GSN Spirited News: August 18th 2020 Edition

Seattle, Washington’s Westland Distillery has announced the Outpost Range, a new series of whiskies to be released beginning in November and continuing through 2023. First up will be Garryana American Single Malt Whiskey, the fifth edition of the distillery’s Garryana-aged malt. The November release comes in at 50% abv and is made with peated spirit. The second release, Colere, will be released in spring 2021. It’s bottled at 50% abv and is made with Alba barley. Future Colere releases will be dedicated to distilling different varieties of barley. The final release, Solum, will use locally sourced peat.

Bacardi is mounting a renewed push into spiced rum, reintroducing its former Oakheart label in a new incarnation as Bacardi SpicedNoting that spiced rum is the only segment of the rum category to show volume growth over the past decade, Bacardi is launching Spiced ($13) nationwide this month, targeting at-home occasions and both new and existing spiced rum consumers.

Ireland’s West Cork Distillers has launched a new, limited release IPA Cask Finished Irish Whiskey in the U.S. The 40% abv whiskey is a blend of 75% grain whiskey, distilled from wheat, and 25% malt whiskey that matured for four years before blending and finishing for six months in casks that held Blacks of Kinsale’s IPA. Through M.S. Walker, West Cork Distillers IPA Cask Finished Irish Whiskey will be available across the U.S. for around $33 a 750-ml.

Kansas City, Missouri-based Boulevard Brewing has partnered with West Des Moines, Iowa-based Foundry Distilling Co. to turn Boulevard’s Unfiltered Wheat Beer into a whiskey. The result is called Midnight Ritual, a 44.5% abv malt whiskey that’s aged more than two years in charred oak barrels. The release promises to be the first in a series of partnerships between the two producers, turning more brews into limited edition whiskies. Beginning next month, Midnight Ritual will be available in very limited quantities in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska.

Phillips Distilling Company has launched Prairie Organic Sustainable Seasons, a new line of botanical and fruit flavored spirits. The 30% abv flavored vodka comes in three varieties: Grapefruit, Hibiscus, and Chamomile; Watermelon, Cucumber, and Lime; and Apple, Pear, and Ginger. Each contains 75 calories per serving and all are made with organic ingredients and without added sugar. The trio is rolling out nationwide for a suggested price of $22 a 750-ml.

Proximo has expanded 1800 Tequila with a new, luxury-priced extension, 1800 Cristalino. The 40% abv spirit is made from 100% blue agave and aged for 16 months in American and French oak before finishing for six months in Port barrels. The añejo Tequila is then filtered to remove the color imparted by the barrel. 1800 Cristalino is now rolling out in select markets across the U.S. for $65 a 750-ml.

375 Park Avenue Spirits has added Ming River Baijiu to its import portfolio, effective October 1. The importer, a division of Sazerac, will handle the brand’s sales and will also support Ming River’s marketing efforts in the U.S. Ming River is a young brand—created in 2018—from China’s oldest continuously operating distillery. The spirit is distilled from red sorghum and bottled at 45% abv. 375 Park Avenue will offer Ming River in 750-ml. and 50-ml. bottles.

Courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Review: Westland Garryana American Single Malt Whiskey

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Recently, Seattle’s Westland Distillery and San Francisco’s Anchor Distilling Company released the first in Westland’s Native Oak Series: Garryana American Single Malt Whiskey, which features a component whiskey matured in Quercus garryana, a species of white oak unique to the Pacific Northwest.

“This oak is extremely rare and it’s a unique opportunity we’ve been given to use it to make whiskey,” says Westland’s Master Distiller Matt Hofmann, who is dedicated to exploring the intersection of single malt whiskey production and Pacific Northwest terroir. “It’s a really fascinating species of oak and certainly one of the most charismatic I have ever worked with.”

In this first edition, just 2,500 bottles of Garryana will be available in limited distribution nationwide and in select overseas markets. Future editions in the Native Oak Series will be released in 2017 and beyond.

Garryana American Single Malt Whiskey (112.4 proof)
Visual: Bright yellow-gold.
Nose: Open and vista-like with a ton of high notes.  Much like a Highland Scotch, there is a slight smokiness that tops off the woodiness.  Almost like week-old campfire smoke on a fall pullover.
Taste: Sweet on the entry, this quickly cools down  into a serious and tonal whiskey with a lot of meatiness and body.  The Garryana wood has a tannic and dry cinnamon edge that hits the back of the palate and stays for minutes.  Everything is tightly bundled in flavor, whereas the nose is more of an adventure seeker.
Finish: Long with coffee bean notes and bittersweet chocolate finishing things off.
Overall: Another very fine whiskey from Westland and one that any collector should grab a bottle of soon, before they’re gone forever.  Actually, get two.  One to cellar and one to share with special friends.
GSN Rating: A

For more information go to: Westland Distillery