Craft Distillers and Friends Collaborate on Malt Whiskey Blend, With 100% of Proceeds to Benefit ACSA’S STEPUP
ACSA – October 5, 2021 (BUTTE, MT) — Good Deeds Spirits is proud to announce its first-ever release, GOOD DEEDS MALT WHISKEY, a malt whiskey blend from 9 leading craft whiskey producers. This 1,000 bottle release will be sold via Seelbachs on October 15, 100% of proceeds to benefit STEPUP Foundation, the diversity and inclusion initiative founded by the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA).
Established as an unofficial group of distillers back in 2017 (then as a Facebook group of 100 distilling industry friends called “Good Guys Distillers”), the group formally set up a DBA as Good Deeds Spirits 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. From coast to coast, these 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 MALT WHISKEY, the inaugural, limited edition offering, will focus narrowly on an imperative cause: to increase inclusion & diversity in the drinks industry. Created by a handful of whiskey distillers who donated spirits towards a master blend, GOOD DEEDS MALT WHISKEY was created using donated whiskey from some of the country’s most respected craft distilleries. Fellow distilleries and industry suppliers including Saxco and Tapi 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 MALT WHISKEY was created in February 2021 from a blend of 9 donated whiskeys from Balcones Distilling (Waco, TX), Bently Heritage Estate Distillery (Minden, NV), FEW Spirits (Evanston, IL), Headframe Spirits (Butte, MT), Rogue Spirits Distillery (Newport, OR), Santa Fe Spirits (Santa Fe, NM), Sonoma Distilling Company (Rohnert Park, CA), State Line Distillery (Madison, WI), and Thornton Distilling Company (Thornton, IL). Blenders Johnny Jeffery (Bently Heritage Estate Distillery), Randy Hudson (Triple Eight Distillery), Reade Huddleston (Headframe Spirits), and John McKee (Headframe Spirits) blended over the course of two days in Butte, MT. All of the whiskey was blended on-site, then returned to used Bourbon barrels to marry for five months before proofing down to 46% for bottling and release.
Johnny Jeffery, General Manager, Bently Heritage Estate Distillery, who led this effort, said, “As an industry, we’ve come to realize that we need to do more to change the face of distilling. We believe this is an important first step we’re taking together. As a group who says our mission is to do good, we felt this was a great start and a tangible way to put our skills to good use and show what a group of friends can do when they care enough about a mission.”
Margie A.S. Lehrman, CEO, ACSA and President, STEUPUP Foundation, added, “Good Deeds Malt Whiskey” mirrors the energy and passion behind the STEPUP Foundation, a diverse blend of skills and talents married together to create an unparalleled product. STEPUP is beyond grateful for Good Deeds Spirits for its significant contribution which will allow us to change the face of the industry, one intern at a time.”
GOOD DEEDS MALT WHISKEY will carry a retail price of $75.00, with 100% of the bottle price to benefit STEPUP Foundation, and will be available exclusively via Seelbachs. Public sale begins on October 15, 2021, with 1,000 bottles available.
TASTING NOTES:
Color: Medium Amber with flashes of gold and copper.
Nose: Dried apple, brûlée sugar, brown butter, toasted walnut, biscuit, hay, and golden raisin, with notes of dried cherry, orange peel, and warming spice.
Taste: Silky, confident and broad, with balanced earthy, savory and dry, candied notes. Dried apple, dried cherry, heather, toasted brioche, toasted walnut, savory leather, and black tobacco leaf. Evolving in the glass showing hay, caramel, singed cinnamon, and orange.
Finish: Long, with evolution on the back palate.
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 community 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.
