🔥 New Release Alert: Second Act Spirits Drops a Bold Barrel Proof Bourbon Worth Celebrating
My Favorite Gin
If you’re a bourbon lover, clear your calendar for Saturday, May 31 at 2 PM—because Second Act Spirits is dropping something huge. I’m talking about the Clocktower Bourbon Barrel Proof, an uncut, unfiltered powerhouse that’s been five years in the making—and trust me, it’s worth the wait.
I was lucky enough to get an early sample during my last visit to the Second Act Spirits tasting room, and let me just say: this one is next level. Rich, intense, and dangerously smooth for a 116+ proof bourbon, this is the kind of pour that stops you mid-sip. If you thought the original Clocktower Bourbon (which, by the way, just snagged Gold at the 2024 John Barleycorn Awards) was impressive, the barrel proof expression cranks the volume all the way up.
What Makes It Special?
This isn’t just a higher-proof version of an already award-winning bourbon—it’s a statement. Bottled straight from the barrel, this 5-year-old spirit skips the chill filtering and dilution, delivering all the boldness and complexity that serious whiskey fans chase.
Expect a surge of caramel, toasted oak, and warm baking spice that lingers long after your first sip. It’s a sensory experience you can enjoy as-is or tame with a drop or two of water to tease out hidden layers. Either way, it’s a bottle that speaks for itself—and it speaks loud.
Made in the Heart of Amsterdam, NY
Second Act Spirits is a New York Farm Distillery with a big heart and even bigger standards. Nestled in the historic Amsterdam Clocktower, the distillery is all about craftsmanship, local ingredients, and pushing boundaries while staying rooted in tradition.
Founders Rich and Stacey Michaels have poured decades of industry experience (and profound love for the craft) into this “second act” of their careers. With every release, they prove that New York can hang with the best in bourbon—and then some.
Release Party Details
Mark your calendar and come celebrate with us:
📍 Where: Second Act Spirits Tasting Room
🕑 When: Saturday, May 31 at 2 PM
📦 What: First crack at the Clocktower Bourbon Barrel Proof, plus tastings, bottle sales, and good company.
Whether you’re a bourbon collector, a casual sipper, or just looking for a Saturday afternoon full of flavor and fun, this is the place to be. Bottles will also be hitting select liquor stores across New York, but the tasting room is the only place where you can get the full experience straight from the source.
Final Pour
Second Act Spirits has outdone themselves. The Clocktower Bourbon Barrel Proof is a love letter to high-proof bourbon and local New York ingredients. It’s bold, authentic, and unapologetically flavorful—and the best part? You can taste it for yourself this weekend.
Get there early. This one’s not going to stay on shelves for long.
🥃 See you at the release party.
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