Beyoncé Officially Unveils SirDavis Rye Whisky, Helmed By a Renowned Scotch Distiller

On Tuesday, Beyoncé Carter-Knowles officially announced the release of her whiskey brand, SirDavis American Whisky. The venture is a collaboration between the artist and Moët-Hennessy and is named after Beyoncé's paternal great-grandfather, Davis Hogue, who was a farmer and a moonshiner during Prohibition.

“I’ve always been drawn to the power and confidence I feel when drinking quality whisky and wanted to invite more people to experience that feeling,” Beyoncé said in a news release. “When I discovered that my great-grandfather had been a moonshine man, it felt like my love for whisky was fated. SirDavis is a way for me to pay homage to him, uniting us through a new shared legacy. In partnering with Moët Hennessy, we have crafted a delicious American whisky that respects tradition but also empowers people to experience something new and unique in the category. You can taste it better than I could ever tell you — welcome, SirDavis.”

Hogue stashed bottles of whiskey in the empty knots of cedar trees for his friends and family to enjoy, according to the brand. According to SirDavis, the project was also inspired by Beyoncé's passion for Japanese whisky , and the brand describes the expression as "reminiscent of Japanese and Scotch whiskies, while retaining the robust and deep flavors typical of classic American rye." It's not all talk, either. SirDavis tapped Dr. Bill Lumsden, the renowned master distiller known for his work on scotch brands Glenmorangie and Ardbeg , to lead the project. Lumsden selected the brand's mashbill of 51% rye and 49% malted barley — unusually high in barley content — and finished it in sherry casks.

“With SirDavis, we looked to challenge the category norms and offer something new in the space,” said Lumsden. “The distinctive grain selection and unusual secondary maturation in sherry casks helped us achieve a signature profile completely unique to SirDavis, one of bold sophistication.”

Bottled at 44% ABV, SirDavis retails for $89 and is available for pre-order via SirDavis.com . It will be available across the U.S. as well as in select airports (LAX/JFK/SFO) and stores in London, Paris and Tokyo in September. SirDavis is distilled by MGP in Indiana and finished, blended and bottled in Beyoncé's home state of Texas. The brand is headquartered out of Houston, her home city. As we reported early Tuesday morning, the label was filed with the TTB by Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau in Houston. In July, Megan Thee Stallion — who has a tequila brand in the works — revealed that she was inspired to start her own brand by Beyoncé, who apparently told her , "You need to have your own alcohol." At the time, this seemed a little strange coming from Beyoncé, who doesn't have an alcohol brand of her own. Little did we know.

SirDavis Tasting Notes, Via the Brand

Nose: Tangy Seville oranges mingle with soft sun-kissed raisins, while the sizzling spices of clove, cinnamon, and ginger play with luxurious notes of Demerara sugar and toffee Taste: Rich & buttery toffee are followed by an array of spices with cinnamon, clove, and classic rye spice up front. Soft malty and biscuity notes follow, intertwined with a vibrant citrus top note Finish: Hints of honey on the finish are encountered with a soft, lingering finish reminiscent of plump sultanas and ripe cherries [newsletter-promo]