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Orphan Barrel Scarlet Shade 14 Year Old Rye Whiskey

June 5, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Orphan Barrel Scarlet Shade 14 Year Old Rye Whiskey

Orphan BarrelIt’s always nice, as a spirits writer, when you’re trying to make a point about a particular brand in the course of a review and then you end up with another sample immediately afterward that helps in illustrating what you were trying to say. Case in point: Yesterday I reviewed a single barrel expression of Blue Run’s Emerald Rye Whiskey, and was attempting to grapple with the idea of a $200 price point on a non-age-stated limited release, distilled at the still relatively youthful Castle & Key Distillery. That’s a tough ask for a spirit that we still theoretically know little about in the whiskey community, which I could see making consumers wary of dropping serious coin. But that same $200 when it’s directed at a 14-year-old bottle of rye whiskey from MGP of Indiana? You’re going to find more takers there immediately, even when we’re talking about a 90 proof rather than cask strength expression, because MGP is a significantly more known and understood commodity. That’s what Orphan Barrel Scarlet Shade is banking on, and it’s not a bad bet on their part.

This is of course an entry in Diageo’s long-running Orphan Barrel series of sourced, unique, one-off bottlings. As a brand, Orphan Barrel helped to establish the modern, sky-high price points for limited edition one-offs in the American whiskey world, though whiskey geek interest in the brand has perhaps predictably leveled off in recent years thanks to an influx of competition, much of it of the cask strength variety. Still, Orphan Barrel does still put out some occasionally intriguing releases, none of them cheap, whether we’re talking about American whiskey or scotch whisky. This one? Well, Orphan Barrel Scarlet Shade is the brand’s first-ever rye whiskey release, which will surely be an aspect that appeals to a certain niche.

As for what’s in this bottle, it’s “Indiana rye,” which we can assume means the classic 95/5 rye recipe from MGP of Indiana, but aged in Kentucky. It carries an advanced age statement of 14 years, and that, coupled with the fact that it wasn’t aged in Indiana, can’t help but bring to mind Dickel’s 13-year-old MGP rye release in the Cascade Moon series from a few years ago, a whiskey that I absolutely loved despite its gaudy $300 price tag. If Scarlet Shade turns out like that Cascade Moon expression, I would be very happy indeed.

In terms of historical context, though, one has to wonder if there’s a lifeline here from Scarlet Shade to the former Bulleit 12 Year Rye (also from Diageo) that was initially released in 2019. That brand was received with relatively little fanfare, and it’s sort of amazing to note now that it was retailing for only $50–what clearer indication could you want of how much pricing has changed in the last few years? With the Bulleit 12 Year having since disappeared, it’s possible that Scarlet Shade contains some of that same liquid, turned into a premiumized, slightly older bottle that now commands a $200 price point. It’s certainly possible–and very on brand for the whiskey market as it exists right now–but after tasting this one, I find myself liking Scarlet Shade significantly more than I ever enjoyed that Bulleit release. Which is fortunate, because at this price point it has to impress.

About Scarlet Shade from Orphan Barrel

Coming across a 14-year-old Rye is rare, giving our master blenders pause when presented with such a uniquely bold liquid. A born traveler, this whiskey was distilled in Indiana and then journeyed across state lines into Kentucky, aged to perfection at the infamous Stitzel-Weller Distillery.

A full-bodied aroma of sweet vanilla butter cream and lightly toasted oak is accented with banana bread and just a hint of berries. Upon taste, a collection of baking spices and rye toast complement a medley of orchard fruits, and finishes with sweet notes of orange marmalade and a light warmth which fades into lingering dark chocolate.

For more information please visit
https://www.orphanbarrel.com/our-whiskeys/scarlet-shade.html

Filed Under: best whiskey, rye whiskey, whiskey

Fireball Released Its First Barrel-Aged Whiskey

June 5, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Fireball Released Its First Barrel-Aged Whiskey

Fireball WhiskyHowever you feel about Fireball, there’s no denying the popularity of the cinnamon-flavored spirit. Popular everywhere from college campuses to dive bars the checkout counter at gas stations, Fireball Cinnamon Whisky has been one of the bestselling liquors in the U.S. for several years. But it’s never been one to get the respect of spirits snobs and whiskey nerds. But now, Fireball is releasing its first-ever barrel-aged whiskey called Dragon Reserve. I got my hands on a bottle ahead of the release to try it and see if the new liquid is indeed taking Fireball to another level or if it’s the same old sweet and spicy spirit, for better or worse.

Previously, Fireball was split mainly into two camps. While marketed as whiskey, both are technically liqueurs given that they contain added sugar and a lower ABV than traditional whiskey. The main product is Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, which is made with actual Canadian whiskey as its spirit base, with additional flavors and sweeteners added. Then there’s the similar-looking Fireball Cinnamon, which contains no whiskey at all and contains half the alcohol of its sibling, allowing it to skirt laws in stores that aren’t allowed to sell spirits.

The new Dragon Reserve is Fireball Cinnamon Whisky that’s been aged in “dragon-charred” barrels — AKA American oak barrels that formerly contained bourbon, actual char level unknown — for “several months.” Given how cheeky Fireball is being about the details surrounding the aging of the product, it’s clear that this isn’t actually being pitched as a premium product. Further proof of that can be seen in the $19.99 SRP, along with a promotional campaign featuring comedic actor Rob Riggle as “honorary master distiller” wearing a smoking jacket and sipping Dragon Reserve from a Glencairn glass. Rather, the new beverage is an example of Fireball — which is owned by Sazerac, the same company that counts Buffalo Trace and Pappy Van Winkle as its subsidiaries — doing something a little extra for fans that are already on board with the fiery booze.

Given its low price tag and improved taste, you’d think Fireball would make Dragon Reserve a permanent addition to its lineup. Instead, the brand is only releasing 618 bottles as a promotion for Father’s Day on 6/18. The bottles will be available for pre-order in select states beginning June 16 at 11 am EST on Fireball’s website.

About Fireball Whisky

Fireball Cinnamon Whisky is a mixture of Canadian whisky, cinnamon flavoring and sweeteners that is produced by the Sazerac Company. Its foundation is Canadian whisky, and the taste otherwise resembles the candy with a similar name, Ferrara Candy Company’s “Atomic Fireball” candy.

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

Filed Under: best whiskey, whiskey, whisky

Hudson Whiskey Launches Bourbon That’s ‘As Bold As New York’ For 20th Anniversary

June 5, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Hudson Whiskey Launches Bourbon That’s ‘As Bold As New York’ For 20th Anniversary

Hudson WhiskeyHudson Whiskey announced the launch of a new expression, the New York Straight Bourbon Whiskey Five Year Old, on Wednesday in a news release. The expression is the New York-based distillery’s second age-stated offering and has a mashbill of 95% corn and 5% malted barley sourced from local family farmers within the Hudson Valley.

Hudson’s New York Straight Bourbon Whiskey Five Year Old is bottled at 92 proof and set to sell for a suggested retail price of $49.99 across the U.S.

Hudson Whiskey announced the launch of a new expression, the New York Straight Bourbon Whiskey Five Year Old, on Wednesday in a news release. The expression is the New York-based distillery’s second age-stated offering and has a mashbill of 95% corn and 5% malted barley sourced from local family farmers within the Hudson Valley.

Hudson’s New York Straight Bourbon Whiskey Five Year Old is bottled at 92 proof and set to sell for a suggested retail price of $49.99 across the U.S.

The Kosher-certified whiskey is pot-distilled and then matured in American Oak barrels for five years. The brand claims the spirit has buttery soft vanilla cornbread aromas with flavors of cashew and caramel butter.

Hudson Whiskey is based out of Tuthilltown Distillery, a 230-year-old gristmill that was the first distillery to open after Prohibition within the state of New York.

The brand’s inception came 20 years ago. It was the brainchild of Ralph Erenzo and Brian Lee, who wanted to “capture the thrill that is New York” according to Hudson Whiskey’s website.

Neither had professional experience in the whiskey industry, and the distillery’s nascent years were filled with a lot of experimentation. According to Business Insider, Erenzo spent the early years selling Hudson Whiskey to liquor stores and bars from the trunk of his car.

The property has been fully owned by William Grant & Sons since 2017. William Grant & Sons hosts a portfolio that includes Glenfiddich, The Balvenie and Monkey Shoulder.

Hudson offers a single-barrel program that allows customers to hand-select their own personalized casks through the distillery. The single barrels are 52-gallon casks that yield 240 bottles at 92 proof.

For more information please visit https://www.hudsonwhiskey.com/en-US/our-range/

Filed Under: best whiskey, whiskey

Russell’s Reserve Is Dropping a New Edition of Its Coveted 13-Year-Old Bourbon

June 5, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Russell’s Reserve Is Dropping a New Edition of Its Coveted 13-Year-Old Bourbon

Russell's Reserve Two years ago, Russell’s Reserve launched a 13-year-old bourbon and the whiskey world went bananas. While you can find similarly aged expressions from other brands, the quality of (and hype surrounding) this release provoked instant diehard fandom, and bottle prices increased exponentially on the secondary market. The good news (for unicorn hunters) is that the bourbon is back for a third run… if you can find it.

Russell’s Reserve is a brand made at the Wild Turkey distillery, sort of a higher-end smaller-batch version of the classic whiskey overseen by master distiller Eddie Russell. He is celebrating 42 years at the distillery this summer, and has released this new bourbon just in time for Father’s Day—after all, the Russell’s Reserve brand was originally conceived of as a tribute to his father, the legendary master distiller Jimmy Russell. In 2021, the younger Russell launched Russell’s Reserve 13-Year-Old Bourbon as a barrel-proof (114.3 proof), non-chill filtered expression. The whiskey returned the following year as an annual limited-release, and is now back for a third run.

“Releasing Russell’s Reserve 13-Year-Old Bourbon is a moment I’ve come to look forward to each year,” said Russell in a statement. “This bourbon is a personal favorite of mine and I am proud to bring it back this year in time for Father’s Day. I know I’ll be raising a glass with my father and son, Bruce, to celebrate, and hope fans and folks trying it for the first time can enjoy a glass with their families and friends this summer season as well.” Official tasting notes detail dark dried fruit, charred marshmallow, and burnt brown sugar on the palate, followed by a long, oaky, smoky campfire finish.

Here’s the thing—the suggested retail price of Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Old is $150, but that’s a fantasy. The whiskey is very good, but be prepared to shell out some cash—you can currently find a bottle at Casker’s for more than $500, although this may be from a previous year. The new release will be available via ReserveBar later this month, and you can sign up for the Russell’s Reserve newsletter.

About Russell’s Reserve

Russell’s Reserve is a whiskey created by a son as a way to honor the legacy of his father. It’s a family affair, and the family just happens to consist of two hall-of-fame Master Distillers, Eddie and Jimmy Russell.

For more information and signing up for Russell’s newsletter, please visit https://www.russellsreserve.com/en-us/?gclid=CjwKCAjw-IWkBhBTEiwA2exyOwf4EC2RGQjhEwhDSpf0Or72-TQW3pFCRA-jD5IFdzG-0z0kKcLN5BoCXRgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Filed Under: best whiskey, whiskey

Laws Whiskey House Releases Its 2023 San Luis Valley Rye

May 27, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Laws Whiskey House Releases Its 2023 San Luis Valley Rye

Denver's Laws Whiskey HouseDenver’s Laws Whiskey House recently released Batch #4 of their Bottled in Bond San Luis Valley Rye.

A statement from the distiller noted that the new expression is available for tasting and for purchase in the Laws Whiskey House tasting room in Denver, and will be available on Laws’ website and in key markets across the country starting late May for a suggested retail price of $79.99.

This latest batch is a seven-year-old whiskey, and its 24 barrels were distilled between February and April of 2016. The distiller’s notes show that some of the barrels were made from a mash bill of 95% San Luis Valley Rye and 5% two-row barley while others were made with 100% San Luis Valley Rye.

In all, 4,848 bottles were produced in this limited, seasonal release.

All of the grains in this whiskey were grown by the Cody Family Farm located near Alamosa in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. The distilling team at Laws explained that at 7,500 feet of elevation, the growing conditions of this valley contribute unique flavor profiles to the Cody family’s grains, including a distinct minerality that comes from the calcium and mineral rich soil of what used to be prehistoric lake.

The distiller’s notes show that the Bottled in Bond San Luis Valley Rye offers aromas of cherry cola, honey, and black currant that lead to a palate of hazelnut mint, salted toffee, and serrano pepper. After seven years of maturation time, the whiskey also developed layered notes of leather, wood tannins, caramel, and vanilla.

To qualify as a bottled-in-bond whiskey, according to the namesake act, a whiskey 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.

Those requirements are courtesy of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, considered one of America’s first consumer protection laws.

Founder Al Laws said that “the soul of our whiskey comes from the union of the grains and the people who grow them combined with our no-shortcuts process and the people who make up Laws Whiskey House. We love this whiskey because it perfectly represents what we strive for as a distillery: terroir-led flavors, the highest standards of quality, and distinctive flavors, all made for people around the world who love and appreciate whiskey.”

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

Filed Under: best whiskey, rye whiskey, whiskey

Filibuster Distillery in redemptive spirits for new whiskey release

May 26, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Filibuster Distillery in redemptive spirits for new whiskey release

Filibuster Distillery SHENANDOAH COUNTY, Va. – Filibuster Distillery’s new bourbon whiskey has the spirit of the purity law. The success and growth comes with a smooth give-and-take in the process.

“We are distributing in 18 states and two international markets, so it just brings up a lot of responsibility now,” Filibuster Distillery Chief Executive Officer Sid Dilawri said.

This business that’s barreled with integrity has made changes since being charged $700,000 by Shenandoah County for dumping water in a stream a few years ago.

“Filibuster Distillery wants to be better and stronger with every new drink release. They invested in a chiller after the 2021 settlement so that the entire distilling process is done the right way.

Filibuster Distillery’s team feels like a community hub with the ingredients to make drinks all purchased from farmers in the area. Dilawri says investing in the chiller makes the business 100 percent self-sustainable.

“All the grains we get goes to the farmer and all the water while we use is a hundred gallons of glycol which we used in the system and it’s a closed loop system —nothing goes out, nothing goes in everything we just chill our mesh,” Dilawri said.

“This is the country for dreams you can you can dream it and you can build it and you can make it happen. There are going to be obstacles. There are going to be people who I will take you down, but be strong because the majority of the people are good people here,” Dilawri said.

He describes the new bourbon whiskey as an exclusive medal of success.

“There are only 16 barrels we did for it, and this also celebrates the journey and dream of coming to America,” Dilawri said.

Anyone wanting a taste of his spirit is encouraged to be there for release day on June 4.

About Filibuster Distillery

Filibuster Distillery was born in the heart of Washington D.C. and raised in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, making it a true product of the Washington, DC area. Founded at a liquor store just steps away from Capitol Hill, the Filibuster brand quickly transformed from a 1st generation immigrant family’s passion project into an incredible American dream.

Filibuster Distillery prides itself on creating an experience that is far from ordinary. Their approach to spirits is unconventional, utilizing innovative production methods and artisanal standards of distillation to create extra layers of complexity within each spirit.

for more information please visit https://filibusterbourbon.com/

Filed Under: best whiskey, bourbon, whiskey

FUJI Whisky Releases New Japanese Whisky in the U.S.

May 16, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

FUJI Whisky Releases New Japanese Whisky in the U.S.

FUJI WhiskeyNEW YORK, N.Y.— The award-winning Japanese whisky brand, FUJI Whisky, announces the release of its FUJI Japanese Whisky, a single site blended, 100% Japanese whisky inspired by the terroir of the Mt. Fuji area. This unique expression, aged for an average of eight years in 100% American White Oak, is the embodiment of what sets Mt. Fuji Distillery apart, as the world’s only distillery to craft, nurture, age, and bottle three styles of grain whiskies – heavy American Bourbon style, medium Canadian style, light Scottish style, and malt whisky under one roof – a single estate approach.

In 1973, Mt. Fuji Distillery began combining Japanese craftsmanship with the distillation technology for American, Canadian, and Scotch whisky production, making it one of the only distilleries capable of producing both malt and grain whiskies on a single site, just 7.5 miles from the peak of Mt. Fuji.  The only whisky in Japan to use the mountain’s snowmelt in its production, that 50-year journey from Mt. Fuji’s peak to the depths of the aquifer 330-feet underneath the distillery is the foundation for FUJI’s distinctive whisky expressions. These innovations and new category breakthroughs led FUJI Whisky and Master Blender, Jota Tanaka to seek out category recognition from the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association (“JSLMA”) for creating a new type of whisky that is crafted from start to finish on one site and celebrates its terroir: FUJI Japanese Whisky.

“This unique expression marks a special moment for FUJI Whisky and our Mt. Fuji Distillery as its release signifies FUJI as the pioneer of single blended Japanese whiskies,” said Jota Tanaka, Master Blender. “To be recognized by the JSLMA is an honor and I am excited to continue to grow the line of FUJI expressions on a global scale. Our FUJI Japanese Whisky is truly an exceptional gift; one which reflects the impact of, and patient ageing in the beautiful environment that surrounds Mt. Fuji, highlighting the control we can have over each element of production, embracing the distillation techniques that set us apart and make us truly one of kind.”

The FUJI Japanese Whisky Tasting Notes from Master Blender Jota Tanaka are as follows:

Aroma: Peach, apricot, orange liqueur, delicately fruity with a hint of honey and oatmeal cookies

Flavors: Delicate yet vivid fruits, Williams pear, apricot, and white table grapes

Finish: A delicately sweet, fruity, and rich aftertaste is interwoven with a pleasantly long, silky finish

A leader in grain whiskey innovation, FUJI Whisky made its U.S. debut in 2021 with the release of FUJI Single Grain Japanese Whiskey in partnership with Distinguished Vineyards. The FUJI Single Grain Japanese Whiskey is a blend of three different grain whiskies, each distilled in three different methods, each possessing its own unique flavor profile, resulting in a delicately fruity whiskey that is both mellow and multi-layered in profile. Last year, FUJI released the FUJI 30-Year-Old Single Grain Whiskey in the U.S., a blend of multiple maturates of Canadian style grain whiskies aged more than 30 years. Each barrel was meticulously hand selected by Master Blender, Jota Tanaka, to create a rich, luscious, and beautifully balanced style whiskey with complexity.

The FUJI Japanese Whisky is bottled at 86 proof and is available in markets including California, Texas, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Georgia, and Florida at an SRP of $70 / 700ml bottle.

About FUJI Whisky

FUJI Whisky is named after the most iconic landmark in Japan, Mt. Fuji, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, cultural inspiration, and the location of Mt. Fuji Distillery just 7.5 miles from the mountain’s peak, surrounded by lush forest. Established in 1973 to bring the best of Japanese craftsmanship with Scottish, American, and Canadian technology under one roof, it is the closest distillery to Mt. Fuji in all of Japan. Named after one of Japan’s most iconic landmarks, Mt. Fuji Distillery is situated just miles from the peak of Mt. Fuji and is one of the only whiskies in the world to use the mountain’s snowmelt water in its production. The snowmelt’s 50-year journey from Mt. Fuji’s peak to the depths of an underground aquifer to the distillery results in a uniquely clear, pristine, and soft water that is the foundation for FUJI’s distinctive whisky expressions.

Mt. Fuji Distillery has a long history of awards and accolades and is considered the leader in Japanese Grain Whiskey. 2020 awards on the new FUJI brand include Trophy at the International Spirits Challenge, Worlds Best Grain & Gold at the 2020 World Whiskies Awards. This adds richly to the brand’s pedigree that includes winning the World Whiskies Awards “World Best Grain” four times in five years.

About Distinguished Vineyards

Formed in 2008, Distinguished Vineyards is a dynamic mid-size wine and spirits company that includes a collection of iconic, premium brands from around the world. Recognized as benchmarks from their regions, the portfolio includes the highly acclaimed Argyle Winery in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, MacRostie Winery in Sonoma County, Markham Vineyards in Napa Valley, Wither Hills from Marlborough, New Zealand, and FUJI Whisky from Japan. Dedicated to excellence, social equity and sustainability, Distinguished Vineyards includes more than 1,000 acres of sustainably certified estate vineyards and has achieved local certification for sustainable practices at each of its wineries.

For More Information:
https://fujiwhisky.com

Filed Under: best whiskey, whiskey

Santa Fe Distillery Known For Mesquite Smoked Whiskey Tries Its Hand at Unsmoked Single Malt

May 15, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Santa Fe Distillery Known For Mesquite Smoked Whiskey Tries Its Hand at Unsmoked Single Malt

Santa Fe SpiritsA distillery known for its mesquite-smoked single malt whisky is expanding its variety by launching an unsmoked expression.

On Thursday, Santa Fe Spirits announced the nationwide release of Colkegan Unsmoked Single Malt Whiskey, which is available to be shipped to 42 states from the distillery’s website.

Santa Fe Spirits got its start using mesquite to imbue its whiskies with a smoky flavor — the distillery’s answer to finding a style similar to yet distinctly different from peated scotch whisky.

Until the Unsmoked, Santa Fe Spirits has made each of its whiskeys from one-third smoked barley and two-thirds unsmoked barley.

With Colkegan Unsmoked, Santa Fe Spirits is looking to show that it’s more than a one-trick pony.

“We love experimenting with traditional single malt whiskey to develop new products while honoring the heritage of single malt,” Santa Fe Spirits founder Colin Keegan said in a news release. “Our mesquite-smoked Colkegan has won people’s hearts, and we wanted to release a whiskey that would complement our current line-up of American Single Malts, but also stand on its own.

“Four years ago we made our traditional Colkegan Single Malt Whiskey, but without smoking the malt. We tucked a few barrels of it into a back corner of the rickhouse, aged it in new American Oak, and used bourbon barrels. We’re excited to release it nationwide.”

About Santa Fe Spirits

Santa Fe Spirits was founded by Colin Keegan in 2010 with the goal of becoming the Southwest’s preeminent artisan distillery. With products ranging from American Single Malt Whiskeys to barrel-aged apple brandy to a whiskey liqueur that’s unlike anything else in the market, Santa Fe Spirits proudly produces exceptional spirits designed to capture and accentuate the essence of the Southwest. Stop by the distillery for a visit and we will be happy to show you what making world-class spirits is all about, or head to our downtown tasting room to experience our spirits in a range of cocktails.

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

Filed Under: best whiskey, single malt, whiskey

The Distillery Behind Jim Beam Is Releasing Its First American Single Malt Whiskey

May 15, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

The Distillery Behind Jim Beam Is Releasing Its First American Single Malt Whiskey

James B. Beam Distilling Co.American single malt will be a legally defined American whiskey any day now. That’s perfect timing for one of the biggest bourbon distilleries in the world, the James B. Beam Distilling Co., to release its own version into this burgeoning category called Clermont Steep.

James B. Beam Distilling Co. is, of course, the company behind Jim Beam which is one of the best-selling bourbons both here and abroad. In addition to that ubiquitous whiskey, eighth-generation master distiller Freddie Noe, along with his father Fred Noe and grandfather Booker Noe, have been responsible for some of the most influential American whiskeys of the past few decades. Booker was the creative force behind the Jim Beam Small Batch Collection, which includes Booker’s, Knob Creek, Basil Hayden, and Baker’s. Fred has been the face of the distillery and overseen operations there for many years, and is a respected and familiar face in the world of Kentucky bourbon. And now Freddie has come into his own with his Little Book series of blended whiskeys, operating the new Fred B. Noe Distillery and now introducing Clermont Steep.

At a recent tasting, Noe talked about the development of this new American single malt. Beam isn’t the first major American whiskey brand to release a single malt—Jack Daniel’s launched its own last year. But that whiskey was an entirely different animal, having spent a full two years finishing in Oloroso sherry casks. Clermont Steep does not get a secondary maturation, just a full five years in new charred American oak barrels. Noe said that the project really got underway six years ago when the first barrels were laid down for this release. Previous iterations of malt whiskey have appeared as components of Little Book Chapter Six, but those were younger whiskeys that were finished with different barrel staves.

While the pending legal definition of American single malt will likely allow it to be matured in used barrels, Noe is firmly in the camp that thinks that new charred oak barrels are the way to go. This puts American single malt more in line with bourbon, but he says that’s the point—this should be a distinctly American whiskey, as opposed to single malts from other countries that can be aged in nearly any type of barrel. The mashbill is 100 percent malted barley, and the distillery’s heirloom “jug yeast” is used for fermentation. The whiskey was distilled in a column still—”I will argue this till the day I die,” said Noe, “What goes on in a pot still can happen in column still”—and bottled at a higher 47 percent ABV.

“This American single malt whiskey is smooth, sweet, and incredibly balanced, and it deserves a spot on any whiskey lover’s bar cart, right alongside their bourbons and ryes,” said Noe in a statement. “I’m always looking toward the future of American whiskey, and the boundless runway in this category intrigued me. We don’t just want to participate in American single malt whiskey; we want to help define it for the future of the category.”

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

Filed Under: American Single Malt, best whiskey, whiskey

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B523 Rolls Out

May 9, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B523 Rolls Out

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof The 2023 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof bourbon whiskey program continues with the launch of B523.

All releases in this series follow a standard naming system. The “B” in the name stands for the second batch in an annual A, B, C line. The “5” denotes the release month, May, while the 23 represents the current year.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B523 shows an age statement of 11 years and 5 months, representing the youngest barrel in the batch. It is non-chill-filtered and uncut.

Generally, ECBP has two extremes of flavor. On one end are the “candy bombs,” filled with sweet confectionary notes, like last year’s A122. On the other is earthy, chocolatey whiskey like the C922. This latest release, ECBP B523, is the latter, with loads of earthiness and dark chocolate above a backbone of generous heat and rich oak. Tons of texture on the palate. A long finish leads into lovely char and cocoa.

Starting with this batch, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof will now be barreled in small batches with varying age statements. Each batch will have a unique flavor profile and proof, as in the past, but now also a unique age statement that details aging down to the month. This expanded statement has transitioned from the side of the bottle to the front label. All other qualities remain the same.

Batches are determined by a tasting team that includes Master Distiller Connor O’Driscoll, Master Taster Tawnie Gootee and VP of New Product Development and Quality Assurance Chris Briney.

The suggested retail price for Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B523 is $69.99 per 750-ml. bottle.

In the series, this follows Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A123, which marked the beginning of the eleventh year of this popular cask-strength line.

For more information please visit https://elijahcraig.com/barrel-proof

Filed Under: best whiskey, whiskey

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