News Notes: Movement On Tariffs, Horse Soldier Soars At Auction, ACSA's Certification Program & More

Scotch whisky makers were pleased to see this week's announcement that the 10% U.S. tariff on scotch whisky is being lifted, ending a key roadblock to growth in the U.S. market. Elsewhere, Horse Soldier bourbon saw two of its bottles auctioned for $100,000 at a charity auction in Florida, Hard Truth has unveiled its annual concert series schedule, and the American Craft Spirits Association has launched a certification program for independent craft whiskey companies. Meanwhile, two independent distillers, Willett and Frey Ranch, both announced expansion into more states.

Trump Moves To Lift 10% Tariff on Scotch

Yesterday, President Trump announced the removal of the 10% tariff and restrictions on scotch whisky. The tariff has been cited as a major factor in the decline of scotch exports, with exports to the US declining by 15% since the tariff was implemented in April 2025. “This deal is a significant boost for the Scotch Whisky industry in our most valuable export market, said Mark Kent, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA). “Distillers can breathe a little easier during a period of significant pressure on the sector.”

Horse Soldier Bourbon Raises $100,000 For Tunnel to Towers

At the Tunnel to Towers Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament last month, two signed bottles of Horse Soldier straight bourbon were auctioned off for a record-breaking $100,000. Each bottle was signed by members of the Horse Soldier bourbon brand, and the original Horse Soldier team (select members of the U.S. Army Special Forces who were deployed to Afghanistan in the weeks following 9/11, whose actions inspired the creation of the whiskey brand). The money raised will aid Tunnel to Towers in its mission of delivering mortgage-free homes to gravely injured veterans and Gold Star families (those who have lost immediate family members to active-duty military service).

Hard Truth’s Annual Concert Series

On The Rocks, the annual series of concerts and other live events hosted at Hard Truth Distillery’s outdoor terrace and amphitheater, will kick off next Saturday, May 9th, with a rain-or-shine opening-day event including food, tastings, and live music. The festivities start at 11 a.m. with the opening of the restaurant and tours & tasting center. The terrace and bar open at noon, which will also offer tastings and bottle sales all day, with the Blue River Band taking the stage from 6–9 p.m. All ages are welcome at the event, and seating will be on a first-come basis with no cover charge or tickets required.

Hard Truth has also revealed the rest of its concert schedule, which includes a Memorial Day Weekend show with craft cocktails and food (May 23rd), the “Rumble on the Rocks” series which will see six bands compete for cash prizes and a chance to perform at this year’s Amplify Nashville (June 6th through June 13th), Hard Truth’s second-annual Bourbon & BBQ Festival (July 18th), and a tropical coconut rum-themed party (Aug 1st.)

American Craft Spirits Association Debuts Certified Craft Seal

After more than two years of development, the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) has launched the Certified Craft Seal, a TTB-approved emblem that aims to provide consumers with a reliable way to identify spirits produced by independent craft distilleries. The seal is currently limited to ACSA members who meet the organization’s definition of a craft spirits producer—they need to be independent and licensed; producing fewer than 750,000 proof gallons per year; have no more than 50% ownership by a producer who makes more than 750,000 proof gallons per year; and adhere to the ACSA’s Code of Ethics. The seal’s logo, which will appear on a bottle’s back label and in other promotional materials, is black and white and says “Certified Craft.” The development of the seal was spearheaded by Kings County Distillery co-founder and distiller Colin Spoelman, a former board member of the ACSA.

New Dining Options are in the Works at Copperworks Distilling

Plans are underway for Copperworks new Tavern and Whiskey Garden and Ember, a barbecue-focused restaurant, at its Kenmore, Washington site. Copperworks purchased its neighboring building, previously home to 192 Brewing’s Lake Trail Taproom, to expand its family-friendly gathering space. These new food and drink options join Copperwoks’ existing Barrel House, a cocktail bar and tasting room, and De La Soil’s Kitchen. The two new additions are expected to open early this summer.

Willett Broadens Partnership With Skurnik

New York-based wine and spirits importer and marketer Skurnik Wines & Spirits has expanded its distribution partnership with Kentucky’s Willett Distillery to Indiana, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The Indiana agreement began April 1, with New Jersey launching today and Connecticut slated to kick off in the fall. Willett now has distribution deals with Skurnik in seven states, the others being Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Kentucky.

Frey Ranch Expands Distribution

Fallon, Nevada’s grain-to-glass distiller Frey Ranch has expanded into Alabama and Mississippi, bringing its distribution footprint to 17 states. In addition to those new markets, the whiskey is also available in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Frey Ranch’s availability has expanded markedly in a relatively short time: when we profiled them in 2022, its whiskeys were in distribution in just three states, Nevada, California, and Georgia.

Spirits Releases

For its latest release, Chicken Cock is focused on uniting the worlds of brandy and whiskey—but instead of finishing in brandy barrels, it’s blending the two together to create Old Glory blend. Old Glory consists of 70% Chicken Cock rye and 30% Laird’s apple brandy, both components of which are aged for at least 4 years. The release is limited to 12,000 bottles. It's bottled at 50%, priced at $65, and is available nationwide

Neither Laird’s nor Chicken Cock has teamed up before for a blend like Old Glory. But this isn’t the first time that we’ve seen distillers try to combine rye and apple brandy. Bhakta Spirits, the brand owned by WhistlePig founder Raj Bhakta, produces an expression called Bhakta 1928 that blends rye (60%), XO calvados (30%), and vintage-dated armagnacs (10%). Craft pioneer Chip Tate created a similar expression for the Ampersand label called Malus, which combines 51% rye whiskey and 49% calvados. In our blind tastings, we’ve found that these blends are hit-or-miss, with the brandy usually fighting for the spotlight and drowning out the whiskey.

El Mexicano, the family-owned tequila brand, has unveiled its first añejo. It’s distilled entirely from Highland agave that was harvested at a minimum of six years old, and aged in a mix of virgin American (70%) and virgin French (30%) oak barrels for 14–16 months. It’s available nationwide at a suggested retail price of $50.

Ready-to-Drink brand Tip Top Proper Cocktails has unveiled Oaxaca Old Fashioned, a 37% ABV expression made with tequila, mezcal, agave nectar, and bitters. It’s available nationwide exclusively in a new variety six-pack ($36) that also includes two cans each of Margarita and Naked & Famous.