THE BOURBON RESOURCE: FEB. 2025
More bad bourbon news, impact of tariffs, AM Scott Rye review, coming in March
FIRST, A HUGE THANK YOU!
I can’t say thank you enough to all of those who support this little newsletter. As of this month, the Bourbon Resource has an audience of just over 1,500 readers when combining all media (Facebook, Twitter, and this newsletter). I know there’s duplication in those numbers, but still, that’s not bad for a labor of love that grows mostly by word of mouth. Thank you all.
THE BOURBON RESOURCE BIG NEWS, PART I
In a press release, Brown-Forman announced it’s trimming its workforce of 5,400 by 12 percent in hopes it will save up to $80 million annually. The company will also close its barrel-making operation in Louisville, meaning 210 people at that location will lose their jobs. All told, 650 people will be out of work.
Brown-Forman produces, among other brands, Jack Daniels, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, and Cooper’s Craft.
The news is a continuation of bad omens facing the bourbon business. The Stoli Group USA, which owns Kentucky Owl bourbon has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing, among other reasons, a slowing spirits market. Even worse, the bankruptcy has ensnared another major distiller. According to the bankruptcy filing, Kentucky Owl owes the Bardstown Bourbon Company more than $5.5 million.
MGP, the massive bourbon producer in Lawrenceburg, IN., said some of its smaller clients are having trouble buying the bourbon they’ve contracted for, according to the Wall Street Journal. And, bourbon sales have declined the last two years.
Taken together, this all comes down to one word: Bad. More below.
THE BOURBON RESOURCE BIG NEWS, PART II
When President Trump announced tariffs starting Tuesday (Feb. 4) against Canada (in addition to Mexico and China), our neighbors to the north announced it would retaliate with new taxes on American goods, including bourbon. The Kentucky Distillers Association has warned that a trade war would hurt the state’s $9B annual business.
The news got worse this past weekend. Six of Canada’s provinces, including Ontario (Toronto), Quebec (Montreal ), and British Columbia (Vancouver) have ordered all American alcohol removed from store shelves, suspended sales to all retailers, including restaurants and bars, and will prohibit online sales effective Tuesday.
On the one hand, Canada doesn’t import a lot of hard liquor from the states—- $31.6M annually. Still, industry groups [1] in the United States Mexico, and Canada released a statement warning against tariffs.
“Maintaining fair and reciprocal duty-free access for all distilled spirits is crucial for supporting jobs and shared growth across North America. Our industries have thrived due to the level playing field established across our borders,” according to a joint statement issued late Saturday night.
“However, recently the North American spirits sector is experiencing a slowdown due to the continued impact of COVID and economic factors like inflation. This slowdown will be exacerbated if a cycle of tariffs and matching retaliation begins, and the impact will be felt not just by the distilled spirits industry, but also by consumers and the struggling hospitality sector, which is still recovering from the pandemic.”
Even if the tariffs don’t take effect —- based on the stock market reaction, I think they won’t or will last a short time —- the industry doesn’t need any more bad news that reinforces its troubles. Additionally, if Canadian stores remove American products, it opens a lane for others to fill the void. The Canadians can still import tequila from Mexico, wine from France, and scotch from Scotland. That’s a lot of good drinking there.
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MORE BOURBON RESOURCE NEWS
Knob Creek Cask Strength: When Beam Distilling announced its single barrel program, it said Knob Creek would be available as bourbon or rye at 120 proof. Beam has made a change, and I’m all in. The bourbon will now be bottled at cask strength, priced at $69.99 plus tax per bottle. Beam isn’t sure of the yield —- my contact said it could be as low as 100 or as high as 140 bottles. I wouldn’t at all be (happily) surprised with a slightly higher yield. This is exciting. My bourbon group, the 32 Staves Society, will visit Beam Distilling to select a barrel of Knob Creek Barrel Proof at the end of this month. I plan to devote the March newsletter to the experience, from when we arrive through the tasting.
Elijah Craig has released its first barrel proof of 2025, A125. It’s light by EC standards, 118.2 proof. (I have two, 132.3 and 136.9.) The EC barrel proof is consistently one of the best bourbons produced each year, and it’s a buy at the $70 MSRP.
Lux Row will release its Small Batch PX Sherry Cask Finish nationwide starting in February. The press release says, “crafted from small batches of 4-year-old ryed straight Kentucky bourbon finished for six months in casks that held PX Sherry, an intensely rich and sweet wine made from overly ripened, sun-dried grapes.” At 112 proof, the bourbon sells for $49.99. I hope to have a review soon.
WHAT I’M SEEING LOCALLY/NATIONALLY
The bourbon slowdown isn’t going to impact prices, at least not much. But we’re already seeing the impact on the shelves, with formerly hard-to-get bottles showing up.
Old Ezra 7, a delicious Lux Row product that sells for $69.99, is available. So is McKenna 10 ($69.99), Old Grand Dad16 yr ($199.99), Willet Pot Still ($56.99), Willet Wheated 8 yr ($235.99), Barrell Bourbon Cask Strength Tale of Two Islands ($84.99) and more.
Many of these, and others, would have been subject to a stampede just a few months ago, but we’re seeing the impact of the bourbon slowdown. Bourbons you once couldn’t find are more available.
The secondary market, which I’ve written about before, is taking a beating with the very top of the market stagnating. A Michter’s limited edition 25 for $5,900 —- no takers. A four-year Willet Family Estate for $440 —- about 30% cheaper than a few months ago —- goes begging. It wasn’t too long ago a Pappy 23 went for $5K, but now, it sits at $3,200. Not only are the distillers hurting, but the desire for these high-priced “ego” bourbons seems to be drying up, too.
You can tell there’s a secondary problem because more people are selling 1 oz and 2 oz samples of expensive products. First, never buy a sample from someone you don’t know or trust because you don’t know what you’re getting. And, do you really need to spend $600 on a Michter’s 20 2 oz pour? Yes, that price is as real as the Luca trade.
We’re in a bourbon place where we, as consumers, can be more selective. Be patient and some really good bourbon will fall to you at MSRP.
THE BOURBON RESOURCE REVIEW
AM SCOTT RYE WHISKEY, BARREL PROOF
AM Scott Rye Whiskey Barrel Proof
116.6 proof
MSRP: $54.99
AM Scott Rye Whiskey Barrel Proof
Readers know I generally don’t like ryes. But this one is pure fire.
History
The A.M. Scott Distillery in Troy, Ohio, opened in 2022 with whiskeys sourced from an unknown distillery in Indiana, which generally means MGP.
AM Scott Rye Whiskey Barrel Proof
Mash bill: 51% Rye, 45% Corn, and 4% Barley Malt [2]
Let’s taste it:
🛏 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn glass
👉🏻Nose: Vanilla, corn, lavender, light grain
👉🏻Taste: Toasted rye bread, vanilla, light toffee, nuts
👉🏻Finish: Pepper, rye spice, vanilla, citrus
AM Scott Rye Whiskey Barrel Proof
Summary
I’m always skeptical of new distilleries pushing source products because you never know who’s selecting, what they’re selecting (a blend or single barrel), and the experience level of the taster. A.M. Scott has people who know what they’re doing. With only 51% rye, this whiskey is as close to a bourbon as possible. The corn gives this whiskey a complex sweetness, and the barley malt a light and pleasant nuttiness. There is considerable warmth, not burn, on the finish. But once that dissipates —- and it takes a while because the finish is as long as a passionate kiss —- the other flavors pop.
Conclusion – AM Scott Rye Whiskey Barrel Proof
This whiskey is a 10 out of 10, not only for taste but for price. It’s becoming increasingly hard to find an excellent bourbon in the $50 price range, and A.M. Scott does that. I’ve had the distillery’s four- and seven-year-old bourbons, and they’re also terrific offerings that I’ll review in the future. Additionally, A.M. just announced the release of a cigar batch rye that sounds intriguing.
A.M. Scott says its bourbons are available in 175 stores in Ohio, but it can also ship to 38 states. You can also visit the quaint distillery in the charming town of Troy, OH.
Have you tried the AM Scott Rye Whiskey Barrel Proof? What do you think?
That’s it for this month! I hope you enjoyed The Bourbon Resource. Please visit our friends at Bourbon Obsessed, the best source of distillery reviews around.
Ray Marcano writes and publishes the Bourbon Resource monthly, and he’s president of the 32 Staves Society. He’s a bourbon lover and long-time journalist who freelances for some of the country’s largest media brands. He’s the former national president of the Society of Professional Journalists, a two-time Pulitzer juror, and a Fulbright fellow. He also writes Objectivity Rules, a free, weekly newsletter on political and societal issues.
[1] The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, Spirits Canada, and Mexico’s Camara National de la Industria Tequilera (The National Chamber of the Tequila Industry) co-signed the statement.
[2] The mash bill and age statement comes from the John Barleycorn Awards
Truly enjoyed this walk through your tour, Ray. Makes me want to go on one myself.