Nine-Year Bourbon Finished in Rum Cask Honors Ric Prado CIA Operations Office and Author | Tampa, FL – In honor of legendary CIA Operations Officer, Ric Prado and all the elite Black Ops soldiers worldwide, Four Branches has created a limited-edition Black Ops Bourbon. This is a nine-year aged bourbon finished in dark rum casks as a tribute to Prado’s Cuban roots and his New York Times bestselling book “Black Ops – The Life of a CIA Shadow Warrior”.
“I am so honored for this compliment,” said Prado. “The fact that it comes from four warrior patriots who created the Four Branches brand, adds gravitas to their compliment. As a legal Cuban immigrant to our wonderful country, and paid my dues with 50 years of combined service, the aging of Black Ops Bourbon in rum barrels is a poetic salute to the sacrifices my parents made for my freedom.”
Prado is a paramilitary, counterterrorism and special/clandestine operations specialist with a focus on international training operations and programs. He is a 24-year veteran of the Central Intelligence Agency where he served as an operations officer in six overseas posts. He also served as chief of operations in the CIA’s Counterterrorist Center (CTC) during the Sept. 11 attacks, where Prado helped coordinate CIA/CTC’s special operations activities with the National Security Council, FBI and elite U.S. military representatives from Delta Force and SEAL-Team Six, then detailed to CTC/CIA. He retired as senior intel service-2 (SIS-2, major general equivalent at CIA).
“Black Ops” is Prado’s memoir and offers a unique glimpse into his legendary career fighting virtually unknown wars to keep the U.S. safe. Prado, like the Four Branches founders, has a deep appreciation for bourbon and an unbreakable bond forged in service abroad.
Four Branches Bourbon is the only spirits company founded by four veterans representing four branches of the armed forces – U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Army. The mission is to honor the sacrifices of those who have served and supported them. Black Ops is the company’s first limited edition release. Bottled at 100 proof with a deep amber hue and a pepper spice and vanilla nose. The mouthfeel is of citrus zest, oranges, light caramel and dark rum with a taste that has a long finish highlighted by the rye spices and sweet dark rum notes. Only 60 cases were produced and is now available with a suggested retail price of $119.
Four Branches is committed to giving back and supporting the veteran and first responder community. A portion of the proceeds of Black Ops will be donated to the Third Option Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting active and transitioning operators and families of the CIA Special Activities Center and the families of our fallen.
For more information on where to purchase the Black Ops or the Founders Blend visit www.fourbranches.com
About Four Branches Bourbon
Founded in 2023, Four Branches Bourbon is the only spirits company founded by four veterans representing four branches of the armed forces – U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Army. The mission is to honor the sacrifices of those who have served and supported them. The Founders Blend won a double gold medal at the 2024 Sip Awards and a gold medal at the 2024 American Spirits award. For more information visit www.fourbranches.com
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