San Diego, California-based Cutwater Spirits, part of the Anheuser-Busch portfolio, is launching Cutwater Mezcal, its first foray into the mezcal category. The new entry is distilled from 100% Cenizo Agave. To ensure long-term sustainability of the agave supply, Cutwater will plant five baby agave plants for each plant harvested and is establishing an on-premise nursery to cultivate agave plants from seed. The first bottling of Cutwater Mezcal, released earlier this month, is a limited run available at select retailers. It’s at 45% abv and retails for $50 a 750-ml.
French import Citadelle Gin is introducing Jardin d’Été as a permanent addition to the portfolio. The new expression, whose name translates as Summer Garden, is made with the same 19 botanicals used in Citadelle’s flagship gin plus melon flesh, whole lemon, yuzu zest, and orange peel. The additions were inspired by a garden cultivated by Debbie Gabriel, wife of Citadelle founder Alexandre Gabriel, at Château de Bonbonnet, Citadelle’s base in southwest France. It is available now in the U.S., bottled at 41.5% abv and priced at $25 a 750-ml. Citadelle Gin is part of Maison Ferrand, which also produces Cognac Ferrand and Plantation Rum.
PaQui Tequila founder John Chappell has launched a new mezcal artesanal called Lejana y Sola. Made in Lachilà, Oaxaca from Espadin agave and wild Cuishe agave, Lejana y Sola retails at $60 a 750-ml. and is distributed in the New York, Florida, and California markets, with online availability reaching 40 states. The brand name translates to “Afar and Alone” and was inspired by the famous Federico Garcia Lorca poem, “Il Cancion del Jinete,” or “The Horseman’s Song.”
Prestige Beverage Group has introduced two new single malt Scotch whisky expressions from Tullibardine to the U.S. Tullibardine Artisan is a non-age-statement malt matured in ex-Bourbon barrels and bottled at 40%. It will retail for around $30 a 750-ml. The second new release is Tullibardine 12-year-old, a 40% abv whisky matured in first-fill Bourbon barrels, retailing for $45. Both whiskies will be available in 20 states across the U.S.
High West is introducing a limited edition of its Rendezvous Rye, featuring artwork from American artist Ed Mell, who’s renowned for his Western landscapes. This limited edition kicks off High West’s transition of the distillery’s flagship whiskey to a seasonal release. This first seasonal edition retails at $70 a 750-ml. and will be available nationwide by the end of May.
Courtesy of Shanken News Daily
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