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Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey with Toasted Staves Finish to Launch in October

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Yellowstone-Special-Finishes-Toasted-Bottle

St. Louis, MO – Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Toasted Staves, part of the Yellowstone Special Finishes Collection, will be available for purchase in October. Aged for four years and bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV), it will have a suggested retail price of $49.99 for a 750-ml bottle.

Yellowstone Toasted is based on the brand’s traditional bourbon mash bill, with an additional stave finishing process. Distiller Stephen Beam selected a blend of five different staves – high toast, American oak double-toast, vanilla, rick house, and spice rack – to achieve the desired flavor profile.

The resulting bourbon offers aromas of toasted caramel and vanilla, with hints of fall spices and cinnamon. It has a medium body with flavors of walnut, toffee, black tea, and white pepper, concluding with notes of cocoa, tobacco, and oak.

The release is part of the Yellowstone Special Finishes Collection, an effort to celebrate the brand’s bourbon heritage while introducing new variations. Distiller Stephen Beam, a seventh-generation master distiller, utilized his experience with toasted barrels in crafting this release. The packaging maintains the brand’s iconic bottle design and artwork, with a more prominent Yellowstone brand name and a Special Finishes Collection label. A brown top-wrap distinguishes Yellowstone Toasted Bourbon from other Yellowstone variants.

This addition to the Yellowstone Bourbon family provides consumers with another option to enjoy the brand’s bourbon legacy.

Lochlea Introduces ‘Fallow Edition’ Whiskey in Seasonal Limited Edition Series

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Lochlea

Ayrshire, Scotland – Lochlea, the award-winning farm-to-cask distillery, is launching ‘Fallow Edition,’ the third expression in a four-part seasonal limited edition whiskey series. This release, inspired by autumn on the farm, offers a deeper and richer flavor profile.

‘Fallow Edition’ (Second Crop) is exclusively matured in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, resulting in a whiskey with sweet and spiced notes, ideal for sipping during the dark autumn evenings.

The release is a tribute to the essential fallow season on the farm, a time when the land rests and rejuvenates. It also aligns with Lochlea’s sustainability program, both on the farm and at the distillery.

Following nearly five months of barley growth and the September harvest, mustard and radish cover crops are planted to prepare the soil for winter and prevent soil erosion. These crops are then grazed by sheep for 4 to 6 weeks before being returned to the soil as organic material.

Lochlea also contributes straw bales, a barley by-product, to neighboring farmers for cattle bedding. Some of this returns as manure, enriching the barley fields during winter plowing.

Neil McGeoch, owner and farmer at Lochlea, explained the significance of the fallow season, stating, “This release is so important to us as it gives us a chance to tell the story of the farm and explain some of our sustainable practices.”

‘Fallow Edition’ (Second Crop) is a blend of 55% Pedro Ximénez casks and 45% Oloroso casks. John Campbell, Production Director, highlighted the distinctive flavor profile achieved through the introduction of Pedro Ximénez casks this year, noting, “This warming and unctuous whisky starts with aromas of rich manuka honey, moving to luscious golden syrup and ground coffee beans. Layers of sweetly spiced candied ginger follow on the palate, leading to the finish offering hints of freshly crushed almonds.”

Lochlea’s seasonal releases encompass:

  • Fallow Edition: Celebrating the autumn season when fields rest after harvest.
  • Ploughing Edition: Released in winter, reflecting the fields being plowed in preparation for spring.
  • Sowing Edition: Inspired by spring and the sowing of barley.
  • Harvest Edition: Honoring the annual farm harvest.

‘Fallow Edition’ (Second Crop) is non-chill filtered and bottled at 46% ABV, with a recommended retail price of £51.50. It will be available from Lochlea stockists starting from October 26th, 2023.

In addition to seasonal limited editions, Lochlea offers a core whisky expression available year-round, known as ‘Our Barley.’ This unpeated single malt is matured in a combination of ex-bourbon, Oloroso sherry casks, and STR barriques, creating a flavorful spirit made entirely from the distillery’s home-grown barley.

Sausalito Liquor Co. Sets Sail with Unique Spirits: Unsinkable Bourbon and Unsinkable Rye

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Sausalito Liquor Co

Sausalito, California – Sausalito Liquor Co. has emerged as a beacon of unique spirits, defying conventional cocktail norms. This new brand captures the essence of Sausalito, California, a place known for its free spirit and offbeat charm.

At the heart of Sausalito Liquor Co. are two award-winning whiskeys: Unsinkable Bourbon and Unsinkable Rye, both recipients of the 2023 L.A. Spirits and San Diego Spirits Festival Awards. These spirits are designed to be enjoyed without the need for an advanced degree in mixology. The emphasis here is on simplicity and the joy of sharing a good drink with friends and family.

Starting October, you can find these exceptional whiskeys on sausalitoliquor.com, with shipping available to 42 states. Soon, they’ll also grace the shelves of bars, restaurants, and liquor stores across California.

Sausalito Liquor Co. is more than just a brand; it’s a celebration of Sausalito’s unique culture. It embraces the town’s artistic flair, unconventional lifestyle, and authenticity. The aim is to offer spirit enthusiasts an experience that’s welcoming, genuine, and free from pretentiousness.

Scott Jampol, the founder of Sausalito Liquor Co., believes in enjoying spirits the easy-drinking way, without rigid rules. He explains, “It’s okay that you don’t catch every nuance or identify every flavor. I just care that you like the way it makes you feel, much in the same way you can love a song or a piece of art without having to explain why.”

Sausalito Liquor Co. introduces two distinctive whiskeys:

  • Unsinkable Bourbon: This bourbon is a tribute to the enduring spirit of Sausalito, known for its free-thinkers, artists, and adventurers. It’s aged bourbon finished in Napa Cabernet Sauvignon barrels, resulting in a remarkably drinkable whiskey with an unsinkable spirit. A 750 mL bottle is priced at $54.99.
  • Unsinkable Rye: This rye whiskey offers a twist on the classic rye taste. Made from fine Kentucky rye, it’s aged in Napa port wine barrels, adding a touch of sweetness perfect for crafting a great Manhattan. A 750 mL bottle is priced at $54.99.

Sausalito Liquor Co. celebrates the vibrant history of Sausalito, a place that has been a hub of creativity and intrigue. From building Liberty Ships during World War II to sheltering rum runners during prohibition, Sausalito’s legacy is rich. The brand aims to bring back the town’s distilling tradition, which thrived from 1892 until 1963.

What sets Sausalito Liquor Co. apart is not just its location but the spirit of Sausalito itself. It’s a character that’s a little offshore, not mainstream, and can be enjoyed by everyone, no matter where they are. It’s a spirit where creativity flourishes, relaxation is embraced, and the stunning bay provides the backdrop for unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re exploring houseboats, enjoying jazz, hiking in the headlands, or simply savoring the view, Sausalito embodies the essence of a good life.

Laphroaig Unveils Elements Series, Offering a New Perspective on Islay Whisky

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Islay distillery Laphroaig

Islay distillery Laphroaig has introduced the Elements series, offering enthusiasts a unique insight into the craftsmanship behind their iconic whisky. The debut expression, Elements 1.0, explores the traditional Laphroaig character while introducing novel flavor dimensions.

To craft Elements 1.0, the Laphroaig distillery team blended three distinct experiments. Firstly, they combined cloudy and semi-cloudy wort to enhance tropical fruit notes while preserving Laphroaig’s signature peatiness. Secondly, they employed both an 8.5-tonne and an 11-tonne mash, bridging the past and present of distillery production. Lastly, the whisky features 100% Islay malt, capturing the essence of the distillery’s homeland in a unique Laphroaig spirit.

This combination results in a distinctly Laphroaig whisky with a twist. On the nose, it offers fresh sea salt, smoky bacon, and charred pineapple notes, leading to a palate of peppery spice, tropical fruits, and liquorice. The finish showcases Laphroaig’s renowned peatiness with a lingering sweetness.

Barry MacAffer, distillery manager for Laphroaig, remarked, “Elements is a series that we hope will give our Friends a peek into the art and science of making Laphroaig.” He added that this first release spotlights the raw materials used in their whisky, especially the 100% Islay malt.

As the series evolves, each expression will feature a series of easter eggs on the packaging, cataloging the experiments and individuals behind each bottle, offering a deeper understanding of the whisky-making process.

Elements 1.0 is bottled at 58.6% ABV and is available from select specialist retailers. More expressions in the series are expected in 2024.

Buffalo Trace Distillery Launches Eagle Rare 25, its Oldest Bourbon

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Buffalo Trace Distillery, recognized for its long history and acclaimed bourbons, has introduced Eagle Rare 25, a 25-year-old bourbon that pushes the boundaries of aging. This release stands as the oldest expression in the Eagle Rare portfolio and is the product of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s comprehensive experimental program, involving an investment of over $20 million.

Eagle Rare 25 emerges from Buffalo Trace’s belief that the best whiskey the world has yet to experience. To explore this idea, the distillery has undertaken numerous experiments over the years, examining various factors affecting whiskey aging and maturation. Warehouse P, one of Buffalo Trace’s experimental warehouses, played a significant role in creating Eagle Rare 25.

Traditionally, extended aging leads to increased evaporation, commonly known as the angel’s share, and intensified flavor extraction from the barrel, often resulting in whiskey that’s overly oaked, astringent, and dry. However, the unique aging conditions in Warehouse P allowed the production of a 25-year-old bourbon that maintains the desirable flavors of ultra-aged American whiskey while retaining a smooth profile.

Eagle Rare 25 features tasting notes of intense cherry, oak, dark chocolate, and an icing drizzle on the nose. The palate offers a harmonious blend of vanilla, dark fruit, and butterscotch, leading to an exceptionally long finish with lingering notes of rickhouse floor, baking spice, and black pepper.

Each bottle of Eagle Rare 25 is a work of art, featuring a custom sterling silver wing hand-hammered to encase a hand-blown crystal decanter. Inside the custom display box, an eagle’s outstretched wings frame the 101-proof bourbon, which also contains an elegant glass eagle within the bottle, presenting a truly exceptional experience.

Approximately 200 bottles of Eagle Rare 25 will be available worldwide starting in November 2023, with a suggested retail price of $10,000 per bottle. This unique expression joins the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, which includes Eagle Rare, Double Eagle Very Rare, and Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old, all released annually.

Lexington Named Official Gateway to Kentucky Bourbon Trail®

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Lexington, Kentucky, home to the Kentucky Bourbon culture, has been designated as the Official Gateway sponsor to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tourism program by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA). This designation is expected to promote economic growth and tourism in the city.

Lexington is known for its role in the bourbon industry, with over a dozen nearby distilleries. As an Official Gateway sponsor, Lexington will receive enhanced visibility on the KBT® website and promotional materials, offering recommended itineraries and signage. Lexington joins other sponsors such as Bardstown, Louisville, and Northern Kentucky as Official Gateway sponsors.

Visitors to Lexington can explore nearby Kentucky Bourbon Trail® members, including Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Alltech’s Town Branch Distillery in Lexington, Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Wilderness Trail in Danville, and Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles. Additionally, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® features distilleries in Lexington, including Barrel House Distilling, Fresh Bourbon, James E. Pepper Distilling, and RD1 Spirits. Local venues offer a taste of bourbon and local cuisine.

Lexington’s status as a gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail offers an opportunity to promote tourism and economic growth.

AI Generates Label Designs for Label 5’s City Lights Edition

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On September 29, 2023, Label 5 blended Scotch whisky introduced a limited edition variation of its Classic Black blend. This release, named the ‘Label 5 City Lights Edition,’ was created using Artificial Intelligence, resulting in a different label for each bottle.

The label design on each bottle of this City Lights release is a snapshot of a colorful, AI-generated cityscape captured at night. Each label features a unique section of this cityscape, chosen by an algorithm to ensure no two bottles share the same design.

Label 5 has a connection to urban life and has recently partnered with the global graffiti community. For instance, Label 5 sponsored this year’s Yardworks urban art and graffiti festival at SWG3 in Glasgow.

The ‘Label 5 City Lights Edition‘ is available in Morrisons stores across the United Kingdom. Customers who purchase a bottle can find their label design on the Label 5 skyline through the website https://www.label5-findyourlabel.com/.

ELEMENTS OF ISLAY Unveils Limited-Edition Beach Bonfire Whisky

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Elements of Islay has released a new limited-edition whisky called Beach Bonfire, which is bottled at 54.5% ABV and captures the untamed spirit and terroir of Islay. Head Blender Oliver Chilton drew inspiration from a beach bonfire night, whee colors, smoke, flames, and sand intertwined to create a unique experience.

Beach Bonfire is matured in new oak, bourbon refill, and sherry casks, showcasing the brand’s dedication to crafting powerful, herbaceous Islay malts. The whisky is non-chill filtered and retains its natural color.

Beach Bonfire is priced at £79.95, $115.00, €85.00 for a 70cl bottle and will be available in key European markets in October 2023, with plans for expansion to Asia and the US in 2024. The whisky represents the first limited edition from Elements of Islay since the relaunch of its core range in 2022.

The tasting notes by Oliver Chilton, Head Blender, describe the whisky as having a nose of oyster shells and bonfire smoke blending with rich baking spices and subtle notes of cherry and tarragon. The palate features bourbon-soaked Amarena Cherries, baked vanilla pods, cinnamon, and light ginger, all surrounded by rich wood smoke. The finish is warm and long with more wood fire and soft brown sugar.

House of Suntory Reveals Centennial Hibiki 21-Year-Old Whisky and Limited-Edition Hibiki Japanese Harmony Bottle Design

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The House of Suntory, marking a century since its founder, Shinjiro Torii, established Japan’s first malt whisky distillery in 1923, has unveiled two additions to its Hibiki whisky range. These releases include the Hibiki 21-Year-Old and a unique bottle design of Hibiki Japanese Harmony as part of their centennial celebration.

Hibiki, introduced in 1989, is renowned for its blend of malt and grain whiskies from Suntory’s distilleries, including Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita. The new Hibiki 21-Year-Old prominently features rare Mizunara oak, influencing the whisky’s character.

Chief Blender of Suntory, Shinji Fukuyo, states, “For the limited-edition Hibiki 21-Year-Old, our team crafted a new blend to celebrate our centennial. This whisky showcases our dedication to craftsmanship.”

The centennial label design on the Hibiki 21-Year-Old bottle reflects a Japanese sunrise, symbolizing life, vitality, and the passage of time.

This special whisky, with its tender gold hue, embodies the spirit of “Wa,” offering enticing notes of kumquat, jasmine, and Japanese incense. The palate combines subtle sweetness and floral notes with spiced sandalwood and agarwood. The finish features spiced Mizunara wood. Bottled at 43 percent ABV, it is available globally in select markets with a suggested retail price of $5,000 for a 700-ml. bottle.

Hibiki Japanese Harmony also joins the centennial celebration with a unique bottle design. It includes motifs symbolizing Japan’s changing seasons, and a ‘Kakehashi’ (bridge) signifying a connection between Japan and the world.

The whisky, with an amber hue, offers notes of rose, lychee, rosemary, mature woodiness, and sandalwood. The palate features aromas of honey-like sweetness, candied orange peel, and white chocolate, with a subtle and tender finish with a hint of Mizunara. Bottled at 43 percent ABV, it is available globally in select markets with a suggested retail price of $200 for a 750-ml. bottle.

This centennial release follows the earlier unveiling of the Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara and Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt whiskies. The House of Suntory has also introduced limited 100th-anniversary labels for the flagship Yamazaki 12 Year Old and Hakushu 12 Year Old in select markets.

The House of Suntory welcomes whisky enthusiasts to join its new global membership program, offering benefits like early access to new releases, priority invitations to consumer experiences, distillery news, cultural insights, and more.

The GlenAllachie Distillery Unveils Meikle Tòir, New Range of Peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky

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The GlenAllachie Distillery has unveiled its new peated Scotch whisky brand, Meikle Tòir, meaning “big pursuit” in Scottish Gaelic. The distillery has been running a seasonal peated production campaign since 2018, utilizing mainland peat sourced from St. Fergus. The production cycle spans roughly six weeks per year and results in approximately 100,000 Litres of Alcohol annually.

Master Distiller Billy Walker, who took ownership of the distillery in 2017, has fully overseen the launch of this new brand. Meikle Tòir’s core range consists of four different expressions: The Original, The Sherry One, The Chinquapin One, and the limited annual release The Turbo 2023 Edition. Each whisky carries a five-year age statement and was subjected to an extended fermentation period of 160 hours. The whiskies offer varying flavor profiles ranging from sweet spice to smoky earthiness, all without added coloring and non-chill filtered.

The Original 5-year-old expression features aging in first-fill Bourbon barrels, American virgin oak casks, and Rye barrels. The Sherry One undergoes additional maturation in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry puncheons after an initial period in American oak. The Chinquapin One is first aged in American oak before transferring to Chinquapin virgin oak barrels from Missouri, USA. All core range products have a spirit PPM (Phenol Parts per Million) level of 35. The Turbo 2023 Edition, a super-limited bottling, has a spirit PPM of 71 and is the result of aging in American virgin oak and Oloroso sherry hogsheads.

Billy Walker said about the launch, “Five years in the making, it represents the culmination of our endeavours since we took over the reins at the distillery. One of the key decisions was to significantly extend the fermentation period to 160 hours, creating thick, ester-rich distillate.”

The UK Retail Recommended Selling Prices (RRSP) for Meikle Tòir start at £50. The packaging for the new brand was created with environmental considerations, exclusively working with UK-based packaging suppliers. The new brand will be showcased at a series of tastings across Scotland, concluding at The Whisky Exchange Show in London. Availability will expand globally starting today.

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