Ryan Reynolds has Aviation Gin, Dwayne Johnson has Teremana Tequila, and the list goes on. When it comes to celebrity liquor brands, it’s getting hard to keep track of them all. But it’s always humans… Why not any celebrity pet liquor brands? Well, one impressive rescue dog named Ethan Almighty is leading the pack!
Related: Interview with Ethan Almighty
So how did Ethan become a whiskey influencer and launch his own limited-release bourbon? No, he didn’t pull it off thanks to being a fur nepo baby like Claudia Schiffer’s cat Chip landing a leading movie role. He overcame a terrible childhood to go on to inspire humans and help other dogs before becoming the canine whiskey connoisseur that he is today.
From abuse and starvation to an inspiration
Ethan’s story started back in 2021 on a freezing January day. He was found dumped in the parking lot of a local animal shelter. Near death, he only weighed 38 pounds when she should have weighed over 100. Ethan is a Presa Canario, a large Spanish mastiff breed. He was sold for drugs as a puppy and was abused and tortured. A neighbor saw he was likely to die, and in a last-ditch attempt to save him, he stole him and dumped him off.
Ethan Almighty becomes an American Humane National Hero Dog of the Year
Ethan was so week he couldn’t even lift his own head to eat and couldn’t walk for almost a week… But his spirit was never broken, and he was able to transform into a big, happy boy. His story inspired so many that he won the Emerging Hero and Shelter Dog Award for the 2022 American Humane National Hero Dog of the Year Awards! He has since used his celebrity dog status to raise awareness for adoption and raise funds for the Humane Society.
Ethan Almighty and Russ Smith launch a limited edition bourbon
Now, in January 2024, Ethan can add liquor influencer to his growing resume. To release a bourbon named after him, he teamed up Russ Smith, a proud dog dad, former Louisville basketball star, and founder of Mr. and Mrs. Bourbon Company. After being in the works for six months, the exclusive single-barrel bourbon is set to release at the end of the month, featuring his face and paw print… But sorry, it’s already sold out! Proceeds will help Ethan and his community work to help other doggos in need.
And make sure to check out our exclusive interview with Mr. Ethan Almighty!