Women-Run Lodestar Whiskey ‘Invites Everyone to the Party’ With Release of American Single Malt and High Rye Bourbon Blend

Lodestar Whiskey founders Anna (Left) and Wendelin (Right.) Both women were entertainment industry veterans. (Photo: Sally Peterson)

Lodestar Whiskey, a women-led whiskey brand from California, unveiled its first release on Tuesday. A blend of straight high-rye bourbon and an American single malt whiskey, Lodestar Whiskey is bottled at 90 proof and will be available with a suggested retail price of $45 across California and via e-commerce stores.

Lodestar Whiskey was founded by Anna Axster and Wendelin von Schroder. The women are cousins and former entertainment industry professionals who wanted to “create community” after acquiring a taste for whiskey throughout their travels.

“Building community is one of our guiding principles,” Axster said in a news release. “As we began developing the brand, it was important to us that our whiskey is approachable, with a uniquely delicious flavor you can enjoy neat or in a cocktail. We wanted it to be inclusive and inviting to those who are new to the whiskey community while also satisfying the palates of those who enjoy whiskey regularly. Lodestar invites everyone to the party.”

Axster and von Schroder’s whiskey is the first whiskey to be backed by Diageo’s Distill Ventures Pre-Accelerator program.

Distill Ventures is a program created by Diageo that offers entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds an investment of up to $500,000 and nine to 12 months of mentorship from Diageo’s team.

Lodestar says its inaugural whiskey possesses notes of caramel, citrus and warm baking spice, intermingled with a smoothness from the American Single Malt.

American single malt is a quickly growing category, and it appears more and more brands are getting in on the trend. In November, Frey Ranch, a Nevada-based grain-to-glass distillery hopped on the trend and released one of its own. To close out the year, High West announced the return of its own limited-edition American Single Malt in December.

Lodestar chose to create an “unconventional blend” featuring this trending style of whiskey because the brand wanted a versatile product. It is slated to be available at specialized shops across California and online across the U.S. later this month.

“At Lodestar our golden rule is simple: Bring joy to the journey and invite your friends,” von Schroder said. “We love kicking back with our favorite people, a good spirit in hand. It’s about connecting and a sense of belonging. We hope that however people choose to gather, that their good times are made extra special with Lodestar.”

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