And so we’ve reached another Friday. The new release announcements for the week focus primarily on whiskey. Peat heads in particular will be glad to hear that the much awaited Port Charlotte OLC:01 has finally arrived in the US. This heavily-peated single malt from Bruichladdich is matured in several types of casks. But the highlights for this expression are the oloroso sherry butts from renowned independent sherry house Fernando de Castilla.
Meanwhile, fellow Scotch whisky maker Benriach has three single malt whiskies arriving on our shores this month. Notably they are each at least 21-years-old so they’d make the perfect gift for that someone special. Speaking of which, while much of the US will be experiencing a very chilly Valentine’s Day weekend, we hope you all will be keeping warm. Pour yourself a glass of your favorite tipple and bundle up as you read about the new releases in Distiller’s Roundup for February 12, 2021!
Port Charlotte OLC:01 2010 Finally Reaches US Shores
After months of delays, it was finally announced that Port Charlotte OLC:01 2010 will be arriving in the US this month. The heavily-peated expression was distilled in 2010 with 100% malted barley from Scotland. It was first placed into a variety of barrels for initial maturation. The breakdown is: 30% first-fill ex-bourbon, 40% second-fill ex-bourbon, 5% second-fill ex-syrah wine and 25% ex-vin doux naturel (French fortified wine).
After the initial maturation, the single malt was placed into oloroso sherry hogsheads from Fernando de Castilla to finish maturation. Port Charlotte OLC:01 is bottled without chill filtration at 55.1% ABV. It has an SRP of $129.99.
In other news from Bruichladdich, this week the brand announced it will donate $5.00 for every bottle and $1 for every cocktail it sells in the US to the James Beard Foundation’s Open for Good campaign. This organization aims to help US independent bars and restaurants rebuild after the impact of COVID-19. The campaign runs from February 8, 2021-March 31, 2021. For more information on the organization and to donate funds yourself, please visit its site here.
Port Charlotte OLC:01 /Photo Credit: Bruichladdich
Benriach Launches Three Rare, Aged Releases in the US
This week Benriach announced the launch of three premium single malt whiskies in the US following the relaunch of its core portfolio in September 2020. Each whisky was crafted by Master Blender Rachel Barrie and aged in four different casks. The Twenty One is made from both unpeated and peated spirit. It’s aged for 21 years in bourbon, sherry, virgin oak and Bordeaux red wine barrels.
Meanwhile, The Twenty Five is made from both unpeated and peated spirit. It’s aged for 25 years in bourbon, sherry, virgin oak and Madeira wine barrels. Finally, The Thirty is made from peated spirit which aged for 30 years in bourbon, sherry, virgin oak and port wine barrels.
“It’s a real honor to be able to offer our fans an opportunity to experience the diversity and versatility of Benriach’s orchard fruit-laden style, elevated by a longer maturation time,” said Barrie. “These older expressions are a beautiful reflection of the landscape around the distillery with intriguing, luxurious layers of flavor imparted by the eclectic casks sourced from around the world.”
Each of three single malts were bottled with natural color at 46% ABV. The Twenty One has an SRP of $199.99, The Twenty Five is $359.99 and The Thirty is $739.99. Availability for these expressions begins in the US as of February 2021.
Benriach The Twenty One, The Twenty Five and The Thirty /Photo Credit: Benriach
Heaven Hill Releases First Barrel Proof Expressions for 2021
Heaven Hill has released the first batches of both Elijah Craig and Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon for 2021. Elijah Craig Batch A121 is bottled without chill filtration at 61.8 % ABV (123.6 proof). The Elijah Craig release is made with a traditional mash bill and is aged for 12 years. Meanwhile, this A121 batch of Larceny, a wheated bourbon expression, is bottled without chill filtration at 57.4% ABV (114.8 proof) after 6-8 years of maturation.
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch A121 /Photo Credit: Heaven Hill
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Garrison Brothers Collaborates with McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream
If you’re a fan of mixing two great tastes together, then you’ll be interested in the latest flavor of ice cream from McConnell’s. Garrison Bros. Whiskey & Pecan Pralines is a seasonal ice cream made with Garrison Brothers Small Batch Bourbon. The ice cream officially launches on February 12, 2021. It will be available online at McConnells.com for nationwide shipping and at all of McConnell’s six scoop shop locations across California. The price for the ice cream is $12 online and $11.50 in McConnell’s scoop shops.
Garrison Brothers Small Batch Bourbon /Photo Credit: Garrison Brothers
Whiskies of the World Exclusive Discount for Distiller and Distiller Pro Users
Our friends at Whiskies of the World have adapted to the pandemic by creating an at-home tasting experience called W.O.W Them At Home. This virtual masterclass offers participants a chance to sip through a selection of whiskeys shipped to your door before the event. For the April tasting, Whiskies of the World is also offering discounts to Distiller and Distiller Pro users. Click here to learn how to receive your code and to see the pour list.
TIDBITS FROM AROUND THE SPIRITS WORLD
Let’s take a quick look at what else is going on around the world this week…
Martini & Rossi Fiero
Martini & Rossi Fiero is an aperitivo made with white wines and botanicals including Spanish-grown Murcia orange peels as well as artemisia absinthium and artemisia pontica. “Fiero” translates in Italian to mean proud, intense or bold. It’s bottled at 30 proof and has an SRP of $17.99.
Tequila Komos Reposado Rosa
Tequila Komos Reposado Rosa is made using 100% blue weber agave harvested from both the Tequila Valley (Lowlands) and Los Altos (Highlands). After cooking in traditional stone ovens, the agave is fermented and then distilled in copper pot stills. Then the tequila is aged in French oak red wine barrels for 65 days imparting a pink hue. Next the tequila is placed in a Greek amphorae and gently tumbled. The tequila is then bottled in an opaque porcelain bottle at 40% ABV. Available as of May 2021, it has an SRP of $99.
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