In honor of the 369th Infantry Regiment, the first African American infantry unit to serve in WWI, Old Hillside Bourbon Company released a Harlem Hellfighters Bourbon LTO.
The new release is a blended bourbon finished for 191 days in French oak wine barrels, according to the distillery, a deliberate maturation choice tied to the regiment’s time on the front lines in France. Barrels were sourced from the same region where the unit served, adding a geographic and historical throughline to the liquid.
Production is limited to 150 cases total, bottled across three distinct labels. The bourbon is non-chill filtered and features subtle ruby undertones from the Pinot Noir finishing cask. On the nose, honeyed grain and vanilla open into red-fruit accents and soft oak, according to distillery notes. The palate features caramel and brown sugar balanced by rye spice.
A portion of proceeds will support the Whiskey Valor Foundation, according to the distillery, a nonprofit serving veterans and their families. With an ABV of 56% (112 proof), Harlem Hellfighters Bourbon LTO retails for $110.
