Pécharmant – The Best Alternative to Bordeaux Wine

New Riff Distilling is launching a limited edition whiskey blend, the 2026 Headliner, which combines three whiskeys aged for a minimum of ten years. This release not only appeals to whiskey enthusiasts but also aims to support local charities, with proceeds benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati and Tri-State Trails.

According to Mollie Lewis, the president of New Riff Distilling, every bottle purchased contributes to building stronger community ties by funding organizations dedicated to positive change. The whiskey itself consists of 50% 11-year-old malted rye bourbon, 25% 11-year-old rye, and 25% 10-year-old balboa rye, marking an important milestone as the first mixture featuring components all over a decade old.

Tasting notes describe the whiskey as beginning with aromatic layers of rich oak, dark fruits, and a blend of spices. Flavors of fig, raisin, and honeyed currant are complemented by deep oak and spicy notes, leading to a long, satisfying finish.

The 2026 Headliner will retail for $150 per bottle and is set to go on sale through New Riff’s Whiskey Club starting at 11 a.m. on July 24. Membership for the club is free, though purchasing is limited to one bottle per individual and available for local pickup only.

Fat Mike, the frontman of NOFX, has ventured into the vodka business with a brand called "Fatty’s Bottom Shelf." His rationale for starting this venture stems from his belief that all vodkas have a similar taste. He shared that he sampled over five different recipes, finding it difficult to distinguish between them. Consequently, he instructed the vodka makers to create a product that was easy to produce, resulting in a vodka that supposedly tastes "almost like good tasting vodka."

Fat Mike humorously mentions that many of his friends have commented, “I’ve had worse,” which leads him to declare, “if it’s almost good enough for them… it’s good enough for me!”

The vodka, which comes in at 40% alcohol by volume, is being sold in packs that include an exclusive 7-inch record featuring Fat Mike.

Martha Washington’s favorite drink, a delightful rum punch, has its roots in a cherished family recipe passed down from her mother. During her time in the White House from 1789 to 1797, Martha became known for her hospitality, often serving this punch at her famed gatherings.

The recipe, preserved at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, includes an enticing mix of white rum, dark rum, orange curaçao, simple syrup, fresh lemons and oranges, along with spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves. To prepare, she would muddle the fruits with the spices and syrup, adding the spirits and water before straining the mixture for a smooth finish.

Rum was an integral part of the colonial economy and culture, with estimates suggesting that the average colonist consumed about 3.7 gallons of rum annually by the American Revolution. George Washington even operated one of the largest distilleries of the time, so it’s likely that the rum in Martha’s punch was distilled by him.

Throughout the 1600s to 1700s, rum surpassed whiskey in popularity, largely due to its availability from molasses, a byproduct of the sugar trade with the West Indies. This spirit was not only enjoyed socially but also often used as currency in the colonies.

As tastes evolved in America, the preference shifted toward whiskey in the 1800s, reflecting the changing palates of the country’s citizens. However, Martha’s legacy lives on, inviting modern enthusiasts to recreate her punch for festive gatherings, encouraging a return to Colonial-style celebrations.

For those interested in trying Martha Washington’s rum punch, you can find the recipe on the Mount Vernon website.

In a saturated vodka market, where numerous brands vie for consumer attention, the redesign of New Amsterdam Vodka stands out as a significant evolution in branding. The task was handled by design agency ForceMAJEURE, which aimed to modernize the packaging while maintaining the brand’s recognizable elements.

New Amsterdam, owned by E. & J. Gallo, embarked on its first major redesign since its inception in order to enhance its visual identity and achieve a cohesive look across its product line. The fresh design features a striking midnight-blue palette, setting it apart from the typical clear and silver bottles that dominate the shelves.

One of the notable changes was elevating the iconic cityscape graphic, previously a mere decorative aspect, to become a central visual component. The refined vertical wordmark now imbues the bottle with a confident and contemporary presence, ensuring clear visibility whether on display in a store or behind the bar.

This comprehensive redesign was the result of close collaboration between the multidisciplinary team at ForceMAJEURE and E. & J. Gallo, spearheaded by Creative Director Michelle Mak. The redesign process was meticulously coordinated, driven by dedicated account and production professionals.

Key members of the creative team, including Tim Devereaux and Tianyun Jiang, contributed significantly to refining the label’s structure and enhancing the typographic hierarchy. Jiang played a crucial role in establishing the new visual aesthetic and contributing to broader design consistency.

The redesign has not gone unnoticed in the industry, earning numerous accolades such as a Silver Award from Graphis, a Gold Award at the 2026 MUSE Design Awards, and recognition from the PAC Global Award. These honors underscore the project’s strength and validate the high-quality craftsmanship and creative execution behind New Amsterdam Vodka’s revamped visual identity.

Yellowstone Bourbon has a storied history that dates back to 1872 when Joseph Bernard Dant named a series of whiskeys after Yellowstone National Park. Today, the brand is managed by his descendant, Stephen Beam, who, alongside his brother Paul, founded Limestone Branch Distillery in 2010 and revived the Yellowstone label. In 2015, they formed a partnership with Luxco, which was acquired by MGP in 2021.

The brand is particularly known for its annual Limited Edition releases, with the latest, the 2026 Limited Edition, being its 11th release. This bottling will be available nationwide starting August 2026.

For this year’s edition, Stephen Beam blended 7-year-old and 14-year-old Kentucky straight bourbons. Neither whiskey was produced at Limestone Branch. The 7-year-old is speculated to be sourced from Lux Row or another undisclosed distillery, while the 14-year component comes from an undisclosed Kentucky distillery.

After blending, the bourbon underwent secondary maturation in Ruby and Tawny Port casks for roughly 12 weeks, followed by a final bottling at a proof of 101 (50.5% ABV).

Upon tasting, the 2026 Limited Edition exhibits a rich nuttiness on the nose, with aromas reminiscent of peanut brittle, toffee, and dark dried fruits. The palate reveals similar nutty characteristics alongside dates, figs, and a hint of baked fruit. The finish offers burnt caramel notes, concluding a pleasant drinking experience.

At a price of $99, it’s positioned as a premium but moderately accessible bourbon, especially appealing to those fond of nutty, toffee-like flavors. The 2026 Limited Edition is available at the Limestone Branch Distillery Visitor’s Center and will soon roll out to wider distribution.