American Whiskey Report June 2025

Bourbon is nothing if not versatile. I don’t know if you know this, but warm bourbon is actually really good. But if that’s not your jam, try a refreshing highball cocktail to cool off this summer. Now on to the American whiskey news you can use!

Brother's Bond Bourbon

Product Releases

• Brother’s Bond Bourbon has released a single barrel selected by 1 Hotels that is a regeneratively grown straight bourbon.

• Michter’s has released the 2025 Michter’s 10 year Kentucky Straight Rye at 92.8 proof.

• Woodford Reserve’s latest distillery series release is Woodford Reserve Bourbon finished in Tawny Port barrels.

• Gonzo Whiskey has launched in partnership with the estate of Louisville native Hunter S. Thompson.

• Laws Whiskey House has released its second in its Headwaters Series, the Rio Grande Edition, a 100% heirloom Colorado-grown rye whiskey.

• Milam & Greene has released The Answer, a two-bottle set of bourbons, both distilled in Kentucky, one aged in Kentucky and one aged in Texas.

• Binder’s Stash has forged a rare partnership with Willett Distillery to source barrels and have the Kentucky distillery do contract bottling.

Uncle Nearest

• Nearest Green Distillery has released a commemorative single barrel to honor the U.S. Armed Forces.

• High West has released its annual Prisoner’s Share, a blend of straight bourbon and Rye whiskeys finished for 4-12 years in The Prisoner wine barrels.

• 4 Branches has released The Continental, a small batch bourbon honoring the servicemembers who have served over the last 250 years.

• Old Fitzgerald has released a new 7 year old Bottled-in-Bond bourbon.

• Castle & Key has released Chapter 4 The Untold Story of Kentucky Bourbon in partnership with the Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild, which honors the contributions of African Americans in the distilling industry. Proceeds fund scholarships for distilling education.

• Oaklore Distilling has released Oaklore Story Series: Port Cask Finish Rye Whiskey.

Old Forester President’s Choice

• Old Forester has released its President’s Choice, for the first time in both a bourbon and a Rye.

• Redemption has released an 18 year old bourbon sourced from MGP.

• 15 Stars has released 15 STARS Founders Reserve Fine Aged Rye, a blend of rye whiskeys from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana.

• Woodinville has released an 8 year 100% rye whiskey with rye sourced from the Omlin Family Farm.

• The University of Kentucky’s Estate Whiskey Alliance has announced the first cohort of Estate Whiskey Certified products, meaning that each product was made at its home distillery from locally-sourced products. The first cohort includes Maker’s Mark, Hillrock Farm Estate Distillery, Whiskey Acres, and Black Fox Farm and Distillery.

• J. Henry and Sons has released Reserva Sevillana Four Grain Rye finished for 12-18 months in Vino Naranja casks from Seville, Spain.

• George Remus has released Babe Ruth Reserve I guess to celebrate two famous womanizers on one label.

• Horse Soldier Bourbon has released a commemorative Bourbon celebrating the Army’s 250th anniversary.

• Pursuit Spirits has released a cognac cask finished rye.

• Blue Note has released its first single barrel rye whiskey.

• Barrell Craft Spirits has released a 20 year old Bourbon finished in three different rum casks.

• Be on the lookout for another release from River City Whiskey next month.

People News 

The Whiskey Bible

• Noah Rothbaum’s The Whiskey Bible: A Complete Guide to the World’s Greatest Spirit, all about the history and lore behind whiskey throughout the world publishes in September (pre-order now). 

• The Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame has announced its 2025 inductees:

  -Mary Dowling, posthumously, of Waterfill and Frazier Distilling Company

  -Craig Beam, a seventh generation distiller who has worked for numerous brands including Heaven Hill and Jackson Purchase

  -Larry Ebersold, who has worked for Seagram’s, Rabbit Hole, New Riff, and many more

  -Chris Morris, Master Distiller Emeritus of Woodford Reserve

  -Damon Thayer, retired Senate Majority Leader for the Commonwealth of Kentucky

Luke Grimes and High West

Other News

• High West has partnered with Luke Grimes on an initiative to protect the West, aimed at preventing wildfires and protecting land.

• Tickets for the Bourbon Classic are on sale now. Learn more about the Bourbon Classic here.

• Doc Swinson’s has opened its first tasting room, The Barrel Lab, in Ferndale, Washington.

• Louisville’s Watch Hill Proper will host its 3rd annual American Whiskey Festival on August 16, 2025.

• The Trail Hotel has opened in Bardstown, Kentucky. It features five Bourbon-themed bars and a Bourbon Butler to help coordinate distillery tours and experiences.

• Green River has opened a tasting room on Louisville’s Whiskey Row.

• Circa 1856 has celebrated one year as the homeplace to Chicken Cock Whiskey.

• Heaven Hill has donated 650 backpacks filled with school supplies to community groups through Blessings in a Backpack and the United Way.

• Evan Williams has chosen its 2025 American Made Heroes to be featured on bottles, chosen for their continuing service to others:

  -Ralph Galati, Wallingford, PA, Captain, ASTRA Officer, U.S. Air Force

  -Chuck Ziegenfuss, Decatur, TX, Major, U.S. Army

  -Son Nguyen, Corona, CA, Petty Officer Second Class, U.S. Navy

  -April Brown, Lexington, KY, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army

  -Alvin King, Blythewood, SC, First Sergeant, U.S. Army

  -Erica Walker, Alex, OK, Sergeant/E5, U.S. Army

Bonus Cocktail Recipe

Sagamore Spirit Elderflower Old Fashioned

Sagamore Spirit Elderflower Old Fashioned

2 oz Sagamore Spirit Small Batch Rye Whiskey

0.75 oz Blood Orange Juice

0.5 oz Elderflower Syrup

1 dash Orange Blossom Water

Garnish: Basil Leaf and Cucumber Ribbon

Add ice to a mixing glass. Stir in Sagamore Small Batch Rye Whiskey, Blood Orange Sour, Elderflower Syrup, and Orange Blossom Water. Strain into rocks glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with Basil Leaf and Cucumber Ribbon.