SirDavis American Rye Whisky

The unique mash bill and Sherry cask finish define the exceptional flavor profile of this American whisky, which draws inspiration from Japanese and Scotch whiskies while maintaining its distinct American character.

• Nose: Tangy Seville oranges mingle with soft, sun-kissed raisins. Sizzling holiday spices such as clove, cinnamon, and ginger play with luxurious notes of Demerara sugar and rich toffee.
• Palate: Rich and buttery toffee is the dominant note, immediately followed by an array of bright spices. Classic rye spice, cinnamon, and clove lead the front, softened by malty and biscuity undertones, all interwoven with a vibrant citrus top note.
• Finish: Soft and lingering, with a prominent warmth and silky texture. Hints of honey and a return of plump sultanas and ripe cherries from the sherry cask maturation define the long, sophisticated conclusion.

Meet the Founder

SirDavis Whisky was co-founded by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter in partnership with Moët Hennessy and renowned Master Distiller Dr. Bill Lumsden. The brand is a deeply personal tribute to Beyoncé's paternal great-grandfather, Davis Hogue, who was a farmer and successful Prohibition-era moonshiner in the American South. The name SirDavis honors the moment Beyoncé’s father heard a Black man—Davis Hogue—referred to with the title "Sir," a distinction and respect he may not have received under different circumstances.

Beyoncé, a long-time whisky enthusiast, sought to create a spirit that embodied the confidence and strength she felt while drinking it, all while honoring a powerful ancestral story of Black American ingenuity and entrepreneurship. The final liquid was developed over years of research and blind tastings, combining a mash bill of 51% rye and 49% malted barley, aged in American oak, and finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. Bottled in Houston, Texas, SirDavis is a modern, Black-owned whiskey that links the heritage of the American South with global fine-spirits expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes SirDavis from this Black-owned brand unique?
SirDavis is a Black-owned whisky brand founded by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter in partnership with Moët Hennessy. It honors her great-grandfather Davis Hogue, a Prohibition-era Black moonshiner. The whisky itself is unique in its composition—featuring an unprecedented 51% rye and 49% malted barley mash bill finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, blending American whisky tradition with Japanese and Scottish techniques. It's the first spirits brand developed entirely internally by Moët Hennessy in the U.S.

How should I drink SirDavis American Rye Whisky?
SirDavis's silky, sophisticated profile makes it exceptional neat or on the rocks, allowing you to fully appreciate its layers of dark red fruits, spice, and toffee notes. It also excels in classic whisky cocktails—try it in a Davis Old Fashioned, Honey Bee, Whisky Sour, or Manhattan. The sherry cask finish adds complexity that elevates any cocktail while maintaining enough character to shine on its own.

Is SirDavis considered bourbon or rye whiskey?
SirDavis is classified as an American rye whiskey because it contains 51% rye in its mash bill, meeting the legal requirement for rye whiskey. However, it's distinctly different from traditional rye whiskeys due to its unusually high 49% malted barley content (most ryes use corn as the secondary grain). The brand markets itself as "American whisky" (spelled without the 'e') to emphasize its global influences from Scottish and Japanese whisky-making traditions.

Who is Dr. Bill Lumsden and why does he matter?
Dr. Bill Lumsden is a five-time International Whisky Competition Master Distiller of the Year, renowned for his work creating Glenmorangie and Ardbeg Scotch whiskies. He was brought in by Moët Hennessy specifically to craft SirDavis according to Beyoncé's vision for a whisky that reflects her preference for Japanese-style whiskies. His expertise in traditional whisky-making techniques and finishing in sherry casks was essential to creating SirDavis's distinctive profile.

Where is SirDavis produced?
SirDavis is distilled at the LVMH-owned Woodinville Whiskey Co. in Washington State, then finished, blended, and bottled in Beyoncé's home state of Texas. This production process combines craft distilling excellence with Texas pride.

What awards has SirDavis won?
Before its public launch, SirDavis was anonymously submitted to competitions and won Platinum and Best In Class for American Whiskey at the 2023 SIP Awards (beating over 100 entries), a Gold Medal with 95 points from the 2023 New York International Spirits Competition, and 93 points from the 2023 Ultimate Spirits Challenge. These awards were earned based purely on the liquid's quality, without any knowledge of the celebrity founder.

What does SirDavis taste like?
SirDavis offers a sophisticated balance of spice and fruit. The nose features Seville oranges, raisins, clove, cinnamon, ginger, Demerara sugar, and toffee. The palate delivers dark red fruits, honey, brioche, orange marmalade, and toffee with layers of clove and cinnamon spice. The finish is smooth, warm, and elegant with lingering fruit and subtle spice—it's complex enough for connoisseurs but approachable for newcomers.

Why is the name "SirDavis" significant?
The name honors Davis Hogue, Beyoncé's paternal great-grandfather, a Black farmer and moonshiner during Prohibition who hid whisky bottles in cedar tree knots for his community. When Beyoncé's father visited his grandfather at the distillery, it was the first time he heard a Black man addressed as "Sir"—a moment of dignity and respect that inspired the brand name. The name reclaims that respect and elevates it to luxury shelves worldwide.