WhistlePig and Black Button create charity whiskey

The second release from Good Deeds Spirits blends Bourbon and rye, with 100% of profits benefitting the StepUp Foundation.

Good Deeds Whiskey Batch #2 was made in August 2024 using WhistlePig straight rye and Black Button Bourbon. The whiskey follows the inaugural release from Good Deeds Spirits, a malt whiskey launched in 2021 that raised more than US$20,000 for the StepUp Foundation, the diversity and inclusion initiative founded by the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA). In 2022, Sailor Guevara joined Good Deeds Spirits as executive director, executing plans for consistent future releases. Distilleries will continue to donate spirits, time, and energy to the project echoing the group's founding mission to be a force for good. "I feel a deep commitment to support this mission. It is vital that we continue to champion access and support in the craft spirits industry for underrepresented individuals,” Guevara said. “The overwhelming support for this project during challenging times for craft producers highlights the strong, collaborative spirit that defines the American craft spirits industry.” There are 500 bottles of Good Deeds Whiskey Batch #2 available, which is currently on presale for US$95 at gooddeedsspirits.com. All bottles will be sold via Big Thirst’s e-commerce platform. The whiskey is bottled at 45% ABV and will carry a retail price of US$90 when it is available to the public on 13 December. Bottle fulfilment will begin on 16 December. On the nose, the whiskey shows notes of caramel, vanilla bean and maple, while the palate brings brown sugar, cinnamon, stone fruit, and baked apples. “Good Deeds mirrors the energy and passion behind the StepUp Foundation, a diverse blend of skills and talents married together to create an unparalleled product,” Margie A S Lehrman, CEO of ACSA and President of the StepUp Foundation, said. “This incredible group of distillers has already made a significant contribution to StepUp through their inaugural release, and we are honoured to collaborate on Batch #2.” The following distillers and suppliers contributed to Good Deeds Batch #2: Phoenix Packaging, Niagara Label Co, WhistlePig Whiskey, Black Button Distilling, Big Thirst Inc, and As Above So Below Distillery, donating whiskey, bottles, closures, labels, and industry expertise.