HEAVEN HILL LAUNCHES TRYBOX SERIES OF NEW MAKE AMERICAN WHISKEYS

Renowned distiller introduces New Make Bourbon and Rye, other American Whiskey varieties to follow

BARDSTOWN, KY – Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., the nation’s largest independent family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer, announces the first two releases of the Trybox Series of New Make Whiskeys.  The new Trybox Series, named after the copper and glass “tasting station” where new make whiskey flows off the still, offers up several styles of Heaven Hill’s world famous American Whiskeys. Each is taken straight off the still, before aging in a charred oak barrel—the same way legendary father and son Master Distillers Parker and Craig Beam taste-test them.

The first two releases in the series, available at retail starting in May, will be New Make, which if barrel aged would become a Straight Bourbon such as Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage; and Rye New Make, which if aged would become Rittenhouse Straight Rye.  Future plans call for the release of other varieties of American Straight Whiskey as new make, as Heaven Hill Distilleries is the only American Whiskey producer that distills Bourbon, Rye, Corn and Wheat Whiskeys.

The Trybox Series is available in a 750ml bottle size, packaged three to a case, and is bottled at the full traditional barrel entry proof of 125, or 62.5% alcohol/volume.  The suggested national average retail price will be $24.99, and it will launch in most markets across the country.  The Trybox Series is offered in an upscale package, contemporary yet with elements that are based on traditional distillery sample bottles.  The labels detail the “Main” and “Secondary” grains used in that particular whiskey, and subtle color changes differentiate each whiskey style.  All the bottlings will utilize a rich, metallic copper cap, hearkening back to the copper stills so important for American Whiskey distillation.

New make whiskey, traditionally referred to by distillers as “White Dog”, is American whiskey in its most raw and elemental form.  It is a very different sensory experience than barrel aged whiskey, offering up grainier and sharper aromas and flavor notes.  Cutting edge mixologists today are discovering new uses for new make whiskey as a unique and appealing cocktail base.

The New Make uses the same grain recipe, or mashbill, as nearly all of Heaven Hill’s award winning Bourbons, including Evan Williams and Elijah Craig. By law, Bourbon must contain a minimum of 51% corn in the mashbill, traditionally combined with malted barley and either rye or wheat.  Heaven Hill’s Bourbon formula, however, and most of the other larger distilleries, has always contained a much higher percentage of corn than the legal minimum.  Heaven Hill also uses one of the highest percentages of malted barley in the industry, despite the fact that it is the costliest grain in the process, because it not only aids in fermentation conversion but it also adds a distinctive earthy sweetness to the distillate.  The Rye New Make utilizes the traditional Heaven Hill rye mashbill , the same that is used to produce world-renowned Rittenhouse Rye.  The Rye New Make adds an element of spicy, sharp fruitiness to the taste.

“We believe our reputation and the breadth of our American Whiskey offerings will make the Trybox Series an important addition to the national whiskey scene,” commented Susan Wahl, Brand Manager for the whiskey portfolio at Heaven Hill. “The ability to offer not only a classic new make Bourbon formula, but also a Rye, Wheat and Corn Whiskey new make will make this a significant extension of the current available whiskey offerings, and highly desirable to enterprising mixologists and whiskey connoisseurs.”    

Founded in 1934, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (www.heavenhill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams and Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Hpnotiq Liqueur; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul and Two Fingers Tequilas, and Dubonnet Aperitif. 

Hazelburn 8 Year Old Sauternes (55.5%)
 
2011 limited release wood expression of triple distilled Springbank Hazelburn. Matured for 5 Years in refill bourbon casks and a further 3 years in Sauternes casks.

Distillers Tasting Notes:

Nose: Warm and embracing: homemade Seville orange marmalade on a buttered, toasted cinnamon and raisin bagel. Orange liqueur, burnt demerara sugar, treacle, honey, figs and dates emerge from the sidelines as the aromas develop.

Palate: Buttery, creamy and rich with orange fondantcream and ginger bread biscuits. Hints of honey and chiliglazed brazil nuts, sweet and warm.

£54.99 (£45.83 ex VAT)

In-stock and ready to ship at www.thewhiskybarrel.com

March 2011

Dear Customer

This month we have three (3) new bottlings under the PROVENANCE label.

Their Tasting Notes are:

PRV 0687 Laphroaig 10 Year Old
Opens on the nose with a smoked ham quality and runs to a sweet, ashy, even vanilla’d style. Initially the palate is sweet & fruity then quickly develops to oily smoke and salty liquorice. The finish is long with a burnt sugar, ashes and dark chocolate style. (J)

PRV 0688 Ben Nevis 11 Year Old
Honeyed – perfumed – and attractively barley sweet on the nose … move onto a big round palate with more (runny) honey – dark sugar tones and Malt. The finish is then warmingly spiced – still remarkably sweet – with that same round malty quality apparent. (F)

PRV 0691 Macallan 12 Year Old
Citric fresh, honeyed, sweet and malty on the nose – it runs to a palate which is immediately vanilla toffee in style – buttery – with a sweet barley flavour. The finish is long – slightly drier now – still spiced and appealing.
(F)

We hope you may like and appreciate these recent additions to the PRV range .

With all best wishes, I remain

Yours faithfully

Fred Laing

Visit Douglas Laing & Co. Ltd. at www.douglaslaing.com

The Art of Irish Whiskey

TASTING ROOM AT BINNY’S SOUTH LOOP
Wednesday, March 16th
6:30pm – 8:30pm

Former upstart Irish whiskey distillery Cooley is an upstart no more, in fact after over 20 years of production they might be the best. Join Brand Ambassador John Cashman as he explores the history and styles of Cooley, including Kilbeggan Blended, Tyconnel Single Malt, Connemara Peated Single Malt and Greenore 8 year old Grain Whiskey, as well as at least a couple of surprises. $10 w/Binny’s Card, $15 non-members.

Call (312)768-4400 or
email southloop@binnys.com for reservations.

Binny’s South Loop
1132 S. Jefferson Street
Chicago, IL 60607

Thomas Handy Sazerac NAS Limited Edition Straight Rye Kentucky Whiskey (63.45%, OB, +/-2009)

Sugar dusted orange on the nose with a sensational sweetness along with some very good oak spice all sprinkled with the orange dusted with sugar along with hints of cold unsweetened Oolong tea. This is very good, scratch that, sensational. The taste  is rich fruit, qyuite dry and has loads of oak notes along with the dusted fruit and some of the cold tea notes. Again sensational stuff. It actually is quite drinkable without water but its very, very peppery. The finish is long, long and very warming with all the previously described descriptors holding court.

Powerful, sensational and delicious. Somebody else can add water and see what it’s like…

+/- $65 from internet searches…

Score 90 points

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Cooley’s Greenore claims World’s Best Single Grain Whiskey Award for third consecutive year

Cooley Distillery’s 15 Year Old Single Grain Whiskey Greenore has been named World Best Single Grain Whiskey for the third consecutive year at the World Whiskies Awards in London.

Over 300 whiskies battled it out over three tasting rounds for the coveted titles of the 2011 Best Whiskies in the World.  The World Whiskies Awards are adjudicated by an illustrious panel of whisky experts brought together by the industry bible The Whisky Magazine. 

Originally launched as a limited batch of just 5,000 bottles in 2008 the Greenore 15 Year Old claimed its first World Best Single Grain Whiskey award in 2009 and has continued to dominate the Single Grain whiskey field with repeat wins in 2010 and now 2011.

To date the Greenore 15 Year Old has won two Gold medals and two Best in Class commendations at the International Wine and Spirits Competition and three World Whiskies Awards World Best Single Grain Whiskey titles.

Jack Teeling, Managing Director of Cooley Distillery, commented: “Greenore is a very special whiskey and one that we are immensely proud of.  Named after a local town in the area in which it is produced the success of this unique whiskey can be attributed to the skill and dedication of our workforce who ensure that every drop bottled is of a world class standard.

Greenore is the only Irish Single Grain Whiskey in existence and it’s success is proof positive of Ireland’s ability to produce world class products which are marketable at home and overseas.”

This award coincides with the launch of the latest expression in the Greenore range – the small batch bottling of 18 Year Old Single Grain. Greenore 18 Year old continues a journey of taste and discovery showcasing how extra years in American oak casks impart further depth and flavour to Cooley’s award winning Single Grain whiskey. This small batch bottling has been limited to only 4000 bottles.

Master of Malt are first to stock 70 Year Old Whisky

Online Retailer Master of Malt (http://www.masterofmalt.com/) are first to stock Glenlivet 70 year old, an extraordinary single malt that was launched in March 2011. The Scotch, with a price tag of £13,000 a bottle, has been described by critics as “stupendous”, and is one of just two 70 year old single malt whiskies ever released.

Distilled at the Glenlivet distillery on the 4th February 1940 during the height of the Battle of Britain, the spirit was filled into a Sherry cask, where it rested for the last seventy years. During the ageing process, whisky actually evaporates out of the cask, a phenomenon known in the industry as “the angel’s share”. Because of this, there was only enough liquid for 100 full-sized decanter bottles – adding to its rarity.

The 700ml decanters are on sale at Master of Malt with a price tag of £13,000, and there are also smaller, 20cl-sized bottles with a price of £3,200 each. The whisky was bottled in 2011 by the renowned Scotch whisky brand Gordon and MacPhail, and it is the second part of their “Generations” series, the first of which was the world’s oldest whisky, a 70 year old single malt from the Mortlach distillery.

The bottles are presented in hand-blown crystal decanters, with British hallmarked sterling silver stoppers, and silver bases. The wooden boxes are handmade out of Scottish Elm. Famed critic Charlie MacLean describes the whisky: “Although it resonates with aged character – and, indeed, characteristics from another era – it retains vitality, both on the nose and in the mouth.”

You can purchase a bottle of Glenlivet 70 Year Old 1940 from Master of Malt for £13,000: http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/glenlivet-70-year-old-1940-whisky/

About Glenlivet 70 Year Old 1940

– Distilled in Speyside, Scotland on the 4th February 1940
– Aged in a First Fill American White Oak Sherry Butt
– Bottled with at a strength of 45.9% abv
– 100 x 70cl decanters released, 175 x 20cl decanters released
– Tasting notes and review can be found here: http://www.masterofmalt.com/Blog/post/The-Glenlivet-70-Year-Old-e28093-The-Worlde28099s-Oldest-Whisky-(Mk-2).aspx

About Master of Malt

– Established in 1985
– Master of Malt – http://www.masterofmalt.com/ 
– One of the UK’s leading Online Spirits Merchants
– Highly rated independent bottler, all of whose single cask whiskies scored over 90 points in the Jim Murray Whisky Bible

Follow Master of Malt
– On their blog – http://www.masterofmalt.com/blog
– On Twitter @MasterOfMalt
– On Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/masterofmalt

Bruichladdich “Laddie Classic” Edition 01 (46%, OB, 2009)

The nose is gentle at first but quickly reveals rich dried fruits, honey and some very vague hints of tobacco and varnish. Hovering in the back ground is the slightest hint of mint followed by some maritime notes and bees wax. A different aroma for a Bruichladdich in some ways and very good. The taste is right off very nice; the rich dried fruits that come across as a Sauternes finish along with some good pepper, oak spice and barley sugar. It’s not overly sweet but there is a good rich sweetness to it. Some really good malt pops up suddenly and then the rich dried fruit emerge again. Lots going on here. The finish is more of the aforementioned descriptors and it continues to be mouth smashingly good, more of the rich fruit notes that continue off into the sunset for an amazingly long time. The finish is very long and warming.

A grand dram to sit quietly with, it takes some study but it’s all there. And many thanks to Duncan for the sample.

$80 or £33 at the Whisky Exchange

Score 86 points

St. Patricks Day Barrel Top,
Thursday 17th March

We will be sampling the newly-released Irish Whiskey ‘Inish Turk Beg’ between 12pm-5pm, so please drop by to have a sample and see what you think!

Sláinte,

The Team

Glenfarclas Single-Malt Scotch Tastings with George Grant Today (Monday, March 14th, 2011) 4:30 & 6:00 PM

Dinner-Masterclass at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse at 7:30 PM

Don’t forget that this evening we have an incredibly special event planned. George Grant, whose family runs the Glenfarclas distillery (and has for six generations) will be joining us for three incredible tastings. We’ll be enjoying a full vertical of the line-up, from the “No Age-Statement” 105 bottling right up to the 40 Y.O. After the in-store tastings those lucky enough to have reserved their seats for the Masterclass will retire for a decadent evening of dinner accompanied by some of the rarest Glenfarclas distillery bottlings to hit the U.S. Market (and the full vertical, of course.) Please make every attempt to arrive on time for each tasting, and no earlier than ten minutes prior to each event to facilitate a smooth transition between tastings. Mr. Grant will be available to sign bottles, if there is a particular one you would like it would be advisable to call or email ahead to reserve it as supplies are limited.

Pricing is as follows:

Glenfarclas NAS “105” 60% Regularly: $87.99 Sale: $78.99

Glenfarclas 12 Y.O. 43% Regularly: $55.99 Sale: $49.99

Glenfarclas 17 Y.O. 43% Regularly: $104.99 Sale: $94.99

Glenfarclas 21 Y.O. 43% Regularly: $127.99 Sale: $114.99

Glenfarclas 25 Y.O 43% Regularly: $179.99 Sale: $159.99

Glenfarclas 40 Y.0. 46% Unchill-filtered which was just awarded Single Malt Scotch-Whisky of the Year by Malt Advocate Magazine. Regularly: $549.99 Sale: $474.99

Joe Howell
Federal Wine & Spirits

Email: joe@federalwine.com
Phone: (617) 367-8605
Web: http://www.federalwine.com/