KENTUCKY DISTILLERS’ ASSOCIATION WELCOMES BENSON VALLEY BOURBON AS NEWEST MEMBER

DISTILLERY HONORS CRAFTSMANSHIP PAVED ON HISTORICAL GROUNDS

FRANKFORT, KY. — The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced Benson Valley Bourbon as the newest member of the non-profit trade group that unites and leads Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry.

Established on historic property acquired by the company in 2022, Benson Valley Bourbon is located along the banks of Benson Creek on land that was once home to the former Old Kennebec Distillery.

As a nod to the area’s historic legacy, the distillery uses the same limestone spring that was first used nearly a century ago. As it passes through limestone, the water is naturally filtered of iron, sulfur, and other impurities, making it an essential component of Kentucky Bourbon and Benson Valley Bourbon’s time-honored methods.

Since re-igniting operations this year, the distillery, located at 1501 Benson Valley Road, has already produced more than 400 barrels, with storage capacity planned for more than 14,000 barrels. With a focus on honoring their deep roots in craftsmanship and quality, Benson Valley Bourbon still fills 10-hoop barrels, just as Old Kennebec Distillery once did.

“Each day is an opportunity to build upon the rich legacy of our historic grounds,” said owner Russ Blakeley. “Joining the KDA was a natural step for our distillery to celebrate the living history of Kentucky Bourbon.

“From honoring the land’s pure ingredients, like the tried and true limestone spring, to the spirit of the distillery that came before, we look forward to joining the rich community that KDA fosters.”

As the ever-growing community of KDA continues to grow its footprint across the Bluegrass, KDA President Eric Gregory welcomed Benson Valley Bourbon into the new era of Kentucky Bourbon.

“It’s safe to say that Kentucky Bourbon is Kentucky’s greatest story. As Benson Valley Bourbon marries their historic grounds with their new, modern offerings, they serve as a reminder of the rich Bourbon legacy that’s strengthening our communities: one pour at a time,” shared Gregory.

Benson Valley Bourbon’s addition to the KDA reflects the continued expansion of Kentucky’s Bourbon industry, a $9 billion economic engine that generates more than 23,000 jobs that attracted 2.7 million visitors in 2024 through the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®.

Learn more about Benson Valley Bourbon at www.bensonvalleybourbon.com.

Benson Valley Bourbon joins KDA as a “Craft” level member, aging between 1-1,000 barrels annually.

Visit the KDA and its Kentucky Bourbon Trail® adventure at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.

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.

2011 Bruichladdich 11 Year Old “Dramfool’s Jim McEwan Signature Collection 5.1″ First Fill Bourbon Cask #2477 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Previously $325) $228.89 View

Colour – Primrose Yellow, Aromas – Opens beautifully on a combination of Primrose, Myrtle, Lily, Marigold and mint. It’s like walking through the peat fires next to the Atlantic Ocean! Then the sweetness of the toasted barley and mellow oak drift in bringing with them little hints of bourbon spiciness laid down by the first spirit matured in the cask. “Its gentle on my mind” Taste – The spirit is balanced & restrained on the palate. This is pure Islay; No smoke, just barley & oak and time by the Ocean. The opulent flavours seduce the taste buds with mellow oak and barley sugars. The Maritime Islay character is with you all the way, fresh and clean and packed with passion & traditional skills from a dedicated team of Distillers who bring the magic to the spirit. No computers, no colouring, no chill filtration, just a special spirit from a special place.

According to the bottler: “Distilled on 11th July 2011 this whisky spent its whole 11-year life maturing in cask #2477. This maturation took place in a 1st fill bourbon cask from an unknown American Distillery. Bottled in July 2022 as Release 5.1 of the Jim McEwan Signature Collection, like all bottlings within the collection, it was bottled un-chill filtered, with no added colour, and at natural cask strength of 59.0% (as we always say, Jim would have it no other way!), it yielded only 238 bottles.”

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

Glenburgie 30 Year Old 1995 Fragrant Drops

£273.95 GBP

The Glenburgie 30 Year Old 1995 is an exquisite Speyside single malt Scotch whisky bottled by The Keeble Cask Company for their prestigious Fragrant Drops series. Distilled in 1995 and matured for three decades in a single refill ex-bourbon barrel, this limited-edition 2025 release was bottled at natural cask strength 49.7% ABV. Long maturation has developed a whisky of remarkable depth and elegance, where Glenburgie’s fruit-forward spirit meets the subtle sweetness of aged oak.

Why We Think You’ll Love It

• Distilled in 1995 and matured 30 years in a single refill ex-bourbon barrel #6676

• Bottled in 2025 at natural cask strength 49.7% ABV

• Released by The Keeble Cask Company for the Fragrant Drops series

• A rare, long-aged Speyside single malt showcasing refined oak influence

• Combines Glenburgie’s signature fruit richness with mature bourbon-cask depth

The Glenburgie 30 Year Old 1995 Fragrant Drops is a masterful single-cask whisky that epitomises Speyside elegance. With 30 years of patient maturation, it delivers exceptional smoothness, balance, and complexity — a true collector’s gem and a shining example of the Fragrant Drops dedication to cask excellence.

Royal Brackla 2014 11 Year Old, Watt Whisky

£72.00

TyndrumWhisky.com
The Green Welly Stop
Tyndrumwhisky, Tyndrum
Crianlarich, Perthshire FK20 8RY
United Kingdom

Mixtape02: Hootenanny by Phillips Fermentorium – The Unbottling

Adam gives us a bit of insight into this brand new upcoming single cask release from the local legends. The second part of our experimental single cask series, a special partnership between Phillips & The Strath. Get yours HERE

Wheelhouse Whisky — Prophecy

Prophecy Awarded Best Dram

An award-winning whisky. Crafted and blended from kindred spirits, curated to reflect Benbecula’s future flavour and taste. Smoke, salt, and sweet fruity and floral notes. Wheelhouse Whisky — Prophecy has been voted Best Dram at the Manchester Whisky Festival. This whisky is curated by our team to reflect what our future Benbecula whisky will be like once it has matured. We are so thrilled this dram has been recognised with this award, and are even more excited as we get closer to our inaugural release.

LEARN MORE

Much like our whisky, a Wheelhouse is complex and layered. These rare Iron Age structures, largely found in the rugged Outer Hebrides landscape, are circular drystone buildings, segmented like oranges by interior walls. Wheelhouses offer a glimpse into the lives of our Island ancestors, proving that with the right foundation, lasting legacy can be built.

Wheelhouse Cask No 4 — Prophecy

Prophecy has just been released and is only available in store at Benbecula Distillery.

2012 Port Charlotte 10 Year Old “Dramfool’s Jim McEwan Signature Collection 7.2″ First Fill Bourbon Barrel Cask #2554 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Previously $370) $258.10 View

Jim McEwan
Review Date: N/A

Aromas – Opens on a beautiful combination of peat smoked barley with tantalising hints of lemon & honey then waves of heather in bloom drift by. Little notes of juniper and pine mingle beautifully with the spiciness of bourbon residue and sweetness of malt extract. It’s Islay at its best, in the early summer with the warm winds from the Atlantic Ocean caressing the barley fields and depositing the salty moisture on the land that give the barley its unique flavour. Palate – The sweetness of malt extract is in harmony with the smokiness from the peat and also the spicy residue from bourbon-soaked staves, it evolves slowly creating the flavour profile that makes this spirit unique. The most important element of this spirit is that it is distilled by Islanders who simply walk in the footsteps of their fore-fathers; no computers, no chemists, no BS, just passion pride and patience.

This release was distilled on July 18th, 2012 after spending its entire 10-year life maturing in cask #2554, a first-fill Bourbon barrel from the Jack Daniels distillery. It was bottled in February 2023 without chillfiltration and no added color, at a natural cask strength of 60.6%. Only 232 bottles were produced. Tasting notes from Jim McEwan: “Aromas – Opens on a beautiful combination of peat smoked barley with tantalising hints of lemon & honey, then waves of heather in bloom drift by. Little notes of juniper and pine mingle beautifully with the spiciness of bourbon residue and sweetness of malt extract. It’s Islay at its best, in the early summer with the warm winds from the Atlantic Ocean caressing the barley fields and depositing the salty moisture on the land that give the barley its unique flavour. Palate – The sweetness of malt extract is in harmony with the smokiness from the peat and also the spicy residue from bourbon-soaked staves, it evolves slowly creating the flavour profile that makes this spirit unique. The most important element of this spirit is that it is distilled by Islanders who simply walk in the footsteps of their forefathers; no computers, no chemists, no BS, just passion, pride and patience.”

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 Invergordon 50 Year Old 1974 is an extraordinary Highland single grain Scotch whisky bottled by The Keeble Cask Company for their prestigious Fragrant Drops series. Distilled in 1974 and matured for half a century in a single 2nd fill Oloroso sherry octave, this remarkable 2025 release was bottled at natural cask strength 48.2% ABV. After five decades of patient ageing, it delivers a luxurious depth of flavour — a true masterpiece from one of Scotland’s most respected grain distilleries.

Why We Think You’ll Love It

• Distilled in 1974 and matured 50 years in a 2nd fill Oloroso sherry octave #1

• Bottled in 2025 at natural cask strength 48.2% ABV

• Released by The Keeble Cask Company for the Fragrant Drops series

• A rare half-century-old single grain whisky of exceptional refinement

• Combines sherry depth, oak elegance, and a luxurious silky texture

The Invergordon 50 Year Old 1974 Fragrant Drops is a once-in-a-lifetime whisky — elegant, complex, and steeped in history. With 50 years of slow maturation, this single-cask release delivers unparalleled smoothness and depth, making it a crowning achievement in the Fragrant Drops collection and a true collector’s treasure

Bunnahabhain Staoisha 2019 6 Year Old, Watt Whisky

TyndrumWhisky.com
The Green Welly Stop
Tyndrumwhisky, Tyndrum
Crianlarich, Perthshire FK20 8RY
United Kingdom

ralfy review 1111 – Ardnahoe Infinite Loch @ 50%vol: (W.F.T.Y-2026)