LAWRENCEBURG, Ky., June 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Four Roses Distillery announces the launch of its new Experimental Series, a limited-edition collection that pushes the boundaries of the brand's traditional 10-recipe framework. Long celebrated for its consistency, craftsmanship, and signature ten recipe system, the new series marks one of the most ambitious and innovative periods in the brand's 138-year history, while remaining grounded in the DNA that defines Four Roses Bourbon.

The inaugural release, Experimental Series No. 001, is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in rare Japanese Mizunara oak barrels. Prized in the whiskey world for its rarity and uniquely expressive flavor contribution, Mizunara oak was selected based first and foremost on flavor exploration. Throughout the finishing process, the Four Roses team monitored the barrels closely, pulling samples almost weekly to track maturation and determine the ideal balance point for each barrel individually before blending the final liquid.

"This series is an exciting new chapter for us," says Master Distiller Brent Elliott. "It allows us to take the craftsmanship that's been at the heart of Four Roses and apply it in entirely new ways, experimenting with finishes and techniques that reveal dimensions of flavor our fans haven't experienced before. For me, it's about pushing boundaries while staying true to the character of Four Roses Bourbon, and giving our fans the chance to join us on that journey of discovery."

Experimental Series No. 001 was developed through extensive trials across recipes, yeast strains, barrel specifications, and toast and char combinations to identify the ideal pairing for Mizunara oak's distinctive flavor profile. Ultimately, Elliott selected a six-year-old OBSK recipe for its ability to complement the oak's layered spice characteristics while allowing its sweeter and more nuanced notes to shine through.

The packaging for Experimental Series No. 001 reflects the same balance of innovation and heritage found in the liquid itself. The shape of the front label draws inspiration from the iconic Spanish Mission-style architecture of the Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, while the reverse label reveals one of the brand's historic single-story rickhouses, a subtle nod to the role maturation and barrel finishing play in shaping the whiskey's character.

Bottled in a 375ml format, Experimental Series No. 001 will be available for purchase at the Four Roses Distillery Visitor Center (SRP $55 per bottle) beginning July 30. For more information on Four Roses Distillery and the Experimental Series, please visit www.fourrosesbourbon.com

LORETTO, Ky., June 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Maker's Mark, the iconic handmade Kentucky bourbon, unveiled its first Perfectly Unreasonable Bar - a one-night-only cocktail experience at the summit of Aspen Mountain during the 2026 Food & Wine Classic. The pop-up bar was inspired by the brand's Perfectly Unreasonable global campaign, which celebrates the extraordinary lengths Maker's Mark goes to in pursuit of uncompromisingly delicious bourbon.

"Maker's Mark has always believed that the best bourbon experiences are the ones people talk about long after the last pour," said Regan Clarke, vice president of American Whiskey, Suntory Global Spirits. "With the Perfectly Unreasonable Bar, we brought Maker's Mark into culture in a way that felt immersive, elevated and distinctly unexpected — transforming an extraordinary setting in Aspen into an unforgettable bourbon moment."

The bar in Aspen marked the launch of the brand's traveling Perfectly Unreasonable Bar series. Maker's Mark will continue to bring elevated bourbon hospitality to extraordinary locations where the setting becomes part of the occasion itself. In Aspen, guests ascended by gondola for an evening above the clouds, complete with golden-hour views, music from DJ Ryan Golbus and handcrafted, high-altitude cocktails. At the summit, guests moved through an interactive whisky sour service before arriving at the bar: a striking structure perched at 11,212 feet above sea level.

The centerpiece of the evening was the Summit Sour, a signature cocktail designed for elevation, featuring Maker's Mark bourbon fat-washed with cocoa butter, blended with local strawberry, and a malted wheat and honey syrup. Served on nitro draft, the cocktail delivered a creamy, full-bodied texture in thinner mountain air, pairing altitude-driven technique with locally inspired flavor.

"When my grandparents founded Maker's Mark, my grandmother Margie essentially invented bourbon tourism by inviting people out to our distillery in Loretto—a place that was, and still is, famously off the beaten path," said Rob Samuels, eighth generation whisky maker and managing director of Maker's Mark. "She taught us that if you ask people to make a journey, you have to exceed their expectations. Taking our hospitality to 11,212 feet is the modern continuation of that belief. We traded the rolling hills of Kentucky for the summit of Aspen Mountain, proving that our commitment to creating unforgettable experiences doesn't stop at sea level."

Maker's Mark also offered tastings and cocktail experiences throughout the 2026 Food & Wine Classic festival weekend. Inside the Grand Tasting Pavilion, the brand hosted a sensory bourbon tasting paired with curated bites by chef and creator Owen Han. Maker's Mark also served as the signature cocktail pour at the festival's iconic Top of the Mountain Party.

Join the Maker's Mark Ambassadors community to learn more about upcoming events, product releases and other benefits, visit makersmark.com/ambassadors. 

For more information, please visit makersmark.com

LOUISVILLE, Ky., June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Blade and Bow announces its 12-Year-Old Solera Reserve, a new limited annual expression crafted at the intersection of time and technique by Nicole Austin, the Director of American Whiskey Liquid Development and Capabilities at Diageo. Beginning with a 12–Year–Old Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon, it's guided through a multi–vat Solera finishing and blending process – uniting the age and character of Cognac, Bordeaux, Moscatel, and Port vats to create a depth and balance in the final whiskey.

"From the start, I wanted to capture the fruit, tannin, and aromatic lift that can be achieved with cask-finished bourbon, without the common pitfalls of one-noteness or overly tannic, new-wood character," explains Austin. "I achieved this while honoring Blade and Bow's Solera heritage, using the technique to blend new and older whiskey across multiple carefully chosen, large-format vintage vats to create a delicate weave of vibrant fruit and honey, layered over notes of vanilla, spice, and leather."

Blade and Bow 12-Year-Old Solera Reserve opens with a graceful nose of red fruit, dried fig, and currant leading into a silky, layered palate. Caramelized sugar and dried fruit give way to almond toffee, cocoa, and dark cherry. The finish shows dark fruit and oak spice, supported by tannins and subtle wine acidity balanced by corn sweetness. The vat program contributes these distinct layers: Port and Bordeaux bring dark fruit and tannic structure. Cognac adds refined fruit esters and rancio, while Moscatel lends aromatic lift and sweetness—together creating a long, resonant finish.

Blade & Bow 12-Year Solera Reserve doesn't chase cask finishing—it elevates it. Multiple influences, authentic vats, and Solera integration create layered complexity, anchored by a 12-year age statement. This whiskey represents our vision for what cask finishing can become when craftsmanship takes precedence over convention. Rather than relying on a single finishing cask, we brought together a collection of distinguished influences—including Cognac, Port, and Bordeaux—to create a bourbon of exceptional depth, balance, and complexity.

What makes this whiskey truly special is the way those influences are integrated. Through our Solera process, each batch builds upon those that came before it, creating layers of character that continue to evolve over time while remaining unmistakably Blade & Bow. Carefully blended, Solera Reserve delivers a richness and sophistication that rewards exploration with every sip.

This is more than a finished bourbon. It is a whiskey that reflects patience, artistry, and our commitment to creating experiences that are greater than the sum of their parts." Presented in the iconic Blade and Bow bottle, elevated with refined detailing bespoke to this release, 12-Year-Old Solera Reserve is crafted for the distinguished palate and the elevated sporting lifestyle. The artisanal, fractional blending method iconic to Blade and Bow creates extraordinary expressions—most recently recognized with a Double Gold accolade at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Bottled at 52% ABV with a suggested retail price of $64.99 per 750ml bottle, Blade and Bow 12-Year-Old Solera Reserve is best sipped neat, on a large rock (Austin's preference) or however you enjoy your well-crafted whiskey. The new expression will be available in select markets nationwide including NC, SC, TX, OH, GA, IL, and of course our home of Kentucky, where it will be featured as a permanent element of the Stitzel-Weller Distillery Experience, beginning July 2026. On July 17th and on a permanent basis while bottles last, Stitzel-Weller Distillery will offer a custom Blade and Bow flight experience including the pillars of the portfolio: Blade and Bow Whiskey, Blade and Bow 12-Year-Old Solera Reserve and Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old.

To register your purchase interest, visit TheBar.com

Please Drink Responsibly. BLADE AND BOW 12 Year Old Solera Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. 52% Alc/Vol. Stitzel-Weller Distilling Co., Louisville, KY.

BALTIMORE, June 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Just six months after its official launch, Silverthorn Reserve won two Double Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, one of the most respected blind-tasting competitions in the industry.

Silverthorn Reserve's Bourbon Blend scored 98 points and earned a Double Gold Medal, meaning every judge on the tasting panel rated it as gold medal quality. The Bourbon Blend has also advanced as a Best-in-Class Finalist in the Small Batch Bourbon aged 6 to 10 years category — with the ultimate winner to be announced on November 8th, 2026.

The Rye Blend earned a 96-point rating and was awarded a Double Gold Medal, further validating Silverthorn Reserve's approach to creating ultra-premium small-batch whiskey.

"As a blender, my goal is to create whiskey that is greater than the sum of its parts. While every barrel contributes its own character, bringing those elements together distinctively and harmoniously is the craft. For a newly launched brand to earn this kind of recognition from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition — and feel the warmth of the whiskey community behind us — is beyond rewarding," said Drew Thorn, Founder and Master Blender.

Award Highlights

• Blender's Art: The Bourbon Blend — Double Gold Medal, 98 PointsAged 10 years, it is an eight-barrel blend of three straight bourbons, a four-grain from Georgia, a low-rye from Kentucky, and a high-malt from Indiana. 
• Blender's Art: The Rye Blend — Double Gold Medal, 96 PointsAged 10 years, it is an eight-barrel blend of high-ryes and low-ryes with one high-rye barrel having been double oaked in a Kelvin cask for eight years.

For more information, visit www.silverthornreserve.com.