Kentucky Distillers’ Association Celebrates U.S.-India Tariff Reduction Agreement

Lower Duty Opens Door to World’s Largest Whiskey Market for Kentucky Bourbon, America’s Only Native Spirit

FRANKFORT, KY.— The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today hailed the groundbreaking agreement made by President Donald J. Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lower India’s tariffs on Bourbon, opening the world’s largest whiskey market for significant increases in Kentucky Bourbon offerings.

“We have seen worldwide, when trade restrictions are eased, that the elegance and complexity of Kentucky Bourbon attracts discerning palates of connoisseurs and new drinkers alike,” KDA President Eric Gregory said. “The agreement to lower tariffs from 150% to 100% is a historic accomplishment.

“We are grateful for President Trump’s collaboration with President Modi to confront this long-standing prohibitive tariff and create a more favorable path towards progress for Kentucky Bourbon. We are eager to share more of our mellow amber spirit with India’s consumers.”

Gregory also applauded Kentucky Congressman Andy Barr for his tireless work in exploring opportunities to help Bourbon succeed, including pushing for lower tariffs in India. Barr’s 6th District is home to many of Kentucky’s distilleries and the thousands of jobs they create.

Barr recently met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Ambassador of India to the United States Vinay Kwatra to advocate for greater market access for Kentucky Bourbon in India.

Congressman Barr said, “Thoughtful agreements like this will help protect Kentucky jobs and bring a taste of our state to more communities across the globe. America’s distinct spirit will now be more accessible in a market that will open doors for our state’s signature Bourbon industry.”

Kentucky is the birthplace of Bourbon, producing 95% of the world’s supply. The homegrown industry is a $9 billion economic and tourism powerhouse, generating more than 23,100 jobs with $2.2 billion in salaries and benefits, and attracting more than 2.5 million visitors each year to the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour.

The Commonwealth currently has three times more aging barrels of whiskey – 15.4 million – than people, 4.5 million.

India is Kentucky’s 14th largest export market sending $3 million in whiskey annually, which is expected to accelerate with the tariff reduction. Gregory said with the current size of Kentucky’s Indian export market, this agreement will unlock more avenues for Kentucky’s distillers to grow and tackle headwinds that are charging towards the industry.

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.

Our 165th auction, packed to the brim with delicious malts and a veritable cornucopia of alcoholic beverages, has now begun!  We have some amazing drams in the auction this month making it hard to pick out just a few to highlight so keep an eye out for our midweek email where we’ll shine a light on some more.  Here are some of the expressions in the auction which have caught our eye this month, including some particularly impressive Speysides.

First up is a bottle of astounding rarity this is the Balvenie 47 Year Old ‘Morgan’s Reserve’ – One of Eight Bottles.  A bottle so vanishingly rare we thought it best to include its staggeringly low outturn in the title, yes this is one of only eight bottles in existence and as far as we can tell this is the only time this bottle has been available on the secondary market!

A marriage of seven Balvenie casks laid down for the whisky merchant, George Morgan, who originally traded from The Canongate in Edinburgh. Specially selected by his grandchildren, for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations of the Morgan family.

A truly unique bottle of Balvenie indeed and undoubtedly a must have for any serious Balvenie collector.

Staying in Speyside this beautiful bottling is the Linkwood 1956 60 Year Old Cask #20 Private Collection Gordon & MacPhail.  On 3rd January 1956, George Urquhart oversaw the filling of a specially selected European Oak first fill Sherry hogshead with new-make Linkwood spirit and left it to mature until 1968 when it was moved to warehouses in Elgin. Now two generations on, Cask 20 was bottled into fifty-six decanters.  This is an extremely rare 1st fill sherry 1956 single malt, and it is presented in a very special display case with a unique backstory.

Our final distinguished older Speyside selection in this highlight reel is the marvellous Glenfarclas 1953 Single Cask #1682.  Drawn from a single cask this whisky also has a remarkably low outturn with only 97 bottles ever being produced, making this dram a very rare one indeed.  Distilled way back in 1953 this whisky wasn’t bottled until 2012 making the liquid contained within one of the most well-aged Glenfarclas bottles available.  A magnificent single cask bottling this one, from one of Speyside’s biggest hitters.

Finally we have a departure from Speyside but no departure in quality, this is the Springbank 1966 24 Year Old Local Barley #443 75cl.  As if the Local Barley series wasn’t enticing enough this is one from 1966, a near legendary vintage within the Local Barley output.  Fully sherry matured and retaining a hefty 58.1% ABV this is a bucket list dram for many of us Springbank aficionados.  Rich in colour and sporting the rather cool old style Local Barley labelling this is an essential bottling for any serious Springbank collectors out there.

I think we can all agree that those are some mighty fine drams, but we also have a wide range of drams available from more modest drinkers to these more salubrious tipples, so now is the time to delve into this month’s offerings and start building that watchlist.  Best of luck to everyone in the auction, and as always………..don’t lose your bottle.

SPRINGBANK 30

NOSE

A rich and honeyed introduction to this dram, there are notes of ripe peaches, honeycomb and creamy chocolate.

PALATE

There is a vibrancy on the palate, with familiar tropical fruit and fresh tangerine notes, and a leathery note reminiscent of old library books developing over time.

FINISH

Tart and syrupy in the finish, with notes of brambles, maraschino cherries and a dunnage warehouse note to round off this dram.

UK RRP £895 – £920

Imperial (silent)Old And Rare – Single Malt Whisky23 Year Old·1998Vintage

70cl · 49.8% ABV

This 1998 Imperial single malt, bottled by independent bottler Hunter Laing, was matured for 23 years before being released in May 2022 as part of the Old & Rare series, celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. Expect a refined whisky with notes of ripe orchard fruits, honeyed vanilla, and a touch of oak spice. The long maturation adds complexity, with hints of soft malt and a delicate floral finish.

£649.95

Islay

Big Peat Hameldaeme

ABV: 48% | Vol: 70cl

As part of Big Peat’s Private Cask Series, this specialist release of no more than 420 bottles has been created exclusively for Douglas Laing & Co. We have finished this rare marriage of Islay Single Malt in specially selected White Port Casks. The resulting Big Peat Blended Malt delivers a defined Islay peat smoke combined with spiced fruit, toffee, and honey, fused with waves of almond and vanilla. Sip, savour and enjoy this unique taste of Islay.

£54.54

Big Peat is a marriage of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies only from the island of Islay. With Caol Ila spirit bringing sweetness, Bowmore the perfect balance, Ardbeg a medicinal, earthy quality and Port Ellen, a degree of elegance, Big Peat represents all that is Islay in a bottle. Part of the Remarkable Regional Malts range, the ultimate distillation of Scotland’s Malt Whisky Regions.

This spectacular Scotch whisky embodies their unwavering dedication to obtaining sherry wood of the highest standard. A watchful eye throughout the maturation journey ensures the whisky is bottled at its optimum. With an intense mahogany hue, this single malt exudes sheer indulgence with layers of cinnamon, orange zest, vanilla toffee and dark chocolate.

£71.90

Tasting notes:

Nose: Dark cherries, golden syrup and sweet spices to the fore, with hints of toffee, glazed figs and hazelnuts.

Taste: Ther heather honey hallmark, alongside orange peel, cocoa and ginger, with caramelised brown sugar on the finish.

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

J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery Partners with Navy SEAL Foundation on Commemorative Whiskeys

FRANKFORT, KY (Feb. 25, 2025) – The Navy SEAL Foundation (NSF) provides critical support for the warriors, veterans, and families of Naval Special Warfare. Founded in 2000, the NSF is kicking off its 25th year with a partnership with J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery through the release of three double-staved™ American Whiskeys, labeled “Sea,” “Air,” and “Land,” celebrating the environments where SEALs operate. The bottles sell individually for $155, or the trio can be purchased for $425 online, with free shipping. J. Mattingly 1845 will donate $30 from the sale of each bottle to help fund the mission of the NSF.

“At the Foundation, we offer more than 30 comprehensive programs to help SEALs, SWCCs, and their families,” said Chris Irwin, NSF Communications Director. “We are honored to have this partnership  with J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery to support our mission.” 

​Details of each offering are below.

J. Mattingly 1845 Double Staved™ 5-Year-Old Kentucky Bourbon Sea Edition is a five-year-old bourbon bottled at 127 proof. Made with a mashbill of 78 percent corn, 10 percent rye, and 12 percent malted barley, this bourbon is said to have an excellent balance with subtle baking spice notes on the palette. The finish is described as long, with seasoned oak and spiced cherry.

J.Mattingly 1845 Double Staved™ 9-Year-Old Light Whiskey Air Edition was distilled in 2016 and bottled at 129 proof. This whiskey was created using J. Mattingly’s double-staved process using ex-bourbon casks. With a mashbill of 99 percent corn and 1 percent malted barley, this whiskey is described as full-bodied and complex with sweet notes of crème brulée crust, yellow cake, and sweet graham cracker. The finish is maple syrup overlapped with gentle oakiness at the back end.

J.Mattingly 1845 Double Staved™ 5-Year-Old Rye Whiskey Land Edition is a five-year-old rye whiskey bottled at 119 proof. With a mashbill consisting of 95 percent rye and 5 percent malted barley, this whiskey is said to contain subtle spices of black pepper, green apple, white pepper, and cloves on the mid-palette. Its finish contains baking spices with a hint of dryness on the finish.

“J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery is honored to have been chosen to create the American Whiskey for the Navy SEAL Foundation,” said Harry Richardt IV, president of J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery. “We have tremendous respect for our military branches and feel privileged we can partner with the NSF on this initiative.” 

The J. Mattingly 1845 Double Staved Trident Collection is available for pre-order online, with orders set to start shipping March 3rd.  A limited quantity of bottles will also be available for sale at the J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery in Frankfort.  Each bottle is 750 mL and suggested retail pricing is $155 each, or all three in the collection for $425.  For more information on the partnership, check out https://jmattingly1845.myshopify.com/pages/navy-seal

About J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery

Starting in 1845 with John Graves Mattingly’s first distillery in Louisville, Registered Distillery #2, the Mattingly family has been synonymous with distilling in Kentucky for more than two centuries, having a hand in the development of at least nine separate distilleries in the Commonwealth.

In 2010 Jeff Mattingly took up the family mantle and started his own craft bourbon business.  Today, Jeff’s son Cameron has joined the team as Vice President of Production, continuing the legacy into the latest generation for J. Mattingly Distillery 1845 in Frankfort, Kentucky. Together, father and son offer their proprietary double-staving™ process as well as a custom bourbon blending experience unparalleled in the spirits industry, available on-site in Frankfort or online at www.jmattingly1845.com

About the Navy SEAL Foundation

The Navy SEAL Foundation (NSF) provides critical support for the warriors, veterans, and families of Naval Special Warfare (NSW) through a comprehensive set of over thirty programs under five Pillars of Support: Strength, Resilience, Health, Education, and Community. Charity Navigator has awarded the NSF a 4-star rating since 2009 and a perfect score since 2014 for financial health, accountability, and transparency. It ranks in the top 0.1% of charities nationwide, with ninety-four cents of every dollar donated directly funding its programs or being retained for future mission use. The NSF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (Tax ID: 31-1728910). It is an independent, non-federal entity unaffiliated with the Department of Defense. Learn more at www.navysealfoundation.org.

Icons of Whisky Award Winner

We are so proud to share that, in addition to winning gold for our Sherry Cask, our team are winning gold too! Our Head of Global Advocacy Rob Patchett has won the ‘Brand Ambassador – World Whisky’ in the 2025 Icons of Whisky Awards!

Rob has been representing our brand around the globe since 2022, and this well-deserved recognition is a testament to his passion and dedication.

“It’s a great honour to receive this award with World Whisky being such an exciting category with so many brilliant people within it. Winning this award is a true testament to our amazing liquids and the wonderful global community that appreciate and champion our whisky.”

 — Rob Patchett, Head of Global Advocacy

Wolves X Willett Family Estate 10 Year Old “Batch 3” Blend Of Straight Rye Whiskeys (750ml)

$239.99

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The Wolves is a creative collaboration based in California. They’ve released several single malts with Marko Karakasevic of Charbay Distillery, but it’s this project with the Willett Family Estate that have put them on the map. Batch 3 is being sold pre-arrival and will be available for pick up toward the second half of March. The distillery describes it here, “[it] opens dramatically, with a complex blend of orange peel, caramel, and baking spices, with flavors of gingerbread, tobacco, and toasted nuts, all wrapped in a velvety mouthfeel. The finish lingers beautifully, balnacing vanilla and caramel sweetness with a pop of spice.”

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

SPEYSIDE WHISKIES UNDER £50

For those looking for a taste of Speyside at a great price, try our Speyside whiskies under £50.

Classic drams like Glenfarclas 10 Year Old and Cardhu Gold Reserve offer a quintessential Speyside profile, while Benriach counts two distinct 12-year-old expressions, one unpeated and one with a delicious lick of smoke.

We’ve also have £7 off Cragganmore’s excellent 12 Year Old, full of biscuit and sweet citrus notes.

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