NEW YORK, June 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ Stoli Group, the leading global ultra-premium spirits and wines company, today announced the addition of John Rhea as Master Blender, Kentucky Owl®. In this role, Rhea will use his vast knowledge and expertise to choose the best conditions for product consistency and excellence, as well as innovate new blends to expand the product offering. An exceptional bourbon and rye house is deserving of the best master blender in the industry. To match the quality of product with the skill required to uphold the legacy, we tapped legendary John Rhea, commented Damian McKinney, Global CEO of Stoli Group. We are thrilled to have a professional of his caliber join us as we protect and expand the Kentucky Owl bourbon and rye recipes.
Blinking Owl Distillery is set to release a limited edition bottled-in-bond bourbon, a rare single barrel expression available only to customers in California.
The Batch 1, Barrel 2 Blinking Owl Bourbon derives its name from its origins. The whiskey comes from the first batch that the Santa Ana, California distillers produced when they opened their doors around four years ago. The release is dubbed “Birthday Bourbon” as the first Blinking Owl barrel was filled on September 29, 2016, the birthday of founder Brian Christenson.
Blinking Owl Bourbon (image via Blinking Owl Distillery)
The 100 proof whiskey is made from organic California corn, wheat, rye, and malted barley, and then aged in new American white oak barrels that were toasted and then charred. This release is also Blinking Owl’s first bottled-in-bond expression, and the distiller claims that it is the first “legally distilled, aged, and bottled-in-bond bourbon crafted in Orange County.”