American Whiskey Association Welcomes BBQ Hall of Fame Inductee Peg Leg Porker as New Craft Member

Washington, D.C. — June 18, 2026 — The American Whiskey Association today announced that Peg Leg Porker has joined AWA as a Craft member, adding a distinctive Tennessee whiskey voice rooted in barbecue, hospitality, tourism, entrepreneurship, and authentic American culture.

Peg Leg Porker was invited to join AWA following a five-point qualification review focused on:

1. Authenticity: a credible and distinctive American whiskey story rooted in place, people, and product;
2. Category Commitment: a serious commitment to American whiskey and its long-term growth at home and abroad;
3. Cultural Relevance: the ability to connect American whiskey to consumers through hospitality, tourism, food, music, storytelling, or broader American culture;
4. Supply Chain Alignment: recognition of the farmers, grain producers, cooperages, distillers, warehouse teams, logistics providers, retailers, and hospitality partners that make American whiskey possible;
5. Mission Fit: alignment with AWA’s work to LEAD, PROTECT, and PROMOTE American whiskey through fair trade, market access, product integrity, and global recognition.

“Peg Leg Porker represents exactly the kind of authentic, entrepreneurial American whiskey story we want to help elevate,” said Michael Bilello, President and CEO of the American Whiskey Association. “American whiskey is built on agriculture, craftsmanship, hospitality, and culture. Peg Leg Porker brings those pieces together in a way that is real, distinctive, and deeply American. We are proud to welcome them to AWA.”

“Being accepted into the American Whiskey Association is a tremendous honor because it represents something we’ve believed in from day one: authentic American whiskey made with passion, craftsmanship, and respect for tradition,” said Carey Bringle, Founder of Peg Leg Porker.   “At Peg Leg Porker Spirits, we’re proud to do things our own way, staying true to our roots while creating whiskey that reflects the grit, character, and independence that define America.  With the launch of Spirit of America™, this recognition feels especially fitting. My journey from the hospital to the Hall of Fame is proof that the American dream is still alive. That’s what this bourbon celebrates. We’re honored to stand with the AWA in carrying America’s native spirit forward and invite everyone to join us in a toast to our country, our shared story, and America’s 250th anniversary on July 4th at 7:06 p.m. CST.”

AWA’s membership continues to expand across the American whiskey ecosystem, including distillers, craft brands, state associations, cooperages, supply-chain partners, and allied organizations committed to strengthening American whiskey at home and abroad.

About the American Whiskey Association

The American Whiskey Association is the singularly focused global voice for American whiskey, founded by leading producers that make the lion’s share of the category and supported by the strength of a uniquely American supply chain, from farmers growing corn, rye, wheat, and barley, to American white oak forestry, cooperages, distillers, warehouse teams, logistics providers, wholesalers, retailers, hospitality businesses, tourism communities, and global trade partners. AWA works to LEAD, PROTECT, and PROMOTE one of America’s most iconic agricultural and manufacturing exports by advancing fair trade, tariff relief, market access, export competitiveness, product integrity, and global recognition so American whiskey can compete fairly, grow responsibly, and continue delivering value to American workers, rural communities, and consumers around the world.

About Peg Leg Porker

Founded by soon-to-be Barbecue Hall of Fame® Inductee, award-winning pitmaster, entrepreneur, and World’s Best Bourbon creator Carey Bringle, Peg Leg Porker Spirits is one of the only bourbon brands in America born from live fire and real smoke. Inspired by Bringle’s lifelong passion for barbecue and craftsmanship, the company utilizes a proprietary hickory charcoal filtering process that imparts its signature smooth and subtly smoky character.

Peg Leg Porker Spirits earned international acclaim when its flagship Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey was named World’s Best Bourbon at the 2023 Tasting Alliance World Championships. The company has since earned numerous Double Gold, Gold, and Platinum medals across major international spirits competitions. Today, Peg Leg Porker Spirits products are distributed across multiple states and internationally, continuing Bringle’s mission of creating authentic American whiskey rooted in tradition, perseverance, and storytelling.

For more information, visit www.peglegporkerspirits.com or follow @PegLegPorkerSpirits on Facebook and Instagram.