David Morrow

St. Louis

Lead NBA Writer and Editor at Def Pen

Journalist. Spirits Critic. Editor In Chief @BottleRaiders | MS '21 @MedillSchool | BA '18 @SLU_Official | 📧 [email protected]

Articles

Inside the Scotch Speakeasy at the 2025 Tony Awards

2 weeks ago | bottleraiders.com | David Morrow

The 2025 Tony Awards are getting a hidden layer of luxury. Dewar’s Scotch Whisky is partnering with Baccarat to unveil a speakeasy experience available exclusively to this year’s nominees and presenters — a space designed to “honor those extraordinary talents who stir the soul through performance, storytelling, and sheer creative force,” says Brian Cox, global vice president of scotch whisky at Bacardi. “This is the second time Dewar’s has come together with Baccarat,” Cox told us.
Old Forester President’s Choice Goes National, Adds a Rye

3 weeks ago | bottleraiders.com | David Morrow

Old Forester on Thursday announced the nationwide release of its rarest single barrel whiskey, President’s Choice, along with the debut of President’s Choice Rye. The move marks the first time either expression will be available beyond the Old Forester Distillery in Louisville. The expressions will debut starting June 14, as the brand celebrates National Bourbon Day and the seventh anniversary of its Whiskey Row distillery opening.
Old Forester Presidentâ€™s Choice Rye Whiskey 2025 Review

3 weeks ago | bottleraiders.com | David Morrow

Distiller: Old Forester Bottler: Old Forester ABV: 58.55% Age: NAS Price: $200+ Released on June 5, 2025, this is the inaugural release of Old Forester's President's Choice Rye Whiskey. Historically, the President's Choice Bourbon has been released as a distillery exclusive each year, but in 2025 for the first time it went national and is joined by this bottle, its rye counterpart.
Old Forester President’s Choice Bourbon 2025

3 weeks ago | bottleraiders.com | David Morrow

Distiller: Old Forester Bottler: Old Forester ABV: 60.25% Age: NAS Price: $200+ This is the 2025 release of Old Forester's annual President's Choice Bourbon, which in 2025 for the first time ever is available beyond the distillery. Also new this year is the addition of a President's Choice Rye Whiskey. You can find that review live on bottleraiders.com alongside this one.
May 2025 Drinks Industry Recap

3 weeks ago | bottleraiders.com | David Morrow

Catch up on what you missed with Last Month Distilled, a series from Bottle Raiders that rounds up the biggest releases, reviews and news in the drinks industry from the previous month. This edition covers May 2025.
Crypto-Inspired Bourbon Launches with 1 Bitcoin Giveaway

3 weeks ago | bottleraiders.com | David Morrow

Heritage Distilling Holding Company on Tuesday announced the launch of Bitcoin Bourbon, a limited-edition Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey linked to cryptocurrency culture. The release marks the distillery’s adoption of a new Cryptocurrency Treasury Reserve Policy and a shift toward accepting Bitcoin for purchases. The whiskey is bottled at 106.15 proof a nod to the meme “6.15,” which is used to signify financial independence in crypto culture.
Penelope Bourbon Hops on Cigar Blend Whiskey Trend

3 weeks ago | bottleraiders.com | David Morrow

Penelope Bourbon has hopped on the cigar blend whiskey trendwith Cigar Sessions Chapter 1, a limited release designed to complement medium-bodied cigars. The release marks Penelope’s first cigar-focused expression and aligns with a broader trend among American whiskey makers targeting cigar enthusiasts. Cigar blend whiskeys are typically crafted with the goal of having full-bodied flavor profiles, intended to hold their own against the strong aromas and textures of cigars.
Sagamore Cask Strength Rye Whiskey (2025)

3 weeks ago | bottleraiders.com | David Morrow

Distiller: Sagamore Spirit Bottler: Sagamore Spirit ABV: 123% Age: 7 Years Price: $60 to $99.99 This is 2025's release of the Cask Strength Rye Whiskey from Sagamore Spirit, the Maryland-based distillery founded by Kevin Plank, the founder of sports apparel brand Under Armour. In 2023, Plank sold Sagamore to Illva Saronno Holding SpA, the Italian firm known for the popular amaretto brand, Disaronno.
10 Best Whiskeys We Tasted in May 2025, Ranked

3 weeks ago | bottleraiders.com | David Morrow

As a media entity that covers the world of spirits, we routinely taste a bevy of whiskeys — some excellent, some good, some just OK, some worse than OK. At the end of each month, we like to take a moment to round up the month of tasting and highlight the best we tasted — it’s a way to keep track of what we taste. In May, we had the pleasure of tasting some truly fantastic expressions, from reliable Kentucky bourbons to exotic malts and beyond.
Oaklore Four Grain Bourbon

3 weeks ago | bottleraiders.com | David Morrow

Distiller: Oaklore Bottler: Oaklore ABV: 46% Age: 5 Years Price: $60 to $99.99 Released in April 2025, This is the flagship four-grain bourbon from the Charlotte, North Carolina-based Oaklore Distilling Co. According to the brand, it was crafted by Oaklore at its sister distilleries in Kentucky and North Carolina and bottled in North Carolina.