Pernod Ricard and Rabbit Hole Distillery Founder, Kaveh Zamanian, recently announced their joint venture to launch the Mary Dowling Whiskey Company. The new whiskey company launches with two distinct, finished bourbons to honor “The Mother of Bourbon” and to tell one of the greatest, relatively unknown stories in American Whiskey. The full press release from Pernod Ricard and Mary Dowling Whiskey Company can be found below.
New Whiskey Brand Debuts Two Expressions Inspired By The Mother of Bourbon’s Great American Story
Mary Dowling Whiskey Company, an inspirational new Kentucky bourbon brand, today announced the debut of its premiere whiskey lineup, featuring two distinctive expressions. Inspired by one of the greatest American stories never told, the boldly original bourbons, one finished in tequila barrels and another finished in second oak barrels, embody the spirit of determination, paired with a beautiful amber liquid that expresses exceptional and unique flavors and aromas.
About Mary Dowling Whiskey Company
Mary Dowling Whiskey Company is a joint venture between Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame Whiskey Maker, Kaveh Zamanian, and Pernod Ricard. The brand’s lineup was created in celebration of the life and times of one of history’s most remarkable people, the “Mother of Bourbon,” Mary Dowling. Inspired by her journey as an influential female distiller, Mary Dowling Whiskey Company offers two distinctive whiskey expressions: Tequila Barrel and Double Oak Barrel.
Mary Dowling was the most successful and influential female distiller in the male-dominated world of pre-prohibition bourbon. Her legacy, which led directly to bourbon’s designation as America’s native spirit, earned her the moniker of “Mother of Bourbon.” Her whirlwind, awe-inspiring story — filled with various life-altering events, including the death of her husband, a distillery fire, the founding of a bank, furious legal battles and shifting production to Juárez, Mexico during prohibition — had been unknown by many and lost for decades until now. Today, the Mary Dowling Whiskey Company is on a mission to share her untold story with the world through two whiskeys that pay homage to her boldness and legacy.
Long obscured by the mists of time, Mary Dowling’s story is one of the most motivational and compelling in the annals of whiskey-making. We wanted to create a whiskey to honor her extraordinary character, celebrate her legacy and her iconic distillery, Waterfill & Frazier. We are excited to finally share two original expressions, which are meant to be savored while toasting to the unstoppable spirit of Mary Dowling.
Kaveh Zamanian, Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame whiskey maker and Co-Founder
The Mary Dowling Whiskey Company lineup includes two remarkable whiskeys that commemorate the 100th anniversary of Mary’s ultimate triumph over the dry laws and her instrumental role in keeping the Kentucky whiskey industry alive. Both are a true testament to Mary’s extraordinary journey.
Mary Dowling Tequila Barrel:
Tequila Barrel is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in tequila barrels to honor Mary’s distillery in Juarez. The whiskey is a high rye, double malt Kentucky Straight Bourbon is rested for a minimum of four years in new toasted and charred Kelvin Cooperage American Oak casks. The liquid is then transferred to Appalachian American Oak tequila barrels, revealing aromas suffused with a genuinely distinct bourbon expression. The Tequila Barrel finish exudes a surprisingly balanced palate of fruit flavors and earthy, smoky tones, completed by a black-peppery finish.
- Mash Bill: 70% Corn; 25% Malted Rye; 5% Malted Barley
- About the Barrel: The barrels first held sacrifcial sherry for a year, followed by Oloroso sherry with Solara system for four years, and then two years holding VDN (Vin Doux Naturel), beford holding Reposado tequila in Mexico.
Mary Dowling Double Oak Barrel:
Double oak cask strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon is rested in two different oak barrels from Kelvin Cooperage – the first in heavy toasted and Char #3 New American Oak barrels, the second in lightly toasted and Char #1 New American Oak barrels. The liquid benefits from a longer maturation process, creating a deeper, richer taste. It boasts bolder flavors and higher proofs than its counterpart, while retaining an incredibly smooth finish. The rich, wheated bourbon expresses memorable notes of tobacco, cherry and oak, accompanied by wide, lingering short and dry spices.
- Mash Bill: 65% Corn; 15% Wheat; 10% Malted Barley
- About the Barrel: the Double Oak Cask Strength bourbon boasts bolder flavors and higher proofs, while retaining an incredibly smooth finish. As a consequence of resting in two different oak barrels from Kelvin Cooperage – the first in Meavy toasted and Char #3 New American Oak barrels, the second in lightly toasted and Char #1 New American Oak barrels – the liquid benefits from a longer maturing process, creating a deeper, richer taste.
I am thrilled that my great-great-grandmother’s remarkable life story is finally being told. Her journey inspires us to embrace challenges, to find solutions where others see obstacles and to celebrate the indomitable spirit within us. Thank you to the entire team behind Mary Dowling Whiskey Company for honoring her through this exciting new brand, with two incredible whiskeys that she would be proud of.
Cathy Brown, a direct descendant of Mary Dowling.
“One hundred years ago, here in Lawrenceburg, the Dowlings and the Beams got together and hatched a plan to move her distillery to Juarez,” said Bruce Beam Phillips, great grandson of distiller, Joseph L. Beam, at the brand’s launch party in June. “And this evening, about 100 years later, we have the Dowlings and the Beams, sitting around a table getting ready to release a Mary Dowling whiskey and we’ll add one more name to that, and that’s Zamanian.”
Mary Dowling Whiskey Company’s new expressions are available for purchase at select retailers in KY, NJ, MD, DC, FL, GA, TX, IL, CO, MI, MO and LA. Tequila Barrel is 46.5–47.5 ABV (93 Proof) and retails for $75. Double Oak Barrel is 53.5 ABV (107 Proof) and retails for $130.
To learn more about Mary Dowling Whiskey Company’s latest offerings, alongside Mary’s remarkable life and legacy, visit www.marydowling.com and follow @marydowlingwhiskey.
About Mary Dowling:
For an incredible story on Mary Dowling, check out this excerpt from “Mary Dowling, a True Bearcat of the Bourbon Industry” from the Lawrenceburg / Anderson County Kentucky Tourism Commission.
Listen to Bourbon Lens on your favorite podcast app or stream on Spotify. If you’d like to support Bourbon Lens, subscribe to our Patreon, sign up for our “Weekly Pour” Newsletter, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
If you like cocktails, subscribe to our second podcast, Cocktails with Friends. Cocktails with Friends is hosted by our good friend and partner, Bob Cutler.
Recent Bourbon Lens Coverage
- Redwood Empire Acquires Savage & Cooke Distillery
- Blitzen’s Bar at the Omni Louisville Hotel: New Holiday Pop-Up You Won’t Want to Miss
- Laws Whiskey House Builds New, Stunning “Whiskey Sanctuary” in Denver
- Buffalo Trace Distillery’s New Holiday Advertisement Stars Freddie Johnson
- Company Distilling Announces New Location in Lynchburg, Tennessee
- Woodford Reserve x Compartés Partnership Adds New Chocolate Bar
