Move over apple cider; whiskey has entered the chat!
Whiskey is a fall favorite because it allows you to entertain your guests while ushering in the ultimate cozy vibes. From our favorite staple Black-owned brands like Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey to Queen Bey’s SirDavis American Whisky, there are plenty of options for getting the party going or enjoying a relaxing night.
Now more than ever, new Black entrepreneurs are making their mark in the whiskey spirits arena, with companies like Greenwood Whiskey and Duke & Dame rooted in brotherhood, family tradition, and community.
Check out some of our favorite Black-owned whiskey brands below.
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Brough Brothers Bourbon Whiskey
Kentucky’s first African American-owned distillery, owned by three brothers, touts a specialized bourbon whiskey with a medium-body flavor featuring fruity notes of green apple and pear. It also has subtle hints of ginger and nutmeg. The whiskey is golden honey in color.
Available at Reserve Bar
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Fresh Bourbon
The State of Kentucky recognizes Fresh Bourbon as the First African American to make Kentucky Bourbon since slavery. Their premiere bourbon whiskey, Fresh Bourbon Mash Bill, consists of corn, honey malt, wheat, malted rye, and barley.
Available at Fresh Bourbon
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Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey honors Nearest Green, the world’s first-known African American master distiller. Victoria Eady Butler, a four-time Master Blender of the Year and fifth-generation Green descendant crafted Nearest Green Tennessee Whiskey. This 84-proof Tennessee whiskey is perfect for sipping neat or mixing into your favorite cocktails.
Available at Uncle Nearest
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SirDavis American Whisky
Beyoncé knows how to party! Crafted alongside one of the world’s most regarded Master Distillers, Dr. Bill Lumsden, SirDavis is crafted with an intriguing mash bill of 51% rye and 49% barley and a secondary maturation in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. Challenging category norms (down to the brand’s spelling of ‘whisky’), SirDavis blends the robust flavors of American rye with the elegant mouthfeel of Japanese and Scotch whiskies.
With its striking bottle design and award-winning liquid, SirDavis was, among other accolades, awarded Best In Class for American Whiskey at the 2023 SIP Awards.
Available at SirDavis
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Duke & Dame Salted Caramel Whiskey
Co-founded by friends Amani Macaulay and Chima Burey, Duke & Dame combines a passion for entertaining with the right to feel sophisticated no matter who you are. The nose of this whiskey has surprising forward aromas of caramel, vanilla, and butterscotch. The palate is remarkably complex, with caramel, toffee notes, and hints of oak and spice. The finish is satisfyingly long and smooth with a subtle sweetness.
Available at Caskers
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Greenwood Whiskey
Greenwood Whiskey pays homage to one of the most significant and historically rich African American neighborhoods in the United States, the Historic Greenwood District, aka “Black Wall Street” in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Greenwood Whiskey just released a new staple for seasonal tailgates and campus kickbacks: an HBCU edition of its award-winning flagship whiskey (image below).
The limited-edition bottle features artwork by Atlanta-based visual artist Sway Jones. It will be available starting October 4th for $39.99 (SRP) at most metro Atlanta retailers or by visiting the brand’s site.
The new label release will kick off the Greenwood Whiskey HBCU tour at various universities and colleges, where attendees can taste samples from the brand. A portion of the Greenwood Whiskey HBCU Homecoming edition will also be donated to a handful of HBCU alumni associations.
Available at Greenwood Whiskey
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