Spirits News

Basil Hayden Introduces New Malted Rye Whiskey

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Basil Hayden is enhancing its diverse whiskey portfolio with the addition of a new permanent expression, Basil Hayden Malted Rye. This new expression presents a fresh entrant into the rye category, offering a unique gentleness unusual for rye whiskey, owing to a special malting process.

Crafting the Malted Rye

Freddie Noe, the eighth-generation master distiller, crafted this unique release. The distinctive malting process used in the production transforms the rye grain, resulting in a milder spice with understated sweet and floral notes. This innovation highlights the potential diversity in whiskey flavors and presents a more refined facet of rye. The resultant whiskey balances between Basil Hayden’s hallmark smooth taste profile and the traditional spicier notes of rye.

In Freddie Noe’s words, Basil Hayden Malted Rye “introduces an entirely new flavor profile within the whiskey category,” offering an “unexpected softness and approachability.”

Tasting Notes

With a light amber hue, the 100% malted rye mash bill blends diverse flavors, creating a whiskey with an elegant floral aroma and soft notes of vanilla and toasted rye. The whiskey concludes with a warm spice finish. Bottled at 80 proof, the Malted Rye promises a balanced and refined drinking experience, best enjoyed neat to fully appreciate the mash bill’s nuances.

Availability

Set to grace the shelves nationwide in September 2023, Basil Hayden Malted Rye arrives just in time for the holiday season. It is priced at $59.99 for a 750mL bottle, presenting an accessible way for enthusiasts to explore this new expression of rye whiskey.

Bunnahabhain Releases Annual 12 Year Old Cask Strength 2023 Edition

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Bunnahabhain Distillery, known for its classic unpeated sherried house style, has announced the launch of its third annual small-batch 12 Year Old Cask Strength release. Named the Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Cask Strength 2023 Edition, this limited edition expression allows enthusiasts to savor the essence of Bunnahabhain whisky.

Originating from the remote north-eastern coast of Islay, the whisky is crafted with natural spring water from the Margadale spring. This year’s release pays homage to Bunnahabhain’s renowned 12 Year Old signature expression, continuing the tradition with an increased alcohol by volume (ABV) of 60.1%, compared to 56.6% in 2022 and 55.1% in 2021.

The 12-Year-Old Cask Strength 2023 Edition has been matured in both first and second-fill oloroso sherry casks, and then finely balanced with a touch of bourbon. Each cask is handpicked by Master Blender Julieann Fernandez to ensure the distinctive Bunnahabhain flavor profile. The maturation in sherry casks has contributed to the release’s notes of stone fruits and figs, paired with lingering hints of vanilla for a refined finish.

In her remarks, Fernandez expressed her pride in the 2023 release, noting its embodiment of all Bunnahabhain stands for: “unpeated, sherried and full of intense flavor.” She described the newest offering as having prominent notes of roasted nuts and cinnamon spice in every dram.

The Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Cask Strength 2023 Edition, available for purchase at the distillery or through their website, is offered at £85. The non-chill filtered expression invites whisky aficionados to enjoy the spirit as authentically as possible, echoing the distillery’s commitment to providing a pure and unaltered tasting experience.

Diageo Unveils Annual Limited-Edition Whisky Collection with Noteworthy Inclusions and Firsts

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Diageo has disclosed specifics of its annual Special Releases collection, named Spirited Xchange for this year. The collection comprises eight limited-edition, cask-strength Scotch whiskies, and the selection has been overseen for the first time by Master Blender Dr. Stuart Morrison.

Among the notable highlights is the introduction of a 12-year-old single malt from Roseisle, marking the first-ever bottling from this distillery established in 2010. Another attention-worthy inclusion is a non-age stated Mortlach, uniquely finished in whisky casks from Japan’s Kanosuke Distillery. The collection also brings forth the oldest bottling from the Lowland distillery Glenkinchie, a 27-year-old malt, marking its first appearance in the Special Releases since 2016.

Despite the absence of a significant price increase this year, the collection notes the youngest age statements in its history. This shift began in 2018, with the exclusion of significant expressions like Port Ellen and Brora. In 2019, Diageo re-introduced the Special Releases with new packaging and a condensed eight-bottle range. The year 2020 saw the launch of Prima & Ultima, a new annual series of collectible rare whiskies, typically sold as a set.

This year’s collection is characterized by a rich diversity of whiskies. Each label features artwork by different artists, aiming to visually represent the whisky’s tasting notes. The Mortlach, with no stated age, is finished in pinot noir and Japanese whisky casks and is priced at $280. The Talisker, also without an age statement, is finished in a variety of port casks and priced at $135.

Diageo’s announcement has also revealed limited quantities of the 2023 Special Releases will be available from September 18th on malts.com, and from October 1st at specialist retailers across various global locations, including the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, selected Asian markets, and airport duty-free stores.

Several whiskies in the collection, such as the Oban 11 year old, are making their seventh appearance, with this year’s expression being finished in Caribbean pot-distilled rum casks. Others, like the Lagavulin 12 year old, have been consistent features, with this year marking a first with finishing in Don Julio añejo tequila casks.

A notable first in this year’s collection is the public release of Roseisle as a single malt. The Roseisle 12 year old, priced at $150, has been matured in first-fill bourbon and refill casks, showcasing the diversity and innovation present in the 2023 Special Releases collection.

Waterford Distillery Launches Ireland’s Most Heavily-Peated Whiskies

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Waterford Distillery has introduced two heavily-peated whiskies to the market, claimed to be Ireland’s most potent in this category. Named Peated: Lacken and Peated: Woodbrook, these whiskies are the newest addition to the distillery’s Arcadian Farm Origins series. This line is known for embracing traditional whisky production methods and utilizing 100% Irish barley and Irish peat for a distinctive flavor profile.

The two new whiskies are produced from barley cultivated on two distinct Single Farm Origins, Lacken in County Wexford and Woodbrook in County Dublin. They have phenol parts per million (PPM) rates of 57ppm and 74ppm, respectively, marking them as the most heavily-peated Irish whiskies ever produced. These whiskies join Peated: Fenniscourt and Peated: Ballybannon in the Arcadian Farm Origins series, which were launched in August of the previous year.

Waterford Distillery employs Irish peat from Ballyteige Co. in Kildare, contributing to the creation of whiskies with rich and complex flavors, reflecting the terroir-derived nuances of their respective regions. Each bottle from the distillery comes with a unique TÉIREOIR CODE, offering detailed information about its journey from barley to bottle.

Mark Reynier, Waterford Distillery Founder and CEO, expressed the distillery’s commitment to exploring traditional whiskey-making methods. The newly launched whiskies have been peated to levels surpassing many famous Islay whiskies, providing a unique experience for whiskey enthusiasts.

Ned Gahan, Head Distiller at Waterford Distillery, provided tasting notes for the two whiskies, describing the appearance, nose, taste, and finish of each, detailing the distinct and rich flavors present in both offerings.

Peated: Lacken and Peated: Woodbrook will be available for purchase on the Waterford Distillery website with a retail selling price of approximately €95/£90, varying by location.

Lost Lantern Unveils Fall Single Cask Collection

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Born from co-founders Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam “Apolon” Polonski’s extensive journey through the American whiskey landscape, Lost Lantern Whiskey Company has championed the spirit of discovery and transparency in all their offerings. Now, their passion project brings forth the Fall Single Cask Collection.

The collection features expressions from renowned partners: Balcones Distilling in Texas, Smooth Ambler in West Virginia, New Riff Distilling in Kentucky, and Corbin Cash in California. A notable addition is from Andalusia Whiskey Co. in Texas, a distillery that’s attracted significant interest from both the founders and their audience.

Highlighted Offerings:

  • Balcones Distilling: An intriguing single malt—unpeated but matured in a peated Balcones barrel.
  • Smooth Ambler: A 6-year-old high-rye bourbon, a testament to West Virginia’s distilling prowess.
  • New Riff: A cask strength Kentucky bourbon, shedding light on the profound impact of barrel choices.
  • Corbin Cash: A 7-year-old straight rye whiskey, crafted from 100% Merced rye from California’s Central Valley.
  • Andalusia Whiskey Co.: A distinctive triple-distilled single malt from Texas Hill Country.

Lost Lantern’s Preview Tasting Event on September 21st at Elixir in San Francisco offers enthusiasts a sneak peek into the collection, ensuring a memorable experience of the new whiskies and the stories behind them.

For those eager to delve into the independent spirit of American whiskey, the Fall Single Cask Collection will be available for purchase starting September 27th. Enthusiasts can secure their collection through the Lost Lantern website, Seelbachs.com, and at select California retailers.

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