REDBREAST IRISH WHISKEY LAUNCHES NEW PERMANENT CORE RANGE EXPRESSION

Irish Distillers has announced the launch of a new permanent no-age statement expression from its Redbreast single pot still Irish whiskey brand.

Redbreast Lustau (46% ABV) has been produced using a combination of whiskey’s matured in both ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks, before being finished for one year in hand selected, first-fill sherry butts from Bodegas Lustau in Jerez.

Redbreast Lustau

This latest release from the multi-award winning Irish whiskey brand, is said to have been born out of the longstanding relationship between the Midleton Distillery, County Cork, and the sherry house, Bodegas Lustau. The unique bond between these two houses was established decades ago, built upon mutual respect for craft production processes, tradition and camaraderie.

Redbreast Lustau, has been described as a new interpretation of the signature Redbreast character with a distinctive twist, delivering notes of dark fruits, prunes and marzipan on the nose and a rich, creamy, spiced, sweet palate.

Commenting on the launch, Billy Leighton, Midleton Head Blender, said: “With Redbreast Lustau Edition we seized the opportunity to celebrate the iconic sherry influence on the Redbreast range, and to do this we turned to our old friends at Bodegas Lustau to source the finest Oloroso sherry casks in the world. I am honoured to be able to finally reveal Redbreast Lustau Edition to the world as it represents the mutual bond, based on our commitment to excellence in craftsmanship, which we have built over time with Bodegas Lustau. Language is no barrier to this marriage of Spanish and Irish craft, and the result is an exceptional new Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey that champions the iconic sherry influence of the Redbreast range, and I hope that whiskey drinkers the world over enjoy it.”

Redbreast Lustau, will be available later this month from specialist retailers for a RRP of £55.00.

Posted by Steve Rush

GLENFIDDICH LAUNCHES NEW EXPERIMENTAL SERIES OF SINGLE MALT WHISKIES

Glenfiddich has announced the launch of the first two single malt expressions in its new experimental series, which is said to combine the brand’s passion for pushing Scotch whisky boundaries and collaborating with trailblazers from the whisky world and beyond.

Glenfiddich IPA Experiment (43% ABV) is the first single malt Scotch whisky to be finished in IPA craft beer casks, produced in collaboration with a local Speyside craft brewer.

Gkenfiddich IPA Experiment - Glenfiddich Project XX

Glenfiddich Project XX (47% ABV) is the result of a collaboration between 20 Glenfiddich Brand Ambassadors and Brian Kinsman, Glenfiddich’s Malt Master, who developed the whisky by bringing together 20 separate single malts.

For the Glenfiddich IPA Experiment, the collaborators first had to design and create a new IPA craft beer that would go into whisky casks, which would later be used to finish the first experimental variant.

The intensive experimental process involved creating three separate brews of different strengths and levels of hops. Brian Kinsman seasoned up to nine American oak casks at a time with the IPA brews, varying the time the IPA craft beer spent penetrating into the oak casks, before filling the casks back up with whisky to access the flavour profiles.

For the Glenfiddich Project XX, Brian Kinsman invited 20 Brand Ambassadors to explore and each select a cask from a warehouse at the Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown, Speyside. Brian’s ambition was to create one remarkable single malt, by combining the curiosity and knowledge of these 20 experts.

Commenting on the Glenfiddich IPA Experiment, Brian said: “The idea behind the Glenfiddich IPA Experiment was quite unusual but one we were passionate about – we wanted to really play with the flavours to see what we could create. Glenfiddich’s first whisky finished in IPA craft beer casks is testament to us challenging ourselves to produce something vibrant and unusual. The result is a liquid with a zesty citrus note followed by soft, sweet vanilla and a hint of fresh hops. The innovative flavour comes from carefully hand selecting the right malt whiskies to complement the extra hoppy notes.”

Commenting on the Glenfiddich Project XX, Brian said: “The final liquid was exceptional – and a special tribute to each individual cask the malts came from. The Glenfiddich Project XX we’re launching today is a recreation of that initial small vatting. It has the warm summer fruity character of a classic Glenfiddich but then its ‘multiple personalities’ are revealed as the flavours of candy floss, cinnamon spice, almonds and rich port tannins kick in with the odd hint of liquorice.”

The Glenfiddich IPA Experiment and the Glenfiddich Project XX, will be available later this month from specialist retailers for the respective RRP’s of £45.00 and £50.00.

Posted by Steve Rush

FLORIDA DISTILLERY LAUNCHES THE STATES FIRST BOURBON SINCE PROHIBITION

The St. Augustine Distillery in Florida, has announced the launch of the states first bourbon since Prohibition.

St. Augustine Distillery Double Cask Bourbon (46.9% ABV) was distilled and bottled on-site using locally sourced ingredients, which are said to have captured the distinctive flavours of the region. The spirits used in their inaugural bourbon release range from 16 to 28 months old.

St. Augustine Distillery Double Cask Bourbon

St. Augustine Distillery’s production team utilized several industry legends to assist in this release. Jake Norris, Founding Distiller of Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey, developed the mash bill. Dave Pickerell, former Master Distiller of Maker’s Mark, designed the production facility and guided the final blending.

Commenting on the launch, Philip McDaniel, Co-Founder and CEO of St. Augustine Distillery, said: “Developed by the best craft distillers in the world, Florida Double Cask Bourbon is a celebration of the Sunshine State, its agriculture and unique maritime climate. Florida’s year-round heat and humidity ages our bourbon faster and with greater intensity than anywhere in the country. Our distillers have a running joke that our barrels ‘age in dog years.”

St. Augustine Distillery Double Cask Bourbon, will be available at the distillery’s gift shop on September 9th, before then rolling out to selected specialist retailers for a RRP of $50.00.

Posted by Steve Rush