Every bottle of Never Say Die bourbon has a remarkable story. It begins on a Kentucky farm in the 1950s, gallops triumphantly to the Epsom Derby, and echoes in Liverpool’s legendary Casbah Coffee Club. But the journey doesn’t end there, it continues through oceans and across continents. Intrigued? You should be.
Never Say Die is the first bourbon to be distilled in Kentucky, shipped across the Atlantic, and matured in England. This innovative aging process takes the whiskey on a transcontinental journey, exposing it to three distinct climates.
Kentucky’s temperature swings between blistering summers and icy winters accelerating the bourbon’s interaction with charred oak barrels. This creates deep, rich flavours as the wood expands and contracts. Then for six weeks, the bourbon travels across the ocean, experiencing the constant motion of the waves, temperature fluctuations, and the salinity of the sea air. This process intensifies the bourbon’s maturation, adding complexity and character.
Finally, at the White Peak Distillery in Derbyshire, the bourbon undergoes a final maturation, infusing it with an essence of England’s characteristically cool climate. This unique environmental trifecta results in a noteworthy whiskey profile, certain to intrigue bourbon fans.
Never Say Die is the first bourbon to be distilled in Kentucky, shipped across the Atlantic, and matured in England…
Bottled at 47.5% ABV, this versatile bourbon is light and approachable, featuring notes of vanilla, caramel, orange, and mild oak. It offers a mellow spice that whiskey enthusiasts and newcomers alike will appreciate. With just 2,750 bottles per small batch, it represents an artful blend of select barrels.
With a higher ABV (56%-61%), this bold, high-rye bourbon balances spice and sweetness. Each barrel imparts unique flavours, but expect a marriage of oak, caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, coconut, and pepper. The finish is smooth yet punchy, making it ideal for sipping neat or enjoying in a classic whiskey cocktail.
Crafted using a proprietary sweet mash, this whiskey offers a smoother profile. Generous corn in the mash bill evokes the richness of Kentucky bourbon, while rye’s unmistakable spice adds intrigue. It’s a must-try for fans of both styles, and has an ABV of 52.5%
The origins of Never Say Die
The brand’s moniker, Never Say Die, is a nod to a Kentucky-born foal who defied all odds in 1951. After a difficult birth, the foal was revived with a shot of whiskey and went on to become the first American-born horse in over 70 years to win the Epsom Derby. His victory inspired not just the creation of this whiskey but also a series of legendary tales, including the founding of Liverpool’s Casbah Coffee Club, a key venue in The Beatles’ early career.
It’s said that Mona Best had fallen in love with the name and story of Never Say Die, and pawned all her jewellery to literally bet it all on him at 33-1. With her winnings, she opened a music venue for up-and-coming musicians, the Casbah Coffee Club.
Pat Madden and David Wild, co-founders of Never Say Die, were similarly inspired by this remarkable story, partnering with co-founder Martha Dalton, to create a bourbon that mirrored the horse’s adventurous journey.
The evocatively titled Pineapple Bananza is the latest addition to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s experimental Heresy range; it’s a small-batch Irish single malt whiskey created in collaboration with Dunville’s Irish Whiskey. Batch 38: Pineapple Bananza stands out for both its origin and production style. Irish whiskey is an infrequent guest in the Society’s portfolio,…
The Whisky Exchange has been celebrating English Whisky Week with a curated line-up that captures the rapid evolution of England’s whisky scene, a category now spanning more than 60 producers from London to the Yorkshire coast. The selection reflects just how broad English whisky has become, from bourbon-led single malts to cask-forward rye and blended…
Glen Moray hopes to temp whisky fans with the latest addition to its Xperience Collection, Forbidden Fruit. This novel single malt is finished in casks that previously held Calvados, the historic apple brandy of Normandy. The whisky continues the Elgin distillery’s long-running interest in cask experimentation. Forbidden Fruit follows earlier Xperience bottlings Phoenix Rising, which…
The Luxe Review 
Every bottle of Never Say Die bourbon has a remarkable story. It begins on a Kentucky farm in the 1950s, gallops triumphantly to the Epsom Derby, and echoes in Liverpool’s legendary Casbah Coffee Club. But the journey doesn’t end there, it continues through oceans and across continents. Intrigued? You should be.
Never Say Die is the first bourbon to be distilled in Kentucky, shipped across the Atlantic, and matured in England. This innovative aging process takes the whiskey on a transcontinental journey, exposing it to three distinct climates.
Kentucky’s temperature swings between blistering summers and icy winters accelerating the bourbon’s interaction with charred oak barrels. This creates deep, rich flavours as the wood expands and contracts. Then for six weeks, the bourbon travels across the ocean, experiencing the constant motion of the waves, temperature fluctuations, and the salinity of the sea air. This process intensifies the bourbon’s maturation, adding complexity and character.
Finally, at the White Peak Distillery in Derbyshire, the bourbon undergoes a final maturation, infusing it with an essence of England’s characteristically cool climate. This unique environmental trifecta results in a noteworthy whiskey profile, certain to intrigue bourbon fans.
Never Say Die Small Batch Bourbon, £59.95
Bottled at 47.5% ABV, this versatile bourbon is light and approachable, featuring notes of vanilla, caramel, orange, and mild oak. It offers a mellow spice that whiskey enthusiasts and newcomers alike will appreciate. With just 2,750 bottles per small batch, it represents an artful blend of select barrels.
Never Say Die Barrel Strength Bourbon, £79
With a higher ABV (56%-61%), this bold, high-rye bourbon balances spice and sweetness. Each barrel imparts unique flavours, but expect a marriage of oak, caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, coconut, and pepper. The finish is smooth yet punchy, making it ideal for sipping neat or enjoying in a classic whiskey cocktail.
Never Say Die Rye Whiskey, £64.95
Crafted using a proprietary sweet mash, this whiskey offers a smoother profile. Generous corn in the mash bill evokes the richness of Kentucky bourbon, while rye’s unmistakable spice adds intrigue. It’s a must-try for fans of both styles, and has an ABV of 52.5%
The origins of Never Say Die
The brand’s moniker, Never Say Die, is a nod to a Kentucky-born foal who defied all odds in 1951. After a difficult birth, the foal was revived with a shot of whiskey and went on to become the first American-born horse in over 70 years to win the Epsom Derby. His victory inspired not just the creation of this whiskey but also a series of legendary tales, including the founding of Liverpool’s Casbah Coffee Club, a key venue in The Beatles’ early career.
It’s said that Mona Best had fallen in love with the name and story of Never Say Die, and pawned all her jewellery to literally bet it all on him at 33-1. With her winnings, she opened a music venue for up-and-coming musicians, the Casbah Coffee Club.
Pat Madden and David Wild, co-founders of Never Say Die, were similarly inspired by this remarkable story, partnering with co-founder Martha Dalton, to create a bourbon that mirrored the horse’s adventurous journey.
Available at Master of Malt, Amazon, and The Whisky Exchange, priced between £59.95 and £79, depending on the expression.
Triple-distilled Pineapple Bananza Irish single malt joins SMWS Heresy range
The evocatively titled Pineapple Bananza is the latest addition to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s experimental Heresy range; it’s a small-batch Irish single malt whiskey created in collaboration with Dunville’s Irish Whiskey. Batch 38: Pineapple Bananza stands out for both its origin and production style. Irish whiskey is an infrequent guest in the Society’s portfolio,…
When it comes to English whisky, these are the five standout pours according to experts
The Whisky Exchange has been celebrating English Whisky Week with a curated line-up that captures the rapid evolution of England’s whisky scene, a category now spanning more than 60 producers from London to the Yorkshire coast. The selection reflects just how broad English whisky has become, from bourbon-led single malts to cask-forward rye and blended…
First pour: Glen Moray adds Calvados twist to Speyside whisky and it’s a toffee apple treat
Glen Moray hopes to temp whisky fans with the latest addition to its Xperience Collection, Forbidden Fruit. This novel single malt is finished in casks that previously held Calvados, the historic apple brandy of Normandy. The whisky continues the Elgin distillery’s long-running interest in cask experimentation. Forbidden Fruit follows earlier Xperience bottlings Phoenix Rising, which…
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