Bourbon, the iconic American spirit, is more than just a drink; it's a testament to craftsmanship, heritage, and a good time shared among friends. Whether you're a connoisseur savoring complex notes of caramel and oak or a newcomer seeking the perfect pour, bourbon offers something for everyone. This quintessentially Southern creation has evolved into a global phenomenon, attracting enthusiasts to distilleries, festivals, and tasting rooms across the United States. In this Pride Journeys feature, we’ll explore the rich history of bourbon, spotlight LGBTQ+-friendly bourbon destinations, and share tips for finding your next favorite bottle. So pour yourself a glass, and let’s raise a toast to inclusion, flavor, and the spirit of adventure!
Ardbeg has been called “as close to perfection as makes no difference,” by whisky connoisseurs. Proof then, that Ardbeg truly deserves its incredible reputation. It’s a whisky that’s worshiped around the world and has been named ‘World Whisky of the Year’ no less than 4 times out of the last 7 years.
Distillery of Modern Art (DoMA)
Bourbon Whiskey and Rye Whiskey are the two newest additions to the current lineup of five premium craft spirits, including 2024’s Gin of the Year from Tales of Cocktail, DoMA’s Bourbon Whiskey and Rye Whiskey set a new standard for quality, smoothness, and flavor. Non-GMO White Corn brings a slightly sweeter taste and creates unique flavor profiles as the whiskey matures. DoMA uses malted barley, sourced from Riverbend Malt in Asheville, NC chosen specifically for the grassy, bready, and honey-caramel character it adds to the blend. And finally, the most important ingredient in DoMA’s Rye Whiskey variety – is the Wren’s Abruzzi Rye.
Aroma: A burst of intense smoky fruit escapes into the atmosphere, peat infused with zesty lemon and lime, wrapped in waxy dark chocolate. Bold menthol and black pepper slice through the sweet smoke followed by tarry ropes and graphite. Savor the aroma of smoked fish and crispy bacon alongside green bell peppers, baked pineapple and pear juice.
Iowa’s first & largest whiskey producing distillery, and one of the nation’s original craft distilleries. Our “Original 86” Bourbon is always small batch and non-chill filtered. These barrels are aged in non-climate-controlled rickhouses, where our Midwest weather exposes them to temperature swings of over 100degrees each year-resulting in a unique and approachable flavor profile that can’t be achieved in other climates.
Crafted by award-winning pitmaster Carey Bringle, Peg Leg Porker Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a testament to the art of smoke and oak. This unique bourbon, distilled and aged in Tennessee for 4-6 years, undergoes a distinctive finishing process through hickory charcoal, resulting in a spirit that marries the warmth of bourbon with the soul of barbecue. The mash bill creates a rich, full-bodied bourbon with notes of caramel, vanilla and toasted oak, while the hickory charcoal finish adds an additional layer of complexity, imparting a subtle smokiness that lingers on the palate. Recognized as the "World's Best Bourbon" at the 2023 Tasting Alliance World Championship, Peg Leg Porker's White Label received Double Gold standards at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, a Gold honor at the 2024 ASCOT Awards and a Double Gold honor and a Consumers' Choice award at the 2024 SIP Awards.
Lodestar Whiskey is founded by Anna Axster and Wendelin von Schroder, two whiskey lovers & entertainment industry veterans who set out to break the mold and follow flavor, not rules. They crafted Lodestar to be bold, smooth, and approachable—perfect for both newcomers and seasoned sippers. But their mission goes deeper: they’ve built an inclusive brand that embraces diversity and brings people together. For Anna and Wendelin, whiskey is more than a drink—it’s a way to create shared experiences and meaningful connections. And with Lodestar, everyone’s invited to the celebration!
Named after an actual Colorado mining town dubbed Tin Cup and the metal cups miners drank their whiskey from, TINCUP is a true mountain whiskey: cut to proof with Rocky Mountain water and bottled at an elevation of 5,251 feet. Steeped in both tradition and innovation, the brand and its makers have pioneered a new category, “Bourbon+,” that marries bourbon with premium American Single Malt Whiskey in its core expression, for extra smoothness.
Sable Bourbon is a liquid co-created and -owned by the artists behind the iconic film “The Best Man” and KY-based Bespoken Spirits. Taye Diggs, Harold Perrineau and Morris Chestnut, and director Malcolm D. Lee – all longtime bourbon lovers – worked with Bespoken Spirits, the craft whiskey producer renowned for its innovative approach to aging and flavor profile creation, to get the liquid just right. Clocking in at a 94 proof, from a mash bill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley, Sable is alive with aromas of burnt sugar, pear compote, allspice, and nutty marzipan on the nose and rich flavors of dense mocha and dark chocolate fudge on the palate. The bourbon is an extension of the quartet 25 years of friendship – emotive of the brotherhood and bond that they forged throughout the ‘The Best Man’ franchise.
Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey is Colorado’s first legal whiskey distillery since Prohibition. This Rocky Mountain Single Malt is handcrafted from grain to glass in Denver, Colorado. Using only the finest resources, their whiskey is made from 4 ingredients: 100% malted barley, yeast, Rocky Mountain water, and time in the barrel. Stranahan’s is Colorado’s first Rocky Mountain Single Malt, the pioneer and leader of American Single Malt – an official whiskey category as of 1/19! Stranahan’s Original was named The Best American Single Malt by the Tasting Alliance, bringing home Double Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and New York World Spirits Competition.
Rieger’s Kansas City Whiskey, made by J. Rieger & Co., was named “Best American Whiskey” at the 2023 ASCOT Awards and was a gold medal winner at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The whiskey is a blend of straight bourbon whiskey, light corn whiskey, and straight rye whiskey, all aged at least four years, as well as a small amount of 15-year-old oloroso sherry from the Williams & Humbert Bodega in Jerez, Spain. Bottled at 92 proof, Kansas City Whiskey is well-balanced, smooth, and slightly sweet. It’s beautiful when served neat or on the rocks, but also works well in classic bourbon- or rye-based cocktails like the Horsefeather, Manhattan, and Old Fashioned.
Cook's Mill Whiskey is an independently-owned, North Carolina American Straight Bourbon Whiskey inspired by North Carolina's history of agriculture and farming - and its impact on bourbon. Using the earliest methods of making whiskey, Cook's Mill's flagship spirit uses only North Carolina corn and grains grown by seven select North Carolina farmers - so the bourbon is seen from seed to bottle. It's a young bourbon, aged 3 years in American White Oak barrels. The mixture of corn adds unique flavors, which isn't found in modern yellow corn, and is naturally non-GMO. It yields light notes of vanilla with hints of oak.
Skrewball Whiskey is the original peanut butter whiskey, offering a smooth and nutty taste that perfectly balances sweet, savory and salty tasting notes. Skrewball Whiskey can be enjoyed on its own as a shot, on the rocks (delicious with a salted rim!) or in a dazzling cocktail like the Skrewball New Fashioned, Salted Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel and Peanut Butter Espresso Martini.
Non-Alcoholic Option
Philters invites you to come out, play, and rediscover the thrill of pushing boundaries by enjoying a "cocktail" in places you never could before - from parks and coffee shops to workplaces and bookstores - all without the negative effects of alcohol. Ruhm & Wiski feature adaptogens including Ashwagandha, Tulsi, Siberian Ginseng, and Passionflower. These ingredients are designed to promote a sense of well-being while providing calm and soothing effects.