Archives for September 2023

Jack Daniel’s releases rare new single malt.

September 25, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

After making whiskey for more than 150 years, Jack Daniel’s has distilled something new: an American single malt whiskey.

When a spirits lover hears the phrase “single malt,” they may think of single malt Scotch whiskys — often known for their grassy flavor because the malted barley may be dried with smoke from local peat moss. There are few American single malts currently being made but those that are mostly come from craft distillers.

The new Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt Whiskey ($99.99, 90 proof, available in select-duty free retail locations worldwide) is different from its Scottish relatives — there’s no peat involved. It’s made with the same yeast used in its Tennessee whiskey and rye whiskey. But, unlike whiskey, which is made with corn and rye, as well as malted barley, the only grain to be used in the single malt is malted barley.

For the single malt, Jack Daniel’s used a different kind of barley than used in its other whiskeys — but it’s still ground, fermented and distilled in Lynchburg, Tennessee — and the grain results in a nuttier or biscuit-like flavor, said its master distiller Chris Fletcher.

After aging in new, charred American oak barrels for about five years and finished in Oloroso Sherry casks, the whiskey has aromas of honey, malted chocolate and dark fruits. Flavors exuded include bread and dry cherry and “an interesting texture and viscosity that you get from the barley,” he said during an online tasting of the new whiskey this week.

“When we began experimenting with a 100% malt grain bill back in 2012, we knew it would be critical to put our own stamp on timeless Single Malt traditions and craft something that was uniquely Jack Daniel’s,” Fletcher said in a press release. “There was a lot of excitement surrounding our limited edition American Single Malt Special Release last year, and we are thrilled to now offer Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt to our friends around the world.”

For more information please visit https://www.jackdaniels.com/en-us

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Releases 1983 Port Ellen 40 Year Single Malt

September 19, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whiskey — Photo Credit: Duncan Taylor

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky recently released a malt from its ‘Rarest Collection’ – a Port Ellen 40-year-old single malt whisky from March 16, 1983. Available globally, this limited release of 209 bottles comes from cask number 667, one of the last batches of Port Ellen production – mere weeks before the distillery closed its doors for the last time in May of the same year.

At 104.8 proof the liquid was matured in a European Oak ex-sherry butt, with the cask initially stored on Islay, until it was laid down to finish maturing in the vaults at Duncan Taylor’s HQ in Aberdeenshire in 2010. Each hand-finished decanter is sequentially numbered with a signed certificate of authenticity. The Scottish firm last released a Port Ellen back in 2013.

“When I bought the company from Abe Rosenberg’s family back in 2001, the inventory was incredible with some amazing rare and old whiskies.” said Chairman Euan Shand in a prepared statement. “The casks of Port Ellen were ones that really stood out for me as something special and we’ve patiently waited for them to mature, bringing that rich, dark colour to the liquid. The cask created an evocative whisky that embraces the peat from the kilns and the brine of the sea, alongside a succulent rich fruity base. It’s one of the finest whiskies we’ve launched this year.”

With a price point of $7,300 the Port Ellen 40-year-old is available for purchase in the US. More details about it may be found at the Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky website. You’ll find official tasting notes below.

Nose: A classic sherried Islay. Full of treacle toffee and leather mixed with bright fruity notes of blackberries and strawberries drenched in cream. A touch of zesty citrus offsets the fruity sweetness, and some dark, waxy comb honey adds depth. Some intense maritime notes of sea spray combined with kombu kelp. Mineral touches of seashore pebbles emerge with time from underneath the sherried fruits.

Palate: Very true to the nose. Dark treacle toffee and more fruits, this time more cooked than fresh. Thick and chewy texture with roasted pecan nuts to the fore. The leathery, maritime notes persist with some warming spices of cloves and caraway. The peat comes over as a distant driftwood bonfire on a salt drenched seashore. A dark, smoky, and fruity chutney balanced by a refreshing hint of spearmint. Wonderful balance with all elements in good equilibrium.

Finish: Long and seemingly everlasting. The dark bitter chocolate notes from the sherry cask persist to the last, along with some spicy toasted oak. The chewy toffee fruits continue, but now are slightly drier than on the palate. The driftwood bonfire of the peat is now reduced to some smouldering embers. Again, the balance is perfect with all elements singing in harmony.

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

Blackened Whiskey Partners with Kaveh Zamanian for “Masters of Whiskey Series”

September 18, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

NEW YORK — Today, BLACKENED Whiskey announces a groundbreaking collaboration with Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame Whiskey Maker, Kaveh Zamanian, founder of renowned craft whiskey distillery, Rabbit Hole, for the 2023 release of its acclaimed “Masters of Whiskey Series.” Together, BLACKENED Master Distiller & Blender, Rob Dietrich, and Zamanian have created the BLACKENED x Rabbit Hole Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskey Distilled in Tennessee & Kentucky. Finished in Calvados Casks, the blend is bottled at cask strength at a proof of 106.59, and non-chill filtered.

Debuted in 2021 with the BLACKENED x Willett Straight Rye Finished in Madeira Casks, the “Masters of Whiskey Series” is built upon the brand’s core tenant of collaboration, uniting the unparalleled expertise of two master craftsmen to reimagine craft whiskey and create new, extraordinary expressions.

For this release, esteemed whiskey visionaries, Dietrich and Zamanian, crafted the expression from a base of 13-year-old straight Tennessee bourbon whiskey featuring a mash bill of 64 percent corn, 36 percent rye, and Rabbit Hole Heigold High Rye Double Malt Kentucky straight bourbon, made from a mash bill of 70 percent corn, 25 percent malted rye, and 5 percent malted barley. The whiskey is then finished in Calvados Casks, imparting sweeter notes as Calvados is an apple brandy. The resulting expression features notes of apple butter, rhubarb, honey-suckle, graham cracker, and macadamia nut on the nose and hints of ripe pear, cinnamon stick, smoky campfire, field clover, honey, and black walnut on the palate.

The basis of the partnership stems from both brands’ and distillers’ uncompromising passion, reputation for forging their own paths in American Whiskey, and most importantly, their ability to innovate. For its whiskeys, Rabbit Hole’s Chief Whiskey Maker, Kaveh Zamanian, looks beyond traditional methods, creating one-of-a-kind mash bills using malt sourced from Europe, while BLACKENED Whiskey pushes the envelope with its Black Noise™ sonic-enhancement process.

During finishing, the whiskey is sonically-enhanced to extract more flavor from the finishing casks, using a patent-pending scientific process co-developed by the sound engineers at Meyer Sound. The process produces low hertz sound waves causing the whiskey to reverberate at a fast rate, interacting with the oak staves of the finishing barrel, measurably releasing wood compounds and flavors. Their ardor for constantly challenging traditional whiskey-making processes and treating the craft as an art form led them to the flavorful blend.

“It was great working with Kaveh, as we came in with different backgrounds and similar mindsets, with a passion to create something unusual and unique to see where we could take it,” explained Dietrich. “We were both interested in starting with the 13-year-old Tennessee bourbon whiskey, and then worked back to see what was going to pair well with that as far as mash bill and blending different whiskeys from their distillery. We were really looking for something that balanced and layered the flavor profiles together, then adding a dash of flavor through the Calvados cask finishing. I’m ecstatic at what we came up with!”

“It was so exciting to be able to work with BLACKENED Whiskey and Rob Dietrich,” said Zamanian. “It seems like it was just an organic process, more art than science when we came together. It’s always great to be able to work with whiskey makers who are doing new things, such as BLACKENED, as it helps us learn more and improve our game. And ultimately the consumers benefit from it too, because you get new expressions – something that’s genuinely different and a blend of our different approaches and voices.”

“The ‘Masters of Whiskey Series’ represents our dedication to innovation and speaks to our core principle of collaboration,” said Metallica bassist, Robert Trujillo. “Just as Metallica always tries to blaze new trails with our music and artistic style, we love that we are able to do the same with our approach to crafting exceptional whiskey.”

As a testament to the collaboration and taste, the expression was entered into the 2023 New York Wine & Spirits Competition (NYWSC), where it was awarded a Gold Medal. Currently in its 13th year, the competition is one of the most respected judging events in the eastern USA and consists of a judging panel of the wine and spirits industry’s most trusted authorities.

ABOUT KAVEH ZAMANIAN & RABBIT HOLE DISTILLERY

Rabbit Hole was born to blow the cobwebs off the American whiskey category and pierce through the conformity that had kept it stuck in the 19th century. Rabbit Hole’s Founder and Whiskey Maker, Kaveh Zamanian, left a 20+ year career as a clinical psychologist to pursue his long-standing passion for fine spirits. With a mission to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, he set course to develop one-of-a-kind expressions of American whiskey. Through its signature core offerings – Cavehill Four Grain Triple Malt Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Boxergrail Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, Dareringer Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in PX Sherry Casks, and Heigold High Rye Double Malt Kentucky Straight Bourbon – along with its innovative Founder’s Collection series, stands as the best example of innovation and craft distillation in the country. This distinction is highlighted by its use of truly singular mash bills, signature malted grains, and custom-made, hand-selected, toasted & charred barrels. Our state-of-the art distillery is a cathedral to the art and science of whiskey making and is located in the Nulu neighborhood in heart of downtown Louisville. Designed as a true craft distillery designed to scale, it produces 27,000 barrels every year. Since opening in 2018, it has been heralded as the “Architectural Icon” of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and was recently named “World’s Leading Bourbon Distillery Tour” by the World Travel Awards. In 2022, Kaveh was inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame’s 20th anniversary class, cementing his place among industry pioneers and visionaries.

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

Kentucky Owl Releases Maighstir Edition

September 18, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

BARDSTOWN, Ky.— Stoli Group is pleased to announce the release of its latest collaboration, Kentucky Owl Maighstir Edition. Available across the U.S, the Maighstir Edition is the third international collaboration limited edition release from Kentucky Owl, demonstrating the brand’s imaginative take on the making of classic bourbon.

A result of the collaboration between Master Blenders John Rhea and new Kentucky Owl Master Blender Maureen Robinson, Maighstir Edition pays homage to the rich whiskey traditions of both the United States and Scotland. This release not only celebrates the artful craft of blending high-quality liquid but also the different flavors and taste profiles that each country has become famous for in the making of their whiskeys. This bourbon brings the best of Scotch whisky blending skills to Kentucky Owl’s bourbon range. “Maighstir” (pronounced may-stir) translates as ‘Master’ in Gaelic, authentically highlighting the wonderful collaboration between these two great whiskey masters.

Rhea and Robinson worked together to create the resulting Scottish inspired edition by blending 4yr old, 5yr old, 8yr old and 9yr old Kentucky Straight Bourbons, with mashbills containing corn, wheat, rye and malted barley. These specific Bourbons were carefully selected to convey a Scottish inspired Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

“Our latest limited edition release exemplifies the dedication of Kentucky Owl to offer Bourbon enthusiasts a glimpse into the world of Scotch whiskies,” said Maureen Robinson. “It has the citrus perfumed floral green notes with hints of sweetness and oak reminiscent of a lighter style Scotch but still keeping all the credentials of a bourbon.”

This collaboration also signifies the end of one chapter and the beginning of another as Kentucky Owl recently announced that Robinson is assuming the position of Master Blender, held by Rhea over the past 2 years. “Having the opportunity to craft the Maighstir Edition alongside Maureen instills me with great confidence that Kentucky Owl is in exceptional hands, as Maureen steps into her role as Master Blender,” commented John Rhea.

This Scottish inspired bourbon whiskey emerges as the perfect undertaking to coincide with Maureen taking the helm. As one of the 60 Whisky Hall of Famers and distinguished as one of a small group of female ‘Masters of the Quaich’ worldwide, her presence further strengthens the brand’s commitment to honoring artisanship and heritage. “It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with John to create a liquid that is rich in the tradition of Kentucky distillation with the timeless allure of Scotland’s whisky craftsmanship,” continued Robinson.

On the nose, the blend reveals subtle notes of small grains, notably malted barley with a hint of sweet caramel. The balance of grains with the sweetness of caramel and vanilla pays homage to the art of blending exceptional bourbon, seen through the perspective of Scotland’s heritage.

On the palate, there is a warm and spicy sweetness from the rye, which is expected from a great bourbon. Then, the gentle flavors of wheat and barley come in, making the taste soothing. As it melts the liquid reveals hints of orange and grapefruit. Finished by mild flavors of caramel and vanilla.

The Maighstir Edition will be available at an MSRP of $150 (100 Proof, ABV 50%)

About Kentucky Owl

Stoli Group, a leading global ultra-premium spirits and wine company, purchased Kentucky Owl in 2017. Originally founded by C.M. Dedman in 1879, the Kentucky Owl Bardstown distillery went dark during the Prohibition era and remained dormant until the brand was revived in 2014. Since then, the company’s small batch releases have sold out quickly and received strong reviews. Other various releases for Kentucky Owl have included their international collaboration series with Takumi Edition and St. Patrick’s Edition, Confiscated, Mardi Gras XO Cask Rye Whiskey Limited Edition. The Wiseman brand includes a bourbon and rye whiskey.

About Stoli Group

Established in 2013, Stoli Group is a leader in the production, management, and distribution of a global portfolio of spirits and wines. Renowned for its flagship brand, Stoli Vodka, the company appeals to luxury on-premise global consumers. At the heart of Stoli Group’s offerings lie iconic brands including elit Vodka, Bayou Rum, Kentucky Owl, Villa One Tequila, Gator Bite Rum Liqueurs, Cenote Tequila, Tulchan Gin, and Se Busca Mezcal. In the wine portfolio, Stoli Group’s Tenute del Mondo division includes esteemed labels such as Archaval Ferrer (Argentina) and Arinzano (Spain), while boasting substantial shares in Supertoscan Ornellaia, Masseto, Luce, and CastelGiocondo. 2021 marked a significant milestone for Stoli Group as it became an equal shareholder in Chateau Miraval and its family of brands, including Miraval Muse, Studio, and Fleur de Miraval. Pioneering the fermented and distilled non-alcoholic space, Stoli Group invests in The Pathfinder Hemp and Root.

Spanning over 176 markets worldwide, Stoli Group collaborates with a network of 200 distributors. Headquartered in Luxembourg, the company’s production facilities in Argentina, Latvia, Spain, and the United States have a rich heritage dating back to the early part of the last century.

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

Laws Whiskey House Announces Fan Favorite Honey Cask Finished Bourbon

September 17, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Laws Whiskey House, the award-winning whiskey distillery in Denver, unveils their newest Special Finish Series release: Honey Cask Finished Bourbon – a sweet collaboration with Bee Squared Apiaries. This whiskey is available for purchase in the Laws Whiskey House tasting room in Denver starting September 16th, and will be available in limited quantities at lawswhiskeyhouse.com and in key markets across the country starting late September for a suggested retail price of $79.99.

This creation is the result of a unique collaboration between distillers, beekeepers, and honeybees, bringing together the artistry of whiskey making with the richness of nature’s golden elixir. Laws Honey Cask Finished Bourbon takes enthusiasts on a journey that showcases the fusion of flavors derived from this collaborative process.

The journey begins with Laws Whiskey House’s Four Grain Straight Bourbon, which is crafted in small batches and aged in new charred oak barrels, developing its signature depth and complexity. After the whiskey is harvested, Bee Squared Apiaries in Berthoud, CO fills Laws barrels with their delicious honey which interacts with the remaining bourbon and char while also coating the inside of the barrel. After harvesting the honey, the honey-infused barrels return to Laws Whiskey House.

For the second round of aging, Laws Whiskey House refills these same honey-coated barrels with its Four Grain Straight Bourbon, allowing the whiskey to integrate with the essence of honey. This marriage of whiskey and honey yields a symphony of taste, with the added sweetness accentuating the notes of black tea, orange blossom, and cinnamon. Upon savoring, you’ll be greeted by a bright, floral aroma, followed by the delightful combination of sweet orange and buttered toast, all wrapped in a generous flavor of honey. This whiskey delivers a round mouthfeel and a full-bodied finish.

Al Laws, founder and president of Laws Whiskey House says, “our Honey Cask Finished Bourbon is a tasting room fan favorite. We are thrilled to finally share this creation on a larger scale with this special small batch. The collaboration between our talented distillers, Bee Squared Apiaries, and the industrious honeybees is delicious but also a testament to our commitment to innovation and craftsmanship.”

This limited release consists of a marriage of four barrels. These barrels aged for 2 years 8 months in new charred oak and an average of 1 year and 6 months in used honey casks, making the total age of this release 4 years and 2 months. Only 1,080 bottles of this release were harvested at 95 proof. Join Laws Whiskey House at their tasting room on September 16 for their Honey Cask Finished Bourbon launch event. If you can’t make it to the event, find this whiskey at select retailers later in September.

About Laws Whiskey House

Established in 2011, Laws Whiskey House is a purpose-driven whiskey distillery founded on the principle that the soul of its whiskey is composed of the people who grow the grain, the people who make the spirit, and the people who drink the whiskey. Laws’ grain-forward style whiskeys are made with the highest quality corn and heirloom wheat, barley, and rye grown by two Colorado family farms. The distillery uses time-tested production techniques that showcase each individual grain’s terroir and abundantly rich palate of flavors. With a collection of award-winning whiskey, including several Bottled in Bond expressions, Laws Whiskey House invites you to visit their tasting room in Denver’s historic Gates neighborhood and enjoy the Laws experience.

For More Information:
https://lawswhiskeyhouse.com/

Glen Scotia Releases A Rare, 48 Year Old Single Malt

September 17, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

A rare, 48 Year Old single malt is hitting the market from Scotland’s Glen Scotia Distillery.

The limited-edition expression, which clocks in at 40.8% ABV and has a suggested price of £11,000, will offer its buyers a look into a past era of the historic Campbeltown distillery.

Officials at Glen Scotia explained that this whisky was drawn from their oldest reserves, and in all, the have only 250 individually-numbered bottles available worldwide.

The whisky spent 43 years in a combination of refill and first-fill bourbon barrels, then the whisky was finished in another cask, a first-fill Oloroso hogshead, for another five years. It spend an additional six months in one more cask, this a second-fill ex-Pedro Ximenez hogshead.

The whisky maker’s notes show that this rare expression features a floral and orange citrus profile.

Glen Scotia’s master blender, Michael Henry, discussed the distillery’s historical trade ties in Europe when Campbeltown was known as the “Victorian Whisky Capital of the World.” Its harbor linked it to Spain’s Sherry producing region … a source of mature casks for Glen Scotia and other vaunted whisky brands.

Henry and the Glen Scotia team poured through historical records of Campbeltown’s trade links to form a view of what fortified wines and spirits would have been obtainable over the distillery’s history.

This led to the selection of this Sherry finishing which brought out the aromas of sweet Seville orange, green herbal notes, and the spice of nutmeg and cinnamon alongside the Campbeltown briny, sea spray.

On the palate, Henry explained, is demerara sugar and treacle with hints of orange marmalade, red apple, raisin, and sultana, with a long finish of melted brown sugar enriched with stone fruit, apricot and peach.

The 48 Year Old Whisky comes in a handmade oak display case inspired by the Spanish ‘Azulejo’ tile designs found in the bodegas of Seville.

And Glen Scotia partnered with Glencairn to make a bottle that’s etched and infilled, with gold metal decoration to the body and shoulder. The presentation case comes accompanied by a plaque, with the individual bottle number, tasting notes, and story of this single malt whisky.

“The 48-Year-Old is an exceptional release with a remarkable heritage,” said Iain McAlister, master distiller and distillery manager at Glen Scotia. “It is so intriguing to me to think that different generations of distillery managers and their teams, who would have been testing their casks over time, opted to hold this particular liquid back time and time again, allowing it to continue its journey.”

“What we have inherited today is therefore a real journey through time and a celebration of Glen Scotia’s rich heritage and craftsmanship, which continues to thrive,” he added.

The 48 Year Old is available from the Glen Scotia website and at select specialist retailers in the UK, Europe, China, USA, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and South Africa markets.

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

Powerscourt Distillery Releases Third Irish Whiskey In Its Estate Series

September 10, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Irish single malt maker Powerscourt Distillery has released the final expression in their Estate Series, called The Gates.

A statement from Powerscourt notes this blend is a marriage of bourbon and Amarone matured whiskeys, some of the first whiskey distilled in Wicklow in more than a hundred years.

Ireland’s Powerscourt Estate features the intricate designs of the Venetian Gates, a testament to the artisans that created them. It’s one of the top tourist attractions in the country.

And those gates were the inspiration for this final release in the series.

Previously in Powerscourt’s series, there was the Amarone finished single grain “The Mill House,” then came the “The Italian Gardens,” a World Whiskies Award winner which mirrored the craftsmanship, heritage and provenance of their unique location on the Powerscourt Estate.

The Gates features a complex flavor profile which the distiller’s notes describe as summer fruit meringue, strawberry, cherry, plum, lime, mint, apple, and cut hay. It tastes of vanilla, honey, custard drizzled over poached summer fruits with digestive biscuits, and a finish of fruit pudding giving way to soft oak spice.

John Cashman, with Powerscourt Distillery, said The Gates is a fitting finale to their Estate series.

“With the introduction of our own Powerscourt distilled single malt whiskey, we have continued our Amarone influence with a marriage of fully matured Amarone cask whiskey with ex-Bourbon matured whiskey,” he added. “Following our Fercullen Single Malt release in April, The Gates sees us continue to release The Spirit of Wicklow to the world.”

The Gates clocks in at 46% ABV, and has a suggested retail price of €75. The limited-edition bottle is available across Ireland, and from the Powerscourt Distillery and Visitor Center, as well as online.

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

TX Whiskey Releases Its Sixth Experimental Batch of Bourbon

September 9, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

A straight bourbon that has been aged for two years in Cabernet barrels is the latest expression in TX Whiskey’s “Experimental Series.” This sixth “experimental” offering, was finished in Kenwood Vineyards Yoakim Cabernet Barrels, which, according to a release, boasts some distinct aromas.

This new bourbon expression is said to have hints of vanilla combined with clove to create a fruity balance of grape that carries through the palate, with a long, rich and full-bodied finish of dark fruit flavors and savory notes of spice and oak.

“This experimental release comes from wine that has been aged in French and American Oak barrels for 24 months, allowing the cabernet to remain locked in the oak and seal its terrific flavors,” says head distiller, Evan Brewer. “The barrels were filled with our TX Bourbon and moved to our ‘rickhouses’ here in Texas to pick up the decadent flavors you will find on the nose and palate.”

To commemorate this new offering, TX Whiskey is hosting a celebration at the brand’s home, located at 2601 Whiskey Ranch Road, on Saturday, September 16 with a special VIP entry starting at 12 p.m. with general admission beginning at 1 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to “Meet the Maker” with a special tasting and bottle signing in the Oak Room including early access to purchase the newest expression.

Besides the bourbon, attendees can also enjoy some live music, food trucks and complimentary bottle engraving (with purchase). VIP tickets are $50 and general admission tickets are $10, both including event entry and one cocktail.

Only 1100 bottles of TX Experimental Series TX Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Cabernet Barrels will be available for purchase at Whiskey Ranch. The limited release will only be available in 375ml bottles and limited to eight bottles per customer in a 30-day period.

The TX “Experimental Series” features a line of products that include TX Experimental Rye, TX High Rye Texas Straight Bourbon, TX Blended Straight Bourbon, TX Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Rum & Cognac Barrels and, most recently, TX Straight Rye Whiskey Bottled in Bond.

For more information please visit https://www.frdistilling.com/events-new/

Woodinville Whiskey with Toasted Applewood Staves Now Available

September 9, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Photo Credit: Woodinville Bourbon Whiskey

WOODINVILLE, Wash. — Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished with Toasted Applewood Staves, a real craft whiskey handmade in Washington, is now available.

“Every fall, we do a Harvest Release, and back in 2017, our release was our flagship Bourbon finished with Applewood Staves. Of all our releases, this has been one of our most popular – so, this year we’re bringing it back Nationally,” says Woodinville Whiskey co-founder, Brett Carlile.

Tasting Notes: After the whiskey was fully mature, staves of toasted applewood were added. The finishing process adds depth and richness with aromas of apple and berry on the nose and palate on top of the traditional bourbon notes of rich caramel, dark chocolate and vanilla bean with a sweet lingering finish.

About Woodinville Whiskey Company

Woodinville Whiskey is a craft distillery founded by two best friends from the Woodinville area, Brett Carlile and Orlin Sorensen, under the mentorship of industry icon, the late David Pickerell. Woodinville is Washington’s largest craft distillery, handcrafting its products from 100% locally sourced grains from the Omlin Family Farm in Quincy, Washington.

They were awarded “Craft Whiskey of the Year” by the American Distilling Institute and 2020’s “Best Straight Bourbon” at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The bourbon performed incredibly in Fred Minnick’s “Pappy vs. the Field” blind tasting and in 2019 he named it “Best Bourbon Outside Kentucky”. In 2021 Forbes reported Woodinville “may just be the best craft whiskey in America.” Woodinville Rye earned Double Platinum honors in the American Spirits Council of Tasters 2022 ASCOT Awards.

In 2017 Woodinville joined Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of LVMH. The state-of-the-art distillery and tasting room in Woodinville, open daily, is home to exclusive launches including an annual Harvest Release.

For more information please visit www.woodinvillewhiskeyco.com

Blue Run Spirits Releases Reflection II Bourbon

September 7, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Georgetown, Kentucky-based Blue Run Spirits unveiled Reflection II Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the follow up to the highly regarded Reflection I, which received a Platinum Medal at the respected SIP Awards International Spirits Competition.

When launched in May 2022, Reflection I Bourbon quickly became a favorite in the whiskey community as one of Blue Run Spirits’ most approachable products. With Reflection II, Whiskey Director Shaylyn Gammon is looking to continue that tradition while emphasizing a different layer of flavor notes than its predecessor. While Reflection I focused on the darker base notes like oak and caramel, Reflection II zeroes in on the brighter middle notes, including florals and sweetness.

“The Reflection Bourbon series is an intriguing blending project because we have an established baseline of approachability that will carry through to every release, but we will explore the different layers that make whiskey such an interesting spirit,” said Gammon. “For continuity, we included some Reflection I as the base, and then started painting with an entirely different brush. Reflection II will be as familiar as it is new to anyone who enjoyed the first product.”

For Reflection II, the dominate mash bill features less rye than the original, but the proof is increased from 95 to 100. Reflection II also features older whiskey stocks than its predecessor, with Gammon seeking out barrels that clearly exhibited elevated mid-note flavors from Blue Run’s more than 5,000-barrel inventory.

Tasting Notes

A bright bouquet of warm spices and rich cocoa immediately dominates the olfactory senses and serves as a precursor to this engaging experience. The first sip reveals bountiful orange peel that harmonizes with farm fresh honey followed by fresh toasted oak and tantalizing salted caramel blondies. As the palate remains preoccupied with the mid-note flavor sensations, a complex finish is revealed led by spicy citrus oils that evolve into barrel spice and churros sprinkled with powdered sugar and a dash of cayenne.

While Reflection I was aptly named to pay respect to Blue Run’s founders reflecting on what truly mattered in life during the launch of the company in the middle of the pandemic, Reflection II is meant to encourage reflection on the vast possibilities that exist around every corner – a direct reference to when Gammon joined Blue Run as the company’s first Whiskey Director as she was also experiencing the joy and excitement of motherhood for the first time.

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. Blue Run was acquired by Coors Spirits Co., the spirits division of Molson Coors Beverage Co. (NYSE:TAP), in August 2023.

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