Dow Scoggins

2021 Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition Results

February 9, 2021 By Dow Scoggins

Vancouver, BC – Artisan Distillers Canada (ADC) proudly announces the results of the annual Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition (CASC). CASC is Canada’s only national spirit competition reserved exclusively for artisan distilleries.

The 2021 edition of CASC includes an expanded set of categories, reflecting the growing size and diversity of spirits produced by artisan distillers across the country. Best in Class, Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals were awarded in 19 spirit categories. The competition also includes Terroir honours, recognizing distilleries whose use of local ingredients is reflected in the character of their spirits.

“This year I am pleased to see spirits from across the country represented in our Best in Class awards, with distilleries in Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia all taking Best in Class prizes,” says Alex Hamer, ADC’s founder. “It’s also great to see that even in the face of considerable pandemic-related business interruptions, our distillers continue to produce high quality spirits of every kind.”

Canadian Artisan Spirit Of The Year
Each year, CASC awards the Canadian Artisan Spirit of the Year medal to the overall top-scoring overall spirit out of all categories. This year we are very pleased to announce that Ampersand Distilling Company, in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island has taken top honors for its Nocino!, an Italian-style green walnut liqueur made with walnuts handpicked in the Cowichan Valley and sweetened with local honey.

Judges clearly loved this spirit, noting “pronounced aromas of walnut, and medium notes of orange peel, nutmeg, coffee, and burnt sugar … very complex and exceptionally balanced … with a deeply roasted flavor and a pleasing note of bitterness … [a] carefully crafted liqueur.”

Best In Class – Spirits
The following spirits earned the top scores in their respective categories:

Absinthe: Distillerie Fils du Roy (QC) – Courailleuse
Akvavit: Confluence Distilling (AB) – Vinland Aquavit (Best in Class, 2020)
Amaro or Vermouth: The Woods Spirit Co (BC) – Pacific North-West Amaro
Brandy or Eau de Vie: Wynndel Craft Distilleries (BC) – Apple Brandy
Flavoured or Infused Vodka: Arbutus Distillery (BC) – Espresso Vodka
Aged Gin: The Liberty Distillery (BC) – Endeavour Old Tom Gin
Classic Gin: Patent 5 Distillery (MB) – Navy Strength Gin
Contemporary Gin: (tie) Compass Distillers (NS) – Gin Royal; The Dubh Glas Distillery (BC) – Noteworthy Gin – Navy Strength
Flavoured Gin: Raging Crow Distillery (NS) – Spruce Tip Gin
Liqueur: Ampersand Distilling Company (BC) – Nocino!
Fruit Liqueur: La Vallée Bleue (QC) – Cassimix
Alternative Rum: Merridale Cidery & Distillery (BC) – Cowichan Spiced Rhumb
Traditional Rum: Last Straw Distillery (ON) – Blackstrap Rum – Double Barrelled
Classic Vodka: Bandits Distilling Inc. (SK) – Northern Lights Vodka
Contemporary Vodka: Ironworks Distillery (NS) – Ironworks Vodka
Single Grain Whisky: Shelter Point Distillery (BC) – Double Barrel Batch 5
Single Malt Whisky: Odd Society Spirits (BC) – Commodore Single Malt Whisky
Young Whisky: DEVINE Distillery (BC) – Ancient Grains (Best in Class, 2019, 2020)
White Spirit: Silver Fox Distillery (ON) – 4 Peppercorns

Best In Class – Bitters
Distillerie Fils du Roy (QC) – Fils du Roy Bitter

Medals were awarded to distillers and bitters-makers from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Complete Results:
https://artisandistillers.ca/2021-results

About The Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition and Artisan Distillers Canada
Artisan Distillers Canada is a national organization focused on celebrating and highlighting artisan distilleries and spirits across Canada. The annual Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition was founded in 2017 to recognize the best of Canadian artisan distilling. Distilleries must meet our qualifications (https://artisandistillers.ca/artisan-distillery) to participate in the competition.

The first annual Artisan Distillers Canada Conference & Trade Show will be held October 19 – 20, 2021, at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

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Registration for the 2021 U.S. Open Whiskey & Spirits Championship is now open

February 4, 2021 By Dow Scoggins

Oxford, Ohio – The registration for the 2021 U.S. Open Whiskey & Spirits Championship is now open. Distillers can register Whiskeys and Spirits thru June 1st. Whiskeys/Spirits will need to arrive in Oxford, Ohio between June 6th-11th. The medal winners and Grand National Champion will be announced on July 5th. The U.S. Open is open to only licensed distilleries.

The U.S. Open Whiskey Championship works with the Niagara College Teaching Distillery, and the judges are Niagara College’s Instructors and distillers from the surrounding area. This competition is blind, and the judges do not know what Whiskeys/Spirits they are tasting. The final round of judging will be held in Buffalo, New York.

Last Year, Patriarch Distillers/Soldier Valley Spirits from La Vista, Nebraska was named the U.S. Open Whiskey’s Grand National Champion after winning two gold medals and two silver medals. Their Omaha Beach Bourbon Whiskey was a favorite among the judges. While, Acre Distilling of Fort Worth, Texas was named the 2020 U.S. Open Spirits’ Grand National Champion by winning a gold medal for their Two Minnies Gin and another gold for their barrel aged vodka.

Call for Entries(First Entry is Free)
Each distillery may enter a maximum of 10 spirits. In order to help small distillers, each distillery’s first entry is free. After the first entry, other entries will be $75 per entry. To be considered one of the Top Ten Distilleries, a distillery must submit a minimum of 4 Whiskeys/Spirits. To enter, click here for registration.

Over 30 categories will be judged this year, and winners will receive a medal in the shape of a Whiskey Barrel Lid for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Plus, the Top 10 Distilleries overall will be featured in on USWhiskeyReport.com. Along with the medals awarded, the judges award a Grand National Champion based on a point system for Whiskeys/Spirits entered in the competition.

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California’s Spirit Works Distillery Moves into 2021 with New Accolades & Promotions

January 30, 2021 By Dow Scoggins

SEBASTOPOL, California — The team at Northern California’s acclaimed Spirit Works Distillery is starting the year on a high note with the promotion of Krystal Goulart to the helm of its diverse distilling program and the announcement of their third national Good Food Award, this one for their latest bourbon release, a Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Even in the midst of universal challenges and pivots, 2020 was also an outstanding year for the grain-to-glass craft spirits pioneer, the pinnacle being honored as the “2020 Distillery of the Year” by the American Distilling Institute (ADI).

Krystal Goulart arrived at Spirit Works in 2018 to apprentice with the all-female distilling team after more than a decade of work in the wine industry. After earning a degree in Enology and Viticulture from California State University, Fresno, Krystal honed her skills abroad in Australia’s Margaret River Valley and Portugal’s Douro Valley before settling in Sonoma to work as an enologist and cellar master for such esteemed wineries as Chateau St. Jean and Cruse Wine Co. While working with wine, Krystal had observed with great interest the boom of the craft distilling industry around the U.S. and in her own Sonoma County backyard, an interest which led her to the Spirit Works team.

“We are absolutely thrilled to promote Krystal into such an integral role with our team in this new year,” said Ashby Marshall, Spirit Works proprietor and original distiller. “With a background in wine production and with several years under her belt with Spirit Works, Krystal has demonstrated the palate, demeanor, intellect, and logistical skills essential to her new role with this creative team. We are excited for everyone else to get to know her and see her stamp on our spirits moving forward.”

What Lies Ahead?

As the leading creative force behind the still, Krystal already has a number of projects underway, including an Amaro with a sloe berry twist and a new recipe for a second batch of Exploratory Gin.

“I’m incredibly excited about this opportunity,” said Krystal. “Working alongside an innovative female-led team has been inspiring and has allowed me to refine my skills over the past three years. I look forward to maintaining our signature award-winning style, while challenging myself and my team to push our creative energies towards every aspect of the distilling process.”

Spirit Works 2021 Updates & Highlights:
DTC in CA: With California direct sales restrictions lifted for distilleries in 2020 due to COVID-19, Spirit Works can ship directly to consumers in the state though orders placed online here.
Virtual Events: Spirit Works has expanded its virtual tasting programming and will again offer tours and tastings onsite once pandemic restrictions are lifted.
Spirits Club: The Distillery’s growing Spirits Club continues to offer unique, limited edition expressions and pricing, with onsite pick up and statewide delivery.
Supporting Local & Sustainable: A grain-to-glass, sustainably-driven operation, Spirit Works has partnered with neighboring grain farmer Mai Nguyen for local ingredients.

Distribution: Spirit Works is available in CA, CO, AZ, and OR, targeting additional states for distribution ahead.
For more information about Spirit Works Distillery, its extensive portfolio, production practices and team, visit their website.

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Cutwater Spirits Unveils “Cut Out” Campaign Ads During The Big Game Plus Social Media Series Starring Emily Hampshire

January 29, 2021 By Dow Scoggins

Cut Out with Cutwater Spirits (PRNewsfoto/Cutwater Spirits)

This week, Cutwater Spirits, the most awarded canned cocktail brand in the U.S., releases its “Cut Out With Cutwater” ad campaign with a TV commercial airing on game day, digital takeovers, and a social media series featuring actress Emily Hampshire, renowned for her role as Stevie Budd on Schitt’s Creek and “longtime Cut Out enthusiast.”

Approachable with a distinctly SoCal aesthetic, the campaign is all about cutting away from the daily routine and draws from the core values that have inspired Cutwater since the brand’s very beginning. As a former brewer familiar with the canned format, Cutwater Spirits’ Co-Founder and Master Distiller, Yuseff Cherney came up with the idea to take his award-winning spirits and create high-quality canned cocktails so they could be enjoyed anywhere. He and Co-Founder Earl Kight have since pioneered the category by breaking from convention and carving out their own path to bring this unique vision to life. The Cut Out campaign serves as a nod to Yuseff and Earl’s tenacity, adventurous spirit, and love for spending time outdoors. A manifesto reminding consumers to embrace the simple idea of taking a moment to unplug; and that with Cutwater, enjoying a great tasting cocktail is as easy as cracking open a can.

“Cutwater Spirits started as a passion project. We began canning cocktails so that people could enjoy a high-quality mixed drink with ease and convenience. From there, the idea took off,” says Cherney. “Since the beginning, we’ve focused on one thing – creating great tasting cocktails for any occasion – whether that’s fishing on the Pacific or relaxing in your own backyard.”

The new 30-second “Cut Out” spot is Cutwater’s first-ever ad to run during the biggest football game of the year, and is now airing on TV channels including ESPN and CBS Sports, as well as social media. On Sunday February 7th, the ad will air in key regional markets on the west coast including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Seattle. There will be an accompanying national rollout on YouTube the following day (2/8).

Cutwater is also partnering with actress and comedian Emily Hampshire of Schitt’s Creek, a self-proclaimed “longtime cut out enthusiast” in a lighthearted social media campaign which kicks off on Instagram and Twitter today. While the TV commercial comes to life with lively outdoor “Cut Out” occasions, Emily will highlight her own hilarious at-home interpretations of the theme.

“Many of us no longer have that physical divide between home life and work life, so it’s hard to feel entitled to cut out… let alone know how to do it!” shares Hampshire. “As a long-time cut out enthusiast, I’m here to educate and inspire. Cutting out is not self-care. It’s caring enough about yourself to not feel guilty about all the selfcare exercise and meditating you’re not doing. Cutting out is selfcare without all those hashtag goals. Listen, most of the time, I don’t even know what day it is. But I’m okay with that, because cutting out doesn’t judge you for mixing weekends with weekdays. Cutting out is living in the moment, like watching other people hike while cracking open a canned White Russian that tastes like dessert. You’re welcome.”

As part of the series, Emily will announce Cutwater’s Ultimate Backyard Sweepstakes with prizes to help winners “Cut Out” from the daily grind. The winning packages include a glamping Yurt (16′), premium fire pit, cabana chairs, Cutwater cooler filled with a supply of Cutwater Spirits’ award-winning canned cocktails and more. To enter, consumers can interact with the brand via Twitter and/or Instagram during the big game, following, liking and tagging @CutwaterSpirits, and using #CutOutWithCutwater and #sweepstakes*.

The Cut Out campaign will run as Cutwater Spirits continues to innovate in 2021, offering new forms and flavors for enjoying an excellent cocktail anywhere. New releases include the expansion of tequila-based ready-to-drink offerings with a new fruit-forward margarita lineup and a series of frozen tequila pops. Follow @CutwaterSpirits to stay up to date!

*ULTIMATE BACKYARD SWEEPSTAKES. No Purchase Necessary. Open to US residents 21+. Begins 8:00 am PST on 1/28/21 & ends at 7:30 p.m. PST on 2/7/21. See Official Rules at www.cutwaterspirits.com/ultimate-backyard-sweepstakes-official-rules for prizes & details. Msg & data rates may apply. Void where prohibited.

About Cutwater Spirits
Cutwater Spirits, the most awarded canned cocktail brand in the U.S., is a San Diego-based distillery known for its award-winning lineup of 20 canned cocktail classics made from its portfolio of bottled spirits that span nearly every spirits category including tequila, vodka, rum, gin, whiskey and liqueur. Co-Founder and Master Distiller Yuseff Cherney began distilling as a side project under Ballast Point Brewing. He started canning cocktails because he wanted to make drinks he could enjoy while doing the things he likes to do (mostly fishing and hiking). In 2017, Cutwater Spirits was established as a separate entity from the brewery and now operates from a 50,000 square foot distillery and production facility, which includes a world-class tasting room and restaurant. To date, Cutwater has earned over 1,000 awards across its portfolio of products and is distributed in 45 states. Learn more at www.cutwaterspirits.com.

About Anheuser-Busch
For more than 165 years, Anheuser-Busch has been woven into the cultural fabric of the United States, carrying on a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. Today, we own and operate 23 breweries, 14 distributorships and 23 agricultural and packaging facilities, and have more than 18,000 colleagues across the United States. We are home to several of America’s most recognizable beer brands, including Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob ULTRA and Stella Artois, as well as a number of regional brands that provide beer drinkers with a choice of the best-tasting craft beers in the industry. From responsible drinking programs and emergency drinking water donations to industry- leading sustainability efforts, we are guided by our unwavering commitment to supporting the communities we call home. For more information, visit www.Anehuser-Busch.com.

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Brough Brothers Distillery, the First and Only African American-Owned Distillery in Kentucky Has Opened for Business

January 8, 2021 By Dow Scoggins

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky — Brough Brothers Distillery, the first and only Black-owned distillery in the state of Kentucky, opened its doors for business earlier this month in Louisville.

The distillery was founded by Victor, Bryson, and Christian Yarbrough, three brothers born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. They wanted to produce quality bourbon whiskey in an industry that has thus far remained largely inaccessible to minority entrepreneurs. They are committed to supporting other local businesses in an effort to revitalize the West End neighborhood in which Brough Brothers is based. Their distillery will provide job opportunities and economic growth for the community of Park Hill, a historically underserved area of Louisville’s West End.

“Brough Brothers has an opportunity to not only provide employment opportunities for our local community, but also design an experience for locals and tourists in the heart of one of Kentucky’s cultural hubs,” Brough Brothers CEO Victor Yarbrough said. “At a time in history when there is much attention on Louisville, we are excited to represent positive change and hope for and on behalf of our city.”

First approved by the distillery-governing body the Federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau in August 2018, Brough Brothers Distillery was recognized by Kentucky’s Senate as the state’s first African American-owned distillery in August 2020. Approved by the Kentucky Alcoholic Beverage Control Board in September, it will continue to make history as it distills and barrels its first barrel of bourbon this winter. Its bourbon shop will be open for business to bourbon enthusiasts by appointment only in spring 2021.

But customers don’t have to wait to enjoy Brough Brothers: its bourbon brand is available on store shelves now and online.

Brough Brothers Bourbon has received glowing customer reviews for being one of the smoothest bourbons on the market. With major and independent retailers selling it in Kentucky, national retailers (Kroger, Total Wine and More, Trader Joes, Walmart) and distributors (RNDC, JB, BBI, SWGS) alike have taken notice of its explosive popularity. Brough Brothers currently has major distribution partnerships in five states, including KY, FL, TN, IN, and CO. It will expand its distribution to another 20 states in early 2021.

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Jim Beam® Debuts National Campaign Encouraging Bored Beer Fans To Take A Break From Beer And Make The Switch To A Refreshing Jim Beam Highball

January 8, 2021 By Dow Scoggins

CHICAGO – Jim Beam® Bourbon is kicking off the year by finally offering drinkers a solution to their beer boredom: the refreshing and highly sessionable Jim Beam Highball. The Highball cocktail, which is made by mixing chilled Jim Beam Bourbon with ice and ice-cold, highly carbonated ginger ale, is the perfect alternative for those who are bored of beer but find themselves ordering another one on autopilot. The new marketing campaign, launching nationally this month, encourages those drinkers to add the Jim Beam Highball to their repertoire and order one when they’re looking for a light and refreshing option instead of their next beer.

The campaign first aired on Jan. 4 with a new TV spot, “Need a Break From Beer,” across multiple national news, entertainment and sports networks, and will run nationally throughout the year. The spot uses classic beer tropes found at any local bar to inspire drinkers to make their next round a Jim Beam Highball. Viewers will immediately recognize a traditionally dressed German couple encouraging an order of a Bavarian-style hefeweizen, an old, mysterious man pushing a dark, heavy brew, and a pair of hipsters, goat in tow, playfully offering a “super-filling IPA with aged goat’s milk.”

“With the launch of ‘Need a Break From Beer,’ we’re taking a widely enjoyed cocktail that’s been trending for years and finally shining the national spotlight on it,” said Jessica Spence, president of brands at Beam Suntory. “We know drinkers are getting bored with beer and are looking for new alternatives. The Jim Beam Highball is incredibly easy to mix and perfect for enjoyment while at home or in bars when the time is right.”

The new campaign spot will air throughout 2021 on more than 20 national TV networks, including sports destinations such as MLB Network and ESPN2, entertainment hubs AMC and Comedy Central, and major broadcast networks including ABC, FOX and NBC. Starcom USA oversees media on behalf of Jim Beam.

In addition to media partnerships, Jim Beam will deploy Highball programming throughout the year including retail marketing, baseball stadium activations, consumer sampling and value-add packaging. The brand will also host “Beam Gardens” — a playful alternative to traditional beer gardens — in several markets across the country for those in need of a break from beer. These pop-up experiences, appearing where local guidelines and public health conditions allow, will welcome legal-drinking-aged consumers to enjoy Jim Beam Highballs on tap with friends and family.

For more information on the Jim Beam Highball and upcoming Beam Garden events, follow Jim Beam on Twitter (@jimbeam) and Instagram (@jimbeamofficial) or find the Highball recipe at jimbeam.com/cocktails.

About Jim Beam
Jim Beam is the world’s best-selling bourbon, crafted by seven generations of family distillers since 1795. Elegant. Smooth. Refined. That’s what years of aging in new charred oak barrels does to our Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Fred Noe, Jim Beam’s 7th Generation Master Distiller, has stayed true to the family recipe that’s been passed down through generations. The Jim Beam portfolio of products includes Jim Beam Bourbon, Jim Beam Black, Jim Beam Double Oak, Jim Beam Devil’s Cut, Jim Beam Rye, Jim Beam Peach, Jim Beam Apple, Jim Beam Vanilla, Jim Beam Honey, Jim Beam Kentucky Fire and Red Stag by Jim Beam among other offerings.

About Beam Suntory
As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands, Suntory whisky Kakubin and Courvoisier cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s and Legent bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch whisky; Canadian Club whisky; Hornitos and Sauza tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle vodka; Sipsmith and Roku gin; and On The Rocks Premium Cocktails.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

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Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year Selected As Best American Whiskey

December 27, 2020 By Dow Scoggins

PROSPECT, Kentucky – In a blind tasting, renowned whiskey critic Fred Minnick named Pappy Van Winkle 15-year-old his best American Whiskey of 2020.

A captain on the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and former lead American whiskey critic for Whisky Advocate, Minnick, a Wall Street Journal-bestselling author, tasted more than 600 whiskeys throughout the Pandemic. Throughout the year, Minnick tasted before live audiences amongst the various platforms. Minnick’s American Whiskey of the Year was taped live for YouTube and will later appear on Amazon Prime.

In a blind tasting, Minnick selected Pappy Van Winkle 15 year over categorical winners Sazerac 18-year-old rye whiskey (Best Rye), Barrell Bourbon Batch 26 (Best Blend of Straights), Journeyman’s Corsets, Buggy & Whips (Best Wheat Whiskey), Four Gate Batch 6 (Best Barrel Finish), MB Roland Corn Whiskey (Best Corn Whiskey), Slipknot’s No. 9 (Best Celebrity Whiskey), and St. George Spirits American Single Malt (Best American Single Malt).

However, Minnick notes a big winner was the sixth place finisher in the bourbon taste off: Spirits of French Lick’s Lee Sinclair Bottled in Bond.

“The truth is, 95% of the best American whiskey comes out of Kentucky and Tennessee,” Minnick says. “And if a small craft distiller in French Lick, Indiana, can out taste the likes of Knob Creek 15 year old, that shows the future of bourbon is bright.”

The winner Pappy Van Winkle 15 year certainly does not need another award, but Minnick notes it’s highly allocated for a reason. “When I tasted this blind, I was wowed,” he said. “The whiskey doesn’t lie, and that 15 year old bourbon is truly great and deserves this accolade.”

Best American Whiskey
Pappy Van Winkle 15 year old (Frankfort, Kentucky)

Bourbon Rankings
1. Pappy Van Winkle 15 year old, 2020
2. William LaRue Weller, Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, 2020 (Frankfort, Kentucky)
3. Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch, 2020 (Lawrenceburg, Kentucky)
4. Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #2 (Bardstown, Kentucky)
5. Booker’s 2020-2 (Clermont, Kentucky)
6. Spirits of French Lick Lee Sinclair (French Lick, Indiana)

Best Barrel Finish
Four Gate Batch 6

Best Blend of Straights
Barrell Bourbon Batch 26 (Louisville, Kentucky)

Best Celebrity Whiskey
Slipknot No. 9 Reserve Iowa Whiskey (Swisher, Iowa)

Best Rye Whiskey
Sazerac 18 year old, Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, 2020 (Frankfort, Kentucky)

Best Corn Whiskey
MB Roland (Pembroke, Kentucky)

Best Wheat Whiskey
Journeyman Corsets, Whips & Whiskey, Batch 10 (Three Oaks, Michigan)

Best American Single Malt
St. George Spirits American Single Malt Lot 20 (Alameda, California)

To learn more about Fred Minnick, visit FredMinnick.com.

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Pilot House Distilling and Buoy Beer Company Announce Expansion Project

December 24, 2020 By Dow Scoggins

ASTORIA, Oregon — Since they were established, Buoy Beer and Pilot House Distilling have been growing and looking to the future. Besides satiating thirsty customers, top priorities of the business have always included creating jobs and boosting the local economy. Buoy has been in a constant state of expansion and Pilot House has long awaited to increase production with top-of-the-line equipment. When the two companies joined forces in 2019, there was not only a synergy between them, but a shared vision of creating an unbeatable destination on the Riverwalk in their hometown of Astoria.

“Like everyone, 2020 has been a really hard year for us,” says Cofounder David Kroening. “We had just finished up years of work on our strategic plan and then everything got turned on its head when the pandemic started. We lost a lot of our staff during the first shutdown and had to pump the brakes hard as we dealt with the toughest months we have ever faced. After some really hard work from our entire team, we were able to make the decision that with some tweaks to our plan, focusing growth on our core areas was going to be the best path for us to make sure we’d be able to expand our team again into the future and meet the ever-growing demand for our beer and spirits.”

Currently the Pilot House Distilling facility resides in a 4,000 sq. ft. section on the backside of the Liberty Theater building with a tasting room on Duane St. Plans are to move the distillery to its permanent home on the waterfront in a former fish processing plant adjacent to Buoy Beer. The new distilling facility will include a new 5,000-liter copper pot still and column (a significant upgrade from the current 950-liter still), a new fermentation cellar with a mash mixer and a mash filter, and a 12,000 sq. ft. second floor devoted to barrel aging. Relocation and the new equipment will allow the team to ramp up production on Pacific Northwest favorites like Painted Lady Gin and Diablo Azul agave spirits, as well as expand the whisky and bourbon lines with grain-to-glass fluidity.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to expand into a state-of-the-art production facility,” says Larry Cary, Head Distiller of Pilot House Distilling. “This will give us the opportunity to compete on a national level by giving us the tools needed to increase our production capacity. We’ll have better access to the raw materials needed to further increase the quality of already award-winning products.”

Visitors to Astoria’s Riverwalk will not only have breathtaking views of the Columbia River, but also the 24′ tall copper column through full height glass walls leading people to sample the products at the new Pilot House Distilling tasting room. The tasting room will feature not only tastings and bottle sales, but also a 21-and-up bar to enjoy hand-crafted cocktails and views of a working distillery in an intimate setting on the back dock over the water. The facility also has plans to set up private tours of the distillery and brewery. The tours will offer education on the processes of grain-to-glass production, equipment, and more.

On the north side of the building along the Riverwalk, the chefs from the Buoy Beer’s restaurant will start a new walk-up “take & go” food option that will continue to feature local seafood to compliment the cocktail bar. The offerings will include items like freshly shucked oysters, tacos, and specialty toasts while accommodating vegan/vegetarian options. The outdoor area will also have some Riverwalk seating with beautiful views.

Buoy Beer Company will expand their beer production into the Astor Street building that housed the Beer Hall this past summer. Construction will “pop up” the roof to accommodate the fermentation tanks while keeping the iconic wave on the front of the building intact. This additional building will house a new 50bbl 4-vessel brewhouse along with more fermentation tanks to support demand throughout the Northwest. However, beer production will not leave the old Bornstein Cannery; a pipe bridge will be installed between the Astor building and the current brewery where the lager tanks, bright tanks, kegging lines, and new higher-speed canning line will be installed. Pipe bridges will also carry wastewater from the brewery and distillery to the brewery’s own treatment facility that will process the water before it enters the city’s wastewater system.

Since opening in 2014, the brewery has increased production often but continues to encounter even higher demand from customers. For the past 6+ years, Buoy has been available mostly in Oregon and small areas of Washington, however, two months ago, Buoy Beer & Pilot House started their own distribution company to expand their presence in Seattle, Olympia, Tacoma, and SW Washington. This production expansion will more than double Buoy’s capacity over the next 5 years. Hopes are to satisfy the current portfolio demand of the market and expand specialty beer releases, barrel/foeder projects, and seasonal lines while continuing to make better balanced beer. The QA/QC department will grow along with the brewery to ensure the output of not only more beer, but better beer that is brewed with the ethos of Astoria.

“It’s very humbling to look back at how far we’ve come in the past 7 years,” says Kevin Shaw, Director of Brewery Operations. “I had faith in the project when I came on board in 2013 but this exceeds my wildest dreams for the company. Being able to increase production to fulfill orders while continuing our consistency and quality is really exciting plus… who doesn’t like shiny new things?”

Although 2021 will bring on a tidal wave of change, the team has already begun looking towards the implementation of a second wave of development of their Riverwalk campus. The next step for the Pilot House Distilling building includes an additional upscale seafood restaurant on the second floor northeast corner, where patrons will get a 270-degree view of the Columbia River, tongue point, and all of historic Astoria (including the column). The Buoy Beer restaurant plans to add additional space that expands the entire river view side and on the second story and in the future develop a large second story event space to host future weddings, events, and meetings (once pandemic restrictions are lifted). There are also plans in the works to continue the company’s sustainability efforts with expanded CO2 recovery, growth of its roof top solar array, electric vehicle charging stations, rooftop beehives and herb gardens and many other possibilities.

These next big steps for both brands reflect the Pacific Northwest’s love of hand-crafted, quality beers and spirits. Excitement is high within the company and the entire team is anxious to bring their customers more of the experiences they have loved over the past 6 years.

BUOY BEER COMPANY
Astoria, OR overlooks the meeting of one of the West’s most relentless rivers and the wilderness of an entire ocean – and it’s here that Buoy Beer Company brews its beer. With balance always a priority, we focus on traditional lagers and NW ales to savor after a hard day’s work and to share with friends.

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Old Overholt Rye Whiskey – The Oldest Brand of Whiskey in America

December 7, 2020 By Dow Scoggins

(Photo courtesy of West Overton Village and Museums)

Old Overholt, said to be America’s oldest continually maintained brand of whiskey, was founded in West Overton, Pennsylvania, in 1810. This whiskey is a rye whiskey distilled by A. Overholt & Co., currently a subsidiary of Beam Suntory, which is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings of Osaka, Japan. It is produced at the Jim Beam distillery in Clermont, Kentucky. It is one of the most commonly available straight rye whiskies in the U.S., where it is available at most liquor stores. It is aged for three years and bottled at 80 proof. A four-year Bottled In Bond, 100 proof version was released in late 2017. Old Overholt has been called a “foundation stone of American whiskey” because of its long history.

The History of Old Overholt
Henry Oberholzer (Anglicized to “Overholt”), a German Mennonite farmer, moved to West Overton, Pennsylvania, on the banks of Jacobs Creek in Western Pennsylvania in 1800. His family came from the area of Germany which specialized in distilling “korn”, or rye whiskey, and Henry took up the tradition.

In 1810, Henry’s son Abraham Overholt (1784–1870) took over the management of the distillery and made it into a business. By the 1820s, the distillery was putting out 12 to 15 gallons of rye whiskey per day. Abraham grew the company rapidly; by 1843, Baltimore newspapers were advertising Overholt’s “Old Rye”; at that time, only the very few top distilleries were advertised by name. By 1859, Overholt incorporated his business as “A. Overholt & Co.” He operated out of a new distillery building that was six stories high, 100 feet long, and which could produce 860 gallons per day.

In 1881, Abraham’s grandson Henry Clay Frick took over the company. As one of the country’s wealthiest people, the distillery was a sentimental side-business for Frick. Frick took on Andrew Mellon and one Charles W. Mauck as partners, each owning one-third of the business.

In 1888, Mauck adopted the name “Old Overholt” as the official name of the company, adding a picture of Abraham as the logo. Around that time, the company started selling its product in bottles instead of barrels. By 1900, Old Overholt became a national brand. In the early years of the 20th Century, Old Overholt became one of the largest and most respected whiskeys in the country.

Frick died in December 1919, and left his share to Andrew Mellon. This ended family ownership in the company.

Modern History of Old Overholt Rye Whiskey
In the modern era, Old Overholt—America’s oldest continually maintained whiskey brand, established in 1810 as a classic Pennsylvania straight rye—has endured dramatic shifts while riding the rye revival wave. After surviving Prohibition with medicinal permits and becoming the sole nationally distributed straight rye by the 1960s amid declining popularity, the brand was acquired in 1987 by James B. Beam Distilling Co. (now part of Suntory Global Spirits), moving production from Pennsylvania to Kentucky. Once a bottom-shelf staple, Old Overholt has seen a renaissance since 2020 with non-chill filtration for richer flavor, higher-proof variants like the 114-proof and Bottled-in-Bond (100-proof, 4-year), cask-strength limited releases (including 10- and 11-year expressions), and heritage nods such as the Pennsylvania-inspired A. Overholt Monongahela Mash—delivering bold spice, caramel, and oak notes ideal neat, on the rocks, or in classic rye cocktails like the Manhattan.

The Complete History of Old Overholt Rye Whiskey: Click Here The Rise & Fall of America’s Oldest Whiskey

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Bushmills Irish Whiskey Introduces Rare Bushmills 28 Year Old Single Malt Cognac Cask

October 4, 2020 By Dow Scoggins

BUSHMILLS, Northern Ireland – Bushmills® Irish Whiskey, from the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery, proudly introduces Bushmills 28 Year Old Single Malt Cognac Cask Whiskey, a rare innovation for connoisseurs across the United States. The limited-time offering and debut release in Bushmills’ new annual series, “The Rare Casks,” Bushmills 28 Year Old Single Malt Cognac Cask is meticulously blended to achieve one of the most exquisite Irish single malts of all time.

As long-standing leaders in Irish whiskey, with the most awarded Irish single malt portfolio, Bushmills’ reputation for both its quality and aged stock is unparalleled. A product of over 400 years of proud whiskey-making expertise and commitment to tradition, Bushmills 28 Year Old Single Malt Cognac Cask is expertly crafted by Helen Mulholland, one of the most qualified and experienced Master Blenders in history. She has kept a watchful eye over this exceptional single malt since its distillation in 1992.

Made at the Old Bushmills Distillery along the rugged County Antrim coast of Ireland, the whiskey is handcrafted with ingredients unmatched in quality and from a distinct recipe that has been passed down for centuries. Using the same foundation of all Bushmills’ award-winning single malt whiskeys – 100% unpeated malted barley and the freshest spring water from the nearby River Bush – Bushmills 28 Year Old Single Malt Cognac Cask is then triple distilled in small batches in traditional copper pot stills, achieving the smoothness and richness for which Bushmills is famous.

“At Bushmills, the foundation of our whiskey is the quality of ingredients and the experience and skill we have passed down through generations. Throughout my almost 30-year career at Bushmills, I have nurtured this special whiskey from its distillate, experimenting with different taste profiles and finally resting it in some of the world’s rarest and highest quality casks,” says Helen Mulholland, Irish whiskey’s first female Master Blender.

“Maturing this precious malt in former Cognac casks has brought out unique notes and characteristics specific to Cognac, developing the whiskey into something new and distinct for Bushmills, with bold intensity and subtle sweetness. Bushmills 28 Year Old Single Malt Cognac Cask is a time capsule of my career at the distillery, and one of the most complex and layered whiskeys ever released by us.”

Matured in former bourbon and Oloroso sherry barrels for 11 years, the single malt is then finished in ultra-rare Cognac casks for 17 years, each cask having been carefully sourced under the expert direction of Mulholland. On the nose, rounded sweet spicy wood aromas develop the deep dried fruit character, offering a hint of pear and almond followed by warm sweet vanilla and cinnamon undertones. The exceptionally long finish continues to develop as complex wood flavors linger on the palate.

“We are in the midst of an exciting Irish whiskey revival, where last year the category was the single fastest-growing segment overall for the U.S. spirits market,” says Lander Otegui, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Proximo Spirits. “The new annual series, ‘The Rare Casks,’ is a must for any collector looking to expand their whiskey repertoire, and discover the unique, smooth taste that sets Bushmills Irish Whiskey single malts apart from any Scotch single malt.”

“Bushmills 28 Year Old Single Malt Cognac Cask and ‘The Rare Casks’ series is a fitting tribute to the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery, and we are excited to share this extremely rare piece of liquid history with whiskey fans across the United States.”

With less than 500 bottles available, Bushmills 28 Year Old Single Malt Cognac Cask will be exclusively available in the United States at retailers and online at Flaviar.com for $500.00 USD starting October 1, 2020. Whiskey lovers are also invited to join the selection process for next year’s release in “The Rare Casks” series, with a never-before-tasted single malt whiskey collection available for members on Flaviar.com.

About Bushmills® Irish Whiskey
Bushmills® Irish Whiskey is crafted with care and passion at the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery, The Old Bushmills Distillery. Bushmills has more than 400 years of whiskey-making heritage, which has been passed down through generations. The brand’s award-winning triple distilled single malt whiskeys are renowned for their signature smooth taste and famous house style: Bushmills® Original, Bushmills® Red Bush™, Bushmills® Black Bush, Bushmills® 10 Year Old Single Malt, Bushmills® 16 Year Old Single Malt, and Bushmills® 21 Year Old Single Malt. Learn more at www.bushmills.com.

About Proximo Spirits
Proximo Spirits is a global innovator of quality spirits that create excitement with every sip. Its unique portfolio of brands includes the world’s largest selling tequila, Jose Cuervo®, the most awarded tequila in the world, 1800® Tequila, Mexico’s number one selling premium tequila, Gran Centenario® Tequila, Bushmills® Irish Whiskey, Stranahan’s® Rocky Mountain Single Malt Whiskey, The Kraken® Black Spiced Rum, TINCUP® American Whiskey and Boodles® British Gin. Learn more at www.proximospirits.com.

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