Matthias Clock

About Matthias Clock

Brand evangelist, digital marketer, cigar and spirits expert specializing in consumer tasting and educational events. Matthias made the long trek from his hometown of Portland, Oregon to New York City in 2007, and in nine years has hosted more than 120 events and helped promote and launch dozens of cigar and whiskey brands in the U.S. In 2016, he joined the Cigar Journal Tasting Panel, blind-reviewing pre and new release cigars.

Posts by Matthias Clock:

Cohiba Releases Biometric Humidor with Exclusive Cigar Selection

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Cohiba-Biometric-Humidor

Cohiba has introduced the Cohiba Biometric Humidor, a new product combining a secure storage solution for cigars with a selection of the brand’s offerings. This humidor is notable for its biometric locking mechanism, which allows access via the owner’s fingerprint or a provided key.

The humidor’s design features a high-gloss red and black lacquer finish and contains staggered tiers for storing cigars. It comes with 106 cigars, including a mix of Cohiba’s traditional lines and the Cohiba Red Dot Reserve, a cigar exclusive to this humidor.

Sean Williams, Cohiba Brand Ambassador, highlighted the humidor’s role in showcasing Cohiba’s presence in the cigar industry.

Included in the humidor is a collection of Toro-sized Cohiba cigars, among them:

  • Cohiba XV (original)
  • Cohiba Spectre editions from 2018, 2019, and 2021
  • Cohiba Silencio
  • Cohiba Edición Diamante
  • Cohiba Royale
  • Cohiba Red Dot Reserve

The Cohiba Biometric Humidor is a limited edition, with only 130 units produced, priced at $5,500 MSRP. It is expected to be available to retailers from mid-November. This release from Cohiba blends cigar storage technology with a curated selection of the brand’s cigars.

Glenmorangie Introduces The Nectar: A 16-Year-Old Single Malt

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Glenmorangie

Glenmorangie, known for its Highland single malt Scotch whisky, has released a new iteration of one of its popular whiskies, named Glenmorangie The Nectar. This release is a reimagined version of the Glenmorangie The Nectar D’Or, designed to enhance its dessert-like complexity.

Aged for 16 years, this whisky is matured in a unique combination of bourbon and sweet white wine casks. The extended aging process and the use of different casks aim to add more depth and complexity to the whisky. The Nectar joins the distillery’s core range, featuring notes of orange syrup, honeycomb, nutmeg, and baking brioche.

The concept for The Nectar originated from Dr. Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s Director of Whisky Creation, inspired by the aromas of a French pastry shop. In pursuit of a more intricate and dessert-like flavor profile, Dr. Bill and his team revisited the acclaimed single malt. The whisky was aged for 14 years in bourbon casks and then finished for two additional years in a new combination of sweet white wine casks. These casks, including Sauternes, Monbazillac, Moscatel, and Tokaji, contribute flavors reminiscent of pastries, meringue, baked apples, white chocolate, almond, and honeycomb.

Glenmorangie The Nectar has been recognized with a gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023. Its packaging is designed to mirror the whisky’s rich and sweet character, aligning with other products in Glenmorangie’s range.

Described by Dr. Bill as inspired by the “sweet, buttery scents of French patisseries,” Glenmorangie The Nectar aims to offer a sumptuous and complex tasting experience, combining brioche and orange syrup notes with honeycomb and spices like nutmeg and star anise. This whisky is positioned as an appealing choice for both longstanding whisky enthusiasts and new explorers of the spirit.

Wenzel Whiskey Joins Kentucky Distillers’ Association

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Kentucky Distillers’ Association

The Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) has announced the addition of Wenzel Whiskey as its newest member. This inclusion marks a significant step in the growth of the Bourbon industry in Northern Kentucky, which has been contributing to the region’s economic strength and tourism.

Wenzel Whiskey, located in Kenton County, was established in 2022 by Northern Kentucky natives Austin Dunbar, Tony Milburn, Todd McMurty, and Nic Manning. The team resurrected the historic Wenzel Building in Covington, which, before Prohibition, served as a rectifier for whiskey. This makes Wenzel Whiskey a significant addition to the local community, reconnecting with a piece of the area’s distilling history.

Currently, Wenzel Whiskey produces Wenzel’s Proprietors’ Blend, the first whiskey to be produced in Covington since Prohibition. Their product line also includes a Barrel Proof Rye, a blend of six and seven-year barrels of Indiana rye, and a Wheated #1 six-year-old barrel-proof expression. Furthermore, Wenzel Whiskey has recently acquired $3 million worth of distilling equipment and barrels from Ghost Coast Distillery in Savannah, enhancing their production capabilities.

One of the unique offerings at Wenzel Whiskey is the opportunity for guests to create their own blends. According to partner Austin Dunbar, customers can blend their own bottle for personal use or create larger batches for broader distribution.

Wenzel Whiskey joins the KDA as a “Craft” level member, which includes distillers aging between 1 and 10,000 barrels annually. The KDA now boasts over 50 members operating more than 75 distilling locations across Kentucky, the highest number since the Repeal of Prohibition.

KDA President Eric Gregory expressed excitement about Wenzel Whiskey’s unique offerings for Bourbon consumers and visitors in Covington. He emphasized the role of new members like Wenzel Whiskey in enhancing local communities through job creation and tourism.

Achill Island Distillery Unveils Two New Single Malts

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Achill-Peated

Achill Island Distillery, located in Co, Mayo, Ireland, along the Wild Atlantic Way, has announced the release of two new single malt Irish whiskeys. The distillery’s location, known for its distinct Atlantic climate, plays a role in the maturation process of their whiskeys.

The first of these releases is the Achill Island Single Malt Peated Cask Strength 60% Limited Edition. This release marks the distillery’s first foray into peated whiskey, with only 400 units available, each individually numbered. Bottled at cask strength, 60% ABV, this single malt offers flavors of gentle peat, creamy vanilla, hazelnut, and a herbal smoky finish, complemented by aromas of lightly peated vanilla and crème caramel.

The second release, Achill Island Single Malt Bordeaux Cask Finish, is notable for being the first Irish whiskey distilled, matured, and bottled on Achill Island. It’s the distillery’s second release, bottled at 44% ABV. The flavor profile includes sultanas, summer fruits with a raspberry tang, juicy strawberry, and gentle vanilla chai spice, while its aroma features dark berries, forest fruits, and floral vanilla and crème caramel notes.

These two releases from Achill Island Distillery expand their single malt offerings, each with distinct characteristics influenced by the local climate and cask selection.

White Peak Distillery Introduces Wire Works Virgin Oak Whisky

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Wire Works Whisky

White Peak Distillery, based in Derbyshire, has announced the release of its new Wire Works Virgin Oak whisky. This release adds a bold dimension to the distillery’s Wire Works Whisky line and is a progression towards a permanent offering in their portfolio, following the launch of Caduro in March this year.

Wire Works Virgin Oak, presented at 50.5% ABV, showcases the distinctive flavor profile of the Wire Works house style. It is crafted using lightly peated malted barley, live brewer’s yeast, and a six-day fermentation process. The whisky is initially matured in premium, first-fill ex-bourbon barrels and finished in virgin American oak barrels from Kelvin Cooperage. These barrels are chosen for their varied toast and char levels, contributing to the whisky’s complex blend of sweet, spicy, and oak-forward flavors.

Claire Vaughan, co-founder of White Peak Distillery, emphasizes the unique character of this whisky, particularly its journey in new wood and its variety of flavors, ranging from vanilla and toasted nuts to caramel and toffee. This makes it an ideal choice for savoring by the fireside.

White Peak Distillery, established by Max & Claire Vaughan seven years ago, has gained recognition for its whisky, visitor experiences, and sustainable packaging practices. The distillery has won multiple awards in recent years.

Availability and Pricing:

  • Wire Works Virgin Oak is available from 20th October.
  • Sold at the distillery shop, online, and through partners like Master of Malt and The Whisky Exchange.
  • Priced at £67 per 70cl bottle, featuring 2,769 individually numbered bottles.
  • It is 100% natural in color and non-chill filtered.

For enthusiasts wishing to visit, White Peak offers distillery tours every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Booking details can be found on their website.

Tasting Notes of Wire Works Virgin Oak:

  • Nose: Banoffee pie, fruit salad sweets, pistachio, and cranberries.
  • Palate: Treacle tart, toasted nuts, and sweet spice.
  • Finish: Light lingering smoke.
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