December 9, 2024 (TBD) — Good Deeds Spirits is proud to announce its second release, GOOD DEEDS WHISKEY (BATCH #2), a blend of Bourbon and Rye. Batch #2 is a blend of WhistlePig Straight Rye (Shoreham, VT) and Black Button Bourbon (Rochester, NY), whose recipe was created by a group of seasoned distillers and STEPUP Foundation alumnus. This 500 bottle release will be sold via Big Thirst, Inc., with profits benefiting the STEPUP Foundation, the diversity and inclusion initiative founded by the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA).
Good Deeds Spirits – whose moniker stems from a Facebook group of 100 distilling industry friends called “Good Guys Distillers” – was established in 2021 with the intention of creating interesting, collaborative spirits releases moving forward, all with the goal of raising money to benefit important industry causes. Their inaugural release, GOOD DEEDS MALT WHISKEY BATCH #1, raised more than $20,000 for STEPUP. In 2022, Sailor Guevara joined as Executive Director of Good Deeds Spirits, formalizing the brand and executing plans for consistent future releases. From coast to coast, distilleries have and will continue to share their spirits, time, and energy in an effort to raise funds for causes that echo the group’s values and mission: to be a force for good.
GOOD DEEDS WHISKEY (BATCH #2), the second limited-edition offering (which follows GOOD DEEDS MALT WHISKEY BATCH #1, released in 2021), focuses narrowly on an imperative cause: to increase inclusion & diversity in the drinks industry. To maximize Good Deeds’ impact, whiskeys for the blends are offered as donations. Fellow distilleries and industry suppliers including Phoenix Packaging, Niagara Label Co., WhistlePig Whiskey, Black Button Distilling, Big Thirst Inc., and As Above So Below Distillery further supported these efforts by donating bottles, closures, labels, and their expertise — all in an effort to contribute in the best way possible to the mission of helping to diversify the industry.
GOOD DEEDS WHISKEY (BATCH #2) was created in August 2024 from a blend of donated whiskeys from WhistlePig Rye and Black Button Bourbon from a blending panel that included Erin Lee, Head Distiller at FEW Spirits (Evanston, IL) and a STEPUP graduate; Liz Rhoades, Director of Whiskey Operations at WhistlePig (Shoreham, VT); Jack Scardino, Distiller Black Button Distillery (Rochester, NY); Sailor Guevara, Executive Director of Good Deeds Spirits (Salem, MA), and Erica Paul, a STEPUP intern. The whiskey was blended and bottled on-site at Black Button Distillery.
Sailor Guevara, Executive Director of Good Deeds, said, “I feel a deep commitment to support this mission. It is vital that we continue to champion access and support in the craft spirits industry for underrepresented individuals. The overwhelming support for this project during challenging times for craft producers highlights the strong, collaborative spirit that defines the American craft spirits industry.”
Margie A.S. Lehrman, CEO, ACSA and President, STEUPUP Foundation, added, “Good Deeds mirrors the energy and passion behind the STEPUP Foundation, a diverse blend of skills and talents married together to create an unparalleled product. This incredible group of distillers has already made a significant contribution to STEPUP through their inaugural release, and we are honored to collaborate on Batch 2.”
GOOD DEEDS BOURBON & RYE BLENDED WHISKEY will carry a retail price of $89.99, with all profits benefiting the STEPUP Foundation, and will be available exclusively via GoodDeedsSpirits.com. Following a two-week pre-sale beginning on December 2, BATCH #2 will be available to the public on Dec 13, 2024.
Bourbon and Rye Blend
45% ABV, 750 ML
TASTING NOTES:
Color: Deep Amber
Nose: Caramel, Vanilla Bean and Maple
Taste: Brown sugar, cinnamon, warm caramel mid palate, soft white pepper, stone fruit, baked apples, marzipan and vanilla.
Finish: Sweet, rich and lingering with baking spices and fruit.
Find out more at GoodDeedsSpirits.com.
ABOUT GOOD DEEDS SPIRITS
Good Deeds Spirits is a passionate collective of distillers and friends, committed to supporting causes that lead to positive change. From coast to coast, our distilleries have shared their spirits, time, and energy in an effort to raise funds for causes that share our values and mission: to be a force for good.
ABOUT STEPUP FOUNDATION
The Spirits Training Entrepreneurship Program for Underrepresented Professionals (STEPUP Foundation) is a diversity initiative that aims to provide underserved and underrepresented individuals with training, encouragement, and opportunities to enter the craft spirits com- munity through a comprehensive year long, immersive internship program. Created by ACSA, STEPUP will engage diverse applicants with an interest in the beverage sector and help those of different races, color, national origins, genders and sexual orientations to acquire the skills and experience they need to succeed in the industry. Find out more at www.stepupinternship.org
