Bourbon Barrel Blurbs, Volume 02, Issue 20

Step into the world of Bourbon Barrel Blurbs (BBB), where every sip holds a story and every bottle uncorks a world of flavor. Join us as we journey through the captivating realm of bourbon, exploring the age-old traditions, the art of aging in charred oak barrels, and the diverse array of expressions that grace the shelves of connoisseurs and newcomers alike. From the iconic distilleries of Kentucky to the hidden gems found in the nooks and crannies of the world, get ready to indulge in the rich tapestry of bourbon's history and innovation. So raise your glasses and let the barrel blurbs whisk you away on a spirited adventure like no other.

Getting things started in Kentucky, we have exciting news from Preservation Distillery, as they have announced the release of their limited edition Very Olde St. Nick Immaculata Bourbon. Known for being pot distilled in small batches and artfully blended, the Immaculata edition uses a base of 15-year-old, non-chill filtered bourbon at cask strengths between 115 and 120 proof. The bourbon features aromas and tastes of cinnamon, allspice, and pitted fruits, with a long finish. The brand has evolved from scarce availability to sought-after releases, and the distillery is now able to bottle slightly more of the rare bourbon, with a focus on key distribution in their home market. The Preservation Distillery and Farm, founded in 2015, is responsible for producing Very Olde St. Nick and other bourbon brands.

Staying in Kentucky, the Kentucky Distillers' Association (KDA) recently announced it has expanded the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour. In its largest expansion to date, KDA is adding four new distilleries. The newly added distilleries include Augusta Distillery and Pensive Distilling Co. in northern Kentucky, as well as RD1 Spirits and Fresh Bourbon in Lexington. With these additions, the tour now includes a total of 28 craft distillers across the state.

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour was established in 2012 as the nation's first attraction to showcase the growing boutique distilling movement. Along with the 18 larger-scale distilleries on the original Kentucky Bourbon Trail tour, the association now offers 46 immersive experiences for bourbon and spirits enthusiasts visiting the state. Last year, the combined bourbon trail experiences saw over 2 million visitors, with craft distilleries alone receiving 725,000 visits. Over the past decade, attendance has significantly increased by 370% according to the Kentucky Distillers' Association.

Cementing Kentucky’s hold on the bourbon crown, The Ultimate Spirits Challenge has announced its top-rated liquors of the year, including surprising winners like an Armagnac and a vodka cocktail. For American whiskies, Buffalo Trace's W.L. Weller Full Proof emerged as the highest honor, receiving a score of 98 out of 100. The bourbon is praised for its intoxicating red fruit aroma, mellow mouthfeel, and complex flavors of toasted oak and apricot. The Weller lineup, once easily attainable, became highly sought after after word spread that its mash bill was the same as Pappy Van Winkle's. Buffalo Trace upgraded the packaging and expanded the brand to meet the surging demand. W.L. Weller Full Proof, launched in 2019, maintains its original ABV from the cask and is not bottled at barrel strength.

Make sure to mark your calendars! The Bourbon Classic, a celebration of Kentucky whiskey, cocktails, and food, will return for 2024 from Feb. 21-24 in Louisville. The event will be held at the Kentucky International Convention Center, close to downtown distilleries. Tickets for the Cocktail and Culinary Challenge, Bourbon University, and TASTE events will be available on BourbonClassic.com. The event aims to offer a top-notch experience for attendees and has seen significant growth in consumer attendance and brand support in recent years. The Bourbon Classic is organized by The Bourbon Review's Seth Thompson and Tony Butler of FSA Management Group.

Wrapping up in Kentucky, we have exciting news as Pennyroyal Barrel Co. (PBC) will set up operations in Columbia, Kentucky, as a bourbon incubator for third-party brands. The $8.52 million project aims to create 10 jobs in Adair County. The campus will include a blending and bottling facility, rickhouses for aging, a storefront, a tasting room in a grain silo, a single barrel selection room, and a wooded amphitheater. The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority has approved incentives for the project. Construction is scheduled to start in late summer to early fall. PBC will contribute to the local community and economy while preserving Kentucky's bourbon heritage.

Traveling over the Ohio River to Indiana, Hard Truth Distilling Co. has released a new sweet mash rye whiskey called Hard Truth High Road Sweet Mash Rye. This whiskey is a response to the positive feedback and demand for their sweet mash rye whiskies. Bottled at 46.5% ABV, the High Road Sweet Mash Rye features a mash bill of 55% rye, 36% corn, and 9% malted barley. It offers a deep copper appearance with an aroma of apricot jam, honey, baking spice, and graham cracker. The taste profile includes rich vanilla, maple, custard, and spices, with a bold finish featuring caramel, honey, coffee, and nougat flavors. Hard Truth is dedicated to the sweet mash distilling process, which results in a distinctive and delicious rye whiskey. High Road Sweet Mash Rye is their largest scale release to date, following a major distillery expansion.

Heading down south, Lorenze Tremonti, a local master distiller, has launched a new Georgia-based spirits company called Infamous Whiskey. The brand embraces adventure and uniqueness, offering a range of spirits, including Infamous Bourbon Whiskey, Lemon Chill Liqueur, and Act 1 Clear Whiskey. Infamous Whiskey is committed to making a positive impact and supports The Lovely Project, an organization empowering young girls to reach their full potential. For more details, visit their website at www.infamouswhiskey.com.

Cruising up the east coast, North Carolina's Broad Branch Distillery is set to release the highly anticipated second edition of Big Winston Bourbon on Saturday, July 29, at 1 pm. Barrel 199, a 5-year Bottled in Bond non-chill filtered bourbon, was crafted from a unique ultra-low rye recipe and aged in charred new white oak barrels. The nose offers citrus honey notes, while the palate reveals flavors of baklava, honey, walnuts, hints of cinnamon, and a touch of black pepper. The finish is dominated by orange pekoe and cinnamon, fading to cream. Only 253 bottles will be available for $59.95 in their downtown Winston-Salem tasting room.

Continuing up the coast, Monica Pearce, owner of Tenth Ward Distilling Company in Frederick, Maryland, celebrated the distillery's seventh anniversary. After years of focusing on meeting demand, Pearce is now looking to strategize for the company's future growth. Tenth Ward's spirits, including gin, bourbon, Maryland rye, and absinthe, are currently distributed in five states in the Mid-Atlantic region. While Pearce doesn't aim to be a national brand, she wants to continue growing regional sales. The craft beverage industry in Frederick has seen significant growth, drawing visitors from neighboring areas. Tenth Ward Distilling Company has become a popular spot for both locals and tourists alike, and Pearce's vision for the distillery's future continues to evolve.

Meanwhile, Delaware's Dogfish Head's Let’s Get Lost American Single Malt Whiskey has returned, gaining recognition and awards from various competitions worldwide since its debut in July 2021. The whiskey has received multiple gold, double gold, and silver medals, including from the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the 2022 Whisky Advocate Rating. Clocking in at 102 proof, the whiskey is distilled using a custom blend of pale malt, Crystal malt, coffee kiln malt, and applewood smoke malt. After more than three years in charred oak barrels, it offers warming flavors of toasted oak, caramel, light smoke, chocolate, and a hint of sweet banana. The whiskey is meant to be savored slowly and shared among friends. For more on Dogfish Head or to track down a bottle of Let’s Get Lost American Single Malt Whiskey, visit www.dogfish.com.

Heading west to the mountains, Colorado’s Ironton Distillery is commemorating its 5th anniversary with a special limited edition release of Cask Strength American Single Malt Whiskey. The whiskey, aged for 4 years, boasts a robust 120 proof and features prominent notes of cherry and toasted coconut, making it a perfect addition to summer tiki drinks. The tasting notes include cherry, rich chocolate, bitter cacao on the nose, long tobacco, sharp honey, rustic vanilla, and toasted coconut on the palate and a strong wood finish with a high body. Whiskey enthusiasts can find more information about this release on Ironton Distillery's website.

As we continue west, we find ourselves stopping in California. There we find that Cyrus Noble bourbon, a whiskey brand with a historical lineage dating back to 1871 in San Francisco during the Gold Rush era, is making a comeback after being out of production for several decades. The bourbon was highly esteemed, and its reputation spread from California to Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, Japan, and the Philippines. After Prohibition, Cyrus Noble experienced a downturn, but in recent years, it has been resurrected and is now being produced according to the original recipe by contracting with Kentucky's Bardstown Bourbon Co. However, reviving the brand in today's competitive whiskey market is a challenge, and Cyrus Noble's owners hope its historical connection to the Gold Rush will help distinguish it and attract attention in the crowded marketplace. The brand offers a "Born in Kentucky, raised in San Francisco" narrative and aims to build on its Bay Area legacy for future success.

Leaving California, we travel along I-10 to our final stop, Texas. We have a couple of great Texas releases to mention. First, Milam & Greene Whiskey has unveiled its third release in the Wildlife Collection, the Rattlesnake Single Barrel Bourbon. This limited-edition, cask-strength, single-barrel whiskey highlights the impact of Texas Hill Country weather on aging whiskey and pays homage to the local Texas wildlife. The release is exclusively available on the Milam & Greene Whiskey website and at their distillery tasting room. Only 168 bottles are available from this high-proof release, aged for over seven years in char #3 new American oak barrels. The whiskey offers a multi-faceted bourbon experience with deep flavors and a lush finish. The Rattlesnake Single Barrel is priced at $149.99 and is part of a very limited release. A portion of the proceeds from sales will benefit Texas Parks & Wildlife.

Wrapping up our journey, Garrison Brothers, Texas' first legal bourbon distillery, has announced the release of its "rarest and most coveted" whiskey, Laguna Madre. Only 2,100 bottles of the 2023 edition were produced, with 1,000 sold at the release event. Aged for eight years, Laguna Madre is the oldest bourbon ever made in Texas, aged four years in white American oak barrels and an additional four years in rare Limousin oak casks imported from France.

The bourbon, bottled at 101 proof, will be available in limited bars, restaurants, and retailers by the end of July at a suggested retail price of $349. The release aims to drive awareness for FlatsWorthy, a Texas-based fishing nonprofit, dedicated to promoting boating courtesy. Garrison Brothers previously released Laguna Madre in 2020 to raise funds for Good Bourbon for a Good Cause, supporting the Texas hospitality industry. The distillery team also partnered with FlatsWorthy for a fishing trip in the Laguna Madre, the Texas Gulf Coast waters for which the whiskey is named.

As our BBB journey ends, we hope you've savored each moment of this bourbon-filled journey. From the first pour to the final drop, we've explored the essence of this beloved spirit, appreciating the craftsmanship, the stories, and the shared passion of bourbon enthusiasts worldwide. As you venture forth, let each encounter with bourbon be a reminder of the diverse flavors, intriguing histories, and timeless charm that make this spirit a true treasure. So, as you savor each new bottle and raise your glass to the bourbon community, may the journey continue, and may Bourbon Barrel Blurbs always be your guide to the world of bourbon delights. Cheers to the barrel, the bottle, and the boundless beauty of bourbon!

 

Bourbon Barrel Blurbs, Volume 01, Issue 10

Welcome to another installment of BBB. In this edition we have blurbs and links for Timberwolf Whiskey, 

Brother's Bond, Blue Runs Spirits, Virginia ABC intel theft, Northern Latitudes, Limestone Branch, Eight Settlers Distillery, Company Distilling, Arcane Alpha, more. 

                                                                                                                               

Timberwolf Whiskey Launches Barrel-Aged Bourbon Brand

A new bourbon brand just burst onto the scene with an homage to peope who favor outdoor living and a satisfying drink.

Timberwolf Whiskey is now exclusively available online at https://timberwolfwhiskey.com. The new company is in the market for regional distribution.

Timberwolf Whiskey is a 94-proof bourbon with "a distinctive bold, peppery flavor for sipping straight or mixing. Being from the pacific northwest, our brand demographic is people who enjoy the outdoors, mountains and nature."

Crafted in small batches and barrel-aged, Timberwolf Whiskey's ingredients are 60% corn, 35% rye and 5% barley. "Obviously, being an aged bourbon, we do source barrels from other distillers," founder Rob Thomas noted.

For more information, visit https://timberwolfwhiskey.com.

                                                                                                                               

Call Leaving Green River Spirits

Jacob Call, the man who brought the old Green River Distilling Co. in western Owensboro back to life, starting in 2014, is leaving at the end of July.

But Call, the distillery’s master distiller and director of operations, says he’s not leaving the bourbon industry — and he’s not leaving Owensboro.

He said that’s all he can say until the no-compete clause in his contract expires on Oct. 31.

                                                                                                                               

Brother’s Bond Bourbon Launches First Limited Release, Brother’s Bond Original Cask Strength Bourbon

Brother’s Bond Bourbon, the brand started by actors Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley, is launching its first limited release. The new expression, Brother’s Bond Original Cask Strength Bourbon, was made from a selection of 70 barrels of Brother’s Bond Original, bottled at 57.9% abv. Cask Strength is available now on ReserveBar for pre-sale and will ship soon to select retailers for a suggested $80 a 750-ml. Brother’s Bond launched last year and depleted over 30,000 cases with distribution in 35 states.

                                                                                                                               

Blue Run Spirits Will Launch Golden Rye Whiskey Batch 2

Georgetown, Kentucky’s Blue Run Spirits will launch Golden Rye Whiskey Batch 2 later this afternoon. The rye was made during the same distillation cycle as the first batch of Golden Rye and is bottled at 47.5% abv. Batch 2 was blended from 102 barrels and will be available through the brand’s website this afternoon at 3pm, as well as rolling out to select retailers across the U.S. Blue Run’s volume is expected to rise to 50,000 six-pack cases this year, quintupling over its 2021 total, with sales projected at around $15 million.

                                                                                                                               

2 Charged In Scheme To Steal Intel From Virginia ABC On High-Demand Bourbon

A former sales associate for Virginia ABC and another man have been indicted in what authorities described as a conspiracy to obtain internal ABC inventory data on high-demand and limited-availability bourbons, and provide that insider information to interested parties for a price.

                                                                                                                               

Northern Latitudes Distillery To Open In Suttons Bay

Northern Latitudes, the popular distillery in Lake Leelanau, will soon open a second location in downtown Suttons Bay, in the space previously occupied by Bayside Coffee & Tea—possibly at the end of July.

Northern Latitudes is home to Latitudes Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Deer Camp Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Deer Camp Straight Rye Whiskey, and Deer Camp Straight Wheat Whiskey among other products.

                                                                                                                               

The Best-Known Basic Bottles Of Bourbon, Blind Tasted And Ranked

UPROXX takes on some of the most well-known, popular, easy-to-find bottles of bourbon on the market in a bourbon throw down. Their results may surprise you.

                                                                                                                               

Limestone Branch Distillery Announces 2022 Yellowstone Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Limestone Branch Distillery Master Distiller Stephen Beam announced the upcoming release of 2022 Yellowstone Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Featuring a delicately balanced blend of 7-year, 15-year and 16-year aged bourbons hand-selected by Beam and aged in Marsala Superiore casks, the latest expression of Yellowstone Limited Edition will begin to be available in September with a suggested retail price of $99.99 per 750ml bottle.

                                                                                                                               

From Making Moonshine In Romania With Grandpa To Opening A Distillery In Utah, Eight Settlers Is All About Achieving The American Dream

Before laying eyes on each other in 1994, Radu and Katia Dugala separately left their home countries of Romania and Brazil to build a new life for themselves in Utah. As they followed in the footsteps of many of the state’s early pioneers in the 1850s, the hardworking immigrants met in Park City and married in 2005 only to achieve their American Dream by opening the Old Wagon Saloon & Grill in downtown San Jose, California, followed by the much bigger, Eight Settlers Distillery & Restaurant, a historically-rich distillery paying homage to the eight families who settled the area between Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons in the mid-1800s.

Before Eight Settlers was named, Katia was researching the history of the area. She contacted the City of Cottonwood Heights, read books, and went to the historical society, which is how she stumbled across the eight families who originally settled the Big and Little Cottonwood area.

All of Eight Settlers’ products pay tribute to their local history. For example, their Ragtown American Whiskey is named after a community in Salt Lake County in the early 1900s named Ragtown, a place where prospectors, drifters, and miners set up tents and shanties or lived in dugouts. The Butler Vodka is named after one of Cottonwood Heights’ early settlements from 1869 called Butler Bench. 

The Green Ditch Gin is named after one of the ditches dug by Mormon pioneers who had no experience with Utah’s dry climate. The pioneers developed a system of artificial irrigation and land management, allowing them to grow and prosper. Finally, the Devil’s Gate Bourbon pays tribute to the pioneers who would risk their lives traversing across Devil’s Gate, a narrow, rocky gorge, one of the most formidable and diabolical obstacles the pioneers had to cross.

Find the full story from The Salt Lake Tribune here. Visit Eight Settlers Distillery’s website here.

                                                                                                                               

Trinity River Distillery Announces The Hiring Of Brett Luchesi As Master Distiller

Trinity River Distillery® announces the hiring of its new Master Distiller, Brett Luchesi. Brett has been a part of the industry for 11 years, starting out with Ballast Point Brewing and Spirits in San Diego, CA. He has played crucial roles in distillery build outs, design, layout, process piping, recipe formulation, spirit portfolio growth, large alcohol brand acquisitions, distillery consulting, and process efficiencies. His dedication and craft have been recognized and awarded nationally and internationally. "I am thrilled to be a part of Silver Start Spirits," Luchesi states. "It's a tight knit team, they share my values in doing this the right way and making the highest quality products possible. My family and I are excited to be a part of the Fort Worth community."

Since launching in 2012 Trinity River Distillery®, with its Silver Star® brands, has been making some of the finest tasting spirits produced in the great state of Texas. Each brand is made with nature's finest rainwater collected on-site in 13,000-gallon storage tanks on-site at their iconic near-downtown Fort Worth facility that Ranch Style Beans used to call home.

The current portfolio of Silver Star® brands includes:

Award-winning Silver Star® Vodka, is 100% Gluten Free. We use the nest hand-selected Texas corn and purified Texas rainwater. Silver Star® Vodka is naturally smooth, slightly sweet, and tastes great on the rocks or used in one of your favorite cocktails.

Award-winning Silver Star® Whiskey is a traditional bourbon mash, comprised of Texas corn, rye, and barley. After distillation, the whiskey is placed into charred, single-use, American white oak barrels and laid to rest. After barrel aging, we cut to proof using purified Texas rainwater. Silver Star® Whiskey is a uniquely smooth, slightly sweet everyday drinking whiskey.

Award winning Silver Star Texas Honey® is made with Silver Star® Whiskey comprised of Texas corn, rye, and barley. We then fold in natural Texas wildflower honey and cut to proof using purified Texas rainwater. Silver Star Texas Honey® is a favorite among mixologists, chefs,and all honey lovers.

1849, Silver Star Texas Bourbon Whiskey® is made from our preferred mash of Texas grown corn, rye and barley and aged in new American white oak barrels for 3 years. The result is a balanced straight bourbon whiskey that has become a favorite of mixologists. We named it "1849" in honor of the establishment of Fort Worth, Texas by Mexican American War hero, General William Jenkins Worth. It's not only characterized by a legend and a legendary city, but it's the true spirit of the modern west.

About Trinity River Distillery:

Launching in 2012, Trinity River Distillery is the parent company for its Silver Star Brands of Vodka, Whiskey, Texas Honey Liqueur and Bourbon – all made from nature's finest rainwater. The facility resides in the historic Ranch Style Beans Plant in Fort Worth, TX and is open for tastings – which includes live entertainment and food - as well as tours and events. For more information go to www.silverstarspirits.com.

                                                                                                                               

No. 7 No More: Jack Daniel’s Former Master Distiller Has Started His Own Spirits Brand

In 2020, Jeff Arnett, master distiller for Jack Daniel’s, announced that he was leaving the whiskey giant after 12 years. At the time it was unclear exactly why he was moving on, but a year later it was revealed that he and a few partners were starting a new venture called Company Distilling. In early July, the new Townsend, Tenn. location opened its doors, so what exactly can we expect to see from Arnett’s new project?

The flagship whiskey was obviously made somewhere else given that Company is just getting up and running. And while there may be a Tennessee whiskey from the distillery in the future (it must be filtered through charcoal before barreling, aka the Lincoln County Process), this is a straight bourbon that’s finished with maple wood, referring to staves submerged in the liquid rather than a barrel finish. It’s a wheated bourbon, meaning wheat is the predominant flavoring grain instead of rye, and it’s bottled at 90 proof. If maple wood sounds familiar to Jack Daniel’s fans, Arnett used this type of barrel to finish No. 27 Gold, a higher-end whiskey from the distillery. But, as he told Bourbon and Banter, those barrels are very leaky which is why he switched to a stave finish for this new bourbon. The liquid was sourced from three states, and distilled in both column and pot stills at undisclosed locations.

Read the full story from the Robb Report here.

                                                                                                                               

Arcane Distilling Launches Flagship Whiskey, Arcane Alpha

Arcane Distilling in Brooklyn, New York has announced the launch of its flagship whiskey, Arcane Alpha.

Arcane initially launched back in 2017 with a very limited vacuum-distilled whiskey and fernet run out of a small space in Brooklyn. The brand has since relaunched under new leadership – King’s County Distilling alum Phil Morgan and beer entrepreneur and CEO Brian Thompson – with a brand new distillery in Bushwick, Brooklyn that will open to the public in early 2023.

Arcane Alpha is distilled from a triple IPA loaded with bright, citrusy hops and rested in large oak foudres to add mouthfeel, color, and flavor without overwhelming the beer notes with too much wood character. Bottled at 93 Proof (41.5% ABV), Arcane Alpha is described as having “intense aromas of Cascade and Mosaic hops, balanced by light malt notes and a mild oak finish,” and “tasting notes reflecting flavors of citrus, red berries, and baking spice.”

Arcane Alpha is available at ArcaneDistilling.com, which offers shipping to nearly 30 states, and at retail for a suggested price of $45.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

                                                                                                                               

Every Bottle Of Buffalo Trace’s Benchmark Bourbon Whiskey, Ranked

25 Smoothest Bourbon Whiskeys Of All Time According To Mashed

                                                                                                                               

Lost Lantern Spring 2022 Single Cask Collection has arrived

Spring has definitely not sprung yet at Lost Lantern headquarters up in Vermont. In fact, we got a foot and a half of snow last week and we expect more soon. The arrival of real spring in Vermont can be a little unpredictable. Not so, however, for the Lost Lantern Spring 2022 Single Cask Collection. The timing for that is much easier to predict. Our first single cask whiskey release of 2022 will take place on Wednesday, March 9th via Lostlanternwhiskey.com and Seelbachs.com, and slightly later at select retailers in Canada.

The Spring Collection includes four limited edition single casks from four celebrated distilleries: Smooth Ambler in West Virginia, Westward in Oregon, Frey Ranch Distillery in Nevada and Spirit Works in California. As an independent bottler, we believe that the Lost Lantern Spring Collection showcases American whiskey’s simultaneous embrace of tradition and innovation.

These four distilleries are continually pushing the boundaries of American whiskey and exploring new ways of making whiskey in many different forms. The Collection includes our very first whiskey from Frey Ranch, one of the only estate distilleries in the country, as well as our first single cask from Westward, one of the creators of modern American single malt. The release also includes our second Smooth Ambler West Virginia wheated bourbon cask, a follow-up cask to our totally sold-out Winter release from the distillery, and a unique sloe gin-finished rye whiskey from Spirit Works in California.

As always for our single casks, all four releases are cask-strength, non-chill-filtered, and natural color. Here are the details:

2022 Cask #1: Smooth Ambler West Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey 
195 btls | 123 Proof | SRP $80
This is the second of a pair of bourbon casks we selected from Smooth Ambler Spirits in Maxwelton, West Virginia (here’s the first one). Smooth Ambler has long been on the vanguard of sourcing and blending whiskey with transparency and integrity. They’ve also been distilling and aging their own whiskey as they forge a new whiskey tradition in West Virginia. Distilled on Smooth Ambler’s own column still in West Virginia, it was aged in a 53-gallon barrel for 5 years. The nose has notes of toasted almond, white chocolate, and cranberries. The palate is rich and spicy, with clove, black cherry and deep oak flavors. 

2022 Cask #2: Westward Oregon Single Malt Whiskey Finished in a Chardonnay Cask
272 btls | 121 Proof | SRP $130
Known for pushing the boundaries of craft spirits for almost two decades, Westward in Portland, Oregon has created a new style of American single malt built on the brewing culture of the Pacific Northwest. This single malt was made from 100% two-row malted barley grown in the Pacific Northwest. It was aged for 28 months in a new oak cask, then finished for 20 months in an Oregon Chardonnay cask. It has a structured and well-rounded palate with a big malty flavor that includes hints of white flowers, toasted pecans, and fresh pears. We’ve worked with Westward before, and they played an integral part in creating our award-winning American Vatted Malt, so we’re very excited to release our first single cask from them!

2022 Cask #3: Frey Ranch Distillery Nevada Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey
188 btls | 124 Proof | SRP $100
Frey Ranch, located in a unique farming oasis in the watershed of Lake Tahoe in northern Nevada, is where Colby and Ashley Frey have transformed their fifth-generation family farm into one of the most exciting distilleries in the country. Committed to doing things the right way, no matter how long it takes, Frey Ranch is one of the only true estate distilleries in the U.S. This cask is a 5-year-old straight bourbon whiskey made entirely from grain grown at Frey Ranch. It has spicy, earthy fruit flavors, with notes of black cherry and caramel vanilla creams. It is our first Nevada whiskey, bringing the total number of states we’ve sourced from up to 15. Not bad for less than a year and a half!

2022 Cask #4: Spirit Works California Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in a Sloe Gin Cask
207 btls | 113 Proof | SRP $100
Located in the heart of Sonoma wine country, Spirit Works is a family-run distillery built from the ground up with sustainable practices in mind. Highly awarded and respected, the distillery also has one of the very few female-led distilling teams in the United States. Most importantly, they make wonderful spirits like whiskey and gin. You may recall our first Spirit Works whiskey, which was written about in the San Francisco Chronicle and scored a 92 in Wine Enthusiast. That was a straight rye whiskey. This one’s a little more unusual. This special whiskey was made by finishing straight 2-year-old Spirit Works rye whiskey for an additional year in a cask that previously held the distillery’s sloe gin. The finish adds complex flavors of strawberry, raspberry, and juniper to the underlying spice, vanilla, and oak notes, making this whiskey similar in flavor to the iconic cocktail, the Boulevardier. This is a super cool whiskey. When we go to distilleries, we always ask them about the team’s own favorite barrels, and it often leads us in really interesting directions. That’s what happened this time.

These whiskies [are] available [now], and we can’t wait to find out what you think!

 

Courtesy of Lost Lantern.

Four Roses’ Small Batch Select expanding to more states

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Four Roses’ acclaimed addition to its Bourbon lineup expanding to more states

Non-chill filtered and 104 proof, Four Roses Small Batch Select to appear on more shelves this spring

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. – Four Roses Distillery’s “fourth rose” will become available to more Bourbon lovers this year.

Launched last year as the award-winning distillery’s first permanent product-line extension in more than a decade, Four Roses Small Batch Select had previously been available in just five states. The non-chill filtered and 104 proof Bourbon will now expand into 13 new markets.

New markets where Small Batch Select will be available in the coming months include: Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin. These will join Four Roses’ home state of Kentucky, along with New York, California, Texas and Georgia where Small Batch Select is currently available.

“I look forward to sharing this unique offering with more Bourbon drinkers

across the country,” said Brent Elliott, master distiller at Four Roses. “Small

Batch Select showcases some of our Bourbon recipes and flavors that aren’t as forward facing in the rest of our lineup of Single Barrel, Small Batch and Four Roses Bourbon.”

Named Master Distiller/Blender of the Year at the 2020 Icons of Whisky America award ceremony, Elliott is particularly proud of Small Batch Select, as it was the distillery’s first permanent product-line extension since 2006, and is the biggest addition to the storied history of the 132-year-old brand since he became master distiller in 2015. The noted international media outlet Whisky Advocate rated Small Batch Select No. 3 in its Top Whiskies of 2019 list, and it was the highest ranked Bourbon on the list. The Bourbon was also awarded Category Silver for Kentucky Bourbon at the 2020 World Whiskies Awards.

Four Roses is the only Bourbon distillery that combines two mashbills with five proprietary yeast strains to produce 10 distinct Bourbon recipes, each with its own unique characteristics. Master Distiller Elliott hand- selected and mingled six of Four Roses’ 10 Bourbon recipes, each aged a minimum of 6 years, to create Small Batch Select. It features recipes OBSV, OBSK, OBSF, OESV, OESK and OESF.

“Small Batch Select is an extension of what we do at Four Roses, and what we do well,” Elliott said. “Balancing notes of candied fruit with warmth and spice, it’s enjoyable to both casual drinkers and Bourbon connoisseurs.”

For more information on Small Batch Select, visit fourrosesbourbon.com/bourbon/small-batch-select/.

About Four Roses Distillery

Established in 1888, Four Roses is the only Bourbon distillery that combines two mashbills with five proprietary yeast strains to distill and age 10 distinct Bourbon recipes, each with its own unique flavor profile. With distilling and warehousing operations in Lawrenceburg and Cox's Creek, Kentucky, respectively, Four Roses is dedicated to producing award-winning Bourbons with smooth and mellow tastes and finishes. Four Roses is available in all 50 states. For more information, visit www.fourrosesbourbon.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Nathan Green 1870 UPDATE

Labels from the TTB Online COLA Registry

Just a quick update on the Nathan Green 1870 Premium Whiskey from Uncle Nearest. I reached out to the distillery and haven’t heard anything back yet. But I did hear from Fawn Weaver, the CEO and co-founder of Uncle Nearest, on Instagram. She was kind enough to let me know that since this is cask strength, the proof for each barrel will vary. Even though they got the label approval on January 14, according to Ms. Weaver, “it is not releasing soon. We just got our labels approved for when we do release it later this year.” She also went on to say, “What I will say is we like to drop special gifts for our whiskey family on our bday. Last year it was 1884. Who knows what it will be this year…”? Could she be hinting at a possible July release? When I informed her that I had reached out to her assistant for more information, I had to laugh at one of my favorite responses ever. “I am the only one that has that… and my lips are sealed!” Ms. Weaver replied.

So, it looks like we will have to wait for more information from Uncle Nearest about the 1870. But thank you Fawn for what information you did give us. Oh, and sorry for letting the cat out of the bag. Apparently when I posted the labels on Instagram, her social media manager reached out asking. I posted it before she had a chance to announce it internally. Umm… my bad! While we all wait, make sure you check out one of Uncle Nearest's earlier releases. Grab a bottle of 1856, 1884 or 1820 and raise a glass to Nathan "Uncle Nearest" Green (and Fawn Weaver) who made them all possible.

Until next time,

I'm Back and Nathan Green 1870

That's right bourbonites and meaders, I'm back. Sorry for the long absence but it was unavoidable. I’ve been battling some very serious health issues and I’m still not over them but I am going to try to get this place back up and running. So hopefully I will be able to regularly update the blog and keep you entertained with news from the bourbon and mead world.

If you have read any of the previous posts, you know that I really like Uncle Nearest Tennessee Whiskey. I have reviewed a couple of their expressions on here and even talked about another release (which I will review also). Well folks, I couldn’t think of a better way to kick the blog back off than to tell you that the Nearest Green Distillery is preparing to release a new expression. This distillery only release is a cask strength (114.8 proof/57.4% ABV) 15-year Tennessee Whiskey called Nathan Green 1870 Tennessee Whiskey.

Labels courtesy of the TTB Online COLA Registry

As of this post, I do not know when this release will be available at the distillery and I also don’t know of any tasting notes. But rest assured, I will do my best to find out as much as I can and whatever I find out I will post here and on social media.

Until the next time,