Ravenswood 13 – Anniversary Whiskey
HISTORICAL BLEND | 113 PROOF
The raven, which inspired our first Rye Whiskey, symbolizes our journey. For us, it speaks of persistence and strength, reminding members of the Thirteen Club that there’s beauty in never giving up. Our Anniversary Ravenswood 13 Whiskey blends select core products that define our craft: Corsets, Whips & Whiskey, Last Feather Rye, High Rye Bourbon Whiskey, and Silver Cross Four Grain Whiskey. The nose reveals apple, cherry, vanilla, and floral spice, while the palate offers maraschino cherry, toasted oak, and sweet Italian cream. The medium-length finish has a creamy mouthfeel with mild spice.
Thirteen years in the making, this commemorative release celebrates our dedication to the craft. Made with a meticulous blend of our core products, this spirit embodies the heart of our distillery—a harmonious mix of aged grains, hand-selected barrels, and time-honored techniques. Each sip reveals the depth of flavor that can only be achieved through patience, passion, and a commitment to excellence. This special release is not just a testament to our journey but a celebration of the craftsmanship and spirit that have defined us for over a decade.
10% – 7.2 YR Silver Cross Four Grain Whiskey
20% – 6.87 YR High Rye Bourbon Whiskey
20% – 5.37 YR Last Feather Rye Whiskey
50% – 4.48 YR Corsets, Whips and Whiskey
$113.13
Exclusively sold only at Journeyman Locations
The Featherbone Factory in Three Oaks, MI (map)
The American Factory in Valparaiso, IN (map)
Founder’s Dedication: Business and Life
My wife, Johanna, and I are extremely blessed to have an only child, our 12-year-old daughter Islay (I-La), whom we truly love and adore. From time to time, people ask, “Well, are you going to have another one?” and my eyes get real big, like, “Are you serious? Look at these gray hairs!” But we did just that from a business perspective a year ago when we opened Valparaiso—our now one-year-old business that is just learning how to walk and talk. At the same time, we have our thirteen-year-old teenage business in Three Oaks, going through growing pains and undoubtedly wondering why all the attention is focused on the one-year-old! Yes, a teenage business and a baby business all in the same year!
I think the analogy is appropriate, though. When we opened Three Oaks to the public in 2011, there were no expectations. Most people thought it was a half-cocked, no-chance-of-success idea and didn’t give it a second thought. The mere fact that we even made it through the first year of business was a surprise to many, as the distilling industry was dominated by the mega legacy brands, and we were (and still are) just a tiny drop in the whiskey barrel of the distillery world. But we made it.
Most parents would roll their eyes at the idea of having another kid when their youngest is already 12 years old. Well, because the hard part is over. But we decided to have another with Journeyman Valpo, and with it came all of the challenges. Mind you, we didn’t just give birth to a newborn; it was a baby giant! This wasn’t Three Oaks in 2010; this was Valparaiso in 2023, and the expectations were no longer about whether we would simply make it but whether it would be as good as Three Oaks. The bar we set was much higher. But as everyone told us, the second one isn’t 1+1=2; it’s more like the hardest thing you’ve ever done—growing your business from one location to two—and that certainly proved to be the case. That one-year-old Valpo location kept us up at night a lot and required most of our attention, while our teenager, Three Oaks, had plenty of challenges to overcome too.
We learned a lot, and we plan to put into action those lessons and challenges we faced over the past year. We’re grateful to those who have been patient with us as our family has grown. We thank those who appreciate the rebirth of the historic factory buildings we’ve brought back to life. Like our whiskey, we will continue to get better with age, realizing that sometimes biting off more than you can chew is a good thing.
As we celebrate our one-year and thirteen-year anniversaries this month, we want to take the time to thank those who believed in us—both our customers and our employees. We welcome you back to celebrate with us, creating first-time memories in Valparaiso and coming back to remember good times in Three Oaks. We pledge our promise to continue to improve as our core value, “Always a Journeyman,” mandates. We look forward to seeing how these businesses will grow and mature as we strive to leave a lasting legacy, both as individuals and as a business, as we pursue a multigenerational venture with the intent of providing Great American Whiskey Hospitality.
We thank you and look forward to many more years to come!
Bill and Johanna Welter