by admin | Nov 30, 2021 | IN THE NEWS
Special Release Showcases a Blend of 16 and 17-Year-Old Straight Bourbons
Louisville, KY (November 30, 2021) – Barrell Craft Spirits® (BCS), the award-winning independent blender and bottler of unique aged, cask-strength sourced whiskey and rum, today introduced its BCS Gold Label Bourbon, a blend of 16 and 17-year-old straight bourbons, which were distilled in Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Barrels for this release were selected from four different collections: cherry bomb barrels with a rich mouthfeel, nutty oak-forward barrels, high proof and high complexity barrels, and barrels with pronounced milk chocolate notes. The last group underwent a secondary maturation in toasted virgin American oak casks before being added to this intricate and seductive blend.
“The BCS Gold Label Bourbon is extraordinarily unique because the rare stocks that were acquired underwent a secondary blending and maturation,” said BCS Founder Joe Beatrice. “This expression epitomizes how our team expertly elevates barrels of whiskey into an extraordinarily complex blend which maximizes the nuances of each ingredient.”
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. 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.
In addition to BCS Gold Label, Barrell Craft Spirits® offers several other special releases that allow its creativity to flourish including: Barrell Dovetail, which was awarded the “Chairman’s Trophy” at the 2020 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, Barrell Armida, Barrell Seagrass, American Vatted Malt, and the Infinite Barrel Project.
BCS Gold Label was bottled at 113.54 proof (56.77% ABV) and is now available at select retailers within the brand’s current 48 U.S. markets and online via the BCS website at www.barrellbourbon.com. The suggested retail price for a 750ml bottle, which includes a red gift box, is $499.99.
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 and single barrel is produced as a limited release and has a distinct flavor profile.
Barrell Craft Spirits®, Barrell®, Barrell Bourbon® and Barrell Rye® are registered trademarks owned by Barrell Craft Spirits LLC.
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by admin | Nov 17, 2021 | IN THE NEWS
Critically Acclaimed Expression Now Available Online, Throughout Texas & at the Still Austin Distillery
Austin, TX (November 17, 2021) – Earlier this year, Still Austin Whiskey Co. launched a limited-release Cask Strength Bourbon which sold out in a matter of weeks. Due to popular demand, the homegrown grain-to-glass distillery today announced that the expression will become a permanent fixture in its portfolio. It’s now available for purchase online, in on- and off-premise establishments throughout Texas, and at the Still Austin Tasting Room.
“We were blown away by the volume of demand for Cask Strength and how quickly it sold out,” said Brandon Joldersma, Chief Operating Officer, Still Austin Whiskey Co. “We planned for another limited-release this Fall, but quickly changed course when we saw how well whiskey lovers responded to this expression. So, we decided to give the people what they want and make Cask Strength a permanent part of our portfolio.”
Made from 100% Texas grains, the expression contains the same mash bill as the company’s flagship straight bourbon whiskey – 70% Non-GMO white corn, 25% Elbon rye and 5% wildfire malted barley. To create this robust bourbon, the team asked Master Blender Nancy Fraley to search through their barrels of Straight Bourbon and select the most complex and full-flavored ones—those that were begging to be blended and released at “barrel proof,” meaning the whiskey was bottled at the same proof at which it was aged. The resulting spirit is a masterpiece of complex, dark flavors with a deep spice finish. The suggested retail price for a 750ml bottle is $60.
At 118 proof (59% ABV), the Cask Strength Bourbon is a “deeper, darker, more robust version of its beloved 98.4 proof fruit-forward sibling (aka The Musician), offering a nose of brandied cherries with fresh muddled mint, old fashioned blackberry cobbler with biscuit crust, and cinnamon toast in brown butter,” according to Fraley. “The palate offers notes of grilled peaches drizzled with balsamic vinegar, butterscotch pecan pie, and dark brown sugar, followed by warming waves of rye spice, nutmeg, and clove.”
The artwork on the label, created by internationally acclaimed artist and native Texan Marc Burckhardt, is a slightly modified version of the Straight Bourbon artwork, a series which portrays “archetypical” Austinites. Each provides a sense of the people who have influenced and inspired the team, while paying homage to the Texas terroir. While the Cask Strength bottle also features The Musician, the black starry night sky is meant to reflect the mysterious nature of the stronger, “darker” whiskey inside the bottle.
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 Still Austin distilling team is led by Head Distiller John Schrepel, Master Blender Nancy Fraley and veteran Master Distiller Mike Delevante, one of the most experienced and
respected distillers in North America who designed the distillery to make the highest quality whiskey. 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. For more information, visit www.stillaustin.com
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 the flagship Straight Bourbon Whiskey (aka “The Musician”), Cask Strength Bourbon, and American Gin (aka “The Naturalist”). 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 | Nov 17, 2021 | IN THE NEWS
Retailers Will Carry All Four Wine Spritzer Flavors Beginning in November
Miami Beach, FL (November 17, 2021) – Cool Cat, a refreshing line of low-calorie wine spritzers, is now available in California following a distribution deal with BevMo! and Gopuff. The state’s largest alcohol retailer has agreed to carry all four Cool Cat wine spritzers – Original (Elderflower Mint Lime), Citrus, Berry and Grapefruit, in its 100+ stores statewide.
In late 2020, BevMo! was acquired by Gopuff, the go-to-solution for delivery of immediate everyday needs, and earlier this year, Cool Cat was selected by Gopuff for the inaugural class of its “Put Me On” Small Business Accelerator Program in partnership with NBA All-Star Chris Paul. The program brings together industry leaders and experts to support entrepreneurs from historically underrepresented groups giving them the tools, insights and distribution to grow their businesses.
The announcement comes at a time when the flavored wine category (spritzers, sangria and wine cocktails) is surging – up 90% in 2020, to 32 million cases versus 2019. While all four spritzers are available for purchase online at www.drinkcoolcat.com and in select on-and off-premise locations in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, New York and New Jersey, this marks the brand’s first distribution deal in the Western U.S.
“We’re building a lifestyle beverage brand inclusive of all genders, ethnicities, and sexual orientations, bringing together like-minded individuals who share similar values and experiences,” said co-founder and CEO Rocco Venneri. “As a minority business owner, I was delighted to see Gopuff and its partner NBA All-Star Chris Paul stepping up to help underrepresented businesses. We’re thrilled to be part of the ‘Put Me On’ program and to be working with them to make Cool Cat available to more people.”
Named “Best Spritzer of 2021” by Liquor.com and awarded a Gold Medal by The Fifty Best, the naturally flavored spritzers feature a base of California Pinot Grigio, cane sugar, and are naturally gluten free. At 6.9% ABV they are a better alternative to many other alcoholic beverages, containing just 150 calories and two carbohydrates per 12-ounce can.
Cool Cat tastes great right out of the can, but can also be poured over ice or used to create specialty cocktails. The brand is a mainstay at hot spots in New York and Miami like The Standard Hotels, Beaker & Gray and The Sylvester.
The spritzers are also ideal while on the go – they’re portable; recyclable; park, beach and festival friendly; and provide more bang for the buck than a traditional bottle of wine. The suggested retail price for a 4-pack of 12oz cans (355ml) is $15.99.
To find a store near you, visit https://drinkcoolcat.com/pages/find-us.
For more information, follow the brand @drinkcoolcat on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Spotify, or visit www.drinkcoolcat.com.
About Cool Cat
Cool Cat is a minority founded, led, and operated lifestyle company established in 2018 in Chelsea, NYC. Launched in April 2020, Cool Cat Wine Spritzers are currently distributed in California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey and New York. Discover the brand online at drinkcoolcat.com or on Instagram and Facebook @drinkoolcat.
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by admin | Nov 3, 2021 | IN THE NEWS
Limited Edition Luxury Bottling Features 24-year Canadian Whiskey Barrels
Louisville, KY (November 3, 2021) – Barrell Craft Spirits® (BCS), the award-winning independent blender and bottler of unique aged, cask-strength sourced whiskey and rum, today released its BCS Gray Label Whiskey. This follows the recent release of the company’s BCS Gray Label Bourbon back in September. Going forward, the BCS Line will officially feature the “Gray Label” moniker for the full line of Barrell Craft Spirits®’ Bourbons, Whiskey, and Rums that previously existed.
The BCS Gray Label Whiskey features 24-year Canadian whiskey barrels, a portion of which were finished in Oloroso Sherry barrels and Armagnac casks. When the timing and flavor from the finishing casks peaked, all of the components were carefully blended together and bottled at cask strength at 121.64 proof (60.82% ABV).
The mature, spicy whiskey is front and center, reminiscent of wheat fields edged with wildflowers. There is a rare and noteworthy concentration of aroma, enriched with a candy sweetness and leafy earthiness from the finishing casks, akin to a toasty Belgian waffle.
Over the past two years, the team has experimented with some extended secondary maturation on both the core portfolio and a select number of barrels acquired and earmarked for the BCS Line. This process requires a significant amount of time, experimentation and development in this new set of releases.
“Essentially, the BCS Gray Label Whiskey is a limited edition, luxury bottling, which reflects the overall investment of time, development and ingredients required for these blends,” said Barrell Craft Spirits® Founder Joe Beatrice. “This is blending at its best and the result is a truly exceptional whiskey.”
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. 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.
In addition to the BCS Line, Barrell Craft Spirits® offers several other special releases that allow its creativity to flourish including: Barrell Dovetail, which was awarded the “Chairman’s Trophy” at the 2020 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, Barrell Armida, Barrell Seagrass, American Vatted Malt, and the Infinite Barrel Project.
The BCS Gray Label Whiskey, which includes a gift box, is now available for an SRP of $249.99 at select retailers within the brand’s current 48 U.S. markets and online via the BCS website at www.barrellbourbon.com.
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.
Barrell Craft Spirits®, Barrell®, Barrell Bourbon® and Barrell Rye® are registered trademarks owned by Barrell Craft Spirits LLC.
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by admin | Oct 18, 2021 | IN THE NEWS
Latest Expression in the company’s “Distillery Reserve Series” Only Available Online Via Secret Link
Austin, TX (October 18, 2021) – Still Austin Whiskey Co., a homegrown distillery situated in the heart of South Austin, is excited for the return of its limited-edition Monster Mash cask strength whiskey under its special “Distillery Reserve Series” just in time for the Halloween holiday.
The whiskey was handmade from grain-to-glass at the distillery, aged for three years in new charred American Oak barrels, and bottled at 105.5 proof (52.75% ABV). The (monster) mash bill features grains that are 100% grown by Texas farmers: 63% Non-GMO white corn, 17% Winter Hawk wheat, 10% malted rye, 8% rye and 2% malted barley.
The genesis of this whiskey started when the team discovered five “super sacks” in the distillery which were all less than half full. Lead Distiller John Schrepel decided to see what happened when he combined each of the remaining grains found in each sack. The result turned out even better than he could have imagined.
The team loved the label for last year’s Monster Mash so much—with its oak monster and his squirrel friend—that they decided to continue working with Austin-based artist Dan Grissom of Biscuit Press. The new label features the same monster though perhaps a bit older and wiser now, with even more moss growing on his bark. This year, the monster is just leaving the fall carnival—and he seems to have had a wonderful time.
When & Where to Buy
The team produced approximately (350) 750ml bottles which will retail for $100 each. Consumers will have the chance to purchase a bottle beginning today by visiting StillAustin.com and submitting their email address. Entrants will then receive an email on Monday, 10/25 at 12pm CST with a secret purchase link. Bottles will be sold on a first come, first served basis. Those who purchase a bottle will receive a complimentary, limited-edition 12×16 poster of the Monster Mash label, signed by Dan Grissom. Folks will be able to pick up their bottles at the Still Austin distillery (440 E. St Elmo Road Unit F) on Friday and Saturday, October 29 & 30, beginning at 12pm each day.
Monster Mash Tasting Notes
This monster greets you with scents of salted pecans, dates and saltwater taffy, followed by subtle hints of caramel, cherries, brown sugar, toffee and peanut butter. The velvety palate brings notes of chocolate cherries, salted pretzels, Whoppers malt candy, fluff, and milk chocolate. These initial notes are followed closely by a fall carnival of allspice, spiced apples and maple syrup. A hint of peaches lingers within a complex finish that is at once smooth, round, sweet and dry.
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 Blender 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.
For more information, visit www.stillaustin.com
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.
About the Artist
Dan Grissom is an illustrator, designer, painter, and printmaker based in Austin, Texas. He specializes in screen printed concert posters and has done work for a diverse list of musicians including many local Austin bands. His gallery work includes solo exhibitions at the University of New Mexico Gallup and Northwestern State University in Louisiana. Dan has been a part of many group exhibitions including several through Spoke Art Gallery based in San Francisco and New York. His work has also been featured in several art books as well as magazines based in the U.S., France, and Brazil. In 2015, Dan built a screen printing and letterpress shop in his garage called Biscuit Press where his work is printed, as well as the work of other local artists and designers. He’s taught multiple screen printing workshops with art students at both the University of Texas in Austin and the University of New Mexico in Gallup. Find him on Instagram @dangrissom and Facebook @dangrissomart.
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by admin | Oct 13, 2021 | IN THE NEWS
Breakthrough Brand Embraces the Vitality of American Whiskey to Create the Next Generation of Classic Whiskeys
Louisville, KY – (October 13, 2021) Barrell Craft Spirits® (BCS), the award-winning independent blender and bottler of unique aged, cask-strength sourced whiskey and rum, today expands its footprint in Australia with the introduction of Stellum® Spirits. The inaugural cask-strength bourbon and rye expressions will be joined by single barrel releases later in 2021. The new 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.
“We’re fortunate to have amazing whiskeys like Stellum Bourbon & Rye in our portfolio,” said John M. Weifert, Director, Orrsum Spirits. “The quality and price point of these cask strength American Whiskeys will appeal to a broad audience. I’m excited for the future of Stellum Spirits and future growth of the American whiskey category in Australia.”
Founded in 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky, Barrell Craft Spirits has created a unique niche within the spirits industry by focusing on the art of sourcing and blending. Stellum Spirits is the result of BCS’ years of industry-leading innovation in American whiskey. This new brand investigates the importance of nuance and micro differentiation in a paired down and minimalist setting. Stellum is designed to be clean and straightforward. This is whiskey factored down to its most defining essentials, blended and packaged with an eye towards clean lines and definition. Originally launched in the U.S. this past March, the new brand has already exceeded the team’s expectations.
“Stellum brings American Whiskey into the modern age with simple elegant blends and single barrels selected with care and intention,” said Barrell Craft Spirits Founder Joe Beatrice. “U.S. sales have exceeded our first-year projections in less than six months. We’re confident Australians will also embrace this exciting new brand.”
Stellum Bourbon® is bottled at 114.98 proof (57.49% ABV) while Stellum Rye® is bottled at 116.24 proof (58.12% ABV). The Bourbon and Rye were awarded Gold and Double Gold medals, respectively, at the prestigious 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Both expressions are now available via Orrsum Spirits. For wholesale inquiries, please email [email protected].
For more information about Stellum Spirits, follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit www.stellum.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 and single barrel is produced as a limited release and has a distinct flavor profile.
Barrell Craft Spirits®, Barrell®, Barrell Bourbon® and Barrell Rye® are registered trademarks owned by Barrell Craft Spirits LLC.
Stellum Spirits
Stellum® Spirits is devoted to bringing American whiskey into the modern age with simple, elegant blends and single barrels selected with care and intention. Stellum Spirits is produced by Barrell Craft Spirits®, the award-winning independent blender and bottler of unique aged, cask-strength sourced whiskey and rum.
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