Weekly Spirits Showcase: Duke Timeless Spirits

Duke Timeless Spirits is inspired by legendary American icon, craftsman and actor John Wayne. Affectionately known as "The Duke," he was more than just a Hollywood icon; he was a multifaceted individual whose passions extended far beyond the silver screen. In addition to his illustrious acting career, he was a devoted father, an enthusiastic outdoorsman, and a staunch patriot of the United States of America. However, amidst his many endeavors, one of his lesser-known passions was his love for fine spirits and his dream of crafting his own whiskey, Scotch, and tequila.

As a consummate craftsman, John Wayne applied the same dedication, patience, and pursuit of excellence to his ventures outside of acting. Whether he was navigating the open waters, exploring the depths of mines, or sampling the finest libations from around the world, he approached each pursuit with the same unwavering commitment to quality and authenticity.

Recalling his father's aspirations, Ethan Wayne, John Wayne's son, remembers the dream of creating spirits that embodied the essence of their shared adventures and camaraderie. It was a vision rooted in authenticity and shared enjoyment, epitomized by John Wayne's oft-quoted insistence that "If I was going to have a drink, it had better be a good one."

Following John Wayne's passing, Ethan inherited not only his father's estate but also his dreams and aspirations. Among the treasures preserved within the estate were not only scripts and writings but also crates filled with bottles of John Wayne's favorite spirits, some dating back to 1962. These bottles, akin to messages in a bottle, held within them the spirit of John Wayne's legacy and the legacy he wished to impart.

Ethan Wayne decided to unlock one of these crates, revealing a cache of memories and flavors waiting to be rediscovered. Alongside the bottles lay tumblers, untouched for over three decades, awaiting the moment when John Wayne's legacy would once again be savored and shared with the world.

As they gathered to taste "The Duke's" favored spirits, there was a sense of reverence for the man behind the legend. Each sip served as a reminder of a bygone era, a tribute to a man who lived life to the fullest and left an indelible mark on American culture.

In honoring John Wayne's memory, they raised their glasses not only to his accomplishments on screen but also to his relentless pursuit of excellence in every facet of life. Here's to John Wayne, the man, the legend, and the aficionado of fine spirits. Cheers!

The Products

Meticulously blended to replicate and honor the tasting notes and profile preferred by John Wayne using his original recipe from 1962 and his private collection to guide flavor and aromatics. A proprietorial mash bill of predominately American bent corn with additions of rye with sixth row barley. Distilled and aged in Kentucky the old fashioned way, aged in heavily charred new and hand built American Oak barrels. Aged a minimum of 5 years in barrels hand selected for perfection.

Duke Grand Cru Kentucky Reserve Bourbon exquisitely marries the classic and bold flavors of aged Kentucky bourbon with the finest French Oak Grand Cru wine barrels in the world. 9-year-old Kentucky Straight bourbon is meticulously crafted and then delicately rests in these barrels leading to an incredible balance of flavors. Not all barrels are created equal, so our master blender has sought out the rarest and finest French oak barrels to honor and enhance the great flavors of our aged bourbon. 

Shop Duke Grand Cru Founders Reserve Bourbon here.

Duke Grand Cru Kentucky Reserve Rye whiskey marries the classic and powerful flavors of aged Kentucky rye with the finest French Oak Grand Cru wine barrels in the world. This rye is meticulously crafted and then delicately rests in these barrels, leading to an incredible balance of flavors while extracting the subtle nuances of the French oak and years of Cabernet infusion. The rye is then moved to rest in a second French oak wine barrel, which has been graced by both a world-class Cabernet and our 9-year-old Kentucky Straight bourbon. This secondary finish rounds out the velvety profile of the rye. 

Shop Duke Grand Cru Founders Reserve Rye here.

Their reposado is carefully aged for six months, then finished in the finest French oak wine barrels in the world. This exceptionally unique tequila has a body that reflects the true nature of agave while including deeper oak and red cherry flavors. Enjoy it pure or create a premium cocktail.

Shop Duke Grand Cru Reposado Tequila here.

This Extra Añejo Tequila is a blend between three and five-year-old tequilas, creating a darker hue. You not only taste deep oak flavors, but also the French oak wine barrels bring out a brilliant cherry.

 Shop Duke Extra Añejo Founders Reserve Tequila here.

Limited to 1,000 bottles, this Extra Añejo Tequila Founder’s Limited Edition is made from incredible hand-picked agave. After being aged for six years, you will not only taste a deep cherry and oak flavoring, but also the pure agave.

3 Cocktails to Try

Duke Old Fashioned 

Ingredients: 
2 oz. Duke Spirit of choice 
1 sugar cube
0.25 oz. demerara 
A few dashes of Angostura bitters
Garnish: Orange peel and Luxardo cherry

Directions: 
Pour demerera and bitters into a cocktail stirring/mixing glass. Put sugar cube into the mixture and muddle. Pour Duke Spirit into the mixture. Add ice and stir with spoon until outside of mixing glass is cold to the touch. Strain cocktail into a rocks glass over one large ice cube. Garnish with orange peel and skewered Luxardo cherry.

Whiskey Sour

Ingredients:
2 oz. Duke Whiskey of choice
0.75 oz. lemon juice
0.75 oz. simple syrup
Egg white
Garnish: Luxardo cherry

Directions: 
Pour whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white into a cocktail shaker. Shake well for about 30 seconds. Add ice to the cocktail shaker. Shake for an additional 5-10 seconds. Using a strainer, pour ingredients into a coupe glass. Garnish with a skewered Luxardo cherry.

Bourbon Blaze