Independent Retailer Launches 50ml Dram Service to Help Drinkers “Test Drive” Whisky Before Buying

A small independent UK whisky retailer has launched a service designed to help whisky drinkers explore new bottles without committing to the cost of a full bottle purchase.

WhiskyGenie has introduced a curated range of 50ml whisky drams, allowing customers to sample whiskies at home before deciding whether to invest in a full bottle.

While many whisky samples are typically sold in 30ml measures, WhiskyGenie has chosen to offer larger 50ml “proper drams”, giving drinkers a more generous tasting experience.

The concept is aimed at whisky enthusiasts who want to explore different styles, cask finishes and distilleries without the financial risk that often comes with purchasing unfamiliar bottles.

Founder Garry Grimshaw, who has more than three decades of hospitality experience, says the idea came from seeing customers hesitate when faced with buying full bottles they had never tasted before.

“A lot of people want to try different whiskies but don’t want to risk spending £50–£100 on a bottle they might not enjoy,” he explained.

“The idea behind WhiskyGenie is simple — let people try a proper dram first and discover what they actually like.”

The online retailer offers a wide range of Scotch whisky drams, including expressions from well-known distilleries such as Ardbeg, Glenmorangie and Bruichladdich.

Orders also include a complimentary mystery dram, allowing customers to discover an additional whisky they may not have otherwise tried.

The service reflects a growing trend among whisky drinkers who are increasingly interested in exploring a wider range of expressions and cask styles without committing to full bottle purchases.

WhiskyGenie currently ships across the UK and internationally, with a focus on making whisky discovery accessible to both new drinkers and seasoned enthusiasts.

More information can be found at:

www.whiskygenie.com

Rock Town Distillery Announces Inaugural Winners Circle 2026 Bourbon Release

Little Rock, AR — Rock Town Distillery announces the release of Winners Circle 2026, the first bottling in a new annual limited-edition bourbon series that celebrates craftsmanship, racing tradition, and original Arkansas artistry.

Distilled from Arkansas corn, Arkansas wheat, and malted barley and aged six years, Winners Circle is bottled at 101 proof in tribute to the home stretch, a nod to both the intensity of racing and the patience required to craft exceptional bourbon.

This inaugural release marks the beginning of an annual series celebrating racing through commissioned artwork by local artists, with each year’s label and bottling created once and never repeated.

The first release features original artwork by Arkansas artist Michael Shaeffer, whose expressive watercolor style brings movement and emotion to the label. Shaeffer, who is based in Little Rock and attended high school in Hot Springs, draws from a deep personal connection to Arkansas’ horse racing culture, particularly the legacy of Oaklawn Racing in Hot Springs.

“We wanted this series to feel rooted in place and time,” said Phil Brandon, Founder and Head Distiller of Rock Town Distillery. “Shaeffer’s work captures the motion, discipline, and anticipation that exist both in racing and in bourbon making. Pairing his art with this first release felt like the right way to set the tone for what Winners Circle will become.”

Availability

Winners Circle 2026 will be available in limited quantities beginning the week of March 23 at the Rock Town Distillery tasting room and select Arkansas and Oklahoma liquor stores. Once this release is gone, it will not be reproduced.

Release Events

To celebrate the launch of the Winners Circle series, Rock Town Distillery will host two ticketed events inspired by racing season and Kentucky Derby tradition.

On Thursday, March 26 from 4:30–7:00 PM, Rock Town will host an exclusive happy hour release party at M2 Gallery in Little Rock. The gallery was selected intentionally, as it is where Michael Shaeffer works and regularly exhibits his artwork, and it sits directly across the street from the distillery. The space creates a natural extension of the collaboration, allowing guests to experience the artwork in its home setting while celebrating the bourbon it inspired.

Tickets for the event will go on sale March 10th. Guests will enjoy Mint Juleps, Old Fashioneds, and Whiskey Sours alongside light Derby-inspired fare. When purchasing tickets, attendees will have the option to preorder up to two bottles of Winners Circle 2026, as well as preorder limited-edition prints of the original label artwork by Michael Shaeffer.

Rock Town will also host a ticketed Barrel House Kentucky Derby Watch Party on Saturday, May 2 from 5:00–9:00 PM at the distillery. Guests will gather to watch the Kentucky Derby, often referred to as “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” while enjoying a limited Derby cocktail menu. Tickets include two complimentary cocktails, with Mint Juleps, Old Fashioneds, and Whiskey Sours featured throughout the celebration. A Kentucky Derby-inspired buffet will be served, and prizes will be awarded for Best Hat and Best Dressed. Attendees will also have the option to add a bottle of Winners Circle 2026 to their ticket purchase as well as prints of the original label artwork by Michael Shaeffer..

With its commissioned artwork and limited production, Winners Circle 2026 is a one-of-a-kind collectible, created for this moment and never again. Future releases in the series will continue annually, each featuring new artwork and its own distinct identity.

For additional information, interview requests, or images, please contact our head of marketing, Abbey Rolfe at abbey@rocktowndistillery.com.

About Rock Town Distillery

Founded in 2010, Rock Town Distillery is Arkansas’ first legal distillery since Prohibition. Known for its grain-to-glass philosophy and commitment to intentional production, Rock Town creates spirits that reflect both place and process.

About Michael Shaeffer

Michael Shaeffer is an Arkansas-based artist whose watercolor work explores movement, memory, and narrative. With roots in both Little Rock and Hot Springs, Shaeffer’s work often draws from Arkansas’ cultural landscape, making his contribution to Winners Circle 2026 a natural extension of the series’ vision.

Himmaleh Spirits Launches the World’s First Himalayan Cask Program

An Ultra-Rare Whisky Experience Born of Altitude, Provenance, and Craft

London/United Kingdom: Himmaleh Spirits, the visionary craft distillery, proudly unveils the Himalayan Cask Program – a one-of-a-kind global release shaped by time, tradition, and the rare high-altitude terroir of the mighty mountains, anchored by the first Indian single malt whisky from the Himalayas. From grain to glass, each drop reflects the elemental power of the mountains and Himmaleh’s unwavering commitment to authenticity, sustainability, and excellence. Created for collectors who value rarity, the Himalayan Cask Program offers more than a bottle. It offers a story, a statement, and a whisky shaped by altitude, heritage, and taste – a reflection of individuality and legacy in every cask.

Born in the Kumaon region of the Indian Himalayas, a short drive from Delhi and neighbouring the legendary Corbett National Park, Himmaleh’s whiskies are crafted with locally cultivated six-row barley and glacial spring water sourced from the pristine Himalayan springs. Each small-batch malt is distilled in Forsyths copper pot stills, then aged in ex-Bourbon barrels in the Himalayan foothills – maturing between three and eight years, yielding 285 to 168 bottles per cask. The distillery’s fully in-house production and bottling model further reinforces Himmaleh’s self-reliant approach and commitment to high-quality craftsmanship, precision and consistency at every stage of creation.

“India is fast emerging as a serious player in the global whisky landscape,” says Ansh Khanna, Co- founder, Himmaleh Spirits. “But what we’re building here is something far more personal. The Himalayan Cask Program is about owning a whisky that reflects both place and personality – shaped by climate, elevation, and one’s own taste. That kind of expression can’t be replicated and that’s what makes it truly priceless”

This is whisky as a status symbol, not because of its price, but because of its provenance. Each cask represents a singular connection to the land and people of the Himalayas, created in partnership with local farmers, foragers, and craftspeople. It is a celebration of rarity with roots.

“There’s a new kind of luxury buyer, someone looking for one-of-a-kind rare and collectible experiences that can’t be replicated,” adds Samarth Prasad, Co-founder, Himmaleh Spirits. “This isn’t about just acquiring another limited release. It’s about being part of a deeper story, one that is steeped in craft, community, and culture.”

Beyond the spirit itself, the program offers access to a world few will experience: VIP distillery visits for up to four guests, private entry to restricted spaces including the exclusive Cask Owners’ Lounge, ceremonial tastings at the time of bottling, and invitations to exclusive Himmaleh events. Cask owners also receive preferred pricing and early access to future single-cask releases. Upon reservation, cask owners will also have a privilege to interact with the master distiller to taste and select the profile that best suits their palate. Once bottled, the whisky is theirs – to enjoy, gift, or commemorate something meaningful.

Himmaleh Spirits have appointed Asian Alchemy Pvt Ltd under the direction of Simon Murphy to coordinate international cask sales. The initial rollout will be focused on the UK & select international markets. “Beautifully crafted single malts from Asia are gaining international recognition for their provenance, complex flavours & sophistication. A home-grown Indian single malt from the foothills of the Himalayas is a unique offering”, says Simon Murphy. 

In an era of commodified luxury, Himmaleh offers something profoundly original – a whisky born of mountain silence and elemental clarity. The Himalayan Cask Program is a rare invitation to own a piece of this legacy.

About Himmaleh Spirits

A relentless pursuit of the finest ingredients lies at the heart of Himmaleh Spirits. From produce to process, the company embraces a truly farm-to-bottle philosophy to craft the highest quality artisanal spirits.  Nestled  amidst  the  Himalayan  foothills,  within  Uttarakhand’s  Kumaon  region, the Himmaleh Spirits Distillery is a family-owned and independent distillery – the brainchild of Ansh Khanna and Samarth Prasad. Drawing on the abundant resources of this terrain, its spirits trace their origins to an ever-growing community of farmers, foragers, and harvesters. For more information, please visit- https://himmalehspirits.com/

BERRY BROS. & RUDD RESTORES A LEGEND WITH THE

  RELEASE OF BLUE HANGER 14TH EDITION 

Britain’s oldest wine and spirits merchant, Berry Bros. & Rudd, has released the long  awaited 14^th edition of Blue Hanger, one of its most celebrated blended malt whiskies,  following a hiatus of more than ten years.

Over the course of thirteen previous editions, the series has built a dedicated following  among whisky enthusiasts and collectors alike, with earlier releases now highly sought-after  on the secondary market.

Named after William “Blue” Hanger, 3rd Lord Coleraine, an 18th-century patron of Berry  Bros. & Rudd known for his elegant style and signature blue attire, the Blue Hanger  series comprises limited-edition blended malt whiskies crafted from carefully selected  casks. Each batch is produced in small quantities, resulting in releases that are both  individual and collectible.

Originally created for the diplomatic export market in 1934, Blue Hanger disappeared for  decades before being revived in 2003 by Doug McIvor, then Berry Bros. & Rudd’s Spirits  Manager. Now, after more than a decade since the last release, the series has been  resurrected by Felix Dear, the company’s Spirits Curator.

Across its history Blue Hanger has not been defined by a fixed flavour profile but by a  consistent pursuit of complexity and balance. Individual editions have varied in character,  some built around sherried depth, others leaning into coastal smoke, but each has been  united by an emphasis on harmony and finesse.

Blue Hanger 14th Edition is a marriage of aged malt whiskies, the youngest of which is 26  years old. The blend was composed from seven casks: six ex-bourbon hogsheads and one  ex-sherry butt.

Felix Dear, Spirits Curator at Berry Bros. & Rudd, said: 

“Blue Hanger has been part of Berry Bros. & Rudd since 1934, and every edition since its  revival in 2003 has been eagerly anticipated and quickly snapped up. After more than a  decade away, the calls to bring it back never stopped. The 14th Edition is our answer, a  blend of exceptional aged malts that we’re proud to put the Blue Hanger name on once  again.” 

Bottled at 45.6% ABV with a limited run of just 2,500 bottles and priced at £120.00, Blue  Hanger 14th Edition will be available for purchase from 3 March 2026, exclusively through  bbr.com.

From April 2026, Blue Hanger 14th Edition will roll out to selected whisky specialists across  the UK, with further availability in key international markets.

For more information on Berry Bros. & Rudd and Blue Hanger, visit www.bbr.com.  

TASTING NOTES  

Nose: Milk chocolate and soft caramel ease into citrus peel and stewed fruits, the sherry cask  influence adding quiet depth

Palate: Has an unctuous oiliness, carrying barley sweets and orchard fruit, with caramel  wrapping around it all.

Finish: A dusting of baking spice adds lift, leading to a finish which gently trails into mellow  chocolate and sweet fruits notes.

NOTES:

Founded in 1698, Berry Bros. & Rudd is Britain’s oldest wine and spirits merchant. Family-owned and  run, the company still trades from No.3 St James’s Street, with offices in Hong Kong, Tokyo and  Singapore. With longstanding relationships with our producers, and a Royal Warrant, Berry Bros. &  Rudd helps collectors of fine wines and spirits build, manage and enjoy their cellars.

Evolving design, enduring craft

Rare Find launches latest single cask collection with refined new visual identity 

Rare Find, the acclaimed independent bottler renowned for its meticulous cask selection and guided maturation, announces the launch of its latest collection of single cask whiskies, alongside the introduction of a refined new visual identity. While Rare Find continues to evolve its presentation, its unwavering commitment to exceptional whisky remains unchanged.

Since its founding, Rare Find has built its reputation on uncovering extraordinary distillates and elevating them through patient, carefully managed maturation and finishing. Each release represents the pinnacle of flavour, character, and maturity, selected from the millions of maturing casks across Scotland – with only a select few ever deemed worthy of becoming Rare Find bottlings.

The introduction of Rare Find’s new visual identity has been developed to enhance accessibility and clarity for retailers, bartenders, and consumers alike. The updated packaging introduces clearer range navigation, colour-coded regional roundels, and expanded provenance and cask information across both front and back labels. The result is a refined and intuitive way to communicate rarity, regional character, and cask influence, while strengthening shelf presence.

Despite the refreshed presentation, Rare Find’s core philosophy remains resolutely unchanged. Every bottling – whether featuring the new label or the previous design – is released as a genuine one-off, bottled only when the whisky reaches its optimal peak of flavour and balance.

The latest Rare Find collection showcases four distinctive single cask, single malt Scotch whiskies, each bottled without compromise at natural cask strength, natural colour, and without chill filtration.

Longmorn 19 Year Old

Amarone barrique finish

Inchmurrin 11 Year Old

Full matured in a 2nd fill sherry hogshead

Sutherland 35 Year Old

Fully matured in a refill hogshead

Aultmore 15 Year Old (Vault Exclusive Release)

 1st fill oloroso hogshead finish 

Speaking on the new releases and visual evolution, John Moffat, Head of Commercial for Rare Find commented: “Rare Find continues to evolve as a brand, but our standards remain absolute. Every release represents our relentless pursuit of exceptional whisky – from careful maturation to thoughtful finishing and presentation. Our new visual identity helps us communicate provenance, rarity, and character more clearly than ever, while the whisky itself remains exactly what Rare Find has always stood for: distinctive, authentic, and intentionally rare.”

The latest Rare Find releases will be available through select specialist retailers (www.rarefindwhisky.co.uk/stockists) from 12th of March, with the Aultmore 15 year old available exclusively for members of the Rare Find Vault.

Rare Find Spring 2026 Releases

Spring 2026 release images

A selection of additional images are available from: https://we.tl/t-LyhFlW3AWD

About Rare Find

Each Rare Find release is an unrepeatable, limited-edition whisky sourced from sought-after distilleries. With every bottle, we celebrate liquid excellence – meticulously selecting, maturing, and finishing in the highest quality casks to deliver whisky that’s rare by design.

From the millions of casks maturing in Scotland, only a small percentage are destined for single malt bottlings, and from those, only the best become a Rare Find.

Columbia Creek Tennessee Whiskey Debuts, Forged by Grit, Patience and Pure Tennessee Character

COLUMBIA, Tenn. – In the heart of Columbia, Tennessee, where mules outnumber stoplights and pride runs as deep as the creeks, Columbia Creek Tennessee Whiskey is taking shape — one stubbornly patient batch at a time.

This is whiskey with backbone. Crafted with purpose and precision, it’s a spirit that honors where it comes from: a land that values hard work, honest flavor, and the quiet confidence to do things the right way — not the fast way.

Inspired by the legendary mule — Columbia’s enduring symbol of strength and persistence — Columbia Creek moves to its own tempo. Made with a classic Tennessee mash bill of 80% corn, 10% rye, and 10% malted barley, then distilled in a traditional column‑and‑doubler system, every drop balances purity with bold, full-bodied flavor.

Before barreling, the whiskey undergoes the slow, time-honored Lincoln County charcoal mellowing process, giving it a smooth, refined edge that separates Tennessee whiskey from bourbon pretenders. The spirit then rests — not rushed, not disturbed — in heavy-charred new American oak, soaking up six long Tennessee years of heat, cold, and honest change.

Bottled at 95.6 proof, non-chill filtered, and unapologetically full-flavored, Columbia Creek Tennessee Whiskey is both smooth by nature and strong by proof. It’s the taste of patience rewarded — a bold reflection of Columbia itself: hardworking, unhurried, and proud of its roots.

Columbia Creek Tennessee Whiskey is part of the SNL Alcohol Beverage Group family, available now at columbiacreekwhiskey.com and at select retailers in key markets. Future releases include Barrel Strength and Single Barrel editions — each proof that real Tennessee whiskey doesn’t cut corners.

Columbia Creek Tennessee Whiskey — Smooth by nature, strong by proof. 

Contact: SNL Alcohol Beverage Group at info@columbiacreekwhiskey.com

About SNL Alcohol Beverage Group

SNL Alcohol Beverage Group, a division of SNL Capital, invests in, and manages, spirits brands of the highest quality. Its aim is to bring to light innovations in the spirits sector, showcasing the true artistry of the alcohol industry. For more information, visit the SNL Capital website

Heaven Hill Distillery Announces 2026 Heaven Hill Heritage Collection Release
This year’s release features the collection’s oldest Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey to date

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (March 3, 2026) – Heaven Hill Distillery announced today the release of Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Each spring, this annual, highly limited release showcases some of the distillery’s oldest inventory of aging American Whiskey, continuing the standard of excellence Heaven Hill has practiced since 1935.

Each release in the ultra-premium collection features one of the six traditional American Whiskey mashbills produced by Heaven Hill, one of the only heritage distilleries to produce this range. The 2026 edition, the oldest since the series debuted in 2022, highlights Heaven Hill’s traditional Bourbon mashbill, comprised of 78% Corn, 10% Rye and 12% Malted Barley, and is bottled at Barrel Proof and non-chill filtered.

With an age statement of 22 years, this release is comprised of 270 barrels produced in February, July and August of 2003 and bottled in December 2025. The barrels were aged on the 5th and 6th floors of Rickhouse Y, where over two decades of Kentucky seasons imparted remarkable depth and character to the whiskey.

The extended maturation results in a Bourbon defined by pronounced oak structure balanced by layers of caramelized sweetness and baking spice. Rich aromas of seasoned oak, dark caramel and toasted vanilla give way to notes of leather, warm cinnamon and subtle dried fruit on the palate. The finish is long and resonant, showcasing lingering notes of charred oak, toffee and a peppery spice that speaks to both its proof and age.

“This 22-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a striking example of how thoughtful aging and careful barrel selection can unlock extraordinary character in our traditional Bourbon mashbill,” says Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll. “After more than two decades in Rickhouse Y, these barrels have developed a remarkable balance of oak influence and preserved sweetness. It’s a testament to the patience and long-term vision that define the Heaven Hill Heritage Collection.”

Along with its innovation-focused counterpart, the Parker’s Heritage Collection, the Heaven Hill Heritage Collection reflects Heaven Hill’s commitment to excellence and ultra-aging techniques. Releases from both collections provide insight into the long-term planning behind Heaven Hill’s American Whiskey inventory and its dedication to quality, craft and heritage.

As with previous releases, the Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 750ml bottle will be accompanied by a premium box in signature Heaven Hill blue. The Heaven Hill Distillery seal is prominently featured on the box, strip stamp and label, mirroring Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond and the Heaven Hill Grain to Glass line. In keeping with the collection’s focus on transparency and provenance, specific attributes including warehouse location, production dates, mashbill percentages and barrel count are noted prominently on the packaging.

Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey will launch nationally in limited quantities, with select international availability, beginning in early March 2026 at a suggested retail price of $319.99.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 2 million barrels aging in more than 70 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond, Henry McKenna, Parker’s Heritage Collection along with its extensive and diverse collection of unique and innovative products. In the past five years alone, Heaven Hill Distillery has been named Distiller of the Year eight times, including 2024 and 2023 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year. Other recent honors include 2024 and 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition’s Most Awarded Distillery and the 2023 Icons of Whisky World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon. For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

A Distinctive Mother’s Day Gift: Fettercairn 16 Year Old

For a truly imaginative Mother’s Day gift, Fettercairn 16 Year Old offers a refreshing burst of tropical character.

Renowned for its bold, flavour-led approach to whisky making, Fettercairn’s pioneering copper cooling ring allows only the lightest vapours to rise during distillation, creating an exceptionally smooth spirit. The result is a vibrant Highland Single Malt layered with passionfruit, ripe mango, Madagascan vanilla and a whisper of warm spice.

Whether enjoyed as a relaxed afternoon dram or as part of a celebratory Mother’s Day toast, Fettercairn 16 Year Old brings a sense of occasion to the moment.

For those looking to elevate the celebration, the Fettercairn 1824 Martini is a unique and sophisticated choice.

To make it at home, simply combine:

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

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

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

Kentucky Bourbon’s Impact On State Economy Remains Strong & Substantial

Latest Data Shows Distilling Now $10.6 Billion Industry Supporting Local & State Economies Despite Mounting Headwinds

FRANKFORT, Ky. (February 2, 2026) – As outside threats continue to jeopardize its future growth, Kentucky Bourbon remains a key and substantial contributor to the state’s economy, as a $10.6 billion signature industry supporting nearly 24,000 jobs, a new report shows.

Yet its long-term fortunes remain a roller coaster of uncertainty and unpredictability, threatened by a volatile global trade arena, shifting generational consumer tastes, soaring barrel taxes, and evolving market and geopolitical conditions that have slowed alcohol sales and slashed exports.

The eighth edition of the biennial study using the latest data also shows the distilling industry bought a record 84% of its corn from Kentucky farm families and now generates an all-time high of $372 million in state and local tax revenue.

“This comprehensive analysis demonstrates the economic impact of Kentucky’s homegrown and historic Bourbon industry, which remains significantly ahead in jobs, investment and stature from over a decade ago,” said Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.

“Bourbon is a long-term business, and the data shows that its Kentucky foundation remains strong,” he said. “But we also must remember that its future isn’t guaranteed and this data is a snapshot in time.

“We need the support of elected officials at every level of government to help create a stable, competitive environment so Bourbon can produce more American jobs, satisfy the global thirst for our signature spirit and continue to invest in our Kentucky home.”

The report was conducted by noted Kentucky economist Dr. Mike Clark using the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Kentucky Department of Revenue, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and more trusted sources.

Dr. Clark is Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Kentucky and the former Chief Economist for the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission. He takes over the biennial study from Dr. Paul Coomes, who has retired.

Among the report’s top findings, Kentucky’s distilling industry now:

• Contributes $10.6 billion in annual economic impact to Kentucky, up from $9 billion in the previous study released in early 2024.
• Supports 23,935 jobs with $2 billion in salaries, wages and benefits, an increase of more than 800 jobs in the last two years despite recent cutbacks.
• Generates $372 million in local and state tax revenue every year, an increase of $200 million over the last 10 years alone.
• Reports plans to invest another $1.45 billion in the next five years.
• Purchases 3 million bushels of corn annually, of which KDA members say 84% comes from Kentucky farmers, up from 70% in the previous report.
• Has more licensed distilleries than ever before, with 125 locations owned and operated by 104 companies in 45 of the state’s 120 counties. 
• Pays a skyrocketing amount of taxes on aging barrels of spirits, including $75 million in 2025, a 163% surge in the last five years alone.
• Stores a record 1 million barrels of spirits, of which 16.1 million are Bourbon.
• Provides the second-highest job multiplier in the state behind the automobile industry, supporting Kentucky farm families, cooperages, truckers and more.
• Dominates the national distilling scene with 27% of both the country’s spirits output and employment, with Tennessee second at 8.4% .

This marks the eighth study of the impact of Kentucky’s distilling industry on the state economy since 2009. “Together, these reports provide a clear, long-term record of Kentucky Bourbon’s growth as a signature industry and the policy challenges that determine its future,” Gregory said.

“Kentucky Bourbon has been around for more than 200 years and overcome its fair share of challenges. By working together, and with the sacred name of Kentucky on every bottle, we must ensure the next report is a toast to progress.”

2026 Bourbon Economy Report Quotes

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear

“Despite national challenges from tariffs and harmful federal policies, Kentucky’s $10.6 billion bourbon industry continues to show the world its importance by supporting nearly 24,000 jobs and generating a record $372 million in local and state tax revenue,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “This industry is essential to our success and way of life, and as Governor I’m going to keep standing up for Kentucky bourbon and the hardworking people who make it so special.”

Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers pointed to the industry’s broadening geographical impact.

“One of the many positive outcomes from the Kentucky Bourbon’s industry’s long-term growth is that rural communities have benefited economically, right alongside our cities,” Stivers said. “There are now distilleries from Pikeville to Paducah and from Augusta to Adairville. Forty-five Kentucky counties now have at least one distillery, with one developing in my home county of Clay. That’s a number far beyond the industry’s traditional core counties where these operations are bringing commerce, tourism and vibrancy to their communities while attracting additional development like restaurants, lodging and retail.”

Kentucky House Speaker David Osborne said the road for Bourbon’s success runs through the General Assembly.

“It should surprise no one that legislative action to modernize our Commonwealth’s alcohol laws, advance responsibility measures and reform taxes to create parity all charted the path for Kentucky Bourbon’s growth the past decade,” Osborne said. “Now Bourbon attracts tourists by the millions, contributes abundantly to our workforce and tax base, and makes Kentucky an envy of other states and nations across the globe.”

Kentucky House Speaker Pro Tempore David Meade tied distilling’s growth to pro-business policies.

“The kind of prosperity and broad impact in this comprehensive study clearly demonstrates what happens when elected leaders pass pro-business policies to unburden a signature industry from outdated and cumbersome policies and punishing taxes,” Meade said.

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) is the Worldwide Voice of Bourbon

About the Kentucky Distillers’ Association:

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the legendary voice for Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Its diverse and growing membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from historic, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are fostering the next generation of the Commonwealth’s landmark economic engine and its thriving, timeless craft. Member benefits include media relations, international trade development, private sampling events, technical assistance, economic development support, networking, legal defense, marketing strategies, governmental and regulatory advocacy and innovative tourism experiences through the KDA’s world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® adventures. A 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, 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. Learn more at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.

Heaven Hill Distillery Honors a Storied Legacy with Heaven Hill Deatsville 13-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey

Limited-edition release marks one of the final opportunities to experience Bourbon fully matured at the historic Deatsville campus as it transitions out of active aging

Bardstown, Ky. — Heaven Hill Distillery announces the release of Heaven Hill Deatsville 13-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey, a limited-edition expression drawn from one of the most distinctive aging sites in the distillery’s 90-year history. Bottled from just 17 barrels aged on the third floor of Rickhouse AA, this release represents one of the final few opportunities to experience Bourbon fully matured entirely at the Deatsville campus before the site transitions out of active aging.

The Deatsville campus, originally home to the shuttered T.W. Samuels Distillery, has been an enduring part of Heaven Hill’s heritage since the early 1980s, when the company first assumed stewardship of the rickhouses. Today, the site encompasses nine Heaven Hill owned rickhouses with capacity for aging a total of 167,000 barrels.  It is the only Heaven Hill barrel aging campus constructed with tiered roof architecture, a distinctive design that promotes a natural stack effect, allowing warm air to rise and escape while drawing cooler air inward through lower openings. This airflow dynamic creates subtle differences in maturation, contributing to Deatsville’s signature influence within Heaven Hill’s aging inventory. Heaven Hill ages whiskey across six distinct warehouse sites in Kentucky, each imparting its own character based on structure, airflow, and environment.

Crafted from a traditional mashbill of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley, Heaven Hill Deatsville 13-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey reflects thirteen years of maturation within this unique structure. The MSRP for this limited release will be $199.99.

“For nearly a century, Heaven Hill has believed that great Bourbon is made by giving barrels the time, space and natural airflow they need to become themselves,” said Susan Wahl, Vice President, American Whiskey. “This release pays tribute to the barrels, brands, and people who brought those rickhouses to life.”

Over the decades, Deatsville barrels contributed to multiple Heaven Hill expressions and played a meaningful role in a large portion of the Parker’s Heritage Collection lineage. The acclaimed 7th Edition ‘Promise of Hope’ and the widely celebrated 11th Edition Single Barrel release both drew from Parker Beam’s favorite rickhouse site. Those selections reflected Parker’s instinct for the site’s aging character and further cemented its place in Heaven Hill’s history.

As part of Heaven Hill’s long-term stewardship of its aging assets, all nine Deatsville rickhouses will transition to regauge-only status over the next 12–24 months, marking the gradual aging out of the campus from active maturation. The buildings will remain standing and secure. Heaven Hill continues to invest in new rickhouses across the Commonwealth which will impart their own unique characteristics to our aging barrels. Most barrels currently aging at Deatsville will be relocated to other Heaven Hill sites and may be referenced in future releases as having spent a portion of their maturation at Deatsville. This 13-Year-Old release is the first chapter in a multi-year tribute to the Deatsville site, with additional releases and commemorative moments planned through 2027.

In a rare opportunity, guests will be able to access the private Deatsville rickhouse campus through a Deatsville Tour & Tasting experience. The tour includes visits to two rickhouse sites, allowing guests to see firsthand how structural differences—including Deatsville’s tiered roof design—impact maturation and flavor development. Early access to the Deatsville 13-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey will be exclusively available through this tour experience. Tickets for this tour will be available beginning on March 15 through the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience website.

Heaven Hill maintains more than two million barrels aging across Kentucky and holds the second-largest inventory of aging American Whiskey. As the company continues to steward its extensive aging portfolio, the Deatsville campus stands as a singular and distinctive chapter—one whose influence will continue to live on in the whiskey it helped mature, leaving a lasting legacy even after these rickhouses transition out of active aging. Heaven Hill Deatsville 13-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey invites enthusiasts to experience that chapter while it can still be poured.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 2 million barrels aging in more than 70 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond, Henry McKenna, Parker’s Heritage Collection along with its extensive and diverse collection of unique and innovative products. In the past five years alone, Heaven Hill Distillery has been named Distiller of the Year nine times, including 2024 and 2023 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year. Other recent honors include 2024 and 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition’s Most Awarded Distillery and the 2023 Icons of Whisky World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon. For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.