The launch of Beyoncé’s SirDavis Rye Whisky has made waves in the whisky world. With the expression anonymously winning multiple awards prior to its official release, the whisky is not only backed by one of the biggest stars in the world, but seems to be a very high-quality spirit too.
The official press release for SirDavis Whisky states that the spirit was finished, blended, and bottled in Texas. This begs the question, then. Where has the spirit been sourced from?
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Gulf Coast Distillers/Giant Texas Distillers
On January 30th, 2024, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) approved a label application for SirDavis Whisky. The filing states that Gulf Coast Distillers (now known as Giant Texas Distillers) is the ‘Principal Place of Business’ for SirDavis Whisky.
This does not mean, however, that all of the spirit used in SirDavis Whisky hails from Giant Texas Distillers. Whilst the plant is in production (and produces some fantastic cask strength ryes), the TTB filing does not specify that the rye is produced solely at Giant Texas.
According to American whiskey legislation, the ‘Principal Place of Business’ does not necessarily indicate that this is the location of spirit production.
Of course, Giant Texas Distillers may well provide some of the rye for SirDavis. However, I do not necessarily think that 100% of the whisky in SirDavis is produced there. I am speculating, of course, but I am more inclined to believe that SirDavis is a blend of rye whiskeys sourced from across the US that are finished, blended, and bottled at the Texas plant.
Moët Hennessy, Sir Davis, & WhistlePig
In 2020, Moët Hennessy acquired a minority stake in WhistlePig Whiskey, a Vermont-based distillery that specializes in producing premium rye whiskey. This acquisition follows Moët Hennessy’s acquisition of a majority stake in Woodinville Whiskey, in Washington.
Moët Hennessy is also the company behind the production of Beyoncé’s SirDavis Whisky brand, with the two entering into a luxury partnership aimed at redefining rye whiskey.
It follows, then, that WhistlePig might have been called upon by Moët Hennessy to provide some rye whiskey for SirDavis. After all, the SirDavis press release does not state that the whisky was distilled in Texas – only finished, blended, and bottled.
I asked Phil Dwyer, whisky YouTuber and manager of The Whisky Shop Manchester for his thoughts on the origin of SirDavis Whisky. He said: “As SirDavis is a whisky built-up of 51% rye and 49% barley, and with Beyoncé having a partnership with LVMH [Moët Hennessy], you could safely assume that the rye content is sourced from Whistle Pig. It is also possible that the barley is from WhistlePig as well. LVMH only owns a minority stake in Whistle Pig, but I can’t see them outsourcing product for a launch as large as this.”
Moët Hennessy & Dr. Bill Lumsden
Moët Hennessy has also leveraged its influence in the scotch whisky world to help Beyoncé craft her perfect whisky. The wine and spirits arm of LMVH also owns scotch whisky distilleries Ardbeg and Glenmorangie. Whisky maker, Dr. Bill Lumsden, is at the helm of both distilleries. He is a veteran in the industry and a highly respected distiller.
It was Lumsden who chose the mash bill for SirDavis Whisky. Again, I am speculating, but I imagine that the freedom to play around with mash bills and maturation techniques was available to him because of Moët Hennessy’s stake in WhistlePig.
What Do You Think?
So, what do you think? Will we ever truly know where SirDavis Whisky is sourced from?
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Either way, the spirit seems to have been going down a treat with the judges who were lucky enough to sample SirDavis at various spirits competitions this year.
One of our very own will be reviewing Beyoncé’s Sir Davis Whisky very soon. Keep checking the reviews page, and don’t miss out.
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