SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Gold Bar Whiskey, the Official Whiskey of the San Francisco 49ers, proudly announces the release of its first-ever ready-to-drink cocktail in collaboration with legendary Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana - the Gold Bar Whiskey 'Double Gold'. This bold twist on a whiskey mule, made with premium Gold Bar Whiskey, ginger, lime and a splash of orange juice, delivers a smooth yet strong 8% ABV kick - just the way Joe likes it.

Every thoughtfully designed 12oz can of Double Gold features a unique QR code unlocking a complimentary vintage Joe Montana t-shirt, designed as a bold tribute to a true legend. Fans can #ScanTheCan and visit the Gold Bar Distillery on Treasure Island to claim their exclusive shirt, turning every sip into a collectible moment.

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 49ers' historic 1985 championship, Gold Bar Whiskey is also releasing a Retro Edition 85-proof straight bourbon finished in wine casks. Each bottle comes with an innovative "Necker Koozie" - a detachable drink sleeve designed to keep Double Gold canned cocktails ice cold. The design draws inspiration from the iconic gold satin jackets worn by Joe Montana and the 49ers in the 1980s, reviving a vintage throwback look that's deeply embedded in Bay Area sports history, a jacket that truly defined an era.

"The craftsmanship poured into Double Gold and Retro Edition exemplifies the dedication and passion from the Gold Bar Whiskey team," said Montana. "I look forward to seeing fellow whiskey enthusiasts and football fans enjoy these products as much as I do."

The Double Gold is now available at retailers across Northern California and nationwide delivery at . The Gold Bar Whiskey Retro Edition bottle launches in stores and online this September.

The launch of these two new products mark a major milestone for Gold Bar Whiskey as it blends its award-winning craftsmanship with Montana's iconic legacy, kicking off a multi-faceted marketing campaign inspired by vintage 49ers nostalgia. As San Francisco prepares to host the Big Game in 2026, Gold Bar Whiskey is setting the stage with this dual product release, paying homage to Montana's championship legacy while rallying fans for the football season ahead.

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Aug. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As distillers worldwide address new circumstances and opportunities, a global academy of experts convened by Drinks International has bestowed the whiskey industry's highest honor on Louisville-based Michter's for the third consecutive year: The World's Most Admired Whiskey. The annual Drinks International top-50 ranking is considered the definitive list of the world's best whiskies and represents the pinnacle of achievement in the trade.

Michter's Executive Vice President Matt Magliocco commented, "It's literally a dream to have Michter's recognized as the World's Most Admired Whiskey. There are so many outstanding distilleries around the world with so many talented people making excellent whiskey. It's extremely humbling to be acknowledged by our peers across the industry when there are countless people doing such inspiring work and creating phenomenal products. We also feel immense gratitude for the wonderful journalists and publishers in the global trade press who have helped us share our story with the world, and who continue to educate readers— consumers and trade alike—about the great work people in our industry are doing. Any success that Michter's has achieved or can achieve is only because of our supporters in the trade. We are eternally grateful to them."

The rankings are determined by an international academy consisting of 100 independent global drinks buyers, journalists, bartenders and whisky experts. According to Shay Waterworth, Editor of Drinks International, "Michter's ticks all the boxes when it comes to being an Admired Whiskey brand. It honours traditional practice while pushing innovation, it has provenance without being old fashioned and its whiskey is exclusive, but available in all the right places. Over the past 30 years Joe and Matt Magliocco and the whole Michter's family have built a powerful reputation with the global bar trade, while the quality of its whiskey is revered by the industry's top experts. To top our ranking once was an impressive achievement, but to do it three times on the bounce is unparalleled, and something I doubt we'll see again for some time."

"We are thrilled and deeply humbled by this recognition from the Drinks International academy. Like all of our friends in the industry, we are adapting to evolving regulatory and trading frameworks, consumer preferences, and technology," said Michter's Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson. "Our highest professional calling is simply to make great whiskey for people to enjoy. Being named The World's Most Admired Whiskey is the ultimate expression of that, and we could not be prouder and more grateful to receive this extraordinary recognition."

Dan McKee, Michter's Master Distiller, commented, "This job has brought me from Kentucky to Kansai and nearly everywhere in between. Throughout my travels, I've been blown away by the appreciation for Michter's and the American whiskey category by domestic and international consumers. Our team at Michter's devotes everything we have to making the highest-quality whiskey we possibly can. It is the best feeling ever to know that people are truly enjoying the fruits of our labor. We are so appreciative of everyone's support."

"This never would have happened without the tremendous support of so many individuals around the world," said Michter's President Joseph J. Magliocco. "All of us at Michter's are deeply grateful to each and every one of those individuals, and we are humbled by this wonderful news."

Beyond its main distillery in the Shively section of Louisville, Michter's operations extend to two other sites in Kentucky. In Springfield, Michter's is farming estate grown grain on its 205-acre property, while in downtown Louisville, Michter's has its second distillery in the historic Fort Nelson Building. Situated in a prime location on West Main Street opposite Louisville Slugger and on the same block as the Frazier Museum, Michter's Fort Nelson Distillery features the legendary pot still system from Michter's Pennsylvania. It also offers educational tours with whiskey tastings and The Bar at Fort Nelson, which features classic cocktails curated by spirits and cocktail historian David Wondrich.

Michter's has a rich and long legacy of offering traditional American whiskeys of uncompromising quality. With each of its limited production offerings aged to its peak maturity, Michter's highly acclaimed portfolio includes bourbon, rye, sour mash whiskey, and American whiskey.

For more information about the The World's Most Admired Whiskies List, including the full 2025 report, please visit: .

For more information about Michter's, please visit 

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Just in time for fall, Rebel Bourbon introduced the latest addition to its highly acclaimed lineup – Rebel Butter Pecan Bourbon Cream. The perfect blend of Rebel's time-honored wheated bourbon and all-natural cream, Rebel Butter Pecan Bourbon Cream is bottled at 30 proof (15% ABV) and available in September in limited quantities at Bardstown, Kentucky-based Lux Row Distillers and retailers nationwide for a minimum suggested retail price of $19.99 per 750mL bottle.

"We used our award-winning bourbon for the foundation and gave it a unique twist to create Rebel Butter Pecan Bourbon Cream," said Rebel Bourbon Master Distiller John Rempe. "With a warm wheated finish, it's smooth enough to sip on its own or enjoy as a bold and decadent complement to coffee or Rebel Bourbon cocktails."

With buttery notes of sweet vanilla and roasted pecans, Rebel Butter Pecan Bourbon Cream opens with aromas of bourbon, cocoa and brown sugar followed by flavors of silky caramel and buttery pecan. The smooth finish includes notes of buttery pecans and toffee.

Rebel Butter Pecan Bourbon Cream is packaged in a striking black bottle with a golden-brown label featuring deep brown Rebel Bourbon lettering. To find Rebel Butter Pecan Bourbon Cream and other top-rated Rebel Bourbon products, use the product locator . For seasonal cocktail recipe ideas, follow on and or visit .

GATLINBURG, Tenn., Aug. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The maker of , the most awarded moonshine and flavored whiskey brand in the U.S., and , the premium, 100% agave tequila known for its line of spicy infusions, today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Michael Novy as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Novy, a seasoned veteran with 35 years in the beverage industry, succeeds Robert Hall, who served as CEO since 2016 and was instrumental in guiding the company through a period of rapid growth and change. Hall will remain onboard for a period to assist Novy in making a smooth transition, before retiring and moving closer to his family in California.

With a deep understanding of the spirits market and a passion for building businesses, Novy steps into the CEO role for both the Ole Smoky and Tanteo Tequila brands with a wealth of experience and a bold vision for the future, including leadership roles at E&J Gallo, Constellation Brands and, most recently, the CEO of Calabasas Beverage Company, where he drove 818 Tequila to 30% growth last year and also led the Sprinter Vodka Soda business.

"We are pleased to welcome Mike Novy to Ole Smoky," comments Nick Hartman, Partner, Apax Partners LLP. "Mike's leadership, commercial skills and industry experience will further accelerate growth and help achieve even greater levels of success, leveraging the strong foundation built since the company's founding in 2010. I would also like to thank Robert for his significant contributions over the last nine and a half years as CEO."

Novy started his career at E&J Gallo, where he spent nearly 17 years, beginning as a Sales Representative and later assuming Vice President of Marketing and General Management positions. Next, he served as Division Vice President at Constellation Brands, where he worked closely with Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits, one of Ole Smoky's valued distributor partners, and was eventually promoted to General Manager of Constellation's spirits business, where he drove the turnaround of SVEDKA vodka from a 4% decline to 8% growth, as well as launched and managed several whiskey and tequila brands. Novy served as President of Casa Dragones Tequila for two years prior to creating and launching 818 Tequila.

"I'm honored to join Ole Smoky, a deeply authentic brand known for its extraordinary innovation and consumer engagement," said Novy. "I look forward to working with our talented team and industry partners to drive Ole Smoky and Tanteo to new levels of growth in the U.S. and around the world."

Novy earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois and an MBA at Georgetown University. He currently lives in the Chicago area with his wife Karen and plans to relocate to the Sevier County area in East Tennessee — near the Ole Smoky headquarters — in the coming months.

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