by admin | Dec 4, 2020 | IN THE NEWS
Third Expression in the company’s “Distillery Reserve Series” Available for Purchase on Saturday, December 12, Beginning at Noon
Austin, TX (December 12, 2020) – Still Austin Whiskey Co., a homegrown distillery situated in the heart of South Austin, will unveil a limited-release 100% Rye Whiskey finished in Sherry Casks, the third expression in its “Distillery Reserve Series.” The team only produced (565) 750ml bottles of the Rye whiskey, which retail for $120 each. Whiskey lovers can purchase this special release exclusively at the distillery’s Tasting Room, located at 440 East St. Elmo Road, Ste. F in Austin, beginning on Saturday, December 12 at 12:00pm. Previous expressions in the Series sold out swiftly.
Made from 100% Texas rye grains, the new expression represents a true expression of the distiller’s art. The rye whiskey (from three separate barrels) was finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks for eight months and aged at least two years. It was bottled at 107.8 proof (53.9% ABV).
Like the spirits inside, the bottles themselves are works of creative expression. Still Austin enlisted local abstract artist Rachel Dickson who applied her traditional skills with color and composition to create several hundred unique versions of the bottle featuring one-of-a-kind labels. Each conveys a singular mood while maintaining a unified color palette.
“This Distillery Reserve Series extremely limited release combines two of our most exciting ventures: our currently aging barrels of 100% Texas rye whiskey and sherry cask finishing,” said John Schrepel, Head Distiller. “The aging process resulted in a cozy mahogany color that’s perfect for the holidays and a fruit-forward nose layered with hints of holiday spices, dark chocolate, and tannic and citrus underpinnings that will surely satisfy.”
Tasting Notes
- Look: deep red, amber, mahogany
- Nose: chocolate cherries, cinnamon, fig, cranberry, dates, sweet/tannic, citrus, pine needles, caramel
- Palate: dark chocolate, wood tannins, allspice/nutmeg/gingerbread cookie, cherry pie filling, strawberry rhubarb pie
- Finish: fruit/wood notes, spicy peppercorn, oatmeal cookie, toasted marshmallow
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 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 slow water reduction technique focused on flavor and balance, which gives the alcohol a softness on the palate and brings more “mature” notes 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
Austin based artist, Rachel Dickson, has been honing her artistic skills for the past decade. After the death of her brother in 2014 and then of her son’s biological mom in 2015, she used art as a form of therapy to deal with anger and heartache. She decided to pursue painting as a full-time career in 2018. She uses art as a therapy, and her work showcases the vast mix of emotions that encompass grief. She specializes in watercolors and frequently uses acrylic and collage. The female form is prevalent in her work and her use of color and white space are the foundation of each piece. She sells her original art and takes commissions. For custom commissions or art licensing/publishing inquiries, please email [email protected].
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by admin | Nov 17, 2020 | IN THE NEWS
New Series Features 49 Unique Releases Married in Ex-Bourbon Barrels
Louisville, Ky. (November 17, 2020) – Following the successful launch of its award-winning Private Release Rum and Whiskey Series, Barrell Craft Spirits (BCS) will introduce its first-ever Private Release Bourbon Series later this month.
For this special release, BCS selected bourbons sourced from Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana, spread across four different ages and then blended them into 49 different recipes. Each blend number has its own ratios, printed on the label and is constructed in its own ex-bourbon barrel. With each release, a new set of base bourbons is selected, so every recipe is only made once.
Known best for sourcing and blending award-winning, unique aged spirits at cask strength, BCS’ Private Release Bourbon Series is an exercise in micro-blending and variations on a theme. It affords the team the opportunity to showcase its blending expertise while maintaining a single barrel-like scale controlled entirely by hand and by palate. Private Release Barrels also offer retailers, bourbon clubs and whiskey aficionados alike something truly unique.
“The Private Release Bourbon project was designed to synthesize a growing demand for exclusive store, group, and state ‘picks’ with our belief that blending can make bourbons that span the greatest spectrum of flavor,” said Company Founder Joe Beatrice. “Our Private Release program allows an entirely new set of options for those looking for unique and exclusive products.”
Joe is intimately involved with every step of the production process, using his exceptional palate to choose and create great spirits alongside Chief Whiskey Scientist Tripp Stimson, National Director Will Schragis and Assistant Blender Nic Christiansen. Together, they strive to be the most creative, forward-thinking and progressive whiskey blenders in the nation. That means sourcing 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 those reasons, these whiskeys take months to polish and perfect.
Each offering in the Series is produced as a limited release, has a distinct flavor profile and contains between 150-180 total 750ml bottles, with an SRP of $109.99. Because some 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. Suggestions for where to buy will be updated as they become available. Click the link below for more information:
https://www.barrellbourbon.com/privatereleasebourbon
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 and single barrel is produced as a limited release and has a distinct flavor profile.
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by admin | Nov 8, 2020 | IN THE NEWS
15-Year-Old Limited-Edition Holiday Barrel Proof Release Now Available for Purchase Online and Throughout Kentucky
BARDSTOWN, Ky. (November 2020) –Grain & Barrel Spirits has introduced Chicken Cock Master Distiller’s Pick, a 15-year-old limited-edition Barrel Proof release, just in time for the holiday season. For this special expression, Master Distiller Gregg Snyder handpicked 10 of the brand’s best and oldest barrels, sampling them periodically during the finishing process to evaluate the spectacular transformation. He determined that the flavor combinations reached their peak in the barrel at 114-proof (57% ABV).
Featuring a mash bill of 78.5% corn, 13% rye and 8.5% malted barley, this expression was non-chill filtered and bottled in an original pre-prohibition Chicken Cock replica glass bottle, which includes a metal overcap. Only 1,350 bottles of this Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey are available, which bourbon aficionados can find online or at fine establishments throughout Kentucky. The suggested retail price for a 750ml bottle is $300.00.
“This powerhouse 15-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon, which we bottled at barrel proof, displays an amazing array of complex flavors,” said Snyder. “It was well worth the wait.”
Tasting Notes:
- Appearance: beautiful, rich, deep dark auburn with long, slow legs in the glass
- Aroma: wonderful aromas of toasted oak, dark chocolate covered cherries, spice and slight citrus, with a hint of leather
- Taste: exquisite and complex sweet caramel, vanilla bean, butterscotch, dried dark fruit (figs/raisins), and pleasant bittersweet chocolate flavors on the palate
- Finish: long and delightful with hints of honey, pepper and cinnamon, complimented by soft oak lactones with just the right amount of dryness to enhance the sweet elements, all contained within a firm barrel proof “Kentucky hug” all the way down.
Established in 1856 in Paris, Kentucky, 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, founder of Grain & Barrel Spirits, 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.
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 has been named to the Inc. 5000 list for the past two years, 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 and Facebook @chickencockwhiskey
Chicken Cock Whiskey is also proud to be associated with the Bardstown Bourbon Company’s collaborative distiller’s program.
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by admin | Oct 21, 2020 | IN THE NEWS
Second Expression in the company’s “Distillery Reserve Series” Available for Purchase on October 31 Beginning at Noon
Austin, TX (October 21, 2020) – Still Austin Whiskey Co., a homegrown distillery situated in the heart of South Austin, will release a limited-edition Monster Mash cask strength single barrel whiskey under its special “Distillery Reserve Series” just in time for the Halloween holiday.
The new expression features grains that are 100% grown by Texas farmers. The whiskey was handmade from grain-to-glass at the distillery, aged for 26 months in new charred American Oak barrels,and bottled at 106.53 proof (53% ABV). The (monster) mash bill contains 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.
“At Still Austin, we don’t take ourselves too seriously and creating the Monster Mash expression was a whimsical way to celebrate Halloween,” said Schrepel. “Because this is such a limited-edition offering, we encourage folks to come to the distillery right at noon when we open on Halloween to purchase their bottle.”
When & Where to Buy
The team only produced two single barrels of Monster Mash – about (500) 750ml bottles – which retail for $100 each. Bottles can only be purchased via the distillery’s Tasting Room beginning on Saturday, October 31 at 12:00pm. Those who purchase a bottle will receive a complimentary, limited-edition 12×16 poster of the Monster Mash label, signed by Austin-based artist Dan Grissom of “Biscuit Press.”There will also be a special Halloween surprise for those who come dressed in costume.
Monster Mash Tasting Notes
Nose: apricot, allspice, creamy maple pecan, roasted nuts, candy corn, date palm
Palate: Reese’s peanut butter cups, almond butter, MilkyWay candy bar, Chocolate covered cherries, toasted marshmallow, amaretto, pecan praline, Werther’s original vanilla creme soft caramel hard candies
Finish: nutty, toasted marshmallow, Cadbury cream egg
Online Contest
Additionally, the team is running an online contest which gives one lucky participant a chance to win a trip for (2) to Texas (specifically Austin, Dallas, Houston or San Antonio), and includes hotel (two nights), transportation and a $150 per diem for meals and incidentals. In order to qualify, folks must post a picture of themselves dressed in a Halloween costume to the Still Austin Facebook @StillATX or Instagram page @Still_ATX and use the hashtag #MonsterMashTrip. Still Austin will select and post five finalists to its social pages on November 5, and then allow its social community to vote on the grand prizewinner until 11:59pm CST that day. Limit one vote per person. The winner will be announced on November 6, 2020. Visit www.stillaustin.com for full contest rules.
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 Roadin 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.
by admin | Oct 19, 2020 | IN THE NEWS
Initial Offering Includes Original Elderflower Mint Lime & Citrus
New York, NY (October 20, 2020) – Cool Cat, a refreshing new line of low-calorie wine spritzers, recently launched its first two flavors in select markets: Original (Elderflower Mint Lime) and Citrus.
Named “Best Ready to Drink Beverage” and awarded a Gold Medal by The Fifty Best earlier this year, the naturally flavored spritzers feature a base of California Pinot Grigio, cane sugar, and are naturally gluten free. At 6.9% ABV they pack a punch, but are a better alternative to many other alcoholic beverages, containing just 150 calories and two carbohydrates per 12-ounce can.
More than a drink, Cool Cat is a unique lifestyle brand that offers refreshing wine cocktail experiences with the ease and convenience of a canned drink for a new generation of doers, explorers, seekers, and creators.
“We’re building a uniquely delicious beverage brand, but also a community of fearless Cool Cats,” said co-founder and CEO Rocco Venneri. “As a minority business owner, it’s essential that we’re inclusive of all genders, ethnicities, and sexual orientations, and bring together like-minded individuals who share similar values and experiences.”
Cool Cat tastes great right out of the can, but can also be poured over ice or used as a mixer in cocktails. Cool Cat has started popping up at New York hot spots likeThe Standard Hotel and STK Downtown, and on the cocktail menu at Bottino, which is currently featuring an Autumn Sangria made with Cool Cat Original.
The spritzers are also ideal for Cool Cats 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 $17.99.
The duo of spritzers is now available for purchase online at www.drinkcoolcat.com and at select on-and off-premise locations in New York, Connecticut, and Georgia. While some said 2020 was “poised to be the summer of the wine spritzer,” Cool Cat is just getting started. The team plans to launch the lifestyle brand in several new markets in the coming year and will also introduce two new flavors. To find a store near you visit, https://drinkcoolcat.com/store-locator. Cool Cat is offering free shipping on all orders through December 2020.
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 owned, operated and led lifestyle company founded in 2018 in Chelsea, NYC. Launched in April 2020, Cool Cat Wine Spritzers are currently distributed in New York, Connecticut and Georgia with plans to expand into additional markets in 2021. Discover the brand online at drinkcoolcat.com or on Instagram and Facebook @drinkoolcat.
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by admin | Oct 13, 2020 | IN THE NEWS
Ultra-Premium Limited Release Highlights Special Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys Matured for 15 Years
Louisville, KY (October 14, 2020) – Barrell Craft Spirits® (BCS), the award-winning independent blender and bottler of unique aged, cask-strength sourced whiskey and rum, has unveiled its most recent Bourbon release from the Barrell Craft Spirits Line, a special blend of straight bourbon whiskeys matured for a minimum of 15 years. Distilled in Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee, this ultra-premium limited release was crafted and bottled in Kentucky at peak maturity (104.9 proof, 52.45% ABV). In addition to Bourbon, the Barrell Craft Spirits Line also includes Whiskey and Rum.
Named “Best American Whiskey of 2018” by whiskey authority Fred Minnick in Forbes Magazine,this year’s complex release offers a bouquet shifting between heady minerals, tart fruits, woodsy spices and rich, nutty notes; with a delicacy that belies the explosion of oak on the palate. The addition of water brings out a creaminess which transforms the nose into a lush and tropical experience; bright but mature with exotic fruit notes rarely found in such old bourbon.
“We’re thrilled to introduce the third release of Bourbon within the Barrell Craft Spirits Line,” said Founder Joe Beatrice. “For this annual release, we identified and blended some exceptional barrels to taste that are defined by absolute balance and deep flavor layering.”
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. 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.
Joe remains intimately involved with every step of the production process at BCS, using his exceptional palate to choose and create great spirits alongside Tripp Stimson, the Chief Whiskey Scientist and Director of Distillery Operations, who joined BCS in 2017 after having spent nine years with Brown Forman Corporation. National Director Will Schragis, an experienced sommelier, rounds out the team with an active role in product development.
Beginning this month, Barrell Craft Spirits will make 12,000 (750ml) bottles of BCS Bourbon available at select retailers within the brand’s current 45 U.S. markets and online via the BCS website at www.barrellbourbon.com for the suggested retail price of $250.00, which includes a classic black storage case.
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.
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