by admin | Oct 13, 2020 | IN THE NEWS
Proprietary Distillation Process Results in a Luxury Tequila of Unparalleled Flavor Made With 100% Blue Agave
New York, NY – PaQuí Tequila is officially launching to the trade in six states, including NY, CA, FL, GA, SC and TN. PaQuí is an exciting addition to the Tequila category because it was specially created to express the best parts of the blue agave fruit’s more than 600 aroma and flavor compounds, avoiding the harsh bite of most Tequilas.
All three expressions of PaQuí Tequila – Silvera, Reposado and Añejo – are also available for retail purchase online at PaquiTequila.com, with shipping to 40 states and Washington D.C.
“I created PaQuí because I felt there had to be a better tasting Tequila – one that fully expresses the beautiful aromas and flavors of the blue agave fruit, without the harsh bite that is so common in Tequila,” said PaQuí founder John Chappell. “I wanted to create a Tequila that is a pure pleasure to sip and enjoy in cocktails.”
A top finding in PaQuí’s consumer research uncovered that while a lot of people love the idea of Tequila, they don’t actually love the actual liquid. So founder John Chappell found a master distiller in Jalisco, Mexico — the highly respected Gilberto Jasso — who knew a different way to make Tequila.
Flavorful PaQuí Tequila stands out from other luxury Tequilas thanks to three key differentiators in the production process:
1) Only agave piñas that reach exactly 26 brix ripeness (sugar level) make the cut. These agave plants take seven or more years to mature;most mass production Tequilas are made with younger, less-ripe agave (as young as four years).
2) Fresh wine yeast – not airborne yeast – is used in the fermentation process, for control and consistency over the finished product. PaQuí also uses stainless steel fermentation tanks and pot stills to avoid “off” flavors.
3) A selective distillation process goes further than most major brands by separating the “heart” of the distillate to remove impurities that are harsh, bitter substances, allowing the pleasant aromas, fruit, minerals and soft texture to fully emerge.
The resulting Tequila is uniquely fruity, floral and complex, with a silky texture, long finish, and no harshness. PaQuí Silvera is unaged, PaQuí Reposado is aged for four months in ex-whisky barrels of American oak, and PaQuí Añejo is aged for 14 months in ex-whisky American oak barrels. Unlike its competitors, there is a great deal of restraint used in the oak aging, retaining the sweet agave fruit of the Silvera.
PaQuí Stands for Happiness
The word PaQuí means “to be happy” in the Aztec language, and the branding and liquid inside the bottle bring that emotion to life. The bottle design was inspired by an Aztec pyramid and the dancing Mexican warrior on the label in his headdress – but no weapon – inspires fun.
“The PaQuí liquid offers a new Tequila experience because the brand captures the emotion behind Tequila: Mexican culture, a sense of old-world craftsmanship and quality, and a sense of enjoyment, sociability and fun,” added Chappell.
PaQuí will be supported in-market with digital advertising, social media and PR campaigns to engage the trade as well as consumers. Already, PaQuí is available in more than 250 accounts in New York City, with an 85 percent reorder rate, demonstrating strong proof-of concept in arguably the most competitive market in the country.
PaQuí Tequila is the first distilled spirit to be launched by Tequila Holdings, Inc., an independent spirits company founded by career beverage executive John Chappell in New York, NY. PaQuí recently conducted a successful fund-raising campaign on StartEngine.com, becoming one of just 85 companies to reach the allowed limit of Regulation C fund-raising campaigns ($1.07 million raised over a six-month period). PaQuí Tequila is available wholesale in six states and online at PaQuí Tequila.com. The suggested retail price for each 750ml bottle of PaQuí Tequila is: Silvera at $49.99; Reposado at $59.99 and; Añejo at $69.99.
###
by admin | Oct 13, 2020 | IN THE NEWS
New expression joins award-winning Kentucky Rye, also from historic Kentucky distillery
BOSTON, October 13, 2020 — Latitude Beverage Co., in partnership with Owensboro Distilling Company (formerly O.Z. Tyler), is expanding the Wheel Horse Whiskey portfolio with Wheel Horse Bourbon. Following the successful launch of Wheel Horse Rye earlier this year, Latitude continues to collaborate with the historic Kentucky distillery to bring this new Bourbon to life.
Wheel Horse Bourbon was aged between two and four years at Owensboro Distilling, the westernmost distillery along the famed Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Crafted by Master Distiller Jacob Call, a third-generation distiller and seventh-generation Kentuckian, Wheel Horse Bourbon is a Straight Bourbon whiskey made from a mash bill of 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley. This whiskey is produced through the traditional sour mash method, distilled in copper stills, and matured in hand-selected, 53-gallon, charred American oak barrels. It is non-chill filtered and bottled at 101 proof (50.5% ABV).
“It has been an honor to carry on the 135-year tradition of this historic distillery, which was recently renamed so we could better honor its storied past,” said Jacob Call, Master Distiller at Owensboro Distilling. “We reopened for production in 2016 after being closed for more than seven decades, and Wheel Horse was one of the first national brands to show off our whiskey. We’re excited to partner with Latitude Beverage again on the release of Wheel Horse Bourbon. You’re going to love it.”
“Launching Wheel Horse in partnership with Owensboro Distilling has been an exciting endeavor,” said Terry Lozoff, Latitude Beverage’s Spirits Director. “Wheel Horse Rye has quickly gained a loyal following and has received several accolades, including a 94 point rating from the New York International Spirits Competition. Owensboro Distilling is making fantastic whiskey, and this new Bourbon is the perfect example of the high bar they’ve set as they fully re-enter the Kentucky Bourbon scene.”
Wheel Horse Bourbon Whiskey is available in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Tennessee. Also, after quickly selling out of batch one, the second batch of Wheel Horse Rye Whiskey will be available in these markets in early November. Both expressions have a suggested retail price of $27.99 for a 750ml bottle, making both the Bourbon and Rye an affordable luxury for whiskey lovers.
For more information and to purchase Wheel Horse Bourbon and Rye, visit www.wheelhorsewhiskey.com and follow @WheelHorseWhiskey on Facebook and Instagram.
About Latitude Beverage Company
Latitude Beverage is the innovative, Boston-based company behind a portfolio of national wine and spirits brands, including 90+ Cellars, Iron Side, Mija Sangria, Magic Door Vineyards, Corte Fiore, Steel Dust Vodka and Wheel Horse Whiskey. The company was founded in 2007 by Kevin Mehrawho saw an opportunity to make high-end wine more accessible by purchasing oversupply from highly rated wineries across the globe, bottling the wine under his own labels, and selling it to consumers at a lower price. This unique business model, based on the centuries old function of the négociant, became the foundation for 90+ Cellars. The company is now recognized as one of the fastest growing wine companies in America (IMPACT Hot Brand 2015, 2016, 2017). For more information, visit ninetypluscellars.com.
About Owensboro Distilling Co.
Owensboro Distilling Co. (a subsidiary of Green River Distilling Co.) is the fourth largest independent Bourbon distillery in the United States, located in Owensboro, Kentucky. Founded by John W. McCulloch in 1885, DSP-KY-10 received national and international acclaim for its whiskey. The distillery endured fire, Prohibition, multiple owners, and a period of decline to reemerge today. Under the leadership of Master Distiller Jacob Call, the distillery produces 90,000 barrels of Bourbon and rye a year for bulk, private brand, private label partners. The distillery is the Westernmost spot on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and welcomes visitors from around the world. For more information, visit www.greenriverdistilling.com.
###
by admin | Oct 7, 2020 | IN THE NEWS
Limited-Release Boasts a Blend of Three Straight Bourbon Whiskeys Finished Separately in Pear Brandy, Jamaican Rum & Sicilian Amaro Casks
Louisville, KY (October 7, 2020) – Barrell Craft Spirits® (BCS), the award-winning independent blender and bottler of unique aged, cask-strength sourced whiskey and rum, is delighted to introduce Barrell Armida, a blend of three straight bourbon whiskeys finished separately in Pear Brandy, Jamaican Rum, and Sicilian Amaro Casks.
Armida began as an experiment that sent the BCS team around the world in search of flavors and aromas they felt excited to find in bourbon. More than a year later, they’ve achieved a whiskey which bourbon enthusiasts will crave. The ripe, floral pear notes provide a soft entrance into a whiskey that’s adorned with hints of spice and arid citrus derived from the Amaro casks and the toasty bourbon itself. This mélange of flavor is framed by the ripe, tropical sweetness found in rum finished whiskeys. Armida is a journey for the palate: from a brisk northern orchard to an ancient island, it ends up exactly as intended – an immensely complex and satisfying whiskey.
“With Armida, we set out to finish and blend whiskeys that tease the intended subtle flavors from the edges of perception into the forefront,” said Founder Joe Beatrice. “We’re passionate about exploring opportunities to source and blend outside the box, and to showcase the world’s most exciting spirits. Armida helps to further advance our vision of the next chapter of whiskey in America.”
Joe is intimately involved with every step of the production process, 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.
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.
BCS also offers special releases that allow its creativity to flourish including: Dovetail American Whiskey, which was awarded the “Chairman’s Trophy” at the 2020 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, theInfinite Barrel Project, American Vatted Malt, and the Barrell Craft Spirits Line, which was named “Best American Whiskey of 2018” by whiskey authority Fred Minnick in Forbes. The team anticipates that Armida will join this shortlist of regular offerings.
Barrell Armida Bourbon Whiskey was bottled at 112.10 proof (56.06% ABV) and is available at select retailers within the brand’s current 45 U.S. markets and online via the BCS website at www.barrellbourbon.com. For this special release, only 3,700 total 750ml bottles will be available, with a suggested retail price of $89.99.
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.
# # #
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.
# # #
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).
# # #
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.
# # #
