LOUGH REE DISTILLERY LAUNCHES ITS FIRST BLENDED WHISKEY

The Lanesborough, County Longford based Lough Ree Distillery, has announced the launch of its first blended Irish whiskey.

Bart’s Blended Irish Whiskey (46% ABV) has been produced using a combination of grain, pot still and malt (peated and non-peated) Irish whiskeys, which have been finished in rye and Oloroso sherry casks.

Bart's Blended Irish Whiskey

This first blended whiskey release, from the distillery founded by Clancy siblings Peter, Sheila and Mike, has been named after their late father as a lasting legacy to his memory.

Bart’s Blended Irish Whiskey, is said to deliver notes of toasted marshmallow, sliced pear and cinnamon on the nose. Followed by notes of red summer fruit, dry spice and caramelized sugar on the palate.

The whiskey comes in a premium bottle that is approximately 40% lighter than other products in the same category, with a consequent reduction in carbon footprint. It also lists the blend components, which is class-leading in terms of transparency.

The bottle also has an e-label QR code, which provides detailed information on ingredients, nutrition and sustainability to consumers.

Commenting on the news, Michael Clancy, Chief Technical Officer at Lough Ree Distillery, said: “We set out to create a distinctive blend which would add to the Irish Whiskey category. We started with classic grain whiskey, adding a large amount of pot still whiskey to give texture, spice, and mouthfeel. Then we layered on malts with oloroso sherry and rye cask finishes and finally some peated whiskey. It took numerous iterations to get it right and we took counsel from a tasting panel with some of the best palates in the industry, before we finally settled on what’s in the bottle today.  We call it a complex blend as we have 5 different elements in there all perfectly balanced. We’ve been receiving rave reviews for the whiskey from trade and private customers alike since we’ve launched.”

Bart’s Blended Irish Whiskey, is now available from the distillery’s online shop and specialist retailers in Ireland, for a RRP of €46.00.

 

Posted by Steve Rush

BUFFALO TRACE TO DONATE 2,022 BOTTLES OF WHISKEY TO CHARITABLE CAUSES

The Buffalo Trace Distillery, has announced that it plans to help raise over $2 million for charities around the world in 2022, by donating 2,022 bottles of whiskey.

Included in the offering of 2,022 bottles, will be the world’s first six-litre bottle bourbon non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which contains bourbon distilled in 1982 from the distillery's O.F.C. range.

Buffalo Trace to donate 2,022 bottles of whiskey to charitable causes

Other bottles in the 2,022 line-up, produced at the Kentucky based distillery, include:

* 300 x 375ml bottles of The Single Oak Project Bourbon.

* Weller Vertical Collection, consisting of Weller Special Reserve, Weller Antique 107, Weller 12 year old, Weller Full Proof, Weller Single Barrel and Weller Craft Your Perfect Bourbon.

* Blanton’s Vertical Collection, comprised of Blanton’s Original Single Barrel, Blanton’s Gold and Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel Bourbons.

* E.H. Taylor, Jr. Special Release Collection, consisting of E.H. Taylor, Jr. 18 Year Marriage; E.H. Taylor, Jr. Amaranth; E.H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain; and E.H. Taylor, Jr. Warehouse C Bourbons.

Commenting on the news, Sara Saunders, Vice President of Bourbon at Buffalo Trace Distillery, said: “We really want to make an impact in 2022. We’ve got a wonderful database so far of non-profit organizations, but we encourage others from across the U.S. and the world to register their charitable organization, as we know the need is great. We’ve handpicked some of the best whiskies from across our portfolio, in hopes they garner top dollar for the recipients.”

Interested charities and non-profits can register their organization by clicking here. Buffalo Trace is looking for a diverse group of charities to donate to, comprised of various audiences, locations, and impact in the community. All entries must be received by March 31, 2022 for consideration; winning charities will be notified of their status by April 29, 2022.

Buffalo Trace Distillery has a history of conducting similar fundraisers. In 2019 it gave away nearly 400 bottles from its 6 millionth Barrel, a milestone barrel commemorating the 6 millionth barrel produced since Prohibition. Those bottles raised over one million dollars for various charitable organizations. Similar offerings ran in 2016, with over a million dollars raised.

Posted by Steve Rush