Ardbeg Releases The Harpy’s Tale: A 13-Year-Old Whisky Matured in Ex-Bourbon and Sauternes Casks

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Islay distillery, Ardbeg, has announced a new whisky, Ardbeg Anthology: The Harpy’s Tale. This is the first release in the brand’s Anthology Collection, which aims to present a series of single malts matured in different cask types.

The Harpy’s Tale has been aged for 13 years in both ex-bourbon and Sauternes wine casks. This combination results in a whisky with characteristics from both cask types: the recognizable smoky notes of Ardbeg and the sweetness from the Sauternes casks. The packaging references the harpy, a creature from ancient mythology, representing the merger of two different entities.

Dr. Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation, commented on the dual cask maturation process and highlighted the whisky’s distinct character. He mentioned that the Anthology Collection will include more releases, each matured in different cask types.

Ardbeg Anthology: The Harpy’s Tale is priced at £141 with an alcohol content of 46%. It’s available on Ardbeg.com, at Ardbeg Embassies, the Distillery’s Visitor Centre on Islay, and some whisky specialists.

For further details on Ardbeg and its products, interested individuals can visit www.ardbeg.com/ardbeg/committee. Ardbeg also has a presence on social media platforms: Instagram (@ardbeg) and Facebook (@ardbeg).

J.C. Newman Cigar Co. Debuts Online Store Featuring Exclusive El Reloj Factory Items

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J.C. Newman Cigar Co. has expanded its retail presence by launching an online store, providing access to exclusive merchandise from its El Reloj cigar factory in Tampa, Florida. Originally, three years prior, the company had established a physical factory store at this location, renowned for its assortment of rare cigars and items symbolizing Tampa’s historic Ybor City cigar district.

The online transition has been spurred by increasing demand from cigar aficionados. Now, without visiting the physical store in Tampa, customers can purchase popular items like the El Reloj LEGO set and the Ybor Misfits coffee mug.

Kara Guagliardo, the Executive Director of Hospitality and Community Engagement at J.C. Newman, remarked on the significance of the collection, emphasizing its representation of Ybor City and Tampa’s rich history. The online store boasts a variety of products, from vintage ashtrays and apparel to books and posters.

For a complete look at the offerings, interested individuals can visit www.jcnewman.com/factory-store.

Pernod Ricard and Rabbit Hole Founder Introduce Mary Dowling Bourbon

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French company Pernod Ricard, in collaboration with Rabbit Hole’s Kaveh Zamanian, has unveiled a new Bourbon brand, Mary Dowling. This builds on their partnership initiated in 2019 when Pernod Ricard acquired a stake in the Kentucky-based Rabbit Hole distillery.

The Mary Dowling Whiskey Company is launching with two bourbon expressions: a high-rye Bourbon aged in Tequila barrels and a Double Oak Cask Strength Bourbon. The brand pays homage to Mary Dowling, a notable female figure in the pre-Prohibition Bourbon world.

Kaveh Zamanian commented on the brand’s inspiration, emphasizing Dowling’s significant impact on the whiskey-making world and her challenging journey, which included relocating production to Mexico during Prohibition.

The Tequila Barrel variant is a Kentucky straight Bourbon matured in oloroso Sherry barrels and finished in reposado Tequila barrels. It blends fruity flavors with smoky undertones and a peppery finish, retailing between 46.7%-47.5% ABV. The Double Oak Barrel, with flavors of tobacco and cherry, is bottled at 53.5% ABV.

Available in select states, the Tequila Barrel is priced at US$75, while the Double Oak Barrel is at US$130.

Pernod Ricard continues to expand its American whiskey footprint, with investments like a new distillery for its Jefferson’s Bourbon brand.

Elijah Craig Releases Ryder Cup Commemorative Bourbon Finished in European Oak Barrels

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Elijah Craig has unveiled its Limited-Edition Toasted Barrel Bourbon in celebration of the 2023 Ryder Cup. This special release uses European Toasted Oak Barrels inspired by those utilized in the Lazio wine growing region in Italy. The move follows Elijah Craig’s announcement earlier this year about their multi-year partnership, positioning the Bourbon as the “Official Bourbon” and a Worldwide Supplier for the biennial golf competition.

This limited edition bourbon originates from the matured Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, which undergoes an additional finishing process in new European Oak barrels. Lazio wines, which have roots in Rome, Italy, inspired the barrel’s toast profile. Interestingly, the 2023 Ryder Cup will be hosted at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome from September 29th to October 1st.

The European oak’s subtle flavor integration capabilities harmonize the spiciness of the Lazio-inspired toast profile with the pronounced fruity character of the matured Elijah Craig. Initial tasting notes suggest hints of caramel and crème brûlée, while subsequent sips highlight bright fruit notes following undertones of baking spices. The finish is moderately long with a prevailing spice taste. The bourbon attempts to encapsulate the essence of both the U.S. Team’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and the iconic wine-growing region of the European Team.

Max Stefka, Group Product Director at Elijah Craig Bourbon, expressed his excitement over the release, emphasizing the unique fusion of toasted European Oak and the matured Kentucky Bourbon. He believes that the combination presents a tasting experience worthy of such a prestigious sports event.

Guy Kinnings, the Ryder Cup Director, anticipates that Elijah Craig’s bourbon will enhance the spectator experience in Rome. Additionally, Jeff Price, the Chief Commercial Officer of the PGA of America, praised the limited-edition release as an apt celebration of top-tier golf competition.

The commemorative bottle features multiple design elements related to the Ryder Cup, including a neck label with the trophy image, a gold coin cork with the Ryder Cup logo, and a face label signifying the “Official Bourbon” partnership. Packaged in a gift box, each bottle narrates the story behind this unique offering. Set for a national release in August, this limited edition will retail at an SRP of $99.99.

Elijah Craig continues its association with golf, being recognized as the Official Bourbon and Whiskey Supplier of various PGA events and partnering with key figures in the golf world, like PGA TOUR Professional Golfer Max Homa and sports broadcaster Amanda Balionis-Renner.

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Federal Court Rules in Favor of Premium Cigars, Exempts Them from FDA Regulation

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A significant decision was handed down today by U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta, who ruled that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must exempt premium cigars from tobacco regulations that were implemented in 2016. This conclusion marks an important victory for the industry, following nearly seven years of legal disputes.

The challenge was led and funded by Cigar Rights of America (CRA), which argued against the inclusion of premium cigars in the FDA’s 2016 “Deeming” rule. CRA contended that this inclusion was misguided and lacked a solid scientific foundation. During the court appearance on May 23, 2022, CRA argued that the FDA had failed to present a valid public health rationale and had improperly dismissed a prior option to exempt premium cigars from the category.

Judge Mehta agreed with CRA’s arguments and ruled on July 5th of the previous year that the inclusion of premium cigars in the regulation was arbitrary and capricious, thus in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act. He stated that the FDA had ignored scientific evidence regarding premium cigars submitted by CRA, resorting to ambiguous language to cloud the issue.

The industry has been looking forward to an official announcement, and today’s ruling sets a federal definition for premium cigars, providing them an exemption. This decision effectively offers regulatory relief to the industry.

Robert Levin, president of CRA, expressed his satisfaction with the ruling, calling it a “monumental day in the history of the premium cigar industry.” He added that the court’s decision affirmed CRA’s longstanding belief that premium cigars should never have been subject to FDA regulation in the first place.

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