STOLEN American Whiskey begins with a mature 11-year-old whiskey. Ever insatiable, STOLEN tapped into industry experts by adding a layer of artistry rooted in extracting staves from ex-whiskey barrels and toasting them in a 360-degree rotation over an oak wood fire. Turning the staves at key points during the toast allowed STOLEN to capture richly nuanced flavors across the entire wood gradient, resulting in a smoky consistency for every barrel stave. To impart these fire roasted notes into the whiskey, STOLEN employs a secondary, barrel-finishing process where the juice is continually analyzed for taste and nosed for aroma until it peaks in boldness resulting in an additional layer of finished flavor complexity that differentiates STOLEN Whiskey from other traditional American whiskies and bourbons. On the nose is a roasted coffee bouquet that enhances dark fruits and lingers through an exceptionally long finish. On the palate, natural flavors of toasted caramel, dark molasses and smoky chocolate mingle. STOLEN Whiskey's initial buttery mouthfeel ultimately balances out a bold and lasting finish. 

Koval started its life as a craft distillery, founded in Chicago in 2008, as the first distillery in Chicago's city limits since Prohibition. Founders Robert and Sonat Birnecker left their professional lives in academia to found Koval. They have been crafting certified organic whiskeys, brandies, liqueurs and specialty spirits from scratch, ever since. Being the first distillery within city limits since the mid-1800s, Koval brings Austrian distilling traditions to America. Koval is named after founder Sonat's great-grandfather, who earned Koval the nickname Koval, when, at the very early age of 17 he emigrated from Vienna to Chicago at the start of the 1900s, to start a business. Robert was bequeathed a treasure trove of distilling knowledge and expertise from his grandfather, Robert Schimd. "Being a craft distiller allows us to be flexible and bring a new approach to the market," says Sonat Birnecker, the founder of Koval Distillery. "Craft can be different. Different in business model. Different in product. Craft is a way to be creative." Together with her husband, Robert, Birnecker founded Koval Distillery Chicago's first distillery since Prohibition in 2008. Koval Distillery, which is situated just a few feet away from Hollywood Beach in Chicago's North End, boasts a custom-made, 2,000 gallon, Kothe Destillationstechnik copper-pot still imported from Germany. "I come from a family that's been distilling for over a hundred years in Austria," explains Robert, who has been distilling spirits himself since he was a child. "My grandfather had a distillery in Austria and I would help him to make different eau de vies and brandies when I was growing up. He taught me the importance of having the right equipment and using fresh, organic ingredients. Koval distillery is a grain-to-bottle operation. For this special expression they use 100% organic oats sourced from the Midwest. Aged for up to 24 months in 30-gallon new, American oak charred barrels sourced from Minnesota, this single barrel has primary notes of caramel and oats with a rich, creamy finish. Only the heart cut of the distillate, makes the final cut (no heads or tails).

Situated in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Breckenridge Distillery makes one of the best bourbons in the world. The distillery, which is only 4,000 square feet itself, is situated 9,600 feet above sea level, making it the highest distillery in the world. There, Jordan Via Breckenridge's master distiller ferments a mash of 56% corn, 38% rye and 6% malted barley in an open-top Scottish fermenter before distilling it twice through a $140,000, 550-gallon, Vendome copper-pot still originally made in Kentucky. With a profound range of expressions ranging from award winning bourbons and Port cask finished whiskeys to Chili flavored vodkas, and over two dozen awards, including 2 Distillery of the Year awards, Breckenridge is without saying a well-established player in the game. This is very impressive considering Bryan Nolt founded Breckenridge in 2007. Breckenridge Reserve Blend is a release from the reserve blend program, created to showcase qualities of their bourbons that even the most discerning connoisseurs can appreciate. The spirit consists of four distinct blends, giving great insight into the beauty of the bourbon while it ages, and the affects of charring that are subsequently expressed. Still soft and luscious, these blends capture a different take on the way bourbon can grow up and present itself at maturity.

For nearly three centuries, Ichiro Akuto's family brewed sake along the banks of the Tone River in Central Japan. Following the end of World War II, his family received a distiller's license and purchased two second-hand stills from a Scottish distillery. By the turn of the century, however, his father had made the difficult decision to dismantle the stills and sell the 400 casks of remaining whisky that were still maturing in the distillery's rickhouses. Fueled by a belief in the potential for Japanese single malts, Ichiro purchased the casks from his father. Also, Ichiro began studying distillation techniques at Benriach and Springbank Distillery, before returning to Japan and constructing a state-of-the-art distillery in Chichibu. Ichiro's Malt & Grain is blended by the king of independent Japanese distillers: Ichiro Akuto. Ichiro's blend is a worldwide blended whisky in every sense of the word, a marriage of whiskies from Ichiro's very own young malt & grain whisky stock, and whiskies from eight other distilleries in Scotland, Canada, England, Ireland and the U.S., which founder Ichiro Akuto refers to as, "the big five." These international whiskies mature for 3-5 years in their home country, and then for an additional 1-3 years in thecool climate ofmountainous Japan, which gives this blend incredible character. This whisky is clean on the nose with notes of fruit, vanilla and oak.

Situated in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, Ransom Distillery sits on a 40-acre farm just outside Sheridan, Oregon. The distillery, which opened its doors in 1997, was named after the funds required to start the business. "I had always wanted to start my own business," says Tad Seestedt, owner and master distiller at Ransom Spirits, "and I thought that Ransom was an appropriate name in that its definition is buying your freedom or independence with money. The money I had to borrow from the bank to start the business was my Ransom." Ransom Spirits' The Emerald 1865 Straight American Whiskey is Seestedt's attempt to recreate a traditional Irish Whiskey. "We know that the Irish Whiskey of today little resembles its 19th century predecessors," says Seestedt, "but fortune gave us two good turns: a British excise agent who recorded an Irish mash bill in 1865, and our friend David Wondrich, who found said recipe pouring over the microfiche annals of history and passed it along to us." The Emerald 1865 Straight American Whiskey is made from a mash of malted barley, unmalted barley, rye and oats. Once the grains have been harvested (a portion of the grains are grown organically on Seestedt's own farm), they are milled and mashed before being distilled on a handmade, direct-fired alembic pot still. Following distillation, the whiskey is matured for three years in a combination of American oak and French oak casks. Then, the whiskey is hand-bottled, waxed and labeled. The Emerald has a bold aroma of oats, malt and earthy minerals. The aroma gives way to a rich, structured flavor profile, with notes of caramel, green herbs and fresh whipped cream. 

During the 17th century, Cornelius Van Brunt one of the founding fathers of Brooklyn farmed land alongside the banks of Gowanus Creek, while helping forge the eclectic society that became Brooklyn. In the 1800s, as the population of New York mushroomed and its waterways became vital hubs for maritime travel, the Brooklyn waterfront became home to some gin, rum, and whiskey distilleries. Prohibition forced the distillery to close, and it wasnt until the new 21st century that distillation resumed. Opened in 2012 Van Brunt Stillhouse honors the pioneering spirit of Cornelius Van Brunt, one of the founding fathers of the area. Founded by Daric Schlesselman who first began by producing the first Rum from Brooklyn since the Prohibition era. Soon after releasing the rum, the brand started producing other spirits such as Grappa and other grain distillates. Daric, a former editor at The Daily Show, left behind the world of television and followed his dreams of reincarnating the of Spirits of the past. This special four grain Brooklyn Stillhouse whiskey is distilled primarily from malted barley and wheat, with a small portion of corn, and rye for good measure. This four grain recipe harkens back to a pre industrial farmhouse style (producer). Expect grassy, floral notes alongside fresh oaky, bourbon sweetness followed by hints of tobacco, and a delicate, lingering finish. 

Penderyn is the first Welsh distillery in over a century. Launched March 1, 2004, the distillery is nestled in a small village in a mountain range in South Wales named Brecon Beacons. Home to Forest Fawr Geopark a UNESCO site. Penderyn has garnered much critical acclaim since its inception; their unique small batch methods yield only one barrel of this Welsh whisky per day. Initially matured in hand-selected bourbon barrels, the whisky is finished in Madeira barriques. This Madeira finish flagship is the cornerstone of the Penderyn lineup. Welsh Gold is extremely rare, pure and precious and was worn by legendary Welsh princes. The Penderyn Gold Collection is an embodiment of these qualities. Produced using a bespoke pot still made by Dr. David Faraday. This maturation technique creates a deeply complex spirit, with a well-rounded, highly nuanced flavor profile that earned Gold Medals at the 2012 and 2013 International Whisky Competitions, a gold medal at the 2017 Whisky Masters, and The Chairman's Trophy 95/100 at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2015.

In 1843 a grocer by the name of David Nicholson started distilling his original bourbon recipe in the private back room of his St. Louis general store on North 6th Street. Unbeknownst to its forefather, a legacy was born. Half a century his recipe had been passed down for generations. Eventually, the legendary Julian Pappy Van Winkle and W.L. Weller handcrafted Nicholson's iconic 43 bourbon at the Stitzel distillery. The Van Winkles owned the brand until 2000 when Luxco acquired it. Still possessing the outstanding character for which it earned its original popularity in 1843, the David Nicholson legacy lives on unchanged, unfettered, and unmatched. Aged in new charred oak barrels this wheated bourbon that provides unparalleled smooth flavor and finish. An incredible flavor profile that earned it at the Double Gold at the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

In 1843 a grocer by the name of David Nicholson started distilling his original bourbon recipe in the private back room of his St. Louis general store on North 6th Street. Unbeknownst to its forefather, a legacy was born. Half a century his recipe had been passed down for generations. Eventually, the legendary Julian Pappy Van Winkle and W.L. Weller handcrafted Nicholson's iconic 43 bourbon at the Stitzel distillery. The Van Winkles owned the brand until 2000 when it was acquired by Luxco. Still possessing the outstanding character for which it earned its original popularity in 1843, the David Nicholson legacy lives on unchanged, unfettered, and unmatched. This extra-aged ryed bourbon has a full-bodied flavor and a distinct, spicy taste.

In the small town of Kirby, Wyoming population 92 Brad Mead, a fifth-generation rancher whose family first came to Wyoming in 1890, is continuing a tradition of "firsts." While his family has produced U.S. senators, lawyers, extreme skiers and two governors of Wyoming, Brad, along with his wife Kathy and their son Sam, established the first legal distillery in Wyoming State in 2009, and has been making exceptional, handmade whisky ever since. Mead developed the recipe for his Wyoming Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey with the help of Bourbon Hall of Fame member Steve Nally, who previously spent over 30 years at Maker's Mark, and Lincoln Henderson, the founder of Angel's Envy. The mash bill itself reflects the rustic and beautiful terroir of Wyoming State all of the grains (corn, wheat and barley) are grown within 100 miles of the cutting-edge distillery. Once distilled through both a column and pot still, Wyoming Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey is aged for at least five years in charred, white oak barrels stored at one of three warehouses in Kirby. During the summer, temperatures can reach sustained levels of 130 degrees, whereas the winter frequently brings sub-zero temperatures. This extreme fluctuation results in a whisky that is more dynamic in less time aging. Wyoming Whiskey's first cask-finished whiskey uses Pedro Ximenez casks which impart a deep, complex richness, color, and sweetness to its Straight Bourbon whiskey. A wheated Straight Bourbon whiskey aged first in new charred oak for 5 years then finished in Pedro Ximenez casks and bottled at 50% ABV. Each release is crafted from no more than 5 Pedro Ximenez casks. 

The Featherbone Factory built by E.K. Warren in the 19th century to manufacture women's corsets sits on the banks of Lake Michigan just across the Indiana border in Three Oaks, Michigan. As the factory changed hands in the twentieth century, it became a production site for everything from buggy whips to pickles. Today, it's home to Journeyman Distillery and Bill Welter, Journeyman's master distiller. Welter, who was formerly a banker in Indiana, began his Journey when his family business was sold in 2006. He moved to Scotland, where he began to learn the art of craft distillation from Greg Ramsay (master distiller at Nant Distillery) and Bill Lark (master distiller at Lark Distillery). After returning to the United States, Welter spent time producing and resting whiskey using a prominent organic & kosher distiller's facility in Chicago before opening the doors of his own distillery in Three Oaks with the intention to offer grain-to-glass spirits from day one/drop one. Silver Cross Four Grain artisanal whiskey is comprised of four types of grain in equal parts.Distilled in a way to highlight the flavor profile of each grain in the whiskey itself.The Silver Cross name is inspired by a medal that was given out in the early days of the British Open, which would later come to symbolize friendship, tradition, camaraderie and spirited competition.1% of all the proceeds from this whiskey is donated to various golf charities/organizations to teach kids the game of golf and instill in them good core values. This incredible whiskey earned 92 pts from the Beverage Tasting Institute and a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

In 1988, near a scenic stream called Lithia Creek in Ashland, Oregon, Jack Joyce and Bob Woodell, fraternity brothers at the University of Oregon, opened the doors of Rogue Brewery. For fifteen years, Rogue Brewery brewed beers such as Dead Guy Ale, Dad's Little Helper and Brutal IPA under the tutelage of John Maier, Rogue Brewery's brewmaster. Then, with the addition of Master Distiller John Couchot in 2003, Rogue Spirits was born. Couchot, who earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry at Evergreen State College in Washington, was a professional chemist for six years before jumping ship to make spirits. They take pride in all their whiskeys being handcrafted. This starts at the selection of grains, brewing, and distilling, then ends with aging and bottling. All Rogue's spirits are made from ingredients off their own Rogue farms and Rolling Thunder Stouted Whiskey is no exception. It's a handcrafted limited single malt whiskey distilled in small batches. It is aged for three years, spending the first in new Oregon Oak barrels and the remaining 2 in stout Oregon Oak barrels that used to hold their own Rolling Thunder Russian imperial stout. Combining the spice and citrus with deep and dark tones from the stout, it's single malt and bourbon, walking hand in hand.

"I'm an avid whiskey lover," says Darek Bell, master distiller at Corsair Artisan Distillery in Kentucky, "but I do think whiskey could be better. Different. More interesting. More imaginative". Bell, a graduate of the Bruichladdich Distilling Academy in Islay, Scotland, is a mad scientist and a notoriously experimental distiller. Since opening its doors in 2009, Corsair Artisan Distillery has received numerous accolades and awards, including being named the 2013 Craft Distillery of the Year and 2013 Innovator of the Year by Whisky Magazine. Wildfire is Corsair's very first grain to glass whiskey, crafted from barley grown, malted, and smoked at a rural Tennessee farm in Bell's Bend. Wildfire is 100% hickory-smoked, which gives it a unique flavor profile and smooth mouthfeel. Launched in 2015 Wildfire has quickly become one of our most popular whiskeys. 

The Featherbone Factory built by E.K. Warren in the 19th century to manufacture women's corsets sits on the banks of Lake Michigan just across the Indiana border in Three Oaks, Michigan. As the factory changed hands in the twentieth century, it became a production site for everything from buggy whips to pickles. Today, it's home to Journeyman Distillery and Bill Welter, Journeyman's master distiller. Welter, who was formerly a banker in Indiana, began his journey when his family business was sold in 2006. He moved to Scotland, where he began to learn the art of craft distillation from Greg Ramsay (master distiller at Nant Distillery) and Bill Lark (master distiller at Lark Distillery). After returning to the United States, Welter spent time producing and resting whiskey using a prominent organic & kosher distiller's facility in Chicago before opening the doors of his own distillery in Three Oaks with the intention to offer grain-to-glass spirits from day one/drop one. Journeyman Distillery is located in an 1800's corset and buggy whip factory in Three Oaks, Michigan, once a dry town. Corsets, Whips & Whiskey is a single-grain, cask strength barrel-to-glass limited release whiskey, showcasing the high quality and terroir of the organic Michigan wheat used to produce it. The 100% wheat provides a soft sweetness and smoothness to this whiskey unlike any other and reminiscent of an Irish whiskey on the palate.

To make a whisky that was as affordable and approachable as we wanted, we had to tear up the rule book (a renegade act we relished, we’ll admit). It was worth every effort for this double grain whisky.

Unconventional doesn’t stop at how we make Two-Fold either, try sipping Two-Fold with tonic and you’ll rethink the G&T for good.

Two-Fold is an awarded, approachable whisky crafted to be enjoyed any way you like. What gold decorates this bottle? Well, we’re the Gold medal winner at San Francisco World Spirits Awards 2020 but also the Best Australian Blended Whisky at World Whiskies Awards 2020 + 2019!

Tasting Notes

Nose: Bright red berries coated in buttery vanilla spice.

Palate: Imagine a smooth, rich caramel dessert balanced by tropical fruit.

Finish: Delicate and long. A delicious, dry finish from a faded sweetness.

In the 18th century, a Swiss Mennonite farmer by the name of John Shenk settled his family near Pennsylvania's Blue Mountain Valley. After a few years of hard work and long hours, Shenk was harvesting more grains that he could sell at the local market. As a result, Shenk purchased a still and began distilling the excess grains he harvested into whiskey. His distillery, which was eventually named Michter's, became the United States first distilling company. The passage of Prohibition in 1919 forced Michter's, along with nearly every other distillery in the United States, to close. In the early 1990s, however, Joseph J. Magliocco teamed up with Richard Newman in an effort to resurrect the brand. When we set up our whiskey program for Michter's, says Magliocco, Dick and I wanted to get back to the cost be damned roots and produce the finest whiskey possible. Our goal was to show that whiskey made in the United States could be the equal of great whiskey made anywhere in the world. Michter's award-winning US1 Sour Mash Whiskey is the cornerstone of this Toasted Barrel Sour Mash Whiskey, made by taking Michter's US1 Sour Mash Whiskey and aging it for an additional period of time in a secondary bespoke barrel. This custom made barrel is assembled from 18-month air-dried wood before being toasted (not charred). Several different levels of toast were carefully evaluated for the second barrel before the Michter's production team led by Master Distiller Dan McKee and Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson decided on the final bespoke cask that would best display the elegant nuances of this special whiskey. Pick up your bottle today!

We partnered with small and large producers across the country to select whiskeys that express the full diversity of American terroir and style. The resulting blend is remarkable, and we are proud to be the first to showcase the growing category of American single malt in this way. 

We chose the name “American Vatted Malt” as an homage to the old Scottish category of vatted malt, which was once the preferred nomenclature to describe a blended whisky made entirely from single malts. Today, the Scots refer to that style as blended malt, but affection for the term “vatted” lives on.

As a new category, American single malt producers are notoriously creative, looking to their local environment and regional traditions to create distinctive whiskeys. That meant the blend was a challenging one technically, as it asked us to bring together a plethora of unique components. Never before have we strived to balance the distinctive tang of Southwestern mesquite smoke with the sweet and creamy maltiness of malted barley, or contrast briny coastal peat with the warm vanilla character of toasted oak. The resulting blend is complex and multi-faceted, rewarding the drinker with unfolding layers of flavor. 

This first release of American Vatted Malt was years in the making, as many of the components in the blend come from emerging distilleries that have never traded or sold bulk whiskey before. The physical and logistical work of sourcing and blending with a group of small, independent producers is neither easy nor short, but we believe it lays the groundwork for a new, exciting, and collaborative future. Some of our collaborators have asked to remain anonymous, but the core group of participants includes:

•    Balcones Distillery, Waco, Texas

•    Hamilton Distillers Del Bac, Tucson, Arizona

•    MGP, Lawrenceburg, Indiana

•    Harvest Distillery, Valatie, New York

•    Santa Fe Distillery, Santa Fe, New Mexico

•    Kings County Distillery, Brooklyn, New York

We look forward to continuing to work with this group of innovative whiskey producers while searching out new partners for future releases of Barrell Craft Spirits Vatted Malt. In addition to expanding our ever-growing portfolio of spirits, this new project is an important step in advancing our vision of the next chapter of whiskey in America. 

AWARDS​

Whisky Advocate rating of 88

A celebration of Oregon's legendary brewing culture, this whiskey grew out of our longstanding cask-trading tradition among a select group of beer producers in the Northwest. For as long as we've been making whiskey, we've traded our freshly-emptied barrels with some of our brewing friends in and around the Northwest, who have in turn "seasoned" them with Stout before returning them again. Our Stout Cask Finish begins with our Westward American Single Malt, and is then aged for one year in Stout casks.

Broken Barrel Mizunara is a true tale of East meets West. This artisanal whiskey blends American corn with Japanese mizunara oak staves. Both are matured together for a rare yet balanced combination. 

Mizunara, literally translates to “water oak.” This oak has become increasingly popular with the global growth of whiskey, and the majority of this oak is now sourced from Mongolia. It has a high moisture content and is much more porous than other commonly used oaks for barrel making. Making barrels out of Mizunara is quite challenging according to many coopers, as the porous properties of the casks are prone to leaking.

Our whiskey, as a result of using this most interesting oak for our Oak Bill™ resulted in a rich, harmonious blend that is both quintessentially American in sweetness and character, while still notably Japanese-styled in its mellow smooth finish. Broken Barrel Mizunara Whiskey is exceptionally flavorful and unforgettably clean tasting - a whiskey meant to be sipped, savored, and most importantly - shared.

TASTING NOTES

Coloration: Caramel Brown

AROMA: Walnut, Bartlett Pear, Hint of Toffee 

BODY: Nutty, Toasted Bread and Peppercorn

FINISH: Sesame, Citrus, Apples and Honey