Proof of filly’s excellence with every bottle

Ky Senator Bourbon’s Thoroughbred Legacy Series pays tribute to champion Nitrogen in its first release

LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 2026) — When Kentucky Senator Bourbon sought to create a private-barrel Thoroughbred Legacy Series, the award-winning small-batch bourbon reached for the stars for the inaugural subject: D.J. Stable’s champion filly Nitrogen.

The 113-proof bourbon — selected and bottled by Potter Jane Distilling Company of Springfield, Ky., for Kentucky Senator Spirits — commemorates the multiple champion favored for the $2 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Oct. 31 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington.

“Nitrogen’s name says it all,” said Andre Regard, the prominent equine attorney who co-founded Kentucky Senator Spirits with then-Kentucky Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer. “Even in her early training, Hall of Famer Mark Casse said that the filly ‘breathes different air,’ hence her name. She’s the perfect horse to kick off our Thoroughbred Legacy Series, which toasts Kentucky’s two iconic industries: horses and bourbon. As we say on the label of Nitrogen bourbon, ‘This private single-barrel bourbon pays tribute to Nitrogen’s fearless spirit, exceptional balance and championship heart. Like the filly herself, it is bold, refined and unforgettable.’”

Off her Sept. 25 triumph in the Grade 2 Beldame at New York’s recreated Belmont Park, the 4-year-old Nitrogen has nine victories over seven tracks in 18 career starts, along with six seconds and three thirds for earnings exceeding $3 million while excelling on dirt, turf and in the mud.

Nitrogen’s victories include a stunning 12 3/4-length romp in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps Stakes and last year’s dominant Alabama (G1) over Kentucky Oaks winner Good Cheer at Saratoga in her first start on dirt. Her runner-up performance in the prestigious Whitney Stakes (G1) only enhanced her reputation when second to reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty while defeating winners of a Breeders’ Cup Classic, Dubai World Cup, the Jockey Club Gold Cup and two other millionaire older males.

“We may never have another horse like Nitrogen,” said Jon Green, D.J. Stable’s general manager who owns the high-end breeding and racing operation with his father, Len. “Having a Nitrogen Legacy Series bourbon is one way to continue to celebrate and toast her for years to come. When trying to breed a champion, pedigree match-ups are so important. The same is true with business relationships, and it’s been great working with Kentucky Senator Bourbon. We’re honored to have Nitrogen as the first Legacy release, and our family looks forward to sharing Nitrogen Bourbon and the spectacular bottles with friends, clients, industry charities and for life’s unexpected special occasions.”

Nitrogen is the overwhelming favorite to again be crowned a champion after her third season of racing, following Canada’s Sovereign Award for 2-year-old filly and North America’s Eclipse Award for last year’s top 3-year-old filly. She’ll have every opportunity to further grow her legacy as D.J. Stable, which also bred the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, has announced she’ll race next year.

The Thoroughbred Legacy Series, whose individual bottles are not for sale to the public, provides a distinctive way for industry connections to honor their favorite horses, farms or any equine image of their choosing. The Legacy bourbons will be aged for a minimum of six years while distilled, aged and bottled in the Bluegrass State. Each Legacy release will be customized to make the bottles as unique as its honoree and Kentucky Senator Bourbon, including the subject’s bio on the back label. In the case of Nitrogen, the 113 proof is a shout-out to her highest career Beyer speed figure when the release was produced. Nitrogen’s picture is prominently displayed on the front of the bottle, with the D.J. Stable’s maroon silks with white diamonds included on the back.

“The Legacy Series is ideal for promoting a cherished horse or equine operation, creating one-of-a-kind gifts for family, friends, partners or clients, as well as a fun and effective way to promote the bottle subject,” said Thayer, now a horse-racing adviser and advocate who spearheaded transformative legislation for both the bourbon and horse industries during his 22 years in the Kentucky Legislature. “We guarantee that every private barrel will be distilled, aged and bottled with care and passion as we create a fitting tribute for a beloved horse or property.”

The Nitrogen Legacy Series features Kentucky Senator Bourbon selected and bottled by Potter Jane from one of the best aged barrels of Kentucky Senator Bourbon stock stored at the Springfield distillery. The Nitrogen release has been aged nine years, regarded as a sweet spot for maturity and oak influence.

Since its first release in 2021, Kentucky Senator Bourbon quickly earned the reputation for serving up great bourbon with a side of Kentucky history. Each Kentucky Senator release is named for a U.S. Senator from the Commonwealth, with the 2026 edition commemorating the late Jim Bunning, the only person elected to both baseball’s Hall of Fame and the U.S. Senate. Bottled at the classic 107 proof, Kentucky Senator Bourbon is at least six years old, the length of a U.S. Senate term, with many releases clocking in with higher aging statements.

The 2025 release honoring Kentucky’s U.S. Senator John Brown (elected 1792) was awarded a Double Gold Medal at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, one of the most prestigious and influential spirits competitions in the world. The accolade solidified Kentucky Senator Bourbon’s reputation for crafting exceptional small-batch whiskey that stands out in today’s competitive spirits landscape.

The Kentucky Senator brand was originally distilled and bottled by Crigler & Crigler in Covington, Ky., then by Double Springs Distillers Inc. in Bardstown. The brand revival of the vintage Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is led by Regard and Thayer, who bring their unique backgrounds in bourbon to the management team. Regard is a descendant of bourbon legend Basil Hayden, and Thayer is a member of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame.

More information on Kentucky Senator Bourbon and its principals Regard and Thayer at KySenatorBourbon.com.

About Kentucky Senator Bourbon

Kentucky Senator Bourbon is an award-winning small-batch Bourbon brand committed to crafting exceptional spirits with a side of American history. Each limited-edition release is named after a U.S. Senator and represents a blend of tradition, character and U.S. heritage; it is distilled and aged in Kentucky for at least six years (the same length as a U.S. senate term), but often longer.Founded by Andre Regard and Damon Thayer, Kentucky Senator Bourbon revives a historic brand once produced by Crigler and Crigler in Covington and later Double Springs Distillers in Bardstown. The brand launched its first revival release in 2021 and has since become known for producing richly aged, 107-proof Bourbon expressions that connect past and present.Awards & Recognition

• Kentucky Senator Bourbon’s inaugural release, the Alben W. Barkley Release, was highlighted in Forbes’ Online Magazine 
• Fred Minnick, a noted Bourbon author, ranked Kentucky Senator Bourbon in his Top 100 Whiskeys of 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025
• Kentucky Senator Bourbon has won multiple Gold ASCOT Awards for taste and a Double Platinum ASCOT Award for marketing and brand design
• Kentucky Senator Bourbon recently won its first Double Gold medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its 2024 John Brown release
• The Jim Bunning Release earned a Double Gold Medal and 96 points at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the highest distinction the competition confers, awarded only when every judge on the panel votes Gold
• The John Edwards Release earned a Silver Medal at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a Double Platinum Award at the 2026 ASCOT Awards, reserved for spirits scoring between 95 and 100 points on a blind 100-point scale

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Greetings from a storm-wracked Chorlton Towers, and welcome to an autumnal celebration of the bourbon cask!

There are four examples for you below, but have no fear if you’re after something sherried. Christmas isn’t too far away you know…

With that unsubtle hint out of the way, let me introduce you to these dapper chaps:

So, from left to right then.

First up we have a 16-year-old Ben Nevis. This is the sister cask of the 14yo from a couple of years back, now a little more aged, at a really perfect ABV and (in a modest attempt to address the cost of living crisis) at the same price.

On the nose it’s clean, maritime and gently fruity, with lime juice, blueberry muffins*, candlewax and rose petals. I also get banana milk, clay and touches of something saline and green-peppery in the background.

The palate has a lovely arrival, with lemon, white peach, bilberry and mint leaves, developing in a salty direction (it really is quite a coastal feeling BN this), with tropical fruit, honeysuckle, lime and salted liquorice.

(* – I really thought I might have gone off-piste with the blueberry muffin thing, but Matt at Hopscotch independently put “blackberry cheesecake” in his tasting notes, so I reckon we’re on the same track.)

I’m always delighted to receive another cask from Hector McDram, and you can’t go too far wrong with these batches of Nevis. Tons of distillery character and perfectly quaffable.

This 2nd-fill barrel produced 277 bottles at a cask strength of 52.8%, and they are available for £85 each.

Second in our line-up we have a 12-year-old Inchmurrin. This is (so the story goes) Loch Lomond’s attempt to clone the lost Littlemill distillery in the Lowlands, and – just to complicate matters further – this is the lightly-peated version of the make.

On the nose – almond brittle, fruit salad, old tins of emulsion, piña colada, funky esters and mango lassi. Super fun! I also get hibiscus tea, blackcurrant leaves and a tiny bit of background peat.

On the palate – pure fruit juice, guava, lime, waxed paper, warm oranges and coal tar. You don’t really taste the peat, but it just adds a bit of grit and backbone to proceedings. With a bit of water a floral side comes out – orange blossom, spring meadows – clean, easy and fruity.

I don’t know about Littlemill, but this does ring a lot of Irish whiskey bells. It’s charming and fruity whisky, with an enjoyable mischievous edge as befits the distillery.

This 1st-fill barrel produced just 201 bottles at a cask strength of 56.3%, and they are available for £65 each.

Number three! This is an 18-year-old Glen Grant. A distillery I’ve always wanted to bottle, and tough to find at a sensible price!

On the nose – this has that classy Speyside feeling of fruit and waxed banisters. I get red apple juice, apricot, butter, orange and obscure resins. In the background, touches of chalk, Juicy Fruit gum and coal tar.

On the palate – a big, orangey and peachy arrival. More Juicy Fruit, cider, wax and pink peppercorns – all against a decidedly phenolic background. The finish is really pure – barley by the truckload, apple rings, tar and menthol.

The stone fruits that run through this (and only grow as you let the glass breathe) are delightful, and the unexpected edge of smoke/phenols works a treat.

This refill barrel produced just 122 bottles at a cask strength of 54.0%, and they are available for £85 each. Most of them have been kept back for the site, to give you lovely newsletter subscribers the best possible chance of getting hold of one despite the very low cask yield.

And, last but not least, another distillery debut for Chorlton – this is an 18-year-old Craigellachie. They’re (somewhat) famous for using worm tub condensers, producing a chunky, fatty distillate with an often industrial edge. The quest has been to find a cask that balances the distillery character with drinkability – you’ll have to let me know how I’ve done.

So, on the nose – baled hay, orange, olive oil, and apples stored for the winter in a garden shed – with maybe a few old tins of creosote nearby. I also get barley, sweet woodruff, and touches of brioche, cinnamon sugar and anise.

The palate is fat and oily, with apples baked in salted butter, liquorice, waxy citrus, and a smidge of peanut butter. The worm tubbiness manifests in the form of burnt sugar, herbal bitters and a bit of greasy soot. The finish has citrus, oil, barley and liquorice – elemental and kind of perfect.

I love this – it’s really textural and old-fashioned feeling. There’s a directness to the spirit, and connection to the barley and the process that made it, that’s really compelling. It’s also just very tasty!

This refill hogshead produced 273 bottles at 57.3%, and they are available for £85 each.

And…

…that’s it for now. As alluded to above, this year’s Christmas bottlings are underway and should be ready with plenty of time to spare – stay tuned for details.

In the meantime I’ll be at the HopScotch Whisky Festival on the 28th November. I think there are a handful of tickets left.

Thanks, as ever, for your support, and I’m always available via the usual channels if I can be of any assistance.

Cheers!

David

Knob Creek Is Bringing Back Its Oldest Release: 21 Year Old

Knob Creek is bringing back its oldest expression in James B. Beam Distilling Co.’s history: Knob Creek 21 Year Old. First released last year in 2025, this extra aged bourbon spent more than two decades in the barrel, bottled at 100 proof. It delivers layers of caramel and char, subtle fruit, seasoned oak and caramelized sugar, with hints of smoke and a long, satisfying finish of toffee and charred oak. Each barrel was individually selected by our master distillers for its remarkable balance and depth, showcasing the complexity that only decades of aging can achieve.

Knob Creek 21 Year Old will be available for a limited time at retailers nationwide, with an SRP of $249.99 for a 750mL bottle.

www.knobcreek.com

Old Particular

The Speyside Collection

The Speyside Collection is a celebration of the region’s rich landscapes, seasonal warmth and timeless Whisky making tradition.

Each bottling is inspired by a different Speyside influence – burnt orange for the warmth of autumn woodlands, moss green for the forests and glens that shape the landscape, and autumnal red for the changing leaves that define the region’s seasonal beauty – brought to life through distinctive secondary cask finishes.

Together, they create a unified set with unmistakable identities, designed to stand out individually and become even more compelling as a collection.

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Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Indri single malt Indian whisky unveils Diwali Collector’s Edition 2026 Ruby Port Cask

India’s premium single malt whisky, Indri has unveiled the Diwali Collector’s Edition 2026 Ruby Port Cask, the latest chapter in the limited annual release collection celebrating India’s vibrant spirit.

Produced in the village of Indri, Haryana, near the foothills of the Himalayas, the 2026 release captures the essence of Diwali through an artfully crafted whisky and striking presentation, with artwork inspired by India’s royal heritage as a symbol of light, culture and joy.

Indri master blender Surrinder Kumar crafted the collection in small batches from indigenous six-row Indian barley. Marking the fourth edition, the 2026 expression is matured in hand-selected Ruby Port casks from Portugal, prized for their rich, characterful and sweet wines.

Distilled in traditional copper pot stills, the single malt matures in Indri’s subtropical climate of northern India, where hot summers and cool winters shape a rich, distinctive spirit that sets it apart from distilleries in India’s tropical southern regions.

Bottled at a cask strength of 58.5% ABV, aromas of black cherries, wild berries and ripe plums give way to a silken palate of honeyed fruits and roasted nuts, enriched by hints of toffee, vanilla and figs, culminating in a long, fruity finish.

Surrinder Kumar, Master Blender for Indri, said: “The Diwali Collector’s Edition pushes the boundaries of Indian single malt, while staying true to what makes it distinctly Indri, and has been consistently recognised in international awards. This year’s Ruby Port Cask expression offers a new dimension, drawing on the depth and character of Portugal’s wine casks, shaped by the unique climate here at Indri. The 2026 release brings together whisky and artistry in a collector’s masterpiece celebrating heritage, craftsmanship and the spirit of modern India.”

The packaging features intricate artwork by Indian designer, Krsnaa Mehta. Drawing on India’s royal heritage and traditional miniature paintings, Krsnaa reimagines a captivating visual narrative through a rich palette of jewel tones, delicate florals and bold contrasts to depict the celebratory spirit of Diwali.

At its heart, the majestic Marwari horse – a symbol of royal heritage – and its foal move in graceful unison, portraying nobility, legacy and continuity, mirroring the layered character of the whisky itself. Rooted in the storytelling tradition of miniature art, where the grandest stories unfold within the smallest frames, every motif and detail is intentional.

Since the first edition launched in 2023, the Indri Diwali Collector’s Edition has won 29 awards across the globe. Key highlights include the 2023 Peated PX Sherry Cask edition achieving Best in Show Double Gold at the Whiskies of the World Awards 2023, while the 2025 Marsala Cask release was named Best World Whisky at the Las Vegas Global Spirits Awards 2025, with a score of 99.1 points out of 100, and received a Gold medal at The Design & Packaging Masters 2025 for its presentation.

The 2026 Ruby Port Cask edition is already making waves internationally, having received six awards to date including Gold at the World Whisky Masters and the New York World Spirits Competition.

The release is available in the UK from selected specialist whisky retailers including Master of Malt, The Whisky Shop and The Whisky Exchange. Limited to just 180 individually numbered bottles in the UK, it has an RRP of £200. For further information about Indri, visit https://www.indri.in/

Tasting Notes

Nose: An inviting bouquet of fresh black and red fruits, led by black cherries, blackberries and ripe plums. Layers of raisins, figs and dried fruits unfold beneath, complemented by notes of toffee and vanilla that lend a rich, lingering sweetness to the nose.

Palate: A burst of luscious fruit and honey greets the palate, evolving into rich notes and dried fruits, almonds and hazelnuts. Hints of cinnamon, sweet spice and oak lactones add depth and complexity, while nuances of figs and liquorice emerge gracefully, creating a beautifully layered experience.

Finish: Full-bodied and velvety, with rounded sweetness and a firm structure. Gentle oak lactones linger alongside rich full notes, culminating in a long, smooth and elegant finish.

About Indri

Indri single malt Indian whisky was launched in 2022 by Piccadily Agro Industries Limited (PAIL) aimed at catering to discerning consumers who appreciate quality and craftsmanship in spirits and became the ‘fastest growing single malt whisky brand’ in 2024

PAIL is a publicly listed company operating primarily in two strategic business segments: Distillery and Sugar and has a manufacturing facility located in Indri, Haryana.

PAIL has established itself as a key player in the alcoholic beverages industry, particularly renowned for its expertise in malt spirits. The company boasts a robust portfolio that includes premium expressions of Indri single malt whisky, blended malt whisky brands and Camikara, premium sugarcane juice aged rum.

www.indri.in / www.piccadily.com

Scotch Whisky 2026 Advent Calendar 25 Day

Discover 25 different Scotch whiskies, with 25 × 3cl bottles to explore throughout December. Taste a varied selection encompassing single malt, blended and peated Scotch whisky from across Scotland. Scan the QR code on each bottle to access a professionally produced guided tasting video, helping you discover the story and flavours behind every dram.

£134.99

We’ve journeyed into ‘Heresy’ many times since 2017. But after creating 43 small batches and blended malts, there was still one thing we hadn’t done: create a blended Scotch whisky. But that’s changed with Batch 44: The Blender’s notebook, the Society’s first blended Scotch whisky.

“If you’re going to create a Society Blended Scotch, you’d better go big or go home! It should be a high malt content blend with an old school character and pedigree,” said whisky director, Kai Ivalo.

The opportunity eventually presented itself in the form of a sherry butt filled with the blended base of a long-gone blended Scotch whisky that was still at batch strength. The rest came down to head of whisky Euan Campbell, who came up with a blend recipe that added some 27-year-old grain whisky and more malts around 18-year-old in bourbon, American oak PX and Spanish oak oloroso barrels and hogsheads.

The result is a complex and silky blend that’s 70% malt, 30% grain and 100% something you need to try while it’s here.

READ THE STORY

BUY NOW

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

Glendronach 14 Year Old Boynsmill House

Released to celebrate 200 years of Glendronach, Boynsmill House is a limited-edition 14-year-old single malt that honours the distillery’s rich history. Matured in a carefully selected combination of Pedro Ximénez, oloroso and claret casks, it brings together the depth of sherry cask maturation with a distinctive layer of character from the wine casks.

Luxurious and full of depth, expect bramble and stone fruit alongside dried fruit, toffee, malt, hazelnut and chocolate. A fitting anniversary release that showcases the richness and complexity for which Glendronach is known.

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Three Ridings Inaugural Release Collector’s Edition English Single Malt Whisky

Three Ridings Inaugural Release marks the first single malt English whisky from Ellers Farm Distillery in North Yorkshire. Created entirely in Yorkshire, the whisky brings together three specialist makers: Yorkshire-grown barley is malted by Thomas Fawcett & Sons in Castleford, brewed by T&R Theakston in Masham, then distilled, matured and blended at Ellers Farm Distillery near York.

Matured in carefully selected ex-bourbon American oak casks and bottled at a robust 57.9% ABV, the First Release showcases the rich, fruit-led character developed throughout its maturation. Just 1,000 individually numbered bottles have been produced, marking an important milestone for Ellers Farm and the beginning of the Three Ridings story. The name pays tribute to Yorkshire’s historic East, North and West Ridings, reflecting a whisky shaped by the county from grain to glass.