By Richard Thomas Rating: B Continuing up Ian Macleod Distillers’ ladder of Isle of Skye blended whiskies has taken me to their 18 Year Old expression. It’s a pretty typical progression, really, although one that seems to show large jumps to American eyes. The cooler, milder climate of Scotland and heavy reliance on used cask …
By Richard Thomas Rating: B Old Potrero’s signature style is a 100% malted rye whiskey, which is why they call themselves a “single malt,” even though that term is most often associated with malted barley. The California distiller has been pursuing this style since the 1990s, part of a distinguished class of small distillers who …
The Glenlivet Speyside single malt scotch whisky continues to break conventions with the introduction of The Glenlivet Twist & Mix Cocktails, a new line of premium, ready-to-serve, whisky-based cocktails. Using first-to-market technology, the new innovation proves that quality and accessibility are not mutually exclusive – simply twist the cap to mix a burst of cocktail …
Jim Beam has launched the second installment within the Hardin’s Creek Kentucky Series (announced June 2023), called Hardin’s Creek Frankfort. The Kentucky Series takes whiskey fans on a journey of ‘Kentucky Terroir’, featuring three Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey expressions, all aged for 17 years with the same mash bill — the only difference being the …
Molson Coors Beverage Company (“MCBC” or “Molson Coors”) has reached an agreement to acquire Blue Run Spirits (“Blue Run”), a Scott County, Kentucky-based whiskey company. Based in Georgetown, Kentucky, Blue Run is a recent entrant, having launched in October 2020. As such, it is reliant on a mixture of whiskeys either contract produced at Castle …
Two Kentucky distilleries, one a “Kentucky Major” and one a craft-scale outfit, have settled a trademark dispute. Heaven Hill and Log Still Distilling, a family-owned-and-operated spirits company in Nelson County, Ky., have finalized a resolution of their dispute regarding the usage of the “J.W. Dant” trademark and its associated goodwill, which were purchased by Heaven …
Scotland’s most northerly mainland distillery, 8 Doors Distillery, was officially opened by His Majesty on Wednesday 2 August, during The King’s visit to John O’Groats. Upon arriving at the distillery, His Majesty toured the visitor center, distillery and warehouse, meeting with a number of the team and finding out more about 8 Doors Distillery, alongside …
By Richard Thomas Rating: B+ Released in 2010, Maker’s 46 was the first major brand extension by the distillery that essentially invented premium bourbon as we recognize it today, way back in the mid-1950s. The idea behind Maker’s 46 is one borrowed from the wine industry, and first applied in the whisk(e)y business by the …
Barrell Bourbon Batch 035, which struck gold at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition, is a multi-mash bill blend of six and seven-year-old spicy and earthy, high-rye, high proof oak forward barrels. They were combined with a blend of eight-year-old softer, lower-proof barrels with concentrated notes of dark cherry and butterscotch. After mingling for two …
The Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) today announced Barrels & Billets in Jefferson County as the newest and 54th distilling member of the non-profit trade group that unites and leads Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Owned by Hillerich & Bradsby Co. (H&B), Barrels and Billets is open to the public and offers guests a …
