2025 Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame® Inducts New Members & Lifetime Achievement Recipient

BARDSTOWN, Ky.— The prestigious Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame® inducted its 2025 class into its esteemed ranks before a record crowd of more than 300 industry legends and luminaries in Nelson County.

Inductees include a longtime legislative champion, a trailblazing female entrepreneur, a key architect of the craft distilling boom, a 7th-generation distiller of a storied Bourbon family and a 50-year veteran whose name is synonymous with whiskey quality, integrity, and leadership.

The exclusive annual event was held at The Legacy at Log Still Distillery in Nelson County in front of a sold-out crowd, and was streamed live online to share America’s only native spirit with thousands of global fans.

Founded in 2001 by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame® recognizes individuals who have made a transformational impact on Bourbon’s stature, growth and awareness.

It is the highest honor given by the state’s $9 billion signature industry.

“Today we celebrate five remarkable heroes whose shared vision and tireless efforts have elevated Kentucky Bourbon to greatness,” KDA President Eric Gregory said. “We owe them all our profound thanks and gratitude for their extraordinary achievements.

“And though their individual success has left an indelible mark on our industry, their induction also reminds us that our strength lies in working together, honoring our past while forging a future bound by 200 years of unity and excellence.”

This year’s inductees are, in alphabetical order:

• Craig Beam, 66, Bardstown, Ky. A seventh-generation distiller, Beam learned the art and science behind crafting great whiskeys under the tutelage of his grandfather, Earl, and father, Parker, both legendary Master Distillers and Bourbon Hall of Fame inductees from Heaven Hill Distillery. Now in his fourth decade, Craig is showcasing his award-winning talents and continuing his legacy as Master Distiller at Jackson Purchase Distillery in Western Kentucky, one of the Commonwealth’s fastest-growing contract distillers.

• The late Mary Dowling, Lawrenceburg, Ky. An acclaimed symbol of resiliency and pioneering spirit, Mary Dowling was born in 1859 to Irish immigrants and overcame anti-Irish sentiments and gender barriers to become a trailblazing Bourbon icon. The first woman to run a major distillery in 1903, Dowling audaciously moved production to Mexico during Prohibition. A pillar of her Lawrenceburg, Ky. community and clearly ahead of her time, Dowling built churches, championed immigrant, black and women’s rights and opened a free hospital before her death in 1930.

• Larry Ebersold, 75, Hebron, Ky. Ebersold’s decades-long career, blending corporate experience at Seagram’s with entrepreneurial consulting, has left an indelible mark on the modern Bourbon and rye whiskey industry. A key architect of the craft distillery boom, Ebersold’s expertise has shaped facilities for 31 distilleries, including New Riff, Rabbit Hole and Bardstown Bourbon, collaborating with architects and engineers to design innovative production spaces.

• Chris Morris, 67, Louisville, Ky. Recipient of the prestigious Parker Beam Lifetime Achievement Award. 50-year veteran of the Kentucky Bourbon industry, Morris’ craftsmanship and integrity is hailed around the world for elevating Brown-Forman’s whiskey portfolio and crafting innovative brands such as Woodford Reserve Double Oak and its vaunted Master’s Collection. Morris also is one of the industry’s most respected historians, a three-time Chairman of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association Board of Directors, and a cherished mentor to his successor Elizabeth McCall, all of which has solidified his lasting, lifelong impact on Kentucky Bourbon.

• Damon Thayer, 57, Georgetown, Ky. One of the strongest champions of Kentucky Bourbon in the history of the Kentucky General Assembly, retired Senate Majority Leader Thayer is directly responsible for stewarding more than 20 pieces of legislation that modernized Kentucky’s signature industry, propelled its amber nectar into an unprecedented golden age and transformed distilling into an economic and tourism powerhouse for the Commonwealth.

Note: Full biographies, submitted by the inductees, accompany this release in a separate file can be found here.

Inductees are selected each year by a blue-ribbon committee consisting of all recipients of the Parker Beam Lifetime Achievement Award, the Chair of the KDA Board of Directors, the Governor of the Order of the Writ – Spirit of Kentucky Bourbon Society, and the KDA President.

Parker Beam recipients are Jimmy Russell, Master Distiller of Wild Turkey; Bill Samuels, Jr., Chairman Emeritus of Maker’s Mark; Max Shapira, Executive Chairman of Heaven Hill Brands; Even Kulsveen, Executive Director of Willett Distillery, and Ken Lewis, founder of New Riff Distilling and the current Chairman of the KDA Board of Directors.

Other members of the 2025 selection committee were Chris Morris, Governor of the Order of the Writ, Master Distiller Emeritus at Brown-Forman Corp. and Treasurer of the KDA Board; Gigi DaDan, General Manager of Louisville Distilling Co. and D’USSE Cognac, and Vice Chair of the KDA Board; and noted author Dixie Hibbs of Bardstown, who was appointed by Gregory.

Every year, the group carefully reviews applications submitted by KDA member distilleries through a comprehensive and confidential application process. No more than five inductees are approved each year, further establishing the Hall of Fame as an elite honor.

The 2025 Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame® ceremony was presented by Buzick Construction. Additional sponsors include Bardstown Florist, Bardstown Tourism, Brindiamo Group, Independent Stave Company, Kroger Co., Log Still Distillery, RunSwitch PR, Vendome Copper & Brass Works Corp., and Wiltshire Pantry.

Bardstown Tourism was the sponsor of the signature toast, with Lux Row’s Four Grain Double Single Barrel.

The livestream of the induction ceremony was sponsored by Kroger Co. and facilitated by RunSwitch PR. It can be viewed on the Kentucky Distillers’ Association’s YouTube page @kentuckybourbon.

 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.

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL CRAFT TOUR®, KENTUCKY BOURBON AFFAIR™, KBT®, BOURBON TRAIL™ and KENTUCKY BOURBON HALL OF FAME® are trademarks/service marks owned by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.

Our October auction is now LIVE!

Place your bids until 7pm (GMT) Sunday 26^th October 2025.

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!

Laphroaig – 12 Year Old (Pure Islay Malt) 1960s (75cl)

Caol Ila – 15 Year Old (The Manager’s Dram) 75cl

Springbank – 18 Year Old (1973)

Talisker – 1957 (Gordon & Macphail) 75cl

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.

Double Barrel

Marriage of Two Lands: India & Scotland

We’re proud to announce the return of the Double Barrel India & Scotland, a marriage of four Single Casks: two from India and two from Scotland.

The bottle’s hand-drawn illustration captures this union – one half adorned with the Royal Bengal Tiger, India’s national animal symbolising heritage and culture, and the other with the Unicorn, Scotland’s emblem of strength and purity.

Crafted without added colouring and non-chill filtered, this limited edition Whisky reveals a refined balance:

Rich peated Malt. Bright citrus. Deep oak.

A fitting toast to light, unity, and craftsmanship – from India to Scotland.

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Bunnahabhain 14 Years Old

This single malt was distilled in 2010 at the Bunnahabhain Distillery on the Isle of Islay. It was matured in a single ex-sherry cask, creating a maritime aroma with notes of honey, raisins and nutty finish. It was bottled without chill-filtration or artificial colouring by Skene Scotch Whisky for their Skene Dhu Collection.

£80.00

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BOURBON BARREL PICKS 

Angel’s Envy “K&L Exclusive” Cask #SB-241112 Private Select Port Finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon (750ml) $89.99 View

Barton Distillery 1792 “Bottled in Bond” K&L Exclusive Barrel #263 Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $44.99 View

Barton Distillery 1792 “Full Proof” K&L Exclusive Barrel #267 Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $54.99 View

Blue Run “K&L Exclusive” Cask Strength Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) (Previously $140) $102.99 View

Eagle Exclusive Pack – (Eagle Rare K&L Exclusive 375ml, Jefferson’s K&L Exclusive 750ml) Pack (1x750ml, 1x375ml) $79.99 View

Jack Daniel’s “K&L Exclusive” Single Barrel #24-06163 Cask Strength Tennessee Whiskey (750ml) $64.99 View

Jack Daniel’s “K&L Exclusive” Single Barrel #24-24096 Cask Strength Tennessee Whiskey (750ml) $64.99 View

Knob Creek 9 Year Old “Cask Strength Single Barrel Select – K&L’S 5TH FLOOR X MAGIC A” 127.2 Proof K&L Exclusive Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $64.99 View

Knob Creek 9 Year Old “Cask Strength Single Barrel Select – K&L’S 5TH FLOOR X MAGIC C” 128 Proof K&L Exclusive Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $64.99 View

Old Forester “Barrel Strength” K&L Exclusive (Warehouse J, Floor 1) Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky (750ml) $79.99 View

Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select “The Versailles Barrels” K&L Exclusive Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (1L) $47.99 View

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

The Dalmore Release Three New Distillery Select Series Bottlings 

The Dalmore Distillery Select Series 2025

 The Distillery Select Series Is A Collection of Exceptionally Rare Single Malt Whiskies That Celebrate The Dalmore’s Storied Stocks From Their Famed Highland Home

Highland Single Malt, The Dalmore, is to release three new bottlings of its limited-edition Distillery Select Series this October, exclusively available from their online and global boutiques.

Following the release of the first collection in 2024, the Distillery Select Series offers whisky fans hidden gems from The Dalmore’s storied warehouses. Each whisky is hand-selected for its unique qualities and the rarity of its character. The spirits selected for The Dalmore Distillery Select are always bottled natural colour and non-chill filtered.

Every cask at The Dalmore is special, but those chosen for the Distillery Select Series are specifically taken from small parcels of spirit that demonstrate an interesting dimension of The Dalmore’s signature house style – chocolate, orange, and subtle soft spice. The Dalmore master whisky makers then nurture these casks, assessing by hand until they feel they have reached their full potential, and are ready to be enjoyed.

For the 2025 release, The Dalmore Distillery Select Series again offers three limited-edition bottlings. Reflecting their rarity, scarcity and the truly small nature of the parcels of spirit from which they have been created, each whisky is available in differing quantities.

The Dalmore Distillery Select Series 2025: Cabernet Sauvignon Cask Finish

Cabernet Sauvignon Cask Finish is aged 13 Years and has an ABV of 51.3%. Priced at £350, 1,002 bottles are available of this limited-edition Single Malt, matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon barrels before enjoying a two-year finish in Cabernet Sauvignon barriques from one of the world’s most treasured Médoc wine-growing estates.

Full of charm, this whisky has an enticing aroma of warm citrus fruits, black toffee, sugared almonds, and ginger spice. To taste, expect poached peach with whispers of balsamic, chocolate mocha, and soft liquorice. The finish offers tropical fruits and exotic spices, elevated by classic rich berry fruits, and lingering antique soft wood spice.

The Dalmore Distillery Select Series 2025: Loire Valley Wine Cask Finish

 Loire Valley Wine Cask Finish is aged 17 Years and has an ABV of 46.8%. Only 252 bottles are available of this rare Single Malt, priced at £1,000 each. Finished for more than three years in sweet wine barriques sourced from Bouvet Ladubay in France’s stunning Loire Valley, it is enticingly complex.

A charming melody of damson plums, old English marmalade, and Madagascan vanilla offers a welcome aroma, followed by tastes of poaching spices and Demerara sugar, orchard and citrus fruits. To finish, expect Tahitian vanilla, luscious caramel, and soft baking spices.

The Dalmore Distillery Select Series 2025: Colheita Tawny Port Cask Finish

Colheita Tawny Port Cask Finish is aged 28 Years and has an ABV of 48.2%. Just 49 bottles of this exceptionally rare whisky are available, priced at £5,500 each. This expression of The Dalmore began its maturation in American white oak ex-Bourbon barrels, before finishing for four years in Colheita casks from The Dalmore’s long-standing partner, Graham’s Port. The Port casks used are from 1997, a vintage year, and the same year as this whisky was distilled.

A deepened beauty, the aroma offers a spectrum of exotic fruit, and nuances of damson plums. To taste, it is like smooth velvet, with roasted pineapple, and raspberry coulis, with notes of coffee beans, and Seville orange. The finish offers star fruit, liqurice, dark cacao, and rounded allspice.

This exceptional range of rare Single Malt Whiskies from The Dalmore is only available from The Dalmore website for those in UK, and from The Dalmore’s boutiques in Spain, Cambodia and the Philippines.

The general sale of The Dalmore Distillery Select Series for 2025 will commence from Saturday 11^th October 2025.

Members of The Dalmore Guild will enjoy an early-access sales window, available two days before general sale. To become a Guild member, simply sign up via The Dalmore website.

The response to the inaugural Distillery Select Series in 2024 was extremely positive, with both whisky collectors and connoisseurs alike purchasing these special whiskies. The first release included a 2009 Vintage Sherry Cask finish, a 2007 Amarone and Port Cask finish, and finally a 24 Year Old with a Vintage Calvados finish.  As with this year’s release, their quantities were limited and varied, with just a few bottles available.

Each of the whiskies in The Dalmore Distillery Select Series 2025 are presented at natural colour and are non-chill filtered. 

The Dalmore Distillery Select Series 2025: Cabernet Sauvignon Cask Finish:

Aged: 13 Years                  ABV: 51.3%                         Price: £350                                   Quantity: 1,002 bottles

Aroma:                  Enticing warm citrus fruits, black toffee, sugared almonds, and ginger spice

Taste:                     Poached peach with whisper of balsamic. Chocolate mocha, and soft liquorice

Finish:                   Tropical fruits and exotic spices, elevated by classic rich berry fruits, and lingering antique soft wood spice

Maker’s Note:   “Charming and full of finesse” 

The Dalmore Distillery Select Series 2025: Loire Valley Wine Cask Finish:

Aged: 17 Years                  ABV: 46.8%                         Price: £1,000                                  Quantity: 252 bottles

Aroma:                  A melody of damson plums, old English marmalade, and Madagascan vanilla

Taste:                     Poaching spices and Demerara sugar. Orchard and citrus fruits

Finish:                   Tahitian vanilla, luscious caramel, and soft baking spices

Maker’s Note:   “Enticingly complex”

The Dalmore Distillery Select Series 2025: Colheita Tawny Port Cask Finish:

Aged: 28 Years                  ABV: 48.2%                         Price: £5,500                                  Quantity: 49 bottles

Aroma:                  Exotic nuances of damson plums. A spectrum of exotic fruit

Taste:                     Like velvet. Roasted pineapple and raspberry coulis, with notes of coffee beans and Seville orange

Finish:                   Star fruit, liquorice, dark cacoa, and rounded all-spice

Maker’s Note:   “A deepened beauty”

About The Dalmore

Founded in 1839 on the shores of the Cromarty Firth in the Scottish Highlands, The Dalmore has been making masterpieces of whisky for over 180 years. The 12-point silver stag which proudly adorns each bottle was bestowed upon the first chieftain of Clan Mackenzie in 1263 by King Alexander III of Scotland. The stag became the whisky’s emblem when descendants of the clan took over the distillery in 1878.

The Dalmore distillery’s collection of idiosyncratic stills creates a New Make spirit of unique character and depth – robust and fruity, particularly well-suited to longer and more complex maturation. This allows The Dalmore’s renowned whisky makers to develop spirit over longer periods, continuing a tradition of visionary whisky-making as they fully express their art using rare casks from some of the world’s finest wineries and bodegas.

Something rare Is taking flight…

A new Glengoyne single cask is on the horizon

At Glengoyne, nature and whisky go hand in hand. On Tuesday 28th October, we’ll unveil a new single cask release that celebrates our commitment to sustainability and our long-standing partnership with the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust.

This limited edition bottling supports vital conservation work across the UK, helping protect the wetlands that provide a habitat for wildfowl – including the geese that have long graced our glen. It’s these geese that inspired our name: Glengoyne, derived from Glen Guin, meaning “valley of the geese.”

Only 500 bottles. A spirit shaped by our surroundings.

Slàinte mhath,

Team Glengoyne

Hirsch (Willett) 7 Year Old “The Single Barrel” #91486 Double Oak 117 Proof Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon (750ml)

$109.99

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Yet again, we’ve managed to pull off a coup by landing some incredibly special liquid that ought to cost two or three times more than it does. Even I have to remind myself to pause and simply enjoy it. Willett whiskey, aged seven and a half years with a secondary maturation, bottled at 117 proof, and drawn from one of four exclusive barrels we’ll be receiving. This is the very reason we do what we do. The nose greets you with dense maple and roasted nuts, wrapped in warm winter spices and blackberry jam. The first sip unfolds with dark berries, cinnamon-raisin toast, clove, anise, pink peppercorn, and burnt caramel. The finish seems to last forever, echoing the opening notes while layering in leather, sweet brown butter cookies, and sugared oak. It is a phenomenal whiskey at a phenomenal price, and I can’t wait to taste it alongside the other selections.

The program being offered by Hirsch remains one of the most exciting in Kentucky today. These are those famous stocks that no one is supposed to talk about. Produced at an unnamed Bardstown distillery from their famous mashbill – 76% corn, 13% rye, & 15% malted barley. Those whiskies were rebarreled and aged for a further period at Bardstown Bourbon Company. Selected by our spirits team in early Spring of 2025 and bottled at cask strength. These are still inarguably some of the most sought-after stocks in the industry – so much so that the exact same mashbill bottled by the distillery at the very same aged, easily commands 2-3 times the price at retail. Here we’re more interested in getting our customers this special bourbon at an incredible price. These maybe the final stocks to ever be released of these special lot of whisky. This barrel was distilled on January 11th, 2018 and bottled in late June of 2025, making it 7.5 years old. At a barrel strength of 117 proof you’ll not find a better Bardstown distilled bourbon on the market for less.

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

The Hearach single malt whisky is our first, historic dram from the Isle of Harris. It takes its name from the Scottish Gaelic word for “a native of Harris”, and it’s something that islanders are very proud to be called. We talk about our whisky being woven from people and place, influenced both by the men and women of our community who make it, and the elemental island it comes from.

Made from spirits matured in first fill ex-Bourbon casks, Oloroso, and Fino sherry butts, we further ‘marry’ our recipe to bring additional harmony before bottling. The result is a complex, elegant single malt, full of Harris character that rewards time well spent in its company.

Order your bottle and open to discover more…

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