Archives for January 2024

The Speyside distillery’s new, limited-edition whisky is unsurprisingly expensive—and exceedingly hard to find.

Throughout the past decade The Macallan has been busy enshrining itself as the name in ultra-luxury Scotch whisky. But the storied legacy of this Speyside malt-maker actually stretches back for centuries. In fact, 2024 marks the 200th birthday of the brand, and it’s eager to celebrate the milestone with a new release in its ongoing Tales of the Macallan series.

Tales of The Macallan Volume II isn’t some everyday bottle you can rundown at your local liquor store. The whisky was collected from a 1949 vintage and wrested from cask some 73 years later. By that time, what remained of the stock was only enough to fill 344 bespoke Lalique decanters. That precious package will be sold at select boutiques—as well as at The Macallan Estate, in Craigellachie, Scotland—for a cool $89,000 per unit.

If your pockets are adequately deep and you’re lucky enough to encounter one in the wild, you’ll be met by a 44.8 percent ABV liquid that’s especially auburn in hue and abnormally smoky in flavor compared to the typical house style. This is all by design, according to Euan Kennedy, The Macallan’s lead whisky maker. He took inspiration from the distillery’s original founder, Alexander Reid, whose surname means “the Red One” in Scots.

“Displaying beautiful tones of bronzed oak and subtle red hues, this rare and unique single-malt whisky possesses an incredible complexity achieved through age and patient maturation,” says Kennedy. “Enjoying a lingering smokiness redolent of whiskies of Alexander’s time, it’s a fitting tribute to his living legacy as we celebrate our 200th anniversary year.”

The new release is a followup to Tales of the Macallan Volume I, which debuted in the summer of 2021. The original was more of a citrus-forward affair, though equally as elusive and sporting nearly the same age and ABV. Also like its predecessor, the new edition is inlayed within hand-crafted leather-bound tomes. Volume II comprises 800 pages worth of paper, arranged by an artisan printer out of Paris. More than just a set piece, each chapter of the book actually tells tales of Alexander Reid and features illustrative accompaniment from renowned British illustrator Andrew Davidson.

At any rate, you’re just as unlikely to actually sip Tales of the Macallan Volume II as someone who manages to purchase it. Because most of the folks who do, will preserve it as a collectible keepsake rather than drinkable dram. It’s lamentable, but a tale we keep having to tell in this modern era of ultra-luxury spirits.

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

Buzzard’s Roost (Louisville, KY) Sipping Whiskey is kicking off 2024 with an all-new addition to its collection of super-premium bourbons and rye whiskeys: new American Whiskey. American Whiskey takes its place among the Buzzard’s Roost portfolio as a versatile, approachable whiskey crafted for cocktails as well as sipping.

Proofed to 105 and with an SRP of $39.99, Buzzard’s Roost American Whiskey makes it easy for whiskey lovers and cocktail enthusiasts to experience the quality for which Buzzard’s Roost Sipping Whiskeys are known.

Quick Facts

PROOF: 105 proof (52.5% abv)

AGE: 36 months (base age)

FINISH: Char #1 barrels

MASHBILL: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley

SRP: $39.99

AVAILABLE: Debuts Jan 24 at Buzzard’s Roost Whiskey Row Experience

For its first American Whiskey, Buzzard’s Roost turned to its library of Char #1 barrels with proprietary toast profiles for secondary aging of this three-year-old sourced whiskey. Per the brand, the taste profile includes carrying aromas of roasted almonds, cola, cinnamon and a hint of orange zest. On the palate, it’s all vanilla wafers, roasted almonds, zingy cinnamon candies and a splash of orange soda.

“We had great fun creating our first American Whiskey,” says Buzzard’s Roost Master Blender Jason Brauner. “We had our pick of our own whiskey-soaked barrels and the flavor profiles that each was designed for. We think we’ve come up with something that’s delicious as a sipper and will elevate any whiskey cocktail.”

Buzzard’s Roost CEO Judy Hollis Jones cites the benefit of not having to use new barrels, saying, “I love that we can get a second use out of our proprietary barrels. It’s a big plus from both environmental and economic standpoints. After a single use for secondary aging our other Buzzard’s Roost whiskies, these barrels still have plenty of flavor in them.”

Buzzard’s Roost American Whiskey has a mash bill of 75% corn, 21% rye and 4% malted barley, and is aged at least 36 months. It is available now for wholesale purchase, and will be available at the Buzzard’s Roost Whiskey Row Experience starting Jan. 24.

For more information please visit https://www.buzzardsroostwhiskey.com/home

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Old Forester announced its newest bourbon release Wednesday, an homage to historic Whiskey Row in downtown Louisville.

The Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey produced by the Brown–Forman Corporation released a new offering from its Whiskey Row Series, called 1924, a 10-year-old age-stated bourbon that’s 100 proof.

The fifth installment of the Whiskey Row Series is available nationwide. According to a news release Wednesday, the recipe features a new mash bill 79% corn, 11% rye and 10% malted barley.

Old Forester said the bottle marks an important point in its 153-year history. According to a news release, more than 200 distilleries were in Kentucky were forced to close during Prohibition. But Old Forester continued operations because the federal government issued it one of six permits to bottle existing whiskey stocks as medicine.

Old Forester acquired barrels from closed distillers with different mash bills and bottled that liquid as Old Forester in 1924. The new release commemorates that moment 100 years ago.

“We are honored to commemorate this historical milestone with a new featured mash bill and a beautiful 10-year age statement,” Master Taster Melissa Rift said in a news release. “It allows whisky lovers to taste just how dynamic our brand can be while staying rooted in our rich history.”

The bottle is available nationwide at participating retailers and at Old Forester Distilling Co. for $115. For more information please visit https://www.oldforester.com/

Wild Turkey Distilling Company has unveiled Wild Turkey Generations, a first-ever collaboration from three generations of the iconic Russell family of whiskey makers.

This is a blend of four whiskies meant to showcase the varied palates, personal preferences and expertise of Jimmy, Eddie and Bruce Russell. It’s the first release from the distillery to feature the signatures of the grandfather, father and son trio on the the custom-etched bottle.

“With Generations, we set out to make a whiskey that was truly a celebration of family and bold spirit,” says Bruce Russell, the newly named Wild Turkey Associate Blender. “My dad always says we are more than the name on the bottle — and this was my first opportunity to bring my own point of view while also applying everything I’ve learned from him and my granddad.”

Bruce, like his grandfather Jimmy, prefers bold bourbon flavors, the company says, which come through in the 12-year bourbon he selected for the blend. Eddie has a penchant for a softer honeyed, vanilla-laden flavor that typically comes from older bourbons, the company says, such as his 15-year-old selection and the 14-year-old whiskey he and Bruce picked together. Jimmy selected a nine-year-old bourbon consistent with the classic Wild Turkey profile.

“I’ve made some great whiskies throughout my career, and Generations is going in my hall of fame,” says Jimmy Russell. “The experience of working with my son and grandson to create a blend that celebrates our family and tradition has been a highlight of my career.”

Generations is a tribute to one of the most iconic families in bourbon-making. Jimmy Russell originated the family tradition when he began working at Wild Turkey distillery in 1954. He soon started teaching his son Eddie, then a union worker. Eddie rose through the ranks and was inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame in 2010, joining his father, who earned the recognition in 2001. Before long, Eddie’s son, Bruce, became involved with the business, first as an ambassador and recently as a blender.

Wild Turkey fans in the U.S. will also have exclusive access to a limited online pre-sale in the coming days, by signing up for the Wild Turkey community newsletter

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