BOWMORE RELEASE FINAL BOTTLING IN DEVIL'S CASKS SERIES

Beam Suntory has announced the third and final release in its Bowmore Devil’s Casks Series.

Bowmore Devil’s Casks III – Double the Devil (56.7% ABV) has been produced by marrying together whiskies that have been matured in both Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks.

Bowmore Devil's Casks III - Double the Devil

The dry Oloroso casks are said to have influenced notes of figs and raisins, whilst the sweet Pedro Ximénez casks Sherry have influenced intense aromas of chocolate and coffee. Resulting in a whisky that is smooth, dark and indulgent.

Bowmore’s Devil’s Casks series was first launched in 2013, and was inspired by the Islay legend of the devil being chased through the village of Bowmore and into the gates of its distillery.

Bowmore Devil’s Casks III – Double the Devil, will be available later this month from specialist retailers for a RRP of £190.00.

Posted by Steve Rush

ELIJAH CRAIG RE-RELEASES ITS 18 YEAR OLD SINGLE BARREL BOURBON

Heaven Hill Brands has announced the re-release of its Elijah Craig 18 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon, following a three year absence from the range due to stock shortages.

Elijah Craig 18 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon (45% ABV) was first introduced by Heaven Hill in 1994, but as demand for the rare whiskey grew along with the growing demand for Heaven Hill’s other bourbons, there were not enough 18 Year Old barrels, so the bottling was discontinued in 2012.

Elijah Craig 18 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon

Since then, stocks have come back into line, allowing Elijah Craig 18 Year Old Single Barrel to be re-released with an initial run of 15,000 bottles.

The selection process for the Elijah Craig Single Barrel is one of the most stringent at Heaven Hill. From an aging inventory of 1.1 million barrels, the second largest American whiskey holdings in the world, Master Distillers Craig Beam and Denny Potter only select barrels that have rested at low storage, and then further choose only those that meet their strict nosing and taste criteria.

While taste nuances will vary slightly from one barrel to the other, as they should in a single barrel offering, in general they have selected for complex, multi-layered taste profiles that balance the 18 years in new charred oak with sweet and spicy grain notes. As befits a Bourbon that has seen 72 variable Kentucky seasons, the finish is long and warm.

Elijah Craig 18 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon quickly gained a cult following upon its original release as the oldest single barrel Bourbon on the market.

Heaven Hill Brands has also announced it’s re-releasing its Elijah Craig 23 Year Old bottling, which has been released in limited quantities since 2013.

Commenting on the Elijah Craig re-releases, Susan Wahl, Senior Brand Manager for Whiskeys at Heaven Hill Brands, said: “We at Heaven Hill have been offering aged Bourbons and single barrel bottlings as old as 18, 23, or even 27 years, for longer than anyone else. Our experience in this arena, along with our renowned quality standards and inventory of over one million aging barrels, means we can select and bottle extra-aged Bourbons that are unlike any others in the world, and provide a unique tasting experience for the true aficionado. This is really showcased in the Elijah Craig 18 and 23-Year-Old Single Barrel bottlings.”

Elijah Craig 18 Year Old and 23 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbons, will be available across the US next month for the respective RRP’s of $120.00 and $199.00.

Posted by Steve Rush

WOODFORD RESERVE PAYS HOMAGE TO PAST DISTILLERS WITH NEW WHITE CORN BOURBON

Woodford Reserve has announced the launch of a new white corn bourbon, inspired by the craftsmanship and vision of past distillers Oscar Pepper and James Crow and their original use of white corn in their whiskey production process from the late-1830s to the 1850s.

Woodford Reserve Master's Collection 1838 Style White Corn Bourbon (45.2% ABV) uses the same barrels and yeast that are used to create their standard core expression, but uses white corn instead of the traditional yellow corn in its mash bill, along with rye and malt which help to create a sharper whiskey.

Woodford Reserve Master's Collection 1838 Style White Corn Bourbon

In the mid-1800s, Oscar Pepper and James Crow engaged in early distilling at the current site of the Woodford Reserve Distillery. Their key production methods have since been recognized by historians as advancing the modern bourbon industry and are celebrated through each Woodford Reserve Master's Collection release.

The latest limited release was conceptualized and created by Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris. Drawing from original production records, he was able to develop and bring to life a recipe Pepper and Crow might have used.

Commenting on the launch, Chris Morris, said: "This Master's Collection release has, in a way, allowed us to go back in time and create a new bourbon by drawing upon materials from our distillery's historic pas. Focusing on white corn and honouring the landmark work of Pepper and Crow, we worked to produce an expression that we hope they would approve of."

He went on to say: "Year after year, our Master's Collection is always a favourite of mine to produce, as I enjoy seeing how even the slightest of variations can yield a dramatically different whiskey. What's truly exciting with 1838 Style White Corn is that by simply changing the corn used, we've created a spirit that is new for fans of Woodford Reserve yet still traditional and a perfect representation of our rich heritage."

Woodford Reserve Master's Collection 1838 Style White Corn Bourbon, will be available globally next month from specialist retailers for a RRP of $99.99

Posted by Steve Rush