Black Bourbon Society (BBS) has collaborated with Maker’s Mark® Bourbon in a partnership with Spirits Network, to launch Spirits Network’s newest original program, tilted Barrel Select, which also introduces the latest custom barrel between the companies.
Spirits Network is a community of spirits enthusiasts creating meaningful connections through original, shoppable video programming. The latest program is tilted Barrel Select and is hosted by Samara Davis, who is the founder of Black Bourbon Society (BBS), and her husband and BBS partner, Armond Davis. The show was filmed at the Maker’s Mark Distillery on Star Hill Farm in Loretto, Kentucky. It documents the creation of their second custom barrel from Maker’s Mark Distillery, Black Bourbon Society’s Maker’s Mark® Private Selection: Recipe 2, which is a follow-up to their award-winning selection in 2019.
“Armond and I are thrilled to showcase the process of creating another Private Selection with Maker’s Mark,” exclaimed Davis in a written statement. “We are forever grateful for our brand partnership, which has been solid over the years, and fervent support for our advocacy work to influence a more diverse and inclusive spirits industry. We are also grateful for the Spirits Network who has extended their platform to showcase our experience with like-minded spirits enthusiasts around the globe. We look forward to creating more unique content from a diverse lens perspective for the network in the future.”
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Black Bourbon Society’s Maker’s Mark Private Selection: Recipe 2 was made through the Maker’s Mark® Private Selection program. This program allows retail partners to “make their own Maker’s®” by finishing fully-matured cask strength Maker’s Mark Bourbon in a single barrel featuring a custom selection of oak staves inserted for additional finishing. The first collaboration with Maker’s Mark won Double Gold at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, where it was up against 3,000 other spirits that were presented in front of more than 40 judges.
“It’s been a privilege for Maker’s Mark to continue supporting the Black Bourbon Society, especially on this latest program,” said Rob Samuels, 8th-Generation Whisky Maker at Maker’s Mark. “The new Private Selection that Samara and Armond Davis created is nothing short of spectacular. However, even more important than this unique whisky is our partnership with them and Southern Glazer’s to provide meaningful support for Diversity Distilled this year and beyond.”
Barrel Select launched on the Spirits Network on May 20. The latest bourbon offering celebrates Diversity Distilled, a nonprofit organization founded by Samara and Armond. The organization advocates and crafts strategies to address the diversity, equity, and inclusion of brands, with a focus on the world of distilled spirits, packaged beverages,
and the alcohol and service industries. Maker’s Mark® and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits was instrumental in the establishment of Diversity Distilled’s job fair and apprenticeship programs, which allow them to focus on advancing people of color throughout the industry.“Spirits Network is thrilled to partner with the Black Bourbon Society, Samara and Armond Davis, and Maker’s Mark to share the story of this groundbreaking custom bourbon creation. We’re continually in awe of Samara and Armond’s dedication to the Black Bourbon Society, and the important work that they do to bring diversity, equity, and inclusion to the spirits industry,” states Nick Buzzell, chairman and CEO of Spirits Network.