GSN Review: Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 17-Year-Old Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Heaven Hill Distillery recently announced the release of Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 17-Year-Old Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the first edition of the new Heaven Hill Heritage Collection celebrating the distillery’s exacting maturation standards. Each spring, this annual, highly limited release will feature some of the distillery’s oldest inventory of aging whiskey.

The Collection will feature one of the six traditional American Whiskey mashbills produced by Heaven Hill. The first edition features Heaven Hill’s Bourbon mashbill comprised of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley, and bottled at a barrel proof of 118.2. With an age statement of 17 years, this release is made up of 28% 20-year-old barrels, 44% 19-year-old barrels, and 28% 17-year-old barrels pulled from Deatsville, Glencoe, Schenley, and Heaven Hill main campus warehouse locations. Each spring, the release will vary as older barrels are deemed worthy of bottling.

Heaven Hill Heritage Collection joins its more experimental counterpart, the Parker’s Heritage Collection, to form the “Heritage Collection.” The Heaven Hill offering will be released in the spring, while Parker’s will continue to be released every fall. Each Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 750ml bottle will be accompanied by a premium box in signature Heaven Hill blue with the double-H insignia stamped in gold to signify Heaven Hill. As will become a signature of the Collection, specific attributes such as warehouse site locations, production dates, mashbill percentage, and other designations will be noted prominently on the packaging. 

GSN’s Remarks: Remarkable flavors explode out of the bottle with this one. A bright, spicy, warm, and rich paquet of tradional bourbon essences express the joy of a richly aged bourbon. This is so good, that a single sip is enough to appreciate the time and skill that went into this lovely spirit. A generous serving of terroir is apparent, with summer heat, aging wood and venerable spirit all reflecting the place of origin. You can never go wrong with Heaven Hill offerings, but this one goes the extra mile with intense, yet well balanced flavors. Without getting into all of the usual flavor notes, let’s just say that this release is a treasure. GSN Rating: A++

For more information go to: Heaven Hill Distillery

#HeavenHillHeritageCollection

GSN Spirited News: March 8th 2022 Edition

Brown-Forman has released the 2022 edition of Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby bottle, with art from artist Jaime Corum. This year’s bottle features Corum’s painting “Dreams in Bloom” of three thoroughbreds racing. The 1-liter bottle retails for $50 and is available across the U.S. In addition to the yearly bottling, Woodford has teamed up with Williams-Sonoma to release the Woodford Spire cocktail mixer, made with cranberry and lemon. The mixer joins Woodford’s other Williams-Sonoma mixers like the Mint Julep and Whiskey Sour.

El Luchador Tequila has relaunched with a full portfolio of aged and unaged bottlings. The brand will now include four expressions: Blanco ($40), Reposado ($45), and Añejo ($50), all bottled at 40% abv, and a 55% abv Distill-Proof Blanco ($50). All four bottles feature a Luchador’s face on the label—a masked Mexican professional wrestler—with different background colors (green, silver, red, and red and green, respectively). An extra-Añejo is expected to join the range down the road.

Hendrick’s has unveiled a new limited edition gin, Neptunia. Retailing at $40 a 750-ml., the newcomer is bottled at 43.4% abv. Part of master distiller Lesley Gracie’s Cabinet of Curiosities, the new expression uses a blend of Scottish coastal botanicals—Hendrick’s distillery is located two miles from the sea in Girvan, Scotland—and has a sea foam green label.

Monfleurie Cognac Grand Champagne has launched a new ultra-luxury offering. The Cognac, bottled from two barrels of eau-de-vie that have matured since 1960 blended with select spirits from the Maison Boinaud cellars, is bottled at 40.6% abv and doesn’t contain any added coloring or flavoring. While Monfleurie L’Orchidee is blended with multiple Maison Boinaud Grande Champagne eau-de-vies, over two-thirds of the bottling come from the 1960 vintage barrels. Monfleurie L’Orchidee is available through the brand’s website for $2,900 a 750-ml. or $395 a 100-ml.

Baltimore-based Sagamore Spirit is debuting a new Rum Cask Finish rye whiskey. First offered exclusively at its Baltimore distillery in 2019, a new version of Rum Cask Finish is now making its way to shelves nationwide. For this year’s release, Sagamore Spirit took a blend of its 5- and 6-year-old straight rye whiskies, placing some in hand-selected South American barrels, and the rest in Jamaican barrels, aging both for an additional 10 months. The 98-proof Rum Cask Finish will be on shelves for a suggested retail price of $79.

Diageo has expanded Bulleit’s frontiers, adding new ready-to-serve cocktails for both the brand’s Bourbon and rye whiskies. The cocktails—a rye-based Manhattan and a Bourbon-based Old Fashioned—are bottled at 37.5% abv and come in both 375-ml. and 750-ml. bottles. The new permanent additions to the brand’s portfolio are now available across the U.S. where the 750-ml. bottle carries a suggested price of $30.

Bardstown, Kentucky’s Heaven Hill has kicked off its new Heritage Collection with a 17-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon. The whiskey, bottled at 59.1% abv, is made from Heaven Hill’s 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley mash bill, and blended from 28% 20-year-old barrels, 44% 19-year-old barrels, and 28% 17-year-old barrels. The Heritage Collection 17-Year-Old Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey will be available in limited quantities across the U.S. for around $275 a bottle.

Brown-Forman’s Slane Irish Whiskey has announced a new limited-edition bottling, set to hit shelves across America this month. Slane Special Edition is a 45% abv blend that takes the brand’s original triple-cask whiskey and tweaks it, introducing a greater portion of whiskies matured in new oak, alongside the usual used whiskey and Oloroso Sherry casks. The whiskey and its abv are a nod to Slane Castle’s 40-year history as a concert venue and the 45 RPM record. Slane Special Edition carries a suggested retail price of $37 a 750-ml.

Nashville, Tennessee-based Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery, part of Constellation Brands, is launching Nelson Brothers, a new line of whiskey. Nelson Brothers will debut with two releases in Nelson Brothers Classic Bourbon and Nelson Brothers Reserve Bourbon. The former is a straight Bourbon blend, bottled at 46.6% abv, that will launch this spring priced at $37 a 750-ml. while the latter is at 53.9% abv and will be available nationally this month for $60 a bottle. The Nelson Brothers label will serve as the distillery’s premium brand going forward alongside flagship brand Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey.

Teeling Irish Whiskey, part of the Bacardi USA portfolio, has announced Wonders of Wood Single Pot Still Chinkapin Oak Whiskey. The release is distilled from 50% malted and 50% unmalted barley, matured entirely in new Chinkapin American White Oak barrels, and was bottled at 50% abv. The Wonders of Wood releases see Teeling experiment with more unique varieties of wood, pushing Irish whiskey into new frontiers. Roughly 6,700 bottles of Teeling’s new whiskey will be available in the U.S. beginning in June and July for $99 a bottle.

Global Brand Equities has launched Sunny Vodka, partnering with Shaw-Ross International and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. Created by influencers Stas Karanikolaou and Zack Bia, the 40% abv vodka is distilled from corn in Charleston, South Carolina before filtering through California limestone. The new vodka carries a suggested price of $25 a a 750-ml. and is available in retailers like BevMo and Wally’s as well as through the e-commerce app Gopuff. The launch is kicking off with California, Las Vegas, Florida, and New York.

Heaven Hill has announced the spring 2022 bottling of Old Fitzgerald Bottled In Bond. This season’s release is a 17-year-old Bourbon distilled in 2004 and bottled at 50% abv. The barrels for this wheater were selected from three different floors of Heaven Hill’s rickhouse V. This spring’s release is available in limited quantities across the U.S. for a suggested price of $185 a 750-ml.

Information courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Spirited News: August 17th 2021 Edition

Heaven Hill has introduced the 2021 limited edition release of Parker’s Heritage Collection 11-Year-Old Heavy Char Wheat Whiskey. The 15th edition in the series, it will ship nationally beginning in September at an SRP of $140. The heavy char allowed Heaven Hill’s traditional Wheat Whiskey mashbill of 51% wheat, 37% corn, and 12% malted barley to interact more with the oak. Bottled at 122 proof and non-chill filtered, the whiskey showcases the broad range of Heaven Hill Distillery’s 1.9 million barrels of aging inventory, according to the company, which will contribute a portion of the proceeds from each bottle sold to the ALS Association.

Beam Suntory has announced the fifth release in the Little Book series of limited edition whiskies. The new edition is called “The Invitation” and blended from 2-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon, 3-year-old malted rye whiskey, 5-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon, and 15-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Little Book Chapter 5 is bottled at 58.4% abv and is rolling out now in limited quantities across the U.S. with a suggested price of $125 a 750-ml.

Fort Worth, Texas-based Oak & Eden has released Rye & Rumba, the distillery’s summer-seasonal whiskey. The 45% abv whiskey takes Oak & Eden’s original rye and finishes it in the bottle with a rum soaked oak stave. Rye & Rumba was originally released in 2019 and fan demand caused the distillery to bring it back as a limited time offering. The whiskey is now available on Oak & Eden’s website for $60 a 750-ml. and throughout the company’s 22-state distribution footprint.

Palm Bay International is launching Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin Sardinian Citrus, a new extension to the Drumshanbo brand. Retailing at $37 a 750-ml., the newcomer is made with rare fruit Citrus monstruosa, or “Sa pompia,” as it is known in Sardinia, where it grows only in the Sinsicola region of the island. The new gin is intended to be served over ice with premium tonic and a generous amount of fresh red grapefruit, or in a long summer cocktail. It will debut nationally in September/October. 

Corralejo Tequila, part of the Infinium Spirits portfolio, is launching a limited edition Extra Añejo Tequila in conjunction with the brand’s 25th anniversary. Aged five years in whiskey barrels from fellow Infinium brand Templeton Rye, the 40% abv Extra Añejo is debuting in a supply of 1,600 bottles retailing at $350 each. Corralejo Tequila is produced at Hacienda Corralejo in Guanajuato, Mexico. The brand’s core range includes Corralejo Silver ($30), Corralejo Reposado ($34), Corralejo Añejo ($40), and Corralejo 1821 Extra Añejo ($130).

Belize’s Copal Tree Distillery has launched Copalli Cacao in the U.S. The spirit begins as Copalli’s white rum, which is then rested on locally grown cacao nibs before the infusion is distilled and proofed down to 40% abv for bottling. Copalli Cacao is now available in the U.S. for a suggested price of $31 a 750-ml. It joins Copalli White Rum and Barrel Rested Rum in the brand’s portfolio.

Information courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Brews News: August 17th 2021 Edition

Atomic Brands will launch the latest extension to Monaco Cocktails later this month. The new cocktail—a Mai Tai—comes in at 9% abv and is made with light and dark rum, plus orange curaçao. It will be part of Monaco’s Craft Cocktail line, alongside the company’s Kentucky and Moscow Mules. Monaco’s Mai Tai will hit store shelves nationwide on August 30, retailing for around $2.50 or $3 per 12-ounce can. 

Boston Beer is partnering with PepsiCo to launch Hard Mtn Dew, a new flavored malt beverage. Boston Beer will develop and produce new the soda brand offshoot and PepsiCo has set up a new entity to sell, deliver, and merchandise the product, which is expected to hit shelves early next year. The move follows Boston Beer’s recently announced alliance with Beam Suntory, which will expand Boston Beer’s Truly Hard Seltzer into bottled spirits, and Beam Suntory’s Sauza Tequila brand into additional RTD formats.

Kombrewcha Hard Kombucha and Los Angeles-based Golden Road Brewing have collaborated on a new product, Passion Fruit Hard Kombucha. The gluten-free, organic beverage is brewed to 6% abv through natural fermentation. Passion Fruit Hard Kombucha is now available in 12-ounce can 6-packs at select retailers throughout California.

Heineken has announced Comb & Hive, a new mead, set to hit shelves in test markets for Labor Day. The 6.9% abv lightly sparkling wine is made from wildflower honey and sugar, with added orange blossom. The drink will be available individually and in 4-packs of 12-ounce cans, with each can containing 150 calories and two grams of sugar. Heineken will test the new brand in Denver, Colorado and Nashville, Tennessee.

Heaven Hill has announced Hpnotiq Freeze Pops, a new RTD extension for the French liqueur. The pops come in at 6% abv and are rolling out now in Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, and Florida. Hpnotiq Freeze Pops come in boxes of ten for a suggested price of $20.

Cutwater Spirits has debuted two new regionally inspired canned cocktails. First up is Orange Smash, a blend of Cutwater’s vodka and orange soda. It’s at 7% abv and is available in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Delaware, and Washington D.C. The second new release is called Huckleberry Spritz and is aimed at the western U.S. The cocktail is also at 7% abv and is available in Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Colorado. Additionally, Huckleberry Spritz can be shipped to Wyoming, Oregon, and Utah.

Baltimore, Maryland’s Sagamore Spirit has entered the canned cocktail market with three new rye-based drinks. Sagamore’s Black-Eyed Rye comes in at 9% abv and is made with blackberry and lime juices and added ginger flavor. The distillery’s Honey Paloma is also at 9% abv and blends rye with grapefruit and lime juices, agave, and honey. Sagamore has also released Lemon Tea Fizz, an 8% abv cocktail that pairs whiskey with green tea, yuzu, and Meyer lemon juice. All three RTDs are made with four-year-old rye whiskey and retail for around $16 a 4-pack of 12-ounce cans. Sagamore Spirit’s canned cocktails are now available in Maryland, Washington D.C., and New Jersey with a national rollout planned for 2022.

California-based Stone Brewing has added a new hazy IPA to its portfolio of craft beers. Stone Hazy IPA comes in at 6.7% abv and is made primarily with El Dorado and Azacca hops with some additional Sabro hops adding more tropical flavors, according to the brewery. The beer was first brewed at Stone’s Liberty Station taproom in San Diego before it entered the brewery’s core portfolio. Stone Hazy IPA is now available across the U.S. in 6-packs of 12-ounce cans and on draft.

Information courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Spirited News: June 15th 2021 Edition

Armagnac house Château de Laubade has collaborated with Kentucky’s Bardstown Bourbon Company to create the Traveling Barrel, a limited-release eau de vie de vin d’Armagnac finished in a Bourbon barrel. The 48.4% abv spirit is made from two barrels of 8-year-old Armagnac (one distilled from Ugni Blanc and one from Baco) that spent eight months finishing in a Gascony oak barrel used to mature a Bardstown Bourbon whiskey. Only 698 bottles of Château de Laubade the Traveling Barrel will be available in select retailers in New York, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., Massachusetts, Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky, California, and Washington state.

Seattle-based Westland Distillery has unveiled Westland American Single Malt Whiskey, its new flagship label, which will replace the previous core trio of Westland American Oak, Sherry Wood and Peated. Those expressions will be discontinued, though they will remain on retail shelves until supplies are depleted. Westland American Single Malt ($60 a 750-ml.) was distilled from six different types of barley and matured in five different cask types for 40 months on Washington’s Olympic peninsula. Going forward, Westland’s range will include the new flagship label and the annual releases from its Outpost Collection, comprised of Garryana ($150), Colere ($150), and Solum, whose first release is slated for 2023.

Campari America has added a new high-end rum to the Appleton Estate family. The new expression, Appleton Estate 15-year-old Black River Casks, is rolling out now and will be available nationally. The 43% abv rum was created by master blender Joy Spence, who is currently celebrating her 40th anniversary with Appleton, and takes its name from the Jamaican river used to proof Appleton’s rums. The 15-year-old rum retails for around $65 a 750-ml. In addition, Spence and Appleton have also relaunched the brand’s 21-year-old rum ($150) with a new bottle and flavor profile to retailers across the U.S.

The distilleries of Bardstown, Kentucky, including Heaven Hill, the James B. Beam Distilling Co., Bardstown Bourbon Company, Preservation, and Log Still have come together to celebrate their shared history, with each distillery contributing whiskey to a new limited-edition line of Bourbon whiskies. Beginning in September, the new whiskies—all sharing the same bottle design and housed in a gold-embossed navy blue box—will roll out to the distilleries’ on-site tasting rooms. The release dates will be spaced to allow collectors to make trips to each distillery and complete the set.

Diageo has added a new 8-year-old Bourbon whiskey to the George Dickel family. The 45% abv whiskey was created by Cascade Hollow distiller and general manager Nicole Austin, who selected barrels of whiskey that showed more traditional Bourbon notes, distinct from Dickel’s Tennessee whiskey offerings. George Dickel 8-Year-Old Bourbon is now rolling out in select markets across the U.S. for a suggested price of $33 a 750-ml.

Intrepid Spirits’ Mad March Hare Poitin has received a new bottle design. Inspired by Celtic art and mythology, the new design links Mad March Hare with the long history of poitin, which has been made in Ireland since the sixth century. Retailing at $30 a 750-ml., Mad March Hare is at 40% abv, with the new look hitting the market now.

Courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Spirited News: May 11th 2021 Edition

Covered Bridges Whiskey Co. is launching Ruddell’s Mill Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Named for the Ruddell’s Mill Covered Bridge, erected in 1861 over Bourbon County’s Stoner Creek, the new entry retails at $60 and is non-chill filtered and bottled at 46.1% abv.

San Francisco, California’s Hotaling & Co. has brought Severo, a new luxury priced Tequila, to the U.S. The Tequila, made by the team behind Tequila Don Roberto, comes in four expressions—Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and Cristalino—all bottled at 40% and priced from $50 to $80. The Severo portfolio is now available in California and New Jersey, with Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Texas coming soon, ahead of a full national push.

Purcellville, Virginia’s Catoctin Creek Distilling Co. has announced the May 28 release of Ragnarök Rye, the distillery’s collaboration with metal band Gwar. The 46% abv whiskey was first matured in new charred American oak barrels before finishing in cherrywood and sugar maple. Each bottle of Ragnarök is topped with a cast metal stopper featuring one of the five members of Gwar. The limited release will retail for $99 a 750-ml. and will be available in Catoctin Creek’s U.S. distribution footprint, which covers 29 markets.

Heaven Hill is releasing Square 6 Kentucky Straight Bourbon. The new brand was produced at the distillery within the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in Louisville and its name is a reference to the original plot of land where Williams built Kentucky’s first commercial distillery in 1783. The first Square 6 expression is High Rye Bourbon with a mashbill of 52% corn, 35% rye, and 13% malted barley. It was distilled one barrel per day in the distillery’s copper pot still, aged five years, and bottled at 95 proof. Square 6 is a limited release, available at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience and at select Kentucky retailers for $90 a 750-ml.

Bombay Sapphire is launching Bombay Bramble, a new gin featuring berry flavors. It’s the brand’s first new release since Bombay Sapphire East in 2011. Bombay Bramble features real fruit infusion and is a crimson red color, with the flavor of blackberries and raspberries without concentrates, additional sugars, or additives. It’s at 43% abv and comes out this month, with wide availability by June, retailing for $23 a 750-ml. 

Diageo has announced George Dickel Bottled in Bond Spring 2007 Vintage, the latest annual release in the brand’s series of limited edition bonded whiskies. This third whiskey in the series is a 13-year-old Bourbon and is now rolling out in select markets across the U.S., retailing at $45 a 750-ml. The Fall 2005 vintage release was named Whisky Advocate’s Whisky of the Year in 2019.

Courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Spirited News: September 15th 2020 Edition

Evanston, Illinois-based Few Spirits has launched Immortal rye, a new whiskey proofed down to bottling strength with tea. The 46.5% abv whiskey is made by blending cask strength Few rye with 8 Immortals tea from Denver’s the Tea Spot. The whiskey does not contain added sugar or other additives. The whiskey’s label art showcases a dragon print that was shown at the 1893 World’s Fair. The initial release is limited—only 6,000 bottles—and is rolling out now across the U.S. for around $45 a 750-ml.

Japanese whisky maker Nikka is releasing a pair of new whiskies finished in apple brandy barrels in an homage to the company’s origins producing apple juice and other apple products before launching the first Nikka whisky in 1940. The first release is Yoichi Single Malt Whisky Finished in Apple Brandy Barrels, produced at Nikka’s founding distillery on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. The second is Miyagikyo Single Malt Whisky Finished in Apple Brandy Barrels, produced in Sendai, Japan. Both are at 40% abv and retail for $250 a 750-ml. Imported by San Francisco-based Hotaling & Co., they will be distributed in California, New York, Texas, Illinois, Massachusetts, Florida, Colorado, Washington, and Tennessee.

Benriach single malt Scotch whisky, part of the Brown-Forman portfolio, has revamped its core lineup and unveiled two new expressions. The newcomers include Smoky Ten and Smoky Twelve whiskies, retailing at $60 and $65 a 750-ml., respectively. Those offerings join the Original Ten ($54) and Original Twelve ($60) in the range, which has been repackaged and will be hitting the market in its new incarnation next month. Benriach will follow with Twenty-One, Twenty-Five, and Thirty-Year-Old single malts in the U.S. next year.

Heaven Hill has announced the 2020 iteration of Parker’s Heritage. This year’s whiskey is a 10-year-old Bourbon matured in heavily charred barrels. The spirit was distilled from a mash of 72% corn, 12% malted barley, and 10% rye, and aged in level 5 char barrels, as opposed to Heaven Hill’s typical level 3 char barrels. The whiskey is bottled at 60% abv and is rolling out now in limited quantities across the U.S. for around $120 a 750-ml. A portion of the proceeds from each bottle goes to fund research and patient care for those diagnosed with ALS.

Tequila Partida has debuted Roble Fino, a line of luxury sipping Tequilas. The new range includes a Reposado ($100 a 750-ml.), aged for a minimum of 6 months in ex-Bourbon barrels and then aged for two more months in ex-single malt, Sherry-seasoned casks; a Reposado Cristalino ($115), finished in ex-single malt, Sherry-seasoned casks; and an Añejo ($125), aged for 18 months in ex-Bourbon barrels, then finished for five more months in ex-single malt, Sherry-seasoned casks. All three Tequilas are now rolling out in New York, California, Florida, Illinois, and Texas, with additional markets to follow.

Beam Suntory has launched this year’s version of Basil Hayden’s 10-Year-Old Bourbon. The 40% abv whiskey is made from the company’s high-rye mashbill. It serves as the higher-end limited release for the brand and sits alongside the flagship Basil Hayden’s Bourbon, Basil Hayden’s Dark Rye, and other limited releases like 10-year-old rye, and Caribbean Reserve Rye. Basil Hayden’s 10-year-old is now available across the U.S. for around $70 a 750-ml.

Diageo has released Captain Morgan Sliced Apple, the latest flavored offshoot for the spiced rum brand. The 35% abv rum is made from the original spiced rum with added ginger and apple flavoring. Captain Morgan Sliced Apple is now available across the U.S. for around $16 a 750-ml.

San Francisco, California-based Gold Bar Spirits Co. has launched Rickhouse Cask Strength Straight Bourbon. The whiskey is distilled from a mash of 80% corn and 20% rye and is bottled at 51.5% abv. With this new release, Gold Bar continues its partnership with the San Francisco 49ers, with Rickhouse named the official whiskey of the team’s Faithful to the Bay campaign. Rickhouse is now available in major retailers across the U.S. and on the company’s website for around $35 a 750-ml.

Minnetonka, Minnesota’s Dashfire has announced a new line of hard coffees, set to launch throughout the state at the end of the month. The 14% abv RTDs will come in three flavors—Rum Café Mocha, Rum Golden Latte, and Bourbon Cold Brew—and all will be available in individual 200-ml. cans. Southern Glazer’s will distribute Dashfire’s hard coffees in Minnesota and the company is planning for a wider release through Vision Wine & Spirits in the future.

Moët Hennessy-owned Belvedere has long looked to differentiate itself by bringing the concept of terroir to the vodka category. Now the brand is introducing its new Heritage 176 expression and a “Made With Nature” platform, highlighting its Polish origins and craftsmanship. Heritage 176 is rolling out across 20 U.S. markets, retailing at $35 a 750-ml. The new offering nods to the 19th century practice of malting rye by kiln-heating—which Belvedere says unlocks distinctive flavors in the resulting liquid—with its distillers applying fire to malt the rye before distillation. It’s intended to be served over ice with a lemon twist.

William Grant & Sons’ Hudson Whiskey has rebranded with more mature offerings and a new, more accessible price point. The distillery’s Baby Bourbon is now Bright Lights, Big Bourbon, a 46% abv whiskey retailing at $40 a 750-ml. Manhattan Rye has relaunched as Do the Rye Thing, also bottled at 46% abv and retailing for $40. The company’s Maple Cask Rye, a whiskey finished in maple syrup barrels, has rebranded as Short Stack and will retail at around $55. The company also has launched Back Room Deal, a new rye whiskey finished in barrels used to age peated Scotch, which will retail at around $55 a 750-ml.

Courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Spirited News: September 8th 2020 Edition

Disaronno International is launching a nitro cold brew coffee cocktail under its Tia Maria brand. Officially dubbed Iced Coffee Frappé, it will be the first ready-to-drink offshoot for the coffee liqueur. It is at 4% abv and is made with Arabica coffee and cream, using nitro technology that deploys upon opening to create frappé foam. The company brought in Dutch street artist Karski to collaborate on the packaging. Tia Maria Iced Coffee Frappé will be available nationwide beginning in mid-September, retailing for $11 a 4-pack of 12-ounce cans.

Heaven Hill has announced the latest release in its Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond series, a 14-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon. The whiskey was distilled in the fall of 2005 and, like all bonded whiskies, is bottled at 50% abv. The fall 2020 edition of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond is the first 14-year-old whiskey from the series to be sold outside of Kentucky and follows the spring 2020 launch of a 9-year-old whiskey. This is the sixth release in the biannual series. It’s available across the U.S. in limited quantities for a suggested price of $140 a 750-ml.

Austin Cocktails has launched a selection of its bottled spirits-based RTDs in cans. The canned releases bring three of the company’s most popular bottled offerings—Cucumber Vodka Sparkling Mojito, Fred’s Ruby Red Sparkling Grapefruit Cocktail, and Bergamot Orange Sparkling Margarita—to a more portable format. The 12.5% abv drinks come in two-serving 8.4-ounce cans. According to Austin Cocktails, the company is doubling production capacity after selling through its entire initial run. Austin Cocktails are now available in 4-packs for around $15 in 14 states across the U.S.

Bozal mezcal has introduced Madrecuishe, a new single maguey expression. The new mezcal is sourced from San Luis Amatlán in Oaxaca, and is bottled at 46% abv. Billed as a sipping mezcal, Madrecuishe is retail priced at $80 a 750-ml. and is currently rolling out nationwide. The Bozal mezcal lineup is part of the portfolio of Sonoma-based négociant 3 Badge Beverage Corp. and includes a variety of expressions, among them Espadín, Barril, and Tobalá.

Ron Colón Salvadoreño has aligned with Preiss Imports for U.S. distribution. The high-proof rum from El Salvador was launched early this year by industry veterans Pepijn Janssens and Thurman Wise. Preiss plans to roll the brand out across 30 states. Ron Colón’s range includes a 111-proof Dark Aged Rum retailing at $42 a 750-ml. and a 111-proof Cold Coffee Infused Rum retailing at $44. An 81-proof Cold Coffee Infused Rum ($32) will follow in November.

Louisville, Kentucky’s Rabbit Hole, part of the Pernod Ricard portfolio, has announced the first release in a new Founder’s Collection, dedicated to special bottlings from the distillery. In October, Rabbit Hole will launch Boxergrail Founder’s Collection Kentucky Straight rye, a cask strength, limited release pulled from some of the first whiskies distilled by Rabbit Hole. The 57.3% abv rye aged for six years and was assembled from seven barrels. The limited release of only 1,315 bottles will be available across the U.S. in select stores for around $195 a 750-ml.

Courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Spirited News: July 21st 2020 Edition

Tennessee’s Ole Smoky Distillery has launched a new line of canned cocktails, entering the market with four flavors. The 9% abv cocktails are available in Apple Pie Ginger, Blackberry Lemonade, Mountain ‘Rita, and Mountain Mule, and all are based on cocktails served at the distillery’s tasting room. Ole Smoky’s canned cocktails are now available throughout Tennessee in 4-packs of 12-ounce cans.

Booker’s Bourbon, part of the Beam Suntory portfolio, has released its latest small-batch offering. Booker’s Boston Batch is named after the production site in Boston, Kentucky—now known as Booker Noe Distillery—where master distiller Booker Noe got his start in the industry. Retailing at $90 a 750-ml., the 126.5 proof Bourbon was aged for six years and three months and is rolling out nationally in small quantities.

Fallon, Nevada-based Frey Ranch Distillery is releasing the inaugural edition of its Straight Rye Whiskey. The expression has a mash bill of 100% winter cereal rye and is bottled-in-bond, meaning that, among other specifics, it has aged a minimum of four years and was bottled at 50% abv. Two batches are being released, with the first comprising 3,000 750-ml. bottles and the second only 2,400. Available now in Nevada, Frey Ranch Straight Rye Whiskey retails at $60 a 750-ml.

Dallas, Texas’ Scout & Cellar has launched Mixable, a new wine-based spirit alternative aimed at consumers looking for a lower alcohol alternative to traditional liquors. Mixable is made from a blend of fermented grape wine—based on white- and rosé-friendly varietals—with distilled neutral grape wine and comes in at roughly 20% abv. At its launch, the company recommends substituting Mixable in a Moscow Mule or a Paloma.

Middleburg, Virginia-based Colony Cocktails has launched with three signature cocktails: The Biarritz, The Tangier, and The Charleston. Inspired by a French 75, the Biarritz features lemon flavors and botanical notes similar to those found in gin. The Tangier, meanwhile, has elements of rosemary, cardamom, and grapefruit in its mix. Lastly, The Charleston includes lemongrass flavors with lemon undertones. All three cocktails are canned at 10%-11.5% abv, and are made with all-natural ingredients. Colony Cocktails are currently sold in five markets within Virginia, retailing at $17 a 4-pack of 12-ounce cocktails.

Lebanon, Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery has debuted the 2020 release of its Yellowstone Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon. The new whiskey is aged for seven years, then finished in French Armagnac barrels, and will retail at $100 a 750-ml when it hits shelves in September. Around 5,000 cases of the 101-proof Yellowstone Limited Edition Bourbon are being produced.

Impex Beverage has announced the U.S. launch of Milk & Honey Distillery’s spirits line, Israel’s first whisky distillery. The rollout includes three M&H labels—Classic Single Malt, Elements Sherry, and Levantine gin—and follows last year’s limited release of Milk & Honey Whisky In Bloom. All three spirits are bottled at 46% abv, with the Classic Single Malt matured in ex-Bourbon and ex-red wine casks, and Elements Sherry aging in ex-Bourbon, ex-Oloroso, and ex-PX Sherry casks.

Heaven Hill has announced a packaging refresh and ad campaign for Pama Pomegranate Liqueur. The new packaging modernizes the brand and replaces the old logo—a full pomegranate tree—with a closeup of pomegranates hanging from tree branches. The brand’s new campaign, Just Add Pama, will run in digital and social channels—plus point-of-sale material—and includes an updated brand website featuring cocktail ideas.

Courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Spirited News: April 28th 2020 Edition

Newport, Oregon’s Rogue Ales and Spirits has expanded distribution of its line of canned cocktails, bringing four RTDs to markets across the U.S. In addition to the national push, Rogue has launched a new flavor—Grapefruit Vodka Soda—and added a variety 8-pack featuring two cans of each flavor. Rogue’s full line of canned cocktails, including Ginger Lime Vodka Mule, Cranberry Elderflower Vodka Soda, and Cucumber Lime Gin Fizz are rolling out now nationally in 4-packs of 12-ounce cans plus the variety pack.

Proximo Spirits has announced a new, aged extension to the Jose Cuervo Tradicional family, the 100% blue agave Tequila extension of the U.S. market’s largest Tequila brand. The 40% abv spirit first matured for 12 months in new American oak before finishing for up to four months in barrels used to age Bushmills’ single malt whiskey. Jose Cuervo Tradicional Añejo is now available across the U.S. for around $33 a 750-ml. Last year, Jose Cuervo Tradicional crossed 200,000 cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank.

Infinium Spirits has taken Los Arango Tequila nationwide, increasing production to meet newfound demand. The brand consists of a blanco, reposado, and añejo—all bottled at 40% abv—and is named for Pancho Villa (whose given name was José Doroteo Arango). The spirits are produced in Guanajuato, Mexico and the brand was revived in 2018.

Appleton Estate, part of the Campari portfolio, is adding an 8-year-old Reserve offering to its range. The newcomer is at 43% abv and is rolling out nationwide this spring, retailing at $29 a 750-ml. The launch of Appleton Estate 8-year-old Reserve coincides with a new look across the Appleton range. The makeover includes a sleeker bottle shape, a new cork closure, and a new label incorporating details on the production process, the Appleton insignia, and master blender Joy Spence’s signature.

Louisville, Kentucky’s Rabbit Hole has extended its lineup with Bespoke gin. The new spirit is a London Dry gin finished for nine to 12 months in Rabbit Hole’s Boxergrail rye whiskey barrels. The gin itself is made with angelica, coriander, juniper, lemon peel, licorice, orange peel and orris root, and bottled at 44.5% abv. Rabbit Hole Bespoke gin is now available for $50 a 750-ml. The company, part of the Pernod Ricard portfolio, is now making a push toward national distribution in the U.S.

While the backbone of the brand is Bourbon, Heaven Hill has recently expanded the family by adding a new rye whiskey. The $30 release initially launched in Oregon, Georgia, and North and South Carolina and is expanding from there. Elijah Craig Rye comes in at 47% abv and joins other Heaven Hill ryes including the high-end Pikesville Rye (55% abv) and the more accessibly priced Rittenhouse Rye (50% abv).

Courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Backbar Review: April 28-May 2, 2014

Heaven Hill Distilleries’ Burnett’s vodka brand has released a new trio of flavored entries. Rolling out nationwide next month, Burnett’s Ruby Red Grapefruit, Mango Pineapple and Red Berry will be available in 1.75-liter, 1-liter, 750-ml. and 50-ml. formats, priced at around $10.99 a 750-ml. The three additions bring the Burnett’s flavored vodka range to a total of 37 entries.

Stoli Group USA is looking to boost its namesake vodka brand with a campaign centered on the Moscow Mule cocktail, which includes vodka, ginger beer and lime served in a copper mug. In line with the effort, Stoli has created its own branded ginger beer, which is rolling out to both the on- and off-premise in four-packs that will retail at $5.99.

Washington, D.C.-based One Eight Distilling is slated to make its debut this summer with the launch of a new craft spirits collection. The distillery’s initial offerings will include Rock Creek White Whiskey, Ivy City Gin and District Made Vodka, all of which are handcrafted using locally-sourced rye. The trio will be available both on- and off-premise throughout the city’s metro area. One Eight, which is named for Article One, Section Eight of the Constitution, bills itself as the second distillery to open in Washington, D.C. since Prohibition.

William Grant & Sons has launched Ancho Reyes—a Mexican ancho chile liqueur—in select U.S. markets. Produced by Licorera Ancho Reyes y Cia., Ancho Reyes is based on a traditional 1920s recipe and made using hand-selected ancho chiles. The 40%-abv liqueur, which features dried chile, cinnamon, cacao and tamarind notes, among other flavors, can be consumed neat or in cocktails. Retailing for around $32.99 a 750-ml., Ancho Reyes is currently available both on- and off-premise across California, Nevada, Texas, New York, Florida, Wisconsin, Colorado and Washington.

Heaven Hill has expanded availability Lunazul Tequila’s Primero expression nationwide. A 100%-agave añejo Tequila, Lunazul Primero is aged for 18 months and then filtered eight times, resulting in a clear color. The 40%-abv offering retails for around $24.99 a 750-ml. Along with Primero, the accessibly-priced, 100%-agave Lunazul range also features Blanco, Reposado and Añejo entries, priced at between $20-$22 a 750-ml.

All information courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN: Backbar Review – August 26-30, 2013

Cambridge, Vermont-based Boyden Valley Winery and Spirits has introduced its new Vermont Ice Apple and Maple Crème liqueurs. They’re available at select retail stores in New England or on the company’s website, with expanded distribution across the country slated for September. Vermont Ice Maple Crème Liqueur is priced at $27.99 a 750-ml., while the Ice Apple Crème Liqueur is $29.99. Distilled in small batches, the liqueurs are created using apple brandy made from local apples—including Northern Spy, Macintosh and Empire varieties—blended with the company’s own Ice Cider for the Ice Apple liqueur and estate-made maple syrup for the Maple Crème liqueur. Boyden, which claims to be the first craft distiller in the country to focus on cream liqueurs, also produces a number of red, white and fruit wines.

Heaven Hill Distilleries has unveiled the sixth edition of its limited edition Parker’s Heritage Collection. This year’s Bourbon, set to be released in September, will include select barrels of 11-year-old Heaven Hill rye-based Bourbons mixed with select barrels of the wheated mashbill that Heaven Hill uses for the Old Fitzgerald line (which is also aged for 11 years), bottled at cask strength. Only 7,500 bottles have been produced for national and international distribution, priced at $80 a 750-ml. This year’s release will feature three “dumps,” with each featuring a different barrel proof—the first will be 65.8% abv. The annual Parker’s Heritage Collection is meant to honor 6th generation master distiller Parker Beam for his 50 years of distilling experience.

Beam Inc.’s Laphroaig single malt Scotch has released a limited edition Càirdeas Port Wood label in the U.S. Created to commemorate Islay’s Feis Ile whisky festival, the new, 102.6-proof expression is aged with Port wood for part of its maturation and features classic peat and charcoal notes. Càirdeas is currently available at select retail outlets, priced at around $74.99 a 750-ml.

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Beam’s Pinnacle vodka brand has introduced a new line of fall- and holiday-inspired flavors. The range includes Caramel Apple, Peachberry Cobbler, Pecan Pie and Salted Caramel extensions, all of which will join Pinnacle’s year-round lineup, as well as limited edition seasonal Peppermint Bark and returning entry Pumpkin Pie. Initially rolled out into select markets in July, all six flavors are expected to be available nationwide by the end of next month, priced at around $12.99 a 750-ml.

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Heaven Hill Distilleries is poised to release the latest edition of its Parker’s Heritage Collection, named for master distiller emeritus Parker Beam, and this year’s rollout has a cause. Beam, a sixth-generation distiller in his 53rd year at Heaven Hill, has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The new Parker’s Heritage Collection release, dubbed “Promise of Hope,” will help raise funds for the battle against ALS. For each bottle sold, Heaven Hill will contribute $20 to the Parker Beam Promise of Hope Fund (www.alsa.org/ParkerBeamPromiseofHope), which has been established through the ALS Association. The effort is expected to raise at least $250,000. The 7th Edition Parker’s Heritage Collection Promise of Hope release will start selling in mid-September in retail and on-premise venues nationwide, at an average price of $90 a 750-ml. Like the previous six Parker’s Heritage Collection editions, Promise of Hope’s quantity will be limited, although Heaven Hill will make more bottles available than in previous years in order to maximize fundraising. The 2012 volume was about 7,500 bottles.

Diageo has officially launched the newest addition to Cîroc vodka’s flavor line, Amaretto. The extension hit the market in July and is now available nationwide (priced at $34.99 for a 750-ml. bottle). Cîroc’s flavor lineup was initially launched in 2010. Now also including Peach, Coconut and Red Berry, the flavor line has become the brand’s growth engine of late.

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California-based Wilson Daniels has added England’s Sipsmith London Dry Gin to its U.S. import portfolio. Made in the classic London dry style, Sipsmith uses a traditional blend of botanicals and is handcrafted in single batches producing a few hundred bottles at a time. The British offering will be available starting next month, priced at around $42 a bottle.

All information courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN: Backbar Review – August 5-9, 2013

Rémy Martin’s ultra-luxury Louis XIII Rare Cask 42.6 Cognac is making its U.S. debut this month at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. Sourced from one unique barrel selected from among hundreds of century-old tierçons, the 42.6%-abv Cognac is packaged in individually numbered Baccarat black crystal decanters, of which 738 were made. Louis XIII Rare Cask is selling at the Four Seasons’ Window Lounge in different pours starting at $1,000 for a half-ounce. Full bottles of the luxury offering will retail at $22,000 apiece. Other U.S. venues slated to soon begin selling Rare Cask 42.6 include Ago in Los Angeles, the New York Palace, Café Nuovo in Providence, the St. Regis Atlanta, Bern’s Steakhouse in Tampa and Villa Azur in Miami.

Hennessy Cognac is bringing its super-premium Paradis Imperial marque stateside. The expression is available across the U.S. market for $2,700 a bottle. Paradis Imperial is a blend of eaux-de-vie singled out after fermentation, ranging from 30 to 130 years old, and matured in old casks. After fermentation, only one of 1,000 eaux-de-vie of a given vintage becomes part of the Paradis Imperial blend. The ultra-luxury offering is packaged in a glass decanter—designed by award-winning French Baccarat designer Stéphanie Balini—that features the iconic Hennessy shape and a crystal cabochon on top of an 18-carat gold and silver collar. Each bottle is individually numbered and comes in a luxury gift box.

Four Roses Distillery has unveiled its 2013 Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon. A barrel-strength whiskey, the new offering will be released in September, priced at $85-$90 a bottle. Four Roses Master Distiller Jim Rutledge picked whiskies from three of Four Roses’ 10 Bourbon recipes to create the barrel-strength Bourbon—including 18-year-old selections of Four Roses’ recipe coded OBSV, a 13-year-old OBSK and a 13-year-old OESK. About 8,000 bottles of the uncut, non-chill-filtered expression will roll out in retail stores. Last year’s Four Roses 2012 Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon was named American Whiskey of the Year by Whisky Advocate.

New York-based Spirits of Bhutan is bringing K5, billed as the first-ever whisky from Bhutan, to the U.S. market. It’s available online at SpiritsofBhutan.com for $49.99 a 750-ml. bottle, and is also launching at various New York on- and off-premise venues like The Brandy Library, Ambassador Wines & Spirits and other bars, hotels and restaurants. Blauvelt, New York-based Duggan’s Distillers is handling distribution of the brand. K5 whisky is a blend of 8-year-old and 12-year-old vatted malts made with grain whiskies and natural spring water from the Kingdom of Bhutan.

Heaven Hill Distilleries has introduced the limited edition Elijah Craig 21-Year-Old Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon. The release will be available in limited quantities in select markets across the country for one time only. It’s slated to hit shelves in September and will be priced at $140 a 750-ml. The 21-year-old Bourbon is packaged in the flask-shaped Elijah Craig Single Barrel bottle with a cork closure and marbled capsule, as well as a blue label with the age statement prominently displayed and the barrel number and “barrel date” on the back. The release follows the rollout of the Elijah Craig 20-Year-Old Single Barrel, which earned American Whiskey of the Year honors from Whisky Advocate.

Brown-Forman is set to roll out the limited edition 2013 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon this month. Priced at $54.99 a 750-ml. bottle, the Bourbon will be available beginning mid-August in limited quantities at retail stores across the country. The vintage-dated Bourbon is packaged in a decanter-style glass bottle, designed to look like that of the late 1800’s when Old Forester was first produced. Each bottle also features the date on which the Bourbon was barreled and bottled. Old Forester releases a special expression every year to commemorate the birthday of the brand’s founder, George Garvin Brown (September 2). This year’s edition is the 12th to be created. The brand also offers the Classic 86 Proof and Signature 100-Proof Bourbon variants.