Eighty years after the guns fell silent across Europe, a new tribute has emerged—not in stone or steel, but in a bottle. In a unique collaboration that blends craftsmanship with commemoration, Copper Fox Distillery and the Military Aviation Museum have launched Victory Bourbon, a limited-edition release that honors the Allied triumph in World War II and the enduring spirit of the generation who made it possible.
Crafted from 100% corn and aged in toasted American white oak barrels for four years—the same length as America’s involvement in the war—Victory Bourbon is as much a time capsule as it is a fine spirit. The bourbon was bottled on May 8, 2025, a date deliberately chosen to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, when Nazi Germany officially surrendered and peace began to take root across a war-torn continent. With a golden amber hue and smooth, slightly sweet profile, Victory Bourbon is steeped in symbolism. From the use of corn—a nod to wartime rationing and domestic resourcefulness—to the historical parallels drawn between its production and the constraints of the 1940s, this bourbon invites drinkers to savor not only its flavor but its meaning.
“This collaboration represents more than just a great bourbon,” said Scott Campbell, Chief Financial Officer at Copper Fox Distillery. “It’s a heartfelt tribute to the courage and determination of those who stood for liberty during World War II.” Keegan Chetwynd, Director and CEO of the Military Aviation Museum, emphasized the deeper mission: “Victory Bourbon represents a moment in time and invites us all to raise a glass in remembrance of the sacrifices that paved the way for the peace we enjoy today.”
To understand the significance of this bourbon, one must look back at the American home front during World War II. In the weeks following Pearl Harbor, the U.S. War Production Board issued a sweeping directive: distilleries were to halt the production of beverage alcohol and convert their operations to support the war effort. Industrial alcohol became critical to the manufacturing of synthetic rubber, medical supplies, munitions, and even deicing fluids for military aircraft—many of which are now preserved and flown at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach. The prohibition on whiskey production meant that only pre-war stocks could be sold, and those stocks became scarce and expensive. The federal government tripled the proof-per-gallon tax, reinforcing whiskey’s status as a rare and valued commodity. Americans saved what little they had for moments that truly mattered—homecomings, peace treaties, and small personal victories in the midst of global uncertainty. Victory Bourbon channels that spirit of scarcity, perseverance, and gratitude. Using only corn grown on farms along Virginia’s Northern Neck, the bourbon echoes wartime resourcefulness, when households were encouraged to favor local crops to preserve rail space and food supplies for the troops overseas. Unlike some wartime producers who diluted aged whiskey with neutral spirits, Victory Bourbon stays true to Virginia’s rich distilling heritage. It recalls the cherished barrel tucked away during wartime, forgotten in a warehouse corner—then tapped in joyful celebration when the world began to heal. The result is a bourbon that not only satisfies the palate, with notes of vanilla, oak, and honey, but also stirs the soul. Tasting notes include: Pride, Courage… and Determination.
A portion of the proceeds from Victory Bourbon sales will directly benefit the Military Aviation Museum, helping fund its educational programming and ongoing mission to preserve and fly one of the largest collections of vintage military aircraft in the world. With a strictly limited number of bottles available, Victory Bourbon is a collector’s item, a piece of living history, and a heartfelt gesture of remembrance. It is offered not just to bourbon enthusiasts, but to anyone who appreciates the profound impact of shared sacrifice—and the freedom it helped secure. To purchase a bottle of Victory Bourbon, visit: https://www.copperfoxdistillery.com/shop-online – To learn more about its inspiration and the museum’s mission, visit: https://www.militaryaviationmuseum.org/victory-bourbon
