Pernod Ricard and Zamanian Celebrate Bourbon’s First Lady with Mary Dowling Whiskey Co.
Since their partnership in 2019, Pernod Ricard and Zamanian have come a long way. Their collaboration has birthed the Mary Dowling Whiskey Company, marking its entry with two unique expressions: a Tequila barrel-finished high-rye Bourbon, and a Double Oak Cask Strength Bourbon.
The brand pays homage to Mary Dowling, the ‘mother of Bourbon’, recognized as the most influential woman distiller in the Bourbon world before Prohibition. Dowling’s legacy spans an array of pivotal moments – from personal tragedies to setting up a bank, engaging in legal wars, and even relocating production to Juárez, Mexico during Prohibition.
Zamanian, the brand’s co-founder, remarked, “Mary Dowling’s history is a beacon in whiskey lore. Our aim was to craft a whiskey mirroring her indomitable spirit and commemorating her renowned distillery, Waterfill & Frazier.”
These inaugural whiskies celebrate Dowling’s centenary defiance of the Prohibition.
Cathy Brown, Dowling’s direct descendant, expressed, “It’s heartening to see my great-great-grandmother’s formidable tale come to life. It reminds us to confront adversities, innovate when faced with hurdles, and salute the unyielding spirit.”
Debut Whiskeys
The Tequila Barrel blend is a straight Bourbon, aged in oloroso Sherry barrels and finished in reposado Tequila barrels, nodding to Dowling’s Juárez distillery. With a composition of 70% corn, 25% malted rye, and 5% malted barley, it exudes fruity undertones, earthy notes, and a peppery finale, bottled between 46.7%-47.5% ABV.
Conversely, the Double Oak Barrel underwent maturation in two distinct Kentucky oak barrels. Its profile boasts tobacco, cherry, and oak flavors, enriched by persistent spices. It’s bottled at 53.5% ABV.
The Mary Dowling Whiskey selections are up for grabs in selected outlets across multiple US states. The Tequila Barrel blend is a pure Bourbon that has been matured in oloroso Sherry casks before being finished in reposado Tequila barrels, an homage to Dowling’s Juárez distillery.
In a notable accolade, Zamanian, also the spearhead and whiskey creator at Rabbit Hole, earned a spot in the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame in 2022.
Pernod Ricard continues its spirited journey in the American whiskey realm, spotlighted by its establishment of a specialized sector and acquiring Skrewball whiskey.