Whiskey and golf have a historical connection that dates back to the sport’s origins, with both often celebrated together at the "19th hole." This tradition has been embraced in a new way through a partnership between PGA Tour player Wyndham Clark and Blade and Bow Bourbon, which features a sweepstakes granting one winner and three friends the opportunity to play a round of golf with Clark at a premier U.S. golf location.

In a recent conversation, Clark shared insights about his career, his growing appreciation for whiskey, and the details of the sweepstakes. He recounted how his love for bourbon began during a fishing trip with friends, blending these experiences into a deep connection with whiskey.

The collaboration with Blade and Bow is particularly special for Clark, as he recognizes the long-standing relationship between whiskey and golf. The sweepstakes not only offers the chance to play golf with a professional but also enjoy great bourbon and hear authentic stories from the course. Clark emphasized the unique experiences that come from spending time with a Tour Pro outside of the competitive and media-driven golf environment.

Reflecting on his journey, Clark highlighted the significance of patience and precision in both golf and whiskey. He considers the time and dedication he invests in his golfing craft deserving of a drink that reflects the same level of quality. His favorite drink on the course, the “Kentucky Caddie” cocktail, showcases his fondness for Blade and Bow’s elevated bourbon.

Looking ahead, Clark is excited about the upcoming golf season and hopes to participate in the Ryder Cup in New York, aiming for success in major tournaments. He also expressed a desire to return to fishing, an activity he genuinely enjoys but has had little time for recently.

As Clark continues to grow as a golfer and individual, he hopes to impart valuable lessons to aspiring players—chiefly, that success is possible regardless of your environment and that having a greater impact can extend beyond just excelling in sports.

The sweepstakes runs until June 15, 2025, and to enter, participants must be at least 25 years old. More details can be found through the official sweepstakes site: bladeandbowwhiskey.com/sweepstakes.

The creator of the popular whiskey social media brand Brewzle, TJ Gamble, is embarking on a new venture by opening a distillery named Oak Bowery in Opelika. The Opelika City Council has approved tax abatements and exemptions for this project, allowing construction to commence.

Gamble, who has grown the Brewzle brand to over 1.5 million followers across various platforms, expressed his passion for Opelika, where he has lived for over a decade. He highlighted the town’s delightful mix of small-town charm and modern infrastructure as key reasons for choosing it as the location for his distillery.

The distillery will be situated at 1200 1st Ave., offering 4,500 square feet of production space and room for expansion, including a tasting room and barrel storage. The total investment for the Oak Bowery project exceeds $1.14 million, and it is expected to create around 20 jobs in its first four years.

Gamble’s vision for Oak Bowery aligns with Opelika’s vibrant culture and economic growth. Mayor Gary Fuller welcomed the project, emphasizing its potential to enhance local tourism and create jobs. City’s Economic Development Director John Sweatman noted that supporting this initiative through tax incentives was a straightforward decision, reflecting the kind of sustainable development they encourage in Opelika.

The distillery is scheduled to be completed by January 1, 2027. Gamble, originally from Tallapoosa County and an alumnus of Auburn University, previously founded an e-commerce agency focused on marketing for businesses. The Brewzle brand took off during the COVID-19 pandemic, transforming from a personal TikTok account with 50,000 followers to a diverse community of whiskey aficionados across multiple platforms.

Gamble envisions Oak Bowery not just as a distillery but also as a central hub where the Brewzle community can gather and share their love for whiskey responsibly.

It’s officially Metallica week in Syracuse, as the legendary metal band is set to perform at the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday, April 19. With over 46,000 tickets already sold, the concert is shaping up to be one of the largest events ever held at this venue, which was formerly known as the Carrier Dome. A limited number of tickets, including newly released options, can be found on platforms like Ticketmaster, StubHub, and Vivid Seats.

Whether or not fans attend the concert, numerous activities are planned around Syracuse for Metallica enthusiasts. On Friday, April 18, the band’s new documentary, “Metallica Saved My Life,” will have its premiere at Regal Destiny USA with two showings at 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. While the first screening is sold out, some seats remain for the second showing.

Additionally, a Metallica pop-up shop will open on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Westcott Theater, offering exclusive merchandise such as concert posters, event tees, a skateboard, and a special orange-and-blue splatter vinyl pressing of their latest album, “72 Seasons.” Fans can also participate in a contest for a chance to win prizes, including “Snake Pit” passes for the concert.

In conjunction with the festivities, master distiller Rob Dietrich will host a meet-and-greet at the TisMart Cigar Shop and Lounge on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m., celebrating the band’s Blackened American Whiskey.

Moreover, the “Syracuse Takeover” event includes blood drives in partnership with the American Red Cross on Thursday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., where donors will receive a free Metallica shirt. An All Within My Hands volunteer opportunity is also scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Food Bank of Central New York.

This concert will mark Metallica’s first in Syracuse in nearly three decades and their first performance at the JMA Dome, making it a significant stop on their M72 world tour. The band, featuring members James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Robert Trujillo, and Kirk Hammett, is renowned for its substantial impact on the heavy metal genre and its extensive catalog, which includes iconic songs such as “Enter Sandman,” “Nothing Else Matters,” and “Master of Puppets.”

Easter is just around the corner, and if you’re still searching for the perfect dish for your Sunday brunch, look no further. Andrew Brow from the Wyckoff Country Club has an exquisite recipe for a ham glazed with root beer, rum, and raisins. This unique combination promises to deliver a rich flavor and elevate your festive gathering.

For further details on the recipe, you can check out the original post here.

CANTON, Ohio — Gervasi Spirits has made a remarkable mark at the 2025 U.S. Open Whiskey and Spirits Championships, receiving two prestigious awards. The Canton distillery was honored as the Grand National Champion in the spirits division and secured the runner-up spot in the Whiskey Championship, marking a historic achievement as the first distillery ever to be recognized on both podiums in the competition’s history.

The competitive event drew participants from across the country, and Gervasi’s portfolio was celebrated with a total of nine medals. The medal breakdown is as follows:

• Whiskey Division: 2 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze
• Spirits Division: 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze

Among the standout entries, Gervasi’s Wine Barrel Bourbon, Small Batch Gin, and Spiced Rum each earned Gold medals. Additionally, Rum Barrel Bourbon, Maple Cask Bourbon, and Giava (a coffee spirit) received Silver medals, while Honey Heat Whiskey and Winter White Whiskey took home Bronze honors.

“This recognition is a testament to the passion, precision, and innovation of our Head Distiller Shae Pridemore and Assistant Distiller Michael Phillips,” said Scott Swaldo, CEO of Gervasi Vineyard and Gervasi Spirits. “To be recognized among the nation’s finest in both whiskey and spirits is an incredible honor—and it reflects our deep commitment to crafting exceptional, world-class products right here in Ohio.”

Other Ohio distilleries also gained recognition at the event:

2025 U.S. Open Whiskey Championship Winners:

• Small Batch Bourbon 4-10 Years Over 100 proof:

  • GOLD – Karrikin Spirits – Orion’s Reserve
  • SILVER – Northern Row Brewery & Distillery – Northern Liberties Whiskey Co.

• Single Barrel Whiskey:

  • GOLD – Knox Joseph Distillery – Knox Joseph Straight Bourbon Whiskey

• Rye Whiskey – Under 100 Proof:

  • SILVER – Karrikin Spirit – Rye Whiskey

• Craft Whiskey:

  • BRONZE – Dayton Barrel Works Artisan Distillery – Rubicon Creek Myth

• Anything Goes:

  • GOLD – Iron Vault Distillery – FrankenBlend

2025 U.S. Open Spirits Championship Winners:

• Traditional Moonshine:

  • GOLD – Pap’s Hilltop Distillery – Copperas Mountain Corn
  • SILVER – Flatrock Distilling Company – Flatrock Sweet Corn Moonshine

• Flavored Moonshine:

  • GOLD – Pap’s Hilltop Distillery – Caramel Apple Pie Moonshine

• Barrel-Aged Gin:

  • BRONZE – Dayton Barrel Works Artisan Distillery – Harpers Armagnac Gin

• Specialty Spirits:

  • GOLD – Dayton Barrel Works Artisan Distillery – Gypsy Queen

A complete list of winners is available here.

CANTON, Ohio — Gervasi Spirits has achieved remarkable success at the 2025 U.S. Open Whiskey and Spirits Championships, securing two prestigious awards: the Grand National Champion in the spirits division and the runner-up in the highly competitive Whiskey Championship. This historic achievement makes Gervasi the first distillery ever to reach the podium in both categories.

The competition drew distilleries from across the country, and Gervasi stood out by earning a total of nine medals, broken down as follows:

• Whiskey Division: 2 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze
• Spirits Division: 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze

Among the standout entries were Gervasi’s Wine Barrel Bourbon, Small Batch Gin, and Spiced Rum, each winning Gold. Additionally, Rum Barrel Bourbon, Maple Cask Bourbon, and Giava (a coffee spirit) received Silver awards, while Honey Heat Whiskey and Winter White Whiskey were awarded Bronze.

“This recognition is a testament to the passion, precision, and innovation of our Head Distiller Shae Pridemore and Assistant Distiller Michael Phillips,” commented Scott Swaldo, CEO of Gervasi Vineyard and Gervasi Spirits. “To be recognized among the nation’s finest in both whiskey and spirits is an incredible honor—and it reflects our deep commitment to crafting exceptional, world-class products right here in Ohio.”

Other local winners in the competition included:

2025 U.S. Open Whiskey Championship Medal Results

• Small Batch Bourbon 4-10 Years Over 100 proof

  • GOLD – Karrikin Spirits – Orion’s Reserve
  • SILVER – Northern Row Brewery & Distillery – Northern Liberties Whiskey Co.

• Single Barrel Whiskey

  • GOLD – Knox Joseph Distillery – Knox Joseph Straight Bourbon Whiskey

• Rye Whiskey – Under 100 Proof

  • SILVER – Karrikin Spirits – Rye Whiskey

• Craft Whiskey

  • BRONZE – Dayton Barrel Works Artisan Distillery – Rubicon Creek Myth

• Anything Goes

  • GOLD – Iron Vault Distillery – FrankenBlend

2025 U.S. Open Spirits Championship

• Traditional Moonshine

  • GOLD – Pap’s Hilltop Distillery – Copperas Mountain Corn
  • SILVER – Flatrock Distilling Company – Flatrock Sweet Corn Moonshine

• Flavored Moonshine

  • GOLD – Pap’s Hilltop Distillery – Caramel Apple Pie Moonshine

• Barrel-Aged Gin

  • BRONZE – Dayton Barrel Works Artisan Distillery – Harpers Armagnac Gin

• Specialty Spirits

  • GOLD – Dayton Barrel Works Artisan Distillery – Gypsy Queen

• Other Spirits

  • BRONZE – Agave – Karrikin Spirits – Blaze

A complete list of winners is available here.