This week, within the run-up to Memorial Day weekend, two American whiskey makers marked the event by saying releases made to honor our army. Kentucky distiller Inexperienced River is toasting the U.S. Military’s 250th anniversary with a particular launch that will probably be out in June. In the meantime, Minnesota’s Brother Justus will probably be providing two expressions—one popping out this month, and the opposite to be launched in November.
Inexperienced River Military 250th Anniversary Version bourbon
ABV: 55.55%
SRP: $50
Availability: Restricted
Inexperienced River Distilling Co. is saluting the U.S. Military’s 250th anniversary with a commemorative whiskey that can debut subsequent month. Comprised of a mashbill of 77% corn, 14% rye, and 9% malted barley, the bourbon is comprised of whiskeys aged 4 to 7 years and bottled at 111.1 proof, or what the distillery refers to as “Military Robust” in a nod to Veteran’s Day (November 11th, or 11/11). The particular launch will probably be obtainable at choose army bases, Inexperienced River’s tasting rooms in Owensboro and Louisville, Kentucky, at retailers all through the nation, and on-line at Seelbach’s beginning June 14th, which is the official Military anniversary. A portion of the proceeds from gross sales will go towards charitable causes that assist and honor the U.S. Armed Forces, together with The Particular Operations Warrior Basis, the Particular Operations Fund, USA Cares, and the Bardstown-Nelson County Veterans Memorial.
Lofted Spirits bought Inexperienced River in August 2022, following its buy of Bardstown Bourbon Co. earlier that very same yr. The corporate is led by CEO Mark Erwin, who’s himself a retired U.S. Military colonel. Along with Bardstown and Inexperienced River, Lofted Spirits additionally owns Lofted Customized Spirits, the corporate’s latest arm (created this previous March), chargeable for all contract distillation—beforehand, that designation was held by Inexperienced River.
Brother Justus Commander’s Personal American Whiskey
ABV: 43%
SRP: $73
Availability: Restricted; on the distillery and on-line
Minneapolis distillery Brother Justus has introduced a pair of whiskeys made in partnership with the non-profit veteran group thirty fourth Infantry Division Affiliation—the primary of which will probably be obtainable this month. Commander’s Personal is distilled completely from malted barley and is mixed from whiskeys aged 3 years and fewer than a yr. Its companion expression, Commander’s Minimize, is releasing in November, with particulars to return.
Regardless of being distilled completely from malted barley, this whiskey isn’t labeled as an American single malt. That’s resulting from a disagreement between the distillery and the federal government. Brother Justus has at all times distilled its whiskey at a reasonably excessive proof, taking its inspiration from Scotland, which permits distillation proofs of 190 (or 95% ABV) or decrease. And for years, because of the lack of regulation surrounding American single malt, the distillery was free and clear to proceed doing that. However when the TTB stepped in to formally acknowledge American single malt as an official class in December, it imposed a most distillation proof of 160 (80% ABV). That meant Brother couldn’t name its whiskey American single malt anymore. Its solely two choices have been to make modifications to its long-followed recipe or to name its whiskey one thing else. The distillery selected to stay with the established components, and in February, CEO Phil Steger introduced he was looking for authorized choices to oppose the TTB’s choice.
For lovers of army historical past, the thirty fourth Infantry Division is definitely a well-recognized title. Higher referred to as “Pink Bull” for its division insignia (which options prominently on the whiskey’s label), this U.S. Military unit was first based in 1917 and continues to be round as we speak. It holds the excellence of being the primary American division to be deployed to Europe throughout World Warfare II, with the thirty fourth taking part in a task in each the North African and Italian campaigns. In newer instances, the division has seen deployments to Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan.
