By Richard Thomas Rating: B It has been little over a year since Ohio’s Middle West Spirits bought Old Elk Distillery, based in Colorado, but now Old Elk has come out with its first major release since the acquisition. This new launch is a 10 year old collection, consisting of a straight bourbon (rye recipe); …
Whiskey House of Kentucky announced it achieved ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation through A2LA for laboratory testing, marking the fourth ISO certification in just two years since the start of production — a first in the distilling industry. The latest certification demonstrates the company’s continued commitment to quality, technical competence, operational discipline, and customer confidence. ISO/IEC 17025 …
Centennial’s Branch & Barrel Distilling has announced the release of 5 year old Colorado Straight Bourbon Batch 35, also known as ‘Mitch’s Blend’ for Master Blender Mitchell Nester’s fondness for it. Batch 35 is now available on shelves across the state of Colorado and at Branch & Barrel’s Centennial Tasting Room. “I’m going to go …
By Richard Thomas While I was promoting my latest book, Behind the Bottle: Jack Daniel’s, earlier this spring, I fielded more than a few questions about what the difference is between sour mash and sweet mash whiskey-making. If that seems off-topic, I initially found it a little odd as well, but I have since chalked …
By Richard Thomas Rating: A- Sometimes pundits have real, lasting influence. So, whenever I see someone scoff at Blade & Bow in a blog or an internet forum, I chalk it up to Chuck Cowdery’s very personal feud with certain individuals at Diageo, which had the trickle down effect of a chunk of enthusiasts being …
Neogtiant Lost Lantern is perhaps best known for their carefully curated single cask releases of American craft whiskey, but in their latest release the company has returned to its foundation of blending. They have announced the launch of the United States of Bourbon, the first-ever blend of bourbon from all 50 states, and the widest-ranging American …
By Randall H. Borkus Rating: B In May 2026, 15 Stars announced the fourth release of its First West collection: First West Explorer. Joining First West Small Batch, First West Toasted Oak and First West Extra Aged, this new expression is a first consisting of 100% in-house distilled bourbon. Theirs is an interesting story. Rick and …
Next Century Spirits (NCS) today announced the acquisition of certain brand assets from Grain & Barrel Spirits, including Chicken Cock Whiskey, a heritage brand dating back to 1856. This brand acquisition gives NCS its first presence in Kentucky and a premium anchor for its whiskey portfolio. “Grain & Barrel built something real here with the …
The Musician has been on the front of Still Austin’s flagship Straight Bourbon Whiskey label since its inception in 2020. This September, her story gets a new home. Still Austin Whiskey Co. today announced the opening of The Still Austin Quarter, a 15,000-square-foot hospitality destination slated to open September 2026 in the heart of South …
The Jos. A. Magnus brand is named for a whiskey man who opened a distillery in Cincinnati, Ohio 135 years ago, back when being located across the river from Northern Kentucky made the place a hotbed in the bourbon industry. Although Magnus’s chief brand was called Murray Hill, the folks who started the Jos. A. …
