Flying Tumbler Irish whiskey, has launched in the U.S. The launch kicks off in Massachusetts, with the brand reaching New York later this year. While Flying Tumbler has three expressions in its home market, the U.S. will first receive the Bird, a 43% abv whiskey blended from malt and grain whiskies matured in ex-Bourbon and ex-Oloroso Sherry casks. Flying Tumbler the Bird carries a suggested price of $43 a 750-ml. and is imported to the U.S. by MHW and distributed in Massachusetts by M.S. Walker.
Tequila Ocho has announced the first edition of Puntas, a new 50.5% abv Plata Tequila. The release is limited—only 600 cases will be available in the U.S.—and serves as a distiller’s cut release made from spirits distilled at the tail end of the heads and beginning of the hearts distillation runs. Fresh off the still, the Tequila comes in above 60% abv before being proofed down to its bottling abv. Tequila Ocho Puntas will be available in 12 markets across the U.S. for a suggested price of $60 a 750-ml.
Diageo is relaunching the super-premium Astral Tequila brand, which it gained as part of its 2020 acquisition of Davos Brands. Made from 100% Blue Weber agave, Astral, which means “of the stars,” retails at $35 a 750-ml. and is available nationally. To back the relaunch, the brand is introducing The House of Astral. Located just outside Joshua Tree National Park, one of the best-known dark sky locations in the country, The House of Astral is curated in partnership with astrologer Aliza Kelly, to “create activities guided by the cosmos,” according to the company. Astral is also giving back to its community, with its leftover agave fibers upcycled into adobe bricks to be used to construct buildings in local communities in Mexico.
Moët Hennessy-owned Ardbeg has partnered with BlockBar to create the first NFT release for the Islay single malt Scotch. Ardbeg Fon Fhòid is a 45.5% abv single malt that matured in ex-Bourbon barrels that were buried in a peat bog near the Ardbeg distillery for two years and 10 months before bottling. Only 456 NFTs, each corresponding to a bottle of Fon Fhòid, will be available for purchase on BlockBar beginning at 10am on April 19. Each NFT carries a price of 1 ETH or, roughly, $3,400. Last year, Ardbeg was at 49,000 cases in the U.S., up 15%, according to Impact Databank.
Portland, Maine-based Hardshore Distilling Co. is debuting its gins across 19 states. The portfolio includes Hardshore Original Gin ($38 a 750-ml.) and Hardshore North Oak Barrel Rested Gin ($45). A mix of five botanicals—rosemary, mint, orris root, coriander, and juniper—Hardshore is billed as a green herb-forward gin. Its Oak Barrel extension spends between three and six months in new 30-gallon American oak casks. Hardshore plans to continue adding more markets to its footprint moving forward.
The Macallan has launched Distil Your World New York, a new single malt expression created in collaboration with Michelin-starred chefs the Roca brothers, owners of El Celler de Can Roca. The Macallan Distil Your World New York (49.5% abv) is packaged in a white presentation box featuring an engraved aerial map of New York. The limited-edition release of 1,000 bottles will be available starting this month for an SRP of $4,200 for the 70-cl. bottle and $4,500 for the 75-cl. version at select The Macallan Boutiques around the world as well as select retailers.
Proximo Spirits has released Jose Cuervo Tradicional Cristalino, a first for the 100% blue agave Tequila label. The 40% abv spirit is made from a blend of three Tequilas—Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado and Añejo, both aged in American oak barrels, and Reserva de la Familia Extra Añejo, aged in French and American oak—before filtering to create a clear, aged spirit. The bulk of the blend is Tradicional’s Reposado and the Tequila is now available across the U.S. for around $35 a 750-ml.
Casa del Sol Tequila has announced 11:11 Angel’s Reserve, a new luxury Tequila from the company co-founded by actress Eva Longoria. The 40% abv Tequila is made from a blend of Añejo and Extra-Añejo Tequilas aged in French oak and XO Cognac barrels. The new Tequila carries a suggested retail price of $199 and is currently available for pre-order through the brand’s website. A national rollout is set to follow in the next few weeks.
Sonoma-based 3 Badge Beverage is expanding its Mexican spirits portfolio with Quechol Sotol. Quechol is made in small batches from indigenous Dasylirion plants sourced from the Chihuahuan desert in Durango. Unlike the agave plant, Dasylirion is closer to an evergreen plant in the asparagus family. Quechol will initially include two expressions, Wheeleri Sotol ($60, 45.5% abv) and Texanum Sotol ($60, 46.3% abv).
Information courtesy of Shanken News Daily
Like this:
Like Loading...