so booking experiences in advance is crucial.

The KDA recently launched a social media campaign encouraging people to “Book Now, Bourbon Later” due to the rise in Bourbon tourism and a growing demand for authentic, curated and rare experiences,

“We are thrilled to welcome visitors from all over the world to experience our rich history and Southern hospitality,” she said. “But please plan ahead so you can slow down and savor our Bourbon culture and everything Kentucky has to offer. Like we say – the proof is here.”

Bourbon is one of Kentucky’s most treasured industries, a booming $9 billion economic and tourism powerhouse sustaining more than 22,500 jobs with an annual payroll topping $1.23 billion each year, and paying over $285 million in local and state taxes and $1.8 billion in federal alcohol taxes.

A key export, the iconic industry is currently in the middle of a $5.2 billion building boom, from innovative new tourism experiences to expanded production facilities, bottling centers and aging warehouses, all to meet the growing global thirst for Kentucky Bourbon.

Bourbon production has soared more than 475% since the turn of the century.

Kentucky now boasts more than 11.4 million barrels of Bourbon aging in warehouses across the Bluegrass, the most in its revered distilling history. Distillers filled more than 2.6 million barrels last year alone, the fourth year in a row that production topped the 2 million mark.

Visit www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com to learn more.

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association that passionately unites, promotes, protects and elevates the Commonwealth’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. The KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. 

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL CRAFT TOUR®, KENTUCKY BOURBON AFFAIR™, KBT®, BOURBON TRAIL™, KENTUCKY BOURBON HALL OF FAME®, ORDER OF THE WRIT®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TALES®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL WELCOME CENTER®, URBAN BOURBON TRAIL® and THE PROOF IS HERE® are trademarks/service marks of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. 

Please enjoy Bourbon like a true Kentuckian – Responsibly

February 2023 Auction  // 24.02.23 – 06.03.23

Now Live: February Auction

A warm welcome to our February auction. Featuring over 6,000 rare whiskies and fine spirits, this is a unique opportunity to bid on some of the world’s most sought-after bottles.

Our live auction features some of the most iconic releases from The Macallan and Karuizawa to ever come to auction. Highlights include The Macallan Six Pillars Collection 65 Year Old & the 1965 Japonisme Edition Karuizawa – one of only 60 bottles in existence. Discover rare bottlings from Speyside’s finest distilleries, including well-aged Benromach and a wonderful Strathisla collection from Gordon & MacPhail. We also feature an array of rare expressions from Bowmore’s most iconic vintage – 1964.

Discover this and many more in our auction now.

Browse our live auction.

The Heralded 1964 Vintage at Bowmore

Macallan 65 Year Old Lalique Six Pillars Collection

Karuizawa 1965 Japonisme Edition / LMDW 60th Anniversary

Highland Park Highlights – Avery for Corti Brothers

Strathisla 1954 -1972 Gordon & MacPhail Collection

Elijah Craig Partners with Sports Broadcaster Amanda Balionis Renner, Adding to Team Elijah Craig

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Elijah Craig Bourbon today announced a new multi-year partnership with sports broadcaster Amanda Balionis Renner. A native Pennsylvanian and whiskey-lover, Amanda’s success both in media and the golf world will now be supported by Elijah Craig as the “Official Bourbon of Amanda Balionis Renner.” Amanda joins Team Elijah Craig alongside PGA Tour Pro Max Homa.

“As a sports broadcaster I’m lucky to cover golf tournaments all over the country and world. One of my favorite things about the game is who I get to enjoy it with—including close friends like Max Homa,” said Amanda. “Our hang outs just got a lot better now that I’m Team Elijah Craig’s newest golf brand ambassador. Max has me beat on the course, but as an avid whiskey fan, I’ve got the edge when it comes to mixing with award-winning Bourbon. I’m looking forward to enjoying Elijah Craig with Max at the 19th Hole and raising a glass with golf fans everywhere!”

Team Elijah Craig embodies the striver mindset, endeavoring to achieve greatness and master their craft. Best known for her work as a sports broadcaster, Amanda conducts interviews on-course with many of the PGA Tour’s biggest stars at high-profile golf tournaments each season. Elijah Craig fans will experience Amanda’s engagement for themselves through integrated marketing campaigns, social media collaboration, and public appearances.

“Amanda Balionis Renner knows that just like fine Bourbon, success doesn’t come overnight. Her grit and determination to achieve her goals make the perfect addition to the Elijah Craig team,” said Max Stefka, Elijah Craig Group Product Director. “We look forward to celebrating golf’s most historic moments with Amanda and a glass of Elijah Craig.”

The Elijah Craig team and 19th Hole campaign extend the fan experience beyond the course. The annual campaign includes premium media placements in golf publications, digital and social media, consumer contests, and in-store displays rounding out the 360-degree program. The brand also is proud to be named “The Official Bourbon” of PGA Tour Pro Golfer Max Homa and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

ABOUT ELIJAH CRAIG BOURBON:

Elijah Craig Bourbon bears the name of the Reverend Elijah Craig, known as “The Father of Bourbon,” who established his distillery in 1789 on the banks of Elkhorn Creek in modern-day Georgetown, Kentucky. He is credited with being the first distiller to age his wares in charred oak barrels. The clear, unaged corn whiskey became transformed into a bold amber liquid with a distinctively smooth flavor that makes Bourbon what it is today. Today, Elijah Craig’s community impact continues through Elijah Craig Old Fashioned Week, providing total donations of over $300,000 to date to organizations supporting the hospitality industry. Produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated distillery and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon, the Elijah Craig lineup includes: Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Elijah Craig Straight Rye Whiskey, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and Elijah Craig 18-Year-Old Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Elijah Craig’s accolades have included Whisky Advocate’s Whisky of the Year, Best Small Batch Bourbon and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and Excellent Highly Recommended honors at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. For more information, please visit www.elijahcraig.com. Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

Two French Oak ex-Tawny Single Casks
TD0403 & TD0289

On Monday we release two first-fill French oak ex-Tawny single casks, TD0403 and TD0289. TD0403 is one of our few 225L French oak ex-Tawny casks, dubbed ‘French oak, turned up’ due to its incredibly rich and luxurious flavour profile. Dark and brooding, this whisky is the result of a limited run of ultra generous oak. TD0289 displays more of a classic Sullivans Cove French oak maturation, with added nuance from the extra years it spent in its cask, TD0289 strikes that elusive balance between spirit, pre-fill and oak.

French Oak ex-Tawny TD0403

One of our very few, ultra generous, 225L French oak ex-Tawny barrels. Prepare for massive waves of roasted nuts, coffee beans, cake batter and malty chocolate – TD0403 becomes richer, darker and gains more presence with every moment in the glass. Pairs well with cold nights, fire-sides, and your favourite jumper. Matured for 9 years in a first-fill 225L French oak ex-Tawny cask, yielding just 257 bottles of Sullivans Cove single cask whisky.

Read the full tasting notes here

French Oak ex-Tawny TD0289

Spiced honey and rye cake, boysenberry swirls, dusty antique furniture, cocoa puffs and oolong tea meet a lemon-oil edge and flickers of mandarin. TD0289 is a great example of the far reaches of flavour that a French oak ex-Tawny maturation can achieve. Zesty and bright while also dark and brooding – choose your own adventure! Bottled at 49.1%, matured for 14 years in a first-fill 300L French oak ex-Tawny cask, yielding 293 bottles of Sullivans Cove single cask whisky.

Read the full tasting notes here

These whiskies will be released via ballot. The ballots will open for 24 hours from 10am Hobart time on Monday 27th of February. Further details will be sent via email prior to the ballots opening. A note on our ballot system. Our policy is one entry per person, per household, per ballot. Our fraud detection algorithm detects multiple entries and removes them to ensure our whisky lands in the hands of our genuine supporters, so to ensure your entry counts, please enter each ballot once only. If you have any questions around our ballot process, you can email us at info@sullivanscove.com Successful entries will be notified shortly after the ballots close.

Our February auction ENDS SOON!

Place your bids until Sunday 26th February 2023.

www.whiskyhammer.com

Every month, we present an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits to our members right across the globe. You will find everything here from limited edition releases and vintage bottles to whole casks of rare whisky. There is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest or enjoy!

Whistlepig – 12 Year Old (The Boss Hog) 1^st Edition (75cl)

Karuizawa – 1969 (Single Cask #8183)

Balvenie – 16 Year Old (Rose) 1^st Edition

Yamazaki – 2014 + 2015 + 2016 (Limited Edition) 3 x 70cl

Selling whisky? Why not arrange the pick-up of your bottles using our global courier service? If you’re based in Scotland, you might want to arrange the personal collection of your bottles. Wherever you’re based in the world, we will make getting your bottles into our monthly auction as simple as possible. Get in touch with the Whisky Hammer team now by dropping them a message at sales@whiskyhammer.com.

Register Your Interest: A rare Highland Park expression…

We can’t say much about this release, or anything at all really… But Highland Park have a new expression coming out this week. This expression is limited and sought-after, so we would like to register interest ahead of time in anticipation of a ballot to purchase the product. Sign up below and have a shop of the rest of their range too.

Enter the Deposit Process

The total cost of this expression is £39,000. We are now inviting a deposit of £5,000. This refundable deposit provides entry to the ballot; it does not guarantee that you will receive a bottle. The deposit will be taken and released within 72 hours if you are unsuccessful in the draw. Closes at 12:00pm on 27th February 2023. A member of our team will be in touch by 28th February 2023.

Register Your Interest Now →

In Collaboration with Christopher Kane

The Spirit of 1926 tells the story of Janet ‘Nettie’ Harbinson, a remarkable woman in The Macallan’s history. To bring her story to life, we collaborated with many talented partners, including globally renowned Scottish fashion designer, Christopher Kane. He beautifully captured the essence of Nettie’s spirit and lifestyle through his designs. Learn about our collaboration with Christopher Kane, from where he drew his inspiration and the fabrics he used, to working with Emily Mortimer to aptly portray Nettie’s quiet heroism.

DISCOVER

The Macallan Distillery Experience, The Macallan Distillers Ltd,  Easter Elchies, 

Craigellachie, Moray, AB38 9RX, Scotland, +44 (0)1340 318 000

North Star Spirits Tarot ‘The Fool’ Blended Whisky

A new release from North Star, this new blended release features a new astrology vibe in its label design, a little different to their usual astronomy vibe. This blend components are from Edrington with the grain being North British, see pictures for the cask it was delivered to North Star Spirits in!

TAROT – THE FOOL

ralfy review 965 Extras – Opinion on new distilleries in 2023

RARE DALMORE-50 YEAR OLD-1926 LEADS BONHAMS EDINBURGH WHISKY SALE

Dalmore-50 year old-1926. Estimate: £13,000-18,000

Edinburgh – A bottle of the rare Dalmore-50 year old-1926 in a ceramic decanter and its original wooden presentation case leads Bonhams online-only Fine Whisky & Spirits Sale which runs from Monday 20 February – Wednesday 1 March 2023. It is estimated at £13,000-18,000.

Other highlights of the sale include:

·  A bottle of Mortlach-60 year old-1938. Distilled shortly before the outbreak of World War II and bottled in 1999, this is one of a release limited to 100 bottles. It comes in a crystal decanter and a copper presentation case designed and created by the distillery’s coppersmiths, Forsyth’s of Rothes. Estimate: £12,000-15,000

·  A bottle of The Macallan Fine & Rare-30 year old-1973, bottled in 2003. One of 534 bottles drawn from cask no. 6098, it is estimated at £12,000-14,000.

• A bottle of Macallan-Glenlivet-22 year old. Liqueur Scotch Whisky, 100% Scotch Malt. Bottled by Row & Company Distillers Ltd. Imported by British American Importation Co. Ltd. 4/5 Quart. Single malt, 86 Proof. One of the earliest bottles ever to be released by The Macallan Distillery, it was imported for the US market by the British American Importation Co. Ltd, who at the time were sole importers of The Macallan. Released in the 1940s, and at 22 years of age, this bottle contains spirit distilled by The Macallan during the 1920s – a similar vintage to the legendary Macallan 1926. Estimate: £5,000-6,000. 

• A bottle of Springbank Local Barley-24 year old-1966, bottled in 1990. Estimate: £7,000-9,000. 

• A bottle of The Macallan-1950. Estimate: £5,000-6,000.

• A bottle of The Macallan Anniversary Malt-25 year old-1958/59, bottled in 1985. Estimate: £4,800-5,200. 

Georgia Porteous, Bonhams whisky specialist in Edinburgh, said, “For our first sale of the year we have assembled a wide choice of whiskies at all price ranges. It is led by the very special and much sought-after Dalmore-50 year old-1926, but we are also offering many bottles at entry-level estimates aimed at new collectors.”

Sale: Fine Whisky & SpiritsLocation: Online-only on bonhams.comDate: Monday 20 February – Wednesday 1 March 2023

NOTES

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and collectables, collectors’ cars and a luxury division, which includes jewellery, designer fashion, watches, wine, and whisky. In 2021 and 2022, Bonhams made a number of important acquisitions which form the wider Bonhams network. These include: Bukowskis, Bruun Rasmussen, Bonhams Skinner, Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr and The Market by Bonhams.

There are 14 salerooms around the globe: UK: New Bond Street, London; Knightsbridge, London; Edinburgh. US: New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Marlborough. Hong Kong: Admiralty. France: Avenue Hoche, Paris; Rue de la Paix, Paris. Belgium: Brussels; Denmark: Copenhagen. Sweden: Stockholm and Australia: Sydney.

With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 60+ specialist areas.

In 2022, Bonhams held a number of important auctions and offered landmark single-owner collections, including the white glove sales of Sir Michael Caine: The Personal Collection, Sir Terence Conran: The Contents of Barton Court, Personal Property of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and The Robert & Jean-Pierre Rousset Collection of Asian Art: A Century of Collecting. Other notable single-owner sales included Style and Substance: The Collection of George and Charlotte Shultz and The Claude de Marteau Collection.

Top lots for 2022 included a 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder (Sold for US$4,185,000), a pair of blue and white octagonal candlesticks (Sold for HK$30,453,00/ US$3,911,913), La femme en rouge au fond bleu by Chaïm Soutine (Sold for £1,842,300/ US$2,236,940), and a rare emerald and diamond Cartier bracelet (Sold for US$3,240,375).

More information and highlights can be found HERE

For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com

The Bonhams Network

Bukowskis

Established in 1870, Bukowskis offers fine art and collectables from its saleroom in Stockholm as well as online. In 2021, it sold 11 of the 15 most valuable artworks in the Swedish market – achieving the highest price for a Swedish artwork ever sold at auction – while their innovative digital presence attracts more than one million users every month.

Bruun Rasmussen

From its Copenhagen saleroom and online, Bruun Rasmussen sells more than 75,000 lots each year across categories from furniture, paintings and modern design to silver, wine and collector’s items such as books, arms and armour, stamps and coins.

Bonhams Skinner

Renowned New England auction house Bonhams Skinner holds some 80 auctions a year in 20 collecting categories – including Americana, fine art, collectables and wine, and ranging from fine violins to contemporary paintings – at its salerooms in Boston and Marlborough, Massachusetts, as well as on its highly effective digital platform for online sales.

Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr

Established in 1973, Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr is famous throughout the auction world for its high-profile single-owner sales. With salerooms in Paris and Brussels, it holds auctions in more than a dozen categories, including fine art, haute couture, Asian art, collectable cars, jewellery, watches and more.

The Market by Bonhams

The Market by Bonhams is the record-setting and fastest-growing online marketplace for classic and collectable cars auctions in the UK, Europe and the United States. Combining traditional auction practices with an innovative, exciting digital platform, they offer a five-star service, no buyer’s fees and the lowest seller’s commission in the industry.