Stoli Group’s Kentucky Owl has unveiled The Wiseman, a straight bourbon whiskey, which is set for the spotlight at the upcoming Virtual Travel Retail Expo.
Stoli Group is a Gold Partner of the online event, which will take place 11-15 October.
The Wiseman is produced and distilled in collaboration with the Bardstown Bourbon Company in Kentucky. With a 45.4% ABV, and recommended retail price of US$60 (750ml), the spirit blends Kentucky Owl four-year-old wheat and high-rye bourbons with 5½-year and 8½-year old Kentucky-sourced bourbons.
Stoli Group Global CEO Damian McKinney said: “The Wiseman is the beginning of the next chapter for Kentucky Owl and Stoli Group. As a family of exceptional brands, we are continuing to evolve, innovate and grow across all segments of the spirits market.”
Stoli Group Global Travel Retail Director Jean-Philippe Aucher added: “We are very excited to be entering a new dynamic category within travel retail with such an innovative brand as The Wiseman.
“Following its US launch, we plan to roll out into global travel retail during 2022. The Wiseman bourbon will be a major highlight on our stand at the Travel Retail Virtual Expo this year and we are very excited to be sharing more information there with our retail partners.”
Stoli Group purchased Kentucky Owl in 2017. Founded by C.M. Dedman in 1879, the Kentucky Owl Bardstown distillery went dark during the Prohibition era and remained dormant until a descendent revived the brand in 2014.
Since then, the company’s small batch releases have sold out quickly and received rave reviews. The Wiseman bourbon is the latest addition to the Kentucky Owl portfolio, with its last blended bourbon, Confiscated, released in 2019. |
Kentucky Owl Master Blender Joh Rhea described The Wiseman as “an artful balance of soft wheat and spicy high-rye that provides a smooth but complex bourbon designed to drink neat, on the rocks or in a cocktail”.
Leading tasting notes include caramel flavour and aroma, followed by allspice, citrus fruit and a nudge of oak.
