Beyoncé Toasts Birthday With Official Launch of SirDavis Rye Whisky — Here’s Where You Can Buy It

Sept. 4 is — among many things — the day that the Western Roman Empire fell, that Los Angeles was founded, that the first Kodak camera was patented and that Kelly Clarkson won the inaugural season of "American Idol." This year, it's also Beyoncé Knowles-Carter's 43rd birthday. Toasting the momentous occasion, the 32-time Grammy Award-winning singer has officially launched her spirits venture, SirDavis American Whisky, to the public. First announced toward the end of August, the brand is a joint venture between Beyoncé and French spirits firm Moët Hennessy, famous for imprints including Hennessy Cognac, Dom Pérignon and Champagne Krug. The whisky's overall vibe falls neatly in line with those luxury inspirations. On the front of the ridged bottle, you'll find a golden horse, a clear homage to the singer's recent string of albums including "Cowboy Carter" and "Renaissance." The spirit — as well as its name — was reportedly inspired by Beyoncé’s paternal great-grandfather, who was a moonshiner during Prohibition. The whisky itself, however, is a far cry from what we might expect in the early 1900s. Boasting a mashbill of 51% rye and 49% malted barley,  SirDavis is aged in American oak before undergoing a second maturation in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. The final product is said to boast characteristically spicy rye notes alongside flavors of buttery toffee, biscuits and vibrant citrus.

“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 an August news release. “When I discovered that my great-grandfather had been a moonshine man, it felt like my love for whisky was fated."

Paying further homage to her roots, the 44%-ABV whisky is finished, blended and bottled in the singer's home state of Texas following distillation by MGP in Indiana. As of Wednesday, those hoping to pick up a bottle can now find it on shelves in select states at a suggested retail price of $89. SirDavis is currently available for purchase online nationwide and can be picked up at retail locations across California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, Tennessee, Texas and Washington D.C. The brand says that the whisky will roll out in additional states in months to come, and is now available in international markets including London, Paris and Tokyo. Of course, what could a celebrity-backed spirits launch be without a themed signature cocktail? Below we've attached the aptly named Honey Bee, a whisky-forward concoction dosed with citrus and a gold-hued syrupy bite.

Honey Bee Cocktail

[caption id="attachment_83044" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: SirDavis)[/caption]

Ingredients

• 2 oz SirDavis American Whisky
• .75 oz Lemon Juice
• .5 oz Honey Syrup*
  • 2 parts Honey
  • 1 part Water
• Garnish: Honeycomb

Direction

1. To make honey syrup, add 2 parts honey and 1 part water into a small saucepan over medium heat.  Stir until the honey is dissolved. Allow to cool and transfer to an airtight container.
2. Add liquid ingredients to a shaker tin with ice going in last. Shake for dilution — 15 to 20 seconds — and pour into a coupe glass.
3. Garnish with honeycomb.

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