Archives for April 2021

NEW YORK — Wyoming Whiskey, a world-class American Whiskey distillery committed to the preservation of America’s wide-open spaces, today announces a new collection inspired by the beauty of our national parks. The Wide-Open Spaces Collection is an annual, small-batch production of Wyoming Whiskey that supports parks across the country in partnership with the National Park Foundation (NPF).

The first in the collection–Wide Open Spaces – By Air– was inspired by the natural wonders of Wyoming and the beauty of Wyoming’s national parks. The collection includes four artfully crafted, one-of-a-kind bottles of Wyoming Whiskey as well as a new National Parks Limited Edition American Whiskey. Beginning today, the National Parks Limited Edition American Whiskey will be available for purchase at Reserve Bar, Flaviar, and select NY, GA, CO and WY retailers, for $49.99.

“For 35 years or so, I’ve been lucky enough to have a home in Wyoming. I am proud to work in conjunction with Wyoming Whiskey, my neighbors and friends, in support of the National Park Foundation,” said Harrison Ford, Creative Director for the Collection. “I’m very proud of what Wyoming Whiskey is doing with this event, as it is important to protect and restore these national treasures and keep them safe for future generations.”

To celebrate the unique and first collection, four custom bottles curated by Wyoming Whiskey and Harrison Ford will be available only through a live virtual auction on April 20 at bit.ly/WideOpenSpacesByAir. The auction will also feature several additional items to bid on from custom merchandise to vacation retreats in support and celebration of the inaugural installment of the collection. All proceeds from the live, virtual auction will benefit NPF.

“The By Air Collection is our tribute to the natural beauty of the very place that inspired our American Whiskey,” said David DeFazio, co-founder of Wyoming Whiskey. “We are truly fortunate to live among parks that are national treasures. It is only right that we pay it forward in preserving these wide-open spaces through this annual initiative that supports the National Park Foundation.”

Each bottle of the limited-edition, custom By Air series is held within a decorative wooden vessel mirroring Wyoming’s topography, hand-carved by natural materials artist Jamison Sellers. Sellers is known for his efficient use of materials and minimal environmental impact of production.

The labels on each bottle are their own work of art, each featuring aerial images captured by celebrated Wyoming photographer Tuck Fauntleroy, known for his abstract and grandiose style of landscape photography. The series of images were curated by award-winning actor and environmentalist Harrison Ford, the creative director of the series.

“Wyoming Whiskey’s support inspires people to celebrate and give back to the treasured places that give us so much,” said Stefanie Mathew, senior vice president of corporate partnerships at the National Park Foundation. “The National Park Foundation is thrilled to be the beneficiary of the virtual auction and will use these funds to preserve and protect our national parks for current and future generations.”

Celebrating four special landscapes in Wyoming, each bottle is paired with a thoughtfully chosen American Whiskey:

Barrel #5434, Inspired by Black Sand Basin: Representing both the very best of Wyoming Whiskey’s Small Batch Bourbon caramel, orange, and vanilla aroma profile and the perfect Cask Strength barrel. Bottled at cask strength, it has smooth, sweet flavors of orange, vanilla, and caramel, while the palate exudes flavors of grilled white peaches and Chinese 5 spice powder. It is an exceptionally well-balanced, expressive, and elegant Bourbon.

Barrel #2864, Inspired by Hayden Valley: A big, bold Whiskey with strong shoulders and a surprisingly soft, pleasant finish, this American Straight Whiskey has been taken from a single cask that has rye in the mash bill, uncustomary for Wyoming Whiskey. The deep mahogany Hayden Valley features a mash bill of 48% winter rye, 40% corn, and 12% malted barley and is bottled at cask strength. It displays bold aromas of dark chocolate covered cherries, wintergreen leaves, and Devil’s food chocolate cake with coconut and walnut icing. The palate offers intense notes of Demerara sugar, Persian black tea, muddled mint leaves, and dill, with a long, semi-sweet finish.

Barrel #2760, Inspired by Grand Teton: Never released as a single barrel expression before, this Rye Bourbon helps makes up Wyoming Whiskey’s Outryder. Taken from a single cask that has a mash bill containing 68% corn, 20% winter rye, and 12% malted barley and bottled at cask strength. It expresses notes of blackberry cobbler with a cinnamon-sprinkled biscuit crust, English sticky toffee pudding, and honeyed hay. The palate finishes with baking spices and orange blossom honey. This is an exceptionally balanced whiskey with great finesse and a spectrum of flavors to suit every palate.

Barrel #5004, Inspired by Yellowstone Lake: Representing the finest of Wyoming Whiskey’s Small Batch Bourbon spiced aroma profile, in addition to being a darker, richer expression of the rare Cask Strength release. Bottled at cask strength, it offers notes of prunes in sweet syrup, black currant, and Persian black tea. The finish is long, with hints of Medjool dates, thick molasses, and savory desert sage blossom honey. It is a complex Bourbon with a wide spectrum of sweet, savory, spicy, smoky, and nutty aromas.

To stay up to date on Wyoming Whiskey’s first-ever Wide Open Spaces Collection, visit bit.ly/WideOpenSpacesByAir and connect with @WyomingWhiskey on Instagram.

RSVP to WyomingWhiskey@HavasFormula.com for more information.

About the National Park Foundation
The National Park Foundation works to protect wildlife and park lands, preserve history and culture, educate and engage youth, and connect people everywhere to the wonder of parks. We do it in collaboration with the National Park Service, the park partner community, and with the generous support of donors, without whom our work would not be possible. Learn more at www.nationalparks.org.

About Wyoming Whiskey
Based in Kirby, Wyoming, Wyoming Whiskey has had a simple goal: to create America’s next great American Whiskey. The company and product are a collaboration between its partners and 97,818 square miles of Wyoming. The Mead family first came to Wyoming as ranchers in 1890 and the state defines them and their whiskey. They use the finest corn, wheat, barley, and water from the Big Horn Basin and promote Wyoming’s natural and human resources. Every drop of Wyoming Whiskey’s American Whiskey is 100% Wyoming.

About Edrington
Edrington’s vision is that we will give more by building the world’s leading portfolio of exceptional super premium spirits.

Our strategy is to intensify our focus on becoming the world’s leading super premium brand builder. The Macallan is our central focus supported by Highland Park and The Glenrothes in the fast-growing Single Malt category and Naked in the Blended Malt category.

We have strategic partnerships with Tequila Partida and Wyoming Whiskey in the dynamic Tequila and American Whiskey categories.

Our portfolio is completed with The Famous Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky and Brugal premium rum in the Dominican Republic.

Edrington is headquartered in Scotland and employs over 3,500 people in its wholly owned and joint venture companies, with over 70% employed overseas. We own our route to market in 15 countries and distribute our brands to more than 100 countries around the world through joint ventures and third-party agreements.

Edrington Americas is headquartered in New York, NY with regional offices in Chicago, Miami and Orange County. To learn more visit https://www.edrington.com, and to find our brands visit https://www.findourspirits.com.

Fairport, New York — Legendary guitarist John Petrucci is rocking the world with his first signature bourbon, Rock the Barrel, generated from an exclusive collaboration with Iron Smoke Distillery. The craft bourbon whiskey comes in at a full 120 proof, ready to blow the mind.

“As soon as I tasted Iron Smoke’s Cask Strength, I knew I wanted to partner with this distillery,” said Petrucci, widely considered to be one of the greatest guitar players of all time. “I take a craftsmanship approach with everything I do – whether it’s my guitar playing or the people I surround myself with. I care about details and caring to the fullest is what makes something great. Iron Smoke takes the same approach and that is why we forged what we consider the perfect relationship.”

Petrucci is a founding member of the two-time Grammy-nominated progressive metal band, Dream Theater, and is also a bourbon whiskey aficionado. He personally drove five hours to the Finger Lakes region to taste-test Iron Smoke’s Cask Strength. John then hand-picked each of the barrels which were combined for this kick-ass bourbon blend.

“The name, Rock the Barrel, is perfect because it gives you a sense of the experience you will have when this smoky goodness slides over your taste buds,” notes Petrucci. “Being from New York myself, I love how they go to family farms to get ingredients and age their bourbon in barrels from our great state.”

Rock the Barrel bourbon joins Iron Smoke’s collection of award-winning bourbon whiskeys created by Master Distiller, Drew Westcott. In 2018, Iron Smoke was rated a 95.5 in Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible and in 2019 was listed in Forbes Magazine as one of the “10 Best Bourbons Beyond Kentucky.”

Alongside Petrucci, Iron Smoke CEO and founder, Tommy Brunett, conceptualized this special release to complement the legendary guitarist’s unique taste profile.

“We take the craft of making whiskey just as seriously as John takes appreciating a truly good bourbon. This collaboration is proof of that—120 proof!” exclaimed Brunett.

Tommy Brunett is an accomplished musician in his own right, having played guitar for Modern English in the 1980’s. He has written and produced several albums, and regularly performs with the Tommy Brunett Band when he’s not making whiskey. He feels it is destiny that brought John Petrucci and Iron Smoke together for this collaboration.

“To join an award-winning distillery with one of the world’s greatest guitarists—it’s an amazing combination. There’s nothing like the age-old combo of bourbon and rock n’ roll! They go together like Elvis on velvet and we are more excited than a pack of weasels in a hen house!” exclaimed Brunett.

Petrucci grew up on Long Island, and so connecting with a New York State farm distillery was important to him. Many ingredients are grown by farmers within a crow’s flying distance. Locals get to savor the smell of apple wood when the Iron Smoke crew uses the handmade smokin’ machine to cure the grains.

“For me, it’s all about the experience—how the bourbon is made, where it is made, what it smells like, what it tastes like, and even how you talk about it when you are enjoying the moment,” said Petrucci. “I can’t wait for the world to enjoy a Rock the Barrel bourbon moment!”

Starting on May 3, 2021, Iron Smoke’s small-batch edition of Rock the Barrel is available for online purchase at ironsmokedistillery.com. Each 750ml bottle, priced at $200, is personally autographed by John Petrucci himself, and the label features an iconic photo of Petrucci holding his signature Ernie Ball Music Man guitar. Customers also receive an All-Access laminate which entitles them to join a live on-line tasting event with John Petrucci and Tommy Brunett.

All purchases come with a coupon for 20% off a Rock the Barrel t-shirt emblazoned with the stylish aesthetic of the bottle’s artwork.

Rock the Barrel bourbon and t-shirts are also available for in-person purchase at Iron Smoke Distillery’s World Famous Spirit Factory, Watering Room & Side Show in Fairport, New York.

About Rock the Barrel:
Pure and unfiltered, this cask strength, 120 proof bourbon whiskey bridges strength and smoothness with a whisper of apple wood smoke sweetness. Created by Iron Smoke Distillery in Fairport, New York, in partnership with John Petrucci, this is a distinctly flavorful four grain bourbon with apple wood smoked wheat. Rock the Barrel is bottled as a limited-edition, small-batch craft bourbon whiskey.

About John Petrucci:
An American guitarist, composer, and producer best known as a founding member of the two-time Grammy-nominated progressive metal band, Dream Theater. On April 16, 2021, John Petrucci released Liquid Tension Experiment 3 with Jordan Rudess, Mike Portnoy and Tony Levin. Petrucci has two solo albums, Suspended Animation (2005) and Terminal Velocity (2020). He is designated as “arguably the most versatile and proficient player in his realm” by Guitar World Magazine, and is regarded as “one of the most celebrated guitarists alive” by Premier Guitar.

About IRON SMOKE DISTILLERY:
Based in a 21,000-square foot facility in Fairport, NY, Iron Smoke Distillery produces distinct world-class bourbons and whiskeys that can be enjoyed neat or in classic cocktails. Iron Smoke is winner of the prestigious Double Gold in the 2019 North American Bourbon & Whiskey Competition, recipient of a 95.5 rating in the 2018 Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible and is named one of the “10 Best Bourbons Outside of Kentucky” by Forbes Magazine. Their products include Iron Smoke Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Iron Smoke CASKet Strength, Iron Smoke Single Barrel Special Reserve, Rattlesnake Rosie’s Apple Pie Whiskey and Rattlesnake Rosie’s Maple Bacon Whiskey.

As a New York State small-batch farm distillery, Iron Smoke uses local ingredients from Finger Lakes family farms within a 50-mile radius. The stripped mash from production is returned to the farms to be used as feed for their livestock. Iron Smoke’s tasting room, the “Watering Room and Sideshow” features a fully licensed bar with all New York State Wines, Beers, and Spirits as well as weekly live music and world-class entertainment.

For More Information:
https://ironsmokedistillery.com/iron-smoke-rock-the-barrel/

 

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