Veteran-owned whiskey and cigar brand Hooten Young will release its inaugural Bottled-in-Bond bourbon on July 4, 2025, marking a significant milestone for the company founded by retired Army Master Sergeant Norm Hooten, the real-life “Hoot” from “Black Hawk Down.” Hooten Young, established in 2018, builds its brand around honoring fallen soldiers and supporting veterans’ causes. “This bourbon isn’t just a whiskey—it’s a moment in time for us,” said Norm Hooten. “The brand began as a cigar created to honor those a part of the Operation Gothic Serpent mission. The bourbon meets strict Bottled-in-Bond standards, requiring it to be aged at least four years, produced in a single distilling season, and bottled at 100 proof.