New American whiskey and bourbon releases from the past week include an extra-aged expression from Knob Creek and a limited-edition Pride expression from Fierce & Kind. Wyoming Whiskey releases Outryder 2024, and Next Century Spirits releases a tequila-finished bourbon.
Knob Creek 10 Year Old Rye Whiskey
Knob Creek adds an extra-aged rye to its core portfolio. Credit: Knob Creek
Beloved whiskey brand, Knob Creek, has expanded its core portfolio with the addition of a 10 Year Old Rye Whiskey.
The new rye whiskey is distilled pre-Prohibition style in deeply charred barrels with a rich and spicy profile. Made from the same mash bill as the brand’s 7 Year Old Rye, this whiskey is aged for three extra years, resulting in a deep and complex rye whiskey bottled at 100 proof.
Tasting notes for the new release are as follows:
“Color: Tawny with waves of copper Aroma: Rich caramel and vanilla, deep rye spice, and dried apple Taste: Black peppercorn, creamy vanilla and caramel, and hints of deep oak and char Finish: Smooth, lingering notes of baking spice”
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The Knob Creek 10 Year Old Rye Whiskey is now available nationwide with an RRP of $69.99.
Fierce & Kind Limited Pride Release Straight (Gay) Bourbon
Fierce & Kind celebrate Pride Month with exclusive bottlings. Credit: Fierce & Kind
In celebration of Pride Month, Fierce & Kind has unveiled some limited edition Pride expressions. These include the Straight (Gay) Bourbon, and a single barrel expression.
The Fierce & Kind Limited Pride Release Straight (Gay) Bourbon is a limited edition bottling of the brand’s award-winning 86 proof straight whiskey. Distilled from sustainably sourced local grains, the Straight (Gay) Whiskey was aged for two years and 11 months prior to bottling.
Tasting notes for this new release are: “A very accessible yet sophisticated bourbon with notes of fruit, vanilla, caramel, and cream layered until a slight rye spice finish.”
The Single Barrel Cask Strength Straight (Gay) Bourbon Whiskey is also an award winner, picking up a Gold Medal at the ASCOT Awards 2023. Bottled at 110 proof, this single barrel expression is an easy drinker.
In honor of Pride Month and all those who celebrate, Fierce & Kind is donating 25% of all profits from the sale of its limited Pride expressions to The San Diego LGBT Community Center. The center supports “the health, wellbeing and human rights of the full diversity of San Diego’s LGBTQ community through targeted programs and services”. Fierce & Kind, a minority and woman-led brand, has always strived to support those who are underprivileged in their community.
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The Fierce & Kind Limited Edition Pride bottles can be pre-ordered here. Happy Pride!
Wyoming Whiskey Outryder 2024 Straight American Whiskey
Credit: Wyoming Whiskey
Wyoming Whiskey has unveiled the 2024 edition of its famous Outryder Straight American Whiskey. Billed as “neither a bourbon or a true rye”, the whiskey was distilled from a blend of two different mash bills.
The resulting tasting notes are as follows: “Nose: Baked orchard fruit with cinnamon and chocolate hazelnut Palate: Maple syrup with candied walnuts and orange bitters Finish: Lingering chocolate and espresso bean”
Outryder was first released in 2016, and is to this day a flagship expression from Wyoming Whiskey, constituting the brand’s first use of rye grain. However, the use of rye grain was something of a reluctant action on the part of Bourbon Hall of Famer, Steve Nally. Nally, who was Wyoming Whiskey’s distiller in 2010, was asked by co-founder David DeFazio to create a rye whiskey. Nally was reluctant and expressed that he did not want to work with rye.
According to the press release: “The founders encouraged Nally to reconsider, and he ultimately surrendered to the request. Two different whiskies were laid down in late 2011, nearly 100 barrels of “rye” and 200 barrels of bourbon made with rye.
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“In 2016, after Nally had left Wyoming Whiskey, it was time to bottle. New distiller Sam Mead called DeFazio to explain that the whiskey Nally had produced was only 48% rye, which disqualified it from the rye whiskey category. The team was stunned. DeFazio called Nally and said, “I want you to know that the ‘rye’ you made is spectacular — but why did you use only 48% rye in the mash bill?” Nally responded with an implied smirk, “Because I told you I didn’t want to make a rye.” Thus, Wyoming Whiskey Outryder was born.”
The new Wyoming Whiskey Outryder is currently available only in Wyoming for an RRP of $84.99.
Next Century Spirits Bear Fight Kentucky Reserve
Credit: Bear Fight Whiskey
Last but not least is a new experimental cask finish from Next Century Spirits. Bear Fight Kentucky Reserve is 3 Year Old Bourbon whiskey finished in reposado tequila casks.
The whiskey is distilled from a mash bill comprising 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4 malted barley. It was aged for a minimum of three years before being finished in the tequila casks, imparting notes of peppery spice and caramel. Full tasting notes are:
“Nose: Toasted oak, vanilla, a touch of cloves, hint of black pepper and cooked agave Tasting notes: Vanilla, caramel and peppery spice Finish: This whiskey finishes like a tequila with a subtle smokiness at the back of the palate”
Speaking about the unique release, Anthony Moniello (Co-CEO of Next Century Spirits) said: “Coming off the success of our initial brand launch with Bear Fight American Single Malt, we wanted to push the boundaries of what a bourbon can be. We wanted to craft an innovative bourbon that allowed us to tap into two growing liquor categories and by leveraging ex-reposado barrels to finish our whiskey, we know we will not only stand out on shelves but also index our business into the thriving bourbon and tequila categories.”
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With an RRP of $34.99, Bear Fight Kentucky Reserve is available at selected stores in CT, KY, IL, MN, and NJ, as well as at BearFightWhiskey.com. The nationwide rollout will begin later in 2024.
As a plaintiff in the 2022 lawsuit that kicked off years of legal sparring over Wyoming abortion rights, Dr. Giovannina Anthony had waited a long time for Tuesday’s Supreme Court decision on the state’s abortion bans.
“It has been a long road,” she said. One with ups and downs, drawbacks and delays. And even though the high court ruled against the state’s abortion bans, she’s not under the illusion that the fight for abortion access is over.
“But at least today, we can claim a victory and say, it was really worth it,” said Anthony, a Jackson obstetrician. “It was worth it to go four years and keep it up and keep raising money and keep the awareness going. I’m really proud of our team. I’m really proud of what we accomplished.”
In reading the Supreme Court’s decision siding with plaintiffs, Anthony said, “Clearly, this is a court that holds a lot of respect for our constitution.”
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That’s because much of the decision hinged on constitutional language.
Anthony and other plaintiffs argued that abortion is enshrined in the “right of health care access” in Article 1, Section 38 of the Wyoming Constitution. The clause states, “Each competent adult shall have the right to make his or her own health care decisions.”
The state’s attorneys, meanwhile, countered that abortion isn’t health care.
But in deciding what that language means in this case, “all five Wyoming Supreme Court justices agreed that the decision whether to terminate or continue a pregnancy is a woman’s own health care decision protected by Article 1, Section 38,” the court’s summary stated.
As abortion rights activists in Wyoming and beyond celebrated the decision, the anti-abortion camp decried it and called for legislative action.
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“This ruling is profoundly unfortunate and sadly serves to only prolong the ultimate proper resolution of this issue,” Gov. Mark Gordon said in a statement. While the ruling may settle a legal question for the time being, Gordon said, “it does not settle the moral one, nor does it reflect where many Wyoming citizens stand, including myself.”
Anti-abortion activists in the silent March for Life in Cheyenne in January 2020. (Nadav Soroker, Wyoming Tribune Eagle/Wyoming News Exchange)
Gordon asked the Attorney General’s office to file a petition for rehearing the decision, which it will file within 15 days.
The voters of Wyoming should settle the matter once and for all, Gordon argued. “A constitutional amendment taken to the people of Wyoming would trump any and all judicial decisions.”
He called on the Legislature to pass such an amendment during the upcoming session and deliver it to his desk. A constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate to appear on the ballot in the following general election.
Gordon may get his wish during the Legislature’s 2026 budget session, which convenes Feb. 9.
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State lawmakers are already preparing a bill to modify the Wyoming Constitution and clear a path for another attempted abortion ban. Speaker of the House Chip Neiman, a Republican from Hulett, said that he’s been workshopping language with Torrington Republican Sen. Cheri Steinmetz.
“I’ve got to run it by a lot of other people,” Neiman said.
Reps. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams and Chip Neiman listen during a 2023 hearing on their request to defend Wyoming’s abortion ban. (Brad Boner/Jackson Hole News&Guide/Pool)
Ideally, he added, a single constitutional amendment would be considered, although the legislative strategy is still up for discussion.
“We’ve got a little over a month before we have to be in session,” Neiman said. “That’ll give us time to kind of see which is maybe the best plan of action.”
A constitutional amendment would have to navigate the legislative process in a 20-day session geared toward passing Wyoming’s budget. Then, in the 2026 general election, more than half of Wyoming voters who cast a ballot would have to agree to the constitutional change.
Neiman struck an optimistic tone about an amendment’s prospects of passing the first hurdle during the session in Cheyenne.
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“I can’t speak for the other chamber,” he said, “but in my chamber I’ve got a lot of phone calls and a lot of texts from a lot of my legislators who are just beside themselves at what happened.”
Senate President Bo Biteman did not return a phone call before this story published.
Victorious
Chelsea’s Fund, an organization that helps pay for abortion services, was another of the plaintiffs that challenged Wyoming’s abortion bans. Executive Director Janean Forsyth said Tuesday’s decision affirms what her organization has long known: “that abortion is essential health care, and Wyoming women have a constitutional right and the freedom to make their own health care decisions, and that should be without government interference.”
Forsyth was flooded with messages and calls Tuesday, she said, especially from the community of reproductive rights organizations.
“I think that [the news is] a beacon of hope for, not only Wyoming communities and families, but also nationwide,” she said.
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Christine Lichtenfels was Chelsea’s Fund executive director when the original suit was filed and throughout much of the legal battle. Relief wasn’t quite the word to describe how she felt Tuesday, she said.
“In reading the decision, there is just a sense that, ‘Oh, there is reason in the world,” she said. “It makes me think that, yes, Wyoming is the Equality State. We can say that now without cringing.”
(Disclosure: Lichtenfels is currently working with WyoFile on an unrelated legal matter.)
The Wellspring Health Access clinic in Casper is pictured in December 2022, and shows signs of May 2022 arson, including boarded up windows. (Dustin Bleizeffer/WyoFile)
Wyoming’s only abortion clinic, Wellspring Health Access in Casper, was also a plaintiff in the lawsuit. Knowing the decision would directly impact the facility’s fate, Clinic President Julie Burkhart was nervous when she opened it. Reading quickly dispelled her fears, she said, as it dawned on her that the justices sided with the plaintiffs’ legal team.
“We are delighted,” she told WyoFile.
Many people questioned her 2021 decision to open an abortion clinic in such a conservative state, she said. The court decision solidifies an intuition she felt back then about Wyoming residents’ sense of what’s fair and right.
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Burkhart and colleagues expect future challenges to arise, however.
“While we celebrate today’s ruling, we know that anti-abortion politicians will continue their push to restrict access to health care in Wyoming with new, harmful proposals in the state legislature,” Burkart said in a statement. “Patients should not have to live in fear that their health care decisions will be suddenly upended at the whim of a judge or lawmaker.”
Across the state in Jackson, Dr. Anthony anticipates the Wyoming Freedom Caucus will attempt to pass laws that impose targeted restrictions against abortion providers — such as forcing patients to hear a fetal heartbeat or wait a certain time period before the procedure.
“Unfortunately, the fight’s not over,” Anthony said, “but this is a great moment for us.”
Heartache
Abortion opponents expressed sadness Tuesday and vehemently disagreed with the court’s opinion.
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State Rep. Rachel Rodriguez Williams was lead sponsor of one of the abortion bans. The Cody Republican and chair of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus did not respond to a request for comment, but posted about the decision on X.
“My heart aches for Wyoming today,” Rodriguez Williams posted. “Thanks to the decision of four unelected, unchecked attorneys, it’s open season in Wyoming for innocent, preborn babies. Make no mistake: courts can get things wrong, and they sure did get this wrong. I’ll never stop fighting to protect life.”
Anti-abortion billboards can be seen along some Wyoming highways. (Tennessee Watson/WyoFile)
Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray also protested the decision, which he called “outrageously wrong” and “a leftwing activist decision totally out of touch with the Wyoming Constitution.”
Natrona County anti-abortion activist Bob Brechtel, a former Wyoming House member, also expressed frustration with the courts, criticizing the nearly two-year-long wait for a decision and saying he was “ashamed” of the outcome from the high court.
In 2011, Brechtel co-sponsored the bill authorizing a later-successful constitutional amendment ballot measure that now protects individuals’ rights to make their own health care decisions. Born out of opposition to the Obama-era Affordable Care Act, what became Article 1, Section 38 caused some lawmakers to worry about potential unintended consequences.
Fifteen years later, one unintended consequence came to fruition. Reached Tuesday, Brechtel confirmed that he did not intend to protect women’s right to have an abortion in Wyoming.
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“There was nothing in the legislation about killing innocent human beings,” he said. “This whole thing has been completely regenerated into something that it was never intended to be.”
It is Week 4 in the 2026 Wyoming High School boys’ swimming and diving season. It features several medium-sized competitions. After a dual in Douglas on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday are packed with meets. Jackson hosts its two-day invitational with four teams heading to Teton County. There are three-team events in Casper, Gillette, and Sheridan on Friday, plus two five-team meets at Cody and Rock Springs.
WYOPREPS BOYS SWIMMING AND DIVING WEEK 4 SCHEDULE 2026
Saturday also has swim invites at Evanston, Powell, and Sheridan. The schedule for Week 4 of the prep boys’ swimming and diving season in the Cowboy State is below. The schedule is subject to change.
RAWLINS AT DOUGLAS – dual
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CASPER TRI at NCHS – Cheyenne East, Kelly Walsh, Natrona County.
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A Wyoming man died Dec. 22 in a motorcycle-versus-truck collision in Laramie County.
According to a recently released incident report from the Wyoming Highway Patrol, 24-year-old Wyoming man Kyle Pandullo was headed west on a motorcycle as a van approached from the opposite direction. The WHP reports that the van attempted to turn left into a business entrance, forcing Pandullo to brake in an effort to avoid a crash. His bike tipped over onto its side, sliding into the van.
The WHP lists driver inattention as a possible contributing factor in the wreck.
This story contains preliminary information as provided by the Wyoming Highway Patrol. The agency advises that information may be subject to change.
