# NBA Athlete-Approved Bourbons Old Fourth Distillery & Dominique Wilkins Debut Nique's Batch By Kalin Ned | Published 2025-05-05 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dominique-wilkins References: [bevnet](https://www.bevnet.com/pr/2025/05/02/dominique-wilkins-teams-up-with-old-fourth-distillery-to-drop-niques-batch--a-bourbon-straight-from-atlantas-heart) & [o4d](https://www.o4d.com/) Old Fourth Distillery has partnered with [NBA](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nba-championship-bottles) legend Dominique Wilkins to create Nique's Batch — a limited-edition bourbon that celebrates Atlanta's culture through a meticulously crafted spirit with personal significance. The eight-year-aged Nique's Batch bourbon represents a genuine collaboration, with Dominique Wilkins actively participating in the blending process to ensure the final product reflects both his legacy and the character of his adopted hometown. The bourbon's specifications carry intentional symbolism — its 105 proof honors the athlete's jersey number multiplied by the teams he played for, while the 1,982-bottle release commemorates his rookie year. What distinguishes Nique's Batch from typical celebrity spirits is its hyper-local production. The limited-edition bourbon was aged entirely within Atlanta's climate. It captures the city's terroir in a whiskey bottle and is reportedly one of the first bourbons to complete its entire maturation process within the city limits. Image Credit: Old Fourth Distillery ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.5/10 - Popularity: 67% | Activity: 57% | Freshness: 40% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Celebs](https://www.trendhunter.com/celebs) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Athlete-endorsed Spirits:** Celebrity collaborations in the spirits industry are evolving towards deeper involvement, evidenced by athletes contributing to product creation and brand narratives. - **Hyper-local Spirit Production:** Distilleries are emphasizing regional authenticity by aging spirits entirely within specific local climates, enhancing the unique flavor profiles and offering a new sense of place. - **Limited-edition Collaborations:** Small-batch and limited-edition releases create exclusivity while telling unique stories tied to personal narratives or local culture, appealing to collectors and aficionados. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Craft Distilleries:** Craft distilleries leverage collaborations with renowned personalities to create unique products that resonate with niche markets and regional pride. - **Celebrity-influenced Beverages:** The beverage industry is exploring deeper partnerships with celebrities, moving beyond mere endorsements to authentic brand participation and storytelling. - **Luxury Alcohol Market:** High-end, limited-edition alcohol releases are attracting attention in the luxury market, as they combine artistry, exclusivity, and personalized narratives. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Black-Owned Multi-Grain Whiskeys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dublase.md) - [Co-Branded Hockey-Inspired Whiskeys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/washington-capitals.md) - [Limited-Time American Whiskeys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bold-picks-campaign.md) - [Personality-Pacjed Bourbons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yam-jam-by-kelsey-plum.md) - [NBA Championship Beer Collabs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nba-championship-bottles.md) - [Intricate Basketball Shaped Bottles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lorenz-bumer.md) - [Artist-Honoring Bourbon Bottle Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/great-jones-distilling-co.md) - [NBA-Honoring Alcohol Bottles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/victor-solomon-x-michelob-ultra.md) - [Basketball Sneaker-Inspired Decanters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mr-flower-fantastic.md)