Beyoncé Knowles-Carter; photo MasonPoole. SirDavis whisky; photo Julian DakdoukBeyoncé Knowles-Carter has joined forces with Moët Hennessy, a subsidiary of LVMH, to create SirDavis, a years-in-the-making new whiskey. Knowles-Carter, a Japanese whisky enthusiast, sought out the international wine and spirits purveyor to help craft a one-of-a-kind flavor profile that reflected her whisky ideal.
On the nose, SirDavis features Seville oranges mingled with soft sun-kissed raisins, while sizzling spices of clove, cinnamon, and ginger play with luxurious notes of Demerara sugar and toffee. On the palate, rich & buttery toffee are followed by an array of spices with cinnamon, clove, and classic rye spice up front. Soft malty and biscuity notes follow, intertwined with a vibrant citrus top note. Hints of honey on the finish are encountered with a soft, lingering finish reminiscent of plump sultanas and ripe cherries.
Photo by Julian Dakdouk“I’ve always been drawn to the power and confidence I feel when drinking quality whisky and wanted to invite more people to experience that feeling,” said Knowles-Carter. “When I discovered that my great-grandfather had been a moonshine man, it felt like my love for whisky was fated. SirDavis is a way for me to pay homage to him, uniting us through a new shared legacy. In partnering with Moët Hennessy, we have crafted a delicious American whisky that respects tradition but also empowers people to experience something new and unique in the category.”
SirDavis is named in honor of Davis Hogue, Knowles-Carter’s paternal great-grandfather, a farmer and moonshiner in the American South during Prohibition. He stashed whisky bottles in the empty knots of cedar trees for friends and kin to find and enjoy. For Knowles-Carter, it was this discovery that made the idea of creating a whisky brand feel predestined. Four generations later, the legacy comes to life.
“SirDavis is not only a revelatory and exceptional American Whisky, which we are very proud of,” said Bernard Arnault, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of LVMH. “It is also a testament of the unwavering dedication to craftsmanship, heritage and innovation shared by LVMH and Knowles-Carter.”
Photo by Atiba JeffersonMoët Hennessy tapped Dr. Bill Lumsden, one of the world’s most awarded and highly regarded Master Distillers for his work with Scotch whisky brands Glenmorangie and Ardbeg, to lead the creation of SirDavis. Lumsden selected the brand’s bespoke mash bill—one of the rarest new offerings in the world of American whisky composed of 51% rye and 49% malted barley—to serve as the backbone. Lumsden then combined traditional whisky-making techniques to impart an elegant mouthfeel and texture reminiscent of Japanese and Scotch whiskies, while retaining the robust and deep flavors typical of classic American rye.
“With SirDavis, we looked to challenge the category norms and offer something new in the space,” said Lumsden. “The distinctive grain selection and unusual secondary maturation in sherry casks helped us achieve a signature profile completely unique to SirDavis, one of bold sophistication.”
Moët Hennessy and Knowles-Carter’s shared commitment to excellence was key to the partnership and the product. To validate SirDavis’s quality, the liquid was anonymously submitted to numerous prestigious spirits competitions prior to launch. SirDavis won Best In Class for American Whiskey from the 2023 SIP Awards, outperforming more than 100 other entries. Awarded to only one brand per category, this award is reserved for premium spirits receiving scores in the pinnacle of their respective categories and is SIP’s highest acclaim from consumer judges. Other notable scores include a Gold Medal (95 points) from the 2023 New York International Spirits Competition and a 93-point rating from the 2023 Ultimate Spirits Challenge.
Knowles-Carter also lent her visionary artistic direction to the brand’s bottle design. Striking and clean, the bottle’s ribbed glass beautifully catches light, highlighting the liquid. A medallion features a regal bronzed horse, symbolizing Knowles-Carter’s Texas roots.
SirDavis retails for $89 and is available for pre-order via SirDavis.com. Product is available at retail across the U.S. as well as in select airports (LAX/JFK/SFO) and stores in London, Paris, and Tokyo.
Honey Bee CocktailTry it on the rocks, straight up, or in this bespoke Honey Bee cocktail:
Ingredients
2 oz SirDavis Whisky
.75 oz Lemon Juice
.5 oz Honey Syrup*
Garnish: Honeycomb
*To make honey syrup, add 2 parts honey and 1 part water into a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the honey is dissolved. Allow to cool and transfer to an airtight container.
Instructions: Add liquid ingredients to a shaker, and then add ice. Shake for dilution and pour into a coupe glass. Garnish with honeycomb.
Photos courtesy of Moët Hennessy