GSN Spirited News: August 11th 2020 Edition

Newport, Oregon-based Rogue Ales & Spirits has partnered with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto on Morimoto single malt whiskey. The new, limited edition whiskey is made from a base of Morimoto Imperial Pilsner and Morimoto Black Obi Ale, both of which are previous collaborations between Rogue and Morimoto. The two beers were distilled and then barreled in American oak casks, where they spent over two years resting in Rogue’s Ocean Aging Room by the Pacific Coast. Finally, they were finished for 1.5 years in Oregon oak barrels that previously held Rogue’s Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout. The 85 proof whiskey is available at Morimoto restaurants, Rogue pubs, and retailers across the U.S.

Disaronno International has announced The Busker, a new Irish whiskey brand, featuring four releases. The line of whiskey was distilled by County Carlow’s Royal Oak Distillery and covers all four major styles of Irish whiskey: the Busker will launch with a blended whiskey, a single grain, a single malt, and a single pot still whiskey. The Busker blend will retail for around $25 and the other expressions for around $30. In January 2019, Disaronno parent company Illva Saronno took full ownership of the Royal Oak Distillery, following the dissolution of the company’s partnership with Walsh Whiskey.

Two Brooklyn, New York-based bar professionals have teamed up with New York Distilling company to bring a new line of canned cocktails to New York and New Jersey. Social Hour, created by Julie Reiner and Tom Macy of the borough’s Clover Club, launches with three varieties: Gin and Tonic (11.5% abv, made with Perry’s Tot gin), Whiskey Mule (10.5% abv, made with Ragtime rye), and Pacific Spritz (8%, Finger Lakes-sourced rosé, grapefruit, passionfruit, sparkling water). The releases are now available in 4-packs of 250-ml. cans for $20.

Texas-based Still Austin Whiskey Co. has launched their inaugural straight Bourbon whiskey throughout the Lone Star State. The 49.2% abv whiskey is made from a mashbill of 70% corn, 25% rye, and 5% wildfire malted barley. The whiskey is aged for at least two years and is produced from Texas-grown grains malted, mashed, and distilled at the company’s grain-to-glass distillery in Austin. Still Austin Straight Bourbon whiskey is now available for around $45 a 750-ml. Still Austin also offers a limited release Bourbon and a gin distilled from Texas-grown rye.