Overview: Ampersand Whiskeys, a small-batch spirits line created by master distiller Chip Tate under the Foley Family Wines & Spirits portfolio, has secured the top prize at the 2026 American Whiskey Masters. The brand’s Aureus bourbon earned the coveted Taste Master award despite the company being less than a year old since its formation announcement.
The Full Story
At the 2026 American Whiskey Masters earlier this month, a new bourbon took home the top prize. Ampersand’s Aureus was crowned the competition’s highest-rated bourbon by earning the coveted Taste Master award. The brand is less than a year old. It won both a Master medal and the Taste Master medal in the ultra-premium bourbon category. It beat Sazerac Company’s WL Weller and George T Stagg, both of which won Master medals last year.
The American Whiskey Masters is one category in the Global Spirits Masters Competition, launched and organized by The Spirits Business.
Production & Profile
According to The Whisk(e)y Wash, the Aureus is a five-year-old whiskey finished in Naranjo Spanish orange wine casks. It is bottled at 60.9 percent ABV.
Brand & Industry History
Ampersand Whiskeys is a line of small-batch spirits created by master distiller Chip Tate under the Foley Family Wines & Spirits portfolio. Its formation was announced last November. The spirit, which is the Latin name for golden, has been previewed and entered into competitions.
What This Means
The American Whiskey Masters organization noted that Ampersand is a new entrant to the American whiskey category, proving that fresh brands are making their mark on the sector.
Consumer Takeaway
The bottle marks Ampersand’s fourth release, following Malus, Vinea, and Opimus, all of which came out last November. Although the spirit has been previewed and entered into competitions, it has not yet received a formal public retail release or appeared on the brand’s official website. It is priced at $75.
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