U.S. Whiskey Report

Whiskey News, Whiskey Releases and New Distilleries

Archives for May 2023

Buffalo Trace Releases Peated Bourbon

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Buffalo Trace DistilleryThe new Buffalo Trace Experimental Peated Bourbon is the 26th release in the brand’s Experimental Collection, created to ‘push the limits of innovation’ in American whiskey.

The ‘one-of-a-kind’ Bourbon uses smoked peated malt to add a ‘hint of smoke’ to the rye mashibill. The use of peated malt is rare in American whiskey production, the Kentucky distiller said.

The distillate was aged for nearly 10 years in new charred white oak casks before being bottled at 45% ABV.

The resulting liquid offers a ‘smoky and nutty’ aroma, with hints of leather, mahogany and cacao beans, with flavours of ‘light smoke’, brown butter, and a sweet toffee finish.

“The Experimental Collection is not about breaking the rules of Bourbon; in fact, 95% of our experiments stay within the confines of traditional methods of making whiskey,” said Harlen Wheatley, Buffalo Trace’s master distiller.

“We conduct this research to better understand the variables that affect our final flavour profiles.

“We were eager to experiment with peat to see how the grain influenced our mashbill from a recipe perspective. We anticipated it providing the perfect hint of smoke, just enough to compliment the sweet and spicy notes from the rye, and I’m happy to report our hypothesis was correct.”

Buffalo Trace Experimental Peated Bourbon is priced at US$46.99 per 375ml bottle. It is available to buy across retailers and restaurants in the US.

In December 2022, Buffalo Trace filled its eight-millionth barrel of Bourbon after its US$1.2 billion expansion.

Buffalo Trace’s WL Weller 12 Year Old secured the Taste Master accolade in last year’s American Whiskey Masters blind tasting.

In June 2022, Sazerac acquired Lough Gill Distillery in County Sligo, which will become the new home for its Irish whiskey brands Paddy and Michael Collins.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery History

Throughout the challenges of floods, fires, tornadoes and even Prohibition, the American family-owned Buffalo Trace Distillery has never compromised. A timeless dedication to respecting the past while fearlessly innovating for the future has served us well for more than two centuries. No matter the challenge, be it Mother Nature or man, the people of our Distillery have been part of the story that shaped America and the spirit industry as well.

For more information please visit https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2023/05/buffalo-trace-releases-peated-bourbon/

Blue Run Spirits Releases First Single Barrel Rye Whiskey

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Blue Run SpiritsBlue Run Spirits announces its first ever Single Barrel Rye Whiskey, dropping just in time for Mother’s Day. Blue Run Kentucky Straight Emerald Single Barrel Rye Whiskey marks the second release from Blue Run’s award-winning Emerald Rye series. Blue Run Emerald Single Barrel Rye will be available only online at BlueRunSpirits.com beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Tuesday, May 2.

Like the Gold Medal-awarded Blue Run Emerald Rye Whiskey (released in November 2022), this single barrel offering was contract distilled by Blue Run Liquid Advisor Jim Rutledge at Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. Shaylyn Gammon, Blue Run’s Whiskey Director, carefully selected these barrels to echo the rich, complex flavors from Emerald Rye Whiskey, but with each featuring its own personality found only in a single barrel release. Adding to the complexity, these are also bottled at barrel proof with no water added to dilute the flavor or aroma, thus allowing subtle individual nuances to shine through.

“With Blue Run’s Emerald Rye Whiskies, I am trying to work towards a baseline flavor foundation for the entire collection, then find interesting or unexpected interpretations that are wholly unique but don’t stray too far from the original profile,” said Gammon. “This might be somewhat easier when blending, but when you are working with single barrels at barrel proof, the art lies in the barrel selection, understanding how the distillate interacted with the barrel char level, and to the extent I can, what climate factors impacted that barrel as it aged over the years.”

In keeping with releasing a whiskey just before Mother’s Day, each of the single barrels from this Emerald Rye collection are named for the mothers in the lives of Blue Run founders. As noted by Shaylyn, each barrel has its own unique personality, just like these amazing women. Thanks moms!

About Blue Run Spirits

Georgetown, Kentucky-based Blue Run Spirits is an evolution of the traditional spirits company, creating award-winning bourbons and rye whiskies through time-honored traditions matched with inclusive, forward-looking vision. It all starts with the whiskey itself, carefully crafted by Blue Run Liquid Advisor and Bourbon Hall of Famer Jim Rutledge and Whiskey Director Shaylyn Gammon. That precious liquid is then housed in striking packaging adorned with Blue Run’s signature butterfly medallion, marking the metamorphosis of a centuries-old industry as Blue Run reaches across the bar to welcome today’s younger, broader and more diverse whiskey drinker. Blue Run Spirits was founded in 2020 and was named one of the 50 most innovative companies in America by Bloomberg.

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