News Notes: Jefferson's Revamps Its Line, New Jack Daniel's RTD, Buchanan's Goes Coconut & More

Jefferson’s Gets Makeover, With Some Higher Proof and Age

Earlier this week, Jefferson’s announced that its entire lineup—including Very Small Batch bourbon, Triple-Rye, Reserve, and Ocean Aged at Sea—is getting a new look with color-coded labels for all four expressions. On top of the new look, Jefferson’s Reserve also received a bit of extra love in the form of a new 8-year age statement and a proof increase from 45.1 % to 48% ABV. Very Small Batch is also a bit stronger now, raising the proof from 41.15% to 44% ABV. The new labels are currently making their way to retailers in 750 ml bottles, but other sizes (375ml, 1L, and 1.75L) are expected to follow later this year.

Pendleton Launches Auction for New Heritage Collection, Its First Foray Into Antique Barware

Hood River-owned Pendleton Whisky has unveiled its latest collection, and it isn’t whisky, but a curated selection of historic and rare Western barware. The collection’s main draw is a bespoke silver decanter by Western silversmith Beau Compton, alongside six drinking vessels sourced from collectors in the American West. First displayed at the Pendleton Round-Up in Oregon, the pieces are now up for auction, with online bidding open through October 6. All proceeds will benefit the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Newly refreshed collections will debut in Fort Worth, Texas in December and at the National Western Stock Show in Denver in January 2027. Also part of the collection is a non-auction limited edition collaboration of vintage-inspired barware accessories, all available online, featuring wool woven at the Pendleton Woolen Mills’ century-old Oregon mill.

New Tequilas And Other Drinks

Mijenta Tequila Releases The Third Iteration in Maestra Selection Lineup

After exploring agave cultivation methods in No. 1, and terroir in No. 2, maestra tequilera Ana María Romero crafted No. 3 to examine how production methods shape the final tequila. That meant swapping its usual roller mill for a volcanic-stone tahona to process 8 year old agave from the shores of Lake Chapala in Jalisco. Distilled in copper pots, it then rested in clay pots for 15 days, an homage to the ancestral spirits production. Bottled at 50% ABV, the $100 bottle is available at select retailers and online.

Music-Focused Música Tequila Unveils Grand Extra Añejo for November Rollout

The Fort Myers, Florida-based label has unveiled a limited-edition extra añejo tequila aged for 3 years. The highly limited expression spent its first two years in bourbon barrels before spending an additional year in Hungarian oak, accompanied by music played through speakers in the aging room as part of the brand’s proprietary audio infusion system. The $200 bottling is slated for release in November, with limited quantities available online and at select retailers.

Jack Daniel’s Unveils New Blackberry Lemonade RTD

Last August, Jack Daniel’s launched its blackberry whiskey liqueur, which the distillery recommended mixing with lemonade for a quaffable summer refresher. Now Jack is bringing that same combination back as a canned cocktail. Tennessee Blackberry Mixed with Lemonade is presented at 4.8% ABV and has 100 calories per 355-ml can. It’s available nationwide in four-packs for a suggested retail price of $12.

Buchanan’s Whisky Unveils Coconut-Flavored Whisky

Buchanan’s Whisky is rolling out Buchanan’s Coconut, the second permanent tropical expression in its flavored portfolio behind Pineapple, released in 2023. The 35% ABV bottling is said to have warm coconut and bright citrus flavors alongside familiar light malt flavors signature to the label’s core whisky. Its release coincides with a high-energy campaign that taps into Latin American and Caribbean culture, featuring twin-sister DJ duo Nina Sky filmed pushing fruteros, or vibrant street fruit carts, turned into DJ booths, on the streets of Bogotá, Colombia. Bottles are available across the U.S. for $30, with additional activations planned as part of the brand’s multi-city Mezclao music series in Los Angeles, Austin, and Miami.

Oregon Wine Producer BHN Unveils Two Highly Limited Rye and Wine Hybrids

bhn (Be Here Now), a small-production winery in Oregon's Willamette Valley, has unveiled Duet No. 15 and Duet No. 23, two highly limited rye-based spirits matured in clay amphorae with noble rot grape skins from the producer’s own wines. Both spend 24 months in clay, including 18 months macerating with the grape skins. Duet No. 15 incorporates skins from bhn's 2022 skin-contact chardonnay and is bottled at 44.4% ABV. Duet No. 23 uses skins from its 2023 skin-contact riesling and is bottled at a slightly lower 41.5% ABV. Both are priced at $899 and available in limited quantities online and at select retailers in the Northwest. Fewer than 500 bottles of No. 15 and 1,000 bottles of No. 23 were made, with more vintages expected in the future.

Carolans Irish Cream Expands Lineup with Two New Flavors

Heaven Hill-owned Carolans Irish Cream has introduced two new flavors, Strawberries & Cream and Chocolate Cream, joining its Original and Salted Caramel expressions. Both combine Irish whiskey, fresh cream, and natural honey, with the former offering ripe strawberry notes and the latter featuring milk chocolate truffle, toffee, and coffee. The launch is accompanied by a playful campaign featuring Carol Ann, a fictional cow who recommends mixing the two flavors unequal parts over ice for an Irish riff on the classic Neapolitan. Bottled at 17% ABV, both are available beginning in September in 50-ml and 750-ml bottles, with the larger bottles priced at $18.

Bache-Gabrielsen Celebrates 10 Years of American Oak Cognac With Anniversary Release

Jarnac, France-based Bache-Gabrielsen is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its use of American oak with a new 10 year old XO cognac. Double-matured in French and American oak, the expression draws from two casks and is bottled at 42% ABV. Only 1,640 bottles will be available in select retailers nationwide.

Though produced in France, Bache-Gabrielsen is a household name in Scandinavia, thanks to its Norwegian roots. Founded in 1905 by army officer Thomas Bache-Gabrielsen, the family-owned house has continued to experiment with maturation, producing cognacs that also appeal to whisky drinkers.