Another busy week in the spirits world is coming to an end. Kentucky whiskey fans will be pleased to hear that Four Roses has reopened its distillery after a renovation project has come to a close. To celebrate the re-opening they’ve announced Four Roses Small Batch Select. Also, Woodford Reserve announced its annual $1,000 Mint Julep cup program along with a unique recipe for the cocktail that involves a barrel-aged honey.
As for new releases, Jack Daniel’s No. 27 Gold, a double-barrel Tennessee whiskey, is now available in the States. Also, Douglas Laing announced its Big Peat Fèis Ìle 2019 Islay blended malt bottling. Additionally, Bruichladdich revealed its Islay Barley 2011 single malt. The details to these new bottlings and more can be found below.
But first, in light of the tragedy that occurred on Monday at Notre-Dame, we’d like to raise a toast to the nearly 500 firefighters who braved the fire at the iconic cathedral. Our hearts are with the people of France and we wish for a successful restoration in due time.
LVMH Pledges €200 mil to Notre Dame Reconstruction
Earlier this week France and the rest of the world watched in shock as Notre-Dame burned. French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to rebuild the landmark structure within five years.
The Cathedral of Notre Dame
The iconic cathedral suffered significant damage to the roof and spire of the landmark, but firefighters were able to save the building’s main structure. As a result of the tragedy, the French conglomerate LVMH Group, has pledged €200 mil towards its reconstruction. The Group has its headquarters in Paris and is behind such spirits brands as Ardbeg, Hennessy, and Glenmorangie among many others.
With this pledge from the LVMH Group, the donations pledged thus far exceed €850 mil.
Four Roses Celebrates Distillery Grand Reopening with Debut of Four Roses Small Batch Select
Four Roses recently embarked on a facility renovation and expansion project into both its Distillery in Lawrenceburg, KY., and at its Warehouse & Bottling Facility in Cox’s Creek, KY. With renovations now complete, Four Roses will be able to double its production output from 4 million to 8 million proof gallons annually.
To mark the occasion, Four Roses announced its official reopening this week along with the debut of its newest permanent member to its portfolio: Four Roses Small Batch Select. We mentioned this impending release earlier this year, but now we have the official recipe for the bourbon which was selected by Brent Elliott, Four Roses master distiller.
Four Roses Celebrates Distillery Grand Reopening with Debut of New Small Batch Select / Photo Credit: Four Roses
In case you weren’t aware, Four Roses has 10 bourbon recipes available to craft its bourbon offerings which are made from two different mash bills and five different yeast strains. Small Batch Select is made from six of the ten: OBSV, OBSK, OBSF, OESV, OESK, OESF. Each bourbon in the small batch selection will be six or seven years old. This is the first new brand extension for the brand in 12 years.
For more information about the Four Roses recipes, check out our interview with Four Roses’ Brent Elliott.
Woodford Reserve $1,000 Mint Julep Cups & Recipe
Woodford Reserve has announced its annual release of its $1,000 Mint Julep cups for 2019. Proceeds from the sale of the cups go to the John Asher Memorial Scholarship Fund at Western Kentucky University.
“Woodford Reserve is honored to bring together two of Kentucky’s greatest traditions — Derby and bourbon — through our $1,000 Mint Julep Cup program,” Master Distiller Chris Morris said. “A premium celebration like The Kentucky Derby deserves an opulent cocktail. This year, we are deeply honored to celebrate the life and legacy of John Asher.”
This year’s Mint Julep recipe was crafted by Morris and Assistant Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall. The pair climbed into the Twin Spires to place the honey sweetener for the final cocktail recipe to rest for 145 days.
Woodford Reserve’s 2019 $1,000 Mint Julep Kentucky Derby Recipe
– 2 oz. Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon
– 2 bar spoons of Inspired Honey Sweetener
– Mint Leaves
– Garnish: Shaved honeycomb and a sprig of mint
Instructions:
Rub mint around the julep cup, expressing the essential oils and place the mint leaf in the bottom of the cup. Drizzle two bar spoons of honey sweetener in the cup, followed by two ounces of the bourbon. Mix the ingredients together. Next, pack ice into the cup, followed by the sipping straw. Layer loose ice on top, with a splash the bourbon to settle your drink. Garnish with shaved honeycomb and a sprig of mint.
Woodford Reserve $1,000 Mint Julep Cups / Photo Credit: Woodford Reserve
Craigellachie 51 Pop-Up Experience In The US This May
As we mentioned last fall, Craigellachie launched its 51 Year offering by opening a pop-up bar experience in London. Fans were able to sample Craigellachie 51 Year along with other ages in the portfolio. Now that tour is coming to America along with the whisky.
From May 7th – 9th, Craigellachie will open the doors to its Bar 51 experience at a secret location in New York City, during which a select group of whisky fans will be a part of the whisky’s US debut.
Craigellachie 51 Year / Photo Credit: Craigellachie
Entries for Bar 51 are now open. They close at 11:59 PM EST on Saturday, April 27th. All winners will be notified by Monday, April 29th, with the option to bring a guest with them should they like.
To register for your chance at a seat, please visit craigellachie.com/bar51.
NEW RELEASES
Jack Daniel’s No. 27 Gold Tennessee Whiskey
Jack Daniel’s No. 27 Gold begins its life as the original Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey. After its initial maturation in new, charred American oak, it finishes in maple wood barrels. No. 27 Gold initially launched in 2013 in travel retail and various Asian markets, but is now available in the United States.
SRP $99.99
Jack Daniel’s No. 27 Gold Tennessee Whiskey / Photo Credit: Jack Daniel’s
Big Peat Fèis Ìle 2019
The 2019 Fèis Ìle bottling for Douglas Laing’s Big Peat includes over 400 selfies submitted by fans on its packaging. The blended malt includes peated single malts exclusively from the Isle of Islay including Ardbeg, Bowmore, Caol Ila, and Port Ellen. Only 3,300 bottles were produced. It is bottled without chill-filtration or added coloring at 48% ABV.
SRP $65
Big Peat Fèis Ìle 2019 / Photo Credit: Douglas Laing
Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2011
Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2011 is the sixth release in this series of single malts crafted using 100% barley grown on the Islay. Oxbridge and Publican barley varieties harvested from six Islay farms were used in its production. The unpeated single malt matured in first-fill bourbon barrels (75%), first-fill Rivesaltes wine barrels (10%), and 2nd and 3rd-fill Austrian & Sauternes sweet wine barrels (15%). The whiskies were married for 6 months prior to bottling. Bottled without chill-filtration or added color at 50% ABV.
SRP $69.99
Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2011
Which new release are you most excited for? Four Roses Small Batch Select, Jack Daniel’s No. 27 Gold, or Big Peat Fèis Ìle 2019?
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