Dustin Scoggins

Laws Whiskey House Announces Third Release of Laws Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey

October 24, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Laws Whiskey House, the award-winning distillery in Denver, today announces the third annual release of their Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey Finished in a Cognac Foeder. First introduced in 2017 as a pioneering addition to their Special Finish Series, this year’s offering represents a captivating blend of whiskeys aged between four and eight years, nurtured in an array of distinct wooden casks. This limited release is set to hit select markets nationwide beginning in October 2023, with a suggested retail price of $79.99.

Laws Whiskey House’s new Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey Finished in a Cognac Foeder marks the third annual release of a dynamic and evolving blend. After years of meticulous experimentation and refinement, Laws developed an innovative solera process where only a portion of their specially finished bourbon is harvested at a time, allowing the remainder to harmonize with future blends of this exceptional whiskey.

Founder of Laws Whiskey House, Al Laws, emphasizes their central philosophy, stating, “One of our core principles is continual improvement. This whiskey exemplifies that philosophy, as with this release, we’re pushing ourselves and our whiskeys to new heights. It’s a truly unique release, and we’re excited to invite you on this journey to savor how this whiskey evolves over time, not only in the glass but from year to year with each release as well.”

This whiskey’s journey commences with Laws Four Grain Straight Bourbon, matured for a minimum of two years in freshly charred American oak barrels. Select barrels then undergo a secondary aging process in French oak casks that previously held Cognac. These distinct spirits are harmonized in a 50-year-old French oak blending vat, known as a foeder. Each year’s release includes whiskey from prior vintages, ensuring a consistent style. Following each annual harvest, the foeder is replenished with Four Grain Bourbon finished in Cognac casks, perpetuating the cycle.

Laws’ distinctive process was developed in collaboration with sixth-generation Cognac producer Alain Royer, who provided invaluable technical expertise in cask finishing and blending. Additionally, Royer assisted the Laws team in sourcing the foeder from its original home in France

The foeder is a critical component of this finishing process, facilitating not only the solera blending process but also the gradual integration of flavor from the spirit these casks once held. The French oak foeder staves add an elegant finish to this whiskey, with this year’s batch displaying a more pronounced French oak influence than the previous year. This balance enhances the solera process by accentuating herbaceous pepper and spice, leafy tobacco, and an overall toasted oak character.

For this third release, 400 gallons of finished spirit were harvested from the French oak foeder, yielding only 2,418 750ml bottles. This year’s release captures the essence of previous batches while introducing fresh nuances. Aromas of toasted oak, dry leaves, wet leather, fennel fronds, caraway seed, and dark fruits greet the senses. The spirit delivers flavors of cinnamon raisin toast, salted Marcona almonds, fig jam, and sweet, nutty malt, culminating in a dry finish accentuated by the influence of French oak. It lingers on the palate, offering complexity and depth.

About Laws Whiskey House

Grown, distilled, aged and bottled in Colorado.

Founded in 2011, Laws Whiskey House makes intentionally bold and terroir-driven whiskeys from Colorado. The distillery’s grain-forward style whiskeys are made with the highest quality corn and heirloom wheat, barley, and rye grown by two Colorado family farms. Laws uses time-tested production techniques that showcase each individual grain’s terroir resulting in singular and novel whiskeys.

For More Information:
https://lawswhiskeyhouse.com/crafted-in-colorado-with-french-influence-laws-four-grain-bourbon-whiskey-finished-in-a-cognac-foeder/

Buffalo Trace Antique Collection Features the Oldest Eagle Rare Bourbon Yet

October 24, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Buffalo Trace Distillery` — Photo Credit: Buffalo Trace Distillery

Every year, Buffalo Trace’s highly anticipated Antique Collection, nicknamed the BTAC, gathers significant attention in the bourbon world. For each annual unveiling, the Kentucky-based distillery debuts four to five rare bottlings, showcasing the finest whiskeys from their brands. This year, enthusiasts, collectors, and fanatics look forward to new editions of Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye Whiskey, Sazerac Rye 18-Year-Old Whiskey, William Larue Weller Bourbon, and Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon, and the return of the George T. Stagg Bourbon after it was omitted in 2021 for not meeting taste standards.

The 2023 BTAC collection features an especially thrilling bottling—the oldest-ever stock of Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon. You might wonder, doesn’t its name imply that all Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old bottles are 17 years old? A fair question, but it turns out that 17 refers to the minimum age to bottle the barrels. The whiskey’s actual barrel age varies each year to achieve the ideal flavor profile—and this year’s edition is the oldest yet.

Over the next couple of weeks, the bottles will roll out to a variety of retailers, where they’re priced around $125. After that, they’ll make their way on to the secondary market where it could cost around five to 20 times as much to get a bottle. So if you’re looking to pick one up for the right price, you’d better hurry to your local liquor store—it might already be too late.

Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon

Buffalo Trace aged the 2023 Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon for 19 years and three months, making this year’s bottling the longest-aged since its introduction in 2000. In tribute to the original Eagle Rare that launched in 1975, Buffalo Trace bottled the 2023 edition at 101 proof. The nose offers dark chocolate and cherry pie notes, which complement the well-balanced caramel-drizzled chocolate spongecake flavor. Then, the bourbon finishes with the dry, spicy notes of an earthy cigar box. The Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old was distilled in the spring of 2004, and its barrels were aged in Warehouses C, I, K, M, and Q.

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

Knob Creek’s Oldest Bourbon Is Back

October 21, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Knob Creek released its oldest expression to date last year, an 18-year-old bourbon that delighted fans of older age statement American whiskey. That limited release has returned for 2023, and for the launch the brand collaborated with Smithey Ironware on a cast iron skillet that was seasoned—you guessed it—a total of 18 times.

The core Knob Creek bourbon carries a nine-year-old age statement, a marker it regained in 2020 after a four-year absence that rankled some whiskey drinkers’ nerves. But that wasn’t the only news from the brand, part of the Jim Beam Small Batch Collection (along with Booker’s, Baker’s, and Basil Hayden). 12, 15, and 18-year-old expressions were added to the lineup over the past few years, the first as a permanent addition and the others in more limited numbers. Knob Creek 18 is bottled at the same 100 proof as the other expressions, and while for some the 15-year-old might hit that sweet spot of the older bourbon flavor profile, if you like something a bit oakier the 18 is a good whiskey to try. Look for notes of brown sugar, leather, caramel, and maple on the palate, with a healthy dose of tannins.

As mentioned earlier, this release comes along with a partner collaboration with cookware brand Smithey Ironware in the form of a cast iron skillet seasoned 18 times instead of the usual three. “The partnership between Knob Creek and Smithey Ironware came from the passion that both brands have for the details, whether it’s with cooking or in a fine glass of bourbon,” said seventh generation master distiller Fred Noe in a statement. “With this special 18x seasoned cast iron skillet, we were able to come together and create a product that celebrates those fine details, alongside the re-release of Knob Creek’s oldest release to date.”

You can find the Knob Creek & Smithey 18X Seasoned Skillet Set (SRP $300) for sale at the brand’s website along with some whiskey-themed recipes—but no bourbon is included with your purchase. To get a bottle of the new re-rerelease of Knob Creek 18, check out online retailers like ReserveBar.

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

Wild Turkey Unveils Generations, A Historic Release Honoring Bourbon Mastery

October 21, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. – Wild Turkey Distilling Company is proud to unveil Wild Turkey Generations, a first-ever collaboration from three generations of the iconic Russell family of whiskey makers. This ultra-premium and highly limited release from the storied Wild Turkey distillery reflects more than a century of bourbon-making prowess; it is an expert blend of four hand-selected whiskies that showcase the varied palates, personal preferences and exacting expertise of Jimmy, Eddie and Bruce Russell. Generations represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience a whiskey created by the legendary grandfather, father and son trio, and this historic and extremely rare release is the first to feature the signatures of all three Russells on the custom-etched bottle, including that of newly appointed Associate Blender, Bruce Russell.

Commemorating the Russell family’s immeasurable impact on the art of bourbon making, Generations is made of four bourbons that were chosen by Jimmy, Eddie and Bruce for their unique characteristics, then masterfully blended in varying increments for a harmonious flavor profile. The result is a richly layered and complex whiskey, bottled at barrel proof and non-chill filtered to deliver the utmost character in each sip.

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

Bruce, like his grandfather Jimmy, prefers bold bourbon flavors, which come through in the 12-year bourbon he selected for the blend. Eddie has a penchant for a softer honeyed, vanilla-laden flavor that typically comes from older bourbons, such as his 15-year-old selection and the 14-year-old whiskey he and Bruce picked together. Jimmy stayed true to his palate, as he has for decades, by selecting a nine-year-old bourbon consistent with the classic Wild Turkey profile. While each of the Russells have slightly different tastes and preferences, they share the highest standards of quality for workmanship. The meticulously blended final bourbon seamlessly merges whiskies from the distillery’s finest barrels, capturing the heart and spirit of the Russell family.

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

Generations is a tribute to one of the most iconic families in bourbon-making. Jimmy Russell, the longest-tenured, active Master Distiller in the global spirits industry and an instrumental figure in shaping Kentucky bourbon as it exists today, started the family tradition when he began working at Wild Turkey distillery in 1954. He soon began to teach his son Eddie, then a union worker, the craft. Eddie was a quick study who rose through the ranks and was inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame in 2010, joining his father who earned the prestigious recognition in 2001. Before long, Eddie’s son, Bruce, became involved with the business, first as an ambassador and recently as a blender. As Associate Blender, Bruce spends his days tending to bourbons and ryes from the fabled Wild Turkey rickhouses, then blending to achieve new flavor profiles, bringing his own approach to the teachings and techniques passed down through the family.

“From the moment Jimmy, Bruce and I started talking about Generations, I knew we had something incredibly special on our hands,” said Wild Turkey Master Distiller Eddie Russell. “Not only am I proud of the rich, intricate whiskey that we created, but I’m honored to have worked alongside my son for his first release as Associate Blender. Seeing his name etched into the bottle next to ours will forever bring me back to the memories we shared when creating this rare release.”

Generations is a 120.8-proof blend that showcases sweet notes of vanilla, caramel and dark cherry that give way to warm notes of pepper and aged oak. An aroma of oak and vanilla is followed by floral and spice notes with hints of baked apple, toffee and cloves. The unique combination of aromas and flavors caps off with a finish of dark fruit and baking spice with lingering notes of sweet toffee and oak.

With a suggested retail price of $450, Wild Turkey Generations will be available in limited quantities; approximately 5,000 bottles will be available at select retailers nationwide. Wild Turkey fans in the United States will also have exclusive access to a limited online pre-sale in the coming days; by signing up for the Wild Turkey community newsletter here, fans can explore the story behind this special release and ensure that they are the first to learn more about pre-sale availability.

This historic whiskey embodies three generations of bourbon making mastery, and Wild Turkey encourages fans to savor it and to drink in moderation.

ABOUT WILD TURKEY

The distillery for Wild Turkey Bourbon is in Kentucky, situated on a deep limestone shelf on the Kentucky River. The shelf acts as a natural filter and provides the distillery with crystal clear water, vital to making such a high-quality product. Wild Turkey features the legendary father and son Master Distilling team of Jimmy and Eddie Russell, who have over 100 years of collective experience working at the Wild Turkey distillery.

The famous Wild Turkey brand name first came about back in 1940 when distillery executive Thomas McCarthey took a few warehouse samples on a Wild Turkey hunting trip with a group of friends. The following year, his friends asked him for “some of that Wild Turkey whiskey” and the brand was born.

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

Jack Daniel’s releases rare new single malt.

September 25, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

After making whiskey for more than 150 years, Jack Daniel’s has distilled something new: an American single malt whiskey.

When a spirits lover hears the phrase “single malt,” they may think of single malt Scotch whiskys — often known for their grassy flavor because the malted barley may be dried with smoke from local peat moss. There are few American single malts currently being made but those that are mostly come from craft distillers.

The new Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt Whiskey ($99.99, 90 proof, available in select-duty free retail locations worldwide) is different from its Scottish relatives — there’s no peat involved. It’s made with the same yeast used in its Tennessee whiskey and rye whiskey. But, unlike whiskey, which is made with corn and rye, as well as malted barley, the only grain to be used in the single malt is malted barley.

For the single malt, Jack Daniel’s used a different kind of barley than used in its other whiskeys — but it’s still ground, fermented and distilled in Lynchburg, Tennessee — and the grain results in a nuttier or biscuit-like flavor, said its master distiller Chris Fletcher.

After aging in new, charred American oak barrels for about five years and finished in Oloroso Sherry casks, the whiskey has aromas of honey, malted chocolate and dark fruits. Flavors exuded include bread and dry cherry and “an interesting texture and viscosity that you get from the barley,” he said during an online tasting of the new whiskey this week.

“When we began experimenting with a 100% malt grain bill back in 2012, we knew it would be critical to put our own stamp on timeless Single Malt traditions and craft something that was uniquely Jack Daniel’s,” Fletcher said in a press release. “There was a lot of excitement surrounding our limited edition American Single Malt Special Release last year, and we are thrilled to now offer Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt to our friends around the world.”

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

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Releases 1983 Port Ellen 40 Year Single Malt

September 19, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whiskey — Photo Credit: Duncan Taylor

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky recently released a malt from its ‘Rarest Collection’ – a Port Ellen 40-year-old single malt whisky from March 16, 1983. Available globally, this limited release of 209 bottles comes from cask number 667, one of the last batches of Port Ellen production – mere weeks before the distillery closed its doors for the last time in May of the same year.

At 104.8 proof the liquid was matured in a European Oak ex-sherry butt, with the cask initially stored on Islay, until it was laid down to finish maturing in the vaults at Duncan Taylor’s HQ in Aberdeenshire in 2010. Each hand-finished decanter is sequentially numbered with a signed certificate of authenticity. The Scottish firm last released a Port Ellen back in 2013.

“When I bought the company from Abe Rosenberg’s family back in 2001, the inventory was incredible with some amazing rare and old whiskies.” said Chairman Euan Shand in a prepared statement. “The casks of Port Ellen were ones that really stood out for me as something special and we’ve patiently waited for them to mature, bringing that rich, dark colour to the liquid. The cask created an evocative whisky that embraces the peat from the kilns and the brine of the sea, alongside a succulent rich fruity base. It’s one of the finest whiskies we’ve launched this year.”

With a price point of $7,300 the Port Ellen 40-year-old is available for purchase in the US. More details about it may be found at the Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky website. You’ll find official tasting notes below.

Nose: A classic sherried Islay. Full of treacle toffee and leather mixed with bright fruity notes of blackberries and strawberries drenched in cream. A touch of zesty citrus offsets the fruity sweetness, and some dark, waxy comb honey adds depth. Some intense maritime notes of sea spray combined with kombu kelp. Mineral touches of seashore pebbles emerge with time from underneath the sherried fruits.

Palate: Very true to the nose. Dark treacle toffee and more fruits, this time more cooked than fresh. Thick and chewy texture with roasted pecan nuts to the fore. The leathery, maritime notes persist with some warming spices of cloves and caraway. The peat comes over as a distant driftwood bonfire on a salt drenched seashore. A dark, smoky, and fruity chutney balanced by a refreshing hint of spearmint. Wonderful balance with all elements in good equilibrium.

Finish: Long and seemingly everlasting. The dark bitter chocolate notes from the sherry cask persist to the last, along with some spicy toasted oak. The chewy toffee fruits continue, but now are slightly drier than on the palate. The driftwood bonfire of the peat is now reduced to some smouldering embers. Again, the balance is perfect with all elements singing in harmony.

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

Blackened Whiskey Partners with Kaveh Zamanian for “Masters of Whiskey Series”

September 18, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

NEW YORK — Today, BLACKENED Whiskey announces a groundbreaking collaboration with Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame Whiskey Maker, Kaveh Zamanian, founder of renowned craft whiskey distillery, Rabbit Hole, for the 2023 release of its acclaimed “Masters of Whiskey Series.” Together, BLACKENED Master Distiller & Blender, Rob Dietrich, and Zamanian have created the BLACKENED x Rabbit Hole Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskey Distilled in Tennessee & Kentucky. Finished in Calvados Casks, the blend is bottled at cask strength at a proof of 106.59, and non-chill filtered.

Debuted in 2021 with the BLACKENED x Willett Straight Rye Finished in Madeira Casks, the “Masters of Whiskey Series” is built upon the brand’s core tenant of collaboration, uniting the unparalleled expertise of two master craftsmen to reimagine craft whiskey and create new, extraordinary expressions.

For this release, esteemed whiskey visionaries, Dietrich and Zamanian, crafted the expression from a base of 13-year-old straight Tennessee bourbon whiskey featuring a mash bill of 64 percent corn, 36 percent rye, and Rabbit Hole Heigold High Rye Double Malt Kentucky straight bourbon, made from a mash bill of 70 percent corn, 25 percent malted rye, and 5 percent malted barley. The whiskey is then finished in Calvados Casks, imparting sweeter notes as Calvados is an apple brandy. The resulting expression features notes of apple butter, rhubarb, honey-suckle, graham cracker, and macadamia nut on the nose and hints of ripe pear, cinnamon stick, smoky campfire, field clover, honey, and black walnut on the palate.

The basis of the partnership stems from both brands’ and distillers’ uncompromising passion, reputation for forging their own paths in American Whiskey, and most importantly, their ability to innovate. For its whiskeys, Rabbit Hole’s Chief Whiskey Maker, Kaveh Zamanian, looks beyond traditional methods, creating one-of-a-kind mash bills using malt sourced from Europe, while BLACKENED Whiskey pushes the envelope with its Black Noise™ sonic-enhancement process.

During finishing, the whiskey is sonically-enhanced to extract more flavor from the finishing casks, using a patent-pending scientific process co-developed by the sound engineers at Meyer Sound. The process produces low hertz sound waves causing the whiskey to reverberate at a fast rate, interacting with the oak staves of the finishing barrel, measurably releasing wood compounds and flavors. Their ardor for constantly challenging traditional whiskey-making processes and treating the craft as an art form led them to the flavorful blend.

“It was great working with Kaveh, as we came in with different backgrounds and similar mindsets, with a passion to create something unusual and unique to see where we could take it,” explained Dietrich. “We were both interested in starting with the 13-year-old Tennessee bourbon whiskey, and then worked back to see what was going to pair well with that as far as mash bill and blending different whiskeys from their distillery. We were really looking for something that balanced and layered the flavor profiles together, then adding a dash of flavor through the Calvados cask finishing. I’m ecstatic at what we came up with!”

“It was so exciting to be able to work with BLACKENED Whiskey and Rob Dietrich,” said Zamanian. “It seems like it was just an organic process, more art than science when we came together. It’s always great to be able to work with whiskey makers who are doing new things, such as BLACKENED, as it helps us learn more and improve our game. And ultimately the consumers benefit from it too, because you get new expressions – something that’s genuinely different and a blend of our different approaches and voices.”

“The ‘Masters of Whiskey Series’ represents our dedication to innovation and speaks to our core principle of collaboration,” said Metallica bassist, Robert Trujillo. “Just as Metallica always tries to blaze new trails with our music and artistic style, we love that we are able to do the same with our approach to crafting exceptional whiskey.”

As a testament to the collaboration and taste, the expression was entered into the 2023 New York Wine & Spirits Competition (NYWSC), where it was awarded a Gold Medal. Currently in its 13th year, the competition is one of the most respected judging events in the eastern USA and consists of a judging panel of the wine and spirits industry’s most trusted authorities.

ABOUT KAVEH ZAMANIAN & RABBIT HOLE DISTILLERY

Rabbit Hole was born to blow the cobwebs off the American whiskey category and pierce through the conformity that had kept it stuck in the 19th century. Rabbit Hole’s Founder and Whiskey Maker, Kaveh Zamanian, left a 20+ year career as a clinical psychologist to pursue his long-standing passion for fine spirits. With a mission to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, he set course to develop one-of-a-kind expressions of American whiskey. Through its signature core offerings – Cavehill Four Grain Triple Malt Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Boxergrail Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, Dareringer Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in PX Sherry Casks, and Heigold High Rye Double Malt Kentucky Straight Bourbon – along with its innovative Founder’s Collection series, stands as the best example of innovation and craft distillation in the country. This distinction is highlighted by its use of truly singular mash bills, signature malted grains, and custom-made, hand-selected, toasted & charred barrels. Our state-of-the art distillery is a cathedral to the art and science of whiskey making and is located in the Nulu neighborhood in heart of downtown Louisville. Designed as a true craft distillery designed to scale, it produces 27,000 barrels every year. Since opening in 2018, it has been heralded as the “Architectural Icon” of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and was recently named “World’s Leading Bourbon Distillery Tour” by the World Travel Awards. In 2022, Kaveh was inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame’s 20th anniversary class, cementing his place among industry pioneers and visionaries.

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

Kentucky Owl Releases Maighstir Edition

September 18, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

BARDSTOWN, Ky.— Stoli Group is pleased to announce the release of its latest collaboration, Kentucky Owl Maighstir Edition. Available across the U.S, the Maighstir Edition is the third international collaboration limited edition release from Kentucky Owl, demonstrating the brand’s imaginative take on the making of classic bourbon.

A result of the collaboration between Master Blenders John Rhea and new Kentucky Owl Master Blender Maureen Robinson, Maighstir Edition pays homage to the rich whiskey traditions of both the United States and Scotland. This release not only celebrates the artful craft of blending high-quality liquid but also the different flavors and taste profiles that each country has become famous for in the making of their whiskeys. This bourbon brings the best of Scotch whisky blending skills to Kentucky Owl’s bourbon range. “Maighstir” (pronounced may-stir) translates as ‘Master’ in Gaelic, authentically highlighting the wonderful collaboration between these two great whiskey masters.

Rhea and Robinson worked together to create the resulting Scottish inspired edition by blending 4yr old, 5yr old, 8yr old and 9yr old Kentucky Straight Bourbons, with mashbills containing corn, wheat, rye and malted barley. These specific Bourbons were carefully selected to convey a Scottish inspired Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

“Our latest limited edition release exemplifies the dedication of Kentucky Owl to offer Bourbon enthusiasts a glimpse into the world of Scotch whiskies,” said Maureen Robinson. “It has the citrus perfumed floral green notes with hints of sweetness and oak reminiscent of a lighter style Scotch but still keeping all the credentials of a bourbon.”

This collaboration also signifies the end of one chapter and the beginning of another as Kentucky Owl recently announced that Robinson is assuming the position of Master Blender, held by Rhea over the past 2 years. “Having the opportunity to craft the Maighstir Edition alongside Maureen instills me with great confidence that Kentucky Owl is in exceptional hands, as Maureen steps into her role as Master Blender,” commented John Rhea.

This Scottish inspired bourbon whiskey emerges as the perfect undertaking to coincide with Maureen taking the helm. As one of the 60 Whisky Hall of Famers and distinguished as one of a small group of female ‘Masters of the Quaich’ worldwide, her presence further strengthens the brand’s commitment to honoring artisanship and heritage. “It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with John to create a liquid that is rich in the tradition of Kentucky distillation with the timeless allure of Scotland’s whisky craftsmanship,” continued Robinson.

On the nose, the blend reveals subtle notes of small grains, notably malted barley with a hint of sweet caramel. The balance of grains with the sweetness of caramel and vanilla pays homage to the art of blending exceptional bourbon, seen through the perspective of Scotland’s heritage.

On the palate, there is a warm and spicy sweetness from the rye, which is expected from a great bourbon. Then, the gentle flavors of wheat and barley come in, making the taste soothing. As it melts the liquid reveals hints of orange and grapefruit. Finished by mild flavors of caramel and vanilla.

The Maighstir Edition will be available at an MSRP of $150 (100 Proof, ABV 50%)

About Kentucky Owl

Stoli Group, a leading global ultra-premium spirits and wine company, purchased Kentucky Owl in 2017. Originally founded by C.M. Dedman in 1879, the Kentucky Owl Bardstown distillery went dark during the Prohibition era and remained dormant until the brand was revived in 2014. Since then, the company’s small batch releases have sold out quickly and received strong reviews. Other various releases for Kentucky Owl have included their international collaboration series with Takumi Edition and St. Patrick’s Edition, Confiscated, Mardi Gras XO Cask Rye Whiskey Limited Edition. The Wiseman brand includes a bourbon and rye whiskey.

About Stoli Group

Established in 2013, Stoli Group is a leader in the production, management, and distribution of a global portfolio of spirits and wines. Renowned for its flagship brand, Stoli Vodka, the company appeals to luxury on-premise global consumers. At the heart of Stoli Group’s offerings lie iconic brands including elit Vodka, Bayou Rum, Kentucky Owl, Villa One Tequila, Gator Bite Rum Liqueurs, Cenote Tequila, Tulchan Gin, and Se Busca Mezcal. In the wine portfolio, Stoli Group’s Tenute del Mondo division includes esteemed labels such as Archaval Ferrer (Argentina) and Arinzano (Spain), while boasting substantial shares in Supertoscan Ornellaia, Masseto, Luce, and CastelGiocondo. 2021 marked a significant milestone for Stoli Group as it became an equal shareholder in Chateau Miraval and its family of brands, including Miraval Muse, Studio, and Fleur de Miraval. Pioneering the fermented and distilled non-alcoholic space, Stoli Group invests in The Pathfinder Hemp and Root.

Spanning over 176 markets worldwide, Stoli Group collaborates with a network of 200 distributors. Headquartered in Luxembourg, the company’s production facilities in Argentina, Latvia, Spain, and the United States have a rich heritage dating back to the early part of the last century.

For More Information:
https://www.kentuckyowlbourbon.com/

Laws Whiskey House Announces Fan Favorite Honey Cask Finished Bourbon

September 17, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Laws Whiskey House, the award-winning whiskey distillery in Denver, unveils their newest Special Finish Series release: Honey Cask Finished Bourbon – a sweet collaboration with Bee Squared Apiaries. This whiskey is available for purchase in the Laws Whiskey House tasting room in Denver starting September 16th, and will be available in limited quantities at lawswhiskeyhouse.com and in key markets across the country starting late September for a suggested retail price of $79.99.

This creation is the result of a unique collaboration between distillers, beekeepers, and honeybees, bringing together the artistry of whiskey making with the richness of nature’s golden elixir. Laws Honey Cask Finished Bourbon takes enthusiasts on a journey that showcases the fusion of flavors derived from this collaborative process.

The journey begins with Laws Whiskey House’s Four Grain Straight Bourbon, which is crafted in small batches and aged in new charred oak barrels, developing its signature depth and complexity. After the whiskey is harvested, Bee Squared Apiaries in Berthoud, CO fills Laws barrels with their delicious honey which interacts with the remaining bourbon and char while also coating the inside of the barrel. After harvesting the honey, the honey-infused barrels return to Laws Whiskey House.

For the second round of aging, Laws Whiskey House refills these same honey-coated barrels with its Four Grain Straight Bourbon, allowing the whiskey to integrate with the essence of honey. This marriage of whiskey and honey yields a symphony of taste, with the added sweetness accentuating the notes of black tea, orange blossom, and cinnamon. Upon savoring, you’ll be greeted by a bright, floral aroma, followed by the delightful combination of sweet orange and buttered toast, all wrapped in a generous flavor of honey. This whiskey delivers a round mouthfeel and a full-bodied finish.

Al Laws, founder and president of Laws Whiskey House says, “our Honey Cask Finished Bourbon is a tasting room fan favorite. We are thrilled to finally share this creation on a larger scale with this special small batch. The collaboration between our talented distillers, Bee Squared Apiaries, and the industrious honeybees is delicious but also a testament to our commitment to innovation and craftsmanship.”

This limited release consists of a marriage of four barrels. These barrels aged for 2 years 8 months in new charred oak and an average of 1 year and 6 months in used honey casks, making the total age of this release 4 years and 2 months. Only 1,080 bottles of this release were harvested at 95 proof. Join Laws Whiskey House at their tasting room on September 16 for their Honey Cask Finished Bourbon launch event. If you can’t make it to the event, find this whiskey at select retailers later in September.

About Laws Whiskey House

Established in 2011, Laws Whiskey House is a purpose-driven whiskey distillery founded on the principle that the soul of its whiskey is composed of the people who grow the grain, the people who make the spirit, and the people who drink the whiskey. Laws’ grain-forward style whiskeys are made with the highest quality corn and heirloom wheat, barley, and rye grown by two Colorado family farms. The distillery uses time-tested production techniques that showcase each individual grain’s terroir and abundantly rich palate of flavors. With a collection of award-winning whiskey, including several Bottled in Bond expressions, Laws Whiskey House invites you to visit their tasting room in Denver’s historic Gates neighborhood and enjoy the Laws experience.

For More Information:
https://lawswhiskeyhouse.com/

Glen Scotia Releases A Rare, 48 Year Old Single Malt

September 17, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

A rare, 48 Year Old single malt is hitting the market from Scotland’s Glen Scotia Distillery.

The limited-edition expression, which clocks in at 40.8% ABV and has a suggested price of £11,000, will offer its buyers a look into a past era of the historic Campbeltown distillery.

Officials at Glen Scotia explained that this whisky was drawn from their oldest reserves, and in all, the have only 250 individually-numbered bottles available worldwide.

The whisky spent 43 years in a combination of refill and first-fill bourbon barrels, then the whisky was finished in another cask, a first-fill Oloroso hogshead, for another five years. It spend an additional six months in one more cask, this a second-fill ex-Pedro Ximenez hogshead.

The whisky maker’s notes show that this rare expression features a floral and orange citrus profile.

Glen Scotia’s master blender, Michael Henry, discussed the distillery’s historical trade ties in Europe when Campbeltown was known as the “Victorian Whisky Capital of the World.” Its harbor linked it to Spain’s Sherry producing region … a source of mature casks for Glen Scotia and other vaunted whisky brands.

Henry and the Glen Scotia team poured through historical records of Campbeltown’s trade links to form a view of what fortified wines and spirits would have been obtainable over the distillery’s history.

This led to the selection of this Sherry finishing which brought out the aromas of sweet Seville orange, green herbal notes, and the spice of nutmeg and cinnamon alongside the Campbeltown briny, sea spray.

On the palate, Henry explained, is demerara sugar and treacle with hints of orange marmalade, red apple, raisin, and sultana, with a long finish of melted brown sugar enriched with stone fruit, apricot and peach.

The 48 Year Old Whisky comes in a handmade oak display case inspired by the Spanish ‘Azulejo’ tile designs found in the bodegas of Seville.

And Glen Scotia partnered with Glencairn to make a bottle that’s etched and infilled, with gold metal decoration to the body and shoulder. The presentation case comes accompanied by a plaque, with the individual bottle number, tasting notes, and story of this single malt whisky.

“The 48-Year-Old is an exceptional release with a remarkable heritage,” said Iain McAlister, master distiller and distillery manager at Glen Scotia. “It is so intriguing to me to think that different generations of distillery managers and their teams, who would have been testing their casks over time, opted to hold this particular liquid back time and time again, allowing it to continue its journey.”

“What we have inherited today is therefore a real journey through time and a celebration of Glen Scotia’s rich heritage and craftsmanship, which continues to thrive,” he added.

The 48 Year Old is available from the Glen Scotia website and at select specialist retailers in the UK, Europe, China, USA, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and South Africa markets.

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