by admin | Aug 25, 2020 | IN THE NEWS
Award-winning Portfolio of Limited Release Whiskey and Rum Bottled at Cask Strength Now Available in Australia
Louisville, Ky. (August 25, 2020) – Barrell Craft Spirits (BCS) today announced that its award-winning portfolio, which is currently sold in 45 US states and online via www.barrellbourbon.com, will expand distribution into Australia, the company’s first direct export outside of the US. The brand will be distributed via Orrsum Spirits, an importer, marketer, retailer and distributor of premium spirits focused on providing the Australian whiskey community, including clubs like Whiskey Hunt Australia, access to sought after bourbon, whiskey and rye. Australians will initially have access to the following Barrell Craft Spirits selections: Bourbon Batches 013, 020, 023, 024, BCS Bourbon, BCS Rum, Rye Batch 003, Dovetail American Whiskey and the Infinite Barrel Project.
“I’ve been a big fan of Barrell Craft Spirits for some time now,” said John M. Weifert, Director, Orrsum Spirits. “The care and commitment to quality Joe Beatrice and his team put into each unique release is inspiring. We’re honoured to bring these incredible award-winning spirits to the Australian whiskey community.”
“We entertained the idea of expanding distribution outside of the US for years, but needed to ensure we could supply and support our current partners,” said Joe Beatrice, Barrell Craft Spirits founder. “Now, we’re in a solid position to move forward and have been highly encouraged by Australians’ passion for American Whiskey.”
Founded in 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky, Barrell Craft Spiritsis an award-winning independent blender and bottler that has created a unique niche within the spirits industry by focusing on the art of sourcing and blending. Rather than follow a traditional path and build his own distillery, Joe drew inspiration from Scotland’s long-established independent bottlers who elevated barrels of whisky into something greater than the sum of their parts. With the goal to become the most creative, forward-thinking, and progressive whiskey blenders in the nation, BCS selects and blends a variety of spirits, including whiskey, bourbon, rye and rum, and bottles them at cask strength. As part of the process, the team sources ingredients from all around the world and explores different distillation methods, barrels and aging environments. Every batch is produced as a limited release and has a distinct flavor profile.
Joe remains intimately involved with every step of the production process, using his exceptional palate to choose and create great spirits. He works alongside Chief Whiskey Scientist and Director of Distillery Operations Tripp Stimson, who joined BCS in 2017 after having spent nine years with Brown Forman Corporation, headquarters to Jack Daniel’s, Woodford Reserve and Old Forrester.
Joe, Tripp and the BCS team were thrilled to take top honors this year at arguably the two most prestigious US spirits competitions. At the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Barrell Bourbon Batch 021 Won Double Gold and was named Best Bourbon and Best Small Batch Bourbon – both overall and within the 6-10year category, while at the 2020 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, Dovetail American Whiskey was awarded the “Chairman’s Trophy” and top score (97/100) in the American whisk(e)y category. BCS has also been consistently highly rated by Whisky Advocate and named “Best American Whiskey of 2018” in Forbes by whiskey authority Fred Minnick.
Follow Barrell Craft Spirits in the US on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,and LinkedIn.
About Barrell Craft Spirits
Barrell Craft Spirits is an independent blender and bottler of unique aged, cask-strength sourced whiskey and rum spirits, that is recognized for its blending expertise. The company selects and blends products that explore different distillation methods, barrels and aging environments, and bottles them at cask strength. Every batch is produced as a limited release and has a distinct flavor profile.
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by admin | Aug 11, 2020 | IN THE NEWS
Straight from the “Cherry Capital of the World” the “Whiskey of the North” Introduces a Barrel Proof Version of its Best-Selling American Cherry Edition
Traverse City, MI (August 13, 2020) – Beginning today, Traverse City Whiskey Co. (TCWC), will launch its new Barrel Proof Cherry Whiskey – a limited-release, enhanced strength version of its classic American Cherry Edition, the best-selling craft spirit in the state of Michigan. The team will make a blend of four premium barrels available for purchase exclusively via their Tasting Rooms in Traverse City and The Outpost (22812 Woodward Ave #200) in Ferndale, MI, for $79.99 (750ml) and $34.99 (200ml).
Four barrels were selected specifically for this expression and filled on May 28, 2015. The new expression features the same mash bill (75% corn, 21% rye and 4% malt barley) and recipe as American Cherry Edition, but a higher proof (between 109-112). Additionally, the team infuses the Barrel Proof version with 10 pounds of Montmorency Sour Cherries from Fredrickson Orchards, which are wrapped in cheesecloth and suspended in the batch to fully infuse their rich, fruity flavor for approximately three days (versus 10 for the Bottle Proof version). The batch is then tasted at multiple points by the team’s Master Distiller and Master Blender to ensure the proper balance and addition of the cherry essence. Once the perfect taste is achieved, the cherries are removed and the whiskey is bottled. The finished expression exhibitsnotes of rich dark chocolate, cherries, raspberries, vanilla, hints of cinnamon and star anise. Sweet cream and notes of leather are found in the finish.
“The new Barrel Proof Cherry Whiskey, which is extremely authentic to northern Michigan, exhibits a subtle cherry taste,” said Chris Fredrickson, Co-founder, Traverse City Whiskey Co. “Folks who aren’t necessarily fans of flavored whiskey will appreciate this higher-proof version. It’s a delicious sipper and an ideal after-dinner drink.”
Known as the “Whiskey of the North,” the craft whiskey producer draws upon its early family roots in the distilled spirits industry dating back to the late 1800’s, sourcing all their grains (corn, rye and malted barley) from the Midwest.The distilling team, led by Chris Fredrickson, Jared Rapp and Moti Goldring, strives to make quality products, inspired by patented distilling techniques invented by Fredrickson’s great grandfather that were approved by the US PTO during the prohibition era.
Located at 201 E. 14thSt. in downtown Traverse City, the Stillhouse is open to the public seven days a week. Guests can experience the complete distilling process firsthand. A 400-gallon, custom Kothe still sits next to the Tasting Room and Stillhouse Cocktail Bar where visitors conclude their tour. When the still, which is naturally cooled by Michigan ground water, is running at full capacity, it can create up to 800 barrels of whiskey per year. The facility also contains a visitor center and gift shop, where guests can purchase brand gear and limited-edition whiskey expressions.
TCWC products are currently available in 26 US states. Retail prices may vary by market. The diverse portfolio of award-winning products also includes its signature XXX Straight Bourbon Whiskey, American Cherry Edition, North Coast Rye, and Barrel Proof, the most premium expression in the portfolio, which won Double Gold and “Best Small Batch Bourbon” at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Gold at the 2020 competition.
For more information, please visit www.tcwhiskey.com and follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @tcwhiskey
About Traverse City Whiskey Co.
Traverse City Whiskey Co. is an independent and locally owned distilled spirits company based in Traverse City, Michigan, that’s dedicated to producing approachable premium to super-premium whiskey and bourbon. Known as “The Whiskey of the North,” the upstart company draws upon its early family roots in the distilled spirits industry dating back to the late 1800’s, sourcing all grains from the Midwest.
Traverse City Whiskey Co. is a proud member of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States(DISCUS).
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by admin | Jul 23, 2020 | IN THE NEWS
Independent Bottler and Blender’s Bourbon Batch 022 Also Named a Finalist Ranking it Among the Top 100 Spirits
Louisville, Ky. (July 23, 2020) – Barrell Craft Spirits (BCS) is thrilled to announce that its Dovetail American Whiskey was awarded the “Chairman’s Trophy” at the 2020 Ultimate Spirits Challenge.The expression was the top scoring product in the American whisk(e)y category, receiving 97 out of a possible 100 points (extraordinary, ultimate recommendation) from the judges, who shared the following tasting notes: “ebullient nose of ripe red berries and blossom is anchored by brown sugar, leather, lanolin, and wildflower honey. Rich and powerful on the palate, it is tempered by decadent flavors of maple cream, molasses, and cherry preserves. A truly dynamic and delicious whiskey.” Additionally, Barrell Bourbon Batch 022 and Batch 023, received 96 and 93 points respectively, with the former also named a “Finalist” and recognized in the Top 100 Spirits of the competition.
Ultimate Spirits Challenge is among the most respected and experienced authorities in the distillery spirits industry, with a mission to “create and establish a new and higher standard of evaluation that provides accurate, meaningful and useful results.” Each product is evaluated blind by panels in multi-stage assessments under ideal tasting conditions over a period of time to remove any inherent or individual bias.
“We’re having an incredible year, with Dovetail taking top honors at this prestigious competition and our Barrell Bourbon Batch 021 winning ‘Best Bourbon’ at the recent San Francisco World Spirits Competition,” said Company Founder Joe Beatrice. “It’s incredibly satisfying to see several of our releases recognized and truly demonstrates our commitment to source and blend outside the box. Dovetail took us almost a year to get right, from blending to labeling, but it was well worth the wait.”
The Winners:
- Dovetail American Whiskey (97/100) – blended to highlight some of the team’s favorite flavors – woody bourbon; terroir driven Dunn Cabernet; toasted French oak; Late Bottled Vintage Port pipes; black strap molasses casks – all working in tandem to create a buttery and deep whiskey as unique as it is delicious. Available in limited releases using the same ingredients and process with slight proof variations
- Barrell Bourbon Batch 022 (96/100) – a marriage of two separate and iconic styles of Bourbon: classily dry and woody Kentucky Bourbon, and floral, herbaceous, and sweet Indiana Bourbon. The final blend was constructed from four separate lots, each with its own nuanced family of flavors. Batch 022 also earned a Gold Medal at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- Barrell Bourbon Batch 023 (93/100) – A blend of straight Bourbon Whiskeys, distilled and aged in TN, KY, and IN. Selection of 10, 12, and 15-year-old barrels aged in American white oak barrels. Crafted and bottled in Kentucky.
The Barrell Craft Spirits award-winning line of products is currently sold in 45 US states and online via www.barrellbourbon.com. Follow Barrell Craft Spirits on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About Barrell Craft Spirits
Barrell Craft Spirits is an independent blender and bottler of unique aged, cask-strength sourced whiskey and rum spirits, that is recognized for its blending expertise. The company selects and blends products that explore different distillation methods, barrels and aging environments, and bottles them at cask strength. Every batch is produced as a limited release and has a distinct flavor profile.
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by admin | Jul 13, 2020 | IN THE NEWS
Grain-to-Glass High-Rye Expression Made Using Local Resources And Sustainable Practices Featuring New Bottle and Label Now Available for Pre-Order
Austin, TX (July 13, 2020) –Still Austin Whiskey Co., a homegrown distillery situated in the heart of South Austin, today released its first high-rye straight bourbon whiskey featuring grains that are 100% grown by Texas farmers. The bourbon is handmade from grain-to-glass at the distillery, aged for at least two years in new charred American Oak barrels,and bottled at 98.4 proof (49.2% ABV). It’s comprised of a high-quality mash bill worthy of its hometown: 70% Non-GMO white corn (the same found in Austin’s tortillas), 25% Elbon rye (which imparts a natural spice) and 5% wildfire malted barley.
“After six years of hard work and perfecting our technique, we’re ready to launch our new flagship straight bourbon whiskey,” said Chris Seals, CEO. “We started Still Austin Whiskey Co. because we saw an opportunity to create our own kind of distillery where we do everything intentionally. This bourbon is an expression of true Texas terroir, but also the distillation of all we are, and of all that has created us. We’ve managed to bottle the inclusive spirit of our home city; a complex bourbon with substance, flair, and finesse.”
According to Still Austin’s “Master Nose” Nancy Fraley, who is famous for her peerless ability to detect flavor notes, “the nose offers delightful aromas of ripe tropical fruits such as pineapple, banana, papaya, mango, toasted coconut shavings, and S’mores with melted milk chocolate and caramelized marshmallow. These notes follow through to the palate, where the rye makes its appearance in the form of cinnamon toast with brown butter, and blanched almonds. The alcohol is soft and creamy like vanilla egg custard and the mouth feel is round, with long waves of tropical fruit, toffee, and rye spice on the finish.”
A Fresh New Look
The straight bourbon whiskey boasts a new custom bottle and label, which serves as the perfect complement to the art inside the bottle. For the label, Still Austin commissioned internationally acclaimed artist and native Texan Marc Burckhardt to paint a series of portraits of “archetypical” Austinites. Each provides a sense of the people who have influenced and inspired the team, while paying homage to the Texas terroir. The figure on the new label dubbed “the Musician,” is the first in the series, which will grace the labels of future spirits. These are visual representations of archetypes, a way of conceiving a “new Austin mythology” by celebrating the innovative people who make the city what it is. The Musician—along with future archetypes like the Naturalist, the Writer, the Visionary, and the Artist—illustrates the fearlessness needed to become truly unique. The Musician in the painting is confident, intelligent, brave and whimsical; essentially, everything Still Austin aspires to be, and everything the distillery loves about its community. The Musician was a natural place to start since Austin is “The Live Music Capital of the World.” Good whiskey is more than just corn, rye and malted barley that’s been fermented, distilled, and aged. Like the various elements of music—chords, rhythms, harmonies—the result is greater than the sum of its parts.
Grain-to-Glass Philosophy
Still Austin is an independent craft whiskey distillery founded in 2015, focusing on a true grain-to-glass concept that produces the highest quality whiskey by perfecting every part of the process and using local resources and sustainable practices. The team is committed to carrying out each part of the process in-house. That means never sourcing whiskey from another distillery, and instead always hand-making everything from scratch, and managing everything in-house – milling, mashing, fermenting, distilling, barreling and bottling.
The distilling team is led by Head Distiller John Schrepel, Master Nose Nancy Fraley and veteran Master Distiller Mike Delevante, one of the most experienced and respected distillers in North America who designed the Still Austin distillery to make the highest quality of bourbon. That includes a 42-foot custom-made column, “Nancy,” (and her sister copper-pot still, “The Queen”) which give the distillers serious creative license to create unique new flavors and spirits.The team also uses Texas weather to its advantage. The region’s high heat, humidity and rapidly shifting temperatures encourage spirits to move rapidly in and out of the oak barrels and mature relatively quickly—but, if this process is left unchecked, it can also cause the bourbon to have heavy oak flavor or harsh tannic qualities. To prevent this, Still Austin uses a meticulous, six-month slow water reduction technique focused on flavor and balance, which gives the alcohol a softness on the palate and brings more “mature” notes, like vanilla and caramel, to the forefront. The result is a bourbon that highlights the natural flavor of the local grain, with no faults whatsoever.
Where to Buy
Still Austin’s new straight bourbon whiskey will be available for pre-order online via the Still Austin website here: https://still-austin-whiskey-co.square.site/ beginning Monday, July 13. Then, in August, whiskey lovers will begin to see the brand throughout Texas in 750ml bottles at liquor stores for a suggested retail price of $45.
For more information, visit www.stillaustin.com and follow Still Austin on Facebook at Facebook.com/StillATX, Twitter @StillATX and Instagram @Still_ATX.
About Still Austin Whiskey Co.
Founded in 2015 by three Austin families, Still Austin Whiskey Co. is a true grain-to-glass Distillery, located at 440 East St. Elmo Road in the heart of Austin, Texas. All spirits are hand crafted using grains grown by Texas farmers. Still Austin’s collection of spirits includes Still Austin’s flagship Straight Bourbon Whiskey, High-Rye Bourbon Whiskey, and Still Rye Gin. Still Austin places a high value on sustainability, with a focus on cutting carbon emissions through local sourcing, increasing the biodiversity of the region through heritage grains, returning spent grains to local ranchers to feed their animals, and operating a distillery that is designed for energy efficiency and water conservation.
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by admin | May 29, 2020 | IN THE NEWS
Award-Winning Independent Bottler and Blender’s Most Ambitious Project To Date Features 24 Expressions Finished in a Secondary Vessel
Louisville, Ky. (May 26, 2020) – Barrell Craft Spirits (BCS) has launched its highly-anticipated Private Release Whiskey Series. Each batch features a unique blend based around Barrell’s 18-year-old stocks of Kentucky Whiskey, which were then finished in a secondary barrel or cask.
Known best for sourcing and blending award-winning, unique aged spirits at cask strength, BCS’ Private Release Whiskey Series is a project in detailed blending on a scale small enough to allow extreme precision. It affords the team the opportunity to exercise its blending expertise while maintaining a single barrel-like scale controlled entirely by hand and by palate. While the company previously released a Private Release Rum Series last July, which sold out in two months, this is their first whiskey-focused series.
Led by Founder Joe Beatrice and Master Distiller Tripp Stimson, the BCS teamconsistently strives to become the most creative, forward-thinking and progressive whiskey blenders in the nation.That meanssourcing the finest ingredients from around the world, and using them to blend spirits that are far greater than the sum of their parts. It also means maximizing the best attributes of each element. Every component changes the overall character of these blends, as does the barrel in which each is aged. For that reason, these whiskeys take months to polish and perfect.
“The Private Release Whiskey Series is hands down our most ambitious project to date,” said Company Founder Joe Beatrice. “We pride ourselves on pushing the creative envelope every day, exploring opportunities to source and blend outside the box, and showcase the world’s most exciting spirits.”
Private Release Barrels, which are a blend of whiskeys (vs. single barrels), offer retailers, bourbon clubs and whiskey aficionados alike, something truly unique. At BCS, every batch is produced as a limited release and has a distinct flavor profile. Because certain batches were purchased through retailers or clubs, or may only be available online, BCS has added a special section to its website which contains the full list of offerings and suggestions for where to buy. Each offering contains between 150-180 total bottles. The SRP for each 750ml bottle is $109. The “Private Release Whiskey Series” includes the following:
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AH01 – KY Whiskey Finished in a Sauternes Barrel |
| AH02 – KY Whiskey finished in a Tokaji Barrel |
| AH03 – KY Whiskey finished in a Washington State Ice Wine Barrel |
| AH04 – KY Whiskey finished in a Jamaican Rum Cask |
| AH05 – KY Whiskey finished in a Sicilian Amaro Cask |
| AH06 – KY Whiskey finished in a Pedro Ximenez Sherry Barrel |
| AH07 – KY Whiskey finished in a Oloroso Sherry Barrel |
| AH08 – KY Whiskey finished in a Malmsey Madeira Barrel |
| AH09 – KY Whiskey finished in a Ratafia de Champagne Barrel |
| AH10 – KY Whiskey finished in a Ruby Port Barrel |
| AH11 – KY Whiskey finished in a Gewurztraminer Ice Wine Barrel |
| AH12 – KY Whiskey finished in a New York State Ice Wine Barrel |
| AH13 – KY Whiskey finished in a German Ice Wine Barrel |
| AH14 – KY Whiskey finished in a Calvados Cask |
| AH15 – KY Whiskey finished in an Apricot Brandy Barrel |
| AH16 – KY Whiskey finished in a Jamaican Rum Cask |
| AH17 – KY Whiskey finished in a Pear Brandy Cask |
| AH18 – KY Whiskey finished in an Armagnac Cask |
| AH19 – KY Whiskey finished in an Armagnac Cask |
| AH20 – KY Whiskey finished in a Pear Brandy Cask |
| AH21 – KY Whiskey finished in a Rhum Agricole Cask |
| AH22 – KY Whiskey finished in an Indiana Rye Barrel |
| AH23 – KY Whiskey finished in an Islay Single Malt Scotch Cask |
| AH24 – KY Whiskey finished in a Pedro Ximenez Sherry Barrel |
Founded in 2013, BCS selects and blends products that explore different distillation methods, barrels and aging environments, and bottles them at cask strength. The company’s extensive stocks of high-quality casks means it can craft extraordinary blends and creative finishes that maximize the nuances of each ingredient. Every batch is produced as a limited release and has a distinct flavor profile.
At the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Barrell Bourbon Batch 021 received Double Gold and was named Best Bourbon and Best Small Batch Bourbon – both overall and within the 6-10 year category. Additionally, Barrell Bourbon Batch 020 and Barrell Rye Batch 003 were awarded Double Gold medals, while Barrell Bourbon Batch 022 earned a Gold Medal. The previous year, BCS captured “Best Small Batch Bourbon over 11 years old” (Barrell Bourbon Batch 018) as well as three Double Golds.
The Barrell Craft Spirits award-winning line of products is currently sold in 45 US states and online via www.barrellbourbon.com. Follow Barrell Craft Spirits on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About Barrell Craft Spirits
Barrell Craft Spirits is an independent blender and bottler of unique aged, cask-strength sourced whiskey and rum spirits, that is recognized for its blending expertise. The company selects and blends products that explore different distillation methods, barrels and aging environments, and bottles them at cask strength. Every batch is produced as a limited release and has a distinct flavor profile.
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