Last Day to Enter OHLQ 2023 Winter Bottle Lottery (Pappy, etc.) - Do it Now!

Today is the last day (December 18th) to enter the Ohio Department of Liquor (OHLQ) 2023 Winter Bottle Lottery for the following:

Van Winkle Lottery

• Old Rip Van Winkle 10, $99.99 plus tax (up $30 from last year)
• Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year, $110.00 plus tax (up $30.01 from last year)
• Pappy Van Winkle 15, No price listed, but was $119.99 plus tax last year
• Pappy Van Winkle 20, $279.99 plus tax (up $80.01 from last year)
• Pappy Van Winkle 23, $399.99 plus tax (up $100 from last year)

Buffalo Trace Antique Collection Lottery

• George T. Stagg, $124.99 plus tax (up $25 from last year)
• Thomas H. Handy, $124.99 plus tax (up $25 from last year)
• Eagle Rare 17, $124.99 plus tax (up $25 from last year)
• Sazerac Rye 18, $124.99 plus tax (up $25 from last year)
• William Larue Weller, $124.99 plus tax (up $25 from last year)

Additional Lottery Product Lottery

• Double Eagle Very Rare - $2000 + tax
• Daniel Weller - $499.99 + tax

OHLQ Announces 2023 Maker's Mark Private Select Holiday Collection - Arriving Week of December 11

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced the 2023 release of Maker's Mark Private Select titled 'Holiday Collection'. This version contains four expressions and will sell for $74.99 + tax per bottle (up from $69.99 + tax last year). They will be available throughout the State starting the week of December 11th. You can check availability in your area using this link. 

OHLQ 2023 Winter Bottle Lottery is Live - ends at 11:59 p.m. on December 18, 2023 - Enter at Link Below

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) 2023 Winter Bottle Lottery is open for entry. 

This lottery is for the chance to purchase the following:

OHLQ Announces 2023 Winter Bottle Lottery (Pappy Van Winkle and Buffalo Trace Antique Collection) - Opening Tomorrow!

Like 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced the Van Winkle, Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, and Additional Lottery Product bottle lotteries. These are lotteries to win the opportunity to purchase a hard to find bottle of select Buffalo Trace products at retail prices. The 2023 edition begins tomorrow at 12:01 a.m. (Monday, Dec. 11) and runs through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 18.

OHLQ Announces Biggest Barrel Drop of the Year - December 9 - Follow Here For The Full List

Last updated 12/8/23 at 8:26am

The Ohio Department of Liquor (OHLQ) has announced their largest barrel release of the year with over 150 barrels worth of products hitting over 200 locations at 9am on December 9th. Additionally, they are announcing the barrels each day leading up to the date. I plan on updating this page so there is a consolidated list. Like last year, this is a great opportunity to get exclusive bourbons for yourself or to gift right before the holidays. 

November 2023 Month-in-Review

Welcome to the November 2023 Columbus Bourbon recap. As always, A big thank you to all my readers! As a friendly reminder, follow ColumbusBourbon on Facebook. 

A potential new addition to the family coming in January. 
Fingers crossed for the health of the babies

This month I posted 6 articles. The site saw 5006 page-views, down from the 11,322 views in November of 2023.

Pappy/Blanton's/and More Bourbon Raffle - Benefiting Dublin-Worthington Rotary Club - Ends December 1

There is an opportunity to enter a bourbon raffle benefiting the Dublin-Worthington Rotary Club. If you are unfamiliar with their work... they impact the world by: 

• By providing full-ride scholarships to college-bound students
• By providing meals to children who don't have access
• By providing mentoring to students who need help at school
• By providing literally TONS of food and clothes to those in need
• By providing books to children who don't have access
• By providing exchange student opportunities to kids near and far

Brothers Wright Distilling Co Announces $38 Million Distillery with Aging in a Coal Mine

Brothers Wright Distilling Co plans to construct a 12,000-square-foot distillery, rickhouse, welcome center, museum, and restaurant on a 20-acre area – part of a larger 1,200-acre property, along Kentucky Highway 292 in Pike County.

Whiskey House of Kentucky Announces Distillery and Custom Whiskey Production Program

Whiskey House of Kentucky announced its state-of-the art distillery will begin operations July 1, 2024. Located on a 176-acre campus in the T.J. Patterson Elizabethtown Hardin County Industrial Park, Whiskey House will be the most sophisticated, technically advanced producer of custom bourbon and American whiskey in the United States. It will invest more than $350 million over the next decade, employing approximately 50 employees in 2024, and expanding to more than 100 employees by 2027.

Charity Raffle - Pappy Van Winkle Collection Benefiting the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky

The Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky, an organization that does work for those who have suffered traumatic brain injuries... from our military fighting wars to children who've fallen off bikes is having a charity auction for a vertical flight of Pappy Van Winkle bourbon plus a Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye. The drawing will be held on Friday, November 17, 2023, at the BIAK Annual Brain Ball. You need not be present to win. Tickets are $100 and will be capped at 1000. You can buy your ticket(s) here.

Pappy Van Winkle Raffle - $100

The flight includes one bottle of each:

• Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year
• Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year
• Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year
• Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year
• Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year
• Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year

Julian Van Winkle III signed each bottle, adding incredible value to this collection!

You can purchase tickets here. 

My Take

This may be your best bet to score some bottles of Pappy Van Winkle while benefiting charity at the same time. If you have the money to spare, this is as good a place to spend it as any. Give it try and good luck to everyone!

Source: Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky

OHLQ Announces High Bank Whiskey War Single Barrel Collection - Hitting Shelves Week of 11/13

The Ohio Department of Liquor (OHLQ) has announced the availability of three selections of High Bank Whiskey War hitting shelves this week (Week of November 13th). The selections are five (5) barrels worth of Whiskey War Double Oaked with a price of $69.99 + tax per bottle, two (2) barrels worth of High Bank’s Whiskey War Double Double Oaked with a price of $99.99 + tax,  and two (2) barrel selects with one finished in a Cognac cask and one finished in a Brazilian Amburana cigar barrel. These come with a price of $109.99 + tax. 

Jeptha Creed Distillery to Release Batch 2 Of Their Red, White & Blue Straight Bourbon Whiskey on November 11th

(Shelbyville, KY) On their 7th anniversary, this November 11th, Jeptha Creed is releasing the next batch of their popular Red, White & Blue Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Developed to show appreciation for current and past members of our military, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to USA CARES. This one-of-a-kind bourbon has aged at least 4 years in barrels signed by current and past military members and is proofed right at 50% ABV. The mash bill consists of three different varietals of heirloom corn: Bloody Butcher, Heirloom White, and Bruce's Blue. This bourbon will be available for purchase in the distillery gift shop, online to 41 states, and in select stores throughout KY & IN starting November 11th, 2023.

October 2023 Month-in-Review

Welcome to the October 2023 Columbus Bourbon recap. As always, A big thank you to all my readers! As a friendly reminder, follow ColumbusBourbon on Facebook. 

Pixar vs. real life

This month I posted 8 articles. The site saw 6300+ page-views, down from the 8638 views in October of 2023.

OHLQ Announces New Riff Selections - Arriving This Week (October 30th)

The Ohio Department of Liquor (OHLQ) has announced the availability of two selections of New Riff hitting shelves this week (Week of October 30th). The selections are seven (7) barrels worth of New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon with a price of $52.99 + tax per bottle and three (3) barrels worth of New Riff Single Barrel Rye with a price of $59.99 + tax. 

Heaven Hill Quality House Old Style Bourbon Review

Welcome to the Columbus Bourbon review for Heaven Hill Quality House Old Style Bourbon. I'm going bottom shelf for this review. This used to be called Heaven Hill Quality House Old Style Bourbon and came with age statements. However, it has sense been rebranded and the age statement removed. There is no reference to this on the Heaven Hill site, but everywhere on the internet is still saying they produce it. 

Let's get started with the basics.

OHLQ Announces Bulleit Bourbon Single Barrel - Arriving This Week (October 23rd)

The Ohio Department of Liquor (OHLQ) has announced the availability of 11 barrels of Bulleit Bourbon Single Barrel expressions (aged a minimum of 8 years), hitting shelves this week (Week of October 23rd) with a price of $59.99 + tax per bottle. 

Angel's Envy Announces Two New Releases - Cask Strength Rye and 2023 Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Angel's Envy has announced two new expressions... A Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Sauternes and Toasted Oak Barrels and a Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Wine Barrels. These expressions mark the first releases under the helm of Master Distiller Owen Martin, who joined the brand last fall and will be available starting December 1st in select markets. 

OHLQ Announces Old Pepper Single Barrel Rye - Picked by Me!!!

The Ohio Department of Liquor (OHLQ) has announced the availability of seven (7) barrels worth of Old Pepper Single Barrel Rye, hitting shelves this week (Week of October 16th) for a price of $59.99 + tax. As you may know, I was asked to help select the barrels for this release so if you have any complains, I am the one to blame. 

OHLQ Announces Savage & Cooke Distillery’s Burning Chair Cask Strength Single Barrel

The Ohio Department of Liquor (OHLQ) has announced the availability of seven (7) barrels worth of Savage & Cooke Distillery’s Burning Chair Cask Strength Single Barrel expressions, hitting shelves this week (Week of October 9th) for a price of $69.99 + tax (or $66.99 depending on what page you believed on the OHLQ website). Each barrel has been aged a minimum of four years. 

Jeptha Creed Reinstates Distillery Tours

Jeptha Creed Distillery is delighted to resume its captivating distillery tours, inviting the public to once again explore the rich heritage and exceptional craftsmanship behind their award-winning spirits. As the world emerges from challenging times, Jeptha Creed Distillery is thrilled to re-open its distillery doors to visitors, offering an immersive experience that showcases the artistry of their distillation process.

Watershed Distillery Releases New Batch of Bourbon Finished in Apple Brandy Barrels

Watershed Distillery is releasing batch four of its award-winning bourbon finished in apple brandy barrels. This highly limited, annual Ohio bourbon release is available only via online lottery. The lottery is now open and will close on Oct. 26, at 11:59 p.m. 

September 2023 Month-in-Review

Welcome to the September 2023 Columbus Bourbon recap. As always, A big thank you to all my readers! As a friendly reminder, follow ColumbusBourbon on Facebook. 

At the 2023 CHA Dog Jog, where we raised $4075 for the local shelter
in honor of our beloved Baby Leo, who passed away too soon

This month I posted 4 articles. The site saw a new record of 56,004  page-views, up from the 9750 views in September of 2022. Turning off ads caused traffic to spike almost 500%. 

Columbus Bourbon Q&A - Part 4

It's been a long time since I did one of these, but welcome to the fourth edition of the Columbusbourbon.com Q&A. If you missed the previous editions, it was mostly people asking if I have any Blanton's to sell. You can check them out here:

• Third Q&A
• Second Q&A
• First Q&A

Me at the Twins Stadium earlier this summer

As always, the submitted questions will have a name with them. General questions will not. 

OHLQ Announces Lux Row Distillers Exclusives - Arriving This Week (September 11th)

The Ohio Department of Liquor (OHLQ) has announced the availability of 18!!! exclusive Lux Row expressions, hitting shelves this week (Week of September 11th). The two expressions are Rebel Cask Strength (10 barrels worth @ $54.99 + tax) and Ezra Brooks Cask Strength Single Barrel (8 barrels worth @ $54.99 + tax).

A Peak Behind The Curtain... My Experience Selecting an OHLQ Exclusive

I was recently asked to participate in one of the OHLQ exclusive releases. The release was for an Old Pepper Rye Single Barrels. I know there is a lot of unknowns around how the barrels are selected so I thought it would be fun and insightful to write about the experience for the masses. 

Rolling Fork Rum Releases 3 Exclusive Casks with OHLQ

I don't usually cover non-whiskey products, but the company reached out so I thought I'd share with my readers. 

Rolling Fork Rum announces its first release of three private casks of cask-strength, aged rums in partnership with Ohio Liquor (OHLQ).  OHLQ visited Rolling Fork at Starlight Distillery in southern Indiana to select three casks for release exclusively at OHLQ locations. One cask is part of The Lost Cask Collection (rare, single-barrel, long-aged rums). Two casks are part of The Rolling Fork Single Cask Series, which are created through secondary maturation in highly sought-after whiskey casks that are hand-selected by Rolling Fork co-founders Jordan Morris and Turner Wathen to bring unique and complex flavor combinations to the rums. 

August 2023 Month-in-Review

Welcome to the August 2023 Columbus Bourbon recap. As always, A big thank you to all my readers! As a friendly reminder, follow ColumbusBourbon on Facebook. 

Miss Fiona enjoying summer on her bed

As a reminder, in honor of Baby Leo and his passing, I am collecting donations for the CHA Animal Shelter and I'll be matching every donation at 100%.

This month I posted 11 articles. The site saw 10,800+ page-views, up from the 8865 views in August of 2022. With ads turned off, the pageviews are up nearly 2x. It's bizarre. 

Hemingway Whiskey Company Announces Rye Whiskey Signature Edition

Hemingway Whiskey Company has announced the debut of its core expression, Hemingway Rye Whiskey Signature Edition. The first batch of Hemingway Rye Whiskey Signature Edition is a blend of straight rye whiskeys – 90% 6-year-old Indiana Straight Rye and 10% 4-year-old Kentucky Straight Rye.

Old Forester Announced 2023 Birthday Bourbon Release and Sweepstakes

Brown-Forman brand Old Forester has announced the 2023 release of their highly-coveted Birthday Bourbon. New this year is that in addition to bottles being available throughout the country, there will also be national sweepstakes running August 24 through August 31, 2023 where winners can pick up their bottles at the Old Forester Distillery in Louisville (details below). 

OHLQ Announces Watershed Exclusives - Arriving This Week (August 28th)

- 8/22/23 update: I heard from Watershed and each bottle is aged 4 years. 

The Ohio Department of Liquor (OHLQ) has announced the availability of seven exclusive Watershed single barrel selections for $59.99 + tax hitting shelves this week (Week of August 28th). 

Watershed Distilling Bought by Multinational Conglomerate Marussia Beverages

Columbus based Watershed Distilling has been purchased by Marussia Beverages for an undisclosed price. Marussia's portfolio includes such brands as, Hatozaki Whiskys, 135 East Hyogo Japanese Gin, Mozart Chocolate Liqueurs, Barenjager Honey Liqueurs, Mamont Vodka, Mossburn Scotch Whiskies, STROH Rums, Schladerer Fruit Brandies, Lenz Moser Wines, to name a few.

Columbus Bourbon Going Ad-Free

I'm happy to announce, that as of today, I have turned off all ads on the site. The money wasn't worth the impact to the user experience. If I had all the ads turned on, I could pull in $30+ a month. To put them where they are semi-out of the way netted around $10 a month. 

As you may have known, all ad revenue was donated to the local Columbus animal shelter, Citizens for Humane Action (CHA). To make sure they are still supported, I'll be matching all donations made for my campaign for the 2023 CHA Dog Jog, this year I'm doing the run/walk in honor of my sweet Baby Leo.

As always, if you would like to help out the site, please tell a friend or have them follow on the Facebook. 

OHLQ Announces Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Exclusives - Arriving This Week (August 14th)

The Ohio Department of Liquor (OHLQ) has announced the availability of Jack Daniel's single barrel selections hitting the shelves this week (week of August 14th). There are three different releases coming in and prices ranging from $49.99 to $65.99 (plus tax)

Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) Summer Bottle Lottery Lottery is Live - Enter at Link Below

The 2023 OHLQ Summer Bottle Lottery is live. This lottery is for the chance to purchase the following:

• Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel ($40.99 + tax)
• Stagg Single Barrel ($49.99 + tax)
• Rock Hill Farms Single Barrel ($59.99 + tax)
• Blanton's Gold ($119.99 + tax)

Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) Announces Summer Bottle Lottery - Starting August 14

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced an upcoming lottery for bottles of:

• Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel ($40.99 + tax)
• Stagg Single Barrel ($49.99 + tax)
• Rock Hill Farms Single Barrel ($59.99 + tax)
• Blanton's Gold ($119.99 + tax)

The lottery will begin at 12:01 a.m. on August 14 and end at 11:59 p.m. on August 21 with winners notified on August 25.

Jeptha Creed Expands Spirit Shipping To 41 States - Including Ohio!

(Shelbyville, KY) Jeptha Creed Distillery, renowned for their commitment to crafting exceptional craft spirits, proudly announces a nationwide expansion as they are now able to ship their signature Bourbon, Vodka, and Moonshine to 41 states across the United States. This momentous achievement marks a significant milestone for the mother-daughter-owned distillery and reflects their dedication to delivering high quality, handcrafted spirits.

OHLQ Announces Rabbit Hole Cavehill Single Barrel Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Exclusives - Arriving This Week

Oof, what a headline... The Ohio Department of Liquor (OHLQ) has announced the availability of Rabbit Hole brand Cavehill single barrel selections hitting the shelves this week (week of August 7th). There are six different label designs across the selection, designed by artist Beppe Conti and are named after Shakespeare plays. Each bottle is $149.99 + tax. 

OHLQ Announces 2023 Maker's Mark Private Select Summer Exclusives - Arriving Week of July 31

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced the 2023 release of Maker's Mark Private Select titled 'Summer in Ohio'. This version contains five expressions and will sell for $74.99 + tax per bottle (up from $69.99 + tax last year). They will be available throughout the State starting the week of July 31st. 

July 2023 Month-in-Review

July was an incredibly sad month as my best friend and companion Leo passed away suddenly. He woke up breathing odd on a Wednesday... we rushed him to OSU emergency... and he coded and passed on Thursday. He was only 7 1/2. Our hearts are broken. As you can imagine, the website wasn't a priority during this time and we're still struggling coming to terms how Leo could have been perfectly healthy on a Tuesday (he recently helped me train for a half-marathon) and taken from us on a Thursday. 

I could write forever how much he meant to us and how wonderful he was. In honor of Leo, I am collecting donations for the CHA Animal Shelter and I'll be matching every donation at 100%. I would like to thank my readers for their grace in knowing that the volume of articles was scaled back and your patience as I get back into it. 

OHLQ Announces Lottery - State Fair Only

The Ohio Department of Liquor (OHLQ) has announced the 2023 Ohio State Fair Bottle Lottery. To enter, you must visit the Ohio Department of Commerce booth in the Bricker Building to enter for a chance to win the opportunity to purchase Stagg Single Barrel or Rock Hill Farms Single Barrel Bourbon. 

Wild Turkey Announces Latest Master's Keep - Voyage

Wild Turkey has announced the latest in their Master's Keep line... with this expression called 'Voyage'. This release is a 10-year-old bourbon finished with a secondary maturation period in Jamaican rum casks which previously held 14-year-old pot still rum. Master’s Keep Voyage comes in at 106-proof (53% alcohol) and was crafted by Master Distiller Eddie Russell in partnership with Dr. Joy Spence, the Master Blender of Appleton Estate rum. 

OHLQ Announces Brown-Forman Exclusives - Woodford and Old Forester - Arriving This Week

The Ohio Department of Liquor (OHLQ) has announced the availability of ten blends of Woodford Reserve and six barrels worth of Old Forester products hitting the shelves this week (week of July 17th).