Heaven’s Door 6 Year Old K&L Exclusive Barrel #75 Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)

 $59.99

It’s finally happening! All of that MGP, which brands put down more than a half decade ago, is starting to come of age. Of course, if this said Smoke Wagon on it, we’d probably sell the stuff out in a matter of minutes. But a new brand, without a record of selling cask strength barrels might be a bit of a sleeper. With the mature MGP stocks having been bottled years ago, this release marks the beginning of a new era. Our allocations from the legacy producers just down river are being cut left and right, so we’ve jumped head first into any good MGP cask we could find. And while 4 year old MGP can be delicious, there seems to be a BIG quality difference in just two years of additional aging. That’s why the prices nearly double on the brokers market between 4-year-old and 6-year-old stocks. Just 2 more years in the warehouse does make a huge difference. This lot of two barrels is bottled by Heaven’s Door, the brand founded by Folk Legend Bob Dylan. It was barreled on May 30th of 2015 and bottled on June 14th of 2021, a few weeks after its 6th birthday. Using the MGP 21% Rye Bourbon mashbill and an ISC #3 Medium toast, this barrel is a great reminder of why MGP should always be considered one of the country’s great distillers. These Heaven’s Door barrels are rich and complex, yet nicely balanced between the sweet toasted oak and bold barrel spice. This is one of the best new barrel programs on the market.

Our newest innovation is here.

Introducing the Virginia Vatting House!

Having an entire space dedicated to the vatting, blending and reduction of our aged whisky speaks to the ambitious scale of all that we hope to achieve here at Virginia Distillery Company.

The innovation of the building’s layout and its proximity to our bottling house represents a thoughtful design that will make life easier for our bottling team. We’re all excited to begin moving the tanks in, and even more thrilled to start filling those tanks up with our whisky.

We can ship our whisky right to your front door.

You probably already knew this, but it’s worth the reminder. Why wait until your next trip to your local bottle shop to stock up? Your very own bottle of Courage & Conviction is just a few clicks away. Use Code DRAM100 for free shipping over $100.

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We’re turning heads.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been over a year since Courage & Conviction was released. Since launching, it’s been an honor to receive some wonderful awards for our hard work and craftsmanship.

We’ve been keeping track of our awards and recognition for you over on our website. It’s worth a quick glance for our loyal supporters.

You’ve helped make this possible.
Thank you!

Learn More

Virginia Distillery Company’s Courage & Conviction Line Brings Home More Awards

The distillery was recently recognized by Ultimate Spirits Challenge, L.A. Spirits Awards and Tasting Panel Magazine 

Lovingston, Va. (July XX, 2021) – Virginia Distillery Company’s four whiskies in the Courage & Conviction product line recently took home top awards and ratings at Ultimate Spirits Challenge, L.A. Spirits Awards and Tasting Panel Magazine.

The Ultimate Spirits challenge is a New York based competition that provides expert evaluation of spirits. Virginia Distillery Company’s Courage & Conviction and Courage & Conviction Cuvée Cask were recognized as finalists for the Chairman’s Trophy, and Courage & Conviction was chosen as one of the top 100 products of the year.

• Courage & Conviction – 94 points, finalist and top 100
• Courage & Conviction Cuvée Cask – 92 points and finalist
• Courage & Conviction Sherry Cask – 91 points
• Courage & Conviction Bourbon Cask – 91 points

The L.A. Spirits Awards was created by individuals in the competition business, judging spirits from around the world in Los Angeles. Virginia Distillery Company’s Courage & Conviction and Courage & Conviction Cuvée Cask both received medals based on the judges’ tasting scores.

• Courage & Conviction – Gold
• Courage & Conviction Cuvée Cask – Platinum

Virginia Distillery Company’s Courage & Conviction Cuvée Cask, Courage & Conviction Sherry Cask and Courage & Conviction Bourbon Cask were given top ratings by Tasting Panel Magazine’s team of experts.

• Courage & Conviction Cuvée Cask – 94 points
• Courage & Conviction Sherry Cask – 92 points
• Courage & Conviction Bourbon Cask – 93 points

“The response to our Courage & Conviction product lineup by notable industry awards has been incredible,” Virginia Distillery Company CEO Gareth H. Moore said. “I’m very proud of our team, the work they put into these awards and for the guidance of our mentors who have helped to shape our whisky. The positive reception of our new whiskies is the biggest compliment we could receive.”

Courage & Conviction Bourbon Cask, Courage & Conviction Cuvée Cask and Courage & Conviction Sherry Cask were released in March 2021 to highlight the core trio of casks – bourbon, sherry and cuvée – that make up the flagship offering of Courage & Conviction, which was released in 2020.

Each expression is an American Single Malt whisky, aged a minimum of three years and available in 750ml bottles at 46% ABV. The whiskies are available to purchase through direct-to-consumer shipping and at retail locations across the country.

For more information about Virginia Distillery Company or American Single Malt whisky, visit the distillery’s website and complete guide to American Single Malt whisky.

About Virginia Distillery Company 

Staffed by a local Virginia team mentored by Scottish consultants with decades of experience, Virginia Distillery Company is the largest dedicated American Single Malt whisky distillery in the U.S. The distillery has a current annual production volume of 80,000 4.5L cases and growing. At full capacity, the distillery can produce over 8,000 casks yielding 350,000 4.5L cases annually. The distillery produces Courage & Conviction American Single Malt on-site using malted barley from North America and water from Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. In addition, the distillery offers the award-winning VHW series, made with 100% malted barley. Showcasing both Old and New World whisky-making, the award-winning line marries whisky made on-site in Virginia with whisky from Scotland.

 Heaven Hill Brands Bartender of the Year Program Selects Second Winner for Craft Meets Community Award Program

The track winner receives a mentor experience and $5,000 to support an education- and mentorship-focused initiative within their community

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Jake Truong-Jones of Sacramento was announced as the second winner of the Craft Meets Community Initiative (CMCI) $5,000 award to support a community-based project aimed at education and mentorship. Truong-Jones will also receive one-on-one mentoring sessions with track leaders Joaquín Simó, founder of Pouring Ribbons in New York, and a partner in Alchemy Consulting and Jeffrey Morgenthaler, award-winning bartender and author.

Truong-Jones, whose hospitality career began in 2013, submitted a proposal presenting an expansion of the nonprofit he founded in 2019, All My Friends Get Fed. The beginning stages of his service provided meal assistance to service industry workers and their families. In an effort to address worker shortages, the nonprofit launched the Sacramento Industry Job Database in 2020, allowing small businesses to post job listings for free. Truong-Jones’ CMCI project will extend his nonprofit to now create All My Friends Get Fed – Job Placement, Training and Mentorship Program. This initiative will be a job training and mentorship system that draws upon the collective experience of service industry workers to train and prepare individuals from the unhoused community and connect them to bar, restaurant, and kitchen jobs. After a successful pilot program in partnership with Saint John’s Program for Real Change, Truong-Jones recognized the opportunity to expand the job training program opportunities in his community.

“This program addresses the needs of two specific communities: the unhoused community in Sacramento, who are ready and able to begin their path back to a self-sustainable life. And second, the bar and restaurant community in Sacramento, who are currently faced with massive worker shortages, and need to hire highly motivated individuals who are both passionate and well prepared to provide top notch product and services,” said Truong-Jones. “We strongly believe that through this program we can help Sacramento heal from the pandemic shutdowns, while at the same time pass along knowledge, service skills and business acumen to elevate the hospitality landscape in our community.”

First announced in May 2021, CMCI is an extension of Heaven Hill and Liquor.com’s Bartender of the Year program, developed to provide greater access industry-wide to education, mentorship, and leadership engagement opportunities. CMCI replaces the typical competition structure for 2021, creating a platform for virtual education and conversation structured through four tracks led by industry experts and open to all hospitality professionals. The program is also designed to encourage hospitality professionals to take action within their community and participants are also invited to apply for the optional CMCI Award Program. Four individuals, one from each respective educational track, will receive one-on-one mentoring from an industry expert and $5,000 to fund their community-based project within their focus area.

The second track in the series, Education and Mentorship, focused on knowledge and skills that serve and uplift individuals and communities through training and discussion around opportunities for growth and development for all bar professionals. Simó and  Morganethaler led a seminar entitled “The More You Know: Sharing Knowledge in the Bar Community,” which detailed their experiences as industry leaders on how to effectively grow a team through communication by exploring how to listen, learn, and distill information. Sponsored by Elijah Craig Bourbon and Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur, Truong-Jones also crafted a cocktail inspired by the first cocktail recipe he learned how to build, a Mint Julep. His take on this classic was inspired by nights of discovery and practice, as well as the simple pleasure of a great cocktail after a hard day’s work (see recipe at end of release).

“Jake identified two different communities with urgent needs that are both reeling from the ongoing effects of the pandemic. With incredibly elegant simplicity, Jake’s proposal addresses two different critical gaps (a lack of housing and a lack of trained workforce) with a clear-eyed solution,” said Simó. “This project seems both scalable and replicable, and I hope we can help Jake grow this program to benefit Sacramento and beyond.”

More than 130 hospitality community members registered to participate in the education and mentorship track. Truong-Jones was ultimately identified as the award recipient for this track based on his success thus far with the program and clear vision forward for its growth. Truong-Jones will now be supported by the CMCI award money and one-on-one mentorship opportunities with Simó and Morgenthaler to grow his initiative. To get more involved with All My Friends Get Fed, please contact bartender@heavenhill.com.

Heaven Hill Brands’ Bartender of the Year program has supported the growth, education and awareness of the hospitality community since 2016. The Class of 2020 Finalists received a combined $40,000 to be split between each after the competition pivoted midway through the reginal semifinals tour to a virtual format. All eight joined the ranks of esteemed past winters: Justin Ware in 2019, Harrison Ginsberg in 2018, Nathan O’Neill in 2017, and Abigail Gullo who won the inaugural competition in 2016. Visit the official Bartender of the Year website at http://www.bartenderoftheyear.liquor.com for complete program details.

The Homeward Cocktail

2 oz Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon
0.25 oz Amaro Montenegro
0.5 oz Vietnamese Pho Spice Syrup
3 dashes of Scrappy’s Bitters – Black Lemon Bitters
Generous Mint Sprig
Basil Leaves
Cinnamon Stick
Star Anise Pod

Instructions:

Combine first four ingredients in a copper or metal mug. Add 1 leaf of basil and very gently bruise with muddler. Top with crushed or pebble ice halfway. Swizzle cocktail for dilution then top fully with more crushed or pebble ice. Garnish with a generous mint sprig, basil sprig, one stick of cinnamon, and one pod of star anise.

Vietnamese Pho Spice Syrup Recipe: Place large empty saucepan on low-medium heat. Add 5 pods of star anise, 4 sticks of cinnamon, 6 pods of black cardamom, 20 cloves, and 1.5 Tbsp of Fennel Seeds. Lightly toast spices until you can smell aromas, then reduce heat. Add 3 Cups of water to saucepan, slowly add 1lbs of Organic Cane Sugar gently stirring to dissolve. Bring syrup to a simmer then turn off stove and return to room temperature. Add 4 tsp of Citric acid. Put syrup and spices into a blender and blend on high. Let sit overnight. Strain through fine mesh strainer or cheese cloth.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL BRANDS: Founded in 1935, Bardstown, KY -based Heaven Hill Brands (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 Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Larceny, and Henry McKenna Bourbons; Rittenhouse Rye Whisky; Deep Eddy and Burnett’s Vodkas; Admiral Nelson’s and Blackheart Rums; Black Velvet Canadian Whisky; Lunazul Tequila; The Christian Brothers Brandies; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; Carolans Irish Cream Liqueur; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

Gordon & MacPhail Linkwood 26 Year Old 1994 Connoisseur’s Choice

Refill sherry butt #12601201 bottled May 2021. Rich sherry aromas with Autumnal spiced and oak. Stewed red berries and cinnamon toffee apples. Bottled at a Cask Strength 52.5%. Linkwood 26 Year Old 1994 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Single refill sherry butt ##12601201 bottled May 2021 by Gordon & MacPhail for the Connoisseurs Choice series.

Linkwood Distillery was established in 1821 by Peter Brown in the Speyside whisky region. This is a malt whisky distillery equipped with six stills and whilst a large percentage of Linkwood whisky flows into blends an increasing volume is appearing as single malt whisky. There are some excellent independent releases including vintages such as Linkwood 1969 and Linkwood 1972 from Gordon & MacPhail.

Shop Now £248/ €244* / $287* / c$135*

James Gordon and John Alexander MacPhail began their business in Elgin in 1895 with John Urquhart joining the workforce at that time, to become a partner in 1915 when MacPhail retired. When Gordon died in 1817 the Urquhart family took over the business. This independent family business prospered and built up a stock of good quality casks from a wide range of distilleries over the years. In 1993 they purchased Benromach Distillery. Brands include Connoisseurs Choice, Cask Strength, Rare Old and Speymalt.

Special Cask TD0325
American Oak ex-Frontignac 

The Special Cask label is reserved for our rarest whiskies. One of a kind releases that don’t fall into our usual French or American Oak styles, these whiskies must also have exceptional scores from our internal tasting panel, and represent the heights of what Sullivans Cove can achieve.

Our next release TD0325, is one of those elusive whiskies. This is the first time we have matured our spirit in an American Oak cask previously used to age Frontignac, a highly aromatic style of fortified wine. The result is a luscious, one-of-a-kind whisky of exceptional balance and complexity.

TD0325 will be available to purchase via ballot on Monday 16^th of August, 2021,

Some thoughts from Julian White of Whisky & Alement

“First impressions are of plump golden sultanas and the expected ‘grapey’ aromas of fresh white muscat are abundant. This shouldn’t cloud the drinkers judgment because everything at Sullivans Cove is about patience, subtlety and finesse. Many other producers physically couldn’t age in a Frontignac cask for 12 years without it being completely overwhelmed by oak and wine. Such is the micro climate, cask preparation and patience that goes on at Sullivans which allows whisky like this to be created. 

There’s a gentle and well mannered tone to this whisky with a serum like quality to the sensation on the palate. Being partial to a Sauternes cask matured whisky myself the Frontignac cask delivers less of the elderflower cordial character, which many Sauternes casks can bring and inserts a sophisticated oak profile that’s never dry or tannic. Sophisticated oak tastes like malt-o-milk biscuits, cardamom infused marmalade and a Scandinavian furniture makers shop. 

The Frontignac cask has brought together column A and B for Sullivans, offering elements of the award winning French oak tawny cask in the form of deep, complex fruit and the oak backbone of the American oak ex-Bourbon casks with it’s toasted coconut flavour and buttery texture. 

Impressively, the restraint shown by the selection team in bottling this cask has resulted in a whisky that’s laden with character without forcing itself aggressively on the drinker.”

Full tasting notes and cask details can be found on the product page via this link. 

This whisky will be released via ballot. The ballot will open for 24 hours from 11:00am Hobart time on Monday 16th of August, 2021. Further details will be sent via email prior to the ballot opening.

A note on our ballot system. 

Our policy is one entry, per person, per household. Our fraud detection algorithm detects multiple entries and removes them to ensure our whisky lands in the hands of our genuine supporters, so to ensure your entry counts, please enter once only. If you have any questions around our ballot process, you can email us at info@sullivanscove.com Successful entries will be notified shortly after the ballot closes.

The latest release from Speyside gem Balvenie is a 25-year-old single malt from its Rare Marriages series, matured exclusively in European and American oak casks and married in a tun to create a fruity, elegant whisky.

Aromas of autumn fruits, runny honey, crystalised ginger and oaky spice fill the nose, complemented by notes of toasted marshmallows, apple tart, cinnamon and fruit salad throughout the palate.

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Looking for new and exclusive single cask?

The intensity in flavour from the small octave cask matches oh-so perfectly with the robust and peaty Islay spirit. Aged 16 years and left at a cask strength of 52.9% abv, we only have 75 bottles of this Whisky Shop exclusive to go around! Notes of coal tar, bbq’d herby meat, and a rich, oily palate full of sweetness and saltiness finishes up with mouth-cooling Szechuan pepper and bags of smoke.

Order Laphroaig 2004 →

The Octave Laphroaig 2004 16 Year Old Description

Lee Westwood Single Cask First Edition

1996 Vintage | 25 Year Old | 70cl | 55.3% ABV

The cask chosen for this special release was a refill American Hogshead and contained spirit from Loch Lomond’s unique straight neck stills. The result is an exceptional Whisky with the underlying fruit character of the distillery at its core. Only 254 bottles of this rare Single Malt Whisky were bottled from a Single Cask.

£384.95

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