Drink the Bottles

  Three Ryes, One Maryland Story: Exploring Sagamore Whiskey The history of Maryland rye, its remarkable comeback, and our tasting of Sagamore Whiskey’s Small Batch, Double Oak and Cask Strength expressions. There are a lot of places in America that have become synonymous with whiskey.   Kentucky has bourbon. Pennsylvania has its own long rye tradition. Tennessee has Tennessee whiskey. And then there’s Maryland. For much of American whiskey history, Maryland rye was a big deal. Long before craft distilling became fashionable, rye whiskey was being produced throughout the state, and Baltimore had developed a reputation for the style. Maryland rye was generally known for being a little softer and rounder than some of its northern counterparts, while still delivering the peppery spice that makes rye so distinctive. Then Prohibition happened a nd Maryland rye essentially disappeared. Today, there’s a concerted effort to bring it back—and few distilleries have put more ene...

  Bardstown Bourbon Company Pursues Tropical Character with Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish Whiskey The Kentucky-exclusive release was inspired by one of rum’s most distinctive maturation traditions BARDSTOWN, Ky. (July 21, 2026) — Of the hundreds of flavor compounds found in American Whiskey, few are more elusive than genuine tropical fruit. Bardstown Bourbon Company set out to explore whether those flavors could be achieved through patience, process, and barrel influence rather than shortcuts in its new Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish Whiskey.   Exclusive to Kentucky, Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish is a marriage of mature bourbon and rye that pushes beyond traditional finishing techniques, creating a whiskey that is both delightfully unexpected and unmistakably authentic. “The goal was never to make whiskey taste like pineapple,” said Dan Callaway, Master Blender, Lofted Spirits. “The goal was to understand what made these barrels so special in the first place. We foll...

There is something fascinating happening in American whiskey right now. The category is no longer defined only by century-old distilleries and traditional production methods. Some of the most interesting bottles are coming from brands willing to challenge what whiskey should look like.  So far, everything we have tasted from Whiskey JYPSI has been nothing short of fantastic. Whiskey JYPSI’s Legacy Series has embraced that idea from the beginning — not simply blending whiskey together, but reconstructing flavor profiles by selecting mature spirits from different origins and bringing them together with a specific vision. Legacy Batch 003, appropriately named “ The Declaration ,” might be their boldest statement yet. Bottled at 115.74 proof , this limited release is built around a reimagined Colonial-era Maryland-style rye profile. Instead of following a single distillery’s recipe, The Declaration combines aged whiskey components from three distinct whiskey traditions: Indiana rye, ...

Baltimore, June 29, 2026 -  Sagamore Spirit , the leading and award-winning Maryland-style whiskey distillery, proudly announces that their High Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey will be launched nationwide on July 1st, 2026. This release, a prestigious addition to the Sagamore Whiskey Reserve Series, represents the brand's vision to expand beyond rye while remaining rooted in its core values. This unique bourbon-style whiskey has been crafted to pay homage to Kentucky's bourbon heritage while celebrating and advancing Maryland-style whiskey traditions. This Maryland-made high rye straight bourbon whiskey features a mash bill of 60% corn, 25% rye, and 15% malted rye, aged for 6 years in new charred American white oak barrels and bottled at 54% ABV. This exceptional whiskey presents a striking bright cinnamon hue that immediately signals its character. On the nose, it opens with inviting aromas of dark brown sugar and grilled peaches, rounded out by luscious mixed berries. The palate...

  Penelope Bourbon Expands Ready-to-Pour Lineup with Blackberry Old Fashioned Ready-to-pour cocktails have exploded in popularity over the past few years.  But most bourbon drinkers still approach them with a healthy amount of skepticism.  Why?  Because, historically, many of these RTP offerings have been unbalanced in alcohol, flavor, finish and overall appeal.  An Old Fashioned is one of the easier cocktails to learn and perfect.  And, it is also one of the easiest to get wrong! Penelope Bourbon has released previous expressions of the RTP Old Fashioned.  The new release is the Blackberry Old Fashioned, which enters a crowded space but stands out head and shoulders above the competition.  If you want a spoiler (which we sometimes offer), we can tell you this.  This is our favorite ready-to-pour Old Fashioned offering to date - ever!   Despite such a bold claim, we hope you'll continue reading. The Blackberry Old Fashioned from Penelope...

Penelope Bourbon Launches Classic Series, Introducing Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Straight Rye     Built on eight years of innovation, Penelope’s new portfolio is designed for everyday occasions        St. Louis, MO — (June 9, 2026) — Penelope Bourbon announces the launch of its Classic Series and its new expressions: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Straight Rye Whiskey, two foundational whiskeys designed for everyday drinking occasions.       Over the past eight years, Penelope has built its reputation through experimentation, blending, and innovation, all with the goal of creating exceptional whiskey experiences that continually bring consumers something new to explore and enjoy. The Classic Series continues that journey, reflecting Penelope’s belief that there is always more to discover in the world of bourbon and whiskey.   “Since the beginning, our mission has always been to deliver the best possible whiskey to the...

  There’s a growing category of whiskey that refuses to stay inside traditional boundaries — and Koopers Whiskey has quietly become one of the more interesting names leading that movement. Founded in Texas, Koopers Whiskey built its reputation around blending and finishing American whiskey with a more culinary mindset. Rather than relying solely on age statements or proof points, the brand focuses heavily on secondary maturation — taking already mature whiskey and layering in additional complexity through carefully selected finishing casks. And that philosophy is on full display with the Koopers Cognac Cask Finished Rye. This bottle begins with a 7-year-old straight rye whiskey distilled in Indiana, built on a high-rye profile known for structure, spice, and intensity. The mash bill is Corn (45%), Rye (51%) and Barley (4%).   After aging in new American oak barrels, the whiskey undergoes an additional 11-week finishing period inside French Cognac casks. Unlike many wine o...

HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY UNVEILS RITTENHOUSE UNITED STATES 250TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE EDITION STRAIGHT RYE WHISKY A Limited-Edition, 10-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond Release Honors America’s Semiquincentennial and Pennsylvania Heritage Bardstown, Ky. (May 21, 2026) –  Heaven Hill Distillery proudly announces the release of the Rittenhouse United States 250th Anniversary Commemorative Edition, a 10-year-old Bottled-in-Bond Rye Whiskey crafted to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence.  Launcing in May 2026, this special-edition product celebrates Rittenhouse's Pennsylvania heritage with commemorative Libety Bell packaging and will be allocated across select US markets and at the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience. Rooted in Pennsylvania’s historic rye whiskey tradition, a cornerstone of early American distilling, Rittenhouse Rye pays tribute to a time when rye was the spirit of choice across the region. Named after Philadelphia’s famed Rittenhouse Square, the brand...