{"id":2611518,"date":"2026-06-06T15:08:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-06T19:08:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/four-branches-bourbon-wins-fox-contest-and-sips-to-remember\/"},"modified":"2026-06-06T15:10:21","modified_gmt":"2026-06-06T19:10:21","slug":"four-branches-bourbon-wins-fox-contest-and-sips-to-remember","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/four-branches-bourbon-wins-fox-contest-and-sips-to-remember\/","title":{"rendered":"Four Branches Bourbon wins Fox contest and &#8216;sips to remember&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ffour-branches-bourbon-wins-fox-contest-and-sips-to-remember%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2611518&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Four Branches Bourbon, founded in 2023 by four military veterans, was named a winner in Fox Business\u2019s \u201cMade in America\u201d small business contest, earning a $25,000 prize and a spot on FOX nation. The founders-driven by a mission too honor those who \u201cserve in the shadows\u201d-built the brand as a tribute to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/as-a-veteran-who-witnessed-iranian-aggression-heres-why-john-kerrys-behavior-is-so-alarming\/\" title=\"As A ... Who Witnessed Iranian Aggression, Here\u2019s Why John Kerry\u2019s Behavior Is So Alarming\">fellow service members<\/a>, including a CIA contractor commemorated on the CIA Memorial Wall.<\/p>\n<p>The company plans to use the prize money to expand production and continue barreling,including its flagship Founders Reserve bourbon. It has also released Liberty Reserve, a limited-edition commemorative bourbon for America\u2019s 250th anniversary with 1,776 bottles.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond its products, Four Branches promotes a larger message about remembering sacrifice and supporting veterans\u2019 mental health. Through its \u201cBeyond the Branches\u201d Giveback program, it has raised $650,000 for veterans and first-responder organizations, and its team is working toward a goal of raising $1 million for veteran charities by May 2027. The brand also contributed to the documentary *Tame the Kraken*, which focuses on a mental health and suicide-awareness message for veteran communities, and the trailer was obtained by the *Washington Examiner*.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Four Branches Bourbon was named one of three winners in a national small <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/business\/\">business<\/a> contest hosted by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fox-news\/\">Fox Business,<\/a> earning a $25,000 prize and a featured spotlight on FOX Nation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4583211\/fox-business-rewards-top-small-businesses-america-250\/\">\u201cMade in America\u201d contest <\/a>recognized American excellence in honor of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/america-250\/\">America\u2019s 250th anniversary<\/a> this summer.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4595334\/peta-sue-dc-metro-refuse-run-advertisement\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>PETA sues DC Metro system over refusal to run advertisements<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4594280\/spacex-175-billion-ipo-musk-trillionaire\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>SpaceX sets $75 billion IPO target as Musk on track to become first trillionaire<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4593805\/amazon-walmart-fortune-500-list\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Amazon beats out Walmart for No. 1 company on Fortune 500<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe always say, bourbon is a reflective spirit. That\u2019s why we say sip to remember, slow it down, take time to remember those good times,\u201d cofounder Mike Trott told the <em>Washington Examiner.<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Four Branches Bourbon was cofounded in 2023 by four friends who served in different branches of the U.S. military: Mike Franco, a Marine Corps veteran; Harold Underdown, a Navy veteran; RJ Casey, an Army veteran; and Trott, an Air Force veteran.\u00a0The business was created as a tribute to those who <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fourbranches.com\/pages\/watch-our-story?srsltid=AfmBOorYzcZaNvb-WMmm19ZVs6TOw-n00yCI1nDz5xmyIbGyoMAdUept\">\u201cserve in the shadows.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Franco created the brand to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fourbranches.com\/pages\/our-story\">honor \u201ca very close friend<\/a> of mine\u201d who died in the line of duty, he said. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Four Branches Bourbon cofounders, from left to right: RJ Casey, Mike Trott, Rick Franco, and Harold Underdown (Courtesy: Four Branches Bourbon).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His friend, Gregory R. Wright, Jr., was a contractor for the Central Intelligence Agency before his death. Wright was honored with a star on the CIA Memorial Wall at the CIA headquarters. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI wanted to create originally just a tribute barrel to those men on that wall,\u201d Franco said. He continued, \u201cThey are the unsung shadows that do things, and they\u2019re men that do things and have done things that the country may never know, but their stories help shape the fabric of this country.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur DNA has really come out of the military,\u201d Franco said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Franco said their military experience is what helped them stand out in the competition.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4584032\/ukraine-veterans-return-injured-angry-how-government-help\/\"><strong>UKRAINIAN VETERANS ARE RETURNING INJURED, BROKEN, AND ANGRY. HOW CAN THE GOVERNMENT HELP THEM SURVIVE?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think what resonated was the truth of our story, the background of why we started it,\u201d Franco said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAlmost everybody knows a veteran or has had a family member or a high school friend or somebody that has served in some capacity, and people identify with that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Four Branches Bourbon plans to use the $25,000 prize to expand its production line, continue barreling, and go toward the next run of its flagship product, Founders Reserve bourbon.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Four Branches Bourbon celebrating its win of $25,000 from Fox\u2019s Made in America contest. (Courtesy: Four Branches Bourbon).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Four Branches Bourbon celebrating its win of $25,000 from Fox\u2019s Made in America contest. (Courtesy: Four Branches Bourbon).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Founders Reserve is a four-grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon, aged a minimum of five years in charred new American white oak barrels, according to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/four-branches-bourbon-receives-fox-business-small-business-national-recognition-on-the-heels-of-founders-reserve-release-302764539.html\">a press release.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Four Branches Bourbon also announced the release of its Liberty Reserve, a limited-edition commemorative bourbon made to honor America\u2019s 250th this July.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Only 1,776 bottles were made, a tribute to the founding of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/united-states\/\">United States<\/a> in 1776. It delivers rich notes of dark caramel, honey, vanilla, toasted marshmallow, dark fruit, and warm oak, according to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/four-branches-bourbon-announces-liberty-reserve-a-limited-commemorative-release-honoring-250-years-of-america-302778061.html?tc=eml_cleartime\">a press release. <\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe eyes almost rolled back in our head, and we\u2019re like, \u2018This is phenomenal, phenomenal bourbon,\u2019\u201d Trott said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Four Branches Bourbon Founders Reserve (Courtesy: Four Branches Bourbon).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Four Branches Bourbon Liberty Reserve (Courtesy: Four Branches Bourbon).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But for the team, \u201cThe brand is more [than just] about bourbon; it\u2019s about a message,\u201d Trott said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Through their <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fourbranches.com\/pages\/our-giveback\">Giveback program<\/a>, \u201cBeyond the Branches,\u201d which started since the company\u2019s founding, every bottle sold helps support veterans and first-responder organizations. So far, they\u2019ve raised $650,000 in donations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe say it on every bottle, \u2018serve honorably,\u2019 and we say to drink honorably,\u201d Franco said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Franco said it\u2019s part of a broader message to \u201csip to remember\u201d those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, and to bring light veteran suicide.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf you\u2019re the last one, don\u2019t dishonor the memories of men, women who didn\u2019t make it home. More importantly, don\u2019t dishonor your own memory, and that\u2019s why we say, and we believe, let\u2019s quit drinking to forget, and let\u2019s sip to remember,\u201d Franco said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLet\u2019s sip to remember the good times, as well as those that didn\u2019t come home.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trott said their goal is to raise $1 million for veteran charities, including Folds of Honor and Face the Fight, by May 2027. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe\u2019ve had bottles auctioned off for as high as $26,500 for one bottle, and it\u2019s for those charities,\u201d Trott said. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As part of Four Branches\u2019s commitment to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/study-u-s-veteran-suicide-rate-2-4-times-higher-than-government-reports\/\" title=\"Study: U.S. ... ... Rate 2.4 Times Higher Than Government Reports\">ending veteran suicide<\/a>, the brand contributed to the production of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/tamethekrakenthefilm.com\/\">Tame the Kraken<\/a>, a feature-length documentary by Storybones Media and produced by Heidi Collins. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It tells the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fox5atlanta.com\/news\/father-son-duo-attempt-rowing-world-record-support-veterans\">true story<\/a> of a Royal Marine special operations veteran, Tim Crockett, and his 19-year-old son, Harrison, who completed a 48-day rowing expedition across the Pacific Ocean.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/4585497\/commercial-tracking-data-adversaries-centcom\/\"><strong>COMMERCIAL TRACKING DATA BEING USED BY ADVERSARIES TO TARGET US TROOPS: CENTCOM<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The journey is a tribute to raise awareness of the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >mental health crisis affecting veteran communities<\/a>, but also serves as a reminder this is a human issue.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur message to veterans or anybody suffering with mental health, where suicide is a thought: don\u2019t do it. Just keep going forward. There\u2019s a safe harbor somewhere, and we\u2019re proud to be part of that film,\u201d Trott said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>obtained a trailer of the documentary. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video height=\"1080\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1920 \/ 1080;\" width=\"1920\" controls src=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/full_final_trailer_tame_the_kraken-1080p.mp4\"><\/video><\/figure>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Tame the Kraken trailer (Credit: Storybones Media, production company; Heidi Collins, producer)<\/em>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Four Branches Bourbon cofounders, from left to right: Mike Trott, Rick Franco, Harold Underdown, and RJ Casey.(Courtesy: Four Branches Bourbon).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Four Branches Bourbon cofounders, from left to right: Harold Underdown, Rick Franco, Mike Trott, and RJ Casey.(Courtesy: Four Branches Bourbon).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4567065\/rachel-campos-duffy-celebrates-america-new-book\/\"><strong>FOX NEWS\u2019S RACHEL CAMPOS-DUFFY CELEBRATES AMERICA IN NEW BOOK<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Four Branches Bourbon is available for purchase on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fourbranches.com\/collections\/our-spirits\">their website<\/a>, and at <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fourbranches.com\/pages\/find-locally\">local retailers and bars<\/a> in various states.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The other two winners of the \u201cMade in America\u201d competition are Marilyn\u2019s in Lakeside, Ohio, and TGU Home Solutions in Aberdeen, North Carolina \u2014 another <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/texts-reveal-dem-rep-katie-porter-blaming-punishing-veteran-for-supposedly-giving-her-covid\/\" title=\"Texts Show Dem Rep. Katie Porter Blaming and Punishing ...s for Presumably \u201cGiving Her COVID\u201d\">veteran-owned business<\/a>. FOX Nation\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fox-business-awards-small-businesses-in-contest-for-america-250\/\" title=\"Fox ... awards small ...es in contest for America 250\">small business special<\/a> will air on Monday, June 8.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Four Branches Bourbon won Fox Business\u2019s \u201cMade in America\u201d contest, earning $25,000 and a FOX Nation feature<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4226,"featured_media":2611519,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_5529-e1780500620395.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[80946,8949,80945,80943,80944],"class_list":["post-2611518","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-sip-to-remember","tag-bourbon","tag-bourbon-tasting","tag-four-branches","tag-fox-contest-winner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_5529-e1780500620395.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2611518","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4226"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2611518"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2611518\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2611522,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2611518\/revisions\/2611522"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2611519"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2611518"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2611518"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2611518"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}