Dow Scoggins

Watershed Distillery and Marianne Eaves Collaboration Cask Strength Bourbon To Launch Via Online Lottery

February 10, 2022 By Dow Scoggins

COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a collaboration with Marianne Eaves, one of the most esteemed tastemakers in the beverage industry, Watershed Distillery is set to release a new premium cask strength bourbon available only via online lottery.

Watershed is one of eight craft distilleries to be included in Eaves Blind—a premium, collectible bourbon series curated by Marianne Eaves, recognized as the first female master distiller in Kentucky. Created with the intent of stripping away bourbon stereotypes, the series showcases some of the most awarded craft bourbon distilleries in regions beyond Kentucky.

“My ‘aha moment’ was realizing that there are so many other regions and distilleries outside of Kentucky that are making exceptional bourbons, too,” shares Eaves. “This Ohio collaboration gave me the chance finally to work with some energetic and trailblazing industry friends. Watershed should be on everyone’s shortlist of amazing bourbons and believe me when I say they are only going to get better from here.”

Watershed Eaves Cask Strength Bourbon was created to highlight the attention the Ohio distillery pays to key aspects of the bourbon-making process, specifically grain and mashing, fermentation, distillation, and maturation.

All the unique, single-source bourbons in the series were first sampled throughout 2021 in blind seasonal tasting kits intended to remove preconceived bourbon stereotypes: color and indications of age, quality, etc. Now, each expression is available for bourbon lovers and spirit collectors.

“Here at Watershed, there has been quite a bit of excitement around this project,” adds Greg Lehman, CEO of Watershed Distillery. “Not only was it an honor to work side by side with Marianne, but to be selected to be in the company of these other emerging distilleries was a real point of pride for us.”

Watershed Eaves Cask Strength Bourbon is bottled at 130.3 proof with topline tasting notes of warm cinnamon and brown sugar, citrus peel and toasted oak with a sweet creamy palate. The price is $150 per 750 ml bottle. The bottle lottery will open on Feb. 16 and close on March 9. Must be 21 years or older to enter. Winners will be notified and allotted the opportunity to purchase one bottle in person from Watershed’s bottle shop.

Eaves’ collectible series features blends from seven other award-winning distilleries across the U.S.: Oregon Spirit Distillers (Bend, OR), Distillery 291 (Colorado Springs, TX), St. Augustine Distillery (St. Augustine, FL), Stumpy’s Spirits Distillery (Columbia, IL), Treaty Oak Distillery (Dripping Springs, TX), Journeyman Distillery (Three Oaks, MI) and King’s County Distillery (Brooklyn, NY)

ABOUT WATERSHED DISTILLERY
Watershed Distillery is the largest independent Ohio distillery and producer of award-winning craft bourbons, gins, vodka and a variety of specialty spirits. Founded in 2010 by Greg Lehman, Watershed Distillery was inspired by the vision of creating great spirits and shared experiences that bring people together. Watershed Distillery offers daily tours and is home to Watershed Kitchen + Bar—consistently named one of the top restaurants and cocktail bars in Columbus. Find Watershed online at watersheddistillery.com or @watershedistillery.

For More Information:
https://www.watersheddistillery.com/lottery

For fun facts about Whiskey, Click Here

Amalga Distillery Releases Batch #6 Flagship Single Malt Whiskey

February 8, 2022 By Dow Scoggins

To Order or get more information

Juneau, Alaska(February 8) – It’s whiskey release day! Online sales for Flagship Batch 6 will begin tonight at 7pm on our website. Some notes: this is like…ummmm. Banana fosters with chocolate chips. Took the banana fosters part from Jon, but – he wasn’t wrong. Thx, Jon. It is sweet, but never cloying. Just pleasantly so. Like, a nice pour to have with some ice cream. Or, use it to make banana fosters…now there’s a thought. It is a dessert whiskey. A nice evening pour. A treat on a Friday night. Or – if you are a degenerate who sometimes has an irish coffee going out to play in the snow (there is snow somewhere still, right!?), this would work well for that. It also still makes a great highball, giving nice subtle cola flavors. While I have yet to try it, I do believe that with a couple of nice cocktail cherries it could be more of a cherry cola vibe. Like – a high ball (whiskey, soda water, squeeze of a bit of lemon) but with some syrupy dark cocktail cherries. Yes. Please. Also – as per usual – this whiskey is particularly comfortable in Manhattans and Old Fashioneds. It just has more body and presence than your typical single malt, so it can hold up well in cocktails that typically utilize bourbon or rye.

What Amaga Distiller has to day about Flagship Single Malt Whiskey:
I feel like we have been pretty good about letting everyone know that the intent of the flagship releases was to have a whiskey that was consistent and on theme in our “house style”, but that they would not be identical. Well. This release will be an outlier, but also an incredible example of what Amalga Distillery is as a small whiskey producer. We get to be a bit creative and nimble, and for Batch 6 we took advantage of that.

If you have read our past tasting notes, you know that we have a thing for Cognac casks for finishing our whiskies. By finishing, we mean that we age the whiskey first on new American oak, and then transfer it to Cognac casks to age for just a little bit to mingle the whiskey and impart some of the Cognac characteristics. So. For Batch 6, we tried something a bit different and finished whiskey (that had previously aged for two or two and a half years) in a rum cask. And, well. It came out awesome. Like – really really really happy with it.

Some thoughts/notes. This is like…ummmm. Banana fosters with chocolate chips. Took the banana fosters part from Jon, but – he wasn’t wrong. Thx, Jon. It is sweet, but never cloying. Just pleasantly so. Like, a nice pour to have with some ice cream. Or, use it to make banana fosters…now there’s a thought. It is a dessert whiskey. A nice evening pour. A treat on a Friday night. Or – if you are a degenerate who sometimes has an irish coffee going out to play in the snow (there is snow somewhere still, right!?), this would work well for that. It also still makes a great highball, giving nice subtle cola flavors. While I have yet to try it, I do believe that with a couple of nice cocktail cherries (which we do currently have in stock…) it could be more of a cherry cola vibe. Like – a high ball (whiskey, soda water, squeeze of a bit of lemon) but with some syrupy dark cocktail cherries. Yes. Please. Also – as per usual – this whiskey is particularly comfortable in Manhattans and Old Fashioneds. It just has more body and presence than your typical single malt, so it can hold up well in cocktails that typically utilize bourbon or rye.

On a side note, we recently tried a single malt whiskey from a large Scottish producer that was made specifically for making cocktails. And, it kinda tastes like…well. A lower proof version of our whiskey. But – cool to see that our vision for single malt wasn’t all that wonky…or something along those lines.

A few closing thoughts. This particular whiskey just works well for the winter, and so it will probably go into the rotation as a regular winter release. Not as anything special; it is just the flagship. But, it is flagship release that is a little warmer and fitting for the season. Bottled again at 50% ABV, but not seeming 50% ABV. Sip it neat, add a bit of water, pour it over ice, use it in a cocktail. Do whatever you’d like with it. We made it to be versatile, so enjoy whatever way suits you.

For fun facts about Whiskey, Click Here

Willamette Valley Vineyards Enters Craft Spirits Industry with Release of Willamette Whiskey

February 4, 2022 By Dow Scoggins

Turner, Oregon – Willamette Valley Vineyards, a leading producer of Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley, sells out of its inaugural, limited release Willamette Whiskey. The hand-crafted, small batch rye whiskey was aged in new American oak for six years, then blended down to a bottle strength of 100 proof. The winery’s top customers were offered an inaugural special price for Willamette Whiskey of $50. A second release is scheduled this winter.

Willamette Valley Vineyards Founder and CEO Jim Bernau said with the growing popularity of whiskey he is not surprised by how quickly this initial limited release of Willamette Whiskey sold out.

“The first release was snatched up in less than a few hours,” Bernau noted. “We encourage Oregon Rye Whiskey lovers to contact the winery as soon as possible to get on the waiting list for future batches of this special craft spirit.”

Willamette Valley Vineyards plans to continue to experiment in craft spirits with plans to use its barrels for special finishing in the future. The winery will be offering additional limited batches to subscribers and will feature Willamette Whiskey at its new Tasting Room & Restaurants, where permissible, coming soon in Lake Oswego, Happy Valley, Bend and Vancouver, WA.

Willamette Whiskey pays tribute to the people of Carlton, Oregon, who for 91 years enjoyed the building first known as W.A. Howe’s General Merchandise store.

Willamette Valley Vineyards now owns the lot where the store’s building — nicknamed “the Old Cabin Tavern” owing to an interior constructed of hand-hewn timber — served as a general store, a hotel, and Carlton’s first bank, with a parlor and speakeasy supper club in the basement. Built in 1904, it was destroyed in a fire on April 18, 1995.

This release heralds the beginning of the winery’s efforts to rebuild the Carlton property with a brick clad Willamette winery and distillery facility, rising in the lost structure’s place.

Willamette Valley Vineyards partnered with Portland-based Rose City Distillery to produce Willamette Whiskey. The winery’s goal was to partner with a local distiller.

For information on how to order future whiskey releases, please contact Willamette Valley Vineyards at (800) 344-9463 or visit: https://www.wvv.com/Willamette-Whiskey.

Willamette Valley Vineyards:
Founded in 1983 by Jim Bernau with the dream of creating world-class Pinot Noir while serving as stewards of the land, Willamette Valley Vineyards has grown from a bold idea into one of the region’s leading wineries, earning the title “One of America’s Great Pinot Noir Producers” from Wine Enthusiast Magazine. All of the vineyards have been certified sustainable through LIVE (Low Impact Viticulture and Enology) and Salmon-Safe programs.

For fun facts about Whiskey, Click Here

Uncle Nearest Debuts Its Own Whiskeys as It Regains Status as the Most Awarded American Whiskey or Bourbon for the Third Year in a Row

February 3, 2022 By Dow Scoggins

SHELBYVILLE, Tennessee— Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, the most awarded American Whiskey or Bourbon of 2019 and 2020, confirmed today it has solidified this honor for the third year in a row, raking in a record 198 awards in 2021. Since its debut in 2017, the super-premium whiskey from Tennessee has topped every major spirit competition, garnering 380 total awards, including 46 Best in Class, and 213 Gold, Double Gold and Platinum medals. Last year alone, the brand won 21 Best in Class awards from the industry’s most respected judges, including at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, John Barleycorn Awards, Ascot Awards, Bartender Spirits Awards, and The Spirits Business Luxury Masters.

The distillery is continuing this momentum as it also announces today the release of its long-awaited new packaging containing whiskey 100-percent distilled, aged and bottled by Uncle Nearest, as well as unveils its 2022 slate of whiskeys which uses four different recipes. In addition to its current portfolio of core and distillery exclusive whiskeys, this year Nearest Green Distillery will release Uncle Nearest Rye, Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Rye, and a new more widely available Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Whiskey.

“Since the inception of our brand, everything in our bottles was blended to perfection by our master blender, Victoria Eady Butler, but the whiskey was sourced. Our own whiskey began fully maturing last year, and what we have in our bottles now is what we believe is the best whiskey we’ve ever released,” said Fawn Weaver, founder and CEO. “Some call Uncle Nearest a straight bourbon whiskey, some call us straight Tennessee Whiskey. We don’t care, as our whiskey meets the legal requirement of both distinctions. What we do care is that you call us super-premium whiskey as that is what our namesake made, and it is what our team and partners have been working nonstop to make each and every day.”

Among the greatest change to the new packaging is the replacement of the sketch of the property where Nearest originally distilled by the insignia of Nearest Green Distillery, which boasts a dram of whiskey encased by a horseshoe, signifying its iron Tennessee roots. Victoria Eady Butler, fifth-generation Nearest Green descendant, who has been named Master Blender of the Year by Whisky Magazine, VinePair, and The Spirits Business, has also added a note and her signature to the front of every newly released bottle.

“Our first-generation Uncle Nearest bottles shared the history of my great-great-grandfather and his significance to the Tennessee Whiskey coming out of the hills and hollows around Lynchburg,” said Eady Butler. “Our new generation of bottles reflect the future of our brand and our Shelbyville distillery being what cements his legacy for my family and every future generation of whiskey lovers. This is 160 years in the making and damn it if we didn’t figure out how to perfect it! Nearest has always deserved this.”

Last week, the company revealed via social media their plans to turn all their original bottles into collector’s items, encouraging buyers to “clear the shelves” of the “prelude” Uncle Nearest bottles and make way for the new editions.

“The packaging we used since our inception is no more as of 2022,” said Katharine Jerkens, Chief Business Officer. “If you walk into any retail store from coast to coast, you will notice something familiar – empty Uncle Nearest shelves. We waited for our Whiskey Family to completely sell us out, and now we are restocking with the bottles that will permanently cement the legacy of Nearest Green, the world’s first known African American master distiller.”

The seven bottles in their 2022 whiskey slate will first be released at the 323-acre Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee, with 1884 Small Batch Whiskey debuting last weekend and cases beginning to ship into markets across the country today. In December 2021, the company released the first new bottles of its Master Blend Edition whiskey exclusively at the distillery, which has already been met with rave reviews from both critics and consumers.

About Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey honors the world’s first-known African American master distiller, Nearest Green. The portfolio is the Most Awarded American Whiskey or Bourbon of 2019, 2020 and 2021, with over 380 awards and accolades since the brands 2017 launch, including 46 Best in Class honors. Uncle Nearest is currently available in all 50 states and 12 countries, and is sold in more than 25,000 stores, bars, hotels, restaurants, as well as at its 323-acre distillery in Shelbyville, Tenn. For more information, please visit the Uncle Nearest website, and follow on Instagram and Facebook @unclenearest.

About Nearest Green Distillery
Nearest Green Distillery is the world’s first distillery to commemorate an African American. Dubbed as “Malt Disney World,” and recognized by Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, ESSENCE, Lonely Planet, and more as a must-visit distillery, the 323-acre property has become known as a full-blown destination for whiskey lovers, history enthusiasts, and families. Every bit of the $50 million build-out is a master class in storytelling and history-making, paying tribute to the three things Tennessee is most known for: Tennessee Whiskey, Tennessee walking horses and Tennessee music. For more information or to book a tour, please visit unclenearest.com/distillery, and follow on Instagram @unclenearest.

World-renowned spirits critic authority Fred Minnick has named Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Old Bourbon the Best American Whiskey of 2021.

January 13, 2022 By Dow Scoggins

LAWRENCEBURG, Kentucky — World-renowned spirits critic and bourbon authority Fred Minnick has named Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Old Bourbon the Best American Whiskey of 2021. Tasting more than 700 whiskeys during the year, Minnick recently announced his Top 100 American Whiskeys of 2021 and revealed the Top 10 rankings via a YouTube livestream on January 5th. Assessing each whiskey by color, nose, palate, finish, and uniqueness of a product in its category, Minnick ultimately selected the No. 1 whiskey of the year – Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Bourbon.

“During my blind tasting, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Bourbon showed power and elegance in a single glass,” said Fred Minnick, co-founder of the American Spirits Council of Tasters and world-renowned Bourbon curator, taster and Wall Street Journal-bestselling author,. “It is layered with so many flavors that I would love to sip this every day for the rest of my life. Of course, given the greatness of the Wild Turkey Distillery as of late, I am not surprised the Russell family and their team made this. It’s a once in a lifetime bourbon.”

Straight out of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Old is one of the boldest smoothest bourbons the iconic distillery has ever released. Honoring the family ties that bind, Eddie Russell introduced the new Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Old in June 2021, releasing a 114.8-proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon that exemplifies the Russell family’s mastery of bourbon-making. In the ultimate distilling challenge, Eddie aged this one-of-a-kind release for at least 13 years, maintained the barrel proof and opted not to chill filter the whiskey, creating a more robust mouthfeel and authentic bourbon experience.

“Crafting Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Old turned out to be one of my most rewarding experiences as a distiller,” said Eddie Russell, who celebrated a remarkable 40 years of bourbon making at the Wild Turkey Distillery last year. “This release embodies our commitment to creating uniquely satisfying flavors, and hands down, it’s one of our most rare bourbons. I would happily join Fred in sipping from this bottle for the rest of my life as well.”

Savoring Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Old is an experience like no other. The barrel-proof bourbon coats the palate with sweet and warming flavors rising from the harmonious marriage of dried dark fruit and charred confectionary notes. Those sweet and woody notes give way to rich flavors of honey, chocolate and nougat throughout, followed by a strong and lasting finish. Best enjoyed neat or on the rocks, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Old is available in the United States for a limited time only. For more information, please visit www.russellsreserve.com.

About Campari America
Campari America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano N.V. At the heart of Campari America are two legends in the American spirits industry. The first, Skyy Spirits, was founded in San Francisco back in 1992 by the entrepreneur who invented iconic SKYY Vodka. The second is the world-famous Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, where they have been making the world’s finest whiskies since the 1800’s. Both companies were purchased by Davide Campari-Milano and together they form Campari America, which has built a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers. Campari America manages Campari Group’s portfolio in the US with such leading brands as SKYY® Vodka, SKYY Infusions®, Grand Marnier®, Campari®, Aperol®, Wild Turkey® Kentucky Straight Bourbon, American Honey®, Russell’s Reserve®, Glen Grant® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Forty Creek® Canadian Whisky, BULLDOG® Gin, Cabo Wabo® Tequila, Espolón® Tequila, Montelobos® Mezcal, Ancho Reyes® Chile Liqueur, Appleton® Estate Rum, Wray & Nephew® Rum, Coruba® Rum, Ouzo 12®, X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur®, Frangelico®, Cynar®, Averna®, Braulio®, Cinzano®, Mondoro® and Jean-Marc XO Vodka®.

Campari America is headquartered in New York, New York. More information on the company can be found at www.campariamerica.com, www.facebook.com/campariamerica, Twitter: @CampariAmerica, Instagram: @CampariAmerica, and www.camparigroup.com. Please enjoy Campari America brands responsibly and in moderation.

About Fred Minnick
World-renowned spirits critic and best-selling author Fred Minnick has been deemed a leader in the bourbon and spirits industry by The TODAY Show, Men’s Health, Forbes and many others. Minnick continuously revives the age-old traditions and cultures of bourbon and spirits through his media empire which includes the Bourbon Pursuit Podcast, DASH Radio’s “Minnick Minute” show and his Hermes Creative Awards Platinum-winning Podcast The Fred Minnick Show (PodcastOne). A Louisville, KY-based father of two, Minnick is also an avid music fan, curating his annual Bourbon and Beyond festival which has welcomed acts like Lynn Kravitz, John Mayer and Stevie Nicks to its stages. He has authored several books including Wall Street Journal best-seller Bourbon Curious.

For the full list of Minnick’s Top 100 American Whiskeys of 2021, visit fredminnick.com/2021/12/30/best-american-whiskeys-of-2021.

For fun facts about Whiskey, Click Here

Jameson Irish Whiskey Releases New Jameson Orange, a refreshing twist to the Celebrated Irish Whiskey Portfolio

January 13, 2022 By Dow Scoggins

New York and Ireland — Today, Jameson Irish Whiskey is introducing a new flavored expression – Jameson Orange – to the U.S. market and its existing, core range of product offerings. The latest innovation in the Jameson family builds on the brand’s commitment to craft, taste, and flavor and delivers a standout whiskey-forward taste experience with a unique twist.

Jameson Orange combines the finest triple-distilled Jameson Irish Whiskey with natural orange flavor. Bottled at 30% ABV and bursting with flavor, the new release introduces a whiskey-forward, differentiated liquid, with a subtle sweetness that will continue to help fuel the growing flavored spirits category.

“Taste is at the heart of every sip of Jameson produced,” said Kevin O’Gorman, Master Distiller at Irish Distillers. “Triple-distilled whiskey like ours involves a carefully crafted process, perfected since 1780. Jameson Orange builds on that craft and we are incredibly proud to share this exceptionally well-balanced Irish whiskey with both existing and new whiskey fans.”

“The concept behind Jameson Orange was to create a product that would appeal to a growing audience of flavored spirits fans and curious whiskey drinkers, drawing on the quality and integrity of our award-winning triple-distilled Irish whiskey,” said Sona Bajaria, Vice President of Marketing, Jameson at Pernod Ricard USA. “Citrus flavor profiles, particularly orange, have high appeal amongst spirits drinkers1, making it a perfect profile to complement the smoothness of Jameson.”

Jameson Orange can be enjoyed neat, on-the-rocks, and in a range of mixed drinks. It pairs perfectly with many simple serves including lemon-lime soda (Sprite®) or cranberry juice. It is equally delicious in a variety of craft cocktails. With its signature taste and versatility of serves, it gives new and existing Jameson drinkers a refreshing new way to raise a glass together.

Jameson has been driving growth in the Irish whiskey category for more than 30 years, selling 7.6 million cases worldwide in 2020. As the latest addition to the portfolio, Jameson Orange is well positioned to continue to help fuel the brand’s growth in the U.S. in 2022 and beyond.

Jameson Orange is now available on shelves and in bars and restaurants nationwide.

Visit Jamesonwhiskey.com to discover more about Jameson Orange, including many more delicious recipes.

About Pernod Ricard USA
Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA., the world’s second-largest spirits and wine company. Pernod Ricard employs approximately 19,000 people worldwide, is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI) and is part of the CAC 40 index. The company’s leading spirits include such prestigious brands as Absolut® Vodka, Avión® Tequila, Chivas Regal® Scotch Whisky, The Glenlivet® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Kahlúa® Liqueur, Malibu®, Martell® Cognac, Olmeca Altos® Tequila , Beefeater® Gin, Del Maguey® Single Village Mezcal, Monkey 47® Gin, Plymouth® Gin, Seagram’s® Extra Dry Gin, Malfy® Gin, Hiram Walker® Liqueurs, Midleton® Irish Whiskey, Powers® Irish Whiskey, Redbreast® Irish Whiskey, Aberlour® Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Lillet®; Smithworks® Vodka, Jefferson’s® Bourbon, Smooth Ambler® Whiskey, Rabbit Hole® Whiskey, Pernod® and Ricard®; such superior wines as Jacob’s Creek®, Kenwood® Vineyards, Campo Viejo® and Brancott Estate®; and such exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines as Perrier-Jouët® Champagne, G.H. Mumm™ Champagne and Mumm Napa® sparkling wines. Pernod Ricard USA is headquartered in New York, New York, and has more than 700 employees across the country. As “creators of conviviality,” we are committed to sustainable and responsible business practices in service of our customers, consumers, employees and the planet. Pernod Ricard USA urges all adults to consume its products responsibly and has an active program to promote responsible drinking. For more information on this, please visit: www.responsibility.org

About Irish Distillers
Irish Distillers is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines, and producer of some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish whiskey. Jameson is the world’s best-selling Irish whiskey, experiencing 30 years of consecutive growth up to 2019 and hitting sales of 7.6m cases in 2020. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. Since 2012, we have invested over €400 million to double our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products. In 2018, Irish Distillers acquired Eight Degrees Brewing.

We employ over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin.

For fun facts about Whiskey, Click Here

Old Ingledew Whiskey: Currently Believed to be the Oldest Known Whiskey in Existence

January 2, 2022 By Dow Scoggins

Marlborough, Massachusetts – Skinner offered this historic bourbon whiskey at auction. Skinner’s Rare Spirits expert, Joseph Hyman, remarks “The Old Ingledew Whiskey, bottled by Evans & Ragland, Lagrange GA, c. 1860s, is thought to be the only surviving bottle of a trio from the cellar of J.P. Morgan gifted in the 1940s to Washington power elite.”

Carbon 14 dating conducted in 2021 in collaboration with the University of Georgia indicates, with the highest probability, that the whiskey was produced between 1762-1802. The raw data was subsequently evaluated by the University of Glasgow and determined to be Bourbon with a 53% probability of being produced between 1763-1803, which places it in the historical context of The Revolutionary War of the 1770s and the Whiskey Rebellion of the 1790s.

The Old Ingledew was bottled by Evans & Ragland, Grocers and Commission Merchants, LaGrange, Georgia. Archival information indicates that Evans & Ragland were active in business circa the 1860s-70s, and the bottle is consistent with glass manufacture circa 1840-70.

The bottle is reported to have been purchased by financier John Pierpont Morgan during one of his frequent visits to Georgia. It is believed that his son, Jack Morgan, later gifted this bottle to James Byrnes of South Carolina and two sister bottles to Franklin D. Roosevelt (a distant cousin to Morgan) and Harry S. Truman, circa 1942-44.

Label on the back of the bottle
Back label reading: “This Bourbon was probably made prior to 1865 and was in the cellars of Mr. John Pierpont Morgan from whose estate it was acquired upon his death. As far as is known, there were no Bourbon distilleries in Georgia after the Civil War.”

Mr. Byrnes had been a US Congressman, US Senator, and Supreme Court Justice before WWII. When the US entered the war in 1942, Byrnes resigned from the court at the behest of his good friend, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, to become Director of War Mobilization. Upon Roosevelt’s death in 1945, he was appointed Secretary of State by his other good friend, Harry S. Truman. After leaving the Cabinet in 1947, Byrnes moved back to South Carolina and ran for governor, as which he served from 1951-55. After leaving office, Byrnes gifted the bottle to close friend and neighbor Francis Drake. Drake and his descendants, being exclusively Scotch drinkers, safeguarded the bottle for three generations.

This bottle was sold at auction in the June 22-30 Rare Spirits online auction for $137,500.

About Skinner
Skinner attracts top consignments and commands record-breaking prices in the international auction marketplace. With renowned expertise and extraordinary service, Skinner is the place for buyers, sellers and the passionately curious. Skinner appraisers are familiar faces on PBS’s 18-time Emmy Award-nominated ANTIQUES ROADSHOW. Visit us in Boston, Marlborough, New York, Maine, or Miami, or online at https://www.skinnerinc.com

For fun facts about Whiskey, Click Here

Flavorman Reveals Top Beverage Trends for 2022

January 1, 2022 By Dow Scoggins

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – Experts at the Louisville, KY-based beverage development company, Flavorman, have announced the drink trends to watch for in 2022. Driven by the long-term effects of an ongoing pandemic, this year’s forecast is shaping up to focus on celebrating life’s simple pleasures while striving for balance.

Going Big & Bold
As evidenced by the seltzer boom of the last few years, drinks with subtle displays of flavor have previously taken center stage, but that is likely to change in 2022. With the seltzer market beginning to saturate, beverage makers are now seeking ways to differentiate from the competition, opting for bigger and bolder profiles.

“Client requests have taken a 180-degree turn on flavor, especially where seltzers and sparkling waters are concerned,” said Tom Gibson, Flavorman’s Chief Flavorist. “Whereas before, clients would be looking for a gentler spritz of nuanced flavors in their drink, we are now seeing more clients ask for loud and proud, single-note flavors.”

In the wake of COVID-19 – a virus that is notorious for attacking a person’s taste and smell – it makes sense that drinks with prominently featured and straightforward flavors may provide reassurance to consumers still recovering from sensory loss related to the virus, or those who are just concerned with changes to their senses in general.

In 2022, expect beverage makers to continue emphasizing the presence of familiar flavors in drinks across categories. Childhood favorites like watermelon, strawberry, cherry, apple and grape will see a resurgence as consumers reach for those immediately recognizable and nostalgic profiles.

Guilt-Free Indulgence
As the world becomes more accustomed to the challenges of an ongoing pandemic, consumers are learning to strive for balance in all aspects of their life. Rather than sacrificing on indulgent experiences, consumers are embracing them with some slight modifications.

Citrus flavors have been a cornerstone for the drinks industry, but consumer tastes are now evolving towards botanical-forward beverages—particularly in the premium sector. Floral profiles like hibiscus, lavender and elderflower are becoming more mainstream and making way for the earthier, more herbal flavors of turmeric, anise and rosemary.

“Many of the ingredients you would find in your kitchen spice cabinet can introduce an extra element to a drink, providing new dimensions of flavor or functionality,” said Katie Clark, Flavorman’s Lab Manager. “Consumers tend to react to these twists with greater expectations—an insight that brands can leverage in premium beverage offers.”

Because premium is also so often associated with quality, ingredients like juice and full sugar are also becoming more popular in beverages marketed as high-end. Consumers indulging in these drinks aren’t as concerned with calorie restrictions or sugar because they recognize that they are treating themselves to a unique experience. The same can be observed in the spirits and beverage alcohol sectors.

“In the spirits world, amaro, absinthe and other botanical spirits are seeing a renaissance,” said Colin Blake, Director of Spirits Education at Moonshine University, the sister company of the Flavorman Beverage Campus. “These drinks tend to have a distinctive quality due to their balance of bitter and sweet, and they are consumed in very particular ways, usually before or directly following a meal. Consumers in the premium sector have embraced the ritual involved as another way of replicating a bar experience.”

A Return to SimplicitySimplicity provides a source of comfort during a time when life feels like it has become much more complicated. In fact, the ongoing “clean label” trend shows us how the quality of ingredients, not quantity, is shaping consumer perceptions of the value of a beverage. It also explains why drinks with simple ingredient statements continue to be consumer favorites.

“Transparency has, time and time again, proven to be important to consumers,” said Clark. “Many clients seeking compliance with Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and other ‘better-for-you’ food and beverage retailers have simply opted to do away with sweeteners or added colors instead of combing through the accepted ingredient lists. Consumers don’t seem to mind.”

With health and wellness continuing to drive trends as we move into 2022, beverage brands will opt for simplicity in beverage formulations across the board. In the spirits sector, simplicity takes the form of moderation.

“Going low- or no-alcohol is a lifestyle choice that some consumers are rallying behind as a way to achieve holistic health goals,” said Clark. “This trend has fueled explosive growth in non-alcoholic spirits and ready-to-drink mocktails—as well as lower ABV wine-based cocktails—that we expect to continue into the New Year.”

With nearly 30 years in the beverage business and over 70,000 drink formulations, Flavorman compiles this annual trends summary through examination of beverage projects that have passed through its laboratory over the last 12 months. To learn more, visit flavorman.com.

About Flavorman:
Founded by David Dafoe in 1992, Flavorman is an industry leading custom beverage development company based out of Louisville, KY. In contrast to “flavor houses” that manufacture ready-made, “stock” formulations, Flavorman helps clients—big and small—bring custom products to market from concept to production planning and quality control. As of 2021, Flavorman has created 70k unique beverage formulations for brands like Crispin Hard Cider, Formula O2, Jones Soda, Chiquita, Joia Spirit Craft Cocktails, Go Fast Energy, and more. Visit flavorman.com.

Sierra Nevada Partners with St. George Spirits and to Create Ruthless Whiskey

December 19, 2021 By Dow Scoggins

Chico, California – Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and St. George Spirits will be releasing a new, limited-edition malt whiskey blended with spirits distilled from grains and hops, Ruthless, on December 18th to celebrate the brands’ friendship and collaboration. In 2013, the two came together to distill one of Sierra Nevada’s most beloved beers, Ruthless Rye IPA, as an experiment. For this first release, St. George’s head distiller/blender Dave Smith has carefully chosen and blended whiskeys from seven Ruthless Rye IPA casks and married in a small portion of the first barrel of St. George Single Malt Whiskey, which was brewed by Sierra Nevada and distilled by St. George Spirits in 1997. The teams are excited to share this uniquely special spirit and history with beer and whiskey lovers alike.

Sierra Nevada and St. George have been longtime partners for more than two decades, brewing the wash for St. George’s Single Malt Whiskey programs since the late 90s. This is the first time a distilled Sierra Nevada beer has been released. It was a fully hopped and finished beer prior to distillation and was then laid down in new American oak and used French oak port casks in 2013. The marriage of a small portion of St. George Single Malt Whiskey completes this first release, showing chocolate, turmeric, pistachio, fruit punch and coconut notes on the nose. On the palate it shows marmalade, coconut, roasted pineapple, ginger, white pepper and even Tootsie Roll notes.

“I have been a fan of St. George’s products for many years and I think they’re some of the most talented and creative distillers in the world,” said Ken Grossman, Founder and Chairman of Sierra Nevada. “St. George’s friendship has been very meaningful over the years, and I am thrilled that we were able to work together to craft such a special and unique product.”

St. George’s head distiller/blender Dave Smith adds, “Ruthless honors and celebrates our friendship as well as our collaboration. This is a spirit that has been in barrel for eight years – older than many craft distilleries. Of course, our friendship dates back even further as Sierra Nevada has brewed the wash for our Single Malt Whiskey programs since 1997. At St. George we’ve always looked to propel the art of distillation in all categories and have consistently found ourselves inspired by the creativity and excellence of our friends at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Ruthless Rye IPA has long been one of our team’s favorite beers and now our collaborative efforts are finally ready to share with our incredible fans.”

Ruthless will be available for $75 per bottle starting December 18th exclusively at the St. George Spirits Distillery in Alameda, CA. A limited number of bottles will be available for sale at that time, in-person only (limit of two bottles per person). For more information and updates on Ruthless Whiskey, follow St. George Spirits’ social media @stgeorgespirits.

About Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Inspired by frequent trips to the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Ken Grossman founded Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in 1980. Highly regarded for using only the finest quality ingredients, Sierra Nevada has set the standard for craft brewers worldwide with innovations in the brewhouse and in its sustainability efforts. The pioneering spirit that launched Sierra Nevada now spans both coasts with breweries in Chico, California and Mills River, North Carolina. Sierra Nevada is famous for its extensive line of beers including Pale Ale, Hazy Little Thing®, Torpedo® and a host of seasonal, specialty and limited release beers. Learn more at www.sierranevada.com.

About St. George Spirits
St. George Spirits is a true American original, defining and propelling the art of distillation in the U.S. for the last 40 years. Today, the extensive St. George Spirits portfolio of gins, vodkas, whiskeys, liqueurs, brandies, and eaux de vie stands apart for not only its excellence in every category but also its expression of creativity and an uncompromising point of view. The exacting standards and commitment to raw, fresh ingredients established by founder Jörg Rupf in 1982 form the foundations by which the distillery still operates. Independent in spirit and in fact, St. George Spirits remains owner-operated by master distiller Lance Winters and head distiller Dave Smith. St. George Spirits is proudly located in Alameda, California.  www.stgeorgespirits.com

This Holiday Season, Cascade Moon Releases Extremely Rare 13 Year Old Rye Whisky

December 18, 2021 By Dow Scoggins

TULLAHOMA, Tennessee – With the holiday season underway, the hunt has begun for the ideal gift, especially for those hardest to buy for on the list. Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. General Manager and Distiller Nicole Austin is releasing a premium rye whisky, perfect for the whisky afficionado in your life. Cascade Moon 13 Year Old Rye is an extremely rare release, available in select U.S. markets starting this month.

Hand-selected by Austin, this Cascade Moon release complements the series by offering a complex and mature rye addition to the lineup. The barrels containing aging rye arrived at Cascade Hollow in 2012, where they spent nearly a decade in Cascade Hollow’s single-story rickhouses. As a result of the temperate conditions, the barrels matured gracefully, bringing the beautiful and unique notes of the whisky forward.

“The Cascade Moon series is a collection of some of our most unique and rare whiskies. Each release has its own unique story behind the innovation and mastery of its making,” said Austin. “With this release, I’m excited to offer drinkers a beautifully aged rye whisky unlike anything else we’ve released in the series.”

At 100 proof (50% ABV), this sophisticated, mature rye is best enjoyed neat and in moderation to realize the full flavor profile and taste the unique notes of the whisky. This 13 year old whisky offers sweet notes of vanilla, toffee, leather and nutmeg with a smooth, oaky finished.

The debut of Cascade Moon 13 Year Old Rye comes off the heels of two award-winning Cascade Moon variants released at the end of 2020 in celebration of the 150-year anniversary of George A. Dickel & Co. Cascade Moon series pays homage to the distillery’s history, while continuing to set the tone for the future of the whisky category. The Cascade Moon 13 Year Old Rye will start rolling out on shelves in Tennessee, Texas and California for a limited-time only at a suggested retail price of $299.

As we celebrate the holidays, your friends at Cascade Hollow encourage you to sip this new offering the same way it’s made – slowly and responsibly.

About DIAGEO
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness.

DIAGEO is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about DIAGEO, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit DIAGEO’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

For fun facts about Whiskey, Click Here