Archives for May 2023

Laws Whiskey House Releases Its 2023 San Luis Valley Rye

May 27, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Denver’s Laws Whiskey House recently released Batch #4 of their Bottled in Bond San Luis Valley Rye.

A statement from the distiller noted that the new expression is available for tasting and for purchase in the Laws Whiskey House tasting room in Denver, and will be available on Laws’ website and in key markets across the country starting late May for a suggested retail price of $79.99.

This latest batch is a seven-year-old whiskey, and its 24 barrels were distilled between February and April of 2016. The distiller’s notes show that some of the barrels were made from a mash bill of 95% San Luis Valley Rye and 5% two-row barley while others were made with 100% San Luis Valley Rye.

In all, 4,848 bottles were produced in this limited, seasonal release.

All of the grains in this whiskey were grown by the Cody Family Farm located near Alamosa in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. The distilling team at Laws explained that at 7,500 feet of elevation, the growing conditions of this valley contribute unique flavor profiles to the Cody family’s grains, including a distinct minerality that comes from the calcium and mineral rich soil of what used to be prehistoric lake.

The distiller’s notes show that the Bottled in Bond San Luis Valley Rye offers aromas of cherry cola, honey, and black currant that lead to a palate of hazelnut mint, salted toffee, and serrano pepper. After seven years of maturation time, the whiskey also developed layered notes of leather, wood tannins, caramel, and vanilla.

To qualify as a bottled-in-bond whiskey, according to the namesake act, a whiskey expression must be made by one distillery in a single season, must be bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV) and must be aged at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse.

Those requirements are courtesy of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, considered one of America’s first consumer protection laws.

Founder Al Laws said that “the soul of our whiskey comes from the union of the grains and the people who grow them combined with our no-shortcuts process and the people who make up Laws Whiskey House. We love this whiskey because it perfectly represents what we strive for as a distillery: terroir-led flavors, the highest standards of quality, and distinctive flavors, all made for people around the world who love and appreciate whiskey.”

For more information, check out www.lawswhiskeyhouse.com.

Buffalo Trace Releases Ultra-Rare Peated Bourbon, the Latest in Its Experimental Collection

May 27, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Using a peated grain for its 26th experimental bourbon, the revered distillery has created a smoky sensation.

Buffalo Trace Peated Bourbon Mashbill

The liquid in question began its life nearly a decade ago, when master distiller Harlen Wheatley crafted distillate that included a peated malt in its mashbill. The smoked grain was sourced from the United Kingdom (most likely Scotland) and replaced traditional barley—an ingredient which often accounts for up to 10 percent of the cereals used during fermentation.

Outside of that unorthodox substitution, everything about the process was de rigueur for standard bourbon making. The majority of the mashbill consisted of corn, the secondary grain was rye, and after distillation it entered unused barrels staved with charred American oak.

“The Experimental Collection is not about breaking the rules of bourbon,” Wheatley confirms. “In fact, 95 percent of our experiments stay within the confines of traditional methods of making whiskey.”

Notable examples from the past include bourbons that used rice or oats in place of rye in the mashbill—whiskeys that were bombarded with infrared light or aged in barrels that were charred four times longer than usual.

“We conduct this research to better understand the variables that affect our final flavor profiles,” adds Wheatley.

It took careful monitoring to deliver such a result. Because the liquid was unlike anything Buffalo Trace had worked with before, Harlen and his team drew from the six barrels frequently as they aged, on the lower levels of the distillery’s two oldest warehouses.

It probably won’t be long before this one earns the moniker “Peated Pappy” and starts selling for 20 times that on secondary markets.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace bottles some of the most sought-after whiskeys on the planet. The Kentucky-based distillery is responsible for Pappy Van Winkle, George T. Stagg, Eagle Rare, and many other exalted expressions capable of whipping just about any bourbon fan into a frenzy. Nevertheless, no matter how impressive their laurels may be, the craftspeople here hardly seem content to rest on them. In addition to being one of the most acclaimed distilleries in the industry, it’s also among the most creative and experimental—always eager to push limits of flavor. For proof, you needn’t look further than the Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection. Debuting in 2006, the series has now expanded to include its 26th release: Peated Bourbon. What can you expect inside the glass? Let’s uncork this one.

For more information https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/

Dr Disrespect Releases 2nd Run of Black Steel Bourbon at Lower Price, Higher Proof

May 27, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

On Tuesday, Guy Beahm, better known by his video-game-streaming moniker Dr Disrespect, launched the second batch of his whiskey brand, Black Steel Bourbon.

Black Steel Bourbon Batch 2 is available now from ReserveBar for $59.99.

The first batch of Black Steel Bourbon launched in November and sold out in minutes.

Black Steel Bourbon described its second batch of Kentucky straight bourbon as “a unique blend of the highest caliber aged barrels.” Marianne Eaves, Kentucky’s first female master distiller, stayed on board to craft batch 2 after also making the first batch.

Most of the time, whiskeys stay fairly consistent between batches. For Black Steel Bourbon, however, Dr Disrespect has switched things up quite a bit. Here’s what’s changed from batch 1 to batch 2:

The price: While Black Steel Bourbon’s first batch launched for $64.99, batch 2 has dropped by $5 and can be had for $59.99. It’s not often that a brand sells out an expression in minutes and then lowers the price for the next batch, so consumers should be happy about this unexpected change.

The proof: Black Steel Bourbon’s initial batch was bottled at 93 proof. For this new run, Dr Disrespect upped the proof all the way to 100, a change mosts whiskey fans will welcome with open arms. 100 proof, or 50% ABV, is a great proof point for a whiskey.

About Black Steel Spirits

It takes a bit of madness to push for the evolution of a category that celebrates unchanging tradition. Enter Guy Beahm, the man behind the unapologetic gaming legend Dr DisRespect. With his comptetitive streak, bourbon obsession, and implacable drive for the best and only the best, consider it his destiny to create the most delectable bourbon designed for a newer, wilder whiskey drinker. And so, Black Steel has Arrived. Traditional Kentucky craft with a refreshing take on what it means to be a Bourbon.

For more information please visit https://blacksteelspirits.com/products/black-steel-bourbon-1-0

Keanu Reeves Teams With Suntory to Release a Pair of Stellar New Single Malt Whiskies

May 26, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

The world of Japanese whisky just received a star power boost that’s cooler than any celeb-backed tequila brand. House of Suntory announced a new partnership with Keanu Reeves and directors Sofia Coppola and Roman Coppola to celebrate its 100th anniversary. And of course there’s some expensive, limited-edition whisky on the way as well—specifically, two new 18-year-old single malts from Yamazaki and Hakushu.

At a swanky event in New York City last night, the details of this new collaboration were revealed and Reeves and Sofia both made appearances. The roots of this partnership date back decades to Coppola’s 2003 film Lost in Translation, in which Bill Murray plays an actor who travels to Japan to appear in a “Suntory Time” commercial. The new short film is called Suntory Anniversary Tribute, and is a snapshot of the history of Suntory featuring Keanu Reeves (who appeared in an ad campaign for Suntory Reserve in 1992) set to Joan Jett’s cover of “Crimson and Clover.”

And later this summer, Reeves will appear in Roman Coppola’s new docuseries, The Nature and Spirit of Japan, which will explore the connection between Japanese whisky and craftsmanship. “I’m honored to partner with Suntory Whisky again 30 years after our Suntory Reserve campaign,” said Reeves in a statement. “I’m a huge fan of Suntory Whisky, so it’s very special to collaborate in honor of this milestone anniversary. My admiration for the whisky goes beyond tasting the whisky. It is the elevated Japanese craftsmanship and attention to every detail that makes Suntory Whisky so special. As an actor honing and perfecting my own craft, sharing this process in a docuseries is a thrill.”

If you thought bottles of Yamazaki 12 and Hakushu 12 were difficult to get ahold of these days, the pair of limited-edition whiskies released to commemorate the centennial will likely even be more elusive and expensive. We got to sample them both last night, and they are pretty fantastic. The first is Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara, which is matured entirely in Japanese mizunara oak. This type of wood is notoriously difficult to work with, but has been a staple of Japanese whisky maturation dating back to WWII. Mizunara oak-matured whisky is a component of many of the blends and single malts from Suntory, but it’s rare to find a whisky aged solely in it. There is rich fruit, spice, and some incense on the palate, along with some herbal notes like lavender and thyme.

The second bottle is Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt, aged in a variety of casks to showcase the peated barley used in this whisky. The nose has notes of candy and a hint of smoke. On the palate, the peat increases along with notes of grape, watermelon, vanilla, and even a bit of saline. “Hakushu and Yamazaki whiskies are gifts from our past handed down by generations,” said chief blender Shinji Fukuyo in a press release. “It is fitting to release limited editions as part of this incredible milestone, as they represent our relentless pursuit of quality and symbolize our promise to carry our philosophy on for the next one hundred years and beyond.”

For more information please visit https://www.suntory.com/factory/yamazaki/

Filibuster Distillery in redemptive spirits for new whiskey release

May 26, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

SHENANDOAH COUNTY, Va. – Filibuster Distillery’s new bourbon whiskey has the spirit of the purity law. The success and growth comes with a smooth give-and-take in the process.

“We are distributing in 18 states and two international markets, so it just brings up a lot of responsibility now,” Filibuster Distillery Chief Executive Officer Sid Dilawri said.

This business that’s barreled with integrity has made changes since being charged $700,000 by Shenandoah County for dumping water in a stream a few years ago.

“Filibuster Distillery wants to be better and stronger with every new drink release. They invested in a chiller after the 2021 settlement so that the entire distilling process is done the right way.

Filibuster Distillery’s team feels like a community hub with the ingredients to make drinks all purchased from farmers in the area. Dilawri says investing in the chiller makes the business 100 percent self-sustainable.

“All the grains we get goes to the farmer and all the water while we use is a hundred gallons of glycol which we used in the system and it’s a closed loop system —nothing goes out, nothing goes in everything we just chill our mesh,” Dilawri said.

“This is the country for dreams you can you can dream it and you can build it and you can make it happen. There are going to be obstacles. There are going to be people who I will take you down, but be strong because the majority of the people are good people here,” Dilawri said.

He describes the new bourbon whiskey as an exclusive medal of success.

“There are only 16 barrels we did for it, and this also celebrates the journey and dream of coming to America,” Dilawri said.

Anyone wanting a taste of his spirit is encouraged to be there for release day on June 4.

About Filibuster Distillery

Filibuster Distillery was born in the heart of Washington D.C. and raised in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, making it a true product of the Washington, DC area. Founded at a liquor store just steps away from Capitol Hill, the Filibuster brand quickly transformed from a 1st generation immigrant family’s passion project into an incredible American dream.

Filibuster Distillery prides itself on creating an experience that is far from ordinary. Their approach to spirits is unconventional, utilizing innovative production methods and artisanal standards of distillation to create extra layers of complexity within each spirit.

for more information please visit https://filibusterbourbon.com/

Two Souls Spirits Unveils Two Rare Spring Independent Bottle Releases

May 16, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Independent bottler Two Souls Spirits recently announced their 2023 Spring Whiskey Collection.

A statement from the whiskey bottler noted that this collection of single-barrel whiskeys features two limited-releases from two award-winning craft distilleries … Watershed Distillery and Sutherland Distilling.

“Our spring 2023 release is all about rarity and the story that each barrel has to tell. The first release in our new Ghost Barrel Series, the 6-year 100% corn bourbon from Sutherland Distilling is bourbon on steroids. It’s brash, sweet, and packs a serious punch … there’s no doubt you’re drinking a barrel proof whiskey.”

He noted that with Sutherland Distilling closing its doors permanently in February, this barrel represents the last remaining whiskey from that distillery.

And the American single malt from Watershed is a complete one-off as well, Estrada said, as they’ve never before released a single malt whiskey. “We were super lucky to get this barrel and be able to release it at cask strength. Also, the apple brandy barrel finish that we did adds a complex fruitiness that will remind people of a Sherry-cask Scotch. There’s just nothing else like it on the market.”

Two Souls Spirits follows the Scottish model of independent bottling by focusing on spirits from craft distilleries.

“We are committed to true collaboration and sharing our partner’s stories and products with a national audience,” said Co-Founder Chad Civetti. “Watershed is one of the most respected craft distilleries in the U.S., we couldn’t be happier to collaborate with them for this one-of-a-kind release.”

“And while we were hoping to continue our partnership with Sutherland, we’re excited to offer our customers the last remaining stocks of their finest bourbon,” he added. “Both of these distilleries are great examples of why we started Two Souls Spirits in the first place, to spread the word and make accessible the exceptional whiskies that American craft distilleries are producing.”

Two Souls Co-Founder James Estrada explained that both these whiskeys come 100% uncut and unfiltered, and are available exclusively for online purchase at www.twosoulsspirits.com.

For more information please visit https://www.twosoulsspirits.com

FUJI Whisky Releases New Japanese Whisky in the U.S.

May 16, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

NEW YORK, N.Y.— The award-winning Japanese whisky brand, FUJI Whisky, announces the release of its FUJI Japanese Whisky, a single site blended, 100% Japanese whisky inspired by the terroir of the Mt. Fuji area. This unique expression, aged for an average of eight years in 100% American White Oak, is the embodiment of what sets Mt. Fuji Distillery apart, as the world’s only distillery to craft, nurture, age, and bottle three styles of grain whiskies – heavy American Bourbon style, medium Canadian style, light Scottish style, and malt whisky under one roof – a single estate approach.

In 1973, Mt. Fuji Distillery began combining Japanese craftsmanship with the distillation technology for American, Canadian, and Scotch whisky production, making it one of the only distilleries capable of producing both malt and grain whiskies on a single site, just 7.5 miles from the peak of Mt. Fuji. The only whisky in Japan to use the mountain’s snowmelt in its production, that 50-year journey from Mt. Fuji’s peak to the depths of the aquifer 330-feet underneath the distillery is the foundation for FUJI’s distinctive whisky expressions. These innovations and new category breakthroughs led FUJI Whisky and Master Blender, Jota Tanaka to seek out category recognition from the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association (“JSLMA”) for creating a new type of whisky that is crafted from start to finish on one site and celebrates its terroir: FUJI Japanese Whisky.

“This unique expression marks a special moment for FUJI Whisky and our Mt. Fuji Distillery as its release signifies FUJI as the pioneer of single blended Japanese whiskies,” said Jota Tanaka, Master Blender. “To be recognized by the JSLMA is an honor and I am excited to continue to grow the line of FUJI expressions on a global scale. Our FUJI Japanese Whisky is truly an exceptional gift; one which reflects the impact of, and patient ageing in the beautiful environment that surrounds Mt. Fuji, highlighting the control we can have over each element of production, embracing the distillation techniques that set us apart and make us truly one of kind.”

The FUJI Japanese Whisky Tasting Notes from Master Blender Jota Tanaka are as follows:

Aroma: Peach, apricot, orange liqueur, delicately fruity with a hint of honey and oatmeal cookies

Flavors: Delicate yet vivid fruits, Williams pear, apricot, and white table grapes

Finish: A delicately sweet, fruity, and rich aftertaste is interwoven with a pleasantly long, silky finish

A leader in grain whiskey innovation, FUJI Whisky made its U.S. debut in 2021 with the release of FUJI Single Grain Japanese Whiskey in partnership with Distinguished Vineyards. The FUJI Single Grain Japanese Whiskey is a blend of three different grain whiskies, each distilled in three different methods, each possessing its own unique flavor profile, resulting in a delicately fruity whiskey that is both mellow and multi-layered in profile. Last year, FUJI released the FUJI 30-Year-Old Single Grain Whiskey in the U.S., a blend of multiple maturates of Canadian style grain whiskies aged more than 30 years. Each barrel was meticulously hand selected by Master Blender, Jota Tanaka, to create a rich, luscious, and beautifully balanced style whiskey with complexity.

The FUJI Japanese Whisky is bottled at 86 proof and is available in markets including California, Texas, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Georgia, and Florida at an SRP of $70 / 700ml bottle.

About FUJI Whisky

FUJI Whisky is named after the most iconic landmark in Japan, Mt. Fuji, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, cultural inspiration, and the location of Mt. Fuji Distillery just 7.5 miles from the mountain’s peak, surrounded by lush forest. Established in 1973 to bring the best of Japanese craftsmanship with Scottish, American, and Canadian technology under one roof, it is the closest distillery to Mt. Fuji in all of Japan. Named after one of Japan’s most iconic landmarks, Mt. Fuji Distillery is situated just miles from the peak of Mt. Fuji and is one of the only whiskies in the world to use the mountain’s snowmelt water in its production. The snowmelt’s 50-year journey from Mt. Fuji’s peak to the depths of an underground aquifer to the distillery results in a uniquely clear, pristine, and soft water that is the foundation for FUJI’s distinctive whisky expressions.

Mt. Fuji Distillery has a long history of awards and accolades and is considered the leader in Japanese Grain Whiskey. 2020 awards on the new FUJI brand include Trophy at the International Spirits Challenge, Worlds Best Grain & Gold at the 2020 World Whiskies Awards. This adds richly to the brand’s pedigree that includes winning the World Whiskies Awards “World Best Grain” four times in five years.

About Distinguished Vineyards

Formed in 2008, Distinguished Vineyards is a dynamic mid-size wine and spirits company that includes a collection of iconic, premium brands from around the world. Recognized as benchmarks from their regions, the portfolio includes the highly acclaimed Argyle Winery in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, MacRostie Winery in Sonoma County, Markham Vineyards in Napa Valley, Wither Hills from Marlborough, New Zealand, and FUJI Whisky from Japan. Dedicated to excellence, social equity and sustainability, Distinguished Vineyards includes more than 1,000 acres of sustainably certified estate vineyards and has achieved local certification for sustainable practices at each of its wineries.

For More Information:
https://fujiwhisky.com

BHAKTA Spirits Releases New, Deeply-Aged Armagnac Expression

May 15, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

POULTNEY, Vt.— BHAKTA Spirits, the world’s preeminent House of Vintages, announced the limited release of its next BHAKTA 50 (1868–1970), Barrel 24: “Gandhi”. This novel new expression of the oldest spirits on Earth will be distributed nationally and available at local merchants and retailers. Only 100 bottles of the total productino will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis through the brand’s e-commerce partner.

Each barrel of BHAKTA 50 is named for an iconic historical character whose deeds echo through time. This 24th barrel honors Mahatma Gandhi, whom we remember for his intelligence, commitment to nonviolence, and unique ability to inspire a largely fragmented country.

This uncompromising and collector-worthy barrel contains a blend of eight exquisite Armagnac vintages — 1868, 1888, 1924, 1931, 1960, 1963, 1967, 1970 — which correspond to the life story and achievements of one of India’s, and the world’s, most beloved visionaries. Of particular note in this blend is the extremely scarce 1931 Armagnac vintage, which marked the signing of The Gandhi-Irwin Pact that began negotiations with Britain to ensure India’s independence.

“BHAKTA 50 Barrel 24: ‘Gandhi’ highlights the heroism of icon Mahatma Gandhi through its blend of astoundingly old Armagnac vintages,” said Co-Founder Leo Gibson. “The 1868 vintage found in each bottle was harvested just one year before Gandhi was born. An Indian innovator of Gujarati descent — just like our Founder, Raj Peter Bhakta — Gandhi was studying law in London when the 1888 vintage was harvested; the 1924 vintage saw him released from prison in India for his so-called ‘political crimes,’ and then promptly elected the 43rd President of the Indian National Congress. With this bottle, we toast the trailblazers who defy injustice, show a better path forward for humanity, and stand up for the fundamental rights of their people.”

Fifty years at its youngest — and more than one hundred fifty at its oldest — BHAKTA 50 carries a jaw-dropping age statement nearly unimaginable in a market which considers a whiskey “old and rare” at the adolescent age of twelve or thirteen. Only 38 barrels of BHAKTA 50 will ever be produced.

About BHAKTA Spirits

BHAKTA Spirits is the world’s preeminent House of Vintages. Founded by visionary entrepreneur Raj Peter Bhakta — also the founder of WhistlePig Whiskey — BHAKTA offers a luxury craft spirits portfolio of limited release Single Vintage whiskeys, brandies, rums, and more, anchored by its ancient and awe-inspiring Armagnac holdings dating back to 1868. An innovator in the experiential hospitality space with a mission to help guests “Find Their Spirit,” BHAKTA’s unique destinations include historic properties in France, Vermont, and Florida. BHAKTA Spirits is headquartered on its BHAKTA-Griswold Campus in Poultney, VT, the former site of Green Mountain College.

About OVERTON & ASSOCIATES

OVERTON & ASSOCIATES is a strategic communications and myth building agency with offices in Manhattan and Chicago. Representing a range of clients across wine, spirits, publishing, and politics — and animated by a mission to “Move the Window” of perception in an increasingly surreal media landscape — OVERTON champions concepts whose time has come.

For More Information:
https://www.bhaktaspirits.com

Santa Fe Distillery Known For Mesquite Smoked Whiskey Tries Its Hand at Unsmoked Single Malt

May 15, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

A distillery known for its mesquite-smoked single malt whisky is expanding its variety by launching an unsmoked expression.

On Thursday, Santa Fe Spirits announced the nationwide release of Colkegan Unsmoked Single Malt Whiskey, which is available to be shipped to 42 states from the distillery’s website.

Santa Fe Spirits got its start using mesquite to imbue its whiskies with a smoky flavor — the distillery’s answer to finding a style similar to yet distinctly different from peated scotch whisky.

Until the Unsmoked, Santa Fe Spirits has made each of its whiskeys from one-third smoked barley and two-thirds unsmoked barley.

With Colkegan Unsmoked, Santa Fe Spirits is looking to show that it’s more than a one-trick pony.

“We love experimenting with traditional single malt whiskey to develop new products while honoring the heritage of single malt,” Santa Fe Spirits founder Colin Keegan said in a news release. “Our mesquite-smoked Colkegan has won people’s hearts, and we wanted to release a whiskey that would complement our current line-up of American Single Malts, but also stand on its own.

“Four years ago we made our traditional Colkegan Single Malt Whiskey, but without smoking the malt. We tucked a few barrels of it into a back corner of the rickhouse, aged it in new American Oak, and used bourbon barrels. We’re excited to release it nationwide.”

About Santa Fe Spirits

Santa Fe Spirits was founded by Colin Keegan in 2010 with the goal of becoming the Southwest’s preeminent artisan distillery. With products ranging from American Single Malt Whiskeys to barrel-aged apple brandy to a whiskey liqueur that’s unlike anything else in the market, Santa Fe Spirits proudly produces exceptional spirits designed to capture and accentuate the essence of the Southwest. Stop by the distillery for a visit and we will be happy to show you what making world-class spirits is all about, or head to our downtown tasting room to experience our spirits in a range of cocktails.

For more information please visit https://santafespirits.com/

The Distillery Behind Jim Beam Is Releasing Its First American Single Malt Whiskey

May 15, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

American single malt will be a legally defined American whiskey any day now. That’s perfect timing for one of the biggest bourbon distilleries in the world, the James B. Beam Distilling Co., to release its own version into this burgeoning category called Clermont Steep.

James B. Beam Distilling Co. is, of course, the company behind Jim Beam which is one of the best-selling bourbons both here and abroad. In addition to that ubiquitous whiskey, eighth-generation master distiller Freddie Noe, along with his father Fred Noe and grandfather Booker Noe, have been responsible for some of the most influential American whiskeys of the past few decades. Booker was the creative force behind the Jim Beam Small Batch Collection, which includes Booker’s, Knob Creek, Basil Hayden, and Baker’s. Fred has been the face of the distillery and overseen operations there for many years, and is a respected and familiar face in the world of Kentucky bourbon. And now Freddie has come into his own with his Little Book series of blended whiskeys, operating the new Fred B. Noe Distillery and now introducing Clermont Steep.

At a recent tasting, Noe talked about the development of this new American single malt. Beam isn’t the first major American whiskey brand to release a single malt—Jack Daniel’s launched its own last year. But that whiskey was an entirely different animal, having spent a full two years finishing in Oloroso sherry casks. Clermont Steep does not get a secondary maturation, just a full five years in new charred American oak barrels. Noe said that the project really got underway six years ago when the first barrels were laid down for this release. Previous iterations of malt whiskey have appeared as components of Little Book Chapter Six, but those were younger whiskeys that were finished with different barrel staves.

While the pending legal definition of American single malt will likely allow it to be matured in used barrels, Noe is firmly in the camp that thinks that new charred oak barrels are the way to go. This puts American single malt more in line with bourbon, but he says that’s the point—this should be a distinctly American whiskey, as opposed to single malts from other countries that can be aged in nearly any type of barrel. The mashbill is 100 percent malted barley, and the distillery’s heirloom “jug yeast” is used for fermentation. The whiskey was distilled in a column still—”I will argue this till the day I die,” said Noe, “What goes on in a pot still can happen in column still”—and bottled at a higher 47 percent ABV.

“This American single malt whiskey is smooth, sweet, and incredibly balanced, and it deserves a spot on any whiskey lover’s bar cart, right alongside their bourbons and ryes,” said Noe in a statement. “I’m always looking toward the future of American whiskey, and the boundless runway in this category intrigued me. We don’t just want to participate in American single malt whiskey; we want to help define it for the future of the category.”

For more information please visit https://www.beamdistilling.com/