AJ BOND DISTILLERY LAUNCHES FLAGSHIP TENNESSEE WHISKEY

AJ Bond Distillery has unveiled its flagship Tennessee Whiskey, marking Sazerac’s first entry into the category. Crafted by Master Distillers Allisa Henley and the late John Lunn, the release blends tradition and innovation through dual distillation, local sourcing, and charcoal mellowing, delivering a complex, elevated expression that honours Tennessee heritage.

AJ Bond Distillery has announced the debut of its flagship brand, AJ Bond Tennessee Whiskey, a milestone that also marks Sazerac’s first entry into the Tennessee whiskey category. The launch is both a tribute to tradition and a bold step forward, reflecting the vision of Master Distillers Allisa Henley and the late John Lunn, whose partnership shaped the whiskey’s creation. Named for the bond between its creators, the whiskey embodies a shared journey that began in 2016, when Henley and Lunn set out to redefine expectations for Tennessee whiskey by combining decades of expertise with a commitment to innovation.

At the heart of AJ Bond Tennessee Whiskey lies a singular mashbill and a distinctive dual-distillation process that employs both pot and column stills. Each distillate is charcoal mellowed, aged independently, and then carefully bonded together, resulting in a balanced and elevated expression. Henley explained, “Every decision behind this whiskey was driven by a commitment to quality and a belief that innovation and tradition can work hand in hand. By combining pot and column still distillation and bonding those components after aging, we have created a whiskey that sets a new standard for the category.”

The whiskey is crafted in full accordance with Tennessee whiskey standards, underscoring authenticity at every stage. Charcoal mellowing is performed using sugar maple charcoal produced by the AJ Bond Distillery team, a practice rooted in generations of Tennessee whiskey-making tradition. Its provenance is further reinforced through locally sourced ingredients, including corn from Batey Farms, a two-century-old family-owned farm in Murfreesboro, and barrels made from Tennessee oak. This emphasis on locality ensures that AJ Bond Tennessee Whiskey is deeply tied to the land and culture of its origin.

Bottled at 95 proof, the whiskey offers a layered sensory experience. On the nose, it opens with sweet notes of wedding cake and caramel corn, complemented by butterscotch and a subtle redwood undertone. The palate unfolds with baked apple and charred fruit, followed by marzipan, powdered cinnamon, and brandied cherry, with hints of cream soda and baking chocolate. The finish is long and evolving, marked by savoury peppercorn and lingering chestnut honey, delivering complexity and depth that reflect the meticulous craftsmanship behind its creation.

For Henley, the release is deeply personal. “John and I built this together over years of shared experience, and this whiskey carries forward his legacy. It’s a reflection of the respect we have for the process, the people who taught us, and the bond we will forever share,” she said. The whiskey thus stands as both a tribute to Lunn’s legacy and a testament to the enduring partnership that shaped it.

AJ Bond Tennessee Whiskey will first be released in Tennessee in June 2026 through Sazerac’s distributor network, priced at $39.99 for a 750ml bottle, with broader U.S. distribution planned for late 2026. This inaugural release signals the beginning of the AJ Bond Distillery portfolio, with additional whiskeys expected in the years ahead, positioning the brand as a new force in the Tennessee whiskey landscape.