by admin | Apr 11, 2020 | IN THE NEWS
Distillery’s Tasting Room Will Also Make Free Bottled Hand Sanitizer Available for Local Residents Beginning Saturday, April 11
Austin, TX (April 11, 2020) – Still Austin Whiskey Co., the homegrown grain-to-glass distillery, will produce more than 100,000 gallons of hand sanitizer over the next several months. Through a partnership with the City of Austin and Travis County COVID-19 emergency response, Still Austin will provide bulk hand sanitizer to those on the frontlines battling the coronavirus pandemic, at no cost. In addition, Still Austin Whiskey is supplying hand sanitizer to hospital systems and other healthcare providers who are caring for COVID patients as well as businesses and non-profits supplying essential services.
The distillery will also begin making 6.6oz bottled hand sanitizer available to local residents via its Tasting Room, located in South Austin at 440 East Saint Elmo, Building F, starting at noon on Saturday, April 11. Orders can also be placed at www.stillaustin.com in advance and collected via curbside pickup. The sanitizer will be provided free of charge. A $4 suggested donation will help to cover costs and 100% of funds collected will support further production. Limit two bottles per person.
Still Austin, which continues to produce its signature bourbon whiskey and rye gin, has also been making large batches of hand sanitizer over the past three weeks. This became possible when the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized production of ethanol-based hand sanitizers by permitted distillers. Still Austin has to date provided 415 gallons of sanitizer to the City of Austin and local governments, and 900 gallons for essential businesses. Additional batches will be allocated to hospitals, cancer centers, local firefighters, police and public health officials and EMS services, nursing care facilities and other high risk groups within underprivileged areas.
“We’re pleased to provide hand sanitizer for all the local heroes on the frontlines fighting this virus to ensure their safety while keeping the rest of us safe,” said Chris Seals, CEO of Still Austin. “In the coming days, we’ll continue to work closely with the City of Austin to and Travis County Emergency Response for Covid-19 to provide support for the greater Austin community however we can.”
Still Austin also recently started supplying high proof ethanol to local Austin pharmacies, which will use it to produce hand sanitizer and augment local supply for their patients and customers.
Still Austin’s hand sanitizer meets all FDA requirements to ensure consumer safety. That includes using only USP-quality alcohol and following guidelines for FDA formulation and for pharmacies (USP).
For more information, visit www.stillaustin.com. 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 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 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 our 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. At this time, the distillery is only open for bottle sales. Curbside pickup is available Mon-Sat from 12-6pm.
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by admin | Apr 6, 2020 | IN THE NEWS
100% Distilled, Aged & Bottled in KY
BARDSTOWN, Ky.(April 7, 2020) – Grain & Barrel Spirits’(“G&B”) has released Chicken Cock Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey in select markets, “The Famous Old Brand’s” first Rye in more than 70 years. The introduction follows the fall 2019 launch of the brand’s anchor expression, a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The reintroduction of a straight rye whiskey signals a return to pre-prohibition times when the classic spirit was more prevalent, while also honoring the brand’s history and heritage.
Made in partnership with the Bardstown Bourbon Company as part of its collaborative distilling program, the new Straight Rye Whiskey was 100% distilled, aged, and bottled in the Bluegrass State. It’s a beautifully balanced non-chill filtered 95% rye whiskey, which features a caramel color with a hue of dark orange. The nose reveals a tremendous complexity of spices including pepper and cinnamon, with a hint of dryness and slight overtones of citrus and oak. A creamy, almost buttery mouthfeel is complemented by vanilla and butterscotch, followed by a long, slow peppery finish with a hint of sweet honey. At 90 proof (45% ABV), there is a slight, welcome heat. Like the new KY Straight Bourbon, the KY Straight Rye is bottled in a Prohibition-era Chicken Cock replica apothecary-style bottle.
“The number one question I’m asked since resurrecting Chicken Cock Whiskey is, where can I find it?” said Matti Anttila, founder of Grain & Barrel Spirits. “In the beginning, we were limited geographically by liquid so we were forced to allocate to a small group of select markets. Now, several years into the comeback, we’re able to broaden our distribution with our two top quality, everyday expressions – first, our Kentucky Straight Bourbon and now our Kentucky Straight Rye. Both of these will be the cornerstones of the brand as it rolls out nationally throughout 2020.”
Established in 1856 in Paris, Kentucky (10 years before Jack Daniels), Chicken Cock rose to fame as the house whiskey at The Cotton Club, one of Prohibition’s most legendary speakeasies. Known as “The Famous Old Brand” and “The Whiskey in a Tin Can,” Chicken Cock was smuggled into the Club in sealed tin cans, then ceremoniously opened table-side. After Prohibition, the brand enjoyed a resurgent couple of decades before a distillery fire just after World War II put it out of business. In 2012, Matti Anttila rediscovered the brand and set out to resurrect it to its Prohibition-era glory. Master Distiller Gregg Snyder was enlisted to provide the knowledge and experience needed to help achieve that goal. Snyder’s résumé includes distilling, cooperage, and executive positions with Brown-Forman, Austin Nichols, as well as board positions with the Associated Cooperage Industries of America, Kentucky Distillers’ Association, and others.
Chicken Cock Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey is now available for the suggested retail price of $69.99 per 750ml bottle online and in the following markets: FL, IL, KS, KY, MO, NY, OK, SC, and TN, with broader national distribution to follow shortly.
About Grain & Barrel Spirits
Founded in 2012 by Matti Anttila, Grain & Barrel Spirits is an award-winning craft spirits company at home in the Southeast with production and sales partners around the world. The company was recently named to the Inc. 5000 list, coming in within the top 25% of America’s fastest-growing, independently owned businesses. In addition to pre-Prohibition favorite Chicken Cock Whiskey, wholly owned brands include Dixie Southern Vodka, the largest premium craft vodka produced in the Southeast, and The Endless Summer Spirits Company. Please visit https://www.chickencockwhiskey.com and follow on Instagram @chickencockwhiskey and Facebook
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by admin | Mar 24, 2020 | IN THE NEWS
Independent Bottler and Blender Also Earns Double Gold and Gold Medals for New Bourbon & Rye Batches Within its Award-Winning Portfolio
Louisville, Ky. (March 24, 2020 )– Barrell Craft Spirits (BCS) is delighted to announce that its 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 – at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC). Additionally, Barrell Bourbon Batch 020 and Barrell Rye Batch 003 were awarded Double Gold medals, while Barrell Bourbon Batch 022 earned a Gold Medal.
SFWSC is the largest international spirits competition in the United States. Judging is blind and done by a prestigious panel of nationally recognized spirits judges, each selected for their distinct and trusted palate. With two decades of experience, the SFWSC has become one of the most respected competitions in the world.
“We’re incredibly grateful that several of our batches were recognized at this prestigious competition including top honors in the bourbon category,” said Company Founder Joe Beatrice. “Our goal is to become the most creative, forward-thinking, and progressive whiskey blenders in the nation. That means we push the creative envelope every day, exploring opportunities to source and blend outside the box, and showcase the world’s most exciting spirits. These recent batches represent the constant evolution and depth and dimension of our Bourbon and Rye Whiskeys.”
The Winners:
- Barrell Bourbon Batch 021 – a wonderfully autumnal bourbon blended using a selection of 10 to 14-year-old barrels, built on a dry toasty backbone with hints of butter and fruit layered in for complexity and contrast.
- Barrell Bourbon Batch 020 – blended from a selection of barrels from Tennessee and Kentucky, starting with 10-year-old barrels exhibiting a lush, prominent fruit profile, and balanced with 14-year-old oak-forward barrels, resulting in a complex bourbon with an engaging brightness.
- Barrell Rye Batch 003 – a blend of rye whiskeys from Indiana, Poland, Tennessee and Canada, all with distinct personalities and varying ages.
- Barrell Bourbon Batch 022 – 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.
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 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, BCS won “Best Small Batch Bourbon over 11 years old” (Barrell Bourbon Batch 018) as well as three Double Golds. In previous years, it captured the 2017 “Best Bourbon” and “Best Small Batch Bourbon,” (Barrell Bourbon Batch 011) and “Best Over Proof Rum” (Barrell Rum Batch 001).
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 | Feb 10, 2020 | IN THE NEWS
Grammy®-Nominated Country Trio Launches Three “Uncommon” Super-Premium Expressions Featuring A Blend of Highland & Lowland Blue Agave
Austin, TX (February 10, 2020) – INSÓLITO®, the new super-premium tequila, which is backed by Critically-Acclaimed Country band Midland and made using a unique process of crafting small batch tequila, today launched three expressions in the band’s home state of Texas. The collaboration marries the unconventional personality of the Double Grammy nominees, with brothers Octavio & Alberto Herrera, who own and operate Premium de Jalisco, the highest distillery in México; and Spirits Innovation Partners (SIP), the operating arm of the business.
INSÓLITO, which translates to “rare,” “uncommon,” and “extraordinary,” is distilled at 7,200 feet above sea level in the mountains of Jalisco within a town called Mazamitla. The high altitude and cooler temperatures provide for a slow, natural aging process, resulting in more complex flavors. The brand chose to use only new American White Oak barrels so that during the aging process, the 100% Blue Agave spirit would mingle with the barrels’ richness and hints of natural caramel and vanilla. Similar to the bourbon aging process, the temperature fluctuation allows the tequila to travel into and out of the barrel wood at a higher rate.
A Rare Tequila Deserves an Uncommon Partner
Midland was formed in 2013 after three old friends rekindled at Cameron Duddy’s wedding in Wyoming. Now, the trio all call Texas home. They recently released their sophomore album “Let it Roll,” their No. 1 Billboard Top Country Album debut and second critically lauded project. The trio are self-proclaimed tequila aficionados, former bartenders and INSÓLITO brand owners. Rooted in tradition in both sound and style, the retro-facing band comprised of Mark Wystrach (lead vocals); Cameron Duddy (bass guitar, vocals); and Jess Carson (lead guitar, vocals) have been praised as “Connoisseurs of Country Craft” by NPR and cited for their “retro country elegance” by The New York Times. They are represented by Matt Graham of BRND MGMT, Jason Owen and Todd Ramey of Sandbox Entertainment as well as Creative Artists Agency (CAA), all partners in the project.
“We’re thrilled to launch INSÓLITO first in our home state of Texas,” said Wystrach. “We created INSÓLITO as an extension of our brand and we’re proud of what we’ve created in partnership with SIP.”
The ACM Award-winning trio has earned a reputation as a wildly satisfying live act and later this month will make a return to their home state with their ROAD TO THE RODEO TOUR. Introducing fans exclusively to INSÓLITO at their shows, the tour will venture across the Lone Star State and include the band kicking off opening night of the prestigious Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo as well as two nights at Billy Bob’s Texas. The Billy Bob’s dates mark a special homecoming for the Dripping Springs-based trio who have already sold out the venue twice and filmed the music video for hit single “Burn Out” in the legendary haunt.
“Our goal was to produce a tequila that stands for uncompromising character, including the liquid, personality and partners,” said Pete Kelly, CEO, INSÓLITO. “After two and a half years of development, I believe INSÓLITO delivers on all three of those fronts.”
Three uncommon tequila expressions
At 80 proof (40% ABV), INSÓLITO is a complex and smooth super-premium tequila.
- Blanco ($39.99) is distilled at lower temps at the highest altitude distillery in Mexico resulting in a unique, rich mouth feel. It’s made from agave from the lowlands (20%) and highlands (80%). Nuanced floral aromas of the highland and lowland agave emerge after the tequila has mellowed in tanks for several months before bottling. This expression is smooth and balanced with a long finish
- Flavor notes: Cooked Agave, Herbal (Basil, Mint, Anise), Citrus and Butter
- Reposado ($44.99) is aged from between six and 10 months in new American Oak barrels at the highest altitude distillery in Mexico. The highland and lowland agave blend develops a unique complexity. This smooth and aromatic expression preserves characteristics from Blanco such as cooked agave (sweet) and butter, while the aging produces almond and vanilla notes.
- Flavor notes: Floral, Grapefruit, Cinnamon, Nuts, and a hint of Vanilla
- Añejo ($54.99) is aged for 18-24 months in new lightly-charred new American White Oak barrels at the highest altitude distillery in Mexico. The uniqueness of the highland and lowland agave blend provides a great body and transforms this expression into a silky smooth and well-structured complex spirit
- Flavor notes: Chocolate, Nuts, Dry Fruits, Wood
The brand’s hand-crafted bottles of Blanco, Reposado and Añejo each feature a distinct color (INSÓLITO Blue, Sea Foam Green and Coral, respectively) painted three-quarters of the way down. Designed by SIP, the lower exposed tequila is the party where tequila lovers come together to celebrate those who live boldly, bravely and beyond convention.
INSÓLITO is now available in 750ml bottles in select on- and off-premise accounts throughout Texas and will be distributed by Ben E. Keith Beverages.
“INSÓLITO Tequila is a welcome addition to our growing spirits portfolio,” said TJ Samuelson, Texas Spirits Manager, Ben E. Keith Beverages. “We believe the brand possesses the necessary balance of authenticity, quality and personality, and are confident it will resonate with both tequila and music fans alike. We are eager to bring INSÓLITO to the market and look forward to building this brand with our new partners at SIP.”
For more information, and to purchase INSÓLITO online, please visit www.insolitotequila.com and follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @INSÓLITO
About INSÓLITO Tequila
INSÓLITO, which translates to “rare,” “uncommon,” and “extraordinary,” is a super-premium tequila made from 100% blue agave. It’s distilled 7,200 feet above sea level in the mountains of Jalisco, México, which produces flavor second to none. The company’s product line includes three expressions: Blanco, Reposado and Añejo. The new brand is a collaboration among brothers Octavio & Alberto Herrera; Midland, the acclaimed American country music group; and Spirits Innovation Partners.
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by admin | Feb 7, 2020 | IN THE NEWS
Award-winning Portfolio of Limited-Release Whiskey and Rum Bottled at Cask Strength Reflects Unique Distillation Methods, Barrels and Aging Environments
Louisville, KY – Barrell Craft Spirits® (BCS), the award-winning independent blender and bottler, has created a unique niche within the spirits industry by focusing on the art of sourcing and blending. Founded in 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky, BCS 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.While BCS considers themselves traditionalists when it comes to the identity of spirits, they embrace a progressive approach to exploring ideas for blending, emphasizing what people want now versus what has been successful in the past. This affords the team access to some of the most interesting and delicious spirits in the world.
Founder Joe Beatrice, who launched his first venture to help companies establish, brand, and grow their products online, brings more than two decades of experience in marketing, technology, business strategy, and product development to BCS. A longtime home brewer, Joe was captivated after tasting whiskey straight from the barrel for the first time. But, 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 his creative juices surging, he began to source whiskey and blend exceptional casks from established producers, bottle them at cask strength, and sell them as transparently as possible.
Today, BCS blends a variety of spirits, including whiskey, bourbon, rye and rum, out of ingredients sourced from all around the world. BCS’s extensive stocks of high-quality casks mean they can craft extraordinary blends that maximize the nuances of each ingredient. Creative finishes, a liberated approach to blending, and a deep-seated commitment to releasing each whiskey at cask strength and without chill filtration guides every product release.
“Our goal is to become the most creative, forward-thinking, and progressive whiskey blenders in the nation,” said Beatrice. “But, successful doesn’t mean static. We’re passionate about pushing the creative envelope every day,exploring opportunities to source and blend outside the box, and showcase the world’s most exciting spirits.”
Joe remains intimately involved with every step of the production process, using his exceptional palate to choose and create great spirits alongside master blender Tripp Stimson, who joined BCS in 2017, as Master Distiller and Director Distillery Operations, after having spent nine years with Brown Forman Corporation, headquarters to Jack Daniel’s, Woodford Reserve andOld Forrester. National Director Will Schragis, an experienced bartender, sommelier and brand development manager, rounds out the core team. In addition to working closely with distributors and key accounts, he plays an active role in product development.
Award-winning
The BCS cask-strength small-batch and single-barrel releases have quickly become an influencing force in American whiskey, picking up awards from the world’s most prestigious distilled spirits publications and competitions. BCS has been consistently highly rated by Whisky Advocate and recently named Editor’s Choice (Winter 2019). At the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, BCS won “Best Small Batch Bourbon over 11 years old” (Batch 018) as well as three Double Golds. In previous years, they captured the 2017 “Best Bourbon” (Batch 011), “Best Small Batch Bourbon,” and “Best Over Proof Rum” (Batch 001). They were also named “Best American Whiskey of 2018” in Forbesby whiskey authority Fred Minnick.
Special Releases
In addition to its ongoing offerings, including Barrell Dovetail and the Infinite Barrel Project, BCS issues special releases that allow its creativity to flourish. BCS recently introduced an American Vatted Malt bottling, a blend of exclusively American single malt whiskeys that’s complex and multi-faceted, rewarding the drinker with unfolding layers of flavor. BCS also has a selection of single barrels available to retailers, bars, restaurants, and whiskey societies, via its Single Barrel Program. Each is a true single barrel – bottled at cask strength without combining it with any other barrels, unlike batches which are bottled from a selection of several barrels blended together to a specific flavor profile. Finally, the Private Release Rum Series showcases the team’s blending expertise while maintaining a single barrel-like scale controlled entirely by hand and by palate. Every ounce of every ingredient changes the overall character of these blends, as does the barrel that each one is aged in, making every bottling singularly special.
The award-winning line of Barrell Craft Spirits releases are currently sold in 43 US states. For more information, visit https://www.barrellbourbon.com. Follow BCS on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @barrellbourbon
For more information, follow Barrell Craft Spirits on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram or visit www.barrellbourbon.com.
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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