Vol. 322

From the editors of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine, Craft Spirits Weekly is produced by the American Craft Spirits Association for its members. Not a member? Click here to join.

This week, we're focusing on an expansion by Nearest Green Distillery; a new spirit from Wheyward Spirit; and more!

NEED TO KNOW

Nearest Green Distillery Expands to 432 Acres

Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey of Shelbyville, Tennessee, announced that it has expanded its home, Nearest Green Distillery, to a massive 432 acres. This acquisition makes Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey one of the largest, if not the largest, Black landowners in Tennessee. (CRAFT SPIRITS magazine)

Registration Opens for Heartland Whiskey Competition

If you make whiskey, here's an exciting opportunity to claim bragging rights!

The American Craft Spirits Association, along with the Illinois Corn Marketing Board and related corn growers associations in another 20 states, are excited to announce that registration is now open for the fourth biennial Heartland Whiskey Competition. The competition celebrates the cream of the crop—CORN, the key ingredient for eligible entries into this competition.

This competition is open to whiskey entries from all 50 states, but entries from the following states will have a chance to win Best of State: California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin.

Please read the judging protocols and the submission guidelines prior to entry.

You must register your whiskey by July 15 and have it received by July 29 to earn your right to display a new gold, silver or bronze medal. This event only happens every two years so don’t let this opportunity pass you by.

Enter early and receive a 25% discount on each spirit entered!

ACSA Members*: $132 per spirit ($175 normally)

Non-Members: $147 per spirit ($195 normally)

*Members must login to receive discounted pricing. Not a member? Click here to join us!

Wheyward Spirit Launches New Spirit: Wheyskey

Portland, Oregon-based Wheyward Spirit announced the launch of its new barrel aged spirit: Wheyskey. According to Wheyward Spirit, it is the first aged specialty whey spirit in the U.S. (CRAFT SPIRITS magazine)

Wenzel Whiskey Acquires Assets from Ghost Coast Distillery

Covington, Kentucky-based Wenzel Whiskey this week announced it has acquired assets and an inventory of aged spirits from Savannah, Georgia-based Ghost Coast Distillery, which closed its tasting room doors in September of 2022. (CRAFT SPIRITS magazine)

Deerhammer, Eddyline Collaboration Paves Way for Trail

Buena Vista, Colorado-based Deerhammer Distillery and Eddyline Brewery debuted Trail Forge last year, a project now five years in the making that has raised $25,000 in funds for the creation of the new Crank 'n Hammer trail. The next single barrel bottling of Trail Forge will be available this month. (CRAFT SPIRITS magazine)

ACSA'S 10TH ANNIVERSARY: Craft Spirits & Food Month

Tablemates: Creating a Cocktail Dinner

This year ACSA is marking its 10th anniversary, and each month we're celebrating with a new initiative. This month we welcome Craft Spirits & Food Month. To kick it off we're sharing a story from CRAFT SPIRITS magazine about teaming up with restaurants to create a cocktail dinner.

If you have food and cocktail recipes, pairing suggestions or more and want to share them with us, please send a note to [email protected].

Watch a Video Tribute to a Decade of ACSA

We celebrate the distiller's decade as the American Craft Spirits Association marks its 10th anniversary.

Read the Latest Issue of CRAFT SPIRITS Magazine

The latest issue of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine is here and this issue highlights all of the medalists from our Third Annual Craft Spirits Packaging Awards. We also explore the challenges and opportunities of exporting; how artificial intelligence is weaving its way into the world of craft spirits; and much more.

Seattle-based Copperworks Distilling Co. announced a collaboration with Doubleback Winery.

Bear Fight American Single Malt Whiskey, a craft whiskey brand under the Raleigh, North Carolina-based Next Century Spirits portfolio, announced the close of a $1.9 million investment deal.

Flaviar is introducing its Grilled & Distilled Tasting Box, a collaboration with six-time World Barbecue champion and 2018 inductee to the Barbecue Hall of Fame, Tuffy Stone.

Minneapolis-based Earl Giles Restaurant & Distillery is cracking open a new four-pack of canned craft cocktails: Art & Revelry.

BLACKENED Whiskey announces its release of Cask Strength, starting with Volume 01, as a nationwide rollout.

E-BOOK

Pre-Order 'The ACSA Guide to Starting and Operating a Distillery' E-Book

In mid-June, the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) is launching an exclusive e-book, “The ACSA Guide to Starting and Operating a Distillery.” The peer-reviewed guide is a comprehensive compendium of expert insights detailing all of the tools and techniques that new distilleries need to get their businesses up and running and help ensure a prosperous future. In addition to serving as a textbook for craft spirits producers in their first one to three years in operation, it’s an invaluable resource for onboarding new members of your team, as well as a reference for existing staff to gain a more holistic view of how a distillery operates. The ebook is scheduled to arrive in June.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Do you have exciting stories to share about your distillery? Keep us posted on new products, events, trends, tips and more by sending us a note at [email protected].