The Whiskey Artisans: Timeless Heritage

These whiskeys aren’t just spirits; they’re storytellers. Each pour carries the weight of generations, crafted with care, devotion, and respect for tradition.

Start in the Colorado Rockies with Breckenridge Bourbon, a high-rye wonder brewed with pure mountain water and aged at an altitude of 9600 feet.

Then, experience the legacy of Uncle Nearest 1884 Premium Small Batch Whiskey, an homage to the first African-American master distiller that’s steeped in Tennessee pride and pours like a living timeline of whiskey-making.

Finally, Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon takes you to Nevada, where farm-to-glass perfection reigns. Made entirely on-site, it bursts with aromatic oak and a spiced warmth, proving sometimes the old ways are the best ways.

This box is a tribute to the artisans who’ve preserved whiskey’s roots and perfected its craft through the ages. It’s more than a nod to the past—it’s an invitation to savor the legacy.

EXPLORE MORE: This box is part 2 of the Whiskey Artisans trilogy—an immersive journey into the world of craft, heritage, and mastery. To complete your deep dive into the world of whiskey craftsmanship, make sure to check out the other two boxes in the series: Pioneers of the Craft and Mastery Refined.

SMARTASS CORNER

1. Situated at 9,600 feet above sea level, Breckenridge Distillery holds the title of the world’s highest distillery.

2. Breckenridge Distillery is not just pouring the official bourbon for the Denver Broncos, but as of 2023, they’re also shaking up the official vodka. To celebrate, they released a limited-edition vodka honoring the first white alternative Broncos helmet. Touchdown!

3. In the world of whiskey, water matters—it makes for up to 60% of each bottle! Each distillery has its unique water source, varying from rivers to springs. Interestingly, the water’s hardness or softness can influence the whiskey’s mouthfeel and flavor. For instance, softer waters generally produce heavier spirits, while harder waters yield lighter, sweeter ones.

4. The magic behind Uncle Nearest Whiskey lies with the celebrated master blender Victoria Eady Butler, a fifth-generation descendant of Nathan Green, who masterfully blends each bottle. Talk about keeping it all in the family!

5. Uncle Nearest is the fastest-growing American whiskey brand in U.S. history and the best-selling Black-owned spirit brand of all time.

6. Tennessee whiskey closely parallels bourbon, but final filtering through sugar-maple charcoal (called the Lincoln County Process) is what some producers say differentiates them. Tennessee whiskey’s finish is sweeter and smoother than bourbon.

7. Since 1953, the Frey family has dedicatedly farmed their land. In 2006, Colby Frey, a fifth-generation farmer, saw whiskey as the ideal use for their grain and pure water. With Nevada relaxing distillation rules in 2010, this vision came to life. 

8. Frey Ranch grows all its grains on-site, using corn, winter cereal rye, winter wheat, and two-row barley from the Sierra Nevada. Corn gives whiskey its signature sweetness, making it approachable. Winter rye spices things up with pepper notes. Winter wheat smooths the edges for a gentle sip. Lastly, two-row barley lays the foundation with its essential malt character.

9. Before the Bottled-In-Bond Act of 1897, bourbon often included unsavory additives like prune juice and turpentine. This act was a game-changer, mandating government oversight of whiskey production. It required aging for at least four years and bottling at 100 proof, ensuring purity and safeguarding the bourbon’s reputation.