Phillips Distilling

Phillips Distilling has officially launched Cubist, a new vodka brand intended to be stored in the freezer. Beginning this month, Cubist is being test marketed in Minnesota and Arizona with an expanded launch slated for 2022. Thermochromic ink technology turns the brand’s bottle label blue when the liquid has reached optimal temperature. Aimed at males aged 26-45, Cubist will retail at $25 a 750-ml.

Bacardi-owned Patrón Tequila has announced a new aged expression: Patrón Sherry Cask Aged Añejo. The 40% abv Tequila matured for over two years in Oloroso Sherry casks before bottling. The new Tequila is available exclusively in the U.S. in select retailers and on Drizly while supplies last for a suggested price of $80 a 750-ml.

Walsh Whiskey has released a new limited-edition whiskey in the Writers’ Tears family. Writers’ Tears Icewine Cask Finish is a blend of Irish single malt and pot still whiskies finished in Inniskillin casks from Ontario, Canada for 12 months. 3,500 bottles of the 46% abv whiskey are being distributed to select retailers in Canada, Ireland, and the U.S., where the new release carries a suggested price of $85 a 750-ml.

Firestone & Robertson Distilling Co., part of the Pernod Ricard portfolio, has launched TX Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Cognac Casks, the latest release from the Fort Worth-based distiller. The 50.8% abv whiskey is the third release in the Barrel Finish series, following Tawny Port and PX Sherry Cask finished whiskies. This release also marks the end of master distiller Rob Arnold’s tenure with F&R, as he is now stepping aside, allowing Ale Ochoa, master blender, and new master distiller Evan Brewer to take the helm. TX Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Cognac Casks is rolling out now throughout Texas for a suggested price of $65 a 750-ml.

Rémy Cointreau has added a new brandy to the St-Rémy portfolio in the U.S. St-Rémy Signature is bottled at 40% abv and is first matured in new oak before transferring to more traditional used casks. St-Rémy Signature is the first spirit created by the brand’s master blender Cécile Roudaut and is rolling out now in select markets across the U.S. for a suggested price of $30 a 750-ml.

Disaronno International has launched Engine gin, a new Italian spirit designed by Paolo Dalla Mora, former CMO at Moschino and global communications director for parent company Illva Saronno. The 42% abv gin is made with juniper and a variety of Italian botanicals, including Ligurian sage, lemon, licorice root, and damask rose. The gin is packaged in a tin mock-oil-can, evoking its creator’s passion for racing and cars. Engine is now available across the U.S. for a suggested price of $30 a 750-ml.

Information courtesy of Shanken News Daily

Durham, North Carolina-based Durham Distillery has released Conniption Barrel Aged Gin Series No. 1 2020 Release. The new expression is a limited-edition launch that’s aged in High West Bourbon barrels for 10 months and bottled at 47% abv. Conniption Barrel Aged Gin Series No. 1 joins Navy Strength and American Dry gins—both of which feature Italian coriander, cardamom, and juniper, among other botanicals—in the label’s lineup.

Heaven Hill Brands is extending Black Velvet Canadian whisky with an Apple flavor. The 70-proof offering is rolling out in limited markets this month, retailing at $11 a 750-ml. Black Velvet Canadian Apple joins Toasted Caramel in Black Velvet’s flavored whisky lineup. Heaven Hill acquired Black Velvet from Constellation for $266 million in 2019.

Prairie Organic, part of the Phillips Distilling portfolio, is introducing Prairie Organic Cucumber, Mint & Lime Flavored Gin. Made with organic corn and natural flavors, the newcomer is bottled at 45% abv and is rolling out nationally, retailing at $35 a 750-ml. The new flavored gin follows Prairie’s launch of three botanical vodkas last year, including Grapefruit, Hibiscus & Chamomile; Watermelon, Cucumber & Lime; and Apple, Pear & Ginger expressions.

West Cork Distillers is introducing a limited release Stout Cask finished blended Irish whiskey into the U.S. market. The bottling is a 75/25 blend of grain and malt Irish whiskey aged in first fill Bourbon casks for four years. The malt and grain components are then blended and aged for an additional 6 months in casks that had held Ireland’s Blacks of Kinsale Stout. West Cork’s new Stout Cask finished whiskey retails at $32 a 750-ml. and is imported by M.S. Walker.

Don Papa Rum is releasing a new expression finished in Sherry casks. Launching in April, Don Papa Sherry Cask Finish is aged four years in American oak Bourbon casks; split and finished in Fino, Pedro Ximenez, Palo Cortado, and Cream Sherry casks; and then blended and bottled at 45% abv. The resulting product, produced in the Philippines and imported by Zamora Co. USA, will be available in select retailers, priced at $70 a 750-ml.

Brown-Forman’s the Benriach has launched a new series of luxury-priced Scotch whiskies. First up is the Benriach 21-year-old, a 46% abv whisky matured in a combination of ex-Bourbon, Sherry, new oak, and red wine casks that retails for $200. The company has also launched a 25-year-old whisky aged in Bourbon, Sherry, new oak, and Madeira casks ($360); and a 30-year-old whisky that retails for $740 and matured in Bourbon, Sherry, new oak, and Port casks. The new whiskies are rolling out now in limited quantities.

Casa Komos Beverage Group has announced Tequila Komos Reposado Rosa, the latest agave spirit in the brand’s portfolio. The Tequila is aged in once-used red wine barrels that impart a rosé color to the spirit, which is packaged in porcelain bottles. Reposado Rosa will launch in May.