This week, in the run-up to Memorial Day weekend, two American whiskey makers marked the occasion by announcing releases made to honor our military. Kentucky distiller Green River is toasting the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary with a special release that will be out in June. Meanwhile, Minnesota's Brother Justus will be offering two expressions—one coming out this month, and the other to be released in November.
Green River Army 250th Anniversary Edition bourbon
ABV: 55.55%
SRP: $50
Availability: Limited
Green River Distilling Co. is saluting the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary with a commemorative whiskey that will debut next month. Made from a mashbill of 77% corn, 14% rye, and 9% malted barley, the bourbon is comprised of whiskeys aged 4 to 7 years and bottled at 111.1 proof, or what the distillery refers to as “Army Strong” in a nod to Veteran’s Day (November 11th, or 11/11). The special release will be available at select military bases, Green River’s tasting rooms in Owensboro and Louisville, Kentucky, at retailers throughout the country, and online at Seelbach's starting June 14th, which is the official Army anniversary. A portion of the proceeds from sales will go toward charitable causes that support and honor the U.S. Armed Forces, including The Special Operations Warrior Foundation, the Special Operations Fund, USA Cares, and the Bardstown-Nelson County Veterans Memorial.
Lofted Spirits purchased Green River in August 2022, following its purchase of Bardstown Bourbon Co. earlier that same year. The company is led by CEO Mark Erwin, who is himself a retired U.S. Army colonel. In addition to Bardstown and Green River, Lofted Spirits also owns Lofted Custom Spirits, the company’s newest arm (created this past March), responsible for all contract distillation—previously, that designation was held by Green River.
Brother Justus Commander’s Own American Whiskey
ABV: 43%
SRP: $73
Availability: Limited; at the distillery and online
Minneapolis distillery Brother Justus has announced a pair of whiskeys made in partnership with the non-profit veteran organization 34th Infantry Division Association—the first of which will be available this month. Commander’s Own is distilled entirely from malted barley and is blended from whiskeys aged 3 years and less than a year. Its companion expression, Commander’s Cut, is releasing in November, with details to come.
Despite being distilled entirely from malted barley, this whiskey isn’t labeled as an American single malt. That’s due to a disagreement between the distillery and the government. Brother Justus has always distilled its whiskey at a fairly high proof, taking its inspiration from Scotland, which allows distillation proofs of 190 (or 95% ABV) or lower. And for years, due to the lack of regulation surrounding American single malt, the distillery was free and clear to continue doing that. But when the TTB stepped in to formally recognize American single malt as an official category in December, it imposed a maximum distillation proof of 160 (80% ABV). That meant Brother couldn’t call its whiskey American single malt anymore. Its only two options were to make changes to its long-followed recipe or to call its whiskey something else. The distillery chose to stick with the established formula, and in February, CEO Phil Steger announced he was seeking legal options to oppose the TTB’s decision.
For lovers of military history, the 34th Infantry Division is surely a familiar name. Better known as “Red Bull” for its division insignia (which features prominently on the whiskey’s label), this U.S. Army unit was first founded in 1917 and is still around today. It holds the distinction of being the first American division to be deployed to Europe during World War II, with the 34th playing a role in both the North African and Italian campaigns. In more recent times, the division has seen deployments to Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan.
