Monthly News & Updates

2025 | Issue 11

This Month's Newsletter

Well it has been a little bit! The sippers took time off to enjoy summer with family and friends. Like all of you we are so ready for some relief from this heat. There has been a lot of Upheaval in the spirits world with all kind of closures, openings and lawsuits. we will give you our take on some of them this issue.

Cocktail Corner

Hosted by Janice Weaver

If you’re not adding bourbon to your sangria, you don’t know what you’re missing.

My Watermelon 🍉 Sangria was inspired by @thefoxtailmadison. They have a lighter lunch version of this drink but I needed to crank it up. I’m using @penelopebourbon but you can use whatever your man is drinking.

1.5oz bourbon

.5oz vanilla simple syrup

.25oz Elderflower liqueur

1.5oz watermelon juice

.5oz hibiscus tea

1oz Rosé wine

.5oz lemon juice

That’s a lot of ingredients but A. It’s worth it and B. If you’re missing one of them, it will still taste great. Cheers

Courtesy of Janice Weaver

Follow Bourbonwithyourman

LOVE of the LEAF

Pairing by Bobby McClellan

The finish to a work week

It is time to wind down on the patio on a nice Mississippi evening after a full week of work. This issue we are having a dancing good pair of the Dancing Panda 8 year bourbon with the Montecristo Nicaragua series.

The cigar carries though with lots of rich dark coffee with light peppery notes in the 1st third as with any Montecristo it is easy draw great burn and delicious, honesty i cannot remember a bad one.

The Dancing Panda 8 Year is an NDP that sources from a Kentucky Distillery. It is a high corn mashbill and shows in a sweet palate.

For a pairing the cigar brings out the rye in the mashbill and richens up the cigar. If you do not pair whiskey and cigars often or have a hard time with it this is a good one to work with. both are soft and give a sweetness on the tip if the tongue. as you get into the 2nd third you get a little umami tartness but still smooth a fill of flavor. go slow and you will pick up lots of nuances. in the final third you get darker spicier notes in the cigar. More woody notes and paired with the whiskey you get lots of coffee expresso notes.

In conclusion man its a good pairing, Normally for me Montecristo is a scotch or coffee pairing. I normally do not get bourbons to pair with this cigar but this one does work. Not sure if the Dancing Panda is available in your particular area but if you get a chance to pick one up get one and try it. As for the cigar go visit your local brick and mortar shop and pick you a couple up

Tequila Watch Out For

Rey Sol Extra Añejo – Review by Justin Mozingo

Rey Sol Extra Añejo is a tequila with real patience behind it, spending six full years resting in American white oak and French oak barrels. That long time in wood gives it a smooth, easy character that still carries plenty of depth. The first sip brings a gentle touch of smoke, quickly followed by a wave of caramel sweetness that feels warm and inviting without ever being heavy-handed.

The nose leans rich and welcoming, with vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, and cooked agave leading the way, backed up by notes of dried fruit, roasted nuts, and a hint of chocolate. It’s the kind of pour that doesn’t need to be rushed. For a good match, try it with a Padron 1964 Anniversary Maduro cigar, which adds earthy cocoa and coffee tones to the mix. On the plate, it pairs nicely with slow-braised short ribs—the savory richness of the meat brings out the tequila’s sweeter side, making for a well-rounded sip and bite.

For more information

From the Dusty to the Obscure

From the collections of the Sippers

We thought it would be nice for our readers to see some of the rare bottles that we have around our collections. We will share a bottle monthly for fun.

This month we are sharing the Wild Turkey 14-Year-old Tradition Bourbon.

Wild Turkey 14-Year-Old Tradition Bourbon is a premium offering from the renowned Wild Turkey Distillery. Released in 2009 as part of the Master Distiller Selection series, this bourbon was hand-selected by Jimmy Russell, Wild Turkey's legendary master distiller. Distilled in 1995, it spent 14 years aging in heavily charred new white oak barrels, a process that imparts deep, rich flavors, and reflects decades of expertise and a dedication to crafting high-quality bourbon.

Bottled at 101 proof, Wild Turkey Tradition boasts a bold and complex flavor profile. It features notes of molasses, raisins, toffee, vanilla, and oak, complemented by hints of orange zest and white pepper. The finish is long and warm, with lingering caramel and subtle tobacco undertones.

This bourbon is presented in a striking package, including a wooden box and a metallic base, emphasizing its premium status. With only 30,000 bottles produced worldwide, it remains a highly sought-after collector's item

The Whiskey World

Well the summer is almost over but the spirits industry is still heating up. We still get news of more distilleries closing, liquidating and filing for bankruptcy. It is a said state of affairs for everyone involved. we see several scotch distilleries shuttering or as they say going silent. we have heard some Irish and English closing. In the US we see more and more. Largest news recently is the receivership order on Nearest Green. That is a sad one. When they cam on the scene they were everywhere you looked and were releasing some good juice. no one know all of the intricate details of the issues but you stopped seeing it n the shelves in our area until recently. Not as much promotion was seen. We reached out to them in 2022 and 2023 about doing a barrel pick to bring into Mississippi that is how much we liked what they were doing All we got in return was crickets. We hope they can turn things around get the finances right and plug on and get back out there. Only time will tell.

We see that Cathead is releasing some more of the Estates line of Old Soul. We are happy to hear this . We have not gotten to try the newest one that is coming out. But each release gets better and better. Keep an out for it.

mississippisippers@gmail.com

New Release

The new Jack Daniel's Heritage Toasted Barrel has been released. This is widely available in the 70.00 range depending on where you are. It is the most non Jack Jack we have tried. It is worth picking up at the msrp pricing. If you look at the number of barrels it should not be an issue to locate one for your collection

THE COUNTY SQUIRE IS MOVING!

Hey y'all. I'm John David Cole, owner of the Country Squire Pipe and Cigar Shop in Jackson, Mississippi. 2025 is an incredibly special year for us. This year, we celebrated 55 years of

business. This is a remarkable feat in an industry where it's rare for a business like ours to make it more than 5 years. We introduced premium tobacco products to Mississippi in 1970 and have

since grown to a worldwide customer base. were the premier full-service tobaconist of the American South, have become Jackson's cigar destination of choice, and incredibly are now serving third generation customers. The Country Squire is proud to be known as Mississippi's smoke shop, and we are so very thankful. But 2025 is not just a year to reflect and celebrate. As it turns out, 2025 will be a watershed year in its own right. I'm thrilled to announce right now that in the coming months, the

Country Squire is moving into its forever home. The past 15 years have seen the Squire explode in popularity. If you've been here on a Friday or Saturday night, you'll know how hard it is to find a seat. Last year, with this in mind, we started looking for a larger property to call our very own. A place

where we can spread our wings and offer a more premier premium experience for our customers. all while preserving our business's historic character and unique story. Earlier this year, we were

fortunate enough to purchase a large building only two blocks away from our existing location in the quarter on Lakeland Drive. This standalone building preserves our 55-year traffic pattern in the heart of Northeast Jackson and features almost 70 parking spaces. With easy access from I-55, Lakeland Drive, and the greater metro area, we'll be able and well positioned to serve the cigar and pipe

enthusiasts all around us for decades to come. But the most exciting part of our move is what it will allow us to offer our community. Our smoking lounge will grow dramatically, offering plenty of

indoor and outdoor seating, comfortable for all seasons of the year. The space will feature a brand new members only lounge that will come with special amenities like 24/7 access, the only lounge of its kind in central Mississippi. And we'll be able to take advantage of new Mississippi laws that

allow us to open a worldass bar. Great for those who enjoy the art of craft cocktails and premium beer and wine. And excitingly, our walk-in cigar humidor will grow by far to become the largest

in Jackson, featuring new brands, a wider selection, and a much improved and more elegant shopping experience. But what will all this look like? How do you take a historic institution like this

and and then recreate it in a new space? Every major city in this country has a showy cigar lounge, but that's just not the country squire. Because our business has such a distinctive character, we have to do something different. So, we've invested in a very talented team of designers and contractors who have years of experience in creating some of Mississippi's most exciting and memorable spaces. We're committed to doing something different and special. Something that's worthy of Jackson and worthy of the Country Squire's legacy. All of this requires a tremendous amount

of hard work, financial investment, and prayer. These are monumental changes for our business and for the Cole family and for the Country Squire community. But we know with your help, this exciting new project will become a reality. And so we invite you in. We invite you into our venture. We invite you to participate in our story, our new chapter. As we pass the 55 year mark, our desire is to do

the next 55 years with you. So please come join us. Take care.

BOTTLES of the MONTH

Bourbon / Whiskey

Old Dominick 8 Year Reserve Bourbon

Old Dominick eight-year-old Reserve Bourbon boasts exceptional notes of sweetness and fruitiness, setting it apart from our other whiskey offerings.

The nose opens with inviting aromas of cream soda and fresh peach, complemented by hints of raisin and dessert icing that promise the sweetness to come. On the palate, rich caramel and butterscotch lead the way, followed by notes of honey and vanilla that give way to a satisfying oak finish.

Sippers Take:

Soft and sweet is the explanation of this release. We were able to try this before the release and are happy to have that opportunity The palate is sweet and rich in vanilla milk shake notes, the 100 proof give it a nice spice note to offset the sweetness. If you are into toasted barrels the is so much in that flavor realm. Nose is crisp with light sugar spice. If you like a pour after a meal this is the one to reach for. This is an all around good pour and is a great representation of what Old Dominick Bourbon is like. We think the release is mid September and it should be available in your local markets.

Spirits

The ImpEx Collection

Victor Ramos, Coyote Verde (A.Potatorum X A.Karwinskii)

Batch No 0521VFR

Distilled by Victor Ramos in May of 2021 in a Copper Alembic still and rested in glass for over 1 year

The Nose is filled with fresh green ivy, aloe, earthy chalk, and a very, very light smoke. The palate comes in vibrant yet elegant with green banana and the feeling of fresh cut grass after a light rain. The finish is back to the character of the nose with chalk and ivy. It lingers and asks for another sip.

Sippers Take:

We love a good Mezcal. This is one not for the faint at heart. It will not be everyone's jam but man did we like it. The nose if smokier that it lets on in the tasting notes. If you are not a person that like things on the smokey side pass on this but if you do go and get it The palate if light and floral with white fruit notes. The proof is bottles at 51% 102 proof. These are limited production as are all of the Impex Collection releases. This in a release of 264 bottles. If you are a Mezcal lover add this to the collection. It was a really surprising enjoyable pour neat and would be great with a rock to soften and cool it down.

Distillery Spotlight

The Mississippi Sippers had the privilage to meet Allen Dossey at the Natchez Food and Wine Festival and were able to sample the wines as well as the amazing bourbons that they are releasing.

If you are interested in Purple Toad they can be found online at:

Purple Toad Winery

Facebook for Purpletoad

Purple Toad Winery & Distillery

Conversations with Allen and Steven Dossey

Purple Toad Winery and Distillery is located in Paducah, Kentucky and is headed up by Allen and Steven Dossey.

This month we are happy to have a Q&A with Allen and Steven about whiskey and wine.

{Sippers} Is there a specific spirit category that your Distillery is known for?

{Steven} Purple Toad is Kentucky’s largest winery, producing more than 60,000 cases of wine annually.

In December 2024, we expanded into distilling, launching Purple Toad Distillery. While our wines remain the foundation of our brand, our bourbons and whiskeys are now our focus moving forward. We’re combining Kentucky’s deep bourbon heritage with the same creative spirit that

made our wines successful.

{Sippers} How long have you been in business?

{Allen} We’ve been making wine since 2009 and began distilling spirits in December 2024.

{Sippers} What makes your distillery unique?

{Allen} Purple Toad is one of the only operations in the U.S. to be both a large-scale winery and a distillery under one roof. Our bourbon and whiskey program benefits from that background — we use our wine barrels for finishing and bring a flavor-first mindset to spirits. We work side by side on every batch, making sure the whiskey program carries the same family- driven attention to quality that Purple Toad is known for.

{Sippers} Tell us something about your history? What inspired you to become a distiller and/or to create your own brand?

{Allen & Steven} We started the distilling program together in late 2024. After 15 years of building Kentucky’s largest winery, the natural next step was bourbon. We wanted to take everything we’ve learned about flavor, fruit, and barrel-aging and apply it to whiskey. The goal wasn’t just to make another bourbon — it was to make something uniquely Purple Toad.

{Sippers} Do you focus on whiskey alone? Or are there other spirits that you distill?

{Steven} We’ve started with Kentucky straight bourbon and are expanding into fruit-finished bourbons and small-batch whiskeys. We’re also laying down brandy, vodka, and agave spirits, but bourbon and whiskey will always be the core of our distilling program.

{Sippers} Did you have an “AHHA” spirit that sparked your love of distilling and started you on this path?

{Steven} The first release of our Blackberry Bourbon showed us we were on the right path. It combined Kentucky bourbon tradition with the fruit-driven personality of Purple Toad. Customers immediately responded, proving that there’s room in the bourbon world for something bold and different.

{Allen}Two bottles really convinced us that distilling was our path forward.

Chardonnay Brandy (7 years) — distilled from Chardonnay and aged in oak for 7 years. It’s so rich and smooth that most assume it’s bourbon, not brandy. This proved that our winery background could create a spirit unlike anything else. 11-Year Double Oak Whiskey (118 proof) — a rare sourced barrel we finished and bottled ourselves. It showed us that careful selection and blending could stand alongside any established distillery. Together, they proved we could bring something fresh to Kentucky bourbon.

{Sippers} Where do you recommend someone new to Whiskey to start when exploring your line.

{Steven} If you’re new to Purple Toad spirits, start with our Blackberry Bourbon — it’s smooth, approachable, and versatile. For a more traditional pour, try our straight bourbon. These two expressions show both sides of what we’re about: honoring Kentucky tradition while creating something distinctly our own.

{Sippers} Do you have any tips for cocktails, pairing bourbon, scotch, spirits with food, cigars, etc.?

{Steven} Blackberry Bourbon Old Fashioned – adds a fruit-forward twist to the classic. • Straight Bourbon with BBQ or cigars – a natural fit for smoky, hearty flavors. • Peach Bourbon Lemonade – refreshing and easy-drinking.

{Sippers} Have you noticed any recent trends in the world of spirits?

{Allen} Flavored and finished bourbons are one of the fastest-growing trends in American whiskey. More drinkers are open to exploring new flavor profiles without stepping away from bourbon tradition. We see that space as our sweet spot.

{Sippers} What are some challenges you face as a distillery?

{Allen} Launching a new distillery program is always a challenge, especially in a state with as much bourbon heritage as Kentucky. Our focus is on building credibility and showing that Purple Toad bourbon deserves a place alongside long-established brands.

{Steven}Breaking into Kentucky bourbon is tough, but the bigger challenge is credibility. Enthusiasts are skeptical of wine-finished or fruit-flavored bourbons — and with good reason, since some products in the category have been gimmicky. The other challenge is time: our own distillate needs years before it’s ready. Balancing immediate demand with the patience bourbon requires is the test we face daily.

{Sippers} What excites you most about the future?

{Allen & Steve} We’re most excited about the barrels we’re laying down now. Every month adds depth and character to what we’ll be bottling in the years ahead. Opening our new Bowling Green facility in 2025 will also give us more room to share both our wines and bourbons with visitors.

{Sippers} Is there anything that you are working on that has yet to be released that you would be willing to share some information about, because everyone loves getting that inside scoop?

{Steven} We have several small-batch bourbons and finished whiskeys in the works, including limited releases using our own wine barrels. These projects highlight the crossover between our winery and distillery — something no one else is doing at our scale.

{Sippers} Where can consumers find your products? What states can you be found in and what online sources are available for shipping?

{Allen} Purple Toad wines and bourbons are distributed in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Illinois, with more states to come. Customers in many states can also order directly from our website.

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