In recent years, the world of bourbon and whiskey has seen a renaissance, with a surge of interest in craft distilleries and artisanal spirits.
Amid this revival, Black owned bourbon and whiskey brands have carved out a distinctive niche, bringing unique flavors, rich histories, and innovative techniques to the forefront.
These brands are not only contributing to the diversity of the spirits industry but are also reclaiming a heritage deeply intertwined with the history of whiskey itself.
Black Owned Bourbon & Whiskey Brands
Old Hillside Bourbon Company is a distillery founded in 2017 that originates in Durham, North Carolina, but their bourbon is distilled in Sparta, Kentucky. Their bourbons are all non-chill filtered, which creates a smoother drinking experience.
Abisola Whiskey is a blend of Bourbon whiskey and Malt whiskey, with notes of vanilla and waffle cone to complement the caramel and spice in the blended base.
Alexander James Whiskey was founded in 2021 by Jesse Steward Jr. Named after his son, it aims to continue a family tradition of sharing stories over good whiskey.
Den of Thieves is a whiskey brand known for its smooth, 5-year aged straight bourbon. Made in New Mexico and matured in charred oak barrels, it offers a taste of caramel, citrus, and spice. They also create flavored whiskeys like Chocolate and Vanilla Ginger for a unique twist.
Diggs Boys Bourbon is a brand inspired by over 100 years of family distilling experience. Launched in 2020, it uses a unique blend of corn, rye, wheat, and malt alongside limestone-filtered water to create a bold yet smooth bourbon.
Birdie Brown celebrates the legacy of an African American woman named Birdie Brown, a pioneer distiller during Prohibition. They honor her by crafting unaged whiskey similar to what she might have made, using a grain recipe of oats, wheat, and barley.
Brough Brothers is reportedly Kentucky’s first African American-owned distillery. Founded by brothers Victor, Bryson, and Christian Yarbrough, Brough Brothers offers a small-batch bourbon whiskey crafted with a mash bill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley.
Duke & Dame Whiskey is an award-winning brand known for its salted caramel flavored whiskey. Their blend is a handshake between aged bourbon & corn whiskies in perfect harmony with 100% natural salted caramel.
Frisky Whiskey is a flavored American whiskey made with premium American whiskey, flavored with real caramel and vanilla bean. It is described as having a smooth palate and lingering finish, making it a crowd pleaser that can be enjoyed neat or in cocktails.
Greenwood Whiskey honors the legacy of Black excellence in Tulsa’s Greenwood District. Their handcrafted rye whiskey, aged for 3-4 years, boasts a unique blend of rye and corn, offering notes of caramel, vanilla, and citrus.
DuBlasé is a brand of premium whiskey made with natural ingredients and aged under the watchful eye of their master distiller. Their signature expression features a hint of vanilla, complemented by natural spices for a well-balanced and robust finish.
Guidance Whiskey was founded in 2019 by Jason Ridgel. Their core product is a small batch whiskey distilled in Iowa and aged for 2 years. The whiskey is known for its smooth finish with hints of burnt caramel, vanilla, and cherry.
Red Hazel Spiced Whiskey is a 70-proof blend of 2-year aged rye whiskey and natural cinnamon, created by siblings Tk Burtin-Johnson and Ty Burtin. They describe it as not your average flavored whiskey, but rather a spiced whiskey that introduces novice drinkers and rye whiskey fans to a smoother rye experience with a touch of cinnamon.
Shinju Whiskey, named after the Japanese word for “pearl,” is a smooth blend of Japanese whiskies crafted for cocktails. Made with water from Mount Fuji, it offers a balanced flavor profile with hints of honey, vanilla, and orange alongside subtle oaky notes.
Shadow Ridge Bourbon Whiskey is a small-batch, handcrafted bourbon produced by Shadow Ridge Spirits Company, a veteran-owned distillery located in California.
