Events
JJ Grey Pours Florida Soul into Florida Colonel Bourbon
JJ Grey, A Florida Music Staple, Finds New Creative Ground in a Bourbon Built with St. Augustine Distillery.
June 16th, 2026
JJ Grey does not talk about music like a man chasing applause. He talks about it more like something cooking low and slow on a family stove, where lifting the lid too often ruins the magic.
For Grey, the goal is not to perform at people. It is to let the music break out, move through the band, move through the crowd and become something larger than the stage itself. That same instinct sits at the center of Florida Colonel, his second bourbon collaboration with St. Augustine Distillery.
It would be easy to treat Florida Colonel like another celebrity bottle, slap a famous name on the label and let collectors do the rest. That is not what this is. The spirit feels closer to one of Grey’s songs, shaped by place, memory, grit, patience and the kind of Florida identity that does not need to wave a flag because it already has dirt under its fingernails.
“I just want to share an honest moment,” Grey said when talking about what he hopes people feel at his shows. “I don’t want to perform at people. I frankly don’t even want to perform at all. I just want music to break out.”
That approach carries over to the bottle. Florida Colonel is less about image and more about feel. Grey sat down with the team at St. Augustine Distillery, talked through what worked, what needed to shift and what he wanted the second release to become. The first collaboration, Rolling Rooster, helped establish the relationship. Florida Colonel deepens it.
“Whiskey is just like anything,” Grey said. “It’s got a recipe, but any little thing can change it so drastically.”
For the second round, Grey wanted the profile to move in a smoother direction. He described the first release as having a touch more of a scotch-like quality, while Florida Colonel needed a little more sherry character, a little more sweetness, but never enough to drift into dessert territory. He wanted balance. He wanted something with warmth, weight and a finish that lingered without overstaying its welcome.
Credit: Jaden Mendoza
The blend that kept calling him back was a 70 to 30 combination, pairing Kentucky bourbon with Florida bourbon from St. Augustine Distillery. Grey sampled different versions and different proofs, but the full-strength option kept winning. In a funny twist, he found that the higher proof came across smoother to him, not harsher.
“Every time I came back to it, it kept winning,” Grey said.
From the distillery side, the collaboration did not appear out of nowhere. JJ Grey has been part of St. Augustine Distillery’s story for years, long before Florida Colonel had a name or a pour. Inside the distillery office, there has long been a framed photo from the first cane harvest dating back to the early days of the company. Grey is there in the middle of it, standing near the former CEO after performing at the event.
In other words, he was not brought in as a marketing idea. He was already on the wall.
Over time, the idea began floating around the distillery that they should do something with him. The connection made too much sense. Grey is Florida through and through. St. Augustine Distillery proudly leans into its own Spirit of Florida identity. The collaboration was not a stretch. It was more like finally noticing the song that had been playing in the room the whole time.
During the first collaboration, the distillery worked with Grey to understand what he liked. He may not consider himself a bourbon connoisseur, but he knows what lands with him. That mattered more. He gravitated toward barrels with root like cinnamon notes and a toasted profile carrying marshmallow sweetness. Those elements helped shape Rolling Rooster.
Florida Colonel, however, pushed the distillery into new territory. After Grey was named an honorary Kentucky Colonel, he began thinking about a spirit that would pull Kentucky and Florida into the same conversation. For St. Augustine Distillery, that meant considering something they had not done before: bringing in bourbon from another place and blending it with their own Florida product.
They sourced Kentucky barrels, married them with the toasted profile of their own bourbon and worked toward the middle ground that Grey was chasing. Four different blends were presented. One kept bringing him back.
“I knew early on that when he took the second sip of it, before he even got to some of the others, that was going to be the one,” the distillery shared. “He really loved it, and that’s exactly what’s in the bottle.”
Credit: Jaden Mendoza
There is something fitting about Grey creating a bourbon by blending worlds, because that is also how his music seems to breathe. His songs have never lived comfortably inside one genre. They carry country storytelling, swamp soul, blues ache, funk movement, Southern rock muscle, church heat and punk energy, all without sounding like they are trying to impress a playlist algorithm.
Grey traces that openness back to the sounds around him growing up. His father played a giant Grand Ole Opry eight track box set. His sister brought in disco 45s from artists like the Bee Gees and The Main Ingredient. Lynyrd Skynyrd entered the picture as a Christmas gift. His mother listened mostly to classical music in the car. Skateboarding introduced him to punk and hardcore. School and community brought him into contact with funk, soul and the Commodores.
All of those sounds still swirl around in his head.
“I don’t really think about it,” Grey said. “I just do music, and wherever it lands, it lands.”
That sense of not forcing the moment is a recurring theme with Grey. He prefers collaborations that happen naturally, especially when someone is standing side stage, caught up in the moment, and gets pulled into the music because the timing feels right. The overly planned “spontaneous jam” is where trouble starts.
“If I’ve got time to think about it, we may be in trouble,” he joked.
That looseness is also why his concerts can feel less like shows and more like shared weather systems. There are party moments, sad moments, happy moments and beautiful moments that drift into something almost orchestral. Grey wants the whole story to unfold on its own. Fans respond to that because it feels lived in, not lacquered over.
The distillery sees that same authenticity in him away from the stage.
“Most musicians, their onstage presence is very different from who they actually are, but JJ, it’s not that at all,” Ric deMontmollin of the St. Augustine Distillery shared. “The guy that you see on stage is exactly the guy that he is off the stage. He is authentic through and through. He’s Mr. Florida.”
Credit: Jaden Mendoza
Florida Colonel also seems to have opened creative doors for St. Augustine Distillery. While the company remains rooted in Florida ingredients, Florida distillation and the terroir of the state, this blend showed that going beyond state lines can create new flavors without abandoning identity. Sometimes, honoring home means knowing what to bring back to the table.
The distillery described the project as a learning experience and admitted the Kentucky barrels were impressive. That may be the bigger point of Florida Colonel. It is not Kentucky taking over Florida, or Florida pretending Kentucky is not part of bourbon’s mythology. It is a handshake. Or maybe more accurately, a porch pour.
When asked what three JJ Grey songs would belong on the soundtrack for someone’s first sip of Florida Colonel, Grey chose “Lochloosa,” “Rooster” and “Top of the World.” In his mind, “Lochloosa” represents the woodiness and flavor of the barrel. “Rooster” carries the zip, zing and bubbling energy of the mash. “Top of the World” becomes the finish, that smooth fading note after everything has settled.
That answer may be the cleanest bridge between Grey the musician and Grey the bourbon collaborator. He does not separate the creative process into neat little boxes. Songs age. Whiskey ages. Both change after they leave the person who made them. Both can reveal meanings the creator did not fully understand at the beginning.
Grey spoke about how many of his songs have shifted meaning over time. The ones that came through him naturally, the ones that felt like they wrote themselves, often became deeper years later. Looking back, he realized some of them were telling him to wake up, step out of his head and truly experience the world.
“The songs were telling me to do that over and over and over again,” Grey said.
That kind of reflection does not sound far removed from the patience of a barrel. You make your best effort, put it away and let time do what time does. deMontmollin described whiskey making in similar terms, joking that good distillers have to live in the future and have a poor memory. You cannot obsess over one barrel for five years. You do the work; let it rest and return when it is ready to speak.
Florida Colonel is currently available online through the distillery’s retail shop for those in eligible shipping states. Earlier, fans also had the chance to attend an in-person presale event at the distillery, meet Grey and have bottles signed. For St. Augustine Distillery, the partnership is already carrying the brand into new places, including festival opportunities outside Florida that might not have happened without Grey’s reach.
As for whether there will be a third bottle, nothing has been officially set. Still, nobody seems ready to close the book.
“He’s a real creative dude,” deMontmollin shared. “I bet somewhere in the back of his mind he’s already got plans on number three.”
Until then, Florida Colonel stands as a fitting second chapter, one that tastes like a conversation between front porch Florida and bourbon country tradition. It carries heat, sweetness, wood, memory and just enough danger to make it interesting.
Asked what Florida Colonel would be like if the bottle came to life backstage before a show, Grey did not hesitate long. He said he would not trust it to introduce him.
Its personality?
Val Kilmer’s Doc Holliday from Tombstone.
Honestly, that checks out. Smooth enough to charm the room. Hot enough to start trouble. Florida enough to mean it.
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Miami Swim Week ventured beyond the traditional runway on Sunday afternoon as designer Lila Nikole unveiled her highly anticipated collaboration with Platinum FUBU at Tequila Town.
June 1, 2026
Unlike the nightclub runways and fashion tents that dominate Swim Week, this presentation offered something entirely different: an immersive experience that blended fashion, culture, music, and storytelling into a single event.
Guests arrived at Tequila Town for an afternoon that felt more like a creative journey than a traditional fashion show. The venue buzzed with anticipation as media, influencers, industry professionals, and fashion enthusiasts gathered to experience the latest evolution of the Lila Nikole brand.
Inspired by the spirit and energy of the Brazilian rainforest, the presentation embraced bold colors, powerful visuals, and larger-than-life moments. Models moved through the venue in designs that reflected Nikole’s signature approach to fashion, blending cultural influences, vibrant storytelling, and fearless creativity.
Throughout the afternoon, guests were immersed in a world where fashion extended beyond clothing. Music, movement, and performance became part of the presentation, creating an atmosphere that encouraged attendees to engage with the story unfolding around them rather than simply watch from the sidelines.
What made the event particularly memorable was its ability to blur the lines between runway show, cultural celebration, and artistic performance. Every detail contributed to the experience, from the venue itself to the presentation’s cinematic approach to storytelling.
As Miami Swim Week continued to expand beyond traditional swimwear showcases, Lila Nikole’s collaboration with Platinum FUBU stood out as one of the weekend’s most unique presentations. By combining fashion, heritage, and immersive entertainment, the event demonstrated how modern runway experiences are evolving into something far more interactive and memorable.
For attendees gathered at Tequila Town, it was more than a fashion show. It was a reminder that great fashion tells a story and on Sunday afternoon, Lila Nikole and Platinum FUBU delivered one worth experiencing.
Events
Copacabana, Mister Triple X, and Capristan Bring the Heat to Kiki on the River During Miami Swim Week
Miami Swim Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion continued on Saturday night with a waterfront runway experience at Kiki on the River, where fashion, nightlife, and Miami’s signature energy came together along the Miami River.
June 1, 2026
Known for its glamorous atmosphere and picturesque setting, Kiki on the River provided a fitting backdrop for an evening featuring runway presentations from Copacabana, Mister Triple X, and Capristan. As guests arrived by car and boat, the venue quickly filled with influencers, media, designers, and fashion enthusiasts eager to experience one of the week’s most unique showcases.
The evening opened with Copacabana, whose collection embraced the vibrant spirit of tropical destinations through bold colors, playful prints, and vacation-ready silhouettes. The runway reflected the carefree energy of beach culture while delivering looks designed for both travel and resort living.
Mister Triple X followed with a presentation that brought confidence and attitude to the waterfront catwalk. Contemporary styling, statement pieces, and modern silhouettes created a runway experience that felt both fashion-forward and distinctly Miami. The collection balanced bold design choices with wearable looks that resonated with the crowd.
Closing the evening was Capristan, whose presentation combined elegance and resort-inspired glamour. Flowing fabrics, sophisticated details, and polished styling captured the luxury lifestyle aesthetic that has become synonymous with Miami Swim Week. The collection felt perfectly suited for sunset cocktails, yacht gatherings, and waterfront escapes.
What set the evening apart was the setting itself. Unlike the traditional nightclub atmosphere of many Swim Week venues, Kiki on the River offered a more intimate experience where the runway unfolded against views of the water, creating a uniquely South Florida backdrop for the night’s fashion presentations.
As models made their final walk and guests transitioned into the evening’s celebrations, the event demonstrated why Miami Swim Week continues to expand beyond traditional runways. By pairing emerging and established designers with some of the city’s most iconic venues, Art Hearts Fashion continues to create experiences that are as memorable as the collections themselves.
With luxury waterfront views, energetic crowds, and three distinctive runway presentations, Saturday night at Kiki on the River delivered a stylish reminder that in Miami, fashion is never limited to the runway.
Friday night at Miami Swim Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion delivered exactly what attendees came for: bold fashion, high-energy runway moments, and a packed house at M2 Miami.
June 1, 2026
The evening unfolded across three runway presentations, each bringing a distinct aesthetic to the catwalk.
The first runway featured Sun Life Beachwear, Cross Colours, Swiss Digital Design, and Brilleska. From vibrant swimwear and resort-ready styles to bold prints and contemporary silhouettes, the opening presentation celebrated individuality and creativity while embracing the energy and color that define Miami Swim Week.
The second runway shifted toward elevated resort fashion with collections from Belle D’Amour, Ca-Rio-Ca, and Vizcarra. Flowing fabrics, tropical influences, and sophisticated beach-to-evening looks highlighted the versatility of modern resort wear, offering designs suited for everything from poolside afternoons to waterfront dinners.
As the evening progressed, anticipation grew for the final runway presentation featuring Sorrento Blu and Giannina Azar.
Sorrento Blu opened the final showcase with polished resort looks inspired by Mediterranean luxury, setting the stage for one of the night’s most talked-about presentations.
Giannina Azar delivered a dramatic finale that transformed the runway into a celebration of glamour, confidence, and artistry. Known for her celebrity clientele and red-carpet creations, Azar’s designs featured intricate embellishments, sparkling details, structured silhouettes, and statement-making gowns that immediately captured the audience’s attention.
The collection embodied the bold spirit that has made the designer a standout presence at fashion weeks around the world. Each look seemed designed to command attention, blending couture craftsmanship with the kind of theatrical elegance that thrives under the lights of a Miami runway.
Beyond the fashion itself, the atmosphere at M2 reflected the unique energy of Miami Swim Week. Influencers, media members, buyers, designers, and fashion enthusiasts filled the venue throughout the evening, creating a vibrant environment where fashion, entertainment, and nightlife seamlessly intersected.
As the final models exited the runway and guests prepared for Jason Derulo’s appearance later that evening, Friday night at M2 Miami proved once again why Miami Swim Week remains one of the most exciting events on the international fashion calendar. With standout presentations, a dynamic crowd, and a memorable Giannina Azar finale, the evening delivered the glamour and excitement that fashion lovers have come to expect from Art Hearts Fashion.
Events
Fire, Ice, and a Vitamin Boost: Inside Miami Swim Week’s Chicest Wellness Reset at Nobu Hotel Miami Beach
Miami Swim Week is usually all about bikinis, bronzed skin, camera flashes, and running from one fabulous event to the next. But tucked inside the iconic Nobu Hotel Miami Beach, one of the weekend’s most memorable stops offered something every Swim Week guest secretly needed: a chance to sit down, cool off, glow up, and get recharged.
June 1, 2026
Hosted at the Nobu Penthouse, the exclusive Fire & Ice Beauty & Wellness Lounge brought a luxury wellness escape to Miami Swim Week® The Shows. Created by Skin Sports Society in collaboration with Cellebration, the private RSVP-only experience welcomed select media and influencers for an afternoon of beauty, recovery, and next-level self-care.
Set high above the Eden Roc Miami Beach complex, the Nobu Penthouse provided the perfect backdrop for the experience. With ocean views, sleek interiors, and a refined Japanese beach house feel, the space instantly transported guests away from the nonstop Swim Week schedule and into something much calmer, cooler, and definitely more hydrated.
The lounge was designed around the contrast of fire and ice therapies, giving guests the chance to move between treatments that warmed, cooled, refreshed, and revived. The Fire Experience featured options like LED and red light therapy, microcurrent facials, aromatherapy, and restorative beauty treatments designed to leave skin glowing. The Ice Experience leaned into cryotherapy, cold spoons, cooling masks, oxygen sprays, and chilled recovery moments that felt especially necessary in the Miami heat.
Guests could also enjoy vitamin B-complex shots and IV therapy, adding an inside-out wellness element to the afternoon. During our visit, the B-complex shot was a quick but energizing boost, while the IV therapy stations offered guests a more customized way to hydrate, recover, and reset during one of Miami’s busiest fashion weekends.
The experience also included personalized aura readings by Auratherapy, giving the afternoon a playful spiritual twist. Between the beauty treatments, wellness stations, oceanfront views, and calming lounge setup, the event felt like a luxury spa day with just the right amount of Swim Week sparkle.
What made the Fire & Ice Beauty & Wellness Lounge stand out was how perfectly it matched the mood of modern Miami luxury. Today’s beauty scene is not just about looking good in photos. It is about recovery, energy, hydration, skincare, and feeling confident enough to keep going from the afternoon lounge to the evening runway.
For Miami Swim Week guests moving between shows, parties, meetings, and beachside events, this was the reset button everyone needed. It was chic, intimate, soothing, and just indulgent enough to feel special without losing its wellness focus.
At a weekend known for high heels, high heat, and high-energy fashion moments, the Fire & Ice Beauty & Wellness Lounge proved that sometimes the best Swim Week accessory is a fresh glow, a cold treatment, and a little vitamin boost.
The Fire & Ice Beauty & Wellness Lounge took place on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Nobu Hotel Miami Beach as part of Miami Swim Week® The Shows.
When you go to publish this, make sure you talk about the Photo Booth lady and the guy who was providing everyone with the oxygen masks and the shots
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