West Virginia state parks, Smooth Ambler expand branded bourbon partnership statewide

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A partnership blending West Virginia’s outdoor heritage with its growing reputation for craft spirits is expanding statewide.

Officials with West Virginia State Parks announced that a new series of state-park-branded bourbons produced by Smooth Ambler Spirits will soon be available for purchase at select retailers across the Mountain State.

The expanded retail release builds on a collaboration launched in June 2023, when Smooth Ambler’s Old Scout bourbon was introduced as a private-label offering exclusively for lodge restaurants and lounges at several resort state parks.

State Park Bourbon Collection Expands Beyond Lodge Restaurants

That original lineup featured labels tied to Cacapon Resort, Canaan Valley Resort, Pipestem Resort, Blackwater Falls, Chief Logan, Hawks Nest, Stonewall Resort, and Twin Falls Resort state parks.

The new collection adds park-themed bottles honoring Audra, Babcock, Lost River, Coopers Rock, Cass Scenic Railroad, and Blennerhassett Island state parks.

Each bottle features custom artwork celebrating the landscapes, history, and outdoor experiences that make the parks iconic destinations. While the new line will be sold through select retailers beginning in the new year, the original park-specific bourbons will remain available exclusively at their respective lodge restaurants.

State Officials, Distillery Leaders Praise Partnership

“We are genuinely proud and excited to continue our partnership with Smooth Ambler,” said Dillard Price, acting chief of West Virginia State Parks. “This collaboration allows us to bring a truly unique and high-quality offering to our valued state park guests, further enhancing the memorable experiences they expect when visiting our beautiful state parks.”

Andrew Robinson, Smooth Ambler’s manager of blending and processing, said the special labeling honors both the bourbon and the places it represents. “We are pleased to honor our state parks with special labeling that showcases the natural beauty and spirit of West Virginia,” Robinson said. “We hope folks will enjoy our hand-selected bourbon as much as they enjoy exploring the trails and nature in our state parks.”

Smooth Ambler’s Role in West Virginia’s Craft Spirits Growth

Founded in 2009 in the Greenbrier County community of Maxwelton, Smooth Ambler Spirits has earned national recognition for its Old Scout Bourbon, Old Scout Rye, and Contradiction Bourbon. The distillery combines carefully selected sourced whiskeys with its own house-distilled spirits, emphasizing transparency, balance, and flavor.

The company is widely credited with helping spark West Virginia’s modern craft spirits movement and has remained firmly rooted in the Mountain State while building a national following. State officials say the park-branded bourbon program reflects a broader effort to connect local producers with tourism and hospitality experiences.

West Virginia State Parks Highlight Tourism, Heritage, and Local Products

Established in 1925, West Virginia State Parks comprises one of the most extensive public-land systems in the eastern United States, protecting more than 350,000 acres across 35 parks, nine forests, and two rail trails. The system attracts more than 7 million visitors each year, supporting local jobs, rural communities, and conservation efforts statewide.

Officials say the branded bourbon collaboration is another way to showcase West Virginia’s identity, pairing outdoor recreation, historic landscapes, and locally made products into a single visitor experience. Information on dining options and trip planning is available at WVStateParks.com.

Quick Facts: West Virginia State Parks Bourbon Collection

• Producer: Smooth Ambler Spirits (Maxwelton, West Virginia)
• Featured Whiskey: Old Scout Bourbon
• Partnership Began: June 2023
• Retail Availability: Select West Virginia retailers beginning in the new year
• Exclusive Lodge Availability: Original park labels remain available only at park lodge restaurants
• Purpose: Support local producers, promote state parks, enhance visitor experience

Parks Featured:

• Cacapon Resort
• Canaan Valley Resort
• Pipestem Resort
• Blackwater Falls
• Chief Logan
• Hawks Nest
• Stonewall Resort
• Twin Falls Resort
• Audra
• Blennerhassett Island
• Cass Scenic Railroad
• Coopers Rock
• Babcock
• Lost River