whiskey

The German distillery St. Kilian, located in Rüdenau, Lower Frankonia, recently debuted a whisky rarity … a single malt fully matured in a single virgin Mizunara oak cask.

A statement from the German whisky maker noted that Mizunara oak is common in several regions of Japan, and is among the rarest and most expensive wood used to mature whisky.

For this particular whisky expression, the Japanese oak for this 225-liter, medium toasted, single cask is about 250 years old. It was harvested in the forests of the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido.

The statement went on to explain that the long-time coopers of Ariake Sangyo set up the casks, and tackled the often difficult task of wrangling the Mizunara oak staves, binding them together. Even the barrel heads were made of Mizunara oak.

In all, St Kilian Distillers imported four medium toasted virgin casks directly by plane from Japan in August of 2019.

Master Blender Mario Rudolf explained further that Mizunara oak is known for its unique aromas of sandalwood, oriental spices and exotic fruits, which give the whisky distinctive characterful aromas.

“This masterpiece of whisky craftsmanship reflects the synergy of Japanese finesse with German distilling art in Scottish pot stills,” he said. “The exceptional single malt promises an incomparable taste as well as an exquisite enjoyment experience for discerning connoisseurs.”

Managing Director Philipp Trützler said that according to their research, this is the first non-Japanese single malt whisky to be matured in a single, fresh, unoccupied Mizunara oak cask.

The result of the maturation, he said, provides a taste of ripe fruit and exotic melon paired with warming oak notes, oriental spices and fragrant sandalwood aromas.

Further details on Cask No. 3886 show that the angels’ share was 4.7% of the initial content, much higher than the normal 2-3%. The age of the single malt was three years prior to the few months of finishing.

“The cask filling strength was lower than regular, at 55.2 % ABV, as we intended to generate more sweetness in the whisky,” Rudolf said. In all, 300 bottles of St Kilian’s Exceptional Mizunara were produced.

This is the first of a new St Kilian range, which will see future casks and thematic, exclusive single malts that have matured in one of the 371 different cask types in the nearby St Kilian Bunker City.

There are a few Exceptional Mizunara St Kilian bottles left at the distillery for direct sale, and they carry a price tag of €249.

To find out more or to find a bottle, check out www.stkiliandistillers.com.

Denver’s Laws Whiskey House recently announced the 2023 release of its annual Bottled in Bond Centennial Straight Wheat Whiskey.

A statement from the whiskey maker noted that this seven-year-old limited release will be available for tasting and for purchase in the Laws Whiskey House tasting room in Denver on June 8th, then available for purchase online and in key markets in late June. It’ll have a suggested price of $79.99.

What’s special about this wheat, the distiller noted, is that it’s also the same soft white Centennial wheat that Laws uses for its flagship Four Grain Bourbon.

This particular heirloom varietal is grown for Laws Whiskey House by the Cody Family Farm in Alamosa, Colorado.

As this whiskey qualifies as a Bottled in Bond whiskey, the spirit is made by one distillery in a single season, bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV), and aged at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse.

The distiller’s notes show that this year’s expression is the oldest wheat whiskey that Laws has released to date. They filled nine barrels in July and August of 2015, and they were emptied in April of 2023. This whiskey has an average age of seven years and nine months.

In all, only 2,100 bottles of Batch 5 were made.

Last year’s release had an average age of five years and five months. The distiller noted that Batch 5’s additional two years of maturation gave a pronounced oak profile layered with the spicy, sweet bread, and citrus notes of the Centennial Wheat. The whiskey also has tastes and aromas of strawberries, orange marmalade, jasmine tea, and pink peppercorn.

“We celebrate the grain and the role our farmers play in our whiskey more than most distilleries,” said Al Laws, founder. “This is a whiskey that showcases a unique wheat grain that is grown in a unique place, the San Luis Valley of Colorado.”

He said the Cody Family grows this soft spring wheat for the whiskey brand, for the balance it offers between flavor and sweetness.

“Soft spring wheat has more starch than hard winter wheat, adding sweetness and aiding with fermentation. Like our San Luis Valley Straight Rye Whiskey in particular, you can taste the influence of the land in this whiskey,” Laws added. “It has a minerality that comes from the soil that, combined with the whiskey’s sweet, fruity profile, makes this whiskey the perfect summer sipper.”

For more information on the Bonded Centennial Straight Wheat Whiskey or to find out where to get a bottle in late June, check out www.lawswhiskeyhouse.com.

VERSAILLES, Ky. — Today, Woodford Reserve releases a new limited-edition bottle as part of its annual Distillery Series – Wheat Whiskey Bottled in Bond.

For a whiskey to be Bottled In Bond, it must meet a strict set of rules that have been in place since the late 1800’s, including that the whiskey must be produced by a single distillery in one distillation session, stored in a bonded warehouse for a minimum of four years, and bottled at 50% ABV. This new product is Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey selected from one distilling season and then aged in a bonded warehouse and bottled at 100 proof.

“One of the best parts of my job is being able to work with Chris Morris to experiment with new ways of making Woodford Reserve,” said Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall. “Bottled in Bond whiskey has a long history in Kentucky and it has been exciting for Woodford Reserve to create this wheat whiskey within the Bottled in Bond requirements.”

An eclectic line of one-of-a-kind expressions, Woodford Reserve’s Distillery Series pushes the creative boundaries of whiskeys to the extreme. Each selection is masterminded by McCall and Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris, and is available in limited quantities with a purchase limit of two bottles per person at the Woodford Reserve Distillery and limited Kentucky retailers. There are three annual releases of the Distillery Series.

This limited-edition collection has an SRP of $59.99 for a 375ml bottle and is available in limited quantities at select Kentucky retailers and at Woodford Reserve Distillery starting on June 13 at 9 a.m.

Tasting Notes

Color: Whole wheat toast

Aroma: Toasted whole wheat bread smothered in apple butter

Flavor: Delicate apple butter and dried berry compote fruitiness atop a wheat cracker

Finish: Long with dried berry fruit

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

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.

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/

NEW 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

GRATON, Calif. – Redwood Empire Whiskey, a distinct California whiskey made and aged in the ancient forests of the Redwood Empire, doubles down with its second allocation of cask strength whiskey. Following the overwhelming success of the inaugural release in October 2022, the brand has increased its volumes of uncut and unfiltered expressions.

These limited-edition, straight-from-the-barrel cask strength offerings have been highly praised by both the press and consumers. In just seven months, each of Redwood Empire’s cask strength whiskeys have received awards from L.A. Spirits Awards and Tag Global Spirits Awards, as well as notable ratings of at least 91 points from both Whisky Advocate and The Tasting Panel.

“Cask strength represents the best of what spirits have to offer,” says head distiller, Lauren Patz. “Buying whiskey at cask strength empowers drinkers to explore the breadth that the spirit provides.”

Redwood Empire Whiskey’s cask strength range includes three full, undiluted and unfiltered expressions of the brand’s existing offerings: Pipe Dream Bourbon, Emerald Giant Rye, and Lost Monarch, a whiskey blend of Bourbon and Rye. Each expression has its own unique tasting notes. The Cask Strength Pipe Dream Bourbon (116.8 proof) has a rich and complex flavor profile, featuring toffee, cherry, and soft leather on the nose and cherry cola, honey butterscotch and pecans on the palate. The Cask Strength Emerald Giant Rye (116.4 proof) boasts delicate herbal tea, soft cinnamon and dried orange peel on the nose, with earl grey tea, viscous dark chocolate, coffee beans and a warm spice finish on the palate. Finally, the Cask Strength Lost Monarch Whiskey Blend (117.2 proof) offers vibrant, earthy notes and mint chocolate ice cream on the nose, with warm spices, dried apricot and a white pepper finish on the palate.

“Experiencing Redwood Empire straight from the barrel is my preferred way to enjoy our whiskeys,” says master distiller, Jeff Duckhorn.

Consumers who have enjoyed Redwood Empire’s core range at 90 proof can now experience the full intensity and complexity of the whiskeys straight from the barrel. The cask strength expressions are offered annually for those who crave bold and flavorful whiskey.

About Redwood Empire Whiskey:

Redwood Empire Whiskey is a distinct California whiskey made and aged in the ancient forests of the Redwood Empire, a cool fog belt that stretches from San Francisco north along the coast to the Oregon border. Founder Derek Benham and master distiller Jeff Duckhorn recognized that the region’s temperate climate and humidity would allow for a slow, even extraction of flavor during the whiskey aging process. In 2015, they began selecting older barrels from like-minded distilleries across the nation and blending them with their own distillate in Sonoma County. Now with the largest rick house in California, Redwood Empire Whiskey reserves more of its own distillate for 100% grain-to-glass expressions and increasingly features aged whiskeys distilled onsite. The result is consistently complex, bold and balanced. Inspired by John Muir and the old growth forests he sought to protect, they partner with Trees for the Future and One Tree Planted, by planting one tree for every bottle sold – to date they’ve surpassed 1,000,000 trees planted.

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