Archives for May 2025

Louis XIII Unveils Limited Lunar New Year Coffret

May 27, 2025 By Dustin Scoggins

As the Lunar New Year approaches on January 29, 2025, marking the Year of the Snake, luxury Cognac house Louis XIII from Rémy Martin has released an exquisite limited-edition coffret that blends French craftsmanship with Chinese cultural heritage. Priced at $4,200, this ultra-premium offering is not just a bottle of one of the world’s most revered spirits—it’s a collectible work of art perfect for discerning collectors and those seeking the ultimate luxury gift.

Design and Artistry: A Collaboration Rooted in Tradition
The standout feature of this release is the coffret (luxury box), designed in collaboration with renowned Chinese papercut artist Liu Lihong, a signed artist with the Palace Museum Cultural Innovation Institute. Liu has partnered with Louis XIII since 2021, customizing designs for their Lunar New Year editions.

For 2025, the coffret showcases a golden snake motif—symbolizing prosperity, wisdom, transformation, and renewal—intertwined with blooming winter jasmine flowers, representing vitality and good fortune. The intricate papercut is executed using traditional Chinese stamping techniques, creating a striking red and gold aesthetic that evokes blessings for health, fortune, and a vigorous new spring.

Louis XIII emphasizes sustainability with this coffret, crafted from 100% cellulosic materials—lighter, recyclable, and environmentally responsible while preserving the brand’s elegant unveiling experience. The transparent elements allow the decanter’s radiant amber glow to shine through even before opening.

The Iconic Decanter and Timeless Cognac Within
Inside sits the classic Louis XIII Baccarat crystal decanter, a replica of a 16th-century flask discovered on the battlefield of Jarnac. Each hand-blown decanter features distinctive spikes, an 18-carat gold neck, and contains a blend of over 1,200 eaux-de-vie sourced exclusively from Grande Champagne, the premier cru of Cognac. These spirits are aged up to 100 years in centuries-old Limousin oak tierçons, passed down through generations of cellar masters.

The tasting profile is legendary: an explosion of complexity with notes of dried figs, honeyed caramel, pipe tobacco, ginger, saffron, jasmine, and candied fruits, evolving into a long, spicy finish. Though Cognac (not whiskey), its depth, oak influence, and maturity appeal immensely to whiskey enthusiasts who appreciate ultra-aged spirits like rare Scotch or bourbon.

Availability and Exclusivity
This is only the second dedicated Lunar New Year coffret from Louis XIII, making it highly sought-after. Availability is limited—contact the brand directly via their concierge (conciergerie.us@louisxiii-cognac.com) or through the official Louis XIII virtual boutique and select luxury retailers. Travel retail activations in key Asian airports, including Hong Kong and Singapore, have featured live demonstrations of the stamping technique.

Why It Appeals to Spirits Collectors
At $4,200, this isn’t an everyday pour—it’s an investment in legacy. Louis XIII embodies “thinking a century ahead,” much like the patience required for the finest whiskeys. For whiskey blog readers exploring beyond brown spirits, this Cognac offers a bridge: unparalleled aging, cultural significance, and sheer opulence.
Whether displayed as a centerpiece or savored ritually (small pours in crystal glasses to let it breathe), the Louis XIII Lunar New Year Coffret captures the essence of renewal. As the Year of the Snake slithers in, raise a glass to prosperity and timeless luxury.

For more details, visit the official Louis XIII website.

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B.R. Distilling Company Launches Limited Release Blue Note Special

May 18, 2025 By Dustin Scoggins

Memphis, TN (February 10, 2025)– Blue Note Bourbon, the award-winning whiskey portfolio which is artfully crafted to honor the rich blues music that is synonymous with Memphis, has launched its second-annual Special Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

Crafted in Memphis, the limited-release is a blend of 10 casks from Kentucky and Tennessee – cognac, madeira, sherry, port, triple sec, madeira, apricot brandy, amontillado, vanilla cognac and vino de Naranja – ranging in age from four to 19 years with varying mashbills. The new expression was bottled at 116.3 proof (58.15% ABV), unfiltered.

In addition to last year’s Special Reserve, Blue Note has introduced several other highly awarded limited-release offerings, which include Premium Small Batch, Single Barrel Reserve, 17-year, and most recently a Honey Rye and Honey Bourbon Cask.

About B.R. Distilling Company
Founded in 2014 in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, B.R. Distilling Company holds the city’s oldest distillery license and is renowned for its award-winning Blue Note Bourbon portfolio – a soulful tribute to the iconic Memphis blues music scene. Blending Kentucky distillation heritage with Memphis character, these premium whiskeys are aged in the humid heat along the Mississippi River, delivering bold, rich flavors of caramel, oak, vanilla, spice, and deep soul that shine neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails. The lineup features flagship expressions like Juke Joint, Crossroads, Uncut the Barrel, and Straight Rye, alongside exciting limited releases such as Single Barrel selections, Special Reserve, and innovative Honey Cask finishes – perfect for bourbon lovers seeking smooth yet powerful pours with multiple Double Gold and Platinum accolades from top competitions.

Address: 110,000 sq ft production facility on Royal Avenue, just north of downtown Memphis, TN (tasting room and tours available)
Website: https://www.bluenotebourbon.com

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

May 15, 2025 By Dustin Scoggins

Santa Fe Spirits, the innovative New Mexico distillery famous for its mesquite-smoked Colkegan Single Malt Whiskey—a bold American twist on peated Scotch—is exciting whiskey lovers with the nationwide release of Colkegan Unsmoked Single Malt Whiskey. This smooth, 100% malted barley expression lets the pure grain shine without the signature smoke, aged for about four years in new American oak and ex-bourbon barrels for a creamy, approachable profile that’s perfect for both Scotch fans branching into American single malts and newcomers discovering the category.

“We love experimenting with traditional single malt while honoring its heritage,” says founder Colin Keegan. “Our mesquite-smoked Colkegan has won hearts, but this unsmoked version complements the lineup and stands strong on its own—think warm brown sugar, toasted walnuts, vanilla custard, dried fruit, and a butterscotch finish.” Now shipping direct from santafespirits.com to dozens of states, it’s a versatile sipper that’s earning rave reviews for its balanced sweetness and spice. Raise a glass to the Southwest’s grain-to-glass magic!

About Santa Fe Spirits
Nestled at 7,000 feet in the high desert of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Santa Fe Spirits was founded in 2010 by Englishman and whiskey lover Colin Keegan, who dreamed of blending Scottish traditions with Southwest flair to create the region’s premier artisan distillery. What started as a passion for crafting unique spirits using local ingredients has grown into an award-winning operation, capturing the rugged essence of mesquite smoke, sage, and mountain air in every bottle—from grain-to-glass American single malts to innovative liqueurs.

The lineup shines with the flagship Colkegan Single Malt Whiskey, a mesquite-smoked beauty that’s a bold, barbecue-kissed alternative to peated Scotch, plus variants like unsmoked, cask strength, apple brandy-finished, and sherry cask editions. Beyond whiskey, sip on smooth Expedition Vodka, botanical Wheeler’s Gin, rich barrel-aged Apple Brandy inspired by Calvados, and fun liqueurs like Atapiño (piñon) and Slow Burn. Perfect for cocktails or neat pours, these small-batch gems are earning raves for their terroir-driven flavors—come tour the distillery and taste the Southwest spirit!

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

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Goodwood Brewing Launches Unique Beer Barrel-Finished Rye Whiskey in Kentucky

May 12, 2025 By Dow Scoggins

Goodwood Brewing Releases Rye Whiskey Aged in Stout Barrels — Goodwood Brewing Releases Rye Whiskey

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – In a move toward diversifying its portfolio and reaching spirits consumers, Goodwood Brewing Company announced a foray into the crafts spirits space with the launch of a Premium Bourbon aged in stout barrels in 2019. A year later, they are adding a Rye Whiskey to their lineup.

The 90 proof, small-batch rye is the fourth product to be launched under the Goodwood Spirits line. As with all Goodwood Brewing products, an emphasis was placed on quality and craftsmanship, with months of preparation and experimentation going into the spirit.

Goodwood Rye Whiskey is aged for two years, before being finished in Goodwood English Mild beer barrels, for a special flavor that can only develop from this process. Tasting notes of caramel and vanilla fade to a complex spice and smoky body.

Goodwood Rye will be released in early May in select retail stores and exclusive accounts throughout the Louisville area, and will enter the rest of Kentucky in the near future. Goodwood Spirits can also be purchased at the Goodwood Brewing Taproom in Louisville, KY.

Other spirits in development from Goodwood Brewing and Spirits include a Walnut Brown and an Imperial Stout.

ABOUT GOODWOOD BREWING
Goodwood Brewing and Spirits, headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, continues to blend the rich traditions of Kentucky bourbon culture with innovative craft brewing. Known for its signature wood-aged beers crafted with pure limestone water—the same source that makes Kentucky bourbon world-famous—Goodwood produces a range of flavorful offerings, including bourbon barrel-aged ales, stouts, and seasonal specialties. The brewery’s commitment to quality extends to barrel-finished spirits and house-made food, creating unique experiences at its taprooms where guests enjoy made-from-scratch dishes paired perfectly with fresh brews.

With multiple locations across Kentucky, including flagship spots in downtown Louisville and Whiskey Row, as well as expansions into neighboring states, Goodwood Brewing and Spirits fosters community through live music, events, and a welcoming atmosphere for beer enthusiasts and whiskey lovers alike. Whether savoring a classic Bourbon Barrel Ale or exploring rotating small-batch creations, visitors discover why Goodwood believes what’s good for bourbon is even better for beer. For more information, visit goodwoodbrewing.com.

Copperworks Distilling Release: Rare Limited-Edition American Single Malt Whiskeys

May 11, 2025 By Dustin Scoggins

Seattle-based Copperworks Distilling Co. has announced its highly anticipated second annual Archive Release, giving American single malt whiskey enthusiasts and collectors a rare opportunity to own some of the distillery’s most historic and limited bottles from previous years.

This exclusive collection features ultra-rare expressions with extremely low bottle counts, perfect for fans of award-winning American single malt whiskey.
Highlights include:

Release 001: The distillery’s very first American single malt whiskey, crafted from 100% pale malted barley and aged for 2 years and 6 months in charred new American oak barrels. Only four bottles remain available – a true piece of whiskey history.
Release 003: The inaugural whiskey using Copperworks’ signature Five Malt recipe, with just two bottles left in existence.
Release 012: An award-winning standout named “2018 Best American Single Malt Whiskey” by Tastings.com, scoring 96 points and earning a Platinum Medal. Eight bottles are available for collectors seeking top-rated spirits.

The archive also showcases Copperworks’ innovative spirit through specialty cask-finished American single malt whiskeys. A standout is the Black is Beautiful American Single Malt Whiskey, produced in collaboration with Garden Path Fermentation to support the Black is Beautiful initiative. For every bottle sold, $40 is donated to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
These rare American single malt whiskeys are available exclusively through Copperworks’ online store while supplies last. Whiskey lovers searching for limited-edition single malts won’t want to miss this opportunity.

About Copperworks Distilling Co.
Copperworks Distilling Company, a pioneering craft distillery in Seattle, Washington, was founded in 2013 by experienced brewers Jason Parker and Micah Nutt. With deep roots in the Pacific Northwest’s craft beer scene, the founders aimed to explore the flavors of malted barley by distilling high-quality, hop-free craft beer washes into premium spirits. Located on the vibrant downtown waterfront, Copperworks quickly became a leader in the emerging American single malt whiskey category, earning “Distillery of the Year” in 2018 from the American Distilling Institute. Their brewer’s mindset emphasizes extended fermentation for rich, fruit-driven new-make spirit, distilled in custom Scottish copper pot stills, setting them apart in the world of American single malt whiskey.

Copperworks specializes in small-batch American single malt whiskeys made exclusively from 100% malted barley, often sourced from Washington State’s Skagit Valley and other local farms. Signature expressions include their flagship releases using a multi-malt recipe blending pale and caramelized malts for complex, malt-forward profiles with notes of honey, caramel, fruit, and oak. The distillery offers a range of aged whiskeys in charred new American oak, innovative cask finishes (like port or sherry), and limited single-cask bottlings that highlight experimentation and terroir. Award-winning and highly sought after, Copperworks American single malt whiskey appeals to enthusiasts seeking vibrant, approachable yet sophisticated drams that showcase the potential of this growing U.S. whiskey style. For more information please visit https://copperworksdistilling.com/

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