Wyoming Whiskey introduced Queen of the Tetons, a new, limited-edition bourbon dedicated to the legendary Grizzly 399, the bear who was tragically killed in a car accident near Grand Teton National Park on Oct. 22, 2024. 

Grizzly 399’s death has captured global attention, marking a devastating loss for wildlife enthusiasts and Wyoming locals. An icon of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, she attracted countless tourists and photographers eager to catch a glimpse of the 7-foot, 400-pound matriarch. At 28 years old, she was the region’s oldest known reproducing female grizzly, spending much of her life near the Snake River and raising 18 known cubs.

Wyoming Whiskey’s Queen of the Tetons is a bourbon crafted as a tribute to her bold, unforgettable and untamed spirit. In conjunction with the launch, the brand will be donating $20,000 to the Grand Teton National Park Foundation to protect and preserve the wild habitats that bears like Grizzly 399 call home. The funds will support grizzly bear education, conservation and research programs in Grand Teton National Park.

Supporting conservation efforts has long been central to Wyoming Whiskey’s mission, and this initiative furthers its commitment to preserving wide-open spaces in the wake of this profound loss.

With regard to the release dedicated to Grizzly 399, Wyoming Whiskey co-founder David DeFazio said, “Grizzly 399 earned her title as the Queen of the Tetons by placing her 28 years of life on display. She was shrewd, which resulted in her resilience. And her resilience captivated us all.”

The Queen of the Tetons bottle features an image of Grizzly 399 shot by renowned nature photographer Thomas Mangelsen. Queen of the Tetons is extremely limited, with fewer than 720 bottles produced. It is available exclusively at Wyoming Whiskey’s Jackson Barrel House (45 W. Broadway, Jackson, WY 83001), the Wyoming Whiskey Shop in Kirby (120 E. Main, Kirby, WY 82430) and select retailers across the state of Wyoming. It has an ABV of 49.5% and an SRP of $84.99.

To continue to support the Grand Teton National Park Foundation, and in memory of Grizzly 399, the 399th bottle of this limited release will be auctioned off to benefit the foundation. 

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About Wyoming Whiskey

Based in Kirby, Wyoming, Wyoming Whiskey has had a simple goal: to create America’s next great bourbon. That goal has evolved to include all whiskies. The company and its products are a collaboration between its partners and 97,818 square miles of Wyoming. The Mead family first came to Wyoming as ranchers in 1890, and the state defines them and their whiskey. They use the finest corn, winter wheat, winter rye, barley and water from the Bighorn Basin and promote Wyoming’s natural and human resources. Every drop of this bourbon is truly made of Wyoming. To learn more, visit wyomingwhiskey.com.