John Emerald Distilling Company is a family-run small-batch craft distillery from Opelika, Alabama that has been operational since 2014. It is the first legal distillery that opened in the state since the end of the Prohibition era, a year short of a hundred years later. It all started when John and his son Jimmy Sharp, both homebrewers, started looking into opening a brewery. Finding the market to be oversaturated, they turned to craft distilling instead and started rigorous training and education. They came upon an old cotton warehouse in Opelika, a small and business-friendly town where the mayor welcomed them with open arms. The distillery now operates on 8 thousand square feet and has a tasting room that is open for visitors. They produce several spirits using their 350-gallon hybrid pot, each product named after one of John's and Jimmy's ancestors their (grand) father John Emerald Sharp, a successful businessman, being the distillery's namesake. The spirits include award-winning gin, vodka, rum, and a single malt. The latter John Emerald Alabama Single Malt Whiskey is at the very core of their lineup and is the only one to share the name with the distillery itself. Then there's Hugh Wesley's Gin, Elizabeth Vodka, Spurgeon's Barrel Aged Rum, and Gene's Spiced Rum. This expression in John Emerald's Purveyor's Series Double Wood is a bourbon whiskey that is aged in new American oak barrels. But there's a twist, the barrels are filled with wood chips. In this case, toasted American white oak chips are used. The unique way of finishing the whiskey ensures that an extraordinary amount of liquid comes into contact with the wood, imparting the nicely-balanced sweet bourbon with an extra layer of oakiness.

A truly original bourbon, complements of a truly original bootlegger.

GEORGE REMUS® Bourbon captures the rebellious spirit of the Prohibition era with a hint of vanilla, a maple aroma and a sweet-yet-characteristic rye flavor.

Tasting Notes

AROMA: Sweet with notes of maple and vanilla

TASTE: Hint of vanilla and a sweet - yet - characteristic rye flavor

FINISH: Smooth, long finish, giving way to the subtle vanilla sweetness

For over 200 years, our Distillery has been defined by a dedication to one craft: making fine bourbon whiskey. By honoring tradition and embracing change, Buffalo Trace Distillery has earned its place of leadership among the legendary spirits makers of the world. Take a look at this time honored craft from start to finish.

In partnership with the Chicago Rabbinical Council (cRc), Buffalo Trace Distillery produced this Rye Recipe Bourbon Whiskey. Made with the same high quality grains as Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whiskey, this Kosher spirit was aged in specifically designated Kosher barrels. In order to satisfy Passover requirements, these barrels were sold to a non-Jewish executive in a ceremony witness by a representative from the cRc. After aging for seven years, this Rye Recipe Bourbon was bottled at 94 proof after ensuring the bottling lines were cleaned beforehand and that no contact was made by non-Kosher spirits. Released after Passover each year, this Rye Recipe Bourbon is bold and independent, celebrating its heritage from America’s oldest continually-operating distillery.

TASTING NOTES

For over 200 years, our Distillery has been defined by a dedication to one craft: making fine bourbon whiskey. By honoring tradition and embracing change, Buffalo Trace Distillery has earned its place of leadership among the legendary spirits makers of the world. Take a look at this time honored craft from start to finish.

Buffalo Trace Distillery produced this Wheat Recipe Bourbon in a partnership with the Chicago Rabbinical Council (cRc). Made with the same high quality grains as W.L. Weller Bourbon Whiskey, this Kosher spirit was aged in specifically designated Kosher barrels. In order to satisfy Passover requirements, these barrels were sold to a non-Jewish executive in a ceremony witnessed by a representative from the cRc. After aging for seven years, this Wheat Recipe Bourbon was bottled at 94 proof after ensuring the bottling lines were cleaned beforehand and that no contact was made with non-Kosher spirits. Released after Passover each year, this Wheat Recipe Bourbon stands alone, a tribute to the legacy of America’s oldest continually-operating distillery.

TASTING NOTES

Noble Oak makes unique and award-winning whiskey with a worthy purpose. The folks at Noble Oak are wood fanatics and rightly so. That's because 70% of a whiskey's flavor comes from the wood in which it is matured. They mention: "Our commitment to oak transcends our whiskey, because every bottle plants a tree in partnership with One Tree Planted in an effort to preserve the world's most majestic forests." Trinity Reserve is a straight bourbon that brings together 3 continents via oak from Japan, Europe, and America. The whiskey is first aged for at least 4 years in new charred American oak, before being finished with meticulously hand-picked oak staves. Ex-bourbon staves bring vanilla and citrus notes, ex-sherry Scotch staves bring dried fruit and spice notes, while new Japanese oak staves bring the profile together, balancing the complexity and adding depth. Released exclusively online, and Flaviar members have a chance to grab this expression first. Fewer than 2,800 bottles were produced. Paul Pacult of The Spirit Journal has awarded this beautiful expression with 5 stars, noting its "top to bottom, consistent brilliance and on-message character from first whiff through to the finish. No surprises, no changes in direction, just solid, high quality excellence."

Our award-winning Breckenridge Bourbon soaks up the charm of our own aged Colorado Rum casks, creating an unstoppable wave of flavor. Candied apple and cinnamon enfold, as dark chocolate and cacao follow. Lingering allspice captivates the senses, gratifying in just one sip, but mysterious enough to leave you wanting another.

Following the defeat of the British at the Battle of Yorktown during the American Revolutionary War, the territory west of the Appalachian mountains became known as Kentucky County. At the time, the territory was considered part of Virginia, and was overseen by a military governor namedJohn J. Bowman. In order to encourage westward expansion, Virginia issued pioneers who agreed to settle in Kentucky County "corn writs," which granted the pioneers 60 acres of land if they agreed to settle in Kentucky and start farming corn. One year after the defeat of the British, a Baptist minister namedElijah Craigemigrated to Fayette County (today, a part of the State of Kentucky) and purchased 1,000 acres of land in a town named Lebanon. In 1789, Craig built a distillery on his farm and is credited with being the first person to mature bourbon in charred, oak casks, earning him the title "Father of Bourbon Whiskey." Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey pays homage to Craig and his unique legacy.Twice barreled for added complexity, Toasted Barrel takes Elijah Craig's award-winning Small Batch Bourbon to new heights. After it's fully matured, this Bourbon is finished in a second, custom toasted new oak barrel, where it's left to develop even more sweet oak flavor.

Calumet Farm Single Rack Black 14 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey represents both the prestigious nature and hard-earned quality of a premium Kentucky straight bourbon. It is painstakingly crafted from extremely small batches of 19 barrels. All barrels used are aged in a single, center cut rack from the ideal maturation location and conditions inside the rick house.  This expression of the Calumet Farm Bourbon family is a true convergence of craftsmanship and flavor. It is Non-Chill Filtered for added depth of character and color.

Awards 

95 Point rating and Gold Medal from the prestigious Beverage Testing Institute.

Tasting Notes

Color: Deep amber throughout with shimmering highlights of copper and sun-yellow

Nose: Heavy notes of oak and molasses are rolled back as light scents of fresh corn, wood sugars and hay present

Taste: Smooth flavors of oak and char subside to reveal complex sensations of toasted grains, toffee and vanilla

Finish: The long finish leaves the palate with a subtle dryness followed by lasting flavors of rye and dark fruit

The story of Nevada H & C Distilling Co. begins in 2004 when the screenwriter Jonathan Hensleigh met co-founder Aaron Chepenik in a bar in Eagle Rock, Los Angeles. They quickly realized they had the same vision of opening a bar, opening The Griffin together. After a couple years of sampling their inventory, they began discussing what they liked and didn't like about the bourbons and vodkas they were selling. One night, the idea of creating their own spirits popped up, which eventually led to them opening the first distillery in the city of Las Vegas. The City Council had to create a license especially for them since none existed beforehand. It took them 6 years of gathering equipment and setting it up, with several hurdles along the way. The bright side was that by the time they opened their doors they had several high-rye bourbons ready, which meant they could begin operating immediately. They have two brands under their belt now, both with several medals from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Silver Dollar American Vodka and Smoke Wagon. The latter comprises several bourbons, including the Smoke Wagon Uncut Unfiltered Bourbon. The goal with this expression was to bring the blending philosophy from their Small Batch into a high-proof bourbon meant to be drunk neat. Based on a blend of old and young high-rye whiskeys, it's rich, sweet, and creamy. It has won the coveted Double Gold medal at the 2017 and 2020 editions of the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Jos. A. Magnus & Co. distillery revived Joseph Magnus Bourbon in 2015 after rediscovering a 122-year-old family heirloom. The bourbon combines 12-year-old MGP bourbon with triple-cask finishing, resulting in rich flavors like vanilla, citrus, dark chocolate, and dark stone fruits, with numerous awards to its name. The Cigar Blend Bourbon, a blend of 11 and 18-year-old whiskeys, is perfect for cigars, boasting tobacco, spice, and fruity notes from Armagnac brandy cask finishing, with Double Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2018 and 2019.

Jos. A. Magnus & Co. distillery was re-established in 2015, but the legacy of Joseph Magnus Bourbon dates back to the 1890s. After Magnus' great-grandson rediscovered an old bottle of his ancestor's whiskey amongst family heirlooms, the idea was hatched to revive the art of finished bourbon. Samples were taken from that 122-year-old bottle and the liquid was reverse-engineered. Joseph Magnus Bourbon is comprised of 12-year-old bourbon from MGP in Indiana and triple-cask finished over several months in Oloroso sherry, Pedro Ximenez sherry, and cognac casks at the Jos. A. Magnus & Co. distillery in Washington, D.C. The art of finishing and blending bourbon across the three casks imparts distinctive notes to the finished spirit. This inspired bourbon has rich and deep notes of vanilla, citrus, dark chocolate, brown sugar, and dark stone fruits which deliver a lingering, warm finish. Joseph Magnus Bourbon has received numerous accolades at the highest levels of competition: Double Gold in 2016 and 2017 in both San Francisco World Spirits Competition and New York World Wine & Spirits Competition and Gold Medal, Best in Class Whiskey 2016 at ADI, to name a few. The Joseph Magnus Murray Hill Club expression is a recreation of Magnus' pre-Prohibition spirit that employs the same techniques as he would have used more than a century ago. It's a blend of 18 and 11-year-old bourbon with 9-year-old light whiskey that was aged in used barrels. Bottled at 103 proof, this expression has won the coveted Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2019.

On October 1, 1953, William Samuels Sr. purchased Burks Distillery, which was situated in Loretto, Kentucky, for $35,000. Five years later, the distillery released the first bottles of Maker's Mark Bourbon Whisky, which featured the distillery's distinctive red wax seal. The distillery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1980. Made from a mash of corn, wheat, and malted barley, Maker's Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky (spelled without an "e" to honor the Samuels family's Scottish heritage) manages to marry large-scale, global production with a rich tradition in a way that few other distilleries can rival. The actual "makers" of Maker's Mark still rotate the barrels in the distillery's warehouses, bottle the whisky and dip the bottles in wax all by hand. Maker's Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon is special in that red winter wheat serves as the replacement for rye in the recipe. This special holiday release is bottled at a higher 101 proof that gives the profile some additional boldness, richness, and intensity that fans of the original are bound to appreciate.

Penelope Rosé Cask Finish is the first installment in our Cooper Series which takes our straight whiskeys on a world tour, pairing Penelope with wine casks from the finest wine making regions. Sweet and delicate, Rosé Cask Finish marries our signature straight bourbon whiskey with hand-selected French Rosé wine casks from the Southern Rhône region, bringing together a truly unique alliance of flavor. 

TASTING NOTES

Aroma: Candied fruit and cream, floral and herbal notes

Forward Notes: Sweet and refreshing hints of vanilla and viscous cream

Body: Creamy sweetness transitions from the forward notes and into the body, herbal, floral and strawberry cream

Finish: Rich creamy vanilla with hints of strawberry. Savory finish with lingering notes

BOURBON FACTS

Type & Proof: Four Grain | Straight Bourbon Whiskey | 94 Proof | Non Chill-Filtered

Process: Blend of 3 bourbon mash bills comprised of four grains (Corn, Wheat, Rye, and Malted Barley) finished in French Grenache Rosé Wine Casks from the Southern Rhône region of France.

Age/Barrel Char: 4-5 Years Old | #4 Staves, #2 Heads | Mash Bill | 76% Corn | 14% Wheat | 7% Rye | 3% Malted Barley

The story of Nevada H & C Distilling Co. begins in 2004 when the screenwriter Jonathan Hensleigh met co-founder Aaron Chepenik in a bar in Eagle Rock, Los Angeles. They quickly realized they had the same vision of opening a bar, opening The Griffin together. After a couple years of sampling their inventory, they began discussing what they liked and didn't like about the bourbons and vodkas they were selling. One night, the idea of creating their own spirits popped up, which eventually led to them opening the first distillery in the city of Las Vegas. The City Council had to create a license especially for them since none existed beforehand. It took them 6 years of gathering equipment and setting it up, with several hurdles along the way. The bright side was that by the time they opened their doors they had several high-rye bourbons ready, which meant they could begin operating immediately. They have two brands under their belt now, both with several medals from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Silver Dollar American Vodka and Smoke Wagon. The latter comprises several bourbons, including the Smoke Wagon Straight Bourbon Whiskey which was released in 2019. Their entry-level expression showcases the signature Smoke Wagon profile with sweet notes and rye spice. The high-rye mash bill spirit was racked on the top 2 floors of their warehouse and never rotated, letting the hot summer days work their magic on the wood and the liquid within. Bottled without chill-filtration at 92.5 proof, it has won a Double Gold Medal at the 2020 edition of the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. 

The story of Nevada H & C Distilling Co. begins in 2004 when the screenwriter Jonathan Hensleigh met co-founder Aaron Chepenik in a bar in Eagle Rock, Los Angeles. They quickly realized they had the same vision of opening a bar, opening The Griffin together. After a couple years of sampling their inventory, they began discussing what they liked and didn't like about the bourbons and vodkas they were selling. One night, the idea of creating their own spirits popped up, which eventually led to them opening the first distillery in the city of Las Vegas. The City Council had to create a license especially for them since none existed beforehand. It took them 6 years of gathering equipment and setting it up, with several hurdles along the way. The bright side was that by the time they opened their doors they had several high-rye bourbons ready, which meant they could begin operating immediately. They have two brands under their belt now, both with several medals from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Silver Dollar American Vodka and Smoke Wagon. The latter comprises several bourbons, including the Smoke Wagon Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey. It's a high-rye bourbon that was aged in hand-picked barrels at the heart of their old warehouse, ensuring the consistency of its flavor. It's a blend of their younger, rye-forward vintages with smoother, creamier, and sweeter older whiskey. Bold and intense, this expression is bottled at 100 proof and has received a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2016, 2017, and 2020.

Rabbit Hole Distilling, founded by Kaveh Zamanian, produces a beautiful range of award-winning spirits. Their bespoke 24 ft Vendome Copper & Brass still was custom-built only a few blocks from their distillery and their bourbon and rye whiskeys are 100% Kentucky made, crafted to create a unique drinking experience. They produced their first barrel from their very own mix of carefully selected grains, which are mashed and fermented at ideal temperatures to preserve certain precise flavors and aromas, before being distilled without compromise. "My heart and soul go into every single drop of liquid I create, and all of it is precious to me. Yet among the vast number of barrels I laid down when I began Rabbit Hole, years later I discovered a few exceptional barrels whose rye had a nearly transcendent quality. Those are the barrels I harvested for the launch of Founder's Collection and this is the Kentucky rye whiskey that Ive created for my first cask-strength offering," says Zamanian. The release comes in an exquisite gift box with an embossed signature of the founder as well as the bottle number on a ribbon label. The cork features his family crest with the family motto "Amare et Opus" (Love and Work) inscribed. A total of 1,315 bottles of this luxurious expression are available.

Yellowstone National Park was established in 1876, and just a few short years later, the Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey brand would emerge with an equally-rich story. J.B. Dant, legendary distiller and son of J.W. Dant, first began distilling in the late 1800s, using a "log still" instead of the more popular yet more expensive copper pot stills (a log still is made by hollowing out a tree trunk and lining the interior with copper pipes, a cheaper yet still effective way of distilling). As Dant's Yellowstone brand gained popularity in Kentucky, he was able to purchase other nearby distilleries and formalize his process. In the early 1900s, it was through this expansion that Dant began working more closely with M.C. Beam of the illustrious Beam family. Together, Dant and Beam operated their network of facilities as the Yellowstone Distillery and continued to produce Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey for "medicinal purposes" throughout Prohibition. Although the Yellowstone brand changed hands several times throughout the 20th century (first to Diageo and recently to Luxco) and eventually fell out of favor, Luxco, along with the Beam family's new Limestone Branch Distillery, has recently revitalized the brand, unearthing an old Beam family recipe and partnering with Paul and Steve Beam to create a spectacular bourbon that pays homage to the original. The annual Limited Edition series of straight bourbons from Yellowstone has been around since 2015. The blended bourbons are on the experimental side, having been aged in (sometimes re-charred, even multiple times) wine casks, resulting in unique expressions. The 2020 edition is a 7-year-old small-batch affair that was finished in French armagnac casks, imparting the bold, oaky, and sweet bourbon with toffee, butterscotch, and chocolate notes.

Lucky Seven Spirits was founded by best friends Michael Lahalin and John Pals. Both bourbon fans and cinema aficionados, the pair settled on the moniker Lucky 7, named after the legendary Stage 7 of the Warner Brothers lot, where countless classics such as Casablanca were filmed. Since the giant stage got a reputation for producing so many hits, it got the nickname "Lucky Stage 7." The pair sources and blends rare bourbons, only using the finest juice they can find and releasing them as limited editions: 12 YO "The Hold Up," 6 YO "The Jokester," and 12 YO Single Barrel "The Proprietor." They have won several medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, among others. As befits the Hollywood and movie history that permeates Lucky Seven, they have also created a series of short films that accompany each expression. The luxurious decanter bottles include several nods to Old Hollywood, as well as real 22-karat gold. The Lucky Seven 'The Holiday Toast' expression is a limited release that is perfect for the holiday season. This Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey was aged in heavily-toasted new American oak barrels and is bottled at 115 proof. With notes of cinnamon, mulled cider, and baking spices, it's a unique yet serious whiskey that adds a festive touch without being gimmicky.

Lovingly handcrafted and aged in Kentucky, Pinhook Bourbon was established in 2014 and has produced several small-batch bottlings in their newly restored Castle & Key distillery in Frankfort, KY, to much critical acclaim. What makes their line unique is the brand's three distinctive characteristics: its limited availability, mass appeal, and strong ties to Kentucky's legacy of horse racing. Each release of Pinhook Bourbon is named after a thoroughbred owned by Bourbon Lane Stable. The label also features the horses racing records on their brand's website. Every fall Pinhook features an annual vintage of Pinhook Bourbon and Pinhook Rye, each of which is inspired by a thoroughbred horse. Each blend is as unique as the horse on the label. "Pinhooking" refers to an old Kentucky term for purchasing young thoroughbreds, holding them until they mature, and selling them when they are ready to run. Successful pinhooks much like whiskey are made on instinct, experience, an appreciation of quality, and a little luck. Pinhook bourbons and ryes are handcrafted to reflect the richness of the Kentucky soil and the character of its beautiful horse country. The Bourbon Vertical Series is an annual-release series that follows 1,350 MGP bourbons through their aging process up until 12 years of age. "It will be exciting to follow the maturation of both rye and bourbon over the course of 9 years and understand how each style of whiskey progresses individually as well as in comparison to the other," says Master Blender Sean Josephs. The War 5YO Vertical Series is crafted from a mash bill of 75% corn, 20.5% rye, and 4.5% malted barley. The Bourbon War Vertical Series 5 Year Old is a straight bourbon that's bottled at 104 proof, its additional year of maturation brings more dark fruit and caramel notes, as well as hints of smoke. The second in the series, it's a blend of 150 barrels that were aged at Castle & Key. It's named after a thoroughbred colt.