Dustin Scoggins

J. Rieger & Co. Releases 2023 Monogram Series Whiskey

July 16, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

J. Rieger & Co. recently launched this year’s expression of Monogram Whiskey, the seventh release in the Monogram series. This marks the first under the name “Kansas City Whiskey – Solera Reserve.”

A statement from J. Rieger noted that this Solera Reserve bottling was designed to celebrate the complex terroir of iconic Sherry casks and their effect on American whiskey.

The whiskey makers at J. Rieger noted that early on for the brand, Oloroso Sherry held an important role at the distillery.

In fact, dating back hundreds of years, Sherry was regularly added in the blend of American whiskies. J. Rieger & Co. also picked up this practice, and made Sherry a key ingredient in the blend of its flagship Kansas City Whiskey.

In 2015, J. Rieger officials touted, the distillery obtained several rare 500-liter Oloroso Sherry botas (large, old sherry casks) from Williams & Humbert Solera Especial in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. They’ve been using the solera method for an annual Monogram Whiskey release ever since.

The distiller describes the solera method as using fractional blending to age the whiskey, which is a continual process of removing a portion of the whiskey from the barrel, then topping it off with another batch, over many years.

J. Rieger recently expanded its solera to 10 casks between 50-100 years old. Straight bourbon, straight rye, and light corn whiskeys have been aging in the J. Rieger & Co. solera since as far back as 2015.

Every year, J. Rieger blends, proofs, and bottles Monogram Whiskey from a combination of these botas. This is the first year the recipe has been adjusted to a blend that qualifies as Kansas City Whiskey.

“Blending our annual Monogram Whiskey release is something I look forward to each year,” said Co-Founder Ryan Maybee. “We really ventured into uncharted territory with this project when we started it eight years ago, as there has never been an American whiskey produced this way. The evolution of this bottling over time has become one of my proudest moments in resurrecting the Rieger brand. The fact that this year, and moving forward, this will now officially be our ‘Kansas City Whiskey – Solera Reserve’ makes it that much more special.”

His distiller’s notes show the 2023 expression of Monogram Whiskey features notes of buttered popcorn, French toast, and maple syrup with aromas of woody tobacco and smoky cedar. It also has hints of black pepper, caramelized orange, and tropical fruits.

Rieger’s Monogram Whiskey clocks in at 100 proof, and is available on a limited basis in select markets, as well as at the distillery in the Electric Park District of Kansas City.

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

Wakatsuru Distillery Releases Video Game Themed Whiskey

July 16, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Wakatsuru Distillery in Toyama has teamed up with Tokyo-based video game developer Atlus to release a series of whisky bottles inspired by the popular Persona franchise.

The Persona role-playing video game series has been around since 1996 and has had since had more than 20 instalments. Players play a character living in a modern Japanese city going through the trials and tribulations of adolescent life.

The whisky has been made at Saburomaru Distillery, Wakatusuru Distillery’s whisky division, by master blender and manager Takahiko Inagaki. His grandfather, Kotaro Inagaki, began making whisky at Saburomaru in the 1950s when a rice shortage limited Wakatusuru’s sake production.

Two whiskies in the collaboration have been released so far. The Saburomaru x Persona Blended Whiskey is described as “smoky and rich flavoured”, with the label depicting the main characters from the Persona 3 Portable, Persona 4 The Golden and Persona 5 The Royal.

The other whisky released so far is the more premium Single Cask Saburomaru P3P. The striking label features the character Orpheus, from Persona 3 Portable. The single malt inside was barrel-aged for three years.

About Wakatsuru Distillery

Malt distillation began in 1954 with the creation of the Sunshine blend, and will continue discontinuously until 2016 when Wakatsuru Shuzo made the decision to renovate its facilities in the Hokuriku area to dedicate them to the production of malt whisky.

For more information please visit https://dekanta.com/product-category/wakatsuru/

Penelope Bourbon Releases First Expression Since MGP Acquisition — A Toasted Barrel Finish Rye Bottled at 100 Proof

July 16, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Penelope Bourbon released a limited-edition whiskey in June with a 100% rye mashbill finished in new, heavily toasted American oak barrels.

The 5-year-old rye is distilled from a mashbill of 100% rye and is non-chill filtered, per Shanken News Daily. Penelope Bourbon describes the rye whiskey as having vanilla and caramel-based aromas, with a bold palate that holds plenty of smoked marshmallow, butterscotch and herbaceous mint qualities. The finish is long and savory, according to the brand, and has a subtle spice.

Penelope chose to work with toasted barrels as a “testament to the power of serendipity.” The team was struck by the unique differences between each barrel and wanted to create a line of whiskey expressions that showcase such diversity.

The New Jersey-based bourbon company is no stranger to experimenting with different aging methods and finishes. The brand regularly releases a Rosé Cask Finish expression, which we have reviewed here.

The Penelope Toasted Series Straight Rye Whiskey is Penelope’s first release since the bottler was acquired by MGP Ingredients and its subsidiary, Luxco Inc., for an impressive $105 million in May. Penelope can extend ther price to $110.8 million by the end of 2025 if it meets Luxco’s performance expectations.

Penelope is relatively new, launched in 2018 after husband and wife duo, Mike and Kerry Paladini, found out they were about to have a baby, named Penelope. Penelope’s birth inspired them to create a spirit line meant to “celebrate life’s pleasures – big and small,” according to the brand.

The couple teamed up with Mike’s childhood friend and neighbor, Danny Polise, to create Penelope Bourbon. The company grew exponentially prior to its acquisition by MGP.

The Toasted Rye Barrel Finish expression was bottled at 100 proof and is part of a singular release, with a total of 7,000 cases available at select retailers. The spirit hosts a suggested retail price of $70.

About Penelope Distillery

Penelope Bourbon was crafted and created in a classic American tradition – to celebrate an impending birth of a child. In 2018, Mike Paladini and his wife, Kerry, found out they were expecting a baby girl, Penelope. To commemorate this occasion, Mike quickly realized he wanted to create a spirit that embodied the daily joy of celebrating life’s pleasures – big and small.

Teaming up with his close childhood friend and neighbor, Danny Polise, they set out to discover and produce a Straight Bourbon Whiskey everyone could appreciate and enjoy. A company was born.

Today, Penelope Bourbon is sold in over 27 states nationwide and 4 countries. Proving that with enough love and care, and hard work, anything is possible.

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

Grand Teton Distillery Continues Private Stock Series With Release of 7-Year-Old Single Malt

July 10, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

On Monday, Grand Teton Distillery announced the third release in its Private Stock collection: Private Stock American Single Malt Whiskey.

The single malt is made from 100% Idaho malted barley. After being milled, fermented and distilled in-house, it spent seven years in used bourbon barrels, making it one of the longest-aged American single malts on the market, according to Grand Teton Distillery.

“This is our distillery’s second American Single Malt, and this version truly showcases our craft,” Grand Teton Distillery head distiller John Boczar said in a news release. “We wanted to create a pure expression of a single malt and this bottle does just that. Not only has it be aged three years longer than our first ASM, it has ten percent more alcohol and has a distinctly unique finish.”

The single malt was aged in a climate that the distillery describes as having “extreme temperatures” at 6,000 feet elevation at the foothills of the Teton mountain range.

Bottled at 100 proof, Grand Teton Distillery Private Stock American Single Malt Whiskey is available for a suggested retail price of $79.95 per 750-milliliter bottle. The whiskey is sold in an embossed gift box. Twenty-two barrels worth of the single malt are available online. In the coming weeks, it will also be made available at the distillery’s tasting room and at “select retailers throughout the West.”

While American single malt is still a relatively nascent category with no legal definition, Grand Teton Distillery stuck to the requirements that have been proposed by the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission.

About the Grand Teton Distillery Private Stock Series

Each release in Grand Teton’s Private Stock collection is a limited, small-batch whiskey that has been selected, proofed with mountain water and hand-bottled. The distillery has released a new Private Stock whiskey once a year since 2021.

The first Private Stock release was a straight corn whiskey aged 6.5 years — at the time the distillery’s highest age statement to date. The 2022 release upped the age ante as an 8-year-old bourbon, the longest-aged whiskey to ever come from Idaho.

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

Introducing Farm Strength Uncut Bourbon from Frey Ranch Distillery

July 7, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Frey Ranch Distillery today announced the release of a new permanent expression in its award-winning American Whiskey portfolio – Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut Bourbon. Bottled at cask strength, the new non-chill filtered, small batch whiskey is produced using 100% of the slow-grown grains that are grown, harvested, milled, distilled on the Frey Ranch farm year-round. Proudly using the corn, wheat, barley, and rye that Co-Founder and Whiskey Farmer Colby Frey cultivates has become a hallmark of the brand – and the driving force behind Frey Ranch’s explosive growth in Nevada and California. Today, Frey Ranch is the #1 selling ultra-premium bourbon in Nevada and one of the largest whiskey producers on the West Coast.

At 124.3 proof and aged for an average of five years, Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut Bourbon utilizes the same mash bill as the flagship four grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey: 66.6% Dent Corn, 10% Winter Wheat, 11.4% Winter Rye and 12% Two Row Barley. As a cask strength bourbon, the tasting experience differs from the flagship 90 proof experience with robust notes of caramelized, brulé, and hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. On the palate, the whiskey opens with a mélange of flavors – from birthday cake frosting and glazed butter cake to cloves, orange creamsicle and dried stone fruit. The finish delivers a sublime yet subtle hint of smoke and black cherry.

“Every time we blend a batch of our flagship Frey Ranch Four Grain Straight Bourbon, we taste it at cask strength before we proof it down. That uncut liquid is always a big hit with our distillery team. We’re excited to now offer the Farm Strength version of the signature whiskey that put Frey Ranch on the map with our grain-forward approach. For the best tasting experience, we recommend a side-by-side comparison of our signature 90-proof against this new uncut version.”

Using his own slow-grown grains that take Northern Nevada’s climate, topography and terroir into consideration provides Colby with almost unlimited freedom to experiment with different grain varieties and blends. Valuing a common-sense approach to sustainable farming, Colby, with Master Distiller Russell Wedlake, built a distillery born from a desire to create a distinctive, long-lasting product from the quality grains the Frey family has been growing and perfecting for generations. The new Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut Bourbon is another prime example of Frey Ranch’s commitment to centering its whiskey enterprise around their grains and farming background first and foremost.

Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut Bourbon has a suggested retail price of $79.99 for a 750 ml bottle. In 2023, Frey Ranch will expand its footprint with availability in Arizona, Ohio, and Georgia.

ABOUT FREY RANCH DISTILLERY:

Frey Ranch Distillery was founded in 2006 by Colby and Ashley Frey on the Frey family’s 1,500-acre farm in Fallon, Nevada. The family has a deep history of farming in Northern Nevada that dates back over 150 years and continues today with Frey Ranch Distillery, the state’s only distillery to grow 100% of its whiskey grains on-site. Frey Ranch is a year-round working farm that also offers tours and tastings to the public every Saturday from 12-4 p.m.

To learn more, visit freyranch.com.

Still Austin Whiskey Launches Bottled In Bond Seasonal Series

July 7, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Texas’ Still Austin Whiskey Co. recently announced the release of their seasonal Bottled-in-Bond Series.

The four new, federally regulated whiskies meet the criteria of the 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Act for spirits aged at least four years and bottled exactly at 100 proof.

A press release from Still Austin notes that the first expression in the limited series is a Red Corn Bourbon, and it was “inspired by the heat of the Texas summer, offering creamsicle and black tea scents, followed by a palate of peppermint and marzipan.”

The following three expressions will feature a high rye bourbon coming in the fall, a blue corn bourbon this winter, and a straight rye whiskey in the spring of 2024.

The distiller noted that each of the whiskeys were distilled to capture the ingredients, flavors and themes of the season that inspired them. They will also sell only in the season of their release.

For this summer’s Red Corn Bourbon, the distiller’s notes show the liquid combines the nuttiness of Jimmy Red corn, with the sweet spice of rye.

Each of Still Austin’s Bottled-in-Bond releases are made with 100-percent Texas-grown grains and utilizes a six-month slow water reduction process, which helps bring out more vanilla and caramel notes.

“The launch of this series represents a new chapter in Still Austin’s legacy, highlighting our dedication to craftsmanship and the vibrant agricultural landscape and communities that surround us in Austin,” said Mike Spadier, Still Austin’s chief marketing officer.

“The choice to create a whiskey for each of the four seasons embodies our commitment to capturing the essence of nature’s bounty,” he added. “Each bottle in this series is a testament to the artistry and care that goes into every drop of Still Austin whiskey, reflecting the unique character and flavors that define each season.”

The artwork on the labels, created by Texas artist Marc Burckhardt, evokes the animals and the seasons while paying homage to the Texas terroir.

“My work revolves around myth and symbolism, often utilizing animals to drive the narrative,” Burckhardt said. “The paintings tell the story behind these unique whiskies, relating seasons, flavors, and characters with the experience of these spirits.”

Red Corn Bourbon is now available online at ReserveBar as well as on the Still Austin website.

For more information or to find a bottle, check out www.stillaustin.com.

Bullock distillery to offer limited release of Raleigh County-inspired bourbon

July 7, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

A West Virginia distillery released a new bourbon over the weekend in Beckley with a label depicting one of the waterfalls in the Piney Creek Preserve in Raleigh County.

The release of Piney Creek Bourbon Whiskey, crafted by The Bullock Distillery in Charleston, was held at a whiskey tasting event at Beckley’s Historic Black Knight municipal park.

Tickets to the tasting, which will take place from 5-8 p.m., are $35.

A portion of the proceeds will go toward the West Virginia Land Trust, which has partnered with the city of Beckley for outdoor recreation opportunities in the Piney Creek Preserve.

Set for an unveiling in September, the 613-acre Piney Creek Preserve will offer miles of recreational trails along land that was formerly used for coal mining.

Plans for the Piney Creek Preserve are being developed through a partnership with Beckley Outdoors and the land Trust, which will also have informational booths set up at the whiskey tasting.

Bullock Distillery co-owner Tighe Bullock said crafting a bourbon that supports and also features his hometown is a dream come true.

“It sounds cheesy to say this, but it really is,” Bullock said. “It’s kind of like closing the loop in some ways on what I want to do in my professional career path. I’ve always been thinking, ever since I was a kid, like how can I help Beckley and how can I help my areas, my communities. So this really is a dream come true.”

Bullock said the Piney Creek Bourbon is part of a single barrel release, which means they’ve made only 300 bottles. He added that the label for the bottle was also crafted by West Virginia artists.

A limited supply of the Piney Creek Bourbon will be available for purchase at the whiskey tasting in Beckley as well as at the Bullock Distillery in Charleston at 121 Washington St.

Bullock said people can thank his longtime friend, Beckley’s director of outdoor economic development, Corey Lilly, for helping him bring this idea to life.

“There are a lot of folks really pushing Beckley as an outdoor mecca and destination and really, really cool work they’re doing and I started thinking like, how can I help,” he said, “So we kind of came up with this Piney Creek Bourbon Whiskey idea to raise awareness, raise funds, and hopefully we get some good stuff going at the Piney Creek Preserve.”

Bullock said everything made by The Bullock Distillery is tied to West Virginia in more ways than one.

Not only are their products produced and bottled in West Virginia, but their alcohol is also proofed using Karst water from a family farm in Greenbrier County.

In the future, Bullock said he’d like to try to use water from Piney Creek as part of the proofing process.

“In the future I would like to work with the city and with the preserve on taking some water samples and potentially using them in the product,” he said. He added that their other products, which include a rye whiskey, gin, moonshine and vodka, will also be available to sample at the whiskey tasting.

“I think Black Knight has purchased pretty much our entire product line so people will have an opportunity to sample whatever they want,” Bullock said.

Beckley Parks and Recreation Director Leslie Gray Baker said the release of the Piney Creek Bourbon presents a unique opportunity for the city and helps spread the word about the work being done at the preserve.

“We’ve never had this opportunity where we’re going to be able to, with a group of people who are so committed to preservation, work along with them to make sure that the land is preserved,” Baker said.

She added that the Piney Creek Preserve will pair nicely with the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine because both areas give visitors an inside look at West Virginia’s history with coal.

“The history of that gorge is just so interesting and certainly complements what we do here at the exhibition coal mine,” Baker said.

About Bullock Distillery

Dusta Tanner, a founder and Co-Owner of The Bullock Distillery along with John and Tighe Bullock, started their business in 2017. After five years of hard work, the distillery began producing spirits and opened its doors in December 2021. Prior to this, Dusta and the Bullocks redeveloped 11 historic structures in the Elk City District of Charleston, West Virginia and to date have brought 20 new businesses and approximately 80 permanent jobs into Elk City.

For more information about The Bullock Distillery go to bullockdistillery.com.

Bob Dylan’s New 10-Year-Old-Rye Whiskey Packs a Spicy, Assertive Punch

July 7, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Bob Dylan’s Heaven’s Door whiskey brand has proven to be one of the best in the crowded celebrity field, with a solid core range of rye, bourbon, and American whiskey. The latest release, part of the brand’s Decade Series, is pretty straightforward for a limited-edition bottle—a 10-year-old rye whiskey—but this is one for those who crave the assertive, spicy notes of a bigger, bolder rye.

As you can probably tell by the name, the Heaven’s Door Decade Series is meant to highlight whiskeys aged for a full 10 years. That’s relatively young for scotch, but for American whiskey 10 years is getting a little long in the tooth—Scotland’s climate is mild, while most of America sees temperature shifts swinging from hot to cold that accelerate the interaction between wood and whiskey while it ages. In this case, the whiskey was matured in Indiana and Tennessee, two states which have hot summers and cold winters. And while the specific source is undisclosed, it’s probably safe to assume it’s MGP, the spirits factory that is behind so many of your favorite whiskeys.

You may be thinking to yourself, “A sourced 10-year-old rye whiskey? Big deal, I’ve had that before.” Indeed, you have—other examples include bottles from Templeton and Bulleit (sourced from MGP), WhistlePig (Canada), and Michter’s (undisclosed source, but usually quite exceptional). So why exactly should you give this bottle a try? First and foremost, if you are a fan of assertive and spicy 95 percent rye whiskey, this is for you. According to master blender Alex Moore, Decade Series 2 is a blend of dozens of rye whiskeys that were all selected because of their particular flavor profiles. The nose leads off with notes of banana and apple candy, but things really start to pick up on the palate. There are some tannic licorice notes that lead the way on the tip of your tongue, followed by orange, honey, and molasses. Deep vanilla and caramel notes emerge as you continue to sip, but there’s not much sweetness present and a dash of bitterness that might not appeal to everyone.

Based on those tasting notes, this sounds like it could be a divisive rye whiskey. If you’re looking for an easy sipper that you don’t have to think much about, this ain’t it. But like the Barrell Craft Spirits Private Release Rye reviewed here recently, this is a bottle for those who are really looking for a rye whiskey drinker’s rye whiskey. There has been a lot going on with Heaven’s Door recently, including the brand’s new distillery and redesign of the core range that we reported on recently. But the best news is that this is one celebrity-backed brand that continues to release high-quality whiskeys, likely due more to the everyday production team’s work than Dylan’s personal input. But hey, at least he’s not following the celebrity herd and chasing that tequila money.

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

Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream Releases A Salted Caramel Version

June 27, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

A new spirit is looking to make summer a bit sweeter. Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream recently introduced its salted caramel version.

A statement from the spirits brand noted that this expression is made with triple-distilled Irish whiskey, cream from Irish dairy farms, and a salted caramel flavor.

It’s made by Niche Drinks in Northern Ireland, and the Irish cream clocks in at 34 proof (17% ABV). Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream Salted Caramel will be available by the end of July, and has a suggested price of $14.99 per 750 ml bottle.

The tasting notes from Saint Brendan’s shows that the salted caramel Irish cream features aromas of sweet vanilla, caramel and toffee on the nose, with cream and sweet whiskey on the palate. The finish is warm and sugary, highlighting the sea salt and caramel flavor.

“The salted caramel flavor combination continues to grow in popularity with adult consumers,” said Allison O’Brien, brand manager for Luxco’s Irish portfolio. “Adding this ultimate sweet-and-salty combination to Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream was a perfect match, resulting in a product that delivers across the taste profile.”

About Saint Brendan’s

Our name is inspired by Saint Brendan the Abbot, an ancient Irish monk, who was known for his remarkable travels and adventure. His valiant spirit guided our quest for the most authentic and indulgent Irish Cream. Our unique blend is crafted for a taste that’s elegantly smooth, gentle, and creamy. You’ll enjoy notes of vanilla, marshmallow, chocolate, and a touch of spice.

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

Berry Bros & Rudd Introduce Summer Whiskies For Sipping

June 26, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Berry Bros. & Rudd, known for their Cutty Sark whisky, recently dropped a host of 2023 summer releases featuring six single malts, a cask blended malt and a Brazilian rum.

A statement from the spirits giant noted that they are celebrating the 325th anniversary of one of Britain’s oldest spirits merchants, doing so with seasonal releases featuring liquid from across the English whisky scene.

The collection includes the English whisky Masthouse 2017, from Copper Rivet Distillery in Kent, and the whisky maker described it as one of the most fruit-forward liquids Berry Bros. & Rudd distillers have tried, despite its young age.

Jonny McMillan, reserve whisky manager at Berry Bros. & Rudd, said that in their special anniversary year, they wanted to feature some of the English distillers who are increasingly making waves in the industry.

“The second of four English whiskies to be released this year, Masthouse 2017 is a triumph representing the promise of Copper Rivet distillery and their production of one of the best distillates in the UK, perhaps the world,” he added.

Stephen Russell, founder at Copper Rivet Distillery, said that this single cask bottling series marks a coming of age for both English whisky and for Masthouse Whisky.

“Knowing the expertise, diligence and passion for quality with which Berry Bros. & Rudd selects the whisky it bottles, we are very proud to see Masthouse Single Malt Whisky in this collaborative bottling – and the cask the team has chosen is spectacular,” he said.

The remainder of the release includes the Exceptional Blended Malt 1979, which highlights Berry Bros. & Rudd’s expertise in blended whiskies, along with five single malt Scotch whiskies and a Brazilian rum.

For more information please visit www.bbrspirits.com.