devils brigade whiskey (1)
Bottle image of Willie's Devil's Brigade Whiskey
42% ALC/VOL | 84 PROOF
DEVIL’S BRIGADE WHISKEY

Devil’s Brigade Whiskey is distilled in Montana and Canada, then expertly blended and bottled by Willie’s Distillery in Ennis, MT. This unique blend consists of 60% American Bourbon and 40% Canadian Whisky, mirroring the proportion of American and Canadian men assigned to the Devil’s Brigade during WWII. Just as the Unit carried the V-42 Knife into combat, this spirit boasts a 42% ABV for your enjoyment. Our blend of whiskies pays homage to the bravery and valor of these distinguished soldiers who fought in WWII.

awards

  • Gold Medal – Double Blind – PR%F Awards 2023
  • Gold Medal – The Total Package – PR%F Awards 2023
  • Gold Medal – Taste – SIP Awards 2021
  • Gold Medal – Bottle Design – SIP Awards 2021
  • Innovation Award – SIP Awards 2021
ABOUT DEVIL’S BRIGADE

DAS DICKE ENDE KOMMIT NOCH!

“THE WORST IS YET TO COME”

Das Dicke Ende Kommit Noch! (“The worst is yet to come”) was written on the death cards placed upon dead Nazis by the Devil’s Brigade. Officially known as the First Special Service Force, The Devil’s Brigade, was an elite World War II American-Canadian commando unit organized in 1942 and trained at Fort Harrison near Helena, Montana. Back-Country Rangers, Soldiers, Lumberjacks, Northwoodsmen, Hunters, Prospectors, Explorers, Game Wardens, and Mountain Men volunteered to join this Secret Unit. The brigade fought in the Aleutian Islands, Italy, and southern France before being disbanded in December 1944. During the war the 1,800-man unit accounted for some 12,000 German casualties, captured some 7,000 prisoners, and sustained an attrition rate of over 600%.

 

The Devil’s Brigade was known for their stealth and skill with the V-42 dagger and had quickly gained the nickname “Black Devils” and a reputation for their fierce style of fighting at night in blackened faces. The legacy continues with current American and Canadian Special Operations Forces who trace their lineage and heritage to the “Forcemen.”

 

For more historical information please visit firstspecialserviceforce.net

SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION CHAPTER 28

devi

MONTANA SFA CHAPTER 28

“Devil’s Brigade Chapter,” was re-chartered February 9, 2002. The Montana Chapter is one of 86 Chapters around the world and has 165 members. The Special Forces Association is a 501(c)(19) Non-Profit Veteran Service Organization. All donations and/or contributions are tax-deductible. The Special Forces Association Chapter 28 donates to various charities which benefit Veterans, Active Duty and Retired Special Forces and other SOF personnel, their families, and scholarships for the sons and daughters of current and Veteran Special Forces Soldiers.

V-42 STILLETTO

The original V-42 knife was designed by Colonel Robert T. Frederick who organized and led the First Special Service Force (FSSF) from 1942 to 1944. Manufactured in the United States by Case Cutlery, the knife featured a low profile 7-5/16” double-edged blade made of blue, high carbon steel with distinctive “thumbprint” on the obverse ricasso. Other prominent features are a skull cracker butt cap and a stacked leather washer grip.

 

The stiletto was primarily intended for use as a combat or fighting weapon that would kill enemy soldiers silently, as its narrow construction was prone to breakage when used as a utility knife. While all of the “Forcemen” were trained in use of the V-42 stiletto, it was exclusively issued to the Force’s Combat Echelon starting in 1942, with only about 3,400 produced and distributed during 1942 and 1943. The low production number made this is the rarest knife issued during WWII, and one of the most sought-after collectible knives on the market today.

 

Case has recently reproduced the V-42, order yours here through www.SFA28.org

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DEVIL’S BRIGADE BATCHES

Each batch of Devil’s Brigade is made in memory of a Forceman.

Look on the label to find the name of the individual being honored.

BATCH #1

COL. Frederick

BATCH #2

SGT Dave Woon

BATCH #3

COL. Radcliffe

BATCH #4

SGT Joe Glass

BATCH #5

SGT Lorin Waling

BATCH #6

LTC Herb Goodwin

BATCH #7

Lester Merha

BATCH #8

1 LT Herman Ross

BATCH #9

SSGT Forrest Dyer

BATCH #10

SGT Verland Ohlson

BATCH #11

SSGT Erick Thorness

BATCH #12

SGT Casimer “Casey” Celske

BATCH #13

LT. Bill Story

BATCH #14

LTC Gus Heilman

BATCH #15

COL. Edwin A Walker

BATCH #16

SGT. Robert V. Hicklin

BATCH #17

PFC Calvin Perkins

BATCH #18

SGT Delbert Ellis

BATCH #19

1 LT Kenneth J. Navarre

BATCH #20

1 LT Wesley Bullock

BATCH #21

SFC Buck Boyd
BATCH #22
SGT Geoffrey Hart

BATCH #23

Cpt. Pat O’Neill

BATCH #24

SGT John Yoder

BATCH #25

#25 SGT Peter Ripko

BATCH #26

#26 SSGT Joseph Cleaves

BATCH #27

#27 PVT Blanxby Harvey

BATCH #28

#28 PVT Glenn Blevins

AWARDS

SHOP NOW
Devil’s Brigade Whiskey is available for purchase at our tasting room in Ennis, MT. It is also available in Montana, Idaho, North Dakota, and Wyoming Liquor Stores, and by request in North Carolina Liquor Stores. Direct doorstep delivery is available in all states via our online retail partners. Available online via Rancho Liquor, Shots Box, Great American Craft Spirits, and Spirit Hub. Links are available on www.williesdistillery.com/shop-spirits/.

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    References

    1. Wikipedia contributors. (2024). "Willie's Distillery." Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie's_Distillery
    2. Google. (2024). "Search results for Willie's Distillery." Retrieved from https://www.google.com/search?q=Willie%26%23039%3Bs+Distillery
    3. YouTube. (2024). "Video content about Willie's Distillery." Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Willie%26%23039%3Bs+Distillery

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      JUG BRAND

      We honor the Jug Brand with batch one.  The passing of brand heritage was shared with our cofounder Robin Hensley Blazer when she and Willie began the distillery.  The jug brand is a foundational part of the Willie’s Distillery logo. 

       

      In 1921 Woodrow Hensley settled in the Crow Creek Valley in Broadwater County.  There he raised a family while ranching and farming the land.  His son, Rob Hensley, continued their family agricultural traditions in Toston, MT. In the early 70s, a local rancher took a liking to Rob and his wife, Sue.  He gifted the Hensley’s the Jug Brand, which they used to brand their small herd of Herford’s.  The Herford’s were a gift from Woodrow when Rob and Sue’s third daughter, Robin, was born. 

       

      Robin grew up on the grain farm with her family.  They farmed three sections of irrigated Durham wheat, malt barley, alfalfa hay and corn silage.  The malt barley was sold to Coors, and the silage was fed to the feed lot cattle owned by Boulder Valley ranchers.  This grain farming also gave Robin specialized knowledge of critical ingredients that would later go into crafting bold spirits at the distillery she and Willie would build in Ennis.

       

      The jug brand remains in the Hensley family today.  With four generations of Montanans, they carry on the spirit of the American West.

      Willie Blazer

      Title: CEO/Founder

      Favorite Drink: Bighorn Bourbon on the rocks.

      Favorite song to drink to: Rooster.

      Most unusual job you’ve ever had: Special Forces.

      When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up: Chuck Norris.

      Three words to describe working at Willie’s: Whiskey is smooth.

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