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Today’s Top Whiskey Stories

July 19, 2024 By Dow Scoggins

‘Yellowstone’ actor Cole Hauser brings Lazy K Bar Whiskey to Texas(July 19)- Actor Cole Hauser, who plays Rip Wheeler on Yellowstone, has brought his Montana brand of Lazy K Bar Whiskey to local Texas stores. It’s now available in select Spec’s Wine, Spirits & Foods, Nomad’s, and Cowboy Liquors with more retailers set to have the whiskey, according to a news release. Complete Story

American Whiskey Distillers Are Reclaiming the Bourbon-Rye Blend(July 19)- A few US makers are starting to reclaim integrity in American blends by mixing straight bourbon and straight rye—that is, spirits made from at least 51% corn and 51% rye, respectively, that have been aged at least two years in new charred barrels, absent any sort of Everclear-like filler altogether. Complete Story

Costco Is Selling This Single-Pot Irish Whiskey for Up to 90 Percent Off Retail(July 18) – Costco is selling a high-quality, single-pot Irish whiskey at up to 90 percent off retail price, according to sharp-eyed Redditors, but they say it may be getting phased out of stores. Costco has recently made headlines for its rock-bottom prices on elegant spirits, such as Balvenie scotch whiskey, Suntory Japanese whiskey, and a rare Blanton’s bourbon. Complete Story

A Rare Bottle of Jack Daniels From the 1940s Is up for Auction(July 3) – Jack Daniel’s introduced 10 and 12-year-old age-statement Tennessee whiskeys to its lineup over the past few years to great acclaim. But nearly a century ago there were some younger whiskeys available, like a six-year-old expression estimated to have been bottled in the 1940s that is up for auction (current bid is £800). Four Roses had a long period of decline during the time it was owned by Seagrams when it was exporting its bourbon to Japan and only making cheap blends for the U.S. market You can find a bottle of four-year-old blended straight whiskeys from the distillery that was produced in the ’30s or ’40s at this auction (£230) if you’re curious what that tasted like. For more information on this auction: Click Here

The Limited-Edition Celebratory Bourbon Old Forester Sells Annually(April 25) As with most Bourbons, Old Forester, the renowned Bourbon distillery, regularly releases limited edition bottles. But there’s one in particular that is extra-special to avid fans of the brand. Every year on September 2nd, Old Forester releases a limited edition birthday Bourbon in celebration of its founder, George Garvin Brown’s birthday. The tradition started back in 2002, and since then, the annual release has become a highly anticipated event in the world of Bourbon aficionados. Complete Story

Milam & Greene’s Newest Whiskey Is Bobcat Single Barrel Bourbon(April 24) Milam & Greene Whiskey recently unveiled Bobcat Single Barrel Bourbon, the second release in their Wildlife Collection. A statement from the distiller notes that this limited-edition series of cask-strength, single-barrel whiskeys showcase the effects of Texas Hill Country weather on aging whiskey. At the same time, the distiller noted, it honors the local Texas wildlife that thrives in Texas’ challenging environment. Complete Story

Taste Test: Bardstown Bourbon Has Made the Best Rum Cask-Finished Whiskey on the Market(April 23) It’s one thing for a distillery to finish its whiskey in a rum cask—the concept isn’t new, but when done right it can add a nice burst of tropical flavor to the palate. But it’s another thing when those casks come from one of the best rum distilleries out there, and such is the case with the new Foursquare Rum Collaborative Series from Kentucky’s Bardstown Bourbon Company. Complete Story

Bourbon charity raffles underway; Weller, Old Rip Van Winkle among prized bottles(April 14) – In Cleveland, Ohio, a Kentucky non-profit Give 270 is offering its latest series of charity whiskey raffles, which includes special weekly drawings and a new 50-4-50 Bourbon Strong raffle event. Celebrating Give 270′s seventh anniversary as a nonprofit, the Whiskey Wednesdays Birthday Bash will provide ticket buyers with five chances to win bourbon prizes weekly. Complete Story

Watershed Distillery to host first BourbonFest, debut newest bourbon(April 12) – A Columbus distillery is celebrating its bourbon with a bang this month — and they want alcohol aficionados to join them. Watershed Distillery will host its first-ever BourbonFest on April 22 as it introduces its newest spirit, Watershed Distillery Uncut Unfiltered Bourbon. With fresh food, live music, guided bourbon tours, and a lesson on Watershed’s distillation process, BourbonFest is bringing the distillery back to its bourbon-based roots. Complete Story

Top Texas Bourbons, Ryes And Malt Whiskeys Rated Again By Texas Whiskey Festival(April 12) – Coming April 22nd is the 6th annual Texas Whiskey Festival at Star Hill Ranch in Bee Cave, Texas. And prior to those upcoming festivities, the Texas Whiskey Festival put on a competition to find the best Texas bourbon, rye, malt, and flavored whiskeys. Complete Story

Why Is Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon So Rare?(March 28) – Tracking down a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle bourbon is kind of like winning the alcohol lottery. It’s not easy to get your hands on this unique label, and if you do happen to find yourself with the opportunity to sample a dram, be prepared to pay dearly for it. Complete Story

Middle West Spirits expansion underway for state’s biggest distillery(March 27) – Middle West Spirits, the 15-year-old Columbus distillery, received state tax breaks Monday for a new facility on Alum Creek Drive that the company says will be the largest distillery in Ohio. Complete Story

Virginia Distillery Company Funding Endowment For Women In Whiskey Scholarships(March 14) – The woman-owned Virginia Distillery Company is celebrating Women’s History Month by announcing its “Angela H. Moore – Women in Distilling Scholarship.” A statement from the distiller notes that this scholarship will provide $100,000 in scholarship aid for female students at Appalachian State University entering the field of distillation and whiskey production. Complete Story

Blue Run Spirits release renderings of new high-concept $51M distillery in Kentucky(March 27) – Blue Run Spirits revealed the first look at its planned whiskey distillery and headquarters in Georgetown, Kentucky, designed by international architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group, according to Louisville Business First. The 35,000-square-foot distillery and a 20,000-square-foot rickhouse will break ground in 2023 at the Lanes Run Business Park, according to a news release. Louisville Business First previously reported the project is expected to be a nearly $51 million investment. Complete Story

Taste Test: Forget Jack Daniels. Chattanooga Whiskey Distillery Is Making Some of the Best Whiskey in the State. (February 28) Barrel finishes are all the rage in the American whiskey world, but that usually applies to bourbon and rye. Chattanooga Whiskey went a different route with its new Silver Oak Cabernet Cask Finish, giving its already interesting malt whiskey a lengthy amount of time in red wine barrels, and the results are very, very good. Complete Story

Oak House is Athens’ first legal distillery since the 1860s(February 27) While Athens is known for college football and indie music, one couple wants it also to be known for world-class spirits. Rob Woods and Supakana “Air” Nagachinta are opening the first legal distillery in Athens since the 1860s. And, their state-of-the-art distilling equipment is located on a site dating to that same era. Complete Story

Inverness’ first distillery since 1892 opens(February 27) Inverness’ first distillery in 130 years has officially opened on the city’s riverside. Uile-bheist, Gaelic for “monster”, cost £7.5m to construct and fit out. It is the first distillery to open in Inverness since 1892. Complete Story

GrandTen Distilling Introduces A California Single Malt Whiskey (February 27)Boston’s GrandTen Distilling recently announced its new line of limited-edition GrandTen Whiskey. The brand’s first American whiskey, called Chapter 1 – A Long Time Coming, is now available for purchase at their Boston location and at liquor stores throughout the state of Massachusetts. A statement from GrandTen Distilling noted that Chapter 1 – A Long Time Coming is a California single malt made using a unique blend of grains and aged in oak barrels for a smooth flavor. Complete Story

Chattanooga Whiskey named Craft Producer of the Year(February 19) At the recent 2023 Icons of Whisky Awards, Chattanooga Whiskey took home the title of Craft Producer of the Year. The awards are hosted by Whisky Magazine in conjunction with the World Whiskies Awards + recognize the people, places, and products of the whiskey industry. Complete Story

Storm King Distilling wins the ‘Best American Whiskey’ award at the prestigious event(February 18) -Storm King Distilling Company, located in Montrose, brought home the trophy for ‘Best American Whiskey.’ It was their ‘Side Gig’ whiskey expression that snagged the prize, described by Storm King as a “fun little side project.” Complete Story

The Distillery Behind Jameson Just Dropped a New Experimental Irish Whiskey—and We’re Impressed(February 17) – Method and Madness is the main brand made at the Midleton Micro-Distillery, led by distiller Katherine Condon and apprentice distiller Eva O’Doherty. The first three releases were actually all originally distilled in the main distillery, although production has now moved over to the Micro-Distillery. Complete Story

Booze alert! BH James Distillery opens in Adairville, Kentucky(February 13) – Shawn McCormick, a man of Logan County lineage, has recently opened a distillery in the old Adairville fire station. McCormick, at his bourbon and vodka distillation facility, along with his small staff, spends days making spirits named to the tune of his family’s history. Complete Story

Shortbarrel Bourbon Acquires Atlanta’s Old Fourth Distillery(February 13) – Atlanta’s Shortbarrel Bourbon recently announced the acquisition of the Old Fourth Distillery, the oldest continuously operating distillery in Atlanta. A statement from Shortbarrel notes that in the deal, they have acquired the rights to the Old Fourth brand, existing product inventory, and a thousand barrels of aged whiskey. Complete Story

Bluegrass Distillery coming to Midway, Kentucky(February 3) – A new distillery is coming to Woodford County. State leaders were on hand to break ground on Bluegrass Distillery at Elkwood Farms in Midway, Kentucky. It is the first distillery to be located in Midway since 1959. Complete Story

6-bottle Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon collection being auctioned for NE Ohio Ronald McDonald House Charities(Febuary 2) – Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio is launching its first raffle of rare Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon. The raffle for a six-bottle collection runs through Friday, March 31. Complete Story

Boondocks Just Dropped an 18-Year-Old Bourbon Collectors Will Clamor For(Febuary 1) – Just when you think you’re out, they pull you back in—so goes the Mafia, and so goes the whiskey industry. At least that’s the case with ex-Woodford Reserve distiller David Scheurich, who founded Boondocks American Whiskey in 2016 after four decades in the business. Complete Story

Making memories at Buffalo Trace Distillery(February 2) -Along the banks of the Kentucky River is one of the oldest Kentucky traditions. “1786 was when the site was first created. In the early 1800s, Taylor introduced a new process for making whiskey here using column stills,” said Freddie Johnson, a tour guide and ambassador for Buffalo Trace Distillery. Complete Story

The Bottled In Bond Act Of 1897 Established Quality Bourbon In The US(February 1) -Along the banks of the Kentucky River is one of the oldest Kentucky traditions. “1786 was when the site was first created. In the early 1800s, Taylor introduced a new process for making whiskey here using column stills,” said Freddie Johnson, a tour guide and ambassador for Buffalo Trace Distillery. Complete Story

The Absolute Best Scotch Whiskies Between $40-$50 ranked UPROXX Magazine(January 17) – The beauty of Scotch whisky is that it doesn’t have to cost you a fortune to enjoy. There are plenty of modestly priced (in the grand scheme of things) bottles that absolutely rock. In fact, some great Scotch whiskies are priced under $50. The best part? You can usually find these lower-cost gems on the shelf around the country without too much effort. Complete Story

‘The damage was done’: Why Bourbon Haus 1841 in Covington is permanently closed(January 16) – Bourbon Haus 1841, located at 522 Main St. in Covington, announced its closure earlier this month via Facebook. The bar was previously featured on the B-Line, Northern Kentucky’s Bourbon trail, and named one of America’s best bourbon bars by Bourbon Magazine. Complete Story

Tequila overtakes American whiskey in US(Jananuary 13) – Mexican spirit Tequila has surpassed American whiskey in value terms to become the second most valuable spirit category in the US. Furthermore, IWSR Drinks Market Analysis said Tequila was set to overtake vodka in 2023 to be the biggest category by value. Complete Story

Here’s 8 distilleries near Louisville that you may not know about(January 6) – Southern Indiana has a rising distillery culture. There are at least eight distilleries in Southern Indiana within a two-hour drive of Louisville ― and three of those are even closer to Derby City than taking a quick jaunt down to Bardstown. Complete Story

Here’s Why You Could Soon Be Drinking Whisky Made With Grains That Have Been Extinct for Hundreds of Years(January 4) – Researchers at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, are working on reviving extinct heritage barley varieties, which could be used to make whisky, BBC reported this week. Complete Story

Bulleit’s Former Whiskey Blender Goes to Dread River to Launch Her Own Bourbon(January 3) – Back in 2019, we had the chance to speak with Eboni Major, who at the time was the Whiskey Blender at Bulleit, which falls under the corporate umbrella of spirits giant Diageo. In 2020, Major left Diageo and pursued a racial discrimination lawsuit against her former company (though her attorney voluntarily dismissed that suit in July of last year, a Diageo rep tells us). Now, Major — who was the first Black blender at a major distiller, according to the New York Times – has struck out on her own, releasing her first bourbon since leaving Bulleit. Complete Story

The 2022 Best Whiskey Awards by Whiskey Raiders: Which Brands Came Out on Top This Year? (December 31) – 2022 was a fantastic year for whiskey, and we want to make sure the producers who put out delightful releases over the course of the year get their due. Thus, we’re introducing the 2022 Best Whiskey Awards by Whiskey Raiders, in which we give credit to the best brands and whiskeys of the year. Complete Story

These Women Distillers Are Rising With the American Whiskey Boom(December 29) – It’s been quite a decade for American whiskey — just ask Andrea Wilson and Nicole Austin. Ten years ago, Ms. Wilson was working for Diageo, the spirits giant, overseeing its North American distillation program. And Ms. Austin had just jumped from a consulting job in waste management to Kings County Distillery, a tiny start-up working out of the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Complete Story

Georgia has a distillery and it’s becoming Legendary!(December 28) – Along with their Vodka and Gin, altogether Legends Distillery has racked up 42 awards including Double Platinum’s at the 2021 & 2022 Ascot Awards with the prestige of being voted the “Best Wheated Bourbon In The Country”, Platinum Best In Class, and 2022 Consumer Choice Award at the SIP Awards and the Vodka achieving the accolade of “Vodka of the Year”, making Legends Distillery Georgia’s highest awarded spirits producer thanks to their patented “Quantum Purity” process that reduces impurities and enhances flavor for a smooth and pure finish. Complete Story

St. Cloud’s only distillery set to open in early January(December 27) – A new business set to open here in early January will pay homage to the city’s industrial east side and the region’s heritage as a liquor-making hub. Iron Street Distillery will be the city’s only distillery, surprising given the boom in the industry in the state in recent years and given the area’s history. A century ago, farmers in rural Stearns County became nationally known for making some of the highest-quality moonshine available during Prohibition. Complete Story

Round Barn Winery, Distillery, & Brewery looks to add new location(December 26) – The Round Barn Winery, Brewery, and Distillery in Niles is looking to add its next location in the city limits. Plans were disclosed tonight for a restaurant and pub that is centered around community enjoyment. Located at 501 Grant street, the Moersch Hospitality Group plans to renovate a church that dates back to the 1950’s. Complete Story

Bernriach Distillery Releases Premium Aged Whisky

June 30, 2024 By Dustin Scoggins

The whisky industry continues its deluge of premium, limited edition releases with a 1966 cask offering from Speyside-based distillery Benriach. It will set the collector back a neat £25,000 ($31,000) and represents, as you might expect, a serious milestone for a distillery consolidating a long history.

The 50 year old statement is an important symbol for Benriach, which under its current owners, has now accumulated almost a decade’s worth of positive momentum. Known for rich, multi-layered Speyside whiskies, this is their oldest and most exclusive expression to date, and with just 37 bottles on the market, this is likely to excite collectors world wide.

Dr Rachel Barrie, who has held the position of master blender since 2017, notes that, “I am proud to present the Benriach 1966 Cask Aged 50 Years as our ultimate treasure. Here we have fifty years of opulent refinement, with notes of sublime honeyed dates and delicate oak spices, all in harmony with the lingering finesse of apple, pear and traces of grapefruit.”

The release is in part a response to the growing interest in small batch, special edition whiskies, but also a celebration of the company’s heritage. Founded in 1898, but closed two years later due the Patterson crash, it didn’t produce whisky again until 1965. Throughout that period however the floor maltings remained in constant production. The first single malt was released in 1994. In 2016 the distillery became part of the Brown Forman portfolio.

In an increasingly crowded landscape, with startup brands increasingly prevalent though, the ability to showcase something with this level of provenance sends a strong commercial message. Barrie says, “I don’t think I’ve tasted a whisky that had such beauty. The perfect whisky has to have character, balance, complexity. When I dipped my nose in this particular cask I was really surprised. It was such a wonderful expression, undoubtedly the fruit laden signature of Speyside. Just from experience, I decided not to leave it. I didn’t want to risk losing it.”

The whisky has spent its whole life in warehouse 13, surrounded by different cask types that over the years have come and gone. It was discovered in the heart of the distillery, close to the mashing area and the stills. First filled with unpeated Benriach spirit on the September 21, 1966, Bourbon cask 2383 has spent decades slowly maturing and has now become what Barrie describes as “our art—a testament to the expertise in, and commitment to, extraordinary cask maturation at Benriach Distillery.” Barrie goes on to describe the contents as “a fountain of fruit, but honeyed and rich.”

Needless to say, the liquid is packaged appropriately. The whisky is held within a bespoke crystal decanter, made in Scotland by Glasstorm. Each decanter is displayed in a presentation box made by master craftsman John Galvin, its design inspired by the colorful array of eclectic casks which fill Benriach’s warehouses.

Joe Wilson of Whisky Auctioneer, a global broker of rare and collectable whiskies in Perth, says, “The ability to leverage yourself into the luxury category is attractive for any distillery and there is something about that number 50. It has a psychological impact.” Wilson believes that the arms race in the luxury whisky space is a new element to the market—one we are seeing in Scotland, Ireland and America—but feels the market is growing as new collectors engage with the subject.

“My educated guess is that it should sell out fairly quickly. That low bottle count will be a pull for collectors, in addition to the age statement.” Wilson feels that the Whisky Auctioneer is likely to see these come through the business at some point in the future, but appreciates the scarcity of it. “I’m always surprised at how many bottles can come out of these old whiskies. There’s a forward planning strategy involved where the casks have been managed accordingly to retain as much as possible.” With something like this though, he agrees there wouldn’t have been a plan to retain casks for that long. “They didn’t get a single malt blend until the 90s. The fact they’ve found a 50 year old means they’ve stumbled across this and decided it is good enough to represent the distillery at this level.”

Under the ownership of Brown Forman there is now a steady hand. Without knee jerk reactions, a portfolio of old whiskies can be put away for the next generation. Barrie notes that her first job at the distillery was to sort through the inventory. “I decided to dive into old and rare stock, to work out what we’ve got lying around. After all, we are custodians of the whisky. Like anyone making a work of art, I want to release it at its optimum, for it to be the most beautiful expression of what could be created.”

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

Larceny’s New Barrel-Proof Whiskey, B524

June 29, 2024 By Dustin Scoggins

Produced by Heaven Hill, it’s a wheated bourbon, meaning the distillers use wheat instead of rye as the secondary flavoring grain after corn. The mashbill is 68 percent corn, 20 percent wheat, and 12 percent malted barley—which Heaven Hill claims this is twice as much wheat as you’d find in other comparable wheated bourbons. Whatever the case, the use of wheat provides a burst of sweetness on the palate as opposed to the spicy notes that rye adds.

But in 2020, Heaven Hill decided to add a barrel-proof version to its portfolio, much to the delight of bourbon fans. And the latest expression in this lineup, Larceny Barrel Proof B524, released just last month, is another winner.

The term “barrel-proof” refers to whiskey that isn’t diluted before bottling, as opposed to being cut down to a minimum of 80 proof (as is the case with most whiskey). Sometimes, the liquid is filtered to remove any charred bits from the cask that might make its way into the bottle after years of aging. But other times it’s completely uncut and unfiltered.

Legally, barrel-proof whiskey is allowed to vary by up to two degrees, or proof points, from what it actually was when it was dumped. But overall, drinking a barrel-proof whiskey is as close to sipping straight from a barrel as you can get without actually doing so in a distillery’s rickhouse.

Larceny Barrel Proof is released in three batches per year, with the proof varying per release. Generally speaking, the age of the bourbon is between six and eight years old, and the proof tends to fall in the mid-120s. That’s the Goldilocks zone for a high-ABV bourbon: not too hot and not too weak.

It’s called B524 to indicate that it’s the second batch of the year (B), released in May of 2024 (524). It clocks in at 125.4 proof. It’s an interesting bourbon, with strong and unusual notes of fresh orange on the nose. That burst of citrus is followed by milk chocolate, dusty oak, sweet hay, espresso, hot honey, and lavender on the palate. But that defining orange note is really pronounced, an unexpected but very tasty hit of freshness that really makes this particular batch stand out. Add a little bit of water or a large ice cube, and the palate opens up even further.

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

Rolling Fork Releases New Small Batch 10 Year Old Barbados Rum

June 24, 2024 By Dustin Scoggins

Louisville, KY–June 25, 2024 – Rolling Fork, the Indiana-based producer of award-winning rums, is releasing a new small-batch rum distilled in Barbados titled, “The Wheated Cask Wonder.” The name refers to the more than two years that the rum was aged in rare, 10-year-old wheated bourbon casks sourced from Frankfort, Kentucky.

“We’ve been excited about this one for a while now,” says Rolling Fork Co-Founder Turner Wathen. “The combination of 8-year-old100% molasses rum distilled in Barbados and the rich flavor and soft texture that a wheated bourbon cask brings to the party makes this one of our most exciting releases.”

Rolling Fork sourced an8-year-old rum distilled in Barbados by Foursquare Distillery and then transferred it to bourbon casks that had held wheated bourbon for 10 years from one of Kentucky’s most iconic whiskey brands.

“We love the flavor profiles that developed in this rum after it aged in the 10-year-old wheated bourbon casks,” says Rolling Fork Co-founder Jordan Morris. “There’s a complex mix of orange peel, dark fruit and buttery pastry layered over some great caramel notes. At cask strength-114.9 proof–it’s a great rum experience.”

With four casks produced, only 900 bottles of The Wheated Cask Wonder are up for grabs. It has an SRP of $99 and is available online and in select markets.

About Rolling Fork:

Rolling Fork Spirits was founded by Turner Wathen and Jordan Morris in 2017 as independent blenders and bottlers of rum. Rolling Fork Spirits offers unique expressions of rums without additives. Located at Starlight Distillery in Borden, Indiana, Rolling Fork uses hand-selected casks (bourbon, rye, port, cognac and more) and rick house aging to develop unique flavor profiles in rums in the region synonymous with American whiskey.

Rolling Fork has been recognized by the most prestigious spirits competitions, including: Double Platinum for Lost Cask 15 YO Jamaica Rum, Platinum for Heart of Gold Rum and 9 YO Barbados Rum, and Gold for 12 YO Brazil rum in the 2024 Ascot Awards; Gold at 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition for Heart of Gold Rum; Double Gold for 9 YO Barbados and Lost Cask 15 YO Jamaica rums and Gold for Heart of Gold Rum and 12 YO Brazil Rum in the 2024 Barleycorn Awards. Last year, Rolling Fork won Best Rum at the 2023 New Orleans Spirits Competition and was named Independent Bottler of the Year in the 2023 ASCOT Awards (where they also took Best Rum for 9 YO Barbados Rum).Rolling Fork’s Lost Cask 15 YO Jamaica was just named Best Rum in the 2024 Barleycorn Awards.

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

TBWC has launched five whiskies as part of its new Limited Edition Core Selection.

June 24, 2024 By Dustin Scoggins

The limited edition bottlings are an extension of the independent whisky bottler’s core range, which launched in September 2023.

The five expressions include three Scottish single malts: a 12-year-old Caol Ila, 10-year-old Mortlach and 11-year-old Balblair; a 35-year-old single grain from North British Distillery; and an eight-year-old Canadian corn whiskey.

The new releases are offered in 700ml bottles, non-chill filtered and bottled at 45.8% ABV.

The labels, designed by Emily Chappell, ‘epitomise the brand’s commitment to quality and creativity’.

“Our limited edition range embodies our dedication to exceptional whisky and artistic storytelling,” said Sam Simmons, head of whisky at TBWC. “Each bottle is a testament to our passion for bringing unique and memorable experiences to whisky enthusiasts. The bottles are in keeping with the new core range style, but without losing any of the brand history that has been established over the past (almost) 12 years.”

The 12-year-old Islay malt from Caol Ila was finished in an ex-rum barrel, with 349 bottles available.

Mortlach 10-year-old was aged in a refill hogshead and finished in an ex-rum cask, yielding 371 bottles.

The last of the Scottish single malts, Balblair, was aged for 11 years and finished in a first-fill Bourbon barrel, with 292 bottles available.

The oldest expression, the 35-year-old 1988 Scottish single grain from North British Distillery, is limited to 274 bottles.

The eight-year-old Canadian corn whisky is finished in Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks and ex-Islay whisky octaves.

The range retails between £42 and £90 (US$53-US$114) and is available from select retailers and for on- and off-trade through UK distributors Maverick Drinks and Master of Malt Trade.

In May this year, TBWC launched its UK cocktail competition, challenging bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts to create cocktails using the brand’s Canadian corn whisky.

For more information please visit https://www.thatboutiqueywhiskycompany.com/tbwc-core-range/world-whisky-blend

Sagamore Spirit Launches Second Release of Manhattan Finish Rye Whiskey

June 8, 2024 By Dustin Scoggins

Sagamore Spirit, the leading, award-winning Maryland rye distiller, announced the return of a fan favorite Sagamore Manhattan Finish Rye Whiskey, first released in limited quantities in 2020 to high acclaim.

Bottled at a substantial 103-proof, the 2024 release deconstructs the flavors of a Manhattan cocktail, finishing 4-year-old straight rye whiskey in separate vermouth, bitters, and cherry brandy barrels for a minimum of 20 months for a unique finish with pronounced traits of a Manhattan cocktail. The result is a full-bodied whiskey rich in spice, herbaceous notes, bright cherry, vanilla, honey, and a touch of dryness at the finish that keeps the full-bodied character of Sagamore Spirit’s Maryland rye wholly intact. Sagamore Manhattan Finish pairs perfectly with amaro, bitters, and Sagamore’s whiskey cherries for a rye-forward Black Manhattan cocktail, or it can be savored on its own.

“The original idea for Manhattan Finish back in 2020 challenged us to fully deconstruct the flavors of a Manhattan to create a full-proof whiskey that leaves you with a parting kiss of the cocktail,” said Ryan Norwood, VP of Operations at Sagamore Spirit. “Manhattans have become even more popular since then, so we knew it was time to bring back this delicious, limited-edition rye expression.”

Manhattan Finish is the newest release in Sagamore Spirit’s Reserve Series, which celebrates the legacy of Maryland distilling with an unyielding focus on excellence from start to finish. Like all of its innovations, including the recently released Sagamore Port Finish (originally named “World’s Best Rye Whiskey” by the San Francisco World Spirits Competition), this latest release offers a balanced and versatile yet bold and complex flavor.

Sagamore Manhattan Finish Rye Whiskey is now available at an SRP of $79.99 at its Baltimore-based distillery and in select markets nationwide.

About Sagamore Spirit

Inspired by the legacy of Maryland Rye and whiskey lovers worldwide, Sagamore Spirit is driven to craft the world’s best Rye Whiskey while strengthening its collective communities. Its award-winning five-acre waterfront distillery in Baltimore is reclaiming the city’s rightful place in America’s whiskey history, where storied distillers crafted rye whiskey for decades before the premier distilling region, Kentucky, was founded.

Maryland Rye Whiskey was known to be full-bodied yet notably sweeter and smoother than other regional rye styles, and Sagamore Spirit has picked up the torch. Sagamore Spirit triple distills and blends two different rye mash bills – a high rye and a low rye to craft the brand’s modern approach to American Whiskey. Sagamore Spirit prioritizes a grain-to-glass process, utilizing non-GMO grains while connecting with the local farming community to create the greatest rye whiskey imaginable. Its Rye Whiskies have earned more than 200 awards internationally, including “World’s Best Rye Whiskey” in 2019 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

For More Information:
https://shop.sagamorespirit.com/collections/whiskey/products/distillers-select-manhattan-finish-rye-whiskey

Laws Whiskey House Releases Headwaters Series to Honor Colorado’s Vital Rivers

June 5, 2024 By Dustin Scoggins

DENVER – Laws Whiskey House is proud to announce the release of its Headwaters Series Four Grain Bourbon, the first in a limited series dedicated to celebrating and conserving Colorado’s vital rivers through awareness, consumer education, and charitable donations. Laws’ Headwaters Series is designed to spark conversation around water conservation in the West and support organizations dedicated to safeguarding Colorado’s rivers by donating ten percent of the sales from the Headwaters collection to Colorado’s leading water conservation programs.

The Colorado River –– the most endangered river system in the US according to the leading non-profit American Rivers –– is the focal point of Laws’ first Headwaters Series release, the Headwaters Series Four Grain Bourbon. This special bourbon is made with the highest quality corn and heirloom wheat, barley, and rye from family-owned farms in Colorado. After three years in charred oak barrels, influenced by Denver’s high-altitude climate, this Colorado Bourbon was proofed to 50% alc/vol with a portion of water from the Rocky Mountain-fed headwaters of the Colorado River. The result is an entirely novel bourbon with flavors of orange peel, cinnamon, vanilla custard, sweet tobacco, and spice with a rich, dry finish.

“We’re doing our part to conserve Colorado’s rivers for future generations by implementing efficient systems and industry-leading wastewater recycling at our distillery, but we can’t save Colorado’s rivers on our own,” shares Al Laws, founder of Laws Whiskey House. “Our goal for the Headwaters Series is to bring attention to the fact that our home state of Colorado houses eight major river basins that supply water to millions of people, and they need our help.”

Laws’ Headwaters Series acknowledges that water plays a crucial role in whiskey production from start to finish. Water is used for mashing and cooking grain, proofing the unaged spirit into the barrel, and preparing the final abv to highlight the perfect expression. It is an integral part of the production process for cooling and steam-powering pot stills. As a Colorado-based distillery at the forefront of the state’s sustainability movement – with initiatives pioneering water, energy, and resource conservation – Laws created the Headwaters Series to give back to the rivers that fuel the distillery’s production. The Colorado River flows nearly 1,500 miles from Colorado’s Rocky Mountains to Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, providing drinking water to 40 million people and fueling a $1.4 trillion agricultural industry and recreational economy, according to the leading authority, American Rivers.

Ten percent of sales from the Headwaters Series Four Grain Bourbon will benefit the Shoshone Water Right Preservation, working toward permanently protecting the largest and most senior non-consumptive water right on the Colorado River.

For more information please visit www.lawswhiskeyhouse.com

Natterjack Irish Whiskey Stirs Up Limited-Edition Bottling Mistakenly Overaged in Virgin American Oak

May 27, 2024 By Dustin Scoggins

Natterjack’s iconic toad logo is taking a leap into the unknown with a limited-edition bottling rife with “happy” accidents.

Fittingly dubbed The Mistake, the spirit began life as a typical Irish whiskey aged three and half years in ex-bourbon barrels before being transferred to new American oak — Natterjack’s calling card. Unlike the brand’s flagship expression — finished in American oak for just one year — The Mistake was accidentally left to age for two years. After discovering 46 casks of the fortuitous liquor, Natterjack realized it had a hit on its hands.

The expression varies from the formula in other ways. While the brand’s standard whiskey is bottled at 40% ABV, The Mistake notches it up a few degrees to 46% ABV. In keeping with its theme, the bottling will be released in three deliberately misprinted varieties retailing at $69.99.

Since its inception in 2019, Natterjack has described itself as a fusion of Irish spirit and American character. In addition to utilizing ex-bourbon casks, the distiller boasts an 80% corn and 20% malted barley mash bill characteristic of many Kentucky favorites. The brand’s Cask Strength release embraced those influences to wonderful effect, delivering its signature recipe at a scorching 63% ABV.

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

Laws Whiskey House Releases Three Limited-Edition Bottled in Bond Whiskies

May 27, 2024 By Dustin Scoggins

DENVER, CO— Laws Whiskey House, one of Colorado’s leading distilleries, releases its 2024 Bottled in Bond Bourbon, Rye, and Wheat whiskies. This marks the first time Laws has released three bonded expressions simultaneously, allowing for a side-by-side tasting of the trio, each offering a unique character influenced by the varying grain characteristics from year to year. The 7-year expressions of Laws’ whiskey highlight delicate fruity notes and flavors, perfectly balanced with oak. With the addition of these three whiskies, Laws furthers its mission of adding to the fabric of American whiskey with a Colorado twist.

“I am very excited about the entire Laws Whiskey 2024 bottled in bond line-up.” says Al Laws, founder and president of Laws Whiskey House. “This year, we liked how the 7-year barrels tasted for the Four Grain Bourbon, as we were looking to elevate the sweet caramel notes. So, those who like a sweeter backbone to their bourbon are going to love this. Additionally, I particularly like the classic sour mash bourbon finish in the 2024 release.”

Laws’ 2024 Limited-Edition Bottled in Bond Whiskies

7-Year Bonded Bourbon: Features aromas of sweet florals, thyme, honey, and graham cracker, with rich flavors of walnut, grapefruit pith, dried stone fruit, and a lingering cedar finish. The mash bill comprises 60% corn, 20% heirloom wheat, 10% heirloom rye, and 10% heirloom malted barley. It is aged in new 53-gallon charred oak barrels, with an alcohol by volume (alc/vol) of 50%.

7-Year Bonded Rye: Presents aromas of fresh pastry, cherry cola, and eucalyptus, along with flavors of Red Hots candy, sweet sea grass, mandarin orange tea, and a bright, effervescent tea tree finish. It is made from 100% heirloom rye and aged in new 53-gallon charred oak barrels, with an alc/vol of 50%.

7-Year Bonded Wheat: Offers aromas of apricot and turbinado sugar, along with flavors of cola, pastry dough, and licorice followed by a clean and peppery finish. The mash bill is 100% soft white Centennial spring wheat. It is aged in new 53-gallon charred oak barrels.

Laws is revered for its dedication to showcasing the best of Colorado – from its heirloom grains to its mountain-fresh river water – through its robust portfolio of award-winning spirits. The grains in Laws’ whiskey are grown by the Cody Family Farm in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. At 7,500 feet of elevation, the rugged growing conditions of this valley impart unique flavor profiles to the grains including a distinct minerality that comes from the calcium- and mineral-rich soil of what used to be a prehistoric lake. This, combined with the effects of Denver’s high altitude during the aging process, results in singular and novel whiskies that reflect the state’s unique terroir.

“The San Luis Valley Rye always has the most range with true vintage year terroir stemming from the grain. This year we elevated the brightness and strived for greater balance in its traditional flavor notes,” says Al Laws. “In the Bonded Centennial Wheat, balance was also the goal, with some focus on bringing root beer and/or sarsaparilla notes forward. These, coupled with the creamsicle elements, are what I like about this excellent summer sipper over ice.”

Laws is proud to carry forward the quality standard set by the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 with the addition of these three whiskies. To qualify as a Bottled in Bond whiskey, the expression must be made by one distillery in a single season, must be bottled at 100 proof (50% abv), and must be aged at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse. Meeting and exceeding these standards allows the distillery to fully explore the distinctive properties of a whiskey made with heirloom grains. These releases reflect Laws Whiskey House’s dedication to craftsmanship, showcasing exceptional quality and distinctive character in each bottle.

About Laws Whiskey House

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 please visit https://lawswhiskeyhouse.com/

Redbreast’s Tasty New Irish Whiskey Will Even Make Bourbon Lovers Smile

May 27, 2024 By Dustin Scoggins

Irish whiskey was once the most popular category in America, until Prohibition came along and completely disrupted the whiskey industry on both sides of the Atlantic. In recent years, predictions have been made that Irish whiskey could dominate the domestic market once again—that has not exactly happened, but brands like Jameson and Tullmore DEW continue to be bestsellers, and the number of distilleries in Ireland has grown from four to 40 since 2010. One of the stalwarts of Irish whiskey is Redbreast, a single pot still brand made at the same distillery where Jameson is produced, and the latest release is a tribute to the shared history between America and Ireland.

Single pot still is a distinctly Irish category that has a few rules: The whiskey must be made from a mashbill of malted and unmalted barley (up to 5 percent of other grains are allowed), and distilled in pot stills at one distillery. In this case, the distillery is Midleton just outside of Cork, where Jameson, Powers, Midleton Very Rare, and Green Spot (and the other Spots) are also made. In my opinion, and I’m certainly not alone in this, Redbreast is the best whiskey made at this massive distillery. The whiskey is matured in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks and released with 12, 15, 21, and 27-year age statements (the latter includes whiskey aged in port pipes).

Then there are special releases, like the American Oak Series which launched in 2022 with Kentucky Oak Edition. Missouri Oak is the new entry in that series, a single pot still whiskey initially aged in bourbon and sherry barrels like the rest of the range, and then finished for 12 months in virgin charred Missouri oak barrels, made from trees growing in the Ozark Forest, and assembled by Kelvin Cooperage in Kentucky. As you likely know, virgin charred oak barrels are used to mature bourbon, and are then sent to countries like Ireland to be used several times over again to age their whiskey. Virgin oak has a much more powerful influence on whiskey than used oak, for obvious reasons—new oak is going to add a lot more flavor to a spirit than a barrel that has matured whiskey for years or decades before.

That is the case here, although clearly master blender Dave McCabe paid careful attention during the maturation period to make sure the whiskey did not go overboard. This is a big, bold beast of a Redbreast whiskey, with the core identity remaining intact but augmented by a range of different flavors. There is a bit of dusty apple and leather on the nose, with almost a cider-like quality to it. The vanilla, caramel, and brown sugar notes from the bourbon barrels and dried fruit and spice notes from the sherry casks are all there on the palate. But there’s an intensity of flavor wrapped around that, with notes of smoky oak, a touch of tannic bitterness, roasted espresso bean, and some black pepper. This is a really interesting and tasty version of Redbreast that stands out from the rest, and almost reminds me of double-barreled American whiskeys from brands like Woodford Reserve, Kentucky Peerless, or Noble Oak.

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