A Bourbon with a Hint of West Virginia’s Sweet Side
West Virginia Fruit and Berry® unveils new Blackberry Bourbon to celebrate 25th anniversary
(Bridgeport, WV) – August 1, 2020
Becky and Bob Titchenal began celebrating the 25th anniversary of their company this summer not by popping a bottle, but by uncorking a barrel.
West Virginia Fruit and Berry recently uncasked and bottled the first of three new creations; The ‘304 Mountain Blackberry Bourbon’. Releasing exclusively in West Virginia spirits retail shelves beginning September 1st - in honor of National Bourbon Heritage Month. The unique and exclusive Bourbon, unlike other artificially flavored unaged whiskeys, is a custom 80% corn, 20% rye mash bill, aged 4 years in new American charred-oak barrels and infused with a natural blackberry extract – a fitting tribute, they say, to the berry that helped them grow their business.
“The blackberry has been unquestionably special to our lives, as well as to the lives of many West Virginians as it’s the berry many of us grew up with and remember picking off the bush,” says West Virginia Fruit and Berry founder Bob. “We want to see the Blackberry as the state berry of West Virginia.”
The company plans to host an inaugural tasting at Rocco’s Liquors in their hometown of Bridgeport soon to celebrate the release of their new line of bourbon and hope that anyone interested in tasting their liquid proposal for the state berry stops and experiences this masterpiece. In the meantime, Fruit & Berry and Bourbon fans can pre-order their inaugural release of fewer than 3,200 bottles through their local spirits retailers; It’s currently available to retailers through the West Virginia ABC Administration.
Bob and Becky started West Virginia Fruit and Berry in 1995. The husband and wife team began as berry-growers and began selling their selection of fruit preserves, jams, and fruit butters at state fairs and festivals. The pair celebrated their company’s 20th anniversary by launching a selection of Fruit Wines made from the same varieties of their best-selling preserves. They felt like for the 25th, embracing the region’s native spirit, a Blackberry Bourbon - was the natural next step. They also plan on releasing a 100% Rye aged in wine barrels, as well as a Heritage Bourbon in 2021.
“The 20th anniversary is the wine anniversary, the 25th is the Bourbon anniversary,” jokes Titchenal.
To schedule an interview with West Virginia Fruit and Berry co-founder Becky Titchenal, contact the company via email at info@wvfruitandberry.com.
Newsletter Sign-Up
