Wyoming Whiskey has announced a new collection inspired by the beauty of our national parks. The Wide-Open Spaces Collection is an annual, small-batch production of Wyoming Whiskey that supports parks across the country in partnership with the National Park Foundation (NPF).
The first in the collection–Wide Open Spaces – By Air– was inspired by the natural wonders of Wyoming and the beauty of Wyoming’s national parks. The collection includes four artfully crafted, one-of-a-kind bottles of Wyoming Whiskey (seen below) as well as a new National Parks Limited Edition American Whiskey (seen above).
To celebrate the unique and first collection, four custom bottles curated by Wyoming Whiskey and actor/environmentalist Harrison Ford will be available only through a live virtual auction next Tuesday (April 20). The auction will also feature several additional items to bid on from custom merchandise to vacation retreats in support and celebration of the inaugural installment of the collection. All proceeds from the auction will benefit NPF.
“The By Air Collection is our tribute to the natural beauty of the very place that inspired our American Whiskey,” said David DeFazio, co-founder of Wyoming Whiskey. “We are truly fortunate to live among parks that are national treasures. It is only right that we pay it forward in preserving these wide-open spaces through this annual initiative that supports the National Park Foundation.”
Each bottle of the limited-edition, custom By Air series is held within a decorative wooden vessel mirroring Wyoming’s topography, hand-carved by natural materials artist Jamison Sellers. Sellers is known for his efficient use of materials and minimal environmental impact of production.
The labels on each bottle are their own work of art, each featuring aerial images captured by celebrated Wyoming photographer Tuck Fauntleroy, known for his abstract and grandiose style of landscape photography. The series of images were curated by Ford, the creative director of the series.
“Wyoming Whiskey’s support inspires people to celebrate and give back to the treasured places that give us so much,” said Stefanie Mathew, senior vice president of corporate partnerships at the National Park Foundation. “The National Park Foundation is thrilled to be the beneficiary of the virtual auction and will use these funds to preserve and protect our national parks for current and future generations.”
Celebrating four special landscapes in Wyoming, each bottle is paired with a thoughtfully chosen American Whiskey.
Barrel #5434, Inspired by Black Sand Basin: Representing both the very best of Wyoming Whiskey’s Small Batch Bourbon caramel, orange, and vanilla aroma profile and the perfect Cask Strength barrel. Bottled at cask strength, it has smooth, sweet flavors of orange, vanilla, and caramel, while the palate exudes flavors of grilled white peaches and Chinese 5 spice powder. It is an exceptionally well-balanced, expressive, and elegant Bourbon.
Barrel #2864, Inspired by Hayden Valley: A big, bold Whiskey with strong shoulders and a surprisingly soft, pleasant finish, this American Straight Whiskey has been taken from a single cask that has rye in the mash bill, uncustomary for Wyoming Whiskey. The deep mahogany Hayden Valley features a mash bill of 48% winter rye, 40% corn, and 12% malted barley and is bottled at cask strength. It displays bold aromas of dark chocolate covered cherries, wintergreen leaves, and Devil’s food chocolate cake with coconut and walnut icing. The palate offers intense notes of Demerara sugar, Persian black tea, muddled mint leaves, and dill, with a long, semi-sweet finish.
Barrel #2760, Inspired by Grand Teton: Never released as a single barrel expression before, this Rye Bourbon helps makes up Wyoming Whiskey’s Outryder. Taken from a single cask that has a mash bill containing 68% corn, 20% winter rye, and 12% malted barley and bottled at cask strength. It expresses notes of blackberry cobbler with a cinnamon-sprinkled biscuit crust, English sticky toffee pudding, and honeyed hay. The palate finishes with baking spices and orange blossom honey. This is an exceptionally balanced whiskey with great finesse and a spectrum of flavors to suit every palate.
Barrel #5004, Inspired by Yellowstone Lake: Representing the finest of Wyoming Whiskey’s Small Batch Bourbon spiced aroma profile, in addition to being a darker, richer expression of the rare Cask Strength release. Bottled at cask strength, it offers notes of prunes in sweet syrup, black currant, and Persian black tea. The finish is long, with hints of Medjool dates, thick molasses, and savory desert sage blossom honey. It is a complex Bourbon with a wide spectrum of sweet, savory, spicy, smoky, and nutty aromas.
The latter is available for purchase at Reserve Bar, Flaviar, and select NY, GA, CO and WY retailers for $49.99.
