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.

SEOUL, South Korea, June 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- TOMORA Craft Spirits, a handcrafted premium Jeju mandarin spirit inspired by the ancient name of Jeju's volcanic island, is gaining attention in the global spirits market after winning consecutive awards at major domestic and international competitions since its debut in 2026.

ALMQUIST, the producer of TOMORA Fruit Spirits, announced that its three-product TOMORA series achieved remarkable results in its debut year, earning awards at Hong Kong CWSA, the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition, the World Drinks Awards in the United Kingdom, and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in the United States.

At Hong Kong CWSA, known as an influential competition in the Greater China spirits market, all three TOMORA spirits received awards, including a Double Gold. TOMORA also won a Gold Medal at the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition, further proving its competitiveness in Asia's key spirits markets.

In Korea, TOMORA spirits received the Grand Prize, the highest honor, at the 2026 Korea Wine & Spirits Awards. With a Gold Medal at the World Drinks Awards in the U.K. and Gold and Silver Medals in the brandy category at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, TOMORA spirits has continued its winning streak across Korea, Asia, Europe, and North America.

"The distinction of TOMORA Fruit Spirits lies in its fully integrated production system, where ALMQUIST manages every step from the cultivation of Jeju-grown mandarins to final processing and distillation. Unlike conventional grain-based distilled spirits, this premium Craft Spirit is completed with 100% mandarin juice grown in Jeju's volcanic soil. Each bottle contains the essence of approximately 80 kilograms of fresh Jeju mandarins, capturing the fruit's rich aroma, refreshing flavor, and exceptionally smooth finish through ALMQUIST's advanced distillation technology."

The brand slogan, "Finally, The Perfection," reflects TOMORA's ambition to present a refined premium spirit completed through Jeju's natural ingredients, masterful production expertise, and meticulous craftsmanship rooted in the island's environment.

"We are honored that TOMORA has been recognized not only in Hong Kong and Tokyo, but also in the U.K. and the U.S.," said Kim Dong-min, CEO of ALMQUIST. "These achievements demonstrate the potential of Jeju mandarins as a premium spirit ingredient and the global competitiveness of ALMQUIST's distilling technology."

ALMQUIST plans to continue creating opportunities for consumers worldwide to experience the natural value of Jeju and the new appeal of mandarin-based Craft Spirits through TOMORA. The company also aims to strengthen TOMORA Craft Spirits' presence in the premium spirits market by sharing Jeju's distinctive terroir with global consumers.

DUBLIN, June 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Donn Single Malt from Craft Irish Whiskey has been awarded Gold Outstanding at the 2026 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), scoring 98 points and ranking joint second among more than 1,300 whiskies judged worldwide, with only one whisky achieving a higher score.

The Donn was also the joint highest-ranking Irish whiskey and the only one in its category to receive Gold Outstanding.

The IWSC result extends a consecutive three-year run of international success across North America, Asia and Europe:

• 2024: Single Malt Whiskey of the Year - USA Spirits Ratings
• 2025: Whisky of the Year - Asia Spirits Ratings
• 2026: Single Malt Whiskey of the Year - London Spirits Competition98 points, Double Gold – San Francisco World Spirits Competition98 points, Gold Outstanding – International Wine & Spirit Competition

"What makes these results meaningful is their consistency," said Jay Bradley, Founder and Master Blender of Craft Irish Whiskey. "The Donn has now been recognised by judging panels in North America, Asia and Europe. When independent judging panels on three continents repeatedly reach similar conclusions under blind-tasting conditions, it reinforces the whiskey's quality and consistency. We're proud of what The Donn has achieved and believe this style of maturation is only beginning to show what's possible."

At just 6.9 years old, The Donn delivers results typically associated with a much older whiskey.

Craft Irish Whiskey attributes this to a progressive cask journey rather than time in wood alone. Beginning in ex-bourbon casks, The Donn then moves through Tawny Port, deep-stave toasted virgin Hungarian oak and multiple styles of Pedro Ximénez sherry. Varying barrel sizes and controlled underfilling further shape the spirit, accelerating flavour integration.

IWSC judges described The Donn as opening with a zesty, fruity aroma of cola and spice, leading into a rich palate of treacle, raspberry and wood, with apple, red velvet cake, ginger and chocolate emerging on a sweet, lingering finish.