Blade and Bow is a whiskey brand that pays homage to the historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery, which was established in 1935 in Louisville, Kentucky. The brand takes its name from the two parts of a skeleton key, a nod to the five keys that once hung on the door of the Stitzel-Weller Distillery, symbolizing the five steps of crafting bourbon: grains, yeast, fermentation, distillation, and aging. Blade and Bow was introduced by Diageo in 2015, aiming to revive the legacy of one of the most iconic names in bourbon history.
Blade and Bow is known for its unique solera aging system, which ensures a consistent flavor profile by blending older and newer whiskeys. The brand produces two main styles: Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon. The former is a blend of whiskeys aged at least six years, while the latter is a rare, limited-edition release. Both expressions are celebrated for their smooth, complex flavors, making them a favorite among bourbon enthusiasts.