Beyonce Knowles-Carter has an elevated palate when it comes to whisky. A seasoned sipper of the spirit, specifically its Japanese selections, the most prolific Grammy winner on the planet has announced her new venture, SirDavis Whisky, under the Moët Hennessy umbrella.
The spirit is named after Beyonce’s great-grandfather Davis Hogue. Hogue was a farmer and bootlegger in the American South during prohibition. He shared his love of whiskey with friends and family by placing full bottles in empty knots of cedar trees.
“When I discovered that my great-grandfather had been a moonshine man, it felt like my love for whisky was fated,” said Beyonce. “SirDavis is a way for me to pay homage to him, uniting us through a new shared legacy…we have crafted a delicious American whisky that respects tradition but also empowers people to experience something new and unique in the category.”
Bernard Arnault, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of LVMH, pointed to the product’s "craftsmanship, heritage and innovation." That innovation was championed by whisky savant Dr. Bill Lumsden.
Lumsden, a GOAT in the whisky space, was tapped to create the award-winning mix (51% row and 49% malted barley.). Lumsden is one of the world’s most awarded and highly regarded Master Distillers for his work on Scotch whisky brands Glenmorangie and Ardbeg.
“The distinctive grain selection and unusual secondary maturation in sherry casks helped us achieve a signature profile completely unique to SirDavis,” said Lumsden. “ [It’s] one of bold sophistication.”
A first sip of SirDavis reveals a whisky with a tiny tap of sweetness and delicious smokiness (see: layers of dark red fruits and spices like clove and cinnamon). The gorgeous taste is matched by the sleek design of its bottle. It’s elegance feels inspired by the regal chunkiness of the mid-twentieth century. In a beautiful black circle sits a brawny golden horse that nods to Beyonce’s home state, Texas.
SirDavis, which has already won Best In Class for American Whisky from the 2023 SIP Awards, retails for $89. You can pre-order the spirit at SirDavis.com and purchase at retail on September 4.