Archives for June 2020

CHICAGO  — Today, the James B. Beam Distilling Co. announced the re-release of Old Tub®, an unfiltered, 100-proof bonded bourbon inspired by the oldest brand from the Beam family. This limited-edition throwback offering celebrates bourbon’s true, rustic character, will be widely available in late June.

Old Tub Bourbon is distilled without chill filtration to showcase its unique qualities reminiscent of the world’s oldest bourbons. Just like the original Old Tub recipe, the liquid skips the chill filtration process, which forces the liquid through a dense filter to remove fatty acids during distillation, resulting in a bonded bourbon with a full-bodied authentic flavor.

The limited-edition offering is a nostalgic nod to where it all began for the Beam family over 140 years ago in Bardstown, KY, which is otherwise known as the Bourbon Capital of the World. This unique bourbon has tasting notes that include oak, complemented along with grain and warm caramel. It has a lingering color of golden citrine gemstone with shades of honey and an aroma that carries initial waves of oak followed by vanilla and grain.

“We’re taking bourbon lovers back in time and making a delicious bourbon true to the way my ancestors intended over 140 years ago when Old Tub was first crafted,” said Fred Noe, seventh-generation master distiller. “I’m excited to share this one-of-a-kind liquid with our fans and provide a bit of authenticity and nostalgia as we head towards another 225 years in the bourbon industry.”

Old Tub Bourbon is best enjoyed neat or in classic cocktails like an Old Fashioned or a Brown Derby, which includes bourbon, grapefruit juice, and honey syrup. It will be available for a limited time at select retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $22.99 for 750mL.

About Beam Suntory
As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands, Suntory whisky Kakubin and Courvoisier cognac, as well as world-renowned premium brands including Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s and Legent bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese whiskey; Teacher’s, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch whisky; Canadian Club whisky; Hornitos and Sauza tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle vodka; Sipsmith and Roku gin; and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit, and vision of Growing for Good. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

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Colorado Springs, Colorado – Just in time for Father’s Day, Distillery 291 announced two new tasting room releases – 291 Colorado Straight Rye Whiskey and 291 Colorado Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Matured in deep-charred, new American white oak barrels for three years each, these limited offerings are the oldest whiskeys 291 has released to date.

“This year, these two special releases are a tribute to the two young men that do me the honor of calling me Dad,” said Michael Myers, owner and founding distiller of 291. “Our Father’s Day releases are always meaningful to us, and these straight whiskeys are a great way to commemorate the day and to acknowledge that we all get better as we get older.”

A limited tasting room release, there are 222 bottles of 291 Colorado Straight Rye Whiskey and 176 bottles of 291 Colorado Straight Bourbon Whiskey available. As an added gifting bonus, Distillery 291 will offer a limited amount of bottles signed by Myers in its tasting room. To reserve a bottle, customers can purchase online at distillery291.com/to-go/ and pick-up in person at 291’s tasting room (1647 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80905) beginning June 14, 2020.

291 Colorado Straight Rye Whiskey (Batch #1)
Loads of rich caramel and toffee up front on the nose. Leather and pipe tobacco add an earthiness, while cinnamon and clove balance it out with some spice. Hints of toasted oak and aspen round out the nose. The palate is viscous, with the clove, toffee, tobacco, and toasted oak at the forefront. There is a warming black pepper note with the return of the caramel for the long, pleasant finish. This is an assertive and spice forward rye, and yet somehow, at the same, soft and sweet rye. Made from malted rye and corn mash. 64.3% Alc/Vol – 128.6 PROOF

291 Colorado Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Batch #1)
The nose is full of assorted stone fruits such as apricots, nectarines, and peach cobbler, along with floral potpourri. Herbal tea, mint, and black pepper add spiciness and depth to the nose, while cedar and aspen dance around on the edges. The stone fruits are the first to greet the palate, along with the mint and herbal tea. The texture is surprisingly soft, especially given the high proof. The clove and black pepper spices quickly move in as it transitions to a lively finish with apricots, aspen, and floral notes. Made from corn, malted rye, malted barley mash. 66.9% Alc/Vol – 133.8 PROOF

About Distillery 291
Distillery 291 is a small batch whiskey distillery nestled in the stunning foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Located in Colorado Springs, the distillery sits in the shadow of Pikes Peak where owner and distiller, Michael Myers, aims to replicate the taste, smell, and folklore of the Wild West. Today, Distillery 291 is distilling, from grain to barrel, to bottle, ten distinctive Colorado whiskeys. The young distillery has earned bushels of national and international awards for its spirits with the unique character and flavor of a bygone era, including the title of World’s Best Rye at the 2018 World Whiskies Awards. Distillery 291 embodies traditions of the past married with the boldness of the future: Rugged, Refined, and Rebellious. Handmade the Colorado way.  For More Information:
https://www.distillery291.com 

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TULLAHOMA, Tennesse –– Last year, George Dickel entered the Bottled in Bond category by launching the brand’s Fall 2005 whisky, which earned the coveted “Whisky of the Year” award from Whisky Advocate and was the top-rated American Whiskey of 2019 by Wine Enthusiast. Close to a year later, General Manager and Distiller, Nicole Austin, is continuing her pledge of transparency, authenticity, and producing a quality whisky at an approachable price by releasing a new bottling of George Dickel’s Bottled in Bond Tennessee Whisky.

Bold and balanced, this 11-year-old whisky was bottled in Fall 2008 and offers tantalizing notes of pecan, maple syrup and dried apple. At 100 proof (50% ABV), this release of George Dickel Bottled in Bond is best enjoyed slowly neat or on the rocks and plays well in many classic cocktails like an Old Fashioned or Perfect Manhattan.

“Bottled in Bond whiskies have always been one of my favorite categories because you know exactly what you’re getting when you pick up a bottle,” said Austin. “Our team continues to make great whiskey that’s reflective of the values we feel are most important, and I’m proud to share this year’s vintage of George Dickel Bottled in Bond with everyone. Like last year’s release, this bottling is a bold, complex spirit that shares the classic nutty, fruity and waxy characteristics that are expected from mature George Dickel whiskies.”

George Dickel Bottled in Bond has a mash bill of 84% corn, 8% rye and 8% malted barley. It is chill charcoal mellowed like the rest of the George Dickel Tennessee Whisky portfolio, which helps it get that smooth and creamy mouthfeel for which the brand is best known.

Beginning this month, the new George Dickel Bottled in Bond will be available in select markets across the nation for consumers to purchase at retail or order directly to their homes for a suggested retail price of $39.99.

As with all the whiskies in the George Dickel family, your friends at Cascade Hollow encourage you to sip this new offering the same way it’s made – slowly and responsibly.

Personal Preference Manhattan Recipe
1.5 oz George Dickel Bottled in Bond
.25 oz Sweet Vermouth
.25 oz Dry Vermouth
Dash aromatic bitters
Lemon peel garnish

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and combine whiskey, vermouths, and bitters. Mix well then strain into cocktail glass. Add lemon peel as a garnish and serve.

About George Dickel
Since 1870, the fine folks at Cascade Hollow have honored George Dickel’s dream of crafting the smoothest Tennessee whisky around. Today, 150 years later, we’re still making award-winning whisky at our historic distillery in Tullahoma, TN. Tucked away in the Tennessee hills and surrounded by 600 protected acres of forest and crystal-fresh springs, Cascade Hollow has always been our home. Led by General Manager and Distiller Nicole Austin, the team at Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. continue the tradition of producing smooth sippin’ whisky through high standards of authenticity and craftsmanship. A proud member of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, we invite you to visit our home and learn more about how we make George Dickel Tennessee Whisky. For more information, go to www.GeorgeDickel.com. Your friends at Cascade Hollow remind you to always drink responsibly.

About DIAGEO
DIAGEO is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

DIAGEO is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about DIAGEO, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit DIAGEO’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practices.

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LAWRENCEBURG, Indiana — MGP (Nasdaq: MGPI) will debut Remus Repeal Reserve Series IV Straight Bourbon Whiskey in September 2020. Produced to commemorate Prohibition Repeal Day, Series IV is a limited annual release and reaches full distribution by Prohibition Repeal Day, December 5. In response to growing demand, Remus Repeal Reserve Series IV is planning an early fall release (timed with National Bourbon Month in September), and will roll out with a series of consumer tastings and events with special focus on the birthdate of George Remus (November 13) and Prohibition Repeal Day (December 5).

“Now in its fourth year, our Remus Repeal Reserve program has exceeded expectations and allows us to showcase the character of our extensive, aged bourbon reserves and blending expertise,” says Andrew Mansinne, Vice President of Brands, MGP. “Series IV delivers a bold, high-rye character and a beautifully balanced profile that reflects 12 years of age. We’re delighted to offer our next release earlier this fall to respond to consumer demand, and will also support an extensive tasting and education effort throughout our growing distribution network.”

Named after the legendary “King of the Bootleggers,” Remus Repeal Reserve is an annual series from George Remus® Bourbon, crafted at MGP’s historic, 173-year-old distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Made in a signature high-rye style, the medley changes each year allowing the distillery team to experiment with their various mash bills and cask-aged reserves. Remus Repeal Reserve Series IV showcases a medley of two mash bills from 2008. It is comprised of 77% Bourbon (21% Rye) and 23% Bourbon (36% Rye). Series IV shows layers of rich caramel, candied fruit spice and toasted oak. The palate offers baking spices and oak, with a lingering finish of rye spice.

Highly anticipated, previous releases of Remus Repeal Reserve have achieved some of the highest recognition in the Bourbon category, including a Double Gold in the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 98 points from Tasting Panel Magazine for Remus Repeal Reserve Series III.

Remus Repeal Reserve Series IV retails for a suggested $84.99 per 750-ml bottle and will be available in limited quantities as of September 2020. It is bottled at 100 proof/50% ABV. For more information, please contact Helen Gregory, helen@gregoryvine.com, or Amanda Davis, amanda@gregoryvine.com.

About George Remus® Bourbon
George Remus, a bourbon brand named after the legendary “King of the Bootleggers,” is made by MGP Ingredients at their historic Lawrenceburg, Indiana distillery. George Remus Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a high-rye blend of bourbon whiskies, aged over four years, with a hint of vanilla, a maple aroma, and a sweet-yet-characteristic rye flavor (SRP: $44.99/750-ml bottle). Remus Repeal Reserve Series IV is crafted from 2008 reserve bourbons and is available in limited quantities (SRP: $84.99/750-ml bottle). George Remus is currently available in Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin and District of Columbia (DC). Connect with us: GeorgeRemus.com. 47% ALC/VOL & 50% ALC/VOL. Be Legendary. Sip Responsibly.

About MGP
Founded in 1941, MGP (Nasdaq: MGPI) is a leading supplier of premium distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches. Distilled spirits include bourbon and rye whiskeys, gins and vodkas, which are carefully crafted through a combination of art and science-backed by a long history of experience. The company’s proteins and starches are created in the same manner and provide a host of functional, nutritional and sensory benefits for a wide range of food products. MGP additionally is a top producer of high-quality industrial alcohol for use in both food and non-food applications. The company is headquartered in Atchison, Kansas, where it produces premium distilled spirits and food ingredients. The company also produces premium distilled spirits in Washington, D.C., and at its historic distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. For more information, visit mgpingredients.com.

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There is something about bourbon that’s captured our global attention. In North America, sales have soared and in the U.S., where bourbon originates, one of the nation’s most popular whiskey makers reversed a decision to water down its recipe in an effort to meet worldwide demand. This country needs National Bourbon Day.

Some say the rise in bourbon sales is due to the growth of small-batch and single barrel bourbon in the 1990s, while others say it has to do with the resurgence in popularity of hard-liquor swilling characters and settings on television shows such as Mad Men and Boardwalk Empire. Whatever the reason, you’ll want to raise a glass of the sweetened amber spirit June 14 as the world celebrates the splendor of this great whiskey on National Bourbon Day!

Legal Definition of Bourbon
Bourbon’s legal definition varies somewhat from country to country, but many trade agreements require that the name “bourbon” be reserved for products made in the United States. The U.S. regulations for labeling and advertising bourbon apply only to products made for consumption within the United States; they do not apply to distilled spirits made for export. Canadian law requires products labeled bourbon to be made in the United States and also to conform to the requirements that apply within the United States. But in countries other than the United States and Canada, products labeled bourbon may not adhere to the same standards. For example, in the European Union, products labeled as bourbon are not required to conform to all the regulations that apply within the United States, although they still must be made in the U.S.

The Federal Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits, codified under 27 CFR §5.22(b)(1)(i), states bourbon made for U.S. consumption must be:

Produced in the United States
Made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn
Aged in new, charred oak containers
Distilled to no more than 160 (U.S.) proof (80% alcohol by volume)
Entered into the container for aging at no more than 125 proof (62.5% alcohol by volume)
Bottled (like other whiskeys) at 80 proof or more (40% alcohol by volume)

Bourbon has no minimum specified duration for its aging period. Products aged for as little as three months are sold as bourbon. The exception is straight bourbon, which has a minimum aging requirement of two years. In addition, any bourbon aged less than four years must include an age statement on its label.
Bourbon that meets the above requirements, has been aged for a minimum of two years, and does not have added coloring, flavoring, or other spirits may be – but is not required to be – called straight bourbon.

A bourbon that is labeled as straight that has been aged under four years must be labeled with the duration of its aging.
Bourbon that has an age stated on its label must be labeled with the age of the youngest whiskey in the bottle (not counting the age of any added neutral grain spirits in a bourbon that is labeled as blended, as neutral-grain spirits are not considered whiskey under the regulations and are not required to be aged at all).

Bottled-in-bond bourbon is a sub-category of straight bourbon and must be aged at least four years.

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