Angel’s Envy 100 Proof Rye Whiskey (750ml)

$79.99 View

 This honey-hued rye has a remarkable aroma, melding cookie dough, hazelnut and marzipan. The same luscious flavors show up on the palate, rich and sweet, leading into a confected finish of Nutella sprinkled with nutmeg and cinnamon. The sugar-and-spice effect is due to 18 months finishing time in casks that first held Cognac, then Caribbean rum. *Top 50 Spirits 2013* (KN)  (7/2013)

90 points Whisky Advocate

 The folks at Angel’s Envy once again push the envelope with this 95% rye whiskey finished in Caribbean rum casks. Vibrant, spicy rye notes (cinnamon and mint) are tamed by rich maple syrup, graham cracker crust, nutty toffee, candy floss, subtle tropical fruit, and creamy vanilla. Warm, spicy, rummy finish. This is a mood whiskey—not one I would drink every day—but the flavors marry nicely and the sweetness tames this high-testosterone rye whiskey. Bonus points for uniqueness. *Editors’ Choice* (Summer 2013) 

September 12th, 5:30PM: 

Wyoming Whiskey with co-founder David DeFazio

Distillery Co-Founder David DeFazio presents this virtual tasting of Wyoming Whiskey’s award winning bottlings!

Wyoming Whiskey are an independent, family-owned whiskey makers with a world-class distillery in the Big Horn Basin of Wyoming. The Big Horn Basin has everything needed to make great bourbon, and all ingredients are sourced locally – from non-GMO grain to water from the Madison limestone aquifier. The consistency and uniqueness of these whiskey elements make for a better bourbon that stands apart from all others, and a true contender for best Whisky of the West.

Tasting Pourlist:

(click to purchase)

OutRyder

Double Cask

Small Batch Bourbon

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ralfy review 841 – Balvenie 12yo Taste of Sweet Oak @ 43%vol:

Buffalo Trace Distillery Announces Limited Release

Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel in the U.S. 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Aug. 27, 2020) For Blanton’s fans, Buffalo Trace Distillery is making Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel available in the United States this fall.  This announcement follows Buffalo Trace Distillery announcing earlier this year that Blanton’s Gold Edition will be available annually in the United States, starting in summer 2020.

Like Blanton’s Gold Edition, Straight From The Barrel will be limited, and released once every year in the U.S. This is the first time Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel has been made available in the U.S. It joins Blanton’s Original Single Barrel, bottled at 93 proof and the aforementioned Blanton’s Gold Edition, bottled at 103 proof.

As its name suggests, Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel is an uncut, unfiltered bourbon.  The recipe is the same as Blanton’s Original and Blanton’s Gold, but the proof will vary from barrel to barrel.

“Blanton’s continues to be one of our most sought after bourbons,” said Kris Comstock, senior marketing director. “Fans in the U.S. have asked us to make Straight From The Barrel available here at home, so we’re happy we’re able to accommodate that starting this fall.”

Like the other two in the Blanton’s stable, Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel showcases a horse and jockey atop its stopper, in various poses to emulate the running of a horse race. The eight different horse and jockey stoppers feature a letter that collectors save to spell out the brand name “B-L-A-N-T-O-N-S.”

Tasting notes for Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel describe it as notes of dark chocolate, caramel and butter with earthy undertones of walnut and hazelnut on the nose.  The palate delivers intrepid notes of warm vanilla, oak, toasted nuts and a rich spiciness with hints of butterscotch or honey, with a deep and resonate finish.

Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon, the world’s first single barrel bourbon, was created in 1984 by Elmer T. Lee. Named after former distillery president Colonel Albert B. Blanton, Elmer recalled how Colonel Blanton would handpick “honey barrels” from the center cut of Warehouse H for the many parties Blanton held.  Many years later, the Distillery called upon Elmer to create a new bourbon in 1984 and Blanton’s was born – the world’s first single barrel bourbon.

Today, Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon is one of the most revered and award-winning bourbons on the market.  Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel will start shipping from Buffalo Trace Distillery this fall on a very limited basis.  Suggested retail pricing is $150.  For more information on Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel visit www.blantonsbourbon.com.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 35 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon was named World Whiskey of the Year by “Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2018” and its William Larue Weller and Thomas H. Handy Sazerac were named 2^nd and 3^rd finest whiskeys in the world, respectively, in the “Jim Murray Whiskey Bible 2020.”  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

The results are in … and we couldn’t be more pleased!

There are many spirits competitions out there, but not all of them are like the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, which stands out among the rest.  Its mission, under the direction of director Paul Pacult, is to create and establish a new and higher standard of evaluation for spirits that provides accurate, meaningful and useful results in recognizing and promoting the quality of alcohol beverage products.

KILCHOMAN TRIUMPHED

Sanaig, Kilchoman’s core expression with a focus on its Sherry influence was crowned the highest scoring Islay whisky at 97 points!!  This beauty beat other well known Islay whiskies to the peaty punch.  If you’d like to see if it’s available in your state, check out our page on Grapein.

Kilchoman’s other core expression, Machir Bay, scored a point higher than last year at 95 points, beating out other popular competitors.

Determined by a formula that includes the aggregate scoring of the judging panels, the scoring curve based upon the number of entries, and the overall categorical scoring average, the Chairman’s Trophy is bestowed to the highest scoring entry per category. Finalist status, the products deemed to be in the running for the Chairman’s Trophy, are decided upon by the Judging Chairman based on their favorable results.

WHISKIES FROM JAPAN ASTOUNDED

At 96 points, not only did the fantastic Fukano 10 beat out other prominent Japanese whiskies, but it earned a spot in the Top 100 Spirits of 2020.  Quite the honor for this humble distillery.  To see the states it’s currently available in, check out our Fukano page on Grapein.

The Matsui Distillery has been making amazing whisky since 1910, and with this Chairman’s Trophy they’ve cemented themselves into the top tier of Japanese Distilleries.

Tottori is Matsui Distillery’s brand as well, and it is fantastic in cocktails.  Both the Blended and the ex-Bourbon barrel expressions placed in the nineties, scoring 93 and 92 points, respectively.

Ohishi distillery was founded in 1872, and produces unique rice whisky utilizing water from the Kuma river.  This year two Ohishi favorites brought home medals, with its Islay cask finish at 91 points and the Sherry cask at 90.

BELGIAN BELIEVERS BLOSSOMED

Ultimate Spirits Challenge’s methodology raises the standard for competitive beverage evaluation by instituting more rigorous judging. Each product is reviewed under ideal tasting conditions over a period of time that allows the product to express its best characteristics and evaluated blindly by panels in multi-stage assessments to remove any inherent or individual bias.

Het Anker has a time-honored tradition of producing award-winning Belgian beer.  In 2010, the first distillate for Gouden Carolus left the boilers.  A decade later, this fine Belgian Single Malt has been awarded the honor of being considered a finalist and earning 92 points.

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ImpEx Beverages Inc.

360 Swift Ave

Side B # 9

South San Francisco, CA 94080

GlencadamReserva Andalucia
Sherry Finish
£37.95

BUY NOW

This limited-edition whisky from Glencadam pays homage to the distillery’s relationship with the great sherry-producing region of Jerez, Spain. A delicate and creamy single malt with a richly-fruity, honeyed profile. Glencadam Reserva Aldalucia pays homage to the relationship between Glencadam distillery and the famous sherry-producing region of Jerez in Andalucia, Spain. Made from a selection of sherry butts from Glencadam’s dunnage warehouses that were married with bourbons casks and finished in carefully selected oloroso sherry casks from Andalucia.

Filey Bay STR Wine Cask Finish
English Single Malt Whisky
£58.95

BUY NOW

Distilled in Yorkshire, England in 2016, this whisky was initially matured in ex-bourbon casks before being moved to shaved, toasted and recharred wine barriques resulting in a fresh and fruity profile.This field-to-bottle single malt from Yorkshire’s Filey Bay was distilled in 2016 and initially matured in bourbon casks before being finished in shaved, toasted and recharred wine barriques. The result is a light and fruity whisky, with notes of summer berries, vanilla ice cream and oaky spice.

Our 111th auction is now live! Not only do we have a voluptuous volume to digest this month but a fantastic spread of choice for the avid collector, drinker, right up to the extraordinary..

Irish Distillers Launches Grow Your Own Cocktail Web Series for Bartenders 

Global bartender platform ‘Jameson Hosts’ brings to life their global ‘Grow Your Own Cocktail’ web series with new videos and cocktail inspiration from around the world  

Bartenders are encouraged to join the global movement and combine local resources and ingredients with Jameson for the chance to win a cash prize    

Jameson Irish Whiskey, produced by Irish Distillers in Midleton Distillery, has launched a Grow Your Own Cocktail web series to promote local sourcing, collaboration and discovery among bartenders and local producers around the world.

Last year, the Jameson team brought bartenders, local farmers and producers together in communities across the globe to encourage mixologists to create locally inspired cocktails. The Jameson team captured all of their adventures, which fans can now enjoy as a six-part web series. The series will feature episodes from Dubai, Tel Aviv, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Stockholm and Cork, home to Irish Distillers’ Midleton Distillery, to educate and inspire the global bar community to use local and uniquely sourced ingredients.

Since the Grow Your Own Cocktail concept was born, Jameson has encouraged meaningful human connections between bars and their community through foraging, hosting masterclasses, and partnering with local expert craftspeople. This has inspired participants to embark on a journey of collaboration with local producers on a truly global scale.

Alongside the web series, Jameson is encouraging bartenders to proactively support their local community by joining the Grow Your Own Cocktail movement. Jameson is offering a €1,000 cash prize to be split equally between bartenders and producers who work in collaboration to create a Jameson cocktail using locally sourced ingredients. The competition will encourage bartenders to leverage their local environment by creating a signature drink with ingredients sourced from a farm, corner shop or local market and winners will be encouraged to invest their prize back into their community through further local sourcing.

Entrants simply post their cocktail on Instagram, outlining the local ingredients used, background to the collaboration, and explain why Jameson should support them, along with the hashtag #GrowYourOwnCocktail. The contest will judge each Bartender’s fresh new cocktail. How their new serve celebrates and supports both the local community and the smooth taste of Jameson –will also be rewarded.

Irish Distillers’ International Marketing Director Brendan Buckley explains, “The Grow Your Own Cocktail web series is integral in encouraging collaboration between the bar industry and their local craftspeople. The bar community has faced serious challenges in 2020, so now, more than ever the industry needs solidarity, creativity and innovation to help it through these times. It’s Jameson’s mission to support this creativity and encourage bartenders to use their own environments in truly innovative ways.

“The bartending community is at the heart of Jameson as the first advocates of our whiskey many years ago.  We can’t wait to see what bartenders and their wider communities come up with.”

Episodes of the web series are being released throughout August and September via @JamesonHosts on Instagram and the Jameson Irish Whiskey YouTube channel.

For more information on how to enter the competition, bartenders should head over to the @JamesonHosts Instagram page. All posts must tag @JamesonHosts and the deadline for entries is the September 14^th 2020.

Midleton Very Rare

One of the most sought-after ranges of Irish whiskey, the Midleton Very Rare series was created in 1984 by master distiller Barry Crockett. Every year, a handful of specially-selected casks are blended together to create the newest release of Midleton Very Rare.

A new whiskey is released every year and so far only two master distillers have influenced this series: Barry Crockett and Brian Nation. Over the years, there has been a change in the whiskies available, with stocks becoming older and more complex.

Very Rare Beginnings – 1984

The whiskey that started it all, created by Barry Crockett and released in 1984, was made with a combination of grain whiskey and pot still whiskey that was matured in ex-bourbon casks for up to nine years.

Nose: Apricot, nutmeg and cinnamon aromas mingle with plums and crystalised ginger.

Palate: Crunchy green apples, clotted cream and shortbread initially fill the palate, before being joined by spicy black pepper, oak, sultanas and delicate lavender.

Finish: Sweet crystallised ginger, spicy black pepper and stewed peaches linger in the finish.

The start of a new era – 1997

In 1997, Brian Nation started working at Irish Distillers, a career that would eventually lead him to his position as master distiller. At this time the team at Midleton had worked to better document their whiskey stocks – this gave them better visibility of what they had available. A combination of pot still and grain whiskey that had been matured in first-fill American oak casks for between 13 and 18 years was chosen for the 1997 release.

Nose: Sticky toffee pudding opens on the nose, followed by creamy vanilla, sweet shortbread, ginger biscuits, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Palate: Rich toffee mingles with cinnamon and cloves, a hint of orange plays at the edges and sweet malty notes break through.

Finish: Ginger breaks through on the finish, and rich, sweet golden syrup builds into summer flowers and brown sugar.

Brian Nation takes the stage – 2014

In 2014, after 17 years at Midleton, came Brian’s first release as master distiller. Matured for up to 22 years, this combination of grain and pot still whiskey has rich layers of vanilla and summer flowers.

Nose: Vanilla and oak aromas meet geranium, ginger, mint, cinnamon and apricot, even a subtle hint of green banana.

Palate: Sweet dried apricots, rich dates and toasted oak take the fore, ginger joins the fray as well as apples, oranges and salted caramel.

Finish: A big hit of ginger stands up to strong notes of cloves, toasted oak, sharp citrus and creamy vanilla. A hint of bittersweet coffee lingers behind.

the new release – Midleton Very Rare 2019

Last year’s release is the oldest so far to join the series, made with whiskies that have been matured in ex-bourbon casks for between 13 and 34 years and boasts bold flavours of tropical fruit, chocolate and sweet spices.

Nose: Caramel, toffee and apples build quickly, followed by ginger, bananas, milk chocolate and delicate orange.

Palate: Citrus is closer to the fore, backed up by ginger, apple and caramel, before toffee, black pepper and pineapple take the stage. A strong vein of mango and passion fruit steal the attention before sticky toffee pudding fight their way through.

Finish: Ginger and mango make themselves known, alongside caramel and milk chocolate.

New beginnings

Since the launch of the 2019 release, there have been some changes at Irish Distillers: after 23 years, seven of which he spent as master distiller, Brian Nation has left the team and will be joining O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co in Minneapolis as its master distiller next summer. Taking over as master distiller is Kevin O’Gorman and I am very much looking forward to seeing where the Midleton Very Rare series goes with him at the helm.