Jim Beam and Kenan Thompson Encourage Disappointed Football Fans to Turn Lemons Into Jim Beam & Lemonade with an Exclusive Kit That Aims To “Refresh Your Season”

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL® EXPERIENCE WELCOMES 10 NEW DESTINATIONS

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour today welcomed 10 new destinations, increasing the total to an all-time high of 68 stops. Visitors from across the globe now have more opportunities than ever to experience the art and craft of Kentucky Bourbon.

This expansion includes new distillery experiences and urban satellite tasting rooms, from far Western Kentucky to the amber triangle of Louisville, Lexington and Bardstown. Bourbon is now giving local communities a valuable tourism boost in 32 of the state’s 120 counties.

Founded in 1999 by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® adventure has grown into a global, bucket-list phenomenon, attracting more than 2.5 million visitors annually from all 50 states and dozens of countries.

“It’s been amazing to watch the exponential and powerful growth of our Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour since its humble beginnings of seven distilleries in a handful of counties when much of the state was still dry,” KDA President Eric Gregory said.

“Today, the Bourbon Trail™ journey is transforming communities big and small across Kentucky, bringing new visitors and precious tourism dollars to every corner of the state,” he said. “The Napa-esque dream for Kentucky Bourbon is becoming a reality.”

Research shows nearly 80% of Bourbon Trail™ visitors are from outside the Commonwealth, have higher household incomes than the average Kentucky tourist, travel in larger groups, stay longer, and spend more.

The KDA is also making it easier for visitors to plan their pilgrimage through the upcoming launch of its “Build Your Own Bourbon Trail®” online feature, which will allow travelers to craft and share itineraries with their friends. And, more features are in the works.

“With 68 unique and innovative destinations, we encourage travelers to slow down, savor all the beauty and Bourbon that Kentucky has to offer, and make plans to return. After all, it takes time to craft the world’s finest whiskey. We invite you to come back for more.”

By region, the ten new experiences include:

Bardstown Region

WhistlePig Distillery & Bottling (Brandenburg, Meade County) coming soon

Central Region

J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery (Frankfort)

Lexington Region

Dark Arts Whiskey House (Lexington)

LF Heritage Distilling (Georgetown)

Louisville Region

Left Bank Distilling Co. (Louisville)

Chicken Cock Whiskey Circa 1856 – Louisville Tasting Room (Louisville)

Green River Louisville Tasting Room (Louisville)

WhistlePig, The Vault Tasting Experience (Louisville) coming soon

Western Region

General George Stillhouse (Falls of Rough)

Purple Toad Winery & Distillery (Paducah)

Tourism Partner Quotes

Stacey Phelps, President, Bardstown-Nelson County Tourism

“Bardstown is proud to be the Bourbon Capital of the World, and this expansion of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® reinforces what we’ve always known, Kentucky Bourbon is more than a drink, it’s an experience that’s meant to be shared. These new destinations will bring even more visitors to our community, supporting local businesses and showcasing the hospitality that makes Bardstown unforgettable.”

Mary Quinn Ramer, President, Visit Lex

“Bourbonland is expanding, and these new additions to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® allow visitors to have even more of a reason to bring a part of their trek to Lexington. From world-class distilleries to vibrant culinary and cultural experiences, we’re excited to welcome travelers from near and far, with open arms as they immerse themselves in the heritage and hospitality that makes Kentucky one-of-a-kind.”

Cleo Battle, President & CEO, Louisville Tourism

“Louisville’s role as Bourbon City continues to grow with the addition of these new Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experiences. As the only walkable spirits destination in the world, Louisville offers a distinct urban complement to the broader and bucket-list Kentucky experience.”  

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) is the worldwide voice of Bourbon

Gifts For Your Valentine

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, have you thought about what to gift your loved one yet? For the whisky lover in your life, a bottle from the Cotswolds Distillery is a thoughtful way to mark the occasion – rich in flavour, beautifully crafted, and chosen with care. A gift to enjoy together, long after the day itself.

SHOP HERE

Jura 12

Know your loved one enjoys whisky, but not sure what to gift them for Valentine’s Day? Jura 12 Year Old – the UK’s number one ^[1], award-winning Single Malt ^[2] – makes finding your perfect match easy.

Each bottle features Jura’s pioneering taste scale, designed to take the guesswork out of gifting by clearly showing the strength of its three key flavours (rated from 0–6): ripe peach (4), bright citrus (3) and lightly toasted walnut (3). It’s a whisky designed to help you discover what you love – before you’ve even cracked open the bottle.

Crafted since 1810 at Jura’s beachside distillery, it’s a dram made for slowing down and enjoying unhurried moments with loved ones.

However you toast your nearest and dearest this Valentine’s Day,  Jura 12 Year Old fits the bill – enjoy it neat, or in a Jura Scottish Island Iced Tea:

• Add 40ml Jura 12 Year Old, 50ml peach tea, 15ml lemon juice and 10ml sugar syrup to a shaker with cubed ice.
• Dry shake, then wet shake, and fine strain into an Old Fashioned glass or Jura tumbler filled with fresh ice.
• Top with ginger ale and garnish with a sprig of thyme and a slice of apricot.

Pick up Jura 12 Year Old from ASDA, Co-op, Morrisons, Tesco and specialist retailers including Master of Malt and The Whisky Exchange, RRP £41.

Fettercairn 16 Year Old

For the one who loves to discover something new, Fettercairn 16 Year Old offers a refined escape to brighter, more tropical flavours.

Shaped by over 200 years of whisky-making expertise, Fettercairn’s pioneering copper cooling ring creates an exceptionally smooth Highland Single Malt. Expect vibrant layers of mango, passionfruit, Madagascan vanilla and soft spice, brought together with effortless elegance.

For an evening to remember, why not try the Fettercairn 1824 Martini? Ideal for candlelit dinners or a celebratory toast for two. To make it at home, simply combine:

• 37.5ml Fettercairn 16 Year Old
• 12.5ml kumquat liqueur
• 10ml Fettercairn honey syrup
• 15ml lemon juice
• 4 dashes banana & coffee bitters

Shake briskly with ice, fine strain into a chilled Champagne coupe, then top with Crémant sparkling wine. Garnish with a fresh lemon twist for a final touch of finesse, and serve well chilled in your most elegant glassware.

Fettercairn 16 Year Old is available from a range of retailers, including The Whisky Shop, RRP £87.

[1] Nielsen 2022, by Volume and Value [2] World Whiskies Awards Scotland 2026

Edinburgh’s Whisky History by Iain Russell (Part 2)

The inimitable Iain Russell discusses Edinburgh’s Whisky History, this time chronicling the Blenders, Brokers, Brands and Bars. See how many of the names you know and catch up with Part 1 here (on distilling) if you missed it.

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Discover American Single Malt in New York

Approved Course Provider Lia Niskanen will teach the EWA Certificate in American Single Malt Whiskey at Kings County Distillery, Brooklyn on 13 & 14 April 2026. Two days of expert-led teaching, on-site distillery insights and sensory evaluation, perfect for professionals and enthusiasts exploring this exciting new category.

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Distillery Corner: Tamnavulin

In this episode of Distillery Corner, Kirsty and Vic explore Tamnavulin. Owned by Whyte & Mackay, Tamnavulin is used for blends but has also released some approachable, great-value single malts of late that deserve a closer look. As Vic explains, good whisky doesn’t need to be expensive and this is a distillery well worth trying.📖 Read the Blog​ | 🎬 Watch the Video

Jan Damen, Saltire Rare Malt European Sales Director

SCOTTISH WHISKY AWARDS BEST NEWCOMER MAKES SWEDISH DEBUT WITH FIRST ONLINE TASTING

Fresh from being named Best Newcomer at the 2025 Scottish Whisky Awards, Saltire Rare Malt will host its first-ever Swedish tasting on Tuesday 17th February 2026, marking another important step in the independent bottler’s expanding European journey.

The online tasting introduces Swedish whisky drinkers to Saltire Rare Malt, the Falkland-based independent bottler through a curated six-dram tasting pack and guided live session. Hosted by Klaus Bitschnau, Founder and Chief visionary officer of Whiskykalendern & Whiskysnack and Jan Damen, Keeper of the Quaich and European Sales Director for Saltire Rare Malt, who will introduce the brand, its philosophy and the stories behind each cask.

The tasting pack contains six 5cl samples from the Saltire Rare Malt range – each a minimum of 14 years – alongside a sixth dram from sister brand The Falkland Collection, a small-batch single malt whisky – tasting packs as well as Saltire Rare Malt’s full range of whiskies are available now through the BeMakers platform.

The Saltire Selection

• Dailuaine 14yo – 1st Fill Bourbon Hogshead
• Royal Brackla 16yo – Cask Strength, Refill American Oak
• Tanmavulin 17yo – 2nd Fill ex-Oloroso European Oak
• Speyside Distillery 18yo – The Cigar Malt, 1st Fill PX Hogshead
• Ardmore 14yo – 2nd Fill ex-Marsala Barrique
• The Falkland Collection – Speyside Single Malt, ex-Oloroso Butt

The tasting will take place online from 7-8pm (CET). Access details will be shared directly with customers who purchase the tasting pack.

Commenting on the Swedish debut, Jan Damen European Sales Director for Saltire Rare Malt said: “Sweden is an important and exciting market for Saltire Rare Malt. The depth of knowledge and curiosity among Swedish whisky drinkers makes this the perfect place to introduce our approach to enjoying whisky. It’s a real honour to have an expert like Klaus involved, we’re in for a fun night!”

Headquartered in Falkland, Fife – where Scotch whisky was first recorded in 1494 – Saltire Rare Malt has seen rapid growth across Europe, with strong momentum in markets including the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Poland. The Swedish tasting represents the next phase of that expansion as the company moves confidently into 2026.

Founded by lifelong friends Nigel Heywood and Keith Rennie, and guided by internationally respected whisky writers Hans and Becky Offringa (The Whisky Couple), Saltire Rare Malt continues to build its reputation through thoughtful maturation, limited releases and an unwavering focus on quality.

Saltire Rare Malt Tasting Pack & Online Tasting
Tuesday 17th February 2026
Online | 7-8pm (CET)
599 SEK (incl. VAT)

About Saltire Rare Malt Whisky
Saltire Rare Malt are bottlers of a unique range of limited-run single malt whiskies. The independent bottling company was born from a longstanding partnership between friends & founders Nigel Heywood and Keith Rennie – the pair have collected fine and rare single malts over three decades. A shared passion for the ‘water of life’ led to the creation of Saltire Rare Malt – a global vehicle to share their outstanding collection of Single Malt Whiskies.

W: https://www.saltireraremalt.com/
I: https://www.instagram.com/saltireraremaltwhisky
F: https://www.facebook.com/people/Saltire-Rare-Malt-Whisky/61554723364117/

About The Whisky Couple, Hans & Becky Offringa:

Hans Offringa is an international author and whisky expert who has worked in the industry for over 30 years. An inductee of the Whisky Hall of Fame, a Kentucky Colonel and a Keeper of the Quaich, Hans is a judge at the Scottish Whiskies Awards and the World Whisky Awards and serves as Director on the Advisory Board of The Council of Whiskey Masters.

Becky Lovett Offringa is a Keeper of the Quaich and co-author of numerous whisky books. Becky is a well-respected judge at the Scottish Whisky Awards and the World Whiskies Awards. She also is a Member on the Advisory Board of the Council of Whiskey Masters. Becky and Hans, internationally known as ‘The Whisky Couple’, are trusted partners of the Saltire family.

Four Acclaimed Bourbon Producers Unite for a One-of-a-Kind Military Barrel to Honor Veterans During America’s 250th Anniversary Year

Four acclaimed bourbon producers, J. Mattingly 1845, Heritage Distilling, Four Branches Bourbon and Pursuit Spirits, have donated barrels that were expertly blended by Pursuit Spirits to create the one-of-a-kind “United We Stand” military barrel.

The barrel will be auctioned at the inaugural Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction on Feb. 14, 2026, with proceeds benefiting the Bob Woodruff Foundation, continuing the distillers’ long history of donating millions to military and veteran charities.

Additionally, each distiller will release 100 limited-edition bottles for sale with a commemorative label in honor of the inaugural KBCA event and America’s 250th anniversary.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Jan. 28, 2026) — The inaugural Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction & Celebration today announced a powerful and unprecedented auction lot titled “United We Stand,” a special military barrel created through a historic collaboration among four acclaimed American whiskey producers with long-standing ties to military and veteran philanthropy in honor of one of America’s most enduring principles, unity.

The lot begins with donated barrels from J. Mattingly 1845, Heritage Distilling, Four Branches Bourbon and Pursuit Spirits. From these individual contributions, Ryan Cecil, Master Blender for Pursuit Spirits carefully selected and blended the finest elements of each barrel to create a singular expression: the United We Stand barrel.

“This barrel represents everything the Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction & Celebration stands for, unity, craftsmanship and purpose,” said Andrew Varga, founder of the Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction & Celebration. “Four respected producers, each with their own identity and legacy, have come together in service of something bigger than themselves. In America’s 250th anniversary year, this collaboration honors our nation’s origins, our military’s shared sacrifice and the idea that we are strongest when we stand together for a common cause.”​​

The United We Stand barrel will be auctioned as part of the inaugural Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction & Celebration this Presidents’ Day Weekend, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States. Proceeds from the KBCA will benefit the Bob Woodruff Foundation, supporting veterans, service members and their families, reinforcing the event’s mission to honor America’s native spirit while giving back to those who have protected its freedoms.

“Developing this expression has been a highlight of my career,” noted Ryan Cecil, Master Blender for Pursuit Spirits. “Bringing together these incredible distillers and our own Pursuit United barrel resulted in a beautifully balanced harmony. Narrowing down the barrels was a challenge, but the end result is a pour I’m incredibly proud of.”

In addition to the auctioned barrel, each participating distiller will release 100 individual bottles featuring a commemorative label honoring the collaboration and its mission, with a suggested retail price of $250 per bottle.

Each of the four producers involved has earned significant critical acclaim and numerous industry awards for their bourbons, making United We Stand a once-in-a-lifetime blend and an extraordinary collectible. The collaboration represents not only the highest level of whiskey craftsmanship, but also a shared mission to honor those who provide the greatest service of all.

Together, J. Mattingly 1845, Heritage Distilling, and Four Branches Bourbon have donated millions of dollars over many years to military and veteran causes, supporting more than 50 organizations nationwide. Beneficiaries have included Folds of Honor, Bob Woodruff Foundation, Disabled American Veterans, Navy SEAL Foundation, Green Beret Foundation and the Combat Infantry Badge Association, among many others.

Previously announced Bourbon Lots

The United We Stand barrel joins these previously announced lots:

• Elijah Craig Single Barrel experience at Heaven Hill Distillery
• Four Roses private selection barrel pick
• Old Forester Single Barrel, Barrel Strength Selection Experience
• 12 Bottles of King of Kentucky Small Batch
• A 2002 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon First Release – Signed by Garvin Brown IV

The Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction & Celebration will take place Feb. 13–15, 2026, bringing together rare bourbon, historic experiences and philanthropic impact in honor of America’s Native Spirit during its milestone anniversary year. For those who cannot attend in person, the auction will feature a virtual option at the following link.

KBCA Virtual Viewing Link

For updates, auction lot announcements and ticket information, visit www.KYBCA.com and follow the Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

About the Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction

The Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction and Celebration is a first-of-its-kind gathering honoring Kentucky’s bourbon legacy while giving back to the heroes who protect our nation. Founded in Louisville by Andrew Varga, a longtime spirits industry executive, the inaugural KBCA committee includes bourbon industry luminaries, authors and executives such as America’s CEO- Chief Entertaining Officer Tim Laird and Lori Laird, former PriceWeber VP, Executive Creative Director Larry Profancik and brand strategist Henrietta Pepper. KBCA unites distilleries, chefs and bourbon enthusiasts for three unforgettable days of tastings, events and philanthropy, all “for the greater great.”

Whisky Festival season has begun…

The 20th annual Victoria Whisky Festival was a great success. We kicked things off Friday with a Shelter Point Whisky Club evening at Artemis Whisky Bar, sharing rare drams and welcoming Trenny & C to check in on their Ultima barrel pick.

Saturday featured our Shelter Point Masterclass, where Chris Read poured core releases alongside a few upcoming specialties, followed by the always-lively Grand Tasting. Guests sampled the range and got a first look at the Evans Family Reserve Coruja Cask Finish, which received enthusiastic praise.

The following weekend wrapped with two sold-out nights at Whisky Global in Vancouver, where Alberto and Kelsey enjoyed pouring and chatting with whisky fans. We will be attending more whisky festivals on Vancouver Island over the next few months. If you’re attending any of the below events we look forward to seeing you there!

Comox Valley Whisky Festival – February 6th

Nanaimo Whisky Festival – February 7th

Vancouver Island Whisky Festival – February 28th

Cowichan Valley WhiskyFest – March 7th