Jim Beam has launched the third expression within the Hardin’s Creek Kentucky Series (announced June 2023), which aims to illustrate how the setting of whiskey maturation can really matter in the final product. Both the location and the buildings use can have a major impact. All three expressions are aged for 17 years with the …
By Randall H. Borkus Rating: C+ Barrell Craft Spirits recently announced the release of some cask finished whiskeys and their 10th Anniversary Barrell Bourbon, but I’m still working with Barrell Rye Batch 004! This is their first rye batch since 2020. Rye Batch #004 blend consists of straight rye whiskeys from Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana and …
Independent bottler Lost Lantern and its Fall 2023 Single Cask Collection will showcase five new single casks from some of America’s most sought-after distilleries. This seasonal release spotlights whiskies from four returning Lost Lantern partners, all fan favorites: Balcones Distilling (TX), Smooth Ambler (WV), New Riff (KY), and Corbin Cash (CA). It also includes Lost …
Bruichladdich Distillery unveiled the 14th annual series of Octomore, its super-heavily peated single malt earlier this month, so those bottles should be on or near local shelves by now. First released in 2008, Octomore single malts continue to defy whisky wisdom today. Matured for five years, bottled close to cask strength and always super-heavily peated, …
Illva Saronno, an Italian multinational company, has announced a majority stake purchase of shares of Baltimore-based Sagamore Spirit rye whiskey brand and distillery. The deal supports the long-term growth of both companies and strengthens Illva Saronno Holding’s presence in the United States, which started with Disaronno International LLC in 2014. Illva Saronno Holding is most …
Irish Distillers has introduced Redbreast Tawny Port Cask Edition, a limited-edition single pot still Irish whiskey finished in tawny port casks from Portugal’s breath-taking Douro Valley. Redbreast Tawny Port Cask Edition marks the third release of the brand’s acclaimed Iberian Series. The series is inspired by Redbreast’s long standing connection to some of the Iberian …
By Richard Thomas Although I do make cocktails at home, I am not endowed with a well-equipped bar cart of all the odds and ends to truly call one’s self a home mixologist. However, what I am is a fan of the eternal queen of the whodunnit, Agatha Christie. I am such a sucker for …
By Richard Thomas Rating: B+ When I read the stats on the 17th edition of Parker’s Heritage, I felt some sympathy for the folks working in PR and marketing at Heaven Hill, because I blanched at the thought of the response I knew was unfolding on bourbon forums: “A 10 year old cask strength? Yawn/fake …
The makers of Barrell Bourbon have embarked upon a new limited-edition series that utilizes the company’s blending and finishing expertise to make bespoke blends of straight bourbon whiskeys with unique finishes. The Cask Finish Series will introduce two blends each year, beginning with the launch of the first two blends this Fall: Amburana and A …
By Richard Thomas Rating: B+ Ian Macleod Distillers is one of those fixtures of the Scotch industry that the average, casual drinker (even Scotch drinker) has never heard of. That is nothing to be ashamed of; I’d put down some money that 9 out of 10 of the folks who know what The Macallan is …
