GSN Spirited News: December 14th 2021 Edition

Heaven’s Door Spirits, the whiskey label from Bob Dylan, is releasing Bootleg Series Vol. IIINamed in reference to Dylan’s collections of unreleased music, this edition of the Bootleg Series features a cask-strength 13-year-old Kentucky Bourbon finished in Vino de Naranja casks for nearly a year. Bootleg Vol. III comes in a ceramic bottle illustrated by a painting of Dylan’s called Sunday Afternoon, and comes in an individually numbered leather journal. It’s at 60.6% abv and only 3,949 bottles are available at $545 a 750-ml. The Bootleg Series Vol. III is available on Reserve Bar and at select retailers nationwide.

Booker’s Bourbon is releasing the fourth and final batch of its 2021 collection. Dubbed Noe Strangers Batch, it pays homage to the personability of former master distiller Booker Noe. Bottled at 62.2% abv, it was aged 6 and a half years in charred white oak barrels. Stranger’s Batch is available nationwide in limited quantities at $90 a 750-ml. Previous releases in the 2021 Batch Collection include Donohoe’s Batch, Tagalong Batch, and Bardstown Batch.

A new distillery called Wolf Point Distilling has popped up in the West Loop neighborhood of Chicago. The co-owners are Victoria Polvino and Pavlos Dafnis, each with little prior experience in the spirits business. Right now they’re offering Florence Field gin ($31 750-ml), Jackscrew vodka ($21), and Wolf Point Single Barrel Bourbon ($45). Distribution thus far is limited to the state of Illinois.

Tullahoma, Tennessee-based Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. is releasing Cascade Moon 13 Year Old Rye. It follows two previous Cascade Moon expressions released late last year in celebration of the 150-year anniversary of George A. Dickel & Co. The 13 Year Old Rye comes from liquid that’s been aging in Cascade Hollow’s rickhouses since 2012, bottled at 50% abv. The limited release is rolling out now to shelves in Tennessee, Texas, and California where it will be priced at a suggested $299 a 750-ml. 

Dorinda Medley, entrepreneur and cast member of the Real Housewives of New York, has launched Bluestone Manor BourbonThe 45% abv wheated Bourbon is aged for a minimum of five years before blending and bottling. The whiskey, named for Medley’s Massachusetts home, is now available to pre-order through the brand’s website and can ship to 32 states. Bluestone Manor Bourbon will be available in retailers nationwide beginning next year with a suggested retail price of $45 a 750-ml.

Quebec City, Quebec-based Stadaconé is bringing its gin to the U.S. The brand’s gin line-up comprises Stadaconé Bleu (C$38 a 750-ml.), Stadaconé Rouge (C$42), and Stadaconé Noir (C$52), all of which are 40% abv. The distillery plans to bring Stadaconé Noir to the U.S. next year. In late 2022, it also plans to launch its Gingria canned cocktail stateside. This Quebecois spin on sangria is made with Stadaconé Rouge gin and cranberry juice.

Captain Morgan is continuing its relationship with celebrity jeweler Ben Baller with the Captain Morgan x Ben Baller Holiday Cocktail KitAvailable through delivery service Cocktail Courier, the kit includes Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum and other ingredients needed to make Baller’s signature cocktail The OG Spice & Ice as well as a set of stainless steel ice cubes. Along with the kit, the brand is running a contest to win a custom chain made by Baller, the third in the Captain on Ice collection curated by the jeweler. The cocktail kit is available for purchase now on Cocktail Courier for $68. 

Louisville, Kentucky’s Stellum Spirits, from Barrell Craft Spirits, has launched Black Label Bourbon and Rye whiskies. The new releases, which follow the brand’s flagship Bourbon and rye whiskies released earlier this year, are limited edition offerings bottled at barrel proof (54.61% abv for the Bourbon; 57.13% abv for the rye.) The whiskies will be allocated across the U.S. for a suggested price of $99 a 750-ml.

Jim Beam is launching a new Bourbon Cream expression. The new, limited-edition product is made with cream liqueur and Jim Beam’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and is at 15% abv. Accompanying its launch, the company is kicking off a holiday-focused ad campaign called “Get to the Good Stuff” that centers around blazing past holiday formality to focus on real quality time with loved ones; actress Emily Hampshire (Stevie from Schitt’s Creek) is partnered on the initiative to create social content. Jim Beam Bourbon Cream is available now at select retailers nationwide for $20 a 750-ml.

Fort Worth, Texas-based TX Whiskey is launching TX Blended Straight Bourbon, the third expression in its TX Experimental Series. Following previous releases TX Experimental Rye and TX High Rye Texas Straight Bourbon, Blended Straight Bourbon includes 4-year-old rye Bourbon aged in Cabernet Sauvignon barrels, 4-year-old wheated Bourbon, and a 2-year-old wheated Bourbon. It’s at 50% abv and is available now for purchase at the company’s Whiskey Ranch in Fort Worth for $40 a 375-ml.

Information courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Review: Stellum Spirits Whiskies

Stellum Spirits, recently launched its inaugural flagship offerings, including bourbon (blue label), rye (green label), and single barrels, which are all bottled at cask strength. The new brand is produced by Barrell Craft Spirits® (BCS), the award-winning independent blender and bottler of unique aged, cask-strength sourced whiskey and rum.

The launch of Stellum Spirits is the result of BCS’ years of  innovation in American whiskey. This new project investigates the importance of nuance and micro differentiation in a paired down and minimalist setting. This is whiskey factored down to its most defining essentials, blended and packaged with an eye towards clean lines and definition.

“We wanted to create a brand that brings American Whiskey into the modern age with simple elegant blends and single barrels selected with care and intention,” said Founder Joe Beatrice. “Our whiskeys are created through a rigorous process of study, observation, and experimentation. We are driven by progress, polish and—above all—attention to detail. We will always think critically about how to make our whiskey better.”

Stellum Bourbon is bottled at 114.98 proof (57.49% ABV). Stellum Rye is bottled at 116.24 proof (58.12% ABV).

GSN’s Remarks: As with each spirit from Barrell, these are both stellar examples of whiskeycraft. The bourbon is straightforward and has a lightly sweet edge, but the majority of flavor leans towards oak and char. The body is tight and there are more high notes than low. A standard bearer for a rock solid bourbon. The rye has more of an impact due to the intensity of the spicy grain. A rich and more broad palate of flavor with a hefty body makes this spirit ideal for old school cocktail classics like a Sazerac or a Vieux Carre. We especially enjoy the long and lingering finish which begs for just one more sip. GSN Ratings: Stellum Bourbon A-, Stellum Rye A

For more information go to: Stellum