April 2023 Month in Review

Announcement: This has already been happening but I never formally announced it. All revenue I make from this site will be donated to the CHA Animal Shelter via the CHA Dog Jog. When you come to ColumbusBourbon, you're supporting local animal rescue. 

With that said, welcome to the April 2023 Columbus Bourbon recap. As always, A big thank you to all my readers! As a friendly reminder, follow ColumbusBourbon on Facebook.

Me after finishing the Cap City Half Marathon yesterday

This month I posted 11 articles. The site saw 6900+ page-views, down from the 10,378 views in April of 2022. I don't understand why traffic keeps going down, but it's certainly depressing. Please tell a friend. 

This month, I earned a bit over $12 in ad revenue!!

Lux Row Announces Rebel 100 Rye

Lux Row Distillers announced the newest variant in the Rebel brand family: Rebel 100 Straight Rye Whiskey. Rebel 100 Rye will retail at a suggested price of $19.99 per 750 ml bottle.

Chicken Cock Releases Double Oak Kentucky Whiskey

Chicken Cock has announced the release of an 8 year aged Double Oak Kentucky Whiskey. This release is bottled at 92 proof (46% alcohol) and comes in their replica apothecary style bottle. 

OHLQ Announces Sagamore Spirit Barrel Select Rye Whiskey Release - Coming Week of April 24th

The Ohio Department of Liquor (OHLQ) has announced the availability of four barrels worth of Barrel Select Rye Whiskey arriving at select stores the week of April 24th for $59.99 + tax. This is aged 7 years and is a mixture of their single barrel 95% high rye mash bill and their 52% mid-rye mash bill. 

Stephen Curry Launches New Bourbon Brand

NBA and Golden State Warrior superstar Stephen Curry is launching a new bourbon brand called Gentleman’s Cut Game Changer. According to the announcement (an Instagram post), this looks to be a sourced bourbon from Boone County Distilling. 

Last Day to Enter OHLQ 2023 Spring Bottle Lottery (Blanton's, etc.) - Do it Now!

Today is the last day (April 17th) to enter the Ohio Department of Liquor (OHLQ) 2023 Spring Bottle Lottery for the following:

• Blanton's - $150 + tax
• Elmer T. Lee - $40.99 + tax
• Michter's 20 Year Bourbon - $1149.99 + tax (up $400 from last year)
• Old Fitzgerald 19 Year Bourbon - $239.99 + tax
• Parker's Heritage 16th Edition - $174.99 + tax (down $100 from the 15th edition)
• Weller Single Barrel - $49.99 + tax
• Willett 6 Year Bourbon - $131 + tax
• Willett 8 Year Bourbon - $235.98 + tax

Heaven Hill Announces Latest Heritage Collection Release - 20-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Corn Whiskey

Heaven Hill has announced the 2023 release of the Heaven Hill Heritage Collection. This is a 20-year-old Corn Whiskey. Bottled without chill filtering bottled at 115 proof (57.5% alcohool) and is made with their traditional corn mashbill of 80% corn, 8% rye and 12% malted barley.

Middle West Spirits Announces 14 Acre Expansion for Second Production Plant

Columbus based Middle West Spirits, owners of Middle West, OYO, Vim & Petal, and Lux & Umbra brands, has announced a new 14-acre campus that will be located at 1165 Alum Creek Drive in Columbus, Ohio. Distilling will continue at the original Courtland location in the Short North, which also houses their Service Bar restaurant and retail Bottle Shop.

OHLQ Announces Two Single Cask Selections of Smooth Ambler Old Scout Releases - Coming the Week of April 10

The Ohio Department of Liquor (OHLQ) has announced six barrels worth of single cask selection of Smooth Ambler Old Scout Bourbon and four barrels worth of the Smooth Ambler Old Scout Rye hitting stores this week (week of April 10th). Both selections will sell for $49.99 + tax at select OHLQ locations. 

OHLQ 2023 Spring Bottle Lottery is Live - ends at 11:59 p.m. on April 17, 2023 - Enter at Link Below

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) 2023 Spring Bottle Lottery is open for entry. This lottery is for the chance to purchase the following:

• Blanton's - $150 + tax
• Elmer T. Lee - $40.99 + tax
• Michter's 20 Year Bourbon - $1149.99 + tax (up $400 from last year)
• Old Fitzgerald 19 Year Bourbon - $239.99 + tax
• Parker's Heritage 16th Edition - $174.99 + tax (down $100 from the 15th edition)
• Weller Single Barrel - $49.99 + tax
• Willett 6 Year Bourbon - $131 + tax
• Willett 8 Year Bourbon - $235.98 + tax

Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) Announces 2023 Spring Bottle Lottery - Starting April 10

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced the Spring 2023 Bottle Lottery for Blanton's, Elmer T. Lee, Michter's 20 Year Bourbon, Old Fitzgerald 19 Year Bourbon, Parker's Heritage, Weller Single Barrel, Willett 6 Year Bourbon, and Willett 8 Year Bourbon. Last year's Spring Bottle Lottery had 55,272 entries for 966 total bottles available (1.748% odds of winning). I would expect this year to have at least as many entries. 

Bourbon Brands... Who Owns What? A ColumbusBourbon Deep Dive Series

When I first got into bourbon, I was sold on the illusion that each brand is unique and has a bespoke history based on decades of tradition. As I learned more, it was apparent that there were a handful of global conglomerates that own the majority of the brands and bring in incredible sums of money and the names and stories are mostly marketing gimmicks. This was a huge disappointment. In fact, GQ published the below graphic in 2013 showing which companies owned which brand. If it were made today, there would be even more consolidation in the bourbon industry.