Former University of Louisville basketball star Russ Smith is stepping into the world of bourbon with the release of his limited edition "The Ville" bourbon. This exclusive release, which marks Smith's entry into the bourbon business, will be available starting June 26th at six select locations across Kentucky. With only 1,000 bottles being produced, fans and bourbon enthusiasts will have to act fast to secure their piece of this special offering.
Image credit: Mr. and Mrs. Bourbon Company
Smith, known for his impressive college basketball career, has partnered with Mr. and Mrs. Bourbon Company to launch this limited edition bourbon. The collaboration was first announced in March, and "The Ville" bourbon is just the beginning. Smith revealed that more labels would be coming later this year, including NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) bottles slated for release in late 2024. The proceeds from these future releases will benefit University of Louisville athletics.
In anticipation of the launch, Smith will be embarking on a statewide tour to promote "The Ville" bourbon. The tour includes six stops where Smith will sign bottles and offer samples to attendees. The full schedule for the tour is as follows:
- June 26: Liquor Barn in Bowling Green, 5:30-7:30 p.m. CST
- July 2: Midway Cafe in Ft. Thomas, 5:30-7:30 p.m. EST
- July 12: Liquor Barn in Owensboro, 5:30-7:30 p.m. CST
- July 13: Kroger Wine & Spirits on Breckinridge Lane, 3:30-5:30 p.m. EST
- July 15: Liquor Barn in Middletown, 5:30-7:30 p.m. EST
- July 16: Liquor Barn on Outer Loop, 5:30-7:30 p.m. EST
In addition to the in-store events, a limited number of TBT single barrel bottles are available online, allowing fans to purchase a unique piece of this collection even if they can't attend one of the signings.
Smith has already shared the first bottle of "The Ville" bourbon with Louisville's new head basketball coach, Pat Kelsey, underscoring his continued connection and commitment to the University of Louisville. Smith expressed his excitement about the bourbon venture, stating, "We announced this bottle collaboration in March, and it is the first of several labels coming this year. Our NIL bottles will be released in late 2024, and all the proceeds will go directly to University of Louisville athletics."
The bourbon's release is timed to coincide with The Basketball Tournament (TBT) at Freedom Hall in July, for which Mr. and Mrs. Bourbon Company is a sponsor. The TBT event is scheduled to take place from July 19-24, adding to the buzz around Smith's bourbon launch.
Image credit: Russ Smith
Smith's passion for quality bourbon and his dedication to the Louisville community are evident in this new venture. While plans for a similar bourbon release for the University of Kentucky alumni team fell through, Smith assured fans that exciting collaborations are still in the works.
As the exclusive bourbon of both Freedom Hall and Rupp Arena for this year's TBT, Mr. and Mrs. Bourbon Company, along with Smith, are poised to make a significant impact in the bourbon market. Fans and collectors alike will surely appreciate the opportunity to own a bottle of "The Ville" and meet one of Louisville's basketball legends during the signing tour.